Hello readers,
Welcome to another edition of DH's weekly Political Theatre, where we bring you the chatter and the bustle of the political sphere in India and abroad.
This week, India-Pakistan tensions and related politics dominated the headlines as the Opposition clashed with the Modi government over foreign policy.
This week also saw the ED receive a rare rap, while the Congress government's second anniversary in Karnataka turned out to be a washout.
Join us, as we take you through this week's developments.
From skies to scandals
As Pakistan grapples with the devastation left by the Modi govt's targeted strikes against terror camps beyond the border, India is gripped with internal bickering over Operation Sindoor.
The strikes against terror camps in Pakistan, which sparked a wave of national pride in India, seem to have upset some leaders of the Opposition for reasons unknown, with some questioning the armed forces with statements like "Flying a few planes is bunkum."
Such theatrics by some leaders have given the ruling camp enough ammunition to severely criticise the Opposition and label some of its top leaders as being Pakistan sympathisers and spokespersons.
After alleging EAM Jaishankar alerted Pakistan about Operation Sindoor and accusing the PM of giving hollow speeches, Rahul Gandhi hit out at the external affairs minister again, alleging a 'collapse of foreign policy' under his watch. The BJP was quick to hit back, telling Rahul, "You have to decide whether you are India's leader of opposition or Pakistan's Nishan-e-Pakistan."
Diplomacy and discord
Despite Rahul's allegations, the Modi govt this week took steps to send all-party delegations abroad, to 32 countries including UNSC member nations: a diplomatic outreach to counter Pakistan's narrative on the international stage and reiterate India's strong anti-terror stance.
This rare display of political unity, however, has made the Congress a little uneasy: Shashi Tharoor's inclusion as a delegation lead, despite not being on its recommended list, has triggered bickering within the party.
Meanwhile, amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, global powers including Russia, the US, and China have urged the two neighbours to resume dialogue.
Cross(ED) all limits
After romping around unchecked for a while, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) this week got a rap from the Supreme Court in relation with an alleged liquor scam in Tamil Nadu, with a bench headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai slamming the agency for "crossing all limits" and "violating the federal structure of the country".
The apex court's scathing words delighted the DMK, which described the rap as a "big blow" to the BJP's attempts to "malign" the ruling party in Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile, the ED raided Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara amid alleged links with the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case. Even as the minister vowed to cooperate with the probe, JD(S) chief H D Kumawaswamy took the opportunity to suggest that the ED probe was Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's doing.
Right in the middle
Madhya Pradesh was also erm...right in the middle of political controversy this week, with minister Kunwar Vijay Shah deservedly getting a rap from the Supreme Court for his crass remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who had carried out several press briefings during Operation Sindoor. Highlighting that the minister had shamed the nation with his remarks, the apex court also ordered an SIT probe.
But that wasn't all: in perhaps an overzealous expression of national pride and belief in Modi, Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda went on to say that the "entire country, its army and soldiers" had "bowed at the PM's feet". While he was quick to downplay the remarks, the Opposition demanded his immediate sacking.
Not cast(e) in stone
The contentious caste census in Karnataka also grabbed the limelight this week, with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge calling for a proper implementation of the survey in the southern state.
A day later, the Karnataka Cabinet again deferred a decision on tabling the report, calling discussions inconclusive.
Karnataka’s 2015 Social & Educational Survey, which is currently under discussion before the Cabinet, has been opposed by several communities, including the ‘dominant’ Lingayats and Vokkaligas.
Raining on Congress' parade
As the Congress government in Karnataka completed 24 months in office, a deluge swept Bengaluru as the skies opened up.
Heavy rainfall this rendered the city unnavigable, sparking harsh criticism from the opposition and citizens alike.
With streets inundated and life at a standstill, the BJP and the JD(S) jumped on the dire state of affairs to call the Congress government out.
Other happenings around the nation...
This week also saw Karnataka BJP MLA Munirathna being accused of orchestrating gang rape and urinating on a woman.
Further south, in Kerala, the Pinarayi Vijayan government completed its fourth year in power. With Assembly polls due in a year, the LDF government is now eyeing a hat-trick in the state.
Peace sells, but who's buying?
Israel's intensified military operations continued in Gaza, resulting in significant casualties and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis there. Despite international condemnation and calls for restraint, the conflict continues unabated, with over 54,000 deaths reported till now.
In a rare moment of cooperation, Ukraine and Russia conducted their largest prisoner swap since the onset of the conflict, each releasing 390 individuals. While the exchange brings hope to many families, the broader conflict remains unresolved, with ceasefire talks yielding limited progress.
That about wraps it up for this week. Join us next week as we take you through the maze of political developments.
Exit Stage Left,
DH Newsletters Team