- 2 days ago
The Monsoon Session of Parliament will begin next week, and the stage is set for another high-voltage political showdown.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Good evening, you're watching To The Point. I am Preeti Chaudhuri.
00:03The monsoon session all set to begin come Monday, the 20th of July.
00:08What to expect? Some would suggest that the government is looking to push through a bill that was defeated on
00:14the 17th April.
00:16Well, we'll tell you all about it, get you the latest coming in.
00:19But first up, allow me to take you through the headlines.
00:25Prime Minister Modi rains fire on Amadmi Party while inaugurating developmental projects in Punjab,
00:31accuses the Maan government of lawlessness and drug menace,
00:35rakes up ex-Aapneta Tahir Hussain's conviction in the 2020 Delhi riots.
00:46Stage set for fiery monsoon session.
00:50Delimitation bill back in focus.
00:53NDAI special majority for key bills.
00:55DMK softens stand on delimitation.
00:58Congress tries to woo DMK Amadmi Party.
01:00Government confident of support for bill.
01:08Female Delhi BLO and SIR duty harassed.
01:12Shocking harassment of booth-level officer.
01:14Verbal abuse, misogyny on display.
01:16Forcibly puts papers on women's lap, signs them for arrested.
01:27Nursery school assault shocker.
01:29Five-year-old assaulted by class monitor.
01:31Girl monitor assaults fellow classmate.
01:33Repeatedly parents allege negligence.
01:42Gujarat ATS busts massive Jaish terror network.
01:46Eight Jaish terrorists arrested.
01:47Terrorists plotted blasts in parts of Gujarat.
02:06It's the weekend before the monsoon session kicks in on Monday.
02:10The delimitation bill may be off the government's agenda.
02:14But it is already bang in the center of a political battle.
02:18We don't quite know because it hasn't been confirmed
02:19whether the government is going to table the bill again.
02:23But it can happen as well.
02:25Defence Minister Rajanath Singh chaired a key NDA strategy meeting today
02:29and sources have told India Today that the government is confident
02:32of securing two-third maturity needed to pass the bill
02:35if the bill is bought in again.
02:38Sources say the government believes it can count on the support
02:41of all major parties except the Congress and the Samajwadi Party.
02:45Here's the full report.
02:48The monsoon session of Parliament begins next week
02:52and the stage is set for another high-voltage political showdown.
02:56The government's official agenda does not include
02:59the contentious delimitation bill or the women's reservation bill.
03:03But in Delhi's power corridors, the political buzz is only getting louder.
03:08Because even off the agenda, the numbers game has already begun.
03:13The two bills were introduced together.
03:14But during Parliament's special session in April,
03:18the government fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass it.
03:23Today, however, the political arithmetic has changed
03:26with rebellions in TMC and shifts in IUBT.
03:30And so has the government's confidence.
03:33The political manoeuvring is already in full swing.
03:36A day after the Congress held its strategy meeting for the monsoon session,
03:41the NDA closed ranks.
03:42Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a key meeting
03:45attended by senior ministers and NDLIs,
03:48including the JDU and the TDP,
03:51to fine-tune the ruling alliance's flow strategy.
03:55Sources say that the government is confident
03:58delimitation bill will get passed if introduced.
04:01Sources believe apart from Congress and SP,
04:03several other political parties could back the bill.
04:06They also insist the numbers will not be a hurdle when the time comes.
04:12The NDA needs 360 MPs in the Lok Sabha to secure the required two-thirds majority.
04:19The current strength of the House is 540.
04:22The NDA has 293 MPs.
04:25It is banking on support from 20 NCPI members,
04:29six Shif Sena UBT rebels,
04:31four YSRCP MPs and one independent,
04:34taking its tally to 324.
04:37If the BJP manages the support of 22 DMK MPs
04:41and eight NCP Sharad Bavar faction MPs,
04:44the NDA tally rises to 354,
04:47just six short of the magic mark.
04:50Both the DMK and NCPSP have softened their stand since April,
04:55when they had strongly opposed the bill.
05:11Our stand in delimitation has never changed,
05:14because that is an ideological issue for us.
05:17Because DMK is an organisation,
05:19it's an outcome of an ideological commitment
05:22towards state autonomy and state rights.
05:25Delimitation, as proposed earlier,
05:28will alter the state autonomy,
05:31the political participation of Tamil Nadu
05:34in the decision-making
05:35and the electoral dynamics of the country.
05:38For now, the delimitation bill remains
05:41off the government's legislative agenda.
05:43But the political groundwork appears to be underway.
05:46The monsoon session may begin with listed business.
05:50Yet all eyes will remain on the one bill
05:52that isn't on the agenda,
05:54but refuses to leave the political spotlight.
05:58Bureau Report, India Today.
06:03All right, Raju Sabha MP, Dr. Syed Nasir Hussain,
06:06joins us live for more.
06:08Dr. Hussain, the Congress says
06:10they're going to vote against the bill,
06:12if at all the bill is brought up again
06:14after it was defeated on the 17th of April.
06:17But it's really not on the agenda.
06:19Do you believe that the government's going to bring it up?
06:26See, the entire politics that is happening in the country
06:32for the past two months
06:33where the TMC has been split
06:36and MPs from Shiv Sena have gone to BJP
06:43and then armed parties, MPs in Rajshava have gone to BJP.
06:50And all this host trading,
06:53all these crossovers from one party or two to other
06:56for the last two, three months
06:58is simply because they got defeated
07:01on the delimitation bill
07:02and that was a sort of an humiliation for the government
07:05and that was a sort of an humiliation
07:07to the person who thinks he's the Chanakya of this country.
07:10So it is,
07:13so all the preparations are underway
07:15to get that bill to table that bill again in the parliament.
07:18But we are sure,
07:20we are in touch with every party,
07:22every person who has voted against that bill last time.
07:26We are reaching out to everyone,
07:27we are in touch with everyone.
07:29I am sure we will again defeat that bill,
07:31if at all it comes in the parliament.
07:33But Dr. Hussain, let's do the math.
07:35Because yes, April 17th,
07:37the scenario in parliament was very, very different
07:39on what it looks like right now.
07:41If you look at, you know, the Lok Sabha,
07:44it doesn't look that you really have the numbers.
07:47The government might be standing at 240,
07:49but it clearly has the prerequisite two-third,
07:52which is 360,
07:54which is needed to,
07:55for two-third majority to pass the bill.
07:57And look at it,
07:59especially after the TMC,
08:00now in all probability,
08:02you'll have NCP,
08:04Sharad Pawar also voting in favour.
08:06You'll have UBT,
08:07Shiv Sena,
08:08which has practically said that if demands are met,
08:10which is 50% proportional increase,
08:13it will be moving towards
08:14siding with the government on the bill.
08:16The DMK at one in April
08:19was staunchly against it.
08:21This time they are saying that they will see.
08:23And if that bill is stable,
08:25then is where they will decide.
08:27YSRCP in all probability
08:28will go with the government.
08:30The TMC,
08:31the party that has split,
08:33the split faction,
08:34will go with the NDA.
08:36If all of this really happens,
08:38and if the three MPs of UBT,
08:40Shiv Sena,
08:41also, Dr. Hussain,
08:42go,
08:42and the independents,
08:44go with the NDA,
08:45that leaves the NDA
08:46just three short
08:47of two-third majority.
08:48And with abstinence,
08:49they can fairly reach it.
08:54As I mentioned,
08:57the government is desperate
08:59to push this bill
09:01in the parliament
09:02in the coming monsoon session.
09:04But you should remember
09:06that on April 17th,
09:08when this bill was defeated,
09:11NDA had 298.
09:14They need 363.
09:16So whatever numbers
09:17they were able to cobble up
09:19in the past one,
09:21one and a half months,
09:22that only puts them to 324.
09:25They need 363.
09:27They are still miles away.
09:29And we are in touch
09:30with everyone who voted,
09:31as I mentioned
09:33in my earlier intervention,
09:34that we are in touch
09:35with everyone.
09:36We are damn sure
09:37that we'll defeat this bill again.
09:39Last time,
09:39this was only the sixth government bill
09:41that was defeated
09:42on the floor of the House
09:43in the last 80 years.
09:45And this will be
09:46the seventh time
09:47that it will be defeated
09:48on the floor of the House.
09:49But Dr. Hussain,
09:49what brings you
09:50so much confidence?
09:51Because if you actually
09:52look at the numbers,
09:53it seems that you stand isolated.
09:55And possibly,
09:56as of now,
09:56the government's unsure
09:57of the Samajwadi party numbers.
09:59But 22 of the DMK
10:00and if you add the Shiv Sena,
10:03UBT faction...
10:04Yes, go ahead, sir.
10:04Make your point.
10:09See, you think
10:10that we are isolated.
10:11BJP had asked
10:13for a mandate
10:14for 400 plus.
10:15BJP got only 240.
10:18The mandate for BJP
10:19is only 240
10:20in this country.
10:21The government
10:22is on crutches.
10:24They were not able...
10:25It was their
10:28adamancy
10:29and arrogance
10:30to bring the ball
10:31without proper consultations
10:33and discussions
10:33with the opposition party.
10:35We have been telling
10:36they should meet,
10:37bring...
10:38Meet, call a meeting
10:39of the opposition parties
10:41try to bring a consensus
10:42on every bill
10:43which they are not doing.
10:46Look at the bills
10:49that have been sent
10:50to legislative scrutiny
10:51in the last 12 years.
10:53You will...
10:53And look at how many times
10:55it was sent
10:55in Manmohan Singh Jaisira
10:57and earlier governments.
10:58Irrespective of
10:59which government
11:00it was there,
11:00whether Congress
11:01or non-Congress government,
11:02how many bills
11:03were sent for...
11:04Percent of bills
11:05were sent
11:06for legislative scrutiny.
11:07So, without scrutiny,
11:10bulldozing,
11:11imposing
11:12their thought process,
11:14their bills
11:15on the country
11:17is something
11:17which the opposition
11:19is not happy about.
11:20We wanted everything
11:22to be discussed,
11:23threat-bear,
11:24and a consensus
11:24to be arrived on.
11:25That the BJP
11:27and the government
11:28is not doing.
11:28And they are only
11:29trying to break parties,
11:31split parties,
11:32threaten black men,
11:34use central agencies
11:38to threaten the MPs
11:40to cross over
11:41to their party
11:42or form an another party.
11:44This is what the game is.
11:45This is what the game is.
11:46We are not isolated.
11:48The BJP is isolated.
11:50But Dr. Hussain,
11:51sir, you say...
11:51Dr. Hussain,
11:52you say you are not isolated.
11:54Just let me finish.
11:55Make your point.
11:56Make your point.
11:57Let me finish.
11:58Let me finish.
11:59And let me finish.
12:00Because they were isolated.
12:02That's the reason
12:02the party that was
12:03asking for 4,400 plus
12:06got only 240 seats.
12:08So it is...
12:09They are manufacturing a mandate.
12:11They are stealing a mandate.
12:12They are trying to arrive
12:14at the required numbers
12:16through back door.
12:17That is what the government
12:18is doing.
12:18We are not isolated.
12:20Dr. Hussain,
12:21you are well within your rights
12:22to call it a manufactured mandate.
12:24Mark, mark, mark...
12:26You are well within your rights, sir,
12:28to call it a manufactured...
12:29It's a manufactured candidate.
12:30What will you call this?
12:32No, but...
12:32Dr. Hussain, hear me out.
12:33The fact is,
12:33you can say it's a manufactured mandate,
12:35but nobody coerced.
12:36The fact is,
12:37you have MPs of the TMC
12:40that have walked out
12:41of the TMC's fold
12:42and are now going to support
12:43the NDA of their own volition.
12:45You have NCP Sharad Pawar
12:47who has come out and said,
12:48if there is a proportional
12:4950% increase on all states,
12:52then in all probability,
12:54the party will go
12:55with the bill and the NDA.
12:57You will have similar overtures
13:00coming in from the Shiv Sena UBT.
13:02So how is it a manufactured mandate?
13:05These parties,
13:06which sided with you
13:06on the April 17th,
13:08on grounds that they were
13:09not happy with the bill,
13:10now with certain changes,
13:12which then on April 17th,
13:13if you remember,
13:14because you have the Home Minister
13:15stand and say,
13:16you give me an hour
13:17and I will give you
13:18that 50% proportional increase
13:20for each state.
13:21If that is factored in,
13:22these parties are not going
13:23to vote with you
13:24and that's what the reality is, sir.
13:29See, you can propagate
13:32whatever you want to do.
13:34You are free to do,
13:35you are in the media,
13:36you can do whatever
13:36propagation you want to do.
13:38But the fact remains,
13:39UBT Shiv Sena as a party
13:41has not switched over.
13:44TMC as a party
13:45has not gone to BJP
13:46or gone to NDA.
13:48Some MPs have been threatened,
13:50blackmailed, warned,
13:52files opened against them,
13:54and they have been forced
13:55to cross over
13:56or forced to go out of the party.
13:58This is what I am trying
13:59to tell you.
14:00That is one.
14:00Two, Supriya Suleji
14:02made it very clear
14:03day before yesterday
14:04that they are part
14:06of India Alliance,
14:06they will remain with,
14:07come what may,
14:08they will remain
14:08with the opposition,
14:09they will vote with the opposition
14:10and they will defeat the bill.
14:12She has clarified it
14:13after all the hangar mind,
14:15confusion you people
14:16created in the media.
14:17Two, DMK yesterday
14:19has made it very clear,
14:20their leader is not in India,
14:23he is in London,
14:23they had a Zoom meeting
14:24and they had very clear,
14:26they made it very clear,
14:27they will stand
14:27with the opposition,
14:28they will defeat this bill,
14:29they defeated the bill last time,
14:30they defeat this bill
14:31this time also.
14:32So, let the Home Minister
14:34and the Vardyajanta Party
14:38believe that they are going to win
14:39and let them bring the bill
14:41and you will see,
14:42and mark my words,
14:43you will see again
14:44that the bill will be defeated
14:45on the floor of the house.
14:46Well, if it is,
14:47you know, tabled at all,
14:49but one final question,
14:50Dr. Hussain,
14:50before I let you go,
14:51you speak of the DMK
14:52and that the DMK will decide
14:54and they haven't quite
14:54made up their mind
14:55because April 17th,
14:57the DMK strongly stood by you.
14:59In hindsight,
15:00Dr. Hussain,
15:01do you think
15:02aligning with the TVK
15:03and letting go of the DMK,
15:05especially in moments like this,
15:07was, you know,
15:09cut your nose
15:10to spite your face
15:11because ultimately
15:11you could have had the support
15:13of the 22 MPs
15:14going forward
15:15and now
15:15there's a big question mark
15:16on that?
15:20See,
15:21I would not like
15:22to dwell into that
15:25decision of going
15:27with Vijay Talapati,
15:29TVK
15:29and why it happened,
15:31where it happened.
15:32This is not the time
15:33to dwell into that,
15:34but the fact remains
15:35that DMK
15:37signed
15:38along with the other
15:39opposition parties
15:40when we wrote
15:41against SIR
15:42and the entire process
15:43and hijacking
15:44of the democracy
15:46and disrupting
15:47the democratic process.
15:48When we wrote
15:49to the CGI
15:49of this country,
15:50DMK signed with us
15:51and yesterday
15:52DMK made it very clear
15:54that they will vote
15:55against the bill.
15:56So, you people
15:57in the media
15:58and the government
16:01can keep
16:05saying whatever you want,
16:07keep making lots of news
16:10about this whole thing.
16:11The same thing
16:12was that about
16:12Supriya Suleji's comment
16:13and now about DMK.
16:15But now it is very clear
16:17it is there
16:17in public domain.
16:19Both of the parties
16:20have made it very clear
16:21that they are voting
16:21against this bill.
16:23They may well,
16:24the GDP may well
16:25try to get another
16:26two, four, five
16:27MPs on their side.
16:28You can get angry
16:29at the likes of us
16:30and take your anger
16:31out in the media.
16:32Yeah, make your point.
16:33No, no, no,
16:36it's fact, man.
16:37See,
16:37so they may well
16:38try to get another
16:39two, four, five MPs
16:41to switch over
16:42to their side
16:43before the bill
16:44is placed in the parliament.
16:45But I am dead sure
16:46the numbers are there
16:47on the table.
16:48This bill will be defeated.
16:49Thank you so much, ma'am.
16:50Well, thank you, Dr. Hussain,
16:52for taking the time out
16:52and joining us this evening.
16:54I'm joined right now
16:55by Ms. Aparajita Sarangi,
16:56Member of Parliament,
16:57Lok Sabha Bharat-e Janata Party.
16:59Thank you, Ms. Sarangi,
17:00for taking the time out
17:01and joining us.
17:02We are poised to enter
17:03a very, very stormy
17:04monsoon session.
17:06Larger question,
17:08Aparajita Sarangi ji,
17:09is what is being speculated?
17:11Of course,
17:11it's not on the agenda
17:13right now,
17:13but it can happen
17:15that the bill
17:16that was defeated
17:17on the 17th of April
17:19will be bought back,
17:20which is delimitation.
17:21And the opposition says
17:24that this is an attempt
17:25of a humiliated NDA
17:27who lost out on 17th April
17:31and a bill was defeated
17:32to now,
17:33in the last month and a half,
17:35try and avenge,
17:36you know,
17:38revenge per se
17:39and break parties
17:41so that you can
17:41cobble up the numbers
17:42in a manufactured majority.
17:45Larger question,
17:46shouldn't there be
17:46any consultation
17:47with opposition parties
17:50when such a massive bill
17:52is being bought in?
17:55A very good evening.
17:57We are aware of the fact
17:59that the monsoon session
18:00of 2026
18:02would be commencing
18:03on 20th of July
18:05and would continue
18:06up till 13th of August.
18:08And we are really
18:10looking forward to
18:11a very constructive
18:14time
18:14with all the
18:15honourable members
18:16of parliament,
18:17our colleagues
18:18belonging to different
18:19political parties.
18:21And let me tell you
18:22that all the members
18:24of parliament
18:24from different parts
18:25of the country
18:26do come to the parliament
18:28with a sense of hope,
18:30with a lot of optimism
18:31and with the desire
18:32and with the desire
18:32to put forth
18:33their problems
18:34in the Lok Sabha
18:35or in the Rajya Sabha
18:36so that the interests
18:38of their respective
18:39constituencies
18:40and respective states
18:41are taken care of.
18:43So that is the basic purpose.
18:45And number one,
18:46you know,
18:46development and service
18:48are the main agenda items
18:50of Prime Minister Modi's government.
18:51So we are very keen
18:53that all the bills
18:54that are supposed
18:55to oil the system,
18:56that are supposed
18:57to actually,
18:58you know,
18:58ensure development,
18:59speed up the development process,
19:02ensure that proper services
19:04being extended to people
19:05are debated upon
19:07and are passed
19:08with as many members
19:10participating as possible
19:12in both the Lok Sabha
19:13and the Rajya Sabha.
19:14So that's the main intention.
19:15Now, if you ask me
19:16as a member of parliament
19:17of the Lok Sabha,
19:19I would just say
19:20that I'm really looking forward
19:21to this particular session.
19:23One,
19:23and number two,
19:24whatever bills
19:25the government
19:26would be bringing,
19:28I should be
19:29participating in
19:30and I'm sure
19:31my colleagues
19:32also must be thinking
19:33the same.
19:34It is felt
19:35or rather it has been
19:37written here and there,
19:39you are aware
19:39and I am aware
19:40that about
19:41seven numbers
19:43of bills
19:43are likely
19:44to be tabled
19:45and I just hope
19:47that there are deliberations.
19:48But let me tell you
19:50pretty very candidly,
19:51very cogently,
19:52very clearly
19:53that the business
19:55advisory committee
19:56is the topmost body
20:00which actually decides
20:01two things.
20:01One,
20:02the business
20:03to be taken up
20:04in both the houses
20:05of the parliament
20:05and number two,
20:07what time should be
20:08allotted to which
20:09political party.
20:10So I think
20:11business advisory committee
20:12will take the right decision.
20:14I think
20:15on 19th,
20:16if I'm not wrong,
20:1719th of July,
20:20one day prior
20:20to the commencement
20:21of the session
20:22on 20th of July,
20:24there would be
20:25an all-party meeting.
20:26In fact,
20:27this has been
20:27convened
20:28by the government.
20:30Government
20:31wants
20:31a smooth
20:35transaction
20:35of business
20:36in both the
20:36Lok Sabha
20:37and the Rajya Sabha.
20:38So I think
20:38the government
20:39will definitely
20:39try to solicit
20:40the support of all
20:41and it is a combined
20:42responsibility
20:43of all of us
20:44to ensure
20:44that the business
20:47transaction
20:48takes place
20:48very smoothly
20:49and all of us
20:51work together
20:51in a very,
20:53I would say,
20:54in a very
20:54friendly manner
20:56so that
20:57the productivity
20:58rate is very high.
20:59Unfortunately,
21:00here I must mention
21:01that
21:042025,
21:06the monsoon
21:07session
21:07was disastrous.
21:0866%
21:10of the time
21:10allotted
21:11to this
21:12particular
21:13session
21:14had been
21:14actually
21:15disrupted
21:16by the
21:16opposition.
21:17I just
21:18keep my
21:19fingers crossed
21:19that this
21:20should not
21:20happen this
21:20time.
21:22On 21st
21:23of this
21:23month,
21:24we are having
21:24the National
21:24Democratic
21:25Alliance
21:26meeting.
21:27Our party,
21:28Bharati Janata
21:28Party,
21:29has convened
21:29a meeting.
21:30All of us
21:31will be meeting,
21:32all the NDA
21:32partners will be
21:33meeting,
21:33so that is
21:34one thing
21:34that we have
21:35been intimated
21:35about.
21:36Sarangi,
21:37if you thought
21:39that the
21:39monsoon session
21:40in 2025
21:41was abysmal,
21:42every parliamentary
21:43session after
21:44that has been
21:45one notch
21:46worse than
21:47the monsoon
21:47session in 2025.
21:48But focusing
21:49on this session,
21:50now why does
21:51the opposition
21:52feel that
21:53there has been
21:53an attempt
21:54to avenge
21:55the defeat
21:56of this bill
21:56on April 17th
21:58and therefore
21:59your party
21:59in the last
22:01month and a half
22:02doing whatever
22:02it takes
22:03to break
22:04other parties
22:05and we have
22:05seen that
22:06happen with
22:06the TMC,
22:07with NCP,
22:08Sharad Pawar
22:09and the
22:10Uddhav Sena.
22:11Now they have
22:12done it of
22:12their own
22:12volition.
22:13The Congress
22:14and the
22:14opposition
22:15alleges that
22:15you now
22:16are only
22:17trying to
22:18make sure
22:19that even
22:19though you
22:19stand at
22:20240,
22:20you cobble
22:21up that
22:21two-third
22:22majority
22:22in any
22:24which way
22:25and which
22:25requires
22:26360
22:28because you
22:29have got
22:29this lot
22:30which will
22:31take you
22:31even if
22:32the Uddhav
22:32Sena votes
22:33with you
22:33three short
22:34and if you
22:35have the
22:35independence
22:36with you
22:36three short
22:37of that
22:38total
22:39two-third
22:39majority
22:40and then
22:41there will
22:41be absentees
22:42which the
22:43opposition
22:43says you
22:44will make
22:45sure
22:45through
22:45coercion
22:46in an
22:47atmosphere
22:47like this
22:48do you
22:48not think
22:48there's too
22:49much
22:49trust deficit
22:50there should
22:50be a
22:50larger
22:51consultation
22:51if we're
22:52actually
22:52looking
22:52at changing
22:54the map
22:54of this
22:54country
22:55political
22:55map
22:56of this
22:56country
22:56forever
23:01see
23:02the
23:02last
23:03time
23:03also
23:04some
23:04of
23:04them
23:04said
23:05but you
23:06know
23:06they
23:07have
23:07to
23:07come
23:07with
23:08some
23:08kind
23:08of
23:08logic
23:09some
23:09kind
23:09of
23:09argument
23:10which
23:10they
23:10did
23:11not
23:12creating
23:13noise
23:13is not
23:14the
23:14solution
23:15coming
23:16up with
23:16logical
23:17arguments
23:17is the
23:18answer
23:18so they
23:19should
23:19come
23:20with
23:20logical
23:21answer
23:21see
23:22unless
23:22and
23:23until
23:23we
23:24know
23:24which
23:24particular
23:25constituency
23:26will be
23:27reserved
23:27for
23:28women
23:28we
23:28cannot
23:28go
23:29ahead
23:29with
23:29it
23:29so it's
23:30extremely
23:30important
23:31to know
23:31which
23:31particular
23:32constituency
23:32has to
23:33be
23:33reserved
23:33what will
23:34be the
23:34process
23:35of
23:35reservation
23:35census
23:36is
23:36required
23:37delimitation
23:38process
23:39has to
23:39be
23:39followed
23:40so now
23:41that
23:41our
23:42government
23:42is very
23:43keen
23:43that
23:43our
23:44women
23:44must
23:44get
23:45their
23:45due
23:45which
23:46has
23:46been
23:47long
23:48pending
23:48in
23:49the
23:50year
23:502029
23:51I think
23:51we don't
23:52have much
23:52time to
23:52lose
23:53so it
23:53has been
23:54soliciting
23:54the support
23:55of all
23:55political
23:55parties
23:56census
23:57and
23:57delimitation
23:57these two
23:59things
23:59and the
24:00government
24:00of ours
24:01had come
24:01with some
24:01kind of
24:02solution
24:02so I
24:03think
24:03with a
24:03very
24:04broad
24:04heart
24:04for the
24:05women
24:05of the
24:05country
24:06with a
24:07larger
24:07interest
24:07of the
24:08nation
24:08I think
24:09all
24:09people
24:10all
24:10political
24:10parties
24:11must
24:11come
24:11forward
24:12this is
24:12what I
24:13hope
24:13as a
24:13woman
24:14parliamentarian
24:15in the
24:15Lok Sabha
24:16but
24:16Ms.
24:17Sarangi
24:17you speak
24:18of
24:18the
24:19women
24:19reservation
24:19bill
24:20which
24:20has
24:20already
24:20passed
24:21the
24:21opposition
24:21says
24:22why
24:22link
24:23it
24:23with
24:23delimitation
24:24because
24:24you're
24:24speaking
24:24of it
24:25therefore
24:25I'm
24:25bringing
24:26that
24:26in
24:26they say
24:26that
24:27bring in
24:27women
24:27reservation
24:28on what
24:29the current
24:30strength of
24:30the Lok Sabha
24:31is and
24:32we are
24:32with you
24:33why link
24:33it with
24:34delimitation
24:34because they
24:35fear and
24:36that's where
24:36the trust
24:36deficit of
24:37what I was
24:37speaking of
24:38that you
24:39are trying
24:39to use
24:40women
24:41reservation
24:41as a
24:42charade
24:42to pass
24:43through the
24:44delimitation
24:45bill if at
24:45all it's
24:46tabled and
24:47through that
24:47delimitation
24:48bill
24:48opposition
24:49fears
24:49there will
24:50be
24:50gerrymandering
24:50of
24:51constituencies
24:51and
24:52you know
24:53the way
24:53you will
24:53do it
24:54is not
24:55going to
24:56be a
24:56fair or
24:57pro-democracy
24:58this is what
24:59the opposition
24:59stand is
25:04yes
25:05so let me
25:06tell you
25:07Preeti
25:07the government
25:08of Prime
25:09Minister Modi
25:10had gone
25:11into
25:12a lot
25:13of
25:14I would
25:14say
25:15homework
25:15before they
25:16came to
25:16the Lok
25:17Sabha
25:17Honourable
25:18Home
25:18Minister
25:18has been
25:19heard at
25:19length
25:19by all
25:20of us
25:20and the
25:21government
25:21had come
25:22with a
25:22certain
25:22kind of
25:23formula
25:23we need
25:24to
25:25understand
25:25that
25:26Nari
25:26Shakti
25:26Vandan
25:27Adhiniyam
25:27cannot be
25:28implemented
25:29on the
25:29ground
25:30unless and
25:31until we
25:31have
25:32census
25:32and
25:32delimitation
25:33so for
25:34that matter
25:34to save
25:35time
25:35because we
25:36want to
25:36implement
25:36it in
25:37the year
25:372029
25:38it's very
25:39important to
25:40have some
25:40kind of
25:41formula
25:41the formula
25:42was late
25:42before the
25:43Lok
25:43Sabha
25:43and then
25:44these people
25:45did not
25:45agree to
25:46now in
25:47the interest
25:48of
25:48the
25:49women of
25:50the country
25:51in fact the
25:52government has
25:53reached out to
25:54everybody has
25:54been reaching out
25:55to all political
25:56parties with a lot
25:57of hope and a lot
25:58of optimism that
26:00all will come
26:00forward and all
26:02will understand the
26:02formula having been
26:04placed in the Lok
26:05Sabha and in the
26:05Rajya Sabha by the
26:07government this formula
26:08has to be accepted by
26:09all because census and
26:11delimitation if we go by
26:12the process we finish the
26:14whole thing then I think
26:15we will have to miss the
26:16bus we will not be able to
26:18implement it in 2029 so I
26:20think I am very
26:23hopeful as a woman
26:24parliamentarian and I
26:26just pray that the
26:28opposition parties do
26:30stand by women this
26:31time and keeping
26:33everything aside all
26:34politics aside all of
26:36them come together and
26:37they decide that the
26:38formula given but the
26:39government is right they
26:40can give suggestions the
26:43government of Prime
26:44Minister Modi is open to
26:45all kinds of suggestions
26:46from the from all the
26:48political parties see it is
26:50a it is a cause of
26:51national interest so I
26:52think everybody's coming
26:55together is very much
26:56essential so I think the
26:58government of Prime
26:59Minister Modi has been
27:00trying to do that so I am
27:01very hopeful again I will
27:03say as a woman
27:03parliamentarian that things
27:06will be optimistic this
27:09time they will understand
27:10the formula and they will
27:11agree to accept the
27:14formula they should not make
27:16noise they should come up
27:17with logical arguments
27:18that's very important see
27:20all right okay that's it
27:22Parajita Sarangi thank you
27:23for taking the time out and
27:24joining me we really hope
27:25that this one's a fruitful
27:26parliament session and not a
27:28washout like the last
27:29monsoon session in 2025 thank
27:31you for joining us I want to
27:32quickly cut across to our
27:33rather guests Sanjay Jha
27:34political analyst Rajot Sethi
27:35political analyst Sumad C.
27:37Raman political analyst
27:38three political analysts join us
27:40if at all the bill the
27:42delimitation bill is bought back
27:43right now it is not on the
27:45agenda is what the government
27:46says but the government is
27:49known to throw up surprises
27:50Rajot Sethi let's begin with
27:51you
27:55so I think it's interesting to
27:57note that currently it is not
27:59in the agenda we have spent
28:01past at least two three weeks
28:03deliberating on various pros and
28:05cons of this very specific bill
28:07and doing more calculus than
28:09perhaps the government is doing
28:11which is interesting though hard
28:13to believe I'm sure that
28:15government would be looking at
28:17you know see they would
28:19continue to monitor the
28:20situation and see that if the
28:22numbers are swinging in their
28:24favor or not and once that
28:26convincing bit is done and only
28:28then they will risk doing it
28:29again otherwise I mean look at
28:31this from a government's
28:32perspective also they do not
28:33want you know what has
28:36happened in the previous session
28:37or the special session that was
28:38called out to be repeated so
28:40government is tiptoeing on this
28:42and trying to be careful looking
28:44at the numbers possibly doing
28:46some back-channel deliberations
28:47and sharing that these are the
28:49abroad contours around which we
28:50want to go ahead and once they
28:52have a firm sort of confidence
28:55that yes it can sail through is
28:57when they will put it out in the
28:59business you know fair point and
29:01Sanjay Jha that's what it's
29:02seemingly you know suggesting right
29:04now and how things have panned out
29:06even though last month and a half
29:08has been very fruitful for the NDA
29:10government in terms of support and
29:12how they've cobbled up the numbers
29:13from 240 and to where they stand
29:15now but they are close and it
29:16doesn't seem that they are close
29:18enough because there is still a
29:19question mark on certain political
29:21outfits and will if there will be
29:25the absence and what happens in terms
29:28of the independence will the TMC
29:30rebels vote on mass what happens to
29:33the DMK will the government then
29:35maybe mull going back and facing a
29:39possible another defeat because they
29:41will only now bring the bill back in
29:43parliament like Rajat said if they are
29:45hundred percent sure that they have
29:47two-third majority
29:49well Preeti there are two points that
29:51are very relevant in your discussion
29:53point number one and we need to
29:55mention this your viewers need to
29:57know this that the BJP has no
30:00respect for constitutional morality
30:02go back Preeti to that farce that was
30:06played on April 17th in parliament
30:09can you imagine in India's entire
30:12parliamentary of political history a
30:14government brings sensitive laws for
30:17discussion women's reservation bill
30:20you're a woman yourself but very
30:21distinguished successful editor and
30:25delimitation which has serious
30:27repercussions for a federal structure
30:29knowing fully well and this is the
30:31important point Preeti knowing fully
30:34well that the bills would not be
30:36passed because they did not have the
30:38numbers so the first question that we
30:40need to ask and is very critical why
30:43did India have to see a farce being
30:46played out the theater of the absurd
30:48with critical legislative laws which
30:52were made into political instruments
30:54because the assembly elections around
30:56the corner and the opposition had to be
30:58told it to the world at large that they
31:00were anti women I think my in my
31:03opinion this is a vulgar government that
31:06will stoop to the lowest level to try and
31:09score a point now let me answer the second
31:11point why is this government as you rightly
31:14pointed out breaking political parties it is
31:18breaking TMC NCP Samajwadi party is
31:22trying to operationalize Operation Lotus and
31:25Operation washing machine why if the
31:28delimitation bill is such a significant bill
31:31that needs a discussion that needs a
31:34parliamentary intervention that frankly
31:36speaking has stakeholders all over the
31:38country why is the government indulging in
31:41this slight by hand bulldozing to try and
31:44pass this bill in Parliament this is a
31:46fundamental motive question why is the
31:49government in such a desperate hurry to
31:52try and pass a bill by breaking parties what is
31:55this modus operandi what is this main goal
31:57but Sanjay Jha some would suggest that you
31:59know that's the nature of politics and some
32:02of these parties it's also you know a
32:04documentary on these political outfits as
32:07well that they haven't been able to hold
32:09themselves together it didn't really take
32:11much coercion for TMC to fall as a pack of
32:15cards as it did but we'll come back to that and I
32:17think that's and but you do have a valid
32:19point I want to cut across to Sumansi Raman and
32:21bring him in Sumansi Raman this is a point where
32:23all eyes are on the DMK and it's 22 MPs there's
32:27clearly been a softening of stand of what
32:29their stand was on April 17th very vociferous
32:32one would suggest against delimitation they are
32:35in a catch 22 here where do you think they'll
32:38go if you had asked me this question three
32:42months ago before the elections I would have
32:44said there is absolutely not even a 1% chance
32:48of the DMK supporting the delimitation exercise
32:51in whether it is 50% or whatever percentage format
32:54that the BJP NDA government would have brought and
32:58two months is a long time in politics and how things
33:00have changed today we are actually talking of you know
33:05back-channel talks that are going on with the DMK you know MPs to sort of with the DMK leadership
33:11to sort of see how a common ground could be met what we are hearing is that you know there
33:17have been discussions of you know with the home minister
33:21in terms of what kind of concessions could be made which will enable the DMK to sort of you know
33:28at least you know support the bill in some form or the other now there the point is also that
33:35there is the TVK's line the TVK doesn't have members of parliament that's that's why they're not going to have
33:40any any kind of vote but the political stance that they take in Tamil Nadu will also decide or determine
33:48how strongly or how weakly the DMK is going to have any kind of vote but the political stance that
33:50they take in Tamil Nadu will also decide or determine how strongly or how weakly
33:50DMK can be seen to be aligned with the NDA on this exercise so that is really the key and
33:56the TVK is playing its cards very close to its chest it says we are opposed to delimitation in its
34:00present form is it opposed to a different formula would it be willing to discuss different formula we don't know
34:08that yet so the point is as of now 50% formula is not acceptable to the TVK
34:15now what additional sops can the centre sort of dole out or the NDA dole out to pacify the DMK
34:22to make them support that is something that we need to wait and see but I agree entirely with Sanjay
34:27I mean if they can push it through if they have the numbers they will bring it in I wouldn't
34:32be surprised to see this bill being introduced on the last day of the present session maybe at 3 o
34:37'clock in the afternoon and then at 4 o'clock it is sort of passed
34:40but Rajat's correct Sumansi Raman they will only do it when they are 120% sure that this time around
34:48they will not be defeated and that would mean the DMK going with them and if that really happens Rajat
34:54I want to bring you back into this conversation that changes the politics of the south then because then it's
34:59not a TDP that practically stands isolated or one of the south parties that would have been targeted or was
35:05targeted on the April 17th of siding with the government
35:08then you'll have somebody like the DMK YSRCP in any case would have voted with the NDA
35:15see I also you know want to build upon that TVK is a minority government and they are in government
35:22because of the congress support
35:23how much of you know policy elbow room do they have on this specific topic I'm not too sure
35:30and this is where I mean we saw all the drama around horse trading that happened in that state
35:37TVK and Vijay would still be jittery to go against the congress party
35:41maybe with a 50% that's the best sort of a scenario that the southern states can actually expect
35:48wherein the moot question of greater representation of per member of parliament the population that is represented in the parliament
35:55also goes up
35:56and whereas the mix also stays intact that's the best of the world but will it have the political
36:02wherewithal to actually come out that needs to be seen but I don't see this becoming an emotional question
36:08even for the southern states because it is fair I don't know what alternative does the congress party
36:14have because you cannot be scurting this issue you know this congress attitude and this is Sanjay Jhaji
36:20is actually representative of congress attitude so far primarily because you know if issues are difficult
36:26let's just linger it on let's just push it out in the future who needs to put in and waste
36:30political capital
36:31on such such frivolous issues you know okay if one member of parliament has to represent
36:36but Rajat it's already it's already it's already striking and emotive
36:42I'll give you an example yesterday we had the democratic newsroom on you know on India today
36:47and there is a strong sense by people where they seem to suggest that listen why should we be penalized
36:51for a low fertility rate
36:53you know factor that in
36:54no but who's penalized come on this is bizarre Preeti Ji
36:56there is a sense Rajat all I'm saying is there is a sense and maybe a larger consultation needs to
37:02take place
37:03when you are practically changing India's political map for good
37:08why should the northern states not come out and protest
37:10I mean see don't try to go north and south here
37:14penalize that for having a low fertility rate is what they are saying factor it in
37:17that should also be a part of your formula is what most of them are saying
37:20come on Preeti Ji I just I fail to understand don't fall into the opposition's trap here
37:24this is not an opposition's trap Rajat no come on you know everything cannot be painted as an agenda
37:28okay stay with me allow me to bring in Sanjay Jha and Sumansi Raman
37:32let me finish my point when I'm saying when the ratio remains the same
37:35let me speak now please
37:36when the ratio remains the same who is getting penalized in that exercise
37:39okay all right Sanjay Jha come on
37:41yeah yeah let me tell you Preeti to the viewers
37:45especially if you live in the southern part of India
37:48pay notice to what the BJP believes
37:52BJP believes delimitation protests being done by the south
37:55is a frivolous issue pay attention to that because that tells you the political attitude
38:00of this government there are two points very relevant Preeti
38:04the Modi government is trying the stunt and I call it a stunt
38:09of 50 percent increase proportional for all
38:13because it's a sleight of hand
38:15it is actually chickenery because it increases the numerical numbers
38:20anyway of those states that have a larger number of seats
38:24so the south would be disadvantaged point number one point number two
38:28and it is not very hard to understand
38:31the DMK
38:32the DMK in its
38:34I hope anybody from the DMK watching this program
38:37if they were to sign up for the delimitation bill
38:41in whatever cosmetic concessions are given by the Modi government
38:46they will be committing political suicide
38:49and will face extinction in Tamil Nadu
38:52we have seen what happens to political parties that align with the BJP
38:57like Anna DMK in Tamil Nadu
38:59okay
38:59Sanjay Jha can I just bring in
39:01just stay with me
39:02I want to bring in Sumansi Raman
39:03who's been trying to get a word in
39:04go ahead Mr. Raman
39:05yeah
39:06look there is nothing
39:07you know that
39:09that prevents the DMK
39:10coming up with all kinds of bizarre justifications
39:12they have done it at various
39:13you remember
39:14the BJP
39:15BJP was not a communal party
39:17between 1999 and 2002
39:19even after the Gujarat riots
39:20they were not a communal party for the DMK
39:22and then they became a communal party once they hitched their bandwagon with the Congress
39:26so I think the DMK is not really worried about all that
39:29and I don't believe it would be political suicide
39:31though it would have been some time ago
39:33the point is very clear
39:36this government is not willing to talk
39:39look, put various formula on the table
39:41some people have suggested having the US model
39:44where you have the Rajasova
39:45where you know one state has one vote kind of a representation
39:48that's equivalent to the US Senate
39:50something similar to that
39:51a fixed number
39:52where you cannot just bulldoze bills
39:55just because you've got a group majority in the Lok Sabha
39:58whatever
39:58talk
40:00build consensus
40:01and then we'll see what happens
40:02but this kind of my way or the highway
40:04I've said it's 50%
40:06that said it's uniform 50%
40:07so too bad
40:08if you don't like it
40:10we will cobble up the numbers
40:11through hook or by crook
40:13mostly by crook
40:13I think that that is not something that
40:16you know
40:17will go well
40:18yeah
40:18alright okay
40:19Rajat you wanted to come in
40:20go ahead 30 seconds Rajat
40:22make your point
40:22see again
40:23till
40:24over the past 10 minutes
40:26that we have heard both Sanjay Shahji
40:27and Raman sir also
40:29it is not a single
40:30rational point
40:32wherein if proportionately
40:34all the seats go up
40:36such that
40:37lesser number of people
40:38are represented
40:40per member of parliament
40:41in the Lok Sabha
40:42I don't see any justification
40:45which has come out
40:4650% was something
40:48that the congress said
40:49put it in the bill
40:49and we will only support it
40:51now I don't know
40:52what la la land
40:52each one of them
40:53and now see
40:54what Jairam Ramesh
40:55is very interesting
40:56no matter what you do
40:57in this bill
40:59we will oppose it
41:00we will oppose it
41:01for the heck of it
41:02we just because
41:03we are an opposition party
41:04we will oppose anything
41:05that you do
41:05is this a constructive approach
41:06you tell me
41:07what policy suggestion
41:09what alternate policy
41:10other than let us delay
41:11this indefinitely
41:11what concrete policy step
41:13has congress proposed
41:14on this very subject
41:15not nothing
41:16nada
41:17and this is where
41:18they want to lead the country
41:19this is the vacuum
41:21that they want to present
41:21before the people
41:23now you cannot wish away
41:24that oh
41:25something would be jittery
41:26in the south
41:26let's create an emotional drama
41:28over southern Indian states
41:29is DMK not a stakeholder
41:31sometime back
41:32they were the principal stakeholders
41:33of Tamil Nadu
41:34if they are coming out
41:35and supporting it
41:36what is your problem
41:36if the government wants to
41:37okay 30 seconds Sanjay
41:39and then I am going to go into a break
41:40is there any point
41:41in engaging with congress party
41:42Preeti
41:43let us
41:44Sanjay ji
41:45let us be very
41:46let us be very unambiguous
41:49and explicit here
41:50the main purpose
41:52behind the hurry
41:53and the breaking
41:54of the parties
41:55through operation lotus
41:56is very straight forward
41:58BJP believes
42:00if the numbers
42:00numerically
42:01in Lok Sabha
42:02whenever it happens
42:04will be higher
42:05after the
42:06D.M. limitation bill
42:07in the cow belt
42:08they believe
42:09their presence
42:10and their whole propaganda
42:11their whole
42:12Hindutva
42:13will work in their favor
42:14it is as simple as that
42:16it's not very complicated
42:17that is the political
42:18business model
42:19of this government
42:20which is why
42:21they raised a lot of drama
42:23in April
42:23and now through
42:24breaking of parties
42:25they are trying to
42:26railroad it
42:27through parliament again
42:28the congress is right
42:29in opposing it
42:30and I hope
42:30the entire opposition
42:32that's all the time
42:34that I have for now
42:34and supports it
42:35I thank both of you
42:36for joining us
42:37appreciate it
42:38while there is a protest
42:39going on in Jantar Mantar
42:40with Sonam Vangchuk
42:41the images coming in
42:42from Madhya Pradesh
42:43Chhatharpur
42:44are impossible to ignore
42:46from lying on
42:47symbolic funeral pyres
42:48to standing waist-deep
42:50in waters
42:51and now wearing
42:52nooses
42:53around their necks
42:54tribal families
42:55have intensified
42:56their protest
42:57against the
42:57Ken Betwa
42:58River Link Project
42:59here is the full report
43:11they are not asking
43:13for charity
43:14they are fighting
43:16for the right
43:16to exist
43:17in Madhya Pradesh's
43:19Chhatharpur
43:20tribal families
43:21have turned their pain
43:22into protest
43:23it began with
43:25Chita Satyagraha
43:26villages lay on
43:27symbolic funeral pyres
43:28saying they had
43:29already died
43:30they lost their homes
43:31farms and forests
43:37then came
43:38Mitti Satyagraha
43:39men and women
43:40covered themselves
43:41in soil
43:41seeing the land
43:43was not just
43:43property
43:44but identity
43:48the agitation
43:49then moved
43:50to Jal Satyagraha
43:51villagers stood
43:52for hours
43:53in the waters
43:53of the Barna River
43:54refusing to
43:56refusing to
43:56back down
43:56and now
43:58the protest
43:59has reached
43:59its most haunting
44:00stage
44:01fancy Satyagraha
44:03tribal women
44:04stand with
44:05symbolic nooses
44:06around their necks
44:07saying if
44:08rehabilitation
44:08is impossible
44:10they would rather
44:11die with dignity
44:14the anger
44:15is directed
44:16at the
44:1644,605 crore
44:19rupees
44:19Cane-Betwa river linking project
44:22the project promises
44:24to irrigate
44:2410.62 lakh hectares
44:26provide drinking water
44:28to 62 lakh people
44:30generate 130 megawatt of electricity
44:33by transferring water
44:35from the Cane Basin
44:36to the Betwa Basin
44:37but for thousands living in its path
44:40it also means losing homes
44:42farms
44:43and forests
44:44they have depended on
44:45for generations
44:46the agitation
44:48is being
44:48spearheaded
44:49by Jai Kisan
44:50organization leader
44:51Amit Bhatnagar
44:52his indefinite hunger strike
44:54has become
44:55the rallying point
44:56of the movement
45:22the protesters say
45:23they are not against development
45:25they are demanding
45:26transparent
45:27rehabilitation
45:28fair compensation
45:29and assurances
45:31that displaced families
45:32will not be abandoned
45:33at the heart of this movement
45:36are the women
45:37from funeral pyres
45:39to river waters
45:39and now symbolic nooses
45:41tribal women
45:42have become
45:43the face
45:44of the protest
45:44and now
45:56the
45:57people
45:59will be
46:01oppressed
46:02but
46:18The protest has now drawn political attention.
46:22Leader of Opposition, Umang Singhar, visited the site and met the protesting tribal farmers.
46:28The Keen Betwa project is being projected as an engineering milestone.
46:32But on the ground, another story is unfolding.
46:35A story that asks whether development can be called progress
46:39if it uproots those who have lived on this land for generations.
46:44For thousands of tribal families in Chhattarpur, this is no longer just a protest.
46:49It is a fight for survival.
46:52Bureau Report, India Today.
46:57As this protest rages on, India Today would be tracking the developments very closely there.
47:02With that, shifting focus to the national capital, tourism.
47:05Isn't just about holidays anymore.
47:07It's increasingly being seen as a powerful engine of economic growth.
47:10That was the central message at the two-day Federation of Associations
47:14in the Indian Tourism and Hospitality Conclave 2026, Delhi.
47:19Where policymakers, industry leaders and global tourism bodies came together to chart India's tourism map.
47:26The conclave, themed Incredible India, Invaluable Economics, saw participation
47:31from the World Travel and Tourism Council and delegates from across the travel and hospitality sector.
47:38Industry leaders argued that tourism's actual contribution to India's economy is far greater
47:43than the official reported 6.7 percent of GDP, as much of its impact remains outside the formal sector.
47:51Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described tourism as a driver of jobs, investment and inclusive growth.
47:58With a renewed focus on infrastructure, connectivity, sustainable tourism,
48:02the message from the conclave was clear.
48:05India wants to position itself as a leading global tourism destination
48:09while using the sector to fuel economic growth and employment.
48:15But Delhi can a lot of people use as a transit hub.
48:20But Delhi is a wonderful destination in itself.
48:23So, there is a monument in Delhi, there is a jungle safari, there is a river in Delhi,
48:28there is a good food in Delhi, there is a good culture in Delhi.
48:31If you go to Delhi, you can also get a wonderful presentation of the people of Delhi.
48:36There is also a monument in Delhi, there is also a national value of your monuments in Delhi.
48:42So, such Delhi, which is the kingdom of the country,
48:45I think that we all have the idea of that we all have the idea of
48:51that we all have the kingdom of Delhi as a tourist hub as a tourist hub as a tourist hub
48:56as a tourist hub as a tourist hub.
48:59Everything.
Comments