COVER STORY
The BJP Cadre: Between Ideological Purity and Political Pragmatism
Ideology and Its Contradictions
Outlook Magazine - Mission Two-Thirds - 20 July 2026 Issue
In order to make critical legislative changes that leave a lasting political imprint, BJP needs to secure 2/3rd majority in Parliament. Support from its allies is not enough. Recent splits in political parties may help BJP reach the magic number
Outlook Cover StoryIdeology, Power and the BJP’s Pursuit of a Two-Thirds Majority
The BJP’s recent electoral dominance has opened a path towards a magic majority in Parliament. The target is still a few numbers away. Will the Narendra Modi government be able to crack the arithmetic anytime soon?
The Fertility Factor
Since 1951, the Lok Sabha seats have increased from 489 to 543 in four delimitation exercises. The Lok Sabha seats for each state are decided on the basis of the population of the state. Now, the Delimitation Bill, 2026 proposes increasing the strength of the House by 273 to 816 seats. Nivedita Singh explains
Radha Mohan Das Agrawal Interview: ‘For Us, Nation Comes First’ on BJP’s Governance Since 2014
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary Radha Mohan Das Agrawal spoke to Ashlin Mathew on the Narendra Modi government’s record since 2014, outlining the party’s position on key constitutional reforms and countering the Opposition’s criticism. Edited excerpts:
Pawan Khera Outlook Interview: 'A Two-Thirds Majority Is About Rewriting the Rules of Democracy'
As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) inches towards a two-thirds majority in both the lower and upper houses of Parliament—through electoral victories, resignations, defections and shifting loyalties to ensure the passing of the delimitation bill, women’s reservation bill and the one nation, one election (ONOE) bill—Pawan Khera, the Congress Rajya Sabha member and chairman of the media and publicity wing, argues that the BJP’s pursuit is not simply about electoral politics but about acquiring power to redesign the rules of the political game. Edited excerpts from an interview with Ashlin Mathew.
Why the Two-Thirds Mark Matters in Parliament: Understanding Constitutional Amendments
Under Article 368, a special majority is mandatory for constitutional amendments
Reform vs Undemocratic Resistance: BJP’s Case for Reform-Driven Nation Building
The Modi government works for reforms while the Congress obstructs any change
Anurag Bhadoria Interview: 'The BJP Won't Be Able to Break SP'
This is a season of defections and splits in political parties. Why are MPs deserting their parties and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party? Anurag Bhadoria, spokesperson of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and former minister of sports in the Akhilesh Yadav government, speaks to Mohammad Ali. Edited excerpts.
InterviewSibaji Pratim Basu Interview on Political Defections: 'Today, Power, Not Ideology, Drives Politics'
Political scientist and author Sibaji Pratim Basu traces the history of political defections in India. The former vice-chancellor of Vidyasagar University explains why regional parties are especially vulnerable to splits and reflects on what the current political churn reveals about the health of Indian democracy. Edited excerpts from an interview with Fozia Yasin.
Chasing a Supermajority
How the NDA stacks up against the constitutional threshold required to reintroduce and pass the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill. Nivedita Singh explains
- Outlook Cover Story
Ideology, Power and the BJP’s Pursuit of a Two-Thirds Majority
The BJP’s recent electoral dominance has opened a path towards a magic majority in Parliament. The target is still a few numbers away. Will the Narendra Modi government be able to crack the arithmetic anytime soon?
The Fertility Factor
Since 1951, the Lok Sabha seats have increased from 489 to 543 in four delimitation exercises. The Lok Sabha seats for each state are decided on the basis of the population of the state. Now, the Delimitation Bill, 2026 proposes increasing the strength of the House by 273 to 816 seats. Nivedita Singh explains
Radha Mohan Das Agrawal Interview: ‘For Us, Nation Comes First’ on BJP’s Governance Since 2014
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary Radha Mohan Das Agrawal spoke to Ashlin Mathew on the Narendra Modi government’s record since 2014, outlining the party’s position on key constitutional reforms and countering the Opposition’s criticism. Edited excerpts:
Pawan Khera Outlook Interview: 'A Two-Thirds Majority Is About Rewriting the Rules of Democracy'
As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) inches towards a two-thirds majority in both the lower and upper houses of Parliament—through electoral victories, resignations, defections and shifting loyalties to ensure the passing of the delimitation bill, women’s reservation bill and the one nation, one election (ONOE) bill—Pawan Khera, the Congress Rajya Sabha member and chairman of the media and publicity wing, argues that the BJP’s pursuit is not simply about electoral politics but about acquiring power to redesign the rules of the political game. Edited excerpts from an interview with Ashlin Mathew.
Why the Two-Thirds Mark Matters in Parliament: Understanding Constitutional Amendments
Under Article 368, a special majority is mandatory for constitutional amendments
Reform vs Undemocratic Resistance: BJP’s Case for Reform-Driven Nation Building
The Modi government works for reforms while the Congress obstructs any change
Anurag Bhadoria Interview: 'The BJP Won't Be Able to Break SP'
This is a season of defections and splits in political parties. Why are MPs deserting their parties and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party? Anurag Bhadoria, spokesperson of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and former minister of sports in the Akhilesh Yadav government, speaks to Mohammad Ali. Edited excerpts.
- Interview
Sibaji Pratim Basu Interview on Political Defections: 'Today, Power, Not Ideology, Drives Politics'
Political scientist and author Sibaji Pratim Basu traces the history of political defections in India. The former vice-chancellor of Vidyasagar University explains why regional parties are especially vulnerable to splits and reflects on what the current political churn reveals about the health of Indian democracy. Edited excerpts from an interview with Fozia Yasin.
Chasing a Supermajority
How the NDA stacks up against the constitutional threshold required to reintroduce and pass the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill. Nivedita Singh explains
OTHER OUTLOOK MAGAZINE STORIES
Water Emergency: Why India has Turned into a Water-Stressed Nation
As cities expand, taps run dry, reservoirs shrink and groundwater depletes, policies around water management need an urgent overhaul
The Ayodhya Ledger: Ram Temple, Missing Donations and the Politics Ahead of UP Elections
The Ram temple has once again become the centre of political contestation
Uneasy Calm in Manipur: Ethnic Clashes, Governance Failures and the Long Road to Peace
Manipur has been in turmoil for a long time. Only a transparent, honest, patient and corruption-free government can bring the communities back together
India and the Iran-US Deal: Energy Security, Inflation and Economic Impact
A reduction in US-Iran tensions will give India greater room to balance relations with Washington, Tehran and the Gulf states without being forced into difficult choices
World Cup 2026 Spirit: How Global Fans Are Redefining America
Lately criticised for its politics of fear and division, immigration raids and forced deportations, the US finds itself smiling again at the good-natured antics of the thousands of visiting supporters for the ongoing football World Cup
In This World: Review of Tabish Khair's 'Drown All the Refugees'
Khair uses Gothic horror in his novel to paint a stark picture of the times we live in
Flying High: Shubhanshu Shukla Talks About His Memoir And Gaganyaan Mission
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla spoke to Vineetha Mokkil about the thrill of space exploration and the rigorous training astronauts undergo
'A Sacred Place': Centering Nagaland's Marginalised Voices And Memories
Set in the Naga village of Makhel, this documentary by Dolly Kikon tells a story that is both particular and universal
The Historical Tie Between India and Guyana
Guyana Diary
