India Today Conclave East 2021: TMC's Derek O'Brien on Mamata's ideology, Bengal elections and fascism

This report examines the tragic death of Yuvraj Mehta, a Noida-based techie who drowned after his car sank into a flooded basement. The bulletin features harrowing footage showing the victim using his mobile phone light to signal rescuers for over two hours. The transcript highlights a 'completely botched up rescue operation' where workers were heard asking the victim to 'hang on' and 'try harder' despite lacking essential equipment like boats or steamers. The discussion points out that the basement was allegedly dug illegally, leading to a fresh FIR against the builder by the Noida Police. Criticism is directed at the delayed response, noting that the District Magistrate, Medha Rupam, visited the site four days later and the vehicle was recovered only after three days. The segment questions the professional standards of the fire department and police during the crisis, emphasizing the plight of a man aware of his impending drowning while rescuers remained ill-equipped on the sidelines.

An unidentified speaker has launched a scathing attack on the state Governor, accusing the office of acting as a 'puppet in the hands of the union government'. The speaker alleged that the Governor violated Sections 176 and 163 of the Constitution by refusing to read the speech prepared by the cabinet, opting instead to read only a single paragraph. 'The governor didn't read the speech given by the cabinet and he wanted to read his own speech,' the speaker stated, labeling the move as unethical and unconstitutional. The address also focused on the dilution of the MGNREGA scheme, referred to as 'Manreka', noting that the right to work and local panchayat powers have been abolished under new central tenets. The speaker confirmed that party MLAs and MLCs will launch state-wide protests until the 'anti-farmer' policies are repealed and the original employment guarantees are reinstated, asserting that the opposition is intentionally defending these changes due to a lack of freedom.

This special report covers the unprecedented scenes inside the Karnataka Assembly where the Governor staged a walkout. The incident occurred during the customary address at the beginning of the session, where the Governor is expected to read a speech prepared by the state government. According to the report, 'There's been a big controversy over the mention of the G. Ramji Bill in the speech of the Governor, which he refused to, in fact, read out as is customary.' The Governor reportedly refused to read the speech as drafted due to the inclusion of the G. Ramji Bill. While initial indications suggested he might only skip that specific portion, the Governor ultimately exited the floor of the house. The walkout was accompanied by chaos as BJP and JDS MLAs also left the assembly. The Chief Minister was seen addressing the press following the incident, which highlights a direct confrontation between the Governor and the state government in Karnataka.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the dramatic scenes unfolding in the Karnataka Assembly as Governor Thawarchand Gehlot walked out amid a heated controversy. The ruckus erupted over the Governor's decision to skip a portion of his speech related to the 'G. Ramji' law, which the state government reportedly linked to corruption. Speaking on the development, BJP leader G.S. Prashant stated, 'The courts have also interpreted Article 176 in a way to state that Governor has a right to delete or not delete relevant portions or such portions that do not deal with the policy of the Government.' Prashant accused the Congress-led government of attempting to use a constitutional head to make political allegations against the Centre. The programme examines the constitutional friction between the Governor's office and the state executive, highlighting the BJP's stance that the assembly should focus on legislative business rather than political propaganda.