Sharat Pradhan And Sheela Bhatt

Stories by Sharat Pradhan And Sheela Bhatt

Exclusive! NCP may merge with Cong; Pawar can be named Maha CM candidate

Exclusive! NCP may merge with Cong; Pawar can be named Maha CM candidate

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2014

It's possible that to counter the onslaught of the saffron aggression in the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra, both Congress and NCP will checkmate Narendra Modi by pitting Sharad Pawar as the chief ministerial candidate. However, the Congress wants the NCP to merge first, and only then it will be ready to nominate Pawar. Sheela Bhatt reports.

Akhilesh dumps pet free laptop, unemployment allowance scheme

Akhilesh dumps pet free laptop, unemployment allowance scheme

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2014

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav may not have been able to fix the responsibility for the Samajwadi Party's dismal performance at the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

India has limited options in securing hostages' release

India has limited options in securing hostages' release

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2014

The ground situation in Iraq is so bad that there is no scope for any non-conventional action or any kind of bravery. Patience, slow movement, and full backing to Indian negotiators would help in a big way, says Sheela Bhatt.

'Pay the ransom to save kidnapped Indians'

'Pay the ransom to save kidnapped Indians'

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2014

As envoy Suresh K Reddy readies to leave for Baghdad, distinguished diplomat Chinmaya Gharekha says India will have to tread carefully in the strife-torn nation.

Uttar Pradesh: Women needn't go to police station to lodge complaint

Uttar Pradesh: Women needn't go to police station to lodge complaint

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2014

In a landmark decision Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday issued a directive for online registration of any complaint related to crimes against women.

Post poll debacle, Mulayam does a Sonia

Post poll debacle, Mulayam does a Sonia

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2014

Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and Congress president Sonia Gandhi may be poles apart on most counts, but they seem to be acting in a strikingly similar manner when it comes to fixing responsibility for the debacle of their respective parties in the recently concluded LokSabha poll. Sharat Pradhan reports

All about Modi's PMO

All about Modi's PMO

Rediff.com   13 Jun 2014

Who are the men the prime minister relies on to execute his impressive agenda?

5 rapes in 36 hours, but UP cops are in denial mode

5 rapes in 36 hours, but UP cops are in denial mode

Rediff.com   12 Jun 2014

With five rapes being reported over the past 36 hours from different corners of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state seemed to be turning into the country's 'rape province'. Sharat Pradhan reports

UP shocker: Another woman found hanging from tree; family alleges gang rape

UP shocker: Another woman found hanging from tree; family alleges gang rape

Rediff.com   11 Jun 2014

Uttar Pradesh still reeling from the dastardly rapes of two sisters in Badaun was left shocked after another woman was allegedly raped, murdered and hanged from a tree in a village of Bahraich district.

How Akhilesh Yadav has failed UP

How Akhilesh Yadav has failed UP

Rediff.com   7 Jun 2014

He came to power with a huge mandate in 2012, but Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has now forfeited the voters' trust.

Is Narendra Modi really an OBC?

Is Narendra Modi really an OBC?

Rediff.com   5 Jun 2014

It is unusual to see Narendra Modi highlight his OBC status -- something he has never done in his long political career. Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com examines Modi's compulsions for bringing his caste to the foreground

Narendra Modi's check-in baggage

Narendra Modi's check-in baggage

Rediff.com   30 May 2014

The prime minister is checking in with baggage of the kind that will make history, any which way things take a turn, says Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com

Now, gang rape and murder in Mulayam's constituency

Now, gang rape and murder in Mulayam's constituency

Rediff.com   30 May 2014

Yet another case of gang rape and murder of a teenage girl was reported from Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh, the constituency of Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Badaun sisters' rape: Akhilesh promises fast track court

Badaun sisters' rape: Akhilesh promises fast track court

Rediff.com   30 May 2014

Amid outrage over the gang rape and murder of two sisters in Uttar Pradesh's Badaun district, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday assured setting up of a special fast track court to handle the incident.

Badaun: Post-mortem confirms minors gang-raped, hanged

Badaun: Post-mortem confirms minors gang-raped, hanged

Rediff.com   29 May 2014

The mystery over the recovery of bodies of two minor girls from a village in Budaun district of Uttar Pradesh was unravelled after the post-mortem report confirmed gang rape followed by "death due to hanging".

Exclusive! Modi-Sharif had one-on-one meeting without aides

Exclusive! Modi-Sharif had one-on-one meeting without aides

Rediff.com   28 May 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought Hindi into vogue in the external affairs ministry and managed a diplomatic coup by inviting SAARC leaders, including Nawaz Sharif, to New Delhi for his swearing-in. Sheela Bhatt's impressions of the Indian prime minister's first day in office.

Shiv Shankar Menon hangs up his boots after 42 years

Shiv Shankar Menon hangs up his boots after 42 years

Rediff.com   27 May 2014

Those who know Shiv Shankar Menon will vouch that he did lots of things, substantial in the immediate neighbourhood and widespread in South Asia, but without making things public. Twenty per cent of Menon's job was visible, while 80 per cemt of his job was not known to the public, says Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com

Modi was unusually soft and humble

Modi was unusually soft and humble

Rediff.com   27 May 2014

Glimpses of the change Narendra Modi promised million of voters were visible at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Modi has now no excuse, but to perform and change India for the better. Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com reports from the presidential palace. A feature on the swearing-in ceremony like none other.

Amit Shah not in Cabinet, to work to strengthen party

Amit Shah not in Cabinet, to work to strengthen party

Rediff.com   26 May 2014

It's believed that he wants to strengthen the Bharatiya Janata Party at an all India level. He wants to see that gains made in terms of percentages of votes in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu multiplies.

RSS order on generational change keeps BJP veterans out

RSS order on generational change keeps BJP veterans out

Rediff.com   26 May 2014

Last week, the RSS informed the party president Rajnath Singh and other leaders that all leaders above 75 should not be given any "pad" (position), meaning just not Cabinet position but even as chairman of the National Democratic Alliance or as Lok Sabha Speaker. That put to rest claims by old and veteran leaders like L K Advani, M M Joshi, Shanta Kumar and Karia Munda, reports Sheela Bhatt.