To The Point: Arun Shourie Says President Modi Is Running A One-Man Show

In an exclusive interview with India Today TV's Karan Thapar in the programme 'To The Point', Shourie analysed the two years of Modi government and warned that over the next three years, he expected a more systematic attempt to curb civil liberties and an increase in decentralised intimidation besides choking of inconvenient voices.
Shourie, a Cabinet minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, and now drifted away from the BJP in recent years, called the NDA dispensation as a presidential government without checks and balances.
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[@fayazhusain226]

True true great intellectual person of India..Arun shourie ji

[@ThePseudoBasher]

He is smarter than even prophet Muhammad 🤪

[@mizozeitgeist9346]

thumbs uP to Arun Shourie

[@muralin7739]

It's really nice to see Arun shourie speaking. Awesome views.

[@TheKsh1]

Even if we ascribe worst motives to Mr.Shourie, he raised very very valid points.

[@avanishtrivedi6289]

+akash yadav Like what?

[@hanishm6710]

@avanish: Like people , like you who dont apply brains, to cross-reference the points that he has made to check if they are valid. And if you have any brains, you will come to know that he is so true in his analysis, that you would realize for the fool that you have been.

[@kaustavphd]

A fake person who dumped his married wife.and hidden his marriage status in election papers as candidate...what a person he is?!!.an irresponsible fellow in now our PM...and he talks on women empowerment..what a joke!

[@jimmy4you153]

He smartly put his frustrating in cover box along with Modi's government weak points. Certainly there are some area of government need to improve or change the police but saying that he alone is dangerous to the nation is talking too far. Mr. Shourie never hint the role of opposition and presstitute media. You may have valid points but you should think their circumstances. And last Mr. Vajpaee was so honest and kind PM and due to that this presstitute and Congress was used and ultimately BJP was out of power for 10 years. Mr. Shourie think he should have like Mr. Bajpaee but sorry to say it will not benefit to the BJP nor India.

[@blitzgolu123]

say what you want about his political views, motives, etc. but you have to admit he is an eloquent speaker. its a treat hearing him speak.

[@muhammadfuddiwala6740]

+siddhant ingole Okay okay ok, but never forget what the crap is coming out of his mouth.

[@hanishm6710]

What about the mindless crap, that you are uttering here, you fool. Go and check the records, for yourself if you still have any brain cells left, idiot, instead of fating around here, challenging intellectual men, who gave lives for the nation.

[@muhammadfuddiwala6740]

Hanish M Who gave lives for the nation?

[@granada1493]

+Muhammad FUDDI Wala Seems your insecurity about who you are and lack of thinking has led you to conclude that Muslims and intellectuals belong together, and Modi's fans belong with stupid muscle men. Well done!

[@muhammadfuddiwala6740]

Sous le Soleil WTF? Do you even know what u r talking about?

[@somunair1]

At last Karen looks very happy.

[@honeysharma391]

His all points are valid and well made.you must be a damn fool if you avoid such an intelligent critic.

[@soormahindustani5882]

+Honey Sharma Intelligent critic? He is highly political and full of despise.

[@attorneynsharma3698]

+Honey Sharma Arun Shourie has lost his mental balance. He is an Indian 'Subhuman Mongrel' . Why this senile has any integrity LEFT ??????

[@SadguruPrernaTrust]

Case of SOUR GRAPES !

[@hanishm6710]

Hahahaha, i can only laugh with pity! :'D> I bet you must be a 15 year old, with such low self-esteem, and self respect, oh and definitely without any brain cells at-all! :'D. Again, you are just repeating, your 2,3 dialogues here. What is the 'POINT' you are trying to make?-- "Mudde pe aau, desh bakwas nahi, mudde pe charcha karna chahti hai!"

[@hanishm6710]

@F Sahi :If you are planning to become a lawyer, or in public services, please do just one favour as a public service, dont ever do public service. Its people like you who ruin the country.

[@vikrad1966]

What an exceptional man with courage,an intellectual and pragmatist,god bless you,Mr Shourie

[@learningcasually8532]

all the shourie critics, even if arun shourie is criticising bcz he is not accomodated by modi....can you even counter any of his points?..so plz dnt see from biased glasses...think of countries progress...which is invisible..

[@kagali1234]

Yes we can counter all his points. One example. He mentioned about Nepal banning Indian media. It was nothing against Indian Govt but private Indian media. This shows how they r tagging everything to govt.

[@learningcasually8532]

+kagali1234 buddy.....Nepal PM has cancelled his visit...you can easily see the mishandling of Nepal issue..

[@prashantkhurana8841]

+kagali1234 He meant the Nepal constitution issue and not the media. The media thing was a different issue about how during earthquake Modi did everything for limelight. Please Google what narcissism means.

[@avanishtrivedi6289]

The drama of frustrations.You Me and the Camera.

[@shreekanthprabhu5283]

Many good points related to Indo-US relationships.

[@AbraizN]

Listen to the comment on recapitalization of banks at 26:44, then look at the demonitization decision.

[@naiyayika]

_Prof Gurumurthy said that it was perfectly timed. You're linking two untimely policy initiatives_

[@mahoonna]

It is very unfortunate that an intelligent and honest person like Arun Shorie are left out by the Modi government.

[@pankajkumar6909]

Valid points,by Mr.Shourie

[@iKYo23]

Mr Shourie, where in the world is winning an election not not most important for a politician or a political party. Are you implying this was not a congress party objective and the means they put to use? Just because you were not given a ministerial berth in this government, does that have anything to do with it? Why not support Modi Ji by giving constructive suggestions to what will help the poor and the nation? Think about it. At your and my age we should be very clear our time on the planet is or almost up. That alone should take away focus from self to future generations that are yet to come. How will they judge their ancestors. Any ideas?

[@babakaashirwaad]

lol, in 2014 he credited modi for his decisive attitude and now after not getting any cabinet berth, suddenly he sees that attitude as one man show.

[@dranand7378]

Modi is a criminal. Plain and simple! The lowest among all the PMs India has had. It is my sincere wish his role in the Gujarat riots gets exposed and he spends the rest of his miserable life in prison.

[@PETERR435]

I agree ..

[@prateekagrawal389]

Spot on mr. shourie!! UPA was run from 10 janpath, NDA from Nagpur!!

[@nemesis1ization]

+Pra123 Agr123 what a stupid thing to say

[@prateekagrawal389]

the last reckoning what a stupid thing to say!!

[@nemesis1ization]

Pra123 Agr123 there is nothing in nagpur

[@prateekagrawal389]

the last reckoning he he.....there is modi's real father in nagpur - a man called mohan bhagwat...who in fact is the biggest idiot of this country!! Everything for which the govt stands for is in Nagpur!! the whole fucking cabinet goes there to give presentations to RSS goons!

[@dranand7378]

+the last reckoning Only a blind bhakt will say that. There is a bunch of unelected, senile old men with low hanging scrotums who tell Modi what to do.

[@raghavmc]

I agree with Arun. there are many setbacks by Modi Government, sadly except Modi, nobody in Cabinet is working.

[@aakashpatel121318]

how can you say that,all the work done in last 2 years are contribution of all Parliament members not a single person, if India win a world cup is it because of dhoni or a whole Indian team,? modi is by far the best pm of India in about work done but you also appreciate the other members of team

[@aakashpatel121318]

how can you say that,all the work done in last 2 years are contribution of all Parliament members not a single person, if India win a world cup is it because of dhoni or a whole Indian team,? modi is by far the best pm of India in about work done but you also appreciate the other members of team

[@aakashpatel121318]

how can you say that,all the work done in last 2 years are contribution of all Parliament members not a single person, if India win a world cup is it because of dhoni or a whole Indian team,? modi is by far the best pm of India in about work done but you also appreciate the other members of team

[@shreekanthprabhu5283]

All points to need for better talent in Government,

[@ambat79]

Criticism is important and Arun Shourie is my favourite critique. All though I prefer Modi to the other options. Look at the leading question Thapar asks, and watch the balance on the criticism.

[@NVN333345]

Your insight on the given topics as part of govt. ' close to Vajpayee' will be great!!!!!

[@prashantkhurana8841]

'China will declare Kashmir to be a trilateral issue', that statement is something we should worry about. Even if he were to lie (worst case), this seems the logical end of the CPEC.

[@4168490136]

Must have such critiques in a healthy democracy.

[@Computechism]

India today...please change your title from President To Prime Minister...what a haste..

[@KnightofChristJesus]

I didn't know that Modi was president of India...I thought he is the PM.

[@PankajGupta-lz6um]

what will Arun Shourie have to say if PM modi comes to power again... Yes, some of the things are un answered. But where was he during congress regime.. Do you see any of his interviews before ?

[@alexanderluke4061]

Wrong spelling, it should have been Shourie

[@rchaudhari4281]

While criticizing government is welcome, Shouri’s frustration is a result of not finding a place in government. Show one honest leader like Modi who deserves to head our country. Be constructive and think positive man. You will see India rising in next decade with Modi leadership.

[@manishrathod2228]

true...

[@NVN333345]

Being a former cabinet minister expecting a book from you on a 1. Kargil, 2. Air h-jk. from Nepal, 2. Release of trst. In exchange, 3. Parlmnt. attack, 4. Agra fiasco, 5. Credibility to Musharraf-a dictator and war criminal ......... Etc ..A retrospect

[@siddave549]

Agree with all the points he said but my only question is why was he actively supporting Modi before 2014 and suddenly went against him after 2014. Was it because he was not made Finance Minister?

[@ujwalmokashi6702]

Karan Thappar is happy. Enjoy bro

[@SujataMukherjee01]

In his previous interview Mr Shourie said Mr Modi will never fight election on hindu muslim issue as the latter claimed but things happened and still happening in a reverse way.

[@murthimalladi1387]

Grapes are sour, Mr. Arun Shourie? With people like you around, Mr. Modi does not need enemies.

[@kagali1234]

See how thapar puts words to Arun and then concludes the same. Secondly he is not counter questioning Arun at all. As a journalist he should be neutral. Thirdly he did not ask anything about various programs like Jan dhan, digital India, make in India etc.. Not even one over an hour program. The opening remarks of a 2 year evaluation is beef ban, ghar wapasi etc.. It is very clear that it was meant to pick & conclude selectively. I respect Arun but he is being used by Thapar to push through his story. One thing I agree is sad days for India but due to journalists like Thapar.

[@Iamlatha]

That's what he gets a heavy paycheck from India today for.

[@PallavTHEsinha]

Well I knew all this even before the interview started. It was quite obvious

[@granada1493]

Thapar is a journalist not a reporter. Journalists are not supposed to be neutral but investigative and opinionated. You clearly know nothing about either!

[@madhusharma9949]

Modi has done what Bajpai, Advani or any other leader could not or cannot do. He works hard, is loved by the people, is honest and wins elections. Grapes are sour Arun Shourie and Karan.

[@somunair1]

I go with what Mr. Honey Sharma has put it.

[@srikamal3338]

India Today has two Congress Pets Thaper and Rajdeep.

[@TheJinder64]

so does NDTV

[@RanjitKumar-mr7nv]

Arun Shourie is right on the dot.

[@SadguruPrernaTrust]

Supreme Court rejected special court to screen all the MPs Mr Shourie !

[@SadguruPrernaTrust]

Bad loans ? Con-gress left with 600,000 cr ..... Why blame Modi Sarkar for it.......

[@prabhatranjan5978]

Notice Karan Thapar never interrupts Arun Shourie in this interview because Shourie is speaking against Modi govt and, that is what Karan Thapar wants to hear.Contrast this with Arun Shourie's previous interviews by Thapar, in those interviews he rarely gives Shourie an opportunity to complete a sentence!

[@shreekanthprabhu5283]

Also agree that fighting corruption of others has been half-hearted and inconsistent. Politics of convenience instead of politics of conviction.

[@mayankmalhotra222]

Good Interview... Lot of observations appear correct.. but a bit- biased.. u cud hv discussed.. the good things done by this govt as well.. apart from zero corruption.

[@vjsinghmf]

Arun shourie is 100% right

[@shreekanthprabhu5283]

I agree on lack of major reforms but other views are more personal and emotional than objective.

[@shreekanthprabhu5283]

Net-net India needs a more hands-on, bold reformist finance minister. Whole cabinet needs wider talent, views and debate to regain focus and clarity. Other personal comments on psychology and personality of PM, Is more an academic discussion, though important.

[@sattipandu2808]

Instead of spineless PM like MMS, it is better to have strong man like Modi in PM office.

[@phil7]

firstly he is dead and secondly, your comment stinks of stereotypes which "hitler" propagates.

[@iiigraghu]

It is the vested media management to search for selective opposite voices against the popular leader of masses arrived with a thumping majority after thirty years. The PM is right on course to deliver several important subjects and they are visible. Where is Arun Shourie during the UPA I and II. Of course he is an intellectual, but we can utilise some of his findings and leave the obsolete statements of frustration. He can forward his suggestive measures and he can share such measures with the public on public domain. Karan Thapar is putting his words in to his mouth and he is concentrating on selective subjects, leaving out the first of its kind in India very good projects implemented during these two years.

[@rameshchugh4715]

Are liberties of Shri Arun Shourie curbed now that the the Govt is past four years. a really frustrated person in the category of Shatrugan Sinha, Yashwant Sinha etc.

[@NVN333345]

'Quid-pro-quo' - Arun is used by anti Modi lobby and vice versa

[@aiyubali3862]

Mukesh ambani is the highest beneficiary of demonetisation

[@MrSpyrud]

Is Modi President? I thought He was our Prime minister!!!!

[@dbarakeshkumar]

Karan has old pain from modi and Arun has similar pain like Lutyens fellow. he has failed to secure his position in cabinet

[@varunnagpaal]

I also see, this Anglo-Saxon Macaulay journalist Karan Thapar pushing his own words and phrases in Shourie's mouth and Shourie's reluctantly(suprisingly his honesty is doint hat tp him) gives in every time.

[@kausik1139]

ARUN SHOURIE IS A SEASONED JOURNALIST AND ANALYST AD IT IS BOTHERSOME THAT EVEN FOOD BEING TURED IN TO POLITICAL EVENTS AND POPULATION BEING POLARIZED IT IS SHAMEFUL EVE VAJPAYEE GOVERAMET WAS MORE TOLERANT

[@ashwanikhandelwal3729]

I am an admirer of Arun Shourie. It is always treat to listen him. But somehow my BHAKTI fir MODI is more than Arun admiration.

[@milanthumar122]

Arun Shouri predicted modi's agenda, foolishness way before ordinary Indians.

[@milanthumar122]

Arun Shouri predicted modi's agenda, foolishness way before ordinary Indians.

[@rishabhmalik7946]

He is just talking and sounding like a member of congress party , shame on him for being such a hypocrite .

[@veerainhegde9375]

When did modi become a president

[@shashigupta2933]

Shauri jee it is very easy for you intellectuals to sit on chairs and criticize each and every person and event as if you all can change the events. How about taking just charge of journalists and guide them to be truthful in their articles and talks. Modi jee is a patriotic soul like Chankaya . Take time to read him and then talk. India need a leader like Modi jee . People are so jealous of him. That is typical of us all Indians. No help, no praise, just condemn and criticize . Just wake up and serve the country in any way you can other than getting paid and criticize .

[@shreekanthprabhu5283]

Lot of good inputs, but got more "personal" headlines.

[@ajithkumar5673]

Answer to Shourie's disgruntlement lies in his own words at the end. He would not have got along with this new set of BJP leaders. His days are over and we hope he will desist from unwanted advice like Advani. Let the new set handle it their way. They are equally good and they must be having their own ideas and tools to handle the situation in their own way. Let him not make the historical blunder of assuming monopoly of intelligence...

[@sandyganiga]

Fake spam please ignore these guys we live in different India..

[@asrini4u]

my question to arun shourie ... i)everyone has a different way of working and doing things...and if modi being a prime minister, is bit dominant by his nature what is wrong as long as he doesn't do anything bad. after all we don't want a pm like mms. ii) if you are an intellectual and feel modi did something unconstitutional why dont you go to court like swamy did against UPS and instead shouting in public? iii)is kanhaiya's speeches in jnu also organized by bjp?

[@imrantask1067]

Clearly arun shourie is confused, should not take stress at this age. we paid huge price for a government ruled 68 yrs., defiantly current government sowing progress commonsense India is not that intolerant yet that whole nation became rebel. so don't waste time and keep on hard work

[@maheshchandrapandey8093]

Arun Sourie is desperately want a cabinet minister, Modi show him babaji ka dullu.

[@bhanuprakash3212]

All my respect for Arunshouri is now in dustbin. Balraj Madhok, LK Advani and Sinha are far more better than this Guy.

[@ronniejoshua7843]

Clearly he predicts a link between UP elections and an Administrative shock.

[@pkparikh6636]

people who r taking and giving the interview here has lost the mental balance. बकवास

[@stevemavros8892]

Mr Shourie's logic :- If the figures suggest positive indicators for Indian economy: Shourie says the figures are shit and he doesnt believe them. If the figures suggest Govt. is not doing good: Brilliant figures. Bad government.

[@milanthumar122]

Arun Shouri predicted modi's agenda, foolishness way before ordinary Indians.

[@varunnagpaal]

I will take Mr. Shouries criticism of Modis 2 year governance with a pinch of salt - some of the criticisms seems valid but others seem rubbish and to some extent dishonest bunch of lies and could just be out of his growing distance from Modi and the fact that his services have not been sought in Modi govt until now. I see him, Shatrughan Sinha and Advani all riding the same boat. In any case, I would wish these stalwarts great health and return of sanity soon!

[@vjsinghmf]

Arun shouri is right

[@Thesomeshmehla]

What about appeaseing Muslim is it not polarization

[@anuragbhakuni3494]

hahahaha :)

[@shubhimittal9422]

President modi 🙄 Ab ye din bhi dekhna padega

[@akbob2846]

Mr Shourie, lost all respect for you. So disappointed.

[@aakashpatel121318]

how can you say that this government is polarizing the country???😠 this all is the work of a opposition all that"anamat" in Gujarat and dalit kand is all bcz of opposition,. why the government do some kind of work that may harm their image? if anyone has ans please reply me

[@emilehabib6597]

It is a very good thing that this vicious fellow was not give a job by Modi. He is a professional trouble maker, like Subramanyam Swami.

[@stanchill6174]

+Emile Habib so anybody who critices with valid points is a troublemaker! So wasnt Modi a trouble maker for criticising previous government? Be sensible in your response and answer valid questions raised.

[@shreyas67]

Interesting interview.I would have liked it if Mr.Thapar counter-questioned Mr.Shourie's points instead of summarising each of his points.

[@sudeepmenon17]

Its interesting to watch how Arun Shouries analysis of the Modi Govt. with karan thapar changes year after year.....and more interestingly how the BJP bhakt responses change year after year in the comment box from 2014 to 2017

[@truthalwaysprevails662]

Today after 2 years all of Mr.Shourie's prenomination are coming out to be true!!!

[@sagarsaxena6318]

President Modi??

[@tubesirkazhi]

When a dog does not get its bone, it howls and barks !!! so is Arun shourie

[@SadguruPrernaTrust]

Missing his Lyutians Bungalow !

[@hanishm6710]

@Sundar Raj: Looks like you haven't got your bone for a while now. You mindless idiot, he is an proven intellect, who gave his life for the nation, while having a child with cerebral palsy, and wife suffering from Alzheimer's, you on the other hand appear to be fit with a healthy baby! what have you done? instead of swallowing and vomiting mindless words, go do research, if what he say's is concurrent with the ground reality. Apply mind, did you know that he predicted the current public sector ban crisis back in 2013?-- Know the facts, know the background of the person before you blabber. Idiot!

[@hanishm6710]

Go whack off, in a corner you punk.

[@joelthomas5791]

can only laugh at it!! Dont say you dnt know kis k ache din aane wale the!!

[@dranand7378]

Do saal haramzaade ki sarkar

[@yashdhadda]

President Modi ?

[@acsplcore5490]

Other side story Modi GOVT

[@kumarakantirava429]

Arun Shourie ji I had great respects for you. Please RIP.

[@granada1493]

"It is as if you were longing for a friend for so long and the whole evening is spent in jhagda and boxing match." Well, what did he expect? Too shy to admit he got fooled by the guy wearing the magician's hat? And why so surprised? Thapar asked a good question, "Didn't you want to be part of this lot?"

[@jayap3557]

Indian intellectuals - so many of them... take to low brow stuff like cricketing analogies... simplistic shayari... even more simple hindi film song... so easily and so often - why...? have we become such a soft society that we cannot think high at all... only these low grade expressions give meaning to our lives? - so sad. And today one of the opposition's intellectuals actually wants the congress party men to give credit to the Modi government...and not to "demonize" the NDA governance! why this change of stance?... is there a hidden plan in it... ?one suspects... yes....today by the way is 23-08-2019...just for the record. And those who call some people a narcissist do not consider the way they bring up their own family sagas so piteously and tear jerkingly to the fore front of public knowledge via print and TV such that everyone knows...? What is it that we are looking for in today's society and our co-citizens...?

[@radhakrishnathommandra5841]

Arun shourie has lost whatever little value he had and is the most useless fellow. viewing his interview is totally a a wastage of time.

[@mishvipin]

two frustrated guys getting their frustration together...... This shourie is still crying that Modi didn't take him in his cabinate

[@mearjun88]

What a U-turn Mr Arun Shourie! Arvind Kejriwal to baalak hai aapke saamne!..

[@epicchefextras3282]

I agree with you entirely. But then mr shourie won the 'prestigious' (leftist) Magsaysay award long before Kejriwal. To bade bhai hi hue na! It is shameful that people of such standing stoop to this level and lower their own stature, not Modi's.

[@vjsinghmf]

For sahi ur blind modi Bhagat

[@sandeepkchugh]

Two sulking fellows having great time. One did not get any position other seasonal critic.