All stories by ADITI PHADNIS
Can the AGP revive its fortunes?
Rediff.com25 Jan 2019The Asom Gana Parishad's fears relating to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill are not misplaced. But does the party still matter in Assam's politics?
Does J&K Governor Malik talk too much?
Rediff.com16 Jan 2019Many in Kashmir believe he needs to stop talking so much. But they are wrong, says Aditi Phadnis. J&K's governor is intelligent enough to know what to say when.
Trapped miners not CM Conrad's problem!
Rediff.com5 Jan 2019How can a chief minister shrug off his responsibility not just for the illegality taking place under his nose but also for the lives that are likely lost? asks Aditi Phadnis.
Can Zoramthanga keep Mizoram growing at 12%?
Rediff.com25 Dec 2018Mizoram has India's second-best health indicators and third-best literacy rate.
Why Kamal Nath is the best man for MP
Rediff.com22 Dec 2018Kamal Nath will need to watch his back because given the slender majority, there is no doubt that the BJP will try to topple his government.
Freebies get KCR a second term in power
Rediff.com12 Dec 2018The TRS ensured that each citizen of Telangana is taken care of from cradle to grave.
Will KCR return to power in Telangana?
Rediff.com2 Dec 2018KCR is now having to resort to the lowest common denominator in elections: Reservations.
Don't write off Ashok Gehlot just yet
Rediff.com1 Dec 2018Whatever the outcome of the assembly election in Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot is firmly ensconced in the Congress inner circle.
Why Amit Shah needs Uma Bharati in MP
Rediff.com11 Nov 2018Bundelkhand is thought to be an area where Mayawati has some influence. Both Amit Shah and Shivraj Chouhan believe every weapon in the arsenal must be used to ensure victory.
How Rajapaksa played his cards
Rediff.com10 Nov 2018Mahinda Rajapaksa recovered from his 2015 electoral losses, went to the people and campaigned about the injustice done to him. Without attempting to be subtle, he underscored his image of the Sinhala Buddhist warrior a la Dutugemunu, the king of Sri Lanka (164 BC to 140 BC) who led the military campaign against the invading warlord Elara.
Wily Sirisena checkmates his rivals
Rediff.com10 Nov 2018Maithripala Sirisena was considered so meek and self-effacing that he appeared no threat to anyone. What a mistake his rivals made!
UP's record on law and order is disgraceful
Rediff.com15 Oct 2018'Yogiji has neither been successful in reducing crime in the state nor has he been able to make the people feel that they are safe,' says one UP minister.
Why did PM punish/humiliate General Khanduri?
Rediff.com1 Oct 2018'The standing committee on defence was flagging what the services had said.' 'As a soldier, General Khanduri might have felt that it was his duty to point this out in the greater good of India,' points out Aditi Phadnis.
Why Rahul made Ahmed Patel Congress treasurer
Rediff.com28 Sep 2018Rahul is going about the restructuring of the Congress leadership in a gradual, deliberate fashion: No sudden jerks, no abrupt moves. So while seniors like Janardan Dwivedi were edged out, Ahmed Patel has been retained.
KCR, the man who is not afraid to take risks
Rediff.com17 Sep 2018Fortune favours the brave and he has done well by taking risks and winning it all, says Aditi Phadnis.
Why the BJP monitors Pawar's moves
Rediff.com28 Aug 2018Declaring that he has no ambition of becoming prime minister, Pawar is holding Rahul Gandhi's hand, reassuring Mayawati and reaching out to Mamata Banerjee, reports Aditi Phadnis.
Unlike Vajpayee's, Modi's India has everything going for it
Rediff.com25 Aug 2018'If Vajpayee's BJP saw a chance to redefine India's nuclear theology, Modi's BJP has scarcely paid any attention to it.'
Who and what matters in Pakistan elections
Rediff.com24 Jul 2018As the country readies to go to polls on July 25, one can't deny the role of the military, but there are other factors too.
Why Gadkari may have spoken up
Rediff.com23 Jul 2018He is among the contenders for the top job in the event the BJP gets fewer seats in 2019. That may have something to do with him picking up the cudgels for Sushma Swaraj when many in the party kept mum, says Aditi Phadnis.
'No party can rule without co-habiting with the army in Pakistan'
Rediff.com7 Jul 2018'That is not a democratic ideal obviously, but it is a practical reality.' 'It is a consistent feature of politicians in Pakistan that their rhetoric on the army softens the closer they get to the seat of power.'