"Here To Stay In Politics," Says Yusuf Pathan, Contesting Polls From Bengal

Former Indian cricketer-turned-politician Yusuf Pathan, the TMC's face against Congress heavyweight Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in Baharampur, says he is here to stay in politics.

Dynastic politics has been a prominent feature of Indian democracy, but its increased presence in Bengal this Lok Sabha election marks a significant departure from the state's tradition of cultivating leaders from grassroots politics.

A surefooted NDA challenged by a determined INDIA bloc may be the big story of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, but in a Bihar seat, the narrative has come to be centred around an Independent candidate.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India is now projecting with self-confidence the mantras of truth and non-violence globally as a solution to the problems facing the world and its cultural image is playing a big role in it as well.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy launched scathing attacks on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and said that the latter is not committed to any party, but to his chair only.

"Those in power who have kept a distance from the hearts and the minds of the common man can't understand why Modi has surpassed all political expectations. Or what the Modi Phenomena is," journalist Pradeep Bhandari writes in his book. Excerpts: