Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra will win around 225 seats.

As polling is underway in Maharashtra and Haryana for Assembly elections, Goyal has expressed confidence and said that both Manohar Lal Khattar-led government in Haryana and Devendra Fadnavis-led government in Maharashtra will come to power again.

"I am confident that the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance will win around 225 seats, opposition has lost all credibility and is nowhere in the contest. People are with Modi and Fadnavis. In Haryana, we are getting to see our target of 75-plus seats," Goyal told media here.

Polling for 90 seats of Haryana and 288 constituencies of Maharashtra began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm in the evening.

The electoral fate of over 4400 candidates- 1169 in Haryana and 3237 in Maharashtra will be sealed in EVMs by the voters who will exercise their democratic franchise in the assembly elections.

In Haryana, 19,578 polling stations have been set up whereas there are 96,661 polling booths in Maharashtra for citizens to cast their votes.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra will win around 225 seats. As polling is underway in Maharashtra and Haryana for Assembly elections, Goyal has expressed confidence and said that both Manohar Lal Khattar-led government in Haryana and Devendra Fadnavis-led government in Maharashtra will come to power again.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra will win around 225 seats. As polling is underway in Maharashtra and Haryana for Assembly elections, Goyal has expressed confidence and said that both Manohar Lal Khattar-led government in Haryana and Devendra Fadnavis-led government in Maharashtra will come to power again. "I am confident that the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance will win around 225 seats, opposition has lost all credibility and is nowhere in the contest. People are with Modi and Fadnavis. In Haryana, we are getting to see our target of 75-plus seats," Goyal told media here. Polling for 90 seats of Haryana and 288 constituencies of Maharashtra began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm in the evening. The electoral fate of over 4400 candidates- 1169 in Haryana and 3237 in Maharashtra will be sealed in EVMs by the voters who will exercise their democratic franchise in the assembly elections. In Haryana, 19,578 polling stations have been set up whereas there are 96,661 polling booths in Maharashtra for citizens to cast their votes.

BJP-Shiv Sena alliance will win around 225 seats: Piyush Goyal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday launched a broadside against the Congress, accusing it of branding "peace-loving Hindus" as terrorists and insulting those who follow the religion.

Launching the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance's Lok Sabha poll campaign in Maharashtra at a public rally here, Modi said the Congress coined the term 'Hindu terror'.

"Leaders of that party are now scared of contesting from constituencies dominated by majority (Hindu) population," Modi said.

His barb was apparently directed at Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, who will be contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Wayanad constituency in Kerala, besides Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.

"Congress used the term 'Hindu terror'...It labelled the peace-loving Hindus as terrorists...Is there a single incident of Hindu terrorism?" Modi said.

"Congress insulted Hindus...People have decided to punish it in election...Hence, it is scared of fielding candidate from constituencies dominated by majority population," Modi added.

He accused the Congress and NCP of questioning the valour of soldiers and insulting them after the Pulwama terror attack and Balakot air strike.&nbsp;

These parties spoke language that was suitable to be used in Pakistan, he added.

Modi also hit out at NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who he said, chose not to contest the Lok Sabha election after deciding to do so first.

This was because the NCP chief sensed an unfavourable situation, Modi said, taunting the latter for "shying away" from poll fight.

Modi also claimed there was a family feud in the Pawar family and that Pawar was losing his grip on the party.

Modi also termed the Congress' "abuse" that he was a "chowkidar of toilets" as an "ornament" for him.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday launched a broadside against the Congress, accusing it of branding "peace-loving Hindus" as terrorists and insulting those who follow the religion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday launched a broadside against the Congress, accusing it of branding "peace-loving Hindus" as terrorists and insulting those who follow the religion. Launching the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance's Lok Sabha poll campaign in Maharashtra at a public rally here, Modi said the Congress coined the term 'Hindu terror'. "Leaders of that party are now scared of contesting from constituencies dominated by majority (Hindu) population," Modi said. His barb was apparently directed at Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, who will be contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Wayanad constituency in Kerala, besides Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. "Congress used the term 'Hindu terror'...It labelled the peace-loving Hindus as terrorists...Is there a single incident of Hindu terrorism?" Modi said. "Congress insulted Hindus...People have decided to punish it in election...Hence, it is scared of fielding candidate from constituencies dominated by majority population," Modi added. He accused the Congress and NCP of questioning the valour of soldiers and insulting them after the Pulwama terror attack and Balakot air strike. These parties spoke language that was suitable to be used in Pakistan, he added. Modi also hit out at NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who he said, chose not to contest the Lok Sabha election after deciding to do so first. This was because the NCP chief sensed an unfavourable situation, Modi said, taunting the latter for "shying away" from poll fight. Modi also claimed there was a family feud in the Pawar family and that Pawar was losing his grip on the party. Modi also termed the Congress' "abuse" that he was a "chowkidar of toilets" as an "ornament" for him.

Congress labelled peace-loving Hindus as terrorists: PM Modi

The Bharatiya Janata Party is finally getting its act together on the alliance front. Over the last few days, it managed to salvage its partnership with the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra; stitched a deal with the AIADMK and one other smaller outfit in Tamil Nadu; and seemingly placated the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) in Uttar Pradesh, which had threatened to quit the NDA. Senior BJP leaders have also reached out to another disgruntled NDA constituent, Apna Dal (Sonelal), in Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

Besides, the party has set its sight on a few post-poll partnerships since it felt, for good reasons, that a pre-election understanding would be counter-productive. A later understanding with the YSR Congress Party in Andhra Pradesh is one such possibility. 
 
A pre-poll tie-up between the BJP and the YSR Congress Party does not make sense because the latter’s leader Jagan Mohan Reddy is seeking to exploit the issue of his state not been given a special status in the upcoming elections, and here he wants to put the BJP-led NDA regime in the dock. At the same time, he is more opposed to Chandrababu Naidu and the TDP, who are his main rivals in Andhra Pradesh. Now that Naidu has quit the NDA, the coast is clear for Jagan Mohan Reddy to strike a bargain with the BJP post-results. &nbsp;

In Telangana, the TRS is dependent on Muslim votes, which is why he has consistently humoured Asaduddin Owaisi, who has pockets of influence in the old Hyderabad city. Given that Owaisi is a bitter critic of the BJP and the TRS needs him more in the pre-poll stage than it needs the BJP, any understanding between the TRS and the BJP will have to wait until after the results are announced.

As for the BJD, the ruling party in Odisha is facing a severe challenge from the BJP this time around, and many poll pundits are seeing a surge in the number of BJP seats from the state following the Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

Since both the BJP and the BJD have now locked horns, any pact can happen only after the election dust has settled down. It must be remembered that in the five years gone by, both the BJD and the YSR Congress party, especially the BJD, had backed many of the Modi government’s initiatives. More importantly, it has maintained a distance from the various ‘third front’ confabulations across the country.&nbsp;

That said, the deal between the Shiv Sena and the BJP is the most important development of all. Maharashtra is an important state, contributing 48 seats to the Lok Sabha. Most poll analysts had pointed out that, if the two parties contested separately — and against each other as a consequence — both would be major losers, and the gainer would be the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance. It was perhaps this realisation than a sudden spurt of love for each other that compelled the warring allies to bury the hatchet.

This also explains the give and take both the parties agreed to, with the Sena settling for a couple of seats lesser than the BJP for the Lok Sabha and the BJP accepting a 50:50 sharing basis for the state Assembly polls that are to follow in a few months of the general elections. The Sena-BJP pact has seriously undermined the prospects of the Congress-NCP coalition. It would be wrong to say that all creases have been ironed out, but a tentative partnership is still better than no partnership. &nbsp;

In Uttar Pradesh, both the Apna Dal (Sonelal) and the SBSP are small players but they have a committed vote base. The latter had won no Lok Sabha seat in 2014 but did better in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls after it allied with the BJP, winning four constituencies. Its leader OP Rajbhar has had problems with the Yogi Adityanath government in the state, but things appear to have settled down somewhat after his marathon meeting with BJP president Amit Shah.&nbsp;

Yet, the final word is yet to be said, since the seat-sharing matter remains to be tackled. Apna Dal (Sonelal) too has grievances similar to that of the SBSP — that big brother BJP has not given it the respect it deserves. Its leader Anupriya Patel is a Minister in Modi’s government but there is a feeling that the party has been neglected but the BJP, more especially after the latter rode to an unprecedented victory in the last State polls. Given the tough challenge it faces in Uttar Pradesh from the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party combine, the BJP would not want its allies in the state to walk away. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Will the outreach and the alliances, new and old, work for the BJP? In Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, they should have an impact. One is not sure about Tamil Nadu, though, where the AIADMK has become unpopular, and weak after a split in the party. Its unpopularity could drag down the BJP (which, not having a big mass base there, has to depend on the regional ally), as well as the other regional partner, the PMK.

Nevertheless, with every seat counting in what is billed as a furiously contested 2019 Lok Sabha election, the BJP can at least take heart from the alliances it has managed to secure. 
 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

The Bharatiya Janata Party is finally getting its act together on the alliance front. Over the last few days, it managed to salvage its partnership with the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra; stitched a deal with the AIADMK and one other smaller outfit in Tamil Nadu; and seemingly placated the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) in Uttar Pradesh, which had threatened to quit the NDA.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is finally getting its act together on the alliance front. Over the last few days, it managed to salvage its partnership with the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra; stitched a deal with the AIADMK and one other smaller outfit in Tamil Nadu; and seemingly placated the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) in Uttar Pradesh, which had threatened to quit the NDA. Senior BJP leaders have also reached out to another disgruntled NDA constituent, Apna Dal (Sonelal), in Uttar Pradesh. Besides, the party has set its sight on a few post-poll partnerships since it felt, for good reasons, that a pre-election understanding would be counter-productive. A later understanding with the YSR Congress Party in Andhra Pradesh is one such possibility. A pre-poll tie-up between the BJP and the YSR Congress Party does not make sense because the latter’s leader Jagan Mohan Reddy is seeking to exploit the issue of his state not been given a special status in the upcoming elections, and here he wants to put the BJP-led NDA regime in the dock. At the same time, he is more opposed to Chandrababu Naidu and the TDP, who are his main rivals in Andhra Pradesh. Now that Naidu has quit the NDA, the coast is clear for Jagan Mohan Reddy to strike a bargain with the BJP post-results. In Telangana, the TRS is dependent on Muslim votes, which is why he has consistently humoured Asaduddin Owaisi, who has pockets of influence in the old Hyderabad city. Given that Owaisi is a bitter critic of the BJP and the TRS needs him more in the pre-poll stage than it needs the BJP, any understanding between the TRS and the BJP will have to wait until after the results are announced. As for the BJD, the ruling party in Odisha is facing a severe challenge from the BJP this time around, and many poll pundits are seeing a surge in the number of BJP seats from the state following the Lok Sabha polls. Since both the BJP and the BJD have now locked horns, any pact can happen only after the election dust has settled down. It must be remembered that in the five years gone by, both the BJD and the YSR Congress party, especially the BJD, had backed many of the Modi government’s initiatives. More importantly, it has maintained a distance from the various ‘third front’ confabulations across the country. That said, the deal between the Shiv Sena and the BJP is the most important development of all. Maharashtra is an important state, contributing 48 seats to the Lok Sabha. Most poll analysts had pointed out that, if the two parties contested separately — and against each other as a consequence — both would be major losers, and the gainer would be the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance. It was perhaps this realisation than a sudden spurt of love for each other that compelled the warring allies to bury the hatchet. This also explains the give and take both the parties agreed to, with the Sena settling for a couple of seats lesser than the BJP for the Lok Sabha and the BJP accepting a 50:50 sharing basis for the state Assembly polls that are to follow in a few months of the general elections. The Sena-BJP pact has seriously undermined the prospects of the Congress-NCP coalition. It would be wrong to say that all creases have been ironed out, but a tentative partnership is still better than no partnership. In Uttar Pradesh, both the Apna Dal (Sonelal) and the SBSP are small players but they have a committed vote base. The latter had won no Lok Sabha seat in 2014 but did better in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls after it allied with the BJP, winning four constituencies. Its leader OP Rajbhar has had problems with the Yogi Adityanath government in the state, but things appear to have settled down somewhat after his marathon meeting with BJP president Amit Shah. Yet, the final word is yet to be said, since the seat-sharing matter remains to be tackled. Apna Dal (Sonelal) too has grievances similar to that of the SBSP — that big brother BJP has not given it the respect it deserves. Its leader Anupriya Patel is a Minister in Modi’s government but there is a feeling that the party has been neglected but the BJP, more especially after the latter rode to an unprecedented victory in the last State polls. Given the tough challenge it faces in Uttar Pradesh from the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party combine, the BJP would not want its allies in the state to walk away. Will the outreach and the alliances, new and old, work for the BJP? In Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, they should have an impact. One is not sure about Tamil Nadu, though, where the AIADMK has become unpopular, and weak after a split in the party. Its unpopularity could drag down the BJP (which, not having a big mass base there, has to depend on the regional ally), as well as the other regional partner, the PMK. Nevertheless, with every seat counting in what is billed as a furiously contested 2019 Lok Sabha election, the BJP can at least take heart from the alliances it has managed to secure. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Alliance arithmetic: BJP to beat opposition at its own game?

Amid the claims made by BJP officials about the <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-visits-shiva-sena-chief-uddhav-thackeray-expected-to-try-and-mollify-him-142682">"positive" meeting between Amit Shah and Shiv Sena chief</a> Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra MP and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has clarified that the Shiv Sena will stick to its resolution of contesting the upcoming elections on its own.

Raut said, "We know what the agenda of Amit Shah ji is but Shiv Sena has passed a resolution that we'll contest all upcoming elections on our own. There will be no change in that resolution".

BJP president Amit Shah and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting at Thackeray's residence on Wednesday. The meeting was part of BJP's ongoing `Sampark for Samarthan` (Contact for Support) campaign.

The meeting was scheduled by the BJP chief to reduce the growing tensions between the two parties, said a BJP official.

Differences between the two parties emerged lately and were clearly seen in the recent bypoll&nbsp;elections where the two parties contested separately.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who was also present in the meeting said that although there was no plan to dissolve the alliance, mutual efforts were essential for sustaining ties.

(With inputs from ANI) 
&nbsp;

Maharashtra MP and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, 'We know what the agenda of Amit Shah ji is but Shiv Sena has passed a resolution that we'll contest all upcoming elections on our own. There will be no change in that resolution'

Amid the claims made by BJP officials about the "positive" meeting between Amit Shah and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra MP and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has clarified that the Shiv Sena will stick to its resolution of contesting the upcoming elections on its own. Raut said, "We know what the agenda of Amit Shah ji is but Shiv Sena has passed a resolution that we'll contest all upcoming elections on our own. There will be no change in that resolution". BJP president Amit Shah and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting at Thackeray's residence on Wednesday. The meeting was part of BJP's ongoing `Sampark for Samarthan` (Contact for Support) campaign. The meeting was scheduled by the BJP chief to reduce the growing tensions between the two parties, said a BJP official. Differences between the two parties emerged lately and were clearly seen in the recent bypoll elections where the two parties contested separately. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who was also present in the meeting said that although there was no plan to dissolve the alliance, mutual efforts were essential for sustaining ties. (With inputs from ANI)

Despite Amit Shah's meeting, Shiv Sena clarifies 'will contest all upcoming elections on our own'

The Shiv Sena and the BJP may have called off their alliance for the crucial BMC polls, but it appears like the once withering saffron alliance may have to put their issues aside, suck it up and join hands again. The BJP finished a close second to the Sena, but pulled off an outstanding performance in other local bodies, despite demonetisation that was expected to be the end of them in Mumbai at least.

Sources say, both parties are mulling another marriage, but are currently garnering support of independents and rebels so that they can increase their bargaining power. On Friday, two independent corporators, Snehal More from Vikhroli and Tulsiram Shinde from Dindoshi wards, joined the Shiv Sena thereby taking its total tally to 86. Later Changez Multani, a rebel and former Congress member came on board taking the tally to 87. On Saturday, the Sena wasted no time and inducted another independent candidate, Kiran Langde, taking the tally to 88. 
&nbsp; 
While speculation is rife about the alliance, the Sena is holding its cards very close to its chest, a stark contrast to its campaign where it aggressively ruled out any support to the BJP as it launched scathing attacks at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Uddhav Thackeray, though, maintains the mayor will only be from the Sena and went so far as to say that even the next chief minister will be from Maharashtra, but come a question about any alliance, the Sena supremo merely folds his hands and fields it. &nbsp; 
 
Reports yesterday emerged about a possible tie-up between the Congress and the Shiv Sena, as the former could probably play kingmaker to Sena to keep the BJP out. However, senior leader Gurudas Kamat released a sharply worded letter today, completely trashing any reports of a dialogue with Sena. &nbsp;

However, both parties ruled out an alliance with each other today.

Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam said an alliance with the Shiv Sena was out of question since it was&nbsp;a &quot;communal party&quot;.

&quot;Some Shiv Sena leaders approached us. We categorically said we can&#39;t ally with communal party that does politics based on caste and religion,&quot;&nbsp;Sanjay Nirupam told ANI.

We have decided that during the elections for deputy mayor, the Congress will not have an alliance with the Shiv Sena&quot;.

Sources within the Congress however said the party would field its own candidate with the help of other smaller parties.&nbsp;

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut maintained that reports that his party had approached the Congress were false. He also asserted that the mayor would be from the Shiv Sena.

&quot;Mayor will be from Shiv Sena only, wait till March 9. We haven&#39;t approached Congress for alliance, reports are false,&quot; Sanjay Raut told ANI.

The BJP meanwhile, has remained mum on any alliance, only vehemently opposing any tie-up with the Congress.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis was quoted as saying by ANI that the BJP would not ally with the Congress at any point and cost.

&quot;BJP won&#39;t ally with Congress at any point and cost. Whoever (Shiv Sena) wants to go with them can go, we won&#39;t say a single word,&quot; Devendra Fadnavis said.

Sources say the BJP may come to an agreement with the Sena where either camp fields a mayor for two-and-a-half years each, but sources also added that the Sena isn&rsquo;t hearing any of it. Again, like the Sena, they too are wooing independents so if and when they have to forge a larger alliance, they have bargaining power. &nbsp; 
 
(WION) 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Sources say, both parties are mulling another marriage, but are currently garnering support of independents and rebels

The Shiv Sena and the BJP may have called off their alliance for the crucial BMC polls, but it appears like the once withering saffron alliance may have to put their issues aside, suck it up and join hands again. The BJP finished a close second to the Sena, but pulled off an outstanding performance in other local bodies, despite demonetisation that was expected to be the end of them in Mumbai at least. Sources say, both parties are mulling another marriage, but are currently garnering support of independents and rebels so that they can increase their bargaining power. On Friday, two independent corporators, Snehal More from Vikhroli and Tulsiram Shinde from Dindoshi wards, joined the Shiv Sena thereby taking its total tally to 86. Later Changez Multani, a rebel and former Congress member came on board taking the tally to 87. On Saturday, the Sena wasted no time and inducted another independent candidate, Kiran Langde, taking the tally to 88. While speculation is rife about the alliance, the Sena is holding its cards very close to its chest, a stark contrast to its campaign where it aggressively ruled out any support to the BJP as it launched scathing attacks at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Uddhav Thackeray, though, maintains the mayor will only be from the Sena and went so far as to say that even the next chief minister will be from Maharashtra, but come a question about any alliance, the Sena supremo merely folds his hands and fields it. Reports yesterday emerged about a possible tie-up between the Congress and the Shiv Sena, as the former could probably play kingmaker to Sena to keep the BJP out. However, senior leader Gurudas Kamat released a sharply worded letter today, completely trashing any reports of a dialogue with Sena. However, both parties ruled out an alliance with each other today. Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam said an alliance with the Shiv Sena was out of question since it was a "communal party". "Some Shiv Sena leaders approached us. We categorically said we can't ally with communal party that does politics based on caste and religion," Sanjay Nirupam told ANI. We have decided that during the elections for deputy mayor, the Congress will not have an alliance with the Shiv Sena". Sources within the Congress however said the party would field its own candidate with the help of other smaller parties. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut maintained that reports that his party had approached the Congress were false. He also asserted that the mayor would be from the Shiv Sena. "Mayor will be from Shiv Sena only, wait till March 9. We haven't approached Congress for alliance, reports are false," Sanjay Raut told ANI. The BJP meanwhile, has remained mum on any alliance, only vehemently opposing any tie-up with the Congress. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis was quoted as saying by ANI that the BJP would not ally with the Congress at any point and cost. "BJP won't ally with Congress at any point and cost. Whoever (Shiv Sena) wants to go with them can go, we won't say a single word," Devendra Fadnavis said. Sources say the BJP may come to an agreement with the Sena where either camp fields a mayor for two-and-a-half years each, but sources also added that the Sena isn’t hearing any of it. Again, like the Sena, they too are wooing independents so if and when they have to forge a larger alliance, they have bargaining power. (WION)

Battle for Mumbai civic body: Suspense continues over BJP's prospective partners