‘Make it or break it’ is what different political parties are chanting in their race to the Lok Sabha elections. With just a few weeks remaining for the polls, stakes are very high. From awkward hugs in the Parliament to transforming potatoes into precious metals, Indian politicians have taken the debate beyond the bounds of reality. However their adventure in the unreal has sure given some food for thought to the media, voters and the scientific community.
Our leaders taking note of the global stage have been inspired by the US type presidential debate; Mamata Banerjee became the second leader after Rahul Gandhi to challenge Narendra Modi for a televised debate on any TV network. She even claimed not to bring any teleprompter or script to the debate.
“Modi-ji you have never done a press conference. Why don’t you come for a debate instead? If they can do it abroad, why don’t we do one here?” she said at a rally in Andhra Pradesh, where she was campaigning for Chandrababu Naidu.
“We will not come with any papers or teleprompters. It will not be a prepared speech. It will be a direct interaction with the people. We’ll see kiske baju mein kitna dum hai (who has more guts),” Mamata Banerjee added.
The media taking the forefront to deliver ‘exclusive news’ to voters has been quick to grab the opportunity. Some sections of the media in their quest to deliver ‘exclusive news’ were fast, rather too fast in jumping the gun. Debates and analysis followed which ate up a lot of precious on air time which is traditionally used to discuss important issues like the dietary habits of aliens or the behind the scenes action of daily soap operas. However NDTV clearly came out ahead of the lot. NDTV misreported that Ms Banerjee offered to debate the PM on NDTV when in fact she said “any TV”.
Correction: Ms Banerjee said “any TV’’. We apologize for the error.
— NDTV (@ndtv) March 31, 2019
With twitter coming in handy, NDTV cleared the air and reiterated their commitment to put out ‘exclusive news’ for people. Twitteratis making their important contribution to the discourse by advising NDTV to provide English classes for their staff, which surely made NDTV want to refrain from over-enthusiastic reporting in the future.
Mamata Banerjee who was also joined by Arvind Kejriwal on the dais, both considered to be staunch critics of Prime Minister Modi, lit up the atmosphere for the TDP cadre. Arvind Kejriwal who has been struggling to get the Congress on board for an alliance in Delhi, has also been facing tough competition from the BJP’s Digital Rath which has been providing free Wi-Fi in Delhi, with the password being “Kejriwal failed to give free Wi-Fi.”
Rahul Gandhi who has also issued multiple challenges to PM Modi for a public debate, mostly over the issue of Rafale jets. His last such challenge was in February where he just sought ‘five minutes’ form the prime minister to explain the intricacies of an inter governmental multibillion dollar defense procurement deal. Various BJP spokespersons have come forward and asked Rahul Gandhi to debate them first before debating Modi ji.