Columnist M S Shanker, Orange News 9

Narratives vs Numbers: The PSU Turnaround They Don’t Want You to See

As a responsible citizen and an unapologetic nationalist, I feel compelled to dedicate this week’s Point of View to a growing menace—the deliberate spread of misleading, half-baked, and often malicious narratives through viral videos and social media campaigns. These are not random distortions. They are orchestrated efforts, amplified by sections of an intellectually compromised ecosystem,…

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Columnist M S Shanker, Orange News 9

Will Modi’s Fuel Gamble Deliver Poll Gains?

In politics, timing is everything. And in the middle of a global crisis triggered by the ongoing tensions in West Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears to have timed his move with clinical precision—placing the Opposition on the defensive just weeks before crucial Assembly elections. These five state polls—West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and…

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Columnist M S Shanker, Orange News 9

Old Habits, Costly Consequences

“Old habits die hard” is not just a cliché—it is a political warning. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu seems determined to prove it right, yet again. A series of viral videos now circulating on social media has reignited an uncomfortable question: has the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), now an ally in the BJP-led…

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Columnist M S Shanker, Orange News 9

When Institutions Lose Credibility

As a media practitioner and, more importantly, as a concerned citizen of this country, I write this with deep anguish. India’s democracy rests on three pillars—politics, the judiciary, and institutions that regulate public life. When one pillar weakens, the system trembles. When more than one begins to lose credibility, the tremors become impossible to ignore….

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Columnist M S Shanker, Orange News 9

Freebies, Votes & National Amnesia

If sarcasm could generate electricity, India would not need to promise it for free before every election. Last week, the Supreme Court once again did what political parties have refused to do for years — speak uncomfortable truths. Pulling up states for announcing free electricity ahead of elections — particularly in the context of Tamil…

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Columnist M S Shanker, Orange News 9

2026: The NDA’s Eastern Push and Southern Test

With the Election Commission of India expected to announce Assembly poll dates in the first week of March, the political chessboard across Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry is entering its decisive phase. The Commission’s special intensive revision of voter lists and its scheduled ground assessments signal that preparations are in advanced stages….

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