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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

NDA power matrix reshaped after success

AI generated image Mumbai: A quiet coup in the state has triggered a loud shift in the power dynamics of the nation’s capital. By engineering the defection of six additional MPs, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has nearly doubled his parliamentary muscle, transforming his Shiv Sena faction from a junior regional partner into an indispensable pillar of the NDA. Now sitting on a commanding 13 seats, Shinde has dramatically increased his political leverage—leaving a cautious BJP to weigh the...

NDA power matrix reshaped after success

AI generated image Mumbai: A quiet coup in the state has triggered a loud shift in the power dynamics of the nation’s capital. By engineering the defection of six additional MPs, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has nearly doubled his parliamentary muscle, transforming his Shiv Sena faction from a junior regional partner into an indispensable pillar of the NDA. Now sitting on a commanding 13 seats, Shinde has dramatically increased his political leverage—leaving a cautious BJP to weigh the cost of an emboldened ally demanding a bigger slice of the pie in both the Union and state cabinets. In a masterstroke of political engineering that has profoundly jolted political landscape, Shinde has once again demonstrated his formidable capacity for disruption. The rebellion of six out of nine Lok Sabha Members of Parliament from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), ostensibly joining Shinde’s ranks under the banner of “Operation Tiger,” is not merely a regional skirmish. It is a calculated power play that reverberates through the highest corridors of power in New Delhi. By nearly doubling his party’s strength in the lower house from seven to thirteen MPs, Shinde has dramatically altered his own political trajectory, elevating his faction from a helpful regional ally to an indispensable pillar of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Shinde’s Stature The immediate consequence of this crossover is a massive surge in Shinde’s stature within the NDA hierarchy. With thirteen parliamentarians, his Shiv Sena is now poised to become the fourth-largest bloc in the ruling national coalition, sitting just behind the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Telugu Desam Party, and the newly formed Nationalist Citizens Party of India. This numerical leap is of immense strategic value to the BJP-led central government. In a parliamentary environment where the ruling coalition possesses only a modest majority, every single seat counts. The central leadership is acutely aware of upcoming legislative hurdles, particularly ambitious constitutional amendments like the proposed delimitation bill, which will require a formidable two-thirds majority. By acting as the architect of this crucial numerical boost, Shinde has cemented his reputation as a reliable and highly effective operator for the NDA, significantly increasing his bargaining power and political leverage. National Relief For the BJP, this development evokes a complex mixture of profound national relief and acute regional anxiety. From the vantage point of PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Shinde’s successful poaching operation is a clear windfall. It simultaneously fortifies the NDA’s numerical strength in New Delhi while severely crippling a vocal opposition force in Maharashtra. The central BJP leadership views Shinde as a vital asset capable of bridging the gap between their current numbers and the overwhelming mandates of the past. However, the perspective from the Maharashtra BJP headquarters is noticeably more apprehensive. State BJP leaders openly acknowledge Shinde’s soaring political equity, but they are increasingly wary of his expanding ambitions. They recognize that an emboldened Shinde, eager to fill the political vacuum left by Uddhav Thackeray and a fragmented Nationalist Congress Party, will aggressively attempt to expand his footprint across the state, potentially encroaching upon the BJP’s own traditional support bases. Power Sharing This dramatically enhanced political heft immediately raises pressing questions regarding power-sharing arrangements, both at the Centre and in the state. Armed with thirteen MPs, Shinde’s camp is undoubtedly preparing to seek greater political rewards. In the Union Cabinet, his demand for an additional, high-profile ministerial berth is now backed by solid arithmetic. Given his heightened utility to the national coalition, the BJP high command is highly likely to accommodate this request during the next cabinet reshuffle. However, the power struggle within the Maharashtra state cabinet promises to be far more contentious. Shinde, who had to settle for the Deputy Chief Ministership behind Devendra Fadnavis following the last assembly elections, may now feel emboldened to petition the BJP leadership for the top job. The BJP’s state unit is actively preparing to fiercely resist any such demand. Senior BJP leaders are quick to emphasize that despite his parliamentary gains, Shinde’s legislative strength in the state assembly hovers around 57 MLAs, dwarfed by the BJP’s commanding 132 legislators. Consequently, conceding the Chief Minister’s chair remains highly improbable. Instead, the BJP will be forced into a delicate balancing act, likely appeasing Shinde by granting his faction a larger share of influential, heavyweight portfolios within the state government to keep the alliance stable. Ultimately, through sheer political audacity, Eknath Shinde has ensured that neither New Delhi nor Mumbai can afford to govern without catering to his increasingly formidable political weight.

Indian Green Card Holders Need Not Panic

Updated: Mar 20, 2025

Once seen as a symbol of security, the Green Card now comes with growing uncertainty and scrutiny at U.S. borders.

Indian Green Card Holders

The last few months have not been kind to most immigrants who travelled to the United States of America in search of better prospects. Right from the day President Donald Trump took charge of the USA, he dropped shocking decisions on key issues that seemed no less than surgical strikes. Most Indians who had NRI relatives residing in the USA with legitimate documents were not worried up until now. However, recent media reports claim that Indian Green Card holders are experiencing increasing scrutiny and expulsion threats; experts have pointed out that people who are legally residing in the US and have not engaged in any anti-US activities have nothing to worry about. Mumbai-based Overseas Visa Consultant Karan Gupta said, “Notably, elderly Indian immigrants who divide their time between the U.S. and India have reported heightened inspections and, in some cases, pressure to relinquish their green cards upon re-entry. These actions underscore a shift towards stricter enforcement of residency requirements, challenging the traditional perception of permanent residency as a guarantee of stability.”


What is a green card?

A green card, also known as a permanent resident card, is an identity document that shows a person has permanent residency in the United States. Reports suggest that as of 2023, there are approximately 12.7 million green card holders, with 9 million eligible to become U.S. citizens.


Green card holders can live and work in the U.S. without restrictions, travel internationally, and return to the U.S. without issues. Green card holders can also apply for U.S. citizenship after meeting eligibility requirements. They are eligible for federal benefits, such as Social Security and Medicare. There are various types of green cards like Family-Based Green Cards which cover immediate relatives of U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Employment-based green cards cover foreign workers with specialised skills or education. The Diversity Visa Program is a lottery-based programme for individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S.


Can Green Cards be revoked?

Historically, obtaining a green card has been viewed as achieving stability and security in the U.S. However, recent developments have introduced uncertainties for green card holders. Increased scrutiny at borders, especially for those spending extended periods abroad, has led to situations where individuals are questioned about their residency intentions. Gupta pointed out that even a green card can be revoked under these specific circumstances:

  • Abandonment of Residency: Spending extended periods outside the U.S. without demonstrating intent to maintain permanent residence can be interpreted as abandonment.

  • Criminal Activity: Convictions for certain crimes can lead to deportation and loss of permanent resident status.

  • Fraudulent Activities: Providing false information or engaging in fraud to obtain the green card.

  • Engaging in activities against the US

  • The Revocation Process


The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) sends a notice to the Green Card holder stating the grounds for revocation. The Green Card holder has the opportunity to respond to the notice and provide evidence to refute the grounds for revocation. If the Green Card holder responds, a hearing is scheduled before an immigration judge. The immigration judge makes a final decision on whether to revoke the green card. In case the green card holder loses the argument, the individual loses their permanent resident status and green card. The individual may also be placed in removal proceedings and deported from the USA. The individual may also be rendered ineligible for future immigration benefits, including re-entry into the USA. The individual can appeal the immigration judge's decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). If the BIA upholds the decision, the individual can appeal to a federal court.


Should senior citizens worry?

While Indian-origin Green Card holders do not have to worry, they will certainly have to be careful that they don’t engage in activities that are perceived as being against the US. However, senior citizens who usually spend the harsh winters in India have to be careful because another primary concern that is important to note is whether these individuals have maintained their permanent resident status or have effectively abandoned it by residing outside the U.S. for prolonged periods.


Indians residing in the United States have been under constant pressure since Trump took over, with the fear of their future in the country being jeopardised. From a crackdown on immigrants to birthright citizenship cancellation to now, tightened security and checks on Green Card holders. Indians have been haunted by the fear of being deported any minute despite having a valid visa or a green card that’s supposed to be one step before citizenship. While a President cannot revoke someone’s green card as quick action out of a whim, procedural changes can lead to such revocations. However, interestingly, while people give up hopes to fight it out, Gupta says, “Individuals facing visa revocations or green card cancellations should consider seeking legal counsel.”

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