Mainstream Weekly

Myanmar: One Gentle Step at a Time

Sandeep Shastri — 2016-05-16T22:08:52Z

The newly elected NLD Government has now been in power in Myanmar for just over a month. Its historic win in the November 2015 elections was a categorical vote in favour of democratisation and transition away from military rule. Under the leadership of its charismatic leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the NLD was seen as a symbol of change and a harbinger of democratic transformation. There were immense hurdles along the way. The military continued to hold one-fourth of the seats in the (…)

- 2016

What makes the ISIS more dangerous than Al-Qaeda?

Sandeep Shastri — 2016-01-30T21:58:04Z

In his final State of the Union address, Barak Obama mentioned that the ISIS does not pose a threat to the US. This comes at a time when we have witnessed two back-to-back attacks, one in Istanbul and another one in Jakarta. Over the past six months we have seen a string of ISIS-led attacks in Paris and Beirut—all proving the serious threat the group poses. Looking at what has transpired over the last six months, Obama's statement cannot be farther from the truth.
A closer study of the (…)

- 2016

Myanmar's Tryst With Democracy — The Road Ahead

Sandeep Shastri — 2015-12-06T18:50:50Z

Myanmar is clearly at the cusp of momen-tous change. The excitement and sense of anticipation among the citizens in the country are palpably visible. In its journey of transition to democracy, the much-heralded elections of November 8, were a very important milestone. In the last leg of November, when conducting a training workshop for some newly elected representatives to the Parliament and State Legislatures in Myanmar, one could glimpse in the glint in their eyes their hope and vision for (…)

- 2015

Karnataka: The BJP Juggernaut Stumbles Along

Sandeep Shastri — 2012-08-17T10:09:02Z

Karnataka politics has not seen a dull moment in the past four years. Ever since the BJP formed its first government south of the Vindhyas, there have been those exhilaratingly ‘high‘ moments and the abysmally ‘low‘ tumbles for the party. The rapid twists and the silent turns, the amazing political somersaults and the smooth shifts in alliances within the party have all been part of that tantalizingly gripping political drama called the ‘BJP as a ruling party in Karnataka‘. Having changed (…)

- 2012

Karnataka: A Fresh Setback and New Political Opportunities

Sandeep Shastri — 2012-05-28T12:38:07Z

During the last fortnight, the CEC report submitted to the Supreme Court allowed the central BJP leadership to heave a deep sigh of relief. Ironically, the recommendation of the CEC for a CBI probe into mining and related irregularities, involving former Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa, provided a (brief) moment of respite in what appeared to be an unending factional fight in the Karnataka BJP. In a rare display of apparent unity, the State BJP troika consisting of the former CM, the (…)

- 2012

In God We Trust … Rest Strictly Cash!!

Sandeep Shastri — 2011-07-20T11:00:12Z

The politics of Karnataka has verily become the theatre of the absurd! Having been ‘sworn- in‘ three years ago to govern the State, the political leadership was heading for a ‘swear- out‘ at Dharmasthala, an important seat of religion and spirituality in the State. This was to affirm one's commitment to the truth. The Chief Minister (B.S. Yeddyurappa) challenging a former Chief Minister (H.D. Kumaraswamy) to testify before God at Dharmasthala by means of a government advertisement in all (…)

- 2011

We will Miss your Presence, Jain Sir

Sandeep Shastri — 2010-12-01T00:06:02Z

TRIBUTE
L.C. Jain Sir is no more…. a fact impossible to digest and believe. I was numbed into silence when I was first informed by a friend about his passing away… it appeared as if I had just spoken to him… his persuasive voice complimenting me for a very tentative article that I wrote and knew had serious limitations... he would have none of it and put a smile on my face with his genuine appreciation. When I informed friends about him no longer being with us, the response from all was (…)

- 2010

Karnataka Politics: The Road Taken and the Journey Ahead

Sandeep Shastri — 2010-10-14T02:04:16Z

Karnataka politics has been in the national limelight for a slew of reasons. The fact that the first BJP Government south of the Vindhyas has completed an eventful and tumultuous two years in office has by itself attracted the spotlight of attention. The periodic volcanoes that erupted in the political world created a heat that generated tremendous curiosity and excitement about the future of the State Government in particular and the direction of politics in Karnataka in general. The scams (…)

- 2010

Karnataka: A Loud Wake-up Call

Sandeep Shastri — 2010-09-28T10:52:44Z

Karnataka was witness to hectic electoral activity in the last few weeks on account of the two by-elections to the State Assembly. These by-elections were held in two different corners of the State. One was held in northern Karnataka and the other in south Karnataka. The results would require all the major political forces in the State to do some serious soul-searching. The incumbent party has lost in both the seats. Does it signifiy anti-incumbency? Not necessarily. The incumbency factor (…)

- 2010

The Fine Art of Government Formation

Sandeep Shastri — 2009-06-06T16:47:16Z

The formation of the Union Council of Ministers is an exercise in astute political gymnastics. The Congress President, the Prime Minister and their close confidants have demonstrated their shrewd political skills in being able to stitch together a Union Council of Ministers which is a ‘please-all‘ Ministry. Allies have been accommodated, interests within the party have been appeased, regional needs have been acknowledged and youth has been accorded its due place. There are murmurs of some (…)

- June 2009