Day: January 5, 2026

Prayagraj: Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (Ujjivan SFB) has strengthened its presence in Uttar Pradesh by inaugurating five new branches at Salarpur, Dhaleri, Dhampur, Bharwari, and Mungra Badshahpur. The expansion underscores the bank’s commitment to addressing diverse financial needs across the state, from small neighbourhood businesses to first-time homebuyers. With the addition of these branches, Ujjivan SFB has further reinforced its reach in Uttar Pradesh and other regions. The bank currently serves over 9.88 million customers across 26 states and Union Territories. All five newly opened outlets are microbanking (MB)-based branches,…

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), long known for springing political surprises, is increasingly being seen as a party where key organisational decisions are tightly controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The recent appointment of Bihar minister and Bankipur MLA Nitin Nabin Sinha as the party’s Executive President has once again sparked debate over leadership transition, internal democracy, and the concentration of power at the top. Nitin Nabin becomes only the second executive president in BJP history after J.P. Nadda, even though the post…

Lucknow: In Uttar Pradesh politics, seemingly small developments often signal larger political undercurrents. A recent social gathering held during the winter session of the Assembly in Lucknow is being viewed through a similar lens, as it has triggered fresh debate over caste dynamics within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). On the evening of December 22, a community feast was hosted at the official residence of Kushinagar BJP MLA Panchanand Pathak. Though described by the organisers as a private and cultural gathering, the timing, participation, and scale of the event…

Lucknow: The Indian National Congress has announced that it will contest the Uttar Pradesh Panchayat elections in 2026 independently, fielding candidates on all seats. The decision, party leaders say, is aimed at strengthening the organisation at the grassroots level and preparing for the 2027 Assembly elections. According to party sources, the move is not expected to adversely impact Congress’s relationship with the Samajwadi Party (SP). Sources indicated that a model similar to Maharashtra’s Maha Vikas Aghadi—where alliance partners contest certain elections separately—could be adopted in Uttar Pradesh as well. The…

New Delhi/Lucknow: As preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections gather momentum, political discussions have intensified over the possible leadership role of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the Congress party’s campaign in the state. Recent high-level meetings at the Congress headquarters and images shared on social media have fuelled speculation that the party may once again rely on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to spearhead its electoral strategy in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress has already decided to contest the proposed panchayat elections in 2026 independently, following a meeting chaired by party president…