THE BJP PULLED OFF a ‘smooth transition’ in Karnataka in July when it replaced B.S. Yediyurappa, its tallest leader in the state, with Basavaraj Bommai as chief minister. Though a surprise pick, Bommai seemed the party’s best bet to retain power in the crucial state owing to his proximity to Yediyurappa (who still holds sway over the politically important Lingayat community), amiable nature, administrative experience and clean image. Even Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave him a rare endorsement when he announced that the party would go to the 2023 assembly polls under Bommai’s leadership.
Though he managed to steady the ship in four months, Bommai has now sailed into a storm with the opposition Congress alleging that his government protected those involved in an unfolding Bitcoin scam.
Srikrishna Ramesh alias Sriki, 26, a self-proclaimed hacker from Jayanagar in Bengaluru, was arrested on November 4, 2020, by the Bengaluru Police’s Central Crime Branch (CCB) under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. He was accused of procuring drugs using Bitcoins and peddling them to high-profile clients. During interrogation, the CCB found that Sriki was involved in several other crimes, including the 2016 Bitfinex hack—one of the largest Bitcoin heists in the world— and the hacking of the Karnataka government’s e-procurement portal. Bommai was the home minister when he was arrested.
Denne historien er fra November 28, 2021-utgaven av THE WEEK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 28, 2021-utgaven av THE WEEK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock
