With political parties berating national news channels for bias in news coverage of issues concerning south India, television channels have begun scouting for those who can contextualise the politics of the region for a national audience.
This has opened up the space for those like Sumanth C. Raman, the popular, rapid-talking quizmaster, who is now being invited to participate as a political analyst in television debates conducted by English news channels.
He recently gained national recognition after being in the much-talked-about debate show where BJP leader Subramanian Swamy and Arnab Goswami of Times Now had a go at each other.
“I have hosted several shows on election day, including on general elections. While I have a perspective on national politics as well, there is a gap in the understanding of southern perspectives on many critical issues concerning the State, especially the Sri Lankan perspective. The television shows have realised a need to have someone who understands the south,” he says.
When asked why political parties from the south lack suave spokespersons, Dr. Sumanth Raman says that it is merely a ‘cultural thing’.
“We are now seeing parties — including regional parties such as DMK and AIADMK — embracing social media. It’s just a matter of time before everybody comes up with a strategy to deal with the media, just like national parties that have been doing this for a long time now,” he says.
Does he see himself as a spokesperson for a political party in the near future? “I have friends in all the major parties and there have been times when they ask me informally. Not being tied to a party is better because you are considered a neutral voice. I want to keep that,” he says.
