His new Jalandhar house is said to be perfectly Vastu-compliant, which, going by past experience, is a relief for all concerned. (File)A house for Mr ChanniFormer chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi clearly believes that when politics gets tricky, geometry can help. His new Jalandhar house is said to be perfectly Vastu-compliant, which, going by past experience, is a relief for all concerned.ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEOThis is the same leader who once dealt with a “misaligned” swimming pool by filling it with sand. And when an entrance refused to cooperate, a new approach road was created to convince it otherwise.This time, everything is sorted in advance. No sand, no digging, no emergency civil works. Just a house that finally agrees with the planets. In Punjab politics, that is half the battle won.The sound of no one clappingFor Raghav Chadha, being dropped as Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha has come with an unexpected bonus, silence. Not the peaceful kind, but the kind where no one rushes in to defend you.Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann summed it up best. Asked a tricky question, he first dodged it. Then, after being pushed, delivered a crisp “Hanji.” Short, sharp, and impossible to misinterpret.Meanwhile, social media has taken over the rest. In today’s politics, you do not just lose a post, you trend while doing it.When the guest list gets politicalMohammad Sadiq probably thought he was attending a birthday party. It turned out to be a full-blown political debate with background music.Story continues below this adSinging at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s family function did not go down too well with some in Congress, who would have preferred less melody and more distance.Others shrugged it off. Old friends, they said, can share a stage without sharing politics. In Punjab, though, even a song can have a party line.Scooters, security and throwback politicsAs elections approach, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is back with his trademark style, this time with a new version of kikli that mixes humour with political jabs. Think folk dance, but with targets.Over in Sangrur, Narinder Kaur Bharaj is living her own before-and-after story. Once known for zipping around on a scooter, she now travels with a security convoy that could stop traffic, quite literally.Story continues below this adThe obvious question doing the rounds is where the scooter has gone. Supporters say it will return. Critics say it already has, as a memory.In Punjab, politics continues to be equal parts drama and comedy, leaders singing like the common person, moving like VIPs, and promising they are still the same.The audience, as always, gets the final say.Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More © The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:political