Vinay Sitapati
The writer teaches at Ashoka University.
Authors you can follow
More From Vinay Sitapati
N M Ghatate’s life mirrored the 20th century journey of Hindu nationalism
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.
Wed, Jan 27, 2021
The power of two: Modi and Shah are the latest in a long line of jugalbandis in BJP
From Mookerjee-Upadhyaya to Vajpayee-Advani, the BJP has valorised teamwork. How will history judge Modi-Shah?
Wed, Nov 25, 2020
Shunned by Congress, resurrected as a regional icon, PV Narasimha Rao belongs to India, not just Telangana
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.
Tue, Jun 30, 2020
Election is the ideology
A hundred years after the birth of Hindu nationalism, Narendra Modi’s victory embodies its original vision.
Tue, May 28, 2019
Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh: Politician who held no political office, shaped BJP
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.
Sat, Jan 26, 2019
Liberal and nationalist
Vajpayee’s persona was shaped by LK Advani, Rajkumari Kaul and Parliament.
Fri, Aug 17, 2018
Loneliness of Asma Jahangir
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.
Wed, Feb 14, 2018
A Patriot And A Gentleman
Naresh Chandra underplayed his role in nuclear programme, economic liberalisation.
Tue, Jul 11, 2017
The right skills at the right time: why politicians flocked to Chandraswami
By the 1980s, Chandraswami had rebranded himself as an international guru.
Fri, May 26, 2017
Personal doctor says Narasimha Rao’s reaction to Babri demolition was honest agitation
In his new book, Half Lion: How Narasimha Rao Transformed India, author Vinay Sitapati has some answers.
Sun, Jun 26, 2016
IB gave Narasimha Rao list of Congmen, ministers against 1991 reforms
How former Prime Minister pushed economic reforms past Congress, BJP, India Inc, helped by Manmohan Singh.
Sat, Jun 25, 2016
Day after Babri Masjid demolition, Narasimha Rao kept tabs on Sonia Gandhi courtesy the IB
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.
Fri, Jun 24, 2016From vikas to vote
This election proved that voters are looking to fashion a future, not reward the past. Modi will have to govern like he campaigned.
Thu, May 29, 2014
Long, bumpy road between development and votes
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.
Mon, May 12, 2014
Where a teen cannot spell, more schools cannot chase more votes
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.
Fri, May 09, 2014
Gujarat model, built by many hands, marketed with one face
The Indian Express travels to the Panchmahals and finds out how its strides in electrification reflect in the campaign.
Wed, Apr 30, 2014
Dravidian majors take election joyride on UPA’s flagship
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,
Thu, Apr 24, 2014
Is there a vikas vote? Healthier babies make not a whimper on campaign pitch
The Indian Express travels to constituencies that have seen the sharpest improvement on various social indicators during the UPA years and finds out if that change is an election issue.
Thu, Apr 17, 2014Freeing the caged parrot
On CBI reform,the court stepped in where the government failed. But that cannot be the end of the story
Wed, May 15, 2013The virtuous on the ramparts
At a time when democracy is seen to be beyond repair,Justice Verma taught us that change happens when good people work within the limits of institutions
Thu, Apr 25, 2013A question of standards,not principle
The Novartis verdict is not about innovation vs socialism. It has to do with higher vs lower standards
Thu, Apr 04, 2013How not to unfriend Narendra Modi
The petition by academics and activists against Modis talk at Wharton misunderstands what a university stands for
Thu, Mar 07, 2013The blind spots of India Shining
Why the new corporate middle class has so much sympathy for Anna?
Wed, Aug 17, 2011