John Brittas wears many hats: parliamentarian, journalist, Managing Director and Chief Editor of Malayalam Communications Limited, which runs Kairali TV and Kairali News. He is currently the CPI(M) Parliamentary Party Leader in the Rajya Sabha.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he speaks about the decline of communism in India and across the world, and why the Left struggles to connect with a wider audience today. He discusses the Kerala model, migration from the state, and Kerala’s social harmony.

He argues that Hindutva politics will not click in Kerala and says the BJP is unlikely to become a major force there in the near future. He also speaks about the Congress and claims it continues to follow a “right-wing economic ideology.”

The conversation also covers the India–US trade deal, the 2008 nuclear deal, the UPA era, Pinarayi Vijayan’s leadership, and the strength of Malayalam cinema.

00:00 – Introduction

01:11 – Why Communism is Failing in India

10:38 – Kerala’s Vibrant Culture

12:28 – How CPI(M) Is So Powerful in Kerala

23:55 – India–US Nuclear Deal

26:15 – India–US Trade Deal

33:08 – The Kerala Ecosystem

36:16 – Why Kerala Supports the Left

40:57 – Can Kerala Inspire a Left Revival?

43:23 – BJP’s Prospects in Kerala

52:55 – Religious Harmony in Kerala

58:20 – BJP’s Mayoral Win

1:05:14 – Life as a Journalist

1:10:56 – Malayalam Cinema

1:14:49 – Political Leadership in India

1:15:56 – Pinarayi Vijayan’s Leadership Style

Karti Chidambaram is an Indian National Congress MP representing the Sivaganga constituency in Tamil Nadu.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the Parliament Budget Session, DMK-Congress alliance, Actor Vijay, freebies politics, money laundering investigations against him, and BJP’s presence in Tamil Nadu.

He also addresses the Dhurandhar controversy and his alleged cameo in it, highlighting the absence of official records related to it.

*Timestamps*

00:00 – Introduction

01:47 – Parliament Deadlock

12:33 – Congress-DMK Alliance

20:04 – Congress in Tamil Nadu

25:30 – BJP-AIADMK Alliance

31:09 – Anti-Incumbency Against DMK

37:36 – Legal Cases & Investigations

43:40 – Sonia’s Role in UPA

47:27 – Sanatana Debate

51:23 – Freebie Politics

59:09 – Dhurandhar Controversy

1:05:16 – KYC, Re-KYC & Citizen Rights

1:11:13 – Family-Centric Politics

1:15:31 – Relations with Rahul Gandhi

1:16:26 – Snap Reactions

1:23:47 – Bonding with Father

1:32:09 – South Indian Food

Nayab Singh Saini, the Chief Minister of Haryana, led the BJP to win a third term in the state, despite predictions of anti-incumbency against the party.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, CM Saini talks about the key issues shaping Haryana’s future, including farmers, job creation, and women’s safety.

He also shares his vision for the development of Gurugram, focusing on better urban planning, improved drainage systems, and long-term growth for the city.

00:00 – Introduction

00:52 – No Anti-Incumbency in Haryana

08:51 – Promises Made During the Polls

13:27 – Farmers’ Protest

18:08 – Crop Diversification in Haryana

23:27 – Youth Skill Development & Women’s Safety

26:06 – Gurugram’s Development

28:28 – Punjab’s Drug Crisis

35:49 – Jobs and Employment

40:05 – Lado Lakshmi Yojana

41:52 – Welfare Schemes

44:38 – Yamuna Poison Controversy