Opinion: How BJP Is Trying To Counter Farmer Anger In Western UP

Saba Naqvi | Tuesday February 08, 2022

In the all-important bellwether state of Uttar Pradesh, the Opposition appears to have a better chance than was anticipated a few months ago.

Opinion: Akhilesh Yadav's Gained Some Oomph. But Can He Close?

Saba Naqvi | Monday January 17, 2022

The big takeaway is that there appears to be much splintering within the voter blocs that were essential to the BJP's caste rainbow in the last state election.

Opinion: In Varanasi, Priests Of 2 Key Temples Speak Against BJP

Saba Naqvi | Tuesday January 11, 2022

The Kashi corridor is the latest monument in town, one that is expected to consolidate the political Hindutva sentiment and shore up the image of the Prime Minister in what is turning out to be a tougher election than the BJP expected some months ago

Why BJP Stronghold Agra Is Having Second Thoughts - by Saba Naqvi

Saba Naqvi | Tuesday November 30, 2021

As the sun sets on the Taj Mahal, casting light and shadows, a small hotelier from a trading caste who too was once enthusiastic about the BJP says there has been too much financial and personal loss for him to keep the faith.

Opinion: Rishi Kapoor Starrer "Mulk" Raises Uncomfortable Questions

Saba Naqvi | Friday August 03, 2018

What is the fate of a joint family in the Madangir area of Varanasi, when one member is discovered to have become a terrorist and killed soon after?

'Agli Bari, Atal Bihari': Vajpayee's Sparkling Repartee

Saba Naqvi | Thursday June 14, 2018

Exclusive excerpt from Saba Naqvi's book 'Shades of Saffron: From Vajpayee to Modi'

Opinion: BJP Puts The Squeeze On Nitish Kumar; The Pressure's Showing

Saba Naqvi | Wednesday March 21, 2018

Nitish Kumar, the man once seen as a potential Third Front's Prime Minister remains a Chief Minister - and is at a historic low in his career. As the country heads towards the 2019 general election, the BJP is not inclined to give him too many seats in Bihar, arguing that arguing that he is not a vote-catcher anymore.

Opinion: The Mis-Telling Of The Dalit Vs Upper Caste Clashes In Maharashtra

Saba Naqvi | Wednesday January 03, 2018

There is something deeply disturbing about the manner in which sections of television media have projected the events that incited clashes between Dalits and Marathas in Maharashtra.

Opinion: Why Modi Is Resorting To Claims Of Pak Fixing Gujarat Result

Saba Naqvi | Monday December 11, 2017

In the early leg of the Gujarat campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi played with a fairly straight bat and spoke of vikas, the wonders of Narmada Ma, roads, electricity, increased crop production and himself. But as the election enters its last leg, a familiar actor has entered the poll rhetoric: Pakistan.

Opinion: BJP Needs The Full Modi Persona To Win Gujarat This Time

Saba Naqvi | Tuesday December 05, 2017

There is therefore an overall mood of economic disenchantment that can only be countered by the persona of Narendra Modi. But then, he is no longer the Chief Minister, and the man holding that post, Vijay Rupani, does not register as a leader in the state. Therefore, questions remain about how effectively the energetic Modi campaign can shore up the fort in the last l...

Opinion: From CM To PM, Modi's Campaign Style In Gujarat Has Evolved

Saba Naqvi | Monday December 04, 2017

No question that Modi remains the most extra-ordinary figure in Indian politics, a man who made it on his own terms. The BJP's internal assessment is that there is a breach in the Patel votes but they expect other social groups to compensate for a loss of Patel votes.