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Rahul Gandhi challenges PM Modi to debate; Amit Shah counters with SIR challenge
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00:02Hello and welcome you watching India First. I'm Gaurav Savan. The battle over the foreign hand in
00:09Indian elections has escalated with both the Congress and the BJP alleging that the other
00:15seeks foreign helps on domestic issues. Rahul Gandhi is leader of opposition in India. He's
00:22put out a message on social media platform X, a message that was put out yesterday and reiterated
00:27his charge today alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had received foreign help not
00:33only to come to power but also remain in power and retain power. Rahul Gandhi has claimed foreign
00:39media and market forces support the Prime Minister. The BJP has hit back. They've come out all guns
00:45blazing. Some leaders going to the extent of calling the leader of opposition words to the effect a
00:51con artist. And some saying Congress was established by a foreigner and is almost headed by a foreigner
00:59or words to that effect now. So this battle is now downright personal and bitter. Rahul Gandhi today
01:07said it's been 24 hours since he challenged the Prime Minister. He's ready to debate on any stage,
01:14any platform, any venue. He claimed the Prime Minister could even choose the judge, even suggested
01:21that the judge could be the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Sarsangchalak Mohan Bhagwat. Rahul Gandhi says he
01:28wants to discuss the India-US deal, India's financial system. He wants to discuss the Adani case or the
01:36Epstein files. He dared the Prime Minister to file a defamation case against him on the alleged
01:44foreign links. If these links are false, then there should be a defamation case against Rahul Gandhi.
01:51Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he launched a sharp counter-attack on Rahul Gandhi. He's challenged Rahul
01:57Gandhi to a debate on the special intensive revision of the electoral rolls on the floor of the House.
02:02He in fact mocked Rahul Gandhi's mock parliament saying Sonia Gandhi could perhaps derive some satisfaction
02:09that Rahul Gandhi could have been elected Prime Minister in this mock parliament since it would
02:14never happen in the real parliament. Amit Shah said the Narendra Modi government is ready to discuss
02:20every issue including the special intensive revision of the electoral rolls and even convene a special
02:26session of parliament should the opposition so desire. He challenged Rahul Gandhi to at least permit
02:32the parliament to function saying the people must see who's speaking the truth. The BJP has turned this
02:38foreign links charge back on Rahul Gandhi. The BJP has raised allegations of alleged dual citizenship.
02:46It's questioned the right to lecture the Prime Minister on foreign links, bringing up Sonia Gandhi's
02:54citizenship, the delay in her taking Indian citizenship, a voting record, accused Rahul Gandhi of repeatedly
03:00traveling abroad and backing anti-India elements. The BJP also targeted the ideological voices being amplified
03:08by the opposition. For example, a BJP spokesperson shared an undated video of ISA leader Neha Bora,
03:16platformed by Rahul Gandhi extensively, highlighting her remarks on Brahmanwad, temples and safety of women.
03:24In this video that's been shared by BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, Neha Bora is heard saying words to the effect
03:32that Pujari's rape women in temples and that women need protection from Brahmanwad.
03:37And the BJP asks, is this the Congress point of view? The Ministry of External Affairs in a separate case
03:45has actually flagged a digitally
03:47manipulated video shared by senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, which misrepresented India-US ties. The episode raises serious concerns over deep
03:58fakes,
03:58distorting an already charged political debate. So this disinformation battle has added another dimension
04:05to that massive political war raging in India. The BJP is now questioning the Congress Party's association
04:12with ISA leaders like Neha Bora and leaders like Prashant Bhushan or senior advocates like Prashant Bhushan
04:19accusing the Congress of targeting India's constitutional institutions and culture through a coordinated
04:27campaign campaign to degrade India. The BJP says Neha Bora is being projected as the Congress Party's poster girl
04:36claiming her views actually echo Rahul Gandhi's messaging. The BJP's sharpest charge, the Congress is advancing
04:43the agenda of foreign powers in India. Rahul Gandhi wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to answer
04:50for his alleged foreign links. The BJP wants Rahul Gandhi to answer on his alleged foreign links and
04:58associations. But if foreign interference is such a serious issue in India, will there be an investigation
05:08and prosecution in courts of law? Or are these mere political allegations that may have surfaced in the
05:17past decades when somebody was being accused of being a CIA agent or somebody was being accused of
05:23being a KGB agent? That happened decades ago. Is this foreign hand 2.0 now taking center stage in
05:31India's political landscape? We'll debate that. But first, we get you the heated war of words.
05:37Yes.
05:3924 hours ago, I have given you a challenge. You say that opposition is a country of a country. At
05:51any
05:52stage. You go to the place. Debate with me. Who is the country? Who is the connection of the
06:06government? Who is the country? You say that. You'll be afraid of it. Who is the media? Who will
06:15be. When did the time? From the country? The table is the one side. You'll be. And I'll be.
06:22The table will be. One side. You will sit. One side. I will. If you jerky, who
06:23wants to be. If you want to make judge, put it up. Come on. And then wait. We'll debate.
06:28I want to say, Rahul Ji, Narendra Modi is prepared for every issue on each issue.
06:40We are prepared for every issue.
06:42We are prepared for the special session.
06:47We are prepared for every issue.
06:50We are prepared for the issue.
06:53We are prepared for that...
06:58We are prepared for this.
07:00That's what we are prepared for this.
07:20I can say that I want to be aware of the rules that I want to be aware of the
07:26rules that I do not see you in these words.
07:28I also believe that regardless of which Congress is the power of Rahul Gandhi Ji,
07:34in the coming time, Congress will not be able to support the Congress completely.
07:39It will also be able to support Rahul Gandhi Ji.
07:45It will also be necessary to support Rahul Gandhi Ji.
07:48it's the only one who says that the poor, poor, poor, poor, and the poor are the most important
07:56which is the only one who is the most important thing that the Brahmarn Mahilayan is unsafe,
08:00their rape is a rape, the rape is in the temples, that they are as instances in the
08:04state of the state, in the state of the state.
08:06In 2019, people had the entire security forces on all of the government's security forces
08:13because they thought that they would be happy about the vote bank.
08:18Rahul has not done the ram mandir. And now Neha Bura is praying for Hindus to say communal
08:26and pray for Hindu mandir. So, in 2019, Rahul Gandhi will not come back. Neha Bura, Congress
08:34and the entire ecosystem has exposed their anti-constitution, anti-democracy, anti-Hindu
08:40mindset through this statement. And this further tells you why the people of India, whether
08:45it is through ballot or EVM, keep them out of power.
08:51So, this foreign hand battle has resurfaced in the Indian political debates once again.
08:56But does the leader of opposition have evidence to back his claims of Prime Minister being
09:01in harness because of foreign help or words to that effect? And does the BJP have evidence
09:05to claim Rahul Gandhi also has a foreign passport or dual citizenship or words to that effect?
09:11And then questioning Sonia Gandhi on alleged delay in taking Indian citizenship?
09:14Where is this very bitter battle headed and why? Joining me on India first is Sanju Verma,
09:21National Spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janta Party. Adil Singh Boparai is National Spokesperson
09:25of the Congress Party. Also with me on this special debate, Karan Verma, author and political
09:30analyst and Aarti Jairat, senior journalist. Welcome. Adil Singh Boparai, for the leader of
09:37opposition to claim the Prime Minister is in harness because of political or because of foreign
09:42help and that our financial system is controlled or supported by foreigners or what's to that effect?
09:48Sir, a very serious charge. Is it backed by evidence that can stand scrutiny in a court of law?
10:03Go ahead, sir. Mr. Gandhi is a very courageous leader. He's put out an open challenge to the Prime Minister.
10:15And I think if the BJP has the courage or has the conscience to face those questions, I think the
10:24Prime Minister should readily agree.
10:25His propagandists tell us that the Prime Minister is very confident. So, therefore, the proof of the pudding lies in
10:32the etic. Mr. Gandhi does not make allegations out of thin air. Of course, the finer details are moaned to
10:39him and which will be revealed at an appropriate stage.
10:42But even for purposes of our discussion for people like you and I in public life, there are clearly circumstances
10:50which indicate that the government is compromised under foreign pressure. And I can give you one specific instance.
10:58The American government came out with a slew of punitive tariffs against India. President Trump repeatedly claimed that he was
11:08instrumental in calling for a so-called ceasefire and that he told us to stop. Despite that, you had the
11:14government of India being completely quiet. Was it? Now, this is the pertinent question. Was it because of the Adani
11:20case?
11:21Now, see how the Americans perhaps are operating? First, they institute a case against Mr. Adani. Then, once there is
11:29the U.S. deal, they themselves file a motion for withdrawal of that case.
11:32So, is there some kind of quid pro quo? That's the million-dollar question.
11:37Fair enough. Sanjay Verma, respond to the charge leveled by the Congress. And for the BJP to allege that leader
11:47of opposition goes abroad, meets people who work against the interests of the country, again, a very serious charge to
11:54level.
11:55Is there evidence that he's meeting anti-national people? Are these just political allegations that are being made?
12:01Or, again, that question that I put to the Congress, is there evidence that will stand scrutiny in a court
12:07of law?
12:09You know, Sir Gaurav, Rahul Gandhi apparently does not speak in thin air, is what the Congress spokesperson said.
12:15I say Rahul Gandhi actually walks on thin ice and speaks in thin air and is a vacuous person with
12:24zero credibility.
12:25Let me come to the brass tacks of this entire issue. The fact of the matter is that Rahul Gandhi
12:31picked on a trashy report by a firm called Hindenburg Research.
12:37And he said, I remember for two, three years, repeatedly, State Bank of India is going bankrupt. LIC is going
12:44bankrupt.
12:44Imagine trying to say that India's largest life insurance company and one of India's biggest public sector banks will go
12:50bankrupt.
12:51I was on a zillion debates trying to explain to people that, no, what Rahul Gandhi is saying is simply
12:57a whole lot of balderdash, typical of his shoot and scoot style.
13:01And I'm so glad and vindicated today, Gaurav, because last year, SBI reported the highest ever profit in post-independent
13:09India at 80,000 crore plus.
13:12LIC reported a profit of 57,000 crore plus, the highest ever since it came into existence.
13:19But let's move beyond Rahul Gandhi's attempts to vilify our financial system, which has simply not come to fruition.
13:27Thank God for that.
13:29The limited point is this.
13:31Who was part of Sonia Gandhi's National Advisory Council?
13:36A man called Harsh Mangan.
13:37Who accompanied Rahul Gandhi on his Bharat Jodho Yatra?
13:41A man called Salil Shetty, who's basically the trustee of Open Society Foundation, which is a hundred percent subsidiary belonging
13:49to George Soros and his business interests.
13:52And my final point, one minute.
13:54Do you remember that at the height of the Rafal controversy, Rahul Gandhi said,
14:00He picked this up from a portal called Forbidden Stories, which is also funded by George Soros.
14:07The deal has reached here.
14:09The Supreme Court had to intervene and tell Rahul Gandhi.
14:12Fair enough.
14:12Adil Singh Goparai wants to respond.
14:14I'll, I'll, I'll, I'll.
14:16Okay.
14:16Let's not, let's not get consumed by BJP rhetoric.
14:20There is only one way to settle this debate.
14:23Right?
14:24Ms. Verma can make an allegation.
14:26I can make a counter allegation.
14:27But I think what is most important today is that the country must know what the truth is.
14:33What is this QPQ?
14:34What is this quid pro quo between Mr. Modi and the Americans to bail out Adani?
14:39And the only way to settle this debate is for Mr. Modi.
14:43Mr. Rahul Gandhi has put out a challenge.
14:45Mr. Modi must take up the challenge and let the country know, let the world know who's compromised and who's
14:51not.
14:51If the BJP has material, surely they'll present that material.
14:55So why is the BJP shining away?
14:58Why is the Modi shining away?
14:59This is how you determine, this is how you determine, determine what the truth is.
15:04Otherwise, otherwise there's no point in a tutu manner.
15:08Okay.
15:0930 second intervention before I bring in Aarti, Jairat, and Karan.
15:1230 second intervention.
15:14Go ahead, ma'am.
15:15There's no point shouting here.
15:17Mr. Modi, give up the courage.
15:19It's not your turn.
15:20Gaurav, please moderate the debate.
15:22I did not interject this uncouth man.
15:24Yes.
15:24Okay.
15:25No personal babs, but quickly respond.
15:27Yes, Sanju Verma.
15:28Yeah, don't engage in verbal diarrhea.
15:31Now, let me come to this.
15:33After the horrific Ghopal gas tragedy in 1984,
15:37where Union Carbide was actually indicted,
15:42who gave Warren Anderson a free pass out of India?
15:46It was a man called Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi's father.
15:50And after the Bofor scan, who kept money coddling,
15:56Coattrochi, or Coattrochi, whatever he's called.
15:59It is the Gandhi dispensation.
16:01And my final point, Sonia Gandhi married in 1968.
16:05She took Indian citizenship in 1983 after 15 long years.
16:09But look at the audacity.
16:11She actually voted in 1990.
16:12Without being an Indian student,
16:14here her Congress come up.
16:15Let me bring in Aarti Jairat.
16:16Let me bring in Aarti Jairat.
16:18Because Aarti, this foreign hand controversy
16:20in an other avatar now has resurfaced.
16:23Your reading of Rahul Gandhi's claims
16:25of foreign help or financial system backing the government
16:29and foreign social media platforms backing the government
16:33or the Prime Minister,
16:34because the government more often than not
16:36accuses foreign media and social media
16:37of being anti-government.
16:39How do you read this current accusation
16:42and counter-accusation?
16:45But what it was in the past.
16:47It's shoot and scoot.
16:49You can make all kinds of allegations.
16:51Nobody produces any proof.
16:53And then this returning and battle just goes on and on.
16:57How many times have we heard the foreign hand?
17:00We heard it in 68 when they found some spy machine
17:05in the Himalayas and the left said it's a CIA.
17:09Then we heard Mrs. Gandhi say it in the 70s
17:12when she was under pressure
17:14because the JP movement had become so popular.
17:17Then we heard it from V.P. Singh
17:18when he was under pressure
17:20because, you know, he was running
17:22a very rickety coalition government.
17:25So, you know, this just goes on and on.
17:27And every time anybody is under pressure,
17:30they come out with this foreign hand.
17:32But I do feel that, you know,
17:35if you are going to make these allegations
17:38and, you know, this kind of thing that,
17:40oh, I know it, I know it, I know everything.
17:43You know, I've got proof.
17:44Come and debate with me.
17:46Then I'll produce the proof.
17:47Produce the proof, yeah.
17:49I mean, on both sides.
17:50The government, if they know who Rahul Gandhi met
17:54on his recent trip to Vietnam,
17:56then give us the evidence.
17:58And if Rahul Gandhi feels
18:00that there is actually, you know,
18:02some foreign forces
18:03that are keeping this government in power,
18:05give us evidence.
18:06I think the public deserves to know.
18:09These are just allegations.
18:10Otherwise, these are just allegations.
18:13And it should have school politics all over again.
18:16Rahul Gandhi saying what he is
18:18or the BJP saying what they are
18:19is like Vishwanath Pratap Singh
18:21who used to claim that he has,
18:22you know, the number,
18:24the Swiss bank account in his pocket.
18:25And as soon as he becomes Prime Minister,
18:28he will put it out.
18:29And those numbers never became public.
18:31But Vishwanath Pratap Singh became Prime Minister.
18:34You know, ditching Rahul Gandhi,
18:35Rajiv Gandhi.
18:36But Karan Verma,
18:37Karan Verma,
18:38the BJP asks,
18:40where does the leader of opposition travel?
18:42Who does he meet?
18:43Indicating,
18:44at least the BJP claims
18:45that he's meeting
18:47undesirable elements
18:48or anti-India elements
18:49to weaken the nation.
18:50Sir, the opposition can level allegations
18:53if the government has evidence.
18:55Should that not be produced
18:57in courts of law
18:58or as Aarti Jarad says,
19:00put it out in public domain?
19:03So, Gaurav,
19:04it's already there in the public domain.
19:05If someone wants to unsee it,
19:07that's their convenience.
19:09Sanju ji just pointed out
19:10and I'll build on that.
19:12Harsh Mandar,
19:14who was a part
19:15of the National Advisory Council,
19:17the same National Advisory Council
19:18that was sitting on top
19:19of the Manmohan Singh government
19:20led by Sonia Gandhi,
19:21as per Sanjay Baru himself,
19:23he wrote mercy petitions
19:25for Ajmal Kassab.
19:26Can you just imagine this?
19:27The man who was responsible
19:29in broad daylight
19:30for murdering 160 lives in Mumbai
19:32and he happens to head
19:34the human rights initiative
19:35of the George Soros Foundation,
19:37Open Society Foundation.
19:38Just five days after Pehal Gaam,
19:41on 28th April 2025,
19:43Progressive International,
19:44delegation from Progressive International
19:46meets Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi.
19:48Now, Progressive International,
19:49who brokered this meeting?
19:50Again, Harsh Mandar.
19:51And what kind of articles
19:52he writes for Progressive International,
19:54that there is genocide happening
19:56for the minorities in India.
19:58Now, if that is not evidence,
20:00if you don't see a connection here,
20:02then I'm afraid
20:02one wants to unsee it.
20:04You can't broad brush everyone
20:06with the same parameter.
20:07BJP is putting out
20:09some clinical evidence there.
20:10Now, one might not be convicted for that,
20:12but one can clearly see
20:14the intention here.
20:15I'll give you another one.
20:17The FDLAP,
20:18the Forum for Democratic Leaders,
20:19Asia Pacific,
20:20who happens to be
20:21the chairperson for that?
20:22Sonia Gandhi.
20:23FDLAP has direct links
20:24with George Soros
20:25and is on record saying
20:26that Kashmir is not
20:27an integral part of India.
20:28If that is not
20:29anti-national, Gaurav,
20:30tell me what that is.
20:31The design is very clear
20:32if you want to actually
20:33see a pattern here.
20:35Okay.
20:35Adil Singh,
20:36Boparai,
20:36is there a pattern to this?
20:39Because even in response
20:40to Rahul Gandhi's
20:41social media post,
20:43you know,
20:44CRK S1,
20:45formerly with the Congress,
20:46now with the BJP,
20:47he has used some
20:48rather harsh words
20:49for the leader of opposition
20:50and he has put out
20:52a video of Rahul Gandhi
20:53when he was overseas
20:55saying words to the effect
20:56that Indian democracy
20:57is coming undone
20:59and what are so-called
21:00defenders of democracy
21:01doing?
21:03BJP alleges Rahul Gandhi
21:05seeking help of foreign powers
21:07to target a democratically
21:10elected government
21:10in India, sir?
21:12I think the previous speaker
21:14is indicting the government
21:17because if he
21:18has that information
21:20and he loosely uses terms
21:23like intention
21:24and mensaria,
21:25then what is the NIA
21:26in the special cell doing?
21:28He named a gentleman,
21:30I think one Mr. Harsh Mandar,
21:32if he claims to have
21:33so much of material
21:34against Mr. Harsh Mandar,
21:35not a claim,
21:36it's a fact, Shah.
21:37Hear me, hear me out.
21:38Don't get so anxious.
21:40Then that means
21:40Amit Shah is incompetent.
21:42That means Mr. Verma
21:43perhaps would be
21:44a better home minister.
21:45At least he can get
21:46an FIR registered
21:47against Mr. Mandar.
21:49If they have this information
21:50since I don't know
21:51how many years
21:52and what are they doing?
21:53Point number one.
21:54Point number two,
21:55let me tell you
21:56the standard playbook
21:57of the BJP
21:58and their propagandist.
22:01When the CEA protest
22:02broke out,
22:03they said,
22:04well,
22:05this is a movement
22:06to weaken India.
22:07When the farmer's agitation
22:09broke out,
22:10they said,
22:10this is a Khalistani movement.
22:12Now,
22:13when a leading
22:14national daily
22:16puts out information
22:17which till date
22:18has not been rebutted
22:19by the ECI
22:20or the ECEC
22:22has not come out
22:23and given a press conference
22:24to Gaurav,
22:25these people are now saying
22:26we are trying to undermine India.
22:27Please understand…
22:28Fair enough.
22:29Sir,
22:29three points you've made.
22:31Completely uninterrupted.
22:33Now,
22:33I…
22:34Okay.
22:34Completely uninterrupted.
22:36Sanju Verma
22:37wants to respond.
22:38Sanju Verma,
22:39if there is evidence,
22:40then why is there
22:41no evidence-based prosecution?
22:44Uninterrupted.
22:45Go on,
22:45Sanju Verma.
22:45You know,
22:47Gaurav,
22:48for any Congress
22:48to sit on national television
22:50and say
22:51that Amit Shah is incompetent
22:52is laughable.
22:53This is the same man
22:54who's uprooted
22:55naxalism.
22:56This is the same man
22:57who abrogated
22:58Article 370.
22:59This is the same man
23:00who's implemented
23:01CAA.
23:02So,
23:03Amit Shah does not need
23:04lessons in competence
23:05from an incompetent
23:07Rahul Gandhi
23:07who has taken his party
23:09into three Lok Sabha losses
23:10consecutively
23:12one after the other.
23:13But they refuse
23:13to introspect
23:14because
23:15accountability
23:16is a concept
23:17that is alien
23:18to the Congress
23:19darbari ecosystem.
23:20Now,
23:21let me focus
23:21on one very important
23:22aspect which should
23:23not go,
23:24you know,
23:24unnoticed.
23:25Neha Bora
23:26is a left-leaning
23:28lunatic
23:29who's been given
23:30position at the
23:31high table
23:32by Rahul Gandhi.
23:33Left-leaning
23:34individual,
23:35let's just keep
23:36this civil
23:36but be that as it may
23:37respond,
23:38Sanju Verma.
23:39Go on.
23:39Gaurav,
23:40please,
23:41I humbly
23:41beseech you
23:43do not ask me
23:44to hold back
23:45my fire
23:45because Neha Bora
23:47is so derastinated,
23:49she's so deranged,
23:50she says,
23:58she demonizes
24:00our temples,
24:01she demonizes
24:02Hindus,
24:02she demonizes
24:03Brahmins
24:04as a class
24:05and you expect
24:06me to actually
24:07molly caudal
24:08Neha Bora
24:09by going soft
24:10on her,
24:10that's not
24:11happening and
24:11I just want
24:12to finish
24:12by saying
24:13one thing
24:13before establishing
24:14in 10 seconds
24:15the connect
24:16between Neha Bora
24:17and Rahul Gandhi.
24:19Neha Bora
24:19needs to hear
24:20this,
24:21Gaurav,
24:21she speaks
24:22about
24:22mandiro mein rape,
24:24these are
24:25documented cases,
24:26I'm not doffing
24:27them off my hat,
24:28Ghaziabad 2018,
24:30a 10-year-old
24:30girl raped
24:32in East Delhi
24:33by a maulana,
24:34Gorakhpur Uttar Pradesh
24:352024,
24:36Madarsha teacher,
24:38Maulvi Rahmat Ali
24:39raped a 12-year-old
24:40girl,
24:41Kota Rajasthan
24:422022,
24:4342-year-old
24:44Maulvi Abdul Rahim
24:46raped a 6-year-old,
24:48Lohar Daga
24:48Jharkhand
24:492022,
24:508-year-old
24:51raped by
24:52Madarsha teacher,
24:5343-year-old
24:54Imam,
24:55I can go on
24:56and on,
24:56my limited point
24:57is,
24:58is Rahul Gandhi
24:59so bad
25:00that he has
25:01to clutch
25:02on to
25:02straws,
25:03imagine,
25:07he's actually
25:08voting on to
25:09Neha Bora
25:10to get some
25:11credibility
25:11because Rahul Gandhi
25:12himself stands
25:13vanquished,
25:14stands
25:15debilitated,
25:16ma'am you spoke
25:16uninterrupted,
25:17before I bring in
25:18Aarti Jairat,
25:19Aarti Jairat wants
25:19to respond,
25:20but since you
25:20directly made a
25:22point about Rahul
25:23Gandhi,
25:23leader of
25:23opposition,
25:24and Neha Bora,
25:26as we see in
25:26these images,
25:28you know,
25:29Rahul Gandhi
25:30being accused
25:31of platforming
25:32her or
25:32centre staging
25:33her,
25:34Adil Singh Boparai,
25:35you want to
25:36quickly respond
25:36to this
25:37particular point,
25:37sir?
25:39You'll have to
25:40ask Neha Bora,
25:42she's not part
25:43of the Congress,
25:44she's made a
25:45comment,
25:45I don't know
25:45whether she's
25:46made the comment,
25:47she's not made
25:47the comment,
25:48you have to
25:48ask her,
25:50as far as
25:50the Congress,
25:51government is
25:51by the
25:52social
25:52thing.
25:53Ma'am,
25:53uninterrupted,
25:54ma'am,
25:54when you spoke,
25:55ma'am,
25:56when you spoke,
25:56no one interrupted
25:57you.
25:59A unit
26:00called Neha Bora,
26:01in the
26:01mandir,
26:02Greg
26:02and Rahul Gandhi
26:04consume
26:05Shwavi
26:05on the
26:06own face.
26:07Sanju
26:08Varma,
26:09you know,
26:09Adil Singh Boparai
26:10didn't interrupt
26:10you,
26:11Adil Singh Boparai,
26:12go ahead,
26:12before I bring
26:12in Aarti Jairat
26:13and Karan.
26:14Ms. Varma,
26:15I have a glass
26:15of water to
26:16begin with,
26:16please don't
26:17shout all the
26:17time,
26:18this is a
26:18civilized
26:19debate.
26:21You are not
26:21civilized.
26:22Oh my goodness.
26:23The people
26:24system is not
26:25civilized.
26:26So I don't
26:26need to take
26:27lessons in
26:28civility from
26:28somebody I've
26:29uncivilized
26:29with you.
26:30You abuse
26:31the
26:31minister.
26:32You abuse
26:34the
26:34election
26:35commissioner.
26:38Ma'am,
26:39Adil Singh Boparai,
26:42complete your
26:43point.
26:43Sanju Varma,
26:44I'll come back
26:44to you after
26:45Aarti Jairat and
26:46Karan,
26:46but Adil Singh Boparai.
26:47Please,
26:48somebody give
26:48her a glass
26:49of water.
26:49As far as
26:50the opposition
26:51is concerned,
26:52we are very
26:52clear,
26:53the election
26:54commissioner,
26:55the chief
26:55election
26:55commissioner is
26:56a compromised
26:57individual.
26:58There is
26:58overwhelming
26:59material,
26:59according to
27:00us,
27:01that he is
27:01rigging the
27:02electoral list.
27:04And therefore,
27:05not just
27:05Miss Neha Boda,
27:07but thousands
27:07and lakhs of
27:08youth activists
27:09and other
27:09political parties
27:10are joining
27:11this particular
27:13mission of
27:14ours to
27:14purify and
27:15bring credibility
27:16to the ECI.
27:17And our
27:18doors are
27:18open.
27:19Whoever
27:19wants to
27:19join,
27:20Miss Sanju
27:20Verma can
27:21also join.
27:21We'll
27:22platform her
27:22also.
27:23But the
27:24fact of
27:24the matter
27:24today is,
27:25and what
27:26Mr. Rahul
27:27Gandhi has
27:27stated,
27:28the BJP
27:29raises the
27:29foreign bogey
27:30to delegitimize
27:31dissent and
27:32protest.
27:33But today,
27:34Mr.
27:34Gandhi,
27:34and it is
27:35in public
27:35domain,
27:36at least
27:36some parts
27:37of it are
27:37in public
27:38domain,
27:38that Mr.
27:39Modi has
27:40compromised
27:40India's
27:41economic
27:41interest to
27:42bail out
27:43Adani.
27:43There is
27:44clearly a
27:45quid pro
27:45quo.
27:46I repeat,
27:47Mr.
27:48Modi has
27:48compromised
27:49India's
27:49economic
27:50interest to
27:51bail out
27:52Adani.
27:52The
27:53Americans
27:53first file
27:54a complaint
27:54and then
27:55they withdraw
27:56a complaint.
27:56Somebody has
27:57to be
27:57utterly
27:58daft not
27:59to see
28:00the
28:00conspiracy.
28:01Sir,
28:01you're an
28:02officer of
28:02the law,
28:03you're a
28:03lawyer,
28:04you would
28:05understand
28:05any
28:06allegation
28:07made would
28:08have to be
28:09proven in
28:09courts of
28:10law.
28:11You know,
28:12ma'am,
28:13you can,
28:13but Aarti
28:13Jarad wants
28:14to come
28:14in on
28:14the
28:14Neha
28:15Bora
28:15point.
28:18Aarti
28:19Jarad,
28:19you wanted
28:19to come
28:20in,
28:21you'd
28:21raise your
28:22hand,
28:22both on
28:23the
28:23foreign
28:23bogey,
28:23one by
28:24one.
28:25But let
28:25me ask
28:26the question
28:26on
28:27Neha
28:27Bora
28:28and the
28:29BJP
28:30saying
28:32Rahul
28:33Gandhi
28:33is so
28:33desperate
28:34according to
28:34the BJP
28:35that he
28:35needs a
28:36Neha
28:36Bora
28:37to perhaps
28:38raise the
28:39issue.
28:40I think
28:40the BJP
28:41is this.
28:41You know,
28:42what I
28:43think
28:43Sanju
28:45Varma
28:45is unaware
28:46of her
28:47own party's
28:48history.
28:48And this
28:49is what I'm
28:49finding more
28:50and more
28:50with BJP
28:52spokespersons.
28:53They're young
28:53and so they
28:54don't know
28:55or they haven't
28:55been taught
28:56or they don't
28:57want to know.
28:58VP Singh,
29:01BJP,
29:02VP Singh
29:03left.
29:04They had
29:05an understanding
29:06and alliance
29:07for the
29:101989 elections
29:12in which they
29:12defeated
29:13Rajiv Gandhi.
29:14Does that
29:15mean that
29:16VP Singh
29:17and the BJP
29:18were on the
29:18same page
29:19ideologically?
29:20No.
29:21Were the
29:21BJP and
29:22the left
29:23on the same
29:23page ideologically?
29:25No.
29:25In 1977,
29:28the Jansang,
29:29the socialists
29:31all joined
29:32together to
29:33defeat,
29:34you know,
29:34Indira Gandhi.
29:35Were they on
29:36the same page
29:37ideologically?
29:38No,
29:39they weren't.
29:39So just
29:40because Nehra
29:41I'm sorry,
29:42I don't want to
29:43sound like a
29:43spokesperson for
29:45Rahul Gandhi
29:46because I'm
29:47not.
29:47But I do
29:49think that we
29:49have to see
29:50things in
29:51correct perspective.
29:52And I'm
29:53sorry,
29:53I don't like
29:54this uncivilized
29:55language,
29:56calling somebody
29:57a lunatic.
29:59I mean,
30:00on what
30:00basis is she
30:01a lunatic?
30:02Just because
30:03and you know,
30:04Anne,
30:04Anne,
30:05Anne,
30:05sorry,
30:06her criticism
30:07of Brahman
30:08Vat is the
30:09same criticism
30:10that Ambedkar
30:12leveled.
30:13Ma'am,
30:13but you know,
30:14criticism of
30:14just one,
30:15I'm sorry,
30:16you know,
30:17if I may,
30:18if somebody
30:19is a feminist,
30:20has to be,
30:20has to
30:21criticize what
30:22is wrong
30:23everywhere.
30:24You can't
30:25just target
30:25Hindus.
30:27And that's
30:27happened for
30:27far too long
30:28in this country.
30:29And somewhere
30:30down the line,
30:30a Lakshman
30:31Rekha needs
30:32to be drawn.
30:32Aarti Jairat.
30:33That Lakshman
30:34Rekha needs
30:34to be drawn.
30:35You know,
30:36the same
30:36feminist
30:37should also
30:38speak up for
30:39Muslim women
30:40when they go
30:40through
30:41Nikah Halala
30:41or worse.
30:43That time
30:43they can't
30:43hold their peace
30:44that it's
30:45like in their
30:45religion.
30:46Please be
30:47an equal
30:48opportunity,
30:49you know,
30:49offender for
30:50all if you're
30:51truly a feminist.
30:52Otherwise,
30:53you know,
30:54dharma
30:55target
30:55there has
30:56to be
30:56a Lakshman
30:57Rekha
30:57somewhere.
30:58That is
30:58my personal
30:58belief.
30:59But Sanju
30:59Verma,
31:00quickly respond
31:00before I
31:01bring in
31:01Karan.
31:02You know,
31:03Rekha
31:04sitting here
31:05and lecturing
31:06Sanju Verma.
31:07Hey,
31:07these BJP
31:08don't have
31:08history
31:09or
31:10read it.
31:11Rekha
31:12Jairat,
31:12you are
31:12a dharbari.
31:13You see...
31:14No,
31:14again,
31:15no personal
31:15attacks.
31:15Sanju Verma,
31:16my request.
31:17My request.
31:18No personal
31:18attacks.
31:19Kindly make
31:19your point.
31:20Go ahead,
31:20Sanju Verma.
31:21Complete your
31:21point.
31:22But,
31:22you know,
31:22why call
31:23Rekha
31:23Jairat
31:23a dharbari?
31:24Just complete
31:25your point
31:25on merits,
31:26ma'am.
31:27Go on.
31:28Yes.
31:28Go on,
31:28Sanju Verma,
31:29un-interrupted.
31:30Say the facts.
31:30Say the facts.
31:32Gaurab,
31:33let me finish.
31:34R.T.
31:35Jairat,
31:36do not lecture
31:36on civility
31:37because you
31:38never call out
31:39the bluff
31:39of radical
31:40Islamist terror.
31:41You are a
31:41Congress.
31:42Dharbari,
31:42shant ho jao.
31:43Now let me
31:44come to the
31:44moot point
31:45of the debate,
31:46Gaurab.
31:46Gaurab,
31:47you are the
31:48Congress
31:48talking about
31:49language.
31:51I'm not
31:51talking about
31:52facts.
31:53If you
31:53abuse,
31:54if you get
31:55your facts
31:55right about
31:56your own
31:57history.
31:57Yes.
31:59One by
31:59one.
31:59One by
32:00one.
32:02First
32:02Sanju Verma,
32:03then R.T.
32:04Jairat.
32:04First
32:04Sanju Verma,
32:05then R.T.
32:05Jairat.
32:07Gaurab,
32:08I did not
32:08get personal
32:09with R.T.
32:09Jairat.
32:10If she
32:11tries to
32:12malign my
32:12credibility
32:13on national
32:14television,
32:14I will
32:15call out
32:15her bluff.
32:16So she
32:16should think
32:17before speaking
32:18when I'm
32:19on a
32:19panel.
32:19Shant ho jao,
32:20R.T.
32:20Jairat.
32:21Now let me
32:22come to the
32:22moot point,
32:23Gaurab.
32:23One by
32:23one.
32:23The
32:23official
32:25spokesperson
32:25said that
32:27India's
32:27economic
32:27interests are
32:28being compromised.
32:29Excuse me.
32:30We are
32:31growing at
32:317.8%
32:32GDP growth.
32:33Our
32:33UPI
32:34transactions
32:34for the
32:35month of
32:35October
32:36were at
32:3631.5
32:38lakh crore.
32:39and we
32:40collected
32:412.31
32:42lakh crore
32:42by way
32:43of GST
32:43collections.
32:44We are
32:45selling only
32:45Maruti alone
32:46is selling
32:475 cars
32:48every minute.
32:48It sold
32:492.3
32:49lakh cars
32:50in the
32:50month of
32:51October.
32:51We are
32:52selling 36,000
32:53EVs every
32:55single month
32:55and most
32:56importantly,
32:58our banks
32:58are recording
32:59profits every
33:01single quarter.
33:03Our public
33:03sector units
33:04last year
33:05showed a
33:05combined profit
33:06of 6.5
33:07lakh crore.
33:08So the
33:09Indian economy
33:09is alive
33:10and kicking
33:11but that's
33:11not the
33:11point.
33:12Who signed
33:12an FTA
33:13with Singapore
33:14with ASEAN?
33:15Who signed
33:15an FTA
33:16with Australia?
33:17Who signed
33:17an FTA
33:18with Oman?
33:18Who signed
33:19an FTA
33:19with UAE?
33:20Who signed
33:21an FTA
33:21with Australia?
33:22Who signed
33:23an FTA
33:23with United
33:24Kingdom?
33:25It is the
33:25Modi government.
33:27Fair enough.
33:28Aarti Jairat,
33:29now I want you
33:29to respond
33:33to the debate
33:34that we are
33:34having today.
33:35For example,
33:36when Union
33:37Minister Giri Raj
33:38Singh
33:38is quoted
33:39saying words
33:40to the effect
33:40what about
33:41Rahul Gandhi
33:42himself?
33:43The case
33:44regarding his
33:45alleged dual
33:47citizenship.
33:48His mother,
33:49Sonia Gandhi,
33:50lived in this
33:51country for 12
33:52years without
33:53ever acquiring
33:54citizenship.
33:55Where is this
33:56headed, ma'am?
33:57Because now,
33:58you know that
33:58that fight has
34:00become very
34:01personal and
34:02perhaps very
34:03bitter.
34:06government is
34:07going to
34:07function when
34:08it finally
34:08opens.
34:09Because if
34:09you're going
34:10to get down
34:10to such
34:11personalised
34:12attacks,
34:12then obviously
34:13issues fly
34:14out of the
34:14window.
34:15And Gorham,
34:16you know,
34:16my only point
34:17here is this
34:18government has
34:18been in power
34:19for 12 years.
34:21You know,
34:21Suramanyam
34:22Swami has been
34:22screaming about
34:23Rahul Gandhi's
34:24dual citizenship
34:27for years.
34:28Why hasn't the
34:29government taken
34:30it up?
34:30They've got all
34:31the files,
34:32they've got all
34:32the information.
34:34Prosecute Rahul
34:34Gandhi if he
34:35has dual
34:35citizenship.
34:37Nobody in
34:37this country is
34:38allowed to have
34:39dual citizenship.
34:40So Rahul Gandhi,
34:41if he's guilty
34:41of it, he
34:42should be
34:43prosecuted.
34:44Why isn't he
34:44being prosecuted?
34:45Why is the
34:46government going
34:46soft on him?
34:47I think the
34:48government should
34:48crack down on
34:49this.
34:50So, you know,
34:51I do feel this
34:53personalisation of
34:54politics is now
34:56exceeding all
34:57limits.
34:58Where nobody
34:59is holding back
35:00on their
35:01language, nobody
35:02is holding back
35:03on all kinds
35:04of personal
35:05allegations.
35:06You know,
35:07this is not the
35:08way politics in
35:09a civilised
35:10democracy should
35:11be conducted.
35:12In fact, my
35:12apprehension,
35:13Karan Verma,
35:13is it likely to
35:15become worse in
35:16the days and
35:17weeks ahead,
35:19you know, in
35:20the run-up to
35:20the parliament
35:21session?
35:22But, you
35:23know, when,
35:23for example,
35:24when BJP MP
35:25Sudhanshu Trivedi
35:26says, Rahul
35:27Gandhi on
35:28Rahul Gandhi's
35:29social media
35:29post, he
35:30says, I want
35:30to ask about
35:31your association
35:31with this
35:32British company
35:33Black Ops.
35:34Where you
35:34served as a
35:35director, you
35:36and your
35:36company would
35:37be better off
35:38remaining silent
35:39on foreign
35:39connections.
35:40Now, where
35:41is this headed,
35:42Karan Verma?
35:43So, just two
35:44points, Gaurav.
35:45You know,
35:45Aarti ji took
35:46offence to the
35:48word lunatic
35:49that Sanju ji
35:50used.
35:51Now, I want to
35:51very respectfully
35:52ask a direct
35:53question to
35:54Aarti ji.
35:54What would
35:55you say of
35:56an organization
35:57that celebrates
35:58the killing of
35:5976 CRPF
36:00jawans in
36:01April 2010?
36:02What would
36:03you call
36:04them?
36:04I think
36:05lunatic is a
36:05very milder
36:06term.
36:07That's what
36:07AISA was doing
36:09and NSUI was
36:10condemning.
36:10Today, that
36:11AISA's member,
36:12Neha Bora, is
36:13sitting front and
36:14center with
36:14Rahul Gandhi and
36:16NSUI says,
36:17we are the
36:17chhotus.
36:18That's what we
36:19are reduced to.
36:20Ten years back,
36:21it was Kanhia
36:21Kumar.
36:22This time, it
36:23is Neha Bora.
36:24What the hell
36:24have they done
36:25to acquire such
36:26an astronomical
36:26status sitting
36:27next to Rahul
36:28Gandhi when
36:29we've been
36:29slogging in
36:30day in, day
36:30out?
36:31Celebration of
36:32the 76 CRPF
36:33jawans' death?
36:34I think lunatic
36:36was a very
36:36mild term.
36:37Fair enough.
36:38We have news
36:38coming in.
36:39Rahul Gandhi
36:39is once again
36:41challenging Prime
36:42Minister Narendra
36:43Modi.
36:43This is news
36:44just coming in.
36:45In fact, Rahul
36:45Gandhi has released
36:46a poll on
36:47social media.
36:49Rahul Gandhi
36:50asks, does
36:52the youth
36:53want Rahul
36:54versus Modi
36:56debate?
36:57Rahul Gandhi
36:57is fresh
36:58challenge to
36:59Prime Minister
37:00Narendra Modi.
37:02Challenging the
37:03Prime Minister
37:03to a debate.
37:05Sanju Verma,
37:06Congress Party
37:07says, if the
37:09Prime Minister
37:10is so sure
37:10of his facts,
37:12if the BJP
37:13is so sure
37:13of facts,
37:14let there be
37:15a debate.
37:16Let the nation
37:16watch.
37:18You know,
37:19Gaurav,
37:19without wanting
37:20to sound
37:21narcissistic,
37:22Rahul Gandhi
37:23is enough.
37:24There is no
37:25need to go
37:25to Narendra Modi.
37:27And a debate
37:28should be
37:28between equals.
37:29Where is
37:30Narendra Modi?
37:31You know,
37:31Prime Minister
37:32for the third
37:32time running,
37:33never lost an
37:34election in the
37:3425 years that
37:35he's been in
37:36public service.
37:37And Rahul Gandhi
37:44has the audacity
37:45to challenge
37:46Prime Minister
37:47Modi?
37:47I mean,
37:48it is laughable.
37:49It is like
37:49Gaurav Savan
37:50saying, you
37:51know, I want
37:51to challenge
37:52Ed Sheeran.
37:53Or it is like
37:53Sanju Verma
37:54saying, she
37:54wants to
37:55challenge Taylor
37:56Swift.
37:56You know,
37:57this is just
37:58making a mockery
37:59of yourself.
37:59Rahul Gandhi
38:00is trivializing
38:01the entire
38:01political landscape.
38:02I want to
38:03just tell one
38:04thing to Rahul
38:04Gandhi very
38:05quickly.
38:06Gaurav, let
38:07Rahul Gandhi
38:08challenge Prime
38:09Minister Modi,
38:10but come back
38:11to power in
38:12Tripura, where you
38:12have not been in
38:13power since 1993.
38:14Come back to
38:15power in
38:15Tamil Nadu,
38:16where you have
38:16not been in
38:17power since
38:171967.
38:18Come back to
38:19power in
38:19Gujarat, where
38:20you have not
38:20been in
38:20power since
38:211993.
38:21I want to
38:22bring in
38:22Adil Singh
38:23Boparai.
38:24I want to
38:24bring in
38:25Adil Singh
38:25Boparai to
38:27you know,
38:28he's leader of
38:29opposition.
38:30He wants to
38:30challenge the
38:31Prime Minister.
38:32Adil Singh
38:33Boparai, the
38:34BJP says, let
38:35Rahul win some
38:36elections before
38:37he challenges
38:37the Prime
38:38Minister.
38:40Please understand
38:41in all mature
38:42democracies, when
38:43the leader of
38:43the opposition
38:44makes serious
38:45allegations, it
38:46is incumbent on
38:47the government to
38:48respond.
38:49Point number
38:49one.
38:50Point number
38:50two to Miss
38:51Verma, shouting
38:52is not debating.
38:53I think she
38:53conflates shouting
38:54with debating.
38:55Number three, this
38:57is a question which
38:57you put to Miss
38:58Jairat, that why is
39:00becoming bitter.
39:01Let me tell you, it
39:02is likely to
39:03become more
39:03contentious because
39:05when you fear
39:06losing power, the
39:08BJP today and
39:10their ecosystem
39:11are fearing that
39:12they are likely to
39:13lose power.
39:14They are likely to
39:15become more
39:15tyrannical in their
39:16approach because the
39:17chickens will come
39:18home to roost.
39:19There are so much,
39:21there are so many
39:22illegalities which
39:23have been committed
39:23that they fear that
39:25if they go out of
39:26power, they will be
39:27prosecuted.
39:28So therefore, it is
39:29that fear which is
39:30making them rattle.
39:31And number four, I
39:33anticipate whenever
39:34the BJP is desperate
39:36and is pushed into
39:37the corner, the BJP
39:38raises two issues.
39:39Number one, it tries
39:40to bring religion
39:42into the political
39:43canvas.
39:44It tries to indulge
39:46in divisiveness.
39:47Number one.
39:48Number two, they
39:49try to broach up a
39:50so-called conspiracy
39:51theory of a foreign
39:52hand.
39:52So therefore, you
39:53will see in days
39:54and weeks to come,
39:55the BJP ecosystem
39:57and their propagandists
39:58will bring in more
39:59religion into public
40:01debates to divert
40:02public attention.
40:03But finally, let me
40:04again repeat what
40:05Mr. Gandhi has said.
40:06The Prime Minister
40:08to bail out Mr. Adani
40:09has done a quid pro
40:11co with the U.S.
40:12government and has
40:13compromised India's
40:14interests.
40:15The Prime Minister
40:16should readily take
40:18up this challenge
40:19to Mr. Gandhi.
40:20And two reasons.
40:21Sharma, the
40:22opposition makes
40:23certain allegations
40:24like in the case
40:25of special intensive
40:26revision of electoral
40:27roles.
40:28The government has
40:29its own point of view.
40:30The election commission
40:30has its own point of view.
40:32Ultimately, in a
40:33mature democracy,
40:34it's decided either
40:35in parliament
40:37or in courts of law.
40:39Is that where
40:40it's headed?
40:40Or do you see this
40:41become a very bitter
40:42public political fight
40:44in the run-up to
40:45elections in 2027,
40:48it will be a bitter
40:49political fight
40:50because the opposition
40:51is aware, well aware
40:52that if it goes to
40:53the courts or the
40:54parliament, they'll
40:54stand exposed.
40:56So they want to make
40:57a spectacle of it.
40:58Their best bet is
40:59some misinformation
41:00sticks so that they
41:02can get away with it
41:03because if accountability
41:05is sought here,
41:06I can say it right now,
41:08the article 18.1 of
41:09the election rule says
41:10that all three
41:11commissioners have to
41:11sign before any order
41:12is implemented.
41:13I can say why
41:14they've signed
41:14form 17C, 17D
41:16and a whole litany
41:17of evidence I can
41:18give which attests
41:20the fact that there
41:20is no vote story
41:21and they're aware of
41:22that.
41:22That's why they've
41:23started even casting
41:24aspersions on the
41:24Supreme Court already.
41:26So they'll make
41:27a public market.
41:27Basically, ultimately
41:29now it's either for
41:30courts of law or on
41:32the floor of the
41:33house.
41:34Let there be a
41:34debate.
41:35Every issue debated
41:36threadbare.
41:37We'll be reporting
41:38all sides of the
41:39story.
41:40I've run out of time
41:41on this part but
41:42would love to have
41:42all of you.
41:43Outstanding speakers
41:44all, you know,
41:46Adil Singh, Boparai,
41:47Sanju Verma, Karan
41:48Verma and Aarti
41:48Jairat.
41:49Great having you on
41:49the show.
41:50Midterm elections in
41:52the United States of
41:53America being seen
41:54as a referendum on
41:55policies of US
41:56President Donald
41:57Trump and it is his
41:58biggest test yet.
42:00Americans are voting
42:01in the midterm
42:02elections for control
42:03of Congress.
42:04That's hanging in
42:05balance.
42:05Also the Senate.
42:06Results are expected
42:08tomorrow and they
42:09could determine how
42:10much of Trump's
42:11agenda can he
42:12push through in
42:13the next two years
42:14of his presidency
42:15or the final two
42:16years.
42:16Polling is underway
42:17across several
42:18states.
42:19More than 58
42:20million Americans
42:21have already voted
42:23through early voting
42:24in person and of
42:25course mail-in ballots.
42:26This is about more
42:28than just seats.
42:29A Republican victory
42:31would give the US
42:32President greater room
42:34to advance his
42:34agenda.
42:35But if Democrats
42:36take control, as
42:37many polls indicate
42:38they're likely to,
42:39there's a blue wave
42:41that's predicted,
42:42then they could
42:43stall key policies
42:44of President Trump,
42:45block legislation,
42:47put the President
42:47on the defensive,
42:48and instead of being
42:49lame duck in the
42:50final six months,
42:51he could well be
42:52lame duck much
42:53sooner.
42:54The vote share
42:55will also be a
42:56crucial indicator of
42:57Trump's political
42:58standing.
42:58Republicans currently
42:59hold 219 seats
43:01against 214 of the
43:02Democrats.
43:03218 is that magic
43:05number in the House.
43:06Democrats need a
43:07five-seat swing to
43:09flip the House in
43:10their favor.
43:11In the Senate,
43:12it's even closer.
43:14The Republicans have
43:1553, the Democrats
43:16have 47.
43:18Democrats need to
43:19flip four seats to
43:20take control.
43:21The stakes are not
43:22confined just to
43:23domestic politics.
43:25Americans as they
43:26vote.
43:27Washington DC is
43:28also dealing with
43:29fresh military
43:30escalation involving
43:31Iran.
43:32US has launched
43:33limited strikes on
43:34the Qashem Island.
43:35They're saying that
43:36this is not escalation,
43:37these are retaliatory
43:39strikes and these
43:39strikes came just
43:40hours before the
43:42midterm vote.
43:43Washington DC has
43:44described the action
43:45as defensive in
43:48response to surface
43:50to air missiles from
43:51Qashem Island targeting
43:53US drones.
43:54The US Department of
43:56Defense or the
43:56Department of War as
43:57it's known now says
43:59the strikes were aimed
44:00at protecting American
44:01assets and commercial
44:03shipping.
44:04So surface to air
44:05missile systems were
44:06among the targets.
44:07President Trump faces
44:08two very critical
44:10tests, one at the
44:11ballot box, the
44:12other on the
44:13world stage.
44:14Will the midterm
44:15election strengthen
44:16Washington DC, his
44:18hand in DC or leave
44:20him facing the
44:21Congress ready to
44:23challenge his
44:24agenda?
44:26I want to quickly
44:28bring into this
44:28conversation two of
44:29my colleagues who've
44:30been tracking
44:30developments very
44:31closely, Sandeep
44:32Unnithan and
44:33Pranay Upadhyay.
44:34Pranay, all
44:36indications are that
44:37this is a blue wave
44:40that's predicted but
44:41is it so easy to
44:44call or midterms
44:46anyways have favoured
44:48the opposition?
44:49Only thrice has the
44:50incumbent in White
44:51House won midterms.
44:53Usually it's always the
44:54opposition.
44:55Is this election also
44:56going the same way?
44:57Since you mentioned
44:59history, Gaurab, you
45:00know, last time it was
45:01Republican president
45:02who retained the
45:04House majority and
45:05the Senate majority
45:06way back in 2002 but
45:07we have to keep it in
45:09mind that that was
45:10George W. Bush and
45:11that was in the
45:12backdrop of 9-11.
45:14So thereafter no
45:15US president, be it
45:16Barack Obama or
45:18Joe Biden or
45:19Trump's previous
45:20administration, nobody
45:21retained the House
45:22majority.
45:22But why this is so
45:23much being looked at
45:25or why this race is
45:27so keenly being
45:27talked about?
45:28Because the way
45:29President Donald Trump
45:30is behaving, the way
45:31he's steering his
45:32policies and he
45:33himself has said that
45:34if we lose control of
45:36House and Senate then
45:38they might or
45:39Democrats might impeach.
45:40So it is like, you
45:42know, the fight is very
45:43agrimonious right now.
45:44The tensions are very
45:45high and in all
45:46probability if
45:47Democrats get control
45:48of House then there
45:50will be a very
45:52different ballgame, a
45:53different political
45:53scenario for President
45:54Donald Trump to steer
45:55his policy and to take
45:57forward his decisions
45:58be it Iran policy or
46:00be it, you know,
46:01Russia-Ukraine war or
46:02be it, you know,
46:02price rise or
46:03immigration policies.
46:05We have to see that
46:06how President Donald
46:06Trump would be steering
46:08his policies in the
46:09changed House.
46:11Fair enough.
46:11Sandeep, is this
46:12election ultimately
46:13boiling down to the
46:15war in Iran and
46:16diesel prices back
46:17home and rising
46:18prices because of the
46:20war?
46:21Absolutely, Gaurav.
46:22And you know, as
46:22we've discussed on your
46:23show previously,
46:24President Trump is in
46:26what his, one of the
46:28most criticized U.S.
46:31presidents by Donald
46:32Trump has been Jimmy
46:33Carter.
46:34He's criticized him
46:35heavily for, you know,
46:36botching up the Iran
46:37hostage crisis and all
46:38that.
46:38But now, in 2026,
46:41President Trump is in
46:43that Carter trap.
46:44President Carter's
46:45legacy was wiped out by
46:46the Iran hostage crisis.
46:48And now you have an eerie
46:49replay of that going on
46:51in 2026, Gaurav, where
46:52that war that President
46:54Trump rushed the United
46:55States into, which they
46:56were completely
46:57unprepared for, has
46:59actually bled his
47:00legacy dry.
47:01Americans are paying
47:02the price for that in
47:03high fuel prices and
47:05inflation.
47:06Every family, the
47:07calculations show, is
47:08spending over $1,000
47:10since that war began.
47:11So this is a pain that
47:13he thought would be
47:15confined to West Asia,
47:16but that has expanded to
47:17consume the midterms and
47:20possibly also the two
47:22remaining years of
47:23Donald Trump's tenure.
47:25And that means that
47:26Donald Trump's legacy is
47:27going to be defined,
47:28Gaurav, as you said,
47:30by this war in Iran,
47:31it could completely
47:32destroy his legacy.
47:33So he's in a very
47:34difficult situation.
47:35If he loses these
47:37midterms, then there's
47:38going to be, it's going
47:39to be downhill from now
47:40on, Gaurav.
47:42It does appear so,
47:44isn't it, Pranay, the
47:46fact that Marco Rubio
47:47came to India, went to
47:49Gujarat, went to the
47:50Reliance refinery,
47:51desperate for more
47:52Venezuelan oil, you
47:54know, to be sent to the
47:56United States, especially
47:58diesel.
47:59Is President Trump, all
48:01his policies, are they
48:02likely to be impacted
48:03based on the result?
48:05How soon will we know
48:06initial early trends?
48:08Will it also have an
48:09impact whether U.S.
48:11and Israel strike Iran
48:13or they call it off?
48:15You know, as far as
48:16presidential powers are
48:17concerned, in no way
48:18midterm, the outcome of
48:19the midterm elections are
48:20going to impact the
48:21presidential powers.
48:22He will be holding the
48:24veto power, he will be
48:25holding, you know, the
48:25executive power.
48:26What will get impacted
48:28will be the functioning
48:29because there are certain
48:30things for which he has
48:31to get Congress approval
48:32or Senate approval or
48:34he has to go to
48:36Capitol Hill and that
48:37will get difficult in
48:38terms of appointments,
48:39in terms of, you know,
48:40policy approval.
48:41So things will go
48:42difficult and, you know,
48:43as they commonly say in
48:44U.S. politics that, you
48:46know, he's all likely
48:46to be lame duck if he
48:48loses that control of
48:49Senate and House.
48:50But we have to see the
48:50kind of efforts which are
48:52being put by Trump
48:53administration, be it
48:54Marco Rubio's recent
48:55visit to India, reaching
48:56out to partners like
48:57India, be it talking
48:58about trade, you know,
49:00diesel deals with India,
49:03oil deal with India or
49:05Russia, or also reaching
49:07out to various other
49:08partner countries, be it
49:09Japan, in terms of the
49:10financial stability of the
49:11U.S. market, in terms
49:13of, you know, stabilizing
49:15the U.S. Treasury bonds.
49:17Okay, fair enough.
49:19Both of you keep
49:19tracking that story.
49:20I will come back to you
49:21for more.
49:22I want to move to the
49:23good news story.
49:24And this is about the
49:26strength of the Indian
49:28Armed Forces.
49:29The Iranian embassy in
49:31India has thanked the
49:32Indian Navy and Indian
49:34Air Force for a daring
49:35rescue operation on the
49:37high seas in the Arabian
49:39Sea, more than 3,000
49:40nautical miles from Indian
49:42shores.
49:43The Iranian embassy in
49:44India has described the
49:46act of the Indian Armed
49:48Forces as a symbol of the
49:49friendship and cooperation
49:51between India and Iran.
49:53This highly risky operation
49:56and a very risky rescue
49:57operation lasted close to
49:5948 hours.
50:00Defense Minister Rajnath Singh,
50:03he gave details of the
50:04Indian Navy that executed
50:06this meticulously planned
50:07and executed rescue
50:09operation in the Arabian
50:11Sea, 3,000 kilometers from
50:12Mumbai.
50:13The government has
50:14described the act as a
50:15symbol of friendship and
50:16cooperation between the
50:17two countries.
50:18Let me give you some
50:20details.
50:21The ship that you see on
50:22your television screen is
50:24an Iranian vessel and
50:26this Iranian vessel was
50:28hijacked or sea-jacked by
50:29Somalian pirates.
50:32They sent out an SOS and
50:34Indian Navy responded.
50:36INS Kolkata and P-8I, the
50:41long-range maritime
50:42reconnaissance aircraft of
50:43the Indian Navy and the
50:45Sea Guardian drones, they
50:46tracked this hijacked
50:48vessel and then the C-17
50:51Globemaster, the heavy lift,
50:53the strategic transport
50:55aircraft was launched and
50:57marine commandos, they were
50:59deployed by the Indian
51:00Air Force.
51:01The Indian Navy commandos
51:03were on board the Indian
51:04Air Force aircraft, the 12
51:06armed pilots.
51:07Now, when Indian Navy
51:08marine commandos, they
51:09dived on the high seas with
51:12their boats, reached this
51:13boat, the pirates
51:15surrendered.
51:16All 12 of them
51:16surrendered.
51:17The 20-member Iranian
51:19queue crew was
51:20rescued unharmed.
51:22Iran has hailed this
51:23operation.
51:24They said this symbolizes
51:25the friendship and
51:27cooperation between
51:29India and Iran.
51:34Another big story.
51:36Four border security force
51:38personnel were assaulted,
51:40their vehicles vandalized,
51:42and there are shocking
51:44scenes that were caught on
51:45camera in Tripura's
51:47Sephalijala district.
51:49Now, this attack followed a
51:50clash with locals during an
51:52anti-smuggling operation.
51:54These locals are alleged to be
51:56smugglers.
51:57They were operating near the
51:57Bangladesh border.
51:59Nine people have now been
52:00taken into the custody, and
52:02the police are probing this
52:04incident.
52:13Tripura's Sephalijala district
52:15is on the edge after four
52:16BSF personnel were beaten up in
52:18a clash with locals.
52:20The showdown took place on
52:22Monday during an anti-smuggling
52:23drive near the India-Bangladesh
52:25border.
52:31A video of the incident has
52:33gone viral and the visuals
52:34are shocking.
52:35A group swarms the security
52:37personnel, striking them with
52:39bamboo sticks.
52:44BSF vehicles are smashed one
52:46after another.
52:47And the trigger?
52:49A verbal altercation between
52:50locals and BSF personnel deployed
52:53at the Ashabari border outpost.
52:57Things came to a head when the
52:59BSF detained a man named
53:01Hafzor Rahman on suspicion of
53:03involvement in smuggling.
53:05The police have launched a probe
53:07and arrested eight people in
53:08connection with the case.
53:25Tripura chief minister, Manik Shah, has
53:28condemned the assault and assured that
53:30attacks on security personnel will not
53:32be tolerated.
53:34But the jarring scenes remain.
53:37Men who guard the frontier
53:38attacked on the frontier.
53:40Now it's the state police
53:42responsibility to bring the guilty
53:44to book.
53:45Bureau Report, India Today.
53:53There are many more than nine as you
53:55see in those images and we'll be
53:57tracking that story very closely.
53:59Nine people have been arrested but
54:00there were many more who targeted
54:02our men in uniform.
54:05Again a big question, men in
54:06uniform should also not just be
54:08better armed but should move in
54:10better numbers.