3 Things

From the BJP managing to win only 290 seats (despite a '400 paar' campaign), to the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh emerging as the party with the third-highest number of seats in the country, to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) pushing back strongly in West Bengal, and the Congress party significantly increasing its tally, today on the podcast, we decode the rather surprising results of the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls.Guests: Indian Express’ Vandita Mishra, Neerja Chowdhury, Asad Rehman, Shubhajit Roy, Liz Mathew, Deeptiman Tiwary, and Hamza Khan.Hosted and written by Shashank BhargavaProduced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh PawarAdditional support from Mahiyar Rohinton Patel

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 4th of June and here are today's headlines.With the NDA poised to form the government for a third consecutive time, bagging at least 290 seats, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a “historic feat”. As the INDIA bloc managed to halt the BJP’s march towards majority, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi came out to hit out at the BJP, saying that the mandate today was a clear indication that the people of the country do not want to PM Modi and Amit Shah to run the country. The Opposition INDIA bloc has reversed all exit poll predictions, leading in at least 228 seats, according to the latest numbers. However, despite a stiff contest, the BJP-led NDA is inching closer towards the 300-mark, standing at 297 at the moment.In what is probably the biggest upset state-wise, the tug-of-war for Odisha between BJP and BJD ended today with the Bharatiya Janata Party set to form the next government. Though the ruling BJD party hels various ral

First, Indian Express' Sukrita Baruah joins us to talk about Arunachal Pradesh's assembly elections. She shares the results of the assembly elections and the seat distribution that it has led to.Next, Indian Express’ Damini Nath speaks to us about the BJP and the opposition INDIA Bloc approaching the Election Commission with concerns, days before the announcement of the Lok Sabha election results. She shares the issues that were expressed and the election authority's response. (8:26)And in the end, we talk about BRS leader K Kavitha who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate due to her involvement in the Delhi excise policy scam. Her judicial custody has been extended till June 3. (14:53)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 3rd of June and here are today's headlines.With less than 24 hours to go for the counting of votes to start, all eyes are on whether the exit poll predictions will hold ground — the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government coming back to power with thumping majority. While the Opposition’s INDIA bloc has rubbished the exit polls, the BJP is confident of easily crossing the majority-mark, even planning out how they want to celebrate the landmark victory. All major exit polls have projected a resounding victory for the NDA with the BJP expected to better its own 2019 tally of 303 seats.A day before the vote counting of 18th Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar Monday said the EC had failed to counter “mischievous” narratives – starting with allegations that the electoral roll was faulty, then questions raised on EVMs and voter turnout, and now the counting processes. Asked whether there were

Large parts of the country are currently experiencing an intensely hot summer, with temperatures soaring to record levels. The extreme heat has already claimed lives in states like Bihar, Odisha, Gujarat and Delhi. So today, we dedicate this episode to discussing heat waves, how they affect our bodies, and the precautions you should take to stay safe. Joining us for this discussion is Dr. Dileep Mavalankar, honorary professor and former director of the Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar.Hosted and produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh PawarTimestamps:What counts as a heatwave (01:21)What happens during a heat stroke (04:40)Prickly heat, heat cramps, and heat syncope (06:36)The difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion (07:26)Precautions to take when stepping out (10:46)When your job requires you to be outside (12:53)Is electrolyte better than water? (14:23)Does the temperature of drinking water matter? (15:25)When you don't have access to air conditioning (18:42)Should y

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 31st of May and here are the top stories of the week.After a three-month-long hectic campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kanyakumari on Thursday, to begin a 45-hour meditation retreat. For his visit, the PM chose the historically significant Dhyana Mandapam inside the Swami Vivekananda Memorial, situated on a rocky islet. Modi started his meditation with prayers at the renowned Sri Bhagavathi Amman Temple before boarding a special boat to the mid-sea Vivekananda Memorial. The National Capital on Wednesday witnessed light rains and thunderstorms amidst record breaking temperatures and a severe heatwave. On the same day, Mungeshpur in Northwest Delhi had recorded the highest-ever temperature in the city at 52.3 degrees Celsius. Delhi water minister Atishi announced that a Rs 2000 fine would be imposed on anyone found to be wasting water. This included washing cars with a hose, lett

First, Indian Express' Sweety Kumari joins us to talk about Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar, who went missing after his arrival in Kolkata and now has allegedly been brutally murdered. She shares about the investigations done by the CID and the Dhaka Police and the speculations being made.Next, Indian Express’ Amitabh Sinha speaks to us about Cyclone Remal and the destruction that it has caused. He also shares about the early warning systems in place and how the cyclone became a multi-hazard disaster. (9:32)And in the end, we talk about an Israeli air strike that happened on an area that was designated for displaced Palestinians in Rafah that killed 45 people and has sparked a global outrage. (19:02)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Vijay Doiphode

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 30th of May and here are today's headlines.Addressing his final Lok Sabha election rally in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi compared the works of his government with the ideology of Guru Ravidas. He also attacked the INDIA bloc, particularly the Congress, for violating the Constitution during the Emergency and the 1984 riots against Sikhs. He also accused the Opposition of trying to divide the country based on religion through reservation. Punjab goes to polls on 1st of June in the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections.A Delhi court today issued notice to the ED on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea seeking regular bail in a case related to the alleged excise scam. The court directed the central agency to file its response by Saturday. The judge also sought ED’s response on another plea of Kejriwal seeking seven-day extension of his interim bail on medical grounds, in case the regular bail petition

As we draw closer to the end of the Lok Sabha polls, today on the podcast, we are taking a break from our usual programming to share a conversation that we recently had with Vandita Mishra, Indian Express' National Opinion Editor.Throughout these elections, Vandita traveled across five crucial states - Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, and West Bengal. In this discussion, we talk about the concerns of voters in these states, the reasons behind many choosing to vote for the ruling party, the current state of opposition, and the biggest factors that will determine the outcome of these polls.Hosted and produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Vijay DoiphodeAdditional support from Ichha Sharma and Mahiyar Rohinton Patel

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 29th of May and here are today's headlines.Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hinted at a “conspiracy” behind the “deteriorating health condition” of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Addressing a rally in Baripada, Modi said there is a need for a detailed probe to “uncover the mystery” about Patnaik’s health. Though the PM did not mention anyone by name, his comments are ostensibly a reference to Patnaik’s close aide and former IAS officer V K Pandian, whom he had earlier accused of capturing the CM’s office and residence.The Delhi government today announced that a Rs 2000 fine would be imposed on anyone found to be wasting water. This includes washing cars with a hose, letting their water tanks overflow or using private connections for commercial activity. The announcement comes as the national capital faces a water crisis and soaring temperatures. The Regional Meteorological Centre of Delhi has warned of heatwave to se

First, Indian Express' Ankita Upadhyay joins us to talk about the fire that broke out at a children's hospital in Vivek Vihar in Delhi. She shares the red flags that were discovered by the authorities, steps taken by them and everything that has happened since then.Next, Indian Express’ Film Critic Shubhra Gupta speaks to us about the Indian film All We Imagine As Light winning the Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival and Payal Kapadia, the writer and the director of the film. (9:25)And in the end, we talk about record breaking temperatures in Delhi, with the maximum temperature nearly touching 50 degree Celsius and the capital being on a Red Alert for a severe heatwave. (24:10)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Vijay Doiphode

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 28th of May and here are today's headlines.Delhi Rouse Avenue Court today issued summons to Delhi Education Minister Atishi in connection with a defamation case filed by Praveen Shankar Kapoor. The case relates to Atishi’s accusations that the BJP attempted to poach Aam Aadmi Party MLAs. Atishi has been ordered to appear in court on the 29th of June. Meanwhile, the court has denied the bail plea of Umar Khalid, who is accused in the ‘larger conspiracy’ case related to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. Khalid, who was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), had earlier told the Delhi court that other accused facing graver allegations than him were out on bail as well as people allegedly involved in similar activities were not even made an accused by the Delhi Police.At least 15 people have been killed in multiple landslides across Aizawl today. This included 11 deaths in a stone quarry collapse, with Mizora

First, Indian Express' Gopal Kateshiya tells us about the fire that broke out at an indoor game zone in Gujarat’s Rajkot on Saturday, killing 28 people, including children, and injuring nine others.Next, Indian Express' Udit Misra explains how unemployment has fared under the Modi government and how it is distributed across religious and caste lines (11:02).Finally, we discuss why two doctors from a government hospital have been booked in the Pune Porsche crash case (26:35).Hosted by Shashank BhargavaProduced by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaAdditional support by Mahiyar Rohinton PatelEdited and mixed Vijay Doiphode

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 27th of May and here are today's headlines.Union Home Minister Amit Shah, discussed the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in an exclusive interview with the Indian Express. He expressed confidence in forming the government based on the results from the first five phases, with a projected tally of 300-310 seats. He said, quote, “We are somewhere between 300 and 310. This is without counting the sixth phase. We are in a comfortable position. This time, we went to the people with 10 years of track record and 25 years of a powerfully positive agenda.” Unquote.In the Pune Porsche crash that resulted in the deaths of two young engineers, the Pune police said that doctors of Sassoon General Hospital the blood sample of the minor driver in a dustbin and sent another person’s blood to the forensic lab. Dr Ajay Taware, the head of the Sassoon Hospital’s forensic medicine department, and Dr Shrihari Harnol have been arrested for allegedly changi

First, Indian Express' Hamza Khan joins us to talk about the BJP and what challenges it might face when it comes to Rajasthan. The party that made a clean sweep in the state for two consecutive elections, might not be able to do so this year. Next, Indian Express’ Flora Swain speaks to Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs editor Shubhajit Roy about a post-Raisi Iran and how everything will function now that the President and the Foreign minister of the country are no more. (12:14)And in the end, we talk about a massive fire that broke out in a children's hospital in east Delhi killing seven newborn babies. (21:48)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 24th of May and here are the top stories of the week.The voter turnout in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections in 49 constituencies on Monday was higher than the polling in the same seats in 2019, as per provisional figures at 10.30 pm on Tuesday. Though the final turnout figure is expected to be released by the Election Commission today, the EC’s Voter Turnout app, showed Monday’s turnout at 62.15%, higher than the 2019 final polling figure of 61.82%.Six people were killed and 48 were injured in a boiler blast at a chemical company in Mahrashtra's Thane on Thursday afternoon. According to officials, the number of deceased and injured may go up as several workers and residents were feared trapped in the factory in Dombivli’s MIDC phase-2 region. Officials of the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation said a massive blast occurred in the Amudan Chemicals Pvt Ltd. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lak

First, Indian Express' Partha Sarathi Biswas joins us to talk about the the horrific case where a minor mowed down two people with his Porsche. Partha Sarathi talks about the verdict of the Juvenile Justice Board and everything that has been happening since the incident.Next, Indian Express’ Shantanu Chowdhury and Apurva Vishwanath talk to us about the Calcutta High Court's decision on the West Bengal government issuing OBC certificates to people from 77 Muslim communities since 2010. (13:08)And in the end, we talk about a massive blast that happened in a chemical company in Maharashtra's Thane that killed six people. (21:08)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 23rd of May and here are today's headlines.Tensions flared in Nandigram in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district today. Hours after a woman worker of the BJP was killed and seven others were injured after being attacked on Wednesday night, days before the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in the state. As the BJP took to the streets in protest today by torching shops and blocking roads using trees and setting them on fire, security was beefed up with Rapid Action Force and central forces being deployed, apart from the police.A senior Kolkata police officer said that the initial probe into the “murder” of Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar revealed that one of his friends had paid around Rs 5 crore to kill the neighbouring country’s parliamentarian. Anar, who went missing in Kolkata since 13th of May, was found murdered and three people have been arrested, Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan had said on Wednesday. The

First, Indian Express’ Sujit Bisoyi discusses the biggest narratives dominating the Odisha polls and explains why Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, despite facing the toughest challenge in over 20 years, is still not worried.Next, Indian Express’ Rural Affairs Editor Harish Damodaran explains why India’s wheat production has hit a 16-year low and highlights the two states that helped avert a crisis (15:12).And in the end, we provide a brief update about the Election Commission issuing notices to the BJP and Congress Party (23:25).Hosted by Shashank BhargavaProduced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 22nd of May and here are today's headlines.Almost a month after issuing notices to Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge over alleged Model Code of Conduct violations by their star campaigners, the Election Commission of India today directed BJP star campaigners not to make communal speeches and those of the Opposition party to refrain from saying the Constitution may be abolished. While the EC did not name PM Modi or Rahul Gandhi, it asked Nadda and Kharge for their “comments” on the “star campaigners” alleged MCC violations.The Supreme Court today declined to entertain former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren’s plea seeking interim bail on money laundering charges in a land scam-related case to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. The court said his bail plea was pending before the trial court when he approached the apex court seeking the relief. The bench was upset that Soren