Columnists

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.

Only time will tell whether Modi’s biggest gamble will pay off or the solution proves more lethal than Covid-19

Sun, Mar 29, 2020

Opposition politicians complain privately that because of the pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has an excuse to wriggle out of accountability for the declining economy since there is now a global financial crisis.

Jyotiraditya Scindia’s two aunts in BJP are not exactly thrilled about their nephew joining the party

Sun, Mar 15, 2020

It was not Scindia’s aunts but his in-laws from the Gaekwad royal family of Baroda, Gujarat, who opened a channel for him with Narendra Modi.

Inside Track: Trump’s stumbles

Sun, Mar 01, 2020

It seems there are differences on US-India policy between the old-school bureaucrats in Washington and the recent Trump appointees, including his own family members.

Inside track: Prashant Kishor thinks big

Sun, Feb 16, 2020

Pollster Prashant Kishor, who is from Bihar, wants to create a viable opposition political alliance for the Assembly polls later this year.

Inside track: Ahmedabad’s Motera stadium to host Trump’s ‘Howdy’ event

Sun, Feb 02, 2020

In Modi’s home state, a town hall-style event, similar to the Howdy Modi interaction in Texas, is planned. The venue will be the Motera cricket stadium which has just been completed.

For half a century, Parliament’s Central Hall has been a turf for MPs and scribes to exchange views

Sun, Jan 19, 2020

For over half a century, Central Hall has served as a convenient neutral turf for government and opposition leaders and journalists to informally exchange news and views.

Up and down in 2019: A day can be a long time in politics, the wheel of fortune keeps changing

Sun, Jan 05, 2020

Here are are some key winners and losers at the end of 2019. But who will be at the top in New Year 2021 is anybody’s guess.

Manufacturing Victory

Sun, Jan 05, 2020

An intrepid reporter’s account of how the NaMo effect mesmerised voters across the country.

With ideological differences between Sena and its alliance partner, BJP seeks to embarrass its former ally

Sun, Dec 22, 2019

The wordy skirmish arose after the Sena initially assured the Congress it would vote against CAB and then backtracked.

Inside Track: Unlike the old days, BJP today is extraordinarily cavalier towards allies

Sun, Dec 08, 2019

In the old days, Pramod Mahajan and L K Advani had developed a personal rapport with the Thackeray family and frequently played the role of peacemakers with their demanding partner.

The test of Pawar’s proclaimed innocence is whether Supriya Sule becomes a Central minister within 6 months

Sun, Nov 24, 2019

Pawar was speaking to Ramdas Athawale from the Maharashtra NDA, while Ahmed Patel just a few feet away expressed uncertainty about Maharashtra.

The legacy of the IAS, despite the shine of prestige and authority, has paled over the years

Sun, Nov 24, 2019

The author is a conscientious insider who held senior positions in the government and is the rare civil servant who, during his years in office, occasionally put down his contrarian views in writing, even if these offended the powers that be.

Govt’s decision to convert Parliament House into a museum is not without reason

Sun, Nov 10, 2019

The government’s decision to convert the historic Parliament House, built in 1927, into a museum is not without reason. Signs of ageing of the iconic circular structure have been apparent for some time.

Inside Track: Is NSA Ajit Doval up or down in the Modi-2 regime?

Sun, Oct 27, 2019

At times, when Doval issues instructions to the IB chief or other agency heads, he is informed that they have to first check with Shah. On the other hand, there is physical evidence that Doval’s clout is expanding in other areas.

Speaking out of turn in Congress has become the norm

Sun, Oct 13, 2019

The last time Congress party's Disciplinary Committee took any meaningful action was the revocation of the suspension against Mani Shankar Aiyar over a year ago.

Renaming of Kotla stadium after Arun Jaitley was a hasty show

Sun, Sep 29, 2019

The DDCA only leases the land. After first making the announcement, Sharma had to clarify later that the name of the ground remained unchanged, only the stadium was named after the former president of the DDCA, who was responsible for remodelling and modernising the stadium.