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India Watch; 28th May 2019

In this segment of India Watch, Have a look at the major political headlines of the day.

India Watch: Major Political headlines of the day

In a major blow to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, 50-60 councillors and some Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) of her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the latter’s headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday.

More than 50 TMC councillors join BJP, Vijayvargiya says it's the beginning

<p>Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi on Tuesday met former president Pranab Mukherjee after a landslide victory in the Lok Sabha elections.</p>

<p>Modi termed the meeting as an enriching experience.</p>

<p>''Meeting Pranab Da is always an enriching experience. His knowledge and insights are unparalleled. He is a statesman who has made an indelible contribution to our nation. Sought his blessings during our meeting today,'' Modi tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Meeting Pranab Da is always an enriching experience. His knowledge and insights are unparalleled. He is a statesman who has made an indelible contribution to our nation.<br />
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Sought his blessings during our meeting today. <a href="https://t.co/dxFj6NPNd5">pic.twitter.com/dxFj6NPNd5</a></p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1133263427500105728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)&nbsp;secured a clear majority with 303 seats, which is 22 more than its 2014 tally. Along with its allies, the NDA stands at 352 in the 17th Lok Sabha.</p>

<p>Earlier on Saturday, Modi was elected as leader of the NDA in a ceremony at Parliament's Central Hall. Later, he met President Ram Nath Kovind and staked claim to form government at the centre.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pm-modi-meets-former-president-pranab-mukherjee-222225/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Narendra Modi will take oath as the Prime Minister for a second term on May 30.</p>


Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi on Tuesday met former president Pranab Mukherjee after a landslide victory in the Lok Sabha elections. Modi termed the meeting as an enriching experience.

Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi on Tuesday met former president Pranab Mukherjee after a landslide victory in the Lok Sabha elections. Modi termed the meeting as an enriching experience. ''Meeting Pranab Da is always an enriching experience. His knowledge and insights are unparalleled. He is a statesman who has made an indelible contribution to our nation. Sought his blessings during our meeting today,'' Modi tweeted. Meeting Pranab Da is always an enriching experience. His knowledge and insights are unparalleled. He is a statesman who has made an indelible contribution to our nation. Sought his blessings during our meeting today. pic.twitter.com/dxFj6NPNd5 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 28, 2019 × Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a clear majority with 303 seats, which is 22 more than its 2014 tally. Along with its allies, the NDA stands at 352 in the 17th Lok Sabha. Earlier on Saturday, Modi was elected as leader of the NDA in a ceremony at Parliament's Central Hall. Later, he met President Ram Nath Kovind and staked claim to form government at the centre. Narendra Modi will take oath as the Prime Minister for a second term on May 30.

Meeting Pranab Da is always an enriching experience: Narendra Modi

<p>Pema Khandu will take oath as Arunachal Pradesh chief minister on May 29, Bharatiya Janata Party's&nbsp;Kiren Rijiju tweeted.</p>

<p>''I extend my gratitude to all the elected BJP MLAs of Arunachal Pradesh for unanimously selecting Pema Khandu ji as the leader of BJP Legislature Party. Hearty congratulations to @PemaKhanduBJP ji who will be sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh on 29th May 2019,'' Rijiju tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I extend my gratitude to all the elected BJP MLAs of Arunachal Pradesh for unanimously selecting Pema Khandu ji as the leader of BJP Legislature Party. Hearty congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/PemaKhanduBJP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PemaKhanduBJP</a> ji who will be sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh on 29th May 2019. <a href="https://t.co/UQYpvrvz6T">pic.twitter.com/UQYpvrvz6T</a></p>
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) <a href="https://twitter.com/KirenRijiju/status/1132962025150136321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-wins-41-seats-in-60-member-arunachal-pradesh-assembly-221510">Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won 41 seats</a> in the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh Assembly.</p>

<p>The Janata Dal (United) won seven seats, the National People's Party (NPP) five, the Congress four, the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) one and Independents two.</p>

<p>Among the prominent BJP winners are Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who won from the Mukto seat, bordering China, for the third time in a row. Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein won from the Chowkham constituency.</p>

<p>In Miao constituency, state Geology and Mining Minister and BJP nominee Kamlung Mossang beat Chatu Longai of the Congress by 3,856 votes to retain the seat.</p>

<p>In the prestigious Tawang seat, BJP candidate Tsering Tashi trounced veteran Congress leader Thupten Tempa by a margin of 3,592 votes.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em></p>


Pema Khandu will take oath as Arunachal Pradesh chief minister on May 29, Bharatiya Janata Party's Kiren Rijiju tweeted. ''I extend my gratitude to all the elected BJP MLAs of Arunachal Pradesh for unanimously selecting Pema Khandu ji as the leader of BJP Legislature Party.

Pema Khandu will take oath as Arunachal Pradesh chief minister on May 29, Bharatiya Janata Party's Kiren Rijiju tweeted. ''I extend my gratitude to all the elected BJP MLAs of Arunachal Pradesh for unanimously selecting Pema Khandu ji as the leader of BJP Legislature Party. Hearty congratulations to @PemaKhanduBJP ji who will be sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh on 29th May 2019,'' Rijiju tweeted. I extend my gratitude to all the elected BJP MLAs of Arunachal Pradesh for unanimously selecting Pema Khandu ji as the leader of BJP Legislature Party. Hearty congratulations to @PemaKhanduBJP ji who will be sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh on 29th May 2019. pic.twitter.com/UQYpvrvz6T — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) May 27, 2019 × The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won 41 seats in the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh Assembly. The Janata Dal (United) won seven seats, the National People's Party (NPP) five, the Congress four, the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) one and Independents two. Among the prominent BJP winners are Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who won from the Mukto seat, bordering China, for the third time in a row. Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein won from the Chowkham constituency. In Miao constituency, state Geology and Mining Minister and BJP nominee Kamlung Mossang beat Chatu Longai of the Congress by 3,856 votes to retain the seat. In the prestigious Tawang seat, BJP candidate Tsering Tashi trounced veteran Congress leader Thupten Tempa by a margin of 3,592 votes. (With inputs from PTI)

Arunachal Pradesh: Pema Khandu to take oath as chief minister on May 29

<p>Prime Minister Modi on Saturday said the 2019 elections "united people" and gave a "positive mandate".</p>

<p>While speaking at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/nda-lawmakers-meet-in-delhi-to-formally-elect-narendra-modi-as-prime-minister-221557">parliamentary meeting</a>, PM Modi said, "Elections divide and create gulf but 2019 polls united people and society. There was a pro-incumbency wave in this election, its result was a positive mandate".</p>

<p>"These elections were pro-incumbency. This pro-incumbency wave is tied with the thread of trust...The trust was not only between people and govt but also among people themselves. This gave birth to that trust,"&nbsp;he said.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-stakes-claim-to-form-the-government-swearing-in-likely-on-may-30-221611">prime minister</a>&nbsp;was addressing the&nbsp;newly-elected members of Parliament belonging to BJP and other allies in the NDA in the Central Hall of Parliament.</p>

<p><strong>Watch- PM Modi at Parliament: We will transform India together</strong></p>

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<p>Stating that there was no better path than serving people while in power, PM Modi said his first government worked for the poor people who in 2019 re-elected his party.</p>

<p>He also reached out to minorities saying there will be no discrimination against anyone on the basis of caste, sect and religion and gave a new slogan of "trust towards all".</p>

<p>Modi said political parties in the past played deceit on minorities who were used for vote bank politics.</p>

<p>"They were kept in illusion, climate of fear and insecurity. They were misled by deceit. It would have been better if they were given education so that some good leaders emerged from the community, which could have become equal to other sections. But for the sake of vote bank politics, they were kept away from everything."</p>

<p>"Today I appeal to all that we have to break that deceit on minorities. We have to gain their trust. We have to move shoulder to shoulder without discriminating on the basis of caste, sect and religion. We are for 130 crore people. These should be our priorities and responsibility. 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas aur ab Sabka Vishwas (Everyone`s support, everyone`s development and now everyone`s trust). This is our mantra. I will leave no stone unturned and I will work for all citizens of India," he said.</p>

<p>Speaking to the NDA MPs, he said, "You all have elected me as the leader, I think of it as a part of the system, I'm one of you, equal to you"</p>

<p>"We are for those who trusted us and also for those whose trust we have to win over".</p>

<p>He further claimed that some statements made for publicity often trouble them and asked the NDA leaders to restrict themselves in speaking to media.</p>

<p>He also asked the leaders to shun VIP culture and asked them to &nbsp;stand in queues wherever required, like other citizens.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Don't trust media reports on names being considered for ministerial berths, responsibilities will be given as per norms.</p>

<p>"Minorities made to live in fear by those who believed in vote-bank politics, we have to end this deception and take everyone along," Modi said.</p>

<p>The parliamentary board of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/focus-is-now-on-the-next-five-years-team-will-deliver-better-pm-modi-221500">BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA)</a>&nbsp;unanimously elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi as leader of NDA coalition&nbsp;at a meeting in Parliament's Central Hall in New Delhi&nbsp;on Saturday.</p>

<p>Amit shah proposed Narendra Modi's&nbsp;name as the leader of BJP Parliamentary Party while Rajnath singh and Nitin Gadkari seconded the proposal which was endorsed by all BJP MPs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Top alliance leaders, including JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray and Akali Dal's Parkash Singh Badal, extended their party's support after Modi was elected as the leader of the BJP parliamentary party at first.</p>

<p>Modi's election was a mere formality as the NDA had already declared him the alliance's prime ministerial candidate.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Prime Minister Modi on Saturday said the 2019 elections "united people" and gave a "positive mandate". While speaking at the parliamentary meeting, PM Modi said, "Elections divide and create gulf but 2019 polls united people and society.

Prime Minister Modi on Saturday said the 2019 elections "united people" and gave a "positive mandate". While speaking at the parliamentary meeting, PM Modi said, "Elections divide and create gulf but 2019 polls united people and society. There was a pro-incumbency wave in this election, its result was a positive mandate". "These elections were pro-incumbency. This pro-incumbency wave is tied with the thread of trust...The trust was not only between people and govt but also among people themselves. This gave birth to that trust," he said. The prime minister was addressing the newly-elected members of Parliament belonging to BJP and other allies in the NDA in the Central Hall of Parliament. Watch- PM Modi at Parliament: We will transform India together × Stating that there was no better path than serving people while in power, PM Modi said his first government worked for the poor people who in 2019 re-elected his party. He also reached out to minorities saying there will be no discrimination against anyone on the basis of caste, sect and religion and gave a new slogan of "trust towards all". Modi said political parties in the past played deceit on minorities who were used for vote bank politics. "They were kept in illusion, climate of fear and insecurity. They were misled by deceit. It would have been better if they were given education so that some good leaders emerged from the community, which could have become equal to other sections. But for the sake of vote bank politics, they were kept away from everything." "Today I appeal to all that we have to break that deceit on minorities. We have to gain their trust. We have to move shoulder to shoulder without discriminating on the basis of caste, sect and religion. We are for 130 crore people. These should be our priorities and responsibility. 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas aur ab Sabka Vishwas (Everyone`s support, everyone`s development and now everyone`s trust). This is our mantra. I will leave no stone unturned and I will work for all citizens of India," he said. Speaking to the NDA MPs, he said, "You all have elected me as the leader, I think of it as a part of the system, I'm one of you, equal to you" "We are for those who trusted us and also for those whose trust we have to win over". He further claimed that some statements made for publicity often trouble them and asked the NDA leaders to restrict themselves in speaking to media. He also asked the leaders to shun VIP culture and asked them to stand in queues wherever required, like other citizens. "Don't trust media reports on names being considered for ministerial berths, responsibilities will be given as per norms. "Minorities made to live in fear by those who believed in vote-bank politics, we have to end this deception and take everyone along," Modi said. The parliamentary board of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) unanimously elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi as leader of NDA coalition at a meeting in Parliament's Central Hall in New Delhi on Saturday. Amit shah proposed Narendra Modi's name as the leader of BJP Parliamentary Party while Rajnath singh and Nitin Gadkari seconded the proposal which was endorsed by all BJP MPs. Top alliance leaders, including JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray and Akali Dal's Parkash Singh Badal, extended their party's support after Modi was elected as the leader of the BJP parliamentary party at first. Modi's election was a mere formality as the NDA had already declared him the alliance's prime ministerial candidate. (With inputs from agencies)

2019 elections 'united people' and gave 'positive mandate': PM Modi at parliamentary meet

<p>After <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/elections-in-india-an-inspiration-around-the-world-us-221140">making a comeback with a massive majority</a>&nbsp;in Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-proves-sceptics-wrong-with-stunning-performance-in-hindi-heartland-221136">Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)</a> president Amit Shah visited veteran leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi on Friday morning to seek blessings.</p>

<p>''Called on respected Advani Ji. The BJP’s successes today are possible because greats like him spent decades building the party and providing a fresh ideological narrative to the people,'' Modi tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Called on respected Advani Ji. The BJP’s successes today are possible because greats like him spent decades building the party and providing a fresh ideological narrative to the people. <a href="https://t.co/liXK8cfsrI">pic.twitter.com/liXK8cfsrI</a></p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1131791055295307776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>In another tweet Modi wrote, ''Dr Murli Manohar Joshi is a scholar and intellectual par excellence. His contribution towards improving Indian education is remarkable. He has always worked to strengthen the BJP and mentor several Karyakartas, including me. Met him this morning and sought his blessings.''</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi is a scholar and intellectual par excellence. His contribution towards improving Indian education is remarkable. He has always worked to strengthen the BJP and mentor several Karyakartas, including me.<br />
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Met him this morning and sought his blessings. <a href="https://t.co/gppfDt7KiB">pic.twitter.com/gppfDt7KiB</a></p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1131795566495772672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Both Advani and Joshi congratulated Modi for his remarkable victory.</p>

<p>''Heartiest congratulations to Narendrabhai Modi for steering the BJP towards this unprecedented victory in the elections," Advani said in a statement.</p>

<p>Advani also praised Amit Shah and the party workers. "Amitbhai Shah as the BJP President and all the dedicated workers of the party have put in enormous effort in making sure that the message of BJP reaches every voter of the country," he said.</p>

<p>The BJP has won 299 seats and leading on four others while the Congress has won 52 seats, as per latest Election trends.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;PM Modi, Amit Shah visits senior BJP leaders</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-votes-pm-modi-amit-shah-visits-senior-bjp-leaders-221205/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Modi on Thursday gave his first address after the party seemed poised to register a landslide win.</div>

<p>The prime minister promised to devote "every moment" of his life and "every fibre" of his being for the people of India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This is a mandate to form new India," PM Modi said in his victory speech.</p>


After making a comeback with a massive majority in Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah visited veteran leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi on Friday morning to seek blessings.

After making a comeback with a massive majority in Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah visited veteran leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi on Friday morning to seek blessings. ''Called on respected Advani Ji. The BJP’s successes today are possible because greats like him spent decades building the party and providing a fresh ideological narrative to the people,'' Modi tweeted. Called on respected Advani Ji. The BJP’s successes today are possible because greats like him spent decades building the party and providing a fresh ideological narrative to the people. pic.twitter.com/liXK8cfsrI — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 24, 2019 × In another tweet Modi wrote, ''Dr Murli Manohar Joshi is a scholar and intellectual par excellence. His contribution towards improving Indian education is remarkable. He has always worked to strengthen the BJP and mentor several Karyakartas, including me. Met him this morning and sought his blessings.'' Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi is a scholar and intellectual par excellence. His contribution towards improving Indian education is remarkable. He has always worked to strengthen the BJP and mentor several Karyakartas, including me. Met him this morning and sought his blessings. pic.twitter.com/gppfDt7KiB — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 24, 2019 × Both Advani and Joshi congratulated Modi for his remarkable victory. ''Heartiest congratulations to Narendrabhai Modi for steering the BJP towards this unprecedented victory in the elections," Advani said in a statement. Advani also praised Amit Shah and the party workers. "Amitbhai Shah as the BJP President and all the dedicated workers of the party have put in enormous effort in making sure that the message of BJP reaches every voter of the country," he said. The BJP has won 299 seats and leading on four others while the Congress has won 52 seats, as per latest Election trends. Watch: PM Modi, Amit Shah visits senior BJP leaders Modi on Thursday gave his first address after the party seemed poised to register a landslide win. The prime minister promised to devote "every moment" of his life and "every fibre" of his being for the people of India. "This is a mandate to form new India," PM Modi said in his victory speech.

Lok Sabha election 2019: PM Modi, Amit Shah visit LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi after landslide victory

<p>The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-up-bjp-gets-60-and-counting-sp-bsp-struggles-to-touch-15-221133">BJP has won seven seats</a> and is leading in two others, while the Congress bagged three and the AIUDF one of Assam's 14 Lok Sabha constituencies as the counting of votes continued well past midnight.</p>

<p>The saffron party retained the Jorhat and Dibrugarh constituencies while wresting the Silchar and Karimganj seats from the Congress and the AIUDF respectively.</p>

<p>Dibrugarh's sitting BJP MP Rameswar Teli won by the highest margin of 3,64,566 votes in the state over former Union minister and Congress candidate Paban Singh Ghatowar.</p>

<p>Gaurav Gogoi, the sitting Congress MP in Kaliabor constituency and son of former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, won by a huge margin of 2,09,994 votes against Moni Madhab Mahanta of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), an ally of the ruling BJP.</p>

<p>In Jorhat, state Power Minister Topon Kumar Gogoi defeated former Congress MLA Sushanta Borgohain by 82,653 votes.</p>

<p>The BJP snatched both the Silchar and the Karimganj seats in the linguistically and demographically sensitive Barak valley.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Wishes pour in for PM Modi</strong></p>

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<p>All India Mahila Congress president and sitting MP from Silchar, Sushmita Dev faced defeat in the hands of BJP's first-timer Rajdeep Roy, who won by 81,596 votes.</p>

<p>AIUDF's sitting MP Radheshyam Biswas lost to Assam Assembly Deputy Speaker Kripanath Mallah by 38,389 votes in the Karimganj seat in the Barak valley.</p>

<p>BJP candidate Pallab Lochan Das won the Tezpur seat, beating M G V K Bhanu of the Congress by 2,42,841 votes.</p>

<p>In the Gauhati Lok Sabha constituency, Queen Oja of the BJP beat Bobbeeta Sharma of the Congress by 3,45,606 votes.</p>

<p>The BJP's Horen Sing Bey defeated Biren Singh Engti of the Congress in the Autonomous District by 2,39,626 votes.</p>

<p>The AIUDF won the Dhubri seat, with party candidate Badruddin Ajmal beating Congress' Abu Taher Bepari by a margin of 226258 votes.</p>

<p>Congress' Abdul Khaleque beat Kumar Deepak Das of the Asom Gana Parishad by a margin of 1,40,307 votes in the Barpeta Lok Sabha seat.</p>

<p>In the Nowgong parliamentary constituency, Congress candidate Pradyut Bordoloi won by a margin of 16,752 votes, defeating Rupak Sharma of the BJP.</p>

<p>The BJP is leading in Lakhimpur and Mangaldoi seats, while sitting Independent MP Naba Kumar Sarania is ahead in the Kokrajhar parliamentary constituency.&nbsp;</p>


The BJP has won seven seats and is leading in two others, while the Congress bagged three and the AIUDF one of Assam's 14 Lok Sabha constituencies as the counting of votes continued well past midnight.

The BJP has won seven seats and is leading in two others, while the Congress bagged three and the AIUDF one of Assam's 14 Lok Sabha constituencies as the counting of votes continued well past midnight. The saffron party retained the Jorhat and Dibrugarh constituencies while wresting the Silchar and Karimganj seats from the Congress and the AIUDF respectively. Dibrugarh's sitting BJP MP Rameswar Teli won by the highest margin of 3,64,566 votes in the state over former Union minister and Congress candidate Paban Singh Ghatowar. Gaurav Gogoi, the sitting Congress MP in Kaliabor constituency and son of former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, won by a huge margin of 2,09,994 votes against Moni Madhab Mahanta of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), an ally of the ruling BJP. In Jorhat, state Power Minister Topon Kumar Gogoi defeated former Congress MLA Sushanta Borgohain by 82,653 votes. The BJP snatched both the Silchar and the Karimganj seats in the linguistically and demographically sensitive Barak valley. Watch: Wishes pour in for PM Modi All India Mahila Congress president and sitting MP from Silchar, Sushmita Dev faced defeat in the hands of BJP's first-timer Rajdeep Roy, who won by 81,596 votes. AIUDF's sitting MP Radheshyam Biswas lost to Assam Assembly Deputy Speaker Kripanath Mallah by 38,389 votes in the Karimganj seat in the Barak valley. BJP candidate Pallab Lochan Das won the Tezpur seat, beating M G V K Bhanu of the Congress by 2,42,841 votes. In the Gauhati Lok Sabha constituency, Queen Oja of the BJP beat Bobbeeta Sharma of the Congress by 3,45,606 votes. The BJP's Horen Sing Bey defeated Biren Singh Engti of the Congress in the Autonomous District by 2,39,626 votes. The AIUDF won the Dhubri seat, with party candidate Badruddin Ajmal beating Congress' Abu Taher Bepari by a margin of 226258 votes. Congress' Abdul Khaleque beat Kumar Deepak Das of the Asom Gana Parishad by a margin of 1,40,307 votes in the Barpeta Lok Sabha seat. In the Nowgong parliamentary constituency, Congress candidate Pradyut Bordoloi won by a margin of 16,752 votes, defeating Rupak Sharma of the BJP. The BJP is leading in Lakhimpur and Mangaldoi seats, while sitting Independent MP Naba Kumar Sarania is ahead in the Kokrajhar parliamentary constituency.

Lok Sabha election result 2019: BJP bags seven seats in Assam, Congress wins three

<p>The Union Cabinet met on Friday and adopted a resolution for the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, setting in motion the process of constituting the new House and formation of the government after the conclusion of the general elections.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired the meeting, will meet President Ram Nath Kovind to handover the resolution that will pave the way for constituting the 17th Lok Sabha.</p>

<p>The Election Commission will then issue a formal notification constituting the new House.</p>

<p>It is speculated that the new government under Modi may be sworn-in on May 30.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will be held on May 25 when Modi will be formally elected leader of the coalition before the President will invite him to form the next government.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, government spokesperson Sitanshu Kar had tweeted that "the Cabinet and Union Council of Ministers will meet this evening"</p>

<p>He said the dates for the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and Union Council of Ministers are yet to be decided.</p>

<p>With the official count in the Lok Sabha elections over on Friday, the BJP has secured 303 seats, which is 22 more than it got in the 2014 elections and along with its allies, the NDA took its tally up to 352 in the 17th Lok Sabha.&nbsp;</p>


The Union Cabinet met on Friday and adopted a resolution for the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, setting in motion the process of constituting the new House and formation of the government after the conclusion of the general elections.

The Union Cabinet met on Friday and adopted a resolution for the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, setting in motion the process of constituting the new House and formation of the government after the conclusion of the general elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired the meeting, will meet President Ram Nath Kovind to handover the resolution that will pave the way for constituting the 17th Lok Sabha. The Election Commission will then issue a formal notification constituting the new House. It is speculated that the new government under Modi may be sworn-in on May 30. Meanwhile, a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will be held on May 25 when Modi will be formally elected leader of the coalition before the President will invite him to form the next government. Earlier in the day, government spokesperson Sitanshu Kar had tweeted that "the Cabinet and Union Council of Ministers will meet this evening" He said the dates for the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and Union Council of Ministers are yet to be decided. With the official count in the Lok Sabha elections over on Friday, the BJP has secured 303 seats, which is 22 more than it got in the 2014 elections and along with its allies, the NDA took its tally up to 352 in the 17th Lok Sabha.

Union cabinet passes resolution to dissolve 16th Lok Sabha

<p>Beating the anti-incumbency of his first five years in power, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-election-result-2019-foreign-media-reacts-as-vote-count-shows-an-outright-majority-for-bjp-220859">Prime Minister Modi </a>on Thursday secured an even greater mandate for the second straight term.</p>

<p>Marking another historic victory, PM Modi led BJP crossed over 300 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The party had won 282 seats in the 2014 general election.</p>

<p>The BJP, which registered a historic win in 2014 by emerging as the first party in three decades to secure a majority on its own, again scripted its name in history after the results threw a stronger number for its existing&nbsp;government.</p>

<p>After this win, PM Modi has become the first non-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-elections-2019-rash-of-resignations-in-congress-after-election-result-disaster-221242">Congress</a> full majority prime minister to get re-elected with a stronger majority.</p>

<p>The Congress in the 1971 general election had secured a huge victory for the ruling government. Winning 362 out of 520 seats, the party under Indira Gandhi came back to power with a huge mandate.</p>

<p>Jawaharlal Nehru ruled for nearly two decades in the country. Congress under his leadership won three consecutive general elections.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: PM Modi may take oath of office on May 30</strong></p>

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<p>In the first general election held in 1951-52, Nehru won a massive mandate of 364 out of 489 seats. In the second general elections held in 1957, the Congress won 371 seats out of the 494. Securing another landslide victory in his third and final election campaign, the Indian National Congress in 1962 won 361 out of the 494 seats.</p>

<p>The BJP under Atal Bihari Vajpayee had registered another historic victory in 1999 general election when it became the first ever non-Congress government to complete its full tenure in power.&nbsp;</p>


Beating the anti-incumbency of his first five years in power, Prime Minister Modi on Thursday secured an even greater mandate for the second straight term. Marking another historic victory, PM Modi led BJP crossed over 300 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Beating the anti-incumbency of his first five years in power, Prime Minister Modi on Thursday secured an even greater mandate for the second straight term. Marking another historic victory, PM Modi led BJP crossed over 300 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The party had won 282 seats in the 2014 general election. The BJP, which registered a historic win in 2014 by emerging as the first party in three decades to secure a majority on its own, again scripted its name in history after the results threw a stronger number for its existing government. After this win, PM Modi has become the first non-Congress full majority prime minister to get re-elected with a stronger majority. The Congress in the 1971 general election had secured a huge victory for the ruling government. Winning 362 out of 520 seats, the party under Indira Gandhi came back to power with a huge mandate. Jawaharlal Nehru ruled for nearly two decades in the country. Congress under his leadership won three consecutive general elections. Watch: PM Modi may take oath of office on May 30 × In the first general election held in 1951-52, Nehru won a massive mandate of 364 out of 489 seats. In the second general elections held in 1957, the Congress won 371 seats out of the 494. Securing another landslide victory in his third and final election campaign, the Indian National Congress in 1962 won 361 out of the 494 seats. The BJP under Atal Bihari Vajpayee had registered another historic victory in 1999 general election when it became the first ever non-Congress government to complete its full tenure in power.

Modi becomes first non-Congress prime minister to return to power after huge mandate

<p>The BJP and its ally Apna Dal (S) surged ahead of their rivals in 58 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading in Varanasi by a margin of 1.22 lakh votes, according to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/">Election Commission trends</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP was ahead in 57 seats and Apna Dal (S) in one seat. The opposition alliance of the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party appeared to be performing well in 20 seats.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi was leading by more than 1.22 lakh votes in Varanasi over his nearest SP rival Shalini Yadav.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress president Rahul Gandhi was trailing in Amethi seat where Union minister and BJP's strong contender Smriti Irani marched ahead by over 5,000 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-election-result-2019-foreign-media-reacts-as-vote-count-shows-an-outright-majority-for-bjp-220859">Foreign media reacts to vote count as results point to big victory for PM Modi</a></strong></p>

<p>SP chief Akhilesh Yadav was leading by over 13,000 votes in Azamgarh, while his father and SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav was ahead by nearly 12,000 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While Mayawati's BSP was ahead in 12 seats, Akhilesh's SP was leading in eight seats.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress, on the other hand, was leading on only one seat - Rae Bareli, where UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was ahead of Dinesh Pratap Singh of the BJP by over 20,000 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-sunny-deol-hema-malini-leading-in-gurdaspur-mathura-220860">Lok Sabha election results 2019: Sunny Deol, Hema Malini leading</a></strong></p>

<p>SP stalwart Azam Khan was leading in Rampur by over 18,000 votes over BJP contender Jaya Prada, who switched sides from the SP to join the saffron party just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kunwar Danish Ali, who joined the BSP after leaving the JD(S) was leading by a handsome margin of over 22,000 votes in Amroha.<br />
BJP state unit chief Mahendra Nath Pandey was leading by more than 12,000 votes in Chadauli from where he is seeking re-election.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the other hand, state Congress chief Raj Babbar was trailing behind his nearest BJP rival Rajkumar Chahar in Fatehpur Sikri.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>While Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Santosh Gangwar were leading in their respective seats Lucknow and Bareily, another Union minister Manoj Sinha was trailing in Ghazipur where mafia-turned-politician Afzal Ansari of the BSP was leading by over 3,000 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After leading initially in Sultanpur, Union minister Maneka Gandhi suffered reverses and was trailing by 900 votes as counting progressed.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>In Gorakhpur and Phulpur, where the opposition had unseated the BJP in bypolls, the saffron party appeared to be taking a sweet revenge by leading at both the places.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kairana was, however, an exception where sitting Samajwadi Party MP Tabassum Begum was maintaining a lead over the BJP, which had lost in a bypoll to Begum, who was then fielded jointly by the opposition.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sitting MP and BJP candidate Hema Malini leading by 22,893 votes against nearest rival and SP-BSP-RLD alliance candidate Kunwar Narendra Singh in Mathura.</p>


The BJP and its ally Apna Dal (S) surged ahead of their rivals in 58 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading in Varanasi by a margin of 1.

The BJP and its ally Apna Dal (S) surged ahead of their rivals in 58 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading in Varanasi by a margin of 1.22 lakh votes, according to Election Commission trends. The BJP was ahead in 57 seats and Apna Dal (S) in one seat. The opposition alliance of the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party appeared to be performing well in 20 seats. Modi was leading by more than 1.22 lakh votes in Varanasi over his nearest SP rival Shalini Yadav. Congress president Rahul Gandhi was trailing in Amethi seat where Union minister and BJP's strong contender Smriti Irani marched ahead by over 5,000 votes. Also Read: Foreign media reacts to vote count as results point to big victory for PM Modi SP chief Akhilesh Yadav was leading by over 13,000 votes in Azamgarh, while his father and SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav was ahead by nearly 12,000 votes. While Mayawati's BSP was ahead in 12 seats, Akhilesh's SP was leading in eight seats. The Congress, on the other hand, was leading on only one seat - Rae Bareli, where UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was ahead of Dinesh Pratap Singh of the BJP by over 20,000 votes. Also Read: Lok Sabha election results 2019: Sunny Deol, Hema Malini leading SP stalwart Azam Khan was leading in Rampur by over 18,000 votes over BJP contender Jaya Prada, who switched sides from the SP to join the saffron party just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Kunwar Danish Ali, who joined the BSP after leaving the JD(S) was leading by a handsome margin of over 22,000 votes in Amroha. BJP state unit chief Mahendra Nath Pandey was leading by more than 12,000 votes in Chadauli from where he is seeking re-election. On the other hand, state Congress chief Raj Babbar was trailing behind his nearest BJP rival Rajkumar Chahar in Fatehpur Sikri. × While Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Santosh Gangwar were leading in their respective seats Lucknow and Bareily, another Union minister Manoj Sinha was trailing in Ghazipur where mafia-turned-politician Afzal Ansari of the BSP was leading by over 3,000 votes. After leading initially in Sultanpur, Union minister Maneka Gandhi suffered reverses and was trailing by 900 votes as counting progressed. × In Gorakhpur and Phulpur, where the opposition had unseated the BJP in bypolls, the saffron party appeared to be taking a sweet revenge by leading at both the places. Kairana was, however, an exception where sitting Samajwadi Party MP Tabassum Begum was maintaining a lead over the BJP, which had lost in a bypoll to Begum, who was then fielded jointly by the opposition. Sitting MP and BJP candidate Hema Malini leading by 22,893 votes against nearest rival and SP-BSP-RLD alliance candidate Kunwar Narendra Singh in Mathura.

BJP ahead in 57 seats in UP; Modi leading in Varanasi, Rahul trails in Amethi

<p>The counting of votes for Lok Sabha polls is underway across 542 constituencies and as per the early trends, the National Democratic Alliance is leading in majority of the seats.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The news for Congress, however, is not good as many notable names are trailing. In Madhya Pradesh, Congress candidate&nbsp;Nakul Nath is leading the race for the Chhindwara constituency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But Digvijaya Singh, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Kantilal Bhuria, Arun Yadav and Meenakshi Natarajan are trailing from their respective Lok Sabha seats.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-live-updates-220687">Click here</a> to get the live updates.&nbsp;</strong></em></p>

<p>At the end of the second round of counting, Nakul Nath was ahead of his BJP rival Nathansaha Kawreti from the Chhindwara parliamentary constituency by 5,000 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Haryana, BJP was leading in all the 10 seats in Haryana as per early trends available with the Election Commission.</p>

<p>Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda of the Congress was trailing in Sonipat.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Hooda, a sitting MLA from Rohtak district who contested the Lok Sabha polls after a gap of 14 years, was trailing behind sitting MP Ramesh Chander Kaushik.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The former CM's son and sitting MP from Rohtak Deepender Singh Hooda, who was earlier leading over his nearest BJP rival Arvind Sharma from Rohtak, was trailing in later rounds of counting.&nbsp;</p>


The counting of votes for Lok Sabha polls is underway across 542 constituencies and as per the early trends, the National Democratic Alliance is leading in majority of the seats.

The counting of votes for Lok Sabha polls is underway across 542 constituencies and as per the early trends, the National Democratic Alliance is leading in majority of the seats. The news for Congress, however, is not good as many notable names are trailing. In Madhya Pradesh, Congress candidate Nakul Nath is leading the race for the Chhindwara constituency. But Digvijaya Singh, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Kantilal Bhuria, Arun Yadav and Meenakshi Natarajan are trailing from their respective Lok Sabha seats. Click here to get the live updates. At the end of the second round of counting, Nakul Nath was ahead of his BJP rival Nathansaha Kawreti from the Chhindwara parliamentary constituency by 5,000 votes. In Haryana, BJP was leading in all the 10 seats in Haryana as per early trends available with the Election Commission. Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda of the Congress was trailing in Sonipat. × Hooda, a sitting MLA from Rohtak district who contested the Lok Sabha polls after a gap of 14 years, was trailing behind sitting MP Ramesh Chander Kaushik. The former CM's son and sitting MP from Rohtak Deepender Singh Hooda, who was earlier leading over his nearest BJP rival Arvind Sharma from Rohtak, was trailing in later rounds of counting.

Lok Sabha election results 2019: Congress heavyweights trail in Madya Pradesh and Haryana

<p>"It is time for Congress to get an Amit Shah," former Jammu-Kashmir Chief Minister and once an ally of BJP, Mehbooba Mufti said in a tweet as the trends showed BJP, led by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-result-2019-bjp-leaders-react-to-landslide-win-of-pm-narendra-modi-220885">Amit Shah</a>, headed for yet another <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/this-is-a-mandate-to-form-new-india-pm-modi-delivers-first-address-after-lok-sabha-polls-result-221070">stellar victory in the Lok Sabha polls</a>.</p>

<p>Indeed, as the captain of the winning team, Shah deserves credit for turning the party into an election-winning machine.</p>

<p>With one Lok Sabha election&nbsp;and assembly polls of Maharashtra, Haryana, Jharkhand, Jammu-Kashmir, Assam, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, his record as the BJP president has been unmatchable.</p>

<p>Shah took over as the BJP president soon after NDA emerged victorious in 2014 general elections. A trusted lieutenant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he was appointed party in-charge of Uttar Pradesh just ahead of the 2014 national elections.</p>

<p>With his sharp organisational skill and political acumen, Shah helped the party and its allies win 73 out of 80 seats in the stat,e leading PM Modi to proclaim him as "man-of-the-match" of BJP's victory.</p>

<p>But his journey has not been as smooth as it seems. Shah was born in Mumbai in 1964. He was brought up at his paternal village in Maansa, Gujarat till the age of 16.</p>

<p>According to his website, as a young boy, he was always inspired by the stories of the great patriots of the nation and dreamt of working for the progress of the motherland.</p>

<p>He was especially inspired and influenced by the nationalist spirit and vision of Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) and became its active member in Ahmedabad, it says.</p>

<p>Shah worked for Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the student wing of RSS for some time before he joined BJP in 1984-85. There, Shah was noted for his organisational skills and was appointed the national treasurer of Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha and subsequently the state secretary and state vice-president of the party in Gujarat.</p>

<p>With his excellent election management expertise, Shah managed the election campaign of BJP stalwart Lal Krishna Advani's election from Ahmedabad constituency in 1989. During these years, Shah came in contact with Narendra Modi- then a rising star in the BJP.</p>

<p>He and Narendra Modi, who was then an organisational secretary of the party in Gujarat, helped BJP mobilise its workers, which bore fruitful results for the BJP in subsequent elections.BJP came into power in Gujarat in 1995.</p>

<p>However, its government fell in 1997. According to the BJP president`s website, Shah successfully contested the Assembly Elections from Sarkhej that followed the BJP government's fall.BJP returned to power in the state with Narendra Modi as its Chief Minister in 2002.</p>

<p>Shah handled several key portfolios in the state government including the Home Ministry.</p>

<p>However, challenges grew for Shah in 2010 when he was jailed in Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case.</p>

<p>Later, a special CBI court dismissed the case. It is 2019 now and the BJP led by Shah is on its way to scripting history by becoming the first party in India, since 1971, to return with full majority.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


"It is time for Congress to get an Amit Shah," former Jammu-Kashmir Chief Minister and once an ally of BJP, Mehbooba Mufti said in a tweet as the trends showed BJP, led by Amit Shah, headed for yet another stellar victory in the Lok Sabha polls.

"It is time for Congress to get an Amit Shah," former Jammu-Kashmir Chief Minister and once an ally of BJP, Mehbooba Mufti said in a tweet as the trends showed BJP, led by Amit Shah, headed for yet another stellar victory in the Lok Sabha polls. Indeed, as the captain of the winning team, Shah deserves credit for turning the party into an election-winning machine. With one Lok Sabha election and assembly polls of Maharashtra, Haryana, Jharkhand, Jammu-Kashmir, Assam, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, his record as the BJP president has been unmatchable. Shah took over as the BJP president soon after NDA emerged victorious in 2014 general elections. A trusted lieutenant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he was appointed party in-charge of Uttar Pradesh just ahead of the 2014 national elections. With his sharp organisational skill and political acumen, Shah helped the party and its allies win 73 out of 80 seats in the stat,e leading PM Modi to proclaim him as "man-of-the-match" of BJP's victory. But his journey has not been as smooth as it seems. Shah was born in Mumbai in 1964. He was brought up at his paternal village in Maansa, Gujarat till the age of 16. According to his website, as a young boy, he was always inspired by the stories of the great patriots of the nation and dreamt of working for the progress of the motherland. He was especially inspired and influenced by the nationalist spirit and vision of Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) and became its active member in Ahmedabad, it says. Shah worked for Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the student wing of RSS for some time before he joined BJP in 1984-85. There, Shah was noted for his organisational skills and was appointed the national treasurer of Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha and subsequently the state secretary and state vice-president of the party in Gujarat. With his excellent election management expertise, Shah managed the election campaign of BJP stalwart Lal Krishna Advani's election from Ahmedabad constituency in 1989. During these years, Shah came in contact with Narendra Modi- then a rising star in the BJP. He and Narendra Modi, who was then an organisational secretary of the party in Gujarat, helped BJP mobilise its workers, which bore fruitful results for the BJP in subsequent elections.BJP came into power in Gujarat in 1995. However, its government fell in 1997. According to the BJP president`s website, Shah successfully contested the Assembly Elections from Sarkhej that followed the BJP government's fall.BJP returned to power in the state with Narendra Modi as its Chief Minister in 2002. Shah handled several key portfolios in the state government including the Home Ministry. However, challenges grew for Shah in 2010 when he was jailed in Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case. Later, a special CBI court dismissed the case. It is 2019 now and the BJP led by Shah is on its way to scripting history by becoming the first party in India, since 1971, to return with full majority.

The rise and rise of Amit Shah: His journey to becoming BJP's most successful president

<p>US President Donald Trump on Thursday took to Twitter and congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/this-is-a-mandate-to-form-new-india-pm-modi-delivers-first-address-after-lok-sabha-polls-result-221070">securing another term with a thumping majority</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trump stated that "great things are in store for US-India partnership" with Modi's return.</p>

<p>"Congratulations to Prime Minister @NarendraModi and his BJP party on their BIG election victory! Great things are in store for the US-India partnership with the return of PM Modi at the helm. I look forward to continuing our important work together!" his tweet read.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congratulations to Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NarendraModi</a> and his BJP party on their BIG election victory! Great things are in store for the US-India partnership with the return of PM Modi at the helm. I look forward to continuing our important work together!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1131609042227482625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also retained another term recently, also congratulated Modi and said that the only difference between their respective wins is that while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/my-friend-you-dont-need-a-coalition-but-i-do-when-netanyahu-congratulated-pm-modi-in-phone-call-221104">Modi doesn't need a coalition to form the government</a>, Netanyahu does.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Calling Modi his "friend", Netanyahu said he hopes to meet soon after the government formation in both the countries is over. A video clip of Netanyahu's telephonic conversation with PM Modi was released by news agency ANI.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Pakistan Prime Minister also <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-2019-look-forward-to-working-for-peace-progress-and-prosperity-in-south-asia-imran-khan-congratulates-pm-modi-220992">tweeted out a congratulatory post on BJP's win</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I congratulate Prime Minister Modi on the electoral victory of BJP and allies. Look forward to working with him for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia," Khan's tweet read. &nbsp;</p>

<p>More than 20 world leaders congratulated PM Modi and he received calls from 13 world leaders - Bangladesh, Bhutan (the king and the PM), Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Russia, France, Japan, Australia, Mauritius, UAE and Israel.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening arrived at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi and gave his first address after the party seemed poised to register a landslide win in Lok Sabha polls 2019.</p>

<p>The prime minister promised to devote "every moment" of his life and "every fibre" of his being for the people of India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This is a mandate to form new India," PM Modi said in his victory speech.</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


US President Donald Trump on Thursday took to Twitter and congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on securing another term with a thumping majority. Trump stated that "great things are in store for US-India partnership" with Modi's return.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday took to Twitter and congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on securing another term with a thumping majority. Trump stated that "great things are in store for US-India partnership" with Modi's return. "Congratulations to Prime Minister @NarendraModi and his BJP party on their BIG election victory! Great things are in store for the US-India partnership with the return of PM Modi at the helm. I look forward to continuing our important work together!" his tweet read. Congratulations to Prime Minister @NarendraModi and his BJP party on their BIG election victory! Great things are in store for the US-India partnership with the return of PM Modi at the helm. I look forward to continuing our important work together! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 23, 2019 × Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also retained another term recently, also congratulated Modi and said that the only difference between their respective wins is that while Modi doesn't need a coalition to form the government, Netanyahu does. Calling Modi his "friend", Netanyahu said he hopes to meet soon after the government formation in both the countries is over. A video clip of Netanyahu's telephonic conversation with PM Modi was released by news agency ANI. Earlier in the day, Pakistan Prime Minister also tweeted out a congratulatory post on BJP's win. "I congratulate Prime Minister Modi on the electoral victory of BJP and allies. Look forward to working with him for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia," Khan's tweet read. More than 20 world leaders congratulated PM Modi and he received calls from 13 world leaders - Bangladesh, Bhutan (the king and the PM), Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Russia, France, Japan, Australia, Mauritius, UAE and Israel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening arrived at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi and gave his first address after the party seemed poised to register a landslide win in Lok Sabha polls 2019. The prime minister promised to devote "every moment" of his life and "every fibre" of his being for the people of India. "This is a mandate to form new India," PM Modi said in his victory speech. ×

Great things in store for US-India partnership with PM Modi's return: US President Donald Trump 

<p>Wishes&nbsp;poured-in from all corners of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/world-leaders-congratulate-pm-modi-on-re-election-221092">world with leaders congratulating PM Modi</a> on registering a thumping victory in the Lok Sabha polls.</p>

<p>In a telephonic conversation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also retained another term recently, congratulated Modi and said that the only difference between their respective wins is that while Modi doesn't need a coalition to form the government, Netanyahu does.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Calling Modi his "friend", Netanyahu said he hopes to meet soon after the government formation in both the countries is over. A video clip of Netanyahu's telephonic conversation with PM Modi was released by news agency ANI.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Pakistan Prime Minister also tweeted out a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-2019-look-forward-to-working-for-peace-progress-and-prosperity-in-south-asia-imran-khan-congratulates-pm-modi-220992">congratulatory post on BJP's win</a>.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today where he congratulated him, "Narendra, my friend, congratulations! What an enormous victory!" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ElectionResults2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ElectionResults2019</a> (Video courtesy: PM of Israel) <a href="https://t.co/5HoPkgv8Mt">pic.twitter.com/5HoPkgv8Mt</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1131598769521168384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>In his congratulatory message, Khan said that he looks forward to working with PM Modi "for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia".</p>

<p>"I congratulate Prime Minister Modi on the electoral victory of BJP and allies. Look forward to working with him for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia," Khan's tweet read. &nbsp;</p>

<p>More than 20 world leaders congratulated PM Modi and he received calls from 13 world leaders - Bangladesh, Bhutan (the king and&nbsp;the PM), Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Russia, France, Japan, Australia, Mauritius, UAE and Israel.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening arrived at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi and gave his first address after the party seemed poised to register a landslide win in Lok Sabha polls 2019.</p>

<p>The prime minister promised to devote "every moment" of his life and "every fibre" of his being for the people of India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This is a mandate to form new India," PM Modi said in his victory speech.</p>

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Wishes poured-in from all corners of the world with leaders congratulating PM Modi on registering a thumping victory in the Lok Sabha polls. In a telephonic conversation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also retained another term recently, congratulated Modi and said that the only difference between their respective wins is that while Modi doesn't need a coalition to form the government, Netanyahu does.

Wishes poured-in from all corners of the world with leaders congratulating PM Modi on registering a thumping victory in the Lok Sabha polls. In a telephonic conversation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also retained another term recently, congratulated Modi and said that the only difference between their respective wins is that while Modi doesn't need a coalition to form the government, Netanyahu does. Calling Modi his "friend", Netanyahu said he hopes to meet soon after the government formation in both the countries is over. A video clip of Netanyahu's telephonic conversation with PM Modi was released by news agency ANI. Earlier in the day, Pakistan Prime Minister also tweeted out a congratulatory post on BJP's win. #WATCH: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today where he congratulated him, "Narendra, my friend, congratulations! What an enormous victory!" #ElectionResults2019 (Video courtesy: PM of Israel) pic.twitter.com/5HoPkgv8Mt — ANI (@ANI) May 23, 2019 × In his congratulatory message, Khan said that he looks forward to working with PM Modi "for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia". "I congratulate Prime Minister Modi on the electoral victory of BJP and allies. Look forward to working with him for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia," Khan's tweet read. More than 20 world leaders congratulated PM Modi and he received calls from 13 world leaders - Bangladesh, Bhutan (the king and the PM), Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Russia, France, Japan, Australia, Mauritius, UAE and Israel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening arrived at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi and gave his first address after the party seemed poised to register a landslide win in Lok Sabha polls 2019. The prime minister promised to devote "every moment" of his life and "every fibre" of his being for the people of India. "This is a mandate to form new India," PM Modi said in his victory speech. ×

My friend, you don't need a coalition but I do: When Netanyahu congratulated PM Modi in phone call

<p>The BJP was on Thursday leading in 56 of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-surges-ahead-with-319-seats-in-early-trends-congress-trails-far-behind-with-105-220814">BSP-SP alliance</a> ahead in 20 seats, according to Election Commission trends.</p>

<p>The Bahujan Samaj Party was leading in 12 and the Samajwadi Party in seven while the Congress was ahead in two and the Apna Dal (Soneylal) in one.&nbsp;</p>

<p>BJP stalwarts, including Union ministers Maneka Gandhi in Sultanpur and Santosh Gangwar in Bareilly, were ahead of their rivals after the first round of counting of ballots polled in the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission office here said.&nbsp;See more updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-live-updates-220687">&nbsp;BJP leading on 269 seats as per election commission trends, Congress on 56</a></p>

<p>Officials said BJP's Varun Gandhi in Pilibhit and state minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi in Allahabad were ahead of their nearest rivals.</p>

<p>Samajwadi Party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav forged ahead in Mainpuri and his son SP chief Akhilesh Yadav was leading in Azamgarh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav, who is seeking reelection from Kannauj was leading the table.</p>

<p>In 2014, BJP got 71 seats, the SP got five, the Congress two and the BSP none.</p>

<p>Counting for the 80 Lok Sabha constituencies across Uttar Pradesh began Thursday morning amidst tight security.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: In conversation with Dr. Harshvardhan on counting day</strong></p>

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The BJP was on Thursday leading in 56 of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats with the BSP-SP alliance ahead in 20 seats, according to Election Commission trends. The Bahujan Samaj Party was leading in 12 and the Samajwadi Party in seven while the Congress was ahead in two and the Apna Dal (Soneylal) in one.

The BJP was on Thursday leading in 56 of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats with the BSP-SP alliance ahead in 20 seats, according to Election Commission trends. The Bahujan Samaj Party was leading in 12 and the Samajwadi Party in seven while the Congress was ahead in two and the Apna Dal (Soneylal) in one. BJP stalwarts, including Union ministers Maneka Gandhi in Sultanpur and Santosh Gangwar in Bareilly, were ahead of their rivals after the first round of counting of ballots polled in the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission office here said. See more updates: BJP leading on 269 seats as per election commission trends, Congress on 56 Officials said BJP's Varun Gandhi in Pilibhit and state minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi in Allahabad were ahead of their nearest rivals. Samajwadi Party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav forged ahead in Mainpuri and his son SP chief Akhilesh Yadav was leading in Azamgarh. Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav, who is seeking reelection from Kannauj was leading the table. In 2014, BJP got 71 seats, the SP got five, the Congress two and the BSP none. Counting for the 80 Lok Sabha constituencies across Uttar Pradesh began Thursday morning amidst tight security. Watch: In conversation with Dr. Harshvardhan on counting day ×

Lok Sabha election result 2019: BJP leads in 56 seats in Uttar Pradesh

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening arrived at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi and gave his first address after the party seemed poised to register <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-modi-wave-sweeps-india-again-nda-poised-to-win-lok-sabha-elections-221034">a landslide win in Lok Sabha polls 2019</a>.</p>

<p>The prime minister promised to devote "every moment" of his life and "every fibre" of his being for the people of India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This is a mandate to form new India," PM Modi said in his victory speech.</p>

<p>"After so many elections, this is for the first time when so many votes were cast, that too amid sweltering heat," the prime minister noted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM Narendra Modi: Since the country got independence, so many elections took place, but the maximum voting took place in this election, &amp; that too in 40-42 degree temperature <a href="https://t.co/fTTy4PjVQq">pic.twitter.com/fTTy4PjVQq</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1131567218729390081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>"The world will identify India's electoral, democratic prowess now," he stated.</p>

<p>"I would like to thank 130 crore citizens of the country," PM Modi said. "Even the God of rain is here to celebrate with us in our win," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The country will now have only two castes - the poor and those who want to alleviate poverty," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi was accompanied by party president Amit Shah and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh among other imminent BJP leaders. &nbsp;</p>

<p>As Modi walked into the party headquarters, alongside Shah, he bore a look of jubilation and flashed victory sign while party workers and supporters strew flower-petals on him. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Party president Amit Shah thanked the electors and the party workers. "This is the victory of Prime Ministers's popularity," Shah said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This was a historic win, after 50 years a leader a managed to register full majority to form the government," Shah added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at BJP Headquarters in Delhi, rose petals showered by party workers. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ElectionResults2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ElectionResults2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/V6Pcq1c0ki">pic.twitter.com/V6Pcq1c0ki</a></p>
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<p>Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the electors for placing trust in the party once again. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>"<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-thank-you-india-faith-placed-in-our-alliance-is-humbling-pm-modi-221011">Thank you India!</a> The faith placed in our alliance is humbling and gives us the strength to work even harder to fulfil people's aspirations," the prime minister tweeted.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at BJP Headquarters. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ElectionResults2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ElectionResults2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/Q1L0oUmwur">pic.twitter.com/Q1L0oUmwur</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1131556638043779072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>"I salute every BJP Karyakarta for their determination, perseverance and hard work. They went home to home, elaborating on our development agenda," his tweet read.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi led-BJP appeared set for a resounding comeback on Thursday with leads over 300 seats while the Congress trailed far behind with 90, as the counting of the votes polled in India's 17th Lok Sabha election was underway.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: Congress wishes PM Modi &amp; BJP by posting a tweet</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/lok-sabha-election-2019-congress-wishes-pm-modi-bjp-by-posting-a-tweet-221069/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Wishes began pouring in earlier in the day for the PM Modi and the BJP as the party, along with allies maintained leads on over 280 Parliamentary seats as the counting of votes progressed today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Later in the day, the leads for the NDA shot up on over 340 seats, unofficially pronouncing another term for PM Modi.&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening arrived at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi and gave his first address after the party seemed poised to register a landslide win in Lok Sabha polls 2019.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening arrived at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi and gave his first address after the party seemed poised to register a landslide win in Lok Sabha polls 2019. The prime minister promised to devote "every moment" of his life and "every fibre" of his being for the people of India. "This is a mandate to form new India," PM Modi said in his victory speech. "After so many elections, this is for the first time when so many votes were cast, that too amid sweltering heat," the prime minister noted. PM Narendra Modi: Since the country got independence, so many elections took place, but the maximum voting took place in this election, & that too in 40-42 degree temperature pic.twitter.com/fTTy4PjVQq — ANI (@ANI) May 23, 2019 × "The world will identify India's electoral, democratic prowess now," he stated. "I would like to thank 130 crore citizens of the country," PM Modi said. "Even the God of rain is here to celebrate with us in our win," he added. "The country will now have only two castes - the poor and those who want to alleviate poverty," he said. PM Modi was accompanied by party president Amit Shah and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh among other imminent BJP leaders. As Modi walked into the party headquarters, alongside Shah, he bore a look of jubilation and flashed victory sign while party workers and supporters strew flower-petals on him. Party president Amit Shah thanked the electors and the party workers. "This is the victory of Prime Ministers's popularity," Shah said. "This was a historic win, after 50 years a leader a managed to register full majority to form the government," Shah added. #WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at BJP Headquarters in Delhi, rose petals showered by party workers. #ElectionResults2019 pic.twitter.com/V6Pcq1c0ki — ANI (@ANI) May 23, 2019 × Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the electors for placing trust in the party once again. "Thank you India! The faith placed in our alliance is humbling and gives us the strength to work even harder to fulfil people's aspirations," the prime minister tweeted. Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at BJP Headquarters. #ElectionResults2019 pic.twitter.com/Q1L0oUmwur — ANI (@ANI) May 23, 2019 × "I salute every BJP Karyakarta for their determination, perseverance and hard work. They went home to home, elaborating on our development agenda," his tweet read. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led-BJP appeared set for a resounding comeback on Thursday with leads over 300 seats while the Congress trailed far behind with 90, as the counting of the votes polled in India's 17th Lok Sabha election was underway. Watch: Congress wishes PM Modi & BJP by posting a tweet Wishes began pouring in earlier in the day for the PM Modi and the BJP as the party, along with allies maintained leads on over 280 Parliamentary seats as the counting of votes progressed today. Later in the day, the leads for the NDA shot up on over 340 seats, unofficially pronouncing another term for PM Modi.

Every moment of my life, every fibre of my being is devoted to nation: PM Modi in victory speech

<p>The BJP was ahead in 23 seats in Rajasthan while its alliance party RLP and the Congress were leading in one seat each, according to Election Commission trends.</p>

<p>The BJP had contested 4 seats and its alliance partner Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) headed by former BJP leader Hanuman Beniwal, contested one seat.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-live-updates-220687">Tap for live updates here.</a></p>

<p>Of the total 25 seats, the Congress is leading in only one seat of Bharatpur, according to the Election Commission.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Congress+ in trouble as BJP+ is leading the counts up-up and higher</strong></p>

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<p>The BJP is leading in Ajmer (Bhagirath Chaudhary), Alwar (Balak Nath), Banswara (Kanakmal Katara), Barmer (Kailash Chaudhary), Bhilwara (Subhash Chand Baheria), Bikaner (Arjun Ram Meghwal), Chittorgarh (Chandra Prakash Joshi), Churu (Rahul Kaswan), Dausa (Jaskaur Meena), Pali (PP Chaudhary), Rajsamand (Diya Kumari), Sikar (Sumedhanand), Tonk Sawaimadhopur (Sukhbir Singh), Udaipur (Arjun Lal Meena).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP is also ahead in Ganganagar (Nihal Chand), Jaipur (Ramcharan Bohra), Jaipur rural (Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore), Jalore (Devji Patel), Jhalawar Baran (Dushyant Singh), Jhunjhunu (Narendra Kumar), Jodhpur (Gajendra Singh), Karauli-Dholpur (Manoj Rajoria), Kota (Om Birla).</p>

<p>RLP candidate Hanuman Beniwal is leading in Nagaur.</p>


The BJP was ahead in 23 seats in Rajasthan while its alliance party RLP and the Congress were leading in one seat each, according to Election Commission trends. The BJP had contested 4 seats and its alliance partner Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) headed by former BJP leader Hanuman Beniwal, contested one seat.

The BJP was ahead in 23 seats in Rajasthan while its alliance party RLP and the Congress were leading in one seat each, according to Election Commission trends. The BJP had contested 4 seats and its alliance partner Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) headed by former BJP leader Hanuman Beniwal, contested one seat. Tap for live updates here. Of the total 25 seats, the Congress is leading in only one seat of Bharatpur, according to the Election Commission. Watch: Congress+ in trouble as BJP+ is leading the counts up-up and higher The BJP is leading in Ajmer (Bhagirath Chaudhary), Alwar (Balak Nath), Banswara (Kanakmal Katara), Barmer (Kailash Chaudhary), Bhilwara (Subhash Chand Baheria), Bikaner (Arjun Ram Meghwal), Chittorgarh (Chandra Prakash Joshi), Churu (Rahul Kaswan), Dausa (Jaskaur Meena), Pali (PP Chaudhary), Rajsamand (Diya Kumari), Sikar (Sumedhanand), Tonk Sawaimadhopur (Sukhbir Singh), Udaipur (Arjun Lal Meena). The BJP is also ahead in Ganganagar (Nihal Chand), Jaipur (Ramcharan Bohra), Jaipur rural (Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore), Jalore (Devji Patel), Jhalawar Baran (Dushyant Singh), Jhunjhunu (Narendra Kumar), Jodhpur (Gajendra Singh), Karauli-Dholpur (Manoj Rajoria), Kota (Om Birla). RLP candidate Hanuman Beniwal is leading in Nagaur.

Lok Sabha election result 2019: BJP surging ahead in Rajasthan

<p>The BJP made massive inroads in West Bengal, giving a substantial jolt to the Trinamool Congress in the state. The BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) retained its ground in the Northeast with almost fifteen seats going to the BJP and leaving just four for the Congress.</p>

<p>In Bengal, the Trinamool Congress had bagged as many as 34 seats in the 2014 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/this-is-a-mandate-to-form-new-india-pm-modi-delivers-first-address-after-lok-sabha-polls-result-221070">Lok Sabha elections</a> with a vote share of 39 per cent. While the number of seats for the Trinamool Congress fell alarmingly this election, the vote share shot up to 46 per cent, retaining a 6 per cent gain.</p>

<p>Trinamool Congress’ star candidate Moon Moon Sen from Asansol constituency lost to BJP’s sitting MP Babul Supriyo. Deepak Adhikari (Dev) retained his seat from Ghatal. Two Tollywood actresses fielded from Jadavpur and Basirhat on TMC ticket, Mimi Chakraborty and Nusrat Jahan, won with a substantial margin defeating BJP and CPI(M) candidates.</p>

<p>While Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee refrained from addressing the press, she took to Twitter and posted, “Congratulations to the winners. But all losers are not losers. We have to do a complete review and then we will share our views with you all. Let the counting process be completed fully and the VVPATs matched.”</p>

<p>On the other hand, the BJP made major inroads in the state almost decimating the Left Front and Congress’ vote bank. While the Left Front could not secure a single seat, the lone survivor of the Congress in the state – Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury - managed to retain the seat with a margin of more than 80,000 votes.</p>

<p>A statement issued by the Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) read, “The Indian electorate has given a decisive verdict in the favour of the BJP and its allies. The CPI(M) has suffered a severe setback in these elections. We shall introspect the reasons for this and draw proper lessons for the future.”</p>

<p>For the BJP in West Bengal, the panchayat election results formed a ground for the party to further prosper in the state. BJP leaders in charge - Kailash Vijaywargiya and Mukul Roy - ensured that the party achieves the target set by BJP president Amit Shah of 23 seats in the state. Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh gave the party’s organizational structure a facelift after he took over and travelled across the length and breadth of the state to establish the party’s organisation in each of the districts.</p>

<p>For the final push in the seventh phase of elections, where nine seats including two in Kolkata were to go for polls, two other senior BJP leaders – Sunil Deodhar and Himanta Biswa Sarma - reached the city to encourage the party leaders and workers.</p>

<p>From a 17 per cent vote share in the 2014 elections, it rose to a whopping 40 per cent in this election. Political analysts feel that the diminishing vote share of the CPI(M) contributed to a consolidated vote share of the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The CPI(M) had a vote share of 29 per cent in 2014 and fell to a meagre 7 per cent in this election.</p>

<p>The BJP won major seats in North Bengal – Darjeeling, Raiganj, Alipurduar, Balurghat and others - among several seats in the Western Zones like Purulia and others. While Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh bagged the Midnapore seat, singer-turned-politician Babul Supriyo managed to retain his Asansol seat.</p>

<p>While addressing BJP workers, party president Amit Shah said, “Even after so much violence and rigging, BJP won 18 seats in West Bengal. It tells that in coming days, BJP will establish its might in West Bengal.”</p>

<p>As far as the Northeastern part of India is concerned, political analysts had suggested that the BJP might not do well after the party faced a backlash while trying to push the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB). However, the votes polled in favour of the BJP suggested that the push for the Citizenship Amendment Bill did not affect BJP’s electoral gains in the region.</p>

<p>In Assam, BJP candidates won with good margins in seats like Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Nowgong, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Silchar, Mangaldai and Tezpur. Barpeta seat went to BJP’s electoral ally in Assam – Asam Gono Parishad (AGP). All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF)’s Badruddin Ajmal won the Dhubri seat. Congress managed to secure three seats in Assam with party’s young leader Gaurav Gogoi securing the Kaliabor seat.</p>

<p>The man who engineered BJP’s victory in India’s Northeast and the chairman of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) Himanta Biswa Sarma took a dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi saying, “Politics is not meant for Rahul Gandhi. The party should consider giving him an early retirement.”</p>


The BJP made massive inroads in West Bengal, giving a substantial jolt to the Trinamool Congress in the state. The BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) retained its ground in the Northeast with almost fifteen seats going to the BJP and leaving just four for the Congress.

The BJP made massive inroads in West Bengal, giving a substantial jolt to the Trinamool Congress in the state. The BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) retained its ground in the Northeast with almost fifteen seats going to the BJP and leaving just four for the Congress. In Bengal, the Trinamool Congress had bagged as many as 34 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections with a vote share of 39 per cent. While the number of seats for the Trinamool Congress fell alarmingly this election, the vote share shot up to 46 per cent, retaining a 6 per cent gain. Trinamool Congress’ star candidate Moon Moon Sen from Asansol constituency lost to BJP’s sitting MP Babul Supriyo. Deepak Adhikari (Dev) retained his seat from Ghatal. Two Tollywood actresses fielded from Jadavpur and Basirhat on TMC ticket, Mimi Chakraborty and Nusrat Jahan, won with a substantial margin defeating BJP and CPI(M) candidates. While Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee refrained from addressing the press, she took to Twitter and posted, “Congratulations to the winners. But all losers are not losers. We have to do a complete review and then we will share our views with you all. Let the counting process be completed fully and the VVPATs matched.” On the other hand, the BJP made major inroads in the state almost decimating the Left Front and Congress’ vote bank. While the Left Front could not secure a single seat, the lone survivor of the Congress in the state – Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury - managed to retain the seat with a margin of more than 80,000 votes. A statement issued by the Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) read, “The Indian electorate has given a decisive verdict in the favour of the BJP and its allies. The CPI(M) has suffered a severe setback in these elections. We shall introspect the reasons for this and draw proper lessons for the future.” For the BJP in West Bengal, the panchayat election results formed a ground for the party to further prosper in the state. BJP leaders in charge - Kailash Vijaywargiya and Mukul Roy - ensured that the party achieves the target set by BJP president Amit Shah of 23 seats in the state. Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh gave the party’s organizational structure a facelift after he took over and travelled across the length and breadth of the state to establish the party’s organisation in each of the districts. For the final push in the seventh phase of elections, where nine seats including two in Kolkata were to go for polls, two other senior BJP leaders – Sunil Deodhar and Himanta Biswa Sarma - reached the city to encourage the party leaders and workers. From a 17 per cent vote share in the 2014 elections, it rose to a whopping 40 per cent in this election. Political analysts feel that the diminishing vote share of the CPI(M) contributed to a consolidated vote share of the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The CPI(M) had a vote share of 29 per cent in 2014 and fell to a meagre 7 per cent in this election. The BJP won major seats in North Bengal – Darjeeling, Raiganj, Alipurduar, Balurghat and others - among several seats in the Western Zones like Purulia and others. While Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh bagged the Midnapore seat, singer-turned-politician Babul Supriyo managed to retain his Asansol seat. While addressing BJP workers, party president Amit Shah said, “Even after so much violence and rigging, BJP won 18 seats in West Bengal. It tells that in coming days, BJP will establish its might in West Bengal.” As far as the Northeastern part of India is concerned, political analysts had suggested that the BJP might not do well after the party faced a backlash while trying to push the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB). However, the votes polled in favour of the BJP suggested that the push for the Citizenship Amendment Bill did not affect BJP’s electoral gains in the region. In Assam, BJP candidates won with good margins in seats like Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Nowgong, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Silchar, Mangaldai and Tezpur. Barpeta seat went to BJP’s electoral ally in Assam – Asam Gono Parishad (AGP). All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF)’s Badruddin Ajmal won the Dhubri seat. Congress managed to secure three seats in Assam with party’s young leader Gaurav Gogoi securing the Kaliabor seat. The man who engineered BJP’s victory in India’s Northeast and the chairman of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) Himanta Biswa Sarma took a dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi saying, “Politics is not meant for Rahul Gandhi. The party should consider giving him an early retirement.”

BJP makes massive inroads in West Bengal, Northeast; gives major jolt to Congress, Trinamool Congress

<p>With Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) set for a resounding comeback, its parliamentary board will reportedly meet on May 26&nbsp;at the party headquarters.</p>

<p>Top party leaders, including BJP president Amit Shah and some senior Union ministers besides Modi, are members of the parliamentary board, its highest decision-making body.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-live-updates-220687">Get LIVE updates here.</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;Modi is also expected to address party workers today at 5:30 pm.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;BJP repeats 2014 stellar performance; Sweeps away all parties in nation</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/lok-sabha-election-2019-bjp-repeats-2014-stellar-performance-sweeps-away-all-parties-in-nation-220848/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>According to trends released by the Election Commission for all 542 seats that went to polls BJP was set to return to power as it led in 292 seats while the Congress trailed far behind with 51.</p>

<p>If the trends stay until final results, the BJP would have improved on its 2014 performance when it had won 282 seats on its own in the 543-member Lok Sabha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Adding the seats won by its allies, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance could win 343 seats, up from 336 in 2014.&nbsp;</p>


With Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) set for a resounding comeback, its parliamentary board will reportedly meet on May 26 at the party headquarters. Top party leaders, including BJP president Amit Shah and some senior Union ministers besides Modi, are members of the parliamentary board, its highest decision-making body.

With Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) set for a resounding comeback, its parliamentary board will reportedly meet on May 26 at the party headquarters. Top party leaders, including BJP president Amit Shah and some senior Union ministers besides Modi, are members of the parliamentary board, its highest decision-making body. Get LIVE updates here. Modi is also expected to address party workers today at 5:30 pm. Watch: BJP repeats 2014 stellar performance; Sweeps away all parties in nation According to trends released by the Election Commission for all 542 seats that went to polls BJP was set to return to power as it led in 292 seats while the Congress trailed far behind with 51. If the trends stay until final results, the BJP would have improved on its 2014 performance when it had won 282 seats on its own in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Adding the seats won by its allies, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance could win 343 seats, up from 336 in 2014.

With Modi set for comeback, BJP parliamentary board to meet on May 26

<p>The Congress Party, which won the Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan in the assembly elections in December last year, is trailing in Lok Sabha polls in all the three states, as per official Election Commission trends.</p>

<p>In both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Congress is leading on just one seat out of the total 25 and 29, respectively, while in Chhattisgarh, it is trailing on 9 seats out of the 11, according to the trends three hours after counting started at 8 am.</p>

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading on the remaining seats in the three states.</p>

<p>The trends come as a surprise, especially in Chhattisgarh, where Congress had won 68 seats out of the 90 in the assembly polls. The BJP, which had ruled the state for 15 years, managed to win only 15.</p>

<p>In Rajasthan, the Congress had won 99 seats out of the 200. One short of the majority, the party managed to form the government with the help of one seat won by its ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). Lastly, in Madhya Pradesh, it had emerged as a leading party with 114 seats after a cliff hanger fight.</p>

<p>Trends indicate that Congress has failed to capitalise on the momentum it gained last year after winning the three Hindi-belt states, with BJP set to sweep all three.</p>

<p>Overall, BJP looks to settle with a comfortable majority with leads on over 290 seats, much ahead of the halfway mark. While the Congress is ahead on 51.</p>

<p>The Lok Sabha polls that commenced on April 11 and wrapped up on May 19, saw approximately 900 million voters exercising their franchise and deciding the fate of 7,928 candidates across 542 seats in the country. Out of those candidates, 724 were women and four were transgenders.</p>


The Congress Party, which won the Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan in the assembly elections in December last year, is trailing in Lok Sabha polls in all the three states, as per official Election Commission trends.

The Congress Party, which won the Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan in the assembly elections in December last year, is trailing in Lok Sabha polls in all the three states, as per official Election Commission trends. In both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Congress is leading on just one seat out of the total 25 and 29, respectively, while in Chhattisgarh, it is trailing on 9 seats out of the 11, according to the trends three hours after counting started at 8 am. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading on the remaining seats in the three states. The trends come as a surprise, especially in Chhattisgarh, where Congress had won 68 seats out of the 90 in the assembly polls. The BJP, which had ruled the state for 15 years, managed to win only 15. In Rajasthan, the Congress had won 99 seats out of the 200. One short of the majority, the party managed to form the government with the help of one seat won by its ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). Lastly, in Madhya Pradesh, it had emerged as a leading party with 114 seats after a cliff hanger fight. Trends indicate that Congress has failed to capitalise on the momentum it gained last year after winning the three Hindi-belt states, with BJP set to sweep all three. Overall, BJP looks to settle with a comfortable majority with leads on over 290 seats, much ahead of the halfway mark. While the Congress is ahead on 51. The Lok Sabha polls that commenced on April 11 and wrapped up on May 19, saw approximately 900 million voters exercising their franchise and deciding the fate of 7,928 candidates across 542 seats in the country. Out of those candidates, 724 were women and four were transgenders.

Lok Sabha election result 2019: Congress fails to capitalise on assembly poll victories, trails in Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh

<p>Union Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-result-2019-bjp-leaders-react-to-landslide-win-of-pm-narendra-modi-220885">BJP will perform better in 2019 Lok Sabha elections</a> in comparison to 2014 polls.</p>

<p>"I have repeatedly said that 2019 results will be better than 2014. Now as you are seeing trends, I am leading. You have also seen exit polls. People are appreciating that Narendra Modi-government served people honestly," Harsh Vardhan told ANI.</p>

<p>The Union Minister is seeking re-election from Chandni Chowk parliamentary constituency in Delhi where he is leading by a margin of over 14,000 votes.</p>

<p>He is pitted against Congress heavyweight and former union minister Jai Prakash Agarwal from Chandhi Chowk.</p>

<p>When asked to comment on Congress president Rahul Gandhi trailing in Amethi, Harsh Vardhan said, "In 1977, I had campaigned in Rae Bareli and Amethi. I have seen people defeating Late Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi. That's why I am not surprised if I get to see the same result in Rae Bareli and Amethi in this election there."</p>

<p>The Union Minister said that Congress' negative politics would lead to their defeat in the ongoing elections.</p>

<p>"Congress who worked for independence is now indulged in negative politics. They do not have any program. Congress is a synonym of corruption. Ten years of UPA rule was famous for scams," he said.</p>


Union Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said that BJP will perform better in 2019 Lok Sabha elections in comparison to 2014 polls. "I have repeatedly said that 2019 results will be better than 2014.

Union Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said that BJP will perform better in 2019 Lok Sabha elections in comparison to 2014 polls. "I have repeatedly said that 2019 results will be better than 2014. Now as you are seeing trends, I am leading. You have also seen exit polls. People are appreciating that Narendra Modi-government served people honestly," Harsh Vardhan told ANI. The Union Minister is seeking re-election from Chandni Chowk parliamentary constituency in Delhi where he is leading by a margin of over 14,000 votes. He is pitted against Congress heavyweight and former union minister Jai Prakash Agarwal from Chandhi Chowk. When asked to comment on Congress president Rahul Gandhi trailing in Amethi, Harsh Vardhan said, "In 1977, I had campaigned in Rae Bareli and Amethi. I have seen people defeating Late Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi. That's why I am not surprised if I get to see the same result in Rae Bareli and Amethi in this election there." The Union Minister said that Congress' negative politics would lead to their defeat in the ongoing elections. "Congress who worked for independence is now indulged in negative politics. They do not have any program. Congress is a synonym of corruption. Ten years of UPA rule was famous for scams," he said.

2019 results will be better than 2014: Union Minister Harsh Vardhan

In PM Modi's attire in Kedarnath, message to Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal

<p>Voting will be held on Sunday for 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, which will see <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-on-two-day-visit-to-kedarnath-badrinath-219534">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> seeking re-election from Varanasi.</p>

<p>Polling will be held in Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon (SC), Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Robertsganj (SC).</p>

<p>Union minister Manoj Sinha, Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey are seeking re-election from Ghazipur and Chandauli, respectively.</p>

<p>The BJP is contesting 11 Lok Sabha seats in this phase, while its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) is contesting Mirzapur, currently held by Union minister Anupriya Patel, and Robertsganj.</p>

<p>The saffron party has pitted Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan from Gorakhpur against Congress's Madhusudan Tripathi and Rambhual Nishad of the Samajwadi Party.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-election-watch-key-battles-in-phase-7-219480/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Gorakhpur MP Pravin Nishad, who had won the seat on a SP ticket in bypolls last year, has joined the BJP. The party has fielded him from Sant Kabir Nagar seat.</p>

<p>Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in the Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017, before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>The electioneering saw Priyanka holding two back-to-back roadshows in Kushinagar and Mirzapur during the day and Union minister Smriti Irani riding a scooty in Gorakhpur.</p>

<p>The final phase of the Lok Sabha polls in the state will also decide the fate of eight SP and five BSP candidates.</p>

<p>In all, there are 167 candidates in the fray for the 13 seats.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The highest number of 26 candidates in the fray are from Varanasi, while Bansgaon has the least number of four candidates fighting the polls.</p>

<p>Over 2.32 crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise in this phase in UP. As many as 25,874 polling booths have been set up in 13,979 polling centres in the final phase, the Election Commission said.</p>

<p>In the 2014 Lok Sabha poll, the BJP had won 71 out of 80 seats in the state, securing 42.63 per cent of the votes. BJP ally Apna Dal bagged two.</p>

<p>The Samajwadi Party had won five seats with a vote share of 22.35 per cent. The BSP did not win any seat while securing 19.77 per cent votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress registered wins on two UP seats, bagging 7.53 per cent of the votes.&nbsp;</p>


Voting will be held on Sunday for 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, which will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking re-election from Varanasi. Polling will be held in Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon (SC), Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Robertsganj (SC).

Voting will be held on Sunday for 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, which will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking re-election from Varanasi. Polling will be held in Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon (SC), Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Robertsganj (SC). Union minister Manoj Sinha, Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey are seeking re-election from Ghazipur and Chandauli, respectively. The BJP is contesting 11 Lok Sabha seats in this phase, while its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) is contesting Mirzapur, currently held by Union minister Anupriya Patel, and Robertsganj. The saffron party has pitted Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan from Gorakhpur against Congress's Madhusudan Tripathi and Rambhual Nishad of the Samajwadi Party. Gorakhpur MP Pravin Nishad, who had won the seat on a SP ticket in bypolls last year, has joined the BJP. The party has fielded him from Sant Kabir Nagar seat. Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in the Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017, before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. The electioneering saw Priyanka holding two back-to-back roadshows in Kushinagar and Mirzapur during the day and Union minister Smriti Irani riding a scooty in Gorakhpur. The final phase of the Lok Sabha polls in the state will also decide the fate of eight SP and five BSP candidates. In all, there are 167 candidates in the fray for the 13 seats. The highest number of 26 candidates in the fray are from Varanasi, while Bansgaon has the least number of four candidates fighting the polls. Over 2.32 crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise in this phase in UP. As many as 25,874 polling booths have been set up in 13,979 polling centres in the final phase, the Election Commission said. In the 2014 Lok Sabha poll, the BJP had won 71 out of 80 seats in the state, securing 42.63 per cent of the votes. BJP ally Apna Dal bagged two. The Samajwadi Party had won five seats with a vote share of 22.35 per cent. The BSP did not win any seat while securing 19.77 per cent votes. The Congress registered wins on two UP seats, bagging 7.53 per cent of the votes.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: PM Modi to seek re-election in final phase of polling from Varanasi

<p>Contending that the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-concerned-about-people-sonia-about-sons-pmship-nitin-gadkari-219108"> BJP </a>does not pay heed to its ideas and suggestions, the NPF, a partner in the saffron party-led alliance in the state, has convened a meeting of its leaders on Saturday to decide if it would continue to stay in the coalition or withdraw support.</p>

<p>Denying the allegation, the BJP said it has extended all possible facilities to its partners to ensure smooth functioning of the government.</p>

<p>Talking to PTI, Awangbou Newmai, the state unit chief of the Naga People's Front (NPF), claimed that the BJP "looks down" on its alliance partners.</p>

<p>"The BJP has never respected the spirit of the alliance since the formation of government in 2016. There have been instances when their leaders have refused to consider our members as alliance partners," he said, without elaborating.</p>

<p>The NPF has four MLAs in the 60-member Assembly.</p>

<p>Of the four MLAs, Loshii Dikho, who won from Mao Assembly constituency, is a cabinet minister.</p>

<p>Newmai also said that the saffron party did not live up to the promises it made to its coalition partners.</p>

<p>"The NPF has always considered the BJP as its big brother, but that did not stop the saffron party from bluffing to us. We haven't got our due respect," he claimed.</p>

<p>Rebutting Newmai's claims, Ch Bijoy, the spokesperson of the BJP, said the NPF had maintained that it did not want any ministerial berth while joining the alliance, but now it seems the party has several demands.</p>

<p>"The allegations made by the NPF are totally baseless and unfounded. All possible facilities have been provided to our coalition partners for smooth functioning of the government," he added.</p>


Contending that the BJP does not pay heed to its ideas and suggestions, the NPF, a partner in the saffron party-led alliance in the state, has convened a meeting of its leaders on Saturday to decide if it would continue to stay in the coalition or withdraw support.

Contending that the BJP does not pay heed to its ideas and suggestions, the NPF, a partner in the saffron party-led alliance in the state, has convened a meeting of its leaders on Saturday to decide if it would continue to stay in the coalition or withdraw support. Denying the allegation, the BJP said it has extended all possible facilities to its partners to ensure smooth functioning of the government. Talking to PTI, Awangbou Newmai, the state unit chief of the Naga People's Front (NPF), claimed that the BJP "looks down" on its alliance partners. "The BJP has never respected the spirit of the alliance since the formation of government in 2016. There have been instances when their leaders have refused to consider our members as alliance partners," he said, without elaborating. The NPF has four MLAs in the 60-member Assembly. Of the four MLAs, Loshii Dikho, who won from Mao Assembly constituency, is a cabinet minister. Newmai also said that the saffron party did not live up to the promises it made to its coalition partners. "The NPF has always considered the BJP as its big brother, but that did not stop the saffron party from bluffing to us. We haven't got our due respect," he claimed. Rebutting Newmai's claims, Ch Bijoy, the spokesperson of the BJP, said the NPF had maintained that it did not want any ministerial berth while joining the alliance, but now it seems the party has several demands. "The allegations made by the NPF are totally baseless and unfounded. All possible facilities have been provided to our coalition partners for smooth functioning of the government," he added.

NPF to review its alliance with BJP in Manipur

<p>Businessman Robert Vadra, husband of Congress General Secretary in-charge for Uttar Pradesh (East)<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/priyankas-himachal-visit-cancelled-due-to-bad-weather-218696"> Priyanka Gandhi,</a> on Friday accused Bharatiya Janata Party of making "false" and "hollow" promises.</p>

<p>Vadra took to Facebook to take a dig at the incumbent government and said, "Congress will give to the people what it has promised. Not make false, hollow promises like the BJP did, and never delivered even one promise. We will fulfil every need."Vadra also posted two pictures.</p>

<p>While in one photo he urged voters to vote for the Congress, in the other photo he could be seen giving food to the poor."We will stay true to our promises. Vote for new India," the photo stated.</p>

<p>Robert Vadra has three cases - Bikaner land deal money laundering case, 2009 petroleum deal case under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) era and United Kingdom assets case, going on against him.</p>

<p>As many as 59 parliamentary constituencies spread across 7 states and 1 Union Territory will go to polls in the last and seventh phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 19.</p>

<p>The results will be announced on May 23.</p>


Businessman Robert Vadra, husband of Congress General Secretary in-charge for Uttar Pradesh (East) Priyanka Gandhi, on Friday accused Bharatiya Janata Party of making "false" and "hollow" promises.

Businessman Robert Vadra, husband of Congress General Secretary in-charge for Uttar Pradesh (East) Priyanka Gandhi, on Friday accused Bharatiya Janata Party of making "false" and "hollow" promises. Vadra took to Facebook to take a dig at the incumbent government and said, "Congress will give to the people what it has promised. Not make false, hollow promises like the BJP did, and never delivered even one promise. We will fulfil every need."Vadra also posted two pictures. While in one photo he urged voters to vote for the Congress, in the other photo he could be seen giving food to the poor."We will stay true to our promises. Vote for new India," the photo stated. Robert Vadra has three cases - Bikaner land deal money laundering case, 2009 petroleum deal case under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) era and United Kingdom assets case, going on against him. As many as 59 parliamentary constituencies spread across 7 states and 1 Union Territory will go to polls in the last and seventh phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 19. The results will be announced on May 23.

Congress will give people what it promises unlike BJP: Robert Vadra

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Wednesday said the BJP has already crossed the majority mark after sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls and appealed to voters in Varanasi&nbsp;to re-elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a record margin.</p>

<p>Flagging off a motorcycle rally of women, Swaraj said the "relationship between you and Modi has become more strong...Like a family in the past five years".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Today I have come as a representative of PM Modi and the NDA government to give details of the work done in various fields," she said and listed the government's performance on national security, economy and external affairs fronts.</p>

<p>She referred to the surgical strike on terror launch pads and air strike in Balakot to highlight the government's success on national security front.</p>

<p>"The Mumbai terror attack was the worst but the UPA government did nothing, whereas the NDA government under PM Modi's leadership retaliated with surgical strikes and air strikes soon after the Pulwama terror attack to give a strong message to Pakistan and also isolated it on international platform...," she said.</p>

<p>Swaraj also highlighted her efforts to help Indians abroad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She laid emphasis on the success of Bharatiya Pravasi Diwas organised here.</p>

<p>On the economic front, she said the Indian economy has become the sixth largest in the world, whereas during the UPA regime it was counted among the first five fragile economy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Referring to the late premier Rajiv Gandhi's remark that only 15 paise of every rupee meant for the welfare of downtrodden reaches them, Swaraj said the NDA government has completely ended this "commission system".</p>

<p>She appealed to the voters to ensure Modi's victory with the highest margin in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Varanasi goes to poll in the seventh and last phase on May 19.&nbsp;</p>


External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Wednesday said the BJP has already crossed the majority mark after sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls and appealed to voters in Varanasi to re-elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a record margin.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Wednesday said the BJP has already crossed the majority mark after sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls and appealed to voters in Varanasi to re-elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a record margin. Flagging off a motorcycle rally of women, Swaraj said the "relationship between you and Modi has become more strong...Like a family in the past five years". "Today I have come as a representative of PM Modi and the NDA government to give details of the work done in various fields," she said and listed the government's performance on national security, economy and external affairs fronts. She referred to the surgical strike on terror launch pads and air strike in Balakot to highlight the government's success on national security front. "The Mumbai terror attack was the worst but the UPA government did nothing, whereas the NDA government under PM Modi's leadership retaliated with surgical strikes and air strikes soon after the Pulwama terror attack to give a strong message to Pakistan and also isolated it on international platform...," she said. Swaraj also highlighted her efforts to help Indians abroad. She laid emphasis on the success of Bharatiya Pravasi Diwas organised here. On the economic front, she said the Indian economy has become the sixth largest in the world, whereas during the UPA regime it was counted among the first five fragile economy. Referring to the late premier Rajiv Gandhi's remark that only 15 paise of every rupee meant for the welfare of downtrodden reaches them, Swaraj said the NDA government has completely ended this "commission system". She appealed to the voters to ensure Modi's victory with the highest margin in the country. Varanasi goes to poll in the seventh and last phase on May 19.

BJP crossed majority mark after sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls: Sushma Swaraj

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said that the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-curious-case-of-mamata-banerjee-alternative-to-democracy-is-autocracy-218960&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjYuaPI2Z3iAhULr48KHR5vBzYQFjAAegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw17o3YuTUrN2ZvPhVP9EFP1">Mamata Banerjee</a> government is out to destroy everything in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/democracy-is-being-murdered-in-west-bengal-devendra-fadnavis-on-clash-during-amit-shah-rally-218855&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjYuaPI2Z3iAhULr48KHR5vBzYQFjAFegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2QU3A8D0NMvxSP7Ub5Obz2">West Bengal</a> and people's conviction and courage will evict the "torturous rule".</p>

<p>The entire nation had seen (on TV) how the roadshow of BJP president Amit Shah was attacked by the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/tmc-is-responsible-for-violence-in-west-bengal-during-elections-says-amit-shah-218876&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjYuaPI2Z3iAhULr48KHR5vBzYQFjAHegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0GnQSNDRJ5t_0zsJChCy_E">TMC</a> goons and is anxiously watching the outcome of the poll results in West Bengal, he said.</p>

<p>Shah's roadshow in Kolkata was attacked Tuesday after Banerjee had asserted that <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/bjp-tmc-battle-out-on-the-streets-mamata-banerjee-protests-in-kolkata-219002&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjTmdzw2Z3iAhVUiXAKHZO_Bt84ChAWMAR6BAgBEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw1O23F4f5TmLs_AC0p5GmhL">TMC will take revenge</a> against BJP, Modi claimed.</p>

<p>"Didi's (Mamata) goons carrying guns and bombs are bent upon destruction ... Her government is out to destroy everything in the state. People's conviction and courage will evict the torturous rule", he told a poll rally at Taki on the Indo-Bangla border in North 24 Parganas district.</p>

<p>"Didi is frightened by the rise of BJP in West Bengal. The people of the state had given respect to here by making her the chief minister. But power-drunk Mamata Banerjee is throttling democracy", Modi said.</p>

<p>Keeping up his attack on Banerjee, Modi said, "You have looted peoples' money in the chit fund scam and when they sought explanations you abused them".</p>

<p>"Democracy has given you the chief minister's chair and you are killing it. The entire country is watching your misdeeds...Didi should not be kept in power. In the last four to five years she has shown her colours", Modi added.</p>

<p>He held Banerjee responsible for destroying the state's culture of 'Bhadra Lok'.</p>

<p>The people of Bengal have made up their mind to end the Banerjee's "despotic rule" he said.</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said that the Mamata Banerjee government is out to destroy everything in West Bengal and people's conviction and courage will evict the "torturous rule".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said that the Mamata Banerjee government is out to destroy everything in West Bengal and people's conviction and courage will evict the "torturous rule". The entire nation had seen (on TV) how the roadshow of BJP president Amit Shah was attacked by the TMC goons and is anxiously watching the outcome of the poll results in West Bengal, he said. Shah's roadshow in Kolkata was attacked Tuesday after Banerjee had asserted that TMC will take revenge against BJP, Modi claimed. "Didi's (Mamata) goons carrying guns and bombs are bent upon destruction ... Her government is out to destroy everything in the state. People's conviction and courage will evict the torturous rule", he told a poll rally at Taki on the Indo-Bangla border in North 24 Parganas district. "Didi is frightened by the rise of BJP in West Bengal. The people of the state had given respect to here by making her the chief minister. But power-drunk Mamata Banerjee is throttling democracy", Modi said. Keeping up his attack on Banerjee, Modi said, "You have looted peoples' money in the chit fund scam and when they sought explanations you abused them". "Democracy has given you the chief minister's chair and you are killing it. The entire country is watching your misdeeds...Didi should not be kept in power. In the last four to five years she has shown her colours", Modi added. He held Banerjee responsible for destroying the state's culture of 'Bhadra Lok'. The people of Bengal have made up their mind to end the Banerjee's "despotic rule" he said.

Mamata Banerjee government out to destroy everything in West Bengal: PM Modi

<p>Hitting out at the Congress for promising to abolish sedition law in its poll manifesto, Union minister Rajnath Singh has said the BJP will make it more stringent.</p>

<p>"Congress talks about abolishing sedition law but on coming back to power, the BJP will make it so stringent that no one would dare to act against it," the Home Minister said addressing an election rally at BLJ ground here in favour of alliance partner Apna Dal's Anupriya Patel on Tuesday.</p>

<p>"Our forces finished off terrorists in air strikes after the Pulwama attack but the Congress people are asking for the number of those killed. Braves do not count bodies, vultures do," he said.</p>

<p>On country's economy, he said inflation had been the main electoral issue during polls but not in 2004 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, as it was the management of the two BJP prime ministers (A B Vajpayee and Narendra Modi) who did not allow prices to go out of hands.</p>

<p>Attacking the Congress president, the home minister said Rahul Gandhi is talking about party's proposed 'NYAY' minimum income guarantee scheme, whereas from Jawahar Lal Nehru to Sonia Gandhi, they had been raising the slogan of 'garibi hatao' (eliminating poverty).</p>

<p>On the BSP-SP alliance, he said, the two parties have come together as they are afraid of the popularity of Prime Minister Modi but their alliance will have no impact on the polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP leader also offered prayers at the famous Vindhyavasini Devi temple here Wednesday.</p>


Hitting out at the Congress for promising to abolish sedition law in its poll manifesto, Union minister Rajnath Singh has said the BJP will make it more stringent.

Hitting out at the Congress for promising to abolish sedition law in its poll manifesto, Union minister Rajnath Singh has said the BJP will make it more stringent. "Congress talks about abolishing sedition law but on coming back to power, the BJP will make it so stringent that no one would dare to act against it," the Home Minister said addressing an election rally at BLJ ground here in favour of alliance partner Apna Dal's Anupriya Patel on Tuesday. "Our forces finished off terrorists in air strikes after the Pulwama attack but the Congress people are asking for the number of those killed. Braves do not count bodies, vultures do," he said. On country's economy, he said inflation had been the main electoral issue during polls but not in 2004 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, as it was the management of the two BJP prime ministers (A B Vajpayee and Narendra Modi) who did not allow prices to go out of hands. Attacking the Congress president, the home minister said Rahul Gandhi is talking about party's proposed 'NYAY' minimum income guarantee scheme, whereas from Jawahar Lal Nehru to Sonia Gandhi, they had been raising the slogan of 'garibi hatao' (eliminating poverty). On the BSP-SP alliance, he said, the two parties have come together as they are afraid of the popularity of Prime Minister Modi but their alliance will have no impact on the polls. The BJP leader also offered prayers at the famous Vindhyavasini Devi temple here Wednesday.

Will make sedition law more stringent: Rajnath Singh

<p>The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit staged a protest here on Wednesday against the alleged attack on party president Amit Shah's roadshow in Kolkata, terming the incident as "an onslaught on democracy".</p>

<p>Led by BJP leader Ashok Kaul, scores of party workers assembled near the statue of Maharaja Hari Singh at Tawi bridge in the heart of the city and staged a "silent sit-in" protest.</p>

<p>The protesters were carrying placards and banners against the Trinamool Congress government in the state led by Mamata Banerjee.</p>

<p>BJP and TMC supporters Tuesday fought pitched battles on the streets of Kolkata during Shah's roadshow. The BJP chief escaped unhurt, but was forced to cut short the jamboree and had to be escorted to safety by police.</p>

<p>Party leader Yudhvir Sethi alleged that there was "total lawlessness" in West Bengal.</p>

<p>"Sensing defeat in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections... The opposition is hell bent to let the nation burn, so that they can rule according to their own whims and fancies making their riches grow every other day," the BJP leader said.</p>

<p>BJP leader Narinder Singh said, "Mamata Banerjee is frustrated by the BJP's growing base in the region, which forms the basis of her panicked and ugly political moves."&nbsp;</p>


The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit staged a protest here on Wednesday against the alleged attack on party president Amit Shah's roadshow in Kolkata, terming the incident as "an onslaught on democracy".

The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit staged a protest here on Wednesday against the alleged attack on party president Amit Shah's roadshow in Kolkata, terming the incident as "an onslaught on democracy". Led by BJP leader Ashok Kaul, scores of party workers assembled near the statue of Maharaja Hari Singh at Tawi bridge in the heart of the city and staged a "silent sit-in" protest. The protesters were carrying placards and banners against the Trinamool Congress government in the state led by Mamata Banerjee. BJP and TMC supporters Tuesday fought pitched battles on the streets of Kolkata during Shah's roadshow. The BJP chief escaped unhurt, but was forced to cut short the jamboree and had to be escorted to safety by police. Party leader Yudhvir Sethi alleged that there was "total lawlessness" in West Bengal. "Sensing defeat in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections... The opposition is hell bent to let the nation burn, so that they can rule according to their own whims and fancies making their riches grow every other day," the BJP leader said. BJP leader Narinder Singh said, "Mamata Banerjee is frustrated by the BJP's growing base in the region, which forms the basis of her panicked and ugly political moves."

BJP stages protest in Jammu over Kolkata violence

<p>In the wake of some incidents of Dalit wedding processions being stopped by some groups in parts of Gujarat recently, the BJP government in the state Wednesday assured to take stern action against such elements.</p>

<p>The Congress, however, said that such "hollow promises" by the government fail to provide "justice" to the Dalits.</p>

<p>Talking to reporters in Gandhinagar, Minister of State for Home, Pradeepsinh Jadeja, accused the Congress of creating a rift between Dalits and other communities.</p>

<p>He was referring to an incident in Lhor village in Mehsana, where some local leaders, including the sarpanch, gave a call of social boycott after a Dalit groom took out his procession riding on a horse two weeks ago.</p>

<p>"The Gujarat government is always with the Dalits. They also have the right to take out wedding processions like others. Our government is also concerned about some recent incidents. I want to assure you that stern action will be taken against those who were behind these incidents," Jadeja said.</p>

<p>"Some people are trying to create a rift between communities for their political gains. In Lhor village, we have already arrested five persons, including the sarpanch, for announcing social boycott of Dalits. Notably, the sarpanch is a Congress supporter. Another accused is a local Congress delegate," the minister added.</p>

<p>Jadeja also urged people from all walks of life to work with the government to establish and preserve social harmony in society.</p>

<p>Slamming the BJP government over this issue, Gujarat Congress in-charge, Rajeev Satav, claimed that the government only gives hollow promises instead of taking action.</p>

<p>"Atrocities on Dalits in Gujarat have increased in recent years. After every incident, the state government gives hollow promises of stern action. However, Dalits never get justice," Satav told reporters.</p>

<p>"This government has failed to maintain law and order. The administration is being run through remote control from Delhi. This is the reason why such atrocities are on the rise," he said.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, BJP's Dalit MLA and film actor, Hitu Kanodia, appealed to the people to treat everyone equally.</p>

<p>"Though this is the 21st century, we are still stuck in such issues. This is matter of shame and pain. We all need to change our mindset to establish harmony and a sense of brotherhood. I request all to treat everyone equally," Kanodia said.</p>

<p>On Sunday, police had to resort to a baton charge after members of the Patidar community allegedly stopped a Dalit man's wedding procession in Aravalli district of Gujarat, and the two sides hurled stones at each other.</p>

<p>In another incident the same day, the wedding procession of a Dalit bridegroom at a village in Sabarkantha district had to be provided police cover after members of the Thakor community objected to the groom offering prayers at a local temple. The procession, however, passed off peacefully, police said.</p>


In the wake of some incidents of Dalit wedding processions being stopped by some groups in parts of Gujarat recently, the BJP government in the state Wednesday assured to take stern action against such elements.

In the wake of some incidents of Dalit wedding processions being stopped by some groups in parts of Gujarat recently, the BJP government in the state Wednesday assured to take stern action against such elements. The Congress, however, said that such "hollow promises" by the government fail to provide "justice" to the Dalits. Talking to reporters in Gandhinagar, Minister of State for Home, Pradeepsinh Jadeja, accused the Congress of creating a rift between Dalits and other communities. He was referring to an incident in Lhor village in Mehsana, where some local leaders, including the sarpanch, gave a call of social boycott after a Dalit groom took out his procession riding on a horse two weeks ago. "The Gujarat government is always with the Dalits. They also have the right to take out wedding processions like others. Our government is also concerned about some recent incidents. I want to assure you that stern action will be taken against those who were behind these incidents," Jadeja said. "Some people are trying to create a rift between communities for their political gains. In Lhor village, we have already arrested five persons, including the sarpanch, for announcing social boycott of Dalits. Notably, the sarpanch is a Congress supporter. Another accused is a local Congress delegate," the minister added. Jadeja also urged people from all walks of life to work with the government to establish and preserve social harmony in society. Slamming the BJP government over this issue, Gujarat Congress in-charge, Rajeev Satav, claimed that the government only gives hollow promises instead of taking action. "Atrocities on Dalits in Gujarat have increased in recent years. After every incident, the state government gives hollow promises of stern action. However, Dalits never get justice," Satav told reporters. "This government has failed to maintain law and order. The administration is being run through remote control from Delhi. This is the reason why such atrocities are on the rise," he said. Meanwhile, BJP's Dalit MLA and film actor, Hitu Kanodia, appealed to the people to treat everyone equally. "Though this is the 21st century, we are still stuck in such issues. This is matter of shame and pain. We all need to change our mindset to establish harmony and a sense of brotherhood. I request all to treat everyone equally," Kanodia said. On Sunday, police had to resort to a baton charge after members of the Patidar community allegedly stopped a Dalit man's wedding procession in Aravalli district of Gujarat, and the two sides hurled stones at each other. In another incident the same day, the wedding procession of a Dalit bridegroom at a village in Sabarkantha district had to be provided police cover after members of the Thakor community objected to the groom offering prayers at a local temple. The procession, however, passed off peacefully, police said.

Gujarat: BJP government promises action over blocking of Dalit wedding processions