Adhir Ranjan: Can J&K still be an internal matter?

In an in-depth discussion on key global election developments, the show examines the historic victory of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the Brazilian presidential election. Lula secured a comeback win with 51.79% of the vote against far-right candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, who challenged the voter turnout. Political analyst and American University distinguished professor Allan Lichtman notes that Brazil's election counters the right-wing wave across Latin America, stating that 'Brazilian democracy is still alive and well, and likely to survive into the future.' Lichtman also emphasizes the outcome as a major blow to Donald Trump ahead of the American midterm elections, highlighting that voter mobilization and grassroots engagement played a decisive role in the outcome. Former Brazilian diplomat Paulo Antonio Pereira Pinto joins the panel to discuss Brazil's defense of democratic values and sovereignty, along with the growing diplomatic importance of India and the Global South in the evolving geopolitical landscape.

A debate on the Special Intensive Revision process examines opposing perspectives on voter roll revisions, deletions, and electoral integrity across multiple states. One side raises concerns over arbitrary voter deletions prior to elections, questioning procedural changes regarding voter forms and demanding transparency from electoral authorities while highlighting widespread public demonstrations. In contrast, the counter-perspective maintains that voter list revisions have historical precedent across decades and address duplicate, shifted, deceased, and absentee entries rather than causing disenfranchisement. The discussion centres on appellate mechanisms for voter restoration, consensus in official filings before the apex court, and differing views regarding whether electoral disputes reflect legitimate democratic concerns or political reactions following electoral losses. The exchange underscores the ongoing dispute over institutional credibility, electoral processes, and upcoming state polls.

The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Karnataka has come under scrutiny following the submission of thousands of Form 7 applications for voter deletion. Election officials have submitted over 61,000 deletion forms without specifying mandatory reasons, following the removal of 1.07 crore names during the enumeration phase. Earlier records show that over 1.28 lakh deletion applications were filed prior to the exercise, including bulk submissions by third parties in northern constituencies. The Congress has demanded an investigation into third-party applications, while the BJP dismissed the criticism, arguing that the revision process is constitutional.

Israel is heading into a crucial parliamentary election for the 26th Knesset, marking the first polls since the October 7, 2023 terror attacks. Longest-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a formidable challenge from former Israel Defense Forces chief Gadi Eisenkot. Voters are weighing key issues, including the Gaza war, the conflict with Iran, national security challenges, legal troubles, and the rising cost of living. Opinion polls indicate that neither Netanyahu's Likud-led coalition nor Eisenkot's alliance is projected to hit the magic 61-seat majority mark in the 120-seat Knesset. With both major blocs ruling out alliances with Arab parties, the political landscape faces complex coalition arithmetic, opening up possibilities that include a potential national unity government or re-election.