R. Balashankar – Author, NDTV.com

Opinion: Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget Rises Admirably To Meet Challenges

Dr R. Balashankar | Saturday February 01, 2020

The revival of faith of the taxpayer and investor seemed the running theme of the longest-ever budget speech. Interestingly, there was a simplicity about the speech to make it connect.

Opinion: Modi's Popularity Undented But Regional Leadership Is Letting Him Down

Dr R. Balashankar | Monday December 23, 2019

The Jharkhand results show that it is not national issues but regional aspirations that finally work in a state election. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is still popular which allowed the BJP to put up a tough fight - its vote share increased.

Opinion: Student Protests And CAA Will Make BJP, Amit Shah More Popular

Dr R. Balashankar | Tuesday December 17, 2019

The agitation has also brought Home Minister Amit Shah to the centre stage of Indian politics, increasing his popularity, and sharpening the debate on the CAA. Any detailed debate will only help Amit Shah and the BJP.

Opinion: With CAB, Hattrick For Modi-Shah In Delivering Party's Promises

Dr R. Balashankar | Friday December 13, 2019

No government in history has achieved so much in redeeming the party's manifesto pledge in such a short time and in such quick sequence (within seven months of winning the people's mandate for a second term in office).

Opinion: Karnataka Polls Will Motivate BJP To Get Revenge In Maharashtra

Dr R. Balashankar | Tuesday December 10, 2019

The victory of the BJP in Karnataka is bound to have its impact on Maharashtra, where, too, the state is governed by an unnatural coalition that has been trumped up in violation of the people's mandate.

Opinion: The Beauty Of The Ayodhya Verdict Is...

Dr R. Balashankar | Saturday November 09, 2019

The beauty of the final verdict is that there are no winners and losers here. India has won. The court went entirely by evidence. It even said there was no religion to the five judges who delivered the unanimous verdict; for them the Constitution was supreme.

Opinion: Opinion: The Modi Appeal Is Intact; The Chief Ministers Should Worry BJP

Dr R. Balashankar | Saturday October 26, 2019

The BJP can console itself with the thought that after a full five-year term, people have reposed their faith in the party and it has retained power. This is, however, only a part of the story.

Opinion: Why Modi's <i>"Ab Ki Baar, Trump Sarkar"</i> Helps India

Opinion: Why Modi's "Ab Ki Baar, Trump Sarkar" Helps India

Dr R. Balashankar | Tuesday September 24, 2019

The message from "Howdy, Modi" is loud and clear on all these aspects. Modi has got what India wanted. He has made Pakistan irrelevant in India's diplomatic engagement the US. This will also impact the Indian position globally.

Opinion: 100 Days Of Modi's Term 2 Are Thunderous

Dr R. Balashankar | Sunday September 08, 2019

In the first hundred days, Modi has visited 12 countries. India's sterling performance on the diplomatic front became visible in the aftermath of the strategic air strike on Balakot and the abrogation of Article 370. Pakistan was isolated, India received universal support.

Opinion: Nirmala Sitharaman's Solid First Shot At Budget

Dr R. Balashankar | Friday July 05, 2019

The major beneficiaries are the salaried, middle-income group, farmers and the youth. The budget has tried to put more money in the common man's pocket. This will increase demand, help growth. Overall, a budget that means business.

Opinion: Amit Shah Will Turbo-Charge Modi’s New Cabinet

Dr R. Balashankar | Friday May 31, 2019

Amit Shah's five-year stint as party president transformed the BJP into the most combative, vibrant and winning political formation in the country. He exudes confidence, commitment and is an inspirational quotient with strategic edge. This is sure to help Modi achieve the ambitious goals of his second term.

Opinion: What Rahul Gandhi And Opposition Got Wrong In Campaign vs Modi

Dr R. Balashankar | Friday May 24, 2019

Modi was the sole factor in the entire campaign. He was the Mega Messiah who steered the 2019 poll and the plank of decisive leadership, stable government and a booming economy. India's status as an economic power fascinated the Indian voter. Modi has emerged as India's answer to the challenges of the 21st century.

Opinion: If Exit Polls Are Right, Narendra Modi Will Touch The Zenith

Dr R. Balashankar | Monday May 20, 2019

Reading between the lines, I am convinced that the verdict is clear and Narendra Modi is winning a massive win hands down. This has been the perception I gathered after visiting major states from south to north and east to west, where the only concern of the voter was "who else but Modi".

Opinion: Modi Is Right On India Calling Pakistan's Bluff On Nukes

Dr R. Balashankar | Tuesday April 23, 2019

It would have been beneficial for the Congress party to cheer the valour of the Indian Army and the courageous leadership of PM Modi, who, for the first time, redefined India's terror engagement with Pakistan.

Opinion: The Budget Shows Modi's Confidence Of Retaining Power

Dr R. Balashankar | Friday February 01, 2019

No other Prime Minister has ever tried to make a vote-on-account or interim budget his manifesto for the election he is going to face. The assurance, wide sweep and gravitas in the budget that the government has presented shows how confident Narendra Modi is about his return after the polls.

OPINION