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May Day began to be commemorated in India 101 years ago. The first programme, organised in the city of Madras on May 1, 1923 is credited to M. Singaravelu Chettiar, who was a towering nationalist figure, and an early communist associated with the anti-caste movement.

Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi raises the shrillness of his attack on Rahul Gandhi, aligning with a new phase of BJP’s identity politics, he is doing the Gandhi scion a great favour. Modi, on his part, seems to have settled the issue of the prime ministerial face of the opposition INDIA bloc in favour of Rahul.

Narendra Modi expressing joy and taking jibe at Rahul Gandhi’s candidature from Rae Bareli shows that the man is blinded by political arrogance and overconfidence. His remark “Daro mat, bhago mat”, implying that Rahul left the Amethi seat out of fear, is simply empty electoral rhetoric wrapped in perception of joyous misreading of the moment.

BJP is finding itself in a very tough electoral battle in the third phase of Lok Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh for which election campaign will end on May 5. It is surprising that despite high pitch communal campaign by BJP leadership, including the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, common people are just brushing them aside as merely election rhetoric. They don’t believe PM Modi’s accusation that Congress and INDIA block would give reservation quota’s of Dalits, STs, and OBCs and wealth of the Hindu’s to Muslim, if they would come to power. People are taking it like a pinch of salt.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s move to shift battleground from Amethi to Raebareli is a King’s defence. Chess great Garry Kasparov, however, didn’t seem to agree. He cracked his "little joke" on the Gandhi family scion even while stating that Indian politics shouldn’t take his "advocacy or expertise" seriously. Garry Kasporav, like so many others who walk upright, appeared surprised that Gandhi had it in him to think strategically.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Left parties are made of sterner stuff. Their leaders, MPs and MLAs are not up for grabs unlike the Congress party which succumbs to threats, intimidations and blandishments from the saffron camp at the drop of a hat as it were.

Modi ki Guarantee—Ram Lalla Darshan Yojana. The promise, displayed on large hoardings, is what welcomes you to Raipur as you exit airport. Even those who live in the hinterlands of Chattisgarh have been assured of a darshan at the Ram temple in Ayodhya if Prime Minister Narendra Modi becomes the Prime Minister for the third time after the Lok Sabha polls.

In the vibrant heart of Riyadh, amidst its soaring skyline and lively thoroughfares, a momentous gathering of global leaders, policymakers, and influential business figures recently unfolded. The occasion? The World Economic Forum’s Special Meeting in the Kingdom-an event of profound significance, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s escalating prominence on the international platform and marking a pivotal juncture in the region’s course. As delegates from every corner of the globe converged, the conversations transcended mere economic discourse, delving deeply into the intricate realms of geopolitics, ideological currents, and the very future trajectory of the Middle East.

LONDON: The Tories are imploding. That is the story of local election results following the polls to the councils throughout Britain, hundreds of Conservative seats lost, and gains for Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens.

India has witnessed rising tide of religious bigotry and worsening prejudices against minorities since 2014. Ascendency of the Hindutva outfits has posed existential threats to secularism (religious neutrality), democracy and diversity. Attacks on Christians jumped from 147 in 2014 to 687 in December 2023.