News for '-plank'

'BJP may become inclusive with Muslims after this mandate'

'BJP may become inclusive with Muslims after this mandate'

Rediff.com14 Mar 2017

'Muslims may turn to the BJP or may not come out to vote in great numbers like they have in the past.' 'Anything can happen.' 'They can feel an increased sense of alienation, but that depends on the BJP -- on how it includes them.'

'Congress and BJP ganged up against AAP government'

'Congress and BJP ganged up against AAP government'

Rediff.com15 Feb 2014

The resignation of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over his failure to table the Jan Lokpal Bill in the assembly has evoked mixed responses.

Help wanted: 'Make in India' drive lacks skilled labour

Help wanted: 'Make in India' drive lacks skilled labour

Rediff.com30 Dec 2014

India only has 3.5 million workers undergoing skills courses a year, compared with 90 million in China

Why Cong leaders are knocking on BJP doors in Haryana

Why Cong leaders are knocking on BJP doors in Haryana

Rediff.com30 Jul 2014

With several Congress leaders pushing for Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's removal, the Congress is finding it difficult to keep its flock together in the poll-bound state. Rediff.com contributor Anita Katyal reports.

Modi invokes Netaji: 'You give me 60 months, I will give you a life of peace'

Modi invokes Netaji: 'You give me 60 months, I will give you a life of peace'

Rediff.com23 Jan 2014

Narendra Modi on Thursday hit out at Congress for 'chai-wala' barbs, saying the ruling party was mocking at the poor whom it has used only as a vote-bank without doining anything for them.

10 factors that make a city really smart

10 factors that make a city really smart

Rediff.com16 Dec 2014

Experts are upbeat about developing smart cities in India.

Out to win state polls, Amit Shah starts formulating strategies

Out to win state polls, Amit Shah starts formulating strategies

Rediff.com17 Jul 2014

Meets leaders from Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Jammu and Kashmir; party keen to form government in Delhi.

End this dramebaazi on intolerance: Modi tells Congress

End this dramebaazi on intolerance: Modi tells Congress

Rediff.com2 Nov 2015

Speaking at a rally in poll-bound Bihar, Modi said that the Congress has no right to talk about tolerance after the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

'Nitish had no option but to join Lalu Prasad'

'Nitish had no option but to join Lalu Prasad'

Rediff.com26 Oct 2015

Upendra Kushwaha, president of the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party, which is part of the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre, admits the Bihar assembly elections will be a close contest and will be fought along the lines of caste.

Black money: Swiss have agreed to help India but...

Black money: Swiss have agreed to help India but...

Rediff.com31 Oct 2014

If India was able to provide additional and new information about people and entities that figure on stolen lists, they may consider it to exchange information

Inspiring! This Marathoner wants you to break free

Inspiring! This Marathoner wants you to break free

Rediff.com18 Jan 2017

Partially paralysed but with unbreakable will power and determination, Nihad Panju has beaten the odds to become a fitness freak and is all set to run his 4th Mumbai Marathon on Sunday.

Rahul, Sonia MIA as Cong launches massive agitation against land law

Rahul, Sonia MIA as Cong launches massive agitation against land law

Rediff.com25 Feb 2015

Hitting the streets against the controversial land bill, Congress on Tuesday accused the Narendra Modi government of being "anti-farmer" and "pro-corporate" and vowed to take the battle across the country but both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were conspicuous by their absence.

'Identity politics isn't going away anywhere'

'Identity politics isn't going away anywhere'

Rediff.com5 Jan 2017

'The ruling provides a Constitutional template, it draws boundaries, and there is this expectation that henceforth political parties will not make crude appeals to religion for electoral gains.'

Modi has a word of caution for Obama

Modi has a word of caution for Obama

Rediff.com30 Sep 2014

Hours ahead of his dinner with President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned the United States against hasty withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan, citing the mistakes it has committed while pulling out from Iraq.

'Britain created Pakistan'

'Britain created Pakistan'

Rediff.com2 Nov 2017

'The creation of Pakistan was integral to Britain's grand strategy.' 'If they were to ever leave India, Britain's military planners had made it clear that they needed to retain a foothold in the NWFP and Baluchistan because that would provide the means to retain control of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar.'

Will ED's Rs 863 crore seizure help Jagan in some way?

Will ED's Rs 863 crore seizure help Jagan in some way?

Rediff.com6 Mar 2014

As Jagan's property attachment came on the day the poll dates were announced, the YSR chief and his supporters refuse to buy the Enforcement Directorate's claim that it was a mere coincidence. Vicky Nanjappa reports.

In Bernanke's final act, Fed cuts stimulus despite market turmoil

In Bernanke's final act, Fed cuts stimulus despite market turmoil

Rediff.com30 Jan 2014

Some investors had speculated that the US central bank might put its plans on hold given the jitters overseas.

'Rahul Gandhi losing the perception battle, needs a media advisor'

'Rahul Gandhi losing the perception battle, needs a media advisor'

Rediff.com24 Jan 2014

Under constant attack from the press, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is being counselled by his well-wishers to appoint a personal media advisor to shore up his image in the run-up to the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Sonia's AICC pitch lacks emotion, shows discord with common man

Sonia's AICC pitch lacks emotion, shows discord with common man

Rediff.com17 Jan 2014

'At a time like this when the country's politics is set to change, Sonia Gandhi's speech didn't reflect her take on the change for the aam aadmi'. 'Once again, it was clear that Congress has lost the narrative of the aam aadmi, notes Sheela Bhatt.

Taking a stand on yoga

Taking a stand on yoga

Rediff.com22 Jun 2015

Two fitness experts weigh in on what works for them in the ancient Indian practice and what doesn't

'This is the BJP's political mafia raj at work'

'This is the BJP's political mafia raj at work'

Rediff.com15 Mar 2017

'What I mean by the BJP's political mafia raj is they descend in such a way that they want to form the government anyhow and murder democracy, no matter what.' 'Knowing Amit Shah, knowing Parrikar, knowing their style of working, they will engineer a split in the Congress.'

Myanmar 'hot pursuit' was planned before Manipur ambush

Myanmar 'hot pursuit' was planned before Manipur ambush

Rediff.com10 Jun 2015

The counter-insurgency operation on the Indo-Myanmar was under planning for the last three months. The June 4 ambush that killed 18 Indian soldiers only hastened the attack. Sheela Bhatt provides exclusive details of the planning for the operation.

Bullet trains and more: Modi, Abe's big plans

Bullet trains and more: Modi, Abe's big plans

Rediff.com12 Sep 2017

'Modi and Abe are working seriously for India-Japan bonhomie to grow stronger.' 'It is a win-win situation for both countries and the future look promising,' says Rajaram Panda, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations India Chair Visiting Professor at Reitaku University, Japan.

Gujarati vs Maharashtrian clash behind BJP-Sena fallout?

Gujarati vs Maharashtrian clash behind BJP-Sena fallout?

Rediff.com26 Sep 2014

'The bonhomie that once characterised the Shiv Sena and BJP was clearly missing this time. Is there a deeper divide than what was apparent?'

'If the Modi magic is working, why does BJP need Kiran Bedi?'

'If the Modi magic is working, why does BJP need Kiran Bedi?'

Rediff.com19 Jan 2015

The Bharatiya Janata Party is merely replicating our agenda, which show the bankruptcy of ideas, credibility and leadership in the party, Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashutosh tells Rediff.com's Upasna Pandey.

Nothing objectionable in Katheria's speech, says Rajnath

Nothing objectionable in Katheria's speech, says Rajnath

Rediff.com3 Mar 2016

He said the government had examined the video recording of the February 28 condolence meeting of slain Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Arun Mahaur, where Minister of State for Human Resource Development Ram Shankar Katheria had participated.

'I'm caught between Maulana Modi and Maulana Mulayam'

'I'm caught between Maulana Modi and Maulana Mulayam'

Rediff.com16 Jun 2016

Asaduddin Owaisi opens up to T S Sudhir on his party's plans for the elections in Uttar Pradesh next year and why he thinks both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Samajwadi Party have vitiated the secular atmosphere in the state.

Sharif has given up hope on better ties during the Modi era

Sharif has given up hope on better ties during the Modi era

Rediff.com2 Oct 2015

'Indian diplomacy is once again being saddled with the heavy burden of a Pakistan-centric foreign policy. It is something grossly unfair at a crucial juncture in India's trajectory as an emerging power on the global stage,' argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

'The longer people believe in Modi, greater will be their disappointment'

'The longer people believe in Modi, greater will be their disappointment'

Rediff.com12 May 2017

'India's nationalism has always been an exceptional and great experiment.' 'We said you don't have to give up your language, your lifestyle or your religion in order to be an Indian national.' 'Nowhere in the world could you find on such a large scale such a democratic experiment of nation building based on diversity.' 'That is the greatness of India's nationalism and we are on the verge of losing that greatness.'

Govt, BJP to counter anti-demonetisation campaign

Govt, BJP to counter anti-demonetisation campaign

Rediff.com12 Nov 2016

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley witll spearhead the campaign with BJP President Amit Shah as its chief strategist.

Kerala remains the red land, but there's a saffron speck

Kerala remains the red land, but there's a saffron speck

Rediff.com19 May 2016

Rampant corruption by Congress ministers must be counted as the single biggest factor to prompt the electorate to hand over a thumping mandate to the Communist parties, says M K Bhadrakumar.

Whose year will it be in 2016?

Whose year will it be in 2016?

Rediff.com31 Dec 2015

Whose political stock is likely to rise and which leader is most likely to make an impact in the coming year?

Mufti's high stakes gamble

Mufti's high stakes gamble

Rediff.com30 Dec 2014

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed wanted a government with the PDP (representing Kashmir), the BJP (representing Jammu) and the Congress (representing Ladakh), but he failed because the BJp and Congress were unwilling to make any exception to their national level inimical relationship, reveals Mohammad Sayeed Malik.

How to stay fit this party season

How to stay fit this party season

Rediff.com19 Dec 2014

Follow these tips and you can have a ball without missing out on fun.

'People seem to be mesmerised by Modi'

'People seem to be mesmerised by Modi'

Rediff.com24 May 2017

'The BJP has latched on to the idea of nationalism, but the nationalism they advocate is not nationalism as we have understood it since the time of the freedom movement.' 'This is not secular nationalism, it is Hindu nationalism.' 'It is a form of nationalism that is exclusionary and it tends to conflate national interest with the government.' 'So, if you disagree with the government, for example, on surgical strikes or demonetisation, you are anti-national or holder of black money.'

Why corruption is even worse than communalism

Why corruption is even worse than communalism

Rediff.com17 Apr 2014

While corruption destroys the moral fibre of a nation, its society and people, secularism as espoused in this country is cynical secularism, a sham perpetrated during election time and communalism is a spectre, a bogey raised by these great champions of Indian secularism to secure and perpetuate their vote bank, says Maneck Davar.

Pro-Modi industrialists want Thackeray cousins to unite

Pro-Modi industrialists want Thackeray cousins to unite

Rediff.com6 Nov 2013

Modi and his corporate sector supporters have identified Maharashtra as a key state where the BJP-Shiv Sena can pick up more seats. In fact, it is estimated that if the Thackeray cousins join hands, the NDA partners can improve their tally from the present 23 seats by adding another eight to 10 Lok Sabha seats, reports Anita Katyal.

Pitched battles being fought to capture Vidarbha

Pitched battles being fought to capture Vidarbha

Rediff.com2 Apr 2014

Vidarbha region has gained notoriety for a high number of farmers' suicides and the multi-crore irrigation scam. Sanjay Jog reports

Where is the space for the Shiv Sena?

Where is the space for the Shiv Sena?

Rediff.com26 Oct 2015

After five decades of existence, the Shiv Sena's support base seems to be shifting towards the rural electorate but there it has to contend with the network of Sharad Pawar and the BJP.

Sheela Says: Will Jaya realise her national dream?

Sheela Says: Will Jaya realise her national dream?

Rediff.com13 Mar 2014

In Tamil Nadu politics J Jayalalithaa is the queen of all she surveys today, But there are some ground realities that may still dent her high ambition. Rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt's fascinating new column where she reveals the ground realities in the Battle for India.