- 3 months ago
The big focus of this episode of News Today is on the dramatic twist that has taken place in the Tamil Nadu power play.
Category
đ
NewsTranscript
00:03Good evening, hello and welcome. You're with the news today. Your prime time destination news,
00:09newsmakers, talking points, the big talking point. There's a dramatic twist that's taken place
00:15in the Tamil Nadu power play. Will the AIDMK enter the government formation race or are they
00:23merely putting pressure on the TVK before Vijay can be sworn in as Chief Minister among my guests
00:33Karthi Chidambaram on why the Congress is going with the TVK. All focus on Tamil Nadu where remember
00:41there is still no sign of who will form the next government. All eyes are on actor turned politician
00:48Vijay. We'll have lots on the show tonight but first the nine headlines at nine.
00:54Thalapati Vijay meets Tamil Nadu Governor Arlekar submits signatures of 112 MLAs from the TVK
01:03and the Congress but the Governor wants proof of a full majority. 118 is the halfway mark.
01:13As the political font boiler heats up in Tamil Nadu there's a new twist as sources claim AIDMK
01:20held talks for a possible alliance. VCK who was almost ready to support Vijay cancels its high-level meet.
01:31Mamta Banerjee ups the ante once again in West Bengal. Muls approaching the Supreme Court against the BJP and the
01:38Election Commission.
01:39Suvendu Adhikari vows to reopen cases against TMC after a BJP government is formed.
01:47At least two people dead in Bengal's post-poll violence. BJP alleges TMC workers impersonating as BJP workers are behind
01:55the violence.
01:56TMC hits back says this is BJP's Gundagardi. 500 companies of central forces remain on the ground.
02:05Punjab on alert after twin blast explosions in Amritsar and BSF headquarters in Jalandhar.
02:11Punjab Chief Minister says it's a BJP plot ahead of elections next year. Congress questions law and order under arm.
02:21Kamrat Chaudhary in Bihar finally to expand his cabinet tomorrow. At least 12 ministers including Nitish Kumar's son Nishant Kumar
02:28likely to take oath.
02:30Home Minister Amit Shah to attend oath ceremony along with the Prime Minister.
02:36The centre clears a 5,000 rupee crore relief package for India's aviation sector.
02:42Offers support to airlines hit by financial stress amidst the West Asia crisis.
02:49Tensions escalate in West Asia. Trump threatens to bomb Iran at a much higher level and intensity than before the
02:54ceasefire.
02:55If Iran does not agree to a deal.
02:59Ed Turner who transformed television news with the creation of CNN in 1980 dies at the age of 87.
03:16But first to that big story that's breaking another twist in the Tamil Nadu power play.
03:21Who will form the government in Tamil Nadu?
03:24Now AIDMK sources claiming that talks were held with DMK on government formation.
03:30Imagine this, a DMK, AIDMK alliance to in a way perhaps try and stop the rise of Vijay.
03:38All of this coming hours after the actor turned politicians take claim to form a government.
03:43Met the governor but interestingly the governor who is a former BJP leader from Goa is yet to invite Vijay
03:51to form the government.
03:52Governor reportedly is seeking details of support from Vijay.
03:56I want to go straight across to Pramod Madhav who is joining us from Chennai.
04:02Pramod, all this talk of an AIDMK, DMK alliance.
04:06Let's be clear.
04:07I have been speaking to DMK leaders.
04:09They are saying this is a pressure tactic by the AIDMK to get Vijay to tie up with them and
04:16not with the Congress.
04:18Now the DMK is denying that any such talks have taken place.
04:22The AIDMK seems to be pushing the idea that talks have taken place.
04:27Is this simply an attempt to put pressure on Vijay to come to a deal in some form or the
04:33other?
04:33Because Vijay seems to be wanting to go with the Congress which apparently the BJP also doesn't want him to
04:39do.
04:42Well Rajdeep one thing is very certain we have all given this news break with question marks because apparently the
04:48people inside the inner circle who they are completely shocked.
04:52First the information we got it was from AIDMK then we got the information from DMK as well but apparently
04:58it looks like it is the EPS faction who has initiated the talks and it did not happen now Rajdeep.
05:03It has been happening for the 48 hours they tried to keep it shut but apparently it has to come
05:07out and even like you know certain things we are not actually telling here about the talks exactly because those
05:12things are much more shocking.
05:13But Pramod DMK is denying that any such talks have taken place.
05:16Is this simply pressure tactics and attempt by the AIDMK to plant the story in the Tamil Nadu media to
05:23create the impression and put pressure on Vijay to come to a deal with the AIDMK?
05:30Rajdeep very clearly the people inside DMK has also stated that such kind of talks has been occurred and like
05:35I am telling you there are much more to these things which you are not revealing because our sources very
05:39clearly said not to do so because they do not want to end up in trouble.
05:42But the important aspect is that like EPS has called all the MLA's together even before.
05:46Imagine Rajdeep I can tell you only one thing yesterday something happened within the AIDMK faction two senior leaders that
05:53is SP Velumani and CV Shanmugam they decided to claim that they have the support of 25 MLAs.
05:58EPS was no longer in that particular picture and they want to go and give the support to TVK.
06:04That actual deal was put on hold AIDMK very clearly said that they are not going to support TVK because
06:10this particular issue apparently came up after EPS.
06:13No again I am telling you all this with a question mark we are giving because we know that AIDMK
06:18and DMK are going to definitely deny these facts because this was supposed to be a major secret.
06:23No one in Tamil Nadu is ready for such kind of like news Rajdeep DMK and AIDMK having any kind
06:28of conversation but we clearly we are we are clear that our sources very clearly say that such talks have
06:33occurred first it came from AIDMK and then also from DMK Rajdeep.
06:38Pramod we need to be clear nobody is coming on record none of these people are willing to come on
06:43record to say this my sources are telling me all of this is a pressure tactic on Vijay because Vijay
06:49has completely upended Tamil Nadu politics.
06:51And I will ask my producer after a while to play all the numbers even if the AIDMK and DMK
06:56come together it won't be very easy for them this is very easier said than done all of it seems
07:02to be an attempt to put pressure on Vijay remember the governor of Tamil Nadu who is a BJP leader
07:08from Goa as I said has also not invited Vijay yet.
07:13Akshita Nand Gopal is joining us Akshita you know this seems like a typical pot boiler you've got an actor
07:20at the center of it all.
07:21And you've got these old war horses in Palani, Sami and Stalin. Now the news floating is that there were
07:27back channel talks between the AIDMK and DMK.
07:30My DMK sources are saying there is no question of any such alliance. This is the AIDMK being used by
07:36the BJP to put pressure on Vijay to tie up with them.
07:40Even amidst reports that the AIDMK could actually split and a section could go with Vijay. What are you picking
07:47up?
07:49Rajdeep I'll tell you that when I've spoken to my sources you've spoken to your sources in the DMK I've
07:54spoken to my sources in the AIA DMK
07:56and look off record they are saying that yes there's a conversation live that's been opened. So I asked is
08:03that with EPS? Has EPS been involved in these conversations?
08:06The message immediately was no not EPS but some other leaders are having a conversation. It's all very vague it's
08:12all up in the air which is why I tend to agree with you
08:14that this largely seems to be a pressure tactic right now that the AIA DMK is attempting to pile pressure
08:20on TVK to push them into a decision.
08:23And let's be very clear that the film script that's playing out right now Vijay would have never anticipated.
08:28The twist after twist that's playing out of the political potboiler that we're currently witnessing.
08:33You know Vijay expected that it would be smooth sailing here on.
08:36I was at the Nehru Indoor Stadium where all preps have been made Rajdeep for the swearing in ceremony.
08:42Vijay was convinced that tomorrow would be a grand swearing in ceremony at 10am.
08:48That hasn't happened because the governor has said very clearly you need to come back to me with the numbers.
08:52Look as much as you're hearing all this about DMK and AIA DMK I think the real challenge right now
08:56is for Vijay to get those numbers.
08:58VCK left he has only one option left. VCK left and both of them joining him because the numbers right
09:04now are at 112.
09:06He needs six more and at this point with two from VCK four from the left
09:10that's the only option that could work out for him.
09:13The VCK was supposed to hold a meeting tomorrow Rajdeep to decide on it.
09:16They've cancelled that meeting.
09:17And so this could go on now for 24 hours, for 48 hours.
09:21We don't really know.
09:21There's no timeline at this point on when Tamil Nadu will get a Chief Minister
09:26or when Vijay for that matter will be taking oath as a Chief Minister.
09:30Let's look at those numbers Akshita in a moment.
09:32And I'll put them on the screen.
09:34TVK has 108.
09:36Now that 108 also includes the fact that Vijay has won from two seats.
09:41So therefore it is 107.
09:43It brings down the size of the Assembly to 233.
09:46In a 233 member Assembly, Vijay then needs 117 to prove his majority on the floor of the House.
09:52He has 107.
09:54The Congress has 5.
09:56Add the 5 of the Congress.
09:57I'll ask my producer to put the 5 of the Congress.
10:00That becomes 112.
10:01Then from there you go to the VCK.
10:04The VCK has 2.
10:06That becomes 114.
10:09Add 1 of the 2 CPI and CPM 1 each.
10:13That becomes 116.
10:15Then he just needs 1 more.
10:17Which can come from the IUML.
10:19Presumably another ally.
10:21I don't know which other ally of the...
10:23Yeah, let's look at that.
10:24107 of TVK.
10:265 of Congress.
10:27That's 112.
10:29CPI 2, CPM 2, VCK 2.
10:32He's through.
10:33So what he really needs tomorrow is letters from all of these smaller parties.
10:39Possibly the DMDK as well.
10:41If he can get that, how can the Governor then stop him, Akshita?
10:46The Governor can't.
10:47But the challenge is, Rajdeep, in getting those letters.
10:50We were expecting the VCK meeting to happen tomorrow.
10:52And then that 2 that you've shown there on our screens of VCK coming on board.
10:57That meeting is not happening tomorrow.
10:59The left, meanwhile, is taking their own sweet time.
11:01They've called for a meeting in two days from now.
11:04On 8th May.
11:05So once that meeting happens, then the 4 will come to Vijay's side.
11:09This is going to drag on for the next 48 hours.
11:11And one scenario that you're showing right now seems to be the only scenario right now in Vijay's options.
11:16Because the AIADMK doesn't seem like something the TVK is on board with.
11:21You've got EPS grandstanding saying, I don't want to be in an alliance with the TVK.
11:26Because that will erode the identity of the AIADMK.
11:28I don't see movement in the next 24 hours.
11:31If Vijay has to give those numbers to the Governor, it's going to take 48 hours.
11:35And the Governor, by the way, reportedly, Rajdeep, is travelling to Kerala.
11:38And the other interesting aspect of this is, and I want to tell this to viewers, Akshita and Pramod.
11:45You can have a minority government.
11:47Remember Narsimha Rao, all the way in 1991.
11:50You do not, any, any, the moment Vijay can easily tell the Governor, give me 10 days.
11:56I will prove my majority and get outside support.
11:59Karnanidi, the great Karnanidi formed a DMK government with outside support.
12:04A minority government.
12:05So, the question arises, why isn't the Governor inviting Vijay yet?
12:10Is the Governor also making Vijay sweat?
12:13That's the question, Pramod.
12:15What are you hearing?
12:15Why is the Governor also not willing to invite Vijay?
12:19What is the, what is keeping the Governor, why is the Governor keeping Vijay on hold?
12:24Akshita says, the Governor Arlaker is on his way to Kerala.
12:28So, they obviously want to keep Vijay on hold.
12:31And that won't go down well with the people.
12:33Rajdeep, one thing is, we did check with Governor's, you know, Office Rajdeep and they
12:38claimed that Arlaker had to go to Kerala because he is the acting Governor over here.
12:42He needs to take care of the Kerala, you know, whatever, like the new government that
12:45needs to be formed over there as well.
12:46But here, this question has also been raised by Congress.
12:49Jyothi Mani also raised the same question.
12:51And TBK is also absolutely confused.
12:53They are completely wondering why this is happening because Vijay has 108 plus 5.
12:58That is almost coming to 113 right now.
13:00But even after that, the Governor very clearly says that he wants the majority that is a
13:04number 118.
13:05Rajdeep, very clearly I need to tell you also that the EMK once again affirms that VCK and
13:10the left parties will not go.
13:11Which means Vijay was actually waiting for these six MLAs and that he is not going to get.
13:16Yet tomorrow's VCK's high level committee meeting, party meeting has also been cancelled.
13:19That's what we've been told as well.
13:20So, that is also on one side development, but this is a question that everybody is asking
13:24because he clearly, Vijay has the top majority, but even after that meeting with the Governor,
13:29he has given the letter and such, but the Governor's team office wants the 118 majority and Vijay
13:34is actually going ahead and holding conversation.
13:37What stops the four PMK members from giving support?
13:40Nothing stops them.
13:41Let's be very clear.
13:43I mean, the DMK can today say the left won't go, possibly the left may not, they are perhaps
13:48less inclined to go, but who knows?
13:50The four of the PMK could go, right?
13:55Well, PMK is with AI, ADMK, Rajshib.
13:58If DMK is controlling, no, I mean, I won't say control, if DMK has upper hand over VCK and
14:03the left parties, ADMK Parishwamy Alliance is the one that actually, you know, the PMK
14:08went ahead and formed, like they got four MLAs over there.
14:10Now, definitely, you know, PMK has a kind of like good relationship with Vijay as well,
14:14but will they go or not?
14:16We need to wait and watch because even after that, 107 plus five plus four is the number
14:21that is going over there, which means that he will be having 116 over there, Rajshib.
14:25Still, he will be leading two MLAs.
14:27Yes, but there can be abstentions on the floor of the House and clearly, therefore, as of
14:33now, unlikely that the swearing-in will take place tomorrow.
14:36Those are images of Congress leaders in meeting Vijay today and formally offering their support.
14:42The Congress has been very quick of the mark on this issue.
14:46So, those are images that are coming in there from Chennai.
14:50But, Akshita, a final word.
14:52Obviously, all of you are preparing for a swearing-in tomorrow.
14:55It now seems that you'll be on hold.
14:57You'll have to wait a bit longer.
15:00And I have no idea for how long, Rajdeep.
15:02You know, we all packed our bags thinking 48 hours and now it looks like 48 hours more
15:08because we have no clarity on when the governor could say,
15:11okay, you've got the numbers, Vijay, go ahead and form the government.
15:14And you're right in pointing out we've seen minority governments before.
15:18And so, when you speak to the TVK, they're absolutely stunned, Rajdeep.
15:21The reason that Vijay went with so much of confidence to meet with the governor
15:25with those Congress numbers is simply because of the fact that there has been
15:28past precedent of minority governments being formed and the need for the party
15:33to then prove their numbers on the floor of the House.
15:35So, Vijay assumed that he would go ahead and be sworn in tomorrow
15:39in that grand oath-taking ceremony, which, by the way,
15:42they were planning with thousands of TVK carder.
15:45It was supposed to be almost like a film release event.
15:48That's how big they were planning it.
15:49All of that put on pause simply because the governor said,
15:52no, you need to show your number.
15:54So, no 48 hours.
15:55I'm guessing it's going to take 48 hours plus because of the fact
15:58that even the VCK and left don't seem to be in a tearing hurry now.
16:02Okay, that big story, of course, breaking.
16:04We'll wait and see what twists and turns take place.
16:06But I want to raise the question, as Akshita rightly said,
16:09there have been precedents of minority governments in this country.
16:12So, why isn't the governor, Mr. Arlekar, inviting Vijay to form a government?
16:18How realistic is this AI, DMK, DMK power bid?
16:21Or is it, as I said, only a pressure tactic?
16:24What role is the BJP playing behind the screens, the center?
16:27Are they trying to prevent Vijay from going with the Congress?
16:30As I said, is this a bid to thwart a Vijay Congress alliance?
16:34Let's ask the questions that are not asked, unfortunately, at times like this.
16:40Sumanth C. Raman, political analyst, known to shoot from his hip, joins us.
16:44Selam Dhani Dharan is also with us.
16:47And I'm also joined by S. Muddhi Dharan, political analyst.
16:50But I want to come to you, Sumanth, first.
16:53Because it appears to me, purely from the outside here,
16:56that this is an attempt to put pressure on Vijay
16:59to not go with the Congress, maybe go with the AIDMK.
17:03And somewhere down the line, the role of the governor will come under question.
17:07Why is the governor so unwilling to welcome Vijay to form a government?
17:12Give him a week.
17:13Randeep, today has been like a pot-voiler.
17:16The day started bright for Vijay.
17:19He was invited.
17:21He had an appointment with the governor at 3.30 in the evening
17:24to go and meet the governor.
17:25And everything was expected to be hunky-dory.
17:28Then the Congress released its letter of support.
17:32And the letter of support spoke about an alliance for 2029 Lok Sabha election,
17:38the local body election, and so on with the TVK.
17:43Now, somewhere that seemed to have triggered off something.
17:46I don't think we need to speculate on where.
17:49In the meanwhile, this story started gaining traction around 4 o'clock, 4.30 in the evening,
17:56which is when we got the news that the governor was probably not going to have a swearing in
18:01and he wanted to consult, quote-unquote, legal experts,
18:04though what there is to consult.
18:06Nobody else has taken a claim to form a government.
18:09It's not as if, you know, AIA, DMK or DMK have taken a claim
18:12and this man wants to prove the majority among them.
18:15Clearly, there is only one claimant to form the government.
18:18That is the single largest party.
18:20So what prevents him from going ahead, swearing in Vijay,
18:24and giving him a week or 10 days to prove his majority on the floor of the house?
18:28But by 6, 6.30, the rumor mills were going better.
18:34And this, Radheep, I'm not too sure.
18:37From whatever I've heard, both sides did talk.
18:42Now, anybody is denying it from any side, that's obviously what they are likely to do.
18:46Yeah, but the talks seem to be, I mean, let's be honest,
18:49the talks don't, given what the nature of the relationship between AIA, DMK and DMK,
18:54I know nothing is impossible in politics.
18:56Let me bring in Selam, Dhani, Dhanan.
18:58It blew all of us.
18:59Yeah, yeah, but it is, my sources are saying this has been completely planted
19:04to try and put pressure on Vijay to come up with a better offer,
19:10perhaps to the AIA, DMK.
19:12But Selam, Dhani, Dhanan, is there a possibility after all of this
19:15that you'll go with the AIA, DMK?
19:17DMK will go with the AIA, DMK?
19:21My voice is really, I mean, your voice is really breaking.
19:23I could not hear.
19:24Maybe I'll come back to you in a few minutes.
19:27No, no, wait, wait, wait, can you hear me now?
19:29Can you hear me now?
19:30I just can't hear your question.
19:31I've requested your team to patch me up to my phone.
19:33So once that happens, then I would come back in a minute.
19:37You know, the moment I ask these kind of questions,
19:39we have panelists who say they can't hear.
19:42We'll try and get him back on the audio.
19:43But S. Murali Dhanan, political analyst,
19:46do you go along with my view that all of this is being done
19:48to put pressure on Vijay not to go with the Congress?
19:54Rajiv, correct.
19:56My name is Nanda Kumar, not Murali Dhanan.
20:00Just a correction.
20:02And while considering this, I'm audible.
20:06Yes, you're audible, Nanda Kumar.
20:08Yeah.
20:09So this is time and again,
20:11it has been disproved by Vijay
20:13that whenever there is a pressure or hurdle put towards Vijay,
20:17he is coming very successfully.
20:18That's what we have seen over the past few months.
20:21And again, there is no logical thing even
20:25because Indian constitution doesn't mandate a governor
20:28to ask for the halfway mark to prove that.
20:30Even if you take the presidents in 2018 in Karnataka,
20:35when BJP was falling short,
20:36the governor has invited Edirapha to form the government.
20:39And even in 2019 in Maharashtra,
20:42when Phadnavis was not having the majority,
20:45governor has called him and Supreme Court intervened
20:47and given the verdict for floor test.
20:51But since he could not prove it before the floor test,
20:53he has resigned.
20:54But here Vijay is having very well 113 numbers with him.
20:58And the governments are often formed
21:02based on the possible likelihood to prove the majority.
21:07Sure.
21:08So there are twoâŚ
21:08The legitimacy of these to be proved on the floor.
21:10Yeah.
21:10When I look at precedents,
21:12there's K.R. Narayanan
21:13who asked for letters of support,
21:15you will recall,
21:16and said,
21:17give me the letters of support
21:19and then you can go on the floor of the house.
21:21There are instances also like Narsimha Rao's case
21:24where Narsimha Rao was allowed to form a government
21:26even though he didn't have the numbers
21:28at the time when he went to stake claim.
21:31And the governor and the president then
21:33gave him time to form his government.
21:35So there are precedents on both sides.
21:37But generally,
21:38the party which is single largest
21:40is given the opportunity
21:42if no one else takes claim.
21:44And at the moment,
21:45no one else is in Tamil Nadu
21:46seems in a position to stake claim
21:48to form a government.
21:49So it appears
21:50that someone is trying to stop Vijay
21:53in his tracks.
21:54And that may not go down well.
21:56Selam, Dhani, Dharan,
21:57I presume you can now hear us.
21:59And let me ask you that question.
22:00Is the DMK willing to go with the AI DMK?
22:03Or are you just trying to create an atmosphere
22:06where Vijay is put under pressure?
22:09What are we doing?
22:10I don't think DMK has done anything.
22:12DMK has accepted the people's mandate.
22:14We are waiting for Vijay
22:16or rather the TVK
22:17to take the next course of action.
22:18There is nothing in it
22:20for the DMK to do anymore.
22:21My Chief Minister has conceded
22:23David has given resignation letter.
22:25As simple as that.
22:27So there's no question,
22:28there's no question,
22:29there's no question of Stalin
22:30and Palani Sami coming together
22:32to stop Vijay?
22:35I don't think so.
22:36That is not happening.
22:38People have given mandate
22:40to a new party.
22:41I don't think so.
22:44No, I don't think so.
22:45But Suman,
22:46but Suman,
22:46that is the truth.
22:47He is saying it's not happening.
22:48It appears to me,
22:50again as I said,
22:51purely from the outside,
22:52there seems to be a...
22:53Rajdeep, it's very unlikely to happen.
22:54No, no, but please tell me.
22:55It's very, very unlikely to happen.
22:56No, Nanda Kumar made a good point.
22:59No, no, Nanda Kumar made a good point.
23:01The governor,
23:01why is the governor
23:02sitting on Vijay's claim?
23:03Why is he not...
23:05He's saying I'm going to Karolam?
23:08Rajdeep, can I come in quickly?
23:09That is what I'm trying to say.
23:10See, this is up to the governor
23:12to allow Vijay to form the government.
23:15He has the highest number of MLA's.
23:17The Congress has gone and joined them.
23:19So he should do that.
23:21But he's not doing it.
23:22It means that the governor
23:23is being used by the BJP
23:25to thwart democracy.
23:27This is exactly what the governors did
23:28when DMK was in power.
23:31The question needs to be phrased
23:35slightly differently to Dhani Dharan.
23:37Where there are talks
23:40informally held on this issue
23:41is the question.
23:42Not whether the DMK
23:44is going to form an alliance
23:45with the DMK,
23:46which is very, very far-fetched.
23:48And most of us can't see that happening.
23:50But the attempt,
23:52whether an attempt was made to talk,
23:54that is the buzz in Chennai.
23:56Not that tomorrow morning they're going to...
23:58Sumant, I'm sorry,
23:59but that buzz in Chennai
24:00that I'm getting
24:01is clearly designed.
24:02That buzz is wrong.
24:03That buzz has been created
24:05to try and somehow
24:06create the impression
24:07that the governor
24:09has options beyond Vijay.
24:11The truth is,
24:12let one person
24:13of either of these parties
24:14come on record
24:15and say we have begun
24:16a conversation with the other.
24:18They're not.
24:18So they're saying sources.
24:19Or deny that completely.
24:21Yeah, so they're not.
24:22Or deny that completely.
24:23No, he's denying it.
24:24Coming, Rajdeep.
24:25Rajdeep.
24:26Yes.
24:26I'm coming here.
24:27My chief minister,
24:28I mean, sorry,
24:28my former chief minister,
24:30my party leader,
24:30M.K. Stalin,
24:31even during 2018-20,
24:34after Jayalita's demise,
24:35when ADMK was going
24:36through Tamil Nadu's time
24:37and OPS split away,
24:38if he wanted,
24:39he could have,
24:40using the support of
24:42OPS, MLS,
24:43or TTV Danagar and MLS,
24:45could have come to power.
24:47But he never did it.
24:48So he's someone
24:48who believes in democracy.
24:50He's a Tarao statesman.
24:52So he will not do
24:53anything like that.
24:53If the mandate has been given
24:55to TVK,
24:56let them govern.
24:58Okay.
24:59But,
24:59if they don't deliver
25:00on their promises,
25:01you know,
25:01if they don't deliver
25:02on their promises,
25:03my party will question them
25:04each and every day.
25:05If they don't.
25:07Okay.
25:07I've got,
25:07I've got big news coming in
25:10from someone close
25:11to Raj Bhavan.
25:12Since we are on a day
25:13when sources are giving
25:14us information,
25:16when Mr. Vijay came,
25:18he gave governor
25:19a letter staking claim
25:21with 112 MLAs.
25:23The governor took the letter
25:25and has told Vijay,
25:27please come back to me
25:28with 118
25:29and I will swear you
25:31in immediately.
25:32This is big news.
25:34Raj Bhavan sources,
25:36Mr.
25:37Our sources close
25:38to governor Arlekar
25:39saying Vijay came to me
25:41with a letter staking claim
25:43with 112 MLAs.
25:44The governor has told him,
25:46please come back
25:47with 118.
25:48We,
25:49if you have the simple
25:50majority,
25:51I will swear you
25:52in the very next moment.
25:55That is the big news
25:56that's coming in.
25:57This is straight from
25:58Raj Bhavan sources.
25:59Vijay gave the letter
26:01with 112 MLAs
26:03that includes him
26:04and five others.
26:05governor has said,
26:06please come back to me
26:08with 118
26:09and I will swear you.
26:10So Nanda Kumar,
26:11he seems to say,
26:12unless you cross
26:13the halfway mark,
26:14I'm not swearing you in.
26:16You have to show me
26:17letters of support
26:18that you have 118.
26:21I have said that the
26:23constitution of India
26:24doesn't mandate like that.
26:26It is not the
26:27prerogative of governor
26:28that the
26:30upcoming
26:31party has to prove
26:32the majority
26:33in the Raj Bhavan.
26:34It has to be tested
26:35and proved
26:35in the assembly.
26:37So,
26:37there is no rights
26:39for the governor
26:39to say,
26:40you give me 118,
26:42then I will allow.
26:43Because it is up to the
26:45party who is
26:46deciding to form
26:47the government.
26:48It is up to them.
26:49Even at the current
26:50level of 112,
26:51even if 12 MLA's
26:53are abstaining
26:54on the day of voting,
26:55with the current 112,
26:56they can prove
26:57their majority.
26:58Then why the governor
26:58is asking for 118?
27:00There is no logic
27:01in asking this.
27:02Governor is actually
27:03fighting the losing battle.
27:05And already in Tamil Nadu,
27:06there was a rift
27:08between governor
27:08and the people
27:09elected government.
27:10This institutional
27:11class was there.
27:12Now,
27:13the new government
27:13is coming in.
27:14New governor
27:15also there.
27:16So,
27:16now they have to
27:17renew the
27:18institutional relationship
27:19properly.
27:20The people of Tamil Nadu
27:22want the good
27:23relationship between
27:24the center and state.
27:25And now,
27:26in the beginning itself,
27:27if you are rubbing
27:27the relationship
27:28with the upcoming
27:29government,
27:30what the people
27:30will think about
27:31the governor?
27:32This is absolutely
27:33a ridiculous thing.
27:35No,
27:35you are quite right.
27:37There are questions
27:37that will be raised.
27:38Of course,
27:38the governor can ask
27:39other parties also
27:40if they can reach
27:41the halfway mark.
27:42So far,
27:42there is no sign
27:43he has made that effort.
27:45I want to go to
27:45Sanjay Hegde.
27:47There is no one,
27:48Rajdeep,
27:48to claim the stake
27:49at this point of time.
27:50Not even DMK,
27:51not even ADMK.
27:53Nobody is in the line.
27:54Nobody is in the queue.
27:55Only TVK.
27:56It is Raj Bhavan sources,
27:58not Lok Bhavan.
27:58Raj Bhavan sources.
28:00Of course,
28:00it has now been changed
28:01in several states
28:02to Lok Bhavan.
28:03But that is the Raj Bhavan
28:04sources which are
28:05telling us this.
28:05But Sanjay Hegde
28:06is joining us.
28:07Sanjay,
28:08we are now
28:09in a situation
28:10in Tamil Nadu
28:11where the party
28:13which has got
28:13the maximum seats,
28:14108,
28:15minus 1
28:16because Vijay 1 and 2,
28:18needs 117
28:19to go to the halfway mark,
28:21goes to the governor
28:22with a letter of support
28:23from the Congress
28:23that takes them to 112.
28:25Governor says,
28:26come back to me
28:27when you have 118.
28:29Can the governor
28:30do that?
28:31Or is the governor
28:33bound to give Vijay
28:35a chance to prove
28:36his majority
28:36on the floor
28:37of the assembly?
28:39The governor
28:40cannot rule the state,
28:42especially when there is
28:43a new assembly
28:45which has been elected.
28:47He has to ask
28:49someone who,
28:50in his opinion,
28:51commands the confidence
28:52of the house.
28:53There is nobody else
28:55who has laid claim
28:57to the fact
28:58saying that
28:59I can command
29:00a majority
29:00in the house.
29:01the governor
29:02then has to make
29:05that choice,
29:06ask the person
29:07to prove his majority
29:08in a vote of confidence.
29:10And as the previous
29:11speaker was saying,
29:12there can be people
29:14who can abstain
29:14from that vote
29:15of confidence.
29:16There may be people
29:18who,
29:19despite being
29:20in another party,
29:21might yet
29:23vote in favor
29:24of the motion
29:25of confidence.
29:26The governor
29:27cannot simply say
29:29that I will convert
29:30the Raj Bhavan
29:31into the legislative assembly.
29:34Courts have crowned
29:35upon that.
29:36A similar exercise
29:38of not constituting
29:39the assembly
29:40was done
29:40by governor
29:41Bhuta Singh
29:42a long time ago
29:42with the Bihar assembly.
29:44The Supreme Court
29:45then struck it down.
29:47The then-president,
29:49President APJ
29:50Abdul Kalam
29:50almost resigned
29:51over that.
29:53These are
29:54democratic institutions.
29:57Yeah,
29:58Sanjay,
29:58I've just got,
29:59you know,
30:00one precedent,
30:02Karnataka 2018,
30:04even though
30:05the Congress
30:05JDS
30:07claimed that
30:07they had,
30:08they could form
30:09a coalition government,
30:10the governor
30:11invited Yedirappa
30:12to form the government
30:13because he was
30:14the single largest party
30:15and to prove
30:16his majority
30:16on the floor
30:17of the house.
30:18Surely that's
30:18what should be
30:19done here.
30:20Let him prove
30:20his majority
30:21on the floor
30:21of the house.
30:22The governor
30:23seems to be
30:23playing political games.
30:25There is a better
30:26precedent.
30:27Atal Bihari
30:28Vajpayee
30:29was invited
30:30by President
30:31Shankar
30:31Rael Sharma
30:32to form the
30:33government
30:34despite having
30:35nothing near a
30:36majority in the
30:37house.
30:38Then he lost
30:39the motion
30:40of confidence.
30:41Subsequently,
30:43a new alliance
30:43came up
30:44and claimed
30:45the confidence
30:46of the house.
30:48Actually,
30:49our top band
30:50should be
30:50what role
30:51is the governor
30:52playing?
30:52The governor
30:53is playing
30:53dangerous
30:54political games
30:55by not inviting
30:56Vijay.
30:57You're saying
30:58Atal Bihari
30:59Vajpayee
31:00is precedent
31:00but remember
31:01also K.R.
31:02Narayanan
31:03later on
31:03because the
31:04government fell
31:04in 13 days
31:05next time
31:05ask for all
31:06the letters
31:07of support.
31:07So the governor
31:08could well
31:09turn around
31:09and say
31:09I want all
31:10the letters
31:11of support
31:11as he seems
31:12to be asking.
31:14In the
31:14first instance
31:15President
31:16Narayanan
31:16did not
31:17do that.
31:18Yes.
31:18In the
31:19first instance
31:20he called
31:21the single
31:21largest party
31:22particularly
31:22because no
31:23other party
31:23at that
31:24point of
31:24time
31:24had laid
31:25claim.
31:26So
31:28there have
31:29been cases
31:30and cases
31:30President
31:31Sanjeev
31:32Reddy
31:32for instance
31:33swore in
31:34Charant Singh
31:35and then
31:35asked him
31:36to prove
31:37his majority
31:38on the
31:38floor of
31:39parliament.
31:40Charant Singh
31:41never faced
31:41parliament
31:42but became
31:42prime minister
31:43nevertheless.
31:45So Rajan
31:46if you are
31:48watching the
31:48program today
31:49you are the
31:50honourable
31:50governor of
31:51Tamil Nadu
31:51sir.
31:52There are
31:52enough
31:53instances
31:54where you
31:55have to
31:55invite the
31:56party with
31:56the single
31:57largest numbers
31:58to give them
31:59a chance to
32:00prove their
32:00numbers on
32:01the floor
32:01of the
32:01house.
32:02The question
32:03will be
32:03asked why
32:04are you
32:04not doing
32:05so and
32:05is therefore
32:06this talk
32:07of a tie
32:07up between
32:08DMK and
32:09AI-DMK
32:09only designed
32:10to put
32:11pressure on
32:11Vijayan.
32:12Is it
32:12going against
32:12the mandate
32:13of the
32:14people?
32:14Is that
32:14an important
32:15criteria also
32:16Sanjay?
32:16That the
32:17governor must
32:18look at
32:18what is the
32:19mandate or
32:20that's not
32:20his responsibility?
32:21His
32:21responsibility is
32:22give Vijay a
32:23chance to
32:24prove his
32:24majority on
32:25the floor of
32:25the house.
32:26His
32:27responsibility
32:28is to
32:28ensure that
32:29there is a
32:30government
32:30which faces
32:31the assembly
32:34and maybe
32:35it secures a
32:36vote of
32:36confidence or
32:37maybe it
32:37falls on the
32:38floor of the
32:39assembly.
32:39But the
32:41Raj Bhavan
32:42cannot be a
32:43substitute for
32:44the assembly.
32:45There is no
32:48precondition that
32:49unless you have a
32:50full majority
32:51only then will I
32:52swear you in.
32:54Sumanth Raman,
32:55therefore you've
32:56heard this from
32:56the lawyers,
32:57is the governor
32:58of Tamil Nadu
32:59playing political
32:59games?
33:00That's what it's
33:01coming down to.
33:01Is there an
33:02attempt to play
33:03games?
33:04Yeah,
33:05absolutely.
33:05I think that
33:06there is no
33:06doubt at all,
33:07especially because
33:07nobody else has
33:08taken a claim.
33:09But I can also
33:10tell you that
33:10the local media
33:11has been reporting
33:12that 40 TVK MLAs
33:14have been shifted
33:14to a resort.
33:16Make of that
33:17what you will,
33:18Rajdeep,
33:18but 40 MLAs
33:19apparentlyâŚ
33:1940 TVK MLAs
33:21you're claiming
33:21have been moved
33:22to a resort.
33:23I'm not claiming
33:23it.
33:24It's being reported
33:24in the local media
33:25that 40 MLAs
33:26have been kept
33:27in a resort.
33:28So I think that
33:29interesting times
33:30may be ahead,
33:31but I think
33:32it's extremely
33:33unfair.
33:34This mandate
33:35was against
33:35the DMK,
33:36it was against
33:37the AIA DMK,
33:38it was for
33:38Vijay and
33:40anything,
33:41any attempt
33:41made by any
33:42constitutional
33:43authority to
33:44subvert the
33:44mandate is
33:45grossly unfair.
33:46What the
33:47governor should
33:47do is call
33:49Vijay,
33:50swear him in,
33:51ask him to
33:52face the vote
33:53of confidence
33:53in the House
33:54within a
33:54reasonable
33:55time frame,
33:55maybe 10 to
33:5615 days.
33:56That is the
33:57right way to
33:58go about it
33:58and at the
33:59moment the way
34:00the governor is
34:00behaving is
34:01extremely
34:01suspicious.
34:02Okay, I'm
34:03going to leave
34:03it there.
34:04Lots of
34:05questions that
34:05the governor
34:06of Lok
34:07Bhavan will
34:07have to
34:08answer.
34:08Is this
34:09an attempt
34:09to deny
34:10Vijay his
34:11shot at
34:12power?
34:13That's the
34:13question.
34:15Yeah,
34:15Randha Kumar,
34:16I'll give you
34:1630 seconds.
34:17Yes.
34:18Yeah, let us
34:18not forget that
34:19governor has
34:20already dissolved
34:20the current
34:21assembly and
34:22literally we
34:22are under
34:22governor's
34:23rule now.
34:24So with
34:25this condition
34:25still he is
34:26not allowing
34:26the new
34:27coming party
34:28to form the
34:29government.
34:29It is not
34:29at all right
34:30in the
34:30democracy.
34:31He has
34:32already
34:32dissolved the
34:33assembly.
34:34Okay, we'll
34:35wait and see
34:36what the governor
34:37does next.
34:38But Tamil Nadu
34:40is heading for
34:40uncertain times,
34:41something that
34:42normally doesn't
34:42happen in a
34:43normally very
34:43stable two-party
34:45coalition system.
34:47but I appreciate
34:47my guests joining
34:49me on the show.
34:50Let me give you
34:50a backdrop of
34:51all that's
34:51happened.
34:52Dramatic day
34:52like no other
34:54in Tamil Nadu
34:55in recent times.
34:56Actor Vijay,
34:57politician Vijay and
34:58his TVK made
35:00their move this
35:00afternoon.
35:01They staked a
35:02claim to form
35:03the government
35:03in Tamil Nadu
35:04with the backing
35:05from Congress
35:05and the support
35:06of 112 MLAs.
35:08The final call
35:09rests with the
35:09governor who as
35:10I said is a
35:11former BJP leader
35:12from Goa.
35:13The DMK is
35:14crying betrayal.
35:15The numbers
35:16game is
35:17intensifying.
35:18Take a look
35:18at tonight's
35:19big report.
35:25Vijay takes
35:26his first step
35:27towards government
35:28formation in
35:30Tamil Nadu.
35:32Accompanied by
35:33his trusted
35:33lieutenants
35:34N. Anand,
35:36Aadha Varjun
35:37and K.A.
35:39Sengotian.
35:41Superstar
35:42politician
35:43on Wednesday
35:44met governor
35:45Rajendra
35:45Arlekar
35:46staking claim
35:47to form
35:47government.
35:49Sources tell
35:50India Today
35:50the TVK chief
35:51mentioned the
35:52support of
35:52112 MLAs.
35:54The governor
35:55is consulting
35:56legal experts
35:57on Vijay's
35:58claim.
36:00Whatever
36:01Vijay Anna
36:02chooses,
36:03it's better
36:03for the state,
36:05it's better
36:05for anyone,
36:07it's even
36:07better for the
36:07party.
36:08Whatever he
36:09chooses,
36:09we accept it.
36:11Vijay needs
36:12the support
36:12of at least
36:13117 MLAs.
36:15He has got
36:16the support
36:16of Congress
36:17MLAs so far.
36:18The offer
36:19of support
36:20was made
36:20by the state
36:21Congress leaders
36:21who met
36:22Vijay earlier.
36:25In a media
36:26statement,
36:27the Congress
36:28said its
36:28support is
36:29conditional upon
36:30the TVK
36:31keeping communal
36:32forces out
36:33of the alliance.
36:34The party
36:34added that
36:35the alliance
36:36is founded
36:36on mutual
36:37respect,
36:38appropriate share
36:39and shared
36:39responsibility.
36:40The alliance,
36:42according to
36:42the statement,
36:43is also for
36:44future elections
36:45to local body
36:46organizations,
36:47Lok Sabha
36:47and the
36:48Rajya Sabha.
36:51They're saying
36:52that you have
36:52backstabbed them.
36:53Are Rahul Gandhi
36:54and MK
36:54Salinson?
36:55For us,
36:56people's mandate
36:57is supreme
36:58and we
36:59respected the
37:00people's mandate
37:01and for Tamil Nadu
37:03keeping out
37:04the communal
37:05forces is our
37:06top priority.
37:08The tie-up
37:09was preceded
37:10by a bitter
37:11breakup.
37:13The DMK
37:14is livid.
37:15The Dravidian
37:17party is
37:18calling the
37:18Congress
37:18a backstabber.
37:21The backstabbers
37:23who,
37:24before even
37:25the ink
37:26on which
37:27the returning
37:27officer has
37:28signed
37:28the victory
37:29certificates,
37:30the Congress
37:31has decided
37:31to flip sides
37:32and support
37:33the TVK
37:34and the reasons
37:34are cited
37:35by them
37:36aren't convincing.
37:40While Vijay
37:41musters the
37:42numbers needed
37:43to form
37:43government,
37:44preparations
37:45are on
37:45at the
37:46Nehru Indoor
37:47Stadium in
37:47Chennai
37:48for a
37:48grand
37:49oath ceremony.
37:51Hundreds of
37:52TVK supporters
37:53are expected
37:53to attend
37:54the ceremony
37:55to which
37:55leader of
37:56opposition
37:56Rahul Gandhi
37:58is also
37:58invited.
38:01Everything
38:02being set up,
38:03they're all
38:03moving in
38:04fast,
38:05fast speed
38:06to get
38:06the whole
38:07place
38:07prim
38:08and ready
38:08because
38:09what were
38:09we hearing
38:10that the
38:11swearing-in
38:11ceremony
38:11could happen
38:12tomorrow.
38:13Tomorrow at
38:1410am was
38:15what everyone
38:15was talking
38:16about.
38:16The idea
38:17was to
38:17show skill,
38:18was to
38:18show
38:19Vijay's
38:19mass appeal
38:20that while
38:21you'll have
38:21seats here,
38:22across this
38:23entire area,
38:24in this
38:25entire stadium,
38:26it will be
38:26packed with
38:27thousands of
38:27people,
38:28all of course
38:29cheering the
38:30sound of
38:30whistles across.
38:33The time,
38:34however,
38:34will be
38:35decided once
38:36the government
38:36invites Vijay.
38:38With
38:39Akshita Nandugopal
38:40and Pramod
38:40Madhav,
38:41Bureau
38:41Report,
38:42India
38:42Today.
38:48And earlier
38:49I spoke to
38:50Karthi Chidamram,
38:51Congress MP,
38:52to explain why
38:53is the Congress
38:53so keen to
38:55tie up with
38:56Thalapati Vijay.
38:57Listen in.
39:03Is the
39:04Congress giving
39:05unconditional
39:06support to
39:07Vijay?
39:07We are being
39:08told that you
39:09have made it
39:09very clear,
39:10you are only
39:11giving him
39:12support if he
39:12stays away from
39:14communal elements.
39:15I want to
39:15understand,
39:16is this
39:16conditional or
39:17unconditional
39:18support to
39:18Vijay?
39:20It's clearly
39:20conditional.
39:21It's conditional
39:22on the kind
39:23of allies he
39:25brings to the
39:25table.
39:26We do not
39:26want anybody
39:27who is
39:29communal and
39:30who doesn't
39:30believe in
39:30the
39:31constitutional
39:32and secular
39:33values of
39:33India.
39:35Let's be
39:35very clear.
39:36Are you
39:37telling me
39:38that if
39:38Vijay,
39:39for example,
39:40brings the
39:41AIDMK,
39:42which had
39:42aligned in
39:43the election
39:44with the
39:44BJP,
39:45will you be
39:46part of
39:46such a
39:46government?
39:47Are you
39:47willing to
39:48give outside
39:48support or
39:49you want to
39:49be in
39:50government and
39:51have power
39:51sharing?
39:52We are
39:53in for the
39:54whole hog now.
39:55We are in
39:55for support
39:56and participation,
39:57but I do
39:58not know
39:58in what
39:59terms or
39:59what conditions
40:00the ADMK
40:01wants to
40:02come out.
40:02Is it all
40:03of ADMK
40:04coming or
40:04a fraction
40:05of the
40:05ADMK
40:06breaking away?
40:07I don't
40:07know.
40:07That's all
40:08not in my
40:09purview at
40:09all.
40:10We only
40:10react to it
40:11when that
40:11happens.
40:12But we are
40:12very clear
40:13that we
40:14would want
40:14this government
40:14to be stable
40:15and secular.
40:17How do you
40:17create a
40:18stable government?
40:19Please tell
40:19me.
40:20Vijay has
40:21107 MLA's,
40:23Congress has
40:245.
40:24That becomes
40:25112 in a
40:26234 member
40:27assembly.
40:28Vijay has
40:29still not
40:30given or
40:31told us at
40:32least or
40:32told even the
40:33governor which
40:34parties exactly
40:35will support
40:35him.
40:35If it is
40:36small parties
40:36like VCK
40:37and a couple
40:38of ADAS,
40:39it only adds
40:39barely to
40:40118 just
40:41over the
40:41halfway mark.
40:42How will
40:42you create
40:43a stable
40:43government?
40:44Is this
40:44simply the
40:45Congress
40:45looking to
40:46somehow get
40:47back into
40:48power in
40:48Tamil Nadu
40:49after 50
40:49years?
40:51How he
40:52cobbles up
40:52the numbers
40:53is really
40:54up to the
40:55TVK.
40:55They are in
40:56pole position
40:57and they
40:57must reach
40:58out to
40:58political
40:58parties as
40:59they reached
40:59out to us.
41:00There are
41:00other political
41:01parties there.
41:02The DCK is
41:02there.
41:02The Communist
41:03Party is
41:04there.
41:04The DMDK
41:04is there.
41:05There are
41:05many smaller
41:06political
41:06parties on
41:07both sides
41:10in both
41:11other
41:11formations.
41:12It's up
41:12to him
41:12to reach
41:13out to
41:13them and
41:13to come
41:14to some
41:14understanding.
41:15So we
41:16are not
41:16doing this
41:16only for
41:17power.
41:17Let's be
41:18very clear.
41:18The mandate
41:19of the
41:19people is
41:19for change.
41:21People have
41:21voted for
41:22a change.
41:22They want
41:22a government
41:23which is
41:24not led
41:25by either
41:26the DMK
41:26or the
41:27ADNK,
41:27the two
41:28political
41:28parties which
41:29have been
41:29heading
41:30governments
41:30for the
41:30last 60
41:31years.
41:31They want
41:32the government
41:32to be
41:32headed by
41:33Vijay.
41:34They want
41:34the government
41:34to be
41:35headed by
41:35the TVK.
41:36But they
41:36have also
41:36put a
41:36caveat.
41:37They have
41:37said that
41:38while they
41:39want the
41:39government
41:39to be
41:40headed by
41:40Vijay,
41:40they want
41:41him to
41:41go out
41:42and get
41:42a few
41:43other
41:43political
41:43parties to
41:44aid and
41:44assist him.
41:45They have
41:45not given
41:45him a mandate
41:46by himself.
41:46And he is
41:47respecting that
41:48mandate and
41:49reaching out
41:49to political
41:50parties.
41:50He has
41:51reached out
41:51to us
41:52formally.
41:52So we are
41:53extending our
41:53support.
41:54So now he
41:54needs to
41:55reach out to
41:55other political
41:56parties.
41:56I believe
41:56he has.
41:57Now they
41:57need to
41:58respond and
41:58then we'll
41:59see how
41:59things unfold.
42:00But the
42:01DMK says
42:01you backstabbed
42:02them.
42:06You've
42:07got a
42:07situation
42:07where the
42:08DMK has
42:09been your
42:09partner for
42:09the last
42:10two decades.
42:11You've
42:11got a
42:11situation
42:12where MK
42:12Stalin
42:13endorsed
42:13Rahul
42:14Gandhi as
42:14the
42:14Prime
42:14Minister
42:15candidate
42:15for
42:152024.
42:16He said
42:17we are
42:17brothers.
42:18Suddenly you
42:19are backstabbing
42:19your brother?
42:21Let me
42:22explain this.
42:22It's a very
42:23harsh
42:24criticism.
42:25You know
42:26there are
42:27pre-poll
42:28alliances and
42:29if none of
42:30the pre-poll
42:30alliances get a
42:31working majority
42:32on their
42:32own, you
42:33have to
42:33explore other
42:34options to
42:35form a
42:35working majority.
42:36This happens
42:37in all
42:37parliamentary
42:38democracies.
42:39You are
42:39very familiar
42:39of these
42:40things which
42:40happen in
42:40Germany, in
42:41Belgium, in
42:42Netherlands.
42:42If we had
42:43deprived the
42:45DMK of
42:46forming a
42:46government
42:47because we
42:47moved out,
42:48that would
42:48be called
42:48backstabbing.
42:49But DMK is
42:50not in any
42:51position to
42:51form government.
42:52We are not
42:52depriving the
42:53DMK of
42:54anything.
42:54Yes, we
42:55fought the
42:55elections with
42:56the DMK,
42:57we fought the
42:57elections
42:57wholeheartedly
42:58with the
42:58DMK, but
42:59the people have
43:00given a very
43:00clear mandate.
43:01The mandate is
43:03for Vijay to
43:04lead a
43:04government with
43:05the aid and
43:06assistance of
43:06other parties.
43:07We are only
43:07respecting the
43:08mandate.
43:08We are not
43:09depriving the
43:09DMK of
43:10anything.
43:10If we have
43:11deprived the
43:11DMK of
43:12forming a
43:12government,
43:13then that
43:13would be
43:14called
43:14backstabbing.
43:14So we are
43:15not depriving
43:15the DMK of
43:16anything.
43:16Mr. Chidamram,
43:17you went into
43:18this election
43:18with the
43:19DMK, you
43:20all went in
43:20an alliance
43:21with them.
43:22Now you are
43:23ditching your
43:24ally, whether
43:25you like it or
43:26not, your so
43:26called India
43:27alliance partner,
43:28because you are
43:29sending power
43:30with TVK.
43:31That is the
43:31argument that
43:32the DMK is
43:33giving, that
43:33the Congress
43:34at the slightest
43:35center of
43:35power is
43:36leaving us.
43:37But he sticks
43:38to the pre-poll
43:39alliance position.
43:41We will never
43:41have a government
43:41in Tamil Nadu
43:42because the
43:43DMK doesn't
43:43have 118
43:44with its allies.
43:45The ADMK
43:46doesn't have 118
43:47with its allies.
43:48TVK doesn't
43:48have 118
43:49with its allies
43:50because it
43:50had no allies.
43:51So we cannot
43:51form a government.
43:52So are you
43:53suggesting that
43:54we should negate
43:55the verdict of
43:55the people of
43:56Tamil Nadu and
43:57go back to
43:57elections because
43:58nobody has been
43:58able to have a
43:59pre-poll working
44:00alliance?
44:01You are trying to
44:01create a working
44:02house.
44:02This happens in
44:03Europe all the
44:03time.
44:04Particularly in
44:10Tamil Nadu.
44:11Okay so you
44:11heard the
44:12congress position
44:12there on
44:13Tamil Nadu.
44:14Let's go
44:14straight across
44:15to West Bengal
44:17where now we've
44:18got more drama
44:19there also because
44:20Mamta Banerjee we
44:21are told is
44:22planning to move
44:23the Supreme Court
44:23against the BJP
44:25and the Election
44:25Commission.
44:26Mamta Banerjee
44:27has accused the
44:28BJP and the
44:29Election Commission
44:29of rigging the
44:30elections of West
44:31Bengal. Mamta Banerjee has refused, remember, to resign as West Bengal Chief Minister, although
44:37the term of the assembly ends tomorrow and the BJP is all set to have its government sworn in
44:42on Saturday. Sources saying Didi has therefore dared the centre to impose President's rule.
44:48Meanwhile, Shubhendu Adhikari has vowed to reopen cases against Srinamul Congress leaders.
44:53I'm now joined by Indurjeet Kundu, our Kolkata Bureau Chief. Indurjeet, as of now,
45:01the latest twist seems to be Mamta Banerjee is saying that she's going to go to the Supreme Court
45:07against the Election Commission, claiming that the elections were rigged.
45:12Well, that's right. Mamta Banerjee under Srinamul Congress maintains that she is not resigning.
45:17Remember, the tenure of this, the current assembly session comes to an end tomorrow.
45:22So, Mamta Banerjee under Srinamul Congress says that, you know, if it is required that she be removed,
45:27that can be done and that can be recorded, but she will not resign because this is a mark of
45:34protest.
45:34And she still maintains that this election was not fair and that it was rigged.
45:39And that's the reason why the Srinamul Congress is now saying that they want to take this battle
45:44in the court of law. Remember, even during Nandikram in 2021, it was challenged before court,
45:51an election petition was filed. So, we'll have to wait and see as to what is the kind of exact
45:55legal
45:55recourse that the Srinamul Congress says it is going to take because they have said that
45:59the courts are open, they can go to the Supreme Court as well.
46:02There's also, of course, the question, Khaun Banega Chief Minister. What are you picking up?
46:07Is Shubhendu Adhikari certain to become the Chief Minister, the next Chief Minister of West Bengal?
46:12Is there any, are there any other options that you see?
46:17Well, politically speaking, given the kind of stellar track record that Shubhendu Adhikari had,
46:23especially now with the Hawanipur victory, the BJP really doesn't have much of an option
46:28or a leeway to think of anybody else apart from Shubhendu Adhikari. But, Razneev, as you know,
46:33for a party like BJP, it's very difficult to predict because, you know, a lot of people did not see
46:39some of the top appointments that have come in the BJP in the recent past.
46:45There was no precedence. So, with BJP, there can be no predictions. But yes, Shubhendu Adhikari
46:51is clearly the frontrunner as far as West Bengal is concerned.
46:54Okay, I'm going to leave it there. Indujit, thanks very much for joining us.
46:59Remember, after the BJP's sweeping victory in West Bengal, not surprisingly, the political battle
47:04has spilt onto the streets, despite the Prime Minister's message that this was about badlav,
47:09not badla or revenge. We are seeing disturbing surge in post-poll violence in some parts.
47:15At least three people have lost their lives so far. An incidence of arson and vandalism
47:20being reported across districts. In Asan Sol, a TMC office was gutted in a late-night fire,
47:25flames spreading to nearby shops. In Kolkata's new market area, a party office was bulldozed
47:30with BJP flags seen on the machine and slogans raised on the ground, raising serious questions
47:36once again over law and order. The police claim they've cracked down and many suspects have
47:41been arrested. Tapas Roy has more.
48:11That is due to the fact that there were some people who have witnessed and have not been
48:25talking to the police. There are some people who have reported saying that this was a
48:34It's a party office of the market.
48:37But now there's nothing to do with it.
48:40Because there's nothing to see here.
48:41There's nothing to see here.
48:44But this is the impression of people here
48:48that some of the people come and mobs come and go with bulldozers.
48:56Camera person Shubhujit Gain, Nirvan, Kolkata.
49:00The ground report comes from Punjab
49:02where two blasts, two high-security targets, have put Punjab on alert.
49:06First, a scooter explosion at the BSF headquarters in Jalandhar.
49:10And then, hours later, another blast inside an army camp in Amritsar.
49:15Sources pointing to an ISI-backed plot,
49:17but the political blame has exploded just as fast.
49:21Chief Minister Bhagawan Maan hinting at a BJP angle,
49:24the centre hitting back.
49:25The Congress demanding proof.
49:27Take a look.
49:34Two explosions inside high-security camps in two cities.
49:40Jodh, Punjab.
49:43On Tuesday, ahead of the anniversary of Operation Sindur,
49:46a scooter blast struck BSF headquarters in Jalandhar.
49:50Hours later, another explosion, this time at an army camp in Amritsar.
49:56Sources say, both attacks were allegedly orchestrated by Pakistani handlers
50:02with backing from the ISI.
50:19But even before the smoke could clear, a political firestorm erupted.
50:26The full punishments were scheduled at the border.
50:29The government has been established by the Japanese camp.
50:31The people who have been on the border,
50:34the people who have been on the border.
50:35are the small, small, small, small-scale blasts.
50:38We know that the BJP is ready for Punjab elections.
50:42The people who have been on the border.
50:42They are the people who have been on the border,
50:44the people who get on the border.
50:49In the social media post, the Khalistan Liberation Army, in fact, has claimed responsibility for the Jalander attack.
50:58It's all the more regrettable that the Punjab's head minister, Maan Saab, is putting this strange construct on it.
51:13The Congress has demanded the CM present evidence to back his charge.
51:39When the twin explosions did not lead to any casualties,
51:43they do raise serious questions about security in a state which suffered years of terror.
Comments