NDTV launched its first-ever regional news channel, NDTV Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh on the 21st of August 2023, NDTV Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh. The launch event was organised at Hotel Taj Lake Front in Bhopal. Several dignitaries including CM-MP Shivraj Singh Chauhan and former CM Kamal Nath graced the event with their presence. Also, panels of national-level artists, Musicians etc, addressed the gathering.
NDTV is now under the umbrella of the ADANI Group. Launching a regional channel targeting two significant states, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh which will be facing the assembly elections is a significant move to launch NDTV Madhya Pradesh & Chhatisgarh. People have mixed opinion about it. , CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan shared his views on the upcoming assembly election at the launch event. Even before the election dates have been announced, the list of 39 candidates has already been issued for the MP assembly elections.
CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan also talked about his “Ladli Behna” scheme which aims to provide ₹1000 to non-working and underprivileged females in Madhya Pradesh. CM further said that he plans to increase this amount in the near future. On the question of unemployment allowance, CM said, “A bird never provides a nest to its children, it provides wings instead. We will be providing proper training to our youth which makes them ready to work and then provide them stipend.
The former CM of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Kamal Nath also addressed the gathering. He shared his political views on the upcoming assembly elections. He gave quite bold statements about the BJP and CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan. He said in his speech “मुँह चलाने में और प्रदेश चलाने में फर्क होता है” (An exaggerate speaker isn’t necessarily a good leader). Former CM, Kamal Nath said, he believes that the people of MP are in support of Congress and willing to take down BJP and PM Modi’s government.
When Mr Kamal Nath was asked about the loss that occurred after Jyotiraditya Scindia joined BJP, he said “I don’t want t go at what Scindia’s move has done but, bottom line is, eventually its a win for congress in upcoming assembly elections.
Also, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dr. Bhupesh Baghel joined the channel launch at Raipur. Baghel shared his goals and views about the formation of Chhattisgarh. He said, “Madhya Pradesh was a very large state where the people of Chhattisgarh felt neglected. Highlighting and prioritising the culture of Chhattisgarh was the main reason for making it a separate state. But, BJP has been extremely unsuccessful even after 15 years of their tenure.” He also said that people are satisfied with his government and his government has worked upon uplifting all sections of the Chhattisgarh.
Former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Dr Raman Singh also addressed the gathering from Raipur. When he was asked about his first priority if he becomes CM, he said the first thing he would do is to bring corruption to an end. He said, “Corruption has reached to peak in Chhatisgarh in the last 5 years like nowhere in the country. From Patwari (Land record officer) to Chief Minister, Everyone is corrupt.
Though, the launch of this new channel, NDTV Madhya Pradesh & Chhatisgarh, is expected to bring some positive side to journalism. People are hoping that NDTV maintains its integrity and the journalism which it is known for. The launch of this regional channel will give voices to thousands of people in the region.