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Friday, April 10, 2026
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National Interest

44 years on, two things that have changed in Modi’s BJP, and one that hasn’t

As the BJP heads for a likely third successive term in power, it's fascinating to debate how true it looks to the original proposition: a party with a difference.

Opposition is fighting to limit Modi, not defeat him. And survive nuclear winter

Oppn believes revelations about electoral bonds & idea of BJP’s ‘washing machine’ is a campaign pitch with some oomph. But most Oppn leaders still look at the picture more soberly.

Modi & 600 lawyers unite to ‘protect’ judiciary, but who’s threatening it? Read between the lines

Modi's reference to the 'committed judiciary' takes us back to the 1970s, when Indira Gandhi’s government twice superseded senior judges while appointing the Chief Justice of India.

For BJP, Kejriwal is an idea whose time has come to be destroyed

The ‘idea’ Kejriwal's politics grew around was a no-holds-barred fight against corruption. That is the reason Modi govt has now tarred him and his entire party with the same paint.

CAA comes not with a bang, but with a whimper. Without NRC, it will fade into academic debate

For BJP, CAA was strategic move that did not quite work out because those it would benefit could’ve been accommodated under existing laws, and new entrants would remain excluded.

Modi’s not just campaigning for 3.0, he’s laying the groundwork for 4.0. Age is no bar

Leaders with ‘mileage’ believe they can overcome age and vintage. Think Xi, Biden, Trump, going ahead Erdoğan & Putin and now, we have sufficient evidence to say, Narendra Modi.

Why do political leaders defect or stay? Look beyond obvious answers of ideology, money, power

Indian politics wouldn’t be a fraction as fascinating as it is if it did not defy any idea that looks obvious or an answer that begins with ‘of course’.

Reforming UPSC, ending China-Pak curse, reviving farm reforms — to-do list for Modi 3.0

A final view on who is OBC, electoral reforms, abolition of anti-defection law & introduction of Universal Basic income are among the key goals PM should pursue if he wins a 3rd term.

Pakistanis voted against their army for the first time. The democracy is both dead and alive

This is the first time in its history that Pakistan’s people have risen to vote against Army & defeat it. If this isn’t a win for democracy, how would you describe it?

3 blunders by Indira, Rajiv, Vajpayee, Advani that changed Indian politics & here’s the worst

Indira Gandhi targeting RSS during Emergency & legitimising it, Rajiv giving up mandate in 1989, and Vajpayee, Advani advancing general elections – these errors changed the course of India’s politics.

On Camera

Tamil Nadu’s elections are fought on delivery—ideology appears only when needed

Electoral competition now appears dominated by welfare delivery and governance metrics, but ideology has not disappeared in Tamil Nadu. Instead, it has become strategic.

Data centre gold rush risks blackouts, central electricity body warns states against tripping grids

India’s fast-growing data centre sector may strain state electricity networks; Central Electricity Authority has urged Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu to boost capacity.

Theaterisation proposal to be shared with defence ministry in a week or so—CDS Gen Anil Chauhan

Theaterisation, which aims to divide the forces into three theatres with specific areas of responsibility, will become the single most far-reaching reform that the Indian military has witnessed since independence.

China insulated itself against energy shocks. India is ‘all talk, no walk’

China patiently invested capital, skill and technology in coal gasification. Unlike it, we won’t move from words to action. As crude prices decline, we lose interest.