Smriti Kak Ramachandran

Smriti covers an intersection of politics and governance. Having spent over a decade in journalism, she combines old fashioned leg work with modern story telling tools.

Articles by Smriti Kak Ramachandran

As Modi govt completes 9 years, Congress, BJP spar over ‘sawaal, kamaal’

While the BJP has embarked on a publicity blitzkrieg to mark nine years in power - the Congress released a document: “9 saal, 9 sawaal’ (9 years, 9 questions).

The BJP has embarked on a publicity blitzkrieg to mark nine years in power. (ANI)
Updated on May 27, 2023 05:26 AM IST

'140 crore Indians won't forget…': NDA slams Oppn in Parliament inauguration row

In a joint statement, 19 of the parties boycotting the inauguration said Modi’s decision to inaugurate the new Parliament was an “assault on democracy”

New Parliament building. (Hindustan Times)(HT_PRINT)
Updated on May 25, 2023 12:34 PM IST

BJP brass steps in to resolve rift between leaders in Tripura

Several workers of the state's ruling party have raised complaints against chief minister Manik Saha over a host of issues.

An earlier photo of Tripura chief minister Manik Saha (right) and his predecessor Biplab Deb (left), both BJP leaders (PTI)
Published on May 25, 2023 04:48 AM IST
ByPriyanka Deb Barman, , New Delhi, Agartala

Madhya Pradesh BJP leaders urge brass to resolve CM Chouhan, state chief rift

The lack of coordination between the two has been identified as a major impediment in getting the cadre to execute decisions.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan with BJP state president VD Sharma. (PTI)
Updated on May 21, 2023 09:28 AM IST

Rijiju exits law ministry amid judiciary stand-off

Rijiju was replaced by Arjun Ram Meghwal, who has been assigned independent charge as minister of state for law & justice.

Union minister Kiren Rijiju. (HT PHOTO)
Updated on May 19, 2023 02:25 AM IST

Rijiju removed as law minister against backdrop of standoff with judiciary

Arjun Ram Meghwal, who is from poll-bound Rajasthan, has been assigned the law and justice portfolio as an independent charge

Rijiju was on Thursday, May 18, 2023, shifted from the law ministry and assigned Ministry of Earth Sciences.(PTI)
Updated on May 18, 2023 01:11 PM IST

Rijiju loses law ministry, Arjun Ram Meghwal to replace him

Rijiju, who was seen to have taken a confrontational approach towards the judiciary, termed the collegium system of appointing judges “opaque”, “alien to the Constitution”

Union minister Kiren Rijiju. (HT PHOTO)
Updated on May 18, 2023 04:57 PM IST

In Karnataka, poll guarantees helped Cong win over women voters: BJP leaders

According to party leaders, BJP failed to assess the impact of the Congress guarantees that were conveyed to the voters months ahead of the May 10 election.

The Congress increased its tally from 78 to 135 in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections. (Representational image)
Updated on May 18, 2023 05:01 AM IST

After Karnataka rout, BJP leaders in huddle for a review

The BJP is holding meetings to identify reasons for their defeat in the Karnataka assembly polls

The BJP fielded 72 new faces and had to deal with the ire of rebels who were denied tickets (Narendra Modi Twitter)(HT_PRINT)
Updated on May 15, 2023 01:27 AM IST

BJP’s Karnataka defeat shifts focus on local issues, state leadership

Karnataka election results: With hindsight, BJP leaders are divided over the choice of Basavaraj Bommai as chief minister to replace BS Yediyurappa, the party’s most formidable leader in Karnataka

Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel with Union ministers Bhagwanth Khuba and Rajeev Chandrasekhar at the party election media centre in Bengaluru, (PTI File Photo)
Updated on May 13, 2023 08:23 PM IST

For Karnataka loss, BJP pins blame on anti-incumbency, local factors

Karnataka election: BJP’s decision to change the CM stemmed from the hope that it would buck anti-incumbency, like it had done in Gujarat and Uttarakhand. But in Karnataka, the decision evoked resentment among the powerful Lingayat community

BJP supporters during a roadshow of BJP president JP Nadda ahead of Karnataka assembly elections in Bengaluru, (PTI File Photo)
Updated on May 13, 2023 06:17 PM IST

Modi links goal to become 1 of world’s top 3 economies to Karnataka’s growth

In a video message ahead of elections in Karnataka on Wednesday, he credited the BJP government’s “decisive, focused and futuristic approach” for contributing to the state’s growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI)
Updated on May 09, 2023 11:17 AM IST

Manipur CM in focus after violence, arson rock state

Clashes broke out this week after the Manipur HC directed the state govt to recommend the inclusion of the Meitei community in the list of scheduled tribes

All eyes are on how Manipur chief minister Biren Singh will combat the crisis. (ANI)
Updated on May 07, 2023 02:08 AM IST

Under Modi, a new caste has emerged in the country, that of beneficiaries: Shah

Union minister Amit Shah says a Uniform Civil Code has been on the BJP’s agenda since the day our party was formed

Union home minister Amit Shah dismissed opposition parties coming together to take on the BJP as a photo-op and said that it would have no impact on votes
Updated on May 04, 2023 02:29 PM IST

Karnataka elections: BJP’s strategy and challenges

The BJP faces a crucial test in the Vokkaliga-dominated Old Mysuru region, where the party has never won more than 11 out of the 61 seats in previous polls

The BJP has also redoubled efforts in constituencies where its candidates lost by a slim margin in 2018. (ANI)
Updated on May 04, 2023 12:47 AM IST

With promises of UCC, NRC in K'taka, BJP repeats template from U'khand, Guj, UP

Karnataka has joined the list of BJP-ruled states where the incumbent government has made an assertive declaration of its commitment to implement UCC and NRC.

BJP chief JP Nadda waves at supporters during a roadshow ahead of Karnataka assembly elections in Bengaluru on Monday. (PTI)
Updated on May 02, 2023 01:07 AM IST

Grand Mufti of Egypt begins 6-day India visit

The Grand Mufti of Egypt, Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam, on Monday began his six-day visit to India.

Grand Mufti of Egypt Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam being felicitated by ICCR chief Vinay Sahasrabuddhe.
Updated on May 02, 2023 12:44 AM IST

Grand Mufti of Egypt, Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam on 6-day India visit

ICCR president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said Shawki Allam’s visit is in line with ICCR’s activities to strengthen India’s ties with other countries.

Shawki Allam, elected to his post by Al Azhar University’s council of senior scholars, has frequently criticised terrorism, including attacks that targeted Egypt’s Christian minority (Twitter/iccr_hq)
Updated on May 02, 2023 04:15 AM IST

Mann Ki Baat journey a social catalyst: Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the 100th episode of his ?Mann Ki Baat? radio programme, which he said allowed him to stay connected with the people without the constraints of protocol and security. The show has enabled him to amplify social causes, including reversing the skewed gender ratio, the cleanliness mission and the support for local products. Modi also acknowledged its global reach, saying it ?became a people?s movement? and was a means of ?learning from others?.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in Kolar on Sunday. (PTI)
Updated on May 01, 2023 12:02 AM IST

Mann Ki Baat allowed me to stay connected with people: PM Modi in 100th episode

The PM also acknowledged the publicity his show has garnered across the globe. While it was aired live at the United Nations headquarters on Sunday, the PM recalled how his joint address with the then US President Barack Obama was discussed across the world

Prime Minister Narendra Modi address 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat (Twitter Photo)
Updated on Apr 30, 2023 04:49 PM IST

Karnataka elections: BJP banks on Vokkaliga leaders to break into opposition bastion

Like the Lingayats who hold the key to determine election results in large parts of the state, the Vokkaligas have the power to influence around 44 assembly seats spread over South Karnataka

An unpretentious stone slab announces it as the birthplace of Tipu Sultan born in 1751 AD. (HT Photo)
Updated on Apr 29, 2023 12:38 AM IST
By, Chikkaballapur/ Devanahalli

Former JD(U) leader Ajay Alok joins BJP

After the joining ceremony, Alok praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his policies which have inspired the entire country

Former JD(U) leader Ajay Alok joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in presence of union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. (Vipin Kumar | HT)
Updated on Apr 28, 2023 12:27 PM IST

K’taka should vote for stability and continuity of policies, says Sitharaman

The Union finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, has said that the Indian state of Karnataka is on a "good trajectory" of growth and requires "stability and continuity of policies" to ensure this continues. Karnataka is due to hold elections for its 224-member legislative assembly on 10 May, with results announced on 13 May. Sitharaman praised the development work of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is seeking re-election, and criticised opposition parties for making costly poll promises.

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman at an interactive session organised by Thinkers' Forum, in Bengaluru. (PTI)
Updated on Apr 24, 2023 12:04 AM IST

Parties look to woo Mutts and seers in bid to secure vote base for K’taka polls

Among the Mutts that are counted as influential are the Siddhaganga Mutt, the Suttur Mutt in Mysore,, the Kanaka Guru Peetha in Haveri district, revered by the Kuruba community that is counted as the vote bank tank of the Congress .

The leaders across the political spectrum have been making a beeline for seeking approval from the Mutts. (PTI)
Updated on Apr 23, 2023 12:23 AM IST
By, Tumakuru/ Chitradurga

BJP banks on growth, ideology in central and southern Karnataka

“Development is the reason why the BJP will win in the state and bag 8-9 seats in the Tumkur district. After work for the Smart City project was completed and with the opening of the food park and the HAL factory, the face of the district has changed,” said Vinay Bidre, state secretary of the BJP in Karnataka.

In Tumkur, the BJP party is the incumbent in five of the 11 assembly seats. (JP Nadda Twitter)
Updated on Apr 21, 2023 11:09 PM IST
By, Tumkur / Davanagere

Development, ideology steer BJP’s campaign in Karnataka’s Tumkur, Davangere

The focus is on development in Tumkur while ideological issues dominance electioneering in Davanagere

Karnataka goes to the assembly polls on May 10. (ANI)
Updated on Apr 21, 2023 10:11 AM IST

BJP plans ‘carpet bombing’ campaign in Karnataka on April 25

Senior BJP leaders including union ministers will be in Karnataka on April 25 to address public meetings and rallies across the state, a party leader said

BJP candidate for Govindaraj Nagar constituency Umesh Shetty with party MP Tejasvi Surya and supporters arrives to file his nomination for the Karnataka assembly elections in Bengaluru, onTuesday (PTI)
Updated on Apr 19, 2023 08:18 PM IST

Not fielded for Karnataka elections, Shettar quits BJP; buzz over move to Congress

In a jolt to the ruling BJP in Karnataka, disgruntled former chief minister Jagadish Shettar resigned from the assembly and the party on Sunday over denial of a ticket to contest the May 10 elections.

Former Karnataka chief minister and former BJP leader Jagadish Shettar. (PTI)
Updated on Apr 17, 2023 12:24 AM IST
By, , Bengaluru/new Delhi

Opposition unity unlikely to hamper 2024 election prospects: BJP

BJP is confident that the “development agenda” of PM Modi, along with his “popularity”, will outmaneuver the Oppn’s efforts to stop it from returning to power

Opposition parties are trying to form a common platform to unite against the BJP.
Updated on Apr 14, 2023 12:34 AM IST

Missing veterans in BJP list sparks row in Karnataka

The controversy came hours before the BJP announced 189 candidates for the May 10 assembly elections – its first list – and dropped four sitting lawmakers.

Former chief minister Jagdish Shettar reacted sharply to being told that he will not be picked for the upcoming polls. (PTI)
Updated on Apr 12, 2023 05:03 AM IST
By, , New Delhi/bengaluru
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