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Sheela Bhatt

Sheela Bhatt, arguably India's finest political journalist, has covered Indian politics for 40 years. You can e-mail the author at sheelakb@rediffmail.com

All stories by Sheela Bhatt

Why did Dr Singh walk into Modi's web?

Why did Dr Singh walk into Modi's web?

Rediff.com28 May 2015

Appraising Rediff.com about the meeting, a source close to Dr Singh said Modi sought Dr Singh's advice on the economy and foreign policy. Dr Singh told Modi that he concurs with the Reserve Bank of India's concerns about the Indian economy.

'What will someone do within a year?'

'What will someone do within a year?'

Rediff.com27 May 2015

Why this non-BJP MP became a Modi bhakt.

Amit Shah exclusive 2: 'We have added nishtha, sincerity of purpose, to governance'

Amit Shah exclusive 2: 'We have added nishtha, sincerity of purpose, to governance'

Rediff.com19 May 2015

The second part of BJP president Amit Shah's interview to Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com, to mark the completion of one year of the Narendra Modi government.

Amit Shah exclusive: 'Not an inch of acquired land will go to industrialists'

Amit Shah exclusive: 'Not an inch of acquired land will go to industrialists'

Rediff.com19 May 2015

In the first part of an exclusive interview with Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com on the eve of the first year of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, BJP President Amit Shah talks about the government's achievements and the controversy over the land ordinance.

Modi@1: Exclusive interview with Amit Shah!

Modi@1: Exclusive interview with Amit Shah!

Rediff.com19 May 2015

On the occasion of the Narendra Modi government completing one year in office, Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com speaks to BJP president Amit Shah who is yin to Modi's yang. Don't miss it!

Beyond great 'optics', no great push in Indo-China ties

Beyond great 'optics', no great push in Indo-China ties

Rediff.com15 May 2015

Modi's arrival has changed the optics of the visit. There is a different demonstration of the confidence level in the Indian leadership, but not much has changed beyond that, reports Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com.

Why Modi means business with China

Why Modi means business with China

Rediff.com14 May 2015

'The image of Modi as a tough taskmaster is completely wrong'

'The image of Modi as a tough taskmaster is completely wrong'

Rediff.com28 Apr 2015

'Our intentions are clear. If I keep all the acquired land under the ownership of the government, why do you raise questions about my intentions?' 'One achievement of my ministry would be the gas pricing policy. Two, we made a delivery mechanism (for domestic LPG) which is the largest in the world. We are crediting money to the poor directly. It is the biggest structure of direct subsidy transfer.' 'It is very easy to work with Modi. He gives everyone a chance in decision-making. I have become a minister for the very first time, but if we want to raise any issues in the Cabinet, we have full freedom to do so.' The second and final part of Union Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's exclusive interview with Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com.

Minister Dharmendra Pradhan: 'Benefits of falling oil prices passed on to consumers'

Minister Dharmendra Pradhan: 'Benefits of falling oil prices passed on to consumers'

Rediff.com24 Apr 2015

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan speaks to Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com.

The man fighting for Americans to learn the truth about Hinduism

The man fighting for Americans to learn the truth about Hinduism

Rediff.com22 Apr 2015

'For years American academia has used the concerns about Hindutva in India to almost completely trash the concept of Hinduism.' 'In the American debate, Wendy Doniger's point of views perpetuated Hinduphobia.' 'Americans were willing to change... Indian intellectuals let us down badly.'

'Hinduism has been failed by seculars and the right-wing'

'Hinduism has been failed by seculars and the right-wing'

Rediff.com22 Apr 2015

'The real danger in India right now is that identity politics is being stoked in extremely dangerous ways.' 'The narrative you get about churches in the mainstream Indian media and the narrative you get in the social media is very different.' 'Many Americans today want to appropriate Indian culture. They want yoga, but they say yoga has nothing to do with Hinduism. They want Ayurveda, but they say it's got nothing to do with Hinduism.' 'Hinduism has been failed by political constituencies in India -- seculars and the right-wing.'

Power Minister tells Rediff: '24/7 power in every home by 2019'

Power Minister tells Rediff: '24/7 power in every home by 2019'

Rediff.com20 Apr 2015

'This country has become cynical, the country has lost hope. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is getting back hope in this country.' 'We are deconstructing the past which had corruption, inefficiency, policy paralysis, a tottering economy where investors had lost confidence, and people had become cynical. We are changing that, we are bringing confidence back to the people of India.'

Exclusive! 'The Modi government refuses to give anything for free'

Exclusive! 'The Modi government refuses to give anything for free'

Rediff.com20 Apr 2015

'The Modi government believes the industrialist, the capitalist, has to pay for the assets of the government which belong to the people of India.'

E-auction of coal mines: Will cartels trump the consumers?

E-auction of coal mines: Will cartels trump the consumers?

Rediff.com15 Apr 2015

The Modi government's e-auction policy for coal, meant to shield the consumer against hike in electricity charges, has already led to serious allegations of cartelisation among the bidding corporates. Matters came to such a pass that the government at one point last week was considering inviting the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe the matter, reports Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com.

On tri-nation visit, Modi to address community in Vancouver, Toronto, Paris

On tri-nation visit, Modi to address community in Vancouver, Toronto, Paris

Rediff.com8 Apr 2015

Remnants of the Khalistan movement in Vancouver may stage a protest against Prime Minister Modi

Who is No. 2 in government? Answer expected this week

Who is No. 2 in government? Answer expected this week

Rediff.com8 Apr 2015

When Prime Minister Modi travelled to the US last year Home Minister Rajnath Singh was officially put in charge of the government. But the BJP's national executive in Bengaluru made it clear who now matters in the party and in what order. Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com reports

'There is nothing unconstitutional or illegal about ordinances'

'There is nothing unconstitutional or illegal about ordinances'

Rediff.com6 Apr 2015

'The Constitution says the government, the council of ministers, shall be responsible to the House of the People which is the Lok Sabha, not to the Rajya Sabha.' 'Let us hope they will be able to show better floor and political management through a process of, if necessary, give and take.'

4 trusted Gujarat babus to join Team Modi

4 trusted Gujarat babus to join Team Modi

Rediff.com2 Apr 2015

All the Gujarat cadre officers have one thing in common. They do not need Modi's 'informal interactions' and advice because they are from the so-called 'Modi school of governance.' They know Modi well enough to perform their assigned roles.

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