- 6 months ago
The big focus of this episode of News Today is on the Gujarat bridge collapse and Rahul Gandhi versus the Election Commission over Bihar electoral roll revision.
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00:00Good evening, hello and welcome. You're with the news today. This is your primetime destination news, newsmakers, talking points, our big talking point.
00:10Twelve people are killed in a tragic bridge collapse in Gujarat. Who will be held accountable?
00:17Rahul Gandhi versus the Election Commission. Are his charges that the Election Commission is an agent of the Modi government justified or irresponsible?
00:26Also, now that the Thakres have reunited, will the Maharashtra Vikas Agadi last in Maharashtra or collapse?
00:34Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ritviraj Savan is among my guests today.
00:40But first, as always, it's time for the Nine Headlines at night.
00:46Twelve people are killed in a bridge collapse in Vadodara. Vehicles plunge into the river after a 40-year-old bridge crumbles.
00:54Bridges' weakening structure was flagged by a Panchayat member in 2022, but not enough maintenance was done.
01:03It is another avoidable man-made tragedy.
01:09Aviation Action Accident Bureau briefs a Parliament panel on the AI-171 crash probe says black box intact.
01:16Process of retrieving data underway. Air India jets fuel switches under the lens.
01:21Two Air Force pilots killed after a Jaguar jet crashes in Rajasthan.
01:29This is the third Jaguar crash in just the last five months.
01:36Rahul Gandhi and Tejasvi Yadav lead the Mahagadbandan protests over the Election Commission's role revision move in Bihar.
01:43Rahul claims that the EC is aiming, claims that there is a bid to rig the Bihar elections, says EC wants a Maharashtra repeat in the state.
01:53No end to Maharashtra's gundaism in the Sena.
02:00Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad assaults a canteen staff for poor quality food, remains defiant, says taught a lesson apne style mein.
02:09Rekha Gupta, Delhi Chief Minister's bungalow, 60 lakh renovation tender cancelled over administrative reasons.
02:19Cancellation amidst opposition criticism of the tender value.
02:25Elon Musk, Starlink, clears regulatory hurdles, gets key government law, prepares for a broadband service rollout in India.
02:32U.S. high student tourist H-1B visa charges with a $250 security deposit amount might be refunded if applicants meet criteria.
02:47And NVIDIA becomes the first company to clinch a $4 trillion market cap.
02:52Stocks jump more than 2% to become the world's most valuable company.
03:02But our top story tonight, a major tragedy has struck Badodra in Gujarat.
03:09A bridge collapsed near the city, sending vehicles including trucks, cars, plunging into the Mahisagar River.
03:18Multiple casualties have also been reported, at least 12 people have died.
03:23This bridge was several decades old, but according to the authorities, was also being regularly maintained.
03:31That's a claim which is disputed by many.
03:35Was this another man-made tragedy that could have been avoided?
03:41Bridge collapse after bridge collapse.
03:44Take a look at this report.
03:49A tanker dangled from the shattered edge.
03:52Frozen in that moment of collapse, a haunting image of the disaster that struck Gujarat.
03:58The Gambhira Bridge, a lifeline between Vadodara and Anand, crumbled into the Mahisagar River in Padra,
04:08taking with it human lives and shattering the hearts of their loved ones.
04:12Rescue teams from Vadodara Fire Services and the NDRF pulled survivors from the wreckage,
04:16but multiple casualties have been reported.
04:44As shock and horror turned into anger, a predictable script of apathy and negligence emerged.
05:07The bridge was reportedly repaired just last year.
05:10The bridge was reportedly repaired just last year.
05:11And only three months ago, a Rs. 212 crore replacement was greenlit by the chief minister.
05:36Clearly, it was too late to prevent this devastation.
05:43An investigation into this tragedy has also been ordered by the chief minister.
05:47Prime Minister Modi called the incident deeply saddening, announcing Rs. 2 lakh compensation for the families of the diseased and Rs. 50,000 for the injured.
06:09A routine crossing turned into a nightmare.
06:13Now, while Gujarat mourns, it also waits for answers and hopefully accountability.
06:19With Digvijay Pathak in Vadodara, Bureau Report, India Today.
06:49Last month, you will recall a nearly 30-year-old narrow bridge near Talegao in Maharashtra's Pune district that collapsed, killing four people and injuring 32.
06:58The 30-year-old pedestrian bridge was overloaded with tourists and vehicles and was in desperate need for renewal.
07:06In June 2024, a 182-meter bridge over the Bakra River in Bihar's Arardia district collapsed even before it was inaugurated.
07:14The bridge was built at a cost of Rs. 12 crore. There were no casualties.
07:19There was another bridge collapse in Bihar in August 2024.
07:21A portion of an under-construction bridge over the River Ganga collapsed for the third time since 2022.
07:27It had been constructed at a cost of Rs. 1,710 crores.
07:33Why do bridges collapse, even bridges which the authorities claim are being maintained?
07:39Alok Bhaumik, President, Indian Association, or former President, Indian Association of Structural Engineers joins me.
07:45Appreciate your joining us there, Mr. Bhaumik.
07:48When I look at what happened today in Gujarat, there were warning signs in April this year.
07:54An Ahmedabad-based news journalist reported the dilapidated structure on camera.
08:00This bridge is a bridge which is more than four decades old.
08:03It was in desperate need for maintenance.
08:05Is the real problem maintenance or the structure itself?
08:11Thank you, Rajdeep, for inviting me.
08:14Before I start, I must express my deep condolences to the family of the victims.
08:21It's really tragic.
08:22The answer is both.
08:26In general, the asset management of infrastructure is very poor all over the country.
08:35Gujarat is no exception.
08:37And also, the state of infrastructure which is being built newly, there also are a lot of problems.
08:45These issues are very complex and of very serious nature.
08:48And I'm sorry to say that it doesn't get the attention that is required.
08:54There is lack of intent, I would say, on the part of authorities.
08:59When you just said asset management, what is it?
09:03Is it the quality of material used or just the fact that many of these are old bridges that constantly need some element of renewal?
09:10Is it the nature of maintenance?
09:12Where is the problem?
09:13The problem is that, you know, we have a huge number of assets in terms of infrastructure like bridges, highways.
09:22They require regular maintenance.
09:24Some of these bridges are as old as 100 years and more.
09:27But the infrastructure that we have in terms of human resources with the state PWDs, with the central government, they are far too inadequate to cater to the existing asset infrastructure.
09:45Leave aside that the priority for the existing bridge maintenance is given a low priority as compared to building new infrastructure.
09:53So the focus is also a little bit shifted to building new infrastructure because of the huge pace of development that is taking place around us.
10:04So what you are saying is that while you have, you know, the government claims that we are adding so many kilometers of roads every day, we are breaking record.
10:13You are saying that's all very well.
10:15What is equally critical is investing just as much of human resources also in particular in actually maintenance.
10:23Am I clear?
10:24Absolutely.
10:25Absolutely.
10:26Absolutely.
10:27Is that the only reason or is there, dare I say, corruption?
10:30We've seen it with roads, newly built roads, developed potholes.
10:34Is there a corruption problem when it comes to the quality of material that is being used in some of these bridge buildings?
10:41Rajdeep, there are a number of issues.
10:45Corruption is one of them, a major one.
10:48But there are a number of other issues.
10:50Number one, I would say, is that our profession of civil and structural engineering is not a regulated profession.
10:56And that's a very serious concern, unlike the medical profession, unlike the lawyers, unlike the chartered accountants.
11:04We are, you know, we are responsible for the built habitat.
11:09And therefore, the profession has to be regulated.
11:12When I say profession has to be regulated, what I mean is that, you know, as we grow in the profession,
11:19we must renew our capability in terms of continuous professional development.
11:25Unless the profession is regulated, there is no check.
11:28So any incompetent engineer can be at site doing design or doing construction,
11:35endangering the safety of the public at large.
11:39So, number one, the profession has to be regulated.
11:41Number two, we are building, currently the pace of growth is much more than the capacity with which we can build.
11:51The competence level of our professionals, the need for capacity development on the whole,
11:58the skill development, that is not matching with the demand.
12:03So demand is far exceeding the capacity.
12:05So either we reduce the pace of growth or we compromise on the quality.
12:10And what is happening is the compromise on the quality.
12:13You know, Alok Bahamik, you are raising several issues.
12:16I hope there is someone out there listening to you.
12:19Because in all the talk which is often put out of the number of bridges being built,
12:25what is critical is safety and quality.
12:28And as you said, proper regulation.
12:31For joining me and speaking so plainly right at the top of the show tonight,
12:34I appreciate you joining me.
12:36And as you also said, our thoughts and prayers are today with the families of the victims of this horrific disaster in Vadodara.
12:45Let's move from there to another disaster that's taken place.
12:49An Indian Air Force's Jaguar fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Banuda village in Rajasthan's Churu today.
12:57A massive blaze was triggered after the crash and the debris of the plane was found across an agricultural field in which the jet crashed.
13:06The aircraft had taken off from the Suratgat base.
13:09The IAF has confirmed that both pilots were killed in the crash after the Jaguar trainer aircraft met with this accident.
13:17A court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.
13:22But the worrying news is that this is the third such crash in just the last few months.
13:27Joining me now, Sandeep Unithan, who tracks security issues for us.
13:32Sandeep, this is extremely troubling because the Jaguar trainer aircraft, this is not the first crash of its kind.
13:38Just three, already three reported in the last few months.
13:41Is there something fundamentally wrong here?
13:43Well, absolutely, Rajdeep, it's probably the first time that the Jaguar, you've had so many crashes of the Jaguar.
13:50Now, the Jaguar is the second most widely used aircraft in the Indian Air Force.
13:55You have the Su-30s, which may number over 260, and the Jaguar, six quadrants, over 100 aircraft.
14:02Now, three of those aircraft crashing in rapid succession in just the last couple of five months or so,
14:09that points to a very serious issue here.
14:11We don't know exactly what happened in this case.
14:15There are a number of, you know, there's a lot of speculation about what exactly went wrong,
14:19how two pilots went down the way they did.
14:22They possibly didn't have a chance to eject, which indicates they were flying a low-level mission.
14:28We lost one pilot as well in the previous crash.
14:31Very tragic.
14:33Losing three pilots in five months, that's a very big blow for the Indian Air Force.
14:37What's the solution? I mean, there's been a lot of talk about replacing the Jaguar with more modern training aircraft.
14:45Have delays in acquisition of those aircrafts been an issue? Where is the problem?
14:49Well, Rajdeep, it's a convergence of many problems for the Indian Air Force, really.
14:54You know, the Air Force has an authorized strength of 42 fighter squadrons.
14:58It's operating with just 31 fighter aircraft squadrons.
15:01Now, it's operating very old aircraft like Jaguar, the MiG-21.
15:07It's got three squadrons of the MiG-21 still flying, six squadrons of the Jaguar.
15:11Of course, the age of the aircraft has nothing to do with the, you know, the fact that they're being operated by the Air Force.
15:18There are other countries that operate equally old aircraft, 40, 50 years old.
15:21The Israeli Air Force, for instance, is operating aircraft that are four decades old.
15:25But there are a number of penalties that, you know, this imposes on operating these aircraft.
15:31There are technical issues there.
15:32You know, the maintenance of the aircraft becomes a problem, given the fact that the Jaguar is, the Indian Air Force is the only country in the world, the only Air Force in the world to operate the Jaguar.
15:44They're the last Air Force that still operates the Jaguar, primarily because we haven't got the fighter aircraft that we wanted.
15:50We are already 10 squadrons short of the actual authorized strength of 42 fighter squadrons.
15:57The Air Force needs something like one fighter squadron at least every year to join the fleet, if it is to even maintain the current number of 31 squadrons.
16:07It's not happening.
16:08And we've just seen in recent months the Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, has been talking about how HAL has not been delivering the aircraft that it's promised.
16:17So it's a convergence of many factors, and that's impacting the Indian Air Force at a time when it's looking at a two-front, you know, crisis with both Pakistan and China, beefing up their Air Force with fifth-generation fighter jets.
16:33Rajdeep.
16:34Sandeep Unitan, for giving us more clarity on what is clearly a crisis in the skies, thanks very much for joining us.
16:41So we've had bridge collapses tragically today and that Jaguar crash.
16:45Let's move from there to our top political story of the day.
16:49Tomorrow the Supreme Court will hear multiple pleas against the Election Commission's decision to go in for a special intensive revision of the electoral rolls in Bihar just months ahead of elections in that state.
17:03Today, leaders of the Mahagadbandan, led by Rahul Gandhi and Tejasvi Yadav, hit the streets, accusing the poll panel of working at the BJP's behest and preparing rolls that they claim will disenfranchise thousands of poor voters in particular.
17:22In fact, according to Rahul Gandhi today, the EC is acting as an agent of the Modi government, and what is happening is nothing but votebandi.
17:32What's the truth?
17:33Take a look first at our report from the ground.
17:45A show of strength by the Mahagadbandan in Bihar as elections loom.
17:50The opposition party staged protests across the state on Wednesday against the ongoing voter list revision by the Election Commission of India.
17:59At some places, the protests turned violent as R.J.D. and Congress supporters blocked roads and disrupted train services.
18:10Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and R.J.D.'s Tejasvi Yadav led a march in Patna from the income tax roundabout to the EC office.
18:21Rahul Gandhi sharply criticised the EC, accusing it of acting under the BJP's influence.
18:29The R.J.D. has been deleted from the Constitution.
18:32The R.J.D. was condemned to the difficulties.
18:33And as it was done by the R.J.D. was in the beginning, it was wrong by the trust of the Chair in the House.
18:38The R.J.D. has become a regular voter vote for the Japanese president.
18:43The R.J.D. alleged the voter list revision process is anti-people.
19:13In retaliation, the BJP accused the opposition of protecting infiltrators.
19:35The EC began the voter list revision in Bihar on the 25th of June.
19:40The poll body claims, the objective of the special intensive revision is purification
19:46of the electoral rolls.
19:48It is issuing daily updates and rebuttals to opposition charges, but the Amadmi on the
19:54ground is worried they might lose out if unable to provide documents at short notice.
20:01Bureau Report, India Today.
20:03Okay, let's raise the big questions at this moment.
20:09Rahul Gandhi's charges, are they justified or are they irresponsible?
20:16Is the Election Commission at the moment a neutral umpire or is it horribly biased?
20:21Is there a growing mistrust of the Election Commission's actions or is that an excessive
20:26claim to make?
20:28Joining me at this moment, my first guest is Dr. Ajay Kumar, spokesperson of the Congress.
20:33We also hope to be joined by Sanju Verma, national spokesperson of the BJP.
20:37But Dr. Ajay Kumar, former MP and national spokesperson Congress, Rahul Gandhi goes to Bihar and claims
20:44that the Election Commission is acting as an agent of the BJP.
20:49Now, that's a very, very serious charge to make.
20:53Should Rahul Gandhi be a little careful in the words he uses?
20:57When you call the Election Commission of the country a constitutional body an agent of the BJP,
21:05shouldn't you be a little bit more measured or provide very hard, conclusive evidence before you make an allegation of that kind?
21:15It's about two minutes.
21:16Start now.
21:17So, Rasthi, look at the way the Chief Election Commissioner has been speaking.
21:22This is a different Election Commission.
21:24The episode with the opposition leaders, there are so many times when I went, I have been
21:29a part of the delegation to the Election Commission.
21:33All the Chief Election Commissioners, the Election Commissioners were so gracious earlier.
21:38You know, the number of people, everybody could put their point.
21:41Now, the Election Commissioner is telling that I will decide who is the designated person.
21:45Will he decide or will the party decide first?
21:48Secondly, today's article on PDT Acharya, I'm sure you would have read it.
21:54Clearly states…
21:55Our viewers have not read it.
21:56Our viewers have not read it.
21:58He's written an article in the Hindu.
21:59This is a former Lok Sabha, Parliament Secretary General, who has raised questions.
22:03But go ahead.
22:04Give me your view.
22:05When you say that it's an agent of the center, give me one good reason why you say it.
22:09It can't be because they're not graceful to you.
22:12Give me a better reason.
22:14No, no.
22:14When we ask them for the electoral rolls, they don't provide it.
22:18When we ask them for a video coverage, they don't provide it.
22:21When we ask them to tell us the reason why you're doing this, they don't provide it.
22:25And the first question is, never did they discuss this special, intensive revision of electoral
22:32rolls.
22:32Never.
22:33Till it was announced.
22:35And the shamelessness has got no limit.
22:38Why doesn't the Chief Election Commission address a press conference where journalists
22:42like you and other people can go and ask them questions and ask them what was the reason
22:46why are you…
22:46And what is the methodology which has never been followed?
22:50This methodology of the revision of electoral rolls has never been done.
22:56On whose provocation are you doing?
22:58It smells.
23:00It's fishy.
23:00And it's giving a bad order.
23:02And I'll highlight to you, the idea of the election commission, great people like the
23:08first election commissioner, Mr. Sen, universal adult franchise with people who could not read.
23:15That's why the symbols were introduced.
23:17The idea was to include the maximum, all the people possible for the election.
23:23This election commissioner wants to ensure, Chief Election Commissioner and this election
23:27commission, that three-core people from Bihar who are staying outside, how do they get back?
23:32How do they, the roles, the information which has been through the various important newspapers
23:40which are saying that only 14 people, whoever on the ground are going are saying that they
23:45don't have those papers?
23:46Election commission is saying that the people are returning the papers, but the people who
23:50are reporting on the ground, that every one of them, and Bihar, now, in a previous…
23:56Let me just, sir, your time is up now.
23:59I've given you time.
24:00I want to also explain to our viewers.
24:02I'm going to put a graphic to explain to our viewers what this electoral role is and then
24:06get Sanju Verma.
24:07Sanju Verma, the point is the election commission in Bihar conducted extensive revision of electoral
24:15polls between June of 2024 and January of 2025.
24:19For seven months, extensive revision was conducted.
24:23Suddenly, six months later, they decide we want another revision.
24:28Another revision, six months later.
24:30Either the first revision was flawed or the people who have voted in the general election
24:35were fraudulent voters.
24:36Naturally, dal mein kuch kala hai is a suspicion.
24:40How do you respond to what you just heard from Ajay Kumar, who suggests that the election
24:45commission is an agent, in his words, of the Modi government, sir?
24:50Thank you, Rajdeep.
24:53Nice to be on your show after quite a bit.
24:55Let me make one thing very clear.
24:58The election commission was also referred to as shameless.
25:01And I take strong objection to these kind of loose remarks against the election commission,
25:06which is a constitutional body, wide article 324 of the constitution.
25:10Now, revision of electoral rules, is it in line with representation of people's act 1951?
25:17Yes.
25:18Revision of electoral rules, is it in line with form 13 section 19 of the registration of electoral
25:25rules 1960?
25:27Yes.
25:28Revision of electoral rules, is it in line with article 326 of the Indian constitution?
25:34The answer is yes.
25:35I'll tell you why the opposition is so rattled.
25:38Hindi mein kahawat hai, Rajdeep ji.
25:41Khisiani billi khamba noche.
25:43Now, Rahul Gandhi is that typical Khisiani billi who wants to find a scapegoat even before
25:49the election process in Bihar has started.
25:52I want to tell Rahul Gandhi this, since he keeps undermining the credibility of the election
25:57commission.
25:57And I don't see the timing ticker on my, you know, below my...
26:00Don't worry.
26:01Don't worry.
26:01I'll give you two minutes.
26:02Don't worry.
26:04Yes.
26:05I trust you.
26:07Now, let me say one thing very clearly.
26:10There was a man who was the chief election commissioner between, chief election commissioner
26:16between 1990 and 1996.
26:19This man's name was T.N.
26:21Session.
26:21I was just in a debate half an hour back and a congress spokesperson told me, you know,
26:27T.N. Session used to eat politicians for breakfast.
26:30Yes, he used to eat politicians for breakfast as long as they were not congresses.
26:34Because in front of you, T.N. Session became a big billi.
26:37This is the same T.N. Session.
26:39He was the defense secretary, the cabinet secretary, the environment secretary under Rajiv Gandhi,
26:44was made the chief election commissioner and lo and behold, after Rajiv Gandhi's death,
26:48T.N. Session was also made a member of the planning commission.
26:53Classic quid pro quo.
26:55And this Rahul Gandhi is a very rich coming from him.
27:03Now, let me give you another example.
27:041996 to 2001, there was a man called MS Gill.
27:09He was the chief election commissioner.
27:11And guess what, Rajiv Gandhi, in a classic quid pro quo again, in 2008, MS Gill was made,
27:18the union minister for sports and youth affairs.
27:22Kabhi congressi ko MS Gill ko condemn karte hoi dekha hai, T.N. Session ko condemn karte hoi dekha hai?
27:27No.
27:28How can I tell you, now coming to Bihar, what does the election commission say?
27:32It says there are 7.89 crore electors or voters in Bihar, 4.96 crore voters.
27:40They were already a part of the last SIR done on January 1, 2023.
27:46They simply have to fill up the enumination form anytime between June 26th and July 26th.
27:53With a simple verification, they don't need to submit any proof.
27:57The election commission says that the draft electoral list will be published on August 1st.
28:03If you have any objections, you have time till September 1st to file your objections.
28:09And on the 13th of September, the final list will be out.
28:12Rahul Gandhi and Tejasni, why is the pain in the face of the face of the face of the face of the face?
28:16Okay, your time is exactly up.
28:18Your time is exactly up.
28:20You say, why is the pain in the face of the face?
28:22This time, I'll reverse it and give you one minute each, starting with Sanju Verma.
28:26Because Sanju Verma, through this entire, you have every right to claim that who is the congress to question
28:32how election commissioners were appointed in the past?
28:36Koi doodh se dula hua nahi hai.
28:37But, but, in this specific case, you did not answer my central question.
28:41This election commission conducted a full revision of the roles of Bihar between June of 2024 and January of 2025.
28:50What changed suddenly in six months for them to order a special intensive revision with fresh documentation needed for all those who are not registered as of 2003?
29:03Naturally, question will be asked.
29:04What has suddenly changed in the last five months for them to order a special intensive revision?
29:09You know, Rajdeep, let us be very clear.
29:13The election commission has sweeping powers under article 324, 325, 326, 327, 328.
29:18That doesn't allow you to misuse your powers.
29:20You can't misuse your powers.
29:22Can I please finish?
29:23You know, now you give me a full one minute because you don't hold me a leak into my time.
29:27Please go ahead, ma'am.
29:27Let me tell you, Rajdeep Sardesari and Sanju Verma and Dr. Ajay Kumar and Rahul Gandhi don't have the local standard to undermine the credibility of a constitutional body like the election commission.
29:41You can ask questions respectfully, but don't say that the election commission is godi-hired, election commission is voters' list from Manmani.
29:49I'm sorry, what is Rahul Gandhi's credibility?
29:53Rahul Gandhi said that voters are being deleted now very quickly.
29:58Five-last voters were deleted in the Bengal assembly elections.
30:01Rahul Gandhi did not have a favor call.
30:02In Kerala, in 2021 assembly elections, 1.7-last voters were deleted.
30:07Rahul Gandhi and left parties did not have a favor call.
30:10Telengar assembly elections did not have a favor call for 4.2-8-last voters were deleted.
30:14Rahul Gandhi and Rajdeep Sardesari did not have a favor call.
30:16Okay, time up, time up, time up, time up, time up, time up, your time is up, audio, you know, Ajay Kumar, what is coming, it's coming down to, while you are perfectly entitled to raise questions over the election commission, I disagree with Sanju Verma that you can't ask election commission questions simply because they have these powers, you cannot allow an abuse or excess of powers.
30:38I can't ask questions, not undermine their credibility.
30:41Okay, don't undermine, so that's the question there for Ajay Kumar, by the manner in which
30:45this is being posed even before the entire exercise is complete, to suggest it's a fraudulent
30:51exercise, aren't you undermining public faith in the constitutional institution which is
30:57charged with a very solemn duty of ensuring free and fair election, why not even at least
31:02allow the exercise to be complete?
31:03No, no, first question, I was listening to the BJP spokesperson, it's ridiculous to, you know, the election commission has got the power to revise the electoral rolls, yes.
31:14Please read the sub-rules in that, that the date is being fixed by the constitution and the rules and regulations which the parliament has decided on, the date in which they do and the methodology.
31:24The special intensive revision is only allowed for constituency.
31:31Please read the rules again, so I'm not going to get into it because the, nobody is debating whether the election commission has got the right to revise the rules.
31:38It doesn't have the right to revise the rules in an arbitrary manner, in a, in a talibani manner, in a, in a manner without discussing and in a manner which, and to release list of documents which was never asked at all.
31:51Are those in the rules and regulations which has been passed by the parliament?
31:54No.
31:55So first question.
31:56Second question is, you are putting in a process in which you're putting the majority of the people in difficulty.
32:03The four, the other fourth point is, these people say, Guzpati, Guzpati, 11 years they have been in power.
32:10Amid Shah, getting people through the Bangladesh border, no one's like, I want to ask them, there's rowing yards and Guzpati, that's what they indicate.
32:1711 years, that means the BJP is purposely doing it.
32:19Okay, let me, let, let, let, let, let, let Sanju Varma respond, Sanju Varma, how are the Guzpati is happening?
32:27No, you tell me why the Guzpati is happening.
32:29Yeah, Sanju Varma, how is it 11 years Guzpati?
32:31Sanju Varma, the, no, Ajay Kumar, your time is up.
32:36This is not fair, you have to be a neutral answer.
32:38I am completely neutral, madam, every time you question my neutrality, you are treating me like the Congress is treating the election commission.
32:45I am simply requesting you very humbly.
32:46Okay, so I am asking you now, I am giving you one minute, ma'am.
32:50A serious point was made by Ajay Kumar that he believes that genuine voters will lose out voting rights because the fear is being created that infiltrators are entering states like we are.
33:01Please respond, I give you 30 seconds uninterrupted.
33:05You told me one minute, now you reduce it to 30 seconds, why?
33:08Because the last round is 30 seconds, both sides, you go ahead.
33:11No, no, no, no, you are not, Ajay Kumar, come beyond.
33:14Okay, please go ahead, please go ahead one minute.
33:17Please take your minute.
33:17Thank you Rajdeep for being so generous.
33:20You know, now let me say one thing very clearly and please don't interrupt me.
33:23This is very important data and I am sure Rahul Gandhi will also love listening to this.
33:27Maharashtra election was told and has been Rahul Gandhi's constant refrain.
33:42He says that last one hour, 65 lakh voters were added.
33:47Now, let me tell you something very interesting in 20 seconds.
33:50Maharashtra, 5 p.m. voter count, 58.22, 6 p.m. 66.05.
33:56Voter count went up by 7.8% roughly.
33:59Jhakar 2024, 5 p.m. 55.24%, 6 p.m. 67.74%.
34:06BJP lost, humne rona dhona nahi kiya.
34:09Telegra 2023, 5 p.m. voter count, 55.24%.
34:1330 seconds left.
34:14At 6 p.m., 6 p.m., 63.94%, BJP lost.
34:20Humne rona dhona nahi kiya, Rahul Gandhi.
34:22My last point, Karnataka, the big daddy.
34:252023, 5 p.m. voter count, 57.94%.
34:306 p.m., a whopping 71.84%.
34:33Congress jeepi, BJP hari.
34:36Humne rona dhona nahi kiya.
34:38Because we are sore losers.
34:40Okay, you claim you are not sore losers.
34:43The Congress claims that the system is being great.
34:44I have got election commission data for you.
34:46Okay, I have listened to both of you.
34:49I leave it to the viewers to decide.
34:52No, what do you want me to say?
34:54I will give you 20 seconds.
34:55You are, please, not more.
34:56I will just say that the Bharati Janta Party is the master of half-truths.
35:02What about the 12,500 booths?
35:04Hey, Sanjeev Verma Ji, you are so badly behaved.
35:07Put the volume down.
35:09Put the volume down.
35:10Yeah, go ahead.
35:11Why are you so badly behaved?
35:12Yeah, please, please finish.
35:13Please finish, Ajay.
35:14Please finish now.
35:15So, my question again is, 12,500 booths in Maharashtra had 10% to 8% to 12% increase.
35:23The number of voters added in five years is less than the number of voters added in the
35:27last six months.
35:28Those are issues which are very serious for this country.
35:31If the integrity of election is not there, the democracy is a challenge.
35:33And the issue of, no, and the last is, four crore poor people will continue to suffer.
35:40And this Guzpeti, 11 years they are in power, so they are purposely getting people to do Guzpeti
35:45or let them answer to this nation?
35:48Okay, you made that point earlier.
35:50Where are the Guzpetias that you claim that the BJP says have entered states like we are?
35:55Either way, we need a sanctity of the electoral process or democracy itself gets undermined.
36:01I hope the election commissioners also come on this show like Sanju Verma and Ajay Kumar
36:08have come or at least conduct a press conference.
36:10That's the very least we can expect from the country's election commissioner.
36:14Come out and answer the questions.
36:16Opaqueness is not a solution.
36:19Let's turn from there to our story from my city of Mumbai where things again don't look
36:24good from slaps now to assaults, political hooliganism on the rise.
36:28Today, at Shiv Sena MLA, Sanjay Gaikwad was caught on camera thrashing a government canteen
36:33staffer.
36:34He claimed that the food was not good enough.
36:37Instead of apologizing, he justified his action.
36:40The chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, has directed officials to take strict action.
36:45But will any action really be taken against an Alliance MP?
36:48Take a look.
36:49Maharashtra's netas are not pulling their punches these days.
37:03Here you can see Shiv Sena MLA, Sanjay Gaikwad, assaulting the contractor of the Akashwani MLA
37:10canteen in Mumbai on Tuesday.
37:12The MLA claimed the food delivered to his room was substandard and he started feeling
37:19sick.
37:20He marched to the canteen downstairs right away to address the issue.
37:26According to the MLA, multiple complaints about food quality were ignored and he was simply
37:32serving the cause of justice.
37:48While no action was against the ruling party MLA, food safety officers were sent to raid
37:54the canteen on Wednesday.
37:55According to canteen staff, this isn't the first time.
38:25such an incident has taken place.
38:37Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the MLA Sanjay Gaikwad's action unacceptable and
38:44directed Deputy CM Eknar Chinde to take action.
38:48The opposition demanded Gaikwad's arrest.
38:55There has been a series of incidents involving politicians and party workers in Maharashtra
39:21in recent times.
39:22In Vashim, MNS workers were caught on camera, vandalising a toll plaza on Tuesday.
39:29And on July 7th, the drunk son of an MNS leader was seen abusing and assaulting a woman influenza.
39:37Earlier on July 3rd, a street vendor in Thane was slapped by MNS workers just because he could
39:44not speak Marathi.
39:45In all these cases, what stands out is the lack of action by the Mahayuti government.
39:51The big question remains, how long will political hooliganism go unchecked in Maharashtra?
39:58With Vidya, Omkar Wable and Harshita Parab, EuroReport, India Today.
40:04Meanwhile, in news just coming in, no action yet against the ship Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad.
40:18Instead, the canteen contractor's license has been suspended.
40:22The man assaulted by the Sena MLA has paid the price, even as the Sena MLA Gaikwad brazens
40:28it out.
40:29Is this Thokshahi?
40:30I ask all of you, is this what Maharashtra, Shahu, Phule, Ambedkar legacy that we speak
40:37about?
40:38And will any of these MLAs ever really take on the rich and powerful or will a canteen
40:43contractor, someone working in the canteen, be their soft target?
40:48Sorry, Mr. Gaikwad, unacceptable.
40:51And Mr. Fatnavis, it's time to ensure that law takes its own course, even if it is an
40:57MLA from your alliance.
40:59He cannot be allowed to get away, it's simply unacceptable.
41:04In fact, over the last couple of weeks, Maharashtra is seeing this political violence, in some cases
41:09over Hindi imposition.
41:10Remember, the Marathi Manu's politics taking center stage over the weekend, the Thakre cousins
41:15had shared a stage.
41:16And all of this is leading to a lot of flux in Maharashtra politics, a possible Thakre reunion
41:21for the crucial Mumbai municipal election later this year, adding to a twist within the equation
41:26within the Maharashtra Vikas Agadi.
41:29Will the Congress, for example, stay within this alliance or will it contest alone?
41:34Will the Maharashtra Vikas Agadi alliance last amidst this fluctuating climate in Maharashtra?
41:40Listen in to Prithviraj Sawant.
41:47And as Maharashtra politics, in a way, remains in a state of flux and, dare I say, even violence
41:55around the corner, I'm joined by Maharashtra's former Chief Minister Prithviraj Sawant.
42:02Mr. Sawant, we are seeing Maharashtra politics once again in a state of flux.
42:06Perhaps the Thakre is seemingly coming together, a renewal of the rather violent agitation for
42:13Marathi and against Hindi and North Indians.
42:16Where does the Congress stand?
42:18Is the Congress caught in a rock and a, between a rock and a hard place, an alliance with Uddav
42:23Thakre, but troubled in a way by the fact that he's joining hand with Raj Thakre now?
42:28Well, I don't think there should be any problem. See, people of Maharashtra rose like a man to
42:37oppose imposition of Hindi from class one. I mean, some people went into an aggressive agitation,
42:46some people did not. But it was a common theme across the state that don't burden young children
42:53from class one with three languages. I mean, you could have a different view about it. Nobody's
42:57against Hindi. But don't start it from class one and burdened. We don't have enough teachers,
43:03enough teaching materials.
43:04But do you support the violence, sir? While you are opposed to the Hindi imposition across
43:11the board, do you support the violence that has followed?
43:14Absolutely not. You see, the point is, when there was a statewide view that you should
43:23not impose Hindi, the state government, the chief minister accepted the demand and withdrew
43:31the government resolution. So, it was in a way, whatever we wanted was obtained. Now,
43:37if some people wanted to celebrate victory or wanted to spread the message that it's only
43:43because of their violent agitation, this happened, I mean, so be it. Now, let us not forget that
43:48our Mahavikaz-Ghadi alliance is with Mr. Uddar Thakre of Shilsena and Mr. Sharath Power of NCP.
43:56Now, if they want to get into a sub-alliance, that's their issue. Except that you cannot have
44:02a partner in the sub-alliance, which completely at cross-purpose is Congress Party's ideology.
44:08Well, let me get that clear. Are you clear that Raj Thakre's politics is at cross-purposes
44:14with what the Congress stands for?
44:16Well, we don't accept any violence, linguistic violence or religious violence or any violence
44:21of any kind. I think it is failure of the state government to control these people. And therefore,
44:26there are doubts whether somebody has been propped up to create issues about just before the Bombay
44:32Municipal Cooperation elections. I think, let them make this view clear. We are absolutely against,
44:37against any violence based on linguistic or religious basis, whether it is Hindu-Muslim matter
44:43or it's what you eat, what you wear or, you know, what you speak. Of course, we'll...
44:49But we are hearing that the Congress will therefore probably go it alone in the civic polls. Is
44:55that more and more likely that you will not be part of any wider alliance? And is the Congress,
45:00in a way, getting isolated because of this kind of regional politics that has now returned
45:05and revived? What does the Congress stand for?
45:07Raj Ji, don't mix up issues. You see, we have had a state-level alliance with NCP from 1999.
45:14Now, the policy had been that for Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha election, we went to a pre-poll
45:20alliance. And then it required... But for local bodies, we normally left it to the local units,
45:26district units, the Mumbai unit, or the Pune unit, and the Aapur unit. If they said that
45:32we want to go into an alliance with like-minded parties or components of the Mahavikas Akhari
45:37or India, Ganbandhan, so be it. But most of the people... We had a recent meeting in
45:43Mumbai on 30th of June. And Mumbai leaders expressed their views. I mean, it was generally saying
45:49that, look, we don't benefit from this alliance with Shiv Sena. And all that was a view expressed
45:54by some of them. That is not the party decision yet. It was ultimately...
45:58What is your view? What is your view? Should you go it alone and test your strength? Because
46:02there are many who believe that Congress, without an alliance, will struggle in Mumbai and several
46:07municipalities. You need all these other parties to come together. What is your view?
46:12I think we entirely let it be decided by the local units, a party, the Mumbai Regional Congress
46:20Committee of Pune unit or Nagpur unit or every single unit.
46:23What's your view?
46:24Our last experience has been, although we had gone into a state-level alliance for Vidhan
46:31Sabha and Lok Sabha, we did not go for alliances with the local bodies. And that was left to
46:35the local units. And I think this time also, similar thing will happen because ultimately,
46:40if you want to retain your symbol, retain your flag, then you have to fight the entire district
46:46or entire state, your symbol.
46:48But there is a sense, but there is a sense, Mr. Tsawan, that with the Thakres possibly coming
46:53together, with Sharad Pawar also possibly waiting and watching carefully, where does the Congress
47:00go? Does the Congress, in a way, now find itself, as I said earlier, a little bit isolated in
47:07this fluctuating politics of Maharashtra, a state that you once dominated, you are not able
47:14to really handle what's going on around you all?
47:17Ashtip, let us not forget the Lok Sabha election result, 2024 Lok Sabha election result. Congress,
47:24the same Congress party which you are talking to people today, had decisively won the Lok Sabha
47:31election, getting highest number of seats for our party, best strike rate. Now, that could
47:36not be repeated in Vidhan Sabha because there are many factors. Raju Gandhi had raised some
47:40issues about election issues, uncomfortable feeling about what happened within five months.
47:47But that's a separate issue altogether. So, let's not forget that just in Lok Sabha election
47:532024, Congress party bested everybody else. We had the highest number of MPs.
47:58Sir, I take that, but between Marathi chauvinism on one side and Hindutva on the other, where is
48:03the Congress?
48:04No, I think we are against any kind of chauvinism or any kind of violence to prove your point.
48:14I mean, we don't accept beating up people who do not speak Marathi. Of course, we will request
48:20them with folded hands and if you have made Maharashtra your home, then you should learn
48:25Marathi, you should communicate in Marathi, but not, you know, we cannot force anybody or cannot
48:31beat people up. Because, you know, there is other side to it. There are a lot of Marathi
48:34people in other states also. And as one of the BJP MPs are threatened that we will do
48:40a tit for tat for Marathi people who are working in other states. But this is ridiculous, this
48:45is not… But ultimately, you see, this is what BJP has shown. The religious violence is
48:50happening in UP, the bulldozer justice, the lynching, mob lynching about who is eating what
48:56and all that thing. So this is the culture. BJP has got this culture. And I think we don't
49:02support that at all.
49:03Yes.
49:05Mithiraj Sawant, coming out against the politics of violence, let's hope more Maharashtra politicians
49:11also accept that there must be a red line drawn. Let's turn to another state. This time BJP ruled
49:17Goa, where the fight against corruption is now reaching a dead end. For six months there,
49:24the Lokayuk post lies vacant, complaints gathered dust and the government remains silent. With
49:30weakened laws and zero appointments, critics are now saying that the Lokayuk is being hollowed
49:36out systematically in a state like Goa, where serious corruption charges have been made against
49:42the government. Here is more in our next report.
49:47Six months. That's how long Goa's anti-corruption ombudsman, the Lokayukta, has remained headless.
49:59Since December 2024, when Justice Ambedaz Joshi's term ended, the state has failed to appoint a successor.
50:08The result? 20 pending complaints. Zero progress.
50:17The process to appoint a new Lokayukta was set in motion in February this year, when the
50:23Directorate of Vigilance asked the Chief Secretary to begin shortlisting names. But five months
50:29on, there's been no forward movement. No shortlist, no consultations, no appointment.
50:36This inaction basically proves that the BJP is scared of the exposure of corruption.
50:46Purposely, the BJP is trying to hide their corrupt scenes, the way they are looting Goa.
50:53Nothing but corruption. And this is why the simple reason they are not appointing the Goa.
50:59The government, on its part, has offered no explanation.
51:06Chief Minister Pramodh Sawant was directly asked about the delay, but refused to respond.
51:12In 2021, the state amended the Lokayukta Act, removing key provisions that previously allowed the body to investigate
51:33nepotism, maladministration and actions driven by improper motives.
51:40Legal observers argue this has diluted the Ombudsman's powers and made accountability harder to enforce.
51:48The non-appointment of a Lokayukta is an indicator that the BJP does not want its corruption to be exposed.
52:01It is unfortunate that the Goa government has failed to apply to Lokayukta for last more than six months.
52:07Before that also, the office was dysfunctional. The matters were getting urgent.
52:11There are matters which are pending for last four years or five years because of inefficiency of the office of Lokayukta.
52:17We will raise this issue in the Legislative Assembly for the upcoming session.
52:22If there is a post under the Act available, the post should be filled in.
52:29But at the same time, amend the Act to make it something that becomes an effective instrument of fighting corruption,
52:41of fighting nepotism and all other things which are wrong in our system.
52:46As the weight drags on, public trust in the state's anti-corruption mechanism continues to erode.
52:55Justice delayed may well become justice denied.
52:59Bureau Report, India Today.
53:07Our Get Real India story today from Goa, Lokayukta institution being undermined.
53:12When we return, complete shift. We will bring you a rare and very emotional story from Jarkhand.
53:18You don't want to miss this. You are watching the news today.
53:21News without the noise. Redefining what prime time news was meant to be or once was.
53:31Let's turn to a good news story. A rare and emotional sight from Jarkhand's Ramgad.
53:37Where railway operations were halted, not for a technical glitch, but for a mother in labour.
53:44A female elephant gave birth near the tracks and officials paused everything to ensure a safe delivery.
53:52Humanity bowed to nature and it was an emotional moment.
53:56Take a look at this special story.
53:58A rare and heartwarming moment from Jarkhand where trains halted and humans paused as nature took centre stage.
54:11A goods train came to a screeching halt on the Hazaribagh-Barkakana railway line to make way for a female elephant in labour.
54:19That stood near the railway track in Ramgad, separated from her herd.
54:24Ramgad's DFO, Nitish Kumar, immediately stepped in, stopping all train movement for nearly two hours to ensure a safe delivery.
54:34The forest officer's phone came to us. He told us that the line crossing of Chari-Od-Bes,
54:41the line crossing, the line crossing, is going to be able to escape from one hand.
54:46The forest officer told us that there could be a danger.
54:50That's why the moment is closed.
54:53The baby was spawned and within moments, the newborn calf walked alongside its mother, both disappearing into the forest.
55:01With Rajesh Parma, Bureau Report, India Today.
55:10Okay, let's then, from there, turn to another good news story.
55:14A soldier in uniform and truly in spirit.
55:18When a pregnant woman went into labour at Jhasi Station,
55:22this gentleman, Major Rohit Bachwala, didn't hesitate.
55:27With no hospital in sight, he turned a railway overbridge into a delivery room
55:33and ensured both mother and baby were safe.
55:37Let's take a look at our good news today's story.
55:39A pregnant woman who disembarked at the Jhasi Railway Station on June 5th, after she went into labour, found a saviour in Major Bachwala Rohit.
55:51With no time to shift her, the army doctor gave medical assistance on the station overbridge itself.
56:07We used a hairpin to clamp the cord to clamp the cord.
56:13There was no surgical knife, but the pocket knife was separated from the cord.
56:20After that, the baby was not giving a response.
56:25So, as long as I was resuscitated with clinical skills, the baby was active.
56:30The baby was crying. I was very happy.
56:35After the delivery, the mother and child were shifted to the hospital.
56:38Army Chief General Upendra Duvedi on Monday commended Major Rohit for demonstrating exceptional professional acumen and selfless commitment beyond the call of duty.
56:51Bureau Report, India Today.
56:53A nice way to end a day with some good news today's stories. Let me leave you then with our image of the day.
57:05Prime Minister Narendra Modi being conferred with yet another civilian award.
57:10This time, Namibia's highest civilian award in windowing.
57:13It's the 27th such award so far for the Prime Minister.
57:17Just the fourth, in fact, on his ongoing trip.
57:20He just keeps collecting awards.
57:24Thanks for watching.
57:26Stay well, stay safe.
57:28Good night, Shubratri.
57:30Yehin, namaskar.
57:36I conclude by wishing Namibia great success in co-hosting
57:45the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
57:55And, and, if your Eagles need any cricket tips, you know whom to call.
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