Polls just concluded in India—the world's largest democracy. Exit polls predict NDA's return, but what is the ground reality? What factors boosted BJP led NDA coalition? We will have all these answers and more from three seasoned ANI journalists, who extensively covered the Indian elections.

Joining the discussion are Ashoke Raj, Siddharth Sharma, and Suchitra Mukherjee. Ashoke shares election insights from Punjab and Karnataka, Siddharth has covered polls in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala, while Suchitra reported on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.

In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, the three ANI journalists delve into their experiences covering the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. They offer insights into the successes and challenges of the NDA and INDIA alliances and discuss the ground realities in the states they covered.

(0:00) Introduction

(0:28) North-South Divide

(3:44) Who'll win Karnataka?

(7:38) Siddaramaiah Schemes

(13:10) BJP's '400 Paar' Slogan

(14:39) Political Rallies Truth

(19:30) SP-Congress Alliance

(21:02) Why Priyanka didn't fight

(26:30) INDIA VS NDA in UP

(29:30) Rahul's Nyay Yatra

(33:17) Kanhaiya's future in Congress

(38:32) Mood in Punjab44:15:00The Modi Factor47:30:00K-Backer Amritpal

(53:30) Punjab's Chitta economy

(57:30) Odisha Exit poll1:00:50Cong Himachal govt to go?

(1:05:20) Rae Bareli & Amethi

(1:11:30) Personal Attacks in Polls

(1:15:20) Piyush Goyal 'Blushing' Story

(1:17:50) Main Issues in Bengal

(1:28:13) Maharashtra politics

(1:34:41) Exit Polls fallout1:45:30BJP vs Congress Cadres

(1:48:20) Reporter Challenges

(1:58:06) No interviews by Rahul

(2:05:10) Exit polls or exact polls?

Anurag Singh Thakur is a BJP MP in the Lok Sabha representing the Hamirpur constituency in Himachal Pradesh. He currently holds the positions of Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs, and Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the Second Modi Ministry. His father, Prem Kumar Dhumal, was a former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.

Previously, Thakur has also served as Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs. Additionally, he was the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from May 2015 to February 2017.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Anurag Thakur discusses the development in Himachal Pradesh during the NDA rule. He also criticized Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, stating that Congress promises in the state remain unfulfilled and accusing him of politicizing the Himachal flood situation.

Thakur also emphasizes PM Modi's popularity, particularly among women voters, and highlights the benefits of the Agnipath scheme for the country's youth, discussing its potential impact on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

(0:00) Introduction1:00Fifth Term MP?3:31Amit Shah's Appreciation

(5:47) Popularity Among Voters

(7:15) Modi Developing HP?

(12:58) Agnipath Scheme

(16:58) Gandhis Took Chinese Money?

(19:24) Atmanirbhar in Defence...

(22:32) Modi's Women Voters

(27:45) HP Congress Govt. is a Laughing Stock

(32:13) Kargil War35:11:00Himachal is Veerbhumi

(36:49) We Can Raze Pak Down To Dust

(40:05) Who Will Win LS Polls 2024?

(45:05) Foreign Media's Election Coverage

(47:13) INDIA Alliances's Ban List

(49:28) Social Media Influencing Elections?

(50:50) Personal Attacks in Election Campaigns

(52:22) Constitution Amendment Row

(54:30) Sansad Mobile Swasthya Seva

(58:42) Cricket Career0:59:43I Will Win...1:01:10PM Modi's Commitment

(1:04:42) Family is My Asset

Elections are currently underway in India, the world's largest democracy. However, as the voting progresses, there's a noticeable shift in political discourse. The focus has moved away from core issues towards topics like identity, caste reservation, and the constitution. But why are political parties deviating? What lies beneath this shift? We'll delve into these questions to uncover the truth.

Joining the podcast are Suhel Seth and Advaita Kala. Suhel Seth is a brand guru, author, and columnist. Advaita Kala is an author, columnist, and screenwriter, best known for her work on the critically acclaimed film 'Kahaani.'

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Suhel Seth and Advaita Kala discuss the election narrative for the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha Polls. They delve into legacy media's coverage of the elections, with Kala claiming that there is a general level of distrust towards mainstream media. She also suggests that social media platforms may be controlling the narrative through their extensive systems. The conversation also touches on PM Narendra Modi, his farsightedness, and his immense popularity among the masses, with Seth claiming that 'brand Modi' is more popular than that of RSS and BJP combined. Tune in for an episode filled with jibes, sarcasm, and satire.

(0:00) Intro1:47Summer Elections

(2:42) Seth's Jibe at Kala

(5:20) Legacy Media's Election Coverage

(6:45) Indian Electorate

(10:30) Brand Modi15:30Toothless Election Commission?

(17:44) Hindu Identity Politics

(26:20) Laws Have Exonerated Modi

(29:20) 1984 Sikh 'Genocide'

(30:50) Congress Controlled Media?

(32:45) Lutyens' Gang'34:50:00Distrust in Legacy Media

(39:14) Hate Economy is Thriving

(43:40) Seth's Meeting with Modi

(45:10) Sensational' Campaigns

(48:00) Western Media's Agenda

(51:35) Primetime Debates

(54:10) Indian Political Discourse

(1:00:12) Tech Platforms Controlling Narrative?

(1:02:30) Politics Affecting Relationships?

(1:04:14) Swati Maliwal Row

(1:06:00) The AAP Campaign

(1:10:40) AAP's Punjab Connection

(1:13:16) Election Reforms?

(1:15:20) Digital Activism

(1:17:17) The Labharthi Factor