Political strategist Prashant Kishor was back on national television this past week, dishing out gyaan left, right, and centre. Although he too predicts a BJP-led NDA sweep in 2024, he says the 2024 election results will build momentum for the opposition in 2029—when Modi the Messiah might be out of the ring. His faith that the Congress has the ideological bandwidth to beat the BJP is refreshing.

We picked this: because of the entertaining interplay between Navika Kumar’s relentless efforts to sensationalise his statements and Kishor’s ability to dodge them. At one point she even tries to corner him in a Koffee with Karan styled rapid fire on the upcoming elections. “Navika, slogan-writing is our job, not yours,” chimes PK, who has worked with everyone from Modi to Mamata and Stalin. 

Bonus pick #1: Political scholar Christophe Jaffrelot qualifies Modi as “the most powerful PM India has ever had” in conversation with Karan Thapar. Unlike Prashant Kishor’s optimism, he is wary that a third BJP term at the Centre will make subsequent elections an unfair playing field. It’s really well-demarcated so you can skip to the parts you’re most curious about! (The Wire)

Bonus pick #2: This 1-minute explanation from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor about how the Congress’ manifesto was drafted and its focus on “nyay”. (Indian Express)