All stories by SHEKHAR GUPTA
Who is Sameer Wankhede, really?
Rediff.com18 Nov 2021For some, he's a bully and probable 'blackmailer' who targeted the rich and famous, especially in Bollywood, for fame, and allegedly, ransom. For others, he's finally the one brave narc who decided to do his job, no matter how powerful his quarry, observes Shekhar Gupta.
India can fight China, but not with a divided house
Rediff.com9 Nov 2021We understand the electoral compulsions, the desperate need for the BJP to have at least 50 per cent of the Hindus vote for them in Uttar Pradesh in a few months. For that, you need polarisation, put your own Muslim compatriots on the 'other' side. This is how your domestic politics runs contrary to your national, strategic interest, warns Shekhar Gupta.
Aryan today, tomorrow it can be your child
Rediff.com1 Nov 2021You aren't dealing with a normal, civilised, law. The NDPS Act, in its preconditions for bail, and insistence on evidence of innocence rather than guilt, is worse than UAPA. Imagine yourself or your child at the other end of this, observes Shekhar Gupta.
Why BJP Targets Congress All The Time
Rediff.com27 Oct 2021The BJP believes that the only party still capable of leading a credible challenge against it is the Congress. Please note how BJP campaigners in states where the Congress may count for a cipher or thereabouts, mostly attack the Congress, observes Shekhar Gupta.
Why Kamala Scolded Modi
Rediff.com8 Oct 2021India's most powerful prime minister in five decades gets publicly admonished -- if gently -- by the US vice-president. The question is, would this make him reflect on how and why, or which ones of his government and party's missteps exposed his flank like this? asks Shekhar Gupta.
If Yogi Wins UP.. If Yogi Loses UP...
Rediff.com30 Sep 2021If he doesn't win next year, it will set back the party's prospects in 2024. If he wins, it will be seen as his win as much as the BJP high command's, points out Shekhar Gupta.
How US LOST to Pakistan in Afghanistan
Rediff.com15 Sep 2021For two decades the US paid in blood and blood money for dependence on Pakistan to carry out one president's boast. Now, having been defeated by its proxies, another president will go into Rawalpindi's embrace to satisfy his constituents, predicts Shekhar Gupta.
Pakistan Can't Use Taliban to Threaten India
Rediff.com3 Sep 2021India has much paranoia in India about a new 'Terroristan' coming up between Pakistan and a Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Pakistan has zero ability economically, diplomatically, geostrategically or militarily to create one. If they try, it will be great for India as they will destroy themselves yet again, asserts Shekhar Gupta.
US, aided by Pakistan, DESTROYED Afghanistan
Rediff.com27 Aug 2021The US has the distinction of destroying a flawed but functioning State thrice since 1979. Pakistan has been their constant accomplice, explains Shekhar Gupta.
BJP govts issue sedition FIRs like traffic challans
Rediff.com23 Aug 2021Why should an elected government, any party's government, need a law to protect itself from its people? asks Shekhar Gupta.
What has gone wrong in the Northeast?
Rediff.com18 Aug 2021The Assam-Mizoram violence is an outcome of BJP trying too hard to 'integrate' distinct northeastern states, explains Shekhar Gupta.
Taliban Victory: A Win for Pakistan?
Rediff.com16 Aug 2021If the Taliban have proved one thing over these two decades, it is that they are way smarter than their big brother, observes Shekhar Gupta.
India is talking to the Taliban because the Taliban are winning
Rediff.com20 Jul 2021But why should India be talking to the Taliban in the first place? There is no love lost there. India will never forget or forgive the humiliation to which the Taliban subjected it in the IC-814 hijack, notes Shekhar Gupta.
Why Voters Love Modi
Rediff.com15 Jul 2021If the BJP wins by getting Hindu voters to consolidate, its opponents can't beat it by bundling together the Muslims and some of the 'others', observes Shekhar Gupta.
Is Yogi, not Modi, the BJP's future?
Rediff.com30 Jun 2021Mr Modi and Mr Shah will need him if they want to win UP again in 2022 and India in 2024. This signals a Yogi Adityanath-sized change in BJP politics, even under Mr Modi, Shekhar Gupta.
Can Congress make Modi's 2024 bid more challenging?
Rediff.com9 Jun 2021Congress is the only other horse in the race for national power, never mind how distant. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah know better than to take the Congress lightly, observes Shekhar Gupta.
Modi's Self-Created Perfect Storm
Rediff.com20 May 2021Triumphalism, premature declaration of victory meant no one checked if India had enough vaccines, oxygen, remdesivir, bringing us back to a crisis where we need foreign aid after four decades, asserts Shekhar Gupta.
Modi's biggest crisis yet
Rediff.com28 Apr 2021This is a national leadership gone so wrong that India's most powerful prime minister in four decades has personally taken charge of medical oxygen shortages, observes Shekhar Gupta.
What is working for Modi if not the economy?
Rediff.com21 Apr 2021Flurry of economic reform suggests Modi realises his muscular nationalism script is getting jaded. Chances are he'll try for economic recovery but stick to what's worked so far, observes Shekhar Gupta.
Modi can't afford to look like a loser on national security
Rediff.com15 Apr 2021'Modi-Shah have understood the risks their cynical mixing of domestic political motivations with strategic national interests was soon going to become counterproductive asserts Shekhar Gupta.