In a direct political counter-move, the Samajwadi Party (SP) kicked off the New Year by hosting a grand 'baati-chokha' feast, a popular delicacy from eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. This event came just a week after the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit president, Pankaj Chaudhary, warned several Brahmin MLAs and MLCs within his party for attending a community dinner where the same dish was served.
A Culinary Retort to Caste Politics
Addressing party workers at the gathering, SP national president Akhilesh Yadav made a pointed statement. He emphasized that the traditional dish "baati-chokha should not be defamed in internal conflicts" and urged everyone to "sit together and eat without any restrictions." Sources within the SP revealed that this feast, open to people from all castes and communities, was deliberately organized to send a strong message against the ruling party's "caste-based activities." The event highlighted the party's stance on social unity and its critique of the BJP's internal disciplinary actions centered around food and community gatherings.
BJP Mouthpiece's Major Printing Blunder
In a separate and embarrassing incident, readers of Janmabhumi, the BJP's newspaper in Kerala, were left stunned on Thursday. The edit page of the editions in two northern districts mistakenly carried content from Chandrika, the mouthpiece of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
The lead article was by Muslim League Kerala chief Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, reflecting on the year 2025. The page also featured two other opinion pieces by League leaders M.K. Muneer and Mohammed Shah, along with an editorial on the disintegration of the Left Democratic Front in recent local body elections.
The significant mix-up occurred at a private printing centre where plates for multiple newspapers, including both Janmabhumi and Chandrika, are prepared. The error provided amusement across political circles and drew sharp political jibes from the rival CPI(M).
AAP Rings in 2026 with Signature Campaign Song
Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) celebrated the New Year with a dance to its long-time campaign anthem, "Paanch Saal Kejriwal." The song, a staple since 2015, was also played during the party's recent, albeit unsuccessful, campaign to retain power in Delhi in early 2025.
The celebration was hosted by former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia at his residence. The guest list included former CM and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal along with his wife Sunita, and other party supporters. As the familiar tune played, all attendees, setting aside organizational hierarchy, broke into an impromptu dance for one final time in the year 2025, marking a spirited entry into 2026.
These events collectively paint a vivid picture of India's political landscape at the dawn of the new year, where symbolism, public messaging, and even unforeseen errors play a crucial role in the ongoing narrative between major political players.
