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Coomi Kapoor

Coomi Kapoor has been a journalist for the last four decades. Her forte has been political reporting. She has witnessed the shifting power equations in the capital -- from Indira Gandhi’s regime to the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party. She is presently contributing editor to The Indian Express. Earlier, she worked for the newspaper as chief reporter, special correspondent and editor, Delhi. Coomi has worked in several publications in different capacities. She was principal correspondent, India Today, editor news, Sunday Mail, bureau chief, Indian Post and political editor, Illustrated Weekly. She has been writing a political diary in a lighter vein since 1985 and her syndicated column was carried by many newspapers. She was also stringer for The Times, London, and columnist for The Star, Malaysia.

Jagmohan (1927-2021): The officer and the politician, combative and uncompromising

Wed, May 05, 2021

When Indira Gandhi came back to power in 1980, he was appointed the Lt Governor of Delhi. Even Rajiv Gandhi appreciated his dynamism and appointed him to help plan and organise the Delhi Asian Games.

A remarkable life in law, tireless champion of civil liberties, press freedom, humanity

Sat, May 01, 2021

Sorabjee was a warm, genteel, intellectual practitioner of the law of a different era where facts and the interpretation of the statutes were the overriding consideration. Where arguments were laced with wit, polish and erudition.

Soli Sorabjee(1930-2021): A remarkable life in law, champion of civil liberties and press freedom

Fri, Apr 30, 2021

Sorabjee was a warm, genteel, intellectual practitioner of the law of a different era where facts and the interpretation of the statutes were the overriding consideration.

Inside track: Shah draws parallel

Sun, Apr 11, 2021

Recently, when a prospective candidate grumbled over being denied a ticket, saying it meant he had become irrelevant in politics, Shah disarmed him citing his own example.

Security Blues

Sun, Mar 28, 2021

Some wonder if the excessive, in-your-face security presence on the street is to reinforce the demand for additional enforcements for India’s richest family.

An Expert Explains: Behind the Tata-Mistry feud, the crossed wires of history

Tue, Mar 30, 2021

The Supreme Court has set aside a Tribunal ruling that had reinstated Cyrus Mistry as Executive Chairman of Tata Sons. Tracing the history of the Tata, Wadia and Mistry families, leading to the ongoing conflict.

Inside Track: A club class tussle

Sun, Mar 14, 2021

Last month, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs handed over the administration of the 108- year-old Gymkhana Club to MM Juneja, a government official. Juneja, who created ripples in the posh club by arriving with a posse of policemen, was soon replaced by VK Yadav from the Railways.

At current pace of inoculation drive, vaccine wastage is becoming an issue

Sun, Feb 28, 2021

Should the vaccination drive continue at the present pace, some 25 per cent of the original SII vaccine stock will expire by the end of April without being used.

It did not take long for Delhi’s Sunder Nursery garden’s splendour to be lost

Sun, Feb 14, 2021

Where once only a limited number of cars were permitted, it is now a free-for-all with limousines parked all around, sometimes trampling on shrubbery.

Not renewing Lok Sabha passes for journalists seems part of a larger pattern for shrinking media space

Sun, Jan 31, 2021

The number of journalists covering Parliament has been restricted to a bare minimum.

It’s unclear who was responsible for influencing expert committee on Covaxin approval

Sun, Jan 17, 2021

Soon after the heads of the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech took veiled digs at each other publicly, the PMO intervened, directing the two vaccine manufacturers to issue a joint letter that they were coordinating in the fight against the pandemic.

2020 may have been disastrous for India, but not for Modi’s own image

Sun, Jan 03, 2021

The economy may have hit an all-time low and unemployment and inflation a new high, but Modi, with his hirsute sanyasi-like looks and his air of calm assurance, exudes confidence and reassurance in these difficult times.

Manohar Lal Khattar, Dushyant Chautala could well end up as casualties of farmers’ agitation

Sun, Dec 20, 2020

Dushyant is aware that seven of his 10 JJP MLAs support the farmers’ protest and can bring down the government.

Inside Track: Plush plane – President Kovind boards the VVIP Air India One

Sun, Dec 06, 2020

President Ram Nath Kovind was keen to try out the VVIP Air India One aircraft dedicated for the exclusive use of the President, Prime Minister and Vice President, and went on the inaugural flight.

Ahmed Patel: Congress loses chief crisis manager, Gandhis their pillar in the backroom

Thu, Nov 26, 2020

Indeed, Patel, 71, who passed away early Wednesday fighting multiple organ failure post-Covid, was the go-to man whenever the Congress faced trouble.

When Gayatri Devi’s mother turned down Prince Sawai Man Singh II for wanting to marry the 15-year-old

Sat, Nov 21, 2020

In ‘The House of Jaipur’, John Zubryzcki returns with fascinating behind-the-scenes account of the inner workings of Jaipur’s Kachwaha dynasty and India’s most glamorous royal family.

Inside Track: Two reasons why BJP govt could be delaying framing rules under CAA

Sun, Nov 22, 2020

In August, the government applied for a three-month extension, but the rules under CAA are yet to be declared.

Inside Track: Sitapati’s new book traces the complex relationship between Vajpayee & Advani

Sun, Nov 08, 2020

Author, academician Vinay Sitapati’s new book Jugalbandi traces the complex relationship between BJP founders Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani.

Inside Track: Amit Shah’s recent interview with a television channel was uncharacteristically benign

Sun, Oct 25, 2020

Amit Shah spent a week in Gujarat but he did not meet any party persons, although eight assembly by-elections are due early next month. His wife Sonal insisted that Shah take a break as he is still recuperating from his Covid attack.

Inside Track: Chirag Paswan is not so much a rebel as a pawn in BJP’s poll strategy in Bihar

Sun, Oct 11, 2020

Nitish compelled the BJP to announce his name as the CM candidate, but he cannot force the LJP not to carry posters of the late Ram Vilas Paswan with Modi.

Ram Vilas Paswan: Weathervane who worked for Dalits, friends across divide

Fri, Oct 09, 2020

Because of his shrewd political judgment, Paswan had an unmatched record of being a central minister in practically every government from 1989 to 2020, with only occasional periods of being out of power.

Jaswant Singh: The courteous scholar-politician who was often out of sync with his party

Mon, Sep 28, 2020

Singh’s biggest supporter in the BJP was Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who recognised his worth.

Inside Track: The absence from India which has triggered the biggest buzz is not of a politician

Sun, Sep 27, 2020

From Narendra Modi and Amit Shah to Rahul Gandhi, many prominent MPs were missing from the Parliament's Monsoon Session.

Inside Track: Raihan Rajiv Vadra is more interested in photography than in politics

Sun, Sep 13, 2020

That he will eventually enter the family profession seems likely since he already has a fan club on Twitter.

Pranab Mukherjee, the Man for All Seasons, departs

Tue, Sep 01, 2020

Pranab Mukherjee passes away: Probably no Indian politician can match Mukherjee’s enviable record as a long distance runner. He had a ringside view of Indian politics for some five decades.