Shashi Shekhar

A new record will be made in UP elections 2022: Anurag Thakur

“In my view, while the people of Uttar Pradesh voted for the BJP in record numbers in 2017 and 2019, a new record will be made in the ongoing elections,” Union minister Anurag Thakur said.

Union minister Anurag Thakur spoke to Hindustan on the BJPs prospects in the ongoing UP elections. (HT photo/Mohd Zakir)

uttar pradesh assembly election

Updated on Feb 16, 2022 07:06 AM IST

ByShashi Shekhar and Ramnarayan Srivastav, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

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BJP backed by all sects due to issue-based support, PM’s welfare policies: Shah

There is a formidable alliance that the BJP is up against in Uttar Pradesh.

BJP backed by all sections due to issue-based support and PM Modi’s welfare policies: Amit Shah

uttar pradesh assembly election

Updated on Feb 14, 2022 01:18 AM IST

BySmriti Kak Ramachandran, Shashi Shekhar

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UP: Have leaders listened to the people’s concerns?

Will the voter consider issues that seem to have been forgotten? This election gives them an opportunity to consider what really matters in their daily lives

It can be argued that a 60.17% turnout in the first phase shows a lack of enthusiasm among the people. (HT Photo)

opinion

Updated on Feb 13, 2022 06:15 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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In Uttar Pradesh, real issues remain on the backburner

While leaving the holy city, I was deeply disturbed that even as polls were drawing close, the people of Mathura were not debating on the many civic and governance issues

Years ago, in the 1980s, when the Ayodhya movement had gathered steam, many people felt that it was not a big issue. (AP)

opinion

Updated on Feb 06, 2022 08:47 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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UP polls: Which way will Dalits go this time?

Dalit voters have changed their preferences many times in India’s most populous state. Earlier they threw in their lot with the Congress, later the BSP was their preferred party. After that, the BJP made inroads into this vote bank

Mayawati, who has been pretty quiet till now, will begin her formal election campaign from February 2. I recall that in 2007, she was able to, despite considerable odds, turn political equations on their head. Will she be able to do so this time? (Deepak Gupta/Hindustan Times)

opinion

Published on Jan 30, 2022 09:40 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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Can Aparna Yadav succeed like Maneka Gandhi?

Her joining the BJP has helped the saffron party gain a significant advantage, and it remains to be seen what she can gain from this move

Aparna Yadav with BJP president J P Nadda and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath after joining the BJP, New Delhi, January 19, 2022 (Arvind Yadav/Hindustan Times)

opinion

Updated on Jan 23, 2022 09:19 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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In UP 2022, it’s back to Mandal vs Kamandal

The message is clear, the BJP is going into the election on a plank largely comprising religion and development

The farm movement and the defections have changed the political narrative. If the backward castes weigh in with Akhilesh, he has a fighting chance to win. (File Photo)

opinion

Published on Jan 16, 2022 08:46 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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Lapse in PM’s security: A brazen breach of norms

There was undoubtedly a clear violation of procedure during the PM’s visit to Punjab. The Punjab government should have acted in an open-minded fashion but clearly, electoral considerations took precedence

The Union home ministry has also constituted a high-level inquiry committee, and the Supreme Court has issued an order on Friday and sought reports from all officials and agencies concerned. Until then, all investigations will be put on hold. (ANI)

opinion

Updated on Jan 09, 2022 08:49 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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A range of challenges awaits the world in 2022

We may soon get pills to combat Covid, the economic revival may gain momentum, and perhaps the world as we know it, may change forever

We are in a year full of hopes, fears and expectations. Let us welcome it and hope for the best. (Shutterstock)

opinion

Published on Jan 02, 2022 08:26 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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2021: For India, a year of mixed fortunes

If 2021 has proved anything, it is that the concept of a global village has become redundant. Vaccine nationalism by the richer countries has made the battle against the virus all the more difficult for the poor nations

A health worker collects a swab sample from a woman to test for Covid-19, Jammu, December 28, 2020 (AP)

opinion

Updated on Dec 26, 2021 08:39 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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Value probity and decency in public life

We have a rock solid foundation for parliamentary conduct, but it would seem we have made a travesty of it

The Lok Sabha functioned for 21 hours and 14 minutes against the stipulated time of 96 hours during the monsoon session. The current session has also lost a lot of time due to disruptions (HT Photo)

opinion

Published on Dec 19, 2021 05:55 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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The brave soldiers in the liberation of Bangladesh

Let us pay tribute to our brave soldiers on the 50th anniversary of that historic victory. A grateful nation salutes them

The rise of Bangladesh was necessary, but it was not enough to blunt the edge of Pakistan’s bitter hostility and resentment (HT PHOTO)

opinion

Published on Dec 12, 2021 08:19 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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Omicron: The nature of poll campaigns must change

It’s time for parties to come together and institute safe campaigning methods, with the resources usually spent on mobilising crowds put to better use

If election campaigning is in virtual mode, the use of black money for elections can also be reduced (Sheeraz Rizvi / Hindustan Times)

opinion

Published on Dec 05, 2021 08:31 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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The contours of the battle in Uttar Pradesh

With the SP-RLD alliance, it is clear that the SP and at least five parties it has allied with will directly take on the ruling BJP-led NDA

The BJP knows that despite all the work done by the government over five years, it will have to contend with some anti-incumbency sentiments (PTI)

opinion

Published on Nov 29, 2021 01:15 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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After the repeal, a set of new questions

It will be interesting to see whether the Opposition succeeds in projecting the issue as the government’s defeat or whether the ruling party manages to capitalise on it

Farmers celebrate after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announced the decision to repeal the three farm laws, New Delhi, November 20, 2021 (Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times)

opinion

Updated on Nov 21, 2021 08:00 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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How should India remember Jawaharlal Nehru?

When Nehru gave his famous tryst with destiny speech on the eve of Independence, it was not clear what this destiny held in store for India

As India’s first PM, Nehru had onerous responsibilities. When he completed his first term, there was hope that India would achieve its potential (Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)

opinion

Updated on Nov 14, 2021 06:36 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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This festive season, what do economic indicators tell us?

The fall in the number of Covid-19 cases and bullish markets have given many some hope that things are turning a corner. While it is too early to make accurate predictions, there is good news and bad news for the middle class

A crowded market for Diwali shopping, Navi Mumbai, November 4, 2021 (HT PHOTO)

opinion

Updated on Nov 07, 2021 06:16 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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Indira Gandhi’s legacy: The successes and the mistakes

Though she failed to establish peace in Punjab, Kashmir and the Northeast, her legacy remains strong even 37 years after her death. Her memories will live on.

Indira Gandhi had the ability to mesmerise the poor and disadvantaged. In 1971, her slogan, “They say remove Indira, I say eradicate poverty” was a crowd-puller (HT)

opinion

Published on Oct 31, 2021 06:05 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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The story of challenges, the story of resilience

India has a diverse landscape with villages in remote areas. Health workers, however, overcame these challenges to ensure that people across the country got vaccinated

We may now have crossed the billion-dose mark in vaccinations. But we seem to have forgotten how difficult the journey has been (Sunil Ghosh/Hindustan Times)

opinion

Updated on Oct 24, 2021 04:42 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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The political chessboard in Uttar Pradesh

Politicians often find opportunities in tragedies but forget about them when their purpose is fulfilled. But, does any party or person benefit from Lakhimpur Kheri-type tragedy?

From Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to Akhilesh Yadav, every opposition leader is gearing up for the assembly elections. On the other side, we have Yogi Adityanath with the image of being a staunch nationalist. In such a scenario, which way will this upcoming battle go? To come to any sort of answer, we have to wait till all the pieces have fallen into place on the political chessboard. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT PHOTO)

opinion

Published on Oct 17, 2021 02:27 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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Lakhimpur Kheri: The movement and the politics

This non-violent farmers’ movement, which has been going on for a year, has now witnessed a bloody incident that has aroused anger and passion

Every day, we see a new leader and a new video in the news. There are concerns about those who lost their lives and those who were injured (Naeem Ansari)

opinion

Updated on Oct 10, 2021 07:31 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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The disturbing effect of Covid-19 on India’s children

The Spanish Flu of 1918 killed more than 10 million Indians. At that time, growth had slumped to -10.5%, and inflation had skyrocketed. The people who suffered the most were from the lower rungs of society. A British report published in 1919 analysed the death toll in Bombay (now, Mumbai), on the basis of social classification. It was found out that more than 61% of those who died were from low-income groups and lower social classes.

14% of children studying in government schools in villages, and 20% of those in government schools in urban areas, were deprived of midday meals during this period (PTI)

opinion

Updated on Oct 03, 2021 03:00 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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From ascetic to flashy, a tale of political priests

Why is it that often, after the mysterious deaths of such people, issues regarding fame, power, and lifestyles, either theirs or their associates’, arise?

If this combination of politics and religion was to improve the social structure, that would not be such a bad thing (PTI)

opinion

Updated on Sep 26, 2021 07:51 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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The centrality of Narendra Modi

His ability to dream, translate dreams into reality through courage and persistence, and engage with the masses is key to his success

With this art of communication and continuous use of the latest technology, Modi has managed to instill confidence in the minds of voters. This is why, despite demonetisation, the pandemic, and inflation, people still have faith in him. (PTI)

opinion

Updated on Sep 19, 2021 08:06 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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What the rise of extremism means for the world

Extremism is spreading across the world through phones and computers. Now news, videos, and photos of the Taliban’s excesses in Afghanistan will make this mix even more lethal

Taliban fighters patrol on vehicles along a street in Kabul on September 2, 2021. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP) (AFP)

opinion

Updated on Sep 05, 2021 08:02 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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On the Taliban and terror, stop irresponsible rhetoric

The West must abandon its hands-off approach and tackle the growing turmoil caused by terrorism across the world — particularly in Asia and Africa

India and other countries will have to wait and watch to decide who they must engage with in the conflict-torn nation (AFP)

opinion

Published on Aug 29, 2021 08:04 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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The misuse of India’s investigative agencies

The inhuman rules created during the British era remain. Those in power can use State agencies to pursue their interest. But now is the time for change. Citizens of a sovereign and democratic country have a fundamental right to live a life without discrimination. When will that happen? I await that day.

I say, with regret, that during the long years since Independence, successive governments have misused the country’s investigative agencies. That is why the Madras High Court last week sternly asked CBI to get released itself from the cage. The moniker of a caged parrot was given to India’s investigative agency by the Supreme Court itself. (HTPHOTO)

opinion

Updated on Aug 22, 2021 09:06 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Close Story

Looking back at the 25th, 50th I-Day anniversaries

Independence and the progress that followed have been achieved through the efforts of generation after generation

The passion of the 25th anniversary was missing in the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Independence (REUTERS)

opinion

Published on Aug 15, 2021 08:30 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

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Restoring governance and normalcy in J&K

Despite many confidence-building efforts by the government led by Lieutenant-Governor, Manoj Sinha, it will take some time to win the trust of the masses in the Kashmir Valley

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha addresses a press conference, Srinagar, September. 11, 2020 (PTI)

opinion

Updated on Aug 08, 2021 07:01 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Close Story

Parliament must discuss people’s concerns

The country expected much better from its elected representatives. Many questions related to the pandemic still need to be raised and answered in Parliament

Those who are paying for these parliamentary sessions are the same people whose relatives have died during the pandemic due to a lack of timely medical help or oxygen (Amal KS/HT PHOTO)

opinion

Updated on Aug 01, 2021 06:54 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Close Story

Shashi Shekhar

“In my view, while the people of Uttar Pradesh voted for the BJP in record numbers in 2017 and 2019, a new record will be made in the ongoing elections,” Union minister Anurag Thakur said.

There is a formidable alliance that the BJP is up against in Uttar Pradesh.

Will the voter consider issues that seem to have been forgotten? This election gives them an opportunity to consider what really matters in their daily lives

While leaving the holy city, I was deeply disturbed that even as polls were drawing close, the people of Mathura were not debating on the many civic and governance issues

Dalit voters have changed their preferences many times in India’s most populous state. Earlier they threw in their lot with the Congress, later the BSP was their preferred party. After that, the BJP made inroads into this vote bank

Her joining the BJP has helped the saffron party gain a significant advantage, and it remains to be seen what she can gain from this move

The message is clear, the BJP is going into the election on a plank largely comprising religion and development

There was undoubtedly a clear violation of procedure during the PM’s visit to Punjab. The Punjab government should have acted in an open-minded fashion but clearly, electoral considerations took precedence

We may soon get pills to combat Covid, the economic revival may gain momentum, and perhaps the world as we know it, may change forever

If 2021 has proved anything, it is that the concept of a global village has become redundant. Vaccine nationalism by the richer countries has made the battle against the virus all the more difficult for the poor nations

We have a rock solid foundation for parliamentary conduct, but it would seem we have made a travesty of it

Let us pay tribute to our brave soldiers on the 50th anniversary of that historic victory. A grateful nation salutes them

It’s time for parties to come together and institute safe campaigning methods, with the resources usually spent on mobilising crowds put to better use

With the SP-RLD alliance, it is clear that the SP and at least five parties it has allied with will directly take on the ruling BJP-led NDA

It will be interesting to see whether the Opposition succeeds in projecting the issue as the government’s defeat or whether the ruling party manages to capitalise on it

When Nehru gave his famous tryst with destiny speech on the eve of Independence, it was not clear what this destiny held in store for India

The fall in the number of Covid-19 cases and bullish markets have given many some hope that things are turning a corner. While it is too early to make accurate predictions, there is good news and bad news for the middle class

Though she failed to establish peace in Punjab, Kashmir and the Northeast, her legacy remains strong even 37 years after her death. Her memories will live on.

India has a diverse landscape with villages in remote areas. Health workers, however, overcame these challenges to ensure that people across the country got vaccinated

Politicians often find opportunities in tragedies but forget about them when their purpose is fulfilled. But, does any party or person benefit from Lakhimpur Kheri-type tragedy?

This non-violent farmers’ movement, which has been going on for a year, has now witnessed a bloody incident that has aroused anger and passion

Why is it that often, after the mysterious deaths of such people, issues regarding fame, power, and lifestyles, either theirs or their associates’, arise?

His ability to dream, translate dreams into reality through courage and persistence, and engage with the masses is key to his success

Extremism is spreading across the world through phones and computers. Now news, videos, and photos of the Taliban’s excesses in Afghanistan will make this mix even more lethal

The West must abandon its hands-off approach and tackle the growing turmoil caused by terrorism across the world — particularly in Asia and Africa

Independence and the progress that followed have been achieved through the efforts of generation after generation

Despite many confidence-building efforts by the government led by Lieutenant-Governor, Manoj Sinha, it will take some time to win the trust of the masses in the Kashmir Valley

The country expected much better from its elected representatives. Many questions related to the pandemic still need to be raised and answered in Parliament

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