Campaign Diary

Just a humble OBC: Why Narendra Modi played the caste card in Amethi

From being the serial ranter, he has morphed into the challenger, the underdog, the outsider and the victim at the same time. He chose to rebuild the idea of him as the quintessential 'other' in the context of traditional Indian social paradigms.

Why Modi took on Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi in Amethi

Modi's rally in Amethi is personal and it’s stinging especially because it’s happening not at some campaign stop in Madhya Pradesh but in the Gandhis’ own backyard.

Rahul, Priyanka's Amethi road show enough to hold off Modi?

On the penultimate day of campaigning in Amethi, the citizens got a two-for-one surprise. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi embarked on a road show, shaking hands and trying to touch hearts.

Elections 2014: The unusual campaign of Varun Gandhi

In a part of the world where everything is about caste and sub-caste, Varun Gandhi tells his audiences to rise above caste and creed. Starry-eyed idealism or a real push for change?

Vikram Batra's mother speaks: Why use my son's name for votes?

"They called him 'sher shah', I was told. Maine bhi kya sher bete ko janam diya hai (I have given birth to such a brave son)..." she says. And he remains better that way, she says, not as a poll slogan.

Voices of massacres past: Naroda, Gulberg society victims on Modi

Gulberg Society has come to symbolise the sharply polarised state, question its claims of inclusive growth and a reminder that the tales of 2002 will not suddenly vanish after May 16.

Mamata-Modi hate story: 3 lessons for the BJP's PM candidate

Mamata and Modi have gone from being prospective good friends to the new Shahrukh-Salman of the block.

De de vote de: How Bappi-da is Modi-fying his greatest hits

No Bappi Lahiri hit is safe anymore. Now that the King of Disco is a BJP candidate from Serampore, he's turning his greatest hits into BJP anthems.

Elections 2014: In Vadodara, a human chain for voter awareness

Seen in the light of the BJP gunning for a record-smashing victory for Modi in Vadodara, the voter awareness drive in the city makes ample sense.

Gandhinagar: Pro-Modi candidate tells voters not to vote for Advani

'Hindu Shiv Sena' candidate in Gandhinagar Sanjay Brahmbhatt circulates handbill asking Christians to stop conversions and Muslims to bring out the terrorist hidden within.

In Vadodara, Modi posters dominate landscape ahead of poll

In Vadodara it's difficult to miss who the most advertised candidate is. Here are some images of the town.

AAP on auto-pilot in Ahmedabad: You see the rickshaw, but who's the candidate?

AAP has about700 autos campaigning in Ahmedabad, but despite their visibility, unfortunately nobody can remember the party's candidates.

The miracle of voting: In elections in India, size matters

Sandip Roy speaks to Mukulika Banerjee about what elections mean to India — and the real miracle in it.

Despite Delhi, Mumbai might choose Kejriwal over Modi, Rahul

With its jhadu symbol and trophy candidates, AAP has continued to be the pop party to its biggest voter-base yet – the urban youth.