ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash | Episode 5 - Former JDU MP Pavan Varma

Pavan Varma is a former diplomat, an author and a politician who wears each hat with equal ease. He remains grounded inspite of being part of Delhi’s elite for decades. In an interesting conversation with Smita Prakash he talks about his relationship with Nitish Kumar, his days as an ambassador and the current political climate in the country. He passionately envisions a united opposition that could pose a serious challenge to the BJP bandwagon. He also sheds light on the class culture of Lutyens’ Delhi and how things have changed in recent times.
#ANIPodcastWithSmitaPrakash #Podcast #PavanVarma #NitishKumar
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
03:50 - Entry into politics
07:44 - Nitish Kumar and expulsion from JDU
13:57 - Stint with TMC
19:16 - Opposition unity and Congress role in opposition unity
30:00 - BJP and Hindu narrative among the middle class
38:20 - Class divide in Indian society
44:40 - Changes in Indian bureaucracy and morality in Indian society
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[@krishnakrishna7136]

This move of ANI will definitely get it most of the subscribers of Lallantop, NDTV, Dhruv Raathi, Wire, scroll, print, etc, etc...

[@sameersrivastava3720]

What move? Diverse content is important.

[@krishnakrishna7136]

Smita Prakash: A journalist with nationalism in the heart after 2014.

[@notumotu]

Yes after 20-4 . Her ladder to orominence

[@leonardopietersen460]

Yeah! Sudden change of heart sensing the change of wind!

[@leonardopietersen460]

This is how they use to do journalism! Getting inputs from officers instead of working on their own! Looks like she must have got the job too by references.

[@arabindamishra7065]

You should have asked a simple question to Mr Varma as to what ideology Nitish Kumar represents.

[@abhisheksoni2980]

She usually avoids asking difficult questions to his guests. Becuase by definition they're her guests and not public office holders.

[@ajaysaini69]

This always surprises me to see when educated people like him prefer Sonia led Cong or Lalu politics over BJP just in the name of communal.

[@karantiwari2503]

I also used to have such questions in my mind that why do they hate BJP whom we consider educated and laureate...later during the course of time I analysed on my parts and came to this point that the only reason of their hate for BJP is that they are all leftist in their heart...they somehow think that the so called social and inclusive agenda of theirs are only pivot point of Indian politics....I've grown sick of listening to these communal and divisive rant😮

[@sameersrivastava3720]

@@karantiwari2503 BJP promotes terriorism and hates india's diverse culture , so many don't want to associate themselves with terriorist Or Anti nationals.

[@sweetguy0]

Pavan Varma has been running around different parties with his imaginary number theory. Politics is not as simple.

[@parthasom]

He is also like Palturam Nitishji.

[@Robolearning]

@@parthasom His master's voice.

[@samnote2459]

It's a wasted opportunity to quiz him on the lack of progress on governance in Bihar despite the "super CM Nitish " had been around for two decades

[@sureshpolali8685]

When people heavily depend on LUCK and get away with murder you get this kind of performance. Today it is my duty as South Indian working person to feed BIHARIs -- See the GST contribution and distribution -- you will come to know what I am saying

[@vloggermegha7965]

Generally I don’t like podcasts or interviews of Modi opposers because they completely go on rhetoric mode and useless ranting against the current govt. but because Smita is a very balanced host so discussions are interesting and informative. A balanced and unbiased host is very important. Kudos to ANI and Smita Mam

[@parthasom]

I feel Pavanji is intelligent with a beauracatic attitude. I doubt whether he will get elected as MLA or MP with his own strength.

[@slamcan2k]

Pavanji is a valuable and constructive intellectual who can contribute to Inida's progress. But sadly he ia flawed by a visceral hate for the BJp every idea, value and principle he postulates and supports are with thw BJP. But he cannot acceptthem. Is his ego getting in the way of his potential to contribute to india?

[@notumotu]

So true Like a personal hatred

[@seena43]

Very well said

[@commonindian57]

Pawan is of no value & pseudo intellectual, who can't contribute to India's progress at all.

[@samnote2459]

It's a Khan market gang interview... Don't waste your time on this

[@krishnakrishna7136]

BRAVO! YOU CAUGHT THAT!

[@fputinfxifkim]

36:35 What Smita says is very very true. You don't understand the struggle unless you've gone through it...then you start empathizing and not just sympathize

[@arijeetbhattacharya5972]

In india English language is not a language, it’s skill set !! 😅

[@sachinnayal]

Skill 101 :How to make a comment which has no relevance with the video

[@vivekdubey4363]

@@sachinnayal 🤣

[@AjayKumar-uk4sp]

@@sachinnayal it is very much relevant to the video, you are good candidate of intelligent by half

[@Robolearning]

True

[@lipakpapa]

Smita yaar kya Podcast hain tumhara. Amazing. Please don't stop it. Also get from left too and probably Owaisi too. I love this.

[@shubhamkumar-gx5vx]

Why everyone gives owaisi this much value? He represents just one community of one city and that too in a destructive way

[@subhasismajumdar4058]

Year 2012, visited Bhutan with group of Doctors. Then, he was the India Ambassador to Bhutan. At the hotel, a rock group played, and they were in huge praise of this guy..

[@ashokkumarsoni5087]

Mr Verma tell any time slot in india when there was no disproportionate wealth among population.

[@sureshpolali8685]

Brillaint .. You are absolutely right -- There was no time in the history where there was eaqual distrubution of wealth

[@muralibaba123]

Smita ji wasted almost 30 minutes on Nitish & Mamtha ji... As Mr. Varma is a master of all subjects she would have....

[@michealfrank461]

From this podcast I suspect, Mr. Pavan Varma has desire to become a External Affairs Minister given his background. That's why he is switching parties which are "regional" but have national ambitions or can influence national politics

[@shan-tb2rg]

How can he talk about the organic unity and contradicting with the statement about pushing congress on 200 seats by uniting opposition........He himself don't have clearity about the serving scenario ....

[@vishwanathjalnapurkar4741]

Respected Pavanji Pranam, I have read few of your books, including Adi Shankara. I have listened many of your TV debates. One along with Prof. Paranjape had been overwhelming to me. I just respect you. After listening this podcast, I appeal you to join BJP to build our nation. This is our time sir, an intelligent nationalist and studied sanatani not supporting rising India feels sad. It would be the happiest day of life to see you supporting national cause. Sadar Pranam,

[@Bandhu241]

It's good to see a smart and talented journalist who opted to anchor shows.

[@appajirao]

Madam Smitha ji, You are, like Ms.Palki Sarma U, one of the very few shining stars of Indian journalism. Keep it up.

[@WithinMyLane]

I used to really admire people like Pavan Verma and such others when I was younger and 9 PM tv debates were a rage. Gone are the days when speeches in the Parliament and on television matter. The present government has such a large and effective majority that mild-mannered intellectuals like Verma are redundant. They are a liability to any party as they cannot move people. When he spoke about his stints with JDU and TMC, he was keen to add how we was given plush positions in both parties (cabinet minister/advisor in JDU, and VP of TMC). These must really attract a career civil servant, but I'm glad Indian politics is getting rid of these intellectuals. They're out of touch.

[@satish1724]

Smitha Garu..great show 👍.Great going.Pls don't stop.

[@AbhishekGupta-yl3nn]

Pawan jee talks about organic unity which includes everything except ideology. That's the reason no one in near future can beat BJP, doesn't matter if it's Modi or no-Modi.

[@rishiraaj.580]

Excellent Podcast. Lot's of Learnings. 👍

[@arnabbhattacharyaGG]

Wonderful interview. Pavan Varma seems to be stuck in a time warp in the exact anti-Modi Lutyenism that he has problems with

[@kirtigor2617]

Love to hear & watch you on your own show. Must say you found best subject for discussion. We knew the persons whom you talking with & give us more thoughtful food to assess them and today's need of politics. But I firmly believe the has got foresight do better off for people. You are the one in great journos that's my belief.

[@NarendraKv]

The simple fact is that large numbers of people in India consider Narendra Modi as that honest, dedicated and focused individual who stands for Dharma. I suspect people like Pawan Verma and his Khan Market hoodlum hate him specifically because he is not even HMT or UMT, but is GMT and don't give them a damn.

[@mayankshuklaindradhanush8781]

Excellent and interesting conversations.Smitha your podcasts are of great interest n value addition...All the very best

[@sujalgarewal2685]

Shashi Tharoor lite 🤣

[@sukumarchandrasekhar4391]

Pawan Verma dislikes the BJP but ends up agreeing more with BJP - agrees to the existence of the elitist Lutyens Khan market, agrees to lack of unity in opposition, agrees to the good job done by Modi government, agrees to the towering stature of Modi. So what does this guy actually want, why is he so troubled. I think he is missing out on attention, this entitled guy needs some pampering and will go with anyone who will provide that.

[@Bruh-jw2ze]

hhahhaa spot on

[@abhijeetanand9877]

"Lack of unity in opposition" doesn't make Bjp right, doesn't make them unquestionable. "the towering stature of Modi" is from PR Marketing nd Jumlas, no deliverance of promises made.

[@soumimukherjee6748]

Brilliant discussion..it’s what I like..clear questions and to the point answers..not diplomatic or beating around the bush

[@Hardism]

"India mein Angrezi zabaan nahi, class hai class"

[@krishnakrishna7136]

Well said... Any Kachra can be accepted once you speak it...

[@bumurk6087]

Smita ji please make a separate Channel for the podcast. Please it's difficult to get your notification

[@ameetchaudhry3190]

It's delight to watch n gain from such people. Thank you. Grateful.

[@souravlahiri6317]

He is suggesting congress to surrender, TMC would be first to back stb them.

[@bcjain84]

Smitaji, Don't spoil your reputation by allowing such towering HYPOCRITES on your show. Hate to see this great friend of Palturam n Mamta Khan . He got kicked by both Palturam n Mamta. A great pseudo who considers himself a great intellectual just because can speak in English. NATION IS NOWHERE IN HIS MIND OR PRIORITY.

[@adityanarayana556]

Exceptional conversation...

[@sureshkumar-ht6me]

Enjoying a lot. Thankyou.

[@dhaneshmalhotra4055]

Thanks Smita.

[@slamcan2k]

Pavanji keeps searching and allying with unprincipled self serving feudal parties why is he wasting his talent and eriding his credibility. I have read his books and love the man

[@prakashprabhudesai372]

A

[@SodiumSyndicate]

Writing skills are like bull5hitting skills - they can be entertaining - but actual work is something else - there the real character comes out.

[@m.p.rastogi5331]

Very candid confession by Pawan Sir

[@senturi9645]

Among the old dogs of Media ….@Smita ji hold the fort with her unbiased portrayal of news…..love you Smita ji…..thank go you are not like Rubbish, razdaans, burkha dead etc etc etc 😂

[@Nishant.N]

Can you take interviews of Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee & PM Modi ? I want to hear their point of views and election 2024.

[@anonsurf23]

Bring Dr. S Jaishanker

[@pummysdejavurecepie9314]

Great Podcast!

[@ex-fabiansocialist1660]

Pawan Verma trying his best to somehow tolerate the intolerance with St Stephen’s English

[@rishiraaj.580]

Pls Call 👉 Shashi Tharoor . 👍

[@SanjTrip-Topic]

Pavan Verma is such an opportunist.

[@gopalkrishna9617]

Who is thar uem ardu medium officer she is talking about..? Any guess..

[@mamtasrivastava4201]

Very interesting to hear 😁

[@chandrashivpuri1224]

Mr Pavan Varma, The whole world is suffering because of the Financial Collapse , it is not India alone. Please don’t blame BJP for it. In fact Indian economy has done much better than the rest of the world.

[@SheetalBelagali]

The journalist must allow the guest to speak without interrupting incessantly!

[@uvg319]

Potential PM, Home Minister as far as I am concerned. Spoke alot of sense. Modiji will serve another term unless he himself chooses he doesn't want it. I also see Gadkari ji as a potential PM candidate.

[@vidyadharkotta1346]

The anchor should encourage the guests to speak about changing India, rising India.

[@bibhutilaldas8971]

I don't think Smita, Pavan is worthy to discuss. Any bureaucrats specially in foreign services can speak & sound good but this man doesn't count in today's politics & geopolitics. An old guard of nehruvian, lutyens class. Dismiss.

[@rohanroy7872]

pichle video mein hi comment kiya tha ki "yahi toh hai khan market gang. "

[@sudhirkhare]

Watched all your podcasts , amazing and brilliant, but take care of yourself Smita ji. Please come with same glamour as you are in TV

[@swamykatragadda8661]

Pavanji ,so wise, how can he speak, officials are honest & support their freedom to do what they think & do is right, when they know majority are abusing their powers to benefit politicians or themselves or both.

[@sagarobhan343]

Good going

[@niloferkhan6879]

Wonderful to hear him ♥️

[@himanshugupta4129]

🙏👌

[@supersonic89]

I love this podcast but ANI need to increase its budget on purchasing good equipment. Sound quality is not good at all.

[@mayankdesai6775]

Smitamadme some how I never understand thi man

[@yuvromu]

He lies on the face about Nitish ji and BJP. He didn’t realise in 2017 when he was back that who is the boss? He realised this only near to 2024 elections. If we go by the words of New in the market Shashi Tharoor ji then he must realise that Nitish ji is still not the boss, Lalu ji rules Bihar. He paid obesience to Sonia ji after becoming the CM, so clearly mr new Shashi Tharoor ji you are lying blatantly. Smita ji please stop giving such people limelight. He never deserved one nor he deserves now😊

[@miniaji3663]

Thank you smitha

[@wattsappwala9668]

She quotes a incident of 1989 36:42 onwards and what she thought then, madam u were only 7 years old in 1989. Why u have to fake

[@SS-yd3vx]

Pawan Verma how politely said that in Faijawad that Hindu Business people did strike in 1992 but he did not say that in many parts of India Muslim dominated area also used to condemn these riots or curfew . No religion support this animosity .

[@sureshpolali8685]

One of the important take away for me from this discussion is that " WHO IS FOOLING VOTERS BETTER IS THE WINNER" .. Election centric discussion mainly aimed at getting hold of government finances and lakhs of croes of government money - That is it.. Is VOTER per se is interested in intense discussion happening here ? absolutely not ... What is needed then .. Few point 1. Primacy of voters should be strengthened through many changes in the REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE ACT 2. Let Voters of a particular constituency Decide who is their candidates under any national party through Primer like that of USA 3. Let there be QUALIFICATION - SHORT LISTING -- Election for all MLA/ MP 4. Minimum 50 % of cast votes for WINNING CANDIATES - otherwise reelection 5. ECI should aim at 80 % voting through digital technology application 6. No by election - or any such things during the term - No chance of horse trading --- if MLA resigns he is out for that term period 7. Coalition affiliation should be explicitly announced before election and by Law it is enforceable 8 . Since Government is in the name of CM / PM -- it is imperative to declare the name before election ad voter need to know who is CM 9 . Eliminate possibility of any candidate contesting from anywhere concept -- If that is allowed -- even Voter should be given permission to vote anywhere in any constituency 10. Strong deterrent for any wrong doers contesting election -- Even FIR should not be there with candidates who is aspiring to contest election 11. Candidate malpractice should be taken seriosuly and banned for entire term or two terms 12. ECI should play important role in making election VOTER centric and shift focus away from leader centric

[@raghurajsrivastava7702]

Smita was, i feel, short on asking critical questions on present happenings in politics. From a learned man and an exceptionally good writer asking questions lacking depth and seriousness was a waste of talents of both.

[@vinaypatil5959]

Looks like PKV a soft spiking , intelligent but learning very slowly but we can not call him a fool. Pavan kumar act like very nice person but spoiling his time .

[@iammclovin227]

Hi Smita, I am sorry but the interview could have been a lot better. You didn't ask him a single counter question. Waste of opportunity from such a fine journalist like you. You need to define yourself whether you want to in class of people like Rajdeep who asks can you cook pasta Sonia Madam or a journalist who gives enough time to his guest to reply but then asks hard hitting counter questions. Still love the show.

[@sureshpolali8685]

One of wasteful application of intelligence is the Live example of this legendary person -- Such a wonderful intellectual using all his knowledge and wisdom to support wrong things always -- He is bringing bad name to IAS cadre and intelligence as a whole - I am sick of his arguments - any subject anything under the Sun he has opinion - Off course I have OFF BUTTON with me

[@sanjivgandhi3077]

Why were questions of Nitish Kumar's political somersaults not asked ? Otherwise a good episode.

[@leonardopietersen460]

Ahhh that same old gang of we like BJP of Vajpayee and that shit instead of openly accept that they hate Modi and BJP for absolutely absured reasons!

[@mahendraacharya5411]

A person who wants a bigger canvas to represent his life vision, will not go to TMC and Nitish Kumar.

[@mpsbhati]

I feel cheated , i read all his books.

[@PS-ej2xn]

My sympathies, Sir. :)

[@abhijeetanand9877]

So political opinion matter to read book 😀

[@PS-ej2xn]

@@abhijeetanand9877 it doesn't?

[@notumotu]

What is Smita Prakash saying ????????,,Indeed personally she was very privileged This country was divided into three bits on the basis of religion Millions of Hindus woke up I. Pakistan on the 14 th of August 1947 and immediately knew they would have to leave

[@keyboardroaster7147]

this guy is a perfect oppurtunistic!!

[@wisecritic7197]

It's surprising that Pawan calling Nitishkumar as a "Sushasan Babu", when Bihar is making no progress during his long tenure as a CM !

[@vijaysinghpatwardhan1034]

We need to have any position, that is not apologetic on Hindutwa! When pakistan blatantly calls itself an Islamic republic, why should we be shy of saying we are a hindutwa Republic?

[@urmilcontractor7485]

It is the internet that brings so much trasperency to the table, and so any party without transperency, nepotism, money, muscle is not coming to power, beaurocrats, politicians, judiciary and journalism, all r facing tough times, because they weilded power without accountability, the times r tough for people who r lazy and corrupt

[@dahirking]

You could have asked tough questions.

[@sameergajbar1136]

16:18

[@devshetty8535]

Absolutely no value add in this interview from the guest. Pointless interview.

[@susheelachauhan2959]

I have heard this person for the first time , Pavan Varma is really intelligent personality.

[@PS-ej2xn]

That tells us a lot about your own self.

[@anvivek]

“Middle class loves the messiah” and continues to to say they are disillusioned with this Messiah Modi. But this ‘smart’ fellow do not say who is that nee messiah which middle class loves to vote.

[@nageshrajan5633]

Interjecting animatedly before sentences are completed is a pain for the viewer especially with good podcast grade audio Reminds me of Jyoti Malhotra

[@rishiraaj.580]

Khan Market Gang Days Are Over. Common People Are Aware Now How These People Treat Masses. 😕

[@pradipd5947]

In the BJP Nitish was not comfortable,so he went back to join Mafia Dons and Gunda Netas,the Lalu Yadav family. Whom he had abused and called Gunda Raj. Wah kyaa baat hei, Bhul Gaya Purana mamla AUR what about this guy, doesn't he know there's no future with Lalu and Nitish families.

[@prashmay5936]

There should be a JP type merger of non bjp and non cong parties ... I see atleast 120 to 160 seats for such a formation.

[@dhanjivelani1268]

Even today the English is still being peddled as superior to Indian languages.

[@rishiraaj.580]

English Vs Vernacular Languages. 👍

[@avinashkarnick385]

The intellectual inputs by Mr Verma, who has brought on all his experience as a diplomat or bureaucrat during this interview might not seep into our politicians, because they lack the depth to fully assimilate whatever that he is saying. The only way people like Mr Verma can influence a lethargic nation like ours, is when we reserve certain number of seats in the Parliament for the intellectual class such as civil servants, judges and academics. Under the present arrangement, only politicians sit in our legislatures and by extension in the ministries.

[@aakasharma3387]

Without Congress there can be no opposition. They have to accept Rahul Gandhi as their Leader for 2024 and fight under leadership of him. Then they can win 🏆 2024 and Rahul as PM will be good choice 👍

[@nitinparanjpay8130]

Zero IDEOLOGY & principal Pure GREED

[@paramagan]

Forget about BJP. What these regional party have done foe thier state? nothing and no grass root level work. People have to go to other state to make thier living. They want special status for Bihar. So many brilliant people are in Bihar , yet they elect such nonsense and corrupt leaders .

[@SadguruPrernaTrust]

Opposition parties can go in circle and finally come up with a united ALLIANCE minus Patnaik and Jagan , No hope in hell for them to form a Sarkar in 2024 .. BJP is not likely to go down in terms of votes share . If they loose 40 seats , they will still form the Sarkar.

[@skthirunagari]

As per intellectual blind verma argument india dropped down on Global hunger index , then what he says about Pakistan, looks like he did not do his homework, he relays on one sided cabal news though ex IFS,

[@rekhaagarwal73]

Cong minus Rahul all family regional parties merging in congress and electing a leader by grass root consensus or election by eliminating . Method .