POLITICAL WHISPERS

Political songs or politics on songs!

The UP Vidhan Sabha elections, expected to be held in early 2027 are set to be a watershed moment for the parties in the state. Taking a cue from Bihar’s recently held election results, the Samajwadi Party has strictly asked the singers and social media creators not to use their flags symbol or leader’s name without the prior permission. The party has also warned against invoking its leadership to push caste pride messaging, denigrate other communities or even criminal behaviour. It is to be noted that questions have been raised about the proliferation of Yadav caste-pride songs during the Bihar campaign trail, which some political commentators believe may have hurt the party's election prospects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NDA leaders too had taken a jibe over these songs played during poll meetings in Bihar, warning people of “return of Jungle Raj”. Meanwhile, the Opposition in Bihar Rashtriya Janata Dal has issued notices to as many as 32 Bhojpuri singers asking them why legal action should not be taken against them for their offensive songs released during the election period.

Pak PM avoids staying in country to delay Munir’s Chief of Defence Forces title notification?

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has deliberately stayed out of the country to avoid issuing the Chief of Defence Forces notification, according to security sources. The PM traveled to Bahrain and London as Field Marshal Asim Munir’s original three-year Army Chief tenure ended on November 29—the deadline for the mandatory notification. The failure to issue the paperwork has created a constitutional crisis. Pakistan now operates without an official Army Chief, and the nuclear command authority remains in flux as the new Strategic Forces Command awaits formal establishment. Legal experts remain divided. Some argue a “deeming” clause in the 2024 amendment automatically extends Munir’s tenure without additional paperwork. Others insist the notification is constitutionally mandatory. The standoff reveals the sharp civil-military tensions in Pakistan. The civilian government’s refusal to formalise the appointment challenges military prerogatives, marking another chapter in the institution’s battle for institutional control.