Articles by Arjun Rajan

Mumbai North constituency has seen the BJP and INC come to power twice each in the past four terms. In 2004 it had witnessed veteran BJP leader Ram Naik lose to Bollywood actor and INC candidate Govinda. The INC are trying to use that same formula, as they field former Bollywood actor Urmila Matondkar against incumbent BJP MP Gopal Shetty.

Despite a perfect attendance record in Parliament, participation in several debates and private member bills to his credit, the term of the MP has been tarnished by corruption charges and controversies. He has nine pending criminal cases.

From devolution of powers to local bodies, to the formation of National Urban Mobility Mission, to the creation of a separate Ministry for Water; what all are the promises made by political parties regarding urban issues in their manifestos ?

Ahmedabad East constituency has been a BJP stronghold for several terms. This election, as incumbent MP Paresh Rawal backs off, both BJP and INC have fielded candidates from the Patidar community, in the wake of continuing demand and agitation for reservations for them.

The Ahmedabad West constituency was formed in 2008 following the delimitation exercise. BJP’s Kirit P Solanki was elected in both Lok Sabha elections since its creation and will be seeking a third term on April 23rd. Check out who the rival candidates are in the upcoming election.

Dr Kirit P Solanki, MP of Ahmedabad West since 2009, has a very impressive record of attendance and participation in debates, He introduced 37 private member bills, which is the second highest by any MP in the 16th Lok Sabha.

Paresh Rawal has played several iconic roles in both mainstream and parallel cinema. But as the MP from Ahmedabad East, his performance leaves a lot to be desired. He had a dismal attendance and participation record in Parliament.

Parliament nod to the Constitutional amendment providing 10 percent reservation to economically weaker sections has predictably stirred a hornet’s nest. But how much do you really know about how the system of quotas works and how the latest move will change the math?

Roads made out of plastic waste have been touted as a solution to the mounting plastic crisis in the country. What has been the experience of Indian states and cities with this approach so far? And what are the primary challenges?

Most public bus units in our cities have run into huge losses. Yet, fare increase would make buses unaffordable for the ones who need them the most. Can the state step in and find a way for them to be accessible as well as economically viable?