This week, Newslaundry’s Abhinandan Sekhri, Manisha Pande, Raman Kirpal and Anand Vardhan are joined by senior journalist and author Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay and EastMojo’s Karma Paljor.

The conversation begins with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s first post-poll remarks, election results in the northeastern states, Maharashtra and Odisha, and the new NDA cabinet. 

On speculation about the RSS-BJP relationship in the wake of the results, Nilanjan says, “The animosity has been there. The RSS has had problems with the BJP for several reasons. One of them is the cult of Modi. We know RSS is not in favour of vyakti poojan.” 

Anand adds that the BJP’s restricted Hindutva mandate this time means that they will have to do “routine patrolling of Hindu interest and not pursue any ambitious ideological project”.

About elections in the Northeast, Karma says, “Gaurav Gogoi’s win was not a surprise…what surprised me was Manipur. I thought the fear factor would still be there.” 

Commenting on the “unpredictable” results in Maharashtra, Nilanjan adds, “For the people, Balasaheb’s legacy is with Uddhav (Thackeray). They believe only Sharad Pawar can decide what happens with the NCP. Ajit is no one.”

This and a whole lot more. Tune in!