POLITICAL WHISPERS

Has the Congress high command Dumped Ex LoP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in Bengal ?

Congress insiders in Bengal say Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has been left politically isolated after his 2024 Lok Sabha defeat and resignation as Bengal Congress chief, with the high command increasingly distancing itself from his hardline line on Mamata Banerjee’s TMC. Reports in January suggested he was already “out in the cold” within the state unit, while a later profile said he was being sidelined even as he tried to stay relevant ahead of the assembly polls.

What stands out, according to these accounts, is the absence of visible top-level campaigning for his seat and the fact that he was not central to the party’s broader Bengal strategy. He has also reportedly had limited interaction with senior Congress leaders, reinforcing the sense that Delhi has cooled on him.

That said, this looks more like political distance than a formal public break, since no official Congress statement has declared him abandoned or expelled. The better reading is that Adhir remains a senior figure, but one whose influence in the party’s Bengal machinery has clearly shrunk.

BJP Begins Early Groundwork for 2027 State Polls, Focus on Organisation Revamp

BJP has initiated early preparations for the 2027 assembly elections across seven states, signalling a proactive electoral strategy backed by organisational recalibration. Party chief Nitin Nabin said recent electoral outcomes reaffirm that voters continue to place unwavering trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, reflecting a steady expansion of public confidence in his governance and vision.

According to party sources, the BJP has begun an extensive stock-taking exercise at the grassroots level, with a renewed focus on panna pramukhs the micro-level workers responsible for voter outreach. This assessment aims to identify gaps in booth-level management and strengthen last-mile connectivity with voters.

Simultaneously, internal processes are underway to prepare seat-wise lists of probable candidates. These lists are being compiled based on performance metrics, local feedback, and winnability factors, indicating an early start to candidate selection.

The move also points to possible organisational changes, as the party looks to streamline its structure ahead of the polls. The emphasis remains on consolidating gains, expanding its voter base, and ensuring electoral readiness well in advance of the 2027 contests.

 

Global Energy Shock Forces India's Fuel Price Reckoning



On May 15, 2026, Indian oil marketing companies hiked petrol and diesel prices by ₹3 per litre—the first increase in over four years—raising Delhi rates to ₹97.77 (petrol) and ₹90.67 (diesel). This calibrated move addresses massive under-recoveries, reportedly ₹1,000 crore daily, as Brent crude surged above $105-114 per barrel amid the West Asia conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions.

Unlike many peers, India had absorbed shocks through excise adjustments and OMC losses. Globally, responses vary: several European nations, Australia, and Brazil implemented fuel tax cuts or subsidies to shield consumers; others like certain developing economies, allowed sharper pass-throughs. Some imposed windfall taxes on oil majors. India's restrained hike reflects fiscal pragmatism—balancing inflation control, import bill pressures, and political timing post-state polls—while signaling potential further adjustments if the crisis persists. It underscores the limits of price freezes in a volatile geopolitically driven market. 
This development highlights India's strategic restraint compared to immediate global adjustments, prioritizing stability but now aligning with economic realities.