ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash Asian News International (ANI)

Praful Patel is a Rajya Sabha MP, former Union Aviation Minister, and the working president of the NCP. He is also a former president of the All India Football Federation and also served as a member of the FIFA Council. Patel inherited his passion for politics from his father Manoharbhai Patel, who was a senior leader of the Congress in Maharashtra.

In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Praful Patel sheds light on the exact reason behind the split of the NCP, and whether Sharad Pawar was aware of or in the dark about Ajit Pawar's swearing-in ceremonies in 2019 and 2023. Patel mentions PM Modi's vision and development projects and justifies Ajit Pawar's decision to join hands with the BJP.

Praful Patel also addresses his alleged involvement in the Air India leasing case, which was closed by the CBI eight months after he joined the NDA. He also responds to the opposition's jibe about the BJP being a "washing machine."

He also shares some untold stories behind the formation of the NCP and what led Sharad Pawar to break away from the Congress and form another party. He also shares stories about how Sharad Pawar was close to obtaining the top job in the country and blamed his indecisiveness for not achieving it. He asserts that the Gandhi Family would never trust Sharad Pawar and has backstabbed him many times.

Patel also takes on Uddhav Thackeray and claims that Raj Thackeray had the potential to take the Shiv Sena to greater heights had he not been a lazy politician.

Shashi Sekhar is the former CEO of Prasar Bharati, India's public broadcaster. He assumed office in 2017 and served a five-year term till 2022. An alumnus of IIT-Bombay, he was the youngest and first non-bureaucrat to hold the public office since its creation in 1997.

In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, former CEO of Prasar Bharati opens up about the Western media's 'obsession' with Prime Minister Modi, often calling him an 'authoritarian leader' – a direct attack on India's democratic setup.

He also explains why Global media is ‘biased’ against PM Modi and continues to defame India’s democracy.

Shashi Shekhar speaks up about how these foreign media outlets have repeatedly attacked India's majority population, the Hindus, and their sentiments around the newly inaugurated Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

He also advises foreign journalists not to cross a line and hype up India's internal issues, which in turn may create a security situation in the country.

28-year-old Akash Anand is the National Coordinator of the Bahujan Samaj Party. Nephew of BSP supremo Mayawati, Akash joined the party in 2016 and rose through the ranks, to become the the second most important leader in the party. In December 2023, Mayawati also known as 'Behenji' named him as her political successor at a party meeting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Anand speaks about the current state of politics in Uttar Pradesh. He also speaks up about why his party had to split ways with their earlier rival the Samajwadi Party, and why his party wouldn't allign with Dalit leader and Bhim Army Chief Chandrasekhar Azad. 

The young Dalit politician with a foreign MBA, also opens up for the first time about being discriminated against for his caste by a senior in school, despite being the CM's nephew.

Dr. Cholenahally Nanjappa Manjunath, known as Dr. C N Manjunath, is a renowned cardiologist, who was the director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences & Research for 18 years, the largest Heart Care Centre in Southeast Asia. Under his leadership, the institute introduced 'Treatment First and Payment Next', praised by former U.S. President Barack Obama for providing high-quality cardiac care at affordable rates.

Recipient of the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, Dr Manjunath is also the son-in-law of HD Deve Gowda, former Prime Minister of India. He is now contesting in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls on a BJP ticket against DK Suresh, brother of Karnataka's Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, from the Bengaluru Rural seat. This election is seen as a battle for leadership within the Vokkaliga community, to which both candidates belong.

In an episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr Manjunath explains his delayed entry into politics despite his close ties to the JD(S) family and why he decided to contest on a BJP ticket. He discusses policies like Ayushman Bharat, aiming to provide healthcare to those below the poverty line, and the potential impact of the BJP-JD(S) alliance on his campaign against DK Suresh, the incumbent Congress MP from Bengaluru Rural.

Dr Manjunath also addresses the concerning rise of sudden heart attacks among young individuals, answering if COVID-19 vaccines play a role. He also shares insights on leading a healthy lifestyle.

HD Kumaraswamy, known as the 'kingmaker' of Karnataka politics, served as Chief Minister of Karnataka from 2018 to 2019 and from 2006 to 2007. He is contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Mandya constituency, which his son Nikhil lost to actor Sumalatha in 2019.

The son of former Indian Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, HD Kumaraswamy is also a Kannada film producer and actor. He has produced several successful Kannada films, including 'Chandra Chakori', which ran for an impressive 365 days in theatres. In 2016, his banner also produced his son's debut movie, 'Jaguar'.

In the latest episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, HDK sheds light on his alliance with the BJP and his past connections with the Gandhi family. He dismisses Congress' accusations of being the BJP's 'B-team'. He also talks about his father's relationship with PM Modi and how it influenced both parties to ally.

HDK touches on the topic of succession within the party and who will lead after Deve Gowda. The former Chief Minister of Karnataka denies allegations of JD(S) merging with the BJP after the 2024 polls. The upcoming Lok Sabha elections are crucial for JD(S), which is facing decline and setbacks in its Vokkaliga stronghold.

Rajeev Gowda wears many hats - he is an academician, spokesperson, professor, and social worker. Formerly a Rajya Sabha MP, he is now a Congress candidate for the Bengaluru North Lok Sabha constituency, a Vokkaliga stronghold. He is contesting against BJP's Shobha Karandlaje, also a Vokkaliga.

Currently, Rajeev serves as Chairman of the Congress Research Department. Previously, he was the Director of the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India and chaired the Centre for Public Policy at IIM Bangalore, teaching various courses.

In a recent episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Rajeev discusses Congress' prospects in Karnataka for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He dismisses the existence of a 'Modi wave' in the state and predicts that Congress will secure double-digit seats.

Rajeev proposes a 'National Election Fund' scheme to replace electoral bonds, which have been banned following a Supreme Court verdict. He accuses the BJP of engaging in divisive politics in Karnataka, emphasizing religious polarization of vote banks.

Additionally, he highlights the water crisis and traffic issues in Bengaluru. Rajeev responds to allegations that Congress is anti-majoritarian and expresses concern about the state of democracy in the country. He believes that an opposition alliance in India will help safeguard democracy.