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

Taranjit Singh Sandhu is a former Indian diplomat who served as India's ambassador to the United States from 2020 to 2024. He played a key role in the establishment of the Indian embassy in Ukraine. He also served as the First Secretary in Washington, held the position of Consul General in Frankfurt, and was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Throughout his career, he held various key positions within the Ministry of External Affairs in India.

In March 2024, Taranjit Singh Sandhu joined the BJP and was selected as the party's candidate for the religiously important Amritsar constituency in the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, former ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu discusses the law and order situation in Punjab, addressing the drug crisis affecting the state's youth.

He criticizes the Aam Aadmi Party for failing to manage the situation and provide jobs for Punjab's younger generation. According to Sandhu, there is widespread dissatisfaction with AAP's performance, leading to a strong anti-incumbency sentiment in the northern state.

Additionally, Taranjit Singh Sandhu outlines his vision for transforming Amritsar into a tourism and start-up hub to boost the city's economy.

(0:00) Introduction0:35Diplomat Turned Politician

(2:52) Why Joined Politics

(4:20) Family Roots to Amritsar

(9:53) SGPC Connection with Family

(15:00) Parents' Legacy17:53Higher Education in Delhi

(18:35) BJP's Amritsar Jinx

(20:58) Problems in Amritsar

(23:25) Unemployment in Amritsar

(26:51) Startup Culture in Punjab

(29:30) VFS & U.S. Consulate in Amritsar

(31:25) Agriculture in Punjab

(36:16) Punjab Cargo Facility

(41:15) PM Modi's Policies

(42:13) Punjab's AAP Sarkar

(45:48) On Sukhpal Khera Row

(48:19) Amritpal Singh Poll Debut

(51:02) SAD-BJP Breakup

(52:17) Friendship with Sukhbir Badal

(56:19) PM's Sikh Diaspora Connect

(58:35) India-U.S. Ties