Sheela Bhatt And Nikhil Lakshman

Stories by Sheela Bhatt And Nikhil Lakshman

'The situation in Assam is worse than Gujarat in 2002'

'The situation in Assam is worse than Gujarat in 2002'

Rediff.com   13 Aug 2012

If the apathy towards the plight of Muslims in the north-east continues it will disturb the peace of the region for a long time to come, SP national secretary Kamal Faruqui tells rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt.

Rahul unlikely to join govt; Chidambaram to become FM

Rahul unlikely to join govt; Chidambaram to become FM

Rediff.com   30 Jul 2012

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has more or less finalised the plan to tweak the Union Cabinet before Parliament opens on August 8. Three ministers will be shifted to the new portfolios. Home Minister P Chidambaram, as expected, will become the finance minister. He succeeds Pranab Mukherjee who has become President of India. He is impatiently waiting for the announcement to be made within 'three to four days'. Sheela Bhatt reports.

Modi's taint will remain: Editor who interviewed him

Modi's taint will remain: Editor who interviewed him

Rediff.com   30 Jul 2012

If Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi wanted to launch a new image or change his brand through his interview to me he will not be successful, Nai Duniya editor Shahid Siddiqui tells Sheela Bhatt

India 2012: Swearing-in of a President, swearing at him

India 2012: Swearing-in of a President, swearing at him

Rediff.com   25 Jul 2012

Metres away from the pomp and regalia of Parliament's Central Hall, at the time the 13th President of the republic was being sworn-in, a bunch of battle-weary protestors were girding up to take on the might of the Indian State, reports Sheela Bhatt

Rajesh Khanna: The Death of Romance

Rajesh Khanna: The Death of Romance

Rediff.com   19 Jul 2012

Rajesh Khanna's demise marks the passing a gentler, more romantic era. For today's generation, bred on cinematic blood, gore and violence, it sounds a warning bell, says Sheela Bhatt.

Rajesh Khanna: The Death of Romance

Rajesh Khanna: The Death of Romance

Rediff.com   19 Jul 2012

Rajesh Khanna's demise marks the passing a gentler, more romantic era. For today's generation, bred on cinematic blood, gore and violence, it sounds a warning bell, says Sheela Bhatt.

Special: How Congress used Mayawati to checkmate Mamata

Special: How Congress used Mayawati to checkmate Mamata

Rediff.com   17 Jul 2012

Mamata Banerjee changed her stand on the presidential election because the Congress and Pranab Mukheree, at different levels, worked hard to make her understand that the 'Vote for Pranab' is a win-win situation, reports Sheela Bhatt

Congress uses Mayawati to checkmate Mamata

Congress uses Mayawati to checkmate Mamata

Rediff.com   17 Jul 2012

After cameo comment, Khurshid says it with mangoes

After cameo comment, Khurshid says it with mangoes

Rediff.com   15 Jul 2012

At Law Minister Salman Khurshid's party, there was a lavish spread of sweet mangoes and spicy gossip. Sheela Bhatt shares some notes from the soiree

Mulayam openly lobbies to influence 2G auction

Mulayam openly lobbies to influence 2G auction

Rediff.com   9 Jul 2012

Not only the variety of corporate interests are putting the pressure on every little detail regarding the 2G auction process, but even Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav is lobbying for it openly, reports Sheela Bhatt.

Krishna invokes 4C plan for Indian envoys in Central Asia

Krishna invokes 4C plan for Indian envoys in Central Asia

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2012

Commerce, Connectivity, Consular and Community -- External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has urged Indian ambassadors in Central Asia to find ways to explore the massive potential that the strategically-important region offers. Rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt, who travelled to Tajikistan with the foreign minister, reports.

India-Tajikistan discuss Afghanistan, counter-terrorism

India-Tajikistan discuss Afghanistan, counter-terrorism

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2012

Afghanistan was the focus of the high-level talks held between India and Tajikistan, says Sheela Bhatt.

Krishna heads for strategic mission to Tajikistan

Krishna heads for strategic mission to Tajikistan

Rediff.com   2 Jul 2012

Krishna's official visit to Dushnabe is being seen as part of attempts by New Delhi to re-engage the strategically-located Central Asian country, which shares borders with Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China.

Why Nitish's anti-Modi move is a political masterstroke

Why Nitish's anti-Modi move is a political masterstroke

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2012

Nitish Kumar's sneak attack on Narendra Modi is an attempt to wean away the Muslim vote from his state political rival Lalu Yadav as also a move to project himself as a PM candidate if the situation turns out favourable after the 2014 general election, says Sheela Bhatt.

Mantralaya fire: Lucky escape for the CM

Mantralaya fire: Lucky escape for the CM

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2012

The CM also said all papers and files in his office have been gutted.

Thanks to Mamata, Pranab set to become President

Thanks to Mamata, Pranab set to become President

Rediff.com   16 Jun 2012

Wednesday's shock and awe of regional leaders gave Congress leaders such a jolt that they had no choice but to quickly decide on the man who would be least opposed by its allies and adversaries, reports Sheela Bhatt.

Questions in Cong over PM's trip abroad at this juncture

Questions in Cong over PM's trip abroad at this juncture

Rediff.com   15 Jun 2012

Asks a senior Congressman: "When his position on home ground is weak, when his most senior colleague is expected to leave the Cabinet on being selected for the President's post, and when within the party too his handling of economy is being questioned, why should he go abroad for so long?"

Congress's battle cry: Dump Mamata, bring back Left

Congress's battle cry: Dump Mamata, bring back Left

Rediff.com   15 Jun 2012

We can sort out certain sensitive issues with the Left, we can put aside certain economic reforms, but there will not be day-to-day skirmishes with them, a senior Congress leader tells Sheela Bhatt

'Mayawati to back UPA's Presidential candidate'

'Mayawati to back UPA's Presidential candidate'

Rediff.com   15 Jun 2012

BSP supremo Mayawati may have used her plan to nominate a Dalit candidate for the post of President as a bargaining tool with the Congress, reports Sheela Bhatt.