Left, Right & Centre

Violence broke out again today in Bengal's Bhatpara, barely 30 km from Kolkata, after a team of BJP leaders visited the town, where Section 144 has been imposed following the death of two in clashes on Thursday. Several others were also injured in the clashes. Section 144 prohibits the gathering of four or more people. The three-member BJP delegation visited Bhatpara to review the situation after the political clashes on Thursday. Moments after the delegation left, violence broke out between two groups and hurled threw country-made bombs. Several persons have been injured in the incident. Tonight on Left Right and Centre, we ask, "Is this a 'political controversy' or a need for intervention"?

The death toll in Bihar has now crossed 130, 110 in Muzaffarpur alone. But Bihar isn't the only story of apathy. A five-day-old baby died as her parents were tossed around from one hospital to another. Is apathy killing our babies? Is that the epidemic in India?

The BJP has just carried out a surgical strike on Chandrababu Naidu, in what is now being called the big Andhra coup. Four TDP lawmakers from Rajya Sabha have merged with the BJP - the total strength of TDP in Rajya Sabha was six - so the anti-defection law does not apply here. This is being seen as the big move to add some Rajya Sabha numeric muscle for the BJP ahead of the tabling and passage of the Triple Talaq bill. In PM Modi's last term too, Rajya Sabha was the problem, but even now, the strength is not enough to sail through with legislation. So the question that we are asking on the show, are we to expect more coups as the session goes along?

In Uttar Pradesh, an ordinance for private universities has been brought in. The government has not clarified what constitutes "anti-national activities" but has warned universities of "action" if the law is violated. On Left Right & Centre, we look at the pros and cons of the new ordinance and ask, why the urgency for an ordinance?

"One Nation, One Poll" has been made into a national debating issue once again as Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed it in a meeting with head of all political parties. Forty political parties were invited, just 21 showed up. Three parties gave their representation in writing. A majority of opposition players were missing at the meeting. For now, the government has said that a committee will be formed to discuss this threadbare and accommodate all views. The question still remains, "is this idea realistic or is it overambitious?"

The prime minister is to meet chiefs of all parties to urge them for a dialogue, among other things, one nation one election. Now this is a controversial proposal where there is an immediate opinion in binaries. Does it save India millions of rupees or not? Does it free up the security apparatus for other jobs or not? Does it help in governance or not? Then there are some frequently asked questions on this proposal, for instance, what happens if a government in the state cannot complete a five year term? Will there be President's rule just to ensure this uniformity? There are also concerns of this being an attack on the federal structure. So, today, we will look at each of these suggestions, concerns and proposals to hopefully come to some conclusion.

On Left Right and Centre this evening, we discuss babus being booted out. Is it time to take this beyond the finance ministry?

More than 100 children have died in Bihar due to acute encephalitis syndrome in the last 16 days and most of these deaths have taken place in Muzaffarpur, which is 75 km away from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Bungalow in Patna. We dig deep into what is causing these deaths and where is the accountability for it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an all-party meeting today - a day before parliament's budget session is slated to begin. But the opposition is yet to recover from its shock defeat in the national elections. An opposition strategy session - also customary before every parliament session hasn't been held yet. The Congress's abysmal performance has not only disqualified it again for post of the Leader of the Opposition, there is no clarity on who will lead the party either. We ask tonight, what will a weakened opposition mean for the functioning of parliament?

With the doctors' strike in West Bengal inching towards a sixth day, a reconciliatory Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said she accepts all valid demands of the protesting doctors and requested them to return to work. In other developments the Home Ministry has sought a report from the Mamata Banerjee government on the ongoing doctor strike. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan wrote a letter to all states, asking them to consider enacting specific legislation for protecting doctors and medical professionals from any form of violence.

On Left, Right and Centre tonight, we ask where was the preparedness of the state? Is medical apathy justified as children are not votebanks ? Was the government simply found napping?

On Left, Right and Centre tonight, we critically analyse whether the Congress has in it to play the role of an important opposition. What's the Congress' blueprint for revival?

On Left, Right and Centre tonight, we discuss what explains this increase in violence in Bengal? Who is to blame more, the BJP or the Trinamool Congress? And is this a bloody build up to 2021?

On Left, Right and Centre tonight, is Modi 2.0 de-hyphenating Muslim women from the political monolith called the Muslim votebank?

On Left, Right and Centre, we discuss our politicians and their thin skin to criticism and humour. Is the answer to an inappropriate comment an arrest? Will they listen to the Supreme Court when it says this is not murder. Will politicians ever understand this?