Clad in his trademark white dhoti and shirt with sleeves rolled up, the 66-year-old Palaniswami appeared affable and down to earth as he sat down with THE WEEK for an exclusive interview. But, he was strict about following Covid protocols. A glass barrier on his desk separated him from visitors. And he declined requests, by Deputy Photo Editor Bhanu Prakash Chandra, to remove his two-ply face mask. “I advocate that people should wear masks. I am particular that I practice what I preach,” he said. “But you may ask me any number of questions—about me, my governance. I am ready to answer.”
Palaniswami opened up about a number of issues such as the corruption charges leveled against him by the opposition, his tenuous ties with Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s delicate balancing act with the BJP. He may not be articulate or charismatic like his predecessors M.G. Ramachandran or Jayalalithaa but hidden behind his unassuming personality are unmatched survival skills, incredible resilience, and a sharp political mind, which have given him control over the party and the government.
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Denne historien er fra February 21, 2021-utgaven av THE WEEK.
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Themes Of Choice
As Savvy Investors Seek New Avenues, Thematic Mutual Funds Are Gaining Popularity
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
