All stories by ADITI PHADNIS
In Maharashtra politics, Raj Bhavan leads the way
Rediff.com26 Oct 2020Uddhav Thackeray would do well to remember: Once he decides on a course of action, Bhagat Singh Koshyari never gives up, notes Aditi Phadnis.
Manoj Sinha's ambitious plans for J&K
Rediff.com21 Oct 2020For far too long, people in J&K have felt the government doesn't exist for them.' 'My first priority is to make them feel that not only does it exist, it is there to work for them.
Will BJP replace Nitish with Nityanand Rai?
Rediff.com19 Oct 2020e Union minister of state for home is somewhat brash and rowdy, and has enormous confidence.' Some of this derives from the fact that he has independent sources of income (he reported assets amounting to Rs 18 crore in his 2019 Lok Sabha nomination papers)
BJP leader: 'In Chirag, we have created a monster'
Rediff.com19 Oct 2020'We can't underestimate future threats.'
What will Chirag Paswan do in Bihar?
Rediff.com13 Oct 2020If the Chirag Paswan-led LJP posts a good result, the young leader could become a formidable caste challenger in the years to come and a permanent fixture as a BJP ally, reports Aditi Phadnis.
Low profile, yet outspoken, Trai's Vaghela knows how to take tough calls
Rediff.com8 Oct 2020Vagela could not have reached this position if Narendra Modi, who'd known him from his chief minister days, had not backed the choice.
Why K C Venugopal is Sonia, Rahul's go-to-guy
Rediff.com21 Sep 2020Venugopal is valued highly by Mrs Gandhi and Mr Gandhi. They consider him a loyalist, more to the point, one who can deliver.
Zoom replaces Rath: BJP's virtual campaign in Bihar
Rediff.com18 Sep 2020'We have taken technology to the mandal and booth level.'
Personal data protection law likely to see more delay
Rediff.com16 Sep 2020The final report was to be submitted in March but it got an extension till the second week of the monsoon session that began September 14.
'Chinese are sitting on Indian territory'
Rediff.com15 Sep 2020'The border has stayed the way it was for over 30 years, and they are now trying to change it'
What India can expect under Joe Biden-Kamala Harris
Rediff.com11 Sep 2020'There will be very strong interest in cooperating with India under any future American administration, but on the margins India will need to be careful not to tip its hand regarding the election.'
End of an era in Bihar politics
Rediff.com10 Sep 2020It is now a different time in Bihar. It is a different place -- one in which Raghuvansh Prasad Singh's options are very limited, notes Aditi Phadnis.
After its rise and fall, can the NSCN-IM rise again?
Rediff.com7 Sep 2020The NSCN-IM is no longer the force it used to be. Once the 'de facto government' of Magaland, it gradually reduced to an extortion racket. But missteps by the Centre could give it a new lease of life.
Old times back in Sri Lanka: What are India's choices?
Rediff.com6 Sep 2020Whatever its apprehensions and concerns about the regime of the Rajapaksa clan, India must be ready with unconditional assistance when Colombo asks for it. Because it will, observes Aditi Phadnis.
Why the Naga peace process hit a roadblock
Rediff.com4 Sep 2020It is the NSCN-IM which is having the last laugh as speculation grows that Nagaland Governor R N Ravi may have been replaced as Naga interlocutor.
After stormy CWC meeting, Congress set for major overhaul
Rediff.com3 Sep 2020The appointees are expected to reflect Rahul Gandhi's vision of a new Congress with MP and Rahul's "bench mate" in the LS, KC Venugopal, expected to play an important role.
'23 dissenters' feel the heat in the Congress
Rediff.com28 Aug 2020Even though it was stated that no action would be taken against the senior leaders who had written to Sonia Gandhi, they say that the retaliation had already begun, reports Aditi Phadnis
Why the Modi government is not ecstatic over Kamala Harris
Rediff.com25 Aug 2020'If the Biden-Harris team makes it to the White House, India's headaches will multiply,' observes Aditi Phadnis.
Why is Goa CM dismantling Parrikar's legacy?
Rediff.com23 Aug 2020The culling of key state leaders and bureaucrats has given rise to distrust and uneasiness in Pramod Sawant's style of functioning, notes Aditi Phadnis.
Strange case of why the handloom board was abolished
Rediff.com22 Aug 2020When Nitin Gadkari was president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the party had announced it would set up a separate ministry for handlooms and handicraft. Instead of doing that, the BJP government has abolished the only institution that took into account the voice of the weavers.