ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

In a riveting discussion, guests include Colonel Hunny Bakshi, a military intelligence officer, and Pavithran Rajan, a tech-savvy ex-intelligence officer. They dive into Operation Sindoor, unraveling its strategic significance amidst India-Pakistan tensions. Listeners hear about the intricate timeline of attacks and the geopolitical shifts involving China and the U.S. Insights into covert operations, the importance of human intelligence, and the psychological toll on operatives add depth to understanding modern warfare. A must-listen for national security enthusiasts!

Jibesh Kumar is currently serving as the Minister of Urban Development and Housing in the Government of Bihar. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the impact of Rahul Gandhi's visit to Bihar ahead of the upcoming polls, the role of the INDIA alliance, and Tejashwi Yadav's "tired" claims about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.The conversation also touches on key urban issues such as metro rail projects, waterlogging during the monsoon, the Smart City Mission, and overall infrastructure and urban development under Nitish Kumar's regime.00:00 – Introduction00:23 – NDA Alliance in Bihar02:53 – Waterlogging Issue in Patna05:45 – Urban Development in Bihar08:45 – Metro Rail Projects in Bihar10:31 – Winning from the Jale Seat12:33 – INDIA Alliance in Bihar14:58 – Tejashwi's Remarks on Nitish Kumar’s Health17:18 – Attack on Darbhanga Deputy Mayor18:11 – Smart Cities in Bihar20:46 – Nitish Kumar’s Health

Nitin Nabin is currently serving as the Minister of Road Construction in Bihar and is also the BJP State In-Charge for Chhattisgarh. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about the Bihar Voter Roll Revision Controversy. The conversation covers issues such as NDA’s CM face, road construction, bridge collapses, and the development agenda in Bihar.00:00 – Coming Up01:34 – Introduction01:57 – Road Construction in Rural Bihar06:30 – Bridge Collapse Issues in Bihar09:00 – BJP's Position in Bihar Politics10:20 – The 'Chirag Factor' in NDA12:00 – Nepotism in Politics14:03 – Rahul Gandhi's ‘Match-Fixing’ Allegation15:03 – Corruption Charges16:04 – Alleged Road Construction Scam17:50 – Locals Struggle Due to Poor Roads21:22 – Concerns Over Nitish Kumar’s Health22:31 – Will Nitish Return in 2025?

Vijay Kumar Sinha is the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. He currently oversees two departments: Mines and Geology, and Agriculture.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about the rising crime rate in Bihar and what the state government is doing to control it.The conversation covers issues such as unemployment, migration, the healthcare system, and the development agenda in Bihar.00:00 – Introduction00:25 – Bihar’s Healthcare System02:20 – Higher Education in Bihar05:25 – Farm Reforms in Bihar07:33 – Congress’s ‘Mai Bahin Maan Yojana’11:09 – Jungle Raj Debate16:06 – PM Modi's Visit to Vijay Sinha's Residence18:19 – Muzaffarpur Dalit Minor Rape Case21:44 – NDA Alliance in Bihar

Sanjay Kumar Jha is a member of the Rajya Sabha and serves as the National Working President of Janata Dal-United. He is also the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture. He led an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation to convey India's message on Operation Sindoor.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sanjay Jha Jha explains how Op Sindoor showcased India's united stand against terrorism and gained global support.Jha speaks about Nitish Kumar's health and whether he will be fit for the upcoming state elections. He also clarifies whether Nitish Kumar will be the CM candidate for the 2025 Assembly elections in Bihar. The conversation covers crucial issues like employment, migration, NDA seat-sharing, and the development agenda in Bihar.00:00 – Introduction01:32 – PM Modi Meeting with All-Party Delegations on Op Sindoor02:48 – Troll by Congress over All-Party Delegation04:35 – Diplomatic Snub to Pakistan05:47 – Congress Leaders in All-Party Delegation08:13 – Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Narender Surrender’ Jibe09:37 – Op Sindoor at Core of BJP’s Poll Push?11:13 – Rahul Gandhi's “Match-Fixing” Claim11:51 – Anti-Incumbency Factor in Bihar13:38 – Nitish Kumar’s Health14:17 – JD(U)-BJP Alliance in Bihar15:11 – Dynasty Politics in Bihar16:48 – Migration & Flood Issue in Bihar22:07 – NDA’s Seat-Sharing Deal in Bihar23:00 – Global Media Coverage of Op Sindoor Outreach Delegation26:50 – External Support to India During Op Sindoor28:05 – Media Interaction by Nitish Kumar30:43 – Reservation in Private Sector Jobs31:42 – Paper Leaks in Bihar33:54 – Prashant Kishor and Jan Suraaj

Manjinder Singh Sirsa is a minister in the Delhi Government, holding the Industries, Food & Supplies and Environment, Forest & Wildlife portfolio. The Rajouri Garden MLA is considered close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.Formerly with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Sirsa joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2021 and was appointed National Secretary of the party in August 2023. He has also served as the President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, an autonomous organisation responsible for managing Gurdwaras in the national capital. Sirsa is a prominent Sikh leader in Delhi and holds significant influence in the Sikh community.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sirsa speaks about the ban on old Petrol and Diesel vehicles in Delhi and how the BJP plans to challenge it. He also shares his views on the controversy surrounding Arvind Kejriwal’s 'Sheesh Mahal' residence, and why the new official bungalow allotted to CM Rekha Gupta has drawn criticism.The conversation also touches on topics like the SGPC, Diljit Dosanjh’s film with a Pakistani actress, the Khalistan issue, and the presence of Rohingyas in Delhi.00:00 – Introduction00:38 – Forests and Wildlife in Delhi04:26 – Fuel Ban on Old Vehicles in Delhi11:26 – Delhi's Anti-Pollution Plan22:16 – Stubble Burning Crisis in Punjab24:55 – Kejriwal’s ‘Sheesh Mahal’26:30 – Rekha Gupta's ‘Maya Mahal’27:25 – Rohingya Settlements in Delhi30:26 – Delhi Excise Policy Case32:14 – Diljit Dosanjh Controversy33:37 – Future of the BJP in Punjab39:52 – Slogans Against PM Modi in Canada49:40 – Protection of Golden Temple During Op Sindoor52:35 – ‘Saint’ Tag for Bhindranwale55:16 – Immigration from Punjab57:07 – Snap Reaction Segment58:59 – Favourite Food in Delhi1:03:24 – Reforestation Projects in Delhi

Nityanand Rai is a Member of Parliament from Bihar and a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He currently serves as the Minister of State for Home Affairs. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he speaks about the surge in crime in Bihar and shares what the government is doing to strengthen law and order in the state. He also shares his views on the Rohingya issue, Operation Sindoor, migration, and discusses the NDA's Chief Ministerial face for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.*Timestamps*00:00 – Introduction 00:30 – Who are the ‘Thugs’ of Bihar?02:50 – What has NDA done in Bihar?06:15 – Delay in Patna Airport expansion07:23 – Bihar During Yadav Family at Helm09:37 – Surge in Crime in Bihar12:16 – Rohingya issue in Bihar15:08 – NDA’s CM face for Bihar15:58 – ‘Narender Surrender’ jibe20:03 – BJP’s ‘Big Brother’ role in Bihar20:34 – Endgame for Naxalism in India

Dilip Kumar Jaiswal is the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar. He plays a key role in shaping the party’s strategy and leadership in the state. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Jaiswal refers to Prashant Kishor as "Paisa Kishor" and challenges him to name even one significant contribution he has made to Bihar. The conversation covers crucial issues like employment, migration, NDA seat-sharing, and the development agenda in Bihar.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction00:30 – NDA’s CM Face in Bihar01:50 – NDA's Seat Sharing in Bihar03:46 – BJP’s Dependence on Nitish Kumar07:30 – BJP’s Poll Strike Rate in Bihar08:49 – Who is ‘Paisa Kishor’?11:27 – Migration Issues in Bihar13:34 – Reservation in Private Sector Jobs15:24 – Caste Census16:43 – Operation Sindoor18:26 – Land Survey in Bihar20:25 – Development Projects in Bihar21:36 – Singing Talent

Kanhaiya Kumar is the All India Congress Committee in-charge of NSUI and a youth leader in the Congress party. Tasked by Rahul Gandhi with strengthening the party’s presence in Bihar, he recently led a padyatra in the state. He is also a former president of the JNU Students’ Union.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Kanhaiya Kumar talks about the Congress party’s future in Bihar, Operation Sindoor, the issues of unemployment and migration, and the everyday realities faced by people in the state. He also shares his thoughts on whether padyatras can help revive the Congress’s fortunes in Bihar.00:00 - Introduction 00:34 - Kanhaiya Kumar's padyatra in Bihar 03:53 - BJP vs Congress: Bihar's Development 05:33 - Bharat Jodo Yatra: Who Really Benefited? 06:18 - Kanhaiya Kumar’s Promise for Bihar 06:58 - Centre vs Non-BJP States? 07:58 - Will Congress Comeback in Bihar? 10:26 - RJD-Congress Alliance 11:43 - Issues of Bihar 14:27 - Rahul Gandhi's 'Narender Surrender' Jibe 17:08 - Politics of Kanhaiya Kumar

Sanjay Yadav is a Member of the Rajya Sabha and is widely known as the political advisor and close aide to Tejashwi Yadav. Often referred to as the ‘Chanakya’ of the RJD, many believe that nothing moves in the party without his approval. He hails from Mahendragarh in Haryana.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sanjay Yadav defends what many critics call the ‘jungle raj’ era of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Chief Minister of Bihar. He also addresses concerns about Nitish Kumar’s health and explains why Nitish chose to break ties with the RJD.Sanjay Yadav also discusses the Muslim-Yadav combination, which is often seen as the core of RJD’s vote bank. Sanjay Yadav shares his views on Tej Pratap Yadav and responds to the speculation around whether he is fueling tensions between the Yadav brothers.00:00 – Introduction00:32 – Sanjay Yadav RJD’s ‘Chanakya’?03:23 – Central Agency Raids on Opposition04:07 – Tejashwi's Tenure as Bihar Deputy CM05:57 – Mahagatbandhan Seat Sharing08:25 – ‘Jungle Raj’ in Bihar14:41 – RJD’s M-Y Equation18:24 – Why Nitish Left INDIA Bloc21:04 – Relationship with Akhilesh Yadav22:28 – Tejashwi’s ‘Unconscious’ Jibe at Nitish24:21 – Nitish Kumar’s Return to NDA