Fatal Attrition

The Karpoori Thakur Effect

Why Bihar’s icon deserves the Bharat Ratna

Maratha Knots

The promise of extending quotas to Kunbi-Marathas

Hemant Soren Lost and Found

Why Nitish Seems Ready to Return to NDA

Bihar CM’s return as JD(U) chief set into motion yet another re-alignment in Patna as Congress’s refusal to consider Kumar for a key role in INDIA alliance irked the party

A Muddled Message

The squabbling opposition alliance poses little threat to the ruling coalition

Mandal seeks a comeback against Kamandal

The opposition hopes the Bihar caste survey will revive the Mandal debate but BJP’s Hindutva-plus model has changed the ground rules

I.N.D.I.A. and Its Discontents

An Opposition alliance has unseated a strong incumbent at the Centre only when it has had a promise to sell and a charismatic leader. The anti-Modi alliance has neither while its own contradictions threaten to pull it apart

Putin’s Stakes

The recent visit of North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong-Un to Russia is being viewed from varying perspectives

Guessing Games

Modi has displayed a capacity for springing surprises