Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta | Photo Credit: ANI

Instant reinterpretation

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is learning that in politics, enthusiasm is an easy substitute for precision. After a string of headline-grabbing slips, from likening AQI to “temperature” and suggesting it could be measured “with any instrument”, to insisting the Yamuna-side Chhath pond controversy was overblown despite opposition allegations that clean water had been piped in to create a pristine backdrop, the word in Delhi’s corridors is that the CM has been gently advised to exercise greater caution before microphones.

But if articulation sometimes deserts her, enthusiasm never does. At a recent interaction with college students, Gupta asked whether the Prime Minister’s austerity measures were proving difficult. The students answered in the affirmative, awkwardly audible enough.

Sensing the optics slipping, the CM swiftly recast the exchange, cheerily interpreting the chorus as support rather than complaint. With enthusiasm, it seems even dissent can be rebranded in real time.

Metro dreams derailed

The followers of an influential ‘Guru’ in Bengaluru who recently got even Prime Minister Modi to fly down to attend an anniversary event at their ashram, have seen their dreams derailed. While lakhs of visitors visit the ashram, the grouse of a section of devotees seems to be that the Bengaluru Metro, while tantalisingly close, has its last stop a few kilometres away.

No amount of lobbying to have it extended till the Ashram has yielded results. A government official indicated that with Congress firmly ensconced in the State, there was no chance of the proposal getting green light. This is because the godman is seen as sympathetic to saffron causes.

Politics among parties

There is a reason why the United Democratic Front (UDF) partners of the Congress, particularly the IUML, in Kerala were against veteran Ramesh Chennithala.

This dates back to the period when the late Oommen Chandy was the chief minister, and Chennithala was the home minister.

The IUML thought it could have its way with the Congress on certain issues, particularly on the law and order front. However, a little bird says Chennithala went ahead and cracked down on the issues, much to the chagrin of the IUML. The League has neither forgotten nor forgiven it. That’s why it backed VD Satheesan this time.

All eyes on Speaker

Edappadi K Palaniswami, General Secretary All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which has been pushed to third largest party in the recently held Assembly elections, is facing one of the biggest challenges in his career with a rival group challenging his leadership.

With more than half of the 46 MLAs supporting the rival faction led by MLAs SP Velumani and CV Shanmugham, Palaniswami will find it tough to retain his post going forward.

With the rival group openly supporting the new Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government headed by C Joseph Vijay in the recent Confidence Motion moved by Vijay, everyone is waiting for Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar’s decision on AIADMK whip — a designated legislator who enforces party discipline in the House — for further course of action on either side.

Published on May 17, 2026