'I shall get power, by hook or crook, but once I have got power I will do good work.' Here is the tale of one of India's most talked-about politicians as never told before, from the acclaimed biographer of Laloo Yadav. A dispassionate unlayering of the complex persona behind Nitish's person: ditherer and gambler, tentative and determined, gullible and astute, effacing and ambitious,introvert and interventionist, loner in the crowds he courts. Part personal diary of Bihar, part hard political portraiture, part unsparing perspective, a seamless weave of contemporary political shenanigans, reportage, storytelling and analysis from a dim corner of the country Nitish Kumar set out to light up. This is as much exploration of his zigzag but focused rise to power and what he means to Bihar as of what he could become on a larger stage.
'I shall get power, by hook or crook, but once I have got power I will do good work.'Here is the tale of one of India's most talked-about politicians as never told before, from the acclaimed biographer of Laloo Yadav. A dispassionate unlayering of the complex persona behind Nitish's person: ditherer and gambler, tentative and determined, gullible and astute, effacing and ambitious,introvert and interventionist, loner in the crowds he courts.Part personal diary of Bihar, part hard political portraiture, part unsparing perspective, a seamless weave of contemporary political shenanigans, reportage, storytelling and analysis from a dim corner of the country Nitish Kumar set out to light up. This is as much exploration of his zigzag but focused rise to power and what he means to Bihar as of what he could become on a larger stage.
Embark on a captivating exploration of the life and leadership of Nitish Kumar with A.K. Gandhi's insightful biography, "Nitish Kumar." Delve into the fascinating journey of Nitish Kumar, one of the most prominent political figures in contemporary India, as Gandhi unravels the complexities of his life, career, and contributions to the political landscape. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Gandhi sheds light on Kumar's rise to prominence and his enduring impact on the state of Bihar and beyond. Themes of leadership, governance, and social reform permeate the narrative, inviting readers to gain a deeper understanding of Kumar's vision for a more equitable and prosperous society. From his early days in student politics to his tenure as Chief Minister of Bihar, Kumar's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, integrity, and commitment to public service. Through insightful analysis and firsthand accounts, Gandhi offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at Kumar's leadership style, decision-making process, and the challenges he has faced throughout his career. From navigating the complexities of coalition politics to implementing innovative policies for economic development and social welfare, Kumar's leadership has left an indelible mark on the political landscape of India. The overall tone of the biography is one of admiration and respect, as Gandhi celebrates Kumar's achievements and contributions to the betterment of society. With its blend of political insight, personal anecdotes, and historical context, "Nitish Kumar" offers readers a comprehensive and compelling portrait of a leader whose legacy continues to shape the future of India. "Nitish Kumar" has earned widespread acclaim for its insightful portrayal of one of India's most influential leaders and its thoughtful analysis of his political legacy. Critics and readers alike have praised Gandhi's ability to capture the essence of Kumar's leadership and provide readers with a nuanced understanding of his impact on Indian politics. Whether you're a student of political science, a follower of Indian politics, or simply curious about the life of a remarkable leader, "Nitish Kumar" offers a captivating journey through the highs and lows of a political career defined by resilience, determination, and a commitment to the common good. Don't miss your chance to discover the extraordinary life and leadership of Nitish Kumar with A.K. Gandhi as your guide. Grab your copy now and embark on a fascinating journey through the life and times of one of India's most compelling political figures.
The Militant Trade Union Leader. The Dauntless Political Rebel. The Passionate Socialist Dreamer. This is a biography of India's George Fernandes. George Fernandes (1930-2019)-a firebrand trade union leader, socialist politician and incredibly powerful orator-is popularly known for leading the All India Railwaymen's Federation (AIRF) in May 1974 and calling upon its approximately 1.7 million employees to strike, which brought India to a halt for twenty days. Often described as a rebel, he pursued every cause he took up with passionate devotion, heedless of the many ups and downs in his life. From the early years of fighting for the rights of dock and municipal workers of Bombay (now Mumbai) through the Emergency, which he resisted by going underground, to his last private decade as a bed-ridden Alzheimer's patient, his fights were always persistent and single-handed. George could call Bombay to be shut down and rose from its streets to become India's Defence Minister. The Life and Times of George Fernandes chronicles the story of George, who rose from the streets of Bombay to stride the corridors of power. In this extraordinary biography, Rahul Ramagundam opens a window to George's political evolution and traces the course of the Socialist Party in India from its inception in 1930s to its dissolution into the Janata Party in the late 1970s. In the process, this book explores the trail of India's opposition parties that worked to displace the long-ruling Congress Party from its preeminent position. Comprehensive, evocative and fascinating, this first definitive biography of George Fernandes is an unputdownable tour de force.
The conventional wisdom in Bihar's political circles was that development did not win votes. Nitish Kumar challenged that assumption and changed the face of the state. Born into a humble family in Bakhtiyarpur, Nitish joined the Lohiaite Socialist Party and built his constituency, literally day by day, forgoing a stable job to travel to distant villages, suffering both financial hardship and ridicule for the eight years it took him to win people's confidence. Veteran journalist Arun Sinha tells the story of Nitish Kumar's rise against the larger canvas of social and political upheaval in Bihar, exploring the emergent desire for equality that drove progressive movements from late 1960s onwards and brought about a regime change by the 1990s. After an initial association with Lalu Prasad Yadav, Nitish Kumar rejected identity politics, recognizing that Bihar had to transcend caste if it was to grow. Nitish Kumar and the Rise of Bihar is a clear-sighted study of Indian electoral politics that unfolds with the pace of a political drama, offering hard facts and an incisive analysis of the state's turbulent trajectory. Sinha steers the narrative deftly through the complex groupings of Bihar's political arena to reveal Nitish Kumar's acumen in bringing law and order, roads, education and health to the fore of governance. From feudal politics to caste identities, and finally to development Bihar could prove to be the model for India's post-Independence journey.
Understanding India's politics and governance requires an examination of how politics and governance occur in the regional States, which constitute the federal units of India.This book addresses the issues of federalism, power-sharing and constitutional reforms, and their effects on governance in Indian States. Located within the growing literature on new State politics in India, this volume presents a critical, in-depth analysis of politics in Bihar, West Bengal and Tripura — these States being units of analysis for more general implications.What common obstacles have impeded development in each State, and what factors have favored recent, rapid development in some States but not others? The issues of caste conflicts, ethnic conflicts and other collective identity issues will be examined in this book — a pioneer volume with detailed, empirically-based research on the implications of State-centric politics in India.
Close to the turn of the century and almost 45 years after Independence, India opened its doors to free-market liberalization. Although meant as the promise to a better economic tomorrow, three decades later, many feel betrayed by the economic changes ushered in by this new financial era. Here is a book that probes whether India’s economic reforms have aided the development of Indian Muslims who have historically been denied the fruits of economic development. Maidul Islam points out that in current political discourse, the ‘Muslim question’ in India is not articulated in terms of demands for equity. Instead, the political leadership camouflages real issues of backwardness, prejudice, and social exclusion with the rhetoric of identity and security. Historically informed, empirically grounded, and with robust analytical rigour, the book tries to explore connections between multiple forms of Muslim marginalization, the socio-economic realities facing the community, and the formation of modern Muslim identity in the country. At a time when post-liberalization economic policies have created economic inequality and joblessness for significant sections of the population including Muslims, the book proposes working towards a radical democratic deepening in India.
The study of the political economy of development in India is significant as India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing countries during the last three decades and the rate of economic growth and poverty reduction have not been matched in India’s subnational states. Although the Union Government has introduced and implemented several economic reforms since 1991 to enhance the economic development, the results of implantation have varied. Governance and Development in India compares two Indian subnational states, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. The book does not consider the state as an aggregate entity; rather, it disaggregates the state relationally and spatially. Concentrating on the micro-institutional variables and the role of regional elites, the author investigates the political roots of the divergence of development trajectories among India’s subnational states since liberalization, as an essential aspect of the political economy of development in India. The book explores the black box of the multi-layered state of India and interactions among the Central Government, the states, regional leaders and other stakeholders and explains why the regional leaders have pursued divergent economic strategies using the analytical narrative research method and the subnational comparative research method. Firmly based on the theoretical foundations of the neo-institutional rational choice model of governance, polycentric hierarchy theory and the strategies for regional elite strategy analysis, combined with empirical research, this book is a valuable contribution to the fields of comparative political economy, state politics in India, governance and development in developing countries, and South Asian comparative politics.
The gripping story of an explosive turning point in the history of modern India On the night of June 25, 1975, Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency in India, suspending constitutional rights and rounding up her political opponents in midnight raids across the country. In the twenty-one harrowing months that followed, her regime unleashed a brutal campaign of coercion and intimidation, arresting and torturing people by the tens of thousands, razing slums, and imposing compulsory sterilization on the poor. Emergency Chronicles provides the first comprehensive account of this understudied episode in India’s modern history. Gyan Prakash strips away the comfortable myth that the Emergency was an isolated event brought on solely by Gandhi’s desire to cling to power, arguing that it was as much the product of Indian democracy’s troubled relationship with popular politics. Drawing on archival records, private papers and letters, published sources, film and literary materials, and interviews with victims and perpetrators, Prakash traces the Emergency’s origins to the moment of India’s independence in 1947, revealing how the unfulfilled promise of democratic transformation upset the fine balance between state power and civil rights. He vividly depicts the unfolding of a political crisis that culminated in widespread popular unrest, which Gandhi sought to crush by paradoxically using the law to suspend lawful rights. Her failure to preserve the existing political order had lasting and unforeseen repercussions, opening the door for caste politics and Hindu nationalism. Placing the Emergency within the broader global history of democracy, this gripping book offers invaluable lessons for us today as the world once again confronts the dangers of rising authoritarianism and populist nationalism.
Patna is not a nice place to be. It is home to me and I cannot stop wanting to go back every once in a while, wanting to be a part of its life. I say this even so: Patna is not a nice place to be. In this masterful portrait of Patna, Sankarshan Thakur chronicles the way the city has changed-or not-under chief minister Nitish Kumar. Having grown up in Patna, the author gives an insider-outsider account of the city,and through it paints the big picture in Bihar, examining Nitish's achievements and failures.
