Smriti covers an intersection of politics and governance. Having spent over a decade in journalism, she combines old fashioned leg work with modern story telling tools.
Articles by Smriti Kak Ramachandran
NDA outreach in Bihar to be mix of Hindutva, development agenda
In poll-bound Bihar, the BJP-led NDA outreach will be a mix of the development agenda and the Hindutva sentiment, depending on the demography of the region
Published on Mar 29, 2025 04:00 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
Dhankhar rejects Congress privilege notice against Shah
Dhankhar also urged the Ethics Committee to draft fresh guidelines for members for adherence, pointing out that members rush to invoke breach of privilege, and frowning on such notices being made public even before they have been considered.
Published on Mar 28, 2025 08:16 AM IST
Discussed NJAC, not against judiciary: VP Jagdeep Dhankhar
Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar emphasised the need for cooperation among the executive, legislature, and judiciary to ensure judicial accountability.
Updated on Mar 27, 2025 03:42 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
EPS-Shah meet intensifies buzz on BJP, AIADMK ties
AIADMK's Edappadi K Palaniswami met Amit Shah amid talks of a possible alliance with BJP for the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly polls against DMK.
Published on Mar 26, 2025 08:20 AM IST
V-P says no provision for review of a constitutional amendment
The hour-long meeting came in the wake of a huge amount of cash being recovered from the residence of Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma.
Updated on Mar 26, 2025 04:49 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
MPs to get 24% salary hike, pension revision
The lawmakers will also get a higher daily allowance of ₹2,500 — as against the earlier rate of ₹2,000 — for attending sessions and committee meetings
Published on Mar 25, 2025 06:32 AM IST
Rajya Sabha adjourned as Centre, Opposition spar over Constitution
Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju claimed that a senior Congress leader holding a constitutional position said if need arises, the party will change the Constitution.
Published on Mar 24, 2025 12:17 PM IST
If govt is compelled to carry out delimitation, it should be on 1971 census: Tiruchi Siva
The Rajya Sabha lawmaker accuses the government of opting for silence instead of addressing the issues being raised by the southern states
Published on Mar 22, 2025 07:06 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
NJAC would have addressed issue of judicial accountability: Jagdeep Dhankhar
Jagdeep Dhankhar said the historic legislation was endorsed with unprecedented consensual support unknown to the parliamentary history
Published on Mar 21, 2025 12:45 PM IST
If govt is compelled to carry out delimitation, it should be on 1971 census: Siva
In an interview to HT, the Rajya Sabha lawmaker from DMK, accused the government of opting for silence instead of addressing the issues being raised by the southern states including Tamil Nadu
Published on Mar 21, 2025 10:45 AM IST
Delimitation protests rock Parl, both Houses adjourned
The DMK MPs also staged a protest outside Parliament over the issue, alleging that the delimitation exercise would result in reduction of Lok Sabha seats in the southern states if it is carried out on the basis of population.
Published on Mar 21, 2025 08:14 AM IST
RS chair calls for debate, national policy on freebies
The MPLADS scheme allows lawmakers to suggest developmental works in their constituencies, such as the construction of roads, schools and other physical infrastructure.
Published on Mar 20, 2025 08:02 AM IST
Need to deliberate on freebies: Jagdeep Dhankhar tells lawmakers
The comments came as Samajwadi Party lawmaker Ramgopal Yadav sought an increase in Members of Parliament Local Area Development funds from ₹5 crore to ₹20 crore
Updated on Mar 19, 2025 12:57 PM IST
Govt systematically undermining MGNREGA: Sonia Gandhi in Rajya Sabha
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi demanded an increase in the wages and more guaranteed workdays under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
Updated on Mar 18, 2025 05:11 PM IST
Breach of privilege notice against JP Nadda
CPI Rajya Sabha leader P Sandosh Kumar has alleged that during the proceedings on March 11, Nadda “falsely claimed that Union govt had released all dues to Kerala under National Health Mission
Published on Mar 17, 2025 11:16 AM IST
BJD hints at backing Oppn bloc as voter ID controversy heats up
Seven BJD MPs in the Rajya Sabha gave notices under Rule 267 to suspend the day’s business to take up a discussion on the controversy surrounding the allegations of duplicate EPIC numbers
Published on Mar 12, 2025 07:40 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
Walkouts, sharp clashes in stormy restart for Parl
Parliament's Budget session began with fierce debates over voter ID duplication, NEP, and delimitation, leading to walkouts and heated exchanges.
Published on Mar 11, 2025 01:40 AM IST
BJP opts for ‘complementary’ approach in poll-bound Bihar
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has opted for a “complementary” approach towards its allies to emerge as a winning coalition in the assembly polls scheduled for later this year in Bihar
Published on Mar 10, 2025 06:00 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
RSS meet likely to discuss illegal immigration, NRC
The Sangh, which is the ideological fount of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will also draw the road map for its centenary celebrations, which will begin in October
Published on Mar 07, 2025 05:50 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
If anyone has the capacity to make PoJK part of India, it is Modi: Union minister
Jitendra Singh spoke at an event marking the 25th anniversary of the 1994 Parliament resolution affirming Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India
Published on Mar 01, 2025 11:56 AM IST
Govt defers roll-out of new satellite-based toll system
The Union government has decided to put on hold the rollout of a satellite-based highway toll collection system that could eventually pave the way for fare booths to be removed
Published on Mar 01, 2025 06:58 AM IST
Maha Kumbh a template for people to come together for nation’s development: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said through the Maha Kumbh, the people of India and the world witnessed the immense power and grandeur of India’s potential
Published on Feb 27, 2025 11:50 AM IST
Rift in state units impedes BJP president election
The central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which awaits its new national president, has had to step in to quell disagreements and differences in a clutch of states.
Published on Feb 24, 2025 06:42 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
NDA to fight all polls as a united front, says Modi
PM Narendra Modi said all upcoming elections will be fought by the NDA as a single bloc, signalling that the coalition led by the BJP was going strong.
Updated on Feb 21, 2025 04:50 AM IST
Smriti Kak Ramachandran, New Delhi
Woman, baniya: BJP ticks key boxes in choosing Rekha Gupta as Delhi CM
Rekha Gupta's elevation also signals a reaffirmation of the party’s close ties with its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
Updated on Feb 20, 2025 02:02 AM IST
Row erupts in Parliament after Waqf JPC submits its report on bill
The joint parliamentary committee (JPC) examining controversial amendments to the Waqf bill submitted its report to both Houses on Thursday
Published on Feb 14, 2025 06:40 AM IST
RS Chair vows action amid Constitution illustrations row
BJP MP Radha Mohan Das Agrawal raised the issue of 22 illustrations missing in most Constitution copies sold in the country now.
Published on Feb 12, 2025 06:21 AM IST
BJP brass to meet MLAs, allies on Manipur future
The BJP is seeking a new chief minister in Manipur after N Biren Singh's resignation, amid ethnic tensions and potential President's Rule.
Updated on Feb 11, 2025 04:40 AM IST
How growing discontent shaped Manipur CM’s resignation
Governor Ajay Bhalla accepted Singh’s resignation, but urged him to continue in the post until alternative arrangements are made.
Updated on Feb 10, 2025 07:05 AM IST
Will develop Delhi, make the corrupt pay: PM Modi
PM Modi thanked voters for supporting BJP, promising development in Delhi, action against corruption, and a focus on infrastructure and youth opportunities.
Published on Feb 09, 2025 07:34 AM IST