July 24, 2026
Weekly Vastu remedies for all zodiac signs; December 14 to December 20, 2025

Weekly Vastu remedies for all zodiac signs; December 14 to December 20, 2025

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Aries This week, reduce visual clutter. Remove excess items from walls, tables, and open surfaces—especially around your workspace or seating area. Fewer distractions will help you think more clearly, act thoughtfully, and maintain steady energy. Taurus Review your storage spaces and declutter items you no longer use, particularly clothes and footwear. Letting go of unnecessary…

Read More
Peaking on time: India flex T20 World Cup muscle as Suryakumar Yadav storms back into ICC top 10 | Cricket News

Peaking on time: India flex T20 World Cup muscle as Suryakumar Yadav storms back into ICC top 10 | Cricket News

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Suryakumar Yadav (AP Photo) NEW DELHI: India’s preparations for the T20 World Cup received a major shot in the arm on Wednesday as captain Suryakumar Yadav surged back into the upper echelon of the ICC men’s T20I batting rankings, underlining the team’s growing dominance just days before the global showpiece.Go Beyond The Boundary with our…

Read More
Omarion Hampton injury update: Insider breaks silence on RB’s status ahead of the match against Eagles in Week 14

Omarion Hampton injury update: Insider breaks silence on RB’s status ahead of the match against Eagles in Week 14

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Omarion Hampton has remained missing from the field for two months.(Image via Getty Images) Omarion Hampton, the Los Angeles Chargers’ star player, suffered a brutal ankle injury in Week 5 and has not been able to return full fledged to the field, even though he has made appearances in a few practice sessions.As the Los…

Read More
BJP vs AAP: Political slugfest erupts over cloud seeding experiment; Delhi government accused of ‘fraud’ | India News

BJP vs AAP: Political slugfest erupts over cloud seeding experiment; Delhi government accused of ‘fraud’ | India News

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

The second trial of cloud seeding was conducted in Delhi through Cessna Aircraft. NEW DELHI: A political row erupted in the capital on Tuesday BJP-led Delhi government was accused of “committing fraud in the name of rain” by AAP, along with other jabs from opposition, following its much-publicised cloud seeding experiment, which failed to produce…

Read More
Updated: Jul 16, 2026, 10:02 IST

Updated: Jul 16, 2026, 10:02 IST

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) controls the ball as England’s Nico O’Reilly (3) and Djed Spence (25) defend during the World Cup semifinal match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. England looked set for a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. Anthony Gordon’s goal in the 55th minute had given…

Read More
Sonia Gandhi NEW DELHI: When the opposition politicians met in Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s chamber the day after, the attendance was full and the mood jubilant. And leaders lauded the INDIA bloc parties for standing together to defeat the BJP govt’s Constitution amendment bill on delimitation. The opposition believes that the BJP has been given a legislative jolt that hurts its carefully crafted aura of invincibility, built over the years by taking panchayat polls as seriously as the parliamentary elections. The opposition is confident that BJP’s bid to paint the rival parties as anti-women will not fly, given that the opposition put its argument that it is about “delimitation and gerrymandering” unambiguously before the people in the run-up to the Parliament sitting and then in the two days of Lok Sabha debate. A casual remark from Congress matriarch Sonia Gandhi right at the outset – “why is everyone so quiet” – triggered a banter that led to member after member giving their take on the “victory” and its implications. A participant told TOI, “The bloc felt invigorated. There was much jubilation because the coordination and cohesion among allies have been re-established.” Besides Sonia, the full house saw Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena), Supriya Sule (NCP), Mahua Maji (JMM), N K Premachandran (RSP), Sandosh Kumar (CPI), K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Gaurav Gogoi, Manickam Tagore, Naseer Hussain (Congress), TMC’s Derek O’Brien and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Mian Altaf Ahmad (NC) among others. The opposition believes while it has given a shock to the BJP, it should now be careful to keep up the messaging that the defeated bill pertained to delimitation that would have hurt the country. It was specifically suggested by many that they should avoid the BJP’s trap of it being about women’s reservation. Since many INDIA bloc parties are in election campaigns and also fighting against each other, it was suggested they should hold public events separately to explain the issue to people. The alliance decided to eschew any joint show on the subject. As part of neutralising the BJP’s campaign, the opposition will now press for the implementation of the 2023 Act – Nari Vandan Adhiniyam. That it was notified for implementation this week in the middle of the debate in Parliament has only put the Act in focus. As part of the pressure, the opposition parties may write to PM Modi to operationalise the law for implementation from 2029 elections.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCong, TMC, DMK Guilty’, PM Modi Blasts Oppn For Blocking Women Reservation BillIndia Summons Iran Envoy Summoned After Ships Targeted In Strait of Hormuz | WatchWomen’s Reservation Amendment Fails In Lok Sabha, Delimitation Bill Put On HoldYogi Adityanath Alleges ‘Identity Crisis’ In Bengal, Targets TMC Over GovernanceBJP Leaders Protest Outside Rahul’s Residence Over Women Quota Bill; Hema Malini, Bansuri Lead10th Indian Vessel Crosses Strait Of Hormuz Since Conflict Began”Women Were Being Used” Tharoor Backs Women’s Reservation, Warns On Delimitation Issue: “You’re Firing… After Clearance!” India-Flagged Ship’s Last Words Before Hormuz TurnbackNation Awaits PM Modi’s Address As Women Bill Fails And Hormuz Crisis Escalates‘Not A Failure Of The Government’: Why Rijiju Is Blaming The Opposition For Women’s Bill Defeat123Photostories5 watches rich men with old money wear6 healthy leaves you should add to your daily dietAkshaya Tritiya 2026: Buy these 5 things for good fortune5 grand palaces that are now world-famous museums7 factors driving real estate growth in India’s non-metro cities7 foods in your kitchen that actually came from PersiaAlia-Ranbir to Saif-Kareena: 5 celebrity weddings that completely rewrote the Indian shaadi style rulebook’The Devil Wears Prada 2′ to ‘The Odyssey,’ and more: Hollywood’s biggest 2026 Summer releases10 iconic biryani varieties in India you probably haven’t tried yetThings you should NEVER Do on Akshaya Tritiya based on your birth date123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

Sonia Gandhi NEW DELHI: When the opposition politicians met in Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s chamber the day after, the attendance was full and the mood jubilant. And leaders lauded the INDIA bloc parties for standing together to defeat the BJP govt’s Constitution amendment bill on delimitation. The opposition believes that the BJP has been given a legislative jolt that hurts its carefully crafted aura of invincibility, built over the years by taking panchayat polls as seriously as the parliamentary elections. The opposition is confident that BJP’s bid to paint the rival parties as anti-women will not fly, given that the opposition put its argument that it is about “delimitation and gerrymandering” unambiguously before the people in the run-up to the Parliament sitting and then in the two days of Lok Sabha debate. A casual remark from Congress matriarch Sonia Gandhi right at the outset – “why is everyone so quiet” – triggered a banter that led to member after member giving their take on the “victory” and its implications. A participant told TOI, “The bloc felt invigorated. There was much jubilation because the coordination and cohesion among allies have been re-established.” Besides Sonia, the full house saw Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena), Supriya Sule (NCP), Mahua Maji (JMM), N K Premachandran (RSP), Sandosh Kumar (CPI), K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Gaurav Gogoi, Manickam Tagore, Naseer Hussain (Congress), TMC’s Derek O’Brien and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Mian Altaf Ahmad (NC) among others. The opposition believes while it has given a shock to the BJP, it should now be careful to keep up the messaging that the defeated bill pertained to delimitation that would have hurt the country. It was specifically suggested by many that they should avoid the BJP’s trap of it being about women’s reservation. Since many INDIA bloc parties are in election campaigns and also fighting against each other, it was suggested they should hold public events separately to explain the issue to people. The alliance decided to eschew any joint show on the subject. As part of neutralising the BJP’s campaign, the opposition will now press for the implementation of the 2023 Act – Nari Vandan Adhiniyam. That it was notified for implementation this week in the middle of the debate in Parliament has only put the Act in focus. As part of the pressure, the opposition parties may write to PM Modi to operationalise the law for implementation from 2029 elections.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCong, TMC, DMK Guilty’, PM Modi Blasts Oppn For Blocking Women Reservation BillIndia Summons Iran Envoy Summoned After Ships Targeted In Strait of Hormuz | WatchWomen’s Reservation Amendment Fails In Lok Sabha, Delimitation Bill Put On HoldYogi Adityanath Alleges ‘Identity Crisis’ In Bengal, Targets TMC Over GovernanceBJP Leaders Protest Outside Rahul’s Residence Over Women Quota Bill; Hema Malini, Bansuri Lead10th Indian Vessel Crosses Strait Of Hormuz Since Conflict Began”Women Were Being Used” Tharoor Backs Women’s Reservation, Warns On Delimitation Issue: “You’re Firing… After Clearance!” India-Flagged Ship’s Last Words Before Hormuz TurnbackNation Awaits PM Modi’s Address As Women Bill Fails And Hormuz Crisis Escalates‘Not A Failure Of The Government’: Why Rijiju Is Blaming The Opposition For Women’s Bill Defeat123Photostories5 watches rich men with old money wear6 healthy leaves you should add to your daily dietAkshaya Tritiya 2026: Buy these 5 things for good fortune5 grand palaces that are now world-famous museums7 factors driving real estate growth in India’s non-metro cities7 foods in your kitchen that actually came from PersiaAlia-Ranbir to Saif-Kareena: 5 celebrity weddings that completely rewrote the Indian shaadi style rulebook’The Devil Wears Prada 2′ to ‘The Odyssey,’ and more: Hollywood’s biggest 2026 Summer releases10 iconic biryani varieties in India you probably haven’t tried yetThings you should NEVER Do on Akshaya Tritiya based on your birth date123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

NEW DELHI: When the opposition politicians met in Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s chamber the day after, the attendance was full and the mood jubilant. And leaders lauded the INDIA bloc parties for standing together to defeat the BJP govt’s Constitution amendment bill on delimitation. The opposition believes that the BJP has been given a legislative…

Read More
Missile vs rocket: What really sets them apart?

Missile vs rocket: What really sets them apart?

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

The terms rocket and missile are often used interchangeably in news reports, military briefings and everyday conversations. From the battlefields of Ukraine to conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia, projectiles are frequently described as “missiles” even when they are rockets.While both use rocket propulsion to generate thrust, they are fundamentally different weapons designed…

Read More
Dharmendra should’ve got a state funeral; Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol should have included Hema Malini to honour their late father’s memory, says Shobhaa De

Dharmendra should’ve got a state funeral; Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol should have included Hema Malini to honour their late father’s memory, says Shobhaa De

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Legendary actor Dharmendra passed away on November 24 in Mumbai but his funeral took place quickly and not many people were informed. Fans were also largely disappointed and felt he should have got a state funeral. There have been several reports suggesting that there could have been some complications between the Deol family and Hema…

Read More
Karnataka CM row: D K Shivakumar will become CM after assembly’s winter session, claims Congress MLA

Karnataka CM row: D K Shivakumar will become CM after assembly’s winter session, claims Congress MLA

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Karnataka Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain on Friday claimed that deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar will become chief minister after the ongoing winter session of the state legislature, adding fuel to speculation over a possible leadership change within the ruling party.Speaking to reporters, the Ramanagara MLA confirmed that he attended a late-night dinner…

Read More
James Cameron’s ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash ’ emerges as the 11th biggest Hollywood hit in India | English Movie News

James Cameron’s ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash ’ emerges as the 11th biggest Hollywood hit in India | English Movie News

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

The cinematic phenomenon ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash,’ directed by James Cameron, has taken India by storm, amassing a staggering Rs 117.05 crore within just eight days! This achievement places it as the 11th highest-grossing Hollywood movie in the country, ahead of ‘Godzilla x Kong’ and making it the most successful Hollywood release of the year,…

Read More
Has the time come for Congress’s breakaway parties to return to the fold? NEW DELHI: Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress is not merging with the Congress. That’s final for now. Both the parties have firmly rejected speculations about a merger, dismissing them as “baseless rumours” and “fake news”.But not before the speculations triggered a larger and far more interesting political debate: should leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Sharad Pawar, who broke away from the Congress decades ago to chart their own political course, consider returning to the grand-old-party’s fold to strengthen the opposition fight against the BJP?The merger buzz gained traction after Mamata Banerjee met Sonia Gandhi and later her nephew and political heir Abhishek Banerjee held a lengthy meeting with Rahul Gandhi. The meetings came against the backdrop of an unprecedented crisis within the Trinamool Congress following its crushing defeat in the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections. Sonia Gandhi meets Mamata Banerjee during INDIA bloc meeting in New DelhiFor the first time, the once-impenetrable fortress of the TMC showed deep cracks. Mamata Banerjee, who ruled Bengal for 15 years and appeared invincible until recently, was reduced to just 80 seats in the assembly as the BJP formed its first-ever government in the state. But her setback did not end with the election results. Several newly-elected MLAs and some of the closest aides of Mamata Banerjee rebelled against the party and reached out to the BJP. Much of the anger within the TMC was directed at Abhishek Banerjee, with sections of the old guard accusing the leadership of sidelining those who spent years building the party. Such rapid was the unravelling of the Trinamool Congress that the once-invincible Mamata Banerjee, who had been dismissive about the Congress for the last 15 years, was forced to rush to the grand-old-party for help. It is this exact plight of Mamata Banerjee which prompted suggestions from some quarters that the Trinamool chief, who had formed the party in 1998 after breaking away from the Congress, should consider “Ghar-wapasi.” And this suggestion was not just for Mamata, but also for leaders like Sharad Pawar. Pawar, who formed the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 1999, and faced a similar challenge after his party split. Pawar eventually lost control of the NCP name and its iconic clock symbol to the faction led by his nephew Late Ajit Pawar.Another leader who faces challenges similar to Mamata is Uddhav Thackeray. Udhhav, who lost control of Shiv Sena after rebellion by his party MLAs, is now battling fresh speculations of further defections amid reports of “Operation Tiger”. There are reports that 6 of his 9 MPs are in touch with Eknath Shinde, who had led the rebellion against Uddhav, and is now deputy chief minister in the BJP-led government in Maharashtra.Together these stories point to a broader reality: several regional parties that once appeared dominant in their respective states are confronting an increasingly assertive BJP that has not just defeated them but is also benefitting from their implosion.It is this backdrop that has revived an idea that would have seemed improbable just a few years ago. The ‘ghar-wapasi’ debateThe homecoming debate was triggered by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who argued that parties born out of the Congress should reunite with the parent organisation to strengthen the opposition against the BJP. Sanjay Raut floated the idea of mergerThe Sena (UBT) leader went a step further, urging Sharad Pawar to take the lead in bringing together parties that emerged after splitting from the Congress.Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot backed the idea, saying “the time has come”, while Maharashtra Congress leader Nana Patole argued that leaders such as Mamata Banerjee and Sharad Pawar increasingly recognise the need for a stronger Congress to counter the BJP. Congress leader Nana Patole backed the ideaAt first glance, the argument appears compelling. The BJP has emerged as the dominant force in the country. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi first came to power in 2014, the BJP was in power in just seven states. With victories in West Bengal and Assam, the BJP-led NDA now governs 22 states and Union Territories. Opposition unity remains a work in progress. Several regional parties are weaker today than they were some years ago.But before asking whether Congress’s former children should return home, it is worth asking why they left in the first place.Why Congress’s children walked awayMamata Banerjee did not leave the Congress because of ideological differences. She walked out in 1998 because she believed the party had become incapable of defeating the Left Front in West Bengal. Frustrated with the Congress high command and convinced that Bengal required a more aggressive opposition, she founded the Trinamool Congress. Congress splinters that survived, built independent regional identitiesThe move paid off. In 2011, Mamata accomplished what the Congress had failed to do for decades, ending the Left Front’s 34-year rule in West Bengal.Sharad Pawar’s exit came under different circumstances. In 1999, Pawar, PA Sangma and Tariq Anwar challenged Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin and subsequently formed the Nationalist Congress Party. While the NCP remained ideologically close to the Congress and frequently governed alongside it, Pawar succeeded in building an independent political identity rooted in Maharashtra.YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s departure was driven by succession politics. Following the death of his father, former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Jagan felt sidelined by the Congress leadership and eventually floated the YSR Congress Party. Within a few years, the YSRCP had virtually replaced the Congress in Andhra Pradesh.Their exits were driven by different factors, but each believed they stood a better chance outside the Congress than inside it.In most cases, they were right.What has now changed?What has changed is not the Congress. It is the exponential rise of the BJP.When Mamata Banerjee left the Congress in 1998 and Sharad Pawar followed in 1999, the BJP was nowhere near as dominant as it is today. Regional parties grew by occupying political space vacated by a declining Congress.Today many of those same parties are confronting a very different challenge.Over the last decade, the BJP has expanded beyond its traditional Hindi heartland, ending the BJD’s 24-year rule in Odisha, conquering West Bengal and making steady inroads into regions where it was once considered weak. The result is that regional parties which once competed primarily with the Congress increasingly find themselves battling the BJP for voters, leaders, organisational networks and political relevance.Political scientist and Fellow at New Delhi-based think-tank Centre for Policy Research (CPR), Rahul Verma notes that Congress reunification is not without precedent. Leaders who broke away from the party in the past, including Pranab Mukherjee and those associated with formations such as the Tamil Maanila Congress and Tiwari Congress, eventually returned to the parent organisation.However, Verma argues that the political context today is fundamentally different. “In those times, the Congress was still a formidable force and was in a position to form governments at the national level. Some of these leaders could be accommodated in the party and in the government. The problem today is that when you are talking about parties like the TMC, YSRCP and NCP, Congress itself is a very small player in states such as West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, and even in Maharashtra it is not particularly strong,” he told TOI.While a merger could potentially benefit both sides in the medium term, given that all three parties are facing electoral headwinds, Verma questioned how practical such an arrangement would be. “Congress does not have much to offer beyond party positions. Leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Jagan Mohan Reddy have built successful independent political careers outside the Congress. The practicality and feasibility of how that accommodation would work remains a question,” he said.Why merger may not be practicalWhile the idea of homecoming sounds grand, its actual implementation on the ground may neither be easy nor practical.Consider this: If Mamata Banerjee and Sharad Pawar were to return to the Congress fold, would they be willing to function under the leadership structure of Rahul Gandhi or Mallikarjun Kharge after running independent parties for decades?Would their supporters accept such a transition?Would party workers who spent years fighting each other suddenly become colleagues overnight?In West Bengal, for example, it would be literally impossible to visualise Congress’s Adhir Ranjan Choudhary working in tandem with Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee. Those who have followed Adhir’s politics would know that the entire politics of the former West Bengal Congress president has centred around opposing Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress.Many of these parties built their identity by positioning themselves as alternatives to the Congress. Returning to the fold risks diluting the very identity that helped them grow.Doesn’t the INDIA bloc already serve that purpose? Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, party MP Sonia Gandhi, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and others during the INDIA bloc meeting, in New Delhi.If opposition parties are already working together under the INDIA bloc umbrella, what additional advantage does a formal merger provide?Congress, TMC, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) and several other parties already coordinate on national issues and parliamentary strategy while retaining their individual identities.If countering the BJP is the objective, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is proof that opposition unity does not necessarily require a merger.The Congress, TMC, DMK, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), Samajwadi Party and several other parties fought under the INDIA bloc banner while retaining their separate identities. Together, they significantly reduced the BJP’s tally from its 2019 peak and denied it a standalone majority. The coalition came under pressure only when the electoral battle entered the states where political rivalry between the opposition ranks rocked the boat. That problem is unlikely to disappear simply because party headquarters decide to merge.Does merger help the Congress?The merger experiment may make for good optics and also catchy headlines, but does it help the Congress to revive electorally? Perhaps not. Neither Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal nor Sharad Pawar in Maharashtra commands the political influence they once did. Both leaders are grappling with challenges that would have been difficult to imagine at the peak of their careers. The last assembly elections in Maharashtra showed that Sharad Pawar’s influence in the state is on the wane. The veteran leader struggled to even make an impact in his stronghold of Baramati. Similarly, in West Bengal, Mamata is dealing with the fallout of a major electoral defeat and a growing internal crisis within the TMC.The Congress, meanwhile, requires more than high-profile leaders. It needs robust state-level organisations, local leadership and grassroots workers.Anti-BJP coalition better than mergerMamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar, and Jagan Mohan Reddy became political heavyweights because they proved they could survive and thrive outside the Congress system. They didn’t need Congress. They built their empires on strong regional pride and their own distinct leadership styles.There is little doubt that the BJP’s rise has made opposition unity more important than ever before. But unity does not necessarily mean merger. In fact, the experience of the INDIA bloc suggests that opposition parties can work together against the BJP while retaining their separate identities and leadership structures.That is perhaps the more practical path forward. Congress and its former leaders may find themselves cooperating more closely in the years ahead, but a formal return to the parent fold appears far less likely.For leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Sharad Pawar, revival may depend less on returning to the Congress and more on returning to the streets, rebuilding their organisations and reconnecting with voters.That, after all, is how they became powerful in the first place.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorPriyanka MukherjeePriyanka Mukherjee is an Assistant News Editor at The Times of India, where deadlines rarely slow down. Often juggling breaking news, long-form explainers and the everyday chaos of the newsroom, she is usually managing stress, chasing clarity and trying to log off on time (rarely successful). She also cares deeply about stories around women’s rights and social change, while two very opinionated dogs make sure she never truly switches off.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSix Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Stay Away From Delhi Meet, Uddhav Camp on Edge As Defection Buzz IntensifiesVaiko-Vijay Meetings Trigger Buzz Over MDMK’s Future In Tamil Nadu’s Changing PoliticsModi-Starmer Confirm July 15 Launch Of Trade Pact Projected To Boost Bilateral CommerceJharkhand Rajya Sabha Polls Turn Into Numbers Battle As BJP Eyes Surprise Upset Against INDIA BlocDelhi-NCR Unveils Vision For Four New Cities As Population Set To Surge’Mother Of All Trade Deals’: India, EU Target FTA Signing Before End Of 2026’Jahan Thackeray Wahan Shiv Sena’: Sanjay Raut Rejects Split RumoursDefence Output More Than Doubles In Five Years As India Pushes Self-RelianceRanchi Police Arrest 2 Accused In RSS Office Petrol Bomb Attack’Calculated Move To Isolate And Endanger Her’: TMC On Mamata Security Row123PhotostoriesTop parenting coach shares how to teach sons to choose the right friends at every age5 essential blood tests you should take before joining the gym, doctor revealsLegendary cricketer Jhulan Goswami’s home in Chakdaha, West Bengal is defined by simplicity, cricket memorabilia and family bond114-year-old barfi: This famous desi barfi was first made by a wrestler for personal nutrition5 highly venomous sea snakes found in Indian waters and where they are found‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’: All about the 5BHK mansion in Imtiaz Ali’s directorialMalasana to water therapy: 5 simple morning habits that can heal your body and mind from the inside outFather’s Day 2026: Skip the mug this year – 10+ gift ideas dads will actually rememberKeep mosquitoes away naturally: 8 plants every balcony garden should have6 wild animals that have been known to prey on humans – what travellers need to know123Hot PicksOperation TigerCA TopperLionel MessiVaibhav SooryavanshiCrude prices fallStock MarketThomas TuchelWBJEE admit cardMP board second resultTop TrendingCristiano RonaldoIshan KishanShubham GillFIFA World Cup 2026What is Legacy BadgeDownload Optifine for Minecraft 26.2Aman SangerCBSE 10th Second Board Result 2026Eknath ShindeDevajit Saikia

Has the time come for Congress’s breakaway parties to return to the fold? NEW DELHI: Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress is not merging with the Congress. That’s final for now. Both the parties have firmly rejected speculations about a merger, dismissing them as “baseless rumours” and “fake news”.But not before the speculations triggered a larger and far more interesting political debate: should leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Sharad Pawar, who broke away from the Congress decades ago to chart their own political course, consider returning to the grand-old-party’s fold to strengthen the opposition fight against the BJP?The merger buzz gained traction after Mamata Banerjee met Sonia Gandhi and later her nephew and political heir Abhishek Banerjee held a lengthy meeting with Rahul Gandhi. The meetings came against the backdrop of an unprecedented crisis within the Trinamool Congress following its crushing defeat in the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections. Sonia Gandhi meets Mamata Banerjee during INDIA bloc meeting in New DelhiFor the first time, the once-impenetrable fortress of the TMC showed deep cracks. Mamata Banerjee, who ruled Bengal for 15 years and appeared invincible until recently, was reduced to just 80 seats in the assembly as the BJP formed its first-ever government in the state. But her setback did not end with the election results. Several newly-elected MLAs and some of the closest aides of Mamata Banerjee rebelled against the party and reached out to the BJP. Much of the anger within the TMC was directed at Abhishek Banerjee, with sections of the old guard accusing the leadership of sidelining those who spent years building the party. Such rapid was the unravelling of the Trinamool Congress that the once-invincible Mamata Banerjee, who had been dismissive about the Congress for the last 15 years, was forced to rush to the grand-old-party for help. It is this exact plight of Mamata Banerjee which prompted suggestions from some quarters that the Trinamool chief, who had formed the party in 1998 after breaking away from the Congress, should consider “Ghar-wapasi.” And this suggestion was not just for Mamata, but also for leaders like Sharad Pawar. Pawar, who formed the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 1999, and faced a similar challenge after his party split. Pawar eventually lost control of the NCP name and its iconic clock symbol to the faction led by his nephew Late Ajit Pawar.Another leader who faces challenges similar to Mamata is Uddhav Thackeray. Udhhav, who lost control of Shiv Sena after rebellion by his party MLAs, is now battling fresh speculations of further defections amid reports of “Operation Tiger”. There are reports that 6 of his 9 MPs are in touch with Eknath Shinde, who had led the rebellion against Uddhav, and is now deputy chief minister in the BJP-led government in Maharashtra.Together these stories point to a broader reality: several regional parties that once appeared dominant in their respective states are confronting an increasingly assertive BJP that has not just defeated them but is also benefitting from their implosion.It is this backdrop that has revived an idea that would have seemed improbable just a few years ago. The ‘ghar-wapasi’ debateThe homecoming debate was triggered by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who argued that parties born out of the Congress should reunite with the parent organisation to strengthen the opposition against the BJP. Sanjay Raut floated the idea of mergerThe Sena (UBT) leader went a step further, urging Sharad Pawar to take the lead in bringing together parties that emerged after splitting from the Congress.Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot backed the idea, saying “the time has come”, while Maharashtra Congress leader Nana Patole argued that leaders such as Mamata Banerjee and Sharad Pawar increasingly recognise the need for a stronger Congress to counter the BJP. Congress leader Nana Patole backed the ideaAt first glance, the argument appears compelling. The BJP has emerged as the dominant force in the country. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi first came to power in 2014, the BJP was in power in just seven states. With victories in West Bengal and Assam, the BJP-led NDA now governs 22 states and Union Territories. Opposition unity remains a work in progress. Several regional parties are weaker today than they were some years ago.But before asking whether Congress’s former children should return home, it is worth asking why they left in the first place.Why Congress’s children walked awayMamata Banerjee did not leave the Congress because of ideological differences. She walked out in 1998 because she believed the party had become incapable of defeating the Left Front in West Bengal. Frustrated with the Congress high command and convinced that Bengal required a more aggressive opposition, she founded the Trinamool Congress. Congress splinters that survived, built independent regional identitiesThe move paid off. In 2011, Mamata accomplished what the Congress had failed to do for decades, ending the Left Front’s 34-year rule in West Bengal.Sharad Pawar’s exit came under different circumstances. In 1999, Pawar, PA Sangma and Tariq Anwar challenged Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin and subsequently formed the Nationalist Congress Party. While the NCP remained ideologically close to the Congress and frequently governed alongside it, Pawar succeeded in building an independent political identity rooted in Maharashtra.YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s departure was driven by succession politics. Following the death of his father, former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Jagan felt sidelined by the Congress leadership and eventually floated the YSR Congress Party. Within a few years, the YSRCP had virtually replaced the Congress in Andhra Pradesh.Their exits were driven by different factors, but each believed they stood a better chance outside the Congress than inside it.In most cases, they were right.What has now changed?What has changed is not the Congress. It is the exponential rise of the BJP.When Mamata Banerjee left the Congress in 1998 and Sharad Pawar followed in 1999, the BJP was nowhere near as dominant as it is today. Regional parties grew by occupying political space vacated by a declining Congress.Today many of those same parties are confronting a very different challenge.Over the last decade, the BJP has expanded beyond its traditional Hindi heartland, ending the BJD’s 24-year rule in Odisha, conquering West Bengal and making steady inroads into regions where it was once considered weak. The result is that regional parties which once competed primarily with the Congress increasingly find themselves battling the BJP for voters, leaders, organisational networks and political relevance.Political scientist and Fellow at New Delhi-based think-tank Centre for Policy Research (CPR), Rahul Verma notes that Congress reunification is not without precedent. Leaders who broke away from the party in the past, including Pranab Mukherjee and those associated with formations such as the Tamil Maanila Congress and Tiwari Congress, eventually returned to the parent organisation.However, Verma argues that the political context today is fundamentally different. “In those times, the Congress was still a formidable force and was in a position to form governments at the national level. Some of these leaders could be accommodated in the party and in the government. The problem today is that when you are talking about parties like the TMC, YSRCP and NCP, Congress itself is a very small player in states such as West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, and even in Maharashtra it is not particularly strong,” he told TOI.While a merger could potentially benefit both sides in the medium term, given that all three parties are facing electoral headwinds, Verma questioned how practical such an arrangement would be. “Congress does not have much to offer beyond party positions. Leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Jagan Mohan Reddy have built successful independent political careers outside the Congress. The practicality and feasibility of how that accommodation would work remains a question,” he said.Why merger may not be practicalWhile the idea of homecoming sounds grand, its actual implementation on the ground may neither be easy nor practical.Consider this: If Mamata Banerjee and Sharad Pawar were to return to the Congress fold, would they be willing to function under the leadership structure of Rahul Gandhi or Mallikarjun Kharge after running independent parties for decades?Would their supporters accept such a transition?Would party workers who spent years fighting each other suddenly become colleagues overnight?In West Bengal, for example, it would be literally impossible to visualise Congress’s Adhir Ranjan Choudhary working in tandem with Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee. Those who have followed Adhir’s politics would know that the entire politics of the former West Bengal Congress president has centred around opposing Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress.Many of these parties built their identity by positioning themselves as alternatives to the Congress. Returning to the fold risks diluting the very identity that helped them grow.Doesn’t the INDIA bloc already serve that purpose? Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, party MP Sonia Gandhi, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and others during the INDIA bloc meeting, in New Delhi.If opposition parties are already working together under the INDIA bloc umbrella, what additional advantage does a formal merger provide?Congress, TMC, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) and several other parties already coordinate on national issues and parliamentary strategy while retaining their individual identities.If countering the BJP is the objective, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is proof that opposition unity does not necessarily require a merger.The Congress, TMC, DMK, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), Samajwadi Party and several other parties fought under the INDIA bloc banner while retaining their separate identities. Together, they significantly reduced the BJP’s tally from its 2019 peak and denied it a standalone majority. The coalition came under pressure only when the electoral battle entered the states where political rivalry between the opposition ranks rocked the boat. That problem is unlikely to disappear simply because party headquarters decide to merge.Does merger help the Congress?The merger experiment may make for good optics and also catchy headlines, but does it help the Congress to revive electorally? Perhaps not. Neither Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal nor Sharad Pawar in Maharashtra commands the political influence they once did. Both leaders are grappling with challenges that would have been difficult to imagine at the peak of their careers. The last assembly elections in Maharashtra showed that Sharad Pawar’s influence in the state is on the wane. The veteran leader struggled to even make an impact in his stronghold of Baramati. Similarly, in West Bengal, Mamata is dealing with the fallout of a major electoral defeat and a growing internal crisis within the TMC.The Congress, meanwhile, requires more than high-profile leaders. It needs robust state-level organisations, local leadership and grassroots workers.Anti-BJP coalition better than mergerMamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar, and Jagan Mohan Reddy became political heavyweights because they proved they could survive and thrive outside the Congress system. They didn’t need Congress. They built their empires on strong regional pride and their own distinct leadership styles.There is little doubt that the BJP’s rise has made opposition unity more important than ever before. But unity does not necessarily mean merger. In fact, the experience of the INDIA bloc suggests that opposition parties can work together against the BJP while retaining their separate identities and leadership structures.That is perhaps the more practical path forward. Congress and its former leaders may find themselves cooperating more closely in the years ahead, but a formal return to the parent fold appears far less likely.For leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Sharad Pawar, revival may depend less on returning to the Congress and more on returning to the streets, rebuilding their organisations and reconnecting with voters.That, after all, is how they became powerful in the first place.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorPriyanka MukherjeePriyanka Mukherjee is an Assistant News Editor at The Times of India, where deadlines rarely slow down. Often juggling breaking news, long-form explainers and the everyday chaos of the newsroom, she is usually managing stress, chasing clarity and trying to log off on time (rarely successful). She also cares deeply about stories around women’s rights and social change, while two very opinionated dogs make sure she never truly switches off.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSix Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Stay Away From Delhi Meet, Uddhav Camp on Edge As Defection Buzz IntensifiesVaiko-Vijay Meetings Trigger Buzz Over MDMK’s Future In Tamil Nadu’s Changing PoliticsModi-Starmer Confirm July 15 Launch Of Trade Pact Projected To Boost Bilateral CommerceJharkhand Rajya Sabha Polls Turn Into Numbers Battle As BJP Eyes Surprise Upset Against INDIA BlocDelhi-NCR Unveils Vision For Four New Cities As Population Set To Surge’Mother Of All Trade Deals’: India, EU Target FTA Signing Before End Of 2026’Jahan Thackeray Wahan Shiv Sena’: Sanjay Raut Rejects Split RumoursDefence Output More Than Doubles In Five Years As India Pushes Self-RelianceRanchi Police Arrest 2 Accused In RSS Office Petrol Bomb Attack’Calculated Move To Isolate And Endanger Her’: TMC On Mamata Security Row123PhotostoriesTop parenting coach shares how to teach sons to choose the right friends at every age5 essential blood tests you should take before joining the gym, doctor revealsLegendary cricketer Jhulan Goswami’s home in Chakdaha, West Bengal is defined by simplicity, cricket memorabilia and family bond114-year-old barfi: This famous desi barfi was first made by a wrestler for personal nutrition5 highly venomous sea snakes found in Indian waters and where they are found‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’: All about the 5BHK mansion in Imtiaz Ali’s directorialMalasana to water therapy: 5 simple morning habits that can heal your body and mind from the inside outFather’s Day 2026: Skip the mug this year – 10+ gift ideas dads will actually rememberKeep mosquitoes away naturally: 8 plants every balcony garden should have6 wild animals that have been known to prey on humans – what travellers need to know123Hot PicksOperation TigerCA TopperLionel MessiVaibhav SooryavanshiCrude prices fallStock MarketThomas TuchelWBJEE admit cardMP board second resultTop TrendingCristiano RonaldoIshan KishanShubham GillFIFA World Cup 2026What is Legacy BadgeDownload Optifine for Minecraft 26.2Aman SangerCBSE 10th Second Board Result 2026Eknath ShindeDevajit Saikia

Vamsikrishna010 mins mins

Has the time come for Congress’s breakaway parties to return to the fold? NEW DELHI: Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress is not merging with the Congress. That’s final for now. Both the parties have firmly rejected speculations about a merger, dismissing them as “baseless rumours” and “fake news”.But not before the speculations triggered a larger and…

Read More