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Sharat Pradhan

Sharat Pradhan

Journalist and political analyst

sharatpradhan2016@gmail.com

The writer is a senior journalist and political analyst based in Lucknow.

By Sharat Pradhan

For Unnao rape victim, what good governance? If a CBI probe overseen by Supreme Court is her only hope, that says a lot

Kuldeep Sengar is finally expelled from the BJP and the UP authorities give the Unnao rape case sudden attention after the SC takes cognisance. The contrast with earlier is striking.

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Why Yogi Adityanath's silence on BJP MLA hounding his daughter reflects double standards

Despite the UP govt's efforts to garner Dalit votes ahead of the elections, the BJP MLA's daughter being hounded for marrying a Dalit man seems to evoke only silence from the CM.

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SP-BSP break-up: Why Mayawati's fresh hostility against former 'bhatija' Akhilesh Yadav is no surprise

The 'gathbandhan' between 'bua' Maya and 'bhatija' Akhilesh was based on the shaky ground of mutual distrust and political desperation. It had to collapse, with Mayawati blaming Akhilesh.

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That fuzzy 'anti-national': Yogi Adityanath’s diktat to private universities in UP is confounding many, and scaring some

UP CM’s recent ordinance, banning ‘anti-national’ activities on campuses, has left many wondering just why such an order was needed when there are already sufficient laws on this?

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A Hindutva Tadka: How Yogi Adityanath added a dash of heated Hindutva to PM Modi's campaign

If religion rode over caste in Uttar Pradesh, it was Yogi’s doing. His success has only strengthened his personal political bastion now.

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White Elephant, Punctured Bike: How Uttar Pradesh voters jolted the Gathbandhan and the Congress hard

Not only does the gathbandhan stand decimated in Uttar Pradesh, but the Congress has also suffered its worst defeat here. That's despite the starry addition of Priyanka Gandhi.

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I, Me, Modi: Why Narendra Modi made Lok Sabha 2019 all about the Nehru-Gandhi family, Pakistan and himself

Has Narendra Modi's key strategy been self-glorification, combined with the vilification of Pakistan and the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty?

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In Vajpayee's Footsteps: Why Rajnath Singh is striking a chord in Lucknow, just like a former BJP leader

Singh is reaching out to every section of society, including Muslims, despite knowing he stands a very easy chance at winning.

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Bright Spark: Why Priyanka Gandhi could herald the revival of Congress’ traditional vote base in Uttar Pradesh

From communication to charisma and confidence, Priyanka has it all. Her arrival has rejuvenated the UP Congress and unsettled the saffron ranks.

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Mandal vs Kamandal 2.0: How the SP-BSP alliance has challenged the BJP, again

The SP-BSP together have shown BJP defeat in earlier times. But what will happen to the Muslim vote in the face of this alliance? Will the Congress be a surprise beneficiary?

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Can a CBI crackdown on 'corruption' in Akhilesh Yadav's regime prevent an SP-BSP tie-up in UP?

The CBI allegedly being used to settle political scores surprises few. But the question many are asking is, is the target Akhilesh, but the message for Mayawati?

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Bulandshahr violence: As new 'key accused' keep emerging, is someone shielding the real culprits?

The investigation of a riot and the murder of a police official has disgorged various so-called conspirators and killers. We won't be surprised if the narrative comes up with more new names, and perhaps, less truth.

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Why so mean? Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati's purported seat sharing looks unfair to Rahul Gandhi's Congress

The SP-BSP combine can't judge the Congress on its 2014 tally, and their own selves on earlier, better records.

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Ahead of Lok Sabha 2019 polls, BJP must rethink Yogi Adityanath's brand of Hindutva politics

During the Assembly polls in 2018, the BJP banked heavily on the polarisation of the Hindu vote. That hasn't worked. Can it afford to do so in the upcoming contest too?

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Assembly polls results: How December 11 can decide the political future of Uttar Pradesh - and our next government

A mahagathbandhan formed around a resurgent Congress can be very different from the floppy efforts we have seen so far.

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Was a Muzaffarnagar-like conspiracy behind the Bulandshahr violence?

Ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the communal factory is doing its bit for their own vested interests.

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Ayodhya show of strength: Shiv Sena scores over VHP’s damp squib

The VHP-RSS failed to give their followers anything new, even as Uddhav took the fight straight to PM Modi’s door.

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Will Yogi Adityanath be able to make a difference for BJP in poll-bound states?

The UP chief minister is expected to come in handy to take the attention of the people away from real issues into the realm of Hindutva.

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Faizabad becomes Ayodhya: Why we are not surprised at all this time

Awadh’s first nawab Saadat Ali Khan, who built Faizabad in 1730, made no attempt to give any new name to Ayodhya.

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Private member Bill on Ram temple issue: Ahead of polls, desperate bid by BJP to keep supporters in good humour

The saffron party is trying to force the Opposition’s hand on the big question — whether they are for or against the temple.

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Why Ayodhya is high up on the BJP's political agenda once again

The saffron party expects the Ram Mandir issue to fetch it great political dividends. But it will have to fight off challengers and rivals.

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SP, BSP not to fight with Congress in three state elections: How much will this influence poll results?

How effective would a mahagathbandhan have been be in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh anyway?

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Killing of Apple techie by trigger-happy, corrupt UP police raises many questions

This malaise can be tackled only if governments follow guidelines laid down by Supreme Court.

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Is Mayawati overestimating herself or is she under BJP pressure?

Political analysts view Mayawati’s move as a blow to the much-speculated mahagathbandhan.

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‘Bua’ Mayawati snubs Chandrashekhar: A new battle for Dalit votes in Uttar Pradesh

The Bhim Army chief is out of jail because the BJP did not wish to appear ‘anti-Dalit’. What will his release mean for the party, and for the Mahagathbandhan’?

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Shivpal Yadav’s revolt against Akhilesh and Samajwadi Party is first jolt to formation of ‘mahagathbandhan’

A weakened SP on account of the visible cracks, may not really be able to give the BJP a run for its money.

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Why the Yogi Adityanath government is in an overdrive to claim Atal Bihari Vajpayee's legacy

It seems the party somewhere realises that all is not as hunky dory in Uttar Pradesh as it was in 2014.

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How Gwalior-born Vajpayee became Lucknow's favourite boy

Irrespective of who was in power, Vajpayee’s recommendations for his constituency would never be ignored.

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Chilling details of Deoria shelter home case highlight the police-political-criminal network

Whether CM Yogi Adityanath actually means business and will succeed in bringing an end to such crimes is something only time will tell.

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What Uttar Pradesh's cash-for-encounter raj says about Yogi Adityanath

The government only wants to create a perception that it is serious about tackling law and order.

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