Smriti covers an intersection of politics and governance. Having spent over a decade in journalism, she combines old fashioned leg work with modern story telling tools.
Articles by Smriti Kak Ramachandran
BJP leaders say caste survey won’t affect party’s electoral policies
BJP leaders have tried to turn the findings of the Bihar caste survey to their advantage, pointing out that these were not contrary to the party’s electoral policies
Updated on Oct 02, 2023 09:19 PM IST
Quota to be a poll plank but unclear if BJP will field more women candidates
While delimitation cannot be conducted till 2026, there is no word on when the census will be carried out
Updated on Oct 02, 2023 06:33 AM IST
BJP will override anti-incumbency to retain power in MP: VD Sharma
Amid reports of friction in the state unit and several state leaders pointing out concerns that the younger voters prefer a new face, Sharma refuted that there is a clamour for change in leadership, as ground reports suggest a “fatigue” factor associated with the incumbent CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan
Updated on Sep 28, 2023 05:48 PM IST
BJP central leadership steps in to mend ties with AIADMK
On Monday, the AIADMK left the BJP-led NDA, accusing the saffron party's Tamil Nadu leadership of ‘disrespecting’ AIADMK's leaders.
Updated on Sep 28, 2023 04:57 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
BJP may follow Madhya Pradesh template for other poll-bound states
The party plans to field Union ministers and lawmakers in upcoming polls in MP, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, following a successful template in MP.
Updated on Sep 27, 2023 05:16 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
BJP fields 3 Union ministers in second list of candidates for Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh Polls: Among the central ministers who have been given tickets are union Minister for agriculture, Narendra Singh Tomar.
Updated on Sep 25, 2023 10:30 PM IST
JD(S) joins NDA after HDK meets BJP brass
The JD(S) has agreed to join the ruling NDA for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in a political pact with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Updated on Sep 23, 2023 08:20 AM IST
Outrage as BJP’s South Delhi MP hurls religious slurs in Lok Sabha
BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri sparked controversy by directing religious slurs and hate speech towards BSP MP Danish Ali during a parliamentary session
Updated on Sep 23, 2023 12:51 AM IST
Danish Ali seeks privileges charge against Ramesh Bidhuri; BJP issues notice too
Ramesh Bidhuri’s offensive remarks were expunged by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla, who also issued a stern warning to the BJP MP
Updated on Sep 22, 2023 08:23 PM IST
Modi: Positive outlook by parties will infuse new energy in women
PM also said that the fruitful discussion on the women’s reservation bill in both Houses will create a “new self-confidence” in the people of the country
Updated on Sep 22, 2023 09:23 AM IST
Quota for women a reality as historic bill clears Parliament
The bill will now require President Droupadi Murmu’s signature and at least 50% of the states to approve the amendment to the Constitution
Updated on Sep 22, 2023 12:43 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
Rajya Sabha discusses India’s space journey
While addressing the Rajya Sabha, Union minister of science and technology Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said that Chandrayaan-3 has been a major leap in the country’s space programme
Updated on Sep 21, 2023 12:01 AM IST
Socialist, secular omitted from Constitution’s Preamble: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
The words “socialist” and “secular” were added in 1976 by the 42nd constitutional amendment to the Preamble of the Constitution
Published on Sep 20, 2023 11:28 AM IST
Congress flags unemployment and poverty as lingering challenges
Kharge reflected on the historic importance of Parliament and the Central Hall, and said there was a need to protect democracy, liberty and integrity
Published on Sep 20, 2023 01:02 AM IST
Tracking a momentous transition into the new temple of democracy
As they crossed the corridor that separates the new Parliament from the old, MPs took a step into history
Published on Sep 20, 2023 12:59 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
New Parliament gets off to a stormy start as Oppn and govt trade barbs
Union finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman criticised leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge for making “sweeping, generalised” comments
Published on Sep 20, 2023 12:56 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
Set aside differences, ensure passage of women’s bill, PM urges Rajya Sabha
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged members of the Rajya Sabha to pass the women’s reservation bill, which proposes 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Modi said the bill has been pending for decades and is a means to empower women. He credited the maturity of lawmakers in the Rajya Sabha for not letting party positions create an impediment. Despite not having the numbers on its side, the Union government has managed to pass contentious bills in the Upper House in the past nine years. Modi also spoke about the need to meet the aspirations of young Indians and achieve targets in a timebound way.
Updated on Sep 20, 2023 12:24 AM IST
Women’s quota bill cleared by Cabinet
The Union Cabinet on Monday evening approved a Constitution amendment bill to provide reservation for women in the national and state legislatures, officials familiar with the matter said, paving the way for the introduction of the landmark legislation in the ongoing special session of Parliament
Updated on Sep 19, 2023 12:12 AM IST
Women's reservation bill gets Cabinet nod at key meeting: Officials
Some BJP functionaries claimed that the new women's reservation bill won’t be identical to 2010 bill.
Updated on Sep 18, 2023 11:51 PM IST
At all-party meet, big push for women quota
The Opposition questioned the purpose of the session and said though initially it was stated there would be a 5-day session, it is not mentioned in the agenda.
Updated on Sep 18, 2023 06:35 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
BJP women wing drafts roadmap for 2024 elections
The Bharatiya Janata Party's mahila morcha is drafting a road map for the 2024 general elections to convert women's support for Prime Minister Modi into votes for the party. The party will focus on women voters in poll-bound states, sensitising them about welfare schemes and launching programs for their empowerment.
Updated on Sep 15, 2023 12:51 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
‘Monumental chapter’: BJP hails PM Modi over G20 Summit's success
The resolution said that party noted with “pride the impeccable leadership and unwavering commitment showcased by PM Modi at the summit”
Updated on Sep 14, 2023 01:13 AM IST
Special session: CEC bill, Parl’s 75-year history on the agenda
While the government has been tight-lipped about the details of the session, the Opposition has questioned the timing of the session and complained about not having been taken on board
Published on Sep 14, 2023 12:01 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
In MP, BJP campaign to focus on social welfare plans
The crux of the campaign will be the government’s thrust on social welfare and comparison between the Congress and BJP governments
Published on Sep 12, 2023 12:43 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
Part of special session is likely to be held in new Parliament building
The upcoming five-day special session of Parliament in India is likely to be partly held in the new Parliament building, which was inaugurated in May.
Updated on Sep 08, 2023 04:38 AM IST
Sonia Gandhi writes to PM Modi, lists issues for special Parliament session
Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding discussions on nine issues in the special Parl session.
Updated on Sep 07, 2023 04:44 AM IST
Parliamentary affairs minister responds to Sonia Gandhi’s letter to PM Modi
Parliamentary affairs minister Prahlad Joshi said that the special session of Parliament that has been scheduled for September 18-22 is not in contravention of rules and regulations and accused Sonia Gandhi of creating a controversy on the issue.
Updated on Sep 06, 2023 07:18 PM IST
BJP plays ‘collective leadership’ card to fill cracks in state units
A party leader said that efforts are being made to keep the factions together
Updated on Sep 05, 2023 03:10 AM IST
Govt names simultaneous polls panel; Adhir opts out
The Indian government has announced a committee to study the feasibility of simultaneous elections across the country.
Updated on Sep 03, 2023 01:45 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
Amit Shah, Adhir Ranjan, Ghulam Nabi in Kovind committee on simultaneous polls
The eight-member committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind is mandated to study the feasibility of ‘One Nation, Election’ proposal pitched as an electoral reform by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Updated on Sep 02, 2023 07:38 PM IST
