Aditi Phadnis

National Capital Territory of Delhi

Political Editor at Business Standard

Featured in: Favicon

business-standard.com Favicon

rediff.com Favicon

indiatoday.in Favicon

tribune.com.pk Favicon

thewire.in Favicon

thenorthlines.com Favicon

beamstart.com Favicon

iqstockmarket.com Favicon

userwalls.news Favicon

topologypro.one + 2 more

Articles

Why DMK Gave Kamal Haasan A Rajya Sabha Seat

1 week ago | rediff.com | Aditi Phadnis

One Rajya Sabha seat is a small price to pay for all the skills that Kamal Haasan brings to the table, points out Aditi Phadnis. IMAGE: Kamal Haasan with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. He is more than just an actor. He is a trained Bharata Natyam dancer, an accomplished singer, a choreographer and director, the only one to have got 19 Filmfare awards, the most by any Indian. He is fluent in English, French, and six Indian languages, including Kannada. His politics, however, is confusing.
Bihar's Liquor Ban Faces Heat Ahead Of Elections

2 weeks ago | rediff.com | Aditi Phadnis

As the election nears, political positions on prohibition are shifting. Kindly note the image has been published only for representational purposes.. Some call it an "unmitigated disaster". Others want it reviewed and revised. A minority believes it should be scrapped altogether, arguing it simply hasn't worked. But the ruling Janata Dal-United) is unambiguous: Elections or not, the policy of prohibition in Bihar will not be rolled back.
Chirag Paswan Wants To Be Bihar CM

3 weeks ago | rediff.com | Aditi Phadnis

While the BJP backs Nitish Kumar as chief minister, Chirag Paswan isn't hiding his readiness for the role, reports Aditi Phadnis. IMAGE: Chirag Paswan, right, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Union Ministers Giriraj Singh and Lalan Singh at the inauguration of various projects at Karakat in Rohtas, May 30, 2025.
As Election Nears, Patna Gets Metro Boost

1 month ago | rediff.com | Aditi Phadnis

The metro, it seems, is politics-proof -- even if it comes at a high cost. IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inspects the Patna Metro Rail Project. Patna is fizzing with excitement. It is getting a new international airport, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate on May 29, and an elevated roadway. And come August 15, the city will get a metro line -- Bihar's first; it is only the first phase, covering five stations and stretching just over 6 km.
Congress brings QR-based ticket process to Bihar

1 month ago | business-standard.com | Aditi Phadnis

The Assembly elections in Bihar are not due until October-November this year, yet political parties have already begun gearing up. In a first, the Congress has introduced a quick response (QR) code system to streamline the application process for prospective candidates. A QR code - essentially a coded graphic that can be scanned using a smartphone - connects users to digital content.
When India Is At War, Opposition-Government Is At Peace

1 month ago | rediff.com | Aditi Phadnis

When the country has been at war, the Opposition has buried its differences with the government, points out Aditi Phadnis. IMAGE: The all-party meeting on Operation Sindoor at the Parliament annexe building in New Delhi. Guns might have blazed on India's western border. But it is all quiet on the Parliament front.
'Biggest Worry Should Be Pakistan'

1 month ago | rediff.com | Aditi Phadnis

'Right now, we have no relationship with Pakistan. And the relationship with China is not great.'IMAGE: The Bilal mosque in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan occupied Kashmir, May 7, 2025 after it was struck by an Indian missile. 'Courtly' comes to mind when describing A S Dulat, 85, as we negotiate the venue for lunch. We agree on Delhi's Claridges hotel and opt for Chinese cuisine -- not for any geopolitical reasons, simply because it is lighter on the tummy.
The new normal in Maharashtra's power play

2 months ago | business-standard.com | Aditi Phadnis

In most states, the outcome of an election is considered politically decisive when politics settles down and governance takes over. But it's not the case in Maharashtra, which saw two sets of elections in quick succession (Lok Sabha polls in May 2024 and the Assembly elections in November). The results were dramatically different, which could be one reason why political waters in the state continue to roil.
Will Miss World Raise Telangana's Profile?

2 months ago | rediff.com | Aditi Phadnis

Many states are realising that hosting mega events puts the spotlight on them and raises their profile. IMAGE: Miss World 2024 Krystyna Pyszkova speaks at the Miss World press conference in Hyderabad, March 20, 2025. On her right is Julia Morley, chairman and CEO of the Miss World Organisation. Uttar Pradesh had the Maha Kumbh 2025. Telangana will have Miss World 2025. By comparison, Telangana's effort will be modest, but it could be a turning point for the state. As always, not everyone agrees.
As Bihar polls near, Patna Metro lifts hopes amid costly metro trend

2 months ago | business-standard.com | Aditi Phadnis

Patna is fizzing with excitement. It is getting a new international airport, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate on April 24, and an elevated roadway. And come August 15, the city will get a metro line - Bihar's first; it is only the first phase, covering five stations and stretching just over 6 km. But even this has sparked anticipation, especially as further lines are expected to follow.