Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek will not be allowed to leave the club during the January transfer window, manager Maurizio Sarri said on Tuesday.

Competition from N'Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley has limited Loftus-Cheek's chances this season but the 22-year-old England international has impressed with five goals in his last six appearances to draw praise from Sarri.

"He has played in the Europa League and League Cup, some in the Premier League but not starting. At the moment he's very important for us," Sarri told reporters ahead of Wednesday's Premier League trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"He had some problems to understand what I wanted, but he is improving and in the last two matches I've been happy. I want him to stay so I think there's no chance (of him leaving)."

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta signed a new four-year deal on Tuesday and Sarri said he was keen for the club to extend the tenures of David Luiz and Cesc Fabregas whose contracts run out at the end of the season.

"I spoke with the club about this a month ago. I know very well it's not easy, but I think we can do a new deal for both," Sarri added.

"David and Cesc are leaders. It's important for me, for the staff and also for their team mates that they stay."

Chelsea are third in the standings with 31 points and go into Wednesday's game on the back of a 2-0 win over Fulham while Wolves are looking to avoid a third straight league defeat.

Sarri, however, expects a tough outing at 12th-placed Wolves who have drawn with Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.

"They're a technical team," he said. "They were unlucky in the last few matches, but it's not easy to play there."

Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek will not be allowed to leave the club during the January transfer window, manager Maurizio Sarri said on Tuesday. Competition from N'Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley has limited Loftus-Cheek's chances this season but the 22-year-old England international has impressed with five goals in his last six appearances to draw praise from Sarri.

Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek will not be allowed to leave the club during the January transfer window, manager Maurizio Sarri said on Tuesday. Competition from N'Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley has limited Loftus-Cheek's chances this season but the 22-year-old England international has impressed with five goals in his last six appearances to draw praise from Sarri. "He has played in the Europa League and League Cup, some in the Premier League but not starting. At the moment he's very important for us," Sarri told reporters ahead of Wednesday's Premier League trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers. "He had some problems to understand what I wanted, but he is improving and in the last two matches I've been happy. I want him to stay so I think there's no chance (of him leaving)." Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta signed a new four-year deal on Tuesday and Sarri said he was keen for the club to extend the tenures of David Luiz and Cesc Fabregas whose contracts run out at the end of the season. "I spoke with the club about this a month ago. I know very well it's not easy, but I think we can do a new deal for both," Sarri added. "David and Cesc are leaders. It's important for me, for the staff and also for their team mates that they stay." Chelsea are third in the standings with 31 points and go into Wednesday's game on the back of a 2-0 win over Fulham while Wolves are looking to avoid a third straight league defeat. Sarri, however, expects a tough outing at 12th-placed Wolves who have drawn with Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal. "They're a technical team," he said. "They were unlucky in the last few matches, but it's not easy to play there."

Chelsea rule out Loftus-Cheek departure in January 2019

With the Karnataka elections just around the corner, chief minister Siddaramaiah is locked in a tight triangular contest with the BJP and the JD-S.

Siddaramaiah says the Congress will come to power in Karnataka, paving the way for his party’s revival in the rest of the country.

He spoke to WION on a plethora of issue ranging from the Lingayats to a separate state flag for Karnataka to Bengaluru's dying lakes. Siddaramaiah's entire interview to WION follows:&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Q: What makes you so confident that Congress can buck the trend of Karnataka not giving a repeat term to any government?

A: We have given good governance. Law and order is much better than previous governments. Lot of investments have come to Karnataka which is far better than other states. So, we have done well on many fronts.

Q: How have schemes like Indira Canteen and Anna Bhagya done?

A: Four crore people of Karnataka have benefitted from Anna Bhagya scheme. Seven kg of rice per head is being given free of cost. We are the only government distributing rice free of cost. We are also giving five rupees subsidy per litre to milk farmers. We are giving loans to farmers without interest up to three lakh. Certain categories of loans have been waived. We are giving milk to 1.2 crore schoolgoing children. We have taken up a number of welfare schemes to help poor. Similar support is also being extended in the education sector. We have also provided laptops. This budget, I announced that girl students will be given free education and also free bus pass to students coming to schools.

Q: What have you done in the agriculture sector and secondly, there was a lot of acrimony between you and the Centre over the issue of fund allocation?

A: Centre provided us money under norms. We were facing unprecedented drought but still they gave us funds according to the norms. Centre did not provide us additional funds. I even requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked him to waive the loans but prime minister did not agree.

Q: Are you saying that Karnataka was discriminated against?

A: &nbsp;As per the NDRF funds are concerned, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu got more funds than us. Karnataka is getting less funds. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-mos-to-wion-ruling-party-not-facing-anti-incumbency-for-first-time-in-30-years-130659">It is discrimination</a>. I requested the Prime Minister to set aside the injustice being done to Karnataka.

Q: You had strong issues pertaining to the 15th Finance Commission?

A: Population cannot be a criteria for fund. UP and Bihar have not implemented family programme and they are getting more money. We have implemented it and we are ending up getting less money. It is not fair.

Q: Why did you shift your seat?

A: Two years back, my son was looking after the constituency and I had announced that I’m not going to fight the elections. My son passed away last year and my second son started looking after the constituency. Now people want him to contest. Chamundeshwari was my old constituency. I have successfully contested elections from the seat. I have been in touch with the people. It is a neighbouring constituency.

Q: The BJP and JD-S are happy as they feel they can tie the chief minister down to a single seat?

A: They are living in an illusion. They cannot tie me down to a seat. They are trying to defeat me. BJP and JD-S were together in a coalition. I contested as an independent when Kumaraswamy was the Chief Minister and Yeddyurappa was the deputy CM. Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy sat there for days. Even then, I got elected.

Q: Are you worried about the infighting which has erupted post ticket distribution in the Congress?

A: Only <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/siddaramaiah-struggles-to-contain-dissent-in-karnataka-congress-after-ticket-distribution-130902">four or five constituencies are affected</a>. But we are trying to tackle the issue.

Q: Do you feel that the southern perspective of a strong cultural identity of a state does not match with the northern experience of a Union?

A: The states were recognised on the basis of languages and it should remain supreme in each state. We are in federal structure and we want our language to be respected. Regional languages should reign supreme. Likewise, Lingayat religious issue was not created by us.

It was established by Basvanna in 12th century. The community wants a separate tag. All the representatives of the community met me two years ago. They said that Veerashaivas and Lingayats are separate. I referred the matter to the state Minority Commission. &nbsp;The Minority Commission, in turn, constituted an expert committee under a high court judge whose recommendation was accepted by us and which we forwarded to the Centre.

Q: The BJP says this is divide and rule...

A: This proposal also existed during BJP’s regime. We did not initiate it. In this context, they had met both Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi.

Q: What about the flag?

A: Is there a provision that states should not have own flag? In the United States, every state has its own flag so why not Karnataka. The national flag is flying above the state flag. We can have a state flag.

Q: Has Siddaramaiah become a symbol of regional pride?

A: I’m proud to say that I’m a Kannadiga and am proud to be a symbol of Kannadiga pride.

Q: Congress is organisationally weak and Modi, on the other hand, has the capacity to turn around an election? Can Modi do a Gujarat in Karnataka?&nbsp;

A: Karnataka cannot be compared with Gujarat. BJP was in power in Gujarat. Our party structure was not strong in Gujarat. Compared to previous elections, our performance was good in Gujarat. BJP cannot play a communal card in the state. People like secularism here and they will not tolerate communal card.

Q: Is Karnataka going to be an antidote to the BJP’s cultural nationalism?

A: Karnataka is being looked at by the entire country. Congress will come to power and will prove to be a stepping stone for the national politics. Modi’s government has failed. They have not fulfilled a single promise to the people of Karnataka. Look what Andhra Pradesh CM Chandra Babu Nadu is saying. Modi could not even keep the promise to the people of Andhra Pradesh.

Q: Is the Third Front a good idea for the Congress?

A: Congress and all like-minded parties should come together and fight communal elements and Congress must take a leading role.

Q: Is this election about Siddaramaiah vs Modi or Siddaramaiah vs Yeddyurappa?

A: This election is about me and Yeddyurappa. This election is about the people of Karnataka. People have to choose between me and Yeddyurappa and not Modi.

Q: I think you forgot about the JD-S. Surveys have shown strong Vokaligga consolidation for the JD-S?

A: JD-S is a regional party confined to six to seven districts in southern Karnataka. Their presence is meagre in the northern part of the state. They cannot win more than 20 to 25 seats.

Q: There was a time when Kumaraswamy went on to become the chief minister?

A: Kumaraswamy is an illusion. He is thinking of a hung assembly where he thinks that he will get to play the role of a kingmaker. This situation will not arise at all. Congress party is going to form the government in Karnataka.

Q: Don’t you think that the JD-S has been able to use the Cauvery issue?

A: How will it help JD-S? There was a tribunal order and the Karnataka government went in for appeal against it to the Supreme Court. The judgement of the tribunal was modified. 14.75 TMC of water was additionally allotted to us. JD-S cannot take advantage of this issue. People of Karnataka were happy with the Cauvery judgement.

Q: So the JD-S is not a player in the state?

A: They are not our main rival. In the&nbsp;north, we fight BJP and in south Karnataka, JD-S.

Q: What has your administration done to curb the violence rocking coastal Karnataka?

A: BJP is trying to mislead people. Law and Order situation is good in the coastal areas. They claim that 24 BJP workers have been killed by SDPI. It is not correct. Yes, 12 BJP workers have died and rest belong to other groups. It is claimed that all of them are BJP workers which is not true. Some of them were not even communal clashes.

Q: Rationalists have been targeted in your state? What have you done to protect them?

A: It is not only in Karnataka. People were also targeted in Maharashtra. The investigation is going on. They are organised criminals. In Gauri Lankesh’s case, there is considerable progress. Kalburgi’s case has already been referred to the CBI.

Q: The dying lakes of Bengaluru get a lot of global attention. What have you done to save them and what do you intend to do?

A: We have to provide world-class infrastructure to Bengaluru. All the lakes have to be developed and beautified. We need to tackle the garbage problem including congestion. These are the urgent urban issues which we intend to solve if we come to power again. 
&nbsp; 
Q: What should the Congress do to revive itself nationally? What is your advice to Rahul Gandhi?

A: Electoral victory in Karnataka will revive the Congress Party nationally. We will capture power in the Centre. Modi’s popularity is declining quickly. They will not win 2019 elections. BJP will not make it to the Centre again. Like-minded parties must come together to defeat BJP for Lok Sabha elections.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ds0X_SE6u8k" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah added that like-minded parties must come together to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections

With the Karnataka elections just around the corner, chief minister Siddaramaiah is locked in a tight triangular contest with the BJP and the JD-S. Siddaramaiah says the Congress will come to power in Karnataka, paving the way for his party’s revival in the rest of the country. He spoke to WION on a plethora of issue ranging from the Lingayats to a separate state flag for Karnataka to Bengaluru's dying lakes. Siddaramaiah's entire interview to WION follows: Q: What makes you so confident that Congress can buck the trend of Karnataka not giving a repeat term to any government? A: We have given good governance. Law and order is much better than previous governments. Lot of investments have come to Karnataka which is far better than other states. So, we have done well on many fronts. Q: How have schemes like Indira Canteen and Anna Bhagya done? A: Four crore people of Karnataka have benefitted from Anna Bhagya scheme. Seven kg of rice per head is being given free of cost. We are the only government distributing rice free of cost. We are also giving five rupees subsidy per litre to milk farmers. We are giving loans to farmers without interest up to three lakh. Certain categories of loans have been waived. We are giving milk to 1.2 crore schoolgoing children. We have taken up a number of welfare schemes to help poor. Similar support is also being extended in the education sector. We have also provided laptops. This budget, I announced that girl students will be given free education and also free bus pass to students coming to schools. Q: What have you done in the agriculture sector and secondly, there was a lot of acrimony between you and the Centre over the issue of fund allocation? A: Centre provided us money under norms. We were facing unprecedented drought but still they gave us funds according to the norms. Centre did not provide us additional funds. I even requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked him to waive the loans but prime minister did not agree. Q: Are you saying that Karnataka was discriminated against? A: As per the NDRF funds are concerned, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu got more funds than us. Karnataka is getting less funds. It is discrimination. I requested the Prime Minister to set aside the injustice being done to Karnataka. Q: You had strong issues pertaining to the 15th Finance Commission? A: Population cannot be a criteria for fund. UP and Bihar have not implemented family programme and they are getting more money. We have implemented it and we are ending up getting less money. It is not fair. Q: Why did you shift your seat? A: Two years back, my son was looking after the constituency and I had announced that I’m not going to fight the elections. My son passed away last year and my second son started looking after the constituency. Now people want him to contest. Chamundeshwari was my old constituency. I have successfully contested elections from the seat. I have been in touch with the people. It is a neighbouring constituency. Q: The BJP and JD-S are happy as they feel they can tie the chief minister down to a single seat? A: They are living in an illusion. They cannot tie me down to a seat. They are trying to defeat me. BJP and JD-S were together in a coalition. I contested as an independent when Kumaraswamy was the Chief Minister and Yeddyurappa was the deputy CM. Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy sat there for days. Even then, I got elected. Q: Are you worried about the infighting which has erupted post ticket distribution in the Congress? A: Only four or five constituencies are affected. But we are trying to tackle the issue. Q: Do you feel that the southern perspective of a strong cultural identity of a state does not match with the northern experience of a Union? A: The states were recognised on the basis of languages and it should remain supreme in each state. We are in federal structure and we want our language to be respected. Regional languages should reign supreme. Likewise, Lingayat religious issue was not created by us. It was established by Basvanna in 12th century. The community wants a separate tag. All the representatives of the community met me two years ago. They said that Veerashaivas and Lingayats are separate. I referred the matter to the state Minority Commission. The Minority Commission, in turn, constituted an expert committee under a high court judge whose recommendation was accepted by us and which we forwarded to the Centre. Q: The BJP says this is divide and rule... A: This proposal also existed during BJP’s regime. We did not initiate it. In this context, they had met both Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi. Q: What about the flag? A: Is there a provision that states should not have own flag? In the United States, every state has its own flag so why not Karnataka. The national flag is flying above the state flag. We can have a state flag. Q: Has Siddaramaiah become a symbol of regional pride? A: I’m proud to say that I’m a Kannadiga and am proud to be a symbol of Kannadiga pride. Q: Congress is organisationally weak and Modi, on the other hand, has the capacity to turn around an election? Can Modi do a Gujarat in Karnataka? A: Karnataka cannot be compared with Gujarat. BJP was in power in Gujarat. Our party structure was not strong in Gujarat. Compared to previous elections, our performance was good in Gujarat. BJP cannot play a communal card in the state. People like secularism here and they will not tolerate communal card. Q: Is Karnataka going to be an antidote to the BJP’s cultural nationalism? A: Karnataka is being looked at by the entire country. Congress will come to power and will prove to be a stepping stone for the national politics. Modi’s government has failed. They have not fulfilled a single promise to the people of Karnataka. Look what Andhra Pradesh CM Chandra Babu Nadu is saying. Modi could not even keep the promise to the people of Andhra Pradesh. Q: Is the Third Front a good idea for the Congress? A: Congress and all like-minded parties should come together and fight communal elements and Congress must take a leading role. Q: Is this election about Siddaramaiah vs Modi or Siddaramaiah vs Yeddyurappa? A: This election is about me and Yeddyurappa. This election is about the people of Karnataka. People have to choose between me and Yeddyurappa and not Modi. Q: I think you forgot about the JD-S. Surveys have shown strong Vokaligga consolidation for the JD-S? A: JD-S is a regional party confined to six to seven districts in southern Karnataka. Their presence is meagre in the northern part of the state. They cannot win more than 20 to 25 seats. Q: There was a time when Kumaraswamy went on to become the chief minister? A: Kumaraswamy is an illusion. He is thinking of a hung assembly where he thinks that he will get to play the role of a kingmaker. This situation will not arise at all. Congress party is going to form the government in Karnataka. Q: Don’t you think that the JD-S has been able to use the Cauvery issue? A: How will it help JD-S? There was a tribunal order and the Karnataka government went in for appeal against it to the Supreme Court. The judgement of the tribunal was modified. 14.75 TMC of water was additionally allotted to us. JD-S cannot take advantage of this issue. People of Karnataka were happy with the Cauvery judgement. Q: So the JD-S is not a player in the state? A: They are not our main rival. In the north, we fight BJP and in south Karnataka, JD-S. Q: What has your administration done to curb the violence rocking coastal Karnataka? A: BJP is trying to mislead people. Law and Order situation is good in the coastal areas. They claim that 24 BJP workers have been killed by SDPI. It is not correct. Yes, 12 BJP workers have died and rest belong to other groups. It is claimed that all of them are BJP workers which is not true. Some of them were not even communal clashes. Q: Rationalists have been targeted in your state? What have you done to protect them? A: It is not only in Karnataka. People were also targeted in Maharashtra. The investigation is going on. They are organised criminals. In Gauri Lankesh’s case, there is considerable progress. Kalburgi’s case has already been referred to the CBI. Q: The dying lakes of Bengaluru get a lot of global attention. What have you done to save them and what do you intend to do? A: We have to provide world-class infrastructure to Bengaluru. All the lakes have to be developed and beautified. We need to tackle the garbage problem including congestion. These are the urgent urban issues which we intend to solve if we come to power again. Q: What should the Congress do to revive itself nationally? What is your advice to Rahul Gandhi? A: Electoral victory in Karnataka will revive the Congress Party nationally. We will capture power in the Centre. Modi’s popularity is declining quickly. They will not win 2019 elections. BJP will not make it to the Centre again. Like-minded parties must come together to defeat BJP for Lok Sabha elections.

Lingayat religious issue not created by us: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to WION

The stakes seem to be high for the ruling Trinamool Congress in the upcoming West Bengal panchayat polls, as the party leadership feels that gaining a foothold in national politics after the 2019 Lok Sabha election is incumbent on winning the rural heartland. According to senior TMC leaders, the party’s objective to play a major role at the national level can only be successful if it manages to bag the maximum share out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal.&nbsp

“If we want to win maximum number of seats in Lok Sabha polls, then we have to ensure that we put up a good show in the upcoming rural polls, so that we are ahead of our rivals,” said a senior TMC leader. With nearly 40 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state being located in villages and semi-urban areas administered by panchayats, an absolute control of the rural bodies is a must for political parties to have an upper hand on rivals in next year’s Lok Sabha polls, feel senior TMC leaders.

“Steering the state from 2011, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government has established its credentials on the twin foundation of development and diversity. “People will endorse this in the upcoming panchayat elections. Yes, the journey to Delhi originates in the rural heartland of Bengal,” Derek O’Brien, TMC parliamentary party leader in Rajya Sabha, told PTI. Brien’s views were echoed by his party colleague Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who is of the view that the panchayat polls will be the most important election ahead of Lok Sabha polls. “Panchayat elections resonates the views of the grass-roots and the masses. In villages, people are dependent on their gram panchayats … The activities of elected representatives at panchayats and zilla parishads come as a added benefit for the political parties he or she represents,” Bandyopadhyay told PTI. The elections will be held across 48,650 seats in 3,358 gram panchayats, 9,217 seats at 341 panchayat samitis, and 825 seats at 20 zilla parishads.

Another senior TMC leader came up with an analogy on how results of panchayat polls directly influence the Lok Sabha election in Bengal. “Our victory in South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore zilla parishads in the 2008 panchayat polls had led to the party winning 19 seats in the 2009 Lok Sabha election. The stellar performance in 2013 panchayat polls, when it won the maximum number of zilla parishads, also led TMC to bag 34 Lok Sabha seats in 2014,” he explained. However, he admitted that despite winning so many seats, the party could not have a major role after the 2014 elections, as the BJP managed full majority. “But this time, things will be different from 2014 and TMC will play a defining role after 2019,” the TMC leader said. The TMC leadership has time and again emphasised that it will play a major role on the national level, after next year’s Lok Sabha polls. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had last month said she would try to unite all the anti-BJP forces to defeat the saffron party in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

The TMC top brass had also met several leaders of various Opposition parties, including UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and TRS chief K C Rao, aiming to cobble up a formidable front against the BJP. Opposition parties cutting across political lines feel that the TMC’s urge to prove its mettle in the panchayat elections in order to find firm footing in the Lok Sabha polls next year, has led to unprecedented violence over filing of nominations for the rural polls. The TMC has denied all such accusations. Displeased with the State Election Commission’s recent decision to cancel its own order to extend the nomination process by a day, the Calcutta High Court had on April 12 put a stay on the ongoing panchayat election process till further instruction. “Because of their ambition to play a major role and to send out a message that TMC is invincible in Bengal so that they be allowed to lead the anti-BJP front, they are looking to win the panchayat polls without any opposition,” state Congress president Adhir Chowdhury said.

Senior BJP leader Mukul Roy, who was once number two in the TMC and been instrumental in its performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, feels TMC’s wish to be a major national force will never be fulfilled as the BJP will “decimate” the ruling party in Bengal in the next Lok Sabha election. “The people of Bengal are yearning for a change and BJP will bring that change,” Roy said. State Panchayat Minister and TMC leader Subrata Mukherjee said the party will win the panchayat polls and that it cannot take the onus of failure to file nominations. “How can we take the onus of opposition not being able to file nominations? We can’t provide them with man power to file nominations. The people of Bengal are with TMC. I won’t comment any further as the matter is sub judice,” Mukherjee added.

The stakes seem to be high for the ruling Trinamool Congress in the upcoming West Bengal panchayat polls, as the party leadership feels that gaining a foothold in national politics after the 2019 election is incumbent on winning the rural heartland.

The stakes seem to be high for the ruling Trinamool Congress in the upcoming West Bengal panchayat polls, as the party leadership feels that gaining a foothold in national politics after the 2019 Lok Sabha election is incumbent on winning the rural heartland. According to senior TMC leaders, the party’s objective to play a major role at the national level can only be successful if it manages to bag the maximum share out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. “If we want to win maximum number of seats in Lok Sabha polls, then we have to ensure that we put up a good show in the upcoming rural polls, so that we are ahead of our rivals,” said a senior TMC leader. With nearly 40 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state being located in villages and semi-urban areas administered by panchayats, an absolute control of the rural bodies is a must for political parties to have an upper hand on rivals in next year’s Lok Sabha polls, feel senior TMC leaders. “Steering the state from 2011, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government has established its credentials on the twin foundation of development and diversity. “People will endorse this in the upcoming panchayat elections. Yes, the journey to Delhi originates in the rural heartland of Bengal,” Derek O’Brien, TMC parliamentary party leader in Rajya Sabha, told PTI. Brien’s views were echoed by his party colleague Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who is of the view that the panchayat polls will be the most important election ahead of Lok Sabha polls. “Panchayat elections resonates the views of the grass-roots and the masses. In villages, people are dependent on their gram panchayats … The activities of elected representatives at panchayats and zilla parishads come as a added benefit for the political parties he or she represents,” Bandyopadhyay told PTI. The elections will be held across 48,650 seats in 3,358 gram panchayats, 9,217 seats at 341 panchayat samitis, and 825 seats at 20 zilla parishads. Another senior TMC leader came up with an analogy on how results of panchayat polls directly influence the Lok Sabha election in Bengal. “Our victory in South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore zilla parishads in the 2008 panchayat polls had led to the party winning 19 seats in the 2009 Lok Sabha election. The stellar performance in 2013 panchayat polls, when it won the maximum number of zilla parishads, also led TMC to bag 34 Lok Sabha seats in 2014,” he explained. However, he admitted that despite winning so many seats, the party could not have a major role after the 2014 elections, as the BJP managed full majority. “But this time, things will be different from 2014 and TMC will play a defining role after 2019,” the TMC leader said. The TMC leadership has time and again emphasised that it will play a major role on the national level, after next year’s Lok Sabha polls. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had last month said she would try to unite all the anti-BJP forces to defeat the saffron party in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The TMC top brass had also met several leaders of various Opposition parties, including UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and TRS chief K C Rao, aiming to cobble up a formidable front against the BJP. Opposition parties cutting across political lines feel that the TMC’s urge to prove its mettle in the panchayat elections in order to find firm footing in the Lok Sabha polls next year, has led to unprecedented violence over filing of nominations for the rural polls. The TMC has denied all such accusations. Displeased with the State Election Commission’s recent decision to cancel its own order to extend the nomination process by a day, the Calcutta High Court had on April 12 put a stay on the ongoing panchayat election process till further instruction. “Because of their ambition to play a major role and to send out a message that TMC is invincible in Bengal so that they be allowed to lead the anti-BJP front, they are looking to win the panchayat polls without any opposition,” state Congress president Adhir Chowdhury said. Senior BJP leader Mukul Roy, who was once number two in the TMC and been instrumental in its performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, feels TMC’s wish to be a major national force will never be fulfilled as the BJP will “decimate” the ruling party in Bengal in the next Lok Sabha election. “The people of Bengal are yearning for a change and BJP will bring that change,” Roy said. State Panchayat Minister and TMC leader Subrata Mukherjee said the party will win the panchayat polls and that it cannot take the onus of failure to file nominations. “How can we take the onus of opposition not being able to file nominations? We can’t provide them with man power to file nominations. The people of Bengal are with TMC. I won’t comment any further as the matter is sub judice,” Mukherjee added.

Mamata Banerjee’s 2019 dream faces litmus test in West Bengal Panchayat election

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Saturday expressed confidence of winning 21 seats out of 25 parliamentary constituencies from the North East in the Lok Sabha polls in 2019.

&quot;In the upcoming elections of 2019, the BJP will win more than 21 seats out of the 25 seats (of North East),&quot; Amit Shah said while addressing a rally in Guwahati.

BJP won 12 of the remaining 26 seats that were at stake in crucial <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-makes-gains-in-rajya-sabha-elections-2018-36925">Rajya Sabha</a> biennial polls in seven states on Saturday amid high drama in Uttar Pradesh where it clinched an extra ninth seat overcoming the newfound bonhomie between former arch rivals SP and BSP.

Shah even attacked the Congress party and raised a question on the initiatives taken by them for the development of the Assam.

&quot;The BJP wants to ensure Assam`s progress through development. Congress leaders including their party president had visited North East for rallies and had put baseless allegations on us. I want to ask Rahul Gandhi, what did he do for Assam&#39;s development in last 10 years?&quot; Shah asked.

BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday challenged the opposition to bring the no-confidence motion in the parliament.&quot;I challenge the opposition to bring the no-confidence motion. The BJP govt is all prepared to face the Motion, we have the absolute majority with us.&#39;&#39;&nbsp;

Accusing the opposition of stalling the house, Shah said that the ruling party was ready to discuss all issues.

Meanwhile, days after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tdps-decision-to-quit-nda-unfortunate-unilateral-amit-shah-writes-to-cm-naidu-36911">Chandrababu Naidu</a>&#39;s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) exited the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the centre, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah has written an open letter to the state chief minister, saying his party&#39;s decision to break alliance is unfortunate and unilateral.

Shah, in the letter, explained BJP&#39;s position and has blamed TDP of quitting NDA due to political considerations.

&ldquo;(TDP) decision is both unfortunate as well as unilateral. It is a decision; I am afraid, will be construed as being guided wholly and solely by political considerations instead of development concerns,&quot; Shah wrote.

Shah even attacked the Congress party and raised a question on the initiatives taken by them for the development of the Assam

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Saturday expressed confidence of winning 21 seats out of 25 parliamentary constituencies from the North East in the Lok Sabha polls in 2019. "In the upcoming elections of 2019, the BJP will win more than 21 seats out of the 25 seats (of North East)," Amit Shah said while addressing a rally in Guwahati. BJP won 12 of the remaining 26 seats that were at stake in crucial Rajya Sabha biennial polls in seven states on Saturday amid high drama in Uttar Pradesh where it clinched an extra ninth seat overcoming the newfound bonhomie between former arch rivals SP and BSP. Shah even attacked the Congress party and raised a question on the initiatives taken by them for the development of the Assam. "The BJP wants to ensure Assam`s progress through development. Congress leaders including their party president had visited North East for rallies and had put baseless allegations on us. I want to ask Rahul Gandhi, what did he do for Assam's development in last 10 years?" Shah asked. BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday challenged the opposition to bring the no-confidence motion in the parliament."I challenge the opposition to bring the no-confidence motion. The BJP govt is all prepared to face the Motion, we have the absolute majority with us.'' Accusing the opposition of stalling the house, Shah said that the ruling party was ready to discuss all issues. Meanwhile, days after Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) exited the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the centre, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah has written an open letter to the state chief minister, saying his party's decision to break alliance is unfortunate and unilateral. Shah, in the letter, explained BJP's position and has blamed TDP of quitting NDA due to political considerations. “(TDP) decision is both unfortunate as well as unilateral. It is a decision; I am afraid, will be construed as being guided wholly and solely by political considerations instead of development concerns," Shah wrote.

BJP will win majority of North East seats in 2019 elections: Amit Shah

Terming the BJP&#39;s loss in the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha bypoll a &quot;defeat of ego and arrogance&quot;, the Shiv Sena today launched a fresh salvo at its ally, saying the party&#39;s strength in the Lower House of Parliament will come down by at least 110 seats in the 2019 general elections.

The Sena also taunted its ally saying those who abandon their friends and &quot;tread the path of lies&quot; are destined to lose.

&quot;The BJP won the tiny state of Tripura. While the party was celebrating the victory, the results of two Lok Sabha bypolls in Uttar Pradesh took the shine off the win.

&quot;These results have created panic in the BJP camp. The party&#39;s two strongholds- Gorakhpur and Phulpur- were won by the SP,&quot; the Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece- &#39;Saamana&#39;.

It said that since the Modi government came to power, bypolls to 10 Lok Sabha seats were conducted, of which the BJP lost nine.

&quot;Initially, there were 282 BJP MPs in the Lok Sabha, but the figure has now come down to 272. Under the leadership of Modi and Amit Shah, the BJP has lost virtually every bypoll,&quot; the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said.

The editorial referred to the BJP&#39;s stunning victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls last year as it attacked the party over its loss in the Gorakhpur byoll.

&quot;Last year, the BJP set a record by winning 325 seats in UP Assembly polls. Yogi Adityanath became the chief minister, while Keshav Maurya became his deputy. Since 1991, Adityanath had never lost the Gorakhpur seat. But now, despite being the CM, his party lost. If the BJP could topple the Left government in Tripura, why couldn&#39;t it win Gorakhpur?&quot; it asked.

In Bihar, the Araria Lok Sabha seat and the Jehanabad Assembly seat were won by the RJD, it said. &quot;All this shows that the BJP is losing ground,&quot; it said.

&quot;It is now clear that in 2019, the BJP will not get 280 seats. The number will come down by at least 100-110. Therefore, the BJP needs to remain grounded. Defeat is certain for those who abandon their friends and tread the path of lies. When the downfall starts, no Chanakya can stop it,&quot; it said.

&quot;(TMC chief) Mamata Banerjee says this is the beginning of BJP&#39;s downfall. We do not know if this is true, but what is certain is that the people who supported the party (in 2014), are now pushing it to the ground.&quot;

The party said that after the bypolls in Rajasthan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that the Congress should only contest bypolls now. &quot;The BJP&#39;s loss in the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha bypoll is a defeat of ego and arrogance,&quot; the Sena added.&nbsp;

The Sena also taunted its ally saying those who abandon their friends and 'tread the path of lies' are destined to lose

Terming the BJP's loss in the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha bypoll a "defeat of ego and arrogance", the Shiv Sena today launched a fresh salvo at its ally, saying the party's strength in the Lower House of Parliament will come down by at least 110 seats in the 2019 general elections. The Sena also taunted its ally saying those who abandon their friends and "tread the path of lies" are destined to lose. "The BJP won the tiny state of Tripura. While the party was celebrating the victory, the results of two Lok Sabha bypolls in Uttar Pradesh took the shine off the win. "These results have created panic in the BJP camp. The party's two strongholds- Gorakhpur and Phulpur- were won by the SP," the Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece- 'Saamana'. It said that since the Modi government came to power, bypolls to 10 Lok Sabha seats were conducted, of which the BJP lost nine. "Initially, there were 282 BJP MPs in the Lok Sabha, but the figure has now come down to 272. Under the leadership of Modi and Amit Shah, the BJP has lost virtually every bypoll," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said. The editorial referred to the BJP's stunning victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls last year as it attacked the party over its loss in the Gorakhpur byoll. "Last year, the BJP set a record by winning 325 seats in UP Assembly polls. Yogi Adityanath became the chief minister, while Keshav Maurya became his deputy. Since 1991, Adityanath had never lost the Gorakhpur seat. But now, despite being the CM, his party lost. If the BJP could topple the Left government in Tripura, why couldn't it win Gorakhpur?" it asked. In Bihar, the Araria Lok Sabha seat and the Jehanabad Assembly seat were won by the RJD, it said. "All this shows that the BJP is losing ground," it said. "It is now clear that in 2019, the BJP will not get 280 seats. The number will come down by at least 100-110. Therefore, the BJP needs to remain grounded. Defeat is certain for those who abandon their friends and tread the path of lies. When the downfall starts, no Chanakya can stop it," it said. "(TMC chief) Mamata Banerjee says this is the beginning of BJP's downfall. We do not know if this is true, but what is certain is that the people who supported the party (in 2014), are now pushing it to the ground." The party said that after the bypolls in Rajasthan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that the Congress should only contest bypolls now. "The BJP's loss in the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha bypoll is a defeat of ego and arrogance," the Sena added.

BJP's Lok Sabha tally in 2019 will reduce by 110 seats, says Sena

Political obituaries are easy to write but political events are far more difficult to predict.&nbsp;

Political parties rebound from losses and state elections are not the key to understanding the prevalent mood in the country. The BJP misunderstood the verdict of the assembly elections and called early national elections, only to lose them to the UPA in 2004. Similarly,&nbsp; the AAP misunderstood its resurgence and failed terribly in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

But that does not mean that verdicts have no meaning at all.&nbsp;

Byelections indicate a trend and if capitalised on, can turn into tsunamis. Whether it was the re-election of Indira Gandhi from Medak in 1980 or of VP Singh from Allahabad in 1987, those byelections demonstrated the mood of the nation and the complacency of a party in a particular area.

In one case, it foretold the return of Indira and in the other, showcased the unity of the Opposition and the undoing of the Congress. The former ended Indira&rsquo;s political isolation while the latter led to Rajiv Gandhi&rsquo;s isolation the numbers being with him.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-bypolls-up-shocker-sp-wins-both-yogi-bastion-of-gorakhpur-and-phulpur-seat-35824" target="_blank">Gorakhpur byelection</a> points in this direction.

The incumbent government is getting politically isolated. Political isolation is often a prelude to intense electoral Opposition directed against an individual.

The first time such phenomena was witnessed in India was while Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister.

Already rattled by the call of total revolution and an adverse court judgement, Indira imposed the Emergency. It united the Opposition and from Congress vs the rest, the battle turned into Indira vs the rest. Similarly, Rajiv Gandhi too faced an onslaught from his former colleagues on the charge of corruption and the entire Opposition fell in line, turning that tussle into Rajiv Gandhi vs the rest.&nbsp;

The same phenomenon is being witnessed today.

In both cases, before the loss at the hustings, Indira and Rajiv were politically isolated and bereft of any sympathy or support outside their own parties. Both times, senior leaders of the Congress jumped ship and joined the Opposition. Despite having the numbers and their achievements, those governments became lame-duck ones. And Indira and Rajiv became the target&nbsp;of ridicule and caustic campaigns which eroded their gravitas in public life. The results&nbsp;were mandates which ousted them from power.

The incumbent government also faces the spectre of political isolation from not only the Opposition but also its own allies.

The problem stems from its strength and not its weakness. Its allies are worried the BJP has not participated in the&nbsp;give-and-take that is part of a coalition government. For the Opposition meanwhile, it is matter of survival. And in all of this, Prime Minister Modi stands alone.

The general election is still a year away and the ideological contradictions of regional parties that band together may repel the electorate. The electorate may even stay with the BJP because of the lack of an Opposition prime ministerial candidate matching Modi&rsquo;s stature but that does not belie the fact that the BJP stands alone today.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The BJP stands alone today, isolated not only from the Opposition but also its own allies

Political obituaries are easy to write but political events are far more difficult to predict. Political parties rebound from losses and state elections are not the key to understanding the prevalent mood in the country. The BJP misunderstood the verdict of the assembly elections and called early national elections, only to lose them to the UPA in 2004. Similarly, the AAP misunderstood its resurgence and failed terribly in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. But that does not mean that verdicts have no meaning at all. Byelections indicate a trend and if capitalised on, can turn into tsunamis. Whether it was the re-election of Indira Gandhi from Medak in 1980 or of VP Singh from Allahabad in 1987, those byelections demonstrated the mood of the nation and the complacency of a party in a particular area. In one case, it foretold the return of Indira and in the other, showcased the unity of the Opposition and the undoing of the Congress. The former ended Indira’s political isolation while the latter led to Rajiv Gandhi’s isolation the numbers being with him. The Gorakhpur byelection points in this direction. The incumbent government is getting politically isolated. Political isolation is often a prelude to intense electoral Opposition directed against an individual. The first time such phenomena was witnessed in India was while Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister. Already rattled by the call of total revolution and an adverse court judgement, Indira imposed the Emergency. It united the Opposition and from Congress vs the rest, the battle turned into Indira vs the rest. Similarly, Rajiv Gandhi too faced an onslaught from his former colleagues on the charge of corruption and the entire Opposition fell in line, turning that tussle into Rajiv Gandhi vs the rest. The same phenomenon is being witnessed today. In both cases, before the loss at the hustings, Indira and Rajiv were politically isolated and bereft of any sympathy or support outside their own parties. Both times, senior leaders of the Congress jumped ship and joined the Opposition. Despite having the numbers and their achievements, those governments became lame-duck ones. And Indira and Rajiv became the target of ridicule and caustic campaigns which eroded their gravitas in public life. The results were mandates which ousted them from power. The incumbent government also faces the spectre of political isolation from not only the Opposition but also its own allies. The problem stems from its strength and not its weakness. Its allies are worried the BJP has not participated in the give-and-take that is part of a coalition government. For the Opposition meanwhile, it is matter of survival. And in all of this, Prime Minister Modi stands alone. The general election is still a year away and the ideological contradictions of regional parties that band together may repel the electorate. The electorate may even stay with the BJP because of the lack of an Opposition prime ministerial candidate matching Modi’s stature but that does not belie the fact that the BJP stands alone today.

Will Modi be able to beat what seems like impending political isolation?

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said Tuesday that the next general elections and the elections to the Maharashtra state assembly could be held in December 2018.&nbsp;

Thackeray was speaking at a national executive meet of his party. The Sena also announced Tuesday that it would contest the elections <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-not-align-with-bjp-in-2019-lok-sabha-assembly-elections-shiv-sena-30469" target="_blank">on its own</a>, not in alliance with the BJP.&nbsp;

Addressing the meet, Thackeray said that &quot;we should bring down this self-advertising government&quot;.&nbsp;

And that &quot;we will come to power in Maharashtra on our own&quot;.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Shiv Sena&#39;s Uddhav Thackeray speaking at Party&#39;s national executive meeting in Mumbai <a href="https://t.co/0sqKAuSckG">https://t.co/0sqKAuSckG</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/955701707429703680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Sena has so far been a difficult BJP ally, taking the ruling BJP to task both in Maharashtra and at the Centre.&nbsp;

The last general and Maharashtra assembly elections were held in 2014. Which means they should be going to the polls again in 2019.&nbsp;

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is currently in Davos, reacted to the announcements saying &quot;let&#39;s wait, they have been saying many things&quot;.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He added that his government would &quot;complete its term&quot;.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> &#39;Lets wait, they have been saying many things, as of now we are in alliance in the Govt and this Govt will complete its term&#39; says Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Davos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Davos</a> on Shiv Sena going alone in 2019 <a href="https://t.co/JEPm6Wcy5g">pic.twitter.com/JEPm6Wcy5g</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/955719332553568256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The Shiv Sena announced Tuesday that it would contest the elections on its own, not in alliance with the BJP.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said Tuesday that the next general elections and the elections to the Maharashtra state assembly could be held in December 2018. Thackeray was speaking at a national executive meet of his party. The Sena also announced Tuesday that it would contest the elections on its own, not in alliance with the BJP. Addressing the meet, Thackeray said that "we should bring down this self-advertising government". And that "we will come to power in Maharashtra on our own". #WATCH Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray speaking at Party's national executive meeting in Mumbai https://t.co/0sqKAuSckG — ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2018 × The Sena has so far been a difficult BJP ally, taking the ruling BJP to task both in Maharashtra and at the Centre. The last general and Maharashtra assembly elections were held in 2014. Which means they should be going to the polls again in 2019. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is currently in Davos, reacted to the announcements saying "let's wait, they have been saying many things". He added that his government would "complete its term". #WATCH 'Lets wait, they have been saying many things, as of now we are in alliance in the Govt and this Govt will complete its term' says Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis in #Davos on Shiv Sena going alone in 2019 pic.twitter.com/JEPm6Wcy5g — ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2018 ×

Uddhav Thackeray: Lok Sabha, Maharashtra elections could be held in 2018

Britain&#39;s departure from the EU could be delayed until late 2019 as civil servants struggle with the task and French and German elections may hold up the start of exit negotiations, a report said on Sunday. 
 
Prime Minister Theresa May&#39;s government has indicated that it is planning to trigger Article 50 of the EU&#39;s Lisbon Treaty, which would start a two-year countdown to leaving the bloc, early in 2017. 
 
But the Sunday Times newspaper said ministers had privately warned senior figures in the City of London financial sector that this may not now happen until later in the year, delaying Brexit until late 2019. 
 
&quot;Ministers are now thinking the trigger could be delayed to autumn 2017,&quot; said one City source who had spoken to two senior ministers on the issue. 
 
&quot;They don&#39;t have the infrastructure for the people they need to hire. They say they don&#39;t even know the right questions to ask when they finally begin bargaining with Europe.&quot; 
 
An unnamed cabinet minister told the paper there were &quot;some challenges&quot; in the German and French electoral timetables. 
 
France has presidential elections in April and May next year, and Germany has elections in the autumn. 
 
May created a new ministry to oversee Brexit talks following the June 23 referendum vote to leave the EU, but the minister in charge, 
David Davis, has reportedly only hired about half of the staff that he needs. 
 
Another new department, the ministry for international trade under Liam Fox, also has an uphill task to recruit experts after decades of leaving the job to Brussels left Britain with only a handful of experienced negotiators. 
 
(AFP)

Theresa May's government plans to initiate exit process not before 2017, said a source who has spoken to two senior ministers on the issue

Britain's departure from the EU could be delayed until late 2019 as civil servants struggle with the task and French and German elections may hold up the start of exit negotiations, a report said on Sunday. Prime Minister Theresa May's government has indicated that it is planning to trigger Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, which would start a two-year countdown to leaving the bloc, early in 2017. But the Sunday Times newspaper said ministers had privately warned senior figures in the City of London financial sector that this may not now happen until later in the year, delaying Brexit until late 2019. "Ministers are now thinking the trigger could be delayed to autumn 2017," said one City source who had spoken to two senior ministers on the issue. "They don't have the infrastructure for the people they need to hire. They say they don't even know the right questions to ask when they finally begin bargaining with Europe." An unnamed cabinet minister told the paper there were "some challenges" in the German and French electoral timetables. France has presidential elections in April and May next year, and Germany has elections in the autumn. May created a new ministry to oversee Brexit talks following the June 23 referendum vote to leave the EU, but the minister in charge, David Davis, has reportedly only hired about half of the staff that he needs. Another new department, the ministry for international trade under Liam Fox, also has an uphill task to recruit experts after decades of leaving the job to Brussels left Britain with only a handful of experienced negotiators. (AFP)

Brexit could be delayed till 2019 due to 'lack of infrastructure'

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