PMOs, terror trials, presidents and coups – the times of P V Narasimha Rao, the former Prime Minister of India from 1991 to 1996, featured a profoundly captivating period in the nation’s democratic history. Written by S Narendra, India’s Tipping Point: The View From 7 Race Course Road provides an intimate look into the Prime Minister’s Office under Rao. Published in Business Standard by Aditi Phadnis, the book examines the turbulent state of India during that time and offers insight into the events of the period.
Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is a top-level government organisation that is responsible for advising the Indian Prime Minister, overseeing the implementation of government policy and directing government resources. Under Narasimha Rao, the PMO underwent many changes, from the scrupulous handling of terror trials and disputable dealings with the president to attempts to lead a coup against the situation. Such endeavours frequently had a stirring outcome, and there was a powerful presence in the PMO at that point.
S Narendra was the spokesperson for both the Prime Minister’s Office and Rao, and a significant player in the political tension of these years. Not only does his book provide astute accounts of the inner circles and large-scale government decisions, it also offers personal anecdotes and additional insight into the remarkable shifts in power and strategy over the prime minister’s tenure.
Notably, India’s Tipping Point also documents Rao’s efforts to liberalise the economy and his battle against attempts to overthrow his government, demonstrating the lasting legacy of his time in office. It is said to be the most factual account of the politics of Rao’s early years.
Aditi Phadnis is a senior journalist based in Delhi and a renowned author. She is one of India’s most eminent political analysts and has provided important insights into the vast political landscape of the country through columns, magazines, and other publications. Phadnis has written extensively on issues regarding elections, civil society, public policy, politics and corporate issues.
The collaborative efforts of Narendra and Phadnis has enabled readers to gain an in-depth understanding of the highly charged political atmosphere and manoeuvring of the 1990s. India’s Tipping Point presents an exceptional inside view into the tumultuous period under PMO’s leadership of Narasimha Rao, and the political repercussions of the era’s defining events.
