Paralysed Govt, Matching Oppn
A terrible train accident in Andhra Pradesh clouded the UPA-II's third anniversary on Tuesday. But what was there to celebrate for a government that is caught in crisis after crisis since 2009?The many...
View ArticleWhy Pawar fakes a grouse
"Whenever you see colour, think of us," went a paint company's ad. It has a political parallel, "Whenever NCP fakes a grouse, think of Pawar's cover-fire." That is why when his colleagues did the...
View ArticleBJP, Modi & Two-Notion Theory
Sometimes, what makes news makes news-catchers puzzled. Lok at the two recent TRP raisers. 'Rahul to play larger role in Congress', said the first. Well, given that Gandhi always has a confirmed ticket...
View ArticleLeaders shrink, rookies thrive
When the Prime Minister addresses the nation on Independence Day this morning, he is expected to repeat the rituals with the entire UPA led by Sonia Gandhi cheering him on. You can trust him to declare...
View ArticleBJP’s Tryst with Mao
The Congress strategy is to work on contradictions amongst the non-BJP Opposition."When politics develops to a certain stage beyond which it cannot proceed by the usual means, war breaks out to sweep...
View ArticleCongress can hold ground when it comes to ministerial berths
In New Delhi, it’s often said that power is a function of the prime numbers you command: The kind of numbers not easily divided by non-parliamentary lures. But Congress floor managers would beg to...
View ArticleTruth, Tact and Family Ties
Mango people in a Banana Republic” was Robert Vadra’s signoff before he shut down his Facebook account, even as the Congress leadership is wondering how to shut down the latest controversy after Team...
View ArticleFDI, Opposition & Déjà Vu
If you have a nose for political seasons, it is unlikely you’d miss the shrill similarity between the present debate on foreign investment in retail and the build-up to the 2008-09 vote of confidence...
View ArticleTycoons’ pride, teammates’ burden!
Can only manufactured social calm, enforced by divisive politics, provide fertile soil for development and wealth creation? Or, is it inclusive democratic politics that creates genuine social harmony,...
View ArticleCongress’ challenge at Jaipur
The Congress Party’s brain-storming session at Jaipur this week is the fourth such institutionalised event with Indira Gandhi organising the first one at Narora in 1974, in the face of a declining...
View ArticleOn Afzal Guru’s Execution
When home minister Sushilkumar Shinde was asked whether the execution of Afzal Guru was “political”, he said it was not a political decision but “done in accordance to the law”. The assumption,...
View ArticleDon't count those chickens
The run up to 2014 elections promises to be as colourful and gripping as any box-office blockbusterWe have entered the New Year witnessing much drama in politics. The electoral rout of the Congress in...
View ArticleCongress War Session - In Hour of Crises
Congress’ one-day AICC session in Delhi on Friday comes at a time when the party faces its worst crises. If crippling electoral routs, tainted image of its central government, surging inflation,...
View ArticleRahul Gandhi's Second Coming
Defeat can often prove to be the best magic potion for a bounceback. Rahul Gandhi’s surprisingly powerful and focused political speech at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) meet in Delhi on Friday...
View ArticleWho’s afraid of Arvind Kejriwal?
At the end of every political stand-off, there are always hair-splitting arguments about the exact nature of the victory, defeat or truce. That is now playing out after the central government and Aam...
View ArticleCongress' Kiran in the Seemandhra battlefield
If the Congress has its way in Parliament, India will have its 29th state, Telangana, during the winter session. In reality, Telangana statehood is being pushed by the Congress not as an...
View ArticleForget armchair politics Rahul, last chance to save the sinking ship
It will be fascinating to see how Rahul Gandhi will deal with the aftermath of his party's worst electoral defeat. A leader's mettle is tested in defeat as much in victory.If Indira Gandhi was "Durga"...
View ArticleTo get the A K Antony panel report correct, read the Congress politics right
Congress veteran A K Antony, who on 14th August submitted to party president Sonia Gandhi a probe report on the reasons for the Congress’ disastrous electoral performance in the Lok Sabha polls, must...
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