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Vajpayee: The Years That Changed India
Former prime minister of India and member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an understated and a singular politician of the kind rarely seen in contemporary times. His patriotism was uncompromising, forged out of the paradoxes of his the sensitive poet who summoned nerves of steel to conduct the Pokhran-II nuclear tests; the man from humble beginnings who envisioned a project as titanic as the Golden Quadrilateral highway network. Devoid of any political pedigree or patronage, he harnessed his diplomatic acumen to transform India's relations with the United States, which had long been mired in misunderstandings rooted in the Cold War. His calculated decisions led to key strategic and economic policy achievements.
In this book, Shakti Sinha, a close associate of Vajpayee, helps us understand Vajpayee as a decision-maker. The narrative focuses on the political challenges Vajpayee faced, and on his key initiatives in the strategic and economic fields during his first term as prime minister, which have had a lasting impact. Vajpayee fleshes out not only Vajpayee's political philosophy but also provides an insider's account of how the former PM thought and worked.
In this book, Shakti Sinha, a close associate of Vajpayee, helps us understand Vajpayee as a decision-maker. The narrative focuses on the political challenges Vajpayee faced, and on his key initiatives in the strategic and economic fields during his first term as prime minister, which have had a lasting impact. Vajpayee fleshes out not only Vajpayee's political philosophy but also provides an insider's account of how the former PM thought and worked.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 3, 2021
I started reading the book expecting this would be a memoir of the entire period between 1996-2004. However, then I realized that Mr. Sinha just accounts for the years he worked closely with Vajpayee ji. Nonetheless, he recounts one of the most turbulent yet interesting times of the Indian Parliament - 1996 - 1999. To capture the personality that Vajpayee ji was and given his almost half a century long political career, an honest memoir would run into multiple volumes. However, I would commend the observation power of Mr. Sinha and his understanding of Vajpayee ji's ways of working.
Some of the points are very repetitive throughout the book. For example, Jayalalitha's tantrums and cunningness make up almost 20% of the book which I felt was unnecessary. Anyone with an inkling of politics in TN and AP know how characterless politics is in these states. Only state worse than them probably is West Bengal. Rather he could have dedicated half a chapter to her and name it "Villains of the Coalition". However, other cunning parliamentarians are well highlighted. For example, Buta Singh, who unfortunately passed away recently. How the left parties always were and continue to be barking stray dogs without teeth only disturbing your peaceful being. If people of West Bengal have just one thing to be thankful to Mamata Banerjee, it would be decimating the Bengal line of the left. Not to forget, the 1996-1999 period also marked the entry of the most corrupt flagbearers of the Nehru-Gandhi family was also a thorn in the path of India's progress.
That Vajpayee ji was able to weather the entire storm both in domestic and international political circles and made India grow in stature makes him one of the best statesmen India ever got. Although the next 10 years (2004-2014) would see the stature fall massively, some of the gains post 2014 under Modi ji's leadership was based on the foundation that he left behind.
Some of the points are very repetitive throughout the book. For example, Jayalalitha's tantrums and cunningness make up almost 20% of the book which I felt was unnecessary. Anyone with an inkling of politics in TN and AP know how characterless politics is in these states. Only state worse than them probably is West Bengal. Rather he could have dedicated half a chapter to her and name it "Villains of the Coalition". However, other cunning parliamentarians are well highlighted. For example, Buta Singh, who unfortunately passed away recently. How the left parties always were and continue to be barking stray dogs without teeth only disturbing your peaceful being. If people of West Bengal have just one thing to be thankful to Mamata Banerjee, it would be decimating the Bengal line of the left. Not to forget, the 1996-1999 period also marked the entry of the most corrupt flagbearers of the Nehru-Gandhi family was also a thorn in the path of India's progress.
That Vajpayee ji was able to weather the entire storm both in domestic and international political circles and made India grow in stature makes him one of the best statesmen India ever got. Although the next 10 years (2004-2014) would see the stature fall massively, some of the gains post 2014 under Modi ji's leadership was based on the foundation that he left behind.
January 10, 2021
Written by Sh Shakti Sinha, IAS who was PS to Sh Atal Bihari Vajpayee for a long time, the book gives ringside view of the working of one of the tallest statesman India has produced. A must read for persons interested in indian politics. The writing style is very lucid and one can almost get the clear picture of all events as they are described in the book.
February 11, 2021
A wonderfully written book about a stalwart of Indian politics and a highly devoted son to our motherland - Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. The book majorly deals with the years 1996 - 1999.
The author was secretary to Shri Vajpayee ji during the aforementioned period.
The book does a great job of showcasing the man and how he thought. It presents a vivid picture of his observant nature, his iron hand in a velvet glove mindset, his highly patient attitude, his ability to laugh at himself and most of all his nationalist thoughts and his courage to pursue them against various odds.
It focuses on the 13 day Government that he had followed by the United Front Government - parties cobbled together effectively to keep him out of power.
After covering those two tumultuous years in our nation's history, the book then sheds light back on Shri Vajpayee and his NDA Government which took over post elections 1998 onwards on a thin majority. It shows his deft handling of coalition parties, his own party and organisations backing the BJP and how there was a constant pressure from various partners - AIADMK, TMC etc.
The book then covers the Pokharan nuclear tests and how Vajpayee ji never buckled to pressure from Western powers and was always clear and articulate about his thoughts that given the situation in the continent and the fact that we are going to become a world leader we need to be a nuclear power.
The book shows how he always rejected any third party intervention on the Kashmir issue.
The book sheds light on how Vajpayee ji instead of being skeptical to the US because of the earlier frosty relations between the two countries understood the macro changes taking place and referred to both as natural allies in his speech at the Asia society convention.
The book covers the Lahore bus yatra and Vajpayee ji's sincere attempts at normalising the relations.
Even though at a thought level he was backed by Swadeshi groups, he understood the importance of industry and made it amply clear that his government looks at industry with trust and not mistrust. In addition he went to further ensure that India remains an attractive investment destination, by continuing with P V Narasimha Rao ji's and Dr Manmohan Singh ji's policies of liberalisation.
At multiple times in the book it is clear, that coalition politics had an influence on his agenda - something which he did not deserve. But at the same time he understood that it was but natural for the regional parties to focus on their part in the painting while it was his responsibility to ensure that the overall canvas turned out beautifully.
The book covers how the NDA Government proved his majority on the President's rule issue in Bihar but during the budget session thanks to Jayalalithaa, Vajpayee Ji was asked to prove his Government's majority - a move which did not have any precedent. It was again 1996 at play, forces coming together to keep him out of power. Generally when the Parliament is in a budget session the only way it is kept out of power is by defeating a money bill not by asking it to bring a confidence motion. Vajpayee Ji's Government fell by one vote and he had to lead a care taker Government.
As a caretaker Government he had to face the Kargil war which not only did our highly courageous and determined Armed Forces won for India but Shri Atal Ji through hid astute thinking led the country in a way that post Kargil even the Western Powers started to realise that India is a highly responsible nation and has earned her right at the global seat of nations.
His clear thinking to not negotiate and at the same time have the balance to be on this side of the LOC (and only cross it when needed) showed his maturity.
The book ends here.
By this point of time the nation had seen Atal ji's leadership and brought him back to power again in 1999, rightfully so! :) Hoping someone writes a book on his PM'ship 1999-2004.
A great book on a true son of India - someone who understood the forces at play, someone who could grasp contradictions while staying true to his convictions, someone who could take people along, someone for whom the Motherland always came first.
The author was secretary to Shri Vajpayee ji during the aforementioned period.
The book does a great job of showcasing the man and how he thought. It presents a vivid picture of his observant nature, his iron hand in a velvet glove mindset, his highly patient attitude, his ability to laugh at himself and most of all his nationalist thoughts and his courage to pursue them against various odds.
It focuses on the 13 day Government that he had followed by the United Front Government - parties cobbled together effectively to keep him out of power.
After covering those two tumultuous years in our nation's history, the book then sheds light back on Shri Vajpayee and his NDA Government which took over post elections 1998 onwards on a thin majority. It shows his deft handling of coalition parties, his own party and organisations backing the BJP and how there was a constant pressure from various partners - AIADMK, TMC etc.
The book then covers the Pokharan nuclear tests and how Vajpayee ji never buckled to pressure from Western powers and was always clear and articulate about his thoughts that given the situation in the continent and the fact that we are going to become a world leader we need to be a nuclear power.
The book shows how he always rejected any third party intervention on the Kashmir issue.
The book sheds light on how Vajpayee ji instead of being skeptical to the US because of the earlier frosty relations between the two countries understood the macro changes taking place and referred to both as natural allies in his speech at the Asia society convention.
The book covers the Lahore bus yatra and Vajpayee ji's sincere attempts at normalising the relations.
Even though at a thought level he was backed by Swadeshi groups, he understood the importance of industry and made it amply clear that his government looks at industry with trust and not mistrust. In addition he went to further ensure that India remains an attractive investment destination, by continuing with P V Narasimha Rao ji's and Dr Manmohan Singh ji's policies of liberalisation.
At multiple times in the book it is clear, that coalition politics had an influence on his agenda - something which he did not deserve. But at the same time he understood that it was but natural for the regional parties to focus on their part in the painting while it was his responsibility to ensure that the overall canvas turned out beautifully.
The book covers how the NDA Government proved his majority on the President's rule issue in Bihar but during the budget session thanks to Jayalalithaa, Vajpayee Ji was asked to prove his Government's majority - a move which did not have any precedent. It was again 1996 at play, forces coming together to keep him out of power. Generally when the Parliament is in a budget session the only way it is kept out of power is by defeating a money bill not by asking it to bring a confidence motion. Vajpayee Ji's Government fell by one vote and he had to lead a care taker Government.
As a caretaker Government he had to face the Kargil war which not only did our highly courageous and determined Armed Forces won for India but Shri Atal Ji through hid astute thinking led the country in a way that post Kargil even the Western Powers started to realise that India is a highly responsible nation and has earned her right at the global seat of nations.
His clear thinking to not negotiate and at the same time have the balance to be on this side of the LOC (and only cross it when needed) showed his maturity.
The book ends here.
By this point of time the nation had seen Atal ji's leadership and brought him back to power again in 1999, rightfully so! :) Hoping someone writes a book on his PM'ship 1999-2004.
A great book on a true son of India - someone who understood the forces at play, someone who could grasp contradictions while staying true to his convictions, someone who could take people along, someone for whom the Motherland always came first.
May 12, 2021
It's a good book and the author Shakti Sinha, who was Personal Secretary to Atal Bihari Vajpayee when he was the Leader of the Opposition from 1996-1998 and when he was the Prime Minister of India from 1998-1999. The title of the book is quite apt in my opinion. Vajpayee's term as Prime Minister not just changed but rather transformed India. Nobody before Vajpayee thought that Indians deserved good roads. No Prime Minister before Vajpayee thought that the private sector added significant value to the nation.
Vajpayee not only brought about a new dimension to India but continued on the good work of his predecessors like PV Narasimha Rao. Rao had envisioned India as a nuclear weapons state and had even given the go-ahead to carry the test at Pokhran in 1995 but had to retract after it was discovered by the Americans. Vajpayee avoided the detection and oversaw one of independent India's greatest achievements in 1998 when India shocked the world by carrying out nuclear tests in the Pokhran range in Rajasthan. This counts as one of the CIA's biggest intelligence failures to date.
India was hit hard by sanctions by the rest of the world but Vajpayee and his team ensured that there was no lingering effect on our economy because of this. In fact, economy boomed under Vajpayee who initiated a massive divestment drive. He had inherited an economy which was in trouble thanks to the populist schemes of the previous United Front governments. But by the time he quit office, Indian economy was growing at the highest rate ever.
Pakistan underestimated Vajpayee and took his attempt at creating peace in the subcontinent as a sign of weakness. They had to pay a heavy price after their attempt to invade Kargil and its surrounding areas were thwarted successfully by the Indian armed forces. This led to a tectonic shift in the way the West viewed India and Pakistan. Vajpayee's Golden Quadrilateral project transformed India's highways and his Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana connected rural India with good roads.
Vajpayee's reign was revolutionary and although this book only covers events till 1999, those familiar with politics and exposed to the rapid strides made by India under him from 1998 to 2004 will appreciate it nevertheless. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was not just one of India's greatest ever Prime Ministers but he ranks among one of the greatest ever Indians of all time. He was a true Bharata Ratna and the author has made a sincere attempt to tell his story. More such works on Vajpayee should be brought to picture.
Vajpayee not only brought about a new dimension to India but continued on the good work of his predecessors like PV Narasimha Rao. Rao had envisioned India as a nuclear weapons state and had even given the go-ahead to carry the test at Pokhran in 1995 but had to retract after it was discovered by the Americans. Vajpayee avoided the detection and oversaw one of independent India's greatest achievements in 1998 when India shocked the world by carrying out nuclear tests in the Pokhran range in Rajasthan. This counts as one of the CIA's biggest intelligence failures to date.
India was hit hard by sanctions by the rest of the world but Vajpayee and his team ensured that there was no lingering effect on our economy because of this. In fact, economy boomed under Vajpayee who initiated a massive divestment drive. He had inherited an economy which was in trouble thanks to the populist schemes of the previous United Front governments. But by the time he quit office, Indian economy was growing at the highest rate ever.
Pakistan underestimated Vajpayee and took his attempt at creating peace in the subcontinent as a sign of weakness. They had to pay a heavy price after their attempt to invade Kargil and its surrounding areas were thwarted successfully by the Indian armed forces. This led to a tectonic shift in the way the West viewed India and Pakistan. Vajpayee's Golden Quadrilateral project transformed India's highways and his Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana connected rural India with good roads.
Vajpayee's reign was revolutionary and although this book only covers events till 1999, those familiar with politics and exposed to the rapid strides made by India under him from 1998 to 2004 will appreciate it nevertheless. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was not just one of India's greatest ever Prime Ministers but he ranks among one of the greatest ever Indians of all time. He was a true Bharata Ratna and the author has made a sincere attempt to tell his story. More such works on Vajpayee should be brought to picture.
March 13, 2021
The book offers interesting anecdotes of domestic and international political environments during NDA-1’s 13 month stint in government during 1998-99. It attempts to evolve one’s understanding of the personality of one of the tallest statesmen of modern India, Atal ji - his ideas, ideology, and principles. It explains at length the developments around India’s nuclear test of 1998, Lahore Bus diplomacy of Atal ji - two stand out moments in the evolution of India’s foreign and security policies. It puts in perspective the so called “coalition compulsions” illustrated through the politics surrounding first coalition government led by BJP. The book demonstrates why structural economic reforms, often referred to as ‘second generation reforms’, are difficult to bring about in India and political economy surrounding such reform initiatives.
The disappointing aspect is that the book is largely confined to Atalji’s 1998-99 tenure as PM and doesn’t deal with his tenure during 1999-2004 which had substantial impact on India today, thus not living up to the title - “The Years That Changed India”. Per se, the readers may find some explanations of the events and ideas as one-sided; but that is the case with most biographies especially this being written by a person who was part of PMO and close to Atal ji. Also, the book has many redundancies and grammatical/spelling errors which are more of clerical in nature and doesn’t behove the standards of Penguin publishing house.
Overall an insightful read with full of anecdotes for those interested in India’s political history. It helps make sense of current domestic political and economic developments more coherently. It is suggested to read this book in conjunction with Kingshuk Nag’s “Atal Bihari Vajpayee: A Man for All Seasons” and “Jugalbandi: The BJP Before Modi” by Vinay Sitapati.
The disappointing aspect is that the book is largely confined to Atalji’s 1998-99 tenure as PM and doesn’t deal with his tenure during 1999-2004 which had substantial impact on India today, thus not living up to the title - “The Years That Changed India”. Per se, the readers may find some explanations of the events and ideas as one-sided; but that is the case with most biographies especially this being written by a person who was part of PMO and close to Atal ji. Also, the book has many redundancies and grammatical/spelling errors which are more of clerical in nature and doesn’t behove the standards of Penguin publishing house.
Overall an insightful read with full of anecdotes for those interested in India’s political history. It helps make sense of current domestic political and economic developments more coherently. It is suggested to read this book in conjunction with Kingshuk Nag’s “Atal Bihari Vajpayee: A Man for All Seasons” and “Jugalbandi: The BJP Before Modi” by Vinay Sitapati.
July 7, 2021
"Contrary to popular impression, Vajpayee was an Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove".
- The Years That Changed India: Vajpayee by Mr. Shakti Sinha.
While you find a lot of literature on one of India's most iconic Statesman, there's something really unique which separates this one from all that has been written on Mr. Vajpayee and his tenure as the Prime Minister of India.
A large portion of the works on Atal Ji focus on his politics and tenure as the PM between 1999- May 2004 or him as a young firebrand orator who stood against Indira Gandhi's tyranny during the Dark Days of the Emergency. Amidst all this, one can even be pardoned for forgetting that he was the PM for more than a year from 1998 -99.
There is a serious dearth of literature over the functioning of the government and on the greater politico-economic environment of the country during that year. This is appalling all the more since the year 1998 was a year filled with landmarks events in modern Indian history.
This is where Shakti Sinha's work stands poles apart from everything else that has been written to date on Atal Ji as he introduces before us the many external and internal challenges that the government faced from within and outside the country. It highlights the lows Atal Ji faced during his 1-year tenure and how he rose every time from those depths to lead this nation be it the Kargil War or the Nuclear Tests!
It's a very beautiful sneak into a very important period of Indian Political and Economic history that does not get the attention it deserves or is often overshadowed by Atal Ji's full tenure as the PM. A must-read to understand as to why and how 1998 was the year of Vajpayee, how 1998 would be a year that would change this country for good the impacts or benefits of which we are now enjoying 24 yrs down the line.
Vajpayee Ji was truly India's Last Statesman!
- The Years That Changed India: Vajpayee by Mr. Shakti Sinha.
While you find a lot of literature on one of India's most iconic Statesman, there's something really unique which separates this one from all that has been written on Mr. Vajpayee and his tenure as the Prime Minister of India.
A large portion of the works on Atal Ji focus on his politics and tenure as the PM between 1999- May 2004 or him as a young firebrand orator who stood against Indira Gandhi's tyranny during the Dark Days of the Emergency. Amidst all this, one can even be pardoned for forgetting that he was the PM for more than a year from 1998 -99.
There is a serious dearth of literature over the functioning of the government and on the greater politico-economic environment of the country during that year. This is appalling all the more since the year 1998 was a year filled with landmarks events in modern Indian history.
This is where Shakti Sinha's work stands poles apart from everything else that has been written to date on Atal Ji as he introduces before us the many external and internal challenges that the government faced from within and outside the country. It highlights the lows Atal Ji faced during his 1-year tenure and how he rose every time from those depths to lead this nation be it the Kargil War or the Nuclear Tests!
It's a very beautiful sneak into a very important period of Indian Political and Economic history that does not get the attention it deserves or is often overshadowed by Atal Ji's full tenure as the PM. A must-read to understand as to why and how 1998 was the year of Vajpayee, how 1998 would be a year that would change this country for good the impacts or benefits of which we are now enjoying 24 yrs down the line.
Vajpayee Ji was truly India's Last Statesman!
April 19, 2021
Only if he had a complete majority. Handling the chaos of a coalition government, dealing with the demands of its allies, and still driving the efforts to make India a global superpower, it needs a man of courage and character like Vajpayee Ji. The author has shared lots of interesting anecdotes of his tenure. While reading you really feel what all he had to go through. The only reason for him to accommodate all the chaos of the coalition government was his love and dedication towards India. Be it executing the Pokhran tests and facing the ensuing sanctions and rebuke from other countries, he was always there to defend India's interests and decisions.
This book mostly covers his time as PM and some parts of it before becoming PM. It leaves you with curiosity to know more about him. Like his career, ideas, and thoughts before becoming PM. A lot can still be explored about him.
The author also talks about exploring NM Ghatate's compilation of Vajpayee Ji's speeches to know more about him and understand him better.
Adding his poem's lines,
Haar nahin manunga, raar nahin thanunga,
Kaal kay kapal pe likhta-mitata hoon,
Geet naya gata hoon.
This book mostly covers his time as PM and some parts of it before becoming PM. It leaves you with curiosity to know more about him. Like his career, ideas, and thoughts before becoming PM. A lot can still be explored about him.
The author also talks about exploring NM Ghatate's compilation of Vajpayee Ji's speeches to know more about him and understand him better.
Adding his poem's lines,
Haar nahin manunga, raar nahin thanunga,
Kaal kay kapal pe likhta-mitata hoon,
Geet naya gata hoon.
May 20, 2021
Shakti Sinha ji was PM Vajpayee's private secretary, also serving as his secretary when Vajpayee ji was the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha. Thus, his book is an insider's view to Vajpayee PMO's functioning. And we know that inside views to powerful offices are always captivating. That's the good part. Now, not so good. The book has been written loosely and doesn't talk really about the economic transformation unleashed by Vajpayee. It's a missed opportunity in that sense, for Vajpayee, at the grand age of 75, led a government that has been one of the most transformational in the Indian history. Though, don't miss the book. It provides a connect to a time that most of us didn't consciously experience, and to a Prime Minister who loved food, dogs and was a poet. Not to forget the courage he displayed at Pokhran!
On the whole, the political enthusiast and Vajpayee admirer in me would recommend the book.
On the whole, the political enthusiast and Vajpayee admirer in me would recommend the book.
September 12, 2021
The man whose glory is often unsung.... Vajpayee stood the greatest test of all, the test of time.... It was often said that with friends as such, Vajpayee had no need for enemies. He walked the thin rope, ensured statesmanship trumped politics and scripted India's nuclear and military deterrence for the world. History has been unkind to him. He emphatically believed that Hinduism is in itself tolerant and hence the west-born concept of secularism is alien to India. He had a firm belief in market solutions, and opined and worked for a liberal economy. A man who adored politics and poetry, ethics and reality should find a greater space in today's times. It was Vajpayee's work that ensured growth till 2008, contrary to beliefs. His idea of privatisation, golden quadrilateral and the revolution he created by changing the telecom policy was perspicacious to its core. Yet the Congress and opposition continued to create an eristic state of affairs through their fulminations. The man who wasn't afraid of death, left behind a ton of legacy!
May 22, 2021
Amazing book if you want to read about the ear of Vajpayee era when the parliament was hung and then the details about the 'Second Indian Nuclear Test' has been described very well as to how the whole world criticized.
Please do read that, POKHRAN(Movie) will not help actually that has also been referenced in this book.
Please do read that, POKHRAN(Movie) will not help actually that has also been referenced in this book.
February 14, 2021
Strictly for the vajpayee fan like me who does not mind reading a diary like account of events spanning just 13 months. The book does not do justice to the purchase by an arbitrary Indian political enthusiast.
July 15, 2021
Contrary to what one might expect, this book does not cover 1999-2004 period which is the main during which reforms took shape.
Otherwise a convenient read
Otherwise a convenient read
November 5, 2021
A fantastic book written by an author who was a companion to vajpayee in his years of being a PM and before.
February 20, 2024
As a child growing up in India in the late 90s, I was impressed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee's eloquent speeches and poise as he addressed press conferences after Pokhran and after the Kargil War. In the years to follow I developed a fondness and appreciation for the gentleman which I have not had since for his successors till date. I remember feeling very sad as I scanned the Times of India in May 2004 to learn that ABV had lost the general election and Sonia Gandhi was to potentially become the Prime Minister. A decade and even two decades later the interest in and appreciation for Atal Bihari Vajpayee has only magnified with people across the political spectrum supporting and criticising him equally on his views on politics, economic reform, religion and foreign policy. However, there is a resounding consensus on his skills as an orator and poet. This interest is reflected in the flurry of books written on him in the last few years. Shakti Sinha's memoir of his times as the Personal Secretary of the Great Man is one among them and perhaps an important but insufficient work to understand the subject.
The book abruptly begins in 1996 with a hung Parliament and ends with the Kargil War as the second Vajpayee ministry enters the 1999 election. The book offers a near blow-by-blow account of the interim years and more specifically from 1998 -99 covering the coalition challenges, the Pokhran tests and Kargil in amazing detail. However, the book reads more like a semi-sequential narrative of events rather than a political or historical analysis. The chapters of the book dedicated to different facets of Vajpayee's 1998-99 ministry but certain anecdotes get repeated in multiple chapters especially the multiple spokes placed by Jayalalithaa and the AIADMK party. It almost felt like in bad taste in parts but perhaps the closeness of Sinha to the unfolding of coalition politics is reflected in these repeated anecdotal references.
This is balanced by the continuous praise and reference to the contribution of other key stars in the Vajpayee ministry: Jaswant Singh, George Fernandes, Yashwant Sinha among others. However, L.K. Advani only makes minor appearances raising more questions in my mind on how governance worked between Vajpayee and Advani. As a public policy enthusiast I learnt a lot about coalition politics and how the conduct of a Prime Minister plays a key role especially in foreign policy and international relations. The chapters detailing Pokhran, the bus trip to Lahore and the reference to ABV's speeches in the United States elucidated these in jargon-free language. The last chapter which breaks away from narration to reflect offers a slightly tinted view of the writer of his subject- most of which I knew as an observer of Indian politics but was partially reaffirmed by the writer.
Unlike similar books written by public intellectuals who churn out a book a year but still write in an inaccessible language, Shakti Sinha writes for the lay reader who reads the Times of India, The Hindu or the Indian Express and formulates opinions. If you fall in this category but would like to know the nuance behind what you have read in the news, this book would be suited for you.
If you are a policy intellectual or enthusiast, this book is a primer on domestic coalition politics and how they do more harm than good for the general public. However, if like me you admire and respect ABV, pick this up anyways, chances are that you will find this book leaving you hanging but you will still takeaway a lot.
The book abruptly begins in 1996 with a hung Parliament and ends with the Kargil War as the second Vajpayee ministry enters the 1999 election. The book offers a near blow-by-blow account of the interim years and more specifically from 1998 -99 covering the coalition challenges, the Pokhran tests and Kargil in amazing detail. However, the book reads more like a semi-sequential narrative of events rather than a political or historical analysis. The chapters of the book dedicated to different facets of Vajpayee's 1998-99 ministry but certain anecdotes get repeated in multiple chapters especially the multiple spokes placed by Jayalalithaa and the AIADMK party. It almost felt like in bad taste in parts but perhaps the closeness of Sinha to the unfolding of coalition politics is reflected in these repeated anecdotal references.
This is balanced by the continuous praise and reference to the contribution of other key stars in the Vajpayee ministry: Jaswant Singh, George Fernandes, Yashwant Sinha among others. However, L.K. Advani only makes minor appearances raising more questions in my mind on how governance worked between Vajpayee and Advani. As a public policy enthusiast I learnt a lot about coalition politics and how the conduct of a Prime Minister plays a key role especially in foreign policy and international relations. The chapters detailing Pokhran, the bus trip to Lahore and the reference to ABV's speeches in the United States elucidated these in jargon-free language. The last chapter which breaks away from narration to reflect offers a slightly tinted view of the writer of his subject- most of which I knew as an observer of Indian politics but was partially reaffirmed by the writer.
Unlike similar books written by public intellectuals who churn out a book a year but still write in an inaccessible language, Shakti Sinha writes for the lay reader who reads the Times of India, The Hindu or the Indian Express and formulates opinions. If you fall in this category but would like to know the nuance behind what you have read in the news, this book would be suited for you.
If you are a policy intellectual or enthusiast, this book is a primer on domestic coalition politics and how they do more harm than good for the general public. However, if like me you admire and respect ABV, pick this up anyways, chances are that you will find this book leaving you hanging but you will still takeaway a lot.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews