In a significant political manoeuvre, the Janata Dal (United), led by Nitish Kumar, has withdrawn its support from the BJP-led government in Manipur, marking a dramatic shift in the state’s political landscape.

The JDU’s lone MLA in the Manipur Assembly will now occupy a seat among the Opposition ranks, signalling a clear break from the ruling coalition. While this development is unlikely to destabilize the BJP’s firm grip on power, it carries substantial symbolic weight, considering the JDU’s crucial role as a key ally of the BJP at the national level and in Bihar.

The decision follows a similar move by the National People’s Party (NPP), which governs Meghalaya, several months ago. The JDU’s initial success in the 2022 Manipur Assembly elections, securing six seats, was short-lived. Within months, five of its six MLAs defected to the BJP, bolstering the ruling party’s numbers and solidifying its position.

The BJP currently holds a commanding majority in the 60-member assembly, with 37 MLAs of its own, supplemented by five MLAs from the Naga People’s Front and three independents.

Ksh Biren Singh, who heads the Manipur unit of the JDU, formally communicated the party’s decision to withdraw support in a letter addressed to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. The letter meticulously outlines the sequence of events, starting with the JDU’s electoral performance in the 2022 Assembly elections, the subsequent defection of five MLAs to the BJP, and the ongoing legal proceedings against these defectors under the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

The letter explicitly states that the JDU’s decision to withdraw support is directly linked to its recent affiliation with the INDIA bloc, a formidable coalition of opposition parties.

The letter further emphasizes that the JDU’s lone remaining MLA in Manipur, Md. Abdul Nasir, will be formally recognized as an opposition MLA, reflecting the party’s complete withdrawal of support for the BJP-led government. The seating arrangement for Md. Abdul Nasir in the opposition benches was already implemented during the last session of the Assembly.

This political realignment assumes added significance given the JDU’s prominent role in the national political arena. The party secured 12 seats in the recent general elections, contributing significantly to the BJP’s overall majority.

The BJP and JDU remain allies in Bihar, a state gearing up for Assembly elections in the near future. Kumar, the JDU president and Chief Minister of Bihar, has a track record of shifting political allegiances, adding a layer of complexity to the current situation.

His return to the NDA fold last year, after a stint as a key player in the INDIA opposition bloc, highlights his unpredictable political manoeuvring. The JDU’s withdrawal of support from the Manipur government underscores the fluid nature of political alliances in India and the ever-changing dynamics of power.

On the tenth anniversary of the government’s flagship women’s empowerment scheme, “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” (BBBP), the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge levelled scathing criticism against the ruling BJP, accusing it of prioritising the protection of criminals over the safety and well-being of women.

In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), Kharge questioned the BJP’s commitment to the initiative’s goals. He posed several pointed questions, demanding accountability for the high rate of crimes against women and the apparent lack of justice for victims in high-profile cases such as those in Manipur, Hathras, and Unnao.

Kharge highlighted the alarming statistic of 43 crimes against women being reported every hour in India, further emphasizing the discrepancy between the BJP’s public pronouncements on women’s safety and the reality on the ground. He also noted that 22 crimes are registered daily against women and children from vulnerable Dalit and tribal communities.

Kharge also raised concerns about the allocation of funds for the BBBP scheme. He alleged that until 2019, nearly 80% of the allocated budget was spent on advertising, a claim reportedly substantiated by a Parliamentary Standing Committee.

Following this revelation, funding for the scheme was drastically reduced by 63% between 2018-19 and 2022-23. The subsequent merging of BBBP with the ‘Sambal’ scheme under ‘Mission Shakti,’ and the subsequent lack of transparency regarding its funding, further fueled the Congress’s accusations of a government cover-up. Kharge pointed out a further 30% reduction in funding for ‘Sambal’ in 2023-24.

Kharge questioned the effectiveness of the BBBP initiative, highlighting its largely symbolic measures such as slogans on trucks and walls. He argued that these superficial actions fail to address the critical issues of employment opportunities, healthcare access, and justice for victims of atrocities.

The Congress leader concluded by describing the BJP’s claims of addressing violence against women as “hollow advertisements” indicative of hypocrisy after a decade of the scheme’s existence.

After wrapping up two months of intense Test cricket, Team India is ready to transition to the white-ball format with the much-anticipated five-match T20 series against England. This series not only offers India a chance to regroup after some challenging Test matches but also sets the stage for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the same opponent and the ICC Champions Trophy later in the year.

Series Schedule and Venues: The action begins at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata and will move through four other major cricketing venues across India. Each match promises to be a display of high-octane cricket under the lights, with start times pegged at 7 PM IST to maximize audience engagement both at the grounds and on television.

Full Schedule:

• 22 January: 1st T20I at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• 25 January: 2nd T20I at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• 28 January: 3rd T20I at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot
• 31 January: 4th T20I at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
• 2 February: 5th T20I at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Head-to-Head Record: India and England have a competitive T20I history with India leading slightly with 13 wins to England’s 11 in 24 matches. In India, the record is also closely contested, with England winning 9 of their 17 matches on Indian soil.

Viewing Options: Fans can catch all the live action on the Star Sports Network, and streaming is available on Disney Plus Hotstar. This accessibility ensures that fans won’t miss a moment of this enthralling series.

Detailed Squad Information:

India’s Squad:

• Suryakumar Yadav (Captain): The dynamic batsman leads the team, known for his innovative stroke play.
• Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper): A versatile player known for his aggressive batting and sharp wicketkeeping skills.
• Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy: Young talents who have shown promise in domestic circuits.
• Hardik Pandya: An all-rounder known for his ability to change the game with both bat and ball.
• Axar Patel, Washington Sundar: Skilled spinners who can also contribute with the bat.
• Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh: Emerging fast bowlers expected to bring energy and pace.
• Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi: Experienced in their roles, crucial for their bowling attack.
• Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper): Another young wicketkeeper with impressive domestic performances.

England’s Squad:

• Jos Buttler (Captain): The explosive wicketkeeper-batsman leads the English side with his aggressive play.
• Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith: Formidable batters known for their fast scoring.
• Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed: Young players who bring fresh energy and skills.
• Liam Livingstone: A powerful all-rounder known for hitting long sixes and bowling effective spin.
• Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood: A strong bowling lineup with a mix of pace and spin, crucial for T20 format.

With both teams featuring a blend of seasoned internationals and exciting new talent, the T20 series is expected to be a closely contested affair. As the squads gear up for this high-profile series, the cricketing world eagerly awaits to see if India can maintain their formidable form in T20s or if England can disrupt their winning streak on Indian soil.