Frontline Conversations

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Manuraj Shunmugasundaram, national media spokesperson of the DMK, speaks about the key political narratives shaping the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election.

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, former Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy speaks about the political landscape ahead of the 2026 Puducherry Assembly election. The discussion looks into the performance of the BJP–N.R. Congress government, with criticism on governance, corruption, and the unfulfilled promise of statehood.

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, psephologist Arun Krishnamurthy joins Frontline to break down the evolving dynamics of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election. The discussion explores whether the State is moving beyond the traditional DMK–AIADMK binary and what the rise of Vijay’s TVK means for the political landscape.

#TamilNaduElection2026 #VijayTVK #DMKvsAIADMK #TamilNaduPolitics #GenZVoters #WomenVoters #ElectionAnalysis #IndianPolitics #TVK #Stalin #Seeman #TN2026 #FrontlineConversations

In this episode of SpeakEasy with Amit Baruah, former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal speaks about how the US-Israel war on Iran has upset India’s strategic plans, shattered the Gulf’s security structure, and opened the door to an energy crisis with no clear exit. The discussion examines the implications for global energy markets, with oil prices projected to surge sharply, and the risks posed to international stability.

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Kovai Sathyan, National Spokesperson of AIADMK, speaks about the high-stakes Tamil Nadu Assembly election, the AIADMK strategy under Edappadi K. Palaniswami, and the party’s battle against DMK.

He addresses key issues shaping Tamil Nadu politics today, from the debate over NEET and the impact of the 7.5% internal reservation for government school students, to the controversy around the three-language policy and Centre-State relations.

The conversation explores the AIADMK’s alliance with the BJP, countering criticism around political dependence and clarifying the dynamics of coalition politics in Tamil Nadu. He also responds to questions on minority votes, internal party challenges, and whether the 2026 election will remain a straight contest between AIADMK and DMK.

Chapters:

0:00 | Introduction & stakes for EPS

1:06 | AIADMK alliance with BJP

1:56 | Three language policy

2:34 | NEET

4:13 | Adimai Katchi & Delhi visits

6:44 | Tamil Nadu 2021 & 2026 - Seat sharing & EPS’s leverage

7:41 | EPS as CM face and NDA vs State dynamics

9:21 | DMK and alliances

9:56 | Bringing AMMK on board

11:48 | Is AIADMK weak now?

14:43 | PMK’s family fight and strength

15:17 | Shiv Sena tussel and ECI statement

16:14 | Vijay’s TVK: noise vs ground reality

18:06 | Whose votes Vijay cuts & minority arithmetic

19:31 | AIDMK vs DMK: Dravidian Majors

20:02 | Minority arithmetic in Tamil Nadu

Highlights:

- AIADMK’s strategy to counter DMK in 2026

- Stand on NEET and medical admissions in Tamil Nadu

- Impact of 7.5% reservation on MBBS seats

- BJP-AIADMK alliance explained

- Vijay’s political entry and its real impact

- Minority vote dynamics in Tamil Nadu

- EPS as the Chief Ministerial face

Perfect for viewers interested in:

- Tamil Nadu politics and 2026 election

- AIADMK vs DMK rivalry

- NEET controversy and education policy

- Vijay’s political entry and TVK

- BJP alliances in South India

- Political interviews and election analysis

If you found this discussion insightful, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to Frontline for more in-depth conversations.

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#TamilNaduPolitics #AIADMK #DMK #EPS #Stalin #TN2026 #Elections2026 #NEET #BJPAlliance #VijayPolitics #BreakingPolitics #IndiaPolitics #PoliticalInterview #Frontline

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, former MP and founder of Telangana Jagruthi, K. Kavitha speaks about the Delhi liquor case, her five months in Tihar Jail, and the personal and political fallout that followed. Reflecting on the court’s verdict discharging the accused, Kavitha raises questions about the use of investigative agencies in political battles.

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Physician-scientist and scientific consultant Dr Karishma S. Kaushik speaks about the realities of building a career in science—beyond awards, breakthroughs, and public recognition. Drawing from her book "The Real Deal", Kaushik reflects on the often-unseen side of scientific life: failed experiments, long periods of uncertainty, and the emotional resilience required to stay the course.

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, defence analyst, author, and director of the Force Institute, Pravin Sawhney, examines the rapidly escalating war in West Asia following US–Israel strikes on Iran, and Iran's retaliatory attacks across the region. He argues that the conflict is fundamentally a “war of survival” for Iran and contends that it is unlikely to lose so long as it preserves its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sawhney discusses the evolving military dynamics of the conflict, including Iran’s missile capabilities, the limits of Israeli air-defence systems such as Iron Dome, and the growing role of satellite navigation and modern warfare technologies.

Highlights:

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, author and journalist Sanjoy Hazarika speaks to writer Samrat Choudhury about his latest book, "River Traveller: Journeys On The Tsangpo-Brahmaputra From Tibet To The Bay Of Bengal"—a sweeping blend of memoir, reportage, history, and river journey spanning Tibet, Northeast India, and Bangladesh.

The discussion traces the 2,900-kilometre journey of the Brahmaputra, from the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet to the Bay of Bengal, exploring geopolitics, China’s dam-building ambitions, climate uncertainty, and the fragile ecology of one of Asia’s great rivers. Hazarika reflects on travelling across high plateaus and floodplains, filming in Tibet in 1998, encounters with river dolphins, and even a tense moment being chased by pirates in the Bay of Bengal.

The conversation also examines migration and citizenship debates in Assam, the complexities of the NRC, and the human stories that unfold along the river’s shifting banks. At its heart, this is also a philosophical meditation on humility, memory, and what it means to be “completely at the mercy of the river”.

Perfect for:

• Readers of travel writing, memoir, and narrative nonfiction

• Students of geopolitics, migration studies, and environmental policy

• Those interested in Northeast India, Tibet, Bangladesh, and river ecologies

• Viewers concerned about climate change, dams, and water security

Credits:

Host: Samrat Choudhury

Editing: Razal Pareed

Producers: Mridula Vijayarangakumar and Kavya Pradeep M

If you found this conversation insightful, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more in-depth discussions.

Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online-subscription/

Follow us on:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/frontlineindia/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/frontline_india

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LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/frontline-magazine-b12921295/

#SanjoyHazarika #Brahmaputra #Frontlinemagazine #RiverTraveller #YarlungTsangpo #ChinaDam #RiverDolphin #brahmaputrariver #NRC #Assam #ClimateChange #Hydropower #NortheastIndia #MigrationDebate #BayOfBengal

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Rajya Sabha MP and CPI(M) leader John Brittas reflects on what may be the most consequential State election in India today: the Kerala Assembly Election 2026.