Identity crisis for Trinamool: Is the party merging with its roots?

As high-profile exits shake the Trinamool Congress, Mamata Banerjee is pivoting back to basics. Instead of chasing star power, the party supremo banks on her nameless, faceless grassroots foot-soldiers. These quiet workers have been grinding behind the scenes for decades, many tracing their loyalty back to Mamata’s original days in the Congress.

However, this tactical retreat to the old guard has sparked an existential debate. Insiders note that with the recent exodus of big names, the party’s core structure is increasingly comprised of veteran Congress loyalists. If the machinery keeping the TMC afloat is essentially the old Bengal Congress under a different banner, it raises a glaring question: What is the point of a separate party altogether?

Bankipur Bypoll Jolt: Will defection of Jan Suraaj leaders hurt BJP?

In a significant political development ahead of the crucial July 30 Bankipur Assembly bypoll in Patna, several prominent Jan Suraaj Party leaders switched allegiances to the BJP on Wednesday. This mass defection deals a direct blow to party founder Prashant Kishor. Key defectors include former candidates KC Sinha, Ritesh Ranjan, Gopal Singh, and Braj Kishore Sinha. They were formally inducted by Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi, who stated they were deeply influenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the ruling party's policies.

This major defection significantly alters the dynamics for the highly anticipated Bankipur bypoll, where Prashant Kishor will face BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha. However, public opinion remains sharply divided, with many analysts suggesting that this sudden influx of turncoats could end up hurting the BJP’s image.

Reconnect with masses, Samajwadi Party gears up for Rath Yatra in September

Reports indicate that the Samajwadi Party (SP), led by Akhilesh Yadav, is preparing for a significant political campaign ahead of the upcoming 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Sources said, the party is planning to launch a grand "Rath Yatra" across the state starting in September 2026 to mobilize the party's base and reconnect with the electorate on a mass scale.

Political analysts suggest that the proposed yatra aims to echo the party’s historical campaign strategies, which have previously been used to galvanize support and challenge the ruling administration. The initiative is expected to play a critical role in the SP’s broader strategy, which includes consolidating its "PDA" (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) coalition and expanding its reach beyond its traditional support base. By engaging directly with the public through this outreach, the Samajwadi Party intends to set a strong momentum for the 2027 electoral battle.