2022: The year when three faces defined politics with an eye on elections

Kejriwal, Murmu, Kharge: A vote against 'establishment' politics; a new definition of tribal identity; a leadership shift that wasn't quite

If politics in 2022 were to be defined by faces, three would stand out straightaway, for the change they represent for India in the years to come.
 

The year started (February) with elections to five states, including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Many analysts claim that the Uttar Pradesh election, which resulted in a second term for incumbent Yogi Adityanath-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, showed a new trend that would repeat itself later in the year in the Gujarat elections – a vote for incumbency suggesting Indians were evaluating and rewarding performance over the colour of the government.
 

It was