Vandita Mishra, National Opinion Editor at The Indian Express, is a political commentator known for her deep analytical insights into the country’s democratic health, electoral politics, and institutional shifts. Professional Profile Role: As National Opinion Editor, she leads the editorial and opinion pages, shaping the newspaper and website’s stance on critical national issues. Expertise: Her work primarily focuses on the "lifeworlds" of Indian politics—bridging the gap between high-level policy/legal debates and the lived realities of ordinary citizens. She is particularly known for her extensive field reporting during state and national elections (especially in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh). Background: Before joining The Indian Express, she served as an Assistant Editor at The Pioneer. She has also held prestigious fellowships (at the University of Westminster, London, and the National Endowment for Democracy, Washington) including a study on comparative political party systems. She got the Ramnath Goenka award for Reporting on Politics and Government in 2010 Key Editorial Themes Democratic Institutions: She frequently writes about the shrinking space for debate in Parliament, judicial independence, and the role of the Election Commission. Political Party Analysis: Her columns often provide critical assessments of the BJP’s "Double Engine" narrative and the Congress party's organizational challenges. Ground Reports: Unlike many editors who remain desk-bound, Mishra is a frequent field reporter. Her "ground up" analysis of figures like Nitish Kumar, Prashant Kishor, and the RJD, as in the recent Bihar election, provides a nuanced look at caste and development dynamics. Social & Political Philosophy: She often touches on the "anti-pluralist" shifts in the polity and the responsibility of political actors to find a democratic middle ground. Notable Columns & Articles "Vandita Mishra writes": Her regular column covers the pulse of Indian democracy. Recent pieces have examined the Congress's "vote chori" campaign and the fragile nature of deliberative spaces in India. Moderation: She frequently moderates "Express Adda" and "Expresso," interviewing high-profile figures such as Omar Abdullah, Melinda Gates, and filmmaker Kabir Khan. Recent Notable Pieces “High pitch of ‘vote chori’ campaign marks Congress’s retreat from the hard labour of everyday politics” (Dec 2025) “Parliament has re-opened its doors, but will it let debate in?” (Nov 2025) “Why Rs 10,000 or the mahila vote don’t tell the full story of this dramatic victory” (Nov 2025 – Bihar analysis) Her full archive and latest articles can be found at her Indian Express Profile.