Milind Deora is a former Union Minister of State and prominent Mumbai politician who joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena after spending over two decades in the Congress. Known for his candid views on governance, democracy, and Mumbai’s development, Deora has often been at the centre of key political debates.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he opens up on Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, why he left the Congress, and discusses Trump’s tariffs on India. He also speaks about democracy within political parties, while slamming the protests against the SIR issue.

Deora shares his views on Mumbai’s lost decade due to internal party politics, explains why certain sections cannot digest Prime Minister Modi’s success, and talks about the road ahead for the Shiv Sena.

Timestamps

00:00 – Coming Up

02:08 – Introduction

03:29 – Why He Left Congress

06:24 – Freedom of Speech in NDA

07:36 – Reasons for Leaving Congress

14:26 – Manmohanomics vs. Modinomics

15:30 – Young Leaders Betraying Congress?

18:00 – Hindi–Marathi Language Row

22:08 – Mumbai’s Lost Decade

28:54 – Mumbai’s Infrastructure

32:38 – Garbage & Pothole Issues

38:13 – Mumbai’s Development

46:17 – Can Mumbai Regain Its Global Status?

49:06 – Marine Drive vs. Bandra–Worli Sea Link

50:38 – Mumbai’s Food Culture

52:11 – Pani Puri vs. Bhel Puri

53:05 – Udupi Hotel vs. Irani Café

53:29 – Gateway of India vs. CSMT

53:57 – Mumbai’s Local Trains

54:29 – Puran Poli vs. Shrikhand

56:55 – Mumbai’s Dabbawalas

58:04 – Bollywood

01:00:12 – All-Party Delegation on Operation Sindoor

01:05:17 – ‘Vote Chori’ Controversy

01:06:45 – Central Agencies Being Misused?

01:12:57 – Remembering the 26/11 Attack

01:22:04 – Why Didn’t India Retaliate After 26/11?

01:24:48 – Munir’s Nuke Threat Against India

01:27:30 – Should India’s Youth Enter Politics?

01:30:22 – Meeting with PM Modi

01:31:36 – Equations with the Gandhis After Leaving Congress

How does the Opposition make its strategy to counter the ruling government in Parliament? Who is responsible for running the House? Why was the Monsoon Session of Parliament completely washed out? What led to Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden exit? Why has the Opposition made the ‘Vote Chori’ row its main weapon against the government? Was there really a BJP vs. BJP fight in the Constitution Club polls?

To answer these questions and give you the inside scoop, this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash is joined by ANI correspondents who closely cover Parliament and political parties, Suchitra Mukherjee, Siddharth Sharma, Nishant Ketu, Amit Kumar, along with Naveen Kapoor, National Bureau Chief.

00:00 – Introduction

00:50 – Opposition’s Strategy in Parliament

04:59 – Parliament Session Washout: Who Is to Blame?

06:40 – Where is Jagdeep Dhankhar?

09:12 – What is Zero Hour in Parliament?

12:37 – BJP vs BJP in Constitution Club Polls?

21:09 – Jaya Bachchan’s Selfie Chaos

24:39 – Shashi Tharoor vs Congress?

25:58 – Restrictions on Media at BJP & Congress HQs?

30:59 – ‘Vote Chori’ Allegations by Opposition

36:05 – Which MP Says No to Giving Bites?

40:21 – Covering Parliament as a Reporter

42:25 – Women MPs Bonding in Parliament

48:00 – Congress Removes the ‘Alcohol Abstention’ Clause

52:09 – Priyanka’s Role in Congress

54:27 – Man/Woman of the Match of the Parliament Session

57:44 – The Man Behind Dhankhar’s Resignation

1:01:03 – Story Behind Akhilesh Jumping Barricades

1:05:15 – BJP–RSS Bonhomie

1:08:41 – Can NDA Lose Its Majority?

1:11:27 – Impact of Operation Sindoor

1:13:08 – Manish Tewari & Shashi Tharoor Sidelined?

1:15:44 – Experience of Covering Operation Sindoor

Sardar Tarlochan Singh is a former Rajya Sabha member and ex-Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities. He has spent his life fighting for Sikh causes, human rights, and keeping the Punjabi language alive, promoting Sikhism around the world. He has seen it all, from Partition, Nehru and Indira Gandhi’s rule, the rise of Bhindranwale, Operation Blue Star, Rajiv Gandhi, to Modi’s government.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about Sikhism, what the Sikh community expects from the Central Government, and his experience as Press Secretary to President Giani Zail Singh during the difficult time after Indira Gandhi’s assassination and the anti-Sikh riots. From Partition to now, he shares how life for Sikhs in India has changed over the years.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

02:14 – Language Politics in India

07:10 – Untold History of India-Pakistan Partition

18:47 – Govt Engagement with Sikh Diaspora

29:14 – Sikh Diaspora's Political Influence

37:22 – Khalistan Issue & SGPC Politics

41:02 – Giani Zail Singh’s Political Life

48:43 – Giani Zail Singh vs. Rajiv Gandhi

1:12:31 – Op Blue Star & Rise of Bhindranwale

1:25:21 – Psychological & Political Impact of Op Blue Star

1:32:50 – PM Modi's Bold Steps for Sikhs

1:39:14 – Modi’s Role During the Gujarat Riots