Author: sureshzmc07

In the push for Kamala Harris to win North Carolina, Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for governor, has unexpectedly taken centre stage. Despite being the focus of discussions with Harris volunteers and voters, Robinson is being portrayed negatively, with Democrats circulating signs and billboards in key cities highlighting what they describe as his ‘extremism’. Harris has even launched a television advertising campaign that draws attention to Donald Trump’s history of praising Robinson.
Since Barack Obama’s victory in 2008, no Democrat has won the state at the presidential level, but North Carolina is once again proving to be highly competitive, with Trump having won it by a narrow margin of 1.3 percentage points four years ago. Democrats believe that Robinson’s controversial past could provide Harris with the necessary advantage.
A Harris win in North Carolina would significantly complicate Trump’s path to the presidency, a fact he acknowledged during a campaign stop, stating that winning North Carolina is crucial for his overall victory. However, in a recent event, Trump conspicuously avoided mentioning Robinson, despite previously endorsing him enthusiastically. Meanwhile, Democrats are making efforts to tie Trump to Robinson’s controversies, especially after explicit posts linked to Robinson surfaced, prompting some Republican officials and the Republican Governors Association to distance themselves from him.
Although Trump hasn’t withdrawn his endorsement, Robinson’s name has become notably absent at recent Republican events. For instance, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Whatley, overlooked Robinson when listing key state officials, despite audience members shouting Robinson’s name. Similarly, both Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, have avoided mentioning Robinson in recent appearances, though Vance acknowledged the controversy when questioned by reporters.
Republican insiders are concerned about the impact of the Robinson scandal, fearing that it could affect not just the governor’s race but also down-ballot candidates in Congress and the state legislature. Democrats, on the other hand, are cautious about whether the Robinson scandal alone will be enough to shift North Carolina’s 16 electoral votes to their side. There’s a sense that Georgia might present a better opportunity for Harris, though North Carolina’s diverse and changing demographics, including suburban, college-educated, Hispanic, and African American voters, offer hope.
The Harris campaign is focusing on Robinson’s troubles in an attempt to gain an edge, aiming to persuade some Trump supporters to stay away from the polls and hoping to win over some of the voters who supported Nikki Haley in the state’s March primary. Campaign strategist Dan Kanninen described the race in North Carolina as a “dead-heat tossup,” noting that the increased focus on Robinson might influence voters’ perceptions.

Despite concerns about Robinson, there remains strong enthusiasm for Trump among Republicans, who are keen to separate the two. For example, Greg Mills, a Republican school board candidate, expressed ongoing support for Robinson, though he acknowledged that the allegations against him are troubling if true. Meanwhile, other Republican voters, like Kathy Goodman, insisted that Trump should not be judged based on Robinson’s actions.
The Democrats, however, have a stronger ground campaign, with 27 offices across the state and over 250 paid staff, along with more than 26,000 volunteers who joined after Harris stepped in for President Biden. In contrast, the Trump campaign has largely delegated voter outreach to outside groups, focusing more on monitoring “voter integrity” once voting begins.
Who is Robinson?

Robinson’s forum posts also revealed a contradictory interest in transgender pornography, despite his recent record of anti-transgender rhetoric. This aspect of his past notably conflicts with his current public stance, which includes vehement condemnation of transgender rights.
Policy Positions: Robinson’s staunchly conservative policy positions are a key part of his political identity. His stance on abortion is particularly striking. In the 1980s, he admitted to having paid for his girlfriend’s abortion, yet he has since become one of the most vocal anti-abortion advocates. He describes abortion as “genocide” and “murder” and supports stricter abortion laws in North Carolina. In 2023, Robinson announced that he would back a bill banning abortion without exceptions, should he have legislative authority. Recently, he signalled his willingness to maintain North Carolina’s 12-week abortion ban, which includes exceptions for rape, incest, and the mother’s health, but he aims for more restrictive measures, such as a six-week or even a total ban.
Regarding LGBTQ+ issues, Robinson has been equally contentious. He consistently argues against transgender rights and same-sex marriage, asserting that gender is strictly binary. He has also expressed disdain for transgender women using women’s bathrooms, even suggesting they should face arrest for doing so.
Robinson’s views on economic and education policies similarly reflect a deeply conservative ideology. He opposes the teaching of critical race theory in schools, arguing that it fosters division. His stances align with the broader Republican opposition to what they describe as “woke ideology,” though critics argue these positions attempt to suppress discussions of systemic racism and history.
Why Trump Needs Him: Trump’s endorsement of Robinson highlights the former president’s efforts to reinforce his influence in key battleground states. North Carolina is vital to Trump’s 2024 strategy, and having a candidate like Robinson, who can energise the conservative base, is essential for maintaining momentum. Robinson’s unapologetic style, controversial views, and dedication to conservative values make him a valuable ally for Trump in rallying support among voters who feel alienated or threatened by progressive policies.
Robinson’s ability to galvanise far-right voters makes him an asset for Trump’s political agenda. His blend of provocative statements and hardline conservative policies resonates with a segment of the electorate that is crucial for Republicans, especially in swing states like North Carolina.
With inputs from agencies

Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Maniesh Paul have recently returned to Mumbai after completing the Udaipur schedule of their upcoming film, ‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari.’ This much-anticipated project has generated buzz not only for its star-studded cast but also for the camaraderie and chemistry displayed among the actors during filming.
Upon their return, Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor were spotted at the Mumbai airport, showcasing their casual yet stylish looks.Varun opted for a vibrant ensemble featuring yellow sweatpants adorned with black stripes, paired with a black multicolored oversized sweatshirt. He completed his look with a cap, white sunglasses, and white sneakers.
Janhvi complemented him in a chic grey jumpsuit and matching grey sneakers, also sporting sunglasses that mirrored Varun’s style. Maniesh Paul joined them in a relaxed outfit consisting of a maroon hoodie layered over a white t-shirt and jeans.
The video capturing their airport appearance has sparked excitement among fans, who have noted the friendly banter and easy chemistry between Dhawan and Kapoor. This dynamic duo previously collaborated in Nitesh Tiwari’s film Bawaal, further heightening anticipation for their latest project together.
The cast had fun times in Udaipur as they kept fans updated throughout the schedule. Recently, Rohit Saraf had shared a video on Instagram showcasing Janhvi’s enthusiastic cooking process, where she was seen preparing the sauce while boiling pasta in another pot. Dressed casually in an oversized T-shirt and pajamas, Janhvi’s culinary skills were on full display. She prepared pasta that she humorously claimed was “zero Kcal.”
Rohit Saraf expressed his appreciation by stating, “Appreciation post for Janhvi Kapoor, who fed me the best pasta I’ve had in months and claims it was zero Kcals. Utterly delusional but worth the damage!!” This lighthearted moment reflects the enjoyable atmosphere among the cast members during their filming.
Directed by Shashank Khaitan, ‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’ features an impressive ensemble cast including not only Varun Dhawan,Jahnvi Kapoor and Maniesh Paul but also Rohit Saraf, Sanya Malhotra, and Manini Chadha in significant roles. The film is expected to blend humor with heartfelt moments, showcasing the talents of its diverse cast.

The upcoming Jewar Airport is an ambitious infrastructure project expected to drive substantial growth in Faridabad, particularly impacting its real estate market. Situated 38 km from the region, the airport will enhance connectivity with a drive time of approximately 20 minutes, offering a more efficient alternative to the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). Further, this growth trajectory is supported by substantial infrastructure development, including new expressways, metro expansion, booming healthcare projects, and transportation enhancements. With this transformative infrastructure growth, Faridabad is poised for significant expansion in the coming years.

Moreover, the developments have boosted property appreciation in the area, displaying annual growth rates projected at 8 per cent by 2030. This projection has positioned Faridabad as an increasingly attractive prospect for real estate investment. The arrival of Jewar Airport will be a game-changer for the region, significantly boosting economic activities and businesses in Faridabad. Therefore, the influx of businesses will bring more commercial and residential projects to the area, allowing developers to capitalise on Faridabad’s growing potential.

R C Gupta, vice-president, CREDAI-NCR and MD RPS Group, said, “The presence of the upcoming Jewar Airport is likely to bring a monumental shift to Faridabad’s real estate landscape. Faridabad has already witnessed a 15 per cent increase in demand for corporate office spaces last year; with the presence of Jewar Airport, increased connectivity is anticipated, attracting multinational companies and businesses to the region. Hence, this is a great opportunity for developers to introduce the region with more premium projects and cater to the needs of businesses and people living in Faridabad.”

Mohit Goel, managing director of Omaxe Group, said, “From an industrial base to one of the most rapid urban centres in the NCR region, Faridabad has come a long way. As the development of Jewar Airport is in full swing, the property prices in the region and neighbouring areas are on an upswing. With the progress of the airport construction and rising demand of both residential and commercial real estate will result in beneficial returns soon over completion.”

Apart from this, it is estimated that Faridabad will attract approximately 30,000 professionals in the next five years, which indeed calls for rapid growth. Already established as a corporate hub, Jewar Airport is expected to act as a catalyst to attract new businesses and boost demand for more commercial spaces.

Romi Garg, Director of Pebble Downtown, said, “The advent of the Jewar Airport will act as a catalyst for both the commercial and residential segments. With the airport enhancing connectivity and drawing a surge of economic activity, a significant rise in demand for premium office spaces and retail hubs is also expected. Simultaneously, the influx of professionals and the increased need for residential developments will bring opportunities to create vibrant, integrated communities. Therefore, amid the infrastructure boom and strategic placement of Jewar Airport, we look forward to contributing to transforming Faridabad’s skyline.”

Ankit Kansal, MD, Axon Developers, said, “Across the 165 km long Yamuna Expressway, which connects Noida to the Agra region in western UP, one of the biggest infra projects is unravelling in Gautam Buddha Nagar in the form of Jewar Airport. The mega project spread across 6200 hectares of land will commence operations soon with an initial capacity of 12 million. Once completed, the project will manage 70 million passengers. While Jewar will have a noteworthy economic impact on Noida & Greater Noida, its positive ramifications will be felt in the nearby Faridabad region as well.”

In 2025, a 6-lane Jewar-Faridabad highway will be operational, which will connect Faridabad with the Jewar region. Besides, Jewar Airport will also be approachable via the Yamuna Bridge. With the mega airport unfolding, many international and national level businesses and manufacturers will be drawn towards Faridabad. We can see new investments in retail, consumer durable, textile, energy, smartphone & appliances, automotive, etc. Meanwhile, with new businesses coming in, there will be heightened investments towards hotels, business parks, shopping centres, mass housing, warehouses, etc., setting up the stage for vigorous growth.

Looking ahead, the transformative power of Jewar Airport positions the city on the brink of a new era. As developers and investors capitalize on these opportunities, Faridabad is on track to evolve into a dynamic urban centre that offers a harmonious blend of commercial vitality and quality living.