Abhilash Khandekar

After forcing Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, the Cockroach Janata Party faces a defining choice: remain an independent citizens’ watchdog or risk losing its credibility by entering electoral politics. Minutes after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned ‘on his own’, a friend from Delhi who understands politics very well called me in an exalted voice. Having followed Indian politics closely for over 60 years, the businessman felt the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) would win 100 seats across India in...

A retired general’s unpublished memoir has succeeded in briefly forcing India’s lawmakers to argue with ideas rather than one another. I love following Indian politics from close quarters, however dirty, self-seeking and theatrical it may be. Yet I am drawn less to its daily intrigue than to the aroma of books and the knowledge-filled contents they carry. Between beautiful books and pitiable politics, books win hands down. Consider, for a moment, the power of the written word. One is reminded...

Gita Gopinath’s remark on pollution at Davos punctured India’s celebratory mood, exposing a far deadlier crisis than tariffs or trade wars. The recent World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos was expected to ruffle the feathers of Indian politicians in the least. Most were making merry there, besides attracting ‘large’ investments into India. They have succeeded in that endeavour, as we were told. Some were there with families and must have enjoyed the beauty of the world-famous Alps region...