<p>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.</p>

<p>&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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Shah even attacked the Congress party and raised a question on the initiatives taken by them for the development of the Assam.</p>

<p>&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.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>Accusing the opposition of stalling the house, Shah said that the ruling party was ready to discuss all issues.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Shah, in the letter, explained BJP&#39;s position and has blamed TDP of quitting NDA due to political considerations.</p>

<p>&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.</p>


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

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday accused the opposition of spreading lies against his government due to its increasing &quot;frustration&quot; over electoral losses, and asked BJP MPs to use technology effectively to take the truth to the masses.</p>

<p>At the BJP Parliamentary Party meet, Modi and party chief Amit Shah asked their MPs to observe Social Justice Day on Dalit icon Bhim Rao Ambedkar&#39;s birth anniversary, Swachh Bharat Divas and other events between April 14 and May 5, party leaders Prakash Javadekar and Anil Baluni told reporters in Delhi.</p>

<p>&quot;Modi told the MPs that the party is in power so that we can take the country to new heights, and asked them to work on the ground,&quot; Javadekar said.</p>

<p>The prime minister told the MPs to use technology to present facts and reach out to people as the opposition was spreading lies against the government out of frustration.</p>

<p>Shah in his speech blamed the opposition for the impasse in Parliament and asked the MPs to hold pressers in the next three days in their parliamentary constituencies to highlight the matter, Baluni said.</p>

<p>With the party gearing up for Lok Sabha polls next year, Shah asked MPs to work to strengthen booth-level organisation in their constituencies, asserting that the organisation&#39;s work at the booth level, along with BJP&#39;s ideology and Modi&#39;s leadership, has been a key reason for its success.</p>

<p>Baluni said that the party will celebrate the period between April 14 and May 5 as &quot;Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan&quot;, and Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar gave a presentation on it.</p>

<p>April 14, the birth anniversary of Dalit icon Bhim Rao Ambedkar, will be celebrated as Social Justice Day.</p>

<p>It will be followed by Swachh Bharat Diwas on April 18, Ujjawala Diwas on April 20, Panchayati Raj Diwas on April 24 and Swasth Bharat Diwas on April 30.</p>

<p>Kisan Kalyan Diwas will be observed on May 2 and Aajevika Kuashal Diwas on May 5.</p>

<p>Baluni said that Jitendra Singh gave a presentation to the MPs on developing the 115 most backward districts in the country.</p>

<p>Singh said that the prime minister will visit the best performing district.</p>

<p>This was the first BJP Parliamentary Party meeting at its new headquarters at the Deendayal Upadhyay Marg here.</p>


The prime minister told the MPs to use technology to present facts and reach out to people as the opposition was spreading lies against the government out of frustration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday accused the opposition of spreading lies against his government due to its increasing "frustration" over electoral losses, and asked BJP MPs to use technology effectively to take the truth to the masses. At the BJP Parliamentary Party meet, Modi and party chief Amit Shah asked their MPs to observe Social Justice Day on Dalit icon Bhim Rao Ambedkar's birth anniversary, Swachh Bharat Divas and other events between April 14 and May 5, party leaders Prakash Javadekar and Anil Baluni told reporters in Delhi. "Modi told the MPs that the party is in power so that we can take the country to new heights, and asked them to work on the ground," Javadekar said. The prime minister told the MPs to use technology to present facts and reach out to people as the opposition was spreading lies against the government out of frustration. Shah in his speech blamed the opposition for the impasse in Parliament and asked the MPs to hold pressers in the next three days in their parliamentary constituencies to highlight the matter, Baluni said. With the party gearing up for Lok Sabha polls next year, Shah asked MPs to work to strengthen booth-level organisation in their constituencies, asserting that the organisation's work at the booth level, along with BJP's ideology and Modi's leadership, has been a key reason for its success. Baluni said that the party will celebrate the period between April 14 and May 5 as "Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan", and Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar gave a presentation on it. April 14, the birth anniversary of Dalit icon Bhim Rao Ambedkar, will be celebrated as Social Justice Day. It will be followed by Swachh Bharat Diwas on April 18, Ujjawala Diwas on April 20, Panchayati Raj Diwas on April 24 and Swasth Bharat Diwas on April 30. Kisan Kalyan Diwas will be observed on May 2 and Aajevika Kuashal Diwas on May 5. Baluni said that Jitendra Singh gave a presentation to the MPs on developing the 115 most backward districts in the country. Singh said that the prime minister will visit the best performing district. This was the first BJP Parliamentary Party meeting at its new headquarters at the Deendayal Upadhyay Marg here.

Frustrated Opposition spreading lies against government: Modi

<p>Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged on Saturday that BJP President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tdps-decision-to-quit-nda-unfortunate-unilateral-amit-shah-writes-to-cm-naidu-36911">Amit Shah&#39;s letter </a>to him was &quot;full of false information&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The TDP chief said that the BJP-led central government was providing special benefits to the North Eastern states even now and had Andhra Pradesh been given the same &quot;hand-holding&quot;, many industries would have come to the state.</p>

<p>&quot;Amit Shah&#39;s letter is full of false information which shows their attitude. Even now Centre is providing special benefits to North Eastern states. Had Andhra Pradesh been given the same hand holding, many industries would have come to the state,&quot; the Andhra Pradesh chief minister said.</p>

<p>Chandrababu Naidu also refuted Amit Shah&#39;s charge that the TDP had quit the NDA for political reasons. He said it was done &quot;in accordance with people&#39;s aspirations&quot;. The Andhra Pradesh chief minister also said that despite being the highest contributor to the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST), the state was still lagging behind all other states in per capita income.</p>

<p>&quot;TDP had won local body elections before bifurcation. After bifurcation, people were in an insecure position. We allied with BJP for welfare of state. Amit Shah in his letter wrote we quit NDA for political reasons. But we did so in accordance with people&#39;s aspirations,&quot; Chandrababu Naidu said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;TDP is synonymous with development. Andhra Pradesh is the highest contributor to CGST. Despite our strong efforts and better development in GDP, Andhra is still lagging behind all the southern states in per capita income,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The TDP chief said it was the &quot;unscientific division&quot; of the state into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana that had pushed the former 10 years back and that the BJP government was equally responsible for bifurcating the state.</p>

<p>&quot;Unscientific division of state pushed us 10 years back. Centre is responsible for that. You claim you&#39;re sensitive to our problems. But in reality you too were equally responsible for passing bifurcation bill within 20 minutes behind closed doors,&quot; Chandrababu Naidu said.</p>

<p>In his letter to Chandrababu Naidu, Amit Shah claimed that the TDP chief&#39;s decision to quit the ruling NDA was guided by &quot;political considerations&quot; instead of Andhra Pradesh&#39;s development concerns, and dubbed his move &quot;unfortunate and unilateral&quot;.</p>

<p>Amit Shah also said that the BJP is a true well-wisher of the state.</p>

<p>He also cited a number of development projects undertaken by the Centre for the state, besides funds given to it, as he sought to reject the charge that the Modi government had not fulfilled its promises.</p>

<p>&quot;You may recall that during the previous Lok Sabha and in Rajya Sabha, when your party did not have adequate representation, it was the BJP that set the agenda and ensured that justice is done to the hardworking Telugu people in both states,&quot; the BJP chief had written in his letter.</p>

<p>Listing five infrastructure projects the Central government has initiated in the state, Shah said &quot;a perusal of these would reaffirm what you already know and perhaps would not admit that Central government has fulfilled its obligations and that BJP is a genuine friend add true well-wisher of the state.&quot;</p>

<p>The TDP pulled out of the BJP-led alliance over the refusal to accord special category status to Andhra Pradesh and fulfil other commitments made at the time of state&#39;s division in 2014.</p>

<p>The party has also given notice for a no-confidence motion against the Modi government in the Lok Sabha, which could not be taken up due to an unending uproar in the Lower House.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


In his letter to Chandrababu Naidu, Amit Shah claimed that the TDP chief's decision to quit the ruling NDA was guided by 'political considerations' instead of Andhra Pradesh's development concerns

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged on Saturday that BJP President Amit Shah's letter to him was "full of false information". The TDP chief said that the BJP-led central government was providing special benefits to the North Eastern states even now and had Andhra Pradesh been given the same "hand-holding", many industries would have come to the state. "Amit Shah's letter is full of false information which shows their attitude. Even now Centre is providing special benefits to North Eastern states. Had Andhra Pradesh been given the same hand holding, many industries would have come to the state," the Andhra Pradesh chief minister said. Chandrababu Naidu also refuted Amit Shah's charge that the TDP had quit the NDA for political reasons. He said it was done "in accordance with people's aspirations". The Andhra Pradesh chief minister also said that despite being the highest contributor to the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST), the state was still lagging behind all other states in per capita income. "TDP had won local body elections before bifurcation. After bifurcation, people were in an insecure position. We allied with BJP for welfare of state. Amit Shah in his letter wrote we quit NDA for political reasons. But we did so in accordance with people's aspirations," Chandrababu Naidu said. "TDP is synonymous with development. Andhra Pradesh is the highest contributor to CGST. Despite our strong efforts and better development in GDP, Andhra is still lagging behind all the southern states in per capita income," he said. The TDP chief said it was the "unscientific division" of the state into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana that had pushed the former 10 years back and that the BJP government was equally responsible for bifurcating the state. "Unscientific division of state pushed us 10 years back. Centre is responsible for that. You claim you're sensitive to our problems. But in reality you too were equally responsible for passing bifurcation bill within 20 minutes behind closed doors," Chandrababu Naidu said. In his letter to Chandrababu Naidu, Amit Shah claimed that the TDP chief's decision to quit the ruling NDA was guided by "political considerations" instead of Andhra Pradesh's development concerns, and dubbed his move "unfortunate and unilateral". Amit Shah also said that the BJP is a true well-wisher of the state. He also cited a number of development projects undertaken by the Centre for the state, besides funds given to it, as he sought to reject the charge that the Modi government had not fulfilled its promises. "You may recall that during the previous Lok Sabha and in Rajya Sabha, when your party did not have adequate representation, it was the BJP that set the agenda and ensured that justice is done to the hardworking Telugu people in both states," the BJP chief had written in his letter. Listing five infrastructure projects the Central government has initiated in the state, Shah said "a perusal of these would reaffirm what you already know and perhaps would not admit that Central government has fulfilled its obligations and that BJP is a genuine friend add true well-wisher of the state." The TDP pulled out of the BJP-led alliance over the refusal to accord special category status to Andhra Pradesh and fulfil other commitments made at the time of state's division in 2014. The party has also given notice for a no-confidence motion against the Modi government in the Lok Sabha, which could not be taken up due to an unending uproar in the Lower House.

Amit Shah's letter full of 'false information': Chandrababu Naidu

<p>Dinesh Karthik blasted 29 off just 8 balls and inspired team India to win the finals of Nidahas Trophy T20 tri-series at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.</p>

<p>He played at an average of 362.50 and was honoured with the man of the match award.</p>

<p><strong><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-india-bangladesh-nidahas-trophy-tri-series-final-t20-rohit-sharma-shakib-al-hasan-yuzvendra-chahal-shikhar-dhawan-score-updates-36273">Also read:&nbsp;India win nail-biting thriller as Dinesh Karthik hits match-winning six</a></strong></p>

<p>At a moment when Manish Pandey lost his wicket and India needed 34 runs with 2 overs remaining, it was looking next to impossible to win from there but Dinesh Karthik emerged as a champion and finished the nail-biting match by hitting a six on the last ball.</p>

<p>Bangladesh failed to strategise the last overs properly as the jinx of not winning T20 match against India continues.</p>

<p>See how Twitterati reacted to Dinesh magnificent innings.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What a thrilling game! Superb finish by Dinesh Kartik led to smashing victory&nbsp;against Bangladesh. Congratulations to the entire team for winning the&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NidahasTrophy2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NidahasTrophy2018</a>&nbsp;T20 tri-series final.</p>
&mdash; Amit Shah (@AmitShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah/status/975431701831630848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">T 2747 - INDIA WINS !! T20 in the TRI championship VS BanglaDesh .. what a thriller .. BD had us on the ropes .. and Dinesh Kartik, you beauty .. a brilliant knock .. 24 needed in last 2 overs .. 5 runs and 1 ball left and he hits a 6 ! INCREDIBLE ! CONGRATULATIONS !! <a href="https://t.co/je0WyaWzpe">pic.twitter.com/je0WyaWzpe</a></p>
&mdash; Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) <a href="https://twitter.com/SrBachchan/status/975433887261184005?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Amazing victory by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a>. Superb batting by <a href="https://twitter.com/DineshKarthik?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DineshKarthik</a>. A great knock by <a href="https://twitter.com/ImRo45?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImRo45</a> to set the platform.<br />
<br />
What a finish to a final!!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NidahasTrophy2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NidahasTrophy2018</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvsBAN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvsBAN</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZYDl6jzVWl">pic.twitter.com/ZYDl6jzVWl</a></p>
&mdash; Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) <a href="https://twitter.com/sachin_rt/status/975422188323930113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle said, &quot;This is the best he has been batting in his career.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dinesh Karthik made his debut before Dhoni. But he is still only 32 and batting better than ever before. Could well be a wonderful second wind for him if he can keep his form from the last 2 years</p>
&mdash; Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) <a href="https://twitter.com/bhogleharsha/status/975420809551335425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Easily the best hand Dinesh Karthik has played in his career. Been saying it for a while, this is the best he has been batting in his career</p>
&mdash; Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) <a href="https://twitter.com/bhogleharsha/status/975418995342901250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Been harping on this for a while -<br />
Dinesh Karthik is a very competent batsman and team man.<br />
No way he shouldn&#39;t be 2nd or minimum 3rd keeper.<br />
Should have played those two tests in South Africa.</p>
&mdash; Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) <a href="https://twitter.com/hankypanty/status/975435920265551872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">DINESH KARTHIK, YOU BEAUTY!????????????????????????????????????????????<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NidahasOnDSport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NidahasOnDSport</a></p>
&mdash; Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) <a href="https://twitter.com/sanjaymanjrekar/status/975422751136669696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dinesh Karthik has just played the knock of his life. Has had quite a few utility performances in supporting role over the years, but this is one for folklore.. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvBAN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvBAN</a> .. Cool and calm as you like with 5 needed.. wowzaaa</p>
&mdash; Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) <a href="https://twitter.com/jatinsapru/status/975419258682429440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! DINESH KARTIK OH MY GOD !!!!!!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvBAN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvBAN</a> ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????</p>
&mdash; Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/RanveerOfficial/status/975418876837158912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Finishes with a SIX. Dinesh Karthik, you beauty. Brought India back from the dead. One of the key gains from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NidahasTrophy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NidahasTrophy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvBAN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvBAN</a></p>
&mdash; Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketaakash/status/975419145670950913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What a finish!!! Well played big guy <a href="https://twitter.com/DineshKarthik?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DineshKarthik</a>. Outstanding effort by the team. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvBAN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvBAN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/topstuff?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#topstuff</a></p>
&mdash; Jasprit bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jaspritbumrah93/status/975424654943899648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Well done Team India <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BCCI</a> . What an amazing win. <a href="https://twitter.com/DineshKarthik?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DineshKarthik</a> what a knock under pressure. This is a bunch of youngsters and they&#39;ve done so well on this tour. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvBAN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvBAN</a></p>
&mdash; Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamyusufpathan/status/975420417635770368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Top inn <a href="https://twitter.com/DineshKarthik?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DineshKarthik</a> very well done.. special hitting.. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/indvsBang?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#indvsBang</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BCCI</a> congratulations <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> captain <a href="https://twitter.com/ImRo45?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImRo45</a> ????????????</p>
&mdash; Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) <a href="https://twitter.com/harbhajan_singh/status/975420255530094593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Remarkable win boys <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bcci</a> ???? pretty much typifies the brand of cricket we play ???????? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDVBAN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDVBAN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Champions?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Champions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/supremacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#supremacy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NidahasTrophy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NidahasTrophy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NidahasTrophyFinal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NidahasTrophyFinal</a> <a href="https://t.co/ewUKclUX29">pic.twitter.com/ewUKclUX29</a></p>
&mdash; Murali Vijay (@mvj888) <a href="https://twitter.com/mvj888/status/975418962094600194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Dinesh Karthik played at a strike rate of 362.50 and was honoured with the man of the match award

Dinesh Karthik blasted 29 off just 8 balls and inspired team India to win the finals of Nidahas Trophy T20 tri-series at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. He played at an average of 362.50 and was honoured with the man of the match award. Also read: India win nail-biting thriller as Dinesh Karthik hits match-winning six At a moment when Manish Pandey lost his wicket and India needed 34 runs with 2 overs remaining, it was looking next to impossible to win from there but Dinesh Karthik emerged as a champion and finished the nail-biting match by hitting a six on the last ball. Bangladesh failed to strategise the last overs properly as the jinx of not winning T20 match against India continues. See how Twitterati reacted to Dinesh magnificent innings. What a thrilling game! Superb finish by Dinesh Kartik led to smashing victory against Bangladesh. Congratulations to the entire team for winning the #NidahasTrophy2018 T20 tri-series final. — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 18, 2018 × T 2747 - INDIA WINS !! T20 in the TRI championship VS BanglaDesh .. what a thriller .. BD had us on the ropes .. and Dinesh Kartik, you beauty .. a brilliant knock .. 24 needed in last 2 overs .. 5 runs and 1 ball left and he hits a 6 ! INCREDIBLE ! CONGRATULATIONS !! pic.twitter.com/je0WyaWzpe — Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) March 18, 2018 × Amazing victory by #TeamIndia. Superb batting by @DineshKarthik. A great knock by @ImRo45 to set the platform. What a finish to a final!!#NidahasTrophy2018 #INDvsBAN pic.twitter.com/ZYDl6jzVWl — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 18, 2018 × Cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle said, "This is the best he has been batting in his career." Dinesh Karthik made his debut before Dhoni. But he is still only 32 and batting better than ever before. Could well be a wonderful second wind for him if he can keep his form from the last 2 years — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 18, 2018 × Easily the best hand Dinesh Karthik has played in his career. Been saying it for a while, this is the best he has been batting in his career — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 18, 2018 × Been harping on this for a while - Dinesh Karthik is a very competent batsman and team man. No way he shouldn't be 2nd or minimum 3rd keeper. Should have played those two tests in South Africa. — Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) March 18, 2018 × DINESH KARTHIK, YOU BEAUTY!????????????????????????????????????????????#NidahasOnDSport — Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 18, 2018 × Dinesh Karthik has just played the knock of his life. Has had quite a few utility performances in supporting role over the years, but this is one for folklore.. #INDvBAN .. Cool and calm as you like with 5 needed.. wowzaaa — Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) March 18, 2018 × UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! DINESH KARTIK OH MY GOD !!!!!!!!! #INDvBAN ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? — Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) March 18, 2018 × Finishes with a SIX. Dinesh Karthik, you beauty. Brought India back from the dead. One of the key gains from #NidahasTrophy #INDvBAN — Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 18, 2018 × What a finish!!! Well played big guy @DineshKarthik. Outstanding effort by the team. #INDvBAN #topstuff — Jasprit bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) March 18, 2018 × Well done Team India @BCCI . What an amazing win. @DineshKarthik what a knock under pressure. This is a bunch of youngsters and they've done so well on this tour. #INDvBAN — Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) March 18, 2018 × Top inn @DineshKarthik very well done.. special hitting.. #indvsBang @BCCI congratulations #TeamIndia captain @ImRo45 ???????????? — Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 18, 2018 × Remarkable win boys @bcci ???? pretty much typifies the brand of cricket we play ???????? #INDVBAN #Champions #TeamIndia #supremacy #NidahasTrophy #NidahasTrophyFinal pic.twitter.com/ewUKclUX29 — Murali Vijay (@mvj888) March 18, 2018 ×

Amit Shah, Amitabh Bachchan compliment Dinesh Karthik's match-winning knock

<p>BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Saturday said that BJP will explain its position to the people Andhra Pradesh.</p>

<p>The Centre had done a lot for the state and was willing to do more, he added.</p>

<p>Madhav was speaking to reporters after holding a meeting with party president Amit Shah.&nbsp;Besides Madhav, Andhra Pradesh BJP chief K Hari Babu was among the leaders who held deliberations with Shah.</p>

<p>Amit Shah met the Andhra BJP leaders, after its longtime ally TDP&#39;s decision to exit the ruling NDA over the issue of Special Category Status (SCS) for the state.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Meeting of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AndhraPradesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AndhraPradesh</a> leaders with BJP President Amit Shah underway at the latter&#39;s residence in Delhi, BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav also present. <a href="https://t.co/mzF5UB89uo">pic.twitter.com/mzF5UB89uo</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/974974523253682176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The saffron party finds itself in a tight corner in the state as its two main parties, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the YSR Congress, have sought to corner it following the Centre&#39;s refusal to grant the SCS to Andhra Pradesh.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We will pass a resolution in which we will explain to the people of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AndhraPradesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AndhraPradesh</a> our stand on the issue said by Andhra CM. We&#39;re as much committed to the people as him. We have done so much in the last 4 years: Ram Madhav, BJP National General Secretary <a href="https://t.co/JaxhFpoT0W">pic.twitter.com/JaxhFpoT0W</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/974985411507441665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Both the regional parties have also moved a no-confidence motion against the Modi government in the Lok Sabha.</p>

<p>The state sends 25 MPs to the Lok Sabha and is scheduled to go to Assembly polls simultaneously with the parliamentary elections next year.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We will explain to the people of Andhra Pradesh the things we have done for them in last 4 years and things we will do. We are ready to do more than the special status: Ram Madhav, BJP National General Secretary after meeting of Andhra Leaders with BJP President Amit Shah <a href="https://t.co/WtLrdDwWJG">pic.twitter.com/WtLrdDwWJG</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/974985415089377282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The BJP had won two Lok Sabha seats in 2014 in alliance with the TDP, which won 15 seats.</p>

<p>BJP leaders have said that the TDP&#39;s decision to sever ties them has provided their party an opportunity to expand its footprints in the state ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls.</p>


The saffron party finds itself in a tight corner in the state as its two main parties, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the YSR Congress, have sought to corner it following the Centre's refusal to grant the SCS to Andhra Pradesh.

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Saturday said that BJP will explain its position to the people Andhra Pradesh. The Centre had done a lot for the state and was willing to do more, he added. Madhav was speaking to reporters after holding a meeting with party president Amit Shah. Besides Madhav, Andhra Pradesh BJP chief K Hari Babu was among the leaders who held deliberations with Shah. Amit Shah met the Andhra BJP leaders, after its longtime ally TDP's decision to exit the ruling NDA over the issue of Special Category Status (SCS) for the state. Meeting of #AndhraPradesh leaders with BJP President Amit Shah underway at the latter's residence in Delhi, BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav also present. pic.twitter.com/mzF5UB89uo — ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018 × The saffron party finds itself in a tight corner in the state as its two main parties, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the YSR Congress, have sought to corner it following the Centre's refusal to grant the SCS to Andhra Pradesh. We will pass a resolution in which we will explain to the people of #AndhraPradesh our stand on the issue said by Andhra CM. We're as much committed to the people as him. We have done so much in the last 4 years: Ram Madhav, BJP National General Secretary pic.twitter.com/JaxhFpoT0W — ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018 × Both the regional parties have also moved a no-confidence motion against the Modi government in the Lok Sabha. The state sends 25 MPs to the Lok Sabha and is scheduled to go to Assembly polls simultaneously with the parliamentary elections next year. We will explain to the people of Andhra Pradesh the things we have done for them in last 4 years and things we will do. We are ready to do more than the special status: Ram Madhav, BJP National General Secretary after meeting of Andhra Leaders with BJP President Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/WtLrdDwWJG — ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018 × The BJP had won two Lok Sabha seats in 2014 in alliance with the TDP, which won 15 seats. BJP leaders have said that the TDP's decision to sever ties them has provided their party an opportunity to expand its footprints in the state ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls.

Will explain our position to people of Andhra Pradesh: Ram Madhav on special status issue

<p>BJP president Amit Shah has become the second most followed leader in India on social media portals with a total of over 2 crore followers on Twitter and Facebook.</p>

<p>Shah has now got around 10.1 million followers on Twitter and around 11 million on Facebook.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shah, who joined Twitter in May 2013, hit the 10 million mark on Tuesday. The BJP president has so far tweeted more than 5,700 times on issues such as the BJP victories in the northeast and Congress&#39;s alleged acts of corruption.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A BJP insider said Shah uses these platforms &quot;to stay in direct touch with party workers and to deal with problems faced by the people&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He often meets BJP volunteers working on social media sites and encourages other party workers to use these platforms to stay in touch with the public.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Although, PM Modi still maintains his position as the number one leader with the most number of followers on Twitter with over 40 million followers.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Shah has now got around 10.1 million followers on Twitter and around 11 million on Facebook

BJP president Amit Shah has become the second most followed leader in India on social media portals with a total of over 2 crore followers on Twitter and Facebook. Shah has now got around 10.1 million followers on Twitter and around 11 million on Facebook. Shah, who joined Twitter in May 2013, hit the 10 million mark on Tuesday. The BJP president has so far tweeted more than 5,700 times on issues such as the BJP victories in the northeast and Congress's alleged acts of corruption. A BJP insider said Shah uses these platforms "to stay in direct touch with party workers and to deal with problems faced by the people". He often meets BJP volunteers working on social media sites and encourages other party workers to use these platforms to stay in touch with the public. Although, PM Modi still maintains his position as the number one leader with the most number of followers on Twitter with over 40 million followers.

BJP President Amit Shah becomes second most followed Indian leader on social media after Modi

<p>The BJP has projected <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/biplab-kumar-deb-elected-tripura-bjp-chief-may-become-chief-minister-34861">Biplab Kumar Deb</a> as its chief ministerial face in Tripura, where it ended the Left&#39;s 25-year rule and won 35 of 60 assembly seats in the recently-concluded election. Deb will be Tripura&#39;s 10th chief minister, succeeding Manik Sarkar.</p>

<p>Deb is the president of the BJP&#39;s Tripura unit and has been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The 48-year-old completed his graduation from Tripura University in 1999 and moved to Delhi to join the RSS as volunteer. He also reportedly spent time at RSS headquarters in Nagpur. He returned to Tripura in 2016 to take charge of the BJP in the state.</p>

<p>Deb replaced Sudhindra Dasgupta as the BJP&#39;s Tripura unit chief - a decision which received thumbs up from PM Modi and party chief Amit Shah. He and is considered instrumental in turning around the BJP&#39;s fortunes in the Left citadel. With a door-to-door campaign and &quot;Chollo Paltai&quot; (let&#39;s make a change) slogan, Deb ensured the party&#39;s turnaround; he himself defeated CPI-M&#39;s Amal Chakraborty in the Banamalipur constituency by a margin of 9,549 votes.</p>

<p>Deb was born in Tripura&#39;s Udaipur on November 25, 1971. He is fond of gardening and listening to music.</p>

<p>Deb was unanimously elected leader of the BJP legislature party in Tripura on Tuesday. name was proposed by party MLA Sudip Roy Burman in the meeting,, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said.</p>

<p>Elections were held for 59 seats of the 60-member assembly on February 18.</p>


Deb was born in Tripura's Udaipur on November 25, 1971. He is fond of gardening and listening to music.

The BJP has projected Biplab Kumar Deb as its chief ministerial face in Tripura, where it ended the Left's 25-year rule and won 35 of 60 assembly seats in the recently-concluded election. Deb will be Tripura's 10th chief minister, succeeding Manik Sarkar. Deb is the president of the BJP's Tripura unit and has been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The 48-year-old completed his graduation from Tripura University in 1999 and moved to Delhi to join the RSS as volunteer. He also reportedly spent time at RSS headquarters in Nagpur. He returned to Tripura in 2016 to take charge of the BJP in the state. Deb replaced Sudhindra Dasgupta as the BJP's Tripura unit chief - a decision which received thumbs up from PM Modi and party chief Amit Shah. He and is considered instrumental in turning around the BJP's fortunes in the Left citadel. With a door-to-door campaign and "Chollo Paltai" (let's make a change) slogan, Deb ensured the party's turnaround; he himself defeated CPI-M's Amal Chakraborty in the Banamalipur constituency by a margin of 9,549 votes. Deb was born in Tripura's Udaipur on November 25, 1971. He is fond of gardening and listening to music. Deb was unanimously elected leader of the BJP legislature party in Tripura on Tuesday. name was proposed by party MLA Sudip Roy Burman in the meeting,, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said. Elections were held for 59 seats of the 60-member assembly on February 18.

Biplab Kumar Deb: The man who turned around BJP's fortune in Tripura

<p>UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today credited the BJP&#39;s &quot;historic&quot; performance in northeastern states to &quot;development-oriented&quot; policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and &quot;organisational skills&quot; of Amit Shah and said the day is not far when one party will be in power right from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.</p>

<p>He also took the opportunity to slam the Congress, saying after Rahul Gandhi became its president, this is the fifth defeat for his party.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-says-will-form-next-government-in-meghalaya-34613">BJP says will form next government in Meghalaya</a></p>

<p>&quot;After Rahul Gandhi donned the mantle of Congress chief, this is the fifth defeat for his party and the pace of this record will gather speed in the near future,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The chief minister was addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here after the party&#39;s good show in assembly polls in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-sends-top-guns-to-meghalaya-in-bid-to-form-government-34569">Congress sends top guns to Meghalaya in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-sends-top-guns-to-meghalaya-in-bid-to-form-government-34569">bid</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-sends-top-guns-to-meghalaya-in-bid-to-form-government-34569"> to form </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-sends-top-guns-to-meghalaya-in-bid-to-form-government-34569">government</a></p>

<p>He said that during the run up to the Gujarat Assembly elections, Rahul Gandhi was coronated as Congress President and that time itself he had said that the development would make the BJP&#39;s job easier.</p>

<p>&quot;Under Rahul Gandhi&#39;s presidentship, the Congress has lost five states and when he was the party vice president, the Congress frittered away ten states,&quot; Adityanath said, noting that it was a matter of &quot;happiness&quot; for the saffron party.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tripura-nagaland-victories-endorsement-of-modis-leadership-says-amit-shah-34557">Tripura, Nagaland victories endorsement of Modi&#39;s leadership, says Amit Shah</a></p>

<p>&quot;The BJP&#39;s sterling performance in northeast will go a long way in fulfilling development aspirations of people,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Adityanath said for the first time after Independence, these northeastern states will get chance to join the national mainstream and enjoy fruits of development. The</p>

<p>UP chief minister, who had campaigned for the saffron party in these assembly elections, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s development oriented policies and organisational skills of BJP President Amit Shah led to his party&#39;s &quot;sterling performance&quot;.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-breaches-red-fort-in-tripura-set-to-end-25-year-left-rule-34552">BJP breaches &#39;Red Fort&#39; in Tripura, set to end </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-breaches-red-fort-in-tripura-set-to-end-25-year-left-rule-34552">25-year</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-breaches-red-fort-in-tripura-set-to-end-25-year-left-rule-34552"> Left rule</a></p>

<p>He said the &#39;lotus&#39; will now bloom in Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal and Odisha, thanks to the development-oriented policies of the prime minister and his good governance, and the guidance of the party chief Amit Shah.</p>

<p>&quot;That day is not far when one party will be in power right from Kashmir down to Kanyakumari,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>After the outcome of assembly elections in the three northeastern states, the BJP is set to lead or be a partner in 21 of India&#39;s 31 state governments, underlining a saffron dominance of the national political map like no other time.</p>

<p>Adityanath also exuded confidence that the BJP will win Lok Sabha by-elections next week in Gorakhpur and Phulpur constituencies in Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>He took potshots at arch rivals SP and BSP on reports that they might join hands to take on the BJP in the next week&#39;s Lok Sabha bye-elections in Phulpur and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>&quot;Who doesn&#39;t know the guest house episode? Can one forget who had threatened to damage statues (of Dalit icons),&quot; he said without elaborating.</p>

<p>His reference was to an attack allegedly engineered by SP supporters on then chief minister and BSP supremo Mayawati in the Meerabai Road state guest house in the state capital over two decades back.</p>

<p>On the possibility of SP-BSP coming together in the parliamentary bypolls, he described the two parties as &quot;ker-ber&quot; (banana and Indian plum) and asked as to whether the two different fruits could gel.</p>

<p>Asked for which parties he used the expression &quot;ker&quot; and &quot;ber&quot;, Adityanath smilingly said, &quot;It&#39;s for you to judge.&quot;</p>

<p>Continuing its winning streak, the BJP wrested Tripura, and received invitation to be part of the government in Nagaland, while Meghalaya elected a hung Assembly.<br />
The main opposition Congress is in power in only four states - its lowest-ever tally - and that include Mizoram and Puducherry.</p>


Yogi Adityanath also took the opportunity to slam the Congress, saying after Rahul Gandhi became its president, this is the fifth defeat for his party

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today credited the BJP's "historic" performance in northeastern states to "development-oriented" policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and "organisational skills" of Amit Shah and said the day is not far when one party will be in power right from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. He also took the opportunity to slam the Congress, saying after Rahul Gandhi became its president, this is the fifth defeat for his party. Also read: BJP says will form next government in Meghalaya "After Rahul Gandhi donned the mantle of Congress chief, this is the fifth defeat for his party and the pace of this record will gather speed in the near future," he said. The chief minister was addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here after the party's good show in assembly polls in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya. Also read: Congress sends top guns to Meghalaya in bid to form government He said that during the run up to the Gujarat Assembly elections, Rahul Gandhi was coronated as Congress President and that time itself he had said that the development would make the BJP's job easier. "Under Rahul Gandhi's presidentship, the Congress has lost five states and when he was the party vice president, the Congress frittered away ten states," Adityanath said, noting that it was a matter of "happiness" for the saffron party. Also read: Tripura, Nagaland victories endorsement of Modi's leadership, says Amit Shah "The BJP's sterling performance in northeast will go a long way in fulfilling development aspirations of people," he said. Adityanath said for the first time after Independence, these northeastern states will get chance to join the national mainstream and enjoy fruits of development. The UP chief minister, who had campaigned for the saffron party in these assembly elections, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development oriented policies and organisational skills of BJP President Amit Shah led to his party's "sterling performance". Also read: BJP breaches 'Red Fort' in Tripura, set to end 25-year Left rule He said the 'lotus' will now bloom in Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal and Odisha, thanks to the development-oriented policies of the prime minister and his good governance, and the guidance of the party chief Amit Shah. "That day is not far when one party will be in power right from Kashmir down to Kanyakumari," he said. After the outcome of assembly elections in the three northeastern states, the BJP is set to lead or be a partner in 21 of India's 31 state governments, underlining a saffron dominance of the national political map like no other time. Adityanath also exuded confidence that the BJP will win Lok Sabha by-elections next week in Gorakhpur and Phulpur constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. He took potshots at arch rivals SP and BSP on reports that they might join hands to take on the BJP in the next week's Lok Sabha bye-elections in Phulpur and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. "Who doesn't know the guest house episode? Can one forget who had threatened to damage statues (of Dalit icons)," he said without elaborating. His reference was to an attack allegedly engineered by SP supporters on then chief minister and BSP supremo Mayawati in the Meerabai Road state guest house in the state capital over two decades back. On the possibility of SP-BSP coming together in the parliamentary bypolls, he described the two parties as "ker-ber" (banana and Indian plum) and asked as to whether the two different fruits could gel. Asked for which parties he used the expression "ker" and "ber", Adityanath smilingly said, "It's for you to judge." Continuing its winning streak, the BJP wrested Tripura, and received invitation to be part of the government in Nagaland, while Meghalaya elected a hung Assembly. The main opposition Congress is in power in only four states - its lowest-ever tally - and that include Mizoram and Puducherry.

'Lotus will bloom in Karnataka, Kerala; Rahul's Congress on path of defeat'

<p>With the BJP on the cusp of ending the Left Front&#39;s 25-year-rule in Tripura, state party chief Biplab Kumar Deb today said he was ready to take on the mantle of a chief minister, but a decision on it would be taken by the party&#39;s highest decision-making body, the Parliamentary Board.</p>

<p>Deb, a gym instructor-turned-politician, thanked the people of Tripura for their overwhelming support and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah with the party&#39;s showing.</p>

<p>&quot;I am ready to take the responsibility. I will not run away from taking any responsibility,&quot; he told reporters here when asked if he would accept the task of chief ministership.</p>

<p>However, the BJP leader said a final decision on the next chief minister of Tripura would be taken by the BJP Parliamentary Board, which would meet in New Delhi in the evening.</p>

<p>&quot;I have already been given a bigger responsibility, the party&#39;s state presidentship, which I have been fulfilling to the best of my ability,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The BJP has so far won four seats and is leading in 34 in the 60-member Tripura Assembly, while its ally Indigenous People&#39;s Front Of Tripura has won four seats and is ahead in four others.</p>

<p>The CPI-M has won four seats and is leading in 13.</p>

<p>Deb said the people of Tripura favourably responded to the BJP&#39;s call to root out the CPI-M government, which has been ruling the state for more than two decades.</p>

<p>&quot;People responded favourably to our call call &#39;Chalo Paltai&#39; (Let&#39;s Change),&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Deb said the next government&#39;s priority would be all- round development of Tripura and people voted for the BJP as there had been total backwardness in the state under the Manik Sarkar government.</p>

<p>&quot;The word development does not exist in the dictionary of the CPI-M. Our government will provide good governance and time-bound implementation of all developmental works,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Sarkar has been chief minister since 1998. He is a politburo member of the CPI-M and has been ruling the state for the fourth consecutive time.</p>

<p>Elections in 59 seats, out of the total 60, were held on February 18. The poll in one seat was countermanded due to the death of the CPI-M candidate.</p>


Deb, a gym instructor-turned-politician, thanked the people of Tripura for their overwhelming support and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah with the party's showing

With the BJP on the cusp of ending the Left Front's 25-year-rule in Tripura, state party chief Biplab Kumar Deb today said he was ready to take on the mantle of a chief minister, but a decision on it would be taken by the party's highest decision-making body, the Parliamentary Board. Deb, a gym instructor-turned-politician, thanked the people of Tripura for their overwhelming support and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah with the party's showing. "I am ready to take the responsibility. I will not run away from taking any responsibility," he told reporters here when asked if he would accept the task of chief ministership. However, the BJP leader said a final decision on the next chief minister of Tripura would be taken by the BJP Parliamentary Board, which would meet in New Delhi in the evening. "I have already been given a bigger responsibility, the party's state presidentship, which I have been fulfilling to the best of my ability," he said. The BJP has so far won four seats and is leading in 34 in the 60-member Tripura Assembly, while its ally Indigenous People's Front Of Tripura has won four seats and is ahead in four others. The CPI-M has won four seats and is leading in 13. Deb said the people of Tripura favourably responded to the BJP's call to root out the CPI-M government, which has been ruling the state for more than two decades. "People responded favourably to our call call 'Chalo Paltai' (Let's Change)," he said. Deb said the next government's priority would be all- round development of Tripura and people voted for the BJP as there had been total backwardness in the state under the Manik Sarkar government. "The word development does not exist in the dictionary of the CPI-M. Our government will provide good governance and time-bound implementation of all developmental works," he said. Sarkar has been chief minister since 1998. He is a politburo member of the CPI-M and has been ruling the state for the fourth consecutive time. Elections in 59 seats, out of the total 60, were held on February 18. The poll in one seat was countermanded due to the death of the CPI-M candidate.

Ready to be CM, but BJP Parliamentary Board will take final call: Biplab Deb

<p>BJP chief Amit Shah said today his party&#39;s victories in the Left&#39;s citadel Tripura and Nagaland were an endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s leadership by the people of the Northeast.</p>

<p>A jubilant Shah said the BJP&#39;s golden era would be when its wrests West Bengal, Odisha and Karnataka from rival parties.</p>

<p>&quot;It is a day of joy for me and crores of BJP workers. The victory of the BJP is important in many ways....It is an endorsement of the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the people of the Northeast,&quot; he told a press conference.</p>

<p>The BJP and its ally IPFT were close to securing a majority in Tripura having together won 28 seats in the 60-member House. They were leading in 15 more. Elections were held in the state for 59 seats due to the death of a CPI-M candidate.</p>

<p>In Nagaland, the BJP and its ally NDPP have won 13 seats and are leading in 14. The ruling Naga People&#39;s Front, with which the BJP parted ways just before the elections, has won 13 seats and was leading in 12 others in the 60-member Assembly. In Nagaland too, elections were held for only 59 seats as NDPP leaders Neiphiu Rio was declared elected unopposed.</p>

<p>Meghalaya appeared set to have a hung Assembly.</p>

<p>Shah ruled out the possibility of the BJP, whose NDA partner National People&#39;s Party has won 19 seats, engaging in horse-trading in Meghalaya. The two NDA allies had, however, contested the elections separately. BJP has won two seats in the state where the Congress has won 19 seats so far and was ahead in two.</p>

<p>&quot;Where is the question of &#39;tod-phod&#39; (horse-trading). The Congress does not have a majority there,&quot; he said.</p>


Amit Shah said the BJP's golden era would be when its wrests West Bengal, Odisha and Karnataka from rival parties

BJP chief Amit Shah said today his party's victories in the Left's citadel Tripura and Nagaland were an endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership by the people of the Northeast. A jubilant Shah said the BJP's golden era would be when its wrests West Bengal, Odisha and Karnataka from rival parties. "It is a day of joy for me and crores of BJP workers. The victory of the BJP is important in many ways....It is an endorsement of the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the people of the Northeast," he told a press conference. The BJP and its ally IPFT were close to securing a majority in Tripura having together won 28 seats in the 60-member House. They were leading in 15 more. Elections were held in the state for 59 seats due to the death of a CPI-M candidate. In Nagaland, the BJP and its ally NDPP have won 13 seats and are leading in 14. The ruling Naga People's Front, with which the BJP parted ways just before the elections, has won 13 seats and was leading in 12 others in the 60-member Assembly. In Nagaland too, elections were held for only 59 seats as NDPP leaders Neiphiu Rio was declared elected unopposed. Meghalaya appeared set to have a hung Assembly. Shah ruled out the possibility of the BJP, whose NDA partner National People's Party has won 19 seats, engaging in horse-trading in Meghalaya. The two NDA allies had, however, contested the elections separately. BJP has won two seats in the state where the Congress has won 19 seats so far and was ahead in two. "Where is the question of 'tod-phod' (horse-trading). The Congress does not have a majority there," he said.

Tripura, Nagaland victories endorsement of Modi's leadership, says Amit Shah

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called the BJP&#39;s impressive performance in Tripura Assembly polls people&#39;s answer to &quot;fear, lies and confusion&quot; being spread against his government, and targeted the Congress, saying it was never so diminished as a party as it is now.</p>

<p>In an address to party workers at the BJP&#39;s newly constructed headquarters following the announcement of the polls results in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya, Modi also took an apparent dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying some people grow in designation but shrink in stature.</p>

<p>In contrast, he said, BJP chief Amit Shah was marching ahead by leading the party to victories in many states.</p>

<p>The prime minister described Shah as the architect of the party&#39;s victories.</p>

<p>In remarks laced with sarcasm, Modi said he had recently told Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy that the Congress leader was lucky as he would soon become a &quot;specimen of a Congress chief minister&quot; after the party loses Karnataka, which goes to polls in April-May.</p>

<p>&quot;I told him you are a most lucky person in the Congress. I told him that after June you will be a specimen for the Congress to highlight what it used to be. That it also used to have chief ministers and was in power. You will be such a specimen that they will carry you on their shoulders and dance saying it also has a chief minister,&quot; Modi said amid laughter.</p>

<p>Referring to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who heads the Congress government in the state, he said neither he nor they (Congress) consider each other their own. &quot;He is a &#39;swatantra fauji&#39; (independent soldier),&quot; Modi said of Singh.</p>

<p>The prime minister said the people of the northeast had a sense of alienation but his government worked overtime to remove it.</p>

<p>Central ministers have spent more nights in one of these states to deal with their problems in the last four years than they did all the years earlier, he said.</p>

<p>&quot;Fear, lies and confusion were being spread,&quot; he said, an apparent reference to the opposition&#39;s criticism of his government over a host of issues, and added now people have answered it through their votes.</p>

<p>When his government takes some actions, it is dubbed as vendetta, he said, apparently referring to criminal cases against some opposition leaders and their kin in corruption and other matters. But it is in fact &quot;mandetta&quot; as the people have given the mandate to act, he said.</p>

<p>In &#39;vastu shastra&#39;, Modi said, it is believed that the northeast corner is the most important part of a land and with his party now in power in most of this region, these states are leading the country on the path to development.</p>

<p>The prime minister charted his party&#39;s phenomenal rise in different parts of the country as from &quot;no one to won&quot;.</p>

<p>With the Left accusing the BJP of using money and muscle power in its bastion of Tripura, Modi said opposition parties often did not concede defeats in a sportsman&#39;s spirit.</p>

<p>Amid a &quot;disinformation&quot; campaign, stories about the BJP&#39;s and its government&#39;s good works had reached far corners, he claimed and asked its leaders to work with a 360-degree approach for all-round development.</p>

<p>He also attributed the party&#39;s performance to its organisational work and local leaders, who, he said, are not highlighted in the media as they are not known much.</p>

<p>Modi took a brief pause when there was a call for prayers from a nearby mosque, and also paid respect along with the audience to deceased party workers, allegedly victims of political violence, by keeping silence for a while.</p>

<p>He said the BJP&#39;s win in Tripura was no ordinary victory and it was a journey from &quot;shoonya to shikhara&quot; (zero to peak).</p>

<p>The people of the Northeast supported his government&#39;s &quot;Act East policy&quot; and &quot;politics of performance&quot;, he said.</p>

<p>He said BJP workers were victims of political violence in West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka and now in Odisha too.</p>

<p>He was felicitated by senior party functionaries, including members of the BJP Parliamentary Board, headed by Shah.</p>

<p>The board also took stock of the party&#39;s performance in three states.</p>

<p>Shah has said that the board will meet soon to take a call on chief ministership of Tripura. Its state chief Biplab Kumar Deb is being seen as a front-runner for the job.</p>

<p>The CPI(M) lost in the polls in Tripura, where it was in power for the last 25 years.&nbsp;</p>


The prime minister described Shah as the architect of the party's victories.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called the BJP's impressive performance in Tripura Assembly polls people's answer to "fear, lies and confusion" being spread against his government, and targeted the Congress, saying it was never so diminished as a party as it is now. In an address to party workers at the BJP's newly constructed headquarters following the announcement of the polls results in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya, Modi also took an apparent dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying some people grow in designation but shrink in stature. In contrast, he said, BJP chief Amit Shah was marching ahead by leading the party to victories in many states. The prime minister described Shah as the architect of the party's victories. In remarks laced with sarcasm, Modi said he had recently told Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy that the Congress leader was lucky as he would soon become a "specimen of a Congress chief minister" after the party loses Karnataka, which goes to polls in April-May. "I told him you are a most lucky person in the Congress. I told him that after June you will be a specimen for the Congress to highlight what it used to be. That it also used to have chief ministers and was in power. You will be such a specimen that they will carry you on their shoulders and dance saying it also has a chief minister," Modi said amid laughter. Referring to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who heads the Congress government in the state, he said neither he nor they (Congress) consider each other their own. "He is a 'swatantra fauji' (independent soldier)," Modi said of Singh. The prime minister said the people of the northeast had a sense of alienation but his government worked overtime to remove it. Central ministers have spent more nights in one of these states to deal with their problems in the last four years than they did all the years earlier, he said. "Fear, lies and confusion were being spread," he said, an apparent reference to the opposition's criticism of his government over a host of issues, and added now people have answered it through their votes. When his government takes some actions, it is dubbed as vendetta, he said, apparently referring to criminal cases against some opposition leaders and their kin in corruption and other matters. But it is in fact "mandetta" as the people have given the mandate to act, he said. In 'vastu shastra', Modi said, it is believed that the northeast corner is the most important part of a land and with his party now in power in most of this region, these states are leading the country on the path to development. The prime minister charted his party's phenomenal rise in different parts of the country as from "no one to won". With the Left accusing the BJP of using money and muscle power in its bastion of Tripura, Modi said opposition parties often did not concede defeats in a sportsman's spirit. Amid a "disinformation" campaign, stories about the BJP's and its government's good works had reached far corners, he claimed and asked its leaders to work with a 360-degree approach for all-round development. He also attributed the party's performance to its organisational work and local leaders, who, he said, are not highlighted in the media as they are not known much. Modi took a brief pause when there was a call for prayers from a nearby mosque, and also paid respect along with the audience to deceased party workers, allegedly victims of political violence, by keeping silence for a while. He said the BJP's win in Tripura was no ordinary victory and it was a journey from "shoonya to shikhara" (zero to peak). The people of the Northeast supported his government's "Act East policy" and "politics of performance", he said. He said BJP workers were victims of political violence in West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka and now in Odisha too. He was felicitated by senior party functionaries, including members of the BJP Parliamentary Board, headed by Shah. The board also took stock of the party's performance in three states. Shah has said that the board will meet soon to take a call on chief ministership of Tripura. Its state chief Biplab Kumar Deb is being seen as a front-runner for the job. The CPI(M) lost in the polls in Tripura, where it was in power for the last 25 years.

Congress never so diminished as it is now: Narendra Modi

<p>Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Tuesday that the Sohrabbudin&nbsp;case &quot;claims yet another judge&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gandhi tweeted:&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Sohrabuddin case claims yet another Judge.<br />
<br />
Justice Revati Dere, who challenged the CBI has been removed.<br />
<br />
Judge J T Utpat, asked Amit Shah to appear and was removed.<br />
<br />
Judge Loya asked tough questions. He died. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HowDidLoyaDie?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HowDidLoyaDie</a>? <a href="https://t.co/iNFLVIEQni">https://t.co/iNFLVIEQni</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/968387098641358849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The Sohrabbudin case refers to the killing of Sohrabbudin Sheikh by a Gujarat Police team on November 26, 2005. Gujarat Police claimed at the time that Sheikh was a &quot;dreaded terrorist&quot; on a mission to kill a high-ranking Gujarat politician, presumably Narendra Modi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The claim was challenged in court by Sohrabbudin&#39;s brother, who alleged the encounter had been fake.&nbsp;</p>

<p>BJP President Amit Shah, who was Gujarat home minister at the time, was named in the FIR. Shah however was later discharged from the case by the Gujarat court.</p>

<p>The case has since been shifted to Maharashtra.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Bombay High Court however removed Justice Revati Dere from the case on February 24.</p>

<p>News reports quoting lawyers at the time said a change in roster was not unusual but that Dere had already heard most of the arguments in the case. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Gandhi has been attacking the government over the death of Judge Loya for some time now.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Tuesday,&nbsp;&nbsp;he tweeted: &quot;Judge JT Utpat asked Amit Shah to appear and was removed,&quot; adding, &quot;Judge Loya asked tough questions. He died.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The death of Judge Loya has raised a number of questions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An Indian magazine had first reported Loya&#39;s family as saying his death had been <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/justice-loyas-death-had-suspicion-earlier-over-fathers-death-but-now-it-is-over-says-son-29495" target="_blank">suspicious</a>.&nbsp;Other news reports trying to corroborate that first report had agreed with some of the claims made in the story while disagreeing with others.&nbsp;</p>


'Justice Revati Dere, who challenged the CBI has been removed. Judge J T Utpat, asked Amit Shah to appear and was removed. Judge Loya asked tough questions. He died,' the Congress President tweeted

Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Tuesday that the Sohrabbudin case "claims yet another judge". Gandhi tweeted: The Sohrabuddin case claims yet another Judge. Justice Revati Dere, who challenged the CBI has been removed. Judge J T Utpat, asked Amit Shah to appear and was removed. Judge Loya asked tough questions. He died. #HowDidLoyaDie? https://t.co/iNFLVIEQni — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 27, 2018 × The Sohrabbudin case refers to the killing of Sohrabbudin Sheikh by a Gujarat Police team on November 26, 2005. Gujarat Police claimed at the time that Sheikh was a "dreaded terrorist" on a mission to kill a high-ranking Gujarat politician, presumably Narendra Modi. The claim was challenged in court by Sohrabbudin's brother, who alleged the encounter had been fake. BJP President Amit Shah, who was Gujarat home minister at the time, was named in the FIR. Shah however was later discharged from the case by the Gujarat court. The case has since been shifted to Maharashtra. The Bombay High Court however removed Justice Revati Dere from the case on February 24. News reports quoting lawyers at the time said a change in roster was not unusual but that Dere had already heard most of the arguments in the case. Gandhi has been attacking the government over the death of Judge Loya for some time now. On Tuesday, he tweeted: "Judge JT Utpat asked Amit Shah to appear and was removed," adding, "Judge Loya asked tough questions. He died." The death of Judge Loya has raised a number of questions. An Indian magazine had first reported Loya's family as saying his death had been suspicious. Other news reports trying to corroborate that first report had agreed with some of the claims made in the story while disagreeing with others.

'Sohrabuddin case claims yet another judge,' says Rahul Gandhi

<p>There is a very famous quote - &ldquo;It is relatively easy to reach the top but difficult to maintain the position there&rdquo;.</p>

<p>If someone understands it better and appreciates this more than anybody else, it is Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. &nbsp;As May 2019 is nearing, Modi and Shah must be getting goosebumps, since they have a mammoth task in hand to repeat BJP&rsquo;s massive performance during May 2014.</p>

<p>Make no mistake. What the BJP did in May 2014 was once in a lifetime phenomenon. It was after 30 years, that a party (BJP) got a full majority in the Lok Sabha. What exactly happened in 2014 was many positive factors for BJP coincided with each other - which was a rare coincidence. The&nbsp;factors included the weak and jaded performance of UPA 2, the unimaginative and smug leadership of Congress, a strong Modi wave, a fragmented opposition as well as strong groundwork and booth management of BJP cadre.</p>

<p>But both Modi and Shah are well aware that such miraculous coincidences don&rsquo;t take place every day. In 2014, BJP&#39;s performance in northern, central and western India peaked and from here it is only bound to wane for sure.</p>

<p>Look at the seat numbers for NDA in few of the states in General Election 2014:<br />
UP &ndash; 73 out of 80, Rajasthan &ndash; 25 of 25, Gujarat &ndash; 26 of 26, MP &ndash; 27 of 29, Bihar &ndash; 31 out 40, &nbsp;Maharashtra &ndash; 42 of 48 and Haryana &ndash; 7 of 10.</p>

<p>These are mind-boggling numbers. The BJP&rsquo;s leadership knows that these numbers are well-optimised numbers and it is the peak and the only road from here in these states is the one that goes down. &nbsp;</p>

<p>As per today&rsquo;s situation, BJP is bound to lose heavily in Rajasthan and Haryana in 2019. There would be significant losses on cards in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The tally in Maharashtra is also bound to come, albeit not by a big margin.</p>

<p>The solace, however, for the BJP/NDA is that it is still well poised in UP and Bihar, largely because of the Yogi&rsquo;s hold in UP and Nitish&#39;s return to the NDA fold. Moreover, in UP, Congress BSP and SP are still in a shamble state.</p>

<p>The NDA is set to lose around 50-60 seats in the above-mentioned top-performing states in 2019. Modi and Shah know that there is not much which can be done to avoid this loss. There are a serious anti-incumbency and resentment against the Raje government in Rajasthan. Similar is the story in Haryana. Shivraj in MP still sits steady but 16 years of incumbency is bound to have some effect. As visible from the recent state election in Gujarat, BJP is not the formidable force which it used to be during Modi&rsquo;s era there. Moreover, Congress has some visible leadership in MP and Gujarat in these states and flexing muscles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sensing this, for last few months, Modi and Shah have been relentlessly vying to find out new territories to spread the wings of BJP to compensate the inevitable loss. &nbsp;As such not having pan-India presence has been the Achilles heel of BJP; for decades, they have been confined to specific territories. But the scenario started changing in 2014. BJP opened its account in West Bengal in May 2014 General Election, then swept state elections in Haryana and Assam and came to power there for the very first time. These were seminal events for the party.</p>

<p>That gave confidence to&nbsp;BJP for moving further. Amit Shah and Modi are sharp and astute politicians; rather say they have a mindset of a salesperson, a businessman. Like a shrewd business-owner, they scan the political atmosphere continually and figure out the weak spot to hit upon. Based on this quality only, they have identified their target areas and the same is evident with their initiatives over the past couple of years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi has been putting plenty of emphasis on the north-east. He knows that BJP can make inroads in north-east and BJP&rsquo;s success story in Assam has played a role of catalyst. Modi is pitching himself as an ultimate saviour and a panacea to the north-eastern states.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Then Tamilnadu is another battlefield. Modi is trying to rope in BJP in a big way after the death of Jayalalitha. He is eying for the right opportunity to establish BJP there amidst political instability. Odisha has been yet another bastion, where BJP is trying to capitalise on anti-incumbency against years of Naveen Patnaik&rsquo;s rule. Its local stalwarts Dharmendra Pradhan and Sambit Patra are trying to make headway and build a cadre.</p>

<p>West Bengal is another territory under the action plan of Modi-Shah duo. The BJP is trying to pitch itself as an alternative to the TMC as Congress in the state is almost dead and CPM is also not able to come to the forefront now. BJP sees West Bengal as a long-term big opportunity as it has been successful in putting Mamta in the defensive mode lately. Similarly, Amit Shah sees Kerala as yet another possible area to spread wings and has been able to get some success in building cadre there.</p>

<p>You may have a political disagreement with NaMo and Amit Shah but no one can rebut their political acumen and their relentless efforts for their party.</p>

<p>They know that they have to maintain the position at the peak and gearing up for same and finding new territories would be the key before 2019. They need to put up a firm plan in place to gain 50-60 seats from other territories, which are set to lose in their strong bastions during 2014.</p>

<p>One last thing, despite all those political victories over the past 3-4 years, complacency is the word which is not found in their dictionary.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


As May 2019 is nearing, Modi and Amit's performance in northern, central and western India peaks. From here it is only bound to wane for sure. Thus, the party is on the lookout for new territories.

There is a very famous quote - “It is relatively easy to reach the top but difficult to maintain the position there”. If someone understands it better and appreciates this more than anybody else, it is Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. As May 2019 is nearing, Modi and Shah must be getting goosebumps, since they have a mammoth task in hand to repeat BJP’s massive performance during May 2014. Make no mistake. What the BJP did in May 2014 was once in a lifetime phenomenon. It was after 30 years, that a party (BJP) got a full majority in the Lok Sabha. What exactly happened in 2014 was many positive factors for BJP coincided with each other - which was a rare coincidence. The factors included the weak and jaded performance of UPA 2, the unimaginative and smug leadership of Congress, a strong Modi wave, a fragmented opposition as well as strong groundwork and booth management of BJP cadre. But both Modi and Shah are well aware that such miraculous coincidences don’t take place every day. In 2014, BJP's performance in northern, central and western India peaked and from here it is only bound to wane for sure. Look at the seat numbers for NDA in few of the states in General Election 2014: UP – 73 out of 80, Rajasthan – 25 of 25, Gujarat – 26 of 26, MP – 27 of 29, Bihar – 31 out 40, Maharashtra – 42 of 48 and Haryana – 7 of 10. These are mind-boggling numbers. The BJP’s leadership knows that these numbers are well-optimised numbers and it is the peak and the only road from here in these states is the one that goes down. As per today’s situation, BJP is bound to lose heavily in Rajasthan and Haryana in 2019. There would be significant losses on cards in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The tally in Maharashtra is also bound to come, albeit not by a big margin. The solace, however, for the BJP/NDA is that it is still well poised in UP and Bihar, largely because of the Yogi’s hold in UP and Nitish's return to the NDA fold. Moreover, in UP, Congress BSP and SP are still in a shamble state. The NDA is set to lose around 50-60 seats in the above-mentioned top-performing states in 2019. Modi and Shah know that there is not much which can be done to avoid this loss. There are a serious anti-incumbency and resentment against the Raje government in Rajasthan. Similar is the story in Haryana. Shivraj in MP still sits steady but 16 years of incumbency is bound to have some effect. As visible from the recent state election in Gujarat, BJP is not the formidable force which it used to be during Modi’s era there. Moreover, Congress has some visible leadership in MP and Gujarat in these states and flexing muscles. Sensing this, for last few months, Modi and Shah have been relentlessly vying to find out new territories to spread the wings of BJP to compensate the inevitable loss. As such not having pan-India presence has been the Achilles heel of BJP; for decades, they have been confined to specific territories. But the scenario started changing in 2014. BJP opened its account in West Bengal in May 2014 General Election, then swept state elections in Haryana and Assam and came to power there for the very first time. These were seminal events for the party. That gave confidence to BJP for moving further. Amit Shah and Modi are sharp and astute politicians; rather say they have a mindset of a salesperson, a businessman. Like a shrewd business-owner, they scan the political atmosphere continually and figure out the weak spot to hit upon. Based on this quality only, they have identified their target areas and the same is evident with their initiatives over the past couple of years. Modi has been putting plenty of emphasis on the north-east. He knows that BJP can make inroads in north-east and BJP’s success story in Assam has played a role of catalyst. Modi is pitching himself as an ultimate saviour and a panacea to the north-eastern states. Then Tamilnadu is another battlefield. Modi is trying to rope in BJP in a big way after the death of Jayalalitha. He is eying for the right opportunity to establish BJP there amidst political instability. Odisha has been yet another bastion, where BJP is trying to capitalise on anti-incumbency against years of Naveen Patnaik’s rule. Its local stalwarts Dharmendra Pradhan and Sambit Patra are trying to make headway and build a cadre. West Bengal is another territory under the action plan of Modi-Shah duo. The BJP is trying to pitch itself as an alternative to the TMC as Congress in the state is almost dead and CPM is also not able to come to the forefront now. BJP sees West Bengal as a long-term big opportunity as it has been successful in putting Mamta in the defensive mode lately. Similarly, Amit Shah sees Kerala as yet another possible area to spread wings and has been able to get some success in building cadre there. You may have a political disagreement with NaMo and Amit Shah but no one can rebut their political acumen and their relentless efforts for their party. They know that they have to maintain the position at the peak and gearing up for same and finding new territories would be the key before 2019. They need to put up a firm plan in place to gain 50-60 seats from other territories, which are set to lose in their strong bastions during 2014. One last thing, despite all those political victories over the past 3-4 years, complacency is the word which is not found in their dictionary. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Modi-Shah duo expanding wings across states for 2019 elections

<p>A day after BJP president Amit Shah addressed sugarcane farmers in Karnataka, he will continue with his election campaign on Monday for the upcoming assembly polls in the state.</p>

<p>Shah is scheduled to address OBC and Maratha leaders today.</p>

<p>Amit Shah will interact with OBC leaders at around 11 am with the Maratha leaders at 6:30 in the evening.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He will also address a press conference at Gulbarga Hotel Grand at 10 and will inaugurate a women&#39;s college hostel at 11.</p>

<p>At 12:30, Shah will make an address at Gulbarga&#39;s ESI Auditorium while at 2:30 he will make an address at the Matrichaya Ground.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At 4:30, he will visit the Anubhava Mantappa in Bidar district&#39;s Basavkalyan.</p>

<p>Shah&#39;s three-day visit to the poll-bound state started on Saturday, February 24.</p>

<p>Congress President Rahul Gandhi&#39;s itinerary for the day meanwhile includes a public meeting at Godchi Temple Ground in Ramdurg and a visit to Shri Yellamma Renuka Devi Temple in Belgaum district.</p>

<p>He will also attend swagat at Ramdurg T. Junction, Village Mundalur, Village Kappa Inamgovan, Village Hooli and Village Inam Mongal.</p>

<p>Gandhi will also attend meeting at Government School Stadium, Saundatti and Nehru Stadium in Hubli.</p>

<p>The state will hold assembly elections in April-May.</p>


Karnataka is expected to go to the polls in April or May

A day after BJP president Amit Shah addressed sugarcane farmers in Karnataka, he will continue with his election campaign on Monday for the upcoming assembly polls in the state. Shah is scheduled to address OBC and Maratha leaders today. Amit Shah will interact with OBC leaders at around 11 am with the Maratha leaders at 6:30 in the evening. He will also address a press conference at Gulbarga Hotel Grand at 10 and will inaugurate a women's college hostel at 11. At 12:30, Shah will make an address at Gulbarga's ESI Auditorium while at 2:30 he will make an address at the Matrichaya Ground. At 4:30, he will visit the Anubhava Mantappa in Bidar district's Basavkalyan. Shah's three-day visit to the poll-bound state started on Saturday, February 24. Congress President Rahul Gandhi's itinerary for the day meanwhile includes a public meeting at Godchi Temple Ground in Ramdurg and a visit to Shri Yellamma Renuka Devi Temple in Belgaum district. He will also attend swagat at Ramdurg T. Junction, Village Mundalur, Village Kappa Inamgovan, Village Hooli and Village Inam Mongal. Gandhi will also attend meeting at Government School Stadium, Saundatti and Nehru Stadium in Hubli. The state will hold assembly elections in April-May.

Rahul, Amit Shah to continue election battle in Karnataka today; Gandhi to visit 2 temples

<p>BJP Chief Amit Shah has given clarifications over the accusations put up by Congress party which state that the charges on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-is-nirav-modi-the-billionaire-jeweller-at-centre-of-rs-11000-crore-scam-32970" target="_blank">Nirav Modi </a>were proved when he shared the stage with the Prime Minister in Davos at World Economic Forum.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Clarifying the allegations of the opposition party Amit Shah said &quot;&nbsp;Photographs prove nothing, even you people are sitting with me &amp; if one of you commits a crime will you make me liable too? As far as Nirav Modi case is concerned Centre has taken it seriously and already seized more than 5 thousand crore assets&quot;.</p>

<p>The Congress&#39;&nbsp;allegations surfaced after pictures from the event showed Nirav Modi sharing the dais with PM Modi in the event.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Photographs(Nirav Modi Davos photo) prove nothing,even you people are sitting with me &amp; if one of you commits a crime will you make me liable too? As far as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NiravModi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NiravModi</a> case is concerned Centre has taken it seriously and already seized more than 5 thousand crore assets: Amit Shah <a href="https://t.co/a6QUz0DAE1">pic.twitter.com/a6QUz0DAE1</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965923953171673088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had also issued explaination on the matter saying that Nirav Modi was not part of the Prime Minister&#39;s delegation during his visit to Davos at World Economic Forum.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Clarifying the allegations of the Congress Amit Shah said 'Photographs prove nothing, even you people are sitting with me & if one of you commits a crime will you make me liable too? As far as Nirav Modi case is concerned Centre has taken it seriously and already seized over 5000 crore assets

BJP Chief Amit Shah has given clarifications over the accusations put up by Congress party which state that the charges on Nirav Modi were proved when he shared the stage with the Prime Minister in Davos at World Economic Forum. Clarifying the allegations of the opposition party Amit Shah said " Photographs prove nothing, even you people are sitting with me & if one of you commits a crime will you make me liable too? As far as Nirav Modi case is concerned Centre has taken it seriously and already seized more than 5 thousand crore assets". The Congress' allegations surfaced after pictures from the event showed Nirav Modi sharing the dais with PM Modi in the event. Photographs(Nirav Modi Davos photo) prove nothing,even you people are sitting with me & if one of you commits a crime will you make me liable too? As far as #NiravModi case is concerned Centre has taken it seriously and already seized more than 5 thousand crore assets: Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/a6QUz0DAE1 — ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2018 × Earlier Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had also issued explaination on the matter saying that Nirav Modi was not part of the Prime Minister's delegation during his visit to Davos at World Economic Forum.

Photographs of PM Modi with Nirav Modi prove nothing: Amit Shah

<p>The Supreme Court will&nbsp;continue hearing three pleas seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the death of special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) judge BH&nbsp;Loya on Monday.</p>

<p>The petitions will be heard by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra.</p>

<p>The apex court had earlier asked the Maharashtra Government to submit the postmortem report of the CBI judge, who had died in alleged suspicious circumstances in 2014, citing that the &quot;matter was very serious.&quot;</p>

<p>As per reports, Maharashtra-based journalist B.S. Lone and activist Tehseen Poonavala had filed independent pleas seeking a fair probe into the death of Justice Loya, who was hearing the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, involving various police officers and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah.</p>

<p>In a press conference held on January 12, Justices Madan B&nbsp;Lokur, Kurien Joseph, Ranjan Gogoi and Jasti Chelameswar questioned the conduct of the CJI, alleging that selective Benches were being appointed to preside over certain cases in the apex court.</p>

<p>Justice Loya&#39;s death is one among the certain cases hinted by the four judges.</p>


The petitions will be heard by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra

The Supreme Court will continue hearing three pleas seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the death of special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) judge BH Loya on Monday. The petitions will be heard by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra. The apex court had earlier asked the Maharashtra Government to submit the postmortem report of the CBI judge, who had died in alleged suspicious circumstances in 2014, citing that the "matter was very serious." As per reports, Maharashtra-based journalist B.S. Lone and activist Tehseen Poonavala had filed independent pleas seeking a fair probe into the death of Justice Loya, who was hearing the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, involving various police officers and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah. In a press conference held on January 12, Justices Madan B Lokur, Kurien Joseph, Ranjan Gogoi and Jasti Chelameswar questioned the conduct of the CJI, alleging that selective Benches were being appointed to preside over certain cases in the apex court. Justice Loya's death is one among the certain cases hinted by the four judges.

Supreme Court to hear plea seeking SIT probe into Justice Loya case

<p>Bhartiya Janata Party reacted to the allegations of indulging in &#39;cheap politics&#39; after Rahul Gandhi was seen sitting in the sixth row during the Republic day parade.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rahul Gandhi was given the seat during Republic Day parade as per the protocol, rules &amp; traditions. The controversy created by Congress party is unwarranted &amp; an example of cheap politics. It shows that Congress party still believes in aristocracy and not in democracy : <a href="https://twitter.com/GVLNRAO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GVLNRAO</a> <a href="https://t.co/eSWgJcJbrL">pic.twitter.com/eSWgJcJbrL</a></p>
&mdash; BJP (@BJP4India) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4India/status/957142249682345986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said, &quot;democracy workes&nbsp;around rules and not people, it shows that Congress party still believes in aristocracy and not in democracy.&quot;</p>

<p>Rao further asked the Congress if they don&#39;t believe in democracy?</p>

<p>On January 26, during the Republic Day celebrations, Rahul Gandhi took the designated seat in the sixth row which prompted an uproar among Congress leaders.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">मोदी सरकार की ओछी राजनीति जग ज़ाहिर!<br />
<br />
कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष श्री राहुल गांधी को गणतंत्र दिवस के राष्ट्रीय पर्व पर अंहकारी शासकों ने सारी परंपराओं को दरकिनार करके पहले चौथी पंक्ति और फिर छठी पंक्ति में जानबूझकर बिठाया।<br />
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हमारे लिये संविधान का उत्सव ही सर्व प्रथम है। <a href="https://t.co/8bRi017G8J">pic.twitter.com/8bRi017G8J</a></p>
&mdash; Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) <a href="https://twitter.com/rssurjewala/status/956789223910137856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Gandhi was seated along with the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad.</p>

<p>Congress sources said the party presidents, including Sonia Gandhi, were always seated in the front row at the Republic Day parade.</p>

<p>During last year celebrations, Sonia Gandhi was seated in the first row with BJP president Amit Shah.</p>

<p>India celebrated its 69th Republic Day on Friday with a grand display of the country&#39;s military might and rich cultural diversity in the presence of leaders from the ASEAN nations.&nbsp;</p>


During the 69th Republic Day celebrations, Rahul Gandhi took his designated seat in the sixth row

Bhartiya Janata Party reacted to the allegations of indulging in 'cheap politics' after Rahul Gandhi was seen sitting in the sixth row during the Republic day parade. Rahul Gandhi was given the seat during Republic Day parade as per the protocol, rules & traditions. The controversy created by Congress party is unwarranted & an example of cheap politics. It shows that Congress party still believes in aristocracy and not in democracy : @GVLNRAO pic.twitter.com/eSWgJcJbrL — BJP (@BJP4India) January 27, 2018 × BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said, "democracy workes around rules and not people, it shows that Congress party still believes in aristocracy and not in democracy." Rao further asked the Congress if they don't believe in democracy? On January 26, during the Republic Day celebrations, Rahul Gandhi took the designated seat in the sixth row which prompted an uproar among Congress leaders. मोदी सरकार की ओछी राजनीति जग ज़ाहिर! कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष श्री राहुल गांधी को गणतंत्र दिवस के राष्ट्रीय पर्व पर अंहकारी शासकों ने सारी परंपराओं को दरकिनार करके पहले चौथी पंक्ति और फिर छठी पंक्ति में जानबूझकर बिठाया। हमारे लिये संविधान का उत्सव ही सर्व प्रथम है। pic.twitter.com/8bRi017G8J — Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) January 26, 2018 × Gandhi was seated along with the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad. Congress sources said the party presidents, including Sonia Gandhi, were always seated in the front row at the Republic Day parade. During last year celebrations, Sonia Gandhi was seated in the first row with BJP president Amit Shah. India celebrated its 69th Republic Day on Friday with a grand display of the country's military might and rich cultural diversity in the presence of leaders from the ASEAN nations.

Rahul Gandhi's seating row: 'Democracy works around rules and not people,' retorts BJP

<p>While addressing a press meet in Agartala, BJP President Amit Shah blamed a CPI(M) cadre for allegedly abducting and killing a BJP booth worker.</p>

<p>He said that the authorities in the state work under the pressure of the CPI(M).</p>

<p>Shah said &quot;&nbsp;One of our booth workers was abducted, for two days he was untraceable after our workers pressurised the DGP we got to know that he was killed and hanged from a tree, by CPIM cadre. Authorities here work under CPIM&#39;s pressure&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">On of our booth workers was abducted, for two days he was untraceable, after our workers pressurised the DGP we got to know that he was killed and hanged from a tree, by CPIM cadre. Authorities here work under CPIM&#39;s pressure: Amit Shah in Tripura&#39;s Agartala <a href="https://t.co/IgflQWwbp9">pic.twitter.com/IgflQWwbp9</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/962908035583799296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He also assured that the BJP will form the next government in Tripura.</p>

<p>He said that the people in the state have anger against the CPI(M) government and because of their misrule Tripura stands last in terms of development.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Next government in Tripura will be of the BJP. There is anger against the CPIM govt throughout the state, because of their misrule Tripura stands last, when it comes to development: BJP Pres Amit Shah in Agartala <a href="https://t.co/dH2QQAxEEj">pic.twitter.com/dH2QQAxEEj</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/962906938660007937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Northeastern state of Tripura is all set for assembly election to be held on February 18.</p>


He said 'One of our booth workers was abducted, for two days he was untraceable after our workers pressurised the DGP we got to know that he was killed and hanged from a tree, by CPIM cadre. Authorities here work under CPIM's pressure'

While addressing a press meet in Agartala, BJP President Amit Shah blamed a CPI(M) cadre for allegedly abducting and killing a BJP booth worker. He said that the authorities in the state work under the pressure of the CPI(M). Shah said " One of our booth workers was abducted, for two days he was untraceable after our workers pressurised the DGP we got to know that he was killed and hanged from a tree, by CPIM cadre. Authorities here work under CPIM's pressure". On of our booth workers was abducted, for two days he was untraceable, after our workers pressurised the DGP we got to know that he was killed and hanged from a tree, by CPIM cadre. Authorities here work under CPIM's pressure: Amit Shah in Tripura's Agartala pic.twitter.com/IgflQWwbp9 — ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2018 × He also assured that the BJP will form the next government in Tripura. He said that the people in the state have anger against the CPI(M) government and because of their misrule Tripura stands last in terms of development. Next government in Tripura will be of the BJP. There is anger against the CPIM govt throughout the state, because of their misrule Tripura stands last, when it comes to development: BJP Pres Amit Shah in Agartala pic.twitter.com/dH2QQAxEEj — ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2018 × The Northeastern state of Tripura is all set for assembly election to be held on February 18.

Amit Shah blames CPI(M) cadre for killing BJP booth worker

<p>Days ahead of the assembly elections in Tripura, BJP president Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Manik Sarkar-led CPI(M) government in the state.</p>

<p>The BJP chief said his party wanted to bring about a change in the condition of the people of the state. He alleged that the recommendations of the seventh pay commission had not been implemented in the state and was affecting the government employees.</p>

<p>&quot;We want to bring about a change in the condition over here. Here there is a government of our red brothers, it&#39;s a government of communists. I want to ask whether the government employees of this state get salary under the seventh pay commission,&quot; the BJP chief said.</p>

<p>Amit Shah said the BJP wanted to &quot;change the politics of violence in Tripura to politics of development&quot; and promised to make Tripura a model state in five years.</p>

<p>&quot;We want to change politics of violence in Tripura to politics of development. In Tripura, birth anniversaries of Stalin and Lenin are celebrated but not of Tagore and Vivekanand. Bring BJP govt in the state and within five years we will make it a model state,&quot; Amit Shah said.</p>

<p>The BJP president also alleged that the people of Tripura were being suppressed and were not allowed to vote. He said that his party was not scared of violence.</p>

<p>&quot;The people of the state are being suppressed. They are not allowed to vote. I want to tell the entire CPM that this time the competition is with the BJP, come on the right track. The BJP is not scared of<br />
violence,&quot; Amit Shah said.</p>

<p>Tripura goes to polls on February 18.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Days ahead of the assembly elections in Tripura, BJP president Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Manik Sarkar-led CPI(M) government in the state

Days ahead of the assembly elections in Tripura, BJP president Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Manik Sarkar-led CPI(M) government in the state. The BJP chief said his party wanted to bring about a change in the condition of the people of the state. He alleged that the recommendations of the seventh pay commission had not been implemented in the state and was affecting the government employees. "We want to bring about a change in the condition over here. Here there is a government of our red brothers, it's a government of communists. I want to ask whether the government employees of this state get salary under the seventh pay commission," the BJP chief said. Amit Shah said the BJP wanted to "change the politics of violence in Tripura to politics of development" and promised to make Tripura a model state in five years. "We want to change politics of violence in Tripura to politics of development. In Tripura, birth anniversaries of Stalin and Lenin are celebrated but not of Tagore and Vivekanand. Bring BJP govt in the state and within five years we will make it a model state," Amit Shah said. The BJP president also alleged that the people of Tripura were being suppressed and were not allowed to vote. He said that his party was not scared of violence. "The people of the state are being suppressed. They are not allowed to vote. I want to tell the entire CPM that this time the competition is with the BJP, come on the right track. The BJP is not scared of violence," Amit Shah said. Tripura goes to polls on February 18.

Want to change politics of violence in Tripura to politics of development: Amit Shah

<p>The crucial BJP Parliamentary meet has begun at Parliament&rsquo;s Library Building on Friday morning.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM Narendra Modi arrives for BJP Parliamentary Party meeting (earlier visuals) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BudgetSession?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BudgetSession</a> <a href="https://t.co/HHOTVcdxdH">pic.twitter.com/HHOTVcdxdH</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/961817077320376320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the meet shortly. The party&#39;s parliamentary meet days after BJP lost the byelections in Rajasthan and West Bengal. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Apart from PM Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP chief Amit Shah are also attending the meet.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Apart from PM Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP chief Amit Shah are also attending the meet

The crucial BJP Parliamentary meet has begun at Parliament’s Library Building on Friday morning. PM Narendra Modi arrives for BJP Parliamentary Party meeting (earlier visuals) #BudgetSession pic.twitter.com/HHOTVcdxdH — ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2018 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the meet shortly. The party's parliamentary meet days after BJP lost the byelections in Rajasthan and West Bengal. Apart from PM Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP chief Amit Shah are also attending the meet.

BJP Parliamentary Party meet gets underway in Delhi

<p>The Congress on Tuesday carried out a &quot;pakoda&quot; protest in Chhattisgarh&#39;s Raipur in a bid to mock the Centre.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress workers organised a &quot;Shikshit Berozgar pakoda Center&quot; in the state.&nbsp;This set up comes following Amit Shah&#39;s speech at the Rajya Sabha on Monday and Prime Ministers &quot;pakora&quot; comment last month - which started the whole fiasco.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The leaders were seen selling &#39;Arun Jaitley&#39; pakora and &#39;Raman&#39; pakora targeting the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and the Chattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh.</p>

<p>The Congress on Tuesday slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah over his statement on &quot;pakoda&quot; sellers and Goods and Services Tax (GST) at the Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p>Shah was quoted saying: &quot;A pakora seller is earning a living, not begging, who knows his next generation might rise to be a leader, after all, a tea seller has today become a Prime Minister.&quot;</p>

<p>Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan hit back at this remark and said: &quot;It is very unfortunate that our country&#39;s youth who are talented and educated in various professions are sitting unemployed, and the ruling party is telling them to go and sell pakodas.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;Never has any ruling party in the past made such a despicable and disgraceful remark,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a recent interview to a news channel last month, the Prime Minister had said a person selling &quot;pakoda&quot; outside and earning Rs 200 a day should also be considered as &quot;employed&quot;.</p>

<p>&nbsp;Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Monday hit out at the Congress for being unable to address the issue of unemployment.</p>

<p>While addressing his maiden speech as the member of Rajya Sabha, Shah said that the Congress ruled the nation for a decade but failed to tackle the issue of unemployment.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Congress on Tuesday slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah over his statement on Pakoda sellers and Goods and Services Tax (GST) at the Rajya Sabha

The Congress on Tuesday carried out a "pakoda" protest in Chhattisgarh's Raipur in a bid to mock the Centre. The Congress workers organised a "Shikshit Berozgar pakoda Center" in the state. This set up comes following Amit Shah's speech at the Rajya Sabha on Monday and Prime Ministers "pakora" comment last month - which started the whole fiasco. The leaders were seen selling 'Arun Jaitley' pakora and 'Raman' pakora targeting the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and the Chattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh. The Congress on Tuesday slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah over his statement on "pakoda" sellers and Goods and Services Tax (GST) at the Rajya Sabha. Shah was quoted saying: "A pakora seller is earning a living, not begging, who knows his next generation might rise to be a leader, after all, a tea seller has today become a Prime Minister." Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan hit back at this remark and said: "It is very unfortunate that our country's youth who are talented and educated in various professions are sitting unemployed, and the ruling party is telling them to go and sell pakodas." "Never has any ruling party in the past made such a despicable and disgraceful remark," he added. In a recent interview to a news channel last month, the Prime Minister had said a person selling "pakoda" outside and earning Rs 200 a day should also be considered as "employed". Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Monday hit out at the Congress for being unable to address the issue of unemployment. While addressing his maiden speech as the member of Rajya Sabha, Shah said that the Congress ruled the nation for a decade but failed to tackle the issue of unemployment.

Chhattisgarh: Congress organises 'pakora' protest, names 'pakoras' after Jaitley, Raman Singh

<p>It took a lot of time for this government to fill the &quot;hole&quot; it inherited from its predecessor, BJP President Amit Shah said in the Rajya Sabha Monday. Shah was making his debut speech in Parliament.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shah said that taking that into consideration, his government&#39;s &quot;achievements&quot;&nbsp;should be looked at differently.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Sarkaar ne jab kaam-kaaj sambhala, tab sarkaar ke paas virasat me kya tha? Jis prakaar ka gaddha tha, wo gaddha bharne mein hi sarkaar ka bahut saara samay gaya hai aur gaddha bharne ke baad in uplabhdhiyon ko ek alag najariye se dekhein: Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha <a href="https://t.co/W9mY8IkOEV">pic.twitter.com/W9mY8IkOEV</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960434519210897408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">BJP ne kabhi GST ka virodh nahi kiya tha, iske tarikon ka virodh kiya tha. UPA ye kar sudhar leke aayi, Cess ghatane se rajyon ko nuksaan hua, wo UPA ko chukana tha, par nahi chukaya. 37,000 crore NDA ne chukaya: Amit Shah <a href="https://t.co/LKxLhCx48e">pic.twitter.com/LKxLhCx48e</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960441082206150656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Shah also referred to Prime Minister Modi&#39;s recent statement that a person selling pakodas should be seen as being employed. (The statement had been widely criticised.)</p>

<p>Shah however said Monday that he thought it better that somebody was working than begging. And that the children of the person selling pakodas would go on to become businessmen.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Abhi mai chidambaram sahab ka tweet padh raha tha ki &#39;mudra bank ke saath kisi ne pakode ka thela laga diya, isko rozgari kehte hain?&#39; Haan main maanta hu ki bheekh maangne se to accha hai ki koi mazdoori kar raha hai. Uski dusri pidhi aage aayegi to udyogpati banegi: Amit Shah</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960436944235892736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;A chaiwala&#39;s son,&quot;&nbsp;he said, &quot;is sitting in Parliament today.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also spoke about &quot;Modicare&quot;, this government&#39;s proposal to give 500 million people health insurance. The announcement was made by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget speech.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;No other government has had the courage to do it,&quot; Shah said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Puri duniya mein jitne bhi loktantra hai, un sab ki yojanaon ko koi khangal kar dekh le, 50 crore logon ko 5 lakh ka bima suraksha dena, kisi bhi sarkaar me ye saahas nahi hai. Isiliye, Ayaushman Bharat ko ab &#39;Namo healthcare&#39; ke naam se ye janta jaanegi: Amit Shah</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960438614256701440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Shah also spoke about the &quot;surgical strikes&quot;, calling them a &quot;historic moment&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;World started seeing India from a different view. They realised that after America and Israel, India is the only country which can protect its soldiers and army,&quot; Shah said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shah also said that &quot;we handled the Kashmir issue very well&quot;. And that Kashmir has never been so safe in the last 35 years&quot;.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kashmir issue is very crucial problem for the nation. Kashmir has never been so safe in the last 35 years. We handled the Kashmir issue very well: Amit Shah</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960446104612556800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">Sarvanumat se faisla hua hai.Aur shabd kya diya? Gabbar Singh Tax, kon hai Gabbar Singh? Sholay film me dakait ka naam tha. Kanoon se bana hua tax wasoolna daikaiti hai kya?: Amit Shah</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960443178561212416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The BJP President made his debut speech in the Rajya Sabha Monday

It took a lot of time for this government to fill the "hole" it inherited from its predecessor, BJP President Amit Shah said in the Rajya Sabha Monday. Shah was making his debut speech in Parliament. Shah said that taking that into consideration, his government's "achievements" should be looked at differently. Sarkaar ne jab kaam-kaaj sambhala, tab sarkaar ke paas virasat me kya tha? Jis prakaar ka gaddha tha, wo gaddha bharne mein hi sarkaar ka bahut saara samay gaya hai aur gaddha bharne ke baad in uplabhdhiyon ko ek alag najariye se dekhein: Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/W9mY8IkOEV — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × BJP ne kabhi GST ka virodh nahi kiya tha, iske tarikon ka virodh kiya tha. UPA ye kar sudhar leke aayi, Cess ghatane se rajyon ko nuksaan hua, wo UPA ko chukana tha, par nahi chukaya. 37,000 crore NDA ne chukaya: Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/LKxLhCx48e — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × Shah also referred to Prime Minister Modi's recent statement that a person selling pakodas should be seen as being employed. (The statement had been widely criticised.) Shah however said Monday that he thought it better that somebody was working than begging. And that the children of the person selling pakodas would go on to become businessmen. Abhi mai chidambaram sahab ka tweet padh raha tha ki 'mudra bank ke saath kisi ne pakode ka thela laga diya, isko rozgari kehte hain?' Haan main maanta hu ki bheekh maangne se to accha hai ki koi mazdoori kar raha hai. Uski dusri pidhi aage aayegi to udyogpati banegi: Amit Shah — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × "A chaiwala's son," he said, "is sitting in Parliament today." He also spoke about "Modicare", this government's proposal to give 500 million people health insurance. The announcement was made by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget speech. "No other government has had the courage to do it," Shah said. Puri duniya mein jitne bhi loktantra hai, un sab ki yojanaon ko koi khangal kar dekh le, 50 crore logon ko 5 lakh ka bima suraksha dena, kisi bhi sarkaar me ye saahas nahi hai. Isiliye, Ayaushman Bharat ko ab 'Namo healthcare' ke naam se ye janta jaanegi: Amit Shah — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × Shah also spoke about the "surgical strikes", calling them a "historic moment". "World started seeing India from a different view. They realised that after America and Israel, India is the only country which can protect its soldiers and army," Shah said. Shah also said that "we handled the Kashmir issue very well". And that Kashmir has never been so safe in the last 35 years". Kashmir issue is very crucial problem for the nation. Kashmir has never been so safe in the last 35 years. We handled the Kashmir issue very well: Amit Shah — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × Sarvanumat se faisla hua hai.Aur shabd kya diya? Gabbar Singh Tax, kon hai Gabbar Singh? Sholay film me dakait ka naam tha. Kanoon se bana hua tax wasoolna daikaiti hai kya?: Amit Shah — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 ×

Better to sell pakodas than beg: Amit Shah in Parliament

<p>BJP chief Amit Shah on Thursday said the Union Budget would ensure that development touched all sections of society and help the government realise its dream of a &quot;New India&quot; by 2022.</p>

<p>Speaking to the media here, Shah highlighted various budget provisions, especially those aimed at weaker sections, and said it was a pro-people Budget that would take the country ahead on the path to development.</p>

<p>The Budget gives &quot;new wings&quot; to the aspirations of the poor, he said, citing measures aimed at giving a boost to farmers, infrastructure, rural sector and small and medium enterprises.</p>

<p>Shah also posted a number of tweets as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented his fifth straight budget today to highlight the significance of the measures, especially those for the weaker sections.</p>

<p>This is the last full-fledged budget of the BJP-led NDA government before the next Lok Sabha polls, scheduled for 2019, and the ruling alliance hopes that its emphasis on the rural sector will help it connect with the masses as the elections approach.</p>

<p>The BJP president said the &quot;record allocation&quot; to the rural sector and agriculture would lead to the unprecedented rural development and agricultural growth and asserted that the consistent focus on these sectors had been a hallmark of the government.</p>

<p>He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaitley for the &quot;historic&quot; step of raising MSPs to 1.5 times the costs incurred by farmers and said it showed the government&#39;s commitment to farmers and resolve of doubling their income.</p>

<p>&quot;This budget gives new wings to the aspirations of the poor, farmers and the middle class. The #NewIndiaBudget will truly empower all sections of society to attain prosperity,&quot; he tweeted.</p>

<p>There was a &quot;tremendous stress&quot; on improving the ease of living for the common man and this was happening by improving affordability and access and would give a boost to the aspirations of the common man, Shah added.</p>

<p>He also termed the government&#39;s &quot;Ayushman Bharat&quot; scheme an unparalleled initiative to ensure &quot;health insurance as well as health assurance&quot;.</p>

<p>Protecting 10 crore families, which is about 40 per cent of India&#39;s population, with a health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh per family, was a global first, he said.</p>

<p>The scheme had received a good response from the people, who were calling it &quot;ModiCare&quot;, he added.</p>

<p>The proposed &quot;Eklavya Schools&quot; in tribal blocks reflected the govt&#39;s resolve to uplift tribal communities and help them secure a better future, he said.</p>

<p>The &quot;significant benefits&quot; to the MSME sector would not only give relief to small and medium entrepreneurs but also help them achieve new heights of development, he added.</p>

<p>&quot;I thank the government for the budgetary allocation of Rs 3 lakh crore under the &#39;Mudra Yojana&#39; for the year 2018- 2019 that will boost employment generation. This will especially benefit women, OBC, SC &amp; ST, as so far 76 per cent of loan accounts are of women and more than 50 per cent belong to SC, ST &amp; OBC,&quot; Shah said.</p>

<p>Building a solid Infrastructure for a &#39;New India&#39; has always been the focus of the government and the BJP welcomed and appreciated the record allotment to infrastructure and hastening the pace of completion, Shah said.</p>

<p>Reducing corporate tax to 25 per cent was a major initiative towards creating a competitive environment for doing business in India and was in line with global standards, he said.</p>

<p>&quot;The Modi government has continuously improved fiscal deficit since its first budget. The target of 3.3 per cent for 2018-19 is another effort in the same direction and will certainly improve investor confidence in the Indian economy,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>


"This budget gives new wings to the aspirations of the poor, farmers and the middle class. The #NewIndiaBudget will truly empower all sections of society to attain prosperity," he tweeted.

BJP chief Amit Shah on Thursday said the Union Budget would ensure that development touched all sections of society and help the government realise its dream of a "New India" by 2022. Speaking to the media here, Shah highlighted various budget provisions, especially those aimed at weaker sections, and said it was a pro-people Budget that would take the country ahead on the path to development. The Budget gives "new wings" to the aspirations of the poor, he said, citing measures aimed at giving a boost to farmers, infrastructure, rural sector and small and medium enterprises. Shah also posted a number of tweets as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented his fifth straight budget today to highlight the significance of the measures, especially those for the weaker sections. This is the last full-fledged budget of the BJP-led NDA government before the next Lok Sabha polls, scheduled for 2019, and the ruling alliance hopes that its emphasis on the rural sector will help it connect with the masses as the elections approach. The BJP president said the "record allocation" to the rural sector and agriculture would lead to the unprecedented rural development and agricultural growth and asserted that the consistent focus on these sectors had been a hallmark of the government. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaitley for the "historic" step of raising MSPs to 1.5 times the costs incurred by farmers and said it showed the government's commitment to farmers and resolve of doubling their income. "This budget gives new wings to the aspirations of the poor, farmers and the middle class. The #NewIndiaBudget will truly empower all sections of society to attain prosperity," he tweeted. There was a "tremendous stress" on improving the ease of living for the common man and this was happening by improving affordability and access and would give a boost to the aspirations of the common man, Shah added. He also termed the government's "Ayushman Bharat" scheme an unparalleled initiative to ensure "health insurance as well as health assurance". Protecting 10 crore families, which is about 40 per cent of India's population, with a health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh per family, was a global first, he said. The scheme had received a good response from the people, who were calling it "ModiCare", he added. The proposed "Eklavya Schools" in tribal blocks reflected the govt's resolve to uplift tribal communities and help them secure a better future, he said. The "significant benefits" to the MSME sector would not only give relief to small and medium entrepreneurs but also help them achieve new heights of development, he added. "I thank the government for the budgetary allocation of Rs 3 lakh crore under the 'Mudra Yojana' for the year 2018- 2019 that will boost employment generation. This will especially benefit women, OBC, SC & ST, as so far 76 per cent of loan accounts are of women and more than 50 per cent belong to SC, ST & OBC," Shah said. Building a solid Infrastructure for a 'New India' has always been the focus of the government and the BJP welcomed and appreciated the record allotment to infrastructure and hastening the pace of completion, Shah said. Reducing corporate tax to 25 per cent was a major initiative towards creating a competitive environment for doing business in India and was in line with global standards, he said. "The Modi government has continuously improved fiscal deficit since its first budget. The target of 3.3 per cent for 2018-19 is another effort in the same direction and will certainly improve investor confidence in the Indian economy," he said.

Budget gives new wings to aspirations of poor, says Amit Shah

<p>Anuj Loya, the son of special CBI judge BH Loya who allegedly died under mysterious circumstances, said Sunday that the family has no complaints against anyone.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Have no suspicion over father&#39;s death. Had suspicion earlier but now it is over,&quot; PTI reported Anuj as saying at a press conference in Mumbai today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PTI added that Anuj, with tears in eyes, urged NGOs and politicians to stop &quot;harassing&quot; his family over his father&#39;s death.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Our family is pained with the chain of events in past few days. Please don&#39;t harass us,&quot; ANI reported Anuj as saying.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Anuj Loya, Justice Loya&#39;s son says, &#39;we are convinced that his was a natural death. We do not have any suspicion about it.&#39; <a href="https://t.co/WqghpxvXGx">pic.twitter.com/WqghpxvXGx</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/952560961805697025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are convinced that his was a natural death, we do not have any suspicion about it. There is no doubt about it, everything is clear: Anuj Loya, son of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JusticeLoya?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JusticeLoya</a> <a href="https://t.co/SynW5JqxXp">pic.twitter.com/SynW5JqxXp</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/952551758634430464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;There was a period of emotional turmoil, there were a lot of rumors. We are clear now,&quot; Anuj, who is 21 and studying law in Pune, said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">There is no controversy. No need of politicising the issue. This is a tragic event. We do not want to be victims of politicisation of the issue. Let it remain the way it is, non - controversial: Ameet Naik, Lawyer <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JusticeLoya?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JusticeLoya</a> <a href="https://t.co/p4lKH5XoYi">pic.twitter.com/p4lKH5XoYi</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/952525000430403584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The four seniormost judges (after the Chief Justice of India) of the Supreme Court had, in an unprecedented move, called a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-a-first-4-supreme-court-judges-speak-on-corruption-29314" target="_blank">press conference</a> on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The four judges -- Justices Jasti Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph -- raised a litany of problems, including the assigning of cases, allegedly afflicting the country&#39;s highest court.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is thought the judges -- who did not mention specifics -- were also referring to Justice Loya&#39;s death.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-how-bad-is-the-situation-in-indias-supreme-court-29350" target="_blank">How bad is the situation in India&#39;s Supreme Court?</a></p>

<p>Other judges have also called for the death to be investigated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Justice Loya had been hearing the Sohrabuddin encounter case in which BJP President Amit Shah is also named.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Caravan magazine had, after talking to Loya&#39;s family members, first reported that he had died in mysterious circumstances.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Subsequent news reports have partly corroborated the Caravan report, while disagreeing with other parts of it.&nbsp;</p>


'Have no suspicion over father's death. Had suspicion earlier but now it is over,' Anuj Loya said Thursday at a press conference

Anuj Loya, the son of special CBI judge BH Loya who allegedly died under mysterious circumstances, said Sunday that the family has no complaints against anyone. "Have no suspicion over father's death. Had suspicion earlier but now it is over," PTI reported Anuj as saying at a press conference in Mumbai today. PTI added that Anuj, with tears in eyes, urged NGOs and politicians to stop "harassing" his family over his father's death. "Our family is pained with the chain of events in past few days. Please don't harass us," ANI reported Anuj as saying. #WATCH: Anuj Loya, Justice Loya's son says, 'we are convinced that his was a natural death. We do not have any suspicion about it.' pic.twitter.com/WqghpxvXGx — ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2018 × We are convinced that his was a natural death, we do not have any suspicion about it. There is no doubt about it, everything is clear: Anuj Loya, son of #JusticeLoya pic.twitter.com/SynW5JqxXp — ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2018 × "There was a period of emotional turmoil, there were a lot of rumors. We are clear now," Anuj, who is 21 and studying law in Pune, said. There is no controversy. No need of politicising the issue. This is a tragic event. We do not want to be victims of politicisation of the issue. Let it remain the way it is, non - controversial: Ameet Naik, Lawyer #JusticeLoya pic.twitter.com/p4lKH5XoYi — ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2018 × The four seniormost judges (after the Chief Justice of India) of the Supreme Court had, in an unprecedented move, called a press conference on Friday. The four judges -- Justices Jasti Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph -- raised a litany of problems, including the assigning of cases, allegedly afflicting the country's highest court. It is thought the judges -- who did not mention specifics -- were also referring to Justice Loya's death. Also read: How bad is the situation in India's Supreme Court? Other judges have also called for the death to be investigated. Justice Loya had been hearing the Sohrabuddin encounter case in which BJP President Amit Shah is also named. The Caravan magazine had, after talking to Loya's family members, first reported that he had died in mysterious circumstances. Subsequent news reports have partly corroborated the Caravan report, while disagreeing with other parts of it.

Justice Loya's death: 'Had suspicion earlier' over father's death 'but now it is over', says son

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