POLITICS

BJP burns bridges with regional parties, changed dynamics poses problem in Rajya Sabha?

During the just concluded Lok Sabha polls, the BJP burned its bridges with regional parties like the BJD, BRS, YSRCP and AIADMK. The changed dynamics would pose a serious problem to the BJP in RS, is a million dollar question. However, Modi 3.0 is not the same as Modi 2.0, as this time, NDA is just three seats short of majority. Additionally, perceived divisions in the INDIA bloc as well as backchannel talks with regional parties will surely help the NDA in the Upper House. Before Lok Sabha polls, the BJP managed to win 30 of the 56 seats of Rajya Sabha, taking its score in the Upper House to 97 and the NDA to 118. Now, the majority mark in the 245-member Rajya Sabha is 123. However, five seats are vacant currently. Four of them are from Jammu and Kashmir, which has been under President’s Rule, and one seat is in the nominated member category. This brings down the strength of the House to 240 and further brings down the majority mark to 121. And INDIA bloc allies like the TMC and the SP cannot be ignored as the parties supported the government recently on the resolution on Emergency. And writing off YSRCP completely from the picture would be naive. Jagan Mohan Reddy aide Vijay Sai Reddy, who would continue to be YSRCP leader in Rajya Sabha, shares a working relationship with the government. He has already met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw regarding a few rail projects in Andhra Pradesh and the Metro rail project in Vizag.

Gujarati getting tough challenge from Telugu language in US?

The US census data shows that Gujaratis — who account for 6% of the total population— form more than 20% of the Indian American community. According to information, 15 lakh Gujarati speaking people live in the USA. However, Telugu has now become the 11th most spoken foreign language in the USA. It is the third most spoken Indian language in the US as well, behind Hindi and Gujarati. A statistical report based on US Census Bureau data shows that the Telugu-speaking population, from fourth-generation immigrants to new entrants like students, has gone from 3.2 lakh in 2016 to 12.3 lakh in 2024.