Prashant Kishor loses cool as Karan Thapar reminds him of earlier prediction failing
New Delhi: Noted election strategist Prashant Kishor found himself in the hot seat during an interview with Karan Thapar for The Wire. The conversation took a tense turn as Kishor was reminded about his past predictions in Himachal Pradesh and Telangana.
Kishor, renowned for his role in designing election campaigns for Prime Minister Modi and the BJP in 2014, has since worked with various political parties across the country. Now embarking on a Jana Swaraj Yatra in Bihar, he aims to establish "Jana Swaraj" as a political entity for the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections.
During the interview, Kishor confidently forecasted that the BJP would secure over 300 seats in the next election. Despite potential losses in the North, he believed gains in the South and East would offset any shortfall. However, contrary reports and surveys suggest a different result, hinting at potential setbacks for the BJP.
Tensions rose when Thapar questioned Kishor about his earlier prediction regarding the Congress's performance in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha elections. Kishor, visibly irked, was seen asking Thapar to either show a video of him saying so or apologise.
Karan Thapar asked Prashant who looked very upset, “Do you want to continue the interview or do you want to stop?'', which made him even more annoyed. “I can face not one but four like you, I know how to deal with you well. I will not get up.” he is seen saying.
As the interview progressed, Kishor's frustration mounted, leading to heated exchanges and even comparisons to Narendra Modi's infamous 2007 interview with Thapar.
Kishor had previously predicted a rout for the Congress in Himachal Pradesh and Telangana in May 2022 and September 2023 respectively. But the Congress won the Assembly polls in both states., contrary to Kishor’s predictions.
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Karnataka offers extensive incentives in its proposed IT policy
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka has proposed a new Information Technology Policy for 2025–2030, offering extensive financial and non-financial incentives aimed at accelerating investments, strengthening innovation and expanding the state's tech footprint beyond Bengaluru.
The Karnataka Cabinet gave its nod to the policy 2025–2030 with an outlay of Rs 445.50 crore on Thursday after the Finance Department accorded its approval.
The policy introduces 16 incentives across five enabler categories, nine of which are entirely new, with a distinctive push to support companies setting up or expanding in emerging cities.
Alongside financial support, the government is also offering labour-law relaxations, round-the-clock operational permissions and industry-ready human capital programmes to make Karnataka a globally competitive 'AI-native' destination.
According to the policy, units located outside Bengaluru will gain access to a wide suite of benefits, including research and development and IP creation incentives, internship reimbursements, talent relocation support and recruitment assistance.
The benefits also include EPF reimbursement, faculty development support, rental assistance, certification subsidies, electricity tariff rebates, property tax reimbursement, telecom infrastructure support, and assistance for events and conferences.
Bengaluru Urban will receive a focused set of six research and development and talent-oriented incentives, while Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs) operating in the state will be brought under the incentive net.
Incentive caps and eligibility thresholds have been raised, and the policy prioritises growth-focused investments for both new and expanding units.
Beyond incentives, the government focuses on infrastructure and innovation interventions.
A flagship proposal in the policy is the creation of Techniverse -- integrated, technology-enabled enclaves developed through a public-private partnership model inside future Global Innovation Districts.
These campuses will offer plug-and-play facilities, artificial intelligence and machine learning and cybersecurity labs, advanced testbeds, experience centres, and disaster-resistant command centres.
There will also be a Statewide Digital Hub Grid and a Global Test Bed Infrastructure Network, linking public and private research and development, and innovation facilities across Karnataka.
The government has proposed a Women Global Tech Missions Fellowship for 1,000 mid-career women technologists, an IT Talent Return Programme to absorb experienced professionals returning from abroad, and broad-based skill and faculty development reimbursements.
Shared corporate transport routes in Bengaluru and tier-two cities will be designed with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation and other transport entities to support worker mobility.
The government said the policy is the outcome of an extensive research and consultation process involving TCS, Infosys, Wipro, IBM, HCL, Tech Mahindra, Cognizant, HP, Google, Accenture and NASSCOM, along with sector experts and stakeholder groups.
It estimates an outlay of Rs 967.12 crore over five years, comprising Rs 754.62 crore for incentives and Rs 212.50 crore for interventions such as Techniverse campuses, digital grid development, global outreach missions and talent programmes.
