Category: Politics

Yogi Adityanath said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the past 10 years, the nation has made uninterrupted progress in security, poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and preserving its heritage.

In a scathing attack at Samajwadi Party, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that while the country’s heritage is represented by the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Akhilesh Yadav-led party “true legacy” is tied to notorious figures like Khan Mubarak, Atiq Ahmed, and Mukhtar Ansari.

“In contrast, before 2014, the leaders of the opposition alliance played with national security and disrespected our heritage. Today, Ram Lalla has been enshrined in the magnificent Ram temple in Ayodhya, a sight that fills every citizen of the country with pride. This is our heritage, which has been repeatedly insulted by the people of the Samajwadi Party,” said Adityanath, according to news agency PTI.

Adityanath made the remark while addressing a rally for the bypolls on November 20.

“The Samajwadi Party’s true legacy is tied to figures like Khan Mubarak, Atiq Ahmed, and Mukhtar Ansari,” he added. Khan Mubarak, Atiq Ahmed and Mukhtar Ansari were gangsters. Later, Ahmed and Ansari joined politics.

Adityanath also claimed that the SP has strayed from the values and ideals of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia.

He said: “While significant development work is being carried out in the state, our heritage is also being honoured. Though Dr (Ram Manohar) Lohia was born in Ambedkarnagar, the Samajwadi Party has strayed far from the values and ideals upheld by him and Acharya Narendra Dev. This is why they avoid visiting the memorial of Maharaja Suheldev. They fear that doing so might alienate their Muslim vote bank”.

In Katehari, Adityanath accused the SP of “disrespecting” traditions, farmers, and youth. He pointed out the swift pace of infrastructure development across UP by his government and asserted that the state has now rid itself of mafia dominance.

He added, “Earlier, UP was synonymous with curfews and riots; now, it is defined by peace and progress.”

During the Samajwadi Party’s rule, development was limited to the Saifai family and the families of powerful mafias, Adityanath said. “The dreaded criminals responsible for the murders of BJP MLAs Krishnanand Rai and Raju Pal were once celebrated by the SP and BSP. Today, UP stands free from mafia influence and the fear they instilled,” he asserted.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/up-bypolls-yogi-adityanath-says-bjp-legacy-is-ram-mandir-samajwadi-partys-linked-to-atiq-ahmed-and-mukhtar-ansari-article-115348884

When Narendra Modi took over as prime minister, he asked Tata to set up the factory in Gujarat, Pawar had claimed.

Pune: Calling NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar “owner of a fake narrative factory,” Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday sought to refute his claim that industrial projects were being taken to Gujarat from the state.

Speaking at an election rally in Baramati, Pawar had claimed that late industrialist Ratan Tata wanted the FAL and Airbus project to come up in Maharashtra, and a 500-acre plot was earmarked for it in Nagpur MIDC during the UPA government.

When Narendra Modi took over as prime minister, he asked Tata to set up the factory in Gujarat, Pawar had claimed.

“Lately, a factory of fake narrative has started, and I am surprised to see that the veteran leader from Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar, is behaving like the owner of a fake narrative factory. Pawar saheb, it is not expected from you,” said Fadnavis, speaking at a campaign rally at Chinchwad in the district.

“He is saying that businesses are not coming to Maharashtra, industrialisation is not happening in the state but in reality, Pune district is our industrial district, it is our manufacturing and IT hub and we are now transforming it into a technology hub,” the BJP leader added.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/maharashtra/maharashtra-assembly-polls-2024-fadnavis-calls-pawar-owner-of-fake-narrative-factory-3265418

Jharkhand will go to polls on November 13 and 20, and results will be declared on November 23.

The ruling JMM in Jharkhand has sought President Droupadi Murmu’s intervention to ensure a level-playing field for star campaigners in the upcoming assembly polls, alleging that Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s helicopter was not allowed to take off for one-and-a-half hours in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state on November 4.

The JMM shot off a letter to Murmu, saying that a no-fly zone had been imposed due to PM Modi’s visit to Garhwa and Chaibasa on Monday.

“Our star campaigner Hemant Soren was scheduled to address an election meeting at 2.25 pm at Bazar Tand in Simdega after holding a meeting at Gudri in West Singhbhum at 1.45 pm.”

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to be in Chaibasa at 2.40 pm to address an election rally. The distance between Gudri and Chaibasa is 80 km while it is 90 km to Simdega. The EC had given its approval to Soren’s visit. But the CM’s helicopter was grounded for one-and-a-half hours, citing the security protocol of the prime minister,” JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said in the letter sent to the President on Monday.

Stating that the EC is a constitutional and autonomous institution, Bhattacharya said that the poll body had said that no flying zone would be declared for 15 minutes in a 50 km radius for security reasons.

However, he claimed that Soren’s helicopter was not allowed for one-and-a-half hours.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/jharkhand/jharkhand-assembly-elections-2024-jmm-seeks-president-murmus-intervention-after-hemant-sorens-chopper-take-off-delayed-for-pm-modis-security-3262269

He will address the election rallies in Chaibasa and Garhwa.

Ranchi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address two rallies in poll-bound Jharkhand on Monday.

He will address the election rallies in Chaibasa and Garhwa.

“Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive at Gaya airport in Bihar around 11 am and fly to Garhwa via helicopter to address a rally there,” a senior BJP leader told PTI.

After addressing the rally in Garhwa, the PM is scheduled to come to Ranchi and from there, he will travel to Chaibasa where he is scheduled to address another rally around 2.30 pm, he said.

Last week, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is also the election-in-charge of Jharkhand, said that all arrangements have been made for the PM’s visit.

Polling for the Jharkhand assembly elections will be held on November 13 and November 20. The counting of votes will be held on November 23.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/jharkhand/jharkhand-assembly-elections-2024-pm-modi-to-address-two-rallies-in-poll-bound-state-on-november-5-3260513

‘Look at her condition. She was in the BJP all her life and now she has gone to another party…‘imported ‘maal’ does not work here, only original ‘maal’ works here…and we have that,’ Sawant said while campaigning for Congress party’s Mumbaidevi candidate Amin Patel.

Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader and fashion designer Shaina N C has questioned the silence of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leadership over the “imported maal” remarks made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant and its defence by Sanjay Raut.

Shaina N C is contesting the elections from the Mumbadevi seat of Mumbai from Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, which she joined last week after leaving BJP.

Sawant, who is the Mumbai South Lok Sabha MP and Raut, a Rajya Sabha MP, are close aides of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Incidentally, both are designated Shiv Sena (UBT)’s chief spokespersons.

“Look at her condition. She was in the BJP all her life and now she has gone to another party…‘imported ‘maal’ does not work here, only original ‘maal’ works here…and we have that,” Sawant said while campaigning for Congress party’s Mumbaidevi candidate Amin Patel.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com//elections/maharashtra/maharashtra-assembly-elections-2024-shaina-n-c-questions-silence-of-mva-leaders-over-imported-maal-remark-by-arvind-sawant-3260127

Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Bruce Springsteen and even The Avengers have come out in support of Kamala Harris, while Donald Trump has the likes of Elon Musk, Kid Rock and Hulk Hogan supporting him.

Can the influence of celebrities sway voters when it comes to the US election?

With many of the biggest music and movie stars in the world backing her, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris will certainly be hoping so.

Democrats have long enjoyed a celebrity advantage, which has only grown during Republican Donald Trump’s rise in politics. However, as Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign showed, star power is not always enough.

According to a recent YouGov poll, about one in 10 Americans (11%) say a celebrity has ever caused them to reconsider their stance on a political issue, while 7% say they have supported a political candidate because of a celebrity endorsement.

As the 2024 US presidential election approaches, here are the stars backing each of the two candidates – starting with Ms Harris.

In a clip shared by Hulk star Mark Ruffalo on social media, the Avengers assembled to show their support for Ms Harris.

Black Widow actress Scarlett Johansson, Captain America star Chris Evans, and Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr all feature in the video, along with Don Cheadle and British star Paul Bettany.

Ruffalo cited climate change, education and women’s reproductive rights among the issues voters should consider.

“We’re back,” he captioned the post. “Let’s #AssembleForDemocracy. In the #ElectionEndgame, every vote counts.”

Taylor Swift

The pop mega star confirmed her support for Ms Harris in September, posting a picture of herself holding her cat Benjamin Button – a reference to Mr Trump’s running mate JD Vance’s “childless cat lady” comments.

Swift told her 283 million followers: “I’m voting for Kamala Harris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.”

In response, Mr Trump said Swift would “probably pay a price” for her comments.

The action movie star is a former Republican governor of California.

However, he has said he is voting for the Democrats this time, saying: “I will always be an American before I am a Republican.”

In a lengthy post on social media, Schwarzenegger said he did not “like either party right now” and that he does not “really do endorsements”, but felt he had to speak out.

He went on to harshly criticise Mr Trump for rejecting the results of the 2020 presidential vote, saying this was as “un-American as it gets”.

He ended by saying the country needs to “close the door on this chapter of American history, and I know that former President Trump won’t do that. He will divide, he will insult, he will find new ways to be more un-American than he already has been, and we, the people, will get nothing but more anger.”

Source : https://news.sky.com/story/celebrity-endorsements-and-the-us-election-will-they-make-a-difference-13245902

As many as 7,995 candidates have filed 10,905 nominations with the Election Commission (EC) for the November 20 polls, said a statement issued by the office of the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

Mumbai: Nearly 8,000 candidates, including those from major political parties in ruling as well as opposition camps, have filed their nominations for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra at the end of the process on Tuesday.

As many as 7,995 candidates have filed 10,905 nominations with the Election Commission (EC) for the November 20 polls, said a statement issued by the office of the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

Filing of nominations by candidates began on October 22 and the process ended on October 29. The verification and scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on October 30 and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is November 4 (till 3 pm).

In 2019, a total of 5,543 nominations were received by the EC throughout the state and 3,239 candidates finally contested the assembly polls that year.

As many as 361 candidates have filed 506 nominations for the assembly elections in Nashik district. Of these, 255 candidates submitted their papers on Tuesday.

Prominent candidates include cabinet ministers Dada Bhuse (Shiv Sena) from Malegaon Outer and Chhagan Bhujbal (NCP) from Yeola, Suhas Kande (Shiv Sena) from Nandgaon, Rahul Dhikle (BJP) from Nashik East, former MLA Vasant Gite (Shiv Sena-UBT) from Nashik Central and sitting MLA Saroj Ahire (NCP) from Deolali.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/maharashtra-assembly-elections-2024-nearly-8000-candidates-file-nominations-for-288-maharashtra-assembly-seats-scrutiny-on-oct-30-3254210

On the last day of filing of nominations, a decision on seven seats in the ruling alliance is yet to be announced.

The assembly election in Maharashtra this year has gone off script, with no clarity on which party is contesting how many seats in the ruling alliance or the opposition front. On the last day of filing of nominations, a decision on seven seats in the ruling alliance is yet to be announced.
The image on the other side is even more blurred. The Maha Vikas Aghadi, which made headlines for weeks over its tussle over seat sharing, is yet to provide a final frame. The alliance has already gone past the 85-85-85 seat sharing.

Even so, there has been no announcement on 16 seats, while its other allies, including Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party, wait in the wings.

In the ruling alliance, the BJP, which initially said it would contest on 150 seats, announced that they would contest on 146, leaving four seats for smaller allies — the Yuva Swabhiman Party, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, Republican Party of India (Athavale) and Jan Surajya Shakti Paksha.

But two of its members have made an appearance on the list of the Shiv Sena of Eknath Shinde — party spokesperson Shaina NC from Mumbadevi and Amol Khatal, who is the candidate for Sangamner.

That leaves 138 seats to the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party’s Ajit Pawar faction.

The Shinde faction, which earlier announced 65 candidates, announced 15 more on Monday, including Shaina NC, taking its total to 80. Like the BJP, the Sena has also given two seats out of its share to smaller parties — one each to the Jan Suraj Party and the Rajashri Shahuprakash Aghadi.

Of the 58 seats presumably left to Ajit Pawar, 51 candidates have been announced.

In the MVA, the Congress has already announced 103 candidates, the Uddhav Thackeray’s faction of Shiv Sena 87 and the NCP of Sharad Pawar 82 seats – taking the total to 272 of the state’s 288 seats.

The delay and indecision only underscores the premium placed on Maharashtra and this election, which is expected to be a referendum on the last several years of political upheaval in the state.

Maharashtra, which sends 48 members to the Lok Sabha, is next only in importance to Uttar Pradesh, which, with 80 lower house seats, is seen as the Gateway to Delhi.

Over the last two years, the state has been rocked by massive political turmoil — the split in Shiv Sena, the collapse of the MVA government and the passing of the reins of power to the BJP and the rebel faction of the Sena. It was followed by the split in the Nationalist Congress party of Sharad Pawar and the rebel faction led by Ajit Pawar joining the ruling coalition.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/on-eve-of-nominations-closure-suspense-continues-over-maharashtra-seat-division-6895418

The coastal Konkan division in Maharashtra, spread from Sindhudurg to Mumbai, also covers Palghar, Thane, Raigad and Ratnagiri districts. Voting will be held in all 288 state assembly constituencies on November 20 and results will be declared on November 23.

Mumbai: The serene coastal belt of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, offers an interesting backdrop for a showdown between Mahayuti and MVA alliances in the next month’s assembly elections, especially between two rival Shiv Senas.

The most urbanised and industrial region, including Mumbai metropolitan area, sends 75 MLAs to the assembly and 12 members to Lok Sabha.

The coastal Konkan division in Maharashtra, spread from Sindhudurg to Mumbai, also covers Palghar, Thane, Raigad and Ratnagiri districts.

Voting will be held in all 288 state assembly constituencies on November 20 and results will be declared on November 23.

In the recent Lok Sabha polls, the Mahayuti alliance of Shiv Sena, BJP and NCP bagged seven seats in the Konkan region.

The BJP triumphed in Palghar, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg and Mumbai North, while the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, had a face-saver in Raigad where its leader Sunil Tatkare retained his seat.

The Shiv Sena won Thane, Kalyan and Mumbai North West. In the upcoming polls, former Union minister Narayan Rane, who won the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Sabha seat, is set to play a crucial role for BJP in the Konkan region.

In Thane city, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency, and Worli in Mumbai, where Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray seeks re-election, are poised to be pivotal battlegrounds.

The contest primarily shapes up as a rivalry between Shiv Sena factions, raising the stakes significantly.

Urban issues are at the forefront, with housing, urban poverty and infrastructure challenges dominating discussions as the region copes with rapid population growth.

The Congress’ influence has waned over the years, particularly in Mumbai, where it has ceded ground to Shiv Sena (UBT) within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

The 75 constituencies are spread across tribal-dominated Palghar (6 seats), Thane (18), including six segments in Thane city, Mumbai (36).

Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts account for 15 constituencies. The upcoming assembly elections present a complex political landscape, marked by rivalries and shifting alliances.

The state’s electoral map also includes the districts of Vidarbha, north Maharashtra, Marathwada and western Maharashtra.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/maharashtra/maharashtra-assembly-elections-2024-with-75-seats-coastal-belt-crucial-to-tilting-power-scales-in-the-state-3233829

The Election Commission of India is set to announce the dates of elections for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections on Tuesday, October 15 at 3.30 pm.

News Delhi: The Election Commission of India is set to announce the dates of elections for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections on Tuesday, October 15. The announcement on the dates of the crucial polls will be done by ECI through a press conference scheduled at 3.30 pm today.

Election Commission of India to announce the schedule for General Election to Legislative Assemblies of Maharashtra and Jharkhand 2024.

When Do Assembly Terms End For Both States?

The Maharashtra Assembly’s term is set to conclude on November 26, while on the other hand, the Jharkhand Assembly’s term will end on January 5, 2025. Maharashtra has a 288-member Legislative Assembly, while the state of Jharkhand consists an 81-seat Assembly.

The combative speeches come weeks before Maharashtra polls, which are to be held before November-end.

Playing out a clip of his taking oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister from Shivaji Park in 2019, Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday sent out both a message and a warning to his rivals as he delivered his annual Dussehra speech from the iconic Mumbai park.
A little over 10 km from the first venue, at Azad Maidan, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde delivered his Dussehra speech, comparing his former boss, Uddhav Thackeray, with the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM, suggesting Muslim appeasement politics.

The combative speeches come weeks before Maharashtra polls, which are to be held before November-end.

Recalling his rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership in June 2022, Mr Shinde said he freed the real Shiv Sena from the clutches of those who betrayed Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideals.

“Had the uprising not been carried out by us, true Shiv Sainiks would have been humiliated and Maharashtra would have gone back many years,” said Mr Shinde, accused the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government of blocking various development projects, saying that the state’s debt rose by ₹ 17,000 crore due to the arrogance and stalling of the projects.

Uddhav Thackeray, during his speech, referred to Mr Shinde-led Sena as “duplicate”.

“Ratan Tata once told me that JRD Tata trusted him after seeing his work, and then handed over his legacy. He said Balasaheb also chose you (Uddhav) after he found you trustworthy,” Mr Thackeray said, recounting a conversation with the iconic businessman who died this week, underlining his claim on the party.

Taking aim at his former ally, Mr Thackeray said the BJP should be ashamed of calling itself “Bharatiya.” He also compared it to the Kauravas, accusing it of showing arrogance.

Accusing the ruling Mahayuti alliance of building Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue for votes and said if Maha Vikas Aghadi government comes to power after the assembly polls, he will build Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Mandir in every district of the state.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/shivaji-2022-coup-in-key-sena-vs-sena-rallies-ahead-of-maharashtra-polls-6775521

Former Maharashtra Minister and senior leader of Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Baba Siddique was shot dead in Bandra East, Mumbai, on Saturday evening.

How and When the firing took place?

The Sena (UBT) chief who has been pressing his allies Congress and NCP (SP) to announce the MVA’s chief ministerial face, played a video clip of his oath-taking as chief minister in 2019, and asked the party cadres if he did not adhere to the oath.

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said he broke off the alliance with the BJP as he did not approve of its version of Hindutva, and asked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh whether it found today’s “hybrid” BJP acceptable.

He did not abandon the ideology of his father, Sena founder Bal Thackeray, Uddhav said, speaking at his party’s Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park here ahead of assembly elections in Maharashtra.

“I have respect for the RSS and (its chief) Mohan Bhagwat. Bhagwat says Hindus should unite for self-protection. For whom are you saying all this when the BJP government is in power for ten years and has been given another mandate? Should Hindus still feel unsafe?” Thackeray said.

“I want to tell the RSS which is entering its centenary year, have a ‘chintan shibir’ (brainstorming meet) and introspect if you agree with the present-day BJP which has become a hybrid. It has leaders from other political parties. It wants crutches of traitors to finish me off,” he further said.

“I did not give up Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideals, but only parted ways with the BJP because I don’t agree with its version of Hindutva,” said Thackeray who ended the alliance with the saffron party in 2019 and became Maharashtra chief minister with the support of Congress and undivided NCP.

Sena workers were the “wagh-nakh” (tiger-claws, a Shivaji-era weapon) he got from Bal Thackeray, Uddhav said, adding “how can they (BJP) destroy me.” “I could not have survived if you had not been with me,” he added.

Referring to Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud’s remark about being anxious as to how history would judge his tenure, Thackeray said, “You should know that the time is now. Take decisions to save democracy. Our case is still pending, and three chief justices have come and gone. I will speak after you retire.”

He was referring to the litigation related to the split in the Shiv Sena caused by Eknath Shinde’s exit in June 2022 and the fall of the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

The Sena (UBT) chief who has been pressing his allies Congress and NCP (SP) to announce the MVA’s chief ministerial face, played a video clip of his oath-taking as chief minister in 2019, and asked the party cadres if he did not adhere to the oath.

He then asked party workers to swear on oath again that they will stay loyal to the party’s ‘Mashal’ (flaming torch) symbol and bring a “Shiv Shahi government” as envisaged by late Bal Thackeray.

Uddhav read out the oath which said they will never allow Maharashtra to fall in the hands of the BJP.

After his government comes to power, he will construct temples of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in every district of the state, the former chief minister said, while slamming the present Eknath Shinde-led government for the “hasty construction of a statue of Shivaji” on Rajkot fort in Malvan for votes.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/rss-should-introspect-if-it-agrees-with-todays-hybrid-bjp-says-uddhav-thackeray-at-dussehra-rally-3230192

Speaking after the symbolic burning of Ravan’s effigy, Kejriwal praised Lord Ram’s virtues of sacrifice and righteousness, urging citizens to take inspiration from the Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas.

New Delhi: Former chief minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, attending a Ramleela event at Chirag Delhi on Saturday, emphasised Delhi government’s “commitment” to the ideals of ‘Ramrajya’.

Speaking after the symbolic burning of Ravan’s effigy, Kejriwal praised Lord Ram’s virtues of sacrifice and righteousness, urging citizens to take inspiration from the Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas.

During the event, organised by local MLA and Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, Kejriwal highlighted the work done by the AAP government to benefit every section of the society, including free electricity, quality education, healthcare, free bus travel for women, and pilgrimage facilities for the elderly.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/delhi-govt-committed-to-ideals-of-ramrajya-arvind-kejriwal-3230190

The Haryana exit polls 2024 results predict that the Congress is expected to trounce the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana, and is tipped to win close to 60 seats in the 90-seat Assembly where the majority mark is 46.

C-Voter Haryana Exit Poll Result 2024: According to C-Voter, the Congress is projected to win 50-58 seats, while the BJP is expected to win 20-28 seats. The exit poll gives 0-2 seats for JJP+ and none for INLD+ and AAP. It predicts Others to win 10-14 seats.

Peoples Pulse Exit Poll Results: According to this exit poll survey, the Congress is predicted to win 49 seats, while it gives the BJP 24 seats. It has predicted one seat for JJP+ and none for INLD+ and AAP. The survey expects Others to get 16 seats.

P-Marq Haryana Exit Polls Results 2024: According to P-Marq, the Congress will come to power in Haryana with 56 seats, while the BJP will win 31. It gives zero seats to JJP+, INLD+ and AAP, while giving three seats to Others.

Dainik Bhaskar Exit Polls Results for Haryana: The Dainik Bhaskar exit poll has predicted 44-54 seats for the Congress and 19-29 seats for the BJP. The survey expects 0-1 seat for JJP+ and 1-5 seats for INLD+. According to the Dainik Bhaskar exit poll, the AAP may win at the most one seat in Haryana.

DHRUV Haryana Exit Poll Results 2024: As per the exit polls conducted by DHRUV in Haryana, the Congress is expected to win 57 seats in the state, while the BJP is tipped to win 27. It has predicted zero seats for JJP+, INLD+, and AAP. The survey predicts six seats for Others.

Matrize Exit Poll Results 2024 for Haryana: Matrize predicts 55-62 seats for the Congress and 18-24 seats for the BJP. It has predicted 0-3 seats for JJP+, 3-6 seats for INLD+, and 2-5 for Others. The Matrize survey has predicted zero seats for the AAP in Haryana.

Bhupinder Singh Hooda to be Haryana CM?

Commenting on the exit poll results, Congress leader and former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the people of Haryana have decided to bring the grand old party to power.

“People have made their minds to bring the Congress to power. The BJP has not done anything for Haryana. There was no law and order in Harayana under the BJP. Sometimes, exit polls are right and sometimes they are wrong… Congress is going to form the government,” Hooda told News18.

Source : https://www.news18.com/elections/haryana-exit-poll-2024-result-will-bjp-clinch-hat-trick-or-will-congress-return-after-10-years-9074480.html

At least 415 candidates, including former deputy Chief Ministers Tara Chand of Congress and Muzaffar Hussain Beig, are contesting in the third phase. Mock polling also took place at various polling booths before the start of the polls.

The polling for the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections has begun on Tuesday, with people queueing up at a polling station across 40 constituencies in seven districts of the Union Territory.

The polls began at 7 am on Tuesday and will conclude at 6 pm. Voting will take place in 24 constituencies in the Jammu division and 16 constituencies in Kashmir amid strong security to ensure a smooth and peaceful polls.

Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad was seen casting his vote at a polling station in Jammu. Earlier, he appealed to the people of the region to come out and cast their votes during the polls.

“I appeal to people to come out and vote. The political party that comes to power should resolve the issues. I will not speak against or in favour of any party. Voters will decide whether (majority) will be given to a single party or not,” Nabi Azad said.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/jk-elections-2024-voting-for-final-phase-of-polls-begins-40-constituencies-to-vote-amid-tight-security

With American support for Ukraine at a partisan crossroads, Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday slammed suggestions that Kyiv should cede territory for the sake of peace with Moscow as “dangerous and unacceptable.”

The Democratic presidential nominee spoke alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as she unleashed the veiled criticism of Republican candidate Donald Trump’s push for Ukraine to quickly cut a deal to end the war.

“They are not proposals for peace,” Harris said. “Instead they are proposals for surrender.”

Her comments were a reminder of the high stakes for the war effort in this year’s election. Trump, for his part, has criticized U.S. assistance for Ukraine, praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and faulted Zelenskyy for the ongoing bloodshed.

Trump said he will meet with Zelenskyy in New York on Friday after days of questions over whether the two leaders will sit down together. He rejected Harris’ criticisms and insisted that he only wants to stop the “horror show that’s gone on.”

Asked if Ukraine should give up territory, Trump said “we’ll see what happens” and “we need peace.”

Among the prominent candidates are former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah from both Budgam and Ganderbal seats, Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina from Nowshera assembly seat and Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra from Central-Shalteng seat.

Voting for the second phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir began on Wednesday morning. Over 25 lakh eligible voters will seal the fate of 239 candidates across 26 constituencies in six districts of the Union Territory

Among the prominent candidates are former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah from both Budgam and Ganderbal seats, Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina from Nowshera assembly seat and Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra from Central-Shalteng seat.

Raina offered prayers at Thakurdwara Temple ahead of the second phase of Assembly elections.

“I hope that there will be good voting and new records of voting will be set. This is a matter of joy for democracy. I urge the people of J&K to vote freely and without fear. Vote for strengthening the democracy, for a new and happy Jammu & Kashmir,” Raina said.

Atishi is the youngest leader to become Delhi’s Chief Minister

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi today took oath as the new Chief Minister of Delhi, days after Arvind Kejriwal got bail in the Delhi liquor policy case and announced his resignation. Atishi is the youngest leader to become Delhi’s Chief Minister.

Before she took oath, she and AAP leaders who are part of her cabinet met Mr Kejriwal.

Mukesh Ahlawat, a first-time MLA from Sultanpur Majra, is the face in Atishi’s cabinet. The others are Gopal Rai, Imran Hussain, Kailash Gahlot and Saurabh Bharadwaj. All of them took oath as new ministers.

The oath ceremony was a low-key event as the mood in the AAP is not upbeat due to Mr Kejriwal’s resignation.

“It is an emotional moment for me as he (Arvind Kejriwal) will not be the Chief Minister. He understood the pain of every person. He ensured free treatment for people, worked to improve the lives of the students of government schools, brought the provision of free bus rides for women,” Atishi said.

“I assure you that since Kejriwal has come out of jail now, we will not let any conspiracy of the BJP succeed,” she added.

Atish is Delhi’s third woman Chief Minister after Sushma Swaraj of the BJP and Sheila Dikshit of the Congress. The Kalkaji MLA held multiple portfolios in the previous Arvind Kejriwal government.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday appealed to the agitating doctors, who had arrived at her residence for talks, to join the meeting, amid their demand for live-streaming of the discussions.

“I would request you all to come inside and attend the meeting. As the matter is before the court, we cannot allow live streaming. I will video-record the meeting and will provide you with a copy only after permission from the Supreme Court,” she said, while appealing to students to come inside and not to get drenched in rain.

“Today, you said that you want a meeting, so I have been waiting. Why are you people insulting me like this? Please don’t insult me like this. Earlier on the three occasions, I have been waiting but you people didn’t come,” she said.

Banerjee was seen waiting at her residence to meet the delegation of protesting junior doctors. On the other hand, the doctors who reached the CM’s residence, claimed that they are waiting for the chief minister to meet the delegation, sources said.

According to photographs and information shared by the state secretariat Nabanna, Banerjee along with DGP Rajeev Kumar and Chief Secretary Manoj Pant were waiting at her residence for the junior doctors to join the meeting.

Meanwhile, students claimed that they demanded live-streaming or video recording of the meeting, but just like Thursday the demand is not being accepted by the authorities.

“We requested for live streaming of this meeting. The Chief Secretary said live streaming is not possible as it is CM’s residence. We told the Chief Secretary that we want live streaming so that transparency is maintained. We also said please consider our videographer so that he can record the meeting. But CM’s security was shooting the video and they said it is for security reasons. We want live streaming so that proper transparency of this discussion and meeting is maintained and other junior doctors present at the protest site can also know what happened in this meeting. That’s why we are waiting in front of the main gate of CM residence as we want live streaming of this meeting,” the junior doctors said.

Banerjee-Doctors’ meeting
Banerjee scheduled a meeting with protesting junior doctors at her residence on Saturday to hold talks to resolve the RG Kar hospital impasse. Only 15 members from the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front were allowed to attend the meeting with the chief minister.

The doctors welcomed the visit of Banerjee at the protest site and said they were more than willing to hold talks with adequate representation and proper transparency.

“We saw that the meeting was called in her residence. We will go there and come back here then inform you all,” one of the doctors, who were part of the protest said.

Doctors’ email to Bengal CM
The doctors earlier in an email told Bengal chief minister that they want another meeting with her hours after she made a surprise visit to the site where they were protesting but demanded another meeting with her.

“We are more than willing to have a discussion in your esteemed presence with adequate representations and proper transparency as agreed by both the parties,” the doctors said in an emailed statement.

They said that they take Mamata Banerjee’s visit as an ‘exceptional goodwill gesture’ and a ‘welcome step’. They said the meeting will bring ‘collective clarity of our five point demands for which we have been protesting peacefully for the last thirty five days’.

“We are more than willing to have a discussion in your esteemed presence with adequate representations and proper transparency as agreed by both the parties. We are eagerly awaiting for your positive response to end this impasse,” West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front said.

Mamata’s surprise visit at protest site
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier today, made a surprise visit to the site where the junior doctors were protesting, and assured them that she would look into their demands and take action if anyone was found guilty.

She addressed the protesting doctors amid chants of “we want justice” outside the Swasthya Bhawan in Salt Lake, and said that she had been spending sleepless nights because the medics were agitating on the road amid rains and described her visit as the “last attempt” to resolve the crisis.

Banerjee assured the protesting doctors that she would not take any action against them as she did not believe in suppressing a democratic movement as “Bengal is not Uttar Pradesh”.

However, after she left the site, the agitating doctors said they were not ready to compromise on their demands till discussions were held, indicating no immediate breakthrough in the impasse.

Accompanied by DGP Rajiv Kumar, Banerjee reached the site in Sector 5 around 1 pm, taking those present there by surprise.

“I came to meet you as your ‘didi’ (elder sister) not as the chief minister,” she said.

“I assure you that I will study your demands and take action if someone is found guilty,” she added.

Urging the protesting doctors to return to work, Banerjee said would never allow any injustice to them.

“This is my last attempt to resolve the crisis,” she said.

“If you wish to return to work, I promise you to consider your demands sympathetically. I do not run the government alone. I will discuss your demands with the chief secretary, home secretary, and the DGP,” she said.

Source: https://www.news18.com/politics/protesting-junior-doctors-thank-cm-mamata-for-protest-site-visit-but-demand-transparent-meeting-9051104.html

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, intensified criticism against BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Monday, condemning her recent comments on the farmers’ protest.

A clarification by the BJP accompanied the reproof: Kangana Ranaut’s remark does not represent the party’s views and the BJP expresses disagreement with it.

Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut has been reprimanded by the BJP leadership after her remarks on the farmers’ protest triggered controversy. A clarification accompanied the reproof – Kangana Ranaut’s comments do not represent the party’s views, the BJP declared today.
The BJP’s disapproval came a day after the 38-year-old BJP MP suggested that the farmers’ protest could have led to a Bangladesh-like crisis in India if not for the strong steps taken by the government.

“Kangana Ranaut is not authorised to speak on policy matters on behalf of the party and has not been given permission to do so. The BJP has directed Ms Ranaut to refrain from making such statements in the future,” the BJP said in a statement.

Earlier, BJP leaders in Haryana and Punjab also advised the MP from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi to refrain from making inflammatory comments. “It is not Kangana’s department to speak on farmers, Kangana’s statement is personal. PM Modi and the BJP are farmer-friendly. The Opposition parties are working against us and Kangana’s statement is doing the same. She should not make such statements, on sensitive or religious issues, religious organisations,” Punjab BJP leader Harjit Grewal said.

Her comments also drew a response from the Congress with leader Randeep Surjewala asking the BJP leader to “get well soon”. Mr Surjewalal, who is campaigning in poll-bound Haryana that witnessed year-long farmers’ protest, asked, “Were these just Kangana’s words or did someone else copy them? If not, then why is the BJP silent on the issue?”

Ms Ranaut, known for her provocative remarks, has been a strong critic of the farmers’ protest against the now-repealed three farm laws.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/shes-not-authorised-bjp-on-kangana-ranauts-farmers-protest-remarks-6421584#pfrom=home-ndtv_topstories

He also questioned JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy about the source of his family’s wealth and said he could not have made thousands of crores through farming.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday termed the opposition BJP and JD(S)’ ongoing ‘padayatra’ against alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority site allotment scam, seeking to corner the Congress government and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as a march for “redemption from their sins”.
He also questioned JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy about the source of his family’s wealth and said he could not have made thousands of crores through farming.

“BJP-JD(S) padayatre is a “Paapa Vimochana Padayatre” (a foot march for redemption from their sins)… it is the march of the corrupt, by the corrupt and for the corrupt,” Mr Shivakumar said.

Speaking at the ‘Janandolana’ event, a public meeting by the Congress to counter BJP-JD(S)’ padayatra, he accused BJP leaders and their family, Mr Kumaraswamy and his JDS leaders and their families of indulging in corruption.

The week long ‘Mysuru Chalo padayatre’ by BJP and JD(S) from Bengaluru that began on Saturday is against the alleged fraudulent allotment of sites to land losers by MUDA, including Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi.

Noting that he runs a business along with farming, Mr Shivakumar said while Mr Kumaraswamy has clearly said he is the son of the soil and does only farming. “Did he make thousands of crores of wealth just by growing potatoes and onions?” He also sought to know about Mr Kumaraswamy’s elder brother H D Balakrishna Gowda, a retired KAS officer, and his family’s assets.

“Kumaranna (Kumaraswamy), you can discuss my assets. Start from the first, your brother — Balakrishna Gowda, his wife, her father and family — in Mysuru, Srirangapatna and Bengaluru. Also their benamis. How much land is in their name, you have to answer it. A government employee, how many thousand crores is he worth?” he asked.

Averring that he hasn’t yet spoken about the alleged denotification and mining scams involving Mr Kumaraswamy, the Deputy CM said, “I am yet to release your family’s assets, but I will soon….” JD(S) won 136 seats under his presidency, but JD(S) secured only 19 seats inder Kumaraswamy, SMr hivakumar said.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/did-you-make-crores-by-growing-onions-dk-shivakumar-jabs-union-minister-hd-kumaraswamy-6262790

The political warfare over the Ayodhya rape case took another turn after Akhilesh Yadav’s party demanded a narco test for Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya.

The political slugfest between the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata intensified on Saturday after the authorities took ‘bulldozer action’ against the main accused, a SP functionary, in a rape case in Ayodhya.

Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya accused the Samajwadi Party of trying to “protect rapists” after Akhilesh Yadav’s uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav demanded that the accused as well as the deputy CM undergo a narco test.

Moid Khan, who runs a bakery in Bhadarsa Nagar of Purakalandar police station area of the district, and his employee Raju Khan were arrested on July 30 for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl two months ago and recording the act.

The horrific incident came to light when a medical examination revealed that the victim was pregnant. BJP leaders, including chief minister Yogi Adityanath, have alleged that Khan is a member of the Samajwadi Party and is part of the team of Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad.

Ayodhya rape case: Top updates

• After BJP’s allegations regarding the accused, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said, “Without a DNA test in the Bhadarsa case of Ayodhya, BJP’s allegation will be considered biased.”
• BJP and UP deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya attacked the Samajwadi Party for trying to “protect paedophiles” as leaders of the INDIA bloc “remain silent” over the issue. “It is the Samajwadi Party’s innate nature to protect rapists,” Maurya said in an X post.
• “If the rapist is a Muslim, then the entire Saifai family puts its weight to save him. The SP will be wiped out,” the deputy CM further said.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sp-bjp-spar-over-ayodhya-rape-case-shivpal-yadav-demands-deputy-cms-narco-test-top-updates-101722729937797.html

The Karnataka deputy chief minister said opposition leaders are shying away from taking responsibility for the scams that took place during their tenure.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar stated on Friday that there is a conspiracy hatched against him to put him in prison.

Speaking to reporters, after the ‘Jan Andolan Sabha’ organised to counter BJP’s ‘padayatra’ at Bidadi on the outskirts of Bengaluru, Mr Shivakumar said, “I am aware of it. Let them do it. I am ready to face the consequences. Many leaders with my nature and ability will emerge in the Congress party.”

“I will start revealing the scams committed by State President BY Vijayendra. If he has the capacity, let him give the particular incident of my indulgence in corruption. I respect him as the state President of a party. If he has strength, let him explain in detail. On what basis will he call me the father of corruption?” Mr Shivakumar said.

He asked: “Does he know anything about my cases? Does he know about the case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in which I had to go to jail? Your father (former CM BS Yediyurappa) gave permission for the IT in the case. Do you know that the case got quashed in the Supreme Court? There are cases against you, why is permission not given in those cases for prosecution? I will talk about all that later.”

“Who should claim the responsibility for the scam that took place during their tenure? People have elected us. We have to tell people to ask questions to the BJP and Janata Dal(Secular) when they take up a ‘padayatra’ (foot march). Let them answer,” he stated.

Addressing the Jan Andolan Sabha’ that began in Bidadi on Friday, Mr Shivakumar stated that corrupt people are conducting the ‘padayatra’ for other corrupt people. “I congratulate the BJP and JD(S) leaders for giving us the opportunity to organise this sacred public agitation. If you had not organised this ‘padayatra’ and if the Janata Dal had not merged with the BJP, we would not have been able to fight this battle,” he said.

Ashwini Vaishnaw’s reaction came after the opposition parties questioned whether he is a rail minister or a “reel minister.”

Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while addressing the Lok Sabha on Thursday, lost his cool with opposition members. “Chup baitho (be quiet). We are not just people who make reels, we are people who work hard,” he said.

Vaishnaw’s reaction came after the opposition INDIA bloc criticised him for arriving at the accident site on a motorcycle, questioning whether he was a rail minister or a “reel minister.”

He said that safety measures were neglected during the Congress regime and that the Opposition consistently seeks to politicise the issue.

“Those who are shouting here should be asked why they failed to install Automatic Train Protection (ATP) even for 1 km during their 58 years in power. Today, they have the audacity to raise questions,” said the railway minister.

In a veiled attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Union railway minister said that those busy making reels with locomotive drivers accomplished nothing during their tenure. He was referring to Rahul Gandhi’s visit to loco pilots in Delhi on July 7.

During his speech, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) member Hanuman Beniwal called him a “reel minister” and a “derail minister.”

However, in his response, Vaishnaw turned and sharply told Beniwal to “please sit down (chup baitho).” He then addressed the Opposition MPs, saying, “Chup baitho (be quiet). We are not just people who make reels, we are people who work hard,” he said.

Taking a jibe at the previous Congress-led UPA regime, Vaishnaw said that the annual average number of accidents was 171, which has decreased by 68 per cent during the 10 years of the BJP government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chup-baitho-ashwini-vaishnaw-loses-cool-in-lok-sabha-101722528017672.html

Nitin Gadkari said levying GST on life insurance premiums amounts to taxing the uncertainties of life.

The Congress on Wednesday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over union minister Nitin Gadkari’s letter to finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, claiming it was a sign of internal dissent and rumblings against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his letter, Gadkari urged his cabinet colleague to withdraw the 18 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) on life and medical insurance premiums.

In the letter, Gadkari raised concerns of the Nagpur Division Life Insurance Corporation Employees Union, which had submitted to him a memorandum regarding the issues of the insurance industry. He said levying GST on life insurance premiums amounts to taxing the uncertainties of life.

“The Union feels that the person who covers the risk of life’s uncertainties to give protection to the family should not be levied tax on the premiums to purchase cover against this risk,” he wrote.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at the BJP over the letter.

“Nitin Jairam Gadkari’s letter to the FM on the Budget is a sure sign of internal dissent and rumblings against the non-biological PM,” he wrote on X.

In his letter, Gadkari asked Sitharaman to roll back the tax as it becomes cumbersome for the senior citizens.

“You are requested to consider the suggestion of withdrawal of GST on life and medical insurance premium on priority as it becomes cumbersome for the senior citizens,” Nitin Gadkari wrote.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/congress-takes-dissent-rumblings-jibe-at-pm-modi-over-nitin-gadkaris-letter-to-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-101722440402596.html

Rahul Gandhi had claimed that the Agnipath scheme has robbed the country’s soldiers of financial security and respect,

The Agnipath scheme, bitterly criticised by the Opposition, was at the heart of heated debate between Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Rajnath Singh in the Lok Sabha today. The minister accused the Leader of the Opposition of disseminating misinformation and misleading the people on the matter and offered to discuss the issue in the House.

In his speech on the Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Mr Gandhi had claimed that the Agnipath scheme has robbed the country’s soldiers and their families of financial security and respect, pointing to the absence of pension. He alleged that the scheme exposes the government’s “anti-youth and anti-farmer” leanings.

Mr Singh contended that Mr Gandhi had propagated several misconceptions about the Budget, which Finance Minister Sitharaman would clarify in her upcoming speech. Mr Gandhi, he added, was misleading the public regarding Agnipath, causing the Leader of the Opposition to dig in his heels.

On July 1, a similar heated exchange had unfolded in the Lok Sabha between Mr Gandhi and the Defence Minister.

“One Agniveer lost his life in a landmine blast, but he is not recognised as a ‘martyr’. I consider him a martyr, but the government of India does not. PM Modi does not call him a martyr — he refers to him as an Agniveer. His family will not receive pension or compensation. The Agnipath scheme treats them as expendable, like a labourer,” Mr Gandhi had said, setting off massive protests from the BJP members.

Mr Singh contended that Mr Gandhi was misleading the House and clarified that the families of Agniveers who die in the line of duty receive financial assistance of ₹ 1 crore.

“He (Rahul Gandhi) should not mislead the House with incorrect statements. Financial aid of ₹ 1 crore is provided to the family of an Agniveer who sacrifices his life while defending our borders or during wartime,” Mr Singh had asserted.

Mr Gandhi had later cited the case of Agniveer Ajay Kumar who died in the line of duty and posting a video of father, claimed the family had not received any money from the central government, and demanded facilities and pension.

Ajay Kumar’s family later clarified that they have received some compensation but demanded hero status for him. “We want the Agniveer scheme to be scrapped and we should get pension and canteen card,” his father told NDTV.

In a statement, the party said its national president J P Nadda has made Arvind Menon, a national secretary, and former MP Rajdeep Roy in charge for Tamil Nadu and Tripura respectively.

New Delhi: The BJP on Friday appointed its Rajya Sabha member and national general secretary Radha Mohan Das Agrawal as the party’s in charge for Rajasthan, and former Lok Sabha MP Harish Dwivedi as its in charge for Assam.

In a statement, the party said its national president J P Nadda has made Arvind Menon, a national secretary, and former MP Rajdeep Roy in charge for Tamil Nadu and Tripura respectively.

Menon has been reassigned the responsibility he already held.

Former BJP women morcha chief Vijaya Rahatkar will be the co-incharge of the organisational affairs in Rajasthan and Sudhakar Reddy in Tamil Nadu.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/bjp-names-state-in-charges-presidents-3123048

YSRCP chief Jagan in Delhi to draw nation’s attention to “anarchy in Andhra under NDA govt”; Uttarakhand Congress to hold “Kedarnath Bachao Padyatra”

Opposition INDIA bloc MPs will stage a protest in Parliament on Wednesday against the “discriminatory” Budget tabled by the Narendra Modi government.

A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the INDIA bloc allies on Tuesday after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Budget. “Today we had a detailed discussion on this budget. This budget is zero in the name of development. We will protest against this budget tomorrow outside the Parliament and raise our voice inside the Parliament. This budget is against the federal structure of India,” Congress’ Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, Pramod Tiwari said after the meeting.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said DMK MPs will also stage a protest in Delhi against the Budget. The DMK chief also announced that he will boycott the NITI Aayog meeting scheduled for July 27 and alleged that the Centre “ignored” Tamil Nadu in the Budget. Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states too will boycott the meet.

In context: Opposition parties on Tuesday criticised the first Budget of the third Narendra Modi government as a Budget for “NDA allies in Bihar and Andhra Pradesh” that excluded other states. While the Congress called it a “ ‘save Modi government’ Budget,” the Trinamool Congress (TMC) labelled it “politically biased and anti-poor,” and the Samajwadi Party (SP) claimed that it overlooked the interests of the youth and farmers.

“The Finance Minister has taken a leaf out of the INC’s Nyay Patra 2024, with its internship program clearly modelled on the INC’s proposed Apprenticeship Program that was called Pehli Naukri Pakki. However, in their trademark style, the scheme has been designed to grab headlines, with arbitrary targets (1 crore internships) rather than a programmatic guarantee for all diploma holders and graduates, like the Indian National Congress had envisioned,” Congress communications head Jairam Ramesh said.

Jagan to protest in Delhi over “anarchy in Andhra”

YSR Congress (YSRCP) chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy will lead a peaceful protest in New Delhi on Wednesday to draw the nation’s attention towards “the lawlessness and anarchy that have plagued” Andhra Pradesh since Telugu Desam Party (TDP) assumed power.

“We will be holding a peaceful protest in New Delhi on the 24th of this month (July) the coming Wednesday. This is to draw the nation’s attention to the lawlessness and anarchy that have plagued Andhra Pradesh in the 45 days since the (N) Chandrababu Naidu regime has come to power, ” Reddy said in a post on social media platform X last week. YSRCP MLAs, MPs and MLCs will take part in the New Delhi protest.

Reddy said appointments have also been sought from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and Home Minister Amit Shah to apprise them of the “deteriorating” law and order situation in the state due to the alleged atrocities of the TDP-led government.

The former chief minister alleged that the new regime of the TDP, BJP and Jana Sena Party (JSP) is “trying to kill democracy in the state” and vowed that the YSRCP will not stand for it.

Uttarakhand Congress to hold ‘Kedarnath Bachao Padyatra’

The Uttarakhand Congress will begin a padyatra from Wednesday in protest against the proposed construction of a replica of the Kedarnath temple in Delhi.

The Kedarnath Bachao Padyatra will start from Haridwar on July 24 and conclude at Kedarnath Dham, Uttarakhand Congress president Karan Mahara said. “We will embark on the yatra after taking a bath in the Ganga at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar. The yatra is expected to reach Kedarnath Dham in 14-16 days passing through various areas of Garhwal,” he said.

Meanwhile, senior party leader Harish Rawat said that he would also join the padyatra in Rishikesh and Agastyamuni.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/india-bloc-mp-protest-parliament-discriminatory-budget-9472046/

The minister was addressing a Goa BJP executive meeting near Panaji which was attended by the party’s state unit chief Sadanand Tanavade and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, among others.

The BJP has been a party with a difference and that is why it has repeatedly won the trust of voters, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said today, as he cautioned against the party repeating the past mistakes of the Congress that saw its exit from power.
“If we continue doing what the Congress used to do, there is no use of their exit and our entry,” emphasised Mr Gadkari in comments coming more than a month after the BJP failed to notch up a majority of its own in the Lok Sabha polls.

The minister was addressing a Goa BJP executive meeting near Panaji which was attended by the party’s state unit chief Sadanand Tanavade and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, among others.

In his 40-minute speech, the Union minister recalled his mentor and former deputy PM LK Advani’s statement that the “BJP is a party with a difference”.

“Advani ji used to say that we are a party with a difference. We have to understand how different we are from the other parties,” the former BJP president said.

The Lok Sabha MP from Nagpur said people have elected the BJP because of the Congress’ mistakes and cautioned his party against committing the same errors.

“If we commit the same mistakes, there is no use in their exit and our entry,” he asserted.

“That is why, in the days to come, party cadres should know that politics is an instrument for bringing social and economic reforms,” he said.

Mr Gadkari stressed, “We have to create a corruption-free country and for that, we should have a plan in place”.

Referring to politics in Maharashtra, Mr Gadkari argued that in his home state, there is a trend of playing politics on caste.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bjp-a-party-with-difference-must-avoid-congress-mistakes-nitin-gadkari-6090106

The BJP MLA threatened Rahul Gandhi and said that in case he came to Mangaluru city he will be attacked

Accusing Rahul Gandhi of holding a picture of the Hindu god Shiva, Shetty expressed, “madman does not know that if Lord Shiva opened his third eye, he (LoP) would turn into ashes. They have adopted an anti-Hindu policy. It is evident that LoP Rahul Gandhi is a madman. He thinks that Hindus will quietly listen to whatever he says about them. If he ‘barks’ in Parliament, the local leaders will start wagging their tails here.”

Emphasising BJP’s duty to protect Hindu religion and institutions, Shetty warned that the Congress has begun to convey that Hindus and Hindutva are different. He said that Hindus will face danger in the future because of such leaders.

Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/rahul-gandhi-should-be-locked-up-and-slapped-inside-parliament-karnataka-bjp-mla-lands-party-in-trouble-436404-2024-07-09

Bypolls 2024: In a fresh round of election battle between NDA and INDIA bloc, 13 assembly constituencies in 7 states are going to bypolls today.

In a fresh round of election battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA and the Opposition’s INDIA bloc, 13 assembly constituencies in seven states are going to bypolls on Wednesday, July 10. The electoral exercise is the first since the Lok Sabha elections and is being held after vacancies were created on the seats either due to the deaths or the resignation of incumbent members.

The counting of votes for the bypolls will be held on July 13.

Here are top points on bypolls 2024:

1. The 13 assembly seats going to bypolls today are – Raiganj, Ranaghat Dakshin, Bagda and Maniktala (West Bengal); Badrinath and Manglaur (Uttarakhand); Jalandhar West (Punjab); Dehra, Hamirpur and Nalagarh (Himachal Pradesh); Rupauli (Bihar); Vikravandi (Tamil Nadu) and Amarwara (Madhya Pradesh).
2. In West Bengal, the BJP and the ruling TMC are fighting on all four assembly seats. Three out of the four constituencies were won by the BJP in 2021, however, they were left vacant due to defections in TMC. While, the fourth seat – Maniktala – was necessitated by the death of sitting TMC MLA Sadhan Pandey in February 2022.
3. In West Bengal’s Raiganj and Ranaghat Dakshin, Krishna Kalyani and Mukut Mani Adhikhari, who were formerly in the BJP, are contesting on a TMC ticket against BJP’s Manas Kumar Ghosh and Manoj Kumar Biswas respectively. Meanwhile, the TMC has fielded Supti Pandey from Maniktala against BJP’s All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey, and TMC’s Madhuparna Thakur is contesting from the Badgah seat against BJP’s Binay Kumar Biswas.
4. Buoyed by its Lok Sabha poll performance, the TMC hopes to win all four assembly seats. “We are confident of winning all four assembly seats. The people of Bengal have rejected the BJP in the last Lok Sabha polls,” said TMC leader Kunal Ghosh, as quoted by PTI.
5. In Uttarakhand, two assembly seats are going to bypolls – Badrinath (a holy site with a Char Dham shrine in it) and Manglaur (a Muslim-majority constituency). Former Congress MLA Rajendra Bhandari, who joined the BJP, is contesting from Badrinath against Congress’ Lakhpat Butola, a former district panchayat president. In Manglaur, the Congress has fielded senior leader Qazi Nizamuddin against BJP’s Kartar Singh Bhadana. Notably, the BJP has never won the Manglaur seat since the creation of Uttarakhand.
6. In Punjab, the Jalandhar West assembly seat fell vacant after Sheetal Angural resigned as AAP legislator. The bypoll to this seat is being seen as a litmus test for chief minister Bhagwant Mann, who has pulled out all the stops to register a win after the party’s drubbing in the Lok Sabha polls. The AAP has fielded Mohinder Bhagat, the son of former minister and former BJP MLA Bhagat Chunni Lal, against BJP’s Angural, who switched sides in March after quitting the AAP. The Congress has placed its bet on Surinder Kaur, who is the former senior deputy mayor and five-time municipal councillor in Jalandhar.
7. In Himachal Pradesh, the bypolls will be held for three assembly constituencies – Dehra, Hamirpur and Nalagarh. The seats became vacant after the three independent legislators, Hoshiyar Singh (Dehra), Ashish Sharma (Hamirpur), and K L Thakur (Nalagarh), resigned from the House on March 22. They had voted in favour of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls held on February 27. In Dehra, Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s wife Kamlesh Thakur is contesting the election against BJP’s Hoshiyar Singh, one of the nine MLAs who had voted against the Congress candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls. In Hamirpur, the home district of Sukhu, former Independent MLA Ashish Sharma is pitted against Congress’ Puspender Verma.
8. Bihar is witnessing a battle between the RJD and JD(U) in the Rupauli assembly constituency. Both parties have fielded candidates who are from the majority Gangota community.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/round-2-of-nda-vs-india-13-assembly-seats-in-7-states-go-to-bypolls-today-july-10-2024-10-points-101720571067966.html

Siddaramaiah noted that the percentage of people holding BPL cards in Tamil Nadu is 40 per cent. Also, he said that only 5.67 per cent of citizens in Karnataka should be BPL as per NITI Aayog. However, 1.47 crore households having 4.67 crore people have BPL cards.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/80-of-karnataka-under-poverty-cm-siddaramaiah-orders-action-on-bogus-bpl-cards-3097374

Rahul Gandhi came under fire from opposition leaders after his nearly 2-hour-long fiery speech in the Lok Sabha, during which he took a swipe at the BJP over various issues.

Actress-turned-politician and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Monday took a potshot at Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his “killed the other Rahul” remark.

Terming Rahul Gandhi’s statements during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address as “irresponsible,” Kangana, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), mentioned one of his remarks where he said that “he is not one Rahul; in fact, there are two of him. One will now live for the constitution, and the other one… the other one he has killed.”

Taking a potshot at the former Congress president, Kangana wrote, “This is not funny. Rahul ji should immediately seek some therapy sessions. A lot of psychologists would agree that the pressure from the family/mother to be someone else other than who you want to be can give one such identity crisis…”

The Lok Sabha proceedings started on a stormy note on Friday with the Opposition creating a ruckus in the House over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) issue and also demanding a quick discussion on the same.

The house witnessed some unusual scenes also as Rahul Gandhi claimed that his microphone was turned off and asked the Speaker to switch it on, to which the latter gave a quick rejoinder. The viral video, depicting the Congress leader and Speaker ‘barb-trading’ has been shared by the Congress on its X handle.

When the House reassembled at 12 noon, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi demanded a ‘respectful’ discussion on the NEET issue to show solidarity with the students.

Speaker Om Birla advised him to conform to the house norms and conventions and rather seek a discussion on the same after the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address.

However, Rahul along with the Opposition persisted with his demand and said: “We wanted to give a joint message to the students of India, on behalf of the Opposition as well as the government that we consider this an important issue. So, we thought that to respect students, we should have a NEET discussion today, a dedicated discussion.”

Replying to Rahul’s charge, Om Birla said, “I don’t have any button to switch off the microphone. There existed a similar set-up earlier also. There is no mechanism to gag the microphone.”

A video posted by Congress on X shows Rahul asking the Lok Speaker to switch on his microphone. Sharing the video, Congress claimed that a conspiracy was being hatched to silence the voice of the Opposition and students despite lakhs of students staring at a bleak future.

“While Narendra Modi remains silent on NEET, Rahul Gandhi is championing the cause of the youth in the House. However, on such a serious issue, a conspiracy is being done to suppress the voice of youth by switching off microphones in Parliament,” Congress said in the post.

Notably, the NEET (UG) 2024 examinations were conducted on May 5 in around 570 cities, including 14 cities abroad. Over 23 lakh students and medical aspirants appeared for the examinations. However, it got marred by the paper leak controversy, thereby putting the future of many students in peril.

Source: https://www.news18.com/politics/congress-claims-rahuls-microphone-turned-off-over-neet-issue-speaker-rejects-charge-8948335.html

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi finally took the plunge and become the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The Congress has got this post after 10 years after it won 99 seats in Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

This was a decision, which came after a lot of brainstorming. Rahul Gandhi’s initial reluctance was overtaken by the fact that he was keen and ready for a direct fight with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It also ends his and his party’s earlier reluctance to engage in a direct fight with PM Modi.

After the debacle of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress was trying to protect Rahul Gandhi and shield him from any direct confrontation with the PM during the 2024 polls. But sources said that Gandhi himself was keen for the fight. He told his party colleagues that he was ready to take on the PM as he was convinced that the PM and Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) days were numbered. His belief was firmed with the BJP failing to get a simple majority in the 2024 polls.

Sources said that Rahul Gandhi was quite sure the BJP would not agree. Hence, he decided to goad them and was not surprised when things fell apart.

The Congress had been pitching for K Suresh as the Pro-Tem Speaker. When this did not happen, Gandhi insisted that K Suresh must be the Speaker candidate from the opposition coalition’s side.

WHAT DOES RAHUL GANDHI AS LOP IMPLY?

Given the Constitutional significance that the post holds, Gandhi will be a part of every important panel meet to choose chiefs of agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He will initiate and speak on every legislation and discussions. But more than that he would be pitted directly against the PM in Lok Sabha.

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court on Thursday granted bail to Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in March.

The Delhi high court will today pronounce its verdict on the Enforcement Directorate’s petition seeking stay on the trial court’s order that granted regular bail to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case.

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court on Thursday granted bail to Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in March in connection with the excise policy case. The Enforcement Directorate, however, moved the Delhi high court the next day, seeking stay on the trial court’s order.

The Delhi high court later imposed an interim stay on Kejriwal’s release till it decides on ED’s plea.

Kejriwal on Saturday moved the Supreme Court against the interim stay.

The AAP chief would have walked out of the Tihar jail on Friday had the court not paused the lower court’s order.

The agency has claimed the trial court’s order was lopsided and perverse. It also claims it was not given ample time to present its arguments.

Kejriwal’s lawyer filed written submissions in the high court on Monday, saying the assertions made by the ED are “palpably wrong, misleading and tantamount to subterfuge and misrepresentation”.

“The repeated contention of the ED that it was not given a proper opportunity of hearing and/or all its contentions have not been dealt with warrant to be rejected at the outset. As stated, the order granting bail not only deals with all the relevant contentions of both the sides but also the reasons for grant of bail duly reflect a due and proper application of mind by the Learned Court on each and every aspect,” he said.

The submissions further said that Kejriwal is gravely aggrieved by the interim stay. He claimed the trial court’s order was well reasoned. It said the order was given after due application of mind and considering arguments and contentions made by both the parties.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/arvind-kejriwal-to-be-released-today-delhi-hc-to-pronounce-verdict-on-eds-plea-against-bail-101719284244107.html

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said as per convention, the post of Deputy Speaker should be given to the opposition.

BJP MP Om Birla will be re-elected as Lok Sabha Speaker for a second successive term after the ruling BJP-led NDA and the opposition reached a consensus on Tuesday. The opposition has decided not to field its candidate for the Lok Sabha Speaker’s post and Birla is expected to be elected unopposed.

The government had deployed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to build a consensus on the Lok Sabha Speaker candidate after the opposition INDIA bloc said it was considering its options.

Om Birla had won the Kota Lok Sabha seat by a margin of more than 41,000 votes in the general elections.

Previously, sources said the Deputy Speaker’s post could go to the opposition if a consensus was reached on the NDA’s candidate for Lok Sabha Speaker.

The BJP had appointed AIADMK’s M Thambi Durai as Deputy Speaker in 2014. The post has been vacant since 2019.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said party president Mallikarjun Kharge had received a call from Rajnath Singh to extend support to the NDA’s candidate.

The Raebareli MP said, as per convention, the post of Deputy Speaker should be given to the opposition.

“Rajnath Singh called Mallikarjun Kharge, and he asked him to extend support to the Speaker. The entire Opposition said we would support the Speaker, but the convention is that the Deputy Speaker post should be given to the opposition. Rajnath Singh said that he would call back Mallikarjun Kharge, but he has not done that yet,” Rahul Gandhi said.

FIRST DAY OF PARLIAMENT BEGINS ON STORMY NOTE

On Monday, opposition leaders refused to be a part of the panel to assist the pro tem Speaker. The opposition, led by the Congress, accused the government of deviating from tradition in not appointing the senior-most member of the Lok Sabha for the temporary post.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/opposition-wont-field-candidate-lok-sabha-speaker-post-consensus-reached-bjp-led-nda-2557643-2024-06-25

Ready to flex its muscle, armed with issues and labelling the government and PM as “minus mandate” — This captures the Opposition’s placard for the Parliament session, the first after the Lok Sabha polls.

While the government has done some firefighting over the NEET issue, the Opposition is in no mood to be placated. It’s an issue which it knows very well could resonate, especially with many students being upset with the last-minute deferment of NEET exams. So this is one issue which the combined Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc wishes to raise.

In fact, sources say the bloc plans to reach out to parties such as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), which until now have preferred to stay away. The bloc feels the students’ issue would ensure expansion of the Opposition platform.

More than this, it’s the sheer optics on which the Opposition is riding. Topping the list for the Congress is the projection of Rahul Gandhi as the contender and achiever who “humbled the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)”. Adding to his muscle is Samajwadi Party’s (SP) Akhilesh Yadav, whose performance in Uttar Pradesh (UP) has shocked the BJP. Together with Rahul Gandhi, the UP wale ladke plan to “take them on”.

The icing on the cake, as per the Opposition, is the sweet revenge in the win of KL Sharma from Amethi.

The return of Mahua Moitra is another big win the Opposition is looking at. She has won with a huge margin after being disqualified as a Member of Parliament (MP) in her last term on charges of cash for questions. She had vowed to return to fight and the entire bloc had stood behind her. Her return will be showcased as vindication.

Interestingly, after the acrimony between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Congress during the Lok Sabha polls, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee has promised to campaign for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Wayanad, when the bypolls will be held. While the Congress awaits her entry into the Lok Sabha, Banerjee’s gesture will boost the INDIA bloc ties.

The TMC and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s (DMK) performance in their states is one more point which they will raise against the BJP.

But the fulcrum of the Opposition strategy is the narrative they are building, that this is a “zero mandate government”. The Congress calls the PM a “1/3rd PM” as the BJP failed to win a simple majority. Not just this, the Congress hopes that just as their United Progressive Alliance-2 was riddled and weakened by its tantrum-throwing allies, this National Democratic Alliance (NDA), too, will have to deal with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal United (JDU). “This honeymoon won’t last long,” is what the INDIA bloc says.

Source: https://www.news18.com/politics/modi-3-0s-1st-parliament-session-armed-with-ls-mandate-neet-kl-mahua-wins-opposition-hopes-for-acche-din-8941949.html

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday took a swipe at the Congress party for its objection to the appointment of BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro-tem speaker of the Lok Sabha, suggesting that any violation of the system would be noticed only by “those who have not read the system and its rules”.

The Congress had accused the BJP-led NDA government of “destroying parliamentary norms” by overlooking the claim of its leader Kodikunnil Suresh, an eight-term Lok Sabha MP, to the pro-tem Speaker’s post.

“They (Congress) took the name of Suresh Kodaikanal. His total term is 8. But his break happened in 2004 and 1998…Here, any violation of the system will be felt only by those who have not read the system and its rules. We have followed this tradition,” Rijiju told the media during a press briefing.

Justifying Mahtab’s appointment as the pro-tem Lok Sabha speaker, the Union Minister noted that he is the “longest-serving member” of the Lower House of Parliament.

“They objected to the name of Bhartruhari Mahtab. Bhartruhari Mahtab has been a member of the Lok Sabha for seven consecutive terms without a break and at this time he is the longest-serving member,” Rijiju stated.

He further clarified that the pro-tem speaker’s role is temporary, lasting only until the election of the new speaker. “They do not have to do any business transactions or anything, and the pro-tem speaker has a limited role,” he added.

Justifying Mahtab’s appointment as the pro-tem Lok Sabha speaker, the Union Minister noted that he is the “longest-serving member” of the Lower House of Parliament.

“They objected to the name of Bhartruhari Mahtab. Bhartruhari Mahtab has been a member of the Lok Sabha for seven consecutive terms without a break and at this time he is the longest-serving member,” Rijiju stated.

He further clarified that the pro-tem speaker’s role is temporary, lasting only until the election of the new speaker. “They do not have to do any business transactions or anything, and the pro-tem speaker has a limited role,” he added.

‘BLATANT DISREGARD FOR DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES’: PINARAYI VIJAYAN

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s candidacy from Wayanad is part of the Congress’s mission in the South. The grand old party hopes to leverage anti-incumbency in Kerala for the 2026 assembly polls and strengthen its presence.

It’s official now. Rahul Gandhi has decided to retain the Raebareli seat and give up Wayanad. Rahul won both seats in the recently concluded Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

A candidate can contest elections from multiple seats in India. But one can represent only one seat at a time in Parliament. Since the Wayanad seat is vacant now, the Congress party had to field a new candidate to fight bypoll to be held soon.

The grand old party has decided to field Congress general secretary and Rahul’s sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Wayanad. Both these announcements were made after the Congress party’s top leadership met at party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in the national capital on Monday, June 17.

But why did Rahul Gandhi decide to retain Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh? And what does Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s electoral debut from Wayanad in Kerala mean for the Congress party?

These two decisions are seen by political analysts as strategic moves aimed at helping the party’s presence in the country’s north and south. The obvious target is future elections.

Raebareli’s significance for Rahul Gandhi
Raebareli, one of the two Gandhi family bastions in Uttar Pradesh, was long represented by Rahul Gandhi’s mother Sonia Gandhi. The Gandhi family has won 17 of 20 Lok Sabha elections held in Raebareli so far.

The Congress has won back the other family bastion, Amethi, from the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Smriti Irani. The former Union minister lost to long-time Gandhi family loyalist KL Sharma. Coupled with Rahul’s win in Raebareli, it has given back the Congress its firm base in Uttar Pradesh.

Congress Regaining Lost Ground
Looking at the recent Lok Sabha election results, the Congress is clearly regaining the lost ground in Uttar Pradesh where it won six of the 17 seats it contested. In 2019, the Congress had won only one seat – Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh. And in 2014, the party won two seats – Raebareli and Amethi. Understandably, after the positive results, the Congress would not want Rahul Gandhi to abandon Raebareli.

Rahul defeated the BJP’s Dinesh Pratap Singh by a margin of 3,90,030 votes in Raebareli. In Wayanad, he defeated CPI candidate Annie Raja by 3,64,422 votes.

INDIA Bloc Aims
The other reason lies in the performance of the Congress party’s INDIA bloc partner, the Samajwadi Party. The Akhilesh Yadav-led party won 37 Lok Sabha seats in UP. With 43 seats between two INDIA bloc parties, the BJP was reduced to just 33 seats, down from 62 it won of 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state in 2019.

The Congress would want to keep the momentum in INDIA bloc’s favour intact and try to regain some more ground ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls in 2027. In the 2022 Assembly Elections, the Congress could win only two seats in the 403-member UP House. The Samajwadi Party won 111 seats as against 255 seats bagged by the BJP under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The Larger Picture
Looking at the larger picture, the Congress party, which has almost doubled its numbers in the Lok Sabha – from 52 in 2019 to 99 in 2024 – would hope to grow further nationally. And this cannot be possible without increasing its footprint in the states in the Hindi belt, including Uttar Pradesh.

Priyanka Gandhi from Wayanad
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been in politics since 1999 when she campaigned for her mother Sonia Gandhi against BJP candidate Arun Nehru in Amethi. But she has never contested elections. So, she will make her electoral debut from Wayanad whenever the Election Commission announces the dates.

Rahul Gandhi often talks about his emotional connection with Wayanad. And why not? It was Wayanad that rescued him in 2019. Rahul had contested from Wayanad and Amethi in 2019. He won Wayanad but lost to BJP’s Smriti Irani in Amethi.

Mission South
Priyanka Vadra’s candidature from Wayanad has to do with the Congress party’s plans in the south, especially Kerala. As things stand, unlike in the north where the BJP is dominant in states, the Congress already has a presence in governments in three states in the south. The party is in power in Karnataka and Telangana. It also rules Tamil Nadu with its ally, the DMK.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/priyanka-gandhis-electoral-debut-from-wayanad-decoding-congress-strategy-in-8-points-11718715926696.html

Though the BJP has been tight-lipped about possible names, the probability of outgoing Speaker Om Birla continuing in his position can not be ruled out.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/bjp-deploys-rajnath-singh-to-build-consensus-on-speaker-post-3070287

Raebareli is one of the two Gandhi family bastions in Uttar Pradesh, represented for long by Rahul Gandhi’s mother Sonia Gandhi.

The Congress decision to have Rahul Gandhi retain Raebareli and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contest from the seat he is vacating, Kerala’s Wayanad, is seen as one of the party’s better planned strategic moves. It is expected to give it a firm foothold in both north and south — necessary groundwork for future elections.
Raebareli is one of the two Gandhi family bastions in Uttar Pradesh, represented for long by Rahul Gandhi’s mother Sonia Gandhi. With the other bastion, Amethi, won back from the BJP by longtime Gandhi family loyalist KL Sharma, it gives back the Congress its firm base that once made it the undisputed choice of Uttar Pradesh.

Elections are due in the state in early 2027 in which the Congress is hoping to expand the niche it created in the recently concluded Lok Sabha election.

From just one seat in 2019, Raebareli, the Congress has won six seats. Its INDIA ally in the state, Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party, 37. Their combined number, 43, has reduced the BJP to 33 in a state that for a decade, was seen as its stronghold.

Having drawn blood, the idea now, party insiders hint, is to launch a strong attack on the Yogi Adityanath government in 2027.

But Mr Gandhi’s continued presence in Raebareli has ramifications larger than Uttar Pradesh. The Congress, which has almost doubled its numbers in the Lok Sabha — from 52 in 2019 to 99 — is hoping to stay on the growth curve, which is near impossible without increasing is footprint in the Hindi belt of the north.

The south is another story, where unlike the north, the Congress already rules three states. It won the last year’s assembly elections in Karnataka and Telangana and rules Tamil Nadu with ally MK Stalin’s DMK.

The next target is Kerala, which swung between the Congress and the Left every five years – till it broke the mould in 2021 and voted in the Left the Left for a second term. The Congress is now hoping that anti-incumbency will push the state to its side in 2026.

To that end, the presence of a Gandhi family member in Wayanad is expected to be a huge benefit. While the seat has been a traditional Congress bastion, Rahul Gandhi’s election this year is said to have re-vitalised the party. Of the 20 seats in Kerala, the Congress has won 14 seats, only one down, despite a massive BJP campaign that enabled them to open account in the state with one seat.

In a clear hint of the Kerala Congress’s enthusiasm for the new candidate, senior party leader from the state, KC Venugopal, was seen with Mr Kharge today at the press conference where Ms Gandhi Vadra’s debut was announced.

Mr Gandhi made it clear that his and his sister’s continued presence in both states is a given.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/one-gandhi-in-raebareli-one-in-wayanad-congresss-big-strategy-move-5912823#pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday said that the allegations of an EVM being tampered with by the relative of a Shiv Sena MP were wrong and that the Opposition was trying to spread misinformation.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday said that the allegations of an EVM being tampered with by the relative of a Shiv Sena MP were wrong and that the Opposition was trying to spread misinformation.

Shinde’s remark came amid Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Amol Kirtikar’s allegations of foul play in Mumbai North West constituency where Shiv Sena candidate Ravindra Waikar won by just 48 votes and an FIR against Waikar’s relative for using a mobile phone at a counting centre in Goregaon on June 4. As per the rules, the use of mobile phones is restricted at counting centres.

“Some people are trying to spread misinformation about the tampering of the EVM, which is completely lie and police will give explanation about it. The opposition won so many seats, but there is no problem. Why are questions being raised about the outcome of only Mumbai North West constituency and not any other result in the state? Is it because my candidate, Waikar, won and the Opposition lost?” Eknath Shinde asked.

“The truth is people of the constituency have taken the decision to make Ravindra Waikar win the election. Out of 19 per cent of Shiv Sena’s vote share, we got 14 per cent. People voted for bow and arrow. UBT has a winning strike rate of 42 per cent, and we have a strike rate of 48 per cent. So they have lost their confidence and are making false allegations,” Eknath Shinde said.

Shinde claimed that his party bagged two lakh more votes than the candidates of the Opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), of which Sena (UBT) is a part, in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Vandana Suryavanshi, returning officer of Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency, refuted the report saying EVM was a standalone system with “robust administrative safeguards” to protect it from any kind of manipulation and that there was no need for an OTP to unlock it.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/electronic-voting-machine-tampering-row-shiv-sena-eknath-shinde-sanjay-nirupam-ravindra-waikar-mobile-phone-lok-sabha-election-results-2554029-2024-06-17

The RSS sought to eliminate any perception of a rift with the Modi-led BJP following the Lok Sabha elections, in which the saffron party did not secure a clear majority. On the prospect of appointing a new BJP president following JP Nadda’s induction into the Union cabinet, RSS sources affirmed their ongoing involvement in the consultation process.

Highlighting a good equation with the BJP, RSS sources told PTI that the party is scheduled to attend organisation’s three-day annual coordination meeting with its affiliates to be held in the Palakkad district of Kerala starting from August 31. Senior BJP leaders, including its president, are expected to attend the meeting, the first such exercise after the recent polls.

“There is no rift between the RSS and the BJP,” the sources told news agency PTI, amid the assertion by a section of people, including the opposition leaders, that Bhagwat’s remarks, including “true sevak is never arrogant”, were a message to the BJP leadership following its below-par performance in the polls.

“There was not much difference in his (Mr Bhagwat’s) speech from what he had given after the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Any address is bound to refer to an event as important as national elections. “But it was misinterpreted and taken out of context to create confusion. His ‘arrogance’ remark was never directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi or any BJP leader,” the sources said.

Opposition leaders seized on his remarks to criticise the BJP and PM Modi. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh remarked, “If not the ‘one-third’ Prime Minister’s conscience or the repeated demands of the people of Manipur, perhaps Mr Bhagwat can prevail upon the former RSS office-bearer to go to Manipur.”

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/mohan-bhagwats-arrogance-remark-not-directed-at-pm-modi-rss-clears-air-on-rift-with-bjp-article-111011895

“NDA government has been formed by mistake. Modi ji doesn’t have the mandate,” Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge today claimed that the NDA government has been formed by mistake and could fall at any time. His remarks come days after there was speculation that the Bharatiya Janata Party was struggling to keep its alliances.
“NDA government has been formed by mistake. Modi ji doesn’t have the mandate. It’s a minority government. This government can fall anytime,” Mr Kharge told reporters in Bengaluru.

“We would like it to continue, let it be good for the country, we should work together to strengthen the country,” he added.

The NDA won 293 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha. The BJP, which enjoyed a handsome majority in the previous two terms, secured only 240 seats, way behind the 272 mark needed to form a government.

The four allies whose support helped the BJP form the government for a record third term are N Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP, which has won 16 seats, Nitish Kumar’s JDU (12), Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena (7) and Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (5).

Mr Kharge’s jibe at the coalition government received a swift response from NDA leaders.

Soon after a Bengaluru court issued an arrest warrant against former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case registered against him, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government of doing “politics of vendetta”.

Addressing the media in Bengaluru, former BJP national General Secretary CT Ravi said the Siddaramaiah government is pursuing the case after four months in retaliation for dragging Rahul Gandhi to court in a defamation case.

The case was registered against Yeddyurappa on March 14. The 81-year-old Yediyurappa has denied the charge and said he would fight the case legally.

“Is this not politics of hatred? CM Siddaramaiah claimed he wouldn’t pursue the politics of hatred, but now he is doing just that. The people of the state will question this. The people are asking why the government was inactive for four months after the POCSO case was lodged against Yediyurappa. Home Minister G. Parameshwara had even stated that there was no substance in the case,” Ravi said.

The BJP leader also claimed that it is an open secret that since Rahul Gandhi was dragged to court in Bengaluru, the Congress wants the BJP to be dragged to court as well.

“We will honour the court order in Yediyurappa’s case. But this is a political conspiracy. The alleged incident took place on February 2, and the case was lodged in March. Yediyurappa had gone to the police station to record his statement. But the police told him that it was not necessary, and later recorded his statement at his residence,” Ravi said.

Commenting on the matter, N. Ravikumar, BJP MLC and the party chief whip in the Legislative Council, said that there is no substance or truth in the case.

“Home Minister Parameshwara had said that the complainant is mentally challenged and has lodged more than 60 cases against IAS/IPS officers, and politicians. The government itself had said that this case was not important. Despite Yediyurappa conveying to the police that he was ready to give a statement, the police asked him not to come to the police station and later collected his voice sample in April,” he said, adding that the entire matter is a conspiracy hatched by the Congress in retaliation to Rahul Gandhi being dragged to court in a defamation case.

Source: https://www.news18.com/politics/pocso-case-against-bs-yediyurappa-bjp-says-congress-doing-vendetta-politics-after-defamation-case-against-rahul-gandhi-bengaluru-warrant-8931996.html

Fearing arrest, BS Yediyurappa had moved an anticipatory bail petition before the Karnataka High Court. In the meanwhile, the CID approached the trial court and was able to secure a warrant to arrest the former CM.

A trial court in Karnataka has issued an arrest warrant against former Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader BS Yediyurappa in connection with a case registered against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act).

Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge, (Fast Track Special Court-I) NM Ramesh issued the warrant today, paving the way for the Crime Investigation Department (CID) to arrest Yediyurappa.

Notably, a plea filed by Yediyurappa seeking to quash the case against him is pending before the Karnataka High Court, as is a petition filed by the 17-year-old victim’s brother to arrest Yediyurappa.

These petitions are slated to be heard by the High Court tomorrow.

Fearing arrest, Yediyurappa has also moved an anticipatory bail petition before the High Court.

Meanwhile, the CID approached the trial court for a warrant to arrest the former Chief Minister and was able to secure the same from the special court.

The case involves allegations that Yediyurappa molested a 17-year-old girl after she accompanied her mother on a visit to the senior BJP leader’s residence to seek some help.

The girl’s mother (complainant) lodged a complaint at the Sadashivanagar police station inspector on March 14 regarding the incident, accusing Yediyurappa of having taken the 17-year-old girl into a room by hand before sexually harassing her behind locked doors.

The complainant added that when confronted about this conduct, Yediyurappa allegedly tried to hush up the issue by offering money.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/karnataka-court-arrest-warrant-former-chief-minister-bs-yediyurappa-pocso-case

Khandu was re-elected as leader of the BJP legislature party in Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday, paving the way for him to be sworn in as the chief minister.

Pema Khandu took oath as the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh for the third consecutive term on Thursday at a ceremony at the DK State Convention Centre in Itanagar. Along with him, BJP’s Chowna Mein was sworn in as the deputy chief minister for the second term. Follow full coverage of oath-taking ceremony

Arunachal Pradesh governor KT Parnaik administered the oath to Khandu and other 11 ministers in the presence of union home minister Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Kiren Rijiju, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and other dignitaries.

The ten other cabinet ministers apart from Khandu and Mein include – Biyuram Wahge, Nyato Dukam, Gabriel Denwang Wangsu, Wangki Lowang, Pasang Dorjee Sona, Mama Natung, Dasanglu Pul, Balo Raja, Kento Jini, and Ojing Tasing.

Khandu was re-elected as leader of the BJP legislature party in Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday, paving the way for him to be sworn in as the chief minister. Following this, Arunachal Pradesh governor lieutenant general KT Parnaik (retd) invited Khandu to form the government.

Khandu, who was with the Congress party initially, first became the CM of Arunachal Pradesh in 2016. A few months later, he, along with almost all the Congress MLAs, joined the Peoples’ Party of Arunachal and formed another government. However, in December 2016, the PPA expelled Khandu, following which he joined the BJP. He took oath as the CM for the second time as a BJP leader on May 29, 2019, after the saffron party won the assembly polls by bagging 41 of the total 60 seats.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pema-khandu-sworn-in-as-arunachal-chief-minister-for-3rd-consecutive-term-101718256821931.html

A Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) case was filed against the former chief minister, alleging that he molested a 17-year-old girl.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Thursday that senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa will be arrested in the POCSO case if need be, adding that the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) will decide on it.

A Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) case was filed against the former chief minister, alleging that he molested a 17-year-old girl.

On Wednesday, the CID summoned Yediyurappa to appear before questioning in connection with the sexual harassment case.

Meanwhile, Yediyurappa replied to the CID’s notice, stating that he would be appearing for questioning on June 17, citing his presence in Delhi.

The girl’s mother registered a complaint against Yediyurappa at Sadashivanagar police station on March 14. On the basis of the complaint, the police charged the senior BJP leader under the POCSO Act and IPC Section 354A (sexual harassment).

The mother alleged that the incident happened on February 2 this year, when they visited the senior BJP leader to seek help in a cheating case.

However, Yediyurappa has rejected the allegations, and called them “baseless”.

The octogenarian BJP leader served as Karnataka’s Chief Minister several times, between 2008 and 2011, briefly in May 2018, and again from 2019 to 2021. He tendered his resignation in 2021 after weeks of speculation and uncertainty.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bs-yediyurappa-will-be-arrested-in-pocso-case-if-needed-karnataka-minister-2552593-2024-06-13

More than 100 migrants are sleeping on the floors of Boston’s Logan International Airport as more continue to stream in and use the facility as a shelter.

A police source confirmed to Fox News that the hundreds of people pictured lining the floors of Boston’s main air hub with makeshift beds and air mattresses are migrants that have been using the facility as a shelter.

The number of migrants being housed at the airport has increased in recent weeks, according to a report from the New York Post, increasing from only a few dozen who were at the facility a few months ago.

“We continue to see migrants at the airport. They come to Logan a number of ways. They also arrive at Logan at all hours,” a representative from MassPort said of the situation, according to the report.

Compounding the issue is a lack of staff and resources at surrounding facilities, the representative said, causing migrants to be bussed to state welcome centers during the day, only to be transported back to the airport at night.

Migrants staying at the airport have been living in poor conditions, the report notes, sleeping on hard and cold floors, facing up at lights that are always on, and being constantly awakened by airport announcements.

The migrants have been forced to stay at the airport after state shelters reached their maximum capacity of 7,500 families in November, with those at the airport sitting on a wait list for shelter room to open.

While Massachusetts does not have any laws making the state a sanctuary jurisdiction, many local cities, including Boston, have some form of sanctuary laws on the books.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/migrants-continue-stream-boston-airport-more-than-100-sleep-floor

Hello readers. TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and BJP’s Mohan Charan Majhi will take oaths as Andhra and Odisha CMs respectively today. With Union ministers having been allotted portfolios, Nitin Gadkari and Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday morning took charge of their respective ministries. The date of the first session of the new Lok Sabha was also announced on Wednesday, with the House set to convene on June 24. Meanwhile, political bickering continues over the NEET-UG issue, and Opposition parties have stepped up their attack on BJP leader Amit Malviya, who they allege sexually exploited women. Track latest political updates from all across India only with DH!

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/india-political-updates-live-june-12-chandrababu-naidu-oath-taking-narendra-modi-bjp-nda-aap-tmc-nitish-kumar-jdu-rahul-gandhi-congress-politics-news-mamata-banerjee-india-bloc-3063021?utm_source=izooto&utm_medium=push-notification

In his third term as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has once again placed his trust in Nirmala Sitharaman by including her in his Cabinet. Sitharaman, a two-time Union Minister, has a proven track record, having presented six budgets since the full budget of 2019.

As Sitharaman takes on her renewed role, her immediate focus will be on sustaining economic growth and encouraging private sector investment.

Sources have indicated to CNBC-TV18 that her 100-day agenda will likely address several critical areas like rural distress, employment generation, and the rationalisation of GST and income tax rates. Simplifying these tax regimes and their associated laws will be a priority, aiming to create a more efficient and business-friendly environment. Additionally, measures to curb inflation are expected to be a significant part of Sitharaman’s agenda.

This focus aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to addressing the concerns of the middle and upper-middle classes, as emphasised in his address to the nation following his election victory. These measures could provide much-needed relief to these segments of the population, enhancing their economic well-being.

Source: https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/politics/nirmala-sitharaman-modi-government-focus-india-economy-19426954.htm

A total of 71 took oath as ministers in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Sunday, days after the NDA returned to the power winning majority in the Lok Sabha elections.

There was a dozen of minister from BJP allies while the rest were from the Bharatiya Janata Party. Union Ministers like Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, S Jaishankar and Nirmala Sitharaman have been retained in the NDA’s third term while Smriti Irani and Anurag Thakur have been dropped.

The Prime Minister’s new team includes 30 other Cabinet Ministers, 5 Ministers of State with Independent Charge and 36 Ministers of State (MoS).

These ministers represent 24 States, as well as all regions within states. The maximum number of nine ministers are from Uttar Pradesh followed by eight from Bihar. As many as 27 ministers are from OBC, 10 from SC, 5 from ST, five from minorities.

43 ministers are serving 3 terms or higher in Parliament and 39 having been Ministers in Government of India before bring a wealth of central experience in the government. Ministers also include multiple former CMs, 34 having served in State legislatures, and 23 having worked as Ministers in States.

Source: https://www.news18.com/politics/modi-3-0-ministers-start-getting-calls-ahead-of-swearing-in-nitin-gadkari-rajnath-singh-on-list-8926367.html

BJP in its complaint has accused Congress leaders of spreading false advertisements targeting its party members including the then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

A Bengaluru court on Friday granted bail to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with a defamation case filed against him by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Special Magistrate KN Shivakumar granted bail to Gandhi after registering his appearance in person and listed the matter for further hearing on June 30.

On Gandhi’s behalf, former Member of Parliament (MP) DK Suresh provided property worth ₹75 lakh as security.

The defamation case was filed by BJP leader Keshav Prasad Gandhi, Shivakumar and against Karnataka Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah, citing the advertisements and campaigning slogans of Congress party during the lead up to the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections.

In the ads, the Congress party had alleged that the BJP, which was then in power in the State, was charging up to 40 percent commission/ bribes from contractors and others for execution of public works.

BJP in its complaint accused Congress leaders of spreading false advertisements targeting its party members including the then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/rahul-gandhi-granted-bail-bengaluru-court-bjp-defamation-case

Reacting to the Kangana Ranaut slapgate, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal said Punjabis were the “foremost patriots” and that they “deserved better” than being labelled as “terrorists”.

Hours after a major row erupted when Bollywood actor and BJP-MP elect Kangana Ranaut on Thursday alleged that she was slapped by a woman CISF at Chandigarh airport, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal urged the Centre to contain elements who refer to Punjabis as “terrorists” and “fan communal divisions”.

“I urge Union government to focus on farmer grievances & fulfill the promises made. No one should be allowed to label Punjabis as atankwadi (terrorist) or ugarwadi (militant) and fan communal divisions,” Badal said in a post on X.

She further maintained that the Punjabis were the “foremost patriots” and have been “serving the nation on the borders and as food providers”, demanding that they “deserved better”, the three-time MP from Punjab’s Bathinda, who defeated Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Gurmeet Singh Khuddian by nearly 50,000 votes in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha election, added.

A political slugfest erupted on Thursday after Kangana Ranaut alleged that a CISF security official at Chandigarh Airport slapped her while she was travelling to Delhi.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/akaldi-dal-harsimrat-kaur-badal-kangana-ranaut-slap-defend-punjabis-2550115-2024-06-07

BJP’s Piyush Goyal said that Rahul Gandhi “has still not overcome the opposition’s defeat” in the Lok Sabha elections.

New Delhi: The BJP on Thursday hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who had alleged a connection between “BJP, exit pollsters and dubious foreign investors”. It also accused the Congress leader of “conspiring to mislead market investors”.
Addressing a press conference, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said that the Congress leader “has still not overcome the opposition’s defeat” in the Lok Sabha elections. Several opposition parties had come together to form the INDIA bloc to take on the BJP-led NDA in the Lok Sabha polls.

Rahul Gandhi had alleged that there was a loss of lakhs of crores to retail investors due to “fake exit polls” and demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the “biggest stock market scam.”

Mr Goyal said in the past 10 years of PM Modi’s government, the market capitalization of Indian stocks crossed $5 trillion.

“Rahul Gandhi has still not overcome the loss in the Lok Sabha Elections. Now, he is conspiring to mislead the market investors. Today, India has become the fifth-largest economy,” he said.

The Union minister alleged that Mr Gandhi wants to instil “fear in the minds of both the domestic and global investors, so that they do not invest”.

“We all know equity markets react to various estimates and predictions during any elections, or for that matter any forecasts by banks and institutions. Ups and downs are normal even during a non-event,” he said.

In May this year, market caps of both BSE and NSE-listed companies touched $5 trillion. Market capitalisation or market cap is the total value of a company’s stock, derived at by multiplying the stock price by the number of its outstanding shares.

Indian stocks market entered the league of top five stock markets globally, Mr Goyal said, adding that m-cap of PSU companies has risen four-fold over the past years.

Indian investors, particularly the retail investors, have benefitted from the rise in stock indices over the years, he said.

“Retail investors are not just bystanders today, but are participating in it,” he said.

FPI holdings in India were 21 per cent during UPA days and it has dipped to now 16 per cent, he said. At the same time, Indians investing in stock markets have gone up.

“India is considered a well-regulated market, and SEBI has received several appreciations worldwide,” Mr Goyal added.

He said India was referred to as “among fragile 5” during the rule of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance and that the country was now the fifth biggest economy.

The term Fragile 5 was coined by a Morgan Stanley analyst in 2013, which referred to a set of five emerging countries, including India, whose economy was not doing well back then. The other four countries were Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, and Turkey.

“The size of the mutual fund industry was only ₹ 10 lakh crore in 2014, today it has increased more than 5 times to ₹ 56 lakh crore. Through mutual funds, Indian investors especially small investors are taking advantage of this growing market today and these small retail investors have ensured that India’s ownership today has instantly become more than the ownership of institutional investors,” Mr Goyal said.

“In April and May, when the market was rising, foreigners sold in the market and Indian investors took advantage of it and bought it. The benefit of this rise in the last two months has been received by Indian investors,” he said, referring to the latest outflows by foreign investors.

In April and May, FPIs were net sellers in Indian stock markets, data showed.

“When the results came on June 4, when the market fell, foreign investors sold at a low price and Indian investors bought it with the belief that the Modi government was coming and we would take advantage of it. So foreigners bought at a high price and sold at a low price. Indian investors sold at a high price and bought at a low price. So in a way, Indian investors earned even in this period. No one suffered a loss,” Mr Goyal said, adding that the retail investors benefited during the period.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bjp-hits-back-at-congress-stock-market-charge-says-indian-investors-earned-on-june-4-5835879#pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Narendra Modi will be taking oath as the Prime Minister of India for the third time in a row on June 9, according to sources. This is going to be Modi’s third term as India’s Prime Minister, which is itself a big record that has in the past only been held by India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Modi is also known to doing different things and at the same time, doing things differently.

The list of invitees for his oath taking ceremony runs into several hundreds. Apart from political leaders, both from the treasury benches and the opposition, there is going to be a significant presence of people from the film fraternity, sports fraternity, top industrialists and businessmen among others.

But here is what sets Narendra Modi different from all the others in the past. Modi has prepared a list of special invitees who will attend the big day. News18 has learnt that a special invite has been sent to beneficiaries of the Central government schemes. A few transgenders have also been invited. Apart from this, an invitation has been sent to labourers who have worked on the Central Vista project that includes the building of the new Parliament. An invitation has also been sent to safai karamcharis or sanitation workers. As the strong ambassadors of building a strong India, there has also been an invitation sent to people who have worked in the railways on key projects like Vande Bharat trains and the Metro project. Modi has been speaking on the importance of a developed India by 2047. To mark the significance of that, several people who worked as ambassadors of Viksit Bharat have also been invited for the ceremony.

“The prime minister is known to respect the contribution of every ambassador who has been involved in the building of a strong nation. Gone are the days when the invites were sent only to VIPs and VVIPs. Our prime minister considers those who never get their dues or importance as VIP guests,” a source told News18.

The source further added, “10 special invites from the above categories have been informed that they would be watching this ceremony. We have seen how the prime minister has been popular amongst every strata of the society. He has considered nobody small. Anybody who has worked for a better India will be given their due recognition.”

A lot of changes have been witnessed in the national capital, which is said to be the power centre of Indian politics ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to the forefront. One of the examples of the same has been giving away of the Padma Awards, which people of the country delightfully now recognise as people’s Padma. The recognition has been given to the most unrecognised talents across the country in various fields.

Source: https://www.news18.com/elections/sanitation-workers-labourers-transgenders-special-invitees-to-attend-pm-narendra-modis-oath-taking-ceremony-8924028.html

Noorelahi Mina, Deputy Press Secretary to the Bangladeshi Prime Minister, has officially confirmed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s acceptance of the invitation to attend Narendra Modi’s oath ceremony. Similarly, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has accepted India’s invitation to the ceremony, as conveyed by the Sri Lankan President’s office.

As Narendra Modi prepares to stake claim for his next term, anticipation mounts as several prominent leaders from South Asia are expected to grace his oath ceremony. In recent developments, sources have confirmed Times Now that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh and President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka will be in attendance, following telephonic conversations with PM Modi himself. PM Modi is likely to take oath on June 8.

Noorelahi Mina, Deputy Press Secretary to the Bangladeshi Prime Minister, officially confirmed PM Hasina’s acceptance of the invitation, signifying the strengthening ties between India and Bangladesh.

Similarly, President Wickremesinghe accepted Prime Minister Modi’s invitation to attend the ceremony, as conveyed by the Sri Lankan President’s office. Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth will also be in attendance.

Moreover, it is highly anticipated that the Prime Minister of Nepal and the King of Bhutan will also join the esteemed guest list for the ceremony, adding further prestige to the event.

Over 95 World Leaders Extend Congratulations to PM Modi on Historic Third Term Win

Over 95 world leaders have extended their heartfelt congratulations to PM Modi on securing a record third term. The outpouring of support comes from diverse corners of the globe, reflecting the significance of India’s leadership on the international stage.

From India’s immediate neighbourhood and its extended periphery, notable leaders have sent their congratulatory greetings. Presidents of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Iran, and Seychelles, along with Prime Ministers of Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Mauritius, have conveyed their best wishes to Prime Minister Modi.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/pm-modis-oath-ceremony-south-asian-leaders-confirm-attendance-check-full-list-here-article-110752644

“In the 24 years that I have been a judge, I have never faced a sense of political pressure from the powers that be,” CJI Chandrachud said while speaking at an event organised in London.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Tuesday said that he has never experienced political pressure from any government during his 24-year-long tenure as a judge.

The Supreme Court judge made the comment while responding to a question posed during a discussion hosted in London by the Oxford Union Society, University of Oxford.

“Political pressure, if what is referred to is pressure from the government, I would tell you that in the 24 years that I have been a judge, I have never faced a sense of political pressure from the powers that be because some of the democratic traditions that we follow in India include (sic) that we live lives that are relatively isolated from the political arm of the government,” CJI Chandrachud said.

The CJI, however, added that the judges face political pressure of a different kind when they are called to decide on politically sensitive cases.

“If you mean political pressure in a broader sense of a judge realising the impact of a decision which may have political ramifications – obviously, judges have to be conversant with the impact of their decisions on the polity at large. That is not political pressure, I believe. That is an understanding by the court of the impact or the likely impact of the decision-making process, which the judge must necessarily factor in into their considerations,” he said.

CJI Chandrachud added that courts also often face social pressure.

“Many of the cases that we decide involve intense societal impacts and as judges I do believe that it is our duty to be cognisant of the impact of our decisions on the social (group) that we are going to affect,” he explained.

The question and answer session was preceded by a speech by the CJI on the topic “Role of courts in humanising law.”

In his address, the CJI spoke about how law and court process may sometimes have a dehumanising effect on people and how the courts can step in to address such issues.

The judicial review process, which focuses on the effects a law may have on individual freedoms and dignity, is one way in which courts can humanise the law, he noted.

Parliament should decide, not courts, on recognition of same-sex marriage: CJI Chandrachud

A question linked to the Supreme Court’s decision to turn down a prayer for legal recognition of same-sex marriages later led CJI to comment that while he was not defending the judgment, there were limits to the court’s powers of judicial review.

“It is the duty of the judiciary to humanise the law, but equally when you humanise the law, you cannot disregard the law unless you strike down the law. (The Special Marriage Act) contemplates a marriage in a heterosexual relationship … Can the courts then override the provisions of that law and read that as “man and man” and “woman and woman”? We said, we can’t do it. Another aspect is that the entire gamut of the domain of marriage is governed by legislation in India, across communities. Therefore, we (Supreme Court Bench) felt that if we have to recognise same-sex marriages, this is something which has to be done by the parliament, which is entrusted with the duty of law-making,” he said.

He also reiterated his view that the Court should at least recognise the right to form civil unions for same sex couples until the Parliament steps in.

Social media criticism sometimes unfair but judges can handle it: CJI Chandrachud

In the Q&A session, CJI Chandrachud was also asked a question touching on the advent of social media criticism of courts.

“In our courts today, you have live tweeting by the minute. Every remark which is said by a judge is conveyed on social media. That is something which we cannot stop. Obviously, we are on the receiving end on occasion. Sometimes, the criticism is fair; sometimes the criticism isn’t fair. I do believe, as judges our shoulders are broad enough to accept the critique that people have on the work that we do,” he said, in response.

Source:https://www.barandbench.com/news/never-faced-political-pressure-from-powers-that-be-cji-dy-chandrachud

A meeting of INDIA bloc leaders took place at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in the national capital. INDI bloc will sit in the opposition and make no attempts to form the government, it was decided in the meeting, sources said.

JOINT STATEMENT ISSUED BY INDI BLOC

In a joint statement, the INDIA bloc expressed gratitude towards the people of India for the “overwhelming support”. “The people’s mandate has given a befitting reply to the BJP and their politics of hate, corruption and deprivation. This is a political and moral defeat of Prime Minister, Sh Narendra Modi,” the statement said.

“This is a mandate in defense of the Constitution of India and against price rise, unemployment and crony capitalism of the Modi Government.

The India bloc will continue to fight against the fascist rule of the BJP led by Sh. Modi. We will take appropriate steps at the appropriate time to realise the people’s desire not to be ruled by the BJP’s government,” it added.

Naidu’s oath-taking was postponed due to Modi and the NDA cabinet’s swearing-in ceremony which is scheduled on June 8, said the report.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu’s swearing-in as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has been rescheduled to June 12, according to a Times of India report. The ceremony was initially set for June 9 but was postponed to accommodate the swearing-in of Narendra Modi and the NDA cabinet on June 8.

The TDP is preparing a grand event in Amaravati, with Modi and other senior NDA leaders expected to attend, said the report. Naidu, who attended an NDA partners’ meeting at Modi’s residence, is likely to delay his oath-taking to participate in Modi’s ceremony. He will visit Delhi again on June 7 for another NDA meeting, where the Union Cabinet is expected to be finalised, enabling the ministers’ swearing-in on June 8.

Naidu’s swearing-in will take place in Amaravati, a significant location for him. During his first term as Chief Minister in the newly bifurcated Andhra Pradesh since 2014, Naidu envisioned transforming Amaravati into a futuristic capital. However, his successor, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, halted these plans, proposing a ‘three-capitals’ system instead. Despite this, Naidu remains committed to making Amaravati the state capital.

TDP’s Massive Victory In Assembly Polls

The TDP alliance achieved a landslide victory in the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, prompting plans for an elaborate swearing-in ceremony on the banks of the River Krishna at Rayapudi in Amaravati. According to a report in the Deccan Chronicle, the original schedule had set the oath-taking for an auspicious time on June 9, but the need to attend Modi’s event in Delhi necessitated a change.

While the Lok Sabha has 543 members, counting was held for 542 seats after the BJP’s Surat candidate Mukesh Dalal was elected unopposed.

The result for the Beed constituency in Maharashtra — where the NCP (Sharad Pawar) candidate Bajrang Manohar Sonwane is leading the BJP’s Pankaja Munde — is still awaited.

While the Lok Sabha has 543 members, counting was held for 542 seats after the BJP’s Surat candidate Mukesh Dalal was elected unopposed.

The BJP, whose candidates contested in the name of Modi, won in 240 seats, falling short of the 272 majority mark and needing the support of allies in the party-led NDA for government formation, a far cry from the 303 and 282 seats it had won in 2019 and 2014, respectively, to have a majority on its own.

With support from key allies N Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), which won 16 and 12 seats in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, respectively, and other alliance partners, the NDA crossed the halfway mark.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/lok-sabha-election-results-2024-all-seats-declared-check-which-party-won-how-many-article-110720087

Pushpendra Saroj and Priya Saroj fought on Samajwadi Party’s ticket, while Shambhavi Choudhary and Sanjana Jatav were fielded by the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and the Congress respectively.

At 25, at least four candidates are set to become the youngest members of Parliament (MPs) after winning the Lok Sabha elections, results of which were declared yesterday. Pushpendra Saroj and Priya Saroj fought on Samajwadi Party’s ticket, while Shambhavi Choudhary and Sanjana Jatav were fielded by the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and the Congress respectively.

Meet The 4 Youngest MPs

Shambhavi Choudhary

Shambhavi Choudhary is the daughter of Ashok Choudhary, a minister in the Nitish Kumar cabinet in Bihar.

She won from the Samastipur constituency after defeating her nearest rival – Sunny Hazari of Congress – by a comfortab;le margin. Sunny Hazari is the son of JD(U) minister Maheshwar Hazari.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier praised Shambhavi as the youngest NDA candidate while addressing a campaign rally.

Sanjana Jatav

Sanjana Jatav won from the Bharatpur constituency in Rajasthan. The 25-year-old defeated BJP’s Ramswaroop Koli by a margin of 51,983 votes.

She had also fought the 2023 Assemby elections but lost to BJP’s Ramesh Khedi by just 409 votes. Sanjana is married to Kaptan Singh – a Rajasthan police constable.

Pushpendra and Priya Saroj

Pushpendra Saroj entered the political battlefield as a SP candidate from the Kaushambi parliamentary seat – previously held by the BJP. He won by defeating sitting BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar by a margin of 103,944 votes.

Along with Kangana Ranaut, other celeb contestants including Hema Malini, Manoj Tiwari and Shatrughan Sinha also emerged victorious. Here’s a look at celebrities who won in the recently held Lok Sabha elections:

Even as the mandate is almost clear and Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his victory speech at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters on Tuesday night, the cliffhanger situation still remains with all eyes of Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu, who will be the kingmaker as BJP fails to reach majority on its own.

NDA managed to get 292 seats, with the result on one seat still pending and the INDIA bloc won 233 seats. The BJP, which had set a target of 370 seats, won 240 seats and was leading on one seat, falling short of the majority mark of 272 and significantly below exit poll forecasts. The Congress won over 99 seats, a substantial increase from its 2019 tally of 52 seats. Others, including regional outfits and Independents, won 17 seats.

Kangana Ranaut (BJP, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh) – Wins by 74,755 votes 

Actor Kangana Ranaut won her debut election on a BJP ticket from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi by defeating Vikramaditya Singh by 72,088 votes. She polled 5,37,002 votes against 4,62,267 votes polled to King of erstwhile Rampur state, who is also the sitting state Public Works Minister and son of six-time chief minister Virbhadra Singh and state Congress chief Pratibha Singh.

She celebrated her victory in Mandi with an Instagram post. She wrote, “Heartfelt gratitude to all the people of Mandi for this love and trust. This victory belongs to all of you, this is the victory of trusting Prime Minister Modi and BJP, this is the victory of Sanatan, this is the victory of honoring the market.”

Hema Malini (BJP, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh) – Wins by 2,43,140 votes

Hema Malini secured her third consecutive term in the Lok Sabha from Mathura, receiving 5,10,064 votes. Her nearest rival, Mukesh Dhangar of the Congress, garnered 2,93,407 votes. Hema Malini also won the seat in 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

After winning the seat for the third time, expressing her excitement, Hema Malini told media, “I am very happy that I am getting a chance to serve people for the third time, I thank people. I am getting an opportunity to complete all the work that was left incomplete. I also thank the workers of our alliance.”

Suresh Gopi (BJP, Thrissur, Kerala) – Wins by 75,686 votes

Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, another BJP candidate, registered victory in Kerala’s Thrissur constituency by gathering 4,12,338 votes. Gopi defeated VS Sunilkumar of the Communist Party of India by 74,686 votes. This is the BJP’s first-ever Lok Sabha seat in the state.

Manoj Tiwari (BJP, Northeast Delhi) – Wins by 7,89,247 votes

Tiwari, a former Bhojpuri cinema star and BJP’s candidate from North East Delhi, trounced Congress rival Kanhaiya Kumar by a margin of over 1.38 lakh votes.

This is Tiwari’s third win in a row from the seat. In the 2024 general elections, he secured 8,24,451 votes. He was the only sitting MP from Delhi retained by the BJP for the 18th Lok Sabha polls.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections-kangana-ranaut-hema-malini-arun-govil-manoj-tiwari-celebrity-candidates-who-won-article-110717298

The BJP – which enjoyed brute majority for 10 years – has secured 240 seats, falling short of the majority mark of 272. The below-than-expected show in polls has forced the party to rely on its NDA partners to form the NDA-3 government. Two among them – Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu – are also being wooed by the Opposition with offers of a Deputy Prime Minister post and special status for Andhra Pradesh.

Chirag Paswan, who heads Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and his NDA ally Jitan Ram Manjhi of Hindustani Awam Morcha are also expected to attend the meeting called by Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.

The BJP – which enjoyed brute majority for 10 years – has secured 240 seats, falling short of the majority mark of 272. The below-than-expected show in polls has forced the party to rely on its NDA partners to form the NDA-3 government. Two among them – Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu – are also being wooed by the Opposition with offers of a Deputy Prime Minister post and special status for Andhra Pradesh.

What Will BJP Do If Chandrababu Naidu And Nitish Kumar Decide Not To Support It: Sanjay Raut 

While both the regional leaders have said they will remain in NDA, they are known to harbour national ambitions. Ironically, both Kumar and Naidu joined the NDA just ahead of the national polls.

“If the NDA government is formed with the support of these two pillars- Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar, it can fall anytime. BJP has lost its respect. We do not want a Prime Minister who has lost his respect. Modi brand is finished. If Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar decide that they do not want to support a dictator and stand with democracy, what will they do,” Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh, meanwhile, said both Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu have campaigned against PM Modi in the past. “We will all sit and and discuss the future course of action. Before 2019, Chandrababu Naidu tried to bring everyone in the country together and raised his voice against dictatorship and also for the federal structure of the country… Nitish Kumar brought the whole INDIA alliance together. It’s not that these two leaders have some devotion or respect for Narendra Modi or Amit Shah,” AAP MP Sanjay Singh told ANI.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/lok-sabha-election-results-day-after-results-kingmaker-nitish-kumar-to-fly-to-delhi-for-nda-meet-ex-ally-tejashwi-yadav-on-same-flight-article-110721200

Lok Sabha Election Results: Most exit polls have predicted a clean sweep for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Hindi heartland. The states here – Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar – accounts for a significant seat share in the Lok Sabha.

Amid the counting of votes in the seven-phased Lok Sabha polls, all eyes are on the 13 bellwether seats spread across 7 states to gauge the winner at the national level. It is believed that the party winning these seats is usually the winner at the national level.

A bellwether seat is a constituency that gives an indication/trend for the region and also its impact on the national level.

These bellwether seats are Valsad, Banaskantha, Jamnagar and Anand (in Gujarat), Ambala, Faridabad, Karnala (in Haryana), Jammu, Udhampur (Jammu), Alwar (Rajasthan), Secunderabad (Telangana), Sasaram (Bihar) and Ranchi (Jharkhand).

All these constituencies voted for a party, which formed the government at the Centre.

Rajasthan’s Alwar seat voted for BJP (1999, 2019) and for Congress (2004, 2009).

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/lok-sabha-election-results-the-13-bellweather-seats-that-could-indicate-winner-at-centre-article-110686503

Rahul Gandhi is leading in both the parliamentary seat he contested from this Lok Sabha election, as per early trends. The Congress leader is ahead in Kerala’s Wayanad and his family stronghold of Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh.

Rahul Gandhi is leading in both the parliamentary seat he contested from this Lok Sabha election, as per early trends. The Congress leader is ahead in Kerala’s Wayanad and his family stronghold of Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh.

In 2019, Gandhi had won from Wayanad but lost Amethi seat to BJP’s Smriti Irani.

Early trends show the Congress leader leading by over 18,000 votes against his nearest rivals in the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat.

Gandhi had won from Wayanad LS seat in 2019 with a huge margin by getting 7,06,367 votes out of the total of 10,92,197.

Rahul Gandhi vs INDIA Bloc ally In Wayanad

Rahul Gandhi is facing CPI leader and women’s rights activist Annie Raja in Wayanad, where he is seeking a second term. The contest has aroused public interest particularly since both the Congress and CPI are part of the Opposition INDIA alliance. In 2019, Gandhi was elected from the Wayanad constituency after he defeated P P Suneer of the CPI by an impressive 4.31 lakh votes.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/lok-sabha-election-results-rahul-gandhi-leading-in-rae-bareli-and-wayanad-article-110687689

Election Results 2024: The counting is underway for all the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh.

If shocking trends on counting day could be ranked, Uttar Pradesh would be the topper. Nearly four hours into the counting of votes for Lok Sabha polls, the BJP’s big bastion in the past two general elections is witnessing an epic neck-and-neck battle between the NDA and INDIA bloc comprising Samajwadi Party and Congress. In fact, the INDIA bloc holds a slim lead over NDA.
According to the latest Election Commission figures, the NDA led in 34 seats (the BJP in 32 and the RLD in two) against the INDIA bloc’s 45 seats (SP in 36 and Congress in nine).

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP-led NDA won 62 of the state’s 80 seats, with the BSP and Samajwadi Party, then allies, winning 10 and five seats, respectively. This time, the BSP is on its own, and early trends do not suggest that it will pull off a good show.

While the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party is contesting 62 seats, the Congress is fighting 17.

The BJP has stuck to its old ally, Apna Dal (Sonelal), and has also brought in Jayant Chaudhary’s RLD and OP Rajbhar’s Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party into the NDA fold.

For the Congress, Amethi and Rae Bareli, its family strongholds, are prestige battles. This holds especially true for Amethi, where Rahul Gandhi lost to BJP’s Smriti Irani last time. As of 11 am, Ms Irani is trailing to Congress’s Kishori Lal Sharma, a Gandhi family loyalist. In Rae Bareli, Mr Gandhi is leading by over 60,000 votes.

Exit polls had earlier given the NDA an edge in Uttar Pradesh, but the INDIA bloc leaders had dismissed the projections.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/lok-sabha-election-2024-results-live-bjp-led-nda-or-india-bloc-who-is-winning-battleground-state-up-5811855

Mr Bharti is the AAP and INDIA alliance candidate from the New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency.

Exit polls have predicted a clear victory for the BJP and the NDA, with most of them giving the alliance over 350 Lok Sabha seats, but AAP’s Somnath Bharti disagrees – strongly.
The MLA, who is also the INDIA alliance’s candidate for the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat, has said that all exit polls will be proven wrong on Tuesday, when the votes are counted, and he will shave his head if Narendra Modi becomes the Prime Minister for the third time.

Most exit polls have also predicted that the BJP will win at least six of Delhi’s seven seats, in line with its clean sweep in 2019. Mr Bharti has, however, insisted that it is the INDIA alliance – the AAP is contesting four seats and the Congress three – that will sweep Delhi this time and win all seven constituencies.

“I will shave off my head if Mr Modi becomes PM for the third time. Mark my word! All exit polls will be proven wrong on 4th June and Modi ji will not become prime minister for the third time. In Delhi, all seven seats will go to India ALLIANCE,” Mr Bharti posted on X on Saturday.

The AAP leader is contesting against Bansuri Swaraj of the BJP in the New Delhi constituency. Ms Swaraj, who is the daughter of former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj, is making her electoral debut.

Urging people to wait for the counting to happen, he wrote, “Fear of Mr Modi does not allow exit polls to show him loose (sic). Hence we all need to wait for actual results scheduled to be delivered on June 4th. People have voted very heavily against @BJP4India.”

The AAP leader is contesting against Bansuri Swaraj of the BJP in the New Delhi constituency. Ms Swaraj, who is the daughter of former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj, is making her electoral debut.

Urging people to wait for the counting to happen, he wrote, “Fear of Mr Modi does not allow exit polls to show him loose (sic). Hence we all need to wait for actual results scheduled to be delivered on June 4th. People have voted very heavily against @BJP4India.”

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/exit-polls-lok-sabha-elections-2024-will-shave-my-head-if-aaps-somnath-bharti-on-exit-polls-5795786

Poll analyst Prashant Kishor has asked the public to not waste their “valuable” time on “fake journalists”, “loudmouth politicians” and social media experts after exit polls projected a landslide victory for BJP-led NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Political analyst Prashant Kishor has reacted to the exit polls, which predicted a landslide victory for the BJP-led NDA. Taking to X on Saturday, he asked the public to not waste their time on “usless talks” and analysis by “fake journalists”, “loudmouth politicians” and “self-proclaimed experts” during the election season.

“Next time when there is talk of elections and politics, do not waste your valuable time on useless talks and analysis of idle fake journalists, loudmouth politicians and self-proclaimed experts of social media,” his post on X, roughly translated from Hindi, read.

Almost all exit polls have projected a thumping victory for the BJP-led NDA for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure a record third term. According to the India Today-My Axis India Exit Poll, the NDA is likely to secure from 361 to 401 seats, improving its 2019 figures.

The exit poll predicted that the Opposition-headed INDIA bloc would win between 131 and 166 seats. When the results are announced on June 4, if these numbers are true, it will represent a decisive endorsement of PM Modi’s decade-long rule and further dwindle the stand of the opposition parties.

Other pollsters – India News-D Dynamics, Republic TV P Marq, Republic Bharat Matrize, and Jan Ki Baat – also suggested a victory for the BJP-led NDA, projecting the alliance to secure 365 seats.

The India Today-My Axis India election prediction suggested that the BJP is making significant inroads in southern states such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The forecast further indicated huge upsets in Odisha and Bengal, with the saffron side expected to triumph over Naveen Patnaik’s BJD and Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress, respectively.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/lok-sabha/story/prashant-kishor-poll-analyst-nda-landslide-victory-exit-polls-first-reaction-2546970-2024-06-02

Elections 2024: Gohil said any unexpected outcome may trigger a major sell off in PSUs, capital goods, manufacturing, defence-related stocks but the IT and FMCG sectors may see buying interest.

With the last phase of ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024 scheduled for Saturday and the poll outcome likely in few days, Kotak Alternate Asset Managers’ Chief Investment Strategist Jitendra Gohil has warned that the stock market may fall over 20 per cent and should take time to fully recover if the NDA alliance fails to form the next government. While saying probability of such an outcome is thin, Gohil said it is prudent for investors to diversify portfolio and reduce risks ahead of the election results, as the upside could be limited but downside could be severe.

Ahead of exit polls on June 3, Gohil said his investment committee maintained a neural stance on equities i.e. to stay invested inline with asset allocation.

“In our view, there is a high probability that the NDA will form the government with the BJP getting the full majority. Elections will be over on 1st June and the market will react to exit polls on 3rd June (Monday). We note that in the past two elections, the BJP got significantly higher seats compared to poll predictions,” he said.

In a note, Gohil said it is true that anti incumbency, concerns over formal job creation, the perception of hardline Hindutva ideology and allegations of misusing government agencies like ED and CBI may negatively play on the voters mind.

“However, more support from the women’s voter base, excellent handling of the economy in difficult times with good control over inflation and rupee, assertive foreign policies and above all weakened opposition should outweigh the reduction in vote share, in our view,” he said.

Gohil said a difference of 10-20 BJP seat wins compared to the previous seat count of 303 should not make much of a difference to the market trajectory, as investors are looking for a stable government with continuation of policies. Hence, full majority for BJP will be BAU for the market, in our view.

“What if the BJP gets less than the full majority mark and forms a coalition government with NDA partners? In this scenario the market may correct 5-10 per cent in our view. However, in the medium term it won’t make much of a difference and the market may recover. However, in case NDA fails to form the government – probability is thin though- the market may fall 20 per cent-plus and will take time to fully recover,” he said.

Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/markets/market-commentary/story/bjp-seat-wins-exit-poll-results-20-stock-market-correction-likely-if-nda-fails-to-form-govt-says-kotak-431542-2024-05-31

Shashi Tharoor said the man is a former member of his staff.

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday morning reacted to a report claiming his aide was apprehended at the Delhi airport smuggling 500 grams of gold, saying the law must take its own course.

Shashi Tharoor said the man is a former member of his staff. He said he was employed part-time with him to provide “airport facilitation assistance”.

The Congress MP further said the 72-year-old was employed with him on compassionate grounds because he had been undergoing frequent dialysis. He, however, clarified that he doesn’t “condone any alleged wrongdoing”.

“I was shocked to hear of an incident involving a former member of my staff who has been rendering part-time service to me in terms of airport facilitation assistance. He is a 72-year-old retiree undergoing frequent dialysis and was retained on a part-time basis on compassionate grounds. I do not condone any alleged wrongdoing and fully support the authorities in their efforts to take any necessary action as may be required to investigate the matter. The law must take its own course,” he wrote on X.

The customs department on Wednesday detained two people at the Delhi international airport.

One of the detainees, reported ANI, identified himself as Shiv Kumar Prasad.

Per the new agency, the man claimed he is the personal assistant to Shashi Tharoor.

Prasad had come to the airport to receive another person arriving from Dubai. The duo was apprehended when the latter attempted to hand over the gold to the MP’s aide.

The agency reported citing sources that Prasad had the permit to enter the aerodrome, which allowed him entry into the airport. He allegedly entered the airport premises and received the packet. They allegedly recovered 500 grams of gold from them.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/shashi-tharoor-reacts-to-report-of-aide-caught-smuggling-gold-at-delhi-airport-101717041824147.html

Exit polls are prohibited under section 126A of the RP Act 1951. ECI had notified the prohibited period from April 19, 2024 (7 am) to June 1, 2024 (6:30 pm) vide its order dated March 28, 2024.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha to take immediate action against Nandighosha TV as per the existing provisions for telecasting exit poll results in Odisha.

Exit polls are prohibited under section 126A of the RP Act 1951. ECI had notified the prohibited period from April 19, 2024 (7 am) to June 1, 2024 (6:30 pm) vide its order dated March 28, 2024.

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has admitted that Pakistan violated the Lahore agreement that he and Atal Bihari Vajpayee signed in 1999, and indirectly referred to the Kargil misadventure by General Pervez Musharraf as his country’s “fault”.

In a meeting with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) general council, Sharif admitted, “On May 28, 1998, Pakistan carried out five nuclear tests. After that, [then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari] Vajpayee Saheb came here and made an agreement with us. But we violated that agreement…it was our fault.”

The Lahore Declaration, signed on February 21, 1999, was a significant step to thaw the frosty ties between India and Pakistan. The agreement was born out of the summit in Lahore. However, a few months later, Pakistani intrusion in the Kargil district in Jammu and Kashmir led to the Kargil War.

WHAT LAHORE DECLARATION AIMED AT

The main objective of the Lahore Declaration was to promote peace and stability between India and Pakistan. “The Prime Ministers of the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, sharing a vision of peace and stability between their countries, and of progress and prosperity for their peoples, convinced that durable peace and development of harmonious relations and friendly cooperation will serve the vital interests of the peoples of the two countries,” read the text of the declaration.

At a sleepy café, Kasahara, in Shantiniketan, a bunch of young students share their mixed feelings. Proud of being Bengalis, many moan the fact that they may be forced to leave their state for job opportunities. “We see many from our age group working at Google, Amazon and other MNCs. We wish we had the chance,” they say.

Not that West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee is unaware of this. In fact, she has been pushing for investor summits, inviting and getting bids for investment. But is Bengal an ideal business investment attraction?

In an exclusive interaction with News18, PM Narendra Modi listed his dream for development of Bengal saying: “Bengal has given leadership to the country. The state used to drive the nation’s economy. It had the heritage and the talent. But investors ran away as first the Communists scared them away. Now, the TMC is following the same path. They are turning investors away. Uttar Pradesh is getting investment because their law and order and bureaucracy are good. The government has to change the attitude here in Bengal. Give me five years and I will change Bengal.”

In fact, the PM and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have linked the “lack of development in Bengal despite investment summits” and Banerjee’s promise of bringing big business ventures, including foreign investment, to the law and order issue and corruption. PM told News18: “That’s why I stress on women safety. If the women are safe and law and order is good, people will invest in Bengal.”

The BJP has linked it to the Sandeshkhali issue, where TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh is facing allegations of land grab and sexual assault of women. The party says with the state and TMC shielding people like Sheikh, allowing them to go scot-free, women, who are more than 50% voters, feel intimidated. “In such a scenario, how can Bengal develop,” they ask.

Source: https://www.news18.com/elections/give-me-5-years-to-develop-west-bengal-how-pm-modis-pitch-echoes-youngsters-mann-ki-baat-exclusive-8908177.html

Former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam slammed the Congress MP for the behaviour and said, “Those who do not know that sipped water is not poured on the head…do not realise Indian culture, tradition & legacy must first understand India and then comment about India’s PM,” he said.

“Garm hai kaafi (it’s too hot),” Gandhi said and poured water on his head.

Rahul Gandhi was addressing the rally in support of Sadal Prasad, the Congress candidate from Bansgaon (SC) Lok Sabha seat.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections-2024-rahul-gandhi-pours-water-on-his-head-at-up-rally-says-it-is-too-hot-video-article-110516315 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time on Monday reacted to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal receiving endorsements from Pakistan and said it is a matter that requires “thorough investigation”.

“I don’t understand why some select group of people, apparently those who harbour animosity against us, get endorsements from Pakistan… why voices of support emanate from there, for certain individuals. This is a grave matter and calls for an investigation. I think I shouldn’t comment on such issues, given the position I hold, but I do understand your concern,” the prime minister said in an interview with IANS.

PM Modi was referring to former Pakistani Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain’s “appreciation post” for Rahul Gandhi which caused a stir earlier this month. Fawad Hussain hit the headlines once again last week over his reaction to Arvind Kejriwal’s bail in the liquor scam case.

“Modi G Lost another battle Kejriwal released… good news for moderate India,” Hussain said in a post on X.

Emphasising that it is a matter of concern, PM Modi said the Indian voter is “mature” and “statements from across the border will not affect elections in India”.

“This is Bharat’s election. India is a mature democracy, which boasts of rich and well-established electoral principles and traditions. India’s voters, too are mature in their thoughts and can’t be influenced by any external factor,” he said.

Source: https://www.news18.com/politics/needs-investigation-pm-modi-on-pakistans-support-for-rahul-gandhi-arvind-kejriwal-8905996.html

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders narrowly avoided a major accident when the stage set up for their campaign in Bihar, ahead of the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections, suddenly collapsed.

A video of the incident has been circulating on social media. It shows the leaders standing on the stage, holding hands, just as they were about to address the public gathering. Suddenly, the stage collapsed, causing everyone on it to lose their balance and grab onto each other for a few moments.

The former Congress president, who was standing next to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Lalu Prasad’s daughter Misa Bharti, could be seen holding her hand when the stage broke. Despite the fright, both Gandhi and Bharti remained composed and even exchanged smiles with concerned security personnel who rushed to their aid.

The event took place in Paliganj, on the outskirts of Patna, and was organised to support Misa Bharti’s candidacy for the Patliputra Lok Sabha seat.

Gandhi who is in Bihar, addressing back-to-back election rallies in support of Mahagathbandhan candidates in the state.

At a campaign event in Bakhtiyarpur earlier today, the Congress leader said that Narendra Modi will not become prime minister again, as there is a clear wave of support for the INDIA bloc across the country.

He claimed that if the INDIA bloc is voted into power, they would scrap the Agnipath scheme for defence service recruitment and deposit Rs 8,500 into every woman’s account each month.

The meeting of the opposition-led INDIA bloc has been called to review and discuss the coalition’s future course of actions, keeping in mind its performance in the Lok Sabha elections.

The Opposition-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc has called for an all-party meeting on June 1 (Saturday), the day when polling for the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections will take place, sources told India Today TV.

All alliance partners of the INDIA bloc have been invited to attend the meeting, which will take place in the national capital 4 days before election results will be announced.

Notably, the meeting has been called just a day before Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is out on interim bail by the Supreme Court, has to surrender himself in Tihar Jail in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped liquor policy.

The meeting has been called to review and discuss the coalition’s future course of actions, keeping in mind its performance in the Lok Sabha elections, sources added.

All chiefs of the opposition alliance, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and others have been invited to the key meeting.

Soon after the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections concluded on Saturday, the Congress claimed that the INDIA bloc has already crossed the halfway mark of 272 seats and is on course for a tally of over 350 seats in total.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/story/india-bloc-meeting-called-on-june-1-before-lok-sabha-election-results-2544141-2024-05-26

BJP seat wins: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP won 303 seats in 2019. It won 282 seats in 2014. UBS reiterated its view that significant weakness in equities could offer buy-on-dip opportunities.

The domestic stock market has delivered positive returns in five out of five recent Lok Sabha elections, one-year after the outcome. That said he market delivered positive returns in only two times while it delivered flat return in one and negative returns in two instances, one-month after elections, a data compiled by foreign brokerage UBS suggested.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP won 303 seats in 2019. It won 282 seats in 2014. This year, the incumbent party-led NDA is seen winning 370-410 seats as per opinion polls but there is a bit uncertainty in the market ahead of June 4, the day of election outcome.

“While the intensity of the impact on financial markets could vary depending on the election outcome, past instances suggest the significance of election results diminishes over the medium to long term. Market underperformance tends to reverse as both investors and businesses adapt to new government policies,” UBS siad.

The domestic brokerage reiterated its view that significant weakness in equities could offer buy-on-dip opportunities. “Within fixed income, we believe medium- to long-duration bonds are in a sweet spot and could become even more attractive if bond yields spike in certain election outcome,” it said.

In 2019, Nifty delivered 1.8 per cent return in the first week post election outcome. That said its return was flattish one-month post elections. In fact, it was down 7.2 per cent in six months post elections and its one-year return was minus 21.9 per cent.

In 2014, Nifty delivered a solid 3.5 per cent return when the NDA government came to power. It delivered 6.4 per cent return within one month of election outcome and 10.5 per cent return in six-month period. The 50-pack index was up 17.8 per cent in the year post election outcome.

2009 delivered the strongest returns post elections (among five). Nifty was up 15.4 per cent within a week, 23.3 per cent within a month, a solid 39 per cent within six months, and 40.3 per cent return in one year.

Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/markets/market-commentary/story/bjp-seat-wins-stock-market-how-nifty-fared-one-week-30-days-six-months-after-elections-430974-2024-05-27

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal voted with his family including wife Sunita

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said he has voted against “inflation and unemployment” as he spoke to supporters outside a polling booth in the national capital.
Voting in all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi was held today.

Mr Kejriwal, who is out on interim bail till June 1 after he challenged his arrest by the Enforcement in the Supreme Court, voted with his family including wife Sunita for ally Congress candidate Jai Prakash Aggarwal.

“My father, wife and both my children voted. My mother could not come today as she is very ill. I have voted against inflation, and unemployment,” Mr Kejriwal told reporters.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-voted-against-inflation-arvind-kejriwals-post-with-inked-finger-5741434

Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to allegations that India is behind ‘targeted assassinations by unknown killers’ of terrorists in Pakistan and asked why are “some people in India crying” over this.

Speaking at an India TV event, PM Modi said that he knows that the people of Pakistan are worried and he is the “root cause of their worries”.

Reacting to Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar’s “India should respect Pakistan because it has the nuclear bomb” remark, the Prime Minister said he had “personally” visited Lahore and “checked its power”, apparently referring to his visit to Lahore in 2015.

“Uss taakat ko mei khud Lahore jaakar check karke aaya hu (I had personally visited Lahore to check how powerful it is),” he said.

• PM Modi also said that God has ordained that “I should work 24×7 till 2047 to achieve the aim of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India)”. “I feel, God Almighty has sent me for a special purpose. God has sent me to achieve the objective of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. God is showing me the path, God is giving me the energy. I am fully confident I will achieve that target by 2047 and until that target is achieved, God will not call me back. I do not have any other place in this world now except this,” he said.
• The prime minister further revealed that the reason behind “370 seats for BJP” slogan and said, “The number 370 (referring to Article 370) manifests the unity of the country. The idea of a 370-seat target was given by a person who belonged to Kashmir. The BJP should win 370 seats to leave an indelible memory in the minds of people so that they understand the significance of the unity of the country.”
• PM Modi said that the Opposition is bound to lose in elections and reiterated that the BJP will win 370 seats on its own. “One option, they have is to claim a moral victory and secondly, they are blaming EVMs. After the conclusion of the third phase, EVM has come into the picture,” he said.

Source: https://www.news18.com/politics/pm-modi-asks-why-some-people-are-crying-over-targeted-killings-in-pakistan-says-he-has-personally-checked-islamabads-power-8901963.html