Babus, mantris & buzz: Has the Congress high command Dumped Ex LoP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in Bengal?
· Free Press Journal
Has the Congress high command Dumped Ex LoP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in Bengal?
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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.
BUREAUCRACY
IAS Dr. Abhishek Saini’s Practical Model for Nutrition for children and Women’s Livelihoods
In Meghalaya a focused nutrition drive is underway to tackle anaemia and child malnutrition through community participation.At the helm of it is Dr. Abhishek Saini, a 2021-batch IAS officer currently posted as Deputy Commissioner of North Garo Hills, focused on practical models that combine child health,local participation and women-led livelihoods.
One of the district’s key initiatives is ‘Red Food Day’ launched across Anganwadi Centres, designed to promote iron-rich diets among children, pregnant women and lactating mothers. “Red signifies iron-rich foods” Dr. Saini explains.“The idea is simple children and mothers should regularly get iron-rich food in their diet.”
Instead of relying on additional funding,the programme uses community ownership model like collective cooking and weekly engagement. “The community here is strong. People come together for the good of the children.” He quoted.Once a week, communities gather at anganwadi centres. Parents, Self Help Group (SHG) members and frontline workers contribute green leafy vegetables, eggs and other nutritious items. Apart from this many anganwadis also use produce from their kitchen gardens.
Under Saini’s leadership by december 2025 the intervention had reached 289 villages and over 8,800 children turning Anganwadi Centres into vibrant spaces for nutrition learning rather than mere service delivery points.
Building on this, the district launched a six-month 'Milk Mission' pilot in four anganwadis. Each child receives one glass of milk daily, five days a week. The milk is sourced from local dairy cooperatives, many run by women with small holdings.“Milk is considered a complete food”Dr. Saini notes.“At the same time, this supports local dairy farmers.” In just the first two months (Feb-March 2026), most of the 99 children in the pilot showed an incremental weight gain of 0.2-0.5 kg.Plus early feedback has shown improved attendance and positive response from parents
The third pillar is 'Women-Led Poultry Model' focused on livelihood and aligned with Meghalaya’s Vision 2032.Self Help Groups are supported with low-cost sheds, commercial layer birds and training,enabling them to generate steady income through egg and poultry sales.With institutional demand from nutrition programmes and access to local markets,the model projects a 78% year-on-year income growth while also strengthening local availability of eggs.
Together, these efforts are building a healthier and financially stronger North Garo Hills.
IRS Officer C.P.S. Bakshi takes voluntary retirement
The Government of India has accepted the voluntary retirement of C.P.S. Bakshi, Director General of Indirect Taxes & Customs, his retirement will take effect from May 31, 2026.
Meetu Agarwal to be relieved to take up new assignment in Defence Production
Ms Meetu Agarwal, who was selected for appointment as Director, Defence Production, Delhi, for a period of five years, may be relieved of her duties with instructions to take up her new assignments in Department of Defence Production. She is a 2010 batch Indian Revenue Service (IT) officer.
P S Thuingaleng prematurely repatriated to parent cadre
P S Thuingaleng, GM, TRIFED, Guwahati, has been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre i.e. Department of Revenue for availing benefit of promotion. He is a 2008 batch Indian Revenue Service (IT) officer.
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