Round-2 of INDIA’s anchor boycott?

Welcome to Powertrip, a newsletter exclusively curated for TNM Subscribers. In this issue, we talk about the next step of the INDIA bloc’s anchor boycott, an informal understanding between BJP and BRS leaders, and how the ‘transfer mafia’ can hurt the Congress in Karnataka. To read Powertrip every week, subscribe to TNM now..Congress mulls next step of anchor boycottWill the INDIA bloc stop with just a boycott of 14 TV news anchors? TNM has learnt that the Congress has put forward a suggestion to INDIA alliance’s sub-group on media – of imposing a boycott on ads given by its state governments to TV news shows hosted by these anchors. This decision though won’t be an easy one for the alliance.But like the anchor boycott, not all INDIA bloc allies are likely to be on board with the idea. While the Congress supports the ad ban, some allies are expected to express their reservation, or veto it entirely.The proposed ad ban, though, isn’t for the entire channel and is only for specific shows. “We have already asked for a list from all state governments on the ads that are being given to news channels,” says a Congress source. Telangana polls: My enemy’s enemy is my friend?PM Modi is publicly taking swipes at Telangana CM KCR, but the buzz is that internally party leaders are planning to ‘informally’ help the BRS in a few constituencies. The arrangement has less to do with keeping BRS in power and more to do with thwarting its archrival the Congress’ chances.Surveys conducted by all parties in Telangana show Congress surging ahead of the ruling BRS. A BJP source tells TNM that their internal survey also pointed to the same. The BJP doesn’t have any real stake in the state but for the party high command, Congress getting hold of Telangana is less desirable than BRS retaining power.The plan in the works is for BJP to field weak candidates against the BRS and Congress. But if the Congress is still ahead in the survey just before the polls, the BJP may even push BRS candidates over its own in the final leg of campaigning. Areas like Mahboob Nagar, Adilabad and Nizamabad have been identified as potential swing districts. Parties helping each other in polls in this manner is a routine practice, but always denied on record. ‘Transfer mafia’ haunts Siddaramaiah govtTransfers within the government are a big deal. In Karnataka, there is growing dissatisfaction within the government that transfers are being controlled by a handful of people from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s constituency Varuna. The ‘transfer mafia’ as it’s called has a big say on rejigs in the bureaucracy and government departments. A top officer says that during elections, Siddaramaiah’s campaign team didn’t dole out cash to Varuna’s voters. “Instead, they promised that their candidates will be given postings. From Tehsildar level to senior bureaucratic positions, they are posting people everywhere. There is also a complaint that officers from the Kuruba community are favoured,” an officer says. Disgruntled murmurs are already being heard in public. Last week, one of the most senior legislators in Karnataka, Shamanur Shivashankarappa accused the government of not giving important postings to officers from the Lingayat community. The 92-year-old is the president of Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha and the organisation has immense sway in the community.For the Congress, such allegations could negate all the overtures it has made towards Lingayat voters.Zero HourA political story of public importance.Advantage Adani: Power industry lobbies, coal ministry unlocks dense forests for mining.Coal ministry over-rode environment ministry and its mining experts to do away with ban on mining in the densest forests in the countryPowermovesTop 5 political storiesTelangana elections: Caste and politics intersect in this race to powerMonths after Chilume expose, ECI says no private person to be part of voter roll revisionNair Service Society cherry-picks information to oppose caste census, reservationWhy a statue of Ashoka is on a long yatra to Ambedkar’s DheekshabhoomiYS Sharmila's YSRTP to contest 119 seats in Telangana after failed merger with Congress