Babus, mantris & buzz: Congress Mirrors BJP's Bengal Booth Playbook in Punjab
· Free Press Journal
Big showdown expected in Punjab as State Election Body Plans to conduct Local Body Polls with ballot against EVM shortage?
The upcoming local body elections in Punjab have triggered a sharp political confrontation, with the State Election Commission deciding to conduct polls using ballot papers citing non-availability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The decision has drawn strong criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has accused the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of deliberately avoiding EVMs due to fear of electoral defeat.
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Punjab BJP leaders have alleged that the move raises serious questions about transparency and fairness, arguing that EVMs ensure quicker and more reliable results. They claim the shift to ballot papers could open the door to manipulation and malpractice at the grassroots level.
The AAP government, however, has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, maintaining that the decision was purely logistical. Party leaders insist that the State Election Commission is an autonomous body and that the government has no role in influencing its operational choices.
With political temperatures rising, the issue is expected to dominate the campaign narrative, turning routine civic polls into a high-stakes political battle between the ruling AAP and an aggressive BJP looking to expand its footprint in the state.
Congress Mirrors BJP's Bengal Booth Playbook in Punjab. Likely to adopt Panna Pramukh-Style Strategy to Build Cadre
Sources within the Congress state unit indicate that the party has formally decided to adopt a booth-centric electoral strategy, closely resembling the BJP’s famed panna pramukh system, albeit under more colloquial local designations.
The shift comes as Congress leadership grapples with organisational drift at the grassroots level and seeks to rebuild its electoral machinery ahead of upcoming contests. Senior leaders have reportedly been studying the BJP’s expansion strategy in West Bengal where the party built a formidable cadre base from scratch as a template for Punjab.
The proposed structure focuses on hyper-local mobilisation, assigning dedicated workers to micro voter clusters, ensuring constant engagement, data tracking, and targeted outreach. This marks a significant pivot for the Congress, which has traditionally relied more on candidate-centric and macro-level campaigning rather than deep booth management.
Insiders suggest the move reflects a growing acknowledgment within the party that electoral success in the current political landscape hinges less on rhetoric and more on disciplined, ground-level organisation—something the BJP has consistently executed with precision.
BUREAUCRACY
IAS Vinayak Mahamuni Transforms Unused Buildings into Rural Learning Hubs Through Project D.R.E.A.M. in Nagpur
Project D.R.E.A.M. (Dedicated Rooms for Empowerment, Awareness and Motivation) is an innovative initiative undertaken by Zilla Parishad Nagpur under the guidance of IAS Vinayak Mahamuni,a 2021 batch officer to strengthen rural education by transforming underutilised government buildings into modern, accessible and inclusive community libraries. The core objective of the project is to ensure that students in rural areas have access to quality learning spaces, digital resources and a motivating environment within their own villages, without the need to travel long distances.
The project began with the identification of nearly 150 underutilised or unused government buildings across rural Nagpur, including structures like Samaj Bhavans and other public spaces that were either vacant or in deteriorating condition. A detailed consultation process was then initiated with Sarpanch and village representatives. Based on their willingness and alignment with the vision, 100 locations were finalised for conversion into D.R.E.A.M. Rooms.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the project ,he quoted “It started during village visits, where I saw unused government buildings while students struggled to find even a quiet place to study. That contrast inspired the idea of turning these empty spaces into places of hope. DREAM stands for Dedicated Room for Empowerment, Awareness and Motivation, but for me it means giving every child a fair chance.”
A key highlight of the project is its unique and participatory approach to planning. Instead of following a standard design, Zilla Parishad Nagpur conducted large-scale essay writing and drawing competitions across schools and colleges. Students were asked to share their vision of a “dream library” through topics such as My Dream Library and A Day in the Life of a Librarian. In addition to this, postcard-based feedback was also collected. These inputs were systematically analysed to understand the actual needs, preferences, and expectations of students. This data-driven approach ensured that the libraries were designed in a way that truly reflects user demand.
Following this, detailed on-ground surveys were conducted at each selected location to assess repair and renovation requirements, including flooring, painting, lighting, and structural improvements. Civil work was then undertaken to convert these spaces into fully functional libraries.
Each D.R.E.A.M. Room is equipped with a comprehensive set of resources. This includes a curated collection of around 700 books covering fiction, non-fiction, children’s literature, and competitive examination materials in Hindi, English, and Marathi. The selection has been done in a way that caters to all age groups, from young children to elderly readers. In addition, the libraries are equipped with a 43-inch smart television, two modern computers, internet connectivity, STEM kits, magazines, proper furniture, inverter backup, and CCTV cameras to ensure safety and usability.
To ensure sustainability and smooth functioning, a Village Library Committee (VLC) has been formed in every village with the Sarpanch as chairperson and active participation from teachers, students, and community members. The VLC manages day-to-day operations and submits monthly reports regarding usage, maintenance, and requirements to the Block Development Officer.
A detailed library manual has also been provided to each village. This manual includes guidelines and innovative ideas on how to effectively utilise the space and resources. For example, the smart TV can be used for conducting virtual workshops, debate competitions, and awareness sessions across multiple villages simultaneously. Students can watch educational videos, solve mock tests, and participate in group learning activities. CM Fellow Vedant Pathak also contributed creative inputs to make the libraries more student-friendly.
The impact of Project D.R.E.A.M. has been significant, with students gaining access to peaceful study spaces, digital resources, and better learning opportunities within their villages. The libraries are being actively used by all age groups, encouraging reading habits among children, supporting youth preparing for exams, and engaging elderly citizens through books and newspapers.
Women are also increasingly using these safe community spaces to access information on government schemes and services. Beyond libraries, the D.R.E.A.M. Rooms have evolved into centres for workshops, discussions, and awareness programmes.
Sharing his long-term vision for the initiative, Mahamuni said, “My vision is that these libraries become spaces where rural youth sit with confidence, dream without hesitation and believe that their future can be bigger than their circumstances.”
Overall, the initiative stands as a strong example of how participatory planning, effective use of public infrastructure, and digital integration can create sustainable and inclusive rural learning ecosystems.
Will IB Chief get extension ?
Indication is like CBI Chief, IB Chief, Tapan Deka, may also be given another one year extension. He is a 1988 batch IAS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre.
2026 Retirement Wave & Reshuffles
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HDFC Bank Chairman Hunt: NRC to Meet Soon; Keki Mistry Unlikely to Take Full-Time Role but RBI May Extend Interim Tenure !
HDFC Bank’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) is expected to convene shortly to deliberate on candidates for the bank’s next chairman, as the succession process gathers pace. Sources indicate that veteran banker Keki Mistry, who is currently serving as the interim non-executive chairman, is unlikely to be in contention for the full-time role.
Mistry is understood to have conveyed his lack of interest in transitioning into a permanent executive position, effectively narrowing the field for the top post. In the interim, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to grant a short extension of two to three months to Mistry’s tenure to ensure continuity while the selection process is underway.
The bank’s board is actively evaluating multiple candidates, with an emphasis on regulatory alignment and governance stability following the merger with HDFC Ltd. The upcoming NRC meeting is expected to play a crucial role in finalizing a shortlist, which would then be subject to regulatory approval.
The development comes at a critical juncture for India’s largest private lender as it navigates leadership continuity and long-term strategic direction.
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