News Broadcasting
“Shiv Sena symbol, recognition was part of Rs 2,000 crore package deal” says Sanjay Raut
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (Udhav Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut had appeared on Rajat Sharma’s show ‘Aap Ki Adalat’. The two were locked in an intense tête-à-tête, regarding the split of the Sena party. Speaking on the split, Raut said, “Rs 2,000 crore was spent on purchasing MLAs”. Adding on, he stated that “getting recognition was a part of the packaged deal. The show, which aired last night, saw Raut make quite a few revelations.
Sharma also surveyed Raut about the Electoral Commission order and hinted that Raut’s camp is now concerned about protecting their 384 crore worth properties. To which Raut replied, “Tell me, is Rs 384 crore is a big figure for our party, which is more than 50 years old. It has been in power both in the state and the Centre. As a party, if we collected Rs 300 rupees in party fund, Shinde should not have this pain in his stomach”. To this, Sharma further questioned Raut, “they say, you fear even Matoshri bungalow can be taken over”?
Raut candidly responded, “With the help of the Election Commission, they have taken possession of Shiv Sena’s name and bow-arrow symbol. Let them carry these for the next 2-3 months, they will realize their true power. This game is for a few days.”
The pace of the conversation between Sharma and Raut was intense. Sharma also probed Raut regarding his allegations of Shinde government practicing black magic. Raut said, “go to Mantralaya, CM House and see what is happening, which animals they sacrificed at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. Everybody knew this, what was there to hide? Go to people’s homes in Maharashtra and find out whether black magic is being practiced. This is not the tradition in the homes of Maharashtra, this is a superstition.”
Sharma, who is a interviewer, retorted, “it was written Supriya Sule’s sari caught fire, Ajit Pawar was stranded inside a lift, Balasaheb Thorat broke his shoulder, Dhananjay Munde had an accident, Sanjay Raut had to go to jail. All these happened due to black magic?” Raut quickly responded to this by saying that it is the people of Maharashtra who feel this.
Raut, who is also in the middle of a legal battle, was asked to clarify his comments on the judiciary becoming a mistress for those in power. “Yes, I wrote this, and I believe this. I am not alone in making this allegation. Many eminent people in the country are also saying that we are not getting justice. I also said, “The Supreme Court is the only place left where we find a ray of hope for getting justice.”
Another revelation made by the Uddhav Shiv Sena chief claimed that most of the 40 MLAs who left the party to join Eknath Shinde camp fear ED, CBI, and Income Tax raids. For Raut, “Out of the 40 MLAs who left, 10 were facing ED proceedings, three were facing CBI charges and two were facing Income Tax proceedings. They were intimidated and were offered money, and out of fear, they left the party. What has happened to the Jyotiraditya Scindia MP? The game that was played in Maharashtra was earlier played in MP, and they tried this game in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand too. They also attempted to do this in Delhi and Telangana.”
The last segment of the show was focused on Raut’s opinion on Raj Thackeray. Sharma pointed out that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray’s mannerisms were like Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. To this, Raut laughingly responded that even “comedians and mimicry artists like Johnny Lever and Raju Shrivastava can copy, but that does not make one a leader like Balasaheb.”
And lastly, Sharma also asked why Raj Thackeray broke away from Uddhav Thackeray. According to Raut, it was Raj’s wish. There are two or four brothers in a family, and they go their own ways. He thought, I can do something different. He set up his own party. However, he has nothing now. Sometimes he allies with BJP, sometimes with anyone else. Even Shinde thinks he can become the PM.”
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
