ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash Asian News International (ANI)

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

Social activist and politician Swati Maliwal currently serves as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, representing Delhi. She participated in the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement led by social activist Anna Hazare. Swati was the chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) from 2015 to 2024. During her tenure, she demanded greater accountability from the Delhi police, leading to frequent clashes between the commission and the police department.

On May 13, Swati Maliwal alleged that she was assaulted by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's aide PS Bibhav Kumar. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Maliwal recounts her ordeal on what exactly happened on May 13. Swati expresses her belief that the truth will come to light once the original version of the videos is released. She feels betrayed by the AAP, noting that her friends and colleagues aren't standing by her. Swati also questions what this means for an ordinary person if it can happen to a Rajya Sabha MP.

Swati also mentions that the AAP leadership never asked her to resign and that some party members have become arrogant due to being in power. She complains that Arvind Kejriwal hasn't called her since the incident came to light and is protecting Bibhav Kumar. Swati asserts that she won't give a clean chit to anyone, emphasizing that the Delhi CM was present at his residence when the incident occurred.

(0:00) - Introduction

(2:55) - Assault Row

(7:45) - 'Doctored' Videos

(9:00) - Kejriwal's Role

(11:30) - Who is the culprit?

(14:20) - Who is Bibhav Kumar?

(16:35) - Leaked Videos

(20:40) - Victim Shaming

(25:10) - Police Complaint

(28:30) -'AAP leaders pressured' claim

(33:30) - AAP's stand on Swati's case

(36:30) - Did AAP Betray Swati?

(40:00) - Who is protecting Bibhav Kumar?

(43:00) - "I Will Fight Till The End"

(45:30) - Rajya Sabha Seat

(50:20) - Betrayal in AAP

(51:40) - Two Versions of the story

(55:30) - "I Will Try To Fix The Party"

(59:40) - Women in Politics

(1:02:00) - "I Feel Broken Inside"

(1:06:00) - Swati Maliwal case Probe

In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we bring you a perfect blend of humour, fun, and candid discussions. Joining the conversation are Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace & Conflict Studies, Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, and Author & 'The Cārvāka Podcast' host Kushal Mehra. The duo delves into discussions around the country's socio-political landscape amidst the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Abhijit and Kushal explore the rise of political Hindutva and the introduction of monotheism in India through Islam. Abhijit criticizes the rise of 'woke' philosophy in the West and its impact in India. The duo also talks about the pro-Palestine protests sweeping through Western universities, mainly in the United States.

In this podcast, they discuss the BJP-led Modi government, with Abhijit and Kushal questioning Rahul Gandhi and his leadership style. The duo also criticizes the Indian political system for its lack of space for free speech. Kushal also talks about his book 'Nastik: Why I Am Not an Atheist' and the thought process behind it.

Tune in! This podcast is also filled with fun, laughter, witty jibes, and playful banter.

(0:00) Introduction
(2:26) Rise of Hindutva
(11:26) Constitution Row
(14:41) Indian Muslims
(18:56) Western Media's Hypocrisy
(21:12) Rise of Wokeism
(33:26) Pro-Palestine Stir in U.S.
(40:26) Wokeism a Threat to India?
(42:51) Riddhi Patel Row
(44:46) Rahul Gandhi 'Merit' Controversy
(48:46) The Woke Narrative
(52:41) Rahul Gandhi is Dangerous
(0:59:16) Hypocrisy of Modi Critics1:03:56Veganism1:07:16Hindutva as a 'Disruptor'
(1:09:56) The Modi Factor1:12:46Pluralism in Indian Society
(1:25:26) Indian Secularism
(1:31:26) Mutual Respect & Tolerance
(1:36:56) Hindu Population
(1:44:06) YouTube & Hate Speech
(1:47:56) Freedom of Speech in India
(1:57:26) Muslims in Modi's India