How does the Opposition make its strategy to counter the ruling government in Parliament? Who is responsible for running the House? Why was the Monsoon Session of Parliament completely washed out? What led to Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden exit? Why has the Opposition made the ‘Vote Chori’ row its main weapon against the government? Was there really a BJP vs. BJP fight in the Constitution Club polls?

To answer these questions and give you the inside scoop, this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash is joined by ANI correspondents who closely cover Parliament and political parties, Suchitra Mukherjee, Siddharth Sharma, Nishant Ketu, Amit Kumar, along with Naveen Kapoor, National Bureau Chief.

00:00 – Introduction

00:50 – Opposition’s Strategy in Parliament

04:59 – Parliament Session Washout: Who Is to Blame?

06:40 – Where is Jagdeep Dhankhar?

09:12 – What is Zero Hour in Parliament?

12:37 – BJP vs BJP in Constitution Club Polls?

21:09 – Jaya Bachchan’s Selfie Chaos

24:39 – Shashi Tharoor vs Congress?

25:58 – Restrictions on Media at BJP & Congress HQs?

30:59 – ‘Vote Chori’ Allegations by Opposition

36:05 – Which MP Says No to Giving Bites?

40:21 – Covering Parliament as a Reporter

42:25 – Women MPs Bonding in Parliament

48:00 – Congress Removes the ‘Alcohol Abstention’ Clause

52:09 – Priyanka’s Role in Congress

54:27 – Man/Woman of the Match of the Parliament Session

57:44 – The Man Behind Dhankhar’s Resignation

1:01:03 – Story Behind Akhilesh Jumping Barricades

1:05:15 – BJP–RSS Bonhomie

1:08:41 – Can NDA Lose Its Majority?

1:11:27 – Impact of Operation Sindoor

1:13:08 – Manish Tewari & Shashi Tharoor Sidelined?

1:15:44 – Experience of Covering Operation Sindoor

Sardar Tarlochan Singh is a former Rajya Sabha member and ex-Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities. He has spent his life fighting for Sikh causes, human rights, and keeping the Punjabi language alive, promoting Sikhism around the world. He has seen it all, from Partition, Nehru and Indira Gandhi’s rule, the rise of Bhindranwale, Operation Blue Star, Rajiv Gandhi, to Modi’s government.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about Sikhism, what the Sikh community expects from the Central Government, and his experience as Press Secretary to President Giani Zail Singh during the difficult time after Indira Gandhi’s assassination and the anti-Sikh riots. From Partition to now, he shares how life for Sikhs in India has changed over the years.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

02:14 – Language Politics in India

07:10 – Untold History of India-Pakistan Partition

18:47 – Govt Engagement with Sikh Diaspora

29:14 – Sikh Diaspora's Political Influence

37:22 – Khalistan Issue & SGPC Politics

41:02 – Giani Zail Singh’s Political Life

48:43 – Giani Zail Singh vs. Rajiv Gandhi

1:12:31 – Op Blue Star & Rise of Bhindranwale

1:25:21 – Psychological & Political Impact of Op Blue Star

1:32:50 – PM Modi's Bold Steps for Sikhs

1:39:14 – Modi’s Role During the Gujarat Riots

Kalli Purie is the Vice Chairperson & Executive Editor-in-Chief of the India Today Group. She studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University, UK. She is a core member of the team that created a modern newsroom designed for today’s multimedia and multi-device world.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast, Kalli Purie talks about the kind of political pressure news channels face from governments and how they handle it. She explains why every channel calls itself “number one,” and why billionaires are buying news channels.

She also opens up about why some top anchors left India Today, shares her opinion on influencers who do news without being journalists, and discusses how people are changing the way they consume news. She even makes a big prediction about the 2029 general elections.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

01:09 – Heated Newsroom Discussions

04:46 – Battle to Get TRPs

07:54 – Operation Sindoor: Flaws in Coverage?

10:54 – Fake News & Fact-Checking Team

17:10 – Reality of News Channel Ratings

21:24 – Anchor Popularity vs Ratings

27:39 – Traditional Media vs Influencers

35:23 – Managing Anchors' Demands

39:44 – Evolution of Hindi News Channels

44:21 – Race for Exclusive Content

47:01 – The ‘Godi Media’ Term

52:59 – Billionaires buying Channels

1:01:12 – TV News Criticism & Digital Shift

1:07:45 – AI in Newsrooms

1:11:46 – Childhood Passion to Media Leadership

1:22:58 – Gender Perception in Media

1:28:27 – Idea Generation and Teamwork

1:35:06 – Work-Life Balance

Tilak Devasher is an author and a former member of India’s National Security Advisory Board. Sushant Sareen is a Senior Fellow at ORF and an expert on Pakistan and security issues in the region.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss how India can defeat Pakistan in its global propaganda war, the shortcomings in media and narratives during Operation Sindoor, and why Trump appears to be choosing Pakistan over India. They also delve into the psyche of Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir and his recent comments against India.

Audio Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:23 - Asim Munir's Interview in Brussels

10:47 - India-Pak Conflict: Why Did Pakistan Make It a Religious War?

16:46 - Asim Munir: Next President of Pakistan?

18:47 - Asim Munir's Allegations Against India

21:17 - The Mission Behind Munir’s US Visit

23:18 - Is Pakistan Choosing the US Over China?

28:51 - US Independence Day Message for Pakistan

30:13 - Will Asim Munir Ever Retire?

33:40 - How Is the Pakistan Army Funded?

36:35 - Pakistani Diaspora & Social Media Narratives

45:33 - India’s Ban on Pakistani Handles

51:45 - Has India Always Misread Washington?

57:10 - End of the Road for the QUAD?

01:02:51 - Western Hypocrisy on Russian Oil

01:10:41 - America’s Double Standards on Democracy

01:14:01 - Is India Losing the Narrative War?

01:17:53 - Ex-Pak FM Calls India a Rogue State

01:24:36 - Civil Society's Role in the Narrative War

01:38:59 - Is History Taught in Schools Biased?

Priyanka Chaturvedi is a Rajya Sabha MP from Shiv Sena (UBT) and the party’s Deputy Leader in the Upper House. She has been active in politics for over a decade, after starting her career in media and communications. She is known for her articulate debates in Parliament and on news platforms. Representing Maharashtra, she is regarded as one of the well-known women parliamentarians in India.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, she speaks about Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of 'vote theft' against the Election Commission. She also shares her views on Jagdeep Dhankhar's sudden resignation as the VP. She also dives into the Marathi–Hindi language row, and what it takes for a woman without a political background to become an MP.

She also discusses Operation Sindoor, her meeting with Prime Minister Modi, and what lies ahead once her term in the Rajya Sabha ends next year.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

00:24 - Jaya Bachchan's 'Don't Control Me' Remark

02:29 - Why Jaya Bachchan Scolded a Man

06:24 - Experience as Rajya Sabha MP

07:34 - Rajya Sabha Suspension

08:44 - Dhankhar's Sudden Resignation

14:31 - Women Parliamentarians

17:11 - Future of Women in Politics

23:20 - How to Deal with Trolls

31:04 - Meeting with PM Modi

32:46 - What’s Next After Rajya Sabha?

36:02 - Priyanka’s Party Switch Buzz

39:27 - Hindi–Marathi Language Row

40:27 - When PM Met Op Sindoor Delegates

42:23 - Priyanka's Bilawal Bhutto Mimicry

45:23 - Part of All-Party Delegation on Op Sindoor

47:23 - Shiv Sena (UBT) Take on Op Sindoor

49:23 - Ruckus in Rajya Sabha over Op Sindoor

54:07 - Op Sindoor: Shiv Sena (UBT) Mixed Opinion

57:20 - Personal Comments in Maharashtra Politics

01:02:58 - Vote Chori Row

01:03:43 - Rahul's 'Match Fixing' Remark

01:15:10 - Is INDIA Bloc Still Together?

01:17:07 - Bihar 'SIR' Controversy

01:19:27 - Faith in Democracy

01:21:01 - SC's Order on Stray Dogs

01:26:15 - Priyanka Does Mimicry

01:28:10 - Meeting with Amitabh Bachchan

01:29:33 - Meeting with Ex-PM Dr Manmohan Singh

01:33:20 - Stories About Women MPs’ Sarees

01:35:20 - Is Shashi Tharoor Sidelined from Party?

01:36:20 - Delhiites vs Mumbaikars

Pankaj Saran is a well-known figure in Indian diplomacy, having served as Ambassador to Russia and Bangladesh, Deputy National Security Adviser, and in the PMO under Dr Manmohan Singh. He has also been posted at the Indian mission in Washington, D.C.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about Trump’s tariffs on India. He explains how India can protect its interests and sovereignty. He shares his views on the Russia–Ukraine war and the chances of a ceasefire. Ambassador speaks about attacks on Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh. He also talks about the future of democracy in Dhaka. Furthermore, He explains the role of the NSA and Deputy NSA in the matter of National Security.

Audio Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

00:46 – Trump–Putin Alaska Meet

07:19 – Why Russia–Ukraine Ceasefire Matters to Trump

09:02 – Future of Indo–US Friendship

11:27 – Why India Matters to Europe

13:12 – How India Should Deal with Trump

16:08 – India & America’s War Policy

21:02 – Why Target India Over Russian Oil?

26:49 – Munir’s Nuke Threat to India from the US

35:10 – US Growing Closer to Pakistan

42:13 – China’s Stance on Munir’s US Trips

46:08 – Russia–India Ties

50:36 – Where Does the Quad Stand?

57:11 – Hasina’s Exit & the Bangladesh Crisis

01:04:38 – Undoing Hasina’s Pakistan Policy

01:06:22 – Life as Ambassador vs Deputy NSA

01:07:57 – Diplomats in the US vs India

01:09:54 – Ajit Doval & Brijesh Mishra as NSAs

01:12:24 – Do NSAs Disagree with the PM?

01:14:07 – 26/11’s Impact on Manmohan Singh

01:18:12 – Why 26/11 Didn’t Change India’s Security Stance

01:23:13 – PM–NSA Chemistry and Its Impact

Sanjaya Baru is a former journalist, author, political commentator, policy analyst, and was media advisor to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. His book 'The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh' created quite a stir in India’s political circles.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about his latest book, 'Secession of the Successful: The Flight Out of New India'. The book explores why wealthy Indians are moving abroad, the brain drain that has been taking place since the late 1990s, and the consequences this could have for India’s future.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

02:00 – Reverse Migration of Overseas Indians

05:28 – Phases of Migration from India

08:12 – Policy Lessons for India

11:23 – Brain Drain in India

16:32 – Push for Return Migration

24:52 – Indian Industries Investing Abroad

32:34 – NRIs Returning to India

35:17 – Global Capability Centres in India

40:13 – Road to Viksit Bharat 2047

50:56 – Overseas Voters Return to India

58:22 – PM Modi’s Diaspora Shift

1:02:16 – Media Perception of ANI

1:12:05 – Taxes Behind Rich Leaving India?

1:14:45 – Dr. Manmohan Singh’s Views on Diaspora

1:20:08 – Anecdotes on Dr. Manmohan Singh

Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen is the Ambassador of Denmark to India. Ambassador Kristensen has previously served as Denmark’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and ASEAN from 2017 to 2020.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ambassador Kristensen speaks about supporting a rules-based order rather than one where big powers dictate to smaller nations, while addressing Trump’s 50% tariff on India.

He reaffirms the EU’s stance against support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, while commenting on India’s continued oil imports from Russia.

He also explained that negotiations on the EU-India trade deal are in their final stages

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

00:57 – Trump’s ‘Dead Economy’ Remark

01:42 – EU-India Trade Deal

04:17 – Lessons for India from US-EU Trade Deal

05:48 – EU Exporters & India’s Tariff Barriers

10:40 – EU’s Stand on India-Russia Oil Trade

14:51 – China-Russia Tues

15:50 – Denmark’s Support for Op Sindoor

18:09 – Green Strategic Partnership

22:33 – Danish Companies’ Investment in India

26:46 – India as Counterbalance to China in Asia

28:40 – Denmark’s View on India’s UNSC Bid

30:32 – Ease of Doing Business in India

34:54 – India-Denmark Strategic Ties

38:39 – Denmark’s Role in Ganga Rejuvenation

44:39 – Ambassador’s Bucket List for India

Priya Kaushal is a forensic psychologist who supported the legal defense team of Lt Col. Prasad Purohit with forensic and procedural insights.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, she exposes critical lapses in the 2008 Malegaon blast investigation. She highlights the challenges of evidence, justice, and coercion in the case.

She explains how forensic protocols were ignored at a heavily contaminated crime scene, raising serious concerns about investigative bias, concerns later acknowledged by the court.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

02:06 – Forensic Psychology & Lt Col Purohit’s Case

06:17 – RDX Analysis in the Malegaon Blast

17:18 – Where Was the RDX Stored?

23:34 – How Lt Col Purohit Was Cleared

26:56 – Who Contaminated the Evidence?

36:19 – Clean Component vs RDX

42:45 – RDX & Bomb-Making

44:36 – Why Not a Suicide Blast?

49:36 – The RDX Assumption in Blasts

52:37 – Blast Bike Linked to Sadhvi Pragya?

1:02:28 – Forensics vs Eyewitnesses

1:03:32 – Witness Flip After Government Change

1:06:53 – Grey Areas in Military Conduct

1:09:02 – Approach to Purohit’s Innocence

1:10:40 – Alleged Torture of Lt Col Purohit

1:13:19 – Support for the Innocent

1:15:59 – Psychopathology in the Lt Col Purohit Case

1:22:48 – Voice Matches

1:22:53 – Technology Used in Voice Identification

1:26:17 – Was the Analyst Untrained?

1:28:41 – Media Trial in the Malegaon Case

1:30:49 – Similar Cases to the Malegaon Case

1:36:32 – Psychopathic Mindset Explained

1:40:29 – Mental Fatigue & Burnout

1:45:07 – Psychology of Mass Murderers

1:46:25 – Can Narco Tests Be Defeated?

1:51:04 – Mental State After Acquittal

1:54:02 – Who Really Did the Malegaon Blast?

Suhel Seth is a brand guru, author, columnist, and television pundit who can speak without pause on almost any topic. Omesh Saigal is an IITian who joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1964. He has served at every level of governance, from Block Development Officer to Chief Secretary of Delhi and Secretary in the Central Government.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the real reasons behind the crumbling infrastructure in Indian cities. Floods, traffic, garbage, and pollution have become the new normal. India’s crown jewels, Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, face these issues year after year.

What needs to change? And how do images of waterlogged roads and piles of garbage harm the 'Brand India' image?

00:00 – Introduction

01:00 – Urban Apathy

08:16 – Lack of Urban Planning

16:17 – Bureaucracy & Urban Planning Gaps

20:44 – Media Coverage of Urban Issues

22:18 – Tech Impact on City Planning

25:19 – Infrastructure Gap in Metro Cities

26:49 – Bangalore’s Traffic Problem

30:20 – Environmental Damage in Hill Stations

33:44 – Influx of Migrants into Cities

35:54 – Community Action on Urban Problems

40:42 – Stray Dog Attacks

47:03 – Problem with RWAs

48:35 – Who’s Accountable for Urban Decay?

51:43 – Rahul & Trump’s Economy Jab

58:50 – New Wave of Emigration

1:02:47 – Stray Dog Care and Colony Policies