Mumbai: Political heavyweights engaged in a spirited debate at ABP Network's "The Southern Rising" Summit. The debate took place during a session titled "Whose New India? Past, Imperfect, or Fast Forward." The panel, which included John Brittas, Narayanan Thirupathy, and M V Rajeev Gowda, presented a mosaic of contrasting viewpoints.
Observing the freedom of media in the nation BJP vice president Narayanan Thirupathy said, "Everyone in India now has the freedom to speak on any issue”. He further adds, “Many say BJP can't have a foothold in Tamil Nadu. In the last 60 years, it is the BJP that has been growing in the state more than other parties. We have done very well, our booth committee is very strong. There is a big vacuum in the absence of Jayalalitha and Karunanidhi, and BJP will definitely fill the vacuum. Definitely, the BJP is going to form the government in 2026."
Member of Parliament (CPIM) John Brittas said, “India is a multi-religious country and you can only have democracy when you have free and independent media. " He further adds, “India has a rich history of welcoming all cultures and boasts a diverse heritage. South India is the home of reformists. With 18% of the population, we contribute 35% to the GDP.
Contributing to the discussion and presenting a unique angle M V Rajeev Gowda, vice chairperson, State Institute for Transformation of Karnataka and ex-member of parliament, Rajya Sabha (INC) said "We are experiencing a BJP-free South India. In Karnataka, we saw corruption. The contractors wrote letters to the PM complaining about corruption. We need to provide people with fair prices and a safety net. This is something Congress will continue in the country. The Nyay scheme is also a safety net for people. We are expected to win Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh in a spectacular way.”
Countering to that John added, “The BJP can maintain its optimism, as everyone has the right to dream of coming to power in Tamil Nadu in 2026.”
The compelling dialogue in the session left the audience with a sense of urgency, underscoring the vital need to strike a delicate balance between history, the present, and the future in order to shape a prosperous and harmonious India.
'The Southern Rising' Summit was conceptualised and instituted by ABP Network as a tribute to the exceptional growth, cultural opulence, and societal harmony exemplified by the southern states of India. It aims to celebrate the spirit and richness of southern states, united on a singular mission of driving a transformative journey for India. The summit thus witnesses profound deliberations and sharing of insights by the movers and shakers of South Indian states and Union Territories.
