A journalist of over 35 years standing, Ramesh Vinayak is Executive Editor of Hindustan Times at Chandigarh He specialises in covering the north Indian territory of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, besides the Punjabi diaspora.
Articles by Ramesh Vinayak
Double-engine factor has given us advantage in Himachal and Gujarat, says Nadda
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Nadda while talking about the BJP exuded confidence on the party’s poll prospects in Himachal and Gujarat.
Updated on Oct 13, 2022 12:02 PM IST
Punjab not ready to resolve water dispute, says Haryana CM ML Khattar
Haryana is contemplating a model where the government will not be paying money for getting the land allotted to set up additional assembly building in Chandigarh, says chief minister ML Khattar.
Updated on Jul 18, 2022 11:20 AM IST
Ramesh Vinayak and Hitender Rao, Chandigarh
Tangible growth in Ladakh since it became Union Territory: RK Mathur
Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory from the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir three years back
Updated on Jun 24, 2022 12:45 PM IST
‘Don’t see AAP as a threat to BJP...it’s disintegrating’
In a wide-ranging interview with HT, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur assessed the AAP challenge, dwelt at length on his report card, and explained why his party would win
Updated on Apr 13, 2022 01:52 PM IST
Meet Punjab’s True ShowMann
At 48, Bhagwant Mann will be the youngest to helm the state since 1970 when 42-year-old Parkash Singh Badal headed a coalition government. As a rank outsider who cut his teeth in politics in 2012, Mann has come a long way in a decade before he got nominated as the party’s CM face last month
Published on Mar 10, 2022 07:51 PM IST
Punjab voted with vengeance, and decisively
BEYOND THE NEWS: High on a heady victory, Bhagwant Mann has his task cut out. He will have to navigate the burden of soaring expectations stemming from a raft of populist promises that the AAP has made, while steering the state beset with daunting challenges: A ballooning ₹3 lakh crore public debt, farm distress, burgeoning unemployment and drug menace
Published on Mar 10, 2022 07:03 PM IST
Broom makes clean sweep in Punjab
In its historic win, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party smashed Punjab’s long-entrenched bipolar polity lorded over by the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) which have ruled the state almost alternatively for last six decades.
Updated on Mar 10, 2022 04:01 PM IST
Ramesh Vinayak, Chandigarh
People will vote decisively on Feb 20, say Punjab’s 3 chief ministerial faces
Punjab election: Charanjit Singh Channi, Bhagwant Mann and Sukhbir Singh Badal have emerged as the crucial swingers in the Punjab elections. HT asked them 10 questions on the issues that hold the key to their electoral fate and Punjab’s future.
Updated on Feb 16, 2022 04:12 PM IST
‘AAP’s work in Delhi is visible; will repeat here’: Bhagwant Mann
“Two parties have been taking turns to rule the state. People had no option, but they have now got the third alternative,” the Aam Aadmi Party's CM candidate Bhagwant Mann said.
Published on Feb 16, 2022 03:56 AM IST
‘SAD is the only Punjabi party, rest are national’: Sukhbir Singh Badal
“We are the only Punjabi party; the rest are national,” said Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Published on Feb 16, 2022 03:53 AM IST
‘If AAP wins, it will compromise state’s interests’: Punjab CM Channi
“The Congress is seeking a mandate for another five years so that we can take Punjab forward,” CM Charanjit Singh Channi said.
Updated on Feb 16, 2022 03:52 AM IST
Punjab polls: In Channi anointment, a unity game plan by Congress
Channi’s anointment has capped, for now, intense jockeying for chief ministerial sweepstakes by an ambitious Sidhu, who apparently acquiesced to the high command’s game plan for a shot at retaining power in the border state.
Published on Feb 07, 2022 12:26 AM IST
Punjab Polls: Stakes are higher for Sidhu in challenge from Majithia
Stakes are high for Majithia and Sidhu, but much higher for the latter, unexpectedly pitch-forked into the toughest electoral test he has faced since former Indian cricketer shifted to political pitch after joining the BJP ahead of the 2004 Lok Sabha polls
Published on Jan 28, 2022 02:01 AM IST
Ramesh Vinayak and Navneet Sharma
Punjab elections: Border state braces for close fight in a 5-cornered contest
Battle lines have been clearly drawn for a no-holds-barred five-cornered election contest in Punjab, in which there are no clear favourites.
Published on Jan 09, 2022 12:04 AM IST
‘On CM face, Congress high command will have to honour merit’
In a freewheeling interview at his Patiala residence, Navjot Singh Sidhu talks about the Punjab CM’s post, the need to honour merit, and the changes since Capt Amarinder Singh’s exit from the Congress
Updated on Dec 28, 2021 11:10 AM IST
Ramesh Vinayak and Navneet Sharma
‘Drug FIR not setback, will fight vendetta’: Sukhbir Badal
Come election season, offence is often the best defence
Updated on Dec 26, 2021 03:25 PM IST
‘People trust SAD for a proven track record of development’: Sukhbir Singh Badal
“People still trust the Shiromani Akali Dal because we are the only Punjab party with a proven track record of development, be it power plants, airports, roads, urban infrastructure or social welfare,” Sukhbir Singh Badal said.
Published on Dec 26, 2021 02:30 AM IST
Ramesh Vinayak, Hindustan Times, New Delhi
2022 Punjab elections: Second coming or fractured mandate?
A fierce four-way fight for the seat of power in Chandigarh is wide open, with no discernible wave for or against any of the contestants thus far
Published on Dec 23, 2021 01:36 PM IST
Agri laws: Repeal ripples will go far beyond the farm in Punjab
The repeal of three farm laws is sure to impact the political dynamics in the poll-bound Punjab where the assembly election is slated for early next year.
Updated on Nov 20, 2021 05:31 AM IST
Ramesh Vinayak, Hindustan Times, Chandigarh
Farm laws repealed: 5 ways in which Centre’s move will impact poll dynamics in Punjab
Farm laws repealed: The Centre’s move is sure to impact the political dynamics in poll-bound border state of Punjab where the assembly election is slated for early next year.
Published on Nov 20, 2021 12:08 AM IST
Ramesh Vinayak, Chandigarh
Five ways in which repeal of farm laws impacts Punjab's political dynamics
The surprise announcement is sure to impact the political dynamics in the border state of Punjab where assembly elections are slated for early next year. Here is how:
Updated on Nov 19, 2021 02:44 PM IST
‘Capt colluded with Akalis... govt now working for people’: Punjab CM Channi
Channi says Amarinder promised a lot of things, particularly on sacrilege and drugs front but did not make earnest efforts to ensure justice. The Punjab chief minister says after his elevation to the top post, the narrative has started changing in the state and the Congress is back in the game
Updated on Nov 15, 2021 04:53 AM IST
Ramesh Vinayak, Hindustan Times, Chandigarh
Masterstroke or a hit wicket? The jury is still out on Navjot Sidhu’s move to resign
The ruling Congress in Punjab has lately been busy in scoring self-goals as high command upstaged its regional satrap Amarinder Singh, installing Charanjit Singh Channi as his surprise successor
Published on Sep 29, 2021 02:50 AM IST
Navneet Sharma and Ramesh Vinayak, Chandigarh
How Punjab CM Channi’s assertion in power politics riled Navjot Sidhu
Chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s assertion led to Punjab Congress chief Navjot Sidhu’s resignation, plunging the ruling party into a deeper turmoil
Published on Sep 29, 2021 02:37 AM IST
Ramesh Vinayak, Chandigarh
Cabinet contention to Channi’s assertion: Why Sidhu resigned
What came as the last straw was Channi exercising the high command-mandated leeway and ignoring Sidhu’s push for the appointment of Siddhartha Chattopadhayaya as director general of police and DS Patwalia as advocate general.
Updated on Sep 29, 2021 02:06 AM IST
Ramesh Vinayak, Chandigarh
Five possible reasons why Navjot Singh Sidhu may have quit
A series of behind-the-scenes events from differences over portfolio allocation to key appointments of DGP and AG led to Sidhu’s exit as Punjab Congress chief in less than five weeks of his taking charge
Updated on Sep 28, 2021 04:39 PM IST
Infighting to polls: Channi faces tall task
The aftereffects of a bitter showdown between Amarinder and Navjot Singh Sidhu are already casting a shadow on Channi’s tenure. He takes the onerous charge when incessant infighting – unlikely to ebb in the days to come – has sapped the party’s morale, making a rebound tougher
Published on Sep 20, 2021 01:20 AM IST
Ramesh Vinayak and Navneet Sharma
Infighting to polls: Channi faces tall task
The aftereffects of a bitter showdown between Amarinder and Navjot Singh Sidhu are already casting a shadow on Channi’s tenure.
Published on Sep 20, 2021 12:42 AM IST
How Punjab crisis snowballed despite enough warning signs
Confident and in control, he appeared to be master of all he surveyed: a firm grip on the state legislature party with no potential challengers from within, a strong equity with a whittled-down party high command and a dispirited Opposition.
Published on Sep 19, 2021 12:31 AM IST
HT interview: Mistrust between Capt, Sidhu must end soon, says Punjab Cong affairs in-charge Harish Rawat
The party’s graph was good till one or two months ago, but now people have started criticising us, says the AICC general secretary, adding that party leaders should take this as a warning bell. Rawat says he expects Congress leaders to resolve their differences and issues within the party and not go public
Updated on Sep 03, 2021 01:52 AM IST
Ramesh Vinayak and Navneet Sharma, Chandigarh