What are Mamata’s political options now?
Political equations are changing rapidly and post the monsoon session, national politics seems to be poised for another swivel. Can the West Bengal chief minister handle it, asks Anirban Ganguly. Even as she loudly applauds the first ‘Bengali’ President at his swearing-in, Mamata Banerjee will perhaps be plotting her next …
Purno Sangma: The rise and the tumble
After the presidential poll, Sangma may well realise that ‘miracles’ and ‘conscience’ do not really exist, especially in Indian politics, they have long become extinct, says Anirban Ganguly. Purno Agitok Sangma’s finest moment — according to his own admission — came when he, an ordinary person, ‘a tribal from the …
Notes from past: President as holder of other offices
Our current presidential candidates can perhaps take a cue from history and subject themselves to greater self-examination and scrutiny; it will surely augur well for the dignity of the exalted office that they so eagerly aspire for, says Anirban Ganguly. Despite their — at times — acute political differences and …
Pranab: Inflation, self-reliance and Reliance
Anirban Ganguly recounts moments from the past when Pranab Mukherjee had to face uncomfortable questions from opposition MPs. In view of spiraling prices, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had to make a statement in the House on the price situation. In his characteristic manner, marshalling statistics, he ended his statement by …
Why the Comrades will support Pranab
Pranab Mukherkee’s remarkably workable political relationship with the Left is will known in Bengali political lore as is his animosity with Mamata Banerjee, says Anirban Ganguly. Their public posturing notwithstanding the Left has always had a remarkably workable political relationship with Pranab Mukherjee. Old timers’ recall how a callow Pranab …
Political uncertainty over prez polls is a Cong trait
It has always been in the nature of the Congress to ensure that the entire process of electing the President be mired in uncertainty, one-upmanship, official confusion and rumour-mongering. Anirban Ganguly recalls an instance from the early days of the republic. Presidential elections in India have never been a happy …
Official Apathy Towards Culture InIndia
Culture and cultural institutions in India have begun to bear the brunt of official apathy. In a strange turn of events the present government has reduced the allocation for 2012-13 for the Ministry of Culture. It is indeed unimaginable that in a country likeIndiawhich retains an unparalleled cultural and civilisational …