December 30, 2025 • 34 mins
As part of our year-ender series, today we look back at the key political developments that shaped 2025 and what they reveal about the moment we’re in. Joining us for this conversation is veteran journalist and contributing editor at The Indian Express, Neerja Chowdhury, who picks five political figures who defined the year and explains why their choices, actions, and influence mattered in Indian politics.
Hosted and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
Hosted and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hi, I'm Chashang Bhader, and you'll listen to three Things
the Indian Express News Show. As some of you may
already know, this week, on the show, we've been looking
at some of the biggest moments of twenty twenty five.
So far, we've talked about the movies and TV shows
that really stood out this year. With film critic Shabra Gupta.
(00:24):
We've looked at what Druanda's popularity says about the moment
we're in, and spoke about a few films that you
might have missed this year, including one that Shobra says
she won't be able to forget for a very long time.
We've also talked about the big health related developments this year,
including the impact weight loss drugs I've had in India
and whether they're right for you. But today, on the
(00:46):
last day of the year, we are turning our attention
to the key political developments that shaped twenty twenty five.
And joining us for this conversation is veteran journalist and
contributing editor at The Indian Express, Nidri Jha Chadhri Nijia.
When you look back at twenty twenty five as a whole,
is there one political event or one overarching theme that
(01:06):
in your view, overshadows everything else that happened this year.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Well more than one political event. Five political personalities over
shadow others during twenty twenty five, and if I look back,
these five personalities are Aribin Kejriwal, Prime ministerner In Ramodi,
Shashi Tharu, Nitish Kumar and Priyanka Gandhi Wadhra. The politics
(01:33):
of twenty twenty five has evolved around these five personalities
and it is likely to influence the politics of twenty
twenty six.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Okay, so let's begin with kJ rival first, because this
was the year when the BJP came to par in Delhi,
ending nearly three decades of the non BJP rule in
the capitol. So tell us what about Kjriwal stands out
to you this year?
Speaker 2 (01:59):
You see the PJ pea coming to par in little Delhi,
as it's known, it was a very significant development, coming
as it did after its runaway success in Haryana and
Maharasha last year, and that offset the setback it had
suffered in the twenty twenty four elections, surprisingly not winning
(02:19):
a majority. So given that Deli, many people felt that
Kjuval might make it and in his initial round after
he was released from jail, he was doing well and surprisingly,
or maybe not so surprising, he lost Delhi completely. But
what is significant you must We must remember Kjuivall had
(02:40):
dominated the headlines in Delhi for a decade. He had
recorded very resounding wins for a new b party and
at that time when he hit the scene, he was
seen as a possible replacement to the Indian National Congress
nationally right in the future, sometime in the future and
playing her decise sive national roles.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Core curtain or is purchased tice s delegate.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Instead, he lost Delhi. Not only did he lose Deli,
he has gone into hibernation all of this year. You've
not heard anything about CAJ reval, hardly anything about Revalve. Now,
given the win and the loss and the hibernation of
advantage Revalve, that is very good news for the Baptist
Party and it is consolidated, is sold in Delhi. Also,
(03:52):
it has helped to make the Prime Minister that much
more invincible once again. So kwall is a phenomenon is
dor today. We don't know whether it will resurface. If
it does, in what way it will resurface what happens
in Punjab in twenty twenty seven when elections are held there.
The Ahmadmi Party is in power. So I think that
(04:13):
has been a very interesting personality political personality going under
or for the moment going under. So that was a
significant part of twenty twenty five, or at least the
start of twenty twenty five.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
Right, and speaking of BJP coming to paran Deli, the
other major electoral win for the party was in Bihar,
and which brings us to the second personality you spoke about, Nitishkumar,
the Chief Minister of the state. Now, many observers say
that it was the Nitishmodi combination that worked well for
the voters there and led to NBA's decisive victory. Talk
(04:51):
about what this win meant for him.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Now he's been there for decades. We know he's been unwell,
and yet he doubled a number of seats in the
Bihar elections, which was surprising to everybody. And having traveled
through Bihar on got a sense of, you know, sympathy
and underlying sympathy for Nitish Kumar in a way, I
(05:15):
call it a sympathy election, an election that was a
tribute to Nitish Kumar. People knew is not well. People
knew he's not going to continue for you know, much
much longer. It's a matter of time. Therefore, while the
immediate winner was Kntish Kumar, the ultimate gainer is going
to be the Batis and the party which became the
single largest party got a few more seats than Nitish
(05:38):
Kumar du But it is by day its time it's
made Nitish Kumara the chief minister. But when that succession
plan takes place, when its own leader will lead a
government in Bihar, which has been one of its dream
projects to lead a government in Bihad, because elsewhere in
the Hindi haatland it has led governments. So I think,
(05:58):
let's see how long a process takes. But Nitish Kumar,
you are absolutely right, made it possible, of course, along
with Narramodi, who was the main campaigner in the Bihar
elections from the BJP side.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Right and you talked about what this win meant for Nish,
But how important was this win for the BJP?
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Very important, very very important because given you know, this
was a state where they could have done poorly because
you had an alliance with the of T for RJD
with the Congress Party. And remember at the outset, before
the BJP's campaign had picked up or the general use
campaign had picked up, there was this voter Adhi Kariatra
(06:42):
undertaken by Rahulrandhi also took part in it, and it
drew large crowds, very enthusiastic crowds. Now, I don't know
whether the crowds came for the voter Adhikar or port Chori,
as Raoul Landi put it, but a certain I think
came to express their curiosity, maybe their enthusiasm for the
(07:06):
leadership of both these people. And therefore it seemed they
had a very good chance to give a government there,
an alternative government there. Then there was this wild card
of Prashan Kishur. But neither did they just wee are
the Congress chemistry work? Nor did Prashant Kishore make it
as he had thought he would at least be a
king maker. Neither of those things happened. And it was
(07:29):
the Junta Dalu led by Nittish Kumar and supported by
the JP that was victorious. And now let's see when,
if and when replacement takes place to Nitish Kumar and
whether somebody from the JP leeds a government there and
when that happens, the BUD certainly want to do that.
(07:49):
Some of its leaders have wanted it sooner than later.
But for the moment, they're holding their peace in Bihar.
But it was a very significant victory because it came
in line with the other state victories. As I said,
Hariyana Maharashta Delli, very convincing wins, followed by an even
more convincing win in Behad in the heartland of India.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Yeah, And should we talk about Pmodi next, because you know,
despite this being his third term, he remains immensely popular.
And you know you've seen multiple prime ministers and have
written about them. What do you think explains modes? You know,
this enduring appeal.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
I think part of it is, you know that people
may be dissatisfied, and they are dissatisfied. Ifact may go
back to Helgram the terror attack followed by Operation Sindur,
which was India's you know, response, attacking the terror havens
in Pakistan. That and enough is enough signal to Pakistan.
But going for the ceasefire when India did, and with
(08:55):
Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America,
claiming more than thirty three zero times that it was
America that had affected the ceasefire between the two countries,
India and Pakistan. It came as a set back, particularly
to the hardcore constituency of the JP, which felt that
(09:16):
we should not have gone in for a ceasefire when
we did so. This was a I think a set
back politically. But very quickly, you know, the BJP and
the Prime Minister had sent multi party delegations to all
corners of the world to explain India's stand and it
had people like Manistivari Sealmankushi Sashitaru Melsisupriya Soule, many others
(09:42):
from you know, leading figures from other parties forming these
multi party delegations. Now more than the word capital, the
message was for domestic audience back home of what India,
why India had done that? And I think that was
a big master It was a master show because for
a variety of reasons.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
Marga ten mar garamer kus Karga, Bengal tigers dirty, He's
(10:24):
a Chinese car Bartio Glanahi, our presence indor.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
I be Katman who.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
Are And very quickly they overcame this setback and while
refuting again and again refuting that India had not come
under pressure of the United States of America to go
in for a cease fire. But more than that, these
initiatives on the foreign policy, apart that the Bihar elections,
(10:58):
if I may say so again, vinced or put out
this sense and message that the BJP was invincible, BJP
could not be defeated. The Prime Minister continued to be
popular and that's a fact, and that is I think
essentially even those who are dissatisfied the BGP it's policies,
(11:18):
and you know, after eleven years, a certain amount of
political fatigue does set in, but the absence of a
clear alternative on the opposition side makes people turn back
to the JP and arrain Remordi again and again. They
still see him as a strong leader and who they
feel may have made mistakes, may make mistakes, but is
(11:41):
there for them. So I think that is a reason
for that regaining of that invincibility which surrounded him in
his second term in office. But he lost the somewhat
of that sheen when the BGP failed to get a
complete majority in twenty twenty four and then a little
bit after operations indure with its own hard core supporters.
(12:04):
I think they have managed to overcome that and today
they say openly there's leaders senior leaders say openly that
nationally there is no challenge to them at all states.
They will have to fight the battles when elections are
held in twenty twenty six, very important elections are held
in twenty twenty seven and upigrat Panjab. But naturally they
(12:27):
don't see a challenge to his leadership, right.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
And you know, the other notable shift that happened this
year was that the RSS finally set aside its differences
with the BJP that it had prior to the Loksaba polls.
And there is a clear signal from the RSS leadership
now that it will be backing PM Mody going into
twenty twenty nine. How significant do you think this reconciliation
(12:54):
was and what does it mean for the PM and
the party going forward.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
I think you know, one of the reasons why they
got two forty seats, looks about seats in twenty twenty
four was the RISES held back. It did not campaign.
It started in campaign for the party as it was
done in the past. That is particularly in Uttar Pradesh
where they lost. You know, came down from sixty two
seats looks about to thirty three. It's a huge loss
(13:23):
and that was the reason why they came down to
two forty. And the Arises was unhappy with the PJP
leadership on a whole post of things. And the parlest
went on all through the latter half of twenty twenty
four and the earlier part of twenty twenty five, and
at various levels, these meetings went on. But at the
end of it, the Arises even on the question of
(13:44):
who would be the next party president in place of
mister j P Nada. Finally Mohenbagwatiarisis chief said that if
this is a decision that would be taken by the
Prime Minister and they would go along with it. But
of course, you know, there has been internal palais and
they have come to a certain confusion. They've announced their name.
It was a not a very well known figure, not
(14:05):
one of the high profile figures as we know, and
so you're right. I think they have addressed certain concerns
of the RSS, and the RSS has gone back to
supporting the BGP. But even in the Hariana elections and
the Maharasha elections in particular and Delhi elections, the RSS
and the Herr elections. The RSS did put its best
(14:30):
foot forward for all the differences that existed, unlike looks,
particularly the dish. So yes, I agree with you, the
RS is probably is going to be back in mister Admodi,
unless something dramatic happens that we can't foresee. Yes, the
differences seem to have been ironed out. Now not everything
may have been perfectly worked out, but they have both
(14:53):
have gone in for a given take.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Right And you know, when we talk about the party
under his leadership, it remains strong, especially when we look
at the laws that were passed in twenty twenty five.
Earlier in the year there was the controversial Bach Amendment
Act that faced a lot of protests. And now more recently,
of course, the government repealed and replaced Narrega, a scheme
(15:15):
that successive Prime ministers saw, as you know, politically untouchable
because of its importance to the poor. Now PM Modi
of course had criticized it in the past, and now
in his third term, the Act has been replaced with
a new law called vb Ramji. What do these legislative
(15:36):
moves tell us about the government's thinking and its political
confidence and priorities look on the work.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Fact, there was a pushback, yes, an Imaen's pushback, but
again it's part of the ideological framework of the DJP
that it has been pursuing over the years that it
has been in power. So the Muslims may be unhappy,
the Hindus get happy. It polarizes the situation, which is
(16:06):
the BJPP rich electoral dividends. Now, as far as Menriga
is concern that that was a very interesting thing because
the Prime Minister, mister Mody, who has broad based the
JP in the last eleven years from a Banya Brahman
party to one that represents the poorest sections, the marginalized,
(16:28):
the extremely backward, the backward, the Dalts. That's me in
his attempt and that is one of the reasons why
he's in power for the third term. In his first
speech as Prime Minister, I remember he used the word
war and I remember noting it because BJP leaders in
the past didn't emphasize par they emphasized many other things.
Poor courte and quote was emphasized by the Congress Party
(16:50):
as part of his ideological and programmatic gender. So Manriga
is a law that is part of the rights base
frame can approach of the UPO led by Congress. But
in the ten years that it was in power from
two thousand and four to twenty fourteen, manrega right to employment,
right to food, right to education, right to information. This
(17:15):
was the reason why the party came back to par
with an enhanced majority in two thousand and nine. Early
I had one forty five seis. It went up to
two hundred and sixty. Now that Manrega has been re
renamed g Ramji.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
Yababu amaramabad On Tamura Samara ram raj ram Amaria ram
ram ramhe ram Amariasasna.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
But he beIN a range Thursday Data.
Speaker 5 (17:50):
Di Rangi AMaGA Goade Mahatma Gandhi from ram Rajiki is
top Najia or on.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Now I can understand, you know, g ramg is very
easy to understand for ordinary people in the village. Ram
Ramji jesrm. These are the greetings that people you know,
like namasty they use, so they will identify with it
much more. It is also to put a stamp their
own stamp on this law. Of course, the Congress has
(18:24):
critiqued it and the opposition has critiqued that is going
to adversely affect and hurt the poor up sections, but
the Prime Minister has gone for it because as with
other things that they have renamed, you know, rajput Mark,
Prime Minister's Office, save a Thieves and so on, apg
abdal arm Mark in line with again their ideological preferences.
(18:49):
That part of it is to leave the stamp on
everything of the past as well as the present. So
that's where that coming from. But if you look at
the BJP wise, what is the core strength of the BJP.
The core strength of the BJP, which other political is
particularly the Indian National Congress does not have and does
(19:11):
not seem to be acquiring either, is a strong organizational
muscle which the Congress, you know, they would like to
They will make a you know, Raoul Grandhi will go
for a barajor Yatra or a voter ah Kariatra, but
there is little follow up and it has rebranded his
own image. Yes, of course people have taken him much
(19:32):
more seriously than they used to. But what about the organization.
Has the organization gained from these efforts as it should
have gained. I think very little effort has you know,
been invested. Very little attention has been paid to this.
So the organizational heft is the BJP strong point, apart
from the Prime Minister's own image which has not been dented.
Speaker 1 (19:56):
And you know you mentioned now as the leader of
the upper position. One thing he's been talking about is
the BGP colluding with the Election Commission to influence electoral outcomes.
He's talked about this repeatedly. Do you think this argument
has cut through with voters? I mean, to what extent
has it gained traction on the ground.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
I think it did not gain traction. They were you know,
one heard voices of people in Samarasha. I remember saying
that that's not the way we voted. What has happened.
They were doubts, question marks, and even in Behald to
begin with, they were question marks. But they did not
pursue it number one round when they disappeared after that
THEATRA for fifty seven long days. They came back at
(20:38):
the beginning, you know, when the campaign had picked up
and the other side had got into the act number one.
Number two. The manner in which they have done their
messaging has not gone has not had traction somewhere voterchory
maybe all right, but it hasn't had traction for whatever
reason as an electoral issue. But overall the messaging the Congress,
(21:01):
it does not have an appeal, so they're not able
to convert it into slogans programs that appeal to ordinary people.
The biggest anti national act you can do is vot suing.
Speaker 5 (21:15):
There's no bigger there's no bigger anti national act that
you can do than vote sure.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Because when you when you destroy the vote, you destroy
the fabric.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
Of this country.
Speaker 5 (21:29):
You destroy modern India, you destroyed the idea of India.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
So I like to you know, constitution is very important
and ral Gandi flags the constitution, he carries it with him.
Why did it have protraction in twenty twenty four it
had traction because suddenly the Dalits thought the constitution would
be changed if it was four hundred plus for the
JP and that will take away reservations that had been
(21:58):
provided to them through the constitution. It suddenly became an
issue very very close to them. I remember in villages
in Lutes where people, you know, toole people were, Adelis
was sitting and discussing it. Now, otherwise they've not been
able to translate it into a language where you know
which people relate to. So that is a singular failure
(22:20):
of the Congress Party.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
And talking about the Congress Party, we move on to
the fourth person you mentioned, which is Shashi thar Now,
for a while we've seen this friction between Tharur and
the Congress leadership to the point where many have speculated that,
you know, he might join the BGP. What do you
think these rumors and controversies say about the Congress's leadership.
Speaker 2 (22:46):
Look, Tharur is a short form for unrest and dissatisfaction
within the Congress Party, particularly amongst the older leaders who
feel their services are not being utilized their huge experience
and because there is some kind of differences tensions with
Rahul Gandhi. Now, after Peltown, the Prime Ministers decided to
(23:10):
send multi party delegations to different capitals around the world.
So the PM included those who were dissatisfied with Raouls
than these leadership, rather than the names suggested by the
Congress leadership. Then Tharur played a very leading, frontal, pivotal
(23:33):
role in giving a leadership at that particular juncture when
he spoke out for India stand as opposed to just
the Congress party's stand.
Speaker 6 (23:43):
Our Prime Minister has made it very clear Operation Sinduru
was necessary because these terrorists came and wiped the sindhur
off the foreheads of twenty six women, the private of
their husbands and father, their married lives. In fact, there
(24:06):
were some women who cried out, the terrorsts killed me too,
and they said, no, go back, tell what happened to you.
We heard, We heard their crowds, and India decided that
the color of the sindoule, that vermilion color on the
forehead above women, will also match the color of the
(24:28):
blood of the killers, the perpetrators they attack.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
Now, this didn't go down very well with the Congress leadership.
It went down very well with the JP leadership, and
truth has been slowly, you know, carving out a very
interesting niche for himself Politically. He takes a line that
may not be a Congress line. It may be appreciative
(24:54):
of the JP line at times on different issues. But
the question that arose this in twenty five and will
continue to arise, I think in twenty twenty six also
will Shashi Taru go over to the BJP. I think
as far as the BJP is concerned, he's much more
useful to them where he is batting for them on
(25:15):
issues and embarrassing the Congress. As far as Taru himself
is concerned, in the past, he's taken positions against the
JP to leave Congress go to the BGP, something I
think I would be very surprised if he did that.
More Over the BJP, the question is will the BJP
one him in the party, because while Shashi Tarur has
(25:39):
an independent view on issues, particularly on foreign policy et
cetera Kerala, he could be a key player in the
Kerla elections that are slated in twenty twenty six in
certainly in the tiru and and Pur area which is
also a BJP stronghold that bit in Kerala. But he
(25:59):
may not to the JP line on everything. And would
the BJP want to risk that kind of a person
in the party and gave him some kind of a
leading position foreign affairs. I don't think they will. So
for the moment, things will continue as they are further
down the line nearer the locks of by elections, which
is possible that Shitarum floats his own party or he
(26:22):
fights as an independent who's supported by the PJP from outside.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
Right and talking about the people who are not happy
with the Congress leadership. Digwijasingh also spoke out recently directly
or indirectly criticizing the party's leadership. But now let's talk
about the final person on your list, which is another
Congress leader, Priyanka Gandhivadra. Now she's someone who for years
has remained in the background, right, talk about the reason
(26:50):
behind that and what is it that you now seen
her look?
Speaker 2 (26:54):
In two thousand and four, I do know that the
family decided together and ra Gandhi and Rianka that it
would be Rahul not Priyanka. I think they debated whether
it could be all three who could stand for elections
at that time, and they decided it would be Sonia
and Rahul only unlike the decision last year when they
(27:16):
came to the conclusion that all three of them could
be in parliament. At that time, it was said that
her children were very young and they needed her attention.
So over the years she confined herself to nursing her
mother and brother's constituencies in Tatadish and she would campaign
there and you know, concentrate her efforts there. Then, of course,
you know, from time to time voices would be raised
(27:40):
bring Ryanka into politics, but Missus Gandhi Sonia Gandhi was
not in favor and many people, particularly Sonia Gandi, felt
it had to be Rahul, not Priyanka. Now, Ryanka has
come into parliament last year and she's showing herself to
be a very good parliamentarian. And this winter session she
(28:00):
spoke extremely well and one day mad debate and of
course manrig also there were the two elements were that
she gave chapter and was quoting facts and figures from
the past about you know, the times when the party
had accepted one day mathrum. Why did this decided to
leave out certain stanza Historically she quoted a B C.
(28:23):
D Strong one facts.
Speaker 7 (28:27):
One day matram Kiju chronology here for you, a sleek
chronology here a Tara Mahaka and do and lique Joe
ard Hamara Amari rashtrag just khamad An ye A Taras
(28:58):
sat Salbad Prakashua ananmut also pas yakama ismchar At Jordi
Ataras congress animation, may Eri Bariegi Daya.
Speaker 2 (29:24):
Only so pat Ryanka did it in a manner which
was without any unparliamentary language, without any personalized attacks. In fact,
you know, if you heard her speak in parliament, she
was laughing, she was smiling, she was you know, taking
on the opposition side with you know, very naturally doing this,
and of course they latched onto it. Many people to
(29:47):
say there was a rift between Priyanka's coming to the
four members of Parliament speaking in a favor as a
future prime minister. Even her husband struck that note that
she would make a very good prime minister. It showed
a rift between in the siblings Raoul Granti and Prianta
and that Priyanka would make a better prime minister. And
this the fourth BJP did, trying to drive a wedge
(30:08):
between the brother and the sister. Now that Granti family
has acted as a unit, I don't accept that, you
know that there is a break there. Priyanca has so
far at least accepted the leadership of Raoul to work
under him. Raoul is the leader as far as the
Congress Party's concern Sonia Gandhi's concerned. So it could well
(30:29):
be also projecting her that much more, could well be
a part of a strategy on the part of the
Congress high command that look, you know, she is drawing
eyeball she is getting traction both at the level of
the Congress worker, the Congress MPs as well as at
(30:49):
the ground level. So the moot point is twenty twenty seven.
Will clarify the role Priyanka will play in Kerala where
you know she's from baynant there the painting she will
do that westpill All. What is the role she plays Tamilad,
what's the role she plays the sam what's the role
she played? Many things will become clearer in the weeks
(31:10):
and months to come.
Speaker 1 (31:12):
And just since we're talking about yet another member of
the Gandhi family, I was wondering, how hard is it
for us to imagine the future of the Congress without
any Gandhi family member as of now?
Speaker 2 (31:25):
Very difficult because the Gandhi you know, the party is
in trouble with the Gandhi family or at the moment,
you know, with Rahul, there's dissatisfaction. He's tried very hard,
he means well, he's sincere, but he's not clicked. He's
not clicked as an alternative too in the Modi so
far at any rate. So if you take away the
Gandhi family, the party will probably could split, could fragment
(31:50):
of course, you can never say that, you know, they
won't be an alternative. It used to be the talk,
you know, for years after Nehru. Who But when Javala
Nehru went yes, there was a Shastri, then an Indira
Gandhi and others followed. They can never be a political vacuum.
That is a given. But at the moment we don't
see anybody like that in the Congress. Who you think
(32:11):
can come out of the Congress, form another party or
capture the Congress at least nothing on the horizon as
of now. So is the Gandhi family for the moment.
Speaker 1 (32:21):
And you obviously mentioned some very key elections that are
coming up next to you talk about some of the
things that you'll have your eye on.
Speaker 2 (32:29):
I think if Mamta Banaji pins Bengal again and she's
going to put up a fight, but so is the
BJP going to put up a fight and they're getting
their act together, that's going to be the most decisive
battle of twenty twenty six. That will also set the
tone and tenor for the role the opposition comes to play.
Is the BJ pig, you know, this West Bungal from
(32:49):
Amta Penergy. That's a huge, huge feather for in their
tap and a huge setback for the opposition. Some will
not maybe you know, most people expect that will and
the MK and BJP alliance actually replace the MK ACTA
Vijay not with them, therefore, that will not create a flutter.
(33:10):
Congress winning will give it, you know, new heart to
the party, to a demodelized carder and they should be
able to win Caroaly it's it's not so they're well
placed if they don't botch it up. And as SAM
is as of now, him and Sharma again, but GODV
Gogoi has been putting up a fight and much will
(33:32):
depend on you know, the ground level shifts if they
take place, and will it be a polarized situation in
a SAM which helps the ruling party or will they
be you know changes as I say, at the ground level.
So Bengal remains the most important election. In twenty twenty six, you.
Speaker 1 (33:54):
Were listening to Three Things by the Indian Express. Today's
show was written and produced by Mishahan Bargov and was
edited and mixed by Sash Pawar. If you like the show,
then do subscribe to us. Wherever you get your podcasts,
you can also recommend the show to someone you think
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(34:14):
Express Podcasts and write to us at podcasts at Indian
Express dot com
Hi, I'm Chashang Bhader, and you'll listen to three Things
the Indian Express News Show. As some of you may
already know, this week, on the show, we've been looking
at some of the biggest moments of twenty twenty five.
So far, we've talked about the movies and TV shows
that really stood out this year. With film critic Shabra Gupta.
(00:24):
We've looked at what Druanda's popularity says about the moment
we're in, and spoke about a few films that you
might have missed this year, including one that Shobra says
she won't be able to forget for a very long time.
We've also talked about the big health related developments this year,
including the impact weight loss drugs I've had in India
and whether they're right for you. But today, on the
(00:46):
last day of the year, we are turning our attention
to the key political developments that shaped twenty twenty five.
And joining us for this conversation is veteran journalist and
contributing editor at The Indian Express, Nidri Jha Chadhri Nijia.
When you look back at twenty twenty five as a whole,
is there one political event or one overarching theme that
(01:06):
in your view, overshadows everything else that happened this year.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Well more than one political event. Five political personalities over
shadow others during twenty twenty five, and if I look back,
these five personalities are Aribin Kejriwal, Prime ministerner In Ramodi,
Shashi Tharu, Nitish Kumar and Priyanka Gandhi Wadhra. The politics
(01:33):
of twenty twenty five has evolved around these five personalities
and it is likely to influence the politics of twenty
twenty six.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Okay, so let's begin with kJ rival first, because this
was the year when the BJP came to par in Delhi,
ending nearly three decades of the non BJP rule in
the capitol. So tell us what about Kjriwal stands out
to you this year?
Speaker 2 (01:59):
You see the PJ pea coming to par in little Delhi,
as it's known, it was a very significant development, coming
as it did after its runaway success in Haryana and
Maharasha last year, and that offset the setback it had
suffered in the twenty twenty four elections, surprisingly not winning
(02:19):
a majority. So given that Deli, many people felt that
Kjuval might make it and in his initial round after
he was released from jail, he was doing well and surprisingly,
or maybe not so surprising, he lost Delhi completely. But
what is significant you must We must remember Kjuivall had
(02:40):
dominated the headlines in Delhi for a decade. He had
recorded very resounding wins for a new b party and
at that time when he hit the scene, he was
seen as a possible replacement to the Indian National Congress
nationally right in the future, sometime in the future and
playing her decise sive national roles.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Core curtain or is purchased tice s delegate.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Instead, he lost Delhi. Not only did he lose Deli,
he has gone into hibernation all of this year. You've
not heard anything about CAJ reval, hardly anything about Revalve. Now,
given the win and the loss and the hibernation of
advantage Revalve, that is very good news for the Baptist
Party and it is consolidated, is sold in Delhi. Also,
(03:52):
it has helped to make the Prime Minister that much
more invincible once again. So kwall is a phenomenon is
dor today. We don't know whether it will resurface. If
it does, in what way it will resurface what happens
in Punjab in twenty twenty seven when elections are held there.
The Ahmadmi Party is in power. So I think that
(04:13):
has been a very interesting personality political personality going under
or for the moment going under. So that was a
significant part of twenty twenty five, or at least the
start of twenty twenty five.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
Right, and speaking of BJP coming to paran Deli, the
other major electoral win for the party was in Bihar,
and which brings us to the second personality you spoke about, Nitishkumar,
the Chief Minister of the state. Now, many observers say
that it was the Nitishmodi combination that worked well for
the voters there and led to NBA's decisive victory. Talk
(04:51):
about what this win meant for him.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Now he's been there for decades. We know he's been unwell,
and yet he doubled a number of seats in the
Bihar elections, which was surprising to everybody. And having traveled
through Bihar on got a sense of, you know, sympathy
and underlying sympathy for Nitish Kumar in a way, I
(05:15):
call it a sympathy election, an election that was a
tribute to Nitish Kumar. People knew is not well. People
knew he's not going to continue for you know, much
much longer. It's a matter of time. Therefore, while the
immediate winner was Kntish Kumar, the ultimate gainer is going
to be the Batis and the party which became the
single largest party got a few more seats than Nitish
(05:38):
Kumar du But it is by day its time it's
made Nitish Kumara the chief minister. But when that succession
plan takes place, when its own leader will lead a
government in Bihar, which has been one of its dream
projects to lead a government in Bihad, because elsewhere in
the Hindi haatland it has led governments. So I think,
(05:58):
let's see how long a process takes. But Nitish Kumar,
you are absolutely right, made it possible, of course, along
with Narramodi, who was the main campaigner in the Bihar
elections from the BJP side.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Right and you talked about what this win meant for Nish,
But how important was this win for the BJP?
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Very important, very very important because given you know, this
was a state where they could have done poorly because
you had an alliance with the of T for RJD
with the Congress Party. And remember at the outset, before
the BJP's campaign had picked up or the general use
campaign had picked up, there was this voter Adhi Kariatra
(06:42):
undertaken by Rahulrandhi also took part in it, and it
drew large crowds, very enthusiastic crowds. Now, I don't know
whether the crowds came for the voter Adhikar or port Chori,
as Raoul Landi put it, but a certain I think
came to express their curiosity, maybe their enthusiasm for the
(07:06):
leadership of both these people. And therefore it seemed they
had a very good chance to give a government there,
an alternative government there. Then there was this wild card
of Prashan Kishur. But neither did they just wee are
the Congress chemistry work? Nor did Prashant Kishore make it
as he had thought he would at least be a
king maker. Neither of those things happened. And it was
(07:29):
the Junta Dalu led by Nittish Kumar and supported by
the JP that was victorious. And now let's see when,
if and when replacement takes place to Nitish Kumar and
whether somebody from the JP leeds a government there and
when that happens, the BUD certainly want to do that.
(07:49):
Some of its leaders have wanted it sooner than later.
But for the moment, they're holding their peace in Bihar.
But it was a very significant victory because it came
in line with the other state victories. As I said,
Hariyana Maharashta Delli, very convincing wins, followed by an even
more convincing win in Behad in the heartland of India.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Yeah, And should we talk about Pmodi next, because you know,
despite this being his third term, he remains immensely popular.
And you know you've seen multiple prime ministers and have
written about them. What do you think explains modes? You know,
this enduring appeal.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
I think part of it is, you know that people
may be dissatisfied, and they are dissatisfied. Ifact may go
back to Helgram the terror attack followed by Operation Sindur,
which was India's you know, response, attacking the terror havens
in Pakistan. That and enough is enough signal to Pakistan.
But going for the ceasefire when India did, and with
(08:55):
Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America,
claiming more than thirty three zero times that it was
America that had affected the ceasefire between the two countries,
India and Pakistan. It came as a set back, particularly
to the hardcore constituency of the JP, which felt that
(09:16):
we should not have gone in for a ceasefire when
we did so. This was a I think a set
back politically. But very quickly, you know, the BJP and
the Prime Minister had sent multi party delegations to all
corners of the world to explain India's stand and it
had people like Manistivari Sealmankushi Sashitaru Melsisupriya Soule, many others
(09:42):
from you know, leading figures from other parties forming these
multi party delegations. Now more than the word capital, the
message was for domestic audience back home of what India,
why India had done that? And I think that was
a big master It was a master show because for
a variety of reasons.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
Marga ten mar garamer kus Karga, Bengal tigers dirty, He's
(10:24):
a Chinese car Bartio Glanahi, our presence indor.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
I be Katman who.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
Are And very quickly they overcame this setback and while
refuting again and again refuting that India had not come
under pressure of the United States of America to go
in for a cease fire. But more than that, these
initiatives on the foreign policy, apart that the Bihar elections,
(10:58):
if I may say so again, vinced or put out
this sense and message that the BJP was invincible, BJP
could not be defeated. The Prime Minister continued to be
popular and that's a fact, and that is I think
essentially even those who are dissatisfied the BGP it's policies,
(11:18):
and you know, after eleven years, a certain amount of
political fatigue does set in, but the absence of a
clear alternative on the opposition side makes people turn back
to the JP and arrain Remordi again and again. They
still see him as a strong leader and who they
feel may have made mistakes, may make mistakes, but is
(11:41):
there for them. So I think that is a reason
for that regaining of that invincibility which surrounded him in
his second term in office. But he lost the somewhat
of that sheen when the BGP failed to get a
complete majority in twenty twenty four and then a little
bit after operations indure with its own hard core supporters.
(12:04):
I think they have managed to overcome that and today
they say openly there's leaders senior leaders say openly that
nationally there is no challenge to them at all states.
They will have to fight the battles when elections are
held in twenty twenty six, very important elections are held
in twenty twenty seven and upigrat Panjab. But naturally they
(12:27):
don't see a challenge to his leadership, right.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
And you know, the other notable shift that happened this
year was that the RSS finally set aside its differences
with the BJP that it had prior to the Loksaba polls.
And there is a clear signal from the RSS leadership
now that it will be backing PM Mody going into
twenty twenty nine. How significant do you think this reconciliation
(12:54):
was and what does it mean for the PM and
the party going forward.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
I think you know, one of the reasons why they
got two forty seats, looks about seats in twenty twenty
four was the RISES held back. It did not campaign.
It started in campaign for the party as it was
done in the past. That is particularly in Uttar Pradesh
where they lost. You know, came down from sixty two
seats looks about to thirty three. It's a huge loss
(13:23):
and that was the reason why they came down to
two forty. And the Arises was unhappy with the PJP
leadership on a whole post of things. And the parlest
went on all through the latter half of twenty twenty
four and the earlier part of twenty twenty five, and
at various levels, these meetings went on. But at the
end of it, the Arises even on the question of
(13:44):
who would be the next party president in place of
mister j P Nada. Finally Mohenbagwatiarisis chief said that if
this is a decision that would be taken by the
Prime Minister and they would go along with it. But
of course, you know, there has been internal palais and
they have come to a certain confusion. They've announced their name.
It was a not a very well known figure, not
(14:05):
one of the high profile figures as we know, and
so you're right. I think they have addressed certain concerns
of the RSS, and the RSS has gone back to
supporting the BGP. But even in the Hariana elections and
the Maharasha elections in particular and Delhi elections, the RSS
and the Herr elections. The RSS did put its best
(14:30):
foot forward for all the differences that existed, unlike looks,
particularly the dish. So yes, I agree with you, the
RS is probably is going to be back in mister Admodi,
unless something dramatic happens that we can't foresee. Yes, the
differences seem to have been ironed out. Now not everything
may have been perfectly worked out, but they have both
(14:53):
have gone in for a given take.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Right And you know, when we talk about the party
under his leadership, it remains strong, especially when we look
at the laws that were passed in twenty twenty five.
Earlier in the year there was the controversial Bach Amendment
Act that faced a lot of protests. And now more recently,
of course, the government repealed and replaced Narrega, a scheme
(15:15):
that successive Prime ministers saw, as you know, politically untouchable
because of its importance to the poor. Now PM Modi
of course had criticized it in the past, and now
in his third term, the Act has been replaced with
a new law called vb Ramji. What do these legislative
(15:36):
moves tell us about the government's thinking and its political
confidence and priorities look on the work.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Fact, there was a pushback, yes, an Imaen's pushback, but
again it's part of the ideological framework of the DJP
that it has been pursuing over the years that it
has been in power. So the Muslims may be unhappy,
the Hindus get happy. It polarizes the situation, which is
(16:06):
the BJPP rich electoral dividends. Now, as far as Menriga
is concern that that was a very interesting thing because
the Prime Minister, mister Mody, who has broad based the
JP in the last eleven years from a Banya Brahman
party to one that represents the poorest sections, the marginalized,
(16:28):
the extremely backward, the backward, the Dalts. That's me in
his attempt and that is one of the reasons why
he's in power for the third term. In his first
speech as Prime Minister, I remember he used the word
war and I remember noting it because BJP leaders in
the past didn't emphasize par they emphasized many other things.
Poor courte and quote was emphasized by the Congress Party
(16:50):
as part of his ideological and programmatic gender. So Manriga
is a law that is part of the rights base
frame can approach of the UPO led by Congress. But
in the ten years that it was in power from
two thousand and four to twenty fourteen, manrega right to employment,
right to food, right to education, right to information. This
(17:15):
was the reason why the party came back to par
with an enhanced majority in two thousand and nine. Early
I had one forty five seis. It went up to
two hundred and sixty. Now that Manrega has been re
renamed g Ramji.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
Yababu amaramabad On Tamura Samara ram raj ram Amaria ram
ram ramhe ram Amariasasna.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
But he beIN a range Thursday Data.
Speaker 5 (17:50):
Di Rangi AMaGA Goade Mahatma Gandhi from ram Rajiki is
top Najia or on.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Now I can understand, you know, g ramg is very
easy to understand for ordinary people in the village. Ram
Ramji jesrm. These are the greetings that people you know,
like namasty they use, so they will identify with it
much more. It is also to put a stamp their
own stamp on this law. Of course, the Congress has
(18:24):
critiqued it and the opposition has critiqued that is going
to adversely affect and hurt the poor up sections, but
the Prime Minister has gone for it because as with
other things that they have renamed, you know, rajput Mark,
Prime Minister's Office, save a Thieves and so on, apg
abdal arm Mark in line with again their ideological preferences.
(18:49):
That part of it is to leave the stamp on
everything of the past as well as the present. So
that's where that coming from. But if you look at
the BJP wise, what is the core strength of the BJP.
The core strength of the BJP, which other political is
particularly the Indian National Congress does not have and does
(19:11):
not seem to be acquiring either, is a strong organizational
muscle which the Congress, you know, they would like to
They will make a you know, Raoul Grandhi will go
for a barajor Yatra or a voter ah Kariatra, but
there is little follow up and it has rebranded his
own image. Yes, of course people have taken him much
(19:32):
more seriously than they used to. But what about the organization.
Has the organization gained from these efforts as it should
have gained. I think very little effort has you know,
been invested. Very little attention has been paid to this.
So the organizational heft is the BJP strong point, apart
from the Prime Minister's own image which has not been dented.
Speaker 1 (19:56):
And you know you mentioned now as the leader of
the upper position. One thing he's been talking about is
the BGP colluding with the Election Commission to influence electoral outcomes.
He's talked about this repeatedly. Do you think this argument
has cut through with voters? I mean, to what extent
has it gained traction on the ground.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
I think it did not gain traction. They were you know,
one heard voices of people in Samarasha. I remember saying
that that's not the way we voted. What has happened.
They were doubts, question marks, and even in Behald to
begin with, they were question marks. But they did not
pursue it number one round when they disappeared after that
THEATRA for fifty seven long days. They came back at
(20:38):
the beginning, you know, when the campaign had picked up
and the other side had got into the act number one.
Number two. The manner in which they have done their
messaging has not gone has not had traction somewhere voterchory
maybe all right, but it hasn't had traction for whatever
reason as an electoral issue. But overall the messaging the Congress,
(21:01):
it does not have an appeal, so they're not able
to convert it into slogans programs that appeal to ordinary people.
The biggest anti national act you can do is vot suing.
Speaker 5 (21:15):
There's no bigger there's no bigger anti national act that
you can do than vote sure.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Because when you when you destroy the vote, you destroy
the fabric.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
Of this country.
Speaker 5 (21:29):
You destroy modern India, you destroyed the idea of India.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
So I like to you know, constitution is very important
and ral Gandi flags the constitution, he carries it with him.
Why did it have protraction in twenty twenty four it
had traction because suddenly the Dalits thought the constitution would
be changed if it was four hundred plus for the
JP and that will take away reservations that had been
(21:58):
provided to them through the constitution. It suddenly became an
issue very very close to them. I remember in villages
in Lutes where people, you know, toole people were, Adelis
was sitting and discussing it. Now, otherwise they've not been
able to translate it into a language where you know
which people relate to. So that is a singular failure
(22:20):
of the Congress Party.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
And talking about the Congress Party, we move on to
the fourth person you mentioned, which is Shashi thar Now,
for a while we've seen this friction between Tharur and
the Congress leadership to the point where many have speculated that,
you know, he might join the BGP. What do you
think these rumors and controversies say about the Congress's leadership.
Speaker 2 (22:46):
Look, Tharur is a short form for unrest and dissatisfaction
within the Congress Party, particularly amongst the older leaders who
feel their services are not being utilized their huge experience
and because there is some kind of differences tensions with
Rahul Gandhi. Now, after Peltown, the Prime Ministers decided to
(23:10):
send multi party delegations to different capitals around the world.
So the PM included those who were dissatisfied with Raouls
than these leadership, rather than the names suggested by the
Congress leadership. Then Tharur played a very leading, frontal, pivotal
(23:33):
role in giving a leadership at that particular juncture when
he spoke out for India stand as opposed to just
the Congress party's stand.
Speaker 6 (23:43):
Our Prime Minister has made it very clear Operation Sinduru
was necessary because these terrorists came and wiped the sindhur
off the foreheads of twenty six women, the private of
their husbands and father, their married lives. In fact, there
(24:06):
were some women who cried out, the terrorsts killed me too,
and they said, no, go back, tell what happened to you.
We heard, We heard their crowds, and India decided that
the color of the sindoule, that vermilion color on the
forehead above women, will also match the color of the
(24:28):
blood of the killers, the perpetrators they attack.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
Now, this didn't go down very well with the Congress leadership.
It went down very well with the JP leadership, and
truth has been slowly, you know, carving out a very
interesting niche for himself Politically. He takes a line that
may not be a Congress line. It may be appreciative
(24:54):
of the JP line at times on different issues. But
the question that arose this in twenty five and will
continue to arise, I think in twenty twenty six also
will Shashi Taru go over to the BJP. I think
as far as the BJP is concerned, he's much more
useful to them where he is batting for them on
(25:15):
issues and embarrassing the Congress. As far as Taru himself
is concerned, in the past, he's taken positions against the
JP to leave Congress go to the BGP, something I
think I would be very surprised if he did that.
More Over the BJP, the question is will the BJP
one him in the party, because while Shashi Tarur has
(25:39):
an independent view on issues, particularly on foreign policy et
cetera Kerala, he could be a key player in the
Kerla elections that are slated in twenty twenty six in
certainly in the tiru and and Pur area which is
also a BJP stronghold that bit in Kerala. But he
(25:59):
may not to the JP line on everything. And would
the BJP want to risk that kind of a person
in the party and gave him some kind of a
leading position foreign affairs. I don't think they will. So
for the moment, things will continue as they are further
down the line nearer the locks of by elections, which
is possible that Shitarum floats his own party or he
(26:22):
fights as an independent who's supported by the PJP from outside.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
Right and talking about the people who are not happy
with the Congress leadership. Digwijasingh also spoke out recently directly
or indirectly criticizing the party's leadership. But now let's talk
about the final person on your list, which is another
Congress leader, Priyanka Gandhivadra. Now she's someone who for years
has remained in the background, right, talk about the reason
(26:50):
behind that and what is it that you now seen
her look?
Speaker 2 (26:54):
In two thousand and four, I do know that the
family decided together and ra Gandhi and Rianka that it
would be Rahul not Priyanka. I think they debated whether
it could be all three who could stand for elections
at that time, and they decided it would be Sonia
and Rahul only unlike the decision last year when they
(27:16):
came to the conclusion that all three of them could
be in parliament. At that time, it was said that
her children were very young and they needed her attention.
So over the years she confined herself to nursing her
mother and brother's constituencies in Tatadish and she would campaign
there and you know, concentrate her efforts there. Then, of course,
you know, from time to time voices would be raised
(27:40):
bring Ryanka into politics, but Missus Gandhi Sonia Gandhi was
not in favor and many people, particularly Sonia Gandi, felt
it had to be Rahul, not Priyanka. Now, Ryanka has
come into parliament last year and she's showing herself to
be a very good parliamentarian. And this winter session she
(28:00):
spoke extremely well and one day mad debate and of
course manrig also there were the two elements were that
she gave chapter and was quoting facts and figures from
the past about you know, the times when the party
had accepted one day mathrum. Why did this decided to
leave out certain stanza Historically she quoted a B C.
(28:23):
D Strong one facts.
Speaker 7 (28:27):
One day matram Kiju chronology here for you, a sleek
chronology here a Tara Mahaka and do and lique Joe
ard Hamara Amari rashtrag just khamad An ye A Taras
(28:58):
sat Salbad Prakashua ananmut also pas yakama ismchar At Jordi
Ataras congress animation, may Eri Bariegi Daya.
Speaker 2 (29:24):
Only so pat Ryanka did it in a manner which
was without any unparliamentary language, without any personalized attacks. In fact,
you know, if you heard her speak in parliament, she
was laughing, she was smiling, she was you know, taking
on the opposition side with you know, very naturally doing this,
and of course they latched onto it. Many people to
(29:47):
say there was a rift between Priyanka's coming to the
four members of Parliament speaking in a favor as a
future prime minister. Even her husband struck that note that
she would make a very good prime minister. It showed
a rift between in the siblings Raoul Granti and Prianta
and that Priyanka would make a better prime minister. And
this the fourth BJP did, trying to drive a wedge
(30:08):
between the brother and the sister. Now that Granti family
has acted as a unit, I don't accept that, you
know that there is a break there. Priyanca has so
far at least accepted the leadership of Raoul to work
under him. Raoul is the leader as far as the
Congress Party's concern Sonia Gandhi's concerned. So it could well
(30:29):
be also projecting her that much more, could well be
a part of a strategy on the part of the
Congress high command that look, you know, she is drawing
eyeball she is getting traction both at the level of
the Congress worker, the Congress MPs as well as at
(30:49):
the ground level. So the moot point is twenty twenty seven.
Will clarify the role Priyanka will play in Kerala where
you know she's from baynant there the painting she will
do that westpill All. What is the role she plays Tamilad,
what's the role she plays the sam what's the role
she played? Many things will become clearer in the weeks
(31:10):
and months to come.
Speaker 1 (31:12):
And just since we're talking about yet another member of
the Gandhi family, I was wondering, how hard is it
for us to imagine the future of the Congress without
any Gandhi family member as of now?
Speaker 2 (31:25):
Very difficult because the Gandhi you know, the party is
in trouble with the Gandhi family or at the moment,
you know, with Rahul, there's dissatisfaction. He's tried very hard,
he means well, he's sincere, but he's not clicked. He's
not clicked as an alternative too in the Modi so
far at any rate. So if you take away the
Gandhi family, the party will probably could split, could fragment
(31:50):
of course, you can never say that, you know, they
won't be an alternative. It used to be the talk,
you know, for years after Nehru. Who But when Javala
Nehru went yes, there was a Shastri, then an Indira
Gandhi and others followed. They can never be a political vacuum.
That is a given. But at the moment we don't
see anybody like that in the Congress. Who you think
(32:11):
can come out of the Congress, form another party or
capture the Congress at least nothing on the horizon as
of now. So is the Gandhi family for the moment.
Speaker 1 (32:21):
And you obviously mentioned some very key elections that are
coming up next to you talk about some of the
things that you'll have your eye on.
Speaker 2 (32:29):
I think if Mamta Banaji pins Bengal again and she's
going to put up a fight, but so is the
BJP going to put up a fight and they're getting
their act together, that's going to be the most decisive
battle of twenty twenty six. That will also set the
tone and tenor for the role the opposition comes to play.
Is the BJ pig, you know, this West Bungal from
(32:49):
Amta Penergy. That's a huge, huge feather for in their
tap and a huge setback for the opposition. Some will
not maybe you know, most people expect that will and
the MK and BJP alliance actually replace the MK ACTA
Vijay not with them, therefore, that will not create a flutter.
(33:10):
Congress winning will give it, you know, new heart to
the party, to a demodelized carder and they should be
able to win Caroaly it's it's not so they're well
placed if they don't botch it up. And as SAM
is as of now, him and Sharma again, but GODV
Gogoi has been putting up a fight and much will
(33:32):
depend on you know, the ground level shifts if they
take place, and will it be a polarized situation in
a SAM which helps the ruling party or will they
be you know changes as I say, at the ground level.
So Bengal remains the most important election. In twenty twenty six, you.
Speaker 1 (33:54):
Were listening to Three Things by the Indian Express. Today's
show was written and produced by Mishahan Bargov and was
edited and mixed by Sash Pawar. If you like the show,
then do subscribe to us. Wherever you get your podcasts,
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(34:14):
Express Podcasts and write to us at podcasts at Indian
Express dot com
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