Is Mamata Banerjee’s remark about Bengal saving India a declaration of national ambition? We can’t say. But she’s raced ahead of other challengers of Modi. Modi vs Mamata 2024 is an interesting idea but its time hasn’t yet come. That would need a diverse coalition with a Congress buy in.
If SC ends anonymity over electoral bonds, EC’s stature will automatically be redeemed
The venerable Election Commission is pleading with the Supreme Court to protect its image by erasing Madras High Court’s damning remarks. Here’s a two-in-one idea: SC should lift the evil veil of anonymity over electoral bonds. Will redeem ECI’s stature and its own too. Open that can of worms now.
India doesn’t need another national lockdown. It needs local ones and faster vaccination
Knee-jerk calls for a national lockdown to contain infections are misplaced. Such a blunt instrument can harm as much as it can help, especially when there are no systems to safeguard livelihoods. India needs a smart, flexible strategy of local lockdowns and containment zones. And an accelerated vaccination pan-nationally.