Nearly 63.55 per cent voter turnout was reported from Haryana, where the voting concluded on Monday for 90 Assembly seats.

The voting percentage in Maharashtra, where 288 Assembly seats are at stake, was pegged at 56.65 per cent, as per the details shared by the Election Commission of India (ECI) here.

Also, the by-poll took place for two Lok Sabha constituencies -- Satara in Maharashtra and Samastipur in Bihar, and for 51 Assembly seats spread in 17 states including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Bihar.

The polling percentage was 44.64 in Samastipur reserved Parliamentary constituency. 60.75 per cent polling was reported from Satara in Maharashtra. In Uttar Pradesh where the assembly by-poll was held on 11 seats, the voting percentage was put at 46.66. Over 90 per cent of voters cast their votes in Arunachal Pradesh assembly by-poll on Khonsa seat. Gangoh in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh saw 57.8 per cent voting while Lucknow Cantonment assembly seat witnessed 28.53 per cent voting, lowest in the state.

The voter turn out in Naxal-hit Chitrakot in Chhattisgarh was 74.8 per cent, Huzurnagar in Telangana (82.23 per cent) and Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh (62.01 per cent), Bijepur in Odisha (78.96 per cent), Shella in Meghalaya (84.56 per cent) and 69.44 per cent in Puducherry.&nbsp;

The four seats in Assam recorded the poll percentage of 75.69 per cent, five seats in Bihar of 49.50 per cent and six seats in Gujarat of 51.36 per cent.

The poll percentage was 67.97 per cent for two seats in Himachal Pradesh, 66.34 per cent for five seats in Kerala, 69.55 per cent for three seats in Sikkim, 68.87 per cent for two seats in Tamil Nadu and 62.33 per cent for four seats in Punjab.

In Maharashtra, BJP is contesting at 150 seats while its ally Shiv Sena has fielded 124 candidates. The remaining seats have been left for smaller allies. On the other hand, Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

The assembly elections in Haryana are a multi-cornered contest among the BJP, Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP).

Counting of votes in both Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly polls will take place on October 24.

Nearly 63.55 per cent voter turnout was reported from Haryana, where the voting concluded on Monday for 90 Assembly seats. The voting percentage in Maharashtra, where 288 Assembly seats are at stake, was pegged at 56.

Nearly 63.55 per cent voter turnout was reported from Haryana, where the voting concluded on Monday for 90 Assembly seats. The voting percentage in Maharashtra, where 288 Assembly seats are at stake, was pegged at 56.65 per cent, as per the details shared by the Election Commission of India (ECI) here. Also, the by-poll took place for two Lok Sabha constituencies -- Satara in Maharashtra and Samastipur in Bihar, and for 51 Assembly seats spread in 17 states including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Bihar. The polling percentage was 44.64 in Samastipur reserved Parliamentary constituency. 60.75 per cent polling was reported from Satara in Maharashtra. In Uttar Pradesh where the assembly by-poll was held on 11 seats, the voting percentage was put at 46.66. Over 90 per cent of voters cast their votes in Arunachal Pradesh assembly by-poll on Khonsa seat. Gangoh in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh saw 57.8 per cent voting while Lucknow Cantonment assembly seat witnessed 28.53 per cent voting, lowest in the state. The voter turn out in Naxal-hit Chitrakot in Chhattisgarh was 74.8 per cent, Huzurnagar in Telangana (82.23 per cent) and Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh (62.01 per cent), Bijepur in Odisha (78.96 per cent), Shella in Meghalaya (84.56 per cent) and 69.44 per cent in Puducherry. The four seats in Assam recorded the poll percentage of 75.69 per cent, five seats in Bihar of 49.50 per cent and six seats in Gujarat of 51.36 per cent. The poll percentage was 67.97 per cent for two seats in Himachal Pradesh, 66.34 per cent for five seats in Kerala, 69.55 per cent for three seats in Sikkim, 68.87 per cent for two seats in Tamil Nadu and 62.33 per cent for four seats in Punjab. In Maharashtra, BJP is contesting at 150 seats while its ally Shiv Sena has fielded 124 candidates. The remaining seats have been left for smaller allies. On the other hand, Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The assembly elections in Haryana are a multi-cornered contest among the BJP, Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP). Counting of votes in both Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly polls will take place on October 24.

Assembly polls: Haryana records 63.55% voter turnout, Maharashtra 56.65%

Over 50 per cent of voters had cast their votes for Haryana assembly polls by 4 pm on Monday while the polling percentage was 43.70 per cent in Maharashtra.

The polling percentage in Haryana was 50.59 per cent in Haryana, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).&nbsp;

The polling percentage was high in some states where assembly by-elections are being held but low in some others.

In Uttar Pradesh where assembly by-poll is being held on 11 seats, the voting percentage was 36.94 per cent. The four seats in Assam recorded a poll percentage of 63.71 per cent, five seats in Bihar of 41.82 per cent, six seats in Gujarat of 40.28 per cent.

The poll percentage was 55.62 per cent for two seats in Himachal Pradesh, 51.65 per cent for five seats in Kerala, 62 per cent for three seats in Sikkim, 58.51 per cent for two seats in Tamil Nadu and 50.49 per cent for four seats in Punjab.

The assembly bypoll for one seat in Arunachal Pradesh recorded a high polling percentage of 89.27 per cent by 4 pm.

It was 56.62 per cent for one seat in Madhya Pradesh, 64.13 per cent for one seat in Meghalaya, 56.50 per cent for one seat in Odisha, 64.14 per cent for one seat in Chhattisgarh, 69.95 per cent for one seat in Telangana and 56.16 per cent in Puducherry. Samasitpur Lok Sabha seat in Bihar recorded 38 per cent voting by 4 pm while Satara in Maharashtra recorded 48.04 per cent.

In Maharashtra, BJP is contesting at 150 seats while its ally Shiv Sena has fielded 124 candidates. The remaining seats have been left for smaller allies. On the other hand, Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

The assembly elections in Haryana are a multi-cornered contest among the BJP, Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP).

Counting of votes in both Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly polls will take place on October 24.

Over 50 per cent of voters had cast their votes for Haryana assembly polls by 4 pm on Monday while the polling percentage was 43.70 per cent in Maharashtra. The polling percentage in Haryana was 50.

Over 50 per cent of voters had cast their votes for Haryana assembly polls by 4 pm on Monday while the polling percentage was 43.70 per cent in Maharashtra. The polling percentage in Haryana was 50.59 per cent in Haryana, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The polling percentage was high in some states where assembly by-elections are being held but low in some others. In Uttar Pradesh where assembly by-poll is being held on 11 seats, the voting percentage was 36.94 per cent. The four seats in Assam recorded a poll percentage of 63.71 per cent, five seats in Bihar of 41.82 per cent, six seats in Gujarat of 40.28 per cent. The poll percentage was 55.62 per cent for two seats in Himachal Pradesh, 51.65 per cent for five seats in Kerala, 62 per cent for three seats in Sikkim, 58.51 per cent for two seats in Tamil Nadu and 50.49 per cent for four seats in Punjab. The assembly bypoll for one seat in Arunachal Pradesh recorded a high polling percentage of 89.27 per cent by 4 pm. It was 56.62 per cent for one seat in Madhya Pradesh, 64.13 per cent for one seat in Meghalaya, 56.50 per cent for one seat in Odisha, 64.14 per cent for one seat in Chhattisgarh, 69.95 per cent for one seat in Telangana and 56.16 per cent in Puducherry. Samasitpur Lok Sabha seat in Bihar recorded 38 per cent voting by 4 pm while Satara in Maharashtra recorded 48.04 per cent. In Maharashtra, BJP is contesting at 150 seats while its ally Shiv Sena has fielded 124 candidates. The remaining seats have been left for smaller allies. On the other hand, Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The assembly elections in Haryana are a multi-cornered contest among the BJP, Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP). Counting of votes in both Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly polls will take place on October 24.

Haryana registers 50.59% polling by 4 pm, Maharashtra 43.70%

Over 50.59 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Haryana till 3:30 pm on Monday.

The fate of 1,169 candidates for the 90 member Legislative Assembly in the state will be sealed in EVMs by the voters.

19,578 polling stations have been set up for citizens to cast their votes in the state.

About 2,987 polling booths have been marked as vulnerable and 151 polling stations have been identified as critical.

Live footage from these polling stations will be monitored in the control room set up at the headquarters in Chandigarh.

More than 40,000 Haryana Police personnel, over 13,000 paramilitary personnel and more than 20,000 Home Guards and Special Police Officers have been deployed for conducting the elections in the state.

The assembly elections in Haryana are a multi-cornered contest among the BJP, Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP).

Polling for 90 seats in Haryana began at 7 am today and will continue till 6 pm in the evening.&nbsp;

Over 50.59 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Haryana till 3:30 pm on Monday. The fate of 1,169 candidates for the 90 member Legislative Assembly in the state will be sealed in EVMs by the voters.

Over 50.59 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Haryana till 3:30 pm on Monday. The fate of 1,169 candidates for the 90 member Legislative Assembly in the state will be sealed in EVMs by the voters. 19,578 polling stations have been set up for citizens to cast their votes in the state. About 2,987 polling booths have been marked as vulnerable and 151 polling stations have been identified as critical. Live footage from these polling stations will be monitored in the control room set up at the headquarters in Chandigarh. More than 40,000 Haryana Police personnel, over 13,000 paramilitary personnel and more than 20,000 Home Guards and Special Police Officers have been deployed for conducting the elections in the state. The assembly elections in Haryana are a multi-cornered contest among the BJP, Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP). Polling for 90 seats in Haryana began at 7 am today and will continue till 6 pm in the evening.

Haryana assembly elections: 50.59% polling recorded till 3:30 pm

The voter turnout for Maharashtra Assembly constituency stood at 43.78 per cent till 3 pm, as per the Election Commission (EC).

The voter turnout for Mumbai city district stood at 35 per cent while the total turnout in Pune district was recorded at 41.1 per cent comprising of 21 assembly constituencies, till 3 pm.&nbsp;

Out of 288 Assembly constituencies in the state, Karvir witnessed the highest voter turnout of 65.61 per cent while Ulhasnagar witnessed the lowest at 25.82 per cent till 3 pm.

Polling is underway in the state and Bollywood stars--Jaya Bachchan along with Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan exercised their right to vote at Mumbai`s Juhu constituency on Monday. BJP MP from Gurdaspur, Sunny Deol too exercised his right to vote at a polling booth in Juhu, Mumbai.

Polling for 90 seats of Haryana and 288 constituencies of Maharashtra began at 7 am today and will continue till 6 pm.

The electoral fate of over 4,400 candidates -- 1,169 in Haryana and 3,237 in Maharashtra will be sealed in EVMs by the voters who will exercise their democratic franchise in the assembly elections.

There are 96,661 polling booths in Maharashtra for citizens to cast their votes.

In Maharashtra, BJP is contesting at 150 seats while its ally Shiv Sena has fielded 124 candidates. The remaining seats have been left for smaller allies. On the other hand, Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Counting of votes in both Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly polls will take place on October 24.

The voter turnout for Maharashtra Assembly constituency stood at 43.78 per cent till 3 pm, as per the Election Commission (EC). The voter turnout for Mumbai city district stood at 35 per cent while the total turnout in Pune district was recorded at 41.

The voter turnout for Maharashtra Assembly constituency stood at 43.78 per cent till 3 pm, as per the Election Commission (EC). The voter turnout for Mumbai city district stood at 35 per cent while the total turnout in Pune district was recorded at 41.1 per cent comprising of 21 assembly constituencies, till 3 pm. Out of 288 Assembly constituencies in the state, Karvir witnessed the highest voter turnout of 65.61 per cent while Ulhasnagar witnessed the lowest at 25.82 per cent till 3 pm. Polling is underway in the state and Bollywood stars--Jaya Bachchan along with Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan exercised their right to vote at Mumbai`s Juhu constituency on Monday. BJP MP from Gurdaspur, Sunny Deol too exercised his right to vote at a polling booth in Juhu, Mumbai. Polling for 90 seats of Haryana and 288 constituencies of Maharashtra began at 7 am today and will continue till 6 pm. The electoral fate of over 4,400 candidates -- 1,169 in Haryana and 3,237 in Maharashtra will be sealed in EVMs by the voters who will exercise their democratic franchise in the assembly elections. There are 96,661 polling booths in Maharashtra for citizens to cast their votes. In Maharashtra, BJP is contesting at 150 seats while its ally Shiv Sena has fielded 124 candidates. The remaining seats have been left for smaller allies. On the other hand, Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Counting of votes in both Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly polls will take place on October 24.

Maharashtra polls: 43.78% voter turnout till 3 pm

Maharashtra Congress on Monday claimed that the electronic voting machines (EVMs) were malfunctioning in several booths across the state.

"We have been sitting here in the Congress war room since 6 am and have received many complaints of EVMs not functioning properly in various polling booths, some of which were even changed after the complaint," Avinash Pandey Congress general secretary and the party`s war room in-charge in Mumbai told ANI.

Pandey gave the example of a polling booth in the Ramtek assembly constituency.

"For example, in booth number 337 in the Ramtek assembly constituency, a complaint came that while the button against one party`s symbol was being pressed the VVPAT showed the symbol of another party. This is a serious fault," Pandey said.

"We have complained to the Election Commission regarding this and we are hopeful it will be resolved soon," he further said.

Voting for 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra began at 7 am today and will continue till 6 pm in the evening.

The electoral fate of 3237 candidates in the state will be sealed in EVms by the voters who will exercise their franchise in the assembly elections. Of the 288 seats, BJP is contesting on 164; this includes candidates of smaller allies contesting on its lotus symbol, while its key ally Shiv Sena has fielded 126 candidates in the state.&nbsp;

On the other hand, Congress has candidates in 147 constituencies and NCP is contesting 121 seats.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Maharashtra Congress on Monday claimed that the electronic voting machines (EVMs) were malfunctioning in several booths across the state. "We have been sitting here in the Congress war room since 6 am and have received many complaints of EVMs not functioning properly in various polling booths, some of which were even changed after the complaint," Avinash Pandey Congress general secretary and the party`s war room in-charge in Mumbai told ANI.

Maharashtra Congress on Monday claimed that the electronic voting machines (EVMs) were malfunctioning in several booths across the state. "We have been sitting here in the Congress war room since 6 am and have received many complaints of EVMs not functioning properly in various polling booths, some of which were even changed after the complaint," Avinash Pandey Congress general secretary and the party`s war room in-charge in Mumbai told ANI. Pandey gave the example of a polling booth in the Ramtek assembly constituency. "For example, in booth number 337 in the Ramtek assembly constituency, a complaint came that while the button against one party`s symbol was being pressed the VVPAT showed the symbol of another party. This is a serious fault," Pandey said. "We have complained to the Election Commission regarding this and we are hopeful it will be resolved soon," he further said. Voting for 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra began at 7 am today and will continue till 6 pm in the evening. The electoral fate of 3237 candidates in the state will be sealed in EVms by the voters who will exercise their franchise in the assembly elections. Of the 288 seats, BJP is contesting on 164; this includes candidates of smaller allies contesting on its lotus symbol, while its key ally Shiv Sena has fielded 126 candidates in the state. On the other hand, Congress has candidates in 147 constituencies and NCP is contesting 121 seats.

Congress complains to EC, alleges several EVMs malfunctioning across the state

The voter turnout for Maharashtra Assembly constituency stood at 30.89 per cent till 1 pm.

Out of the 288 Assembly constituencies in the state, Armori witnessed the highest voter turnout of 52.89 per cent and Ulhasnagar witnessed the lowest at 15.70 per cent till 1 pm.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-haryana-assembly-elections-2019-voting-underway-at-all-polling-booths-257147">Maharashtra, Haryana Assembly Elections 2019: Voting underway at all polling booths</a>

Polling for 90 seats of Haryana and 288 constituencies of Maharashtra began at 7 am today and will continue till 6 pm.

The electoral fate of over 4,400 candidates -- 1,169 in Haryana and 3,237 in Maharashtra will be sealed in EVMs by the voters who will exercise their democratic franchise in the assembly elections.

There are 96,661 polling booths in Maharashtra for citizens to cast their votes.

In Maharashtra, BJP is contesting 150 seats while its ally Shiv Sena has fielded 124 candidates.&nbsp;

The remaining seats have been left for smaller allies. On the other hand, Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Counting of votes in both Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly polls will take place on October 24.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The voter turnout for Maharashtra Assembly constituency stood at 30.89 per cent till 1 pm. Out of the 288 Assembly constituencies in the state, Armori witnessed the highest voter turnout of 52.

The voter turnout for Maharashtra Assembly constituency stood at 30.89 per cent till 1 pm. Out of the 288 Assembly constituencies in the state, Armori witnessed the highest voter turnout of 52.89 per cent and Ulhasnagar witnessed the lowest at 15.70 per cent till 1 pm. Also read: Maharashtra, Haryana Assembly Elections 2019: Voting underway at all polling booths Polling for 90 seats of Haryana and 288 constituencies of Maharashtra began at 7 am today and will continue till 6 pm. The electoral fate of over 4,400 candidates -- 1,169 in Haryana and 3,237 in Maharashtra will be sealed in EVMs by the voters who will exercise their democratic franchise in the assembly elections. There are 96,661 polling booths in Maharashtra for citizens to cast their votes. In Maharashtra, BJP is contesting 150 seats while its ally Shiv Sena has fielded 124 candidates. The remaining seats have been left for smaller allies. On the other hand, Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Counting of votes in both Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly polls will take place on October 24.

Maharashtra polls: 30.89% voter turnout till 1 pm

Shiv Sena has excluded Sanjay Raut, the editor of its mouthpiece Saamna and the party`s face in media, from a list of leaders authorised to speak on behalf of the party on the Assembly elections results day in Maharashtra.

The Shiv Sena`s media department has put out a list of 18 leaders who will put forth the party`s stand on several matters and give reactions on election developments on October 24, the day the poll results are announced.&nbsp;

The party`s media department head Harshal Pradhan has requested media organisations to take reactions for Assembly elections from these authorised people only. The list includes the names of Arvind Sawant, Neelam Gonhe, Vishakha Raut, Bhawana Gawali, Rahul Shewale, Dhairyashil Mane, Anil Parab, Manisha Kayande, and Sunil Shinde.&nbsp;

Other party leaders who would act as spokespersons for the party include Suraj Chahwan, Sachin Ahir, Varun Sardesai, Hemraj Shaha, Sainath Durge, Kishor Kanhere, Shital Mhatre and Shubha Raul. Priyanka Chaturvedi, who joined Shiv Sena before the Lok Sabha elections in April, has also been authorised to speak in media.

The development is seen as a snub to the Rajya Sabha MP who has been critical to BJP before the two parties seal a poll pact for the elections.&nbsp;

Shiv Sena is contesting Assembly elections in alliance with incumbent Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) in the state.Elections will be held on October 21 and counting of votes will be held on October 24 in the state.

Shiv Sena has excluded Sanjay Raut, the editor of its mouthpiece Saamna and the party`s face in media, from a list of leaders authorised to speak on behalf of the party on the Assembly elections results day in Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena has excluded Sanjay Raut, the editor of its mouthpiece Saamna and the party`s face in media, from a list of leaders authorised to speak on behalf of the party on the Assembly elections results day in Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena`s media department has put out a list of 18 leaders who will put forth the party`s stand on several matters and give reactions on election developments on October 24, the day the poll results are announced. The party`s media department head Harshal Pradhan has requested media organisations to take reactions for Assembly elections from these authorised people only. The list includes the names of Arvind Sawant, Neelam Gonhe, Vishakha Raut, Bhawana Gawali, Rahul Shewale, Dhairyashil Mane, Anil Parab, Manisha Kayande, and Sunil Shinde. Other party leaders who would act as spokespersons for the party include Suraj Chahwan, Sachin Ahir, Varun Sardesai, Hemraj Shaha, Sainath Durge, Kishor Kanhere, Shital Mhatre and Shubha Raul. Priyanka Chaturvedi, who joined Shiv Sena before the Lok Sabha elections in April, has also been authorised to speak in media. The development is seen as a snub to the Rajya Sabha MP who has been critical to BJP before the two parties seal a poll pact for the elections. Shiv Sena is contesting Assembly elections in alliance with incumbent Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) in the state.Elections will be held on October 21 and counting of votes will be held on October 24 in the state.

Shiv Sena excludes Sanjay Raut from list of leaders authorised to speak to media on poll result day

<div class="content" itemprop="articleBody">
The campaigning ended for assembly polls in Haryana and Maharashtra on Saturday with political leaders making all-out efforts to woo voters through rallies and road shows.

On the last day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally at Rewari and Sirsa in Haryana.

Union Home Minister and BJP president Amit Shah held rallies in Maharashtra. State Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a roadshow in Nagpur while NCP chief Sharad Pawar addressed an election rally in Satara.

Polling in the two states will be held on October 21 and the results will be announced on October 24. BJP is in power on its own in Haryana and in alliance with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra.

The BJP targeted Congress on its past record in office and vociferously raised the issues of national security and repeal of Article 370.

The Congress and other opposition parties raised issues such as "unemployment", "slow down in economy" and " farm distress".

BJP is contesting 150 seats in 288-member Maharashtra Assembly while its ally Shiv Sena has fielded candidates in 124 candidates. The remaining seats have been left for smaller allies.

Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with NCP in Maharashtra.

The elections to 90-member Haryana assembly will witness multi-cornered contest on several seats between BJP, Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP).&nbsp;
</div>

The campaigning ended for assembly polls in Haryana and Maharashtra on Saturday with political leaders making all-out efforts to woo voters through rallies and road shows.

The campaigning ended for assembly polls in Haryana and Maharashtra on Saturday with political leaders making all-out efforts to woo voters through rallies and road shows. On the last day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally at Rewari and Sirsa in Haryana. Union Home Minister and BJP president Amit Shah held rallies in Maharashtra. State Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a roadshow in Nagpur while NCP chief Sharad Pawar addressed an election rally in Satara. Polling in the two states will be held on October 21 and the results will be announced on October 24. BJP is in power on its own in Haryana and in alliance with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. The BJP targeted Congress on its past record in office and vociferously raised the issues of national security and repeal of Article 370. The Congress and other opposition parties raised issues such as "unemployment", "slow down in economy" and " farm distress". BJP is contesting 150 seats in 288-member Maharashtra Assembly while its ally Shiv Sena has fielded candidates in 124 candidates. The remaining seats have been left for smaller allies. Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with NCP in Maharashtra. The elections to 90-member Haryana assembly will witness multi-cornered contest on several seats between BJP, Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP).

Campaigning ends for Haryana, Maharashtra assembly polls

In a bid to attract voters ahead of Assembly polls, the Indian National Lok Dal on Saturday released its manifesto making a plethora of promises including unemployment allowance for the youths and the implementation of recommendations of Swaminathan Commission.

In the presence of senior leaders like RS Choudhry, INLD`s state unit president Birbal Dass Dhalia released the manifesto. The party has promised a monthly unemployment allowance of Rs 15,000 for the youths of the state.

"It will also be ensured by law that the private sector employs 75 per cent of the workforce from Haryana. Similarly, the old-age pension, which was pioneered by the INLD, will be enhanced to Rs 5,000 per month," said Dhalia.

He said the INLD would work for the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission`s recommendations regarding the MSP for the crops of farmers. The party also promised to waive off farm loans up to Rs 10 lakh on a priority basis.

"In addition, this loan waiver up to Rs 10 lakh will also be extended to small traders to enable them to come out of the prolonged period of economic slump faced by them," said Dhalia.

Another reform in the agricultural sector proposed by the party is the withdrawal of GST imposed on tractors, agricultural implements, seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides.

INLD also announced that females from economically weaker sections will be given Rs 5 lakh by the state government during their marriage as `Kanyadaan`.

"The girls will also be provided with free education up to their higher education. A monthly allowance of Rs 2,000 will be given to the poor women between the age of 35 and 65 years," he said.

The party also talked about its plans to introduce modern sewage equipment to save sanitary workers who die due to unhygienic working conditions and the sewage workers will also be provided with an insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh each. 
&nbsp;

In a bid to attract voters ahead of Assembly polls, the Indian National Lok Dal on Saturday released its manifesto making a plethora of promises including unemployment allowance for the youths and the implementation of recommendations of Swaminathan Commission.

In a bid to attract voters ahead of Assembly polls, the Indian National Lok Dal on Saturday released its manifesto making a plethora of promises including unemployment allowance for the youths and the implementation of recommendations of Swaminathan Commission. In the presence of senior leaders like RS Choudhry, INLD`s state unit president Birbal Dass Dhalia released the manifesto. The party has promised a monthly unemployment allowance of Rs 15,000 for the youths of the state. "It will also be ensured by law that the private sector employs 75 per cent of the workforce from Haryana. Similarly, the old-age pension, which was pioneered by the INLD, will be enhanced to Rs 5,000 per month," said Dhalia. He said the INLD would work for the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission`s recommendations regarding the MSP for the crops of farmers. The party also promised to waive off farm loans up to Rs 10 lakh on a priority basis. "In addition, this loan waiver up to Rs 10 lakh will also be extended to small traders to enable them to come out of the prolonged period of economic slump faced by them," said Dhalia. Another reform in the agricultural sector proposed by the party is the withdrawal of GST imposed on tractors, agricultural implements, seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides. INLD also announced that females from economically weaker sections will be given Rs 5 lakh by the state government during their marriage as `Kanyadaan`. "The girls will also be provided with free education up to their higher education. A monthly allowance of Rs 2,000 will be given to the poor women between the age of 35 and 65 years," he said. The party also talked about its plans to introduce modern sewage equipment to save sanitary workers who die due to unhygienic working conditions and the sewage workers will also be provided with an insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh each.

Haryana polls: INLD promises Rs 15,000 monthly unemployment allowance, Rs 10 lakh farm loan waiver

The star campaigners of BJP will hold more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-fields-tiktok-star-sonali-phogat-for-upcoming-haryana-polls-253722">100 rallies in Haryana</a> ahead of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-declares-78-haryana-candidates-for-upcoming-assembly-elections-252869">Assembly elections</a> which is&nbsp;scheduled to be held on October 21 in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a total of four rallies in Haryana that too near the polling date.&nbsp;

On October 14, the Prime Minister will hold a mega rally in Ballabhgarh.&nbsp;On October 15, he will hold two rallies -- in Dadri and in Thanesar.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister will be in Hisar on October 18.BJP president Amit Shah and working president JP Nadda will hold more than a dozen rallies across Haryana separately.&nbsp;

Amit Shah will address rallies at Kaithal, Barwala, Loharu and Meham on October 9 and at Tohana, Panchkula, Karnal and Badshahpur on October 14.&nbsp;

While Nadda will address rallies at Dabwali, Rania, Kalanwali and Pataudi on October 11.

Firebrand BJP leader and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who is among 40-star campaigners will address rallies at Kalka, Naraingarh, Julana and Sonipat on October 11.

Artist-turned-politicians Sunny Deol, Manoj Tiwari, Ravi Kishan, Hema Malini, Hans Raj Hans too will hold more than 30 rallies each in the state.

General Secretary, Organisation, B L Santosh will work to mobilise cadres for which he will be address convention of party workers on October 9.

BJP had on Friday released the list of name of 40 prominent BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and JP Nadda to lead the poll assembly campaign in Haryana.

Voting for the 90-member Haryana Assembly elections will be held on October 21 and the counting of votes is scheduled on October 24.

The star campaigners of BJP will hold more than 100 rallies in Haryana ahead of the Assembly elections which is scheduled to be held on October 21 in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a total of four rallies in Haryana that too near the polling date.

The star campaigners of BJP will hold more than 100 rallies in Haryana ahead of the Assembly elections which is scheduled to be held on October 21 in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a total of four rallies in Haryana that too near the polling date. On October 14, the Prime Minister will hold a mega rally in Ballabhgarh. On October 15, he will hold two rallies -- in Dadri and in Thanesar. The Prime Minister will be in Hisar on October 18.BJP president Amit Shah and working president JP Nadda will hold more than a dozen rallies across Haryana separately. Amit Shah will address rallies at Kaithal, Barwala, Loharu and Meham on October 9 and at Tohana, Panchkula, Karnal and Badshahpur on October 14. While Nadda will address rallies at Dabwali, Rania, Kalanwali and Pataudi on October 11. Firebrand BJP leader and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who is among 40-star campaigners will address rallies at Kalka, Naraingarh, Julana and Sonipat on October 11. Artist-turned-politicians Sunny Deol, Manoj Tiwari, Ravi Kishan, Hema Malini, Hans Raj Hans too will hold more than 30 rallies each in the state. General Secretary, Organisation, B L Santosh will work to mobilise cadres for which he will be address convention of party workers on October 9. BJP had on Friday released the list of name of 40 prominent BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and JP Nadda to lead the poll assembly campaign in Haryana. Voting for the 90-member Haryana Assembly elections will be held on October 21 and the counting of votes is scheduled on October 24.

BJP's star campaigners to hold over 100 rallies in Haryana ahead of Assembly elections

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was on Sunday re-elected as the president of the Janata Dal (United) unopposed for the next three years.

The last date of filing nomination for the post was October 5 and except the Bihar Chief Minister, no other leader had filed the nomination.

Speaking to ANI, national election officer of JD(U), Anil Hedge said, "On September 27, a notification was issued for the election to the post of JDU party president."

He said the last date for filing nomination was October 4.&nbsp;

"As till date, only Nitish Kumar has filed nominations and October 5 being the day for scrutiny and him being the only candidate for the post, therefore, I announced his election unopposed," he said.

The certificate for re-election as JDU president for Nitish Kumar was handed over to his representative Sanjay Kumar Singh, who is an MLC from Bihar, by Hedge at the party office in the national capital.

Bihar`s Water Resources Minister Sanjay Jha congratulated Kumar on his re-election and expressed the hope that under his guidance, the party will retain power in the elections.

"I congratulate Nitish Kumar on becoming the party president again. Under his leadership, the JDU will form government again in Bihar in 2020 and once again he will become the Chief Minister of the state," Jha told ANI here.

"Kumar is a visionary leader not only in Bihar but he is one of the best political figures in the country. I am proud to work under his leadership, " Jha added.

Under Kumar`s leadership, JDU bagged 16 out of the 17 Lok Sabha seats it contested in the 2019 general elections while 7 MLAs of the party won in the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly election.JDU is also planning to fight on all seats in the soon to be held Jharkhand and Delhi assembly elections.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was on Sunday re-elected as the president of the Janata Dal (United) unopposed for the next three years. The last date of filing nomination for the post was October 5 and except the Bihar Chief Minister, no other leader had filed the nomination.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was on Sunday re-elected as the president of the Janata Dal (United) unopposed for the next three years. The last date of filing nomination for the post was October 5 and except the Bihar Chief Minister, no other leader had filed the nomination. Speaking to ANI, national election officer of JD(U), Anil Hedge said, "On September 27, a notification was issued for the election to the post of JDU party president." He said the last date for filing nomination was October 4. "As till date, only Nitish Kumar has filed nominations and October 5 being the day for scrutiny and him being the only candidate for the post, therefore, I announced his election unopposed," he said. The certificate for re-election as JDU president for Nitish Kumar was handed over to his representative Sanjay Kumar Singh, who is an MLC from Bihar, by Hedge at the party office in the national capital. Bihar`s Water Resources Minister Sanjay Jha congratulated Kumar on his re-election and expressed the hope that under his guidance, the party will retain power in the elections. "I congratulate Nitish Kumar on becoming the party president again. Under his leadership, the JDU will form government again in Bihar in 2020 and once again he will become the Chief Minister of the state," Jha told ANI here. "Kumar is a visionary leader not only in Bihar but he is one of the best political figures in the country. I am proud to work under his leadership, " Jha added. Under Kumar`s leadership, JDU bagged 16 out of the 17 Lok Sabha seats it contested in the 2019 general elections while 7 MLAs of the party won in the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly election.JDU is also planning to fight on all seats in the soon to be held Jharkhand and Delhi assembly elections.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar re-elected as JDU president unopposed

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will contest the forthcoming assembly elections in the state from Karnal with the BJP`s first list of candidates declared on Monday also had names of three prominent sportspersons - wrestlers Yogeshwar Dutt and Babita Phogat and former Indian hockey captain Sandeep Singh.

The party has fielded two candidates from the Muslim community in the Mewat region and the first list of 78 candidates also has nine women

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First list of 78 BJP candidates for the ensuing General Elections to the Legislative Assembly of Haryana. <a href="https://t.co/jO0jOshg7m">https://t.co/jO0jOshg7m</a> <a href="https://t.co/aJIVX66XI7">pic.twitter.com/aJIVX66XI7</a>
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State BJP chief Subhash Barala will fight from Tohana. Olympian Yogeshwar Dutt has been fielded from Baroda (Sonipat), Sandeep Singh from Pehowa and Babita Phogat from Dadri. State Minister Anil Vij will again contest from Ambala Cantonment.&nbsp;

The BJP has denied party ticket to two ministers -- Vipul Goel (Faridabad) and Rao Narbir Singh (Badshahpur) and five other MLAs. Thirty-eight sitting MLAs have been given the ticket once again.

Latika Sharma has been named to contest from Kalka seat, whereas Ambala City seat will be contested by Aseem Goel. Gyan Chanda Gupta will be fighting to represent Panchkula seat in the Assembly.

The party candidates include Latika Sharma (Kalka), Aseem Goel (Ambala City), Gyan Chand Gupta (Panchkula), Rajveer Barada (Mulana), Balwant Singh (Sadhaura), Kanwarpal Gujjar (Jagadhari), Ghanshyam Das Arora (Yamuna Nagar), Kandev Kamboj (Radaur), Pawan Saini (Ladwa), Krishna Bedi (Shahbad), Shubash Suda (Thanesar), Leelaram Gujjar (Kaithal), Bedpal (Pundi), and Ramkumar Kashyap (Indri).

The names were approved by BJP`s Central Election Committee at a meeting here on Sunday.&nbsp;

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will contest the forthcoming assembly elections in the state from Karnal with the BJP`s first list of candidates declared on Monday also had names of three prominent sportspersons - wrestlers Yogeshwar Dutt and Babita Phogat and former Indian hockey captain Sandeep Singh.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will contest the forthcoming assembly elections in the state from Karnal with the BJP`s first list of candidates declared on Monday also had names of three prominent sportspersons - wrestlers Yogeshwar Dutt and Babita Phogat and former Indian hockey captain Sandeep Singh. The party has fielded two candidates from the Muslim community in the Mewat region and the first list of 78 candidates also has nine women First list of 78 BJP candidates for the ensuing General Elections to the Legislative Assembly of Haryana. https://t.co/jO0jOshg7m pic.twitter.com/aJIVX66XI7 — BJP (@BJP4India) September 30, 2019 × State BJP chief Subhash Barala will fight from Tohana. Olympian Yogeshwar Dutt has been fielded from Baroda (Sonipat), Sandeep Singh from Pehowa and Babita Phogat from Dadri. State Minister Anil Vij will again contest from Ambala Cantonment. The BJP has denied party ticket to two ministers -- Vipul Goel (Faridabad) and Rao Narbir Singh (Badshahpur) and five other MLAs. Thirty-eight sitting MLAs have been given the ticket once again. Latika Sharma has been named to contest from Kalka seat, whereas Ambala City seat will be contested by Aseem Goel. Gyan Chanda Gupta will be fighting to represent Panchkula seat in the Assembly. The party candidates include Latika Sharma (Kalka), Aseem Goel (Ambala City), Gyan Chand Gupta (Panchkula), Rajveer Barada (Mulana), Balwant Singh (Sadhaura), Kanwarpal Gujjar (Jagadhari), Ghanshyam Das Arora (Yamuna Nagar), Kandev Kamboj (Radaur), Pawan Saini (Ladwa), Krishna Bedi (Shahbad), Shubash Suda (Thanesar), Leelaram Gujjar (Kaithal), Bedpal (Pundi), and Ramkumar Kashyap (Indri). The names were approved by BJP`s Central Election Committee at a meeting here on Sunday.

BJP declares 78 Haryana candidates for upcoming assembly elections

Shiv Sena and BJP will announce the seat-sharing arrangement for the ensuing Maharashtra Assembly polls, scheduled for October 21, by Monday.&nbsp;

"Shiv Sena will get 128 seats while the BJP will field its candidates on 160 seats. 15 to 18 seats will be given to small alliance partner," sources in the Shiv Sena told ANI.&nbsp;

The discussion for the post of Deputy Chief Minister from the Shiv Sena will take place later, sources added.

Talking to ANI, senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, "Yes, we are in an alliance and will fight the state election together."

On seat-sharing formula, he said, "Earlier this year, during the Lok Sabha elections both Amit Shah and Uddhav Thackrey, agreed on 50-50 seat-sharing formula but now the BJP leaders are holding closed doors meeting in Delhi over seat-sharing."

"Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also there in the meeting and he must have gone back to Mumbai with a formula," added Raut.

He further said, "Shiv Sena believes in giving rather than taking. Considering Aditya Thackeray as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra is baseless. Thackrey family never runs behind power."

On the other hand, BJP sources have indicated that almost everything is final and both parties will fight elections together.&nbsp;

BJP will retain the big brother status in the alliance and is expected to get around 20 more seats than the Shiv Sena, they said.

BJP has called the crucial Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting on Sunday to finalise the name of party candidates for Haryana and Maharashtra candidates.

The NCP and the Congress have already announced a seat-sharing agreement for Maharashtra polls, where both the parties would be contesting on 125 seats each in the 288-member Assembly.&nbsp;

Shiv Sena and BJP will announce the seat-sharing arrangement for the ensuing Maharashtra Assembly polls, scheduled for October 21, by Monday. "Shiv Sena will get 128 seats while the BJP will field its candidates on 160 seats.

Shiv Sena and BJP will announce the seat-sharing arrangement for the ensuing Maharashtra Assembly polls, scheduled for October 21, by Monday. "Shiv Sena will get 128 seats while the BJP will field its candidates on 160 seats. 15 to 18 seats will be given to small alliance partner," sources in the Shiv Sena told ANI. The discussion for the post of Deputy Chief Minister from the Shiv Sena will take place later, sources added. Talking to ANI, senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, "Yes, we are in an alliance and will fight the state election together." On seat-sharing formula, he said, "Earlier this year, during the Lok Sabha elections both Amit Shah and Uddhav Thackrey, agreed on 50-50 seat-sharing formula but now the BJP leaders are holding closed doors meeting in Delhi over seat-sharing." "Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also there in the meeting and he must have gone back to Mumbai with a formula," added Raut. He further said, "Shiv Sena believes in giving rather than taking. Considering Aditya Thackeray as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra is baseless. Thackrey family never runs behind power." On the other hand, BJP sources have indicated that almost everything is final and both parties will fight elections together. BJP will retain the big brother status in the alliance and is expected to get around 20 more seats than the Shiv Sena, they said. BJP has called the crucial Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting on Sunday to finalise the name of party candidates for Haryana and Maharashtra candidates. The NCP and the Congress have already announced a seat-sharing agreement for Maharashtra polls, where both the parties would be contesting on 125 seats each in the 288-member Assembly.

Maharashtra polls: BJP-Shiv Sena to announce seat-sharing arrangement by Monday

A group of people affected by the cash withdrawal restrictions of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank has threatened to boycott the upcoming Assembly elections if the issue is not resolved.

Many PMC Bank account holders have put up a picture addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on their social media accounts reading, "I will not vote on October 21 if the PMC bank crisis is not completely resolved in favour of the depositors."

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had, on Thursday, increased the withdrawal limit from Rs 1,000 to 10,000 after several account holders gathered outside the Sion branch of the bank in Mumbai.

"The relaxation has been granted with a view to reducing the hardship of depositors. The RBI is closely monitoring the position and will continue to take further steps as are necessary to safeguard the interest of depositors," RBI said in a statement.

On Monday, the central bank had restricted activities of PMC Bank for six months capping the withdrawals at Rs 1,000 per account and asked the bank to not grant or renew any loans and advances, make any investment or incur any liability, including borrowing of funds and acceptance of deposits.

RBI said the directions were necessitated on account of major financial irregularities, failure of internal control and systems of the bank and wrong or under-reporting of its exposures under various off-site surveillance reports.

The RBI has also sacked the bank`s board of directors under sub-sections 1 and 2 of Section 36 AAA read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act 1949.&nbsp;

An administrator has been appointed to take charge.

PMC Bank is a multi-state scheduled urban cooperative bank with operations in Maharashtra, New Delhi, Karnataka, Goa, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.&nbsp;

With a network of 137 branches, it ranks among the top 10 cooperative banks in the country.&nbsp;

A group of people affected by the cash withdrawal restrictions of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank has threatened to boycott the upcoming Assembly elections if the issue is not resolved.

A group of people affected by the cash withdrawal restrictions of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank has threatened to boycott the upcoming Assembly elections if the issue is not resolved. Many PMC Bank account holders have put up a picture addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on their social media accounts reading, "I will not vote on October 21 if the PMC bank crisis is not completely resolved in favour of the depositors." The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had, on Thursday, increased the withdrawal limit from Rs 1,000 to 10,000 after several account holders gathered outside the Sion branch of the bank in Mumbai. "The relaxation has been granted with a view to reducing the hardship of depositors. The RBI is closely monitoring the position and will continue to take further steps as are necessary to safeguard the interest of depositors," RBI said in a statement. On Monday, the central bank had restricted activities of PMC Bank for six months capping the withdrawals at Rs 1,000 per account and asked the bank to not grant or renew any loans and advances, make any investment or incur any liability, including borrowing of funds and acceptance of deposits. RBI said the directions were necessitated on account of major financial irregularities, failure of internal control and systems of the bank and wrong or under-reporting of its exposures under various off-site surveillance reports. The RBI has also sacked the bank`s board of directors under sub-sections 1 and 2 of Section 36 AAA read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act 1949. An administrator has been appointed to take charge. PMC Bank is a multi-state scheduled urban cooperative bank with operations in Maharashtra, New Delhi, Karnataka, Goa, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. With a network of 137 branches, it ranks among the top 10 cooperative banks in the country.

Affected by PMC bank restrictions, many threaten to boycott upcoming Assembly polls

BJP will not allocate assembly tickets to relatives of its incumbent MPs, Mayors or district council chairpersons in the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/election-commission-announces-assembly-election-dates-for-maharashtra-and-haryana-250946"> upcoming elections </a>in Haryana.&nbsp;

The party has also decided not to field anyone above the age of 75 years in the crucial polls.

The decision was taken at a meeting of BJP`s Haryana election committee on Sunday.&nbsp;

Sources in the party said that the decision was taken after several MPs and senior state party leaders demanded tickets for their kin for the elections.

It may be noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has time and again targeted opposition parties in Haryana including Congress, INLD and Jannayak Janata Party for supporting dynastic politics.

"We have decided that relatives of MPs, mayors and district Council heads won`t get tickets in the upcoming assembly elections. In fact, MLAs will also be discouraged from seeking tickets for their family members. Unless there is an absolute emergency, we won`t be giving tickets to any relatives", said a senior party leader from the state.

It is learnt that both Khattar and Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala were of a clear view that the party should not promote dynastic politics in the state.&nbsp;

State party leaders reiterated that there is no place for dynastic politics in the BJP and only people committed to the party`s ideology and the cause will be fielded in the polls.

The BJP feels that giving tickets to the kin of its leaders would send a wrong message to its cadre ahead of the Assembly polls.&nbsp;

"The party doesn`t want to disrespect workers who put in a lot of efforts and show commitment towards the organisation. We want to respect their sentiments by not offering tickets to the kin of leaders, as they may be perceived as outsiders," the sources said.&nbsp;

The 90-member state Assembly goes to polls on October 21. The counting of votes will take place on October 24.

In Haryana, BJP with the leadership of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar looks confident of a comeback, while the Congress seems to be engrossed in internal rivalries between various factions.

In 2014 elections, BJP won 47 seats limiting Congress to only 15 in Haryana.

After winning an unprecedented 10 seats in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls in Haryana, the state party unit has now been tasked with securing a two-third majority in the 90 member legislature.

BJP will not allocate assembly tickets to relatives of its incumbent MPs, Mayors or district council chairpersons in the upcoming elections in Haryana. The party has also decided not to field anyone above the age of 75 years in the crucial polls.

BJP will not allocate assembly tickets to relatives of its incumbent MPs, Mayors or district council chairpersons in the upcoming elections in Haryana. The party has also decided not to field anyone above the age of 75 years in the crucial polls. The decision was taken at a meeting of BJP`s Haryana election committee on Sunday. Sources in the party said that the decision was taken after several MPs and senior state party leaders demanded tickets for their kin for the elections. It may be noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has time and again targeted opposition parties in Haryana including Congress, INLD and Jannayak Janata Party for supporting dynastic politics. "We have decided that relatives of MPs, mayors and district Council heads won`t get tickets in the upcoming assembly elections. In fact, MLAs will also be discouraged from seeking tickets for their family members. Unless there is an absolute emergency, we won`t be giving tickets to any relatives", said a senior party leader from the state. It is learnt that both Khattar and Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala were of a clear view that the party should not promote dynastic politics in the state. State party leaders reiterated that there is no place for dynastic politics in the BJP and only people committed to the party`s ideology and the cause will be fielded in the polls. The BJP feels that giving tickets to the kin of its leaders would send a wrong message to its cadre ahead of the Assembly polls. "The party doesn`t want to disrespect workers who put in a lot of efforts and show commitment towards the organisation. We want to respect their sentiments by not offering tickets to the kin of leaders, as they may be perceived as outsiders," the sources said. The 90-member state Assembly goes to polls on October 21. The counting of votes will take place on October 24. In Haryana, BJP with the leadership of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar looks confident of a comeback, while the Congress seems to be engrossed in internal rivalries between various factions. In 2014 elections, BJP won 47 seats limiting Congress to only 15 in Haryana. After winning an unprecedented 10 seats in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls in Haryana, the state party unit has now been tasked with securing a two-third majority in the 90 member legislature.

BJP will not field relatives of MPs, other elected representatives for Haryana polls

After the announcement of Assembly election polls in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday urged people to participate in huge numbers in the voting process for the upcoming elections.

"The election commission has announced the dates of the biggest festival celebrated in Maharashtra. I am very happy. I appeal everyone to participate in this festival and appear in large numbers for voting. The right to criticise the government`s policy is with those who vote in the elections," he said.

He also encouraged the people to avoid the use of single-use plastics in the state.

"I appeal to everyone not to use plastic. We have already banned the use of single-use plastics and I believe that all the political parties will adhere to this decision," he added.

Earlier in the day, the Election Commission announced the single-phase voting dates for Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly elections on October 21, while the counting of votes will be held on October 24.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

After the announcement of Assembly election polls in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday urged people to participate in huge numbers in the voting process for the upcoming elections.

After the announcement of Assembly election polls in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday urged people to participate in huge numbers in the voting process for the upcoming elections. "The election commission has announced the dates of the biggest festival celebrated in Maharashtra. I am very happy. I appeal everyone to participate in this festival and appear in large numbers for voting. The right to criticise the government`s policy is with those who vote in the elections," he said. He also encouraged the people to avoid the use of single-use plastics in the state. "I appeal to everyone not to use plastic. We have already banned the use of single-use plastics and I believe that all the political parties will adhere to this decision," he added. Earlier in the day, the Election Commission announced the single-phase voting dates for Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly elections on October 21, while the counting of votes will be held on October 24.

Fadnavis urges people to vote in upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra

Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party national president Amit Shah on Friday appointed election in-charges for the party for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Delhi and Haryana.&nbsp;

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar has been appointed as election in-charge for Delhi Assembly polls. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai have been named as joint in-charges.

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BJP President &amp; Home Minister Amit Shah appoints Union Minister Prakash Javadekar as Election In-charge, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri &amp; Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai as Election Co-Incharge, for the upcoming Delhi Assembly Elections. <a href="https://t.co/i596kWbYvD">pic.twitter.com/i596kWbYvD</a>
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BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav is election in-charge for state polls in Maharashtra. Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Keshav Prasad Maurya and former Karnataka MLA Laxman Savadi have been named as joint in-charges for Maharashtra Assembly polls.

For Jharkhand, Shah named BJP national general secretary Om Prakash Mathur as the election in-charge. Bihar minister Nand Kishore Yadav will be the joint in-charge.

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BJP President &amp; Home Minister Amit Shah appoints BJP General Secretary Bhupendra Yadav as Election In-charge, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Keshav Prasad Maurya &amp; former Karnataka MLA Laxman Savadi as Election Co-Incharges, for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Polls. <a href="https://t.co/D74Sn9oM46">pic.twitter.com/D74Sn9oM46</a>
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For Haryana, minister Narendra Singh Tomar is the party election in-charge. Uttar Pradesh minister Bhupendra Singh is the joint in-charge

Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party national president Amit Shah on Friday appointed election in-charges for the party for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Delhi and Haryana.

Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party national president Amit Shah on Friday appointed election in-charges for the party for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Delhi and Haryana. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar has been appointed as election in-charge for Delhi Assembly polls. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai have been named as joint in-charges. BJP President & Home Minister Amit Shah appoints Union Minister Prakash Javadekar as Election In-charge, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri & Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai as Election Co-Incharge, for the upcoming Delhi Assembly Elections. pic.twitter.com/i596kWbYvD — ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2019 × BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav is election in-charge for state polls in Maharashtra. Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Keshav Prasad Maurya and former Karnataka MLA Laxman Savadi have been named as joint in-charges for Maharashtra Assembly polls. For Jharkhand, Shah named BJP national general secretary Om Prakash Mathur as the election in-charge. Bihar minister Nand Kishore Yadav will be the joint in-charge. BJP President & Home Minister Amit Shah appoints BJP General Secretary Bhupendra Yadav as Election In-charge, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Keshav Prasad Maurya & former Karnataka MLA Laxman Savadi as Election Co-Incharges, for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Polls. pic.twitter.com/D74Sn9oM46 — ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2019 × For Haryana, minister Narendra Singh Tomar is the party election in-charge. Uttar Pradesh minister Bhupendra Singh is the joint in-charge

BJP preps for upcoming Assembly polls; names in-charges for Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra 

After the May 2014 victory, the Bharatiya Janata Party under the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo decided to bench its newly elected MPs of seventy years and above. None was given a ministerial berth, and the tallest among them were designated as ‘mentors’. That the so-called Margdarshak Mandal of which these veteran leaders were made members, ended up a showpiece, should not have surprised anyone, because it was an informal arrangement to register a generational shift within the party.

That shift has now been formalised with ticket distribution for the 2019 general elections. If in 2014, the senior founding members of the party contested elections, this time around they have been kept out of the electoral fray.&nbsp; 
 
LK Advani, MM Joshi, Kalraj Mishra, Shanta Kumar and Karia Munda are only three of such names that have been ‘persuaded’ to not contest. The decision is in keeping with the party’s strategy of pushing up new faces and preparing them for a longer inning in active politics as parliamentarians. It also signals curtains for the veterans who formed the backbone of the party in its earlier, formative stages. While the BJP leadership of the day has stated that these seniors had themselves expressed their desire to keep away from the electoral fray, it is obvious that some of them have not been happy with their exclusion.&nbsp;

Yet, they have little leverage in today’s BJP to cause the party any real harm.&nbsp;

There are those who had seen the writing on the wall earlier on and rebelled. Yashwant Sinha is prominent among them. After being left out of the ministry in 2014 and realising months later that there was no scope of rehabilitation, he began to speak bitterly against the present leadership, including Prime Minister Modi. That his son Jayant Sinha was taken in as a minister and given charge of important portfolios, did not work as an emollient on his wounds.&nbsp;

It would be erroneous to judge the decision of keeping the veterans out as a sign of ‘ingratitude’. With the change in time, the old has to make way for the new. it would have added to the stature of these veteran leaders had they themselves taken the initiative and declared their non-availability, and pledged to work whole-heartedly for the newer crop of leaders. Instead, they sulked and revolted. A few others, though not seventy-five plus of age, cast their lot with the seniors and regularly took potshots at the Prime Minister and Amit Shah. One such name is Shatrughan Sinha who is now firmly in the opposition camp and is slated to contest against senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad from the Patna Sahib seat in Bihar.&nbsp;

The Advani case is especially interesting. He has represented the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat and won handsomely from there. It is an open secret that Amit Shah had played a stellar role in Advani’s successful bids from there, so much so that, had the BJP veteran not stepped in the constituency, he would have still won. Now, Shah will himself contest from the same seat that he had managed with aplomb for Advani. Amit Shah’s inclusion in the list of candidates has come as no surprise since it had been anticipated that ever since he became a Rajya Sabha member, he would seek to make it to the so-called lower House.&nbsp;

There was a time when Advani, along with Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had the final say in ticket distribution in the BJP. It is an indication of changed circumstances that, let alone having a say in candidate selection, Advani could not get a ticket for himself. it is truly a political sunset for him, because, even as the most prominent name in the Margdarshak Mandal, he has little role to play; indeed, the Mandal itself is a decorative item.&nbsp;

Joshi too has come to the end of his political journey. In 2014, he was displaced from Varanasi and packed off to Kanpur. He won from the latter seat by riding the Modi wave. The denial of a ticket to him had to do with his age, but the decision was also taken on the winnability factor. Joshi was not seen as a winnable candidate from the constituency — one, because the popular feedback in the region went against him, and two, because the BJP was up against the formidable SP-BSP alliance.&nbsp;

With the purge of veterans, the BJP is hoping to kill two birds with one stone. Stem anti-incumbency and project a fresh look for the party. Yashwant Sinha had sarcastically remarked that the party’s new leadership considered those above 75 years of age as “brain dead”. It remains to be seen whether the BJP’s new move turns out to be brainy.&nbsp; 
 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

After the May 2014 victory, the Bharatiya Janata Party under the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo decided to bench its newly elected MPs of seventy years and above. None was given a ministerial berth, and the tallest among them were designated as ‘mentors’.

After the May 2014 victory, the Bharatiya Janata Party under the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo decided to bench its newly elected MPs of seventy years and above. None was given a ministerial berth, and the tallest among them were designated as ‘mentors’. That the so-called Margdarshak Mandal of which these veteran leaders were made members, ended up a showpiece, should not have surprised anyone, because it was an informal arrangement to register a generational shift within the party. That shift has now been formalised with ticket distribution for the 2019 general elections. If in 2014, the senior founding members of the party contested elections, this time around they have been kept out of the electoral fray. LK Advani, MM Joshi, Kalraj Mishra, Shanta Kumar and Karia Munda are only three of such names that have been ‘persuaded’ to not contest. The decision is in keeping with the party’s strategy of pushing up new faces and preparing them for a longer inning in active politics as parliamentarians. It also signals curtains for the veterans who formed the backbone of the party in its earlier, formative stages. While the BJP leadership of the day has stated that these seniors had themselves expressed their desire to keep away from the electoral fray, it is obvious that some of them have not been happy with their exclusion. Yet, they have little leverage in today’s BJP to cause the party any real harm. There are those who had seen the writing on the wall earlier on and rebelled. Yashwant Sinha is prominent among them. After being left out of the ministry in 2014 and realising months later that there was no scope of rehabilitation, he began to speak bitterly against the present leadership, including Prime Minister Modi. That his son Jayant Sinha was taken in as a minister and given charge of important portfolios, did not work as an emollient on his wounds. It would be erroneous to judge the decision of keeping the veterans out as a sign of ‘ingratitude’. With the change in time, the old has to make way for the new. it would have added to the stature of these veteran leaders had they themselves taken the initiative and declared their non-availability, and pledged to work whole-heartedly for the newer crop of leaders. Instead, they sulked and revolted. A few others, though not seventy-five plus of age, cast their lot with the seniors and regularly took potshots at the Prime Minister and Amit Shah. One such name is Shatrughan Sinha who is now firmly in the opposition camp and is slated to contest against senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad from the Patna Sahib seat in Bihar. The Advani case is especially interesting. He has represented the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat and won handsomely from there. It is an open secret that Amit Shah had played a stellar role in Advani’s successful bids from there, so much so that, had the BJP veteran not stepped in the constituency, he would have still won. Now, Shah will himself contest from the same seat that he had managed with aplomb for Advani. Amit Shah’s inclusion in the list of candidates has come as no surprise since it had been anticipated that ever since he became a Rajya Sabha member, he would seek to make it to the so-called lower House. There was a time when Advani, along with Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had the final say in ticket distribution in the BJP. It is an indication of changed circumstances that, let alone having a say in candidate selection, Advani could not get a ticket for himself. it is truly a political sunset for him, because, even as the most prominent name in the Margdarshak Mandal, he has little role to play; indeed, the Mandal itself is a decorative item. Joshi too has come to the end of his political journey. In 2014, he was displaced from Varanasi and packed off to Kanpur. He won from the latter seat by riding the Modi wave. The denial of a ticket to him had to do with his age, but the decision was also taken on the winnability factor. Joshi was not seen as a winnable candidate from the constituency — one, because the popular feedback in the region went against him, and two, because the BJP was up against the formidable SP-BSP alliance. With the purge of veterans, the BJP is hoping to kill two birds with one stone. Stem anti-incumbency and project a fresh look for the party. Yashwant Sinha had sarcastically remarked that the party’s new leadership considered those above 75 years of age as “brain dead”. It remains to be seen whether the BJP’s new move turns out to be brainy. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi's exit from electoral fray: The old has to make way for the new

Cabinet formation is proving to be a tight-rope walk for Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath, who took over the reins of office on Monday ( December 17) after Congress party, which ended up two short of a clear majority, mustered support of 2 BSP, 1 Samajwadi Party and four Independent MLAs to form the new government in the state after 15 years of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule.

The supporters of senior Congress leader and scion of the erstwhile ruling family of Gwalior Jyotiraditya Scindia were determined to see their leader, who was the state Congress poll campaign committee chairman, as the next chief minister.&nbsp;

After the Congress romped home victorious, they were determined to see Scindia as chief minister but this did not happen. The Scindia supporters, who are obviously dejected, are now using every bit of their tugging power to pull as many ministerial berths and powerful portfolios as possible.

The Madhya Pradesh Congress unit has always faced the challenge of divided loyalties. During electioneering, the state party chieftains had sunk their differences to give a united fight to the BJP. Now with elections over, the Congress party’s inner-party rivalry once again has surfaced in a big way and this got demonstrated by Nath’s swearing-in&nbsp;that turned out to be a solo affair, unlike Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

Besides the factions loyal to Nath and Scindia, there are also powerful groups in the Madhya Pradesh Congress unit aligned to former chief minister Digvijaya Singh, former Union Minister Suresh Pachouri, former leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Ajay Singh, former State party chief Arun Yadav and former Union Minister and tribal leader Kantilal Bhuria. None of these groups is ready to concede even an iota as far as their demands vis-a-vis cabinet formation are concerned.

Carrying all these groups together and keeping the party satraps in good humour is not easy and what makes the task even more formidable for the new chief minister is that while picking his Cabinet colleagues and junior ministers, special attention also will have to be paid towards maintaining regional balance and ensuring adequate representation to different sections, including minorities.

The gigantic task of Cabinet formation remains a huge priority for the chief minister. Empty state coffers, corruption at all levels of the government and an unbridled bureaucracy also pose a big challenge. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, immediately after assuming office, Nath acted swiftly and passed the orders to waive the farmers’ loans up to Rs 2 lakh to fulfil a major pre-election promise. Responding to a poser in this regard, at his maiden press conference held after his swearing-in, Nath said since there are no ministers, he is the Cabinet. He also used this occasion to share his concern about in-migration and especially named Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, while announcing that industries would get incentives from the state government only if they reserved 70 per cent of jobs for those belonging to Madhya Pradesh.&nbsp;

A policy decision has been taken in this regard, he added. &nbsp;This one announcement has opened up the Pandora’s box as Congress party interested in a grand alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections would not like to rub its allies in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. When this issue was brought to the notice of Congress President Rahul Gandhi by media-persons, he appeared flustered while replying that he would be able to respond only after gathering details.

Nath is also under attack by those trying to rope him in as an accused after the Delhi high court on Monday sentenced Congress leader Sajjan Kumar to imprisonment for life in an anti-Sikh riots case of 1984. BJP functionaries from Madhya Pradesh were seen lending support to Sikh protestors who came out gunning for Nath after the court convicted Kumar of instigating violence after Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards.&nbsp;

The Madhya Pradesh chief minister has described the tirade against him as politically motivated. &nbsp;There is no case or FIR against him. It is not the first time that he has been sworn-in. He took oath as a Union minister way back in 1991, Nath has asserted to steer clear of allegations and charges.&nbsp; 
 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Cabinet formation is proving to be a tight-rope walk for Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath, who took over the reins of office on Monday ( December 17) after Congress party, which ended up two short of a clear majority, mustered support of 2 BSP, 1 Samajwadi Party and four Independent MLAs to form the new government in the state after 15 years of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule.

Cabinet formation is proving to be a tight-rope walk for Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath, who took over the reins of office on Monday ( December 17) after Congress party, which ended up two short of a clear majority, mustered support of 2 BSP, 1 Samajwadi Party and four Independent MLAs to form the new government in the state after 15 years of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule. The supporters of senior Congress leader and scion of the erstwhile ruling family of Gwalior Jyotiraditya Scindia were determined to see their leader, who was the state Congress poll campaign committee chairman, as the next chief minister. After the Congress romped home victorious, they were determined to see Scindia as chief minister but this did not happen. The Scindia supporters, who are obviously dejected, are now using every bit of their tugging power to pull as many ministerial berths and powerful portfolios as possible. The Madhya Pradesh Congress unit has always faced the challenge of divided loyalties. During electioneering, the state party chieftains had sunk their differences to give a united fight to the BJP. Now with elections over, the Congress party’s inner-party rivalry once again has surfaced in a big way and this got demonstrated by Nath’s swearing-in that turned out to be a solo affair, unlike Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Besides the factions loyal to Nath and Scindia, there are also powerful groups in the Madhya Pradesh Congress unit aligned to former chief minister Digvijaya Singh, former Union Minister Suresh Pachouri, former leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Ajay Singh, former State party chief Arun Yadav and former Union Minister and tribal leader Kantilal Bhuria. None of these groups is ready to concede even an iota as far as their demands vis-a-vis cabinet formation are concerned. Carrying all these groups together and keeping the party satraps in good humour is not easy and what makes the task even more formidable for the new chief minister is that while picking his Cabinet colleagues and junior ministers, special attention also will have to be paid towards maintaining regional balance and ensuring adequate representation to different sections, including minorities. The gigantic task of Cabinet formation remains a huge priority for the chief minister. Empty state coffers, corruption at all levels of the government and an unbridled bureaucracy also pose a big challenge. Meanwhile, immediately after assuming office, Nath acted swiftly and passed the orders to waive the farmers’ loans up to Rs 2 lakh to fulfil a major pre-election promise. Responding to a poser in this regard, at his maiden press conference held after his swearing-in, Nath said since there are no ministers, he is the Cabinet. He also used this occasion to share his concern about in-migration and especially named Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, while announcing that industries would get incentives from the state government only if they reserved 70 per cent of jobs for those belonging to Madhya Pradesh. A policy decision has been taken in this regard, he added. This one announcement has opened up the Pandora’s box as Congress party interested in a grand alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections would not like to rub its allies in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. When this issue was brought to the notice of Congress President Rahul Gandhi by media-persons, he appeared flustered while replying that he would be able to respond only after gathering details. Nath is also under attack by those trying to rope him in as an accused after the Delhi high court on Monday sentenced Congress leader Sajjan Kumar to imprisonment for life in an anti-Sikh riots case of 1984. BJP functionaries from Madhya Pradesh were seen lending support to Sikh protestors who came out gunning for Nath after the court convicted Kumar of instigating violence after Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards. The Madhya Pradesh chief minister has described the tirade against him as politically motivated. There is no case or FIR against him. It is not the first time that he has been sworn-in. He took oath as a Union minister way back in 1991, Nath has asserted to steer clear of allegations and charges. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Tightrope walk for Kamal Nath in Madhya Pradesh

Those following the outcome of the recently concluded assembly elections in five states cannot help feeling somewhat concerned, if not cautious, when it comes to projecting the BJP’s prospects in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Were these state elections a “semi-final,” showing how the country will vote in next year’s “finals”? If so, does BJP’s keenly contested defeat in three central Indian states in the Hindi heartland presage a similar fate at the Centre in the months ahead? Does it foretell a drastic seat reduction, with the NDA managing to hold onto power by thin and precarious margin, placing it at the mercy of chancy or greedy electoral allies? Or will Modi stage a historic comeback, defying the odds and disproving the cassandras?

Such questions are making the rounds not only in the corridors of power in India’s capital, but also echoing in the remotest corners of the land. The fact is that there is tremendous goodwill among the masses, not to speak of the classes, for India’s success story driven by a Prime Minister who is seen as committed and charismatic. Under Narendra Modi’s leadership, the BJP has delivered not just on many of their development goals and promises, but shown a vision of a different, much more confident, and empowered India. The economy has done well, corruption is down, and India’s stature on the global stage has improved.

Yet, few will deny that a certain fatigue has also set in. The Modi magic does not seem to work as well as it used to. The BJP’s usual slogans and strategies are also so well-known that they lack the novelty factor. They don’t enthuse the voters as much as they used to. In addition, we have been jolted by institutional destabilisation, whether it comes to nation’s premier investigative agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or, even more parlous in the world’s eyes, our hallowed Reserve Bank of India itself. There is renewed trouble on our western border, with continuing infiltration and destabilisation. Finally, alarming agricultural distress, with the economically disastrous consequences of having to write off lakhs of crores of loans. There is thus a restlessness in the air. Are the Indian masses itching for a change? Are they looking for better reasons to keep BJP in power for another five years?&nbsp;

On the other side, the Congress, having beaten the BJP in straight fights, is set to govern the destiny of some 20 per cent of India’s population. This has sent shivers of fear, dismay, revulsion, even anger down the spines of those who detest all that this once-great party stands for today. Single-family rule, sycophancy, corruption, ideological skulduggery, perilous populism, communalism masquerading as secularism, socially divisive policies, rampant and calamitous minoritarianism, insecurity at the borders— to its critics, these are only a few flashpoints of the Congress’s loathsome legacy. Add the arrogance of entitled elites, jeering dismissal of new political formations, and keeping the underprivileged natives permanently outside the echelons of power and privilege — these and similar nightmares disturb those who have high hopes for a new India under Modi’s visionary leadership. To put it plainly, will the promise of India’s second renaissance be belied once again? Will we return to being inglorious second-raters and second-class citizens of the world?

Undoubtedly, what I have tried to sketch with broad brush strokes is the nation’s mood in the present moment. It is bound to change, once the dust over the recent election results settles. The BJP will try to come up with new initiatives and tactics to bring itself back into the good books of the masses. There is, of course, the looming virtual shadow of the as yet unbuilt but long-pending Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. But this issue is rather fraught and complicated, capable of hurting as well as helping the ruling party. On the other hand, back in power in three key states, the Congress itself may make mistakes, disenchanting some who voted it back to power.

What is amply clear despite the changeability and capriciousness of Indian politics is that the opposition will need more than merely Modi-hate to carry its winning momentum forward. Dread and dislike for a common foe is, at best, temporary glue, as we have seen over and over again; once the antagonist is removed, the patch-work of opportunistic allies lies in tatters. The BJP also needs more than Modi to return it to power, especially if tepidity and weariness of state elections carries over to the national hustings. There is, of course, the possibility that India’s principal political pugilist will recover from this slugfest to emerge victorious one more time. That would indeed seal his place in history as India’s yugapurush, epochal trailblazer.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-after-state-elections-nation-s-mood-and-road-ahead-for-bjp-2696107">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Those following the outcome of the recently concluded assembly elections in five states cannot help feeling somewhat concerned, if not cautious, when it comes to projecting the BJP’s prospects in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Those following the outcome of the recently concluded assembly elections in five states cannot help feeling somewhat concerned, if not cautious, when it comes to projecting the BJP’s prospects in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Were these state elections a “semi-final,” showing how the country will vote in next year’s “finals”? If so, does BJP’s keenly contested defeat in three central Indian states in the Hindi heartland presage a similar fate at the Centre in the months ahead? Does it foretell a drastic seat reduction, with the NDA managing to hold onto power by thin and precarious margin, placing it at the mercy of chancy or greedy electoral allies? Or will Modi stage a historic comeback, defying the odds and disproving the cassandras? Such questions are making the rounds not only in the corridors of power in India’s capital, but also echoing in the remotest corners of the land. The fact is that there is tremendous goodwill among the masses, not to speak of the classes, for India’s success story driven by a Prime Minister who is seen as committed and charismatic. Under Narendra Modi’s leadership, the BJP has delivered not just on many of their development goals and promises, but shown a vision of a different, much more confident, and empowered India. The economy has done well, corruption is down, and India’s stature on the global stage has improved. Yet, few will deny that a certain fatigue has also set in. The Modi magic does not seem to work as well as it used to. The BJP’s usual slogans and strategies are also so well-known that they lack the novelty factor. They don’t enthuse the voters as much as they used to. In addition, we have been jolted by institutional destabilisation, whether it comes to nation’s premier investigative agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or, even more parlous in the world’s eyes, our hallowed Reserve Bank of India itself. There is renewed trouble on our western border, with continuing infiltration and destabilisation. Finally, alarming agricultural distress, with the economically disastrous consequences of having to write off lakhs of crores of loans. There is thus a restlessness in the air. Are the Indian masses itching for a change? Are they looking for better reasons to keep BJP in power for another five years? On the other side, the Congress, having beaten the BJP in straight fights, is set to govern the destiny of some 20 per cent of India’s population. This has sent shivers of fear, dismay, revulsion, even anger down the spines of those who detest all that this once-great party stands for today. Single-family rule, sycophancy, corruption, ideological skulduggery, perilous populism, communalism masquerading as secularism, socially divisive policies, rampant and calamitous minoritarianism, insecurity at the borders— to its critics, these are only a few flashpoints of the Congress’s loathsome legacy. Add the arrogance of entitled elites, jeering dismissal of new political formations, and keeping the underprivileged natives permanently outside the echelons of power and privilege — these and similar nightmares disturb those who have high hopes for a new India under Modi’s visionary leadership. To put it plainly, will the promise of India’s second renaissance be belied once again? Will we return to being inglorious second-raters and second-class citizens of the world? Undoubtedly, what I have tried to sketch with broad brush strokes is the nation’s mood in the present moment. It is bound to change, once the dust over the recent election results settles. The BJP will try to come up with new initiatives and tactics to bring itself back into the good books of the masses. There is, of course, the looming virtual shadow of the as yet unbuilt but long-pending Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. But this issue is rather fraught and complicated, capable of hurting as well as helping the ruling party. On the other hand, back in power in three key states, the Congress itself may make mistakes, disenchanting some who voted it back to power. What is amply clear despite the changeability and capriciousness of Indian politics is that the opposition will need more than merely Modi-hate to carry its winning momentum forward. Dread and dislike for a common foe is, at best, temporary glue, as we have seen over and over again; once the antagonist is removed, the patch-work of opportunistic allies lies in tatters. The BJP also needs more than Modi to return it to power, especially if tepidity and weariness of state elections carries over to the national hustings. There is, of course, the possibility that India’s principal political pugilist will recover from this slugfest to emerge victorious one more time. That would indeed seal his place in history as India’s yugapurush, epochal trailblazer. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

After state elections: Nation’s mood and road ahead for BJP

Unexpected reverses suffered by the BJP-NDA combine in recent Assembly elections constrain us to speculate about their impact on India’s external relations-particularly in the neighbourhood. Ever since Narendra Modi assumed office he has set a blistering pace in diplomacy. It would only be churlish to deny him the credit for repositioning India on the international arena. He has tried to increase India’s strategic options and largely succeeded ( with the exception of setbacks in Pakistan) in projecting the image of resurgent India with a dynamic, decisive leader at the helm.&nbsp;

Now, the boat that appeared to be saying smoothly has been badly rocked. Some of his critics have long been suggesting that our PM has deliberately spent so much time abroad simply to escape any blame for minor or even major failures in domestic politics. But let’s let this pass as a legitimate pastime of frustrated opposition. However, what can’t be denied is the fact that the aura of invincibility exuded by a charismatic leader has lost much of its sparkle.&nbsp;

One can argue that it was only the campaigning by the PM that saved BJP from much worse rout and that state elections are fought, won and lost according to very different calculations then the Lok Sabha Polls but in the present context, this would appear as a half-hearted attempt at whitewashing an inglorious defeat.&nbsp;

What is more pertinent is to assess the likely reactions in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan. If the Superman struck by Cryptonite turns out to be Clark Kent who can’t transform to cope with crises then do the smaller neighbours have to exercise restraint? Isn’t the signal going out that they can singly or jointly start flexing their puny muscles to challenge the ‘bullying, bragging and boasting ‘Big Brother’? Don’t get us wrong -we rent for a minute suggesting that India under Modi has behaved in a manner akin to what earned the Americans the prefix Ugly in the 1960s. But perceptions matter no less than reality in international relations. If Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives get the impression that India is beset with domestic strife they would find justification in making the most of the opportune moment. &nbsp;

Unfortunately for India, the election knock out has coincided with accusations about fudging growth figures, erosion of credibility of institutions like the RBI, CBI and even some exceptionally controversial observation by members of the Bench in higher judiciary. Political partisanship has certainly diminished the majesty of more than one constitutional authority or institution.&nbsp;

During the election campaign, the pitch of spoken word was unnecessarily raised by both sides. Alas the BJP let loose canons like the UP CM have a free run causing serious collateral damage. The shifting of focus from development to construction of Ram temple or going on a reckless mindless renaming spree has boomeranged on BJP.&nbsp;

Lok Sabha elections are still a few months away but even this short span of time can prove detrimental to India’s national interest. Time for us to remain on high alert without making too much noise. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

Unexpected reverses suffered by the BJP-NDA combine in recent Assembly elections constrain us to speculate about their impact on India’s external relations-particularly in the neighbourhood.

Unexpected reverses suffered by the BJP-NDA combine in recent Assembly elections constrain us to speculate about their impact on India’s external relations-particularly in the neighbourhood. Ever since Narendra Modi assumed office he has set a blistering pace in diplomacy. It would only be churlish to deny him the credit for repositioning India on the international arena. He has tried to increase India’s strategic options and largely succeeded ( with the exception of setbacks in Pakistan) in projecting the image of resurgent India with a dynamic, decisive leader at the helm. Now, the boat that appeared to be saying smoothly has been badly rocked. Some of his critics have long been suggesting that our PM has deliberately spent so much time abroad simply to escape any blame for minor or even major failures in domestic politics. But let’s let this pass as a legitimate pastime of frustrated opposition. However, what can’t be denied is the fact that the aura of invincibility exuded by a charismatic leader has lost much of its sparkle. One can argue that it was only the campaigning by the PM that saved BJP from much worse rout and that state elections are fought, won and lost according to very different calculations then the Lok Sabha Polls but in the present context, this would appear as a half-hearted attempt at whitewashing an inglorious defeat. What is more pertinent is to assess the likely reactions in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan. If the Superman struck by Cryptonite turns out to be Clark Kent who can’t transform to cope with crises then do the smaller neighbours have to exercise restraint? Isn’t the signal going out that they can singly or jointly start flexing their puny muscles to challenge the ‘bullying, bragging and boasting ‘Big Brother’? Don’t get us wrong -we rent for a minute suggesting that India under Modi has behaved in a manner akin to what earned the Americans the prefix Ugly in the 1960s. But perceptions matter no less than reality in international relations. If Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives get the impression that India is beset with domestic strife they would find justification in making the most of the opportune moment. Unfortunately for India, the election knock out has coincided with accusations about fudging growth figures, erosion of credibility of institutions like the RBI, CBI and even some exceptionally controversial observation by members of the Bench in higher judiciary. Political partisanship has certainly diminished the majesty of more than one constitutional authority or institution. During the election campaign, the pitch of spoken word was unnecessarily raised by both sides. Alas the BJP let loose canons like the UP CM have a free run causing serious collateral damage. The shifting of focus from development to construction of Ram temple or going on a reckless mindless renaming spree has boomeranged on BJP. Lok Sabha elections are still a few months away but even this short span of time can prove detrimental to India’s national interest. Time for us to remain on high alert without making too much noise. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Domestic compulsions and foreign policy: PM Narendra Modi's balancing act

"KCR will continue to be chief minister, but play a national role," said parliamentarian and K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha hours after Telangana Rashtra Samithi trounced Congress-led Mahakutami (Grand Alliance) in the Telangana Assembly elections.

"We will go wider, we will go to national politics. Tomorrow, we will certainly declare a national agenda and there is a need for a national alternative," Kavitha said.

KCR has often talked about his national ambitions and how both the BJP and Congress-led alliances have undermined the rights of states by wresting all powers with the Centre.

Rao's decision to dissolve the House in September, several months before its tenure was to end, and go for an early election&nbsp;is being seen as a masterstroke, but what kind of role KCR &nbsp;will play in uniting the anti-Congress, anti-BJP forces ahead of parliamentary elections in 2019?

While the TDP chief and KCR's Andhra Pradesh counterpart, Chandrababu Naidu, has been playing a key role in finding a common ground among the opposition forces and unifying the anti-BJP parties, including the Congress, ahead of parliamentary polls, KCR's stand has always been about creating an anti-Congress and anti-BJP coalition government at the Centre by uniting all the regional parties.

Naidu was crisscrossing the country trying to stitch together a Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance). Now, various political leaders who got pictures taken at the 'Naidu-sponsored' Opposition meet will not be keen to be seen with him. With Naidu’s embarrassing defeat in KCR's home-turf, whether the Andhra CM can continue to be the same unifying force that he was a few days ago is doubtful. &nbsp;

On the other hand, with Telangana firmly under his belt, KCR could very well seek greater space for himself in national politics should a non-BJP, non-Congress front materialise amid growing aspirations of regional parties eyeing a piece of New Delhi's power pie.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

"KCR will continue to be chief minister, but play a national role," said parliamentarian and K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha hours after Telangana Rashtra Samithi trounced Congress-led Mahakutami (Grand Alliance) in the Telangana Assembly elections.

"KCR will continue to be chief minister, but play a national role," said parliamentarian and K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha hours after Telangana Rashtra Samithi trounced Congress-led Mahakutami (Grand Alliance) in the Telangana Assembly elections. "We will go wider, we will go to national politics. Tomorrow, we will certainly declare a national agenda and there is a need for a national alternative," Kavitha said. KCR has often talked about his national ambitions and how both the BJP and Congress-led alliances have undermined the rights of states by wresting all powers with the Centre. Rao's decision to dissolve the House in September, several months before its tenure was to end, and go for an early election is being seen as a masterstroke, but what kind of role KCR will play in uniting the anti-Congress, anti-BJP forces ahead of parliamentary elections in 2019? While the TDP chief and KCR's Andhra Pradesh counterpart, Chandrababu Naidu, has been playing a key role in finding a common ground among the opposition forces and unifying the anti-BJP parties, including the Congress, ahead of parliamentary polls, KCR's stand has always been about creating an anti-Congress and anti-BJP coalition government at the Centre by uniting all the regional parties. Naidu was crisscrossing the country trying to stitch together a Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance). Now, various political leaders who got pictures taken at the 'Naidu-sponsored' Opposition meet will not be keen to be seen with him. With Naidu’s embarrassing defeat in KCR's home-turf, whether the Andhra CM can continue to be the same unifying force that he was a few days ago is doubtful. On the other hand, with Telangana firmly under his belt, KCR could very well seek greater space for himself in national politics should a non-BJP, non-Congress front materialise amid growing aspirations of regional parties eyeing a piece of New Delhi's power pie. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Assembly election results 2018: KCR 2.0 and his national ambitions

With the announcement of results for Assembly elections 2018, the curtain has come down on 15-years of BJP rule in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

In Chhattisgarh, the Congress has trounced the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and emerged victorious by winning 67 of the 89 seats for which results had been declared till Wednesday morning. It was also leading in one more constituency for which the result was awaited. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has been reduced to just 15 seats in the state Assembly having a total strength of 90. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has bagged 2 seats while its electoral ally, the newly floated Janata Congress Chhattisgarh, headed by former chief minister Ajit Jogi, has won 5 seats.

Anti-incumbency is being viewed as the main factor for BJP’s defeat in Chhattisgarh. Inner party rivalry, poor ticket distribution and the rebel backlash are also being cited as reasons for defeat by BJP insiders.

In Madhya Pradesh, it has been a neck-and-neck fight been the BJP and Congress. The counting of votes began in this central Indian state, along with the other states that also went to polls, at 8 am on Tuesday. It was a cliffhanger for both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress as the trends kept swinging throughout the day while counting progressed. On Wednesday morning, when the final results came in, the Congress had stolen the show with 114 seats. The BJP has won 109, Bahujan Samaj Party trails far behind with 2 seats and the Samajwadi Party with 1. Four Independent Candidates also have been declared elected in the state.

The close fight between the BJP and Congress notwithstanding, what demonstrates people’s massive disenchantment and anger against the highhandedness and arrogance of state BJP ministers is the defeat of more than a dozen of them. They include Madhya Pradesh finance minister Jayant Malaiya, Archana Chitnis, Deepak Joshi, Umashankar Gupta, Rustam Singh, Jaibhan Singh Pawaiya, Antar Singh Arya, Narayan Singh Kushwah, Om Prakash Dhurve, Lal Singh Arya, Lalita Yadav, and Balkrishna Patidar

Even as counting of votes was in progress for a number of constituencies in Madhya Pradesh, state Congress president Kamal Nath despatched a &nbsp;letter to the state Governor on Tuesday evening to seek an appointment to stake the claim for government formation. This initiative was taken obviously to pre-empt a move in the same direction by the BJP as no party was gaining an absolute majority.

Besides, it’s committed voters and huge cadre base, supported and backed by the RSS, the BJP was banking heavily on chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s popularity and also the prolonged work done by the RSS-backed Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram and the Vivekanand Kendra to bring the tribals closer to the BJP. In Madhya Pradesh, there is a quasi-government body, the Jan Abhiyan Parishad, headed by the chief minister. This body loaded with top state government functionaries regulates and gives accreditation to registered NGOs to promote and implement government policies and programmes. This body was used to the hilt in the rural areas by the BJP, as in past elections, to garner votes.

The BJP was also sure of extensive voter support due to its student-centric schemes. About 15 million school students in Madhya Pradesh are receiving scholarships online. After Shivraj Singh Chouhan became chief minister for the third time in a row in 2013, the state government also began providing free smartphones bicycles, and boarding facilities to students.

These schemes failed to deliver the electoral advantage on expected lines to the BJP and Chouhan met his Waterloo with his&nbsp;much-condemned statement “no mother’s son can bring to an end the reservation system” besides the amendment to the SC/ST Atrocities Act. The BJP stand on these counts eroded much of its traditional support base.

The BJP also has suffered a huge backlash from the agrarian sector in the state. Mainstream media has reported how the insurance companies have benefited more than farmers from Narendra Modi government's crop insurance scheme. Police firing and suicide by farmers, loan burden, crop failure and poor handling of procurement and mismanagement of Bhavantar Yojna (scheme to pay the difference in minimum support price and the selling price) went against the BJP in Madhya Pradesh. 
 
Anti-incumbency, unemployment, long-term impact of demonetisation, drawbacks in GST and poor governance are also factors that have cost the BJP dear. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

With the announcement of results for Assembly elections 2018, the curtain has come down on 15-years of BJP rule in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. In Chhattisgarh, the Congress has trounced the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and emerged victorious by winning 67 of the 89 seats for which results had been declared till Wednesday morning.

With the announcement of results for Assembly elections 2018, the curtain has come down on 15-years of BJP rule in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. In Chhattisgarh, the Congress has trounced the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and emerged victorious by winning 67 of the 89 seats for which results had been declared till Wednesday morning. It was also leading in one more constituency for which the result was awaited. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has been reduced to just 15 seats in the state Assembly having a total strength of 90. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has bagged 2 seats while its electoral ally, the newly floated Janata Congress Chhattisgarh, headed by former chief minister Ajit Jogi, has won 5 seats. Anti-incumbency is being viewed as the main factor for BJP’s defeat in Chhattisgarh. Inner party rivalry, poor ticket distribution and the rebel backlash are also being cited as reasons for defeat by BJP insiders. In Madhya Pradesh, it has been a neck-and-neck fight been the BJP and Congress. The counting of votes began in this central Indian state, along with the other states that also went to polls, at 8 am on Tuesday. It was a cliffhanger for both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress as the trends kept swinging throughout the day while counting progressed. On Wednesday morning, when the final results came in, the Congress had stolen the show with 114 seats. The BJP has won 109, Bahujan Samaj Party trails far behind with 2 seats and the Samajwadi Party with 1. Four Independent Candidates also have been declared elected in the state. The close fight between the BJP and Congress notwithstanding, what demonstrates people’s massive disenchantment and anger against the highhandedness and arrogance of state BJP ministers is the defeat of more than a dozen of them. They include Madhya Pradesh finance minister Jayant Malaiya, Archana Chitnis, Deepak Joshi, Umashankar Gupta, Rustam Singh, Jaibhan Singh Pawaiya, Antar Singh Arya, Narayan Singh Kushwah, Om Prakash Dhurve, Lal Singh Arya, Lalita Yadav, and Balkrishna Patidar Even as counting of votes was in progress for a number of constituencies in Madhya Pradesh, state Congress president Kamal Nath despatched a letter to the state Governor on Tuesday evening to seek an appointment to stake the claim for government formation. This initiative was taken obviously to pre-empt a move in the same direction by the BJP as no party was gaining an absolute majority. Besides, it’s committed voters and huge cadre base, supported and backed by the RSS, the BJP was banking heavily on chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s popularity and also the prolonged work done by the RSS-backed Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram and the Vivekanand Kendra to bring the tribals closer to the BJP. In Madhya Pradesh, there is a quasi-government body, the Jan Abhiyan Parishad, headed by the chief minister. This body loaded with top state government functionaries regulates and gives accreditation to registered NGOs to promote and implement government policies and programmes. This body was used to the hilt in the rural areas by the BJP, as in past elections, to garner votes. The BJP was also sure of extensive voter support due to its student-centric schemes. About 15 million school students in Madhya Pradesh are receiving scholarships online. After Shivraj Singh Chouhan became chief minister for the third time in a row in 2013, the state government also began providing free smartphones bicycles, and boarding facilities to students. These schemes failed to deliver the electoral advantage on expected lines to the BJP and Chouhan met his Waterloo with his much-condemned statement “no mother’s son can bring to an end the reservation system” besides the amendment to the SC/ST Atrocities Act. The BJP stand on these counts eroded much of its traditional support base. The BJP also has suffered a huge backlash from the agrarian sector in the state. Mainstream media has reported how the insurance companies have benefited more than farmers from Narendra Modi government's crop insurance scheme. Police firing and suicide by farmers, loan burden, crop failure and poor handling of procurement and mismanagement of Bhavantar Yojna (scheme to pay the difference in minimum support price and the selling price) went against the BJP in Madhya Pradesh. Anti-incumbency, unemployment, long-term impact of demonetisation, drawbacks in GST and poor governance are also factors that have cost the BJP dear. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Curtain comes down on BJP rule in Hindi heartland states

Various exit polls had predicted a close fight in Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. MP was the cynosure of all eyes, mainly because of its size (230 seats). Another reason was the stature Shivraj Singh Chouhan had gained over the years through his disarming style of functioning and his well-crafted low profile. His popularity can be attributed to the creation of a framework for farmers’ growth, the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao scheme and the laying of a decent road network.

While some had indicated a Congress victory, a confident Chouhan had boasted that his “party would win 165 seats”. Where did he go wrong? Was it the wrong selection of BJP candidates? Was it anti-incumbency? One of the greatest follies of Shivraj was to antagonise the upper castes. His championing of caste-based reservations took the Brahmins,Thakurs and even the minorities (Jains and Sikhs, if not Muslims) away from the BJP. The issue was of reservation in government jobs that angered government employees just the way Digvijaya had invited their wrath with Dalit agenda in 2002-2003. He was also perceived to be a failure in curbing corruption at high places. Not only was VYAPAM a big blot on his government, many other scams such as e-tender scam, and a large number of corrupt officers caught by Lokayukta, created an impression that Chouhan was turning a blind eye to corruption. He had also refused to drop many of his tainted cabinet colleagues. Many party insiders say that most MP leaders and middle-level workers did not really want him to win because he was charting his course alone!&nbsp;

Though it was Chouhan who had given the slogan of “making agriculture a profitable business “ in MP, the Bhavantar scheme was introduced last year at a time when bumper yields of onion, tomatoes and other crops had brought down the rates in the market. The government jumped into the market war and tried to insulate the farmer but the scheme did not really benefit the recipients. Unfortunately for him, all this resulted in the Mandsaur outrage which saw the killing of six farmers.

But BJP’s performance in MP clearly shows that despite 15 years of rule, Chouhan is still a vote-catcher. He had already made history in 2013 winning the state elections with a thumping majority in terms of poll percentage and seats which stood at 44.05 per cent and 165, respectively. Anti-incumbency had set in back then, but with key strategists such as Anil Dave and Arvind Menon, he could become the CM for the third time.

There is no denying the fact that Chouhan had reformed the agriculture sector to a great extent: Bringing down bank loan rates, from 16 per cent to zero per cent, forming a small agriculture cabinet to take speedy decisions, and installing a separate feeder line for electricity. The changes in MSP completed the agri-success story.&nbsp;

While getting awards for agriculture growth, Chouhan did not take his eyes off industrial development or road-building either. If industrial investment’s official figures are to be believed, between 2003, the last year of Congress regime, and 2018, it rose by 2420 per cent pegged at Rs 2 lakh crore. Two very successful industry summits held at Indore in 2012 and 2014 saw major industrial groups vying with each other to set up shop in MP. The state boasts of large solar energy plants in Neemuch near Rajasthan and in Rewa, bordering UP.

When MP formulated industry-friendly policies such as easy land allotment and acquisition procedures and changes in electricity tariffs etc, big industry started making its way into the backward state where road network was extremely bad. The BJP government constructed about 1.50 lakh km of roads.&nbsp;

However, the state was in a mood for change. The BJP high command depended a little too much on Chouhan alone and weaved its entire campaign around him in the absence of any other tall and equally popular leader in the state. Also, the BJP had grossly underestimated the Congress’s strength and preparedness and kept saying that Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia were out of touch with ground realities. On the contrary, Congress had actually worked very meticulously in a short time. PCC chief Nath became the party boss only in April 2018 replacing Arun Yadav, the farmer leader. Scindia, on his part, provided terrific energy to the party campaign and many feel that if he had been made the face of the party, Congress would have won the battle comfortably. 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-fight-in-mp-shows-why-chouhan-is-still-in-the-reckoning-2694997">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Various exit polls had predicted a close fight in Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. MP was the cynosure of all eyes, mainly because of its size (230 seats). Another reason was the stature Shivraj Singh Chouhan had gained over the years through his disarming style of functioning and his well-crafted low profile.

Various exit polls had predicted a close fight in Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. MP was the cynosure of all eyes, mainly because of its size (230 seats). Another reason was the stature Shivraj Singh Chouhan had gained over the years through his disarming style of functioning and his well-crafted low profile. His popularity can be attributed to the creation of a framework for farmers’ growth, the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao scheme and the laying of a decent road network. While some had indicated a Congress victory, a confident Chouhan had boasted that his “party would win 165 seats”. Where did he go wrong? Was it the wrong selection of BJP candidates? Was it anti-incumbency? One of the greatest follies of Shivraj was to antagonise the upper castes. His championing of caste-based reservations took the Brahmins,Thakurs and even the minorities (Jains and Sikhs, if not Muslims) away from the BJP. The issue was of reservation in government jobs that angered government employees just the way Digvijaya had invited their wrath with Dalit agenda in 2002-2003. He was also perceived to be a failure in curbing corruption at high places. Not only was VYAPAM a big blot on his government, many other scams such as e-tender scam, and a large number of corrupt officers caught by Lokayukta, created an impression that Chouhan was turning a blind eye to corruption. He had also refused to drop many of his tainted cabinet colleagues. Many party insiders say that most MP leaders and middle-level workers did not really want him to win because he was charting his course alone! Though it was Chouhan who had given the slogan of “making agriculture a profitable business “ in MP, the Bhavantar scheme was introduced last year at a time when bumper yields of onion, tomatoes and other crops had brought down the rates in the market. The government jumped into the market war and tried to insulate the farmer but the scheme did not really benefit the recipients. Unfortunately for him, all this resulted in the Mandsaur outrage which saw the killing of six farmers. But BJP’s performance in MP clearly shows that despite 15 years of rule, Chouhan is still a vote-catcher. He had already made history in 2013 winning the state elections with a thumping majority in terms of poll percentage and seats which stood at 44.05 per cent and 165, respectively. Anti-incumbency had set in back then, but with key strategists such as Anil Dave and Arvind Menon, he could become the CM for the third time. There is no denying the fact that Chouhan had reformed the agriculture sector to a great extent: Bringing down bank loan rates, from 16 per cent to zero per cent, forming a small agriculture cabinet to take speedy decisions, and installing a separate feeder line for electricity. The changes in MSP completed the agri-success story. While getting awards for agriculture growth, Chouhan did not take his eyes off industrial development or road-building either. If industrial investment’s official figures are to be believed, between 2003, the last year of Congress regime, and 2018, it rose by 2420 per cent pegged at Rs 2 lakh crore. Two very successful industry summits held at Indore in 2012 and 2014 saw major industrial groups vying with each other to set up shop in MP. The state boasts of large solar energy plants in Neemuch near Rajasthan and in Rewa, bordering UP. When MP formulated industry-friendly policies such as easy land allotment and acquisition procedures and changes in electricity tariffs etc, big industry started making its way into the backward state where road network was extremely bad. The BJP government constructed about 1.50 lakh km of roads. However, the state was in a mood for change. The BJP high command depended a little too much on Chouhan alone and weaved its entire campaign around him in the absence of any other tall and equally popular leader in the state. Also, the BJP had grossly underestimated the Congress’s strength and preparedness and kept saying that Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia were out of touch with ground realities. On the contrary, Congress had actually worked very meticulously in a short time. PCC chief Nath became the party boss only in April 2018 replacing Arun Yadav, the farmer leader. Scindia, on his part, provided terrific energy to the party campaign and many feel that if he had been made the face of the party, Congress would have won the battle comfortably. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Assembly election results 2018: Fight in MP shows why Shivraj Singh Chouhan is still in the reckoning