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).
Updated on May 27, 2023 05:26 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
'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”
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.
Published on May 25, 2023 04:48 AM IST
Priyanka Deb BarmanSmriti Kak Ramachandran, 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.
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.
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
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”
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Updated on May 04, 2023 02:29 PM IST
ht_print | Smriti Kak RamachandranR Sukumar
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
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.
Updated on May 02, 2023 01:07 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
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.
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.
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?.
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
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
Updated on Apr 29, 2023 12:38 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, 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
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.
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 .
Updated on Apr 23, 2023 12:23 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, 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.
Updated on Apr 21, 2023 11:09 PM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, 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
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
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.
Updated on Apr 17, 2023 12:24 AM IST
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
Updated on Apr 14, 2023 12:34 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
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.
Updated on Apr 12, 2023 05:03 AM IST
