Manish Chandra Pandey is a Lucknow-based Senior Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times’ political bureau in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Along with political reporting, he loves to write offbeat/human interest stories that people connect with. Manish also covers departments. He feels he has a lot to learn not just from veterans, but also from newcomers who make him realise that there is so much to unlearn.
Articles by Manish Chandra Pandey
Mission 2024:Maya in denial mode again even as top Oppn leader says doors not closed on anyone
On Wednesday, BSP chief Mayawati again denied a fresh buzz, driven by a section of the media which was centred around Samajwadi Party (SP) chief general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav’s reported efforts to broker an arrangement for Maya’s entry into the opposition alliance. She also questioned SP’s silence on the buzz.
Updated on Oct 12, 2023 06:44 AM IST
WOMEN’S RESERVATION: Over 1 lakh Muslim women from Uttar Pradesh to send “thank you” letters to Modi
The drive is part of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s efforts to galvanise the community’s women to thank the PM for steps like Women’s Reservation and a host of other measures, including making triple talaq, the instant divorce practice, punishable under law.
Updated on Oct 08, 2023 08:18 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
Bihar government move on caste census puts spotlight on Uttar Pradesh
These BJP allies from east Uttar Pradesh are unanimous that only a caste count could establish the numerical strength of each caste.
Published on Oct 03, 2023 05:00 PM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
UP conundrum: Smaller BJP allies rally behind caste survey
Political experts felt that the BJP could rely on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, its most charismatic leader
Updated on Oct 03, 2023 08:00 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
Suspense builds over ministerial berth for Chauhan, Rajbhar
A section of party leaders, who were skeptical of their re-entry, now feel that these leaders have outlived their utility.
Published on Sep 28, 2023 05:11 PM IST
Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, RSS set to step up mass-connect campaigns in U.P.
Within the RSS, the focus on enlisting ideologically aligned youths who, so far, have known the organisation from afar– a key point that emerged during Bhagwat’s meetings–is set to gain traction from October.
Updated on Sep 27, 2023 08:50 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
We want to take everyone along, even critics: Bhagwat
The RSS chief or “sarsanghchalak’”, as he is referred to by the Sangh cadres, said this while interacting with professionals and intellectuals – something that he often does at the end of his visits
Published on Sep 26, 2023 12:20 AM IST
RSS to step up campaign against religious conversions, focus on social harmony
It has also been decided that the RSS would press the accelerator on its campaign to enlist ideologically inclined youths. The process would gain momentum in the coming months
Published on Sep 24, 2023 11:15 PM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
The enduring enigma called Azam Khan
In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls too, SP will use Azam and his son to campaign for the party, SP leaders indicated
Published on Sep 15, 2023 03:01 PM IST
Ghosi result set to rekindle loyalists vs turncoats debate
BJP candidate Dara Singh Chauhan and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar were the two principal characters whose performance was on test in this bypoll. Both are OBC leaders and known turncoats.
Published on Sep 09, 2023 11:14 PM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
Our leadership takes care of loyalists, says Dinesh Sharma
I’ve been campaigning for the cause of the party and our ideology; we also raised slogans against the Congress while campaigning for our party since childhood, says BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP
Published on Sep 09, 2023 12:27 AM IST
BJP fortifies east Uttar Pradesh, faces challenges on western front on road to 2024 Lok Sabha polls
The challenges in western Uttar Pradesh, which has a sizeable Muslim population, are unlike those in east U.P, where the BJP’s campaign has been boosted by the homecoming of OBC leaders like Dara Singh Chauhan
Updated on Sep 05, 2023 12:30 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
No one untouchable…in politics, all possibilities are possible, says UP BJP chief
In an interview with HT, Uttar Pradesh BJP president Bhupendra Chaudhary reflects on his one year in office.
Updated on Aug 24, 2023 07:05 PM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
Ghosi bypoll: Mini political contest high on symbolism
BJP candidate Dara Singh Chauhan filed his nomination papers for the bypoll to Ghosi Assembly seat. In 2022 UP polls, he had won the seat on Samajwadi Party symbol
Updated on Aug 16, 2023 11:15 PM IST
Last I-Day before 2024 polls: Large dose of nationalism on offer
The I-Day campaign, the last ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, is focused at connecting with the masses on the emotive issue, which is also in sync with BJP’s larger push centering around ‘rashtrawaad’ (nationalism). Over the next three days, the BJP and its allies would be part of this outreach that would manifest itself through ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ - which basically means a Tricolour fluttering at each house,
Updated on Aug 14, 2023 12:26 AM IST
Amethi, Rae Bareli on Congress, BJP's mind after SC relief to Rahul Gandhi
A delegation of Congress leaders is expected to meet Gandhi after the monsoon session of Parliament.
Updated on Aug 07, 2023 05:48 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
Rohini Commission report on OBC subcategorisation stirs fresh interest in run-up to 2024 Lok Sabha polls
Since 2002, the issue of sub-categorisation of OBCs based on their numerical strength within the larger caste grouping has kept cropping up nearer to the elections, only to fizzle out post polls
Updated on Aug 03, 2023 12:10 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
BJP’s national team: U.P. gets lion’s share, ex-AMU VC appointed party vice-president
The BJP’s new team has eight members from Uttar Pradesh in the main body, two more than the last team declared on September 26, 2020, showcasing the party’s focus on the state ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, which are less then a year away.
Updated on Jul 30, 2023 03:22 PM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
Tariq Mansoor’s elevation likely to aid BJP’s Pasmanda Muslim outreach
The BJP leaders said that through Mansoor, the party plans to increase engagement with educated Muslims, Pasmandas (backward class Muslims) in particular, to woo the influential minority vote bank.
Updated on Jul 30, 2023 03:17 PM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
Coffee with HT: SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar stresses on joint cadre-connect programme
After a fresh pact with the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Rajbhar has sought time from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a big joint rally in Azamgarh in October
Updated on Jul 20, 2023 11:30 PM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
NDA MEETING: Heads of all 3 BJP allies from U.P. meet PM; exude confidence in NDA sweeping LS polls
The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was attended by leaders of 38 parties that currently make up the NDA.
Updated on Jul 18, 2023 11:57 PM IST
Mission 2024: BJP govt gives major push to road, infra projects in Uttar Pradesh
Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and Yogi Adityanath unveil projects worth ₹3300 crore for Uttar Pradesh and Lucknow
Updated on Jul 18, 2023 12:56 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
HT interview | BJP has Modi, his magic, Opposition is rudderless: Rajnath Singh
In an exclusive interview, Singh said the opposition is “rudderless” while the BJP has been delivering on its promises.
Updated on Jul 18, 2023 04:49 AM IST
BJP celebrates OBC leader Dara Singh Chauhan’s ‘ghar wapsi’ amid buzz of more joinings
Dara Singh Chauhan was originally in the Bahujan Samaj Party before he embraced the BJP ahead of the 2017 UP assembly polls. He joined the Samajwadi Party before the 2022 UP polls.
Updated on Jul 17, 2023 10:30 PM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
BJP fortifies Purvanchal as SBSP joins NDA ahead of key Delhi meet
Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar has confirmed his party's alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the 2024 elections in Uttar Pradesh. Rajbhar's announcement came ahead of the July 18 meeting of NDA partners. The BJP already has alliances with two other OBC parties in the state. Rajbhar stated that the opposition stands no chance in the upcoming polls. Rajbhar's announcement was followed by the resignation of Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Dara Singh Chauhan, who is expected to join the BJP.
Updated on Jul 17, 2023 12:47 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
Rajbhar returns to NDA ahead of 2024 poll battle
Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar on Sunday announced his return to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
Updated on Jul 17, 2023 12:21 AM IST
Eyeing 2024 polls, BJP gives mega push to mass-connect campaign in U.P.
The BJP's 'Maha Jan Sampark' campaign in Uttar Pradesh, aimed at marketing the achievements of the party's governments, has been extended until July 18. The campaign includes door-to-door campaigns, public meetings, press conferences, and outreach programmes. The party hopes to use the campaign to strategize for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Updated on Jul 09, 2023 11:34 PM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
OBC outreach marks PM Modi, Amit Shah’s visits to Uttar Pradesh
The focus on Kurmis, a numerically dominant non-Yadav OBC subcaste, hasn’t been without reason. Forty-one lawmakers from this caste were elected to the Uttar Pradesh assembly in the 2022 state polls, seven more than in 2017
Updated on Jul 09, 2023 12:00 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
Lok Sabha polls: Irani steps up efforts to woo Amethi voters
Smriti Irani had wrested the high-profile Lok Sabha constituency from the grand old party in 2019, riding the “Modi wave”
Updated on Jul 07, 2023 12:26 AM IST
Eye on 2024 polls, BJP steps up Amethi connect in Uttar Pradesh
The campaign is aimed at showcasing how things have changed in Amethi since 2019, when Smriti Irani, riding the Modi wave, defeated the then Congress chief Rahul Gandhi
Updated on Jul 06, 2023 09:53 PM IST