STATES PIN FUND HOPES ON CENTRE

AS A NEW YEAR KICKS IN, STATES ARE KEEN ON EASING OF CENTRE-STATE TENSIONS THROUGH DEEPER COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM. WITH DIVERGENT APPROACHES, THEY ARTICULATE REGIONAL PRIORITIES & RESOURCE NEEDS WHILE STAYING ALIGNED WITH NATIONAL VISION

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Political churn, rising debt, & Aravallis keep Raj govt on toes

As 2026 begins, Rajasthan faces a year of high-stakes politics, public mobilisation, and fiscal strain. The ruling BJP is grappling with internal churn after its defeat in the Anta Assembly bypoll, placing Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma's future and a Cabinet expansion under scrutiny.

The continued presence of the Vasundhara Raje faction, and the extent of its influence over the RSS-dominated dispensation, will be closely watched. The Congress, meanwhile, remains hamstrung by factionalism. The long-running Ashok Gehlot-Sachin Pilot rivalry persists, while growing support for state president Govind Singh Dotasra and Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully has sharpened internal strains ahead of the delayed panchayat and municipal elections scheduled for early 2026. The Aravalli Hills controversy, which dominated the final months of 2025, is set to remain a major flashpoint.

Further, rising debt-over 6 lakh crore-will test the government. -Rajesh Asnani

J&K to step up intel measures on war footing