Indranil Banerjie

Jul 10, 2010
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Indranil Banerjie

Say no to corruption

The results of the Tamil Nadu state elections are destined to have a lasting impact on national politics. Unlike in the past, this poll is not merely a contest between two state-level political stalwarts; this time, it is a contest between two competing issues of vital national concern: corruption versus power politics. Can electorates be managed? Can they be seduced by poll gifts and populist promises? Or is corruption an issue? A section of the political elite in India has taken the position that corruption is not a core issue in this country of malnourished millions.

The frontrunners of Bengal

Six months ago virtually every political analyst in West Bengal was of the opinion that Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamul Congress alliance would sweep the forthcoming Assembly polls. Now they are not so sure. The tide, some aver, is turning; Marxist prospects are once again brightening. Instead of a landslide now most predict a tough fight.
While Bengal’s voters might not be doing a major rethink, they certainly are hesitating. These last minute qualms point to a real concern about the future of the state, beset as it has been with years of stagnation and fading hopes.

Pakistan’s ‘Kashmir’ blindfold

The message from Islamabad is gaining in decibel: the generals want New Delhi to initiate talks with them on Kashmir.

The rot within: When will we act?

The bottom tip of Mumbai city is one of the most expensive tracts of real estate anywhere in the world. Much of it is not available at any price because it is military land.

Foul play in Kabul

Kabul is struggling to set the record straight now that an influential lobby in Washington is trying to pass the blame of the faltering US war in Afghanistan on to the Karzai regime.

Has Zardari sanctioned another coup?

History hopefully will not repeat itself in Pakistan. Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, an elected head of state, has just given a three-year extension to his Army Chief, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. This is just the second time in the history of Pakistan when such an extension has been granted by a civilian head of state. The last time it

Endgame in Kabul

These are testing times in Afghanistan: Both for the United States and for India, although for entirely different reasons. The war, as every Afghan watcher knows, is going badly for the US and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) forces. June was the worst month for foreign troops in that country with 102 combat deaths, which is the

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I want to begin with a little story that was told to me by a leading executive at Aptech. He was exercising in a gym with a lot of younger people.

Shekhar Kapur’s Bandit Queen didn’t make the cut. Neither did Shaji Karun’s Piravi, which bagged 31 international awards.

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