- 5 hours ago
Ahead of the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament, a political debate has emerged over the proposed delimitation and women's reservation bills.
Category
ЁЯЧЮ
NewsTranscript
00:00Hello and welcome, Vanakkam. You're joining us live here on India today. I'm Akshita Nandakopala,
00:05the special edition of Super 6. I'm coming to you live from Chennai. Yes, I brought the rain
00:11gods with me. It's a rainy day in Chennai here. Why am I here? What are we going to be
00:16discussing
00:16over the next one hour on the special broadcast? Next week, parliament kicks off and while all of
00:22the action is going to be the national capital, all eyes are also firmly on the big political
00:26updates, decisions being taken here in Chennai. Why exactly is that? Well, with the delimitation
00:33bill coming up in parliament, the big focus is on how the southern states will react because
00:38one of the big contentions has been that the southern states will lose out. Add to that
00:43the fact that there's endless suspense on which way the DMK will go. Will they back the India
00:47bloc? Will they back the NDA? Lot of buzz over that. We're going to the special broadcast
00:54break down all of that for you. The numbers, what they look like. What is this 50% formula
00:59that the BJP and the NDA is constantly pushing to say there will be fair representation? And
01:05which place do parties really stand in? Mission 360 for the NDA. Will they achieve it or not?
01:10And what about the southern states' role in that? I break down all of that for you in
01:14the special one hour broadcast. The rain's not going to stop us. We'll get you that special
01:19broadcast in just a bit. We start with the headlines.
01:27Prime Minister Modi rains fire on ARP while inaugurating developmental projects in Punjab.
01:32Accuses Maan government of lawlessness and drug menace. Also rakes up ex-ARP Neta Tahir
01:38Hussain's conviction in 2020 Delhi riots probe.
01:47Prime Minister Modi flags off first hydrogen train from Jintz station in Haryana. World's
01:53longest hydrogen powered train inaugurated. Prime Minister Modi hails hydrogen train as fuel
01:58and energy remains stuck at Ormose.
02:07Stage set for fiery monsoon session. Delimitation bill back in focus.
02:13NDAI special majority for key bills. DMK softens stand on delimitation.
02:18If the Congress tries to boot DMK and ARP, government confident of support for bill.
02:29female Delhi BLO on SIR duty harassed. Shocking harassment of boot level officer.
02:34Verbal abuse misogyny on display. Four people arrested.
02:45Nursery school assault shocker. Five-year-old assaulted by class monitor. Girl monitor assaults
02:53fellow classmates repeatedly. Parents allege negligence by school.
03:04No entry for airport at, for mosque at Kolkata airport sparks political war. Muslim Neta
03:12threatens protest. CM puts national security first. Government offers to relocate the mosque.
03:26You're joining us on the special broadcast on India today where we're giving you a sense of what
03:31really the delimitation fight looks like from the southern lens. Why is that important? Because
03:36the south has a lot at stake in this. Political parties are divided. Regional allies of the NDA also
03:42previously spoke up against delimitation. The NDA now speaks of a different quota in which they say
03:48that there will be equal representation for all states. Fair representation at least. Is this a
03:54formula that's acceptable for the southern states? Particularly I'm here in Chennai. In Tamil Nadu where
03:59there's been a big question mark over the DMK. Which way will the party go? So far they say they're
04:05undecided. Is that itself an indication of which way they're going to vote in parliament? Remember they
04:11have 22 MPs which is a big number that's up for grabs for both sides. Both sides maintain they're in
04:18talks and having a conversation with the DMK. So what's really playing out? What has the DMK said so far
04:24on the delimitation bill? Let's find out. Take a look at this special report first.
04:35April may have ended in disappointment for the NDA over the delimitation bill.
04:42But the government is now preparing to introduce the legislation in the upcoming monsoon session.
04:50With support from rebel MPs of the TMC and Shiv Sena UBT, the NDA's effective strength now stands at 319.
05:01Yet it remains 41 MPs short of the 360 mark required to pass a constitutional amendment bill.
05:09As the numbers game intensifies, the NDA is looking for support beyond its alliance.
05:17But there is one region that has remained the strongest voice against delimitation. The south.
05:25From Tamil Nadu to Kerala, southern states have consistently opposed to delimitation.
05:31Arguing that states which successfully controlled population growth should not lose political influence.
05:39Reports suggested that the NDA had reached out to the DMK for outside support on the bill.
05:45The DMK, however, dismissed those claims.
05:51Interestingly, the DMK has indicated that it will take an official stand only after the bill is introduced.
05:58Former Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin chaired an internal meeting on Thursday,
06:03where the party decided to wait for the bill's final provisions before announcing its position.
06:10There is no change in the stand of the DMK as far as the proposed delimitation
06:16is concerned that was brought out by BJP in the last parliamentary session.
06:20We will continue to oppose it vehemently.
06:23The development comes even as the DMK accuses its former ally Congress of political betrayal.
06:32However, Tamil Nadu chief minister C. Joseph Vijay has remained firmly opposed to delimitation.
06:55Unlike several southern parties that have strongly opposed to delimitation,
07:00the YSRCP is widely expected to back the bill.
07:04If they give 50% just seats on the overall hike in all the states, we may also support that
07:13bill.
07:16If political equations shift, even limited outside support from DMK could strengthen the NDA's number in parliament.
07:24But one question is already dominating the political debate.
07:29Will southern parties remain united against delimitation?
07:33Or will political equations outweigh regional solidarity?
07:38Bera Report, India Today.
07:46Okay, so we've given you a sense really of what the picture looks like currently and where the DMK stands,
07:51which is that we don't know what the DMK stand is.
07:54They remain very ambiguous saying, we've held a meeting, but we will take a call closer.
07:59Once the session kicks off, once we see what the bill looks like, is that hesitation then?
08:03Is the DMK kind of looking at a change in mind from what their stand was earlier?
08:07We'll get to that in just a bit, but I'll first break down for you the numbers.
08:11And by the numbers, I'm not just going to talk about Tamil Nadu.
08:14I'm talking about the South and why delimitation has been such a big talking point in the southern states.
08:20Look, previously, almost all political parties in the south said this is an unfair representation of our states in parliament
08:27if delimitation happens.
08:28Now the BJP speaks of a different formula, of a 50% formula.
08:33If that happens, what will the numbers look like?
08:36So we'll break that down for you of each southern state.
08:38Starting, of course, from Tamil Nadu, where I am, currently you've got 39 seats.
08:44That will go up based on the 50% proposed formula from 39 to 59.
08:49So do the math, that jumps up by 20 seats essentially.
08:53So Tamil Nadu gains 20 seats.
08:56If you look at the percentage, nothing really changes.
08:58It's exactly the previous percentage, the same representation.
09:01Now Karnataka are also exactly the same.
09:04From 28, it goes up to 42.
09:07So a gain there of 14 seats.
09:09What the BJP and the NDA constantly highlights here,
09:11is that the percentage of representation previously, that remains intact.
09:15Nothing changes there.
09:16So for Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, this is the gain.
09:1839 to 59 for Tamil Nadu.
09:20For Karnataka, 28 to 42, plus 14 seats.
09:23Let's come to Keralam now.
09:25Keralam currently has 20 seats.
09:28Again, if I put that 50% proposed formula,
09:31it's of course something that still has to be passed in parliament.
09:34But that 50% proposed formula means from 20, it goes up to 30, plus 10 seats.
09:40And that's also keeping in mind, of course,
09:42that Keralam currently has 20, so it goes up only to 30.
09:45You may look at it from other states, like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka,
09:48which has more representation, but this is how it's always been for Keralam.
09:52Andhra Pradesh from 25 will go up to 38, a gain of 13 seats.
09:57The TDP, an ally of the BJP, has backed this formula.
10:01They say that this is the best case scenario with what's happening,
10:04if there's delimitation for Andhra Pradesh, for the southern states.
10:07And so they have put their backing behind this 50% formula, saying it makes sense.
10:12In Telangana, again, from 17 seats, they'll gain 9 seats and go up to 26.
10:17So from 17 to 26 is what Telangana will gain as well, based on the 50% proposed formula.
10:24Overall, if you look at the picture, and if I were to just combine all of the southern parliamentary seats,
10:30from 129 it goes up to 195.
10:35Again, do the map there, it's a gain of 66 seats, essentially.
10:40Those are essentially what the numbers look like.
10:43The southern states will gain a certain number.
10:46The question, however, with the 50% formula, the reason that some political parties are still
10:51questioning it in the south is because they say, look at the difference.
10:56Yes, our numbers go up in the 50% formula, but so do the other states.
10:59And so states like Uttar Pradesh, they speak of particularly, states like Uttar Pradesh will
11:05have a greater advantage because the margin of seats between an Uttar Pradesh and let's say
11:09a Tamil Nadu increases.
11:11That is the grouse.
11:12And that's why several political parties still maintain that delimitation, even in this manner,
11:17even with a 50%, simply doesn't work.
11:21It'll be interesting to see what really plays out in parliament.
11:24And for that, the key question will be on the Dravidar Munetra Karagamam, where really the DMK
11:31stands in the scheme of things, whether they're back or not.
11:34Remember, they have 22 MPs.
11:36What the NDA is eyeing here at two thirds is in fact going right up.
11:40Can they reach 360 for that DMK is also a big factor?
11:44I'm going to break down those scenarios also for you in just a bit of how things could play out
11:49in parliament.
11:50How is the NDA looking at getting those numbers and can they actually do it?
11:55Will they be able to pull this off?
11:57That really is the question right now.
11:59But in Tamil Nadu, I can tell you that regional parties like the TVK doesn't have MPs, of course,
12:04but has taken a very clear stand on this issue with Chief Minister Vijay just last week making
12:08it very clear that the TVK opposes delimitation.
12:12And so they don't have MPs.
12:14But the question is whether a similar stand will be taken by the DMK, which right now is
12:20keeping rather mum on what exactly their stand is going to become next week in parliament.
12:27As we get you all of these updates and tell you really what the situation looks like,
12:32what the number game looks like, remember that while you're seeing this fight in Tamil Nadu,
12:36in the other southern states as well, there's a big question mark on YSRCP, which seems to be on board.
12:43The NDA has maintained that at this point, all parties except the Congress and SP are on their side.
12:50That is what they're saying.
12:52But let me open this up.
12:53I'm here in Chennai.
12:54So we'll talk about first the Tamil Nadu equation, the Tamil Nadu fight over delimitation.
12:59Joining me here, and I'm sorry I'm having to make you all stand in the rain.
13:02Didn't expect this in Chennai, but we've got Felix Gerald of the TVK.
13:06We've got Mr. Venkatej of the Congress, Mr. Sumansi Ravan, political analyst at SJ Surya,
13:12president of, state president of the BJP Youth Wing.
13:15When I come all of you, thank you so much for joining us.
13:17I will highlight here, the elephant in the room is that the DMK is not here,
13:21and there's a reason for that.
13:22They have said they will not be a part of any discussions on delimitation,
13:26and that by itself is very, very telling on really what their stand could be on delimitation.
13:31Mr. Sumansi Ravan, what do you think?
13:33Do you think that the DMK could actually back the NDO on the bill?
13:37I think there are some signs that that could happen.
13:40What we are hearing is that there have been backchannel talks, and apparently the DMK has
13:47been told that certain considerations that they have may be taken into account.
13:54Now, today the DMK is scouting for allies, so there's no doubt at all that whatever is
14:01politically expedient, that is really what will be done.
14:06Ideology beyond a point has to be mixed with pragmatism, and the DMK is very good at doing
14:13that because we've seen that way back in 1999, how they have a mixed ideology with pragmatism.
14:19The BJP was not a communal party for three years, it went back to being a communal party.
14:24Even after the Gujarat riots, it was not a communal party, but it became a communal party later.
14:28So we've seen all of this, Akshita.
14:30So I don't really think that, you know, we have to look at it from an ideological perspective.
14:35It's going to also depend on how vigorously the TVK is going to oppose it.
14:41Now, if the TVK, the DMK cannot be seen to be siding too strongly with the BJP.
14:47You know that, for obvious reasons, you know, because, you know, there's this whole bit of
14:52saying that you're going to tie up, you're going to be an alliance partner of the NDA is going to
14:55start. So that is going to be one factor. So if the TVK is going to be a cat on
15:01the wall kind of a
15:02thing, then I think a lot of parties from Tamil Nadu may not hesitate in backing the delimitation,
15:11assuming, assuming that certain cosmetic changes are made, something which was unthinkable three
15:17months ago. Three months ago, no political party in Tamil Nadu could have stood up and said we
15:23support delimitation. It would have been political suicide. Here we are three months after the election
15:28or two months after the election. And that seems now possible.
15:31What was considered to be the impossible, that the DMK could back a bill brought him by the BJP.
15:35Mr. Felix Gerald, what does the TVK stand? Opposing delimitation?
15:39Mr. Ideologically, we oppose. Our chief minister clearly said...
15:43Sir, why are you saying ideologically opposing?
15:46Mr. At this point in time, we cannot take part in the, you know, in the voting in parliament.
15:51So, in principle, we oppose the delimitation because it is a direct attack on the federalism.
16:02If 11 states come together, the Ganges Belt, 11 states come together, they can form the government.
16:08That is the irony of the current delimitation because, and all the states, the entire southern
16:14states put together, it doesn't mean anything to the delimitation according to the...
16:20Mr. If you look at the 50% formula, sir, and I'll give you the argument that the likes
16:24of TDP are saying, that in the current situation, this is the fairest representation
16:28you can ensure. That this is the fairest distribution.
16:31Mr. If you take the 50% formula also, all the, you know, Ganges Belt states...
16:37Mr. I like how you're saying Ganges Belt. This is a new terminology for the northern states.
16:42Mr. Hindi Belt, or Cow Belt. We can call it anywhere.
16:46Mr. Sir.
16:46Mr. Cow Belt or Ganges Belt or Hindi Belt.
16:48See, they will get almost, you know, 402 and they need another four or six to form the government.
16:56Okay, that's the, the Ganges Belt, the state alone can form the government.
17:01What is the point of having south? And our numbers will reduce drastically if you compare
17:06to the, those 11 states. See, we are at the, all the southern states, we are, we are having at
17:12129.
17:13It may go up to 195. That's it. But whereas, for them, it will go more than 406, 402, if
17:24I'm
17:24right. So that is the threat we have. So, yeah. And, you know, already a southern state, like
17:30Tamil Nadu, if we, if we pay 100 rupees to the central government tax pool, we get not even 20
17:37rupees to
17:3730 rupees back. No, but the percentage, you see, the percentage representation, sir, of the state.
17:43Okay. At the same time, at the same time, if those states, who were, you know, very busy producing
17:48population, they get 300 to 400 people per rupees. So you want, you want like a discount? No, no, no,
17:53it's not. We, as a state, we strictly followed, meticulously followed the, you know, family planning and
17:59it is... So you feel punished for it? It's a penalty for success. This is a constant argument,
18:04Mr. S.T. Surya. I think the problem with TVK is they don't understand the provisions of the
18:08constitution. They should first read article 82 and 172 to understand that the delimitation
18:14should happen at least at some point of time. In 1971, going by the population, out of 10 lakh population,
18:21you had one MP, which is 55 crores population. Today, we are around 140. That is, for 30 lakh people,
18:28we have one representative. So it is not feasible in a country like India. You need more representative.
18:34Secondly... 800 plus. 800 plus. So, but when TVK, my question to TVK is whether they do not want
18:41increase in the seats at all or do they have a... Are you against the process, Felix, sir?
18:45No, no, they don't have... There should be... There should be a... Excuse me, please,
18:48let me compete. First question is whether they do not want an increase at all. Second question,
18:53if they have problem with the formula and the increase of seats,
18:56they should be able to explain how it should be done. They don't have an answer. We have engaged
19:01in so many debates. If you go by the 2011 census, Tamil Nadu will get only 49 seats. But what
19:09the
19:09central government is offering is 50% proportional increase in the seats. So, Tamil Nadu will get 39
19:15to 59. And again, I disagree with this argument that Ganges Belt will get more seats. In 2019
19:21parliament elections, BJP won 0 seats in Tamil Nadu, 0 seats in Kerala, 0 seats in Andhra Pradesh,
19:28and 4 seats in Telangana. That is, put together 124 seats. They have won only 4 seats. But still
19:33they won majority 303 seats. So, it is not that in the existing scenario without seats in South,
19:39a party cannot win majority in the rest of the country. It has already proven. So, he should go by
19:45the
19:45calculation. Today from... That's if you won. Hmm? That is if you won. If you won, yeah. So, he is
19:50suggesting that even otherwise, it is not a fair level playing field. No, I will ask. Today, it is
19:55not a fair level field because the population distribution was like that in the 1950s and the
20:001970s. When you have proportionate distribution of the seats also to the extent of 50 percentage,
20:05I would like to ask him, Tamil Nadu, which is holding 7 percentage of the seats today,
20:10will retain the same 7 percentage of seats when it becomes 815 also.
20:15Yes, for new formula. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. The Uttar Pradesh, which is holding the same
20:17percentage of seats now, will retain the same percentage of seats in 815 also. It is also
20:23beneficial for TVK going electorally. When he says we are ideologically opposed to it, they are
20:29against the constitution because this is mandated by the constitution, not by the BJP. We get nothing
20:34out of it. And also, I would like to add one point. In 10 years of UPA and the Congress
20:39government,
20:40they did not have time to do any governance at all. They did not do the GST. They did not
20:45remove
20:46the 370. They had no time because they were either busy in managing the coalition or busy looting through
20:522G Colgate and other aspects. Today, we are doing things that are supposed to be done by any government,
20:58but they have problems with it because that is electorally not beneficial for them. But,
21:03we are pro-constitution. So, we will do things that are mandated by the constitution. You can call
21:09it with any names, but you cannot justify it and we will explain it to the people also.
21:12They are saying anyone who opposes is unconstitutional.
21:15Good evening, Akshida. Good evening, sir. I see no logic in Mr. Surya's statement. I want to quote
21:19a few things. One is, see, I agree that delimitation has to be done one day, no doubt. Mr. Vajpayee
21:26could have
21:26done that. He did not do it. He postponed it. But now here, the question is, we are not opposing
21:31ideologically.
21:32The point is, the South Indian states have been working on birth control aggressively. We have
21:37done birth control. The socio-economic condition of the South India has improved a lot. The human
21:43development index has been really good. If you look at the GST contribution, the revenue contribution
21:49to the centre, the South Indian states have been doing really good. The cost, the per capita income
21:54is really good. The infanticide rate or the mortality rate or feticide rate, everything we have worked on.
22:02You look at the health, you look at the education, the gross enrollment ratio or the literacy rate,
22:06we have all, we have contributed in everything diligently. All true, sir. But what is the solution here?
22:11The solution, yeah, solution. No, no, no. Let me finish Mr. Surya. Please allow me to talk.
22:16If you follow the 2011 census, which is unfair, even I agree to that, that is why we bring a
22:21formula
22:22of 50% proportional increase. You just argue with the fact why it would be unfair.
22:26No, because the Home Minister did raise it saying that, okay, this is what you want,
22:30this is what you get. We do not want to agree with 50%. 50% is not fair at all.
22:33The delimitation in the manner in which it is being done is absolutely unfair,
22:37because the absolute number is going to increase for all the states,
22:40but the proportion of the seats of South India is going to diminish.
22:46Now, the problem is... Please give the numbers.
22:48Definitely, yes. See, let's say, let me tell like a junior KG student, LKG student,
22:53you already have, you already have one rupee, I have 50 pi, right? I am going to get 50%
22:59increase,
23:00I'm going to get 25 pi, but you get 50 pi extra, 25 more than me. I am already 50
23:05pi,
23:06you're getting 25 pi more than me. Why? Not because, not basis the population, not supposed to do that,
23:11because this, the, the, the delimitation was postponed just because it cannot be done
23:15on the basis of population. So you mean to say, no, no, you mean to say that just,
23:20just because we have been working diligently to control the birth, you are punishing the South
23:24Indian States? Definitely not. This is not accepted at all. Yeah. I think, I think fundamentally,
23:28it's unfair. I mean, you cannot say that the center mandated the family... No, so do you hold off,
23:33sir, then on delimitation forever? Because what is the solution? I think you go through the census,
23:36that is unfair. Haven't you already postponed it for quite some time? So postpone it longer? Oh, no.
23:40Try to find a consensus. Look, it's already been suggested, like in the United States,
23:44where you have the House of Representatives, where states with the larger states have greater
23:49proportion. But the Senate, each state has one representative. Why don't you look something
23:54like that in the Rajasabha? Change up the whole set up there. Exactly, exactly. So that you say that,
23:58you know, you cannot merely by virtue of numbers, bulldoze your way through bills,
24:04change the structure of the Rajasabha. And this constitution says, constitution has been amended
24:09how many hundreds of times so far? So there is no reason why... That's what BGP and RSS want to
24:15do.
24:15They want to remove the constitution, replace it with manuskriti. That's what... See, demolish,
24:19demolish directly, bulldoze, finish it now. And there is a political interest too. There is a strong
24:24political interest because they are very, very popular in the belt, which I was mentioning,
24:31Hindu belt or Hindi belt or cow belt. And if BJP wanted to come to power, they can just concentrate
24:38the 11th state. Forget the eight union territories or other state. For them to come to the power,
24:44they can very well concentrate on those states. And they are all Hindi speaking state,
24:50very hardcore Hindutva states. With that, they can win. They can always be in power. That is also
24:56there. No, sir. But there was one particular question asked you, sir. So what is the TVK's
25:00formula then? What do you want? What will you be okay with? You want delimitation or you don't want
25:03delimitation? Each state has to be given equal opportunity. Because in number is matter. In democracy,
25:09the number which is matter. For any legislation or any bill, for any act, the number matters. So the
25:17number has to be equal for all the states. What is it? As he said, you look at the United
25:23States
25:23model. They are given, even if a small state, except I think Washington DC, there is no state
25:29without any representation. Each state has a number. So what about Rajasaba? What is happening in
25:35Rajasaba? Why they are not increasing in Rajasaba? It's a highway or the highway kind of a thing.
25:42We have decided 50 percent. Therefore, it will be 50 percent. I think, look, you need to have
25:46consensus built. Why not you call the leaders of all the political parties, sit down and try to
25:53arrive. See, I'm not talking, I'm not saying guaranteed that there will be a consensus.
25:57Because politically, there may be different opinions. But at least you try.
26:00No, this is the criticism that's constantly coming. Why haven't you attempted to reach out to other
26:06political powers? At least Congress Chief Minister,
26:09Revant Reddy, gave some formula, increase the seats based on the GSTP. I don't think that can be
26:16worked out. So even within the state, when you're going to increase the seats for the state assembly,
26:21again, the same arguments will come. You will say Chennai should have more seats.
26:24No, but that's why dialogue is important, sir. And so why hasn't the dialogue happened? Why hasn't
26:29there been an outreach process that's taken place? The outreach or dialogue is not possible
26:33with the current opposition at all. Because they want to oppose anything and everything that the PJP
26:38Are you talking to the DMK? We are not talking, but they are realizing.
26:42No, they are talking. See, I can give you examples of many DMK leaders who are openly writing,
26:49I can give you the names also. Asking the DMK high command, I'll tell ROK Edwin, he's a DMK leader
26:55from Langaneri. His wife is a corporation chairman. He writes saying DMK should support delimitation
27:01because electorally it will help DMK and it is also beneficial to Tamil Nadu. Not one in the three
27:07person has said how the representation is unfair to Tamil Nadu in terms of change in percentage of
27:15seats to any of the states. No, it remains the same. Fine. Then what is the problem at all?
27:19Okay. They don't have a solution. Let me address
27:21that question first, Mr. Surabhi. Seven percent is the representation we currently have. Seven
27:26percent is what it will remain. So technically then, sir, there is no change. No, no, we do not want
27:32seven percent. It has to be increased for South Indian states based on theтАж Sir, then I mean,
27:37you have to be fair that then every state will fight. You can't say only Tamil Nadu will increase.
27:42No, West Indian states are performing equally good as South Indian states. Then why do you ask
27:50Pundi for South India? My point is our President Mallika Arjuna
27:53Khargeji has been calling for an all party meeting. BJP is not ready to do that. My point is whether
27:58or not you are able to arrive at a consensus, but please call for a meeting and discuss by doing
28:04debate among theтАж Sir, that meeting could be dangerous for you because the DMK now is not part of the
28:08India block. No, that's okay. See, we are standing for people. We believe DMK will also stand for
28:13people. We don't want them to stand for India block. You have taken a stand of going with the
28:16TDK, but you are paying the price for that then now? No, no, listen to me. We are standing for
28:20the people. Let DMK stand for the people. If they want to cross-vote for BJP, that's not our problem.
28:24Sir, you need the numbers. We will continue to fight. No, we will continue to fight. People will know
28:28who is true. And now we are calling, we are demanding for an all party meeting. Whether or not we
28:33reach a
28:33consensus, they shouldтАж They should have dialogue. Listen to the, you know,
28:38oppositions also by merely debating among the, you know, the spokespersons and theтАж
28:43So, this is a valid point, Mr. Suriya, that there has been no conversation over them
28:46in the last few months. And one more thing. See, this delimitation process
28:49itself is not fair, but also they are doing horse trading. They have taken 20 MPs from TMC,
28:55NCPI, UBT, everywhere. And you cannot do by yourself. You cannot pass the bills by yourself. You need
29:03to, you know, you need to break, do horse trading to do that.
29:07Sir.
29:07If DMK is going to support this, it's a historical blender they are doing for the state. They may
29:13politicallyтАж Mr. Suriya, am I going to hear you defending the DMK for the first time?
29:17They may politically become very close to the BJP. They may get a cabinet minister post also, as Mr.
29:24Anitra Radhakishnan quoted. But it willтАж It is going to be a historical blender if theyтАж
29:31I agree for this. I am going to see it all. The Congress attacking DMK,
29:34and are you going to be defending the DMK, sir?
29:35As aтАж As a BJP person from South India, my worry is, if not this 50 percent
29:40proportional increase in the states, they might have to take the 2011 census formula,
29:45which is demanded by people like Akhile Shadav and Teja Sviadav, again,
29:48who are part of the UPR, India Alliance. Are you okay with that?
29:51If they go by the 2011 alliance formula, Tamil Nadu will lose 10 seats. So, I am okay with 59
29:57seats.
29:58Mr. Suriya would be okay with that, not the people of Tamil Nadu.
30:02See, their opposition is purely political. Like Felix says, it is true that BJP is strong in the central states.
30:08Congress is nowhere in those states.
30:10So, Congress' own problem is, they cannot win seats in the central states. So, they are opposing. It is not
30:15because it is anti-people. It is not because it is anti-constitution. Their own survival, they are opposing it.
30:21So, we find it meaningless to have any dialogue with themтАж
30:2453 percent of the MPs and MLAs in BJP are from Congress and other parties. He should remember that.
30:30No, but Mr. Subhansi Raman, it could be worse. Right? The 2011 census is the worst case scenario essentially for
30:37the southern states. So, this 50 percent formula, would you at least see it as middle ground?
30:40I don't really think so. Because essentially, it is for all practical purposes, in one way maintaining status quo, but
30:49it is not maintaining status quo because the absolute numbers are increasing disproportionately.
30:53Yeah, because the percentage is what the BJP highlights constantly.
30:55No, no, no. The point I am trying to make is, there are multiple options which can be considered. One
31:00is what I mentioned, which has been spoken of by many other experts too, of having a different kind of
31:06representation in the Rajya Sabah to make sure that bills cannot be bulldozed through.
31:09So, something like that could be thought out. I did a little exercise. I actually put these things into AI
31:17and I asked, can you give few solutions? And it gave three or four very interesting solutions.
31:23Practical solutions. Practical solutions. It gave it with a number. It said, okay, can you give a proportion for GDP
31:30of the states? Can youтАж There are a dozen ways of looking at it.
31:34The whole problem is, we want it this way. We have now tweaked enough MPs away from other parties to
31:42ensure that we can get our way. And we always have the agencies to take care of the YSRCP and
31:50the others.
31:50So, I mean, YSRCP, what choice do they have? How many CBI cases are pending? They haven't moved one inch.
31:57So, if the DMK backs the delimitation bill, you think it's an impact of agencies' pressure?
32:01No. I think it's an impact of the fact that the DMK is now sort of politically isolated.
32:06I know that their allies will, some of them, like the Communists or the VCK may walk back at any
32:12time,
32:13which is why that they are trying to make sure they can shore up the numbers quickly.
32:16But bottom line is, the DMK today feels isolated. It feels let down by, certainly let down by the Congress.
32:23It also feels slightly let down by the Communists and VCK, though they have not burnt their bridges yet with
32:28them.
32:28Now, the point is, what do they do? They can't contest elections alone. They can't be visibly part of the
32:34NDA.
32:35So, they have to do something to remain relevant. What's the use of having 22 MPs and another 10 Rajasaba
32:41MPs sitting in Delhi,
32:42if they are neither on this side nor on that side? So, that's the problem.
32:46They're choosing a side that could be dangerous for them. Final comments, Mr. Felix.
32:50See, another one more. First thing is, clubbing women reservation into this bill.
32:55That is another most dangerous, you know, move of BJP. As if...
33:00How would you propose to do it then? What is the TV case stand?
33:02Remove that reservation, women reservation. So, how do you bring it then?
33:07No, no. Move it as a separate bill. So, cut down.
33:10Tomorrow, everyone will accept it. So, you don't go to 800? Pardon?
33:13You don't go to 800 then? No, no. Women reservation, introduce that as a separate bill.
33:19Separate bill? Why are you clubbing with this? Yeah. That's very wrong, right?
33:23A lot of 800 MPs is daunting to say the least. But sir, Venkatesh sir, ultimately for the Congress,
33:30are you paying the price of an alliance in Tamil Nadu in Delhi?
33:3422 MPs, that support is crucial. Not at all. Not at all.
33:37DMK is a very old party. They know what they have to do and they will do it.
33:41And my point is, as I told you earlier, the all party meeting has to be called for
33:45and consensus has to be sought and look for alternative ways to implement this.
33:50And as Mr. Felix rightly said, the women reservation bill must be dealt separately
33:55and the delimitation should be done separately.
33:57Mr. S.J. Surya, will the numbers come on to your side?
34:00So, numbers will definitely come. I agree there can be some fallacies or negatives in this.
34:05But in a democracy like India with 140 crore people, this is the best available solution
34:15and that is why we are proposing to it. So, I think this is the fair share any state will
34:19get
34:19and people will see through whoever is opposing it because 30 lakh people per MP is a very high number.
34:26We want to reduce it so that there is increase in number of MPs and increase in representation.
34:30And mind you, increase in MPs, it's also increase in funds to the state because MPLAT funds increase
34:37and various other increases. So, the state should welcome a scissor.
34:40And ensuring your strongmen don't get removed because of a women's reservation.
34:44See, again, they have a problem. Why are you mixing with these things?
34:48See, obviously people have elected us to be in power, so it is our choice to do things in our
34:53state.
34:53If you don't agree it, no problem. We will see the numbers in the parliament.
34:56Actually, that's the problem. That's the problem. We will see the numbers.
34:59If people have elected us, we can do...
35:02People have elected us to do it, so we have to do it. Otherwise, we remain...
35:05No, I don't think...
35:06But that's consensus, sir. It's a democratic process.
35:09With this current Congress, there can be no consensus enabled.
35:12They are opposing 370 abrogation. The Constitution says clearly, it starts with the word temporary.
35:18Did they support the abrogation of 370? That should have been done by them. We have done it.
35:22When is statute going to be restored? Commitment made, commitment made.
35:26Chief Minister is asking for it. When is statute going to be restored?
35:29We will definitely give it down, police.
35:30Okay, okay. I'm going to wrap this up. Thank you, gentlemen, for joining me here on this special edition of
35:34Super 6 here in Chennai.
35:36We'll be carrying this forward, of course, in the coming days as well when Parliament kicks in and we'll know
35:40ultimately which way the DMK will go, whether they'll back the delimitation bill or not.
35:45But thank you very much for joining us. We'll just take you back to what the delimitation bill debate looked
35:50like in Parliament a couple of months ago.
35:52The BJP tried to ensure that the bill was passed. They simply did not have the numbers. They did not
35:58have the numbers they needed in Parliament to ensure its passage.
36:01Now, has that changed? There's been a couple of changes in the scenario. I'm talking about the mergers, the MPs
36:07switching over, Shinde getting more numbers.
36:10Then you have the rebel TMC faction. All of that has put a big question mark on whether the NDA
36:14can get the numbers this time or not. Here's a report.
36:37The scars of April are still fresh. For the first time in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure,
36:45a constitutional amendment bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha. The women's reservation bill was blocked after the opposition
36:54linked it to the expansion of the Lok Sabha and fresh delimitation of constituencies.
37:21Now, the Modi government has pulled up its sleeves again.
37:24Ahead of the 19-day Parliament session, it has convened an all-party meeting on July 19th.
37:31And sources say two politically significant bills are on the agenda.
37:37Delimitation bill and women's reservation bill.
37:41And that's where the numbers game begins.
37:44Back in April, one of the biggest political flashpoints was delimitation.
37:48The opposition alleged that southern states would lose representation.
37:54The government rejected those claims.
37:57Home Minister Amit Shah had then said that a major narrative is being built and a misconception is being spread.
38:04He asserted that representation of southern states will not go down.
38:09In Tamil Nadu, there are 49 cities.
38:14If we believe in the DMK, we are doing this 543 cities,
38:23then 13 cities will not go down.
38:26And 26 cities are open.
38:28If we believe in 2011,
38:34then the cities of Tamil Nadu will not go down.
38:40But we are not doing that.
38:42We are doing this 50% of the government.
38:46We are doing this 50% of the government.
38:56Under the government,
39:22Thank you very much.
39:29But is the opposition as united today as it was in April?
39:34Mamata Banerjee's TMC is fractured.
39:3720 MPs have already broken away.
39:40Uddhav Thakre's party has seen a split.
39:42Six MPs have left his side and have joined Shinde Shif Sena.
39:46In Tamil Nadu, the DMK is angered by perceived betrayal,
39:50does not even want to sit with the Congress.
39:54Sharit Bawa's party appears to have softened its stance compared to before.
39:59Supriya Soleil has stated that the party will clarify its position once the bill is introduced.
40:06We will consider, provide it, consider,
40:10Ingraji, I repeat, consider supporting if the 50% cap is to be discussed
40:20and the bill, how will it be implemented is still a question.
40:26Sharit Bawa's party stance is being interpreted by some as supportive of the BJP government,
40:31while the Congress views it as opposition.
40:34Ultimately, the battle will be decided by numbers.
40:38There are currently 540 members in the Lok Sabha.
40:42A constitutional amendment needs 360 votes.
40:45The NDA has 293 MPs.
40:47With the support of 20 MPs who broke away from the TMC
40:50and 6 MPs from the Shinde camp,
40:53the government's effective strength rises to 319.
40:57Modi government's next target is support from outside the NDA.
41:01If the government secures the backing of 22 DMK MPs,
41:05four VAYAS are CP MPs,
41:08eight MPs from the Sharit Bawa faction,
41:10its tally will rise to 353.
41:13However, it would still need about seven more votes.
41:16The expectation is that the additional support
41:19could also come from the JMM,
41:21VCK, MDMK,
41:23RLP and Independence.
41:26Sources say the government is confident
41:28that apart from the Congress and the Samajwadi Party,
41:31several other political parties could back the delimitation bill
41:35if it is introduced in Parliament.
41:39April delivered a rare defeat.
41:41This time, the government returns determined to change the outcome.
41:45Whether the BJP can accomplish Mission 360,
41:49only time will tell.
41:52With Piyush Mishra,
41:53Bureau Report, India Today.
41:59And Parliament kicks off.
42:01It will be interesting to see what really happens.
42:03You can trust us here on India Today
42:05to get you all the action from Delhi
42:07and from the states too,
42:09where the leadership of regional parties
42:10will take a call
42:12on whether to back the NDA on the delimitation bill or not.
42:15We will continue getting you all of those updates.
42:18For decades,
42:19ISRO has been the go-to place
42:21for some of the brightest minds of the country.
42:24It's here that many dream to working.
42:27Today, however,
42:28there's a crisis of sorts
42:30that's playing out
42:30of the Indian Space Research Organization.
42:33Hundred scientists have either chosen to resign
42:35or taken up voluntary retirement.
42:37It's an SOS of sorts.
42:39What's led to this?
42:41Well, a couple of factors,
42:42including brain drain and several others.
42:44But one that I'd like to highlight
42:46is the fact that you've got more opportunities,
42:48more players in the game.
42:50And that's what's leading to scientists
42:51now choosing also private ventures
42:53who are going with an ISRO.
42:55And I'm talking about so many of the big guns now,
42:58the private players,
42:59whether it's SpaceX,
43:00whether it's Blue Origin or others,
43:03they're now coming up
43:04and coming up big time
43:05with lucrative offers as well
43:07to some of the brightest minds
43:09that India has to offer.
43:11So while ISRO has been focusing really
43:14on reaching for the stars,
43:16you've seen them having
43:17a couple of setbacks with their PSLV.
43:19The Gaganyan mission is in progress right now.
43:22And so this is the most crucial time for ISRO,
43:24which means it's also the most crucial time for them
43:26to ensure that they retain their best minds,
43:29ensure that they retain their scientists
43:30and bring in more talent.
43:32It's definitely challenging
43:33considering that these private players
43:35are in the market.
43:36But let's hope that this doesn't really dent
43:38ISRO's future
43:40and the manner in which we've been progressing
43:42in the space sector.
Comments