Sheela Bhatt And Indrani Roy

Stories by Sheela Bhatt And Indrani Roy

'We have taken away BJP's political plank against Cong'

'We have taken away BJP's political plank against Cong'

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2012

Minister of State for Home R P N Singh has termed Ajmal Kasab's hanging as the triumph of Indian judicial system.

Why the timing of Kasab's execution is significant

Why the timing of Kasab's execution is significant

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2012

Sheela Bhatt reports how Ajmal Kasab's execution is significant for the central government and for the Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra.

'No-confidence motion not the best way to fight govt'

'No-confidence motion not the best way to fight govt'

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2012

CPM general secretary Prakash Karat, who wants a debate in Parliament on FDI in retail, says that the way political parties are poised in Parliament they won't be able to win the motion of no-confidence. Sheela Bhatt reports

'Guj will be among the 1st to implement FDI in retail'

'Guj will be among the 1st to implement FDI in retail'

Rediff.com   19 Nov 2012

'So far as FDI is concerned, there are some things one says -- particularly if one is in election mode -- that may or may not be truly reflective of what is eventually going to happen,' says economist Bibek Debroy.

'Gujarat development: Roads, electricity, water'

'Gujarat development: Roads, electricity, water'

Rediff.com   19 Nov 2012

'Gujarat has a very long tradition of Panchayati Raj. And many of the social sector things we are talking about are actually implemented by the panchayats. Decentralisation exists here. Now to decentralise I need the capacity in the panchayats.In most Indian states, we don't have the capacity in the panchayats, which is why governance in India is so very bad. But Gujarat has had this since the 1960s,' economist Bibek Debroy tells Rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt.

BJP, CPI-M lukewarm over Mamata's no-trust motion

BJP, CPI-M lukewarm over Mamata's no-trust motion

Rediff.com   19 Nov 2012

Opposition parties are wary that any such attempt that is likely to fail or is even potentially risky will end up helping the Congress eventually, says Sheela Bhatt.

RSS's dilemma: To oust Gadkari without losing credibility

RSS's dilemma: To oust Gadkari without losing credibility

Rediff.com   7 Nov 2012

While it is almost certain that Gadkari won't get a second term as BJP president, the RSS wants to ease him out without diminishing its own clout within the saffron pariwar. Sheela Bhatt analyses the situation.

I am now disagreeing with Gadkari's actions: Jethmalani

I am now disagreeing with Gadkari's actions: Jethmalani

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2012

"One has to follow one's self-conscious. I resigned because Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Gadkari had appointed me in the party's national executive. It was the favour done by him to me. I am not satisfied with his actions now, so I resigned." says advocate Mahesh Jethamalani while talking exclusively to rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt.

Take a bow, Jaipal Reddy!

Take a bow, Jaipal Reddy!

Rediff.com   2 Nov 2012

'It is very difficult to be an honest politician in a country where the system is absolutely corrupt. Jaipal Reddy is one up even on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who is considered clean and honest. Reddy has gone a step ahead by playing an active role in stopping corruption. He has put things on record; he has walked the extra mile to ensure that public money is valued highly. One must recognise Reddy's efforts, and make it an example for India's younger generation.'

Cabinet rejig: The more things change, more they don't

Cabinet rejig: The more things change, more they don't

Rediff.com   28 Oct 2012

During the Cabinet reshuffle, the "give and take" amongst the trio of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party general secretary Rahul Gandhi has resulted in a new paradigm of power within the Congress and the government, notes Sheela Bhatt.

Riot after riot: UP under Akhilesh takes dangerous turn

Riot after riot: UP under Akhilesh takes dangerous turn

Rediff.com   27 Oct 2012

"The law and order issue all over UP needs national attention," says a senior journalist from a Hindi daily published from Lucknow, and he is right. Under Akhilesh Singh Yadav, communal violence returns with a vengeance to the state, reports Sheela Bhatt

'Rahul sees himself more as Cong's management consultant'

'Rahul sees himself more as Cong's management consultant'

Rediff.com   26 Oct 2012

'In any ministry headed by Rahul, we will see a lot of talk of accountability, meritocracy and efficiency. But all these things will impact Indian politics in a positive way if they are a means to an end, and do not become an end in themselves as it has with the revamp of the IYC and the NSUI,' Aarthi Ramachandran tells Sheela Bhatt

It's Final: Rahul not to join government

It's Final: Rahul not to join government

Rediff.com   26 Oct 2012

Rahul says no, but wants a youthful look for Manmohan Singh's government.

Chidambaram confident of presenting budget 2013

Chidambaram confident of presenting budget 2013

Rediff.com   24 Oct 2012

Finance minister P Chidambaram assured a select gathering in New Delhi on Tuesday that Union Budget of 2013 will be presented on schedule. He expressed hope, that like it happened in 2004, it will not be passed without debating.

Revealed: Why top Cong leaders are visiting the President

Revealed: Why top Cong leaders are visiting the President

Rediff.com   20 Oct 2012

Sonia and Rahul Gandhi meeting their party's stalwart of many decades -- President Pranab Mukherjee -- is not unusual, but the timing of their visits is, notes Sheela Bhatt

Explained: How Kejriwal's campaign affects Congress, BJP

Explained: How Kejriwal's campaign affects Congress, BJP

Rediff.com   17 Oct 2012

Arvind Kejriwal and India Against Corruption have shown India that 'having power' is not really 'being powerful', says Sheela Bhatt

Intense lobbying on as race for CBI chief's post begins

Intense lobbying on as race for CBI chief's post begins

Rediff.com   15 Oct 2012

Six IPS officers have been shortlisted for the post of the CBI director once incumbent A P Singh retires in November. Sheela Bhatt reports

The scam of Sonia's jamai

The scam of Sonia's jamai

Rediff.com   6 Oct 2012

The real effect of the so-called 'weak-allegations' against Robert Vadra is that the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty is shaken to its core, even if temporarily, says Sheela Bhatt.

Sonia's bouncer to Narendra Modi's Vivekananda yatra

Sonia's bouncer to Narendra Modi's Vivekananda yatra

Rediff.com   3 Oct 2012

Neither Swami Vivekananda nor his guru Ramakrishna Paramhans is Modi's "monopoly", is the message that Sonia Gandhi sent out on Wednesday, reports Sheela Bhatt