Why Modi’s Myanmar visit signals the beginning of a realignment
Some time in the middle of June 1950, when the sacred relics of Buddha’s two chief disciples Moggallana and Sariputta had already travelled all over Myanmar for about two months, the Cultural Studies Group of the Rangoon Ramakrishna Mission Society convened an international conference on India’s cultural and civilisational linkages …
At last! Lifting the curtain on Sardar Patel’s legacy
‘Sardar Patel’s actions must continue to inspire those who have worked for change today and those who aspire to alter the strangling status quo in our national life,’ says Dr Anirban Ganguly. A pensive Dr Rajendra Prasad, writing a little over a decade after India’s Independence, noted with great sadness how …
West Bengal and the expanding radical space
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s offer of central assistance in arresting the downward slide in West Bengal and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s ongoing trip to the state and his asking for Mamata’s cooperation in handling the situation and in dissolving the anti-national and inter-country network of jihad that has now …
Can Congress hear Assam’s wake up call now?
Just about four years ago, between August and October 2008, around 70 people were killed in clashes between the Bodos and the Muslims in the northern Assam districts of Udalhuri and Darrang. The clashes had seen 100,000 people rendered homeless on either side. The Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government in Assam, …
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 …