Politics Stories
Mamata’s Black Robes Point To Grey Areas
Can a former chief minister simply wear an advocate’s gown? The answer matters, otherwise, tomorrow, retired actors may claim surgical privileges because they played doctors
Here’s why the Bengali ‘bhadralok’ deserted Didi
Once Mamata Banerjee’s strongest urban constituency, Bengal’s bhadralok were driven up the wall by corruption, job scams, civic decay and the handling of the RG Kar rape and murder, write Dwaipayan Ghosh & Dipawali Mitra
GCCs: India’s golden egg
But Delhi policy wonks just don’t get it. These centres today are drivers of services exports & GDP growth. Now, India needs a policy to make them catalyse our educational, research, and deep-tech ecosystem
- Sujit John
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Congress can win states again. Can it win the country?
The party has bought itself time after recent electoral gains. Yet the road to 2029 will test whether Congress can reinvent itself — or remain a diminished player in national politics.
- Hasan Suroor
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
The Great Indian Sacrifice Season
India is no stranger to austerity measures. Every time the country needs to tighten its belt, leaders seize the opportunity to present themselves as making sacrifices and sharing in the hardships of ordinary citizens
- Jayanta KalitaRajesh Sharma
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Why SC is asking government if EC independence is just for show
The Supreme Court hearing on the law governing CEC and election commissioners’ appointment has turned the spotlight on the Prime Minister-led selection panel that gives the government veto power
Not Venu, VD. Not Quite Vici
Congress high command’s dithering before confirming Satheesan as Kerala CM has taken shine off the big win, and is a bad sign for the future
Santiago Martin: The ‘lottery king’ whose family spans three rival political parties
His wife switched from IJK to AIADMK ahead of the assembly polls and won. His son launched his own party, won his seat, and allied with the BJP-ANRC in Puducherry. And his son-in-law shifted from DMK to VCK and later TVK, and is now a minister in Tamil Nadu
Why BJP’s Bengal landslide will worry China, US and Pakistan
BJP's Bengal win strengthens PM Modi’s hand in dealing with Bangladesh and with both the great powers – China and the US. Pakistan, too, will be particularly unsettled
- Minhaz Merchant
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
An open letter to Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay
Five days of turbulence before your swearing-in may well prove to be a teaser; brace for five years of backstabbing and frontal attacks. You did the right thing by waiting...
- Arun Ram
- TNN
Some Muslims want a party of their own. But is that the answer?
As mainstream parties grow wary of courting Muslim voters, debates within the community are becoming sharper. Can a new political platform give Muslims a stronger voice without falling into identity politics?
- Hasan Suroor
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Will The Double Engine Model Help Suvendu? Yes & No
On the economic front,Bengal is now likely to get a lot of help from Centre. But carrying out some parts of BJP’s ideological work, may face stiff resistance
Can Vijay Carry The Franchise?
Tamil Nadu has a non-Dravidian govt after six decades. But its new CM’s campaign speeches have been exemplars of vacuity, we have few clues about how TVK will interpret voters’ desire for change
Kerala’s results produced an obvious CM. Why is Congress pretending otherwise?
Congress has a historic mandate and and the architect behind it is evident. The only thing standing in the way of announcing the CM is the Congress and its old instincts of factionalism, seniority and high-command management
‘Reawaken Bengal from civilisational slumber’
Defence minister & senior BJP leader argues his party’s mission is to restore & nurture the greatness of true Bengali heritage
‘Regional parties face a serious threat from BJP, but declaring their end would be premature’
The BJP, either on its own or in alliance, is in power in around 22 states, covering roughly 78% of India’s population. According to psephologist Sanjay Kumar, these figures reflect the party’s firm establishment of dominance in national politics
- Alka Dhupkar
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Kerala’s King Cong? Satheesan
Congress had stumbled in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, installing a ‘high command’ compromise instead of the people’s choice. Kerala has voted for a political front, but also a face
Did Trinamool fall harder where more voters were deleted?
And did BJP gain from voters being deleted under SIR in Bengal?
- Atul Thakur
- TNN
BJP is well on its way to creating a ‘regional party-mukt Bharat’
TMC, BJD, Shiv Sena, NCP, AAP and AGP have all become weak, second-rung players in states they once dominated. And it doesn’t look like that the BJP juggernaut is stopping anytime soon, even to catch its breath
- Jayanta KalitaRajesh Sharma
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Can Mamata save TMC from splitting after losing Bengal?
After a decisive electoral defeat in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee faces her toughest political reset in decades. Can a leader forged in agitation rebuild a weakened organisation, reclaim public trust, and reposition herself against an entrenched Bharatiya Janata Party government?
- Team TOI Plus
- TNN & Agencies