On October 7, Y Puran Kumar, a serving IPS officer of Haryana cadre, was found dead with a gunshot wound at his residence in Chandigarh

A novel about identity and a missing youth, a history of the overthrow of the Shah of Iran and a picture book celebrating the underappreciated belly button are this year’s winners of the Kirkus Prize.

His brand value has certainly depreciated, his party has weakened, and political fatigue has set in. Yet, he retains crucial vote banks, a relatively clean image, and the ability to influence outcomes in a fragmented electoral landscape.