Columnists

Vinay Sitapati

The writer teaches at Ashoka University.

N M Ghatate’s life mirrored the 20th century journey of Hindu nationalism

Wed, Jan 27, 2021

Ghatate refused to sideline Advani, unlike many others in Narendra Modi’s BJP. And as Vajpayee spent his final decade an invalid, Ghatate was one of the few who would habitually call on his old friend.

The power of two: Modi and Shah are the latest in a long line of jugalbandis in BJP

Wed, Nov 25, 2020

From Mookerjee-Upadhyaya to Vajpayee-Advani, the BJP has valorised teamwork. How will history judge Modi-Shah?

Shunned by Congress, resurrected as a regional icon, PV Narasimha Rao belongs to India, not just Telangana

Tue, Jun 30, 2020

That P V Narsimha Rao is not celebrated more at the national level has several causes, including Rao’s own reticence. But the chief culprit is his own party, unwilling to highlight any prime minister who does not come from one single family.

Election is the ideology

Tue, May 28, 2019

A hundred years after the birth of Hindu nationalism, Narendra Modi’s victory embodies its original vision.

Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh: Politician who held no political office, shaped BJP

Sat, Jan 26, 2019

Nanaji was also uncomfortable with Vajpayee’s decision to merge the Jana Sangh into the Janata Party in 1977, and his decision to move the new BJP in a ‘Gandhian socialist’ direction in 1980.

Liberal and nationalist

Fri, Aug 17, 2018

Vajpayee’s persona was shaped by LK Advani, Rajkumari Kaul and Parliament.

Loneliness of Asma Jahangir

Wed, Feb 14, 2018

Asma’s loneliness reflected the place that civil society — even the incremental, bourgeois variety — had in Pakistan. In most other countries, what she did would have been heroic but hardly life-threatening. And for all her celebrity status abroad, Asma lacked a constituency within Pakistan.

A Patriot And A Gentleman

Tue, Jul 11, 2017

Naresh Chandra underplayed his role in nuclear programme, economic liberalisation.

The right skills at the right time: why politicians flocked to Chandraswami

Fri, May 26, 2017

By the 1980s, Chandraswami had rebranded himself as an international guru.

Sunday Special

Personal doctor says Narasimha Rao’s reaction to Babri demolition was honest agitation

Sun, Jun 26, 2016

In his new book, Half Lion: How Narasimha Rao Transformed India, author Vinay Sitapati has some answers.

IB gave Narasimha Rao list of Congmen, ministers against 1991 reforms

Sat, Jun 25, 2016

How former Prime Minister pushed economic reforms past Congress, BJP, India Inc, helped by Manmohan Singh.

Day after Babri Masjid demolition, Narasimha Rao kept tabs on Sonia Gandhi courtesy the IB

Fri, Jun 24, 2016

She in turn used Congress leaders to keep an eye on him, says new book. Author Vinay Sitapati, who got unprecedented access to Rao’s personal papers, writes for The Indian Express.

From vikas to vote

Thu, May 29, 2014

This election proved that voters are looking to fashion a future, not reward the past. Modi will have to govern like he campaigned.

Elections 2014

Long, bumpy road between development and votes

Mon, May 12, 2014

A visit to West Champaran to find out why a rural roads revolution does not seem to be working for the Nitish Kumar government this election.

Elections 2014

Where a teen cannot spell, more schools cannot chase more votes

Fri, May 09, 2014

In this part of a series on constituencies that have improved on social indicators, The Indian Express visits Ghazipur, where the number of schools has increased but the quality of education has not improved.

Elections 2014

Gujarat model, built by many hands, marketed with one face

Wed, Apr 30, 2014

The Indian Express travels to the Panchmahals and finds out how its strides in electrification reflect in the campaign.

Elections 2014

Dravidian majors take election joyride on UPA’s flagship

Thu, Apr 24, 2014

Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu has made the longest strides in NREGA, Sonia Gandhi’s grandest scheme, but DMK and AIADMK are marketing it to their advantage,

Elections 2014