The BJP’s three decisive wins in the heartland seem to indicate that it has 2024 in the bag, but the narrow gap in vote shares suggests that it still has a fight on its hands.

In this issue

29-12-202328 STORIES

Opportunity arises before Supreme Court to clearly define Governor’s powers

As opposition-ruled States seek effective curbs, the apex court considers stipulating guidelines to check misuse of such powers.

Indira Gandhi at her desk in 1984, with a portrait of Tagore on the wall.

When Tagore’s poem got the Indira touch

Indira Gandhi’s diligent edits on an English translation of the iconic poem “Ekla Chalo Re” reveal her latent literary sensibilities.

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India’s partnership with Israel: A tightrope between justice and self-interest

Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza poses a critical challenge to Modi’s diplomacy and pro-Israel stance.

Uttar Pradesh’s halal branding ban: Strategy to subjugate Muslims?

The ban stifles Muslim businesses, silencing their cultural voice through market control.

Ashutosh Sharma

The KJo phenomenon

A quarter-century in film paints Karan Johar a paradox: KJo the director finds courage in the shadow of KJo the producer.

Ishita Sengupta

Is Maharashtra playing politics with drought?

People and cattle suffer as political expediency trumps relief efforts in the drought-stricken State.

K.S. Radhakrishnan’s ‘On the Open Road’ a metaphor for his remarkable journey

The debut retrospective reiterates the strongest points of his oeuvre: exploration, fluidity, transgression, and unstinted joy in the force of life.

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V.K. Pandian: Odisha’s Chief Minister-in-waiting?

The former bureaucrat emerges as Naveen Patnaik’s trusted aide, affirming expectations of leading BJD after Patnaik’s retirement.

Aishwarya Mohanty

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Reclaiming constitutional democracy

The Great Indian Manthan is held together by a common concern about India’s democratic backsliding and a need to return to the constitutional vision.

Ajay Gudavarthy

Defying the destiny one is born into

Shastri Akella’s The Sea Elephants is relevant to everyone made to feel out of place simply because they are different.

Kushalrani Gulab

Holding up a mirror to society on same-sex desire

Edited by Ruth Vanita, On the Edge shows us the persistent biases that still affect the lives of homosexual couples.

A gritty Ramayana with Mumbai as backdrop and baddie

In Lindsay Pereira’s The Memoirs of Valmiki Rao, there are multiple enemies, and no winners.

Janhavi Acharekar

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‘Forty Years’: A Kashmiri story in translation

Translated from Kashmiri by Neerja Mattoo.

Animal and the alpha beta

The Sandeep Reddy Vanga film erupts beyond sexism, forcing a raw reckoning with modern Indian masculinity.

Prathyush Parasuraman

Editor’s Note: The rot runs deep in the Congress

Can the party reclaim its democratic space by shedding its white elephants and rogue commanders?

Letters

Readers respond.

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New books on the shelves

The final novel in a Partition trilogy, a study about how the Amar Chitra Katha series influenced young India, and much more.

‘The Dystopian Times’ by Appupen

Pro-BJP wave, not anti-Congress, powered 2023 Assembly election results

Modi’s popularity, welfare schemes, and women’s votes played key roles in the BJP victory. Here’s a deep-dive into the numbers and trends.

Mizoram: ZPM’s landslide victory signals clear mandate for change

The decisive victory of Zoram People’s Movement, led by Lalduhoma, rejects MNF and BJP’s Hindutva.

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When will the violence in Manipur end?

Peace will not come without acknowledging state complicity and making reparations, all while ensuring safety for the Zo community.

How Congress faltered in Madhya Pradesh despite respectable vote share

Rahul Gandhi’s focus on OBCs alienated tribal areas, while Chouhan’s “double engine” government and sops swayed a significant share of voters.

In Chhattisgarh, tribal discontent and unfulfilled promises seal Congress’ fate

The BJP’s win spotlights the effectiveness of its multi-pronged strategy, which leveraged the Modi factor, social media, and communal messaging.

Ashutosh Sharma

How Congress pulled off a morale-booster victory in Telangana

The historic win against the mighty BRS can alleviate some of the pain the party has endured from its decisive losses in three northern States.

Modi’s heartland sweep a warning sign for complacent Congress

Despite being widely seen as the frontrunner, Congress lost three key States due to its inability to adapt, a weakness it must address before 2024.

How BJP’s aggressive campaign exploited Congress’ weaknesses to secure decisive victory in Rajasthan

Energetic and forceful campaign, focus on corruption and communal issues propel BJP to victory while infighting and delayed response cripple Congress.

T.K. Rajalakshmi

Assembly elections 2023: How BJP turned Congress’ playbook against it

The results show that Modi and team used welfare guarantees and strategic alliances to consolidate power.

Henry Kissinger: Farewell to arms

The former US Secretary of State was widely reviled as a war criminal but much admired in the US.

Archive

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