Trapping influencers: ISI's strategy to weave an espionage-cum-propaganda network
Pakistan's ISI has been using social media influencers to gather intelligence on Indian military movements by inviting them to events at the Pakistan High Commission and offering them visas. They use enticements like cash and sponsored trips to coerce them into doing their bidding, aligning with their soft power strategy. This tactic is especially effective in border states like Punjab.
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Hans India
36 minutes ago
- Hans India
Patriotism vs posturing: The real battle for Bihar has begun
Operation Sindoor has upended Bihar's political terrain, transforming a routine electoral fight into a high-stakes clash between unapologetic patriotism and political posturing. Prime Minister Modi's fiery rhetoric and nationalistic messaging have struck a deep chord in a state where voters rever military might and national pride. As Nitish Kumar fades and Chirag Paswan eyes the future, the NDA's internal unity remains its biggest challenge—and greatest opportunity. The INDIA bloc, still fumbling with mixed messages and confused alliances, risks alienating key constituencies, especially in rural and border areas. With women voters, youth, and even sections of Muslims responding to nationalism, old caste calculations are no longer enough. Populist promises from Tejaswi Yadav may grab headlines, but it is the emotion unleashed by Sindoor that could sway ballots. The 2025 Bihar election isn't just about power—it's a referendum on identity, vision, and the nation's soul Operation Sindoor has redrawn the political battlefield of Bihar. What was once a predictable clash of caste-based alliances is now being recast as a confrontation between nationalism and perceived political opportunism. The upcoming assembly elections are no longer just about governance—they're about identity, pride, and clarity of purpose. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Chun Chun ke Marenge' declaration from Bihar and his recent references to how the Sindoor of Indian women turned into a missile against Pakistan have reignited patriotic fervour. For the NDA, this surge of nationalism is a potential game-changer. In a state where voters respond powerfully to military heroism and national security, the INDIA bloc's hesitation, silence, or criticism of Operation Sindoor may be seen as a betrayal, especially in rural and semi-urban constituencies. But sentiment alone won't win an election. The NDA still has a complicated internal equation to manage. The BJP's prospects depend significantly on maintaining unity and clarity of leadership. Nitish Kumar, once a towering figure in Bihar's politics, now finds himself on the back foot. His popularity has dropped to around 18%, his public appearances are rare, and his gaffes have only fuelled speculation about his fitness to continue. The opposition mocks him as the 'Bimar CM of a BIMARU state.' This vacuum creates an opportunity for a new generation of leadership. Bihar's youth, increasingly politically aware and aspirational, particularly those eyeing defence and government jobs, are inclined towards parties with a strong nationalistic and development-oriented image. This makes the BJP's potential promotion of Chirag Paswan a tantalising prospect. Paswan has declared his intent to shift focus from national to state politics, hinting at a possible leadership transition post-election. But declaring a CM face now could create tensions with Nitish's JD(U), so BJP may play the waiting game. Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD, the INDIA bloc's youth mascot, is gearing up with populist promises like the Mai Bahini Maan Yojana (Rs 2500 monthly to women), subsidised LPG, and free electricity. Whether these freebies can match the emotional and nationalistic connect forged by Operation Sindoor remains to be seen. Over the last two decades, women voters have emerged as a decisive force in Bihar politics. Since 2010, their turnout has consistently outstripped that of men. Recognising this, the NDA has doubled down on gender-targeted welfare and infrastructure. Mahila Haats, pink toilets, women-only buses, subsidies for e-rickshaws, rental assistance for female cops, and reservations in BSRTC jobs are ongoing schemes. Educational schemes like free cycles, uniforms, and reserved seats in medical and engineering colleges further aim to consolidate the female vote bank. Still, Tejaswi's targeted cash handouts could lure some segments of this electorate, particularly in economically vulnerable zones. The battle for women's votes may end up being the election's hidden decider. Bihar's political DNA has long been dominated by caste arithmetic. Traditionally, JD(U) leaned on Kurmi-Koeri (upper backward classes) support, RJD on Yadav-Muslim votes, and BJP on upper castes and urban voters. But these boundaries are blurring. Operation Sindoor, and the strong reaction it evoked across demographics, may shift traditional loyalties. Even Yadav and Pasmanda (deprived and downtrodden) Muslim voters in border areas may reconsider their stance if they perceive the INDIA bloc's stance as undermining national pride. Added to that a deeper fatigue is also settling in among sections of the Muslim electorate, weary of being used as mere vote banks. Modi's push to reach out to Pasmanda Muslims and the nationalist tone of Operation Sindoor could further erode the INDIA bloc's Muslim consolidation. Several smaller but significant players are poised to split votes and inject volatility into the election. AIMIM, led by Asaduddin Owaisi, is riding a wave of popularity among young Muslims following his fiery support for Operation Sindoor and denunciation of Pakistan's misadventures. While the party has sent a lukewarm proposal to RJD for alliance, insiders see this as more about optics than intent. From its current tally of five seats, AIMIM could double its count—largely at the INDIA bloc's expense. Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraj, contesting all 243 seats, is running a campaign unlike any other. He doesn't ask for votes; instead, he offers solutions. 'Even I might betray you if I win—so don't believe anyone blindly,' he tells voters. His emphasis on governance and local problem-solving may not win him power, but it may cut into the anti-incumbency vote, hurting INDIA bloc more than the NDA. Left parties continue to fade into irrelevance, with their vote share shrinking rapidly. Bihar is not a monolith. Regional nuances will heavily influence the outcome: North Bihar, especially Seemanchal and Mithila, is fluid and unpredictable, with AIMIM, RJD, and BJP all vying for dominance. Central Bihar could become the swing zone. If the NDA remains united, it holds the edge. Border districts—affected most by Pakistan's misadventures—may swing towards the NDA due to patriotic sentiment and the emotional aftershocks of Operation Sindoor. Early speculation suggests the NDA could bag between 125 and 150 seats in the 243-member Assembly. The INDIA bloc may secure around 70, while the remainder would be split among AIMIM, Jan Suraj, independents, and possibly the Left. A party or alliance needs 122 seats for a simple majority. Should the NDA cross the threshold comfortably, the post-poll narrative could shift to leadership. Chirag Paswan, youthful and ambitious, is a natural contender. With Nitish Kumar fading, the BJP could spring a surprise, especially if it helps maintain unity within the alliance while projecting a fresh face for Bihar's future. Rahul Gandhi has made Bihar a key focus, visiting the state more than any other in recent months. But his continued jibes against the army and mocking tone toward the Prime Minister have cost him dearly in the hyper-nationalist mood post-Sindoor. The Congress, far from rejuvenated, is dragging the INDIA bloc into confusion and controversy. His rhetoric—blaming Modi for surrendering to Trump, downplaying Operation Sindoor as a 'chutput war,' and alleging massive Indian casualties—risks alienating patriotic voters and playing directly into the BJP's hands. Poll analysts estimate that around 35 per cent of Bihar's electorate is committedly anti-BJP. This gives the INDIA bloc a base—but not an edge. With Modi's personal popularity, the emotional impact of Operation Sindoor, a robust women-centric agenda, and a fragmented opposition, the NDA holds a visible advantage. But Bihar is a land of last-minute swings and layered loyalties. The real battle will be decided by how effectively the NDA manages its internal dynamics, and how smartly the INDIA bloc reinvents its narrative—if at all. In 2025, Bihar won't just vote for governance. It will vote for identity, vision, and direction. Operation Sindoor didn't just change military dynamics—it may well have changed the political future of one of India's most complex states. (The author is former Chief Editor of The Hans India)
Mint
40 minutes ago
- Mint
Pakistan writes 4 letters to India, urging them to reconsider decision to suspend Indus Waters Treaty
Pakistani authorities reportedly wrote letters to their Indian counterparts several times since April to reconsider the decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, sources said on Friday. India had announced its decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960 with Pakistan on April 23 — a day after at least 26 people were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. The Ministry of External Affairs had then said that the Indus Waters Treaty will be held in "abeyance" until Pakistan irreversibly ends its support for cross-border terrorism. Over a month later, the Hindustan Times reported that Pakistan's water resources secretary Syed Ali Murtaza sent four letters to India's Jal Shakti ministry since then, urging a review of the decision to suspend the treaty. It wasn't immediately clear when the letters were sent, but a person aware of the matter said that three of the letters were written after Operation Sindoor, the report added. Sources told the Hindustan Times that the Pakistani side continued to claim that the treaty cannot be unilaterally suspended by India and that the suspension violates the pact's provisions. The letters were said to be a response to a formal notification on April 24 from India's water resources secretary Debashree Mukherjee to her Pakistani counterpart about the decision to keep the treaty in abeyance. Mukherjee had reportedly written: 'The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.' There has been no response by India to Pakistan's letters so far. Sources, however, claimed that India 'remains firm on its decision.' External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated on April 29 that the country would not engage in talks with Pakistan until the neighbour 'credibly and irrevocably abjures cross-border terrorism.' According to the report, the Indian side has stopped sharing all data related to the flows of the western rivers – Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab – that were allocated to Pakistan under the 1960 treaty. Pakistani leaders said earlier any reduction of water flows allowed under the Indus Waters Treaty will be seen as an 'act of war.' The Indus Waters Treaty has survived four wars between India and Pakistan since its signing in 1960, making this the first time the pact has been suspended.
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
ULFA leader Paresh Baruah backs Chinese Hydel power project on upper reaches of Brahmaputra
ULFA leader Paresh Baruah China based self-exiled ULFA leader Paresh Baruah is enthusiastic of Beijing's proposed 60,000 MW Hydroelectric Dam Project on Yarlung Tsangpo River that flows as the Brahmaputra River in promoting the Chinese projects, Baruah is turning a blind eye to potential ecological as well as socio-economic risks posed to India by the Chinese dam projects, highly placed sources told ET. Baruah is quite vocal in lashing out on Indian Government of and its policies. On recent Indo-Pak conflict, he criticised the Indian Government of displaying weaknesses by agreeing to the ceasefire, giving Pakistan government an upper hand. Further, overlooking India's economic progress, he is of the opinion that India's economy will collapse in a matter of few days if it goes to war with Pakistan. China amid tensions within Myanmar and its spillover impact across the border had allegedly facilitated movement of self-exiled ULFA supremo Paresh Baruah from Ruili (close to Arunachal Pradesh-Myanmar border) to Xishuangbanna Dai region of Yunnan, ET had reported in March. Baruah for years was based in Ruili. Recently, ULFA through a press statement condemned NEEPCO (North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd.) for release of water from the Ranganadi dam without any prior notice, which have flooded more than 200 villages in Assam's Lakhimpur district and asked it to give compensation to the affected people. ULFA has urged local indigenous people to protest against the government's decision to undertake major dam projects on the rivers Siang, Dibang, Lohit and Subansiri in Arunachal had earlier issued a warning against a decision made by Assam BJP MLA Suren Phukan to celebrate 'Bihar Diwas' in Tinsukia on 22nd March, 2025. It warned the Government of serious consequences if the celebration happens and stated that Assamese party workers of BJP should refrain from associating with such activities alleging it to be an attack on the culture, heritage and pride of indigenous order to maintain his relevance, he frequently expresses his views on Assam's political matters. Baruah is seen as playing both sides of the political divide. While openly praising Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as one of the best Chief Ministers of Assam, he is also reaching out to newly appointed head of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee Gaurav Gogoi, sources informed. To appeal to the general public of Assam, he plays on their religious sentiments. Baruah, Muslims are the most productive force of Assam and are being hired in Malaysia, America and UK for employment in industries as well as in agriculture sector. However, they are being targeted in Assam by some for their vested interests, Baruah alleged. ULFA stated that both the major national political parties have abandoned the interest of Assam for political gain and have destroyed the demographic characteristics of the indigenous people. Barua said that fellow ULFA operative Roopam Asom has surrendered to police . He had 40 lakh of operational fund of ULFA which is missing. Asom, named in the NIA charge sheet for the 2018 killing of Bordumsa Police Station officer-in-charge Bhaskar Kalita, was allegedly running ULFA (I)'s extortion network across parts of eastern Assam.
