- 12 minutes ago
Congress Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan cited anti-incumbency and recent local body successes as evidence of a United Democratic Front resurgence.
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00:10Let's go!
00:11We have found the big farmer!
00:14Big fish!
00:16You brought up an IPL auction?
00:18He's going to do a Kerala style auction.
00:22100! 100! 100! 100!
00:24Fish are also divided.
00:26LDF one side, UDF.
00:27Where is BJP?
00:35Cylinder!
00:36The real Durandar at the moment.
00:41What's my best food during the rain?
00:44And the winner is...
00:45Samosa!
00:50I need my producer's shoulders.
00:52I'm getting old.
01:15Let's go!
01:23Woo!
01:23Hey!
01:23Malayalis take great pride in their landscapes, their culture, the society and of course their politics and yes their food
01:31too.
01:31Remember this is the last fortress of the left front with the Pindrai Vijayan government hoping to this time achieve
01:39a record breaking third consecutive win.
01:42And then there is the Congress led UDF desperate to return to par on the back of anti-incumbency after
01:5010 years out of it.
01:51Not to forget the BJP steadily growing in these parts hoping to prove the great disruptor.
01:59Who will win the battle for 2026 in Keralam?
02:22The first stop is a tea shop here in Fort Kochi and as you can see the big issue concerning
02:30people here is a shortage of cylinders.
02:34All these cylinders have run out and they are saying they are not getting a refill which is why a
02:39couple of tea shops here have closed.
02:42We'll try and find out.
02:51How many days waiting list for a gas cylinder?
02:54One month.
02:55One month니까 fees?
02:56One month.
02:56For one month, they are not getting.
02:58Not getting for one month.
03:01For a month.
03:02One month.
03:06One year they are not getting.
03:09They are saying they usually need two cylinders but now they are getting only one sometimes they are not getting
03:13also.
03:14So they have shut then shop so?
03:15Okay these two shops have been shutting.
03:17Two shops, you have shutdown?
03:19shut no gas no gas how many days now no gas one month one month inna dohada nori
03:28wade abhi na ii wadanglil maathro moottathile full light inna kadakala chai kadakala panikkar kandum paani ila aga buddhi mootilog
03:37hai kore peri indiansha kukkaru bai kakadu kibashadhi kari injaanil yum karanndi villi nabai angra hatu baadiki totale yudhankhoottam moottathile
03:44problem than yung
03:46war war everything is a problem
03:58But now gas problem?
04:00Gas problem?
04:03Gas problem? Kerala?
04:07Kerala?
04:09Kerala?
04:10Kerala?
04:10Kerala?
04:11You are blaming Modi?
04:13International problem?
04:19Because of war?
04:35What can Modi do? There is a war. You cannot blame Modi. It is a war.
04:51He is saying that we are not blaming but the central government is repeating that there is no issue, no
04:56shortage. But that is not the reality.
05:05Gas is a problem? Gas problem?
05:07Gas problem.
05:09Big problem?
05:11How often are they getting their cylinder?
05:14Cylindra?
05:16Now they are getting after 45 days.
05:1945 days?
05:21So maybe we need to tell those in government in Delhi who say all is well, don't worry, there is
05:25no scarcity of LPG.
05:27Please come here to Kochi, to this fishing village here and find out the reality.
05:47You brought up an IPL auction? He is going to do a Kerala style auction.
05:51100, 100, 100, 100, 100.
05:55Fish are also divided.
05:57LDF one side, UDF.
05:58Where is BJP?
06:00And the winner is...
06:01Oh my god, nice big fish here.
06:07Okay, now you know that politics is fishy business.
06:10So if you come to this part of Kerala, you have got to visit the fish market early morning and
06:15get a sense of what the fisher folk, who are an important constituency in this part of the country, what
06:23they think about the elections.
06:24Early morning, good fish, what fish is this?
06:28Vatta, Vatta, Vatta, Vatta, Vatta, Vatta, Vatta, Vatta, Vatta, Vatta, Vatta.
06:52They have done a lot of work, development work and everything in the last 10 years.
06:55Like what development?
06:57What company are you doing?
06:59Trambilya road.
07:02Roads and highways.
07:04Remember, the Vijayan government is credited with improving the road and highway networks
07:10across Kerala.
07:11Lots of new bridges also coming up.
07:14So he is seen as the INPRA chief minister.
07:26UDF or LDF?
07:28Who is ahead?
07:29UDF.
07:30LDF.
07:31LDF?
07:32LDF.
07:34The Kerala totally majority will get UDF.
07:38Why LDF?
07:41Very good chief minister.
07:43Very good chief minister.
07:44Now traditionally Shibi, who do the fisher folk normally vote for?
07:49Depends on the regions.
07:50In Trivandrum it's mostly the UDF.
07:53Kolam we have the LDF, Alapuda LDF.
07:55Here it's mostly the UDF.
07:57So it's region wise divided.
07:59Region wise yes.
08:00There is no fish vote bank as fisherman vote bank.
08:02No.
08:02The Trivandrum fishermen usually go with the UDF.
08:06In Kolam with the LDF.
08:07And in Kochi with the UDF.
08:09UDF.
08:09Okay.
08:10Fish is turning out to be rather slippery I'm afraid.
08:12Almost like the politicians who defect from one side to the other.
08:17He has moved from there to here.
08:21As you can see the fishermen are also divided.
08:25LDF one side UDF.
08:27Where is BJP?
08:28One third.
08:29Third group.
08:30This is the third group.
08:33They are all waiting.
08:34H horses.
08:42How those额 are staying.
08:45Do they have some money?
08:46Do they have more money?!
08:46How does Kerala好的 all India deal with water?
08:48I hope they need to support ordinary Kerala.
08:48They're there.
08:50Well there.
08:50Let the particles of Rue..
08:52So make sure the wives are open at your home.
08:53There is the government.
08:53Those people were caught in Sartreland people.
08:56And��� cats still have 1.
09:04I want to show Kerala to get a new road better.
09:10National?
09:11So LDF?
09:12LDF?
09:13LDF?
09:14LDF?
09:14LDF.
09:14LDF?
09:14LDF?
09:16LDF?
09:17LDF?
09:17LDF?
09:18LDF?
09:33LDF?
09:34So that is better than the left's.
09:35You have trust, you have faith in Rahul Gandhi, he will implement guarantees.
09:39I have a guarantee.
09:40This year the UDF will take place.
09:43It's going to grow the same.
09:44It's going to grow the same.
09:46It's going to grow the same.
09:47It's going to grow the same.
09:48It's going to grow the same.
09:49Yes, it's going to go.
09:50I don't own people's mind.
09:51I don't own people's mind.
09:52Is that a real issue that this stolen gold?
09:55No, no.
09:56Shabrimala is an issue on the ground.
09:58Shabrimala is an issue.
09:58Yes, that is one big factor working against the LDB.
10:00This stolen gold, that the gold is allegedly stolen.
10:03Yeah, that is an issue.
10:04Even if God is not safe in Kerala, then what about the common people in Kerala?
10:09BJP?
10:10BJP is not much in Kerala.
10:13It is a little bit higher.
10:14A little bit higher?
10:15Yes, not much.
10:17BJP?
10:18No, no.
10:19What about BJP?
10:21BJP is a...
10:24...political...
10:28...indu is a party.
10:29You don't believe BJP is a security?
10:31No, no, no.
10:32We are not Hindu or Christianity or Muslim.
10:36We are sugless.
10:37You are Kerala first.
10:38Keralites.
10:39Keralites first.
10:40Which is better, Goa fish or Kerala fish?
10:42Sir, Kerala fish.
10:44Because I'm Kerala, so Kerala fish is better.
10:46I don't know.
10:47I don't know.
10:48Sir, we are Keralites, so we will tell like...
10:51We are Malialis.
10:52Yeah, definitely.
10:52Okay.
10:53We are proud to be...
10:54We are all Indians.
10:55Yeah, definitely.
10:56Proud to be Indians.
10:56I don't know.
10:57Enjoy.
10:58Enjoy.
11:00Okay, all this fish has made me really hungry.
11:02So, I'm going to take Shibbi for a Kerala style breakfast.
11:06And we are going to get plenty of food for thought.
11:10Come with us.
11:16Shibbi, hungry?
11:17Very much, sir.
11:18You are very much hungry.
11:19What do Malialis do when they are hungry in the morning?
11:22Eat Appam and Putta something.
11:24Appam and Putta.
11:26Okay, let's go for some Appam and Putta.
11:28James, my friend, how are you?
11:30Fine, fine.
11:31Good to see you.
11:32Shibbi, you know James?
11:33Yeah.
11:33Welcome to Kerala, Rajdi.
11:35Keralam.
11:36Keralam?
11:37Yes.
11:38And people of Kerala love you so much.
11:40And you are so popular here.
11:41Okay, I want to tell you that James is an old friend.
11:44He is a leading anchor here with 24 News.
11:47And Shibbi is, of course, you know her.
11:49She is the face of India today here.
11:51Yeah, sure, sure.
11:51Come, come.
11:52So Shibbi has said that we have to have Appam and Putta, both.
11:56She is very hungry, so am I.
11:58But I am also hungry for information.
12:00So I am going to ask you all some questions about what has been happening.
12:04What is the importance of this election?
12:07Why is 2026 so important, James?
12:10It's important for both the mainstream parties and the mainstream alliances, especially the LDF and UDF.
12:17For the LDF, they have won two times.
12:21And it's the third time.
12:22So they are going for a hat-trick.
12:24But the problem is that the alliance led by CPM, CPM has lost all the states in Kerala, in India,
12:33and they are looking for a win here.
12:36Otherwise, they will have...
12:37So it's a big, it's virtually a battle for survival in a way of...
12:42Survival for LDF.
12:43And UDF, UDF lost two times.
12:47That was almost the first time in the history of Kerala that UDF, the Congress party lost two consecutive events.
12:53And the third time, if they lose, they have a big rival coming up.
12:58It's BJP.
12:59So they cannot also lose.
13:01So it's a do-or-die battle.
13:03Is that right, Shibbi, that is this a do-or-die battle in a way this time for both the
13:08main alliances, UDF and LDF, for different reasons?
13:11Yes, sir. Like you pointed out, it's a do-or-die battle.
13:14And I would say it's a do-or-die battle for the third front BJP also.
13:17Because I don't think previously in Kerala, they've never had such a favorable situation to win seats.
13:23So they have started winning seats for Lok Sabha, for the local body election.
13:27So they can maintain that moment if they start winning seats for the assembly.
13:30But the moment that is cut, BJP again becomes insignificant in Kerala.
13:34Yeah, because I think the BJP has only won one assembly seat so far.
13:37And for them, therefore, it would be a big breakthrough election.
13:40Is the left relying on the personality of Vijayan or is it relying more on the organization?
13:46Both. Firstly, on the face of Chief Minister Pindra Vijayan because they feel like as much as there is an
13:51anti-incumbency,
13:52they feel that people also realize that when there is a crisis, he stands as a tall leader.
13:56So that face of him will gain them votes and also their organizational structure, their groundwork
14:02and the kind that their MLAs have spent in their constituency, making connections with the people in the constituency.
14:07Sorry to interrupt, sorry to interrupt, but there is some food.
14:10Yeah, this is Padampuri.
14:11This is Padampuri.
14:13Padampuri, this is a banana fry.
14:15Banana fry.
14:16This is?
14:16This is Appam.
14:17This is Appam.
14:18This is chicken curry.
14:20Early morning chicken curry?
14:22You will get everything.
14:23This is a beef curry.
14:24Beef curry with?
14:26Idiapap.
14:26Idiapap.
14:27My God, early morning.
14:28The Keralites are full.
14:30There is also egg roast.
14:32Egg roast has also come.
14:33Wow, my God, we are, you see I have always thought that the minority-majority equation
14:38does not exist in Kerala, that everyone is a Malayali first.
14:42But at election time, identity matters.
14:45Christian vote, Muslim vote bank, Ednava vote bank.
14:48And also the Christian vote, if that, a share of it goes to the BJP also,
14:52they have been taking out a lot of outreach programs.
14:55If a share of it is going to the BJP, then that is tough for Congress.
14:59I have some little difference in this opinion.
15:01Yeah, yeah.
15:02There is that communal or that factor of the religious communities.
15:08But Kerala as a whole, as you said, it is a secular state.
15:12Secular state and the communist parties and the socialist congress have more influence.
15:19So there will be cutting across communities.
15:21There are secular votes.
15:22What is the X factor according to you that will decide this election?
15:26What is that key factor that will decide who wins Kerala and who doesn't?
15:29There are two or three factors.
15:31I cannot say one.
15:32There is a consolidation of the minorities towards UDF.
15:36And also there is an anti-incumbency factor, Shabarimala.
15:41All these factors work together.
15:43I see a slight chance for UDF than LDF.
15:46Tight fight where LDF can also score a hat.
15:48Okay, so we've got, as I said, in Kerala it's the diversity of opinion.
15:53Tight fight where LDF could score a hat-trick.
15:56Could score.
15:56Could score.
15:58Tight fight where UDF may have an edge.
16:01So about 10-15 seats will decide this election.
16:04Covering an election in Kerala.
16:06What do you enjoy the most?
16:08In North India, there is the money politics.
16:10Here money doesn't matter much.
16:11Ah, good point.
16:13And also...
16:14You can win without money in Kerala.
16:16Without money because...
16:17And also ordinary people can be a candidate and win the election.
16:21Wow, maybe I should contest an election from Kerala.
16:23Yeah, you're sure.
16:24And also when you come here, you can see it's a God's own country.
16:28There is mountains, there is rivers, there is lakes and sea.
16:33And you can have very good food.
16:35Variety of food.
16:36I agree, I agree.
16:36What's the best thing?
16:37And you like your fish mango curry, no?
16:39I like fish mango curry.
16:40I'll have that later tonight.
16:41What's the best thing?
16:42I think elections are the most beautiful part in a democracy.
16:45And I see it in full essence in Kerala.
16:47Because they celebrate elections.
16:49Malayalis, everybody knows their candidates.
16:51Everybody knows their issues.
16:53Everybody knows...
16:53Everybody has an opinion.
16:55So you feel very good that people are so aware of what is happening.
16:58And they have an opinion.
16:59That is very important, I think, in a democracy and elections.
17:02I couldn't agree with you more.
17:04What Kerala thinks today then, when it comes to electoral democracy and the...
17:09Absence in a way of money power.
17:11India should think tomorrow.
17:13That's one of the many things I enjoy about an election in Kerala.
17:17But what I enjoy the most, you know, is the food.
17:21Okay, we are heading on the campaign trail.
17:23You are watching elections on my plate.
17:26Enjoy.
17:29Too good.
17:31Too good.
17:32Too good.
18:05Mr. Chief Minister, first of all, Namaskaram.
18:09Thank you very much for giving us some time.
18:11I know you have a very busy schedule.
18:14Would I be right in saying that this election is a report card of your 10 years in power?
18:20It is a referendum whether you want Mr. Pinrai Vijayan for 5 more years or you don't want it.
18:25That is the main single issue of this election.
18:38But I only see big posters of Pinrai Vijayan.
18:41I see everywhere I go in Kerala, I see only posters of Pinrai Vijayan.
18:46So is it about Pinrai Vijayan this election?
18:48No, no, no.
18:49That means that the people who are the first to know about the LDF are the first to know about
18:55the health of the government.
19:00But, the people who think it is the first to know about the government is the first to know about
19:04the government.
19:04That means I think of the government's expectations for the government.
19:22What is your biggest achievement?
19:24If you look back at 10 years, what will you tell the voters is your biggest achievement?
19:29If you look back at 10 years, what is your biggest achievement?
19:48Extreme poverty you have removed but the fact is that Kerala in terms of youth unemployment has one of the
19:55highest rates in the country.
19:57Growth rates haven't picked up to the same extent. Industrialization has not come and you have a large revenue deficit.
20:06You are not being able to garner revenue. So, is that the big challenge?
20:10Yes, extreme poverty you have overcome but there are no jobs for the young.
20:15In Jolida, we have a big challenge.
20:21In Kerala, there is a huge achievement in the world.
20:27There is a huge achievement in the world.
20:28There is a huge achievement in the world.
20:32The most wonderful achievement is that the first hedge fund, the second hedge fund.
20:39It is a huge achievement in the world.
20:40In Jolida, today, is the biggest achievement in Jolida.
20:49In that regard, the Bhurashtra companies are going to Kerala to come to Kerala.
20:55We are going to be able to do the ease of doing business.
21:00It's good you are speaking of ease of doing business because Congress is claiming
21:06Penrai Vijayan has changed the left, new left is corporatized.
21:10You are giving Kerala away to corporate companies.
21:13That in the name of privatization some corporate companies are taking over.
21:17This is not the real left.
21:18We have to deal with the first public business.
21:22So, the Indian newsprint is now in Kerala.
21:27If you tell that in the country, the government has to deal with it,
21:31we have to deal with it.
21:33We have to deal with it, Kerala Paper Products Limited has to deal with the first public business.
21:39So, this is our position.
21:41We have all the corporate companies.
21:43We have to deal with it,
21:43We have a lot of people who will go for the supporting corporation.
21:49We have to deal with it in its way.
21:53We will be developing it in a very serious charge that Congress leaders or your opponents
21:58make is of corruption.
21:59Sabri Mala gold theft case.
22:01Wherever they go, they raise Sabri Mala gold theft case, saying Pinrai Vijayan's government allowed the Sabri Mala gold theft
22:08case to take place during his term in power.
22:32Kerala is the least corrupt state.
22:51Are you ready for an open debate your 10 years versus 5 years of UPA? Open public debate. Are you
22:57ready? What you have achieved and what they have achieved.
23:11You are already the first chief minister to have completed 10 years in a row in Kerala.
23:17I want to ask you, what is your prediction for this election? How many seats for LDF, how many for
23:24UDF?
23:24I have to tell you a secret. You and I are born on the same day.
23:5424th of May, you are 80, I have 60. I don't have your energy. So I want to know, is
24:00this your last election? Win or lose? Whether you win or whether you lose? Is this Pinrai Vijayan's last election?
24:07No, I don't have to say. That's the party. The party will decide.
24:11Party will decide. Yes, yes.
24:12But your critics say Pinrai Vijayan has become bigger than the party. That is why some left people have even
24:19left the party because you are bigger than the party. You are saying party will decide.
24:23The party will decide. Yes, yes.
24:25The party will decide. That is not factual. That you are bigger than the party. That people, as I said
24:31at the very start...
24:35I always ask you this. Your people say, Narendra Modi is a one man show. Is Pinrai Vijayan a one
24:43man show? I asked you last time, are you Modi in Munda? And you got very angry.
24:47No, no, no, no, no, no, no. You are not a one man show. You are not a one man
24:56show.
24:56We will see whether my birthday mate is able to have a record hat trick or will he do what
25:05his party says, win or lose. Thank you very much. Thank you.
25:10No, no, no, no, no, no.
25:25Okay, now. While the Left Front has pitched Pinrai Vijayan at the left, right and center as its face in
25:34this Kerala campaign,
25:36A deeply factionalized Congress has chosen to press the pause button on the leadership issue, which is why Shibi and
25:44I have traveled here to Parvayur in Erna Kulam district, where the Congress's leader of the opposition, VD Satishan, is
25:53the candidate of five-time MLA and potentially one of its chief ministerial aspirants.
26:00Am I right that the Congress has VD Satishan, Ramei Chenitala, KC Venu Gopal? Give me their strengths. What are
26:08their respective strengths?
26:10Satishan has grown as the party's face, the five-brand leader who's supported by the party workers.
26:16Chenitala experience, lots of years of experience and also age factor.
26:20We can see a DK Shiv Kumar, Siddharava situation where, you know, you can tell Satishan you have time, but
26:26Chenitala is a little more older and more experienced.
26:29KC, the MLA's. That's why Congress took a lot of time also. Most of these MLA's are KC's choices. The
26:35candidates are KC's choices.
26:37So all three are in the race.
26:38Yes, it's a more unexpected, unpredictable contest than the elections actually. Who's becoming the chief minister if Congress comes to
26:45Parvayur?
26:46A battle within a battle. Will the Congress score a self-goal yet again? And does it really have a
26:52strategy beyond anti-incumbency?
26:55Those are some of the questions I want to pose to VD Satishan. Come with us.
27:06How are you, sir? Namaskaram. How are you?
27:19Is there a strategy beyond anti-incumbency against PINRAI Vijayan that you are hoping is there?
27:24No, no. We have prepared. We started our preparation one year back. Not one year back. Really, it was five
27:32years back. We have analyzed the political situation in Kerala.
27:37Have you become overconfident after the local body election in December? You are overconfident now?
27:42No, I will tell you. I will tell you. In almost all the states across the country, the opposition is
27:49losing the by-elections.
27:51But we have been winning all the by-elections with wonderful margin in Kerala, except one.
27:58Even that case, we reduced their majority from 40,000 to 12,000. In all other cases, 25,000, 37
28:06,000, all big margins.
28:07Everyone is saying left is more organized on the ground than you are. And they are fighting a local election.
28:15Y'all are trying to make this a national election. People want local issues addressed.
28:19But why? Why if they are so organized? Why they failed in the local body elections? We received a wonderful
28:27victory within the last 30 years. Biggest victory in the last 30 years.
28:33State election is a state election. State election is different. Yes. I agree with that. I agree with that. We
28:39have prepared.
28:40You have prepared. Now, we are also doing in a professional way.
28:44So, who is the chief minister candidate? That you know...
28:46Who is the chief... Are you in the chief ministerial race or not?
28:49That you know very well what is the procedure of the congress party. Congress party is not announcing their chief
28:56minister candidate anywhere in the country.
28:58The left is saying they have got a clear face in Pindrai, Vijayan.
29:03But I will tell you, we have a galaxy of leaders. I agree with that. But Pindrai is only a
29:11dictator. But what is happening in the CPM?
29:13So many persons left. There is a strong rebellious movement in the CPM against this dictatorship.
29:20You are saying Pindrai is a dictator. People are saying Satishan also is a very tough person. Not easy to
29:28get along with?
29:29No. I am a tough person for organizational matters.
29:32If I come here one month from now, will I be speaking to the next chief minister of Kerala?
29:37That the... You can speak to the new chief minister. That will be declared by the ACC.
29:44But he is smiling.
29:46Think about Pindrai, Vijayan in this camera. What do you want to tell Pindrai, Vijayan?
29:51What do you want to tell him? Look at the camera and tell him.
29:54Dear chief minister, you invited me for a debate. I am ready. I am ready to debate with you.
30:02I am privileged to have a debate with you. You are the 10 years chief minister here.
30:08I am privileged to have a debate with you. But unfortunately, you are not giving me the time and place.
30:17If you are informing me the time and place, wherever it is, whenever it is, I will come to you.
30:23But for the last 24 hours, I have been waiting for you, for your debate. Please invite me.
30:29We will wait and see if 2026 is a repeat of 2021 or you finally see the Congress once again...
30:36Sir, I have made a statement also.
30:37Yes.
30:38If I am not able to make a win for UDF. It was a hypothetical question.
30:45If UDF is failed, I will return from politics. Then I will go for political exile. I have declared.
30:54Sir, all politicians say that?
30:55No, no, no, no. No politicians said in the history.
30:58You are saying that if you cannot give the UDF a victory, you will retire from politics.
31:03Politics, I will go for political exile.
31:10Okay, Shibi, it's time for a coconut break. What would we do as coastal people without the coconut in summer?
31:17What's your favorite drink?
31:18Coconut drink, of course.
31:20Nothing stronger?
31:22I like Sarbat also.
31:24Sarbat.
31:25Coconut chadda.
31:26We are a family channel.
31:28Coconut.
31:29Coconut concert?
31:31How much?
31:32How much?
31:32How much?
31:3355 or what?
31:35It's mostly.
31:36Let's go.
31:37Coconut time.
31:37That's a crisis also.
31:38We need a break in the seat.
31:42This is what I want to do to a lot of people in my life, but I will never do
31:47because I am a non-violent person.
31:49Ahimsa.
32:06Now our travels across central Kerala have brought us to Puttapali in Kottayam district, where Rahul Gandhi is on a
32:15whistle-stop campaign.
32:16Here, in support of Chandi Ooman, the son of the former Kerala Chief Minister, Ooman Chandi.
32:23For Rahul Gandhi, once an MP from Kerala, this is yet another opportunity to prove that he can be a
32:31vote catcher, especially south of the Vindias.
32:33And here, too, the Congress wants to replicate the Karnataka-Telingana formula by promising free bus rides to women.
32:42But do free bus rides to women work?
32:45That's what Shibi and I want to find out.
32:47Shibi, free bus rides for women?
32:49Yes, sir.
32:50The main guarantee.
32:50Does it work?
32:51To some extent it will, but a larger audience know that the KSRTC is in loss and it's just recovering
32:56from ventilator.
32:57So, we'll have to see practically how much is it possible.
33:01Okay, let's find out.
33:03Do you want free bus rides or do you want more jobs for women?
33:06If you want to buy a bus ride, then you want to buy a bus ride for free ride.
33:10Which one?
33:11Job.
33:11Job.
33:12Job.
33:12Job.
33:12Job.
33:12Job.
33:13You will use free bus ride.
33:15You want free bus ride or you want jobs?
33:19Joli.
33:21Free bus ride Rahul Gandhi, 1,000 rupees Pinride Vijan.
33:26Which is better?
33:27Free bus ride or 1,000 rupees for free ride?
33:33Bus, bus ride.
33:34Bus.
33:36Free bus ride.
33:42Who do they trust more, Pinride Vijan or Rahul Gandhi?
33:51Rahul Gandhi, Pinride Vijan.
33:53Who do you trust?
33:54Do you trust people who can buy a bus ride or hari permit?
34:00You want...
34:01You want jobs?
34:02Or you want free bus ride?
34:04Free bus ride $14?
34:07Job.
34:09Job.
34:10Job.
34:11Job.
34:11Job.
34:11Job.
34:11Job.
34:12Job.
34:12Job.
34:12Job.
34:13Job.
34:14Job.
34:15Best job.
34:19Job.
34:26Donald Trump controls Mr. Modi, Mr. Modi controls the Chief Minister of Kerala.
34:32Everybody knows, anybody who stands up against Narendra Modi is attacked.
34:42Why is the Chief Minister of Kerala not being attacked?
34:47Why has he been not interrogated?
34:51Why are there no cases against him?
34:55Why are his children not questioned?
34:58Because they are partners.
35:03You ask any LDF worker and he will tell you that the LDF is not a left government, it is
35:10a corporate government, it is a Adani government, it is a Ambani government and the BJP knows
35:15that the left can never challenge them in India.
35:18Mr. Venugopal, Rahul Gandhi has launched a stinging attack on both the left and the BJP saying
35:24there is, better, all good, thank you, saying that there is collusion between left and BJP
35:31are colluding with each other.
35:32You are saying that the left and BJP are colluding with each other?
35:36That's why yesterday, the Prime Minister didn't mention anything about the temple threat.
35:41You are saying Prime Minister is coming to Kerala and not attacking the BJP.
35:44CPM.
35:45And not attacking the CPM.
35:47But the point is, CPM is your ally, India ally in the centre.
35:50No, no, Kerala actually, Kerala's CPM is entirely different.
35:54Kerala's CPM, you can see that, this is not a Labour Party, this is not a Socialist
35:58Party, this is not a Communist Party, this has now become the Corporate Party.
36:01Sir, Pindrae Vijayan says Congress is the B team of the left.
36:05He went public and said that.
36:07India, people of Kerala are joking by hearing that statement.
36:10People know about that, how Rahul Gandhi is fighting against Modi.
36:14Every Keralist know about it.
36:15Then Pindrae Vijayan is telling Congress that Rahul Gandhi is the agent of BJP.
36:19Who is going to believe Rajiv Ji?
36:21Who is going to believe Rajiv Ji?
36:38A bridge too far.
36:39The party has only won one assembly election year over the years.
36:43But in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won a Lok Sabha seat in Trisur for the first time
36:50and got almost 20% of the vote share.
36:53We've come to Pala here in Kotayam, where one of the young faces of the BJP is contesting, Sean George,
37:02in a Christian-dominated constituency.
37:04It's part of the BJP's attempt to woo and win over the Christian vote in a state with an 18
37:13% Christian population.
37:16Come with me and meet Sean George.
37:30Mr. George, how are you?
37:32Good to see you.
37:34For you to be contesting on a BJP ticket, a party that has only won one seat, assembly seat in
37:40the history of Kerala elections, is this for vote share or to win the election?
37:46We quit that policy for the vote share.
37:49Now Kerala BJP is contesting only to win.
37:52Only to win?
37:53Only to win.
37:53You actually believe that you have a chance to win the election?
37:56I only have the chance to win here.
37:59BJP is seen as a Hindutva party.
38:01Who told you?
38:02It's not a Hindutva party.
38:03It's not a Sabka Saad, Sabka Vikas.
38:05Sabka Saad, Sabka Vikas.
38:07Yes.
38:07You don't have a single Muslim MP in Parliament.
38:10You don't have a Christian face in Parliament.
38:14I am the Christian face.
38:15In Kerala.
38:15I am the Christian face in Kerala.
38:17It's transforming definitely the minority, community, always a distance from BJP.
38:23Yes.
38:24So we are trying to make that distance away.
38:27We are on BJP.
38:28Now in Kerala itself we have contested 958 candidates in the local party election, Christian candidates.
38:35Yes.
38:36Why will Christians be attracted to BJP?
38:39What is it?
38:40Why?
38:40Why?
38:40Is it because some of you are making the Muslims of Kerala to be a common enemy?
38:45No.
38:45That you want to create a Christian vote bank by targeting Muslims?
38:49No.
38:50No, not like that.
38:52The appeasement.
38:53The appeasement politics by LDF and UDF to a community is an injustice to another community.
39:00The other community is Christians and Hindus here.
39:02So we are not against Muslims.
39:05But for the vote bank, vote bank politics, they are targeting, they are doing appeasement to the Muslim community.
39:14And also they are encouraging the anti-national elements like SDP and Jamaat Islam in Kerala.
39:20They were the last local party election and in this election, SDP had openly declared support to LDF.
39:27Why are you not saying that?
39:28That's an anti-national organization banned in India.
39:31But the fact is that you have targeted Christians, nuns in Chhattisgarh.
39:35Who told you?
39:36Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
39:38Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which is close to Sangh Paribar, has targeted Christian nuns in Chhattisgarh.
39:44No, no, no.
39:44You are stopping Christmas.
39:45They are, Bajrangadal is stopping Christmas celebrations.
39:48I was there.
39:49Yes.
39:49I was there in Chhattisgarh.
39:51I, I, I, myself won't go to court to take bail for that nuns.
39:56But I know the situation what happened there.
39:58That is, that is Bajrangadal who made problem there.
40:01They have their own reason to make problem.
40:03So do you condemn Bajrangadal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad when they, when they target Christmas celebrations?
40:09Where?
40:10Here, see, see.
40:12See, see, see, see, see, why, why, why you are not seeing Prime Minister going to church on the Christmas
40:18Day and to pray for Christianity?
40:21And why you are not seeing that?
40:23How many seats will BJP get in Kerala?
40:26We have the potential to win 86 seats in Kerala.
40:30But depends on the candidate, depends on the adjustment, depends on the adjustment between this LDF and UDF.
40:36Whether you win or you lose, you will remain in BJP.
40:39You will not leave BJP.
40:40Chill my nuts.
40:41I am going to leave it there.
40:42I wish you well.
40:44One of the young faces.
40:45Of the BJP.
40:46Thank you very much for joining me.
41:00As you can see, there's a church service on behind me here in Pala.
41:04But we've also got caught in a terrible storm here in Kerala.
41:09And that can happen in a state with uncertain weather.
41:13So what we've decided is that we're going to head back to Kochi for a lunch break.
41:18And hopefully, get a sense of what's happening there in terms of the youth and the Christian vote.
41:29Elections on my plate.
41:30I'm hungry.
41:32Hungry in the rain.
41:34Let's go.
41:39Okay, we're heading back to Kochi.
42:14Okay, we're heading back to Kochi.
42:21Okay, we've come back on that long drive from Kottayam to here in Kochi.
42:27And Shibi has a tip for me.
42:29What's the tip for lunch time?
42:31You cannot leave Kerala without having fish for lunch.
42:33You can't leave Kerala without having fish for lunch.
42:37It's a late lunch, but the fish doesn't mind it.
42:40Let's go.
42:48Okay, the same fish that we saw in the fish market in the morning will be on our table this
42:52late afternoon.
42:54Karthi Yayani.
42:56Remember the name.
42:58Food's coming.
43:01We've got Sharath and Vishnu who are going to guide us to what should we have in Karthi Yayani.
43:08But I want to ask you one thing.
43:09How are the lines outside your restaurant at lunch time longer than Dhurandar or a Radnikath film?
43:16What is the secret?
43:17Fresh fish.
43:18Fresh fish.
43:19Yeah, fresh fish.
43:20And that's served with love.
43:22Fresh fish served with love.
43:24Pyaar se.
43:25In Kerala style, what is the word for love?
43:28Sneham.
43:29Sneham.
43:30Served with sneham.
43:32Malayalam for love is sneham.
43:36Nice.
43:36So, what's the speciality that you're going to give me for lunch?
43:41Homemade tiradakari.
43:42Homemade?
43:42Yeah.
43:43This comes from the house?
43:44Yes.
43:46Your mother or who cooks?
43:48Yes, my mother.
43:49So, basically, she cooks all the way from my house.
43:51It's like a four to five hours preparation.
43:54All her love, all her dedication is all spent on the tiradakari.
43:58So, you will be eating that.
43:59It will be the best tiradakari.
44:01It's called a grey mullet.
44:02Oh, grey mullet.
44:03So, you're going to give me that with rice and lots of chutney.
44:07Sure.
44:08All your Kerala's special chutneys.
44:11And then I'm done.
44:13And then after that, I will do what we do in Goa.
44:17Which is, I don't know whether you do it in Kerala.
44:19Long sleep.
44:20Yes.
44:49Homemade fish curry one side, sea bass on the other.
44:51You can see a lovely plate here with tiger prawns.
44:55My day is made.
44:56Now, you know why we call this show Elections on My Plate.
45:00And why my producer insisted we come to Kerala.
45:04After this, a bit of a nap.
45:07And then, two X-Factors that could well decide who wins the battle for Kerala.
45:13But now, Shibbi and I are winning the battle for the best fish.
45:19Enjoy!
45:25Mmm!
45:28Too good!
46:00Okay, you're watching Elections on My Plate.
46:02And we're in Kochi.
46:03And we've come to the St. Anthony Church.
46:06Where large crowds have gathered for prayers.
46:09As they do every Tuesday.
46:11But remember, this is Easter week.
46:13And as Shibbi has been reminding me, Kerala has an 18% Christian population.
46:18And Central Kerala is 28%.
46:22So, there are two dozen seats which will be influenced by the Christian vote.
46:27But as recent elections have shown, Shibbi, the Christians are not a monolith.
46:32Divided into various denominations.
46:34Divided in party loyalties.
46:36So, it seems almost as if there is no Christian vote bank.
46:43But it could become a big X-Factor in this election in 2026.
46:48Definitely.
46:49Especially for the Congress, this is very crucial.
46:51Because traditionally, the Christians have voted in favor of Congress.
46:54And recently, we have seen some of them making statements in favor of BJP.
46:58The Congress is struggling without a Christian face also.
47:00So, possibly, this is the election that will help them secure those Christian votes.
47:05Especially in Central Kerala, Trishur, Ernakulam, Kortem are all decided by Christian votes.
47:10Remember, the BJP's also, as I said earlier in the show, been trying for this Christian vote.
47:15The Congress was traditionally seen as the party of the Christian vote.
47:19And the left has also always done well here.
47:22Along with regional parties like the Kerala Congress.
47:25I am joined here by a friend, Ramesh, Matthew Ramesh, Senior Journalist.
47:30We were just discussing, is there a Christian vote in Kerala?
47:34No, every Christian has its own opinion.
47:37And they vote according to issues, topics, situation, candidates.
47:43You know, different factors are involved.
47:45So, you are saying that there is nothing like a uniform Christian vote?
47:49Nothing as a Christian vote.
47:50Because we normally vote on, I mean, our own opinion.
47:54On local issues?
47:55Local issues for the local election.
47:57So, religion doesn't matter?
47:58Religion doesn't matter if the candidate is good.
48:00But there is also the Sangh Parivar and the targeting of Christian nuns and missionaries.
48:05So, that clearly has an influence or not?
48:08It is slightly an issue where people discuss such issues.
48:12But nowadays, what I have noticed is people are not bothered about the local issues,
48:17the national issues when it comes to the local elections.
48:20I mean, say, local elections.
48:23I have a slight disagreement.
48:25I don't think in court time, districts like court time, in some areas, local board election results have all shown
48:30BJP is increasing its vote share.
48:32Especially Pala, Tirwalla, these are constituencies that BJP can start targeting
48:36if they happen to win seats for this assembly elections.
48:39Because of the Christian vote slightly tilting towards them.
48:41Some share.
48:42I am going to try and get the views of various people who have gathered here.
48:47Is there a Christian vote?
48:49Do you vote for a candidate based on his or her community or the work they do?
48:53I don't think anybody in our community votes like that in Kerala.
48:56We vote based on their performance.
48:58You vote based on their performance.
49:00What is your view?
49:01Do you believe that you would go by what the church told you?
49:04No, no, no.
49:05Certainly not.
49:05No.
49:06The clergy has no role in deciding the politics of the state.
49:09But then people do have a tendency to get influenced by that.
49:12Let us see for the results anyway.
49:14What's the best thing about Kerala?
49:16Kerala, the best thing is we do have a political dimension to everything.
49:19And we are very opinionated.
49:23Unlike in other states.
49:24And Hindu, Muslim, Christian live in harmony?
49:27Very much.
49:27Good sign.
49:28You celebrate Onam along with all your Christian and Muslim friends?
49:33Onam, Eid, I go for biryani to my Muslim friends' home for Eid.
49:36Christmas, I go to my Christian friend's house for all the stew and appam in the morning,
49:42chicken biryani or whatever biryani in the afternoon.
49:45I do all that.
49:46And you call everybody over?
49:47Home for Satya.
49:48Let's get a few more voices.
49:53What are the issues that you believe will influence elections?
49:56How do you?
49:57There is Congress, there is left, there is BJP.
49:59What is the issue that?
50:02Congress, Mariana.
50:03Congress, Mariana.
50:04Why?
50:05I feel like Congress has an attachment.
50:08Yes, an attachment to Congress.
50:09Attachment?
50:10Yeah.
50:11You like Modi?
50:13Yeah.
50:13What do you like about Modi?
50:14In Modi, it's a lot of good things.
50:16He's doing a lot of good things.
50:18Perhaps Kerala is one of the few places where you get someone who says they are going to vote
50:21for the Congress, but they like Narendra Modi.
50:24On your religious identity or the fact that you are a Christian, you will vote for a Christian
50:28candidate or whatever the church says, no?
50:31No, no, it is going to be secular.
50:32So, you are saying in Kerala, religious identities don't really matter?
50:36We are a very, very secular state.
50:38So, you would go to temple, mosques and churches?
50:40Yes, yes, yes.
50:41I believe in all the religions and I have something like a quite syncretic faith.
50:47Very good, ma'am.
50:48All the very best.
50:49Yes, thank you.
50:49India has many more like you.
50:51Yes.
50:52This is the Kerala story that we really need to show.
50:55There's a 67-year-old woman called Elizabeth, right?
50:58She has got her children, two children, one engineer, one teacher and she works from 4 a.m.
51:07in the morning till 12 in the night making 2,000 rupees for 34 years till 12 in the night
51:14selling flowers outside the church.
51:16This is the spirit of Kerala and, dare I say, of India.
51:22Okay, Shibi, we are going to go and examine the next X-factor, the young.
51:28Do they have that same energy that a 67-year-old has and which direction do the young want to
51:34go?
51:34Let's go.
51:35Thank you very much.
51:38Okay, sir.
51:39Okay, sir.
51:40Photo.
51:51Remember, in every Indian election now increasingly, the women vote and the youth vote matter.
51:56All the parties are trying to woo these two key demographics in this election.
52:01And remember also, Kerala has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the country.
52:07Shibi, as you travel across Kerala on a daily basis, what do the young tell you?
52:12Kerala ke yuva ke dil mein kya hai?
52:15What do they really want?
52:16Definitely job opportunities because a lot of them wants to stay in Kerala and work here itself.
52:21Also, higher education facilities.
52:23A lot of them go to cities like Bangalore, Chennai for higher education.
52:27School education, yes, it's sorted here.
52:29But higher education job opportunities, that's a big, big concern because now we have migration going on to European countries.
52:35Earlier, it was just to Gulf countries.
52:37And those still in Gulf countries wants to come back.
52:39So, we don't have enough job opportunities, but too much skilled workers here.
52:44So, you have a few IT parks, including one in Trivandrum that was set up and here in Kochi, but
52:49still not enough.
52:50Not enough.
52:51We started the first IT park in India, in Technopark in the 90s, but we couldn't explore that industry in
52:57a way we should have.
52:59Interesting because remember, of course, with the West Asia crisis, the pressure will be even more on many of them
53:04to return perhaps back home.
53:06But what do they really want in this election from their politicians?
53:10We are here at Marine Drive.
53:13Yes, Mumbai has a Marine Drive.
53:14The original one, Shibi.
53:16Then, of course, it went to Patna.
53:18And now you have one in Kochi as well.
53:20Let's go.
53:24Hello, ma'am.
53:25What are you having?
53:27Are you going to share it with us?
53:31I can also have one muraka.
53:36Now, you tell me, what do the young of Kerala want?
53:40From government?
53:42Whichever government.
53:43Okay, I would say that people want more job opportunities, you know.
53:47Because, you know, no matter how educated they are, people are still unemployed because of lack of job opportunities and
53:53all.
53:54What is it?
53:54You have enough job opportunities or not here?
53:56Actually, I'm a film school student.
53:58Okay.
53:59Here in Kerala?
54:00Yeah.
54:01You want to go into films?
54:02Yeah.
54:02Do you think there's a future in films in Kerala?
54:05Yes, I think there is a future in Kerala.
54:08I think particularly for me, I think I can do it in the film field.
54:12Oh, good.
54:12Good, you're going to be the next, what, Mammuti or the next Mohanlal?
54:17What is it that you are?
54:18Prithviraj.
54:18Prithviraj, okay.
54:19What do you think?
54:20Are there enough opportunities for the young or not?
54:22No, I don't think so.
54:24There is nothing happening in the state except some NRI remittance.
54:30Ground reality, it is not so.
54:31Ground reality is most young Malialis are leaving the state.
54:34Yeah, that's right.
54:35Only here, we have only senior citizens.
54:39Most of the houses, you can go to the north side of Kerala, you know, south side of Kerala.
54:44You cannot find even a single person youngsters.
54:48What is it that you all want most?
54:50What do the young of Kerala want?
54:52Do you have enough jobs?
54:53Do you have job opportunities here?
54:54Do you want to live in Kerala or go outside?
54:56No, we are looking abroad.
54:58You are looking abroad, where?
54:59US, UK.
55:00You?
55:00Maybe Canada, Dubai.
55:02Dubai, Canada, Dubai.
55:04Dubai, even after the West Asia War, you still want to go to Dubai?
55:07Yes, still.
55:07Why?
55:08Why do you want to live?
55:09So many opportunities there.
55:11So, always emerging new technologies kind of things.
55:14You don't have the opportunities here?
55:16No.
55:17Here also, there is little.
55:18Compared to this.
55:19Compared to that, it's more over there.
55:21Doesn't he look like Sanju Samson?
55:23Please tell me.
55:25Sanju Samson too.
55:26Are you all happy to be in Kerala?
55:28You want to go outside Kerala?
55:29What do you want?
55:29I want to go outside Kerala.
55:31Where?
55:31Where?
55:33Dubai.
55:33You want to go to Dubai?
55:34Ah, yes.
55:35There is a war going on there.
55:36Yeah, I know.
55:37I am coming yesterday from there.
55:39So, you live in Dubai?
55:40Yeah.
55:41What do you prefer?
55:42Dubai or Kerala?
55:43I prefer Dubai.
55:45Why?
55:46Because there have more facilities.
55:50What is your juice?
55:52Chibi, let me give you a juice on marine drive.
55:55What's your favorite juice?
55:57Pineapple.
55:57Pineapple, eh?
55:58Fresh pineapple.
55:59Two.
56:15Okay, pineapple juice almost done.
56:17Shibi, I've got one more treat for you.
56:19We are in Kerala and when you're in this part of the country, there's one restaurant that I always go
56:25to and I'm going to take the entire crew, hopefully well dressed, for a special Keralam dinner.
56:31You're watching, you're watching Elections and Pineapple Juice on my plate.
56:36Enjoy.
56:45Let's go.
56:45Men, men, men, men, men, men, men, men, men, men.
56:48Am I looking good?
56:50Let's go.
56:59Okay, Shibhi, what's your choice here at Paragon?
57:02Fish mango curry.
57:03Fish mango curry, okay. Aam Admi, mango curry, we agree on that.
57:08So, fish mango curry, your traditional speciality.
57:11Then...
57:12What is it? You'll get some starter, prawns like a dry fry, you'll get a starter.
57:16Perfect, prawns are starters. Then we'll have your biryani.
57:19Yeah, so along with the fish mango curry, I'll get some apams.
57:22Apams, perfect. And something for vegetarians, otherwise people say Rajdeep only has non-veg.
57:26Fish mango curry, we have other options, veg mango is there.
57:28Or paneer mango curry also there.
57:30So, I'll get some veg mango with that apam you can.
57:33Perfect.
57:34And we have tamarind Nattoli also there as a speciality.
57:37Sounds great. Let's have some tamarind.
57:50Mmm, I'm smelling the lovely mango curry. I have to ask you, smell the political air for me.
57:55You live here, who's gonna win the battle for Kerala?
57:57Sir, I was hoping to give an answer to you by the end of the show, but I am unable
58:01to.
58:01Because I think it's a very, very close contest that's taking place.
58:04Because one week you see the UDF having an edge, the other week you feel that the LDF has an
58:08edge.
58:08It's a very close type contest that we have witnessed.
58:11Okay, she's copping out, she'll be there. Not playing in IPL style.
58:15And guess what? I'm copping out too.
58:17Because I genuinely believe in a state like Kerala, it can often be a kaathe ki tukkar.
58:23A close fight.
58:24If it is a localised election, the left has a real chance of a hat trick.
58:29If on the other hand, national narratives and anti-incumbency is even deeper.
58:34And there is a minority consolidation in Central and North Kerala.
58:38The UDF could be the big winner.
58:41I'm playing safe.
58:43I'm simply gonna enjoy this wonderful meal.
58:46And I want to tell you this Shibi.
58:47I love coming to Kerala because of the diversity of your culture.
58:53As reflected in the food here in Paragon.
58:56Nothing beats it.
58:57For now, from the entire team on elections on my plate.
59:03Vivek, Amit, Alok and Tinku.
59:06Thanks for watching.
59:08Enjoy.
59:09Or as they would say in Malayalam.
59:11Tagarku.
59:12Tagarku.
59:13Tagarku.
59:13Namaskaram.
59:29Take care.
59:36Take care.
59:37Go.
59:38Because I'm going to see you at the bottom.
59:43The city are at the bottom.
59:44Go.
59:45Go.
59:46I'll see you next time.
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