Sunetra Choudhury

Sunetra Choudhury is the National Political Editor of the Hindustan Times. With over two decades of experience in print and television, she has authored Black Warrant (Roli,2019), Behind Bars: Prison Tales of India’s Most Famous (Roli,2017) and Braking News (Hachette, 2010). Sunetra is the recipient of the Red Ink award in journalism in 2016 and Mary Morgan Hewett award in 2018.

Articles by Sunetra Choudhury

Truck drivers to UPSC aspirants, more ‘impromptu’ meets planned for Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi’s team members said that these meetings were a continuation of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, the 4,000km journey on foot from Tamil Nadu to J&K.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi takes a truck ride from Delhi to Chandigarh on Monday. (ANI)
Updated on May 27, 2023 04:45 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Secret power-sharing deal, 2024 polls helped Congress break Karnataka impasse

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge met with each of the claimants – Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar – five times.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge (centre) with senior party leaders Siddaramaiah (R) and DK Shivakumar in New Delhi. (PTI)
Updated on May 19, 2023 10:41 AM IST

Karnataka elections: Son-of-soil Mallikarjun Kharge gets job done

The first elected Congress chief who took over the party’s reins from the Gandhi family after 24 years, Kharge is off to a start.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addresses a public meeting ahead of Assembly polls, in Hubballi, Karnataka, (PTI)
Updated on May 14, 2023 10:25 AM IST

New book delves into Vajpayee’s engagement with Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas, Nehru’s politics

Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee began his political life critical of some movements and strategies adopted by Mahatma Gandhi and was similarly opposed to the policies of Jawaharlal Nehru, according to a new biography.

Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. (PTI)
Updated on May 10, 2023 12:47 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Shah, Kharge unlikely to face EC action over poll speeches in Karnataka

Congress accused Amit Shah of making “hateful and provocative statements”, and the BJP filed a counter complaint against Kharge a day later.

The model code of conduct allows the EC to order an FIR under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for speeches they consider problematic (PTI)
Updated on May 05, 2023 04:17 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Amid SC hearing, TMC, Left back same-sex marriages, many parties undecided

At an event on Thursday, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee endorsed marriage equality.

Around 50 petitioners have approached the top court asking for legalisation of same-sex marriage, arguing that denying them the right to wed was unconstitutional and violative of their fundamental rights. (Amal KS/HT PHOTO)
Updated on Apr 22, 2023 06:31 AM IST
By, New Delhi

‘7-8 daily posts…’: BJP MPs told to strengthen presence on social media

A note circulated by the party, a copy of which was seen by HT, mandated that each member of Parliament should post every day or hire a team to do so for them.

The party has also created a WhatsApp group that will feed content to the MPs.
Updated on Apr 20, 2023 06:10 AM IST
By, New Delhi

BJP starts widespread surveys to prepare plans for ’24 Lok Sabha poll battle

At least four widespread surveys will help formulate the BJP’s strategy to fight the general elections, according to three persons involved in these plans.

Party officials said Union home minister Amit Shah is supervising exercise to win more seats in the 2024 parliamentary polls (PTI)
Updated on Apr 17, 2023 05:06 AM IST
By, New Delhi

30-yr-old incident, former CM Veerendra Patil become focus of Karnataka poll campaign

Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah have referred to the fate of the twice-elected chief minister Veerendra Patil in an effort to blunt the Congress’ strategy of attacking the ruling party for what they see as neglect of the Lingayat community

While many may not remember the name of Veerendra Patil, his name and his stature as a Lingayat leader has been weaponised by the Bharatiya Janata Party against the Congress, ironically, Patil’s party (HT Archive)
Updated on Apr 07, 2023 12:18 AM IST

I won’t consider myself an Oppn leader, I will stay neutral: Ghulam Nabi Azad

In his memoir ‘Azaad’, the former J&K chief minister and Congress rebel is critical of his former party, describing its behaviour as “bloopers and bombast”

Ghulam Nabi Azad in New Delhi on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)
Updated on Apr 05, 2023 11:36 AM IST

BJP forms 50-member team to begin election work in Karnataka

The meeting had a single point agenda -- to assign key persons who would help boost the party’s prospects in the state.

BJP national general secretary BL Santhosh. (PTI)
Updated on Apr 02, 2023 05:22 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Centre plans to rope in private companies to help secure govt servers, websites

The government’s IT services are managed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), which hosts 3.3 million email accounts and maintains more than 10,000 websites and services

The government’s IT services are managed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), which hosts 3.3 million email accounts and maintains more than 10,000 websites and services.
Updated on Mar 17, 2023 04:10 AM IST
ByBinayak Dasgupta and Sunetra Choudhury, New Delhi

Jagan’s party on EC radar, its constitution under lens

Last Friday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) termed the Shiv Sena’s 2018 constitution, which had not been placed on record with the poll panel, as undemocratic because it vested too much power in the hand of the leader, although this wasn’t the reason why it ruled that the Eknath Shinde faction of the party was the real Shiv Sena (support of legislators and parliamentarians tiled the balance)

HT Image
Published on Feb 24, 2023 03:02 AM IST
By, New Delhi

No breaking point... parties did not give a concrete offer: TIPRA Motha chief

In the upcoming assembly elections in Tripura, the TIPRA Motha party, led by former Congress leader Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma, is being wooed by all national parties for an alliance.

TIPRA Motha chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma.
Updated on Jan 31, 2023 02:04 PM IST
By, New Delhi

Sunetra Choudhury picks her favourite reads of 2022

A classic on dealing with debilitating sorrow, a book on living in the present, and a surprisingly honest political autobiography

Information is control (HT Team)
Published on Dec 30, 2022 04:35 PM IST

Charles Sobhraj needs open-heart surgery, says Nepal order

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Nepal ordered the serial killer's release on humanitarian grounds. Sobhraj, 78, has been in jail since 2003.

Charles Sobhraj leaves a court in Paris on April 8, 1997. (AFP)
Updated on Dec 23, 2022 08:44 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Silent troubleshooter Bhupendra Patel helps his party buck anti-incumbency

Bhupendra Patel’s impressive election victory, winning by a record 212,480 votes, added to his achievements – a feat that found mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech

Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel at the BJP office in Ahmedabad on Thursday after the party’s stupendous victory in the assembly elections. (ANI Photo)
Updated on Dec 09, 2022 08:31 AM IST

Canada’s federal police urged to act on gangsters operating from its soil

In general, New Delhi expects Ottawa to deport people like Brar who are in Canada on student visas, but are involved in organized crime back home

The development comes in the wake of a premature announcement last week on the detention of Goldy Brar, the man implicated in the murder of musician turned politician Sidhu Moosewala
Updated on Dec 08, 2022 04:09 AM IST

HT interview: Data bill in line with global practices, says Vaishnaw

Union minister says carve-outs in India’s new privacy bill are consistent with Constitution provisions

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw (HT file)
Updated on Dec 02, 2022 12:34 PM IST
ByDeeksha Bhardwaj, Sunetra Choudhury and R Sukumar

Centre asks ministries for details of clubs, institutes under them

The Union government has sought from ministries details of the functioning of Gandhian institutes, clubs, and conference centres, according to an official note

The Delhi Gymkhana Club, one of the oldest clubs in India. (HT Archive)
Updated on Nov 17, 2022 01:05 PM IST
By, New Delhi

Govt draws plan to mark Patel birth anniversary; CAPFs to take part

The Centre is planning a large-scale event involving all paramilitary forces, and across all districts in the country, to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on October 31

Ahmedabad, India - October 31, 2018: A view of the statue of the ‘Iron Man of India’ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, during its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, five years after work began on the world’s tallest statue, in Narmada district of Gujarat, India on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. (Photo by Siddharaj Solanki / HindustanTimes)
Updated on Oct 27, 2022 05:03 AM IST

Cong prez polls: Kharge, Tharoor’s nomination papers present contrasting stories

The nomination papers filed by Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mallikarjun Kharge and former Union minister Shashi Tharoor for the Congress presidential election on Friday were studies in contrast.

Former Union minister Shashi Tharoor shows his documents as he files his nomination papers for Congress party president election at AICC headquarters in New Delhi on Friday. (AP)
Updated on Oct 01, 2022 05:04 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Panel pulls up 3 MLAs, does not blame Gehlot

A Congress panel on Tuesday accused three Rajasthan legislators of indiscipline but didn’t blame Ashok Gehlot for the turmoil, people aware of developments said, potentially giving the observers and the chief minister some manoeuvring space to resolve the crisis engulfing the party and its upcoming presidential poll.

Gehlot (back to camera) meets ministers and MLAs in Jaipur. (ANI)
Published on Sep 27, 2022 11:42 PM IST
By, New Delhi

Congress poll: Gehlot likely to file nomination after leadership crisis is over

Lawmakers loyal to Gehlot have threatened to bring the government down unless they get to pick his successor

Ashok Gehlot was expected to file his nomination for the Congress president’s election on Monday. (PTI)
Updated on Sep 26, 2022 12:23 PM IST

Gehlot’s supporters want announcement of his successor postponed till Oct 19

Congress’s central observers Ajay Maken said there seems to be a conflict of interest as a resolution authorises the party chief to take the final decision and that Gehlot could be the Congress president by then

Congress lawmakers outside Rajasthan assembly speaker CP Joshi’s residence. (PTI)
Published on Sep 26, 2022 10:05 AM IST
BySunetra Choudhury & Sachin Saini

Congress observers expected to meet Sonia Gandhi today amid Rajasthan crisis

Rajasthan Crisis: Scores of MLAs - in late-night drama - submitted their resignations to speakers.

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot. (PTI Photo)
Published on Sep 26, 2022 09:58 AM IST

Oppn may try different coalitions, but can’t match Modi’s popularity: Thakur

There is no real challenger to the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his politics of development, Union minister Anurag Thakur told HT in an interview.

interview Union minister for information and broadcasting Anurag Thakur.(PTI file photo)
Updated on Sep 24, 2022 11:06 AM IST
BySunetra Choudhury and Smriti Kak Ramachandran, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

An officer and a lady: 30-year fight for equality in the armed forces

It's been an epic journey, especially for the 615 women who fought for permanent commission because the Ministry of Defence only allowed women to work for Short Service Commissions (SSC) which was initially just five years of service and then was gradually increased to 14 years of service.

(L-R) Squadron Leader Varlin Pawar, Squadron Leader Sumedha Chopra, Lt. Commander Seema Verma and Greeshma Mannari.
Published on Sep 06, 2022 09:52 AM IST

Five factors that led to Congress's decline over the years

In this edition of the First Voice Last Word, our weekly podcast on politics, Hindustan Times takes a deeper look at what has led to this decline.

in-Depth The Congress is confronting its most serious crisis in its electoral history since 1951. (HT file)
Updated on Aug 29, 2022 09:24 PM IST
By, New Delhi

‘I joined Congress 51 years ago….feel’: Anand Sharma

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Sharma lashed out at the top leadership for “humiliating” him by not consulting or inviting him to core party meetings.

Former Union minister and prominent G23 leader Anand Sharma.(File photo)
Updated on Aug 22, 2022 11:25 AM IST
By, Hindustan Times, New Delhi
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