Smriti Kak Ramachandran

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

The Bihar government on Monday released the first set of data of the caste-based enumeration-2022. (Santosh Kumar / Hindustan Times)
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

Ahmedabad, Sep 26 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi being garlanded by BJP women supporters during the Nari Shakti Vandan - Abhinandan Karyakram, in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. (ANI Photo) (Bhupendra Patel twitter)
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

Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Madhya Pradesh unit president VD Sharma (Twitter Photo)
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.

The party has begun a stocktaking exercise of the events that led to the allies falling out, party functionaries said, adding that a union minister, who is a senior party leader, is expected to submit a report on the ground situation, the concerns of the former ally, and the response from the party cadre. (HT Archive)
Updated on Sep 28, 2023 04:57 AM IST

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.

Fielding Union ministers and lawmakers is also expected to blunt anti-incumbency against the sitting legislators (PTI)
Updated on Sep 27, 2023 05:16 AM IST

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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being felicitated by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar during the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 'Karyakarta Mahakumbh', at the Jamboree Ground, in Bhopal.(HT Photo)
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).

BJP president JP Nadda, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy and home minister Amit Shah on Friday. (PTI)
Updated on Sep 23, 2023 08:20 AM IST
By, , Bengaluru/new Delhi

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

BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri speaks in the Lok Sabha during a special session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Sept. 21(PTI)
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

BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri speaks in the Lok Sabha during a special session of Parliament in New Delhi on Sept. 21 (PTI)
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

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in the Rajya Sabha on Women's Reservation Bill during the Special Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI)
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

MPs in the Rajya Sabha following the voting on Women's Reservation Bill during the Special Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Thursday.(ANI Photo/SansadTV)
Updated on Sep 22, 2023 12:43 AM IST

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

On August 23, Isro created history by successfully landing the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft near the lunar south pole. (PTI)
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

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury holding a copy of the Constitution. (PTI)
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

Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge speaks in the House during the Special Session at the new Parliament building on Tuesday. (ANI)
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

A view of the new Parliament building. (PTI)
Published on Sep 20, 2023 12:59 AM IST

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

The government side took umbrage at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s comment that all political parties tend to choose “kamzor (weak) women candidates (PTI)
Published on Sep 20, 2023 12:56 AM IST

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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (ANI)
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

HT Image
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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs Union Cabinet meeting in New Delhi on Monday, ( HT PHOTO)
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.

The tricolour atop the new Parliament building. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)
Updated on Sep 18, 2023 06:35 AM IST

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.

The first phase of the road map will be rolled out in the five poll-bound states of Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Rajasthan (HT File Photo)
Updated on Sep 15, 2023 12:51 AM IST

‘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”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with BJP national president JP Nadda at the BJP headquarters, in New Delhi (PTI)
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

The central government has called the special session from September 18 to 22 (HT Photo)
Published on Sep 14, 2023 12:01 AM IST

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

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaign for assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh later this year will be built around 4-5 themes to convey the state and Union government’s achievements, their spending on social welfare, particularly for women and marginalised sections, and other pro-people initiatives, said leaders aware of the details. (HT Photo)
Published on Sep 12, 2023 12:43 AM IST

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.

Lok Sabha officials said the new building is fully prepared for hosting the special session, the agenda for which is yet to be disclosed by the union government. (AFP)
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.

Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi . (File photo)
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.

Parliamentary affairs minister Prahlad Joshi. (File Photo)
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

In poll-bound states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana, where there are multiple claimants for the top job, the central leadership has sidestepped the issue of picking faces for the elections by making room for several leaders in its outreach plans, even as it maintains that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his pro-people policies will be at the core of the election campaign. (File photo)
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.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. (ANI)
Updated on Sep 03, 2023 01:45 AM IST

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

Former president Ramnath Kovind (File Photo)
Updated on Sep 02, 2023 07:38 PM IST
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