Nothing in politics is a done deal: Minister Hardeep Singh Puri

Amid discussions on advertising, digital, sports, Metaverse, OTT, etc., the conversation took a detour to the current political system in the Leadership Summit session with Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs and Navika Kumar, Group Editor, Times Network & Editor In Chief, Times Now, Navbharat.

Highlighting the co-dependence of press and politics, Puri said, “Press and politics cannot exist on their own. One needs the other. They also need to consider each other’s perspective.”

Speaking about the value system of the Bharatiya Janata Party, he said, “From Sarvodaya to Antodaya, the philosophy which is encapsulated in taking sustainable developmental goals to the farthest first, forms the crux of BJP’s philosophy.”

Speaking about the Modi Government’s dispensation, Puri refuted the belief that it is a typically right wing government. “In many respects it is not,” he stressed.

Though the next Lok Sabha elections are still two years away in 2024, poll bugles are already being sounded as parties of all hues begin to gear up for the big battle. When asked if 2024 was a done deal, Puri remarked, “Nothing in politics is a done deal. But considering that the BJP itself is in good shape and also considering that we are winning election after election. I would say that the opposition needs to get its act together if it wants to pose a credible challenge in 2024.” At the same time, he said that the BJP also has to work hard, “which we are doing”.

While stressing that the country does need an opposition party, Puri said, “We do not want the Congress party to completely disappear. But it is for the opposition to decide whether it should be led by Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal or Sharad Pawar.”