Since 2014, many of Mohan Bhagwat's speeches have acted as cues for government policy.

With the role of the venerable elder thrust on him in UP, Mr Singh has had to attune himself to the politics at the Centre, observes Aditi Phadnis.

'I told Rahul: "You have to become president. Taalne se nahin hoga (you can't avoid the responsibility any longer)".' 'Rahul said: "I will think about it".'

A recent pre-election survey suggests that AAP may win 53 seats in the 117-member Punjab assembly and reduce the Congress to just 43.

The BJP's vote share in Punjab has been declining -- 8.21 per cent in 2007 to 7.13 per cent in 2012, and finally to 5.4 per cent in 2017, when it won just three of 23 seats the party contested. So doing an election deal with Amarinder and a political formation he might float in the future is not inconceivable.

Haryana's chief minister enjoys Narendra Modi's support and protection and will be in office unless the state sees a massive administrative botch-up.

After many years, intricate caste calculations will dominate politics in Punjab.

Surveys suggest that the AAP would win 40 seats in the 182-member assembly if elections are held tomorrow.

Nostalgia in the time of Covid is proving to be big business, observes Aditi Phadnis.

If the BJP wants to recruit him, it needs to make the supreme sacrifice -- of rolling back the three farm laws, because without that, Amarinder Singh is unlikely to cross over.

Bhupesh Baghel said about his father that he respected his father as a son, but as a chief minister, none of his mistakes that will disturb public order can be ignored.

Electoral politics is going to be an important part of farmer protests going forward.

'Everything else is a sham.'

'As long as Rane is the point-person, the Sena will never revive its partnership with the BJP.'

In the Congress, Sushmita Dev enjoyed the indulgence of the Gandhi family. She has been true to them and has been graceful in her gratitude to the party that gave her unparalleled political opportunities.

Among all Joshi's other portfolios -- he is also minister for coal and mines -- it is parliamentary affairs that is politically the most crucial. But to make a success of his job, he may have to hone his people skills a bit more, reports Aditi Phadnis.

Because he knows Odisha; and Odisha knows him, observes Aditi Phadnis.

'But unlike Punjab, the rebels have an alternative -- the BJP'

In the course of his various tenures, Yediyurappa made many adversaries. Bommai, by contrast, knows the Opposition well and has many friends, cutting across parties -- he is, after all, only a 2008 BJP entrant.

While there is no change in the strength of the Modi-led CCPA over its two tenures, what has changed is its profile.