India
Experts missed a Modi-Yogi storm
The assembly election results would be shocking if you had been following Uttar Pradesh’s election campaign, listening to experts, and accepting their projections. Even if exit polls were ignored, most experts, including journalists, sensed a desire for ‘badlav’ (change) in Uttar Pradesh.
Akhilesh Yadav, the president of the Samajwadi Party, embodied this transformation. They said that an increasing number of voters were dissatisfied with the Yogi Adityanath administration.
For Thakurs or Rajputs, there was “caste discrimination” mandated by various forms of “favouritism.” The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJPprimary )’s voters, Brahmins, were “angry” by their claimed marginalisation and meetings with criminals connected to the case.
The Baniyas, a BJP vote bank, were alleged to be complaining about political barriers in the genuine ‘ease of doing business,’ as well as raids on some of their community’s members, due to the Yogi Adityanath government’s stress on openness.
Farmers, notably those from the Jat community, we’re determined to teach the BJP a lesson by enacting three farm reform legislation and allowing thousands of demonstrators to remain on the Delhi boundary for over a year.
Mulayam Singh Yadav’s son, Akhilesh Yadav, had patched up with his once-powerful uncle Shivpal Yadav, and the Yadavs were returning to the Samajwadi Party. With a vote share of 25-30%, Muslims and Yadavs created a strong voting block for the Samajwadi Party.
The new wave of the Covid-19 outbreak, which began in Uttar Pradesh in 2021, made international headlines, with images of sand-covered bodies on the banks and dead bodies floating in the Ganga capturing attention and provoking strong emotions. Experts believe it is a compelling cause for the UP Assembly election to be rescheduled.
That, however, did not occur. A strong majority was obtained by the BJP-led alliance. Its representation in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly has been reduced. To be fair, the BJP had won more than three-quarters of the seats in the 403-member House of Representatives in 2017. The BJP’s score was supposed to fall in 2022, according to democracy’s logic.
Experts have failed to predict a Modi-Yogi wave for the second time in a row. Experts saw Rahul Gandhi’s coming of age in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, as well as a strong nationwide popular mood against the Narendra Modi government.
Rahul Gandhi had focused his campaign on the alleged corruption in the Rafale deal, labelling Modi a “thief.” Rahul Gandhi even pledged a social justice programme that will provide 5 crore low-income families with a cash transfer of Rs 72,000 per year. It was considered a game-changer.
However, the BJP received a larger mandate than in 2014 thanks to Modi’s campaign. In the Lok Sabha election, the party won over 300 seats. Experts failed to see a bigger ‘Modi Wave’ than the one that occurred in 2014.
Despite two of the state’s largest parties teaming forces with the explicit purpose of preventing the BJP and the Modi-Yogi wave, the BJP won 64 of 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, nine fewer than in 2014.
The same thing happened in the 2022 UP Assembly election. The BJP won a strong victory, although not as big as in 2017. The Modi-Yogi wave, which continues to define the Uttar Pradesh election, was missed by experts.
From establishing premier universities to serving as Governor, the visionary founder leaves behind an indelible mark on Indian education.
The Demise
Dr. Dnyandeo Yashwantrao (D. Y.) Patil, a pioneering force in India’s higher education landscape and former Governor, passed away in Kolhapur at the age of 90.
Affectionately honored as “Shikshanmaharshi” (Grand Teacher), Dr. Patil transformed access to professional education over a career spanning several decades. Through the D Y Patil Group, he established over 150 institutions including top medical colleges, engineering institutes, and deemed universities across Navi Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, and Mumbai.
His immense contributions to education and healthcare earned him the prestigious Padma Shri in 1991. Beyond academia, Dr. Patil was an influential figure in public administration, serving as a Maharashtra MLA and later as Governor of Tripura, Bihar, and West Bengal. His vision also brought world-class sports infrastructure to Navi Mumbai with the iconic D Y Patil Stadium.
Tributes have poured in from political leaders, academics, and citizens nationwide, honoring a leader whose legacy endures through the millions of students educated across his institutions.
Frequent mechanical failures and poor fleet maintenance trigger severe delays across Navi Mumbai, leaving daily passengers frustrated.
Breakdown
Daily travel has turned into a chaotic trial for thousands of residents as a wave of municipal bus breakdowns continues to disrupt peak-hour commutes across the region.
Passengers relying on the Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) network which ferries over 2.5 lakh commuters daily across Navi Mumbai, Thane, Mumbai, and Kalyan-Dombivli face persistent delays, missed connections, and dangerously overcrowded buses.
The frequency of breakdowns has sparked sharp concerns regarding passenger safety. Civic activists and groups like the Airoli Citizens’ Forum have formally escalated the crisis to senior NMMC officials, citing unaddressed maintenance lapses like faulty braking systems, worn tires, and sudden engine failures mid-route. Transit officials attributed the breakdown surge to technical snags worsened by rain and severe negligence by the private maintenance contractor.
In response to public outcry, authorities have blacklisted the failing contractor and handed maintenance back to original vehicle manufacturers, promising fleet reliability will improve in the coming days.
Spike in investment schemes and fake “digital arrests” leaves residents reeling as police push for faster reporting.
Cyber Crime Surge
A sharp surge in digital scams has siphoned off a staggering Rs 68 crore across 178 reported cases, highlighting the aggressive tactics used by cybercriminals.
Fraudsters are relying on high-yield online investment traps, fake job promises, and high-pressure “digital arrest” schemes where impostors pose as law enforcement officers over video calls to extort money. Senior citizens have been hit especially hard, often losing life savings in minutes.
A primary challenge for police is the speed at which funds are funneled through networks of secondary accounts and converted into cryptocurrency, leaving law enforcement able to recover only a fraction of the stolen money. Police urge the public to remember that no government agency conducts online arrests or demands money over video calls.
If targeted, report the crime immediately to the national helpline 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in. Calling within the “golden hour” remains the single best chance to freeze funds before they disappear.
Legacy of Learning: Education Pioneer Padma Shri Dr. D. Y. Patil Passes Away at 90
Commuters Left Stranded as NMMT Bus Breakdowns Surge During Peak Hours
Citizens Lose ₹68 Crore Across 178 Reported Cases
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