VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html How lighting a diya daily can improve your luck Why is Pakistan desperate for US-Iran truce? Leaked details about pact with Saudi Arabia expose reason UK border rules 2026: British woman denied entry, stranded abroad over passport law change IPL 2026: Injury scare? Virat Kohli trains with strapped knee ahead of RCB vs LSG game Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar franchise beats Baahubali, Pushpa, KGF; crosses Rs 3000 crore worldwide to become India’s biggest film series How to clean a ceiling fan without a ladder: A smart, quick method | After seeking Mark Zuckerberg’s help against Sam Altman and slamming Instagram, WhatsApp; SpaceX IPO may make Elon Musk do what has been unthinkable since years Beijing sacks senior diplomat Sun Weidong; offers no explanation as scrutiny of top ranks intensifies NEW DELHI: The “josh” is high for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as Bihar is all set to get its chief minister from the saffron party. Samrat Choudhary was elected the leader of the NDA legislative party, paving the way for him to become the first BJP CM of Bihar. And with this, the BJP once again has delivered a masterclass on “how to own the alliance.”Choudhary, who is expected to take the oath on April 15, takes over the top post from Nitish Kumar, who resigned earlier in the day. It definitely is a high moment for the BJP, which has been trying to keep the alliance smooth and yet have the upper hand. The announcement also feels like a repeat of what happened in Maharashtra when Devendra Fadnavis was reinstated as the chief minister of the state. The ‘big brother’For most of the 2000s, the BJP was the quieter partner in Bihar, drawing strength from Nitish Kumar’s credibility and caste coalition. In 2005 and again in 2010, it was Nitish who led from the front, with JD(U) consistently getting more seats than the BJP.However, this balance began to crack in 2014. Nitish’s decision to walk out of the NDA over Narendra Modi as the prime ministerial candidate backfired badly. Fighting separately, JD(U) was reduced to just 2 Lok Sabha seats and Nitish Kumar resigned from the CM post, taking the moral responsibility.In the 2015 assembly elections, the BJP had the largest vote share of 25% and 53 seats, but still fell short of power as the Mahagathbandhan (RJD – 80; JD(U) – 71) stitched together a stronger social coalition. When Nitish returned to the NDA in 2017, the BJP was no longer the same player. By 2020, it had clearly moved ahead within the alliance, winning significantly more seats than JD(U). The party got 74 seats and JD(U) got 43 seats. Though Nitish remained the CM, the equation within the alliance had shifted.By 2025, the BJP had completely flipped the script. The NDA contested the assembly elections with Nitish Kumar as its CM face. However, the BJP with 89 seats, once again emerged as the bigger partner than the JD(U) that got 85 seats. While Nitish Kumar remained the CM, the BJP took control over key portfolios like Home. And finally within a year, managed to give Bihar its first BJP CM with Samrat Choudhary. The return of FadnavisBefore Bihar, it was Maharashtra where BJP applied the similar formula. Here, the BJP showed how alliances could be reworked from within, turning partners into dependents and reclaiming major control without breaking the coalition.There was a time when Devendra Fadnavis had to step down and Eknath Shinde was made the CM as the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) split and came together with the BJP. However, in the 2024 assembly elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the ruling Mahayuti with 132 of 288 seats. Backed by stronger numbers, the BJP pushed for leadership change, and on December 5, 2024, Fadnavis took oath as CM, with Shinde moving to the deputy CM role.Once back at the helm, the BJP moved to centralise power. Key portfolios like home, finance and law were retained by the CMO, reducing the operational space for both Shinde and Ajit Pawar, who also served as deputy CM. The alliance remained intact, but its internal balance shifted decisively. After Ajit Pawar’s death his wife Sunetra Pawar was given his post in the Maharashtra cabinet. The BJP’s electoral strength further cemented its position. In the January 2026 municipal elections, it performed strongly across urban centres, including Mumbai.In both Bihar and Maharashtra, the BJP’s rise within alliances has shown how to do it without breaking the coalition. By expanding its own voter base while narrowing the space for its partners, the BJP has shown that alliances can be a pathway to dominance, not compromise.About the AuthorPallaviNews desk journalist, digital, at The Times of India, with a focus on Indian politics. Over a decade of chasing stories, taming headlines and arguing with commas like they’re part of the opposition. Tracks elections, policy pivots, party drama and the fine print of power, where every word can tilt the narrative. Believes good journalism is clarity under pressure, ideally filed before the next breaking alert crashes in. Powered by deadlines, context, sharp edits and a steady supply of strong tea.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPak Enters Noida? Stunning Twist To Wage War As Workers Riot In NCR; Yogi Minister Drops BombshellFuel Price Freeze Amid Hormuz Crisis Is Costing Oil Companies Thousands of Crores DailyChina Defends Renaming Places In Arunachal After India Slams Beijing’s ‘Mischievous Attempt’Bihar DY CM Puzzle for JDU, Nishant Kumar Reluctance Complicates NDA MathNitish Kumar Resigns After 20 Years as Bihar CM; BJP Names Samrat Choudhary as SuccessorWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian PoliticsExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted VotersDelhi–Dehradun Expressway Inaugurated: How It Cuts Travel Time And Protects WildlifeIndia Engages Israel On Iran And Hormuz Crisis As Jaishankar Pushes Dialogue Amid Rising TensionsWhy Samrat Choudhary Emerges As Likely Bihar CM As BJP Gains Edge With Strong Majority In Assembly123Photostories10 free things to do in Noida that are actually worth your timeHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-style Langarwali Dal6 essential real estate investment strategies for first-time buyers9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demandArgue without breaking up: 5 simple rules every couple needs to know‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against IsraelBaisakhi 2026 outfit ideas: Traditional looks inspired by Bollywood actresses123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup Akshay Kumar reveals son Aarav Bhatia was scared of Vidya Balan for six years after watching ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ 10 free things to do in Noida that are actually worth your time China-linked tanker that tested US blockade of Hormuz makes U-turn ‘MAGA grandma’ Sharon Simmons flown from Arkansas for DoorDash delivery to Trump: ‘No one is claiming it was real’ ‘We all love you’, Trump tells PM Modi during 40-min call on Iran war, Hormuz | India News US markets today (April 14, 2026): Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq rise on Middle East de-escalation hopes; earnings in focus Akshay Kumar fell unconscious, had 103 degree fever during a Vaishno Devi pilgimage, but here’s how he miraculously survived The secret to crispy fries: Why adding vinegar to potatoes works | Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife MacKenzie Scott who sold half of her Amazon stake now donates $70 million to Meals on Wheels America to support … Archaeologists discover 5,000-year-old human bone cups and masks in China’s Yangtze River Delta | World News Updated: Apr 14, 2026, 20:37 IST ‘Asha Bhosle will never die for me…’: Sachin Pilgaonkar pays an emotional tribute to the singer, recalls his first meeting Argue without breaking up: 5 simple rules every couple needs to know Why ‘Jesus’ Trump pulled a TACO against Pope Leo XIV | World News The Great Emu War of 1932: How 20,000 flightless birds outsmarted the Australian army | World News NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to visit Tamil Nadu on April 20, where he will address election rallies in support of the DMK and chief minister MK Stalin on April 20 and 21, the party said on Tuesday.AAP has not fielded any candidates in the Assembly elections and has extended support to the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA).Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Congress in-Charge Girish Chodankar said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy and Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, is expected to campaign in the state. The Congress is part of the DMK-led SPA. Watch Vijay Factor In Trichy East: Can Fandom Decide Tamil Nadu 2026 Result? Chodankar said an official announcement regarding Rahul Gandhi’s visit would be made soon and that Priyanka Gandhi is also expected to participate in the campaign. He added that Rahul Gandhi and MK Stalin are likely to campaign together.”Rahul Gandhi will come and campaign for the Tamil Nadu elections, and all our leaders will come. All our leaders will start campaigning when the campaigning becomes very aggressive. We have already appointed party cadres and formed special committees in all 234 assembly constituencies so that we can help all the allied parties’ candidates with whatever forces we have in each assembly constituency, ” he added.He reiterated that an announcement regarding Rahul Gandhi’s visit would be made within the next two to three days.Separately, chief minister and DMK candidate from Kolathur, MK Stalin, conducted a door-to-door campaign in Vellore.Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4.The main contest is expected to be between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which includes the Indian National Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance led by the AIADMK, with the BJP and PMK as allies.Actor-turned-politician Vijay is also set to make his electoral debut with his party, TVK, which could make the contest triangular.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBihar DY CM Puzzle for JDU, Nishant Kumar Reluctance Complicates NDA MathNitish Kumar Resigns After 20 Years as Bihar CM; BJP Names Samrat Choudhary as SuccessorWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian PoliticsExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted VotersDelhi–Dehradun Expressway Inaugurated: How It Cuts Travel Time And Protects WildlifeIndia Engages Israel On Iran And Hormuz Crisis As Jaishankar Pushes Dialogue Amid Rising TensionsWhy Samrat Choudhary Emerges As Likely Bihar CM As BJP Gains Edge With Strong Majority In Assembly‘Gross Injustice If Delayed’: PM Modi Seeks Backing for Women’s Reservation BillHow Secret Police Operation Uncovered Abuse, Coercion, Religious Pressure; Firm Promises ActionAfter Violent Noida Unrest, Uttar Pradesh Govt Raises Wages In Urgent Bid To Restore Calm And Trust123Photostories9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demand‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against IsraelBaisakhi 2026 outfit ideas: Traditional looks inspired by Bollywood actressesThese places have the most eerie and bizarre natural formations10 mysteries hidden beneath the ocean floor that scientists still can’t explain8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D DeficiencyMumbai’s first closed-door local arrives, big safety shift on tracks123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup US wholesale inflation data: Producer prices rise 4% as Iran war fuels energy surge, Fed faces policy dilemma AP Inter 1st, 2nd year result 2026 date: BIEAP to release IPE results on April 15 at 10:31 AM at resultsbie.ap.gov.in Post ‘Saiyaara’ Ahaan Panday teams up again with Mohit Suri for a rom-com Lisbon is the world’s most colourful city; Porto secures third place | ‘If MS Dhoni is …’: Former cricketer drops big hint for CSK ahead of KKR game ‘Burger King bandit’: Indian man charged over stealing $3,500 from Florida outlet after he was fired from there NEW DELHI: Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar on Tuesday tendered his resignation as the chief minister of Bihar, setting the state towards a new era of politics. BJP’s Samrat Choudhary is all set to take the oath as the next CM.With Lalu Yadav out of active politics and Nitish Kumar now in Rajya Sabha, this also marks the end of the long-running political lineage that revolved around the ideals of Jay Prakash Narayan, Karpoori Thakur, and Lohia after over three decades.Now, Bharatiya Janata Party – which for long played the role of second fiddle to Nitish’s JD(U) – is set to take the centre stage with Samrat Chaudhary as their new CM pick.End of an eraAfter the Sampoorn Kranti movement during the Emergency, the socialist ideology seeped deep into the state. JP took many youth leaders under his wings, many of whom later became the bigwigs of Bihar.Additionally, this was also an era of Karpoori Thakur, during which a new grammar of power emerged, where caste was not hidden beneath euphemisms but spoken of as politics of representation.The fine-tuning of these ideologies led to the rise of two of the tallest leaders of the state – Lalu and Nitish – who cemented the vision of samajik nyay on which Bihar’s identity politics rests.Lalu, the popular leader known for jests, ruled for over 15 years. After his decline, Nitish, known as Sushasan Babu, ruled the next 21 years, which came to an end on Tuesday.Rise of BJP in BiharHowever, Nitish’s exit plan seems to have been made long ago. After the National Democratic Alliance’s overwhelming victory in last year’s assembly elections and the BJP’s extraordinary performance, rumours began to swirl that Nitish might step down from the top job, making way for the BJP in a state that was under its control yet out of reach.The rumours proved right when Nitish, on one fateful day, announced his decision to leave the top post in Bihar for a Rajya Sabha seat to fulfil his personal wish of serving in all four legislative bodies — the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Bihar Legislative Council, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.Although many had anticipated this move amid speculation about his deteriorating health, Nitish’s sudden announcement still surprised many who expected a smoother transition plan.JD(U) sans NitishNitish Kumar remained the only star of his party for decades. Despite never securing an outright majority on its own, his “Sushasan Babu” image kept JD(U) at the centre of Bihar politics. Nitish’s decision not only ends the political lineage of JP Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia and Karpoori Thakur but also throws his party into uncharted waters, with no clear roadmap for the future.The party failed to build a strong second line of leadership. Leaders such as Sanjay Jha, Lalan Singh and Vijay Choudhary are present, but none commands a mass connect comparable to Nitish.Political analysts believe there is also a possibility that JD(U) could merge with its ally BJP in the coming days, though such a move may not find unanimous support within the party.“There is also a possibility that BJP and JD(U) may merge in the future, though not everyone in JD(U) will accept such a merger. Several leaders may resist it. Some leaders within the party may move to RJD, while others may join BJP,” political analyst Kumar Vijay told The Times of India.“Earlier, JD(U) workers even voted for BJP candidates because they believed Nitish Kumar would ultimately remain chief minister. But now many hardcore workers may refuse to support BJP in the future,” he added.End of road for JD(U)The dynamic between JD(U) and BJP shifted in the last assembly elections, where the BJP emerged as the “elder brother”. In the 2025 polls, the BJP became the single largest party with 89 seats and a 20.45% vote share, while JD(U) secured 85 seats with 19.61%.Following the emphatic victory, the BJP began to look less like a coalition partner and more like a contender for the driver’s seat. It secured a larger share in the council of ministers, and Nitish Kumar also had to part with the home portfolio.According to PTI, party sources admitted there were misgivings among cadres over the role played by Sanjay Jha and some other close aides of Nitish in recent developments.“Yesterday, when the chief minister visited the JD(U) office in Delhi, many party workers insisted that even after he stepped down, the top post should not be given to the BJP. The visuals have been flashed by all media outlets and are, to an extent, reflective of the sentiment prevailing in the party here,” they said.“In Nishant (Nitish Kumar’s son, who recently joined the party), we have a young leader capable enough of stepping into his father’s shoes. We, however, are also aware that our leader is unlikely to push for his son. But, at least, we must insist on all the benefits that the BJP is currently enjoying, which include posts like two deputy CMs, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the crucial Home portfolio,” they added.“The BJP, on its part, has been acting with swagger. Just look at the alacrity with which they nominated Harivansh Narayan Singh to the Rajya Sabha, days after we denied him a third consecutive term,” JD(U) sources said.JD(U) workers have also put up posters across Patna urging Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant to take up the chief ministerial post.The posters, put up by “Nitish sevaks”, called on Nishant Kumar to step into active politics, describing him as a “youth leader” and urging him to “come out of the shadows”.“We do not need a bulldozer, nor riots or unrest in Bihar. We need a young jansevak… it is time for him to come out of the shadow,” the posters read.What happens to Nitish Kumar’s EBC vote bank?Over the years, Nitish positioned himself as a key leader of the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), which form a significant portion of Bihar’s population.He consciously built this support base by drawing on the legacy of Karpoori Thakur and focusing on economically weaker sections.With his exit, questions arise over who will inherit this vote bank. According to analyst Kumar Vijay, no single party appears well-placed to consolidate the non-Yadav OBC and EBC votes.“If Tejashwi Yadav had strong leadership credentials, that vote bank could have shifted to RJD. But the biggest tragedy in Bihar today is the lack of strong political leadership. Congress doesn’t have it, RJD doesn’t have it either. Despite being a politically mature state, Bihar is facing a serious leadership crisis,” Vijay said.“Upendra Kushwaha has lost credibility. Tejashwi Yadav has not emerged as a grassroots leader. LJP too has become more of a dramatic political outfit,” he added.For Bihar, Nitish Kumar’s move to the Rajya Sabha marks the end of a long political chapter defined by his leadership, shifting alliances and ‘Sushasan’ governance model. Months ahead will determine how both JD(U) and the state’s politics evolve beyond him.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His work tracks elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNitish Kumar Resigns After 20 Years as Bihar CM; BJP Names Samrat Choudhary as SuccessorWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian PoliticsExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted VotersDelhi–Dehradun Expressway Inaugurated: How It Cuts Travel Time And Protects WildlifeIndia Engages Israel On Iran And Hormuz Crisis As Jaishankar Pushes Dialogue Amid Rising TensionsWhy Samrat Choudhary Emerges As Likely Bihar CM As BJP Gains Edge With Strong Majority In Assembly‘Gross Injustice If Delayed’: PM Modi Seeks Backing for Women’s Reservation BillHow Secret Police Operation Uncovered Abuse, Coercion, Religious Pressure; Firm Promises ActionAfter Violent Noida Unrest, Uttar Pradesh Govt Raises Wages In Urgent Bid To Restore Calm And TrustNoida Violence Under Scanner As Probe Explores Pakistan Link, 350 People Arrested In Crackdown123Photostories9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demandArgue without breaking up: 5 simple rules every couple needs to know‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against IsraelBaisakhi 2026 outfit ideas: Traditional looks inspired by Bollywood actressesThese places have the most eerie and bizarre natural formations10 mysteries hidden beneath the ocean floor that scientists still can’t explain8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup Apr 14, 2026, 19:50 IST IPL 2026 | ‘Good headache to have’: Tom Moody on LSG selection dilemma ahead of RCB clash India’s bankruptcy law gets its new overhaul: What the IBC Amendment Act, 2026 changes and why it matters Imran Khan praises Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur’s ‘Dacoit’ for avoiding ‘toxic tropes’, calls cousin Zayn Marie ‘top star’ 5 national parks in India where chances of spotting a tiger is between 70–90 percent; India’s most reliable safaris to see the big cat Oracle to buy power from Bloom Energy for AI, company reveals it issued warrant for Oracle to … Sam Altman: ‘Anti-AI’ attacker who tried to murder OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had list of other tech figures as FBI raids his Texas home PTI file photo Societies clinging to the past while dreaming of the future are often trapped between two mental states. India, just out of the clutches of colonialism, too experienced this duality in social order. In this general backdrop of ambiguity, the nation’s attitude to the female playback voice, too, was complicated. After all, voices are secret catalogues of social history. The voice we prefer at a certain moment in time tells something about ourselves.Around Independence, several singers such as Zohrabai Ambalewali, Rajkumari, Amirbai Karnataki, Shamshad Begum, Geeta Dutt, to name a few, jostled for space and ascendancy in Hindi film music. But within a few years, Lata Mangeshkar’s voice encapsulating purity and propriety became the gold standard for leading ladies and emerged decisively dominant.Asha Bhosle, almost four years younger, began her career under the shadow of her elder sister Lata. Keen to find her own voice, the Sangli-born singer listened to a farrago of foreign artistes: samba singer Carmen Miranda, the joyous Caterina Valente, even the breathless Elvis Presley, while trying to incorporate their styles in her rendition. “Slowly,” Asha revealed in an interview to composer Salil Chowdhury on DD Bangla in 1993, “I carved out a different style from my sister.”In time, the two voices became antonyms to each other. If Lata was the voice of the times, Asha was its hidden desire. Lata’s voice personified sincerity, virtuousness, consent — preferred and revered attributes of the time while Asha’s embodied wanting, abandon, dissent — traits frowned upon at the time. Lata’s voice conveyed the innocence of a morning hymn, the sanctity of a temple. Asha’s carried the sizzle of cabaret, the rush of a French kiss. Lata’s voice was the canon of the times, Asha’s a forecast of future freedoms.“Lata didi and I are like Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru. Gandhi was great; Nehru wasn’t bad either,” Asha told Outlook magazine in April, 2006.The sisters were fundamentally apart, not only in their voices, but also with their choices and in their personalities. She thinks with her “head”, me with my “heart”, Asha once said. Perhaps, circumstances played a role. Lata started singing for films at 13 after their father singer-actor Deenanath Mangeshkar’s untimely demise. She never married. Lata disapproved when Asha eloped. The younger sister had three children from a difficult first marriage. Interestingly, Asha’s early hits were children’s songs filmed on pre-teen boys like ‘De di hamey aazadi bina khadag bina dhal’, film: Jagriti, 1954), Chandamama door ke (film: Vachan, 1955).In the 1950s and 60s, Asha wasn’t the preferred singer of most A-list music directors, barring OP Nayyar, with whom she shared a close relationship. She was rarely the playback for major heroines. Nayyar – as well as composer Ravi — nourished her voice. She once credited BR Chopra for giving her the chance to sing for a big movie, Dilip Kumar’s ‘Naya Daur’ (music: OP Nayyar, 1957).By mid-60s, Asha had carved out her distinctiveness. Her range expanded. And her voice was richer in tone, more nuanced in texture. Three songs exemplify this. ‘Aagey bhi jaane na tu’ (Waqt, composer: Ravi, 1965) underlined a growing felicity for maximizing a tune by aligning each note with the lyrics’ emotional intent.In ‘Teesri Manzil’ (1966), young composer RD Burman rewrote Hindi film music’s grammar capturing the new musical zeitgeist. Singing for the film was like a dare for Asha, especially the breathless ‘Aaja aaja’, where her voice needed to pirouette, shake and shiver as if caught in the middle of a mating game. In ‘Teesri Kasam’, set in hinterland Bihar and released the same year, her rendition of ‘Pan khaye saiyan hamaaro’ was flawless flavouring the film with a folksy authenticity.The three songs belonged to three different musical worlds, but Asha seemed to be an honorary native to each of them.Music director RD Burman, whom she would marry in 1980, was an enabler. “…it was Pancham (RD Burman) who really exploited the full potential of my voice and challenged me to greater heights,” she told journalist Kavita Chhibber in a long 2003 interview. She added, “When he offered me Aaja aaja, I was petrified…but didi said you are a Mangeshkar and you can do it.” The remark reveals how Lata was also a mentor, though there are accounts to suggest differences, even a feature film, “Saaz”, which seemed to partly borrow from their lives, suggesting rivalry.Broadly speaking, RD preferred Lata for his more classical compositions. But the nightclubs with cigarette smoke and the grungy hippy joints were Asha’s fiefdom. These settings were home to some of the most furious and distinctive 70s rhythms. ‘Mera naam hai Shabnam’ (film: Kati Patang, 1970), ‘Piya tu ab to aaja’ (film: Caravan, 1971), ‘Dum maaro dum’ (film: Hare Rama Hare Krishna, 1972) and many more.In 1981, ‘Umrao Jaan’ (music: Khayyam) became to Asha what films like ‘Anarkali’ and ‘Pakeezah’ were to Lata. Her voice became an extension of the courtesan’s melancholic life. “Through her voice, you reach Umrao Jaan’s soul,” Khayyam told this reporter in 2008. The song, ‘Dil cheez kya hai,’ fetched her a national award. So did ‘Mera kuchh saamaan’ for Ijaazat (1987).Compared to Lata, Asha was more eager to embrace and adapt to shifting music trends. Hers was the deviant voice that the more conservative India sought to consign to the background. But as the country changed and evolved, she found wings. To Asha’s credit, she never stopped soaring.That’s what made her durable and relevant even when she stepped into her 90s. In 1980s, when disco was the celluloid favourite and ghazals the flavor of private albums, she sang ‘Disco Station’ for Bappi Lahiri (film: Hathkadi, 1982) and outshone Pakistani singer, Ghulam Ali, in Meraj-e-Ghazal (1983).When Indi-Pop took centre stage in the 1990s, she delivered one of its most memorable tracks, “Jaanam samjha karo. (1997)” Cutting tracks with personalities as divergent as Boy George and Brett Lee was part of an unrelenting journey to not only move with the times, but stay a beat ahead. Even in 2026, when 92, she hooked up with Gorillaz, a virtual British band, for “The Shadow of Light”!Much before the two sisters reached the autumn of their careers, Asha had become the preferred voice for a new generation of singers. She was their lighthouse and lodestar.Whether we like Asha or Lata has more to do with the person we are rather than the songs they sang. We see in their voices our own reflections. For true lovers of music, it is never Lata or Asha; it is always both.About the AuthorAvijit GhoshAvijit Ghosh is an associate editor with The Times of India. He is addicted to films, music, cricket and football—and not necessarily in that order. He is the author of Bandicoots in the Moonlight, Cinema Bhojpuri, 40 Retakes, and now, Up Campus, Down Campus, a novel set in 1980s JNU. He tweets from the handle @cinemawaleghoshRead MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted VotersDelhi–Dehradun Expressway Inaugurated: How It Cuts Travel Time And Protects WildlifeIndia Engages Israel On Iran And Hormuz Crisis As Jaishankar Pushes Dialogue Amid Rising TensionsWhy Samrat Choudhary Emerges As Likely Bihar CM As BJP Gains Edge With Strong Majority In Assembly‘Gross Injustice If Delayed’: PM Modi Seeks Backing for Women’s Reservation BillHow Secret Police Operation Uncovered Abuse, Coercion, Religious Pressure; Firm Promises ActionAfter Violent Noida Unrest, Uttar Pradesh Govt Raises Wages In Urgent Bid To Restore Calm And TrustNoida Violence Under Scanner As Probe Explores Pakistan Link, 350 People Arrested In CrackdownED Arrests I-Pac Co-Founder Vinesh Chandel; Big Blow To TMC Ahead Of Bengal PollsIndia Receives Iranian Crude After 7 Years Amid Looming US Hormuz Blockade Crisis123Photostories9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demandArgue without breaking up: 5 simple rules every couple needs to know‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against IsraelBaisakhi 2026 outfit ideas: Traditional looks inspired by Bollywood actressesThese places have the most eerie and bizarre natural formations10 mysteries hidden beneath the ocean floor that scientists still can’t explain8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup Vikram Bhatt recalls terrifying jail experience when he was arrest in Rs 30 crore fraud case and fell sick with high fever: ‘Don’t want to die here’ | Boost for India! IMF raises GDP growth forecast to 6.5% for FY27 despite Middle East conflict; lower US tariffs to benefit economy ‘My world was turned upside down’: Indian man speaks out after YouTuber wrongly accused him of being a pedophile . NEW DELHI: At least nine workers were killed and 15 injured in a boiler explosion at Vedanta Limted power plant in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district on Tuesday. “Nine workers have died, and 15 have sustained injuries,” Prafull Thakur, Sakti superintendent of police said, adding that the explosion occured in the afternoon.The SP further informed that right after the blast, local administration and police teams rushed to the site and the rescue operation was immediately launched to look for survivors.According to the police, three victims were killed on the spot, while the others succumbed to injuries at hospitals. Injured workers have also been admitted to the hospitals in the neighbouring Raigarh district as they undergo treatment.Raigarh SDM, Mahesh Sharma, said the probe was under way to examine the exact cause of the mishap. “A heartbreaking incident has taken place at the Vedanta Power plant today in which some workers have been injured, and their treatment is underway. Our investigation is ongoing,” he said.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian PoliticsExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted VotersDelhi–Dehradun Expressway Inaugurated: How It Cuts Travel Time And Protects WildlifeIndia Engages Israel On Iran And Hormuz Crisis As Jaishankar Pushes Dialogue Amid Rising TensionsWhy Samrat Choudhary Emerges As Likely Bihar CM As BJP Gains Edge With Strong Majority In Assembly‘Gross Injustice If Delayed’: PM Modi Seeks Backing for Women’s Reservation BillHow Secret Police Operation Uncovered Abuse, Coercion, Religious Pressure; Firm Promises ActionAfter Violent Noida Unrest, Uttar Pradesh Govt Raises Wages In Urgent Bid To Restore Calm And TrustNoida Violence Under Scanner As Probe Explores Pakistan Link, 350 People Arrested In CrackdownED Arrests I-Pac Co-Founder Vinesh Chandel; Big Blow To TMC Ahead Of Bengal Polls123Photostories9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demand‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against IsraelBaisakhi 2026 outfit ideas: Traditional looks inspired by Bollywood actressesThese places have the most eerie and bizarre natural formations10 mysteries hidden beneath the ocean floor that scientists still can’t explain8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D DeficiencyMumbai’s first closed-door local arrives, big safety shift on tracks123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup IPL 2026: No MS Dhoni for CSK again; star player returns as KKR opt to field Diplo backs Justin Bieber’s Coachella set amid backlash; says it was ‘like being at a party with him.’ Which day to worship which God for maximum benefits? Why do humans blush? There is a hidden evolutionary reason that you can’t control | After US-Iran talks fail, China proposes four-point plan for Middle East peace Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin (File photo) NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Tuesday issued a sharp warning to the BJP-led central government over the proposed delimitation exercise, saying the state would launch massive protests if any move harmed Tamil Nadu’s interests or disproportionately increased the political influence of northern states.In a video message, Stalin renewed his charge that the delimitation process is being carried out without transparency and without consulting states or political parties. He alleged that the Centre is moving ahead unilaterally on a matter that could significantly alter the balance of political representation.“We do not even know how this delimitation exercise is going to be carried out. No explanation has been provided so far regarding the proposed Constitutional amendment.”He said the lack of clarity had deepened suspicion across southern states, especially Tamil Nadu, where concerns remain high over the possible consequences of population-based seat redistribution.Referring to the special session of Parliament scheduled for April 16, Stalin alleged that it had been “forcibly convened” in the middle of elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, and claimed the Union government intended to push through a constitutional amendment on delimitation without adequate debate.“In this session, the Union government intends to bulldoze through a Constitutional amendment on delimitation,” he alleged.Calling the move a threat to federalism, Stalin said any attempt to reduce Tamil Nadu’s relative political weight would trigger a statewide backlash.“However, if anything is done that harms Tamil Nadu, or that disproportionately enhances the political power of northern states, we in Tamil Nadu will not remain silent,” Stalin was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.The DMK chief warned that the response would go beyond symbolic protest.“Tamil Nadu will register its protest with full force. Every family will take to the streets. Under my leadership as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, we will organise a massive agitation.”Stalin also cautioned the Centre against assuming that the election season would distract attention from the issue, saying Tamil Nadu was prepared for a larger political confrontation if needed.“You will witness a Tamil Nadu that you have not seen before. India will once again witness the spirit of the DMK of the 1950s and 1960s. Do not mistake this for a threat. This is a warning. Even if you choose to interpret it as a threat, it does not concern us. Yes, this is a warning issued from Tamil Nadu.”Invoking the legacy of DMK founder CN Annadurai and late party patriarch M Karunanidhi, Stalin said the party viewed state rights as more important than electoral considerations.On the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, he framed the issue as one of constitutional fairness and federal justice.“If Tamil Nadu is affected, we will make the entire nation take notice. Prime Minister, I repeat, this is the final warning issued to you from Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu will fight; Tamil Nadu will win.”Stalin said the DMK had consistently raised awareness on delimitation and had already brought together chief ministers and opposition leaders from affected states through a Joint Action Committee meeting in Chennai last year.He also pointed out that despite repeated demands, including calls for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to assure Parliament that southern states would not suffer under the new formula, no such assurance had been given.The chief minister added that even requests by MPs from multiple parties to meet the Prime Minister on the issue had been denied, reinforcing what he described as the Centre’s refusal to engage in meaningful consultation.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi–Dehradun Expressway Inaugurated: How It Cuts Travel Time And Protects WildlifeIndia Engages Israel On Iran And Hormuz Crisis As Jaishankar Pushes Dialogue Amid Rising TensionsWhy Samrat Choudhary Emerges As Likely Bihar CM As BJP Gains Edge With Strong Majority In Assembly‘Gross Injustice If Delayed’: PM Modi Seeks Backing for Women’s Reservation BillHow Secret Police Operation Uncovered Abuse, Coercion, Religious Pressure; Firm Promises ActionAfter Violent Noida Unrest, Uttar Pradesh Govt Raises Wages In Urgent Bid To Restore Calm And TrustNoida Violence Under Scanner As Probe Explores Pakistan Link, 350 People Arrested In CrackdownED Arrests I-Pac Co-Founder Vinesh Chandel; Big Blow To TMC Ahead Of Bengal PollsIndia Receives Iranian Crude After 7 Years Amid Looming US Hormuz Blockade CrisisVikram Misri Holds Key Talks With French FM, Discusses West Asia Conflict, Bilateral Ties123PhotostoriesTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demandArgue without breaking up: 5 simple rules every couple needs to know‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against IsraelBaisakhi 2026 outfit ideas: Traditional looks inspired by Bollywood actressesThese places have the most eerie and bizarre natural formations10 mysteries hidden beneath the ocean floor that scientists still can’t explain8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D DeficiencyMumbai’s first closed-door local arrives, big safety shift on tracks123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup