How did UP go from BJP’s biggest strength to its weakness?
The INDIA bloc succeeded in stoking a sense of insecurity among various caste groups, which fractured the broader Hindutva identity that had tethered them to the BJP for more than a decade
CM for 24 years and now just an MLA. Can Naveen revive BJD?
From heading Odisha for almost 25 years to struggling to hold his flock together, the 77-year-old leader faces an existential crisis unlike ever before
What India can learn from its chess success to create jobs
A key reason why we have such a massive problem with good jobs is because our economic thinking is still very elitist. The democratisation of chess can offer a solution
Will Modi change his politics in his third term? Very unlikely
As the BJP returns to power in a coalition, political scientist Neelanjan Sircar explains what went wrong with the party’s campaign and whether it will influence its future politics
- Arun GeorgeJairaj Singh
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Why Modi will have to learn to be a Vajpayee
Can he curb what many voters described as arrogance? Can he move beyond obvious attempts at communalising and polarising India? Can he learn to work with allies?
- Harinder Baweja
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
How just 6.2 lakh votes made it an NDA, not Modi, sarkar
In a nation of 97.6 crore voters, just about 6 lakh voters finally decided whether it would be an NDA, INDIA or Modi government that governs India for next five years
- Indrajeet Rai
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Is that cup of coffee making you anxious?
If you rely on caffeine to wake you up and keep you going, you aren’t alone. But it can pose problems too
- Hannah Singleton
- New York Times
How Modi has fortified NDA 3.0 for storms ahead
Large Modi ministry is as much about projecting internal strength as including new allies. It’s prep for Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Haryana polls. And it overwrites the north-south divide story
Why Rajasthan is BJP’s wake-up call
Fears of Rajput rage proved unfounded * Parachuting a Brahmin debutant MLA into the CM’s position proved costly * Party imported the ‘wrong’ caste leaders * It misjudged local political relations
Ab ki baar, soch vichar: Why BJP needs to introspect, adjust
Opposition has now doubled its strength, NDA allies who felt humiliated earlier will be far more assertive this time, and Modi will have to venture into uncharted territory and play a new role as negotiator
Maha debacle: What next for Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, Shinde?
Fadnavis was tasked to win 40+ seats to make BJP’s ‘abki baar 400 paar’ target possible. He broke one family, two parties and tied up with a third. Yet, the coalition he led (BJP+Shinde Sena+Ajit Pawar’s NCP) could win only 17. Where does he go from here?
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NGO makeovers are helping ‘sarkari’ schools shed stigma, boost enrollment
With colourful classrooms, teacher training and tech, some non-profits are trying to bring back pride in govt schools
- Ketaki Desai
- TNN
Typist’s mistake made me tax defaulter. I fought for 7 months to fix it
A simple typing mistake in his PAN – ‘D’ became ‘0’ – made a Kolkata man a defaulter in the eyes of the income tax department 14 years ago. He had to move heaven and earth to get it fixed. This is the second part of his story
- A taxpayer in Kolkata
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Why WHO says have water rather than cola: Is your diet cola carcinogenic?
Are toothpaste and diet cola putting you at risk? Learn about the possible cancer-causing link with synthetic sweetener aspartame.
- Sonalika Sinha
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
TDP effect: Muslim quota set to stay in AP, land prices jump in Amaravati
The impact of Chandrababu Naidu’s return is already being seen in two past policies - one of which ally BJP campaigned against actively.
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How Modi was punished by an India he ignored
The verdict does not only damn Modinomics, it drastically cuts his image to size
- Anastasia Piliavsky
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Has the narrative shifted? Will the unthinkable happen on June 4?
Whispers that the BJP is in trouble have gathered steam after five rounds of polling. Is the new narrative a ploy by the Opposition to fire up its support base or is winter coming for the ruling party?
- Sugata Srinivasaraju
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
How Rahul finally got it right in his fight against Modi
He has been at the forefront of a ‘guarantees’ based welfare policy and caste outreach, repeatedly arguing this was the only way to take on a no-holds-barred campaign of polarisation by BJP
How Tamil Nadu’s Golu dolls returned to their roots
Golu, a vibrant doll festival celebrated in South India, combines history, creativity, and tradition, featuring handmade clay dolls and festive gatherings.
- Saranya Chakrapani
- Times Network
Ignore the hate, embrace the present
The tragic effects of social media trolling: Stories of Ramya and Vinupriya highlight the urgent need for mental resilience and kindness.
- Times News Network
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Why we just can’t let bygones be bygones
Feeling nostalgic? Be careful what you do with it
- Mindfield
- TNN
UP vote for ‘Deemokrasi’
* Why temple didn’t work as a force multiplier for BJP * Why class & region were key voting determinants * Why checks & balances on power were a key voter concern
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Are the good times over for Indians seeking a better life abroad?
If you are dreaming of a cosy life abroad for your ward or looking to shift overseas yourself, exercise caution. The grass may no longer be greener on the other side
- Sanket Dhanorkar
- THE ECONOMIC TIMES
Has the narrative shifted? Will the unthinkable happen on June 4?
Whispers that the BJP is in trouble have gathered steam after five rounds of polling. Is the new narrative a ploy by the Opposition to fire up its support base or is winter coming for the ruling party?
- Sugata Srinivasaraju
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
How Modi was punished by an India he ignored
The verdict does not only damn Modinomics, it drastically cuts his image to size
- Anastasia Piliavsky
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
What pushed an 8-year-old to create an anti-bullying App?
Anoushka Jolly, once bullied, now empowers victims through "Kavach" App, tackling bullying and mental health globally.
- Ambika Pandit
- Times Network
‘From Day 1, Cong said it won’t touch AAP. Our stance has been vindicated’
Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa explains why an alliance with AAP was never going to work
What led to BJP’s debacle in Faizabad despite Ram Mandir?
Factors including SP’s caste gamble, widespread local resentment against land acquisition as well as BJP’s ‘arrogance’ seem to have worked against the saffron party in the temple town
- Team TOI Plus
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
When Yogi Adityanath almost lost the backing of BJP
A new book profiles the uneasy relationship the UP CM shares with the BJP leadership. With the party losing ground in the state and questions being raised again about his future, a look at how Yogi managed to retain his position in 2021
- Shyamlal Yadav
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
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Why Modi doesn't really need a makeover
Even though some of the more radical facets of his agenda will probably have to be put on the backburner, Modi will be misreading the verdict if he chooses to reinvent himself dramatically
Modi is used to brute majorities. Can he run a coalition govt?
The BJP’s vulnerability has been exposed. The plunge from 303 seats in 2019 is a wake-up call. The fall is steeper than even the BJP’s fall under AB Vajpayee from 182 seats in 1999 to 138 in 2004
- Minhaz Merchant
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Man with Modified mandate
Apart from a stronger and more aggressive opposition, Narendra Modi also will also have to contend with allies who may not be in sync with everything on the BJP’s agenda.
- Team TOI
- TNN
How to manage finances after you turn 80
Super seniors need to simplify ways of transferring assets to heirs, find a middle path between financial freedom and dependence on children, and ensure sustenance for spouse after passing
- Uma Shashikant
- THE ECONOMIC TIMES
Why India’s political reset isn’t a growth killer
Coalition governments were the norm for 25 years before Narendra Modi’s arrival. Investors need to get used to them again
- Andy Mukherjee
- Bloomberg
How two Bhopal children orphaned by Covid are rebuilding their lives
Orphaned by Covid, Vanisha Pathak excelled academically, scoring 99.8% in Class X, driven by her parents' dream of IIT.
- Ramendra Singh
- Times Network
Why did Cong’s revival not reach MP?
Shivraj to CM, state BJP leaders campaigned vigorously, the party’s booth-level management was superb. Congress has stayed demoralised since its assembly rout, lacked clear leadership
How MVA bested Mahayuti
BJP took the fallout of Maratha protests * As also of farmer distress * Ram Mandir didn’t click * Sharad Pawar glue proved the strongest * Just as it did in 1998
How angry farmers left BJP at the mercy of allies
The Modi govt repealed its ‘pro-market’ farm laws after the 2020-21 protests but didn’t try to regain farmers’ trust. As a result, BJP’s vote share in rural areas has reduced from 39.5% in 2019 to 35% now. It has lost around 40 seats in the protest belts and become dependent on allies in its third term
- Team TOI Plus
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Kejriwal’s troubles mount as AAP’s plea falls on deaf ears
AAP portrayed the Delhi chief minister’s arrest in the liquor policy case as vendetta politics by BJP. However, the slogan of ‘jail ka jawab vote se’ failed to yield a mandate for the party
How Akhilesh’s PDA strategy turned the tables on BJP
Samajwadi Party’s stunning win in Uttar Pradesh mirrors Akhilesh Yadav’s Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak pitch: 86% of its MPs are OBCs, Dalits and Muslims
- Pankaj Shah
- TNN
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