ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash Asian News International (ANI)

Polls just concluded in India—the world's largest democracy. Exit polls predict NDA's return, but what is the ground reality? What factors boosted BJP led NDA coalition? We will have all these answers and more from three seasoned ANI journalists, who extensively covered the Indian elections.

Joining the discussion are Ashoke Raj, Siddharth Sharma, and Suchitra Mukherjee. Ashoke shares election insights from Punjab and Karnataka, Siddharth has covered polls in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala, while Suchitra reported on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.

In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, the three ANI journalists delve into their experiences covering the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. They offer insights into the successes and challenges of the NDA and INDIA alliances and discuss the ground realities in the states they covered.

(0:00) Introduction
(0:28) North-South Divide
(3:44) Who'll win Karnataka?
(7:38) Siddaramaiah Schemes
(13:10) BJP's '400 Paar' Slogan
(14:39) Political Rallies Truth
(19:30) SP-Congress Alliance
(21:02) Why Priyanka didn't fight
(26:30) INDIA VS NDA in UP
(29:30) Rahul's Nyay Yatra
(33:17) Kanhaiya's future in Congress
(38:32) Mood in Punjab44:15:00The Modi Factor47:30:00K-Backer Amritpal
(53:30) Punjab's Chitta economy
(57:30) Odisha Exit poll1:00:50Cong Himachal govt to go?
(1:05:20) Rae Bareli & Amethi
(1:11:30) Personal Attacks in Polls
(1:15:20) Piyush Goyal 'Blushing' Story
(1:17:50) Main Issues in Bengal
(1:28:13) Maharashtra politics
(1:34:41) Exit Polls fallout1:45:30BJP vs Congress Cadres
(1:48:20) Reporter Challenges
(1:58:06) No interviews by Rahul
(2:05:10) Exit polls or exact polls?

Anurag Singh Thakur is a BJP MP in the Lok Sabha representing the Hamirpur constituency in Himachal Pradesh. He currently holds the positions of Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs, and Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the Second Modi Ministry. His father, Prem Kumar Dhumal, was a former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.

Previously, Thakur has also served as Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs. Additionally, he was the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from May 2015 to February 2017.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Anurag Thakur discusses the development in Himachal Pradesh during the NDA rule. He also criticized Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, stating that Congress promises in the state remain unfulfilled and accusing him of politicizing the Himachal flood situation.

Thakur also emphasizes PM Modi's popularity, particularly among women voters, and highlights the benefits of the Agnipath scheme for the country's youth, discussing its potential impact on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

(0:00) Introduction1:00Fifth Term MP?3:31Amit Shah's Appreciation
(5:47) Popularity Among Voters
(7:15) Modi Developing HP?
(12:58) Agnipath Scheme
(16:58) Gandhis Took Chinese Money?
(19:24) Atmanirbhar in Defence...
(22:32) Modi's Women Voters
(27:45) HP Congress Govt. is a Laughing Stock
(32:13) Kargil War35:11:00Himachal is Veerbhumi
(36:49) We Can Raze Pak Down To Dust
(40:05) Who Will Win LS Polls 2024?
(45:05) Foreign Media's Election Coverage
(47:13) INDIA Alliances's Ban List
(49:28) Social Media Influencing Elections?
(50:50) Personal Attacks in Election Campaigns
(52:22) Constitution Amendment Row
(54:30) Sansad Mobile Swasthya Seva
(58:42) Cricket Career0:59:43I Will Win...1:01:10PM Modi's Commitment
(1:04:42) Family is My Asset

Elections are currently underway in India, the world's largest democracy. However, as the voting progresses, there's a noticeable shift in political discourse. The focus has moved away from core issues towards topics like identity, caste reservation, and the constitution. But why are political parties deviating? What lies beneath this shift? We'll delve into these questions to uncover the truth.

Joining the podcast are Suhel Seth and Advaita Kala. Suhel Seth is a brand guru, author, and columnist. Advaita Kala is an author, columnist, and screenwriter, best known for her work on the critically acclaimed film 'Kahaani.'

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Suhel Seth and Advaita Kala discuss the election narrative for the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha Polls. They delve into legacy media's coverage of the elections, with Kala claiming that there is a general level of distrust towards mainstream media. She also suggests that social media platforms may be controlling the narrative through their extensive systems. The conversation also touches on PM Narendra Modi, his farsightedness, and his immense popularity among the masses, with Seth claiming that 'brand Modi' is more popular than that of RSS and BJP combined. Tune in for an episode filled with jibes, sarcasm, and satire.

(0:00) Intro1:47Summer Elections
(2:42) Seth's Jibe at Kala
(5:20) Legacy Media's Election Coverage
(6:45) Indian Electorate
(10:30) Brand Modi15:30Toothless Election Commission?
(17:44) Hindu Identity Politics
(26:20) Laws Have Exonerated Modi
(29:20) 1984 Sikh 'Genocide'
(30:50) Congress Controlled Media?
(32:45) Lutyens' Gang'34:50:00Distrust in Legacy Media
(39:14) Hate Economy is Thriving
(43:40) Seth's Meeting with Modi
(45:10) Sensational' Campaigns
(48:00) Western Media's Agenda
(51:35) Primetime Debates
(54:10) Indian Political Discourse
(1:00:12) Tech Platforms Controlling Narrative?
(1:02:30) Politics Affecting Relationships?
(1:04:14) Swati Maliwal Row
(1:06:00) The AAP Campaign
(1:10:40) AAP's Punjab Connection
(1:13:16) Election Reforms?
(1:15:20) Digital Activism
(1:17:17) The Labharthi Factor

Taranjit Singh Sandhu is a former Indian diplomat who served as India's ambassador to the United States from 2020 to 2024. He played a key role in the establishment of the Indian embassy in Ukraine. He also served as the First Secretary in Washington, held the position of Consul General in Frankfurt, and was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Throughout his career, he held various key positions within the Ministry of External Affairs in India.

In March 2024, Taranjit Singh Sandhu joined the BJP and was selected as the party's candidate for the religiously important Amritsar constituency in the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, former ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu discusses the law and order situation in Punjab, addressing the drug crisis affecting the state's youth.

He criticizes the Aam Aadmi Party for failing to manage the situation and provide jobs for Punjab's younger generation. According to Sandhu, there is widespread dissatisfaction with AAP's performance, leading to a strong anti-incumbency sentiment in the northern state.

Additionally, Taranjit Singh Sandhu outlines his vision for transforming Amritsar into a tourism and start-up hub to boost the city's economy.

(0:00) Introduction0:35Diplomat Turned Politician
(2:52) Why Joined Politics
(4:20) Family Roots to Amritsar
(9:53) SGPC Connection with Family
(15:00) Parents' Legacy17:53Higher Education in Delhi
(18:35) BJP's Amritsar Jinx
(20:58) Problems in Amritsar
(23:25) Unemployment in Amritsar
(26:51) Startup Culture in Punjab
(29:30) VFS & U.S. Consulate in Amritsar
(31:25) Agriculture in Punjab
(36:16) Punjab Cargo Facility
(41:15) PM Modi's Policies
(42:13) Punjab's AAP Sarkar
(45:48) On Sukhpal Khera Row
(48:19) Amritpal Singh Poll Debut
(51:02) SAD-BJP Breakup
(52:17) Friendship with Sukhbir Badal
(56:19) PM's Sikh Diaspora Connect
(58:35) India-U.S. Ties

Elections are currently ongoing in the world's largest democracy. The outcome of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls is of particular interest. Factors such as the influence of the Yogi administration, the electoral prospects of Congress in Raebareli, the performance of the SP, and the strategy of Mayawati's BSP regarding caste dynamics remain key points of interest.

Joining the discussion are two senior journalists Ashutosh Shukla and Virendra Nath Bhatt. Ashutosh Shukla works as Dainik Jagran's state editor in Uttar Pradesh. Beside that, Shukla is also the author of four books. Virendra Nath Bhatt is a senior journalist based in Uttar Pradesh.

In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, the two senior journalists delve into the electoral landscape of Uttar Pradesh. According to Virendra Nath Bhatt, the opposition's narrative suggesting Yogi's potential removal from the CM's position is contributing to a polarization of votes in favor of the BJP. He also asserts that the power struggle within the Congress between Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is widely known in Uttar Pradesh. Ashutosh Shukla highlights that women serve as silent supporters of PM Modi, and the newly built Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is expected to influence these elections. Additionally, the journalists also explore Mayawati's strategies to maintain her Dalit vote bank.

(0:00) Introduction0:57Has Yogi Delivered UP?
(3:18) UP Voters' Pattern
(7:52) Reservation Row
(14:53) The Labharthi Factor
(18:03) Caste Politics in 2024 Polls
(23:26) Mahila' Voters & Women Quota
(28:36) Bundelkhand Development
(31:10) Akhilesh & Rahul's Bond
(36:45) Congress' Nostalgia Push
(38:59) Ayodhya Ram Temple
(43:02) Will Mayawati Rise Again?
(48:22) Arvind Kejriwal's Claims
(50:20) Muslim Votes55:08:00Gandhis Giving Up Amethi
(59:08) Congress' Shift To Leftism1:01:17Election Predictions
(1:05:55) Congress' Dynasty Politics
(1:08:33) Farm Laws & UCC
(1:13:07) Development in UP
(1:16:22) Influence of Western Media

Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is an eminent diplomat who has been serving as the Minister of External Affairs for the Government of India since May 30, 2019. Dr. Jaishankar has played a pivotal role in shaping India's diplomatic strategies, particularly amidst the dynamic shifts in global geopolitics. A member of the BJP, Dr. Jaishankar also serves as a Rajya Sabha MP, representing Gujarat.

Previously, he held the position of Foreign Secretary from January 2015 to January 2018. He is only the second Indian diplomat to be appointed as India's External Affairs Minister.
Over his extensive 38-year diplomatic tenure, he has held various positions both in the country and abroad. He was involved in negotiating the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement.

In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Jaishankar speaks about foreign media's influence in the 2024 Indian general elections, referring to them as the 'International Khan Market Gang.' He also talks about his journey from diplomat to politician and praises PM Modi for his farsighted policies.

Dr. Jaishankar also opens up about the Prajwal Revanna passport row, saying that the MEA acted promptly on the matter. He questions whether legal processes should be stalled to protect politicians. The External Affairs Minister also discusses 'Parivarvaad' (dynastic politics) in Indian politics, adding that it is fundamentally anti-democratic.

(0:00) Introduction0:52Election Campaigning
(1:43) Bureaucrat Turned Politician
(4:00) The 'India Story'7:18Expectation from EAM
(12:07) PM Modi's Work Culture
(17:27) BJP's '400 Paar' Target
(21:23) Is BJP Winning South?
(22:40) Mamata Banerjee
(25:51) Reservation Row
(28:51) Parivarvaad' & INDIA Alliance
(31:34) International Khan Market Gang'
(35:52) Farooq Abdullah’s Warning
(38:10) India's Reaction Post 26/11
(40:44) CMs Facing Agencies' Heat
(43:24) Prajwal Revanna Passport Row
(45:07) Nirav Modi & Mehul Choksi
(46:17) Humanitarian Aid
(49:09) Modi 3.0