The much-anticipated CNN-News18 Town Hall is making its grand return on September 27, 2024, in Mumbai. Known for hosting dynamic and thought-provoking discussions, the Town Hall has previously graced cities like Delhi, Chennai, and Bengaluru. This edition promises to bring together key political figures and cultural influencers to debate the most pressing issues ahead of the assembly elections in Maharashtra.

Set against the backdrop of India’s evolving political landscape, the theme of this edition is ‘Road to Delhi via Mumbai?’, reflecting the critical role Maharashtra plays in shaping the national political discourse. The Town Hall aims to explore the state’s pivotal role in the lead-up to the 2024 Assembly elections, offering fresh perspectives on the alliances and strategies at play, the news platform said in a press release.

This edition will feature Maharashtra’s top political leaders in engaging sessions that explore various angles of the state’s political future:
• Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Chief Minister, will lead a discussion on “Mahayuti’s Maharashtra Test”, addressing the coalition government’s plans and strategies for the upcoming elections.
• Aaditya Thackeray, MLA (Shiv Sena UBT), will discuss “Matoshree to Prove Its Might?”, offering insights into his party’s electoral strategies.
• Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, will answer “Can BJP Get Its Math Right?”, analyzing the BJP’s vote-bank calculations.
• Supriya Sule, MP (NCP SP), in a session titled “Pawar-Play: Maha ‘Binding’ Factor?”, will outline her party’s vision for the Assembly elections.
• Aditi Tatkare, State Minister and MLA (NCP AP), will also provide her take on the elections.
• Milind Deora, MP (Rajya Sabha, Shiv Sena), and Priyanka Chaturvedi, MP (Rajya Sabha, Shiv Sena UBT), will dive into the debate over “Who is the Real Shiv Sena?” in consecutive sessions.

The event will not only focus on politics but will also feature discussions on India’s evolving cultural landscape. Bollywood celebrities Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal will join the Town Hall to talk about “The New Reality of Theatrical vs OTT”, shedding light on the shifts in entertainment consumption.

Smriti Mehra, CEO of English & Business News at Network18, emphasized the importance of CNN-News18’s role in shaping public discourse: “CNN-News18 has been the number one English news channel for over two years. Our commitment to delivering relevant, impactful content is why events like the Town Hall are so important.”

Zakka Jacob, Managing Editor of CNN-News18, spoke about the event’s unique role in political and cultural discussions: “Now in its seventh edition, the CNN-News18 Town Hall remains a crucial space for candid, unfiltered dialogue. This is where India’s most pressing issues are addressed, beyond the typical political discourse.”

As India enters a critical phase of its political journey, this edition of CNN-News18 Town Hall promises to offer significant insights into the future of Maharashtra and beyond.

Tune in to CNN-News18 on September 27 at 6:00 pm to watch the Mumbai Town Hall live, or catch it on CNN-News18’s YouTube channel for in-depth discussions with the nation’s top leaders and influencers.