It’s the ground reality after hitting the campaign trail. But there is more to it than that. The BJP’s defensiveness springs from OBC/Dalit pushback on its leaders saying continuously that they want to change the constitution – read as finish reservations.

Modi crossed the line campaigning in Rajasthan, and attacked Indian Muslims saying a vote for the Opposition would mean 'mangalsutras' and 'land' will be given away to 'infiltrators.'

Tamil Nadu is a humming manufacturing hub – one of the biggest in India – and has steadily outstripped large states in north India. The distance has grown over time. It has only 2% poor, as per government data, versus Gujarat’s 12%, UP’s 23% and Bihar’s 34%.

In its editorial, the daily said that an 'intolerant Hindu-first majoritarianism is the order of the day' in Modi's India, as it went on to credit a possible victory for Modi-led BJP in the upcoming elections to his 'personal popularity' and 'economic success'. 

Shah’s bluster appears to be a continuation of the Modi government’s policy to block discussion on the India-China dispute, have no briefings and be in constant denial. Modi is yet to name China when discussing the neighbourhood.

The striking thing about Modi’s latest ‘interview’ in Newsweek is the absence of not supplementaries, but questions themselves.

In 41 seats, BJP could not touch 10%. More than half of these seats are in the Telugu-speaking states, mostly Andhra Pradesh, where the party has tied up with TDP, a regional player whose leader has undergone a jail sentence over corruption charges and had earlier referred to Modi as a “terrorist”.

BJP won 77 seats with less than one lakh votes. Close contests in 40 seats include Machhlishahr in UP with just 181 votes. BJP won 303 seats in 2019, and the halfway mark is 272, that is, it crossed the margin by 33 seats only.

Recently appointed chairman of the Finance Commission, Arvind Panagariya terms those concerned about sharply rising inequality as “inequality alarmists” and says “this form of inequality elicits little opprobrium from the masses”

It is a good time to remember the COVID-19 epidemic and what the Modi government did, as it did not appear to promote a ‘scientific temper’.

Maharashtra has the second largest number of seats in the country, 48, as compared to India’s largest state UP which has 80.

What does it say of the BJP’s commitment to battling corruption or fulfilling promises, with party insiders and sitting MLAs up in arms over the choice of candidates in Darjeeling and Dhanbad?

At least four big issues find focus after Sitharaman’s “explanation” about why she is not fighting these elections. Her statement helps makes explicit the deepening shadow on Indian democracy.

Companies newly formed or making losses donating vast sums of money, contracts awarded just before or after donations, SBI's claims of not having data...and more.

Companies newly formed or making losses donating vast sums of money, contracts awarded just before or after donations, SBI's claims of not having data...and more.

Only ‘acting’. And there's a few other things you need to know.

The ‘sealed covers’ called for by Supreme Court’s two  interim orders should have had the details. BJP is the foremost culprit as it was the largest beneficiary of bonds. But TMC, Congress, Telugu Desam party, YSR Congress, Bharat Rashtra Samithi and Biju Janata Dal too did not follow the Supreme Court’s interim orders in full.

JD(S) has declared donations from Infosys, Embassy Group of Companies, Aditya Birla Group, Bicon Limited, JSW Steel, Amar Raj Group, Shankaranarayana Constructions (P), Health Care Global Enterprises Private Limited, and Shahi Exports Private Limited.

While AAP has received a total of Rs 65.45 crores between April 18, 2019 and July 26, 2023, it has only disclosed donors for 2018-2019.

Is a BJD-BJP alliance in the offing? Will it help or hurt the ruling parties facing decades-long anti-incumbency? What is holding up Maharashtra?