- 1 day ago
Ten days after securing a massive mandate in the Kerala assembly elections, the Congress party has yet to finalise its Chief Minister.
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00:02Good evening, you're watching To The Point. I am Preeti Chaudhary. All eyes are on the state of Kerala.
00:08Every possible state that has gone into election, even the union territory of Pudducherry, has a chief minister now, but
00:14not Kerala.
00:16Congress conundrum continues on who to appoint the chief minister of Kerala.
00:21All of that coming up over the course of the next 40 minutes. I'm Preeti Chaudhary. Here are the headlines.
00:32A blockbuster win for Vijay on the floor of the House with 144 votes.
00:36DMK Stages walk out 22 EPS faction. AIADMK MLAs vote against Vijay.
00:43Tamil Nadu chief minister says this is a government for minorities.
01:03After fire from allies and severe backlash, Tamil Nadu chief minister forced to revoke his astrologer's appointment as officer on
01:12special duty.
01:19Kerala chief minister's suspense rages on. 10 days on. Congress still clueless.
01:24Kerala congress chief says announcement to be made today. Rahul and Kharge hold key meet in Delhi.
01:35After Bachat call, Prime Minister Modi leads by example. Travels in just two car convoy.
01:42Tells ministers to minimize spending. PJP chief ministers also follow suit.
01:48India Today, Neeti Aayog vice chairman Ashok Lahiri decodes Prime Minister's message.
01:55National austerity is another term for national savings. You know national savings is the main source of national investment.
02:04China, the East Asian tigers, they used to save a lot.
02:16Pictures of Neet leak accused with Rajasthan education minister.
02:20Neet leak accused picture with mantri Madan Dilawar.
02:24Multiple arrests made in Neet paper leak case.
02:34Amidst deadlock in West Asia, U.S. President Donald Trump arrives in Beijing.
02:38We'll hold key meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping tomorrow.
02:43Talks on trade, Iran, war on agenda.
03:26It's increasingly looking like a messy succession war.
03:30So who will it be?
03:31K.C. Vennu Gopal, B.D. Satishan.
03:34Who knows?
03:42Four states and one union territory voted.
03:46Five verdicts came on the same day.
03:50Chief ministers of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry have taken oath.
03:56They have all got down to the business.
03:59But in Keralam, the Congress still cannot decide who will take the chief minister's chair.
04:06Every morning, the same headline.
04:09Same decision likely today.
04:12Every evening, the same outcome.
04:14More meetings, more lobbying, more deadlock.
04:20For days now, the Congress has been trapped in an endless loop of speculation, faction fights and closed-door negotiations.
04:30And at the center of the tug-of-war, three powerful contenders.
04:35V.D. Satishan, the face of the Congress campaign in Keralam.
04:40K.C. Vennu Gopal, Rahul Gandhi's trusted organizational heavyweight.
04:45And sources say the current frontrunner for the top post.
04:48And veteran leader, Ramesh Chennithala, who is banking on seniority and experience.
04:54After its biggest victory in decades, the party looks completely unable to handle its own mandate.
05:03The delay is now triggering open discomfort within the UDF itself.
05:09K.L.I. IUML, which won 22 seats, has publicly admitted the alliance is unhappy with the indecision.
05:17Making it clear that the ball is now entirely in Congress's court.
05:22K.L.I. The current assembly formally dissolves on May 23rd.
05:46That leaves barely days for government formation.
05:50What should have been Congress's biggest political moment in Keralam since 1960s,
05:56is rapidly turning into a spectacle of confusion and power struggle.
06:02The left has been decimated.
06:04The mandate is overwhelming.
06:06But instead of governance, Keralam is watching a victory parade collapse into a succession war.
06:16How long can the Congress keep fighting for power
06:19before voters start questioning its ability to exercise it?
06:24Bureau Report, India Today.
06:30All right, so what is leading to the confusion?
06:32What is leading to the stalling?
06:33Who goes to Keralam as Chief Minister?
06:36Is it K.C. Wennu Gopal?
06:38Is it Mr. Weedy Satishun?
06:39Let's take all the questions.
06:40On the delay, while all other states and the Union Territory that went to vote alongside Keralam
06:46already have not just their Chief Minister, their governments have started functioning,
06:50Keralam is still waiting for their Chief Minister to be installed.
06:53Even though the tenure of the Assembly gets over on the 23rd of May,
06:59even then, it's high time the Congress picked who will lead Keralam for the Congress.
07:05Let's cut across to our guest this evening.
07:08Joining me, Mr. P. Sandosh Kumar, CPI Rajya Sabha member.
07:12We also have K.A. Shashi, senior journalist.
07:16K.J. Jacob, executive editor, Deccan Chronicle.
07:19Javed Ansari, senior journalist.
07:21I want to cut across to Javed Ansari first.
07:24And Javed, maybe you can give us a sense of what's really taking place in Delhi,
07:28because the decision is being made by the High Command in Delhi.
07:31Ten days on, Javed.
07:33Yet, the conundrum within the Congress continues on who to pick.
07:38Certainly.
07:39And this does not reflect very well on the decision-making abilities of the Congress leadership.
07:46The way they have gone about it, you know, it appears that the current Congress leadership
07:52has patented the art of making simple things look very, very difficult.
07:59All this ought to have been worked out by now.
08:02It's ironical, isn't it, that all the chief ministers, most of the states that went to polls have chief ministers,
08:10and all of them were at one time or the other in the Congress party.
08:14They've all become chief ministers.
08:16But the only state that the Congress has won in a long time,
08:20the Congress is unable to decide on who will be the chief minister.
08:26But, Javed, what's going on within the High Command?
08:29Where are the polls and trunks?
08:30Because it seems earlier on that KC Venugopal was the frontrunner,
08:34but the MLAs and seemingly are supporting KC Venugopal.
08:40But the camp of VD Satishan says, you know, you have General Secretary Organization,
08:44who is KC Venugopal.
08:46He was instrumental in giving tickets, so therefore the MLAs will pledge allegiance to him.
08:51However, allies are supporting Mr. Satishan.
08:54What's the High Command thinking?
08:57So these are the contradictions that the High Command is engaged in managing,
09:03in reconciling these contradictions.
09:06But the proper thing ought to have been done.
09:10This should have been thought out.
09:12Perhaps Mr. Venugopal could have recused himself from the decision-making ticket distribution process.
09:20And now, the Allies have also cleared the pitch by saying that they are not too happy with Mr. Venugopal,
09:27and they would like Mr. Satishan, who was the LOP, to go.
09:30And what everybody appears to forget is that Mr. Ramesh Chani Tala is also very much in the mix.
09:37While the tussle is between Mr. Venugopal, who not only is the blue-eyed boy of the Congress High Command,
09:46but also appears to have the backing of the MLAs.
09:49And on the other hand is Mr. Satishan, who has the Allies with him,
09:55and who believes that having led this campaign against the CPM, he ought to be the logical choice.
10:03By that, Mr. Ramesh Chani Tala should also have a mistake.
10:09Possibly.
10:10Mr. Ramesh Chani Tala is now being looked at primarily as a compromise candidate as well.
10:15He is the senior most.
10:17And during the last time the Congress formed the government, he was the LOP but stepped aside for Mr. Oman
10:24Chandi
10:25because he was the senior most at that time.
10:29All right. Fair point.
10:30Let's quickly cut across to Mr. P. Sandosh Kumar, CPI leader, Rajya Sabha MP.
10:36Mr. Kumar, how is the left looking at the developments taking place?
10:39Even though your State Assembly tenure only expires on the 23rd of May,
10:44but the Congress has made quite a hash of it, it seems.
10:50It never happened in the history of Kerala and even after 10 days of the announcement of the poll results,
10:58this drama is continuing.
11:01And as far as the left is concerned, the post is very clear.
11:06It's no more the internal matter.
11:08It's an insult to the huge mandates which fortunately they could manage.
11:14Now, the political impact is very important.
11:17For example, the left lost around 10% of vote this time.
11:22Of course, we have to admit that fact and it's a humiliating and embarrassing defeat for us.
11:27We acknowledge that fact.
11:28But at the same time, these 10% voters were shifted towards UDF only.
11:33And in a way, you can say secular, friend only.
11:37Now, these developments are actually quite alarming and we are fearful of these voters,
11:44I mean, who trusted Congress may soon shift towards BJP.
11:49May not be in the coming days, but there is every chance of that.
11:52So, that is what fears the left most.
11:54Because a section of leaders are being portrayed as communists by the UDF group and lots of drama is taking
12:00place.
12:01Our writers are making statements and street marchers, group dancers, what not.
12:07So, it's absolutely a ridiculous situation.
12:09But as far as leftists and our side is concerned, the most important thing is that these 10% voters
12:17were shifted to UDF, Congress,
12:20believing that they may make someone less, leave that part.
12:22But now, in the coming elections, there is every chance of these people getting, section of Congress voters getting attacked
12:29towards BJP.
12:31Because BJP have not that much role even now in Kerala, but BJP's eyes are on Kerala also, as you
12:36know.
12:37Okay.
12:37So, this is what worries us.
12:38And there is huge communal polarization taking place and there is, you know, propaganda everywhere in Kerala
12:45that section of Congress leaders are under the control of forces like Jamaat-Islami.
12:50So, whatever may be the solution finally comes out, it's very clear that the future of this government can be
12:56predicted easily before it begins the work.
12:59So, it's quite alarming situation.
13:01But the left will continue its work in a bigger way and we are hopeful of regaining the power.
13:05This is what I can tell you at this point of time.
13:08All right.
13:08So, you're saying it's basically dishonoring the verdict, waiting for so long, where at least the…
13:16Yes, yes, yes.
13:18Vitiating the atmosphere is what you're saying.
13:20By stalling…
13:21It's an insult to the people of…
13:23The Congress stalling to put a Chief Minister.
13:25All right.
13:25Okay.
13:25You're saying it's insult to the verdict there.
13:27I want to go across to K.A.
13:29Shahji, senior journalist.
13:31K.A.
13:31Shahji, what's going on back in Kerala?
13:32Because while the deliberations continue in Delhi, what's taking place in Kerala?
13:39Because for the first time, the allies of the Congress have come out and they've made
13:43it very clear that their pick is Viti Satishan.
13:46Anybody else won't do.
13:48Yeah, now it is now it is Sunday.
13:50All right.
13:51Just hold on, sir.
13:52I'm coming in.
13:53Let's listen in to Mr. Jairam Ramesh.
14:00As authorized by the members of the C.A.P. in Kerala, the high command of the Congress
14:07has completed all discussions and the decision on who the next Chief Minister of Kerala will
14:14be will be announced tomorrow.
14:33All right.
14:34So that's the news break coming in.
14:35We finally have a date, viewers.
14:37Kerala has a date.
14:38Kerala will have a Chief Minister tomorrow.
14:40And finally, you have Jairam Ramesh, Senior Congress Leader, coming out, Rajya Sabha MP,
14:47announcing that tomorrow the name of the Kerala Chief Minister will be announced and I believe
14:54it will be announced simultaneously both in Delhi as well as Kerala.
14:59Deepa Dash Munshi is on her way to Kerala and she will be announcing that name.
15:03Who will it be is the big question, but that name will be announced tomorrow.
15:07Deliberations have taken place today.
15:08You had Rahul Gandhi who had met the Congress Party President as well, Mr. Malik Arjun Kharge.
15:16And a decision has been firmed up, we believe.
15:20Now, further deliberations will take place and tomorrow is what the Congress confirms.
15:27The name will be announced.
15:2811 days after the verdict.
15:30Just to put that out there.
15:31Yes, the Assembly only expires on the 23rd of May.
15:34But the optics of it all just quite not working for the Congress that they haven't been able
15:39to pick their Chief Minister despite winning a huge mandate.
15:43I want to cut across back to Mr. K.A.
15:45Shaji, Senior Journalist, who continues to be with us.
15:48We have a date.
15:49Mr. Shaji, tomorrow the Congress will announce the Chief Minister of Kerala.
15:53But you were telling us and giving us a sense of what the ground situation is.
15:56What are you picking up, sir?
15:59Tomorrow will be the 11th day since the people of Kerala have given a massive mandate to the
16:04Congress and brought them back to power.
16:07And in the last 11 days, today is the 10th day, there is massive disappointment across
16:13the state, not only among the Congress workers, among the constituents of the UDF and also among
16:18the civil society members.
16:20People are totally unhappy, people are totally against the continue delay in the process of
16:26fighting the right Chief Minister candidates.
16:28At another level, there is a clear public mood in favor of UD Sadistan because he led the
16:34fight from the front.
16:36And he was leading the UDF in the election, not only in the election, the last five years
16:41as the opposition leader of the state and the chairman of the UDF.
16:45He performed well, there was a stellar performance, and so the people, majority of the people wanted
16:51to see Sadistan as the Chief Minister of the Congress.
16:55But at another level, KC Venugoban is thinking he would be the proper person to become the
17:02Chief Minister of Kerala.
17:03So that is the Tassil.
17:04At another level, the earlier other representatives are also talking about NMH Senetala.
17:09And in the case of NMH Senetala, he is more a Cromer-wise candidate, the main Tassil is
17:14Mr. President, and KC Venugoban.
17:19All right, so the main, and the tug of war continues.
17:21Who has the upper hand right now?
17:23Delhi would suggest Mr. KJ Jacob, Executive Editor, Deccan Chronicle with us.
17:28Delhi would suggest it's Mr. KC Venugoban.
17:30But if you ask the allies and the Cader, not the MLA's, because MLA's are with Mr.
17:36KC Venugoban, but there, the Cader and the allies seem to suggest it has to be Mr.
17:42Satishan.
17:43Yes, that has been the situation till now.
17:47Till yesterday, we were given to understand that the High Command will decide in favour
17:51of Mr. KC Venugoban, but the scene has shifted.
17:55It has shifted towards favourable, favourable towards Mr. Satishan.
18:00And I think there's a groundswell of support for him.
18:03And that's working, that has started working with the High Command.
18:06So, any which way, this need not have been allowed to belong in such a way that it has
18:13started affecting governance in Kerala.
18:15It is not only a decision for the government or achievements coming into power.
18:20What happens is that Kerala is entering into a pre-monsoon phase.
18:23A lot of government's work needs to be done immediately.
18:27So, that is getting hit.
18:29That's what the reports tell us.
18:30So, whether it is, there is absolutely no justification for the Congress party to prolong this process
18:37beyond a limit.
18:38As all of the other panelists have said, this has switcheted the scene beyond a limit.
18:44But more players are coming into the scene with varied ideas and it is getting toxic.
18:52So, the High Command cannot go beyond this position.
18:55They need to turn it off.
18:57Of course, we have a date for tomorrow.
19:00This nonsense, this absurdity cannot be allowed to...
19:03You're true.
19:04This absurdity cannot continue.
19:05You're right.
19:06This absurdity cannot continue longer anymore.
19:08But I want to bring in my colleague, Moshmi, who tracks the Congress very closely.
19:12Moshmi, the Congress now already has dug themselves up in this hole.
19:16It's absurd that you have a strong mandate and it's taken you 11 days to install your
19:21chief minister in the state of Kerala.
19:23On the other hand, Moshmi, there is a train of thought that wherever the High Command has
19:27tried to intervene and tried to push their choice, and examples are glaring.
19:32For example, Punjab, the High Command intervened, pushed their choice, and see what happened
19:38to the Congress unit in Punjab.
19:41So, what are the permutations and combinations that the Congress High Command is actually working
19:47on?
19:48And why the stalling, Moshmi?
19:54You're right, Preeti, that Congress's leadership has found itself in a bind over who should be
20:02the chief minister multiple times.
20:04But I think that, you know, Kerala is a different ballgame.
20:08Also, the Congress leadership is harping on the fact that the opinion of the MLAs should
20:17be the number one priority as far as, you know, the other considerations, public opinion
20:24or the alliance opinion is concerned.
20:26And Jairam Ramesh just came out and he said that all the discussions have been done, the
20:34decision is ready, and it will be out tomorrow.
20:37So, this time gap between the entire announcement and the decision-making perhaps is to contain
20:47the damage if there is any in terms of resentment or whatever happens in Kerala.
20:52Remember that they have to choose from one of the three picks.
20:57The VD Satishan is the popular choice in terms of, you know, as far as conjuring the LDF
21:04government is concerned.
21:05But remember that KC Vinugopal topped the choice of MLAs with ABBA 45.
21:14Mashmi, who is the front runner right now?
21:15So, that really counts for a lot.
21:20I put my bets on KC Vinugopal who is the front runner.
21:25We had reported that Preeti.
21:27Okay.
21:27But, you know, and with all the protests and poster wars that are breaking out,
21:34though Vidi Satishan is the heavyweight who's punching above his weight also
21:39and has given some nervous moments to the party leadership,
21:42but will it augur well for the leadership and will it set a wrong precedence now
21:47that the MLA's whoopingly chose KC Venugopal when they were asked,
21:52who would you want as the CIA?
21:54But, you know, but Moshmi, there is an argument and you stay with me.
21:58Moshmi, you stay with me because I'm going to come right back.
22:01Let's bring in Javed into this conversation because the MLA's might have voted KC Venugopal,
22:05but Javed Ansari, there is this very strong argument and cogent argument at that
22:09which says that, listen, you are general secretary organization.
22:13You are in charge of ticket distribution.
22:15Many from who want Vidi Satishan are saying you practically fixed this election in your favor.
22:21You are the one who gave tickets and, of course, the MLA's are going to support you.
22:26Look, I mean, it can be argued both ways.
22:28Yes, the proper thing ought to have been that if Mr. Venugopal had already made up his mind,
22:35then he ought to have recused himself.
22:37But that being said, one way or the other, they need to.
22:40They ought to have made this decision, thought this through much earlier.
22:44It's been 10 days since the results came out.
22:49And now this whole exercise is all about trying to manage these contradictions
22:53or trying to find a suitable placement for Mr. Satishan and for Mr. Ramesh Chantala,
23:01keeping him too, just to ensure that they don't start, that there's no rebellion that's going to happen.
23:09The political management skills of the Congress leadership will now be put to test yet again.
23:16It's one thing to announce a leader.
23:18It's another thing to ensure that everybody falls in line and lends their shoulder to the wheel.
23:24That is the big challenge that will commence.
23:26But the optics, the optics of it, Moshmi, I know you need to leave, Moshmi,
23:30so let me bring you in for a quick comment again.
23:32The optics of it all look terribly where the Congress is concerned.
23:3511 days, you have the mandate, you can't install a chief minister,
23:39you can't figure out, you know, the basic nuances on who really needs to be the chief minister,
23:46be it Mr. Casey Venugopal.
23:48If he was there, he should have been recused from ticket distribution as a general secretary organization.
23:53You have him in the mix.
23:54You have past precedent where you've tried to push a particular person onto a state unit.
24:00It's backfired massively.
24:01You have all of that, yet the hedging, Moshmi.
24:09Absolutely, the optics don't augur well, don't play out well for the party leadership
24:13in terms of decision making, you know, just dragging its feet in the face of BJP
24:20swearing in its chief ministers quick and fast.
24:23And even in Tamil Nadu, the kind of swearing in ceremony that happens.
24:29So it's, but despite that fact, you know, I've heard many leaders who Rahul Gandhi met one-on-one.
24:37Rahul Gandhi was concerned about, he was asking, who's doing this poster war?
24:42What's happening? What is the protest that's unfolding?
24:45And though he was miffed about the fact that the leaders were posturing for themselves
24:54and, you know, marketing themselves, he had, in fact, when the top three leaders met him,
25:00he had said that this must stop.
25:02And though many claimed it was organic, so the leadership understands that the optics have,
25:09it's not been a great start for Kerala, for the Congress as far as choosing the leader
25:15and swearing in ceremony is concerned.
25:16And if KC was the choice, KC was to be, it could have been done faster to avoid all those
25:23theatrics
25:25You immediately make that decision.
25:27rolling out for the Congress.
25:28You're right. And you don't leave, you know, then it open for everyone to posture and conjecture.
25:35Boshmi, one quick question before I let you go.
25:37What are we looking at? A massive oath-taking ceremony?
25:44Preeti, you know, Rahul Gandhi, his very favourite dialogue is that Congress is a democratic party
25:53and we value everybody's opinion, there's a right to dissent,
25:59but many a time that's been the party's nemesis in big elections.
26:04So, but that hasn't changed, Rahul Gandhi being Rahul Gandhi sticks to his guns.
26:08So, we will have to wait and see how it plays out, whether Rahul Gandhi actually goes in for the
26:13swearing in ceremony.
26:14Muted oath-taking or the Congress is going to make a bit of a meal of it?
26:23No, finally, if they announce the decision, if they have to,
26:27Preeti, I think it's going to be a big fanfare, big celebration of sorts
26:32because that's where there's, that's their government that they're coming into power.
26:38And I think they won't leave any stone unturned to make it, you know, impactful.
26:43All right, Moshmi, thank you for joining us.
26:45I want to bring in KJ Jacob, Executive Editor, Deccan Chronicle, back into this conversation.
26:48The absurdity, Mr. Jacob, all set to end tomorrow,
26:52but KC Venu Gopal still remains the front runner.
26:55Would you think if whereas politics goes, natural justice possibly demands it should be VD Satishan?
27:02It's a very, it's a real complex situation.
27:05As you said, there is a groundswell of support for Mr. Satishan,
27:09from the allies, from a section of the party, from the general public.
27:13But at the same time, unlike most of the other states where the High Command tried to impose its will,
27:19Mr. Venu Gopal has, because he has been a Kerala politician before he moved to Delhi.
27:25He was a minister, he has been an MLA, he was an MP.
27:29So he was president of the KSU, of the ADSU, of the Youth Congress.
27:33He was very much part of the Kerala party.
27:35So he has his own areas of influence, his own support base.
27:42So he cannot be ruled out just like that.
27:45So the very solid claim, Venu Gopal has, or the Chief Minister's Gadi, that's very much there.
27:51So it's a difficult matrix.
27:53But the problem is that it hasn't changed, it has only worsened.
27:58The results came on May 4th.
28:01Things haven't become easier for the Congress now.
28:04It has become more difficult.
28:06Every extra hour brings in new people with new stakeholders,
28:11putting their share of confusion into it,
28:15and making a real mess of it.
28:17And the Congress will have to fight a real difficult battle
28:21if they were to make a clear announcement of this
28:26and to ensure that the government, with such a massive mandate,
28:30is able to work for the benefit of the people.
28:32Because this will definitely leave some bad blood within the party.
28:37Either way.
28:37So basically, Mr. Jacob, what you're saying is,
28:40whichever way now the party decides,
28:43whether it's KC Venu Gopal or it's BD Satishan,
28:45you have completely queered the pitch for your own party in Kerala,
28:51where you could have made it very easy,
28:52especially at the back of this massive mandate.
28:55Mr. Shahji, would you want to come and weigh in on that?
28:58I would like to tell you one thing.
29:00The number of MLA who are supporting KC,
29:04that is highly technical,
29:05because KC Venu Gopal is part of the high command.
29:09In another level, he is the high command.
29:11And most of the MLA who don't have that much courage
29:14to take a stand that is opposing or that is not preferring KC.
29:19That is what happened actually.
29:21And even today, I saw three, four visual television images
29:25of people, ordinary Congress workers,
29:28relaying these newly elected MLA
29:30and asking them why you are supporting KC.
29:33And then they had no clear answer.
29:35I have nothing against KC.
29:37And if he was deliberate or he was very much concerned
29:40about becoming the chief minister of Kerala,
29:42why he had not contested in the last election?
29:46Why he chose not to contest in the election?
29:48And now it's more looks like a back to every election.
29:51And that is why the lot of protest is happening in Kerala.
29:55It is distributing the will or industrious
29:58of the Congress workers,
30:00because they won a massive victory.
30:02But the last 10 days,
30:03they were not able to celebrate even that victory.
30:06So that is what the concern of IUML,
30:08that is the concern of Kerala's optimism,
30:10and that's a really funny explanation.
30:12So it is a peculiar kind of situation.
30:14Congress won a landmark victory,
30:16but they were not able to even celebrate that victory,
30:20because the law is the establishment.
30:23On the part of KC.
30:24Where do you go back to such terms,
30:26have taken away all the joy from the Congress workers,
30:29ordinary workers.
30:30And then, as I told you already,
30:32there is disappointment there very well.
30:34And most of the people are thinking,
30:36the high command is imposing its candidate
30:39over the preference of the state.
30:40So that it is highly technical.
30:45But the real thing is that there is a clear mandate in favor of UDF.
30:48And people voted to UDF
30:50by finding guilty decision on the front row
30:53as the captain or the leader of the front.
30:56And it is largely a vote for UDF position,
31:00his stance, and his campaign state.
31:04All right.
31:05You know, final words.
31:06Javed, you know, pardon my language,
31:08but this is a classic case of the Congress
31:09once again screwing up a good thing.
31:11How could you put yourself in a position like that?
31:14Because tomorrow, no matter what the decision is,
31:17it will only backfire on the Congress from one side.
31:21It will all depend on how they manage to send this decision.
31:26Irrespective of who it is,
31:28they need to quell the ambitions of the others
31:31and ensure that everybody works harmoniously
31:34and the government gets off.
31:36The government is up and running quickly.
31:39They've already lost the optics battle now
31:44by this inordinate delay,
31:46which was eminently avoidable.
31:49They need to be able to prevail upon the other two
31:53and ensure that the government starts working
31:55and working quickly.
31:59All right.
32:00Mrs. Santosh Kumar,
32:02finally, at least there is a date now.
32:04Tomorrow, there will be a chief minister name
32:06that would be announced by the party.
32:08You can judge the time now.
32:09It's 11 days.
32:10And you have every reason to lament
32:13and take on the Congress on that.
32:15You had a decent mandate,
32:16still leaving a state rudder list.
32:18But there is at least a date.
32:20Tomorrow, the name will be announced.
32:25Okay, let them take one more day.
32:27As is evident from the deliberations,
32:29Mr. Shahji and Jacob,
32:30they're all well-known judges.
32:31Even they have their own sides and choices.
32:33For us, not like that.
32:35Whoever comes to power,
32:36Kerala's development process should carry on.
32:38And as far as our side is concerned,
32:43we will be a very constructive opposition.
32:45But one thing is quite clear
32:47from the very beginning itself.
32:49No one can lead Kerala to prosperity
32:51because these people are power hungry
32:54and power mongers.
32:56Then there will be more and more power centers
32:58within the government.
32:59So it will be an embarrassing situation in the future.
33:02So I can...
33:03All right, well, it is, it is.
33:05One thing one has to admit.
33:06It can't be getting more embarrassing
33:08from the Congress where they are.
33:09They've taken 11 days
33:10and now they've put themselves in a situation
33:12of whatever choice that they make,
33:14be it Mr. V.D. Satishan
33:15or be it K.C. Venugopal.
33:19They have painted themselves in a corner.
33:22One, whatever decision it is,
33:23it's going to backfire.
33:24All right, we're going to quickly cut across
33:26to the latest now that is coming in
33:27where NEAT is concerned.
33:29The NTA has canceled the NEAT examination, viewers,
33:33but there has been a fair amount of developments
33:35on the sidelines of it
33:37and some of the clues leading to once again
33:39the state of Rajasthan.
33:48Another NEAT controversy.
33:50Second one in just two years.
33:562024 outrage was so massive
33:58that the government sacked the then
34:00National Testing Agency chief.
34:02The Education Minister promised strict action,
34:05assured students that lessons had been learned.
34:08and we'll be in place.
34:10The
34:10National
34:11erlebt
34:11in
34:12L.A.
34:12होते हैं आगे की पढ़ाई के लिए हो या नौकरी के लिए हो उसमें जिरो ट्रॉल्डरांस अप एनी काइंड ऑफ
34:21व्रीच और स्टिटी ऑफ एग्जामिनेशन हमारे लिए सर्व परी है
34:29इसले मोदी सरकार ने पबलिक एग्जामिशन प्रिवेंशन अफ अफयर मिंस एक ये सिसे सक्त कानून को अमल में लाया है
34:45but one year later India is staring at another paper leak scandal and the question is simple was anything
34:53really fixed? The CBI probe is now unraveling what looks like a nationwide exam mafia. Fresh
35:00arrest, fresh revelations and once again the credibility of India's biggest medical entrance
35:06exam is under a clout. The latest arrest, Dhananjay Lokhande from Ahilyanagar. Investigators
35:14say he supplied the neat paper to key accused Shubham Kainar. But the trail doesn't stop
35:21there. The probe has now reached Rajasthan. Two brothers from Ramgar, Mangilal Bhival and Dinesh Bhival
35:29have been arrested for allegedly buying the leaked paper for their son preparing for neat in Sikar
35:34and then selling it onwards to others. Now political links are surfacing too. Pictures of accused Dinesh
35:42Bhival with Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar and BJP MLA Mahindrapal Meena have added
35:49a fresh political dimension to the scandal. The opposition is now going all out, accusing
35:55the government of failing lakhs of students yet again.
36:16several opposition parties are calling for the NTA to be dismantled altogether because after 2024 this was not supposed to
36:24happen again. So now who answers India's students?
36:47The question is where does the buck stop? Bureau Report, India Today.
37:02Senior Congress Leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Rajasthan joins us right now. Sachin
37:07Pilot, thank you, sir, for taking the time out and joining us on the network. Why is it, Mr.
37:12Pilot, that every time the neat controversy rears its heads, there are leads which go back to
37:17the state of Rajasthan with Sikar, the epicenter. Well, first of all, the national testing agency was created to stop
37:31such leaks. In the last 10 years, reportedly 80 leaks have happened. So this particular leak now, I think, has
37:38really blown the cover on all the claims that the government of India has made in the last few years.
37:43And just to let you know, the young people across country are calling it the national testing.
37:47National trauma agency. Because all they're doing is collecting, if I'm not wrong, last year, the agency collected 1000 crores
37:54as fees from the students. And now this paper leak has been caught not by the intelligence agencies or the
38:00government of India or Rajasthan or any other agency of the government. It was the students. They went and told
38:07a police station about what they thought was a guest paper and all questions were a carbon copy of the
38:11real paper. Those young students actually then complained, it reached the agency and then the exam was called off because
38:17the network
38:17network is far and wide, like you said in your report, it's across the country. Now, this is a complete
38:22failure of accountability, of various assurances. 22 and a half lakh kids have given the exam. And might I just
38:29tell you, it's not one boy or girl giving an exam. It's the whole family that gets invested. Forget the
38:34money part. But look at the morale, look at the loss of faith the young people have in the system
38:39that is supposed to test them. As it is, people face unemployment. On top of that, you have this problem.
38:44And Rajasthan, you're right. People were detained. About 30, 40 people were detained once the whole scandal broke out. And
38:51no FIR was registered. No case was registered. There were obviously people, now details have come out, there are people
38:57involved, the ruling dispensation, ministers, etc. have very close links with the main people who actually sold these papers.
39:03So, it's really now up to the government to step up and take responsibility and offer some explanation. You can't
39:09keep cancelling papers, saying we'll reconduct them. And the large heartedness of the agencies, we won't take admissions fee again.
39:16It's a great favor you're doing to us.
39:18But people want questions. 22 lakh people giving exam. And I'm sure majority of them are honest people who took
39:24candidates who took the exam. Now, what happens to their future? What happens to, you know, the next, there's no
39:29date for this exam. Some people might miss it. And just let me tell you, the poorest of the families,
39:34it's not about the admissions exam fee. It's about traveling to that place, staying in a hotel, you know, all
39:40those problems and the trauma that families go through.
39:43No one is speaking up. No one in the government has owned up responsibility and said, yes, we take moral
39:49responsibility for what happened. And here's what we'll do.
39:52Last year, it happened. This year, it happened. Year before that, it happened. It's become a, you know, it's a
39:56new normal, unfortunately. And I think there is a huge anger, not just in the opposition parties. Forget politics for
40:01a minute, Preeti.
40:01But all of India, young people, if you can't conduct a simple test, so much technology, so much resources, and
40:08yet there are greedy people in the system who obviously have the protection of the powers that be, that these
40:14things happen time and again, repeatedly.
40:16Mr. Pilot, are you asking for dismantling the NTA, the National Testing Agency, because also, Mr. Pilot, it's not just
40:24happened under the watch of this government.
40:25One can go back when your government was there in Rajasthan, there were similar paper leaks, if not, you know,
40:30at where NEET was concerned.
40:32But paper leaks have been a constant issue with the state of Rajasthan and other states as well.
40:41You know, various states have had problems. But this particular exam, you know, how come the J.E. paper never
40:47gets leaked? It's done online.
40:49We're not using technology. And ultimately, I don't think it can be some small brokers who are selling papers.
40:55Somebody powerful, whole syndicate is obviously operating. And, you know, all the exams that go on, which don't get exposed,
41:03how do we not know that those were also not leaked? And, you know, underqualified people were made doctors, etc.
41:09So, you really now are challenging, you know, the way forward. And I stand by my word, anybody, any party,
41:15any leader, any bureaucrat,
41:16no matter how important he or she is, if they are caught with evidence, strict action must be taken.
41:21We've been promised action for so many years. It's now, you know, beyond comprehension what the government is doing.
41:27And Rajasthan particularly, all those names you took, photographs are emerging with the education minister, posing with that gentleman who's
41:33stolen the papers.
41:34And no action, no response, no explanation. How long can this go on for?
41:40But, you know, just merely, Mr. Pilot, of taking a picture with the education minister doesn't indict the education minister.
41:45It happens with you so many times, with all politicians. You don't know who's taking a picture. They can take
41:49a picture.
41:53Okay, then someone must offer explanation. If a person is actually a BJP worker, identified, office bearer of the BJP,
42:01is standing with the powers that be of the education minister, and he gets caught, can I just ask you,
42:07if this were to happen in a congress government, would the media and you not ask questions to the minister?
42:11Would you not ask for his resignation or some accountability? Please don't say this, a photograph has come, so it
42:16means nothing.
42:16If it doesn't mean anything, then they should come and explain this. You can't defend the indefensible.
42:22You know, it's not circumstantial. It's not circumstantial, there's evidence.
42:25And if that minister has no relationship with that man, he should come and say it. Explain himself.
42:29But no one is talking. Not a single person in the government has come out and said a single word.
42:34It's been three days now. You're sending some bureaucrats to answer questions.
42:37What are they going to do? Ultimately, the control lies with the ministries and the government.
42:42Fair point, Mr. Pilot. Mr. Pilot, we're going to let you go, but allow me to ask you one quick
42:46question.
42:46What are your views on the Kerala chief minister? You were the observer in Kerala, senior at that.
42:51Tomorrow's the day when the name of the chief ministers are being announced.
42:54Do you have your money on whom, Mr. Pilot? KC Vennu Gopal or VD Satishan?
42:58We're doing a bit of a bet in the office.
43:03You take great joy and, you know, it's been eight days, nine days, seven days.
43:08There are many stakes involved. We have a thumping majority. People have voted for the UDF.
43:12There are allies, there are members of parliament, MLAs, all have to be taken on board.
43:16Unlike other parties, it's not dictated about so-and-so will do that job.
43:19There is a consultation. Everybody has to be on board.
43:22We want to give an effective and a performing government.
43:24And if it's taking a day or two extra just to make sure that everybody's on board, so be it.
43:28I think it's important to have the right choice and everyone must be given the adequate responsibilities.
43:34And we'll come up with the name. I think very soon the name will be announced.
43:37But rest assured, the government will function and deliver on all its promises.
43:42Do you have a front runner, sir?
43:44I know you didn't want to speak about this, but you have a front runner.
43:47Like I said, we're doing a bit of a...
43:49I know you just want me to take names, but I'm not going to do that.
43:54But we all know that there are many, many qualified people, all equally eligible for that position.
43:58But ultimately, it'll have to be decided by the party leadership and they're in the process of doing so.
44:03Well, fair point. You've won yourself an election. Congratulations.
44:05We'll wait for the name to be announced.
44:07Thank you, Mr. Pilot, for joining us this evening. Appreciate it.
44:10Thank you for taking the time out.
44:13All right. With that, I'm going to get into a quick break.
44:15To stay with us, news and updates continue on the other side.
44:20Also, the other big story of the day, the Prime Minister's message on austerity has seemingly begun at home.
44:26Visible action taken on ground.
44:27What you see on your television screen, the Prime Minister has cut down his own convoy size.
44:32The SPG convoy now significantly reduced, even as officials maintain there is no compromise on security protocol.
44:39There is also a push now to add more electric vehicles into this convoy.
44:43From an earlier fleet of 14 to 17 vehicles, the Prime Minister now visibly leaner to just two vehicles.
44:50With that, it's a wrap on To The Points. Stay tuned.
44:52We'll see you next time.
44:52We'll see you next time.
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