News Broadcasting
And now a ‘Feel Good Party’!
NEW DELHI: Popular satirist Jaspal Bhatti Wednesday floated a new political outfit – the “Feel Good Party” – and promptly went on to mock at the country’s political tribe.
And in keeping with the times, he said his party was ready to form an alliance with any other party, ideology be damned, and said the symbol of the party would be a “smiling cat” and “a smiling dog”.
“I was compelled to float such a party because the feel good atmosphere promoted by the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is so powerful and so impressive,” Bhatti told IANS, tongue firmly in cheek.
“Its only agenda is to generate a feel-good feeling and keep that sensation going, no matter how bad people may be feeling.
“If we are voted, we promise to spend public money on promos and advertisements to keep up a constant feel good feeling.”
Bhatti, 48, an electrical engineer, has used his simple, yet hard-hitting comic style both in television serials, on stage and on the streets to get his message across and see that it hits home.
The feel good party would field candidates in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, and “wherever the response is good”.
It is a “spoof” on political parties, and Bhatti has lampooned virtually every major political outfit of the country.
The party would have “no ideology”, he insisted, so that it would be that much easier to ally with just about anybody.
“We are open to an alliance with BJP or Congress, or even both,” he said straight-facedly.
And its prime ministerial candidate will only belong to the Bhatti family – a tribute to the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty dominating the Congress party.
“Though our prime ministerial candidate will be a Bhatti, we will not announce any candidate until after the elections, so that there is no friction in the party.”
The entertainer continued: “First cousins will not be allowed – although grandchildren and even great grandchildren can join.”
The symbol of the party would be “a smiling cat” and “a smiling dog”.
Indecision?
“We have kept both symbols so that even if our party splits and we lose one symbol, the other will remain with us!”
The animals are, of course, grinning widely. “It is the feel-good factor,” reminds Bhatti.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
