Hello and welcome You're watching And the TV 24 7. My name is Katie Bahel. The first phase and the biggest phase of the 2024 looks by elections is done and dusted with the more than 60% turnout that has been recorded today. The first phase of polls saw voting in all 39 seats of Tamil Nad 12 seats of Rajasthan, eight seats of up six seats in MP, 15 in the northeast. In fact, Manipur voted for the first time today after months of ethnic strife. There have been some sporadic incidents of violence that were reported today. Well, The Naxal hot belt hotbed of Buster also witnessed voting today amid tight security in the first phase, and so did three seats in not Beal. First time since the abrogation of Article 370 there was voting in Jammu Kashmir, with the hot seat of Udhampur going to polls well. Several big faces have been in the fray that included eight unit ministers, two former chief ministers, one former government that Tami Sai Soar Arjun, who was contesting from the South Chennai seat, and a number of key leaders who were in the fray today. Well, the BJP has targeted to win 370 of the 543 seats and they have a mission. They've aimed that the India will be crossing the 400 mark. The Congress, on the other hand, is calling this a fight to save the democracy. Today, Manipur. Both the seats went to polls. However, the outer Manipur polling is divided into two phases. Part of outer Manipur seat has gone to poll today. The other part would go in the second phase, but it was in the inner Manipur seat where there were at least half a dozen incidents where there were incidents which were reported of violence. Where there was an incident of firing, Evms were damaged, at least in polling stations. They were all of proxy voting by armed people, allegations of armed people coming and threatening polling agents. There was a video that went viral of the Congress candidate for inner Manipur professor A actually arguing with the senior police officials alleging that his polling agent had been threatened and thrown out. So these were things that were reported in fact, Congress asking for re polling in several polling stations, whether the election commission does this or not, we'll get to know. However, 160 additional companies of central forces were sent to Manipur apart from the forces which were already there for the last one year to contain the violence. But these 160 companies were sent for polling, so therefore, by and large the polling was peaceful and overall Manipur registered over 68% polling, which is far, far less than what it used to be in the past. But given the circumstances in which people have voted, perhaps one would say that people did turn out. But the most important part was that there were special arrangements, special booths made for people over 25,000 people who live in relief camps to come and vote. Many of them came and vote. In fact, we did speak exclusively to the chief minister. He agreed that in some areas there were violence in some areas, there are still issues there and areas are sensitive, but he felt that people have taken part in the elections. However, if you talk about art Manipur in Kanko district, the turnout was very low as compared to Chur from where the violence started. All right. Reports of sporadic violence that have been coming in from parts of man for today. Uh, but, uh, let's also now shift our focus. Let's take a look at this exclusive conversation we've had with Union Minister Ken Riju, who spoke about BJ. P's mission, Uh, cha soar and the party's ambitions in the Northeast as well as the southern states. We have a union Minister of Earth Sciences and B JP, candidate from Arunachal Westin Kiran Riju with us on the broadcast here. Thank you so much, sir, For speaking to ND TV. Sir, the first phase polling has ended. Prime Minister Modi has set a target of char so par for the ND A. What is the sense that's coming from the ground? What's the sense you're getting on the drum? Uh, well, uh uh from the eastern side from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and other northeastern states. It's a well equaling the slogan raised by Prime Minister Charles of Par. We are going to give a very substantial contribution in the India's number. Although this char of par Prime Minister has, uh, echoed this slogan. But the slogan actually came from the people. So it's the mood of the people across the country. So this slogan is resonating with everyone. And I'm happy that from Arunachal Pradesh, uh, we are going to win both the blocks of our MP seats, and we are going to sweep the assembly election. Uh, because it's a simultaneous poll out of 60 seats for the assembly seats. Uh, B JP is going to sweep, so it's a very positive voting today. I voted in my native village far in the border area, and I just come down and in Upper Assam, also across northeast. I think the mood is just like it's elsewhere in the country. So we are very happy that North Eastern region is substantially making good contributions. Because in the last 10 years, Prime Minister Modi has led the development for the northeastern region. And we are seeing this, uh, positive. Uh, you know, work of Modi, uh, from the ground. People are paying back with this Thank you note by voting for B JP. Ok, well, the B JP, of course, has made big gains in the recent past in northeast as well. Now you are a three time sitting MP from Arunachal West Losa seat. You've defeated your rival with a huge margin in 2019 in 2014 losa polls as well. Now you're seeking 1/4 term from this seat. How hopeful are you, sir? Well, this time I think I will also break my previous records. In 2019, I met the highest margin ever and defeated my other arrivals mainly the Congress. Former Chief Minister Naam Tuki. He is contesting again against me along with some six more candidates. But the ground report which I have received so far, seems to be improving my past records. So I am looking for something around 75%. Plus it could be possibly one of the highest margin in the country. So I'm very hopeful that as in my case, other constituencies are also going to have a very landslide victory for the BJP candidates. And in Northeastern, some of the areas we have ND a candidates of both BJP and ND a candidates. We are going to perform very well. OK, so the BJP or the ND, if I may say, of course, is looking to increase its tally in the Northeast from 18 seats to many BJP leaders are saying the tally will go to at least 22. You think it will further consolidate the BJP's position in the Northeast? Yeah, I think in Assam last time Congress won three seats this election in 2024. I don't think Congress will open its accounts. Uh, that makes our tally going further up. So we have only 25 blocks of our seats. I wish Northeastern Region has more seats so that we could have contributed more. But we have only 25 blocks of our seats and we will strike best ever result this time. OK, so Mr Fuji, if I may ask about the BJP's hopes for the Southern states well for the B JP to reach the goal of 370 plus seats or for N DS char sopar mission, Southern states would be crucial too. Now, Union Home Minister Ramesha, while speaking to ND TV, has said that Prime Minister Modi's popularity will translate into more votes and seats in southern India. With that, you see the BJP becoming a pan India party BJP seat tally also increasing in the southern states well Tamil Nad and Kerala, Of course, it is hoping to open its account there. Well, I see a big gain in South India. If you remember Thura and West Bengal B JP was zero just a few years back in Tripura. BJP could not even win a corporation election. But we swept in 2019. And you just see, uh, you know, it's all B JP in a similar way in West Bengal. B JP had no MP no ML a uh, in fact, uh, till 2014, we didn't have a single MP in West Bengal. Uh, except darling. So 2014, we got two seats in West Bengal Asan. So in in 2019, we won 18. So but Tamil Nadu has never been zero for us. In fact, we had won many seats in the past six seats in 1998 like that. So I feel, uh, Prime Minister Moss personal drive in the southern part of India has made a huge impact, and you all are going to see a surprising election results, especially from Tamil Nadu and Kerala. So Karnataka has been always good for B JP, and this time we are going to have major gains in Telangana. I am also going to Telangana day after then I'm going to West Bengal for election campaign and I could very well sense the situation. So Tamil Nadu, Kerala these are going to be a major gain only because of Prime Minister Modi's popularity and his his, you know, connect with the grassroot people. He is connecting with every section of society in the southern part of India, so it's no more North India party. B JP is now very strong in eastern part like Pisa, West Bengal and northeast BJP is already dominating southern part of India. Also, BJP going to have a major gains north India, west India we all already dominated. So BJP is truly Pan India National Party whose presence is right there from Ladak to Kanyakumari, from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh to and Mandi cover. So BJP is going to have the best ever performance in 2024 election. OK, what would you say for the Congress party? Well, the Congress Party, of course, has their hopes high after their Assembly poll win in Telangana. The Congress is saying there is no space for the BJP in Southern states. Mr. Chham, we've spoken to just a while back. He said that the India bloc is going to sweep all seats in Tamil Nadu and the BJP has no space. Please don't trust CHS words. Please don't trust Rahal Gandhi's words. We know in 2014 what chham ram had said that he is swore by God that, uh, the UP a is coming for the third time, but they were wiped out. So, uh, you will see the result very soon. Uh, Tang result was, uh, you know, it was a local particular situation where Congress party got the benefit of the anti incumbency of the TRS. So in Karnataka, also very localised factor, but you will see Lo Sabah result will be completely different. So Rahul Gandhi and his people are having a daydreaming. You know, if if Congress is saying that, um, you know they are going to revive, it's It's like a, you know, completely misunderstanding of the ground situation. As long as Rahul Gandhi is there as their leader, we know the fate of the Congress Party. I don't want to talk much about Congress party because people have rejected them. They don't have leadership. They don't have any vision. So Congress is today a rather less you know, completely directionless party. OK, so people are looking for a stable and a strong government under the leadership of Modi. Especially if you see the international context. Today, India is one of the most stable country. Be it from economy point of view. Be it the social, be it the military everything. India's stature is rising under the leadership of Modi. Everybody in India wants to see Prime Minister Modi as prime Minister for the third term. All right, sir. All right, sir. Thank you so much for speaking to ND TV. Well, the results will be out on June 4th, of course. And, uh, we'll have to wait and watch. As you've been saying, B JP will definitely make big gains this time around as well. If that happens, the results will tell. Of course. Thank you so much for speaking to us. Thank you. Thank you very much. All right. Uh, now shifting our focus now to this exclusive conversation that we've had with senior Congress leader Peter Damm, he's confident of India block sweep in the southern states and also has responded on a number of issues listen in. So would you say that the Congress has compromised? Or would you say that the Congress has been accommodative of aspirations of regional players? Congress is recognise the reality of the ground situation. As I said, there are X number of states where Congress is the dominant party. In fact, it is the only party which is opposing the BJP. In other states, there is a regional party which is a bigger player. We acknowledge that reality and allow the bigger player to take the lead. I have said this in several columns and several interviews over the last 12 months. Mr. Sudra, um, you know, the issue of electoral bonds has been brought up prominently by the Congress Party over and over again, Amit Cha today said, And I've got a quote from him. In fact, this was in an interview to ND TV. He says their parties, in other words, opposition parties have also received donations through bonds. Is that extortion as well? Rahul Gandhi must tell people, Yes, we have also extorted, and the donation that they have received in proportion to the number of MPs is more than what we got is what Amit Shah says. How would you respond? This is the problem. Uh, you you draw these false comparisons. Firstly, the Congress is not in power in the centre. It has not been in power for 10 years. Therefore, we cannot extort any money from anyone on the On the basis of that, we will do your favours. Or this is a repayment for past favours or advanced payment for future favours. So there is no comparison at all. This comparison is completely odious. Number one, number two, We are a political party. We need to raise funds from the people public, which also includes rich Corporates. If you close every other avenue and the only avenue available is the electoral bond. What are we supposed to do? Uh, carrying a begging bowl and go around the country? That is the only avenue available to a political party. Therefore, we have to necessarily take that route. What is the choice? Unless Mr Amit Shah says we alone can extort all of you beg And well, with that, it's time for a short break here. More news and updates. Uh, continue on the other side. Stay tuned. Welcome back After the break. A trial court in Chhattisgarh, Raipur has accepted the closure report filed by EOW AC B after no case of disproportionate assets was made against Aman Singh, who was the principal secretary to former Chhattisgarh Cheikh Minister Raman Singh. An A I was registered against Raman Singh's PS under the previous Bhupesh B led Congress government. As for the court order, three years of investigation by the state EOW failed to substantiate the allegations of disproportionate assets against Singh and his wife. The closure report was filed by the economic Offences wing of the state government in December last year before the current B JP government took office. While the trial court has now accepted the closure report and the FIR has been quashed, Aman Singh has been a bureaucrat in the Raman Singh led B JP government in Chhattisgarh and the principal secretary to the chief minister in some more news now. At least four people were killed and several others are missing as a boat they were travelling in capsized in the Mahanadi River in Orissa. The incident took place when the boat carrying around 50 passengers was going from Patar Kuda to BJ Pali in Barga district in Orissa. This is a tragic incident that has unfolded in Orissa. We are learning at least four people have died and there are reports of several people feared missing so far. All right, we have some more news now. The face of between the ED officials at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kal continues to escalate after the ED said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been eating mangoes and sweets inside the Tihar prison. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal now has sought consultation with a doctor over video conferencing. Well, the Delhi Rao Avenue court has now asked the ED and the tear jail authorities to respond on that. The order over the application by Arvin Kal has been reserved for Monday. The arm of the party, meanwhile, has claimed that a conspiracy is being hatched to kill the chief minister in jail by denying him insulin and necessary medicines. Listening to what the arm of the party and the B JP have to say. Kendra Sarkar Insulin. But I But I Pradhan MANTRI Narendra Modi Application Dali Insulin DJ DJ a Arvind KRI Diabetic or insulin ku K ya ko Diet plan Harvin KJ say social media Raha Kar UH PICO EK Kwai Jan BK Yari Jail kihi Died Haiti documented. Alright, we'll keep an eye on the developments on that and get you more. With that, it's time for a short break now.
