Is there a Modi Wave in 2019? Watch this video to find out.

India Election Watch: Is there a Modi Wave in 2019?

In this edition of WION's Know Your Candidate, we feature Jayant Sinha. Know more about him by watching this video.

India Election Watch: Know Your Candidate, who is Jayant Sinha?

Global Times, China's state-run media, recently heaped praise on PM Modi for being rational on New Delhi-Beijing issues and maintaining a diplomatic balance between China and India.

India Election Watch: Globel Times bets on Indian Prime Minister Modi's return

The MHA has reportedly sent a notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi after Subramanian Swamy's representation in which the BJP Rajya Sabha MP claimed that Rahul Gandhi was a British citizen.So far, there hasn't been an official statement from an MHA spokesperson.

India Election Watch: Double whammy for Rahul Gandhi

Rally roster for top leaders for April 30, 2019. Watch more to know.

India Election Watch: Rally roster for top leaders for April 30, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a veiled attack on Congress while addressing a rally in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur on Tuesday. Watch this video to know more.

India Election Watch: PM Modi hits out at Opposition in Bihar

This segment of India Election Watch brings to you top election headlines of the day.

India Election Watch: Watch top election stories

Former cricketer and BJP's East Delhi Lok Sabha candidate, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/police-lodges-complaint-against-gautam-gambhir-for-holding-public-meeting-without-permission-213947">Gautam Gambhir</a>, on Tuesday, refuted AAP leader Atishi's allegations of him holding two voter identity cards while asserting that he possesses only one identity document.

"I have only one voter-ID that is from Rajendra Nagar. I do not have any other voter-ID," Gambhir told ANI during a roadshow in south Delhi's Jangpura area.

Downplaying the AAP's allegations, Gambhir had earlier termed it as "negative politics".

"When a party has no vision and has not done anything in the last four and a half years, they stoop to these levels of allegations. There is a great difference between the thinking of BJP and AAP. We do positive politics. We will do everything according to the rules," he told reporters on April 28.

On Monday, Atishi, who is facing Gambhir and Arvinder Singh Lovely of the Congress from East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, wrote a letter to the Returning Officer (RO), accusing Gambhir of repeatedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

"I file my formal complaint against Gautam Gambhir, East Delhi Parliamentary Constituency candidate, BJP, for distributing pamphlets without details such as printer's name and quantity in violation of the rules," she said in the letter.

Atishi had requested the RO to take strong action on her complaint and register an FIR against Gambhir. She also sought a 72 hour-ban on Gambhir from campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls for allegedly violating the MCC several times.

Delhi, which has seven Lok Sabha seats at stake, will go to polls on May 12. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

Former cricketer and BJP's East Delhi Lok Sabha candidate, Gautam Gambhir, on Tuesday, refuted AAP leader Atishi's allegations of him holding two voter identity cards while asserting that he possesses only one identity document.

Former cricketer and BJP's East Delhi Lok Sabha candidate, Gautam Gambhir, on Tuesday, refuted AAP leader Atishi's allegations of him holding two voter identity cards while asserting that he possesses only one identity document. "I have only one voter-ID that is from Rajendra Nagar. I do not have any other voter-ID," Gambhir told ANI during a roadshow in south Delhi's Jangpura area. Downplaying the AAP's allegations, Gambhir had earlier termed it as "negative politics". "When a party has no vision and has not done anything in the last four and a half years, they stoop to these levels of allegations. There is a great difference between the thinking of BJP and AAP. We do positive politics. We will do everything according to the rules," he told reporters on April 28. On Monday, Atishi, who is facing Gambhir and Arvinder Singh Lovely of the Congress from East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, wrote a letter to the Returning Officer (RO), accusing Gambhir of repeatedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). "I file my formal complaint against Gautam Gambhir, East Delhi Parliamentary Constituency candidate, BJP, for distributing pamphlets without details such as printer's name and quantity in violation of the rules," she said in the letter. Atishi had requested the RO to take strong action on her complaint and register an FIR against Gambhir. She also sought a 72 hour-ban on Gambhir from campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls for allegedly violating the MCC several times. Delhi, which has seven Lok Sabha seats at stake, will go to polls on May 12. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

I have only one voter-ID card: Gautam Gambhir

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday apologised for attributing 'chowkidar chor hai' comment to the Supreme Court. Watch this video to know more.

Rahul Gandhi apologises to top court

In this segment of WION Know, What does high voter turnout mean?

What does high voter turnout mean?

Fiercely violence reported in West Bengal on fourth phase of Lok Sabha Election 2019. Watch this video to know more about Phase 4.

LS Polls 2019: Fiercely violence reported in West Bengal on fourth phase of election

Clashes erupted between Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/madhya-pradesh-poll-candidate-alleges-attack-by-naxals-ec-launches-probe-214321">security forces at polling booths</a> in Asansol, West Bengal on Monday during the fourth phase of polling in the area.

BJP MP candidate from Asansol, Babul Supriyo's car was also vandalised outside the polling station.

Voters at a polling booth in Asansol had refused to vote in the absence of security forces, media reports said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-fourth-phase-polling-underway-in-nine-states-214251">Live Lok Sabha polls: 23.62% polling recorded till 12pm, highest in Bengal</a>

WION reporter Pooja Mehta said that Babul Supriyo had information that the BJP polling agent was allegedly kicked out of a polling booth.

As soon as&nbsp;Supriyo&nbsp;reached the booth, he got into a war of words first with the TMC polling agent and then TMC supporters in the village. While leaving the village, TMC cadres reportedly began sloganeering "go back Babul". Just a few minutes later, Babul and his car was attacked.

"I am very aware that wherever I try to reach are the places where TMC is going to try to create some tension," the BJP candidate said, adding, "I'll deal with it the way it should be dealt."

There has been&nbsp;no comment yet from the Election Commissioner(EC) over the incident. There are eight seats going to&nbsp;the polls in West Bengal during the fourth phase apart from&nbsp;Asansol which include&nbsp;Baharampur, Krishnagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur,&nbsp;Bolpur (SC)&nbsp;and Birbhum.

The Election Commission had made elaborate security arrangments ahead of the fourth phase in West Bengal deploying 580 companies of central forces. EC sources had told PTI that "special emphasis"&nbsp;would be given to Asansol.

During the second phase of polling, violence had occurred in Raiganj Parliamentary constituency with BJP candidate Debasree Chaudhuri alleging that TMC workers tried to capture a polling booth in the constituency.

In Chopra, security personnel had lobbed tear gas shells and resorted to baton charge on locals as they blocked NH-34 highway in protest after unknown miscreants allegedly prevented them from casting their votes at Digirpar polling booth.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee's ruling TMC in the state is locked in a four-way battle with the Congress, Left Front and a resurgent BJP. An electorate of 1,34,56,491 will decide the fate of 68 candidates in these eight constituencies.

Despite incidents of violence, West Bengal has recorded consistently high voter turnout with the state recording 81 per cent turnout in the first phase and similarly high figures in the subsequent phases.

Clashes erupted between Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers and security forces at polling booths in Asansol, West Bengal on Monday during the fourth phase of polling in the area.

Clashes erupted between Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers and security forces at polling booths in Asansol, West Bengal on Monday during the fourth phase of polling in the area. BJP MP candidate from Asansol, Babul Supriyo's car was also vandalised outside the polling station. Voters at a polling booth in Asansol had refused to vote in the absence of security forces, media reports said. Live Lok Sabha polls: 23.62% polling recorded till 12pm, highest in Bengal WION reporter Pooja Mehta said that Babul Supriyo had information that the BJP polling agent was allegedly kicked out of a polling booth. As soon as Supriyo reached the booth, he got into a war of words first with the TMC polling agent and then TMC supporters in the village. While leaving the village, TMC cadres reportedly began sloganeering "go back Babul". Just a few minutes later, Babul and his car was attacked. "I am very aware that wherever I try to reach are the places where TMC is going to try to create some tension," the BJP candidate said, adding, "I'll deal with it the way it should be dealt." There has been no comment yet from the Election Commissioner(EC) over the incident. There are eight seats going to the polls in West Bengal during the fourth phase apart from Asansol which include Baharampur, Krishnagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur, Bolpur (SC) and Birbhum. The Election Commission had made elaborate security arrangments ahead of the fourth phase in West Bengal deploying 580 companies of central forces. EC sources had told PTI that "special emphasis" would be given to Asansol. During the second phase of polling, violence had occurred in Raiganj Parliamentary constituency with BJP candidate Debasree Chaudhuri alleging that TMC workers tried to capture a polling booth in the constituency. In Chopra, security personnel had lobbed tear gas shells and resorted to baton charge on locals as they blocked NH-34 highway in protest after unknown miscreants allegedly prevented them from casting their votes at Digirpar polling booth. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee's ruling TMC in the state is locked in a four-way battle with the Congress, Left Front and a resurgent BJP. An electorate of 1,34,56,491 will decide the fate of 68 candidates in these eight constituencies. Despite incidents of violence, West Bengal has recorded consistently high voter turnout with the state recording 81 per cent turnout in the first phase and similarly high figures in the subsequent phases.

Lok Sabha polls: Clashes erupt between TMC workers, security forces in Asansol; Babul Supriyo's car vandalised

Voters at a polling booth in Asansol had refused to vote in the absence of security forces, media reports said.

BJP candidate Babul Supriyo's car vandalised in Asansol

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning, April 29th 2019

Watch this segment of India Election Watch for latest updates of India Election as on 29th April 2019.

India Election Watch; 29th April 2019

In Lok Sabha Polls 2019, 17 seats of Maharashtra are in the fray in fourth phase.

LS Polls: 17 seats of Maharashtra in the fray in fourth phase of Lok Sabha Polls

The focus of electioneering will shift to the battleground Hindi heartland states in the fifth and sixth phases of the general elections, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi planning saturation campaigning in the region.

IEW: Can Congress gain in the Hindi heartland?

In this video, know which candidates' fate is on claim in Phase 4 of LS Polls 2019.

LS Polls 2019: Know which candidates' fate on claim in Phase 4

Watch WION in an exclusive conversation with Senior journalist KS Dakshinamurthy.

Lok Sabha election 2019: WION in an exclusive conversation with Senior journalist KS Dakshinamurthy

When poll pundits call the ongoing general election presidential, they are missing the woods for the trees. It is one thing for shrill TV channels to split the screen and show PM Narendra Modi in one part and Rahul Gandhi in the other, it is quite another to start believing your own rhetoric and brand the poll presidential, as if two leading political behemoths are stalking the land.

The reality is far from it. The Indian election system is not presidential, constitutionally speaking, and that is the way it stands. The real battle for the hearts and minds of the voters is not just being fought between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, but a clutch of regional parties, that do not necessarily have the same high profile as the two national parties, but whose representatives are scouring the electoral landscape with the same vehemence as anyone else contesting the elections.&nbsp;

In the big states, as is now apparent after three phases of elections, it is by no chance just BJP vs the Congress; remember India is a federal country and the elections, in a larger sense, represent a series of smaller polls - even downright local rivalries - that will determine the kind of government Indians can hope to see after May 23.

As a matter of fact, none of the big poll-bound states pit BJP vs the Congress. In Bengal, it is Trinamool and Mamata Banerjee vs the rest; in the biggest state of them all, Uttar Pradesh, it is mainly BJP vs two regional satraps, SP and the BSP. In Maharashtra, BJP-Sena are battling Congress and NCP while in Bihar, it is JD (U)-BJP against RJD and Congress from the outside. In Tamil Nadu, there is no BJP vs Congress fight, neither is there any Congress vs BJP standoff in Odisha, where again a regional outfit, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has been calling the shots for the last decade-and-a-half.&nbsp;

Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are once again dominated by regional parties, the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) respectively.&nbsp;

If there is a real Congress vs BJP poll battle, it remains confined to MP, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Gujarat. It is simply too small a base to call an Indian election presidential, given the size of the country. So where pray, is this magnificent, all-consuming presidential elections taking place? Not in India, to be sure.

There is another side to this. The risk of pitting Rahul against Modi is to conjure, farcically, of course, a highly unequal contest. Taken to its logical conclusion, it is a signal to the electorate that if Rahul cannot beat Modi, no one else can, while the reality is that a carefully calibrated opposition plan could have made the BJP’s well oiled electoral machine a little slower in its response time. That it may not happen now, is part of this problem of projecting an excessively presidential style of polling, when none actually exists on the ground.

Even though it can be said that Prime Minister Modi’s campaign style is typically presidential, overflowing with speeches, perhaps more than his own party or even the opposition. In true presidential fashion, the focus remains on the principal contender, who is larger than life, not just for the public, but also for the media.

Modi’s campaign style is excessively personal. There are barely any references to the BJP - in fact the punch line for election 2019 is ‘Phir ek baar Modi sarkar’ (Modi government again); in 2014, it was ‘Abki baar Modi sarkar’ (Modi government this time). Campaign Modi is, therefore, the end product of a complex web of back end outreach initiatives, nearly totally technology driven. &nbsp;&nbsp;

With such an onerous comparison, Rahul Gandhi has had no option but to imitate a presidential style campaign and the jury is still out whether it suits him or not. &nbsp;

However, that is where the comparison ends, because the Constitution of the country dictates the style of government and not the style of the practitioners. Perhaps, more clarity on it would come, once the poll results are known.&nbsp;

Unlike a presidential campaign, there are powerful regional satraps, who dominate India’s political landscape in their own bailiwick, campaigning ceaselessly, against both Modi and occasionally, the Congress.

The BJP’s fight, as the final numbers will bear out, is going to be against the powerful regional satraps, and not the Congress, as is being incorrectly projected. &nbsp;

A presidential election would necessarily mean high-velocity televised debates while in India, such arguments are the prerogative of television studios, where a number of low ranking leaders looking to make a mark, flex their muscles at each other, the higher the decibel level the better the entertainment. Direct polemics between leading political lights is not just uncommon, it is not even heard of. Speeches delivered are extempore at different locations and there is no question of anyone raising any point of order. Everyone on stage is a fellow traveller, so any dissension, as a form of political expression, simply does not exist. &nbsp;

Politically speaking, when and if an alliance is cobbled, then the presidential aspect would not come into the picture. It would not be an alliance between two big parties, but two big political formations. Parties, with wide ideological divergences in the past, would suddenly deem it fit to form a government, once an alliance is put into place. &nbsp;By May 23, India would undoubtedly be as far away from a presidential system as it ever has been.&nbsp; 
 
 
(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the<a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-misnomer-of-presidential-polls-2744048"> original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

When poll pundits call the ongoing general election presidential, they are missing the woods for the trees. It is one thing for shrill TV channels to split the screen and show PM Narendra Modi in one part and Rahul Gandhi in the other, it is quite another to start believing your own rhetoric and brand the poll presidential, as if two leading political behemoths are stalking the land.

When poll pundits call the ongoing general election presidential, they are missing the woods for the trees. It is one thing for shrill TV channels to split the screen and show PM Narendra Modi in one part and Rahul Gandhi in the other, it is quite another to start believing your own rhetoric and brand the poll presidential, as if two leading political behemoths are stalking the land. The reality is far from it. The Indian election system is not presidential, constitutionally speaking, and that is the way it stands. The real battle for the hearts and minds of the voters is not just being fought between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, but a clutch of regional parties, that do not necessarily have the same high profile as the two national parties, but whose representatives are scouring the electoral landscape with the same vehemence as anyone else contesting the elections. In the big states, as is now apparent after three phases of elections, it is by no chance just BJP vs the Congress; remember India is a federal country and the elections, in a larger sense, represent a series of smaller polls - even downright local rivalries - that will determine the kind of government Indians can hope to see after May 23. As a matter of fact, none of the big poll-bound states pit BJP vs the Congress. In Bengal, it is Trinamool and Mamata Banerjee vs the rest; in the biggest state of them all, Uttar Pradesh, it is mainly BJP vs two regional satraps, SP and the BSP. In Maharashtra, BJP-Sena are battling Congress and NCP while in Bihar, it is JD (U)-BJP against RJD and Congress from the outside. In Tamil Nadu, there is no BJP vs Congress fight, neither is there any Congress vs BJP standoff in Odisha, where again a regional outfit, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has been calling the shots for the last decade-and-a-half. Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are once again dominated by regional parties, the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) respectively. If there is a real Congress vs BJP poll battle, it remains confined to MP, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Gujarat. It is simply too small a base to call an Indian election presidential, given the size of the country. So where pray, is this magnificent, all-consuming presidential elections taking place? Not in India, to be sure. There is another side to this. The risk of pitting Rahul against Modi is to conjure, farcically, of course, a highly unequal contest. Taken to its logical conclusion, it is a signal to the electorate that if Rahul cannot beat Modi, no one else can, while the reality is that a carefully calibrated opposition plan could have made the BJP’s well oiled electoral machine a little slower in its response time. That it may not happen now, is part of this problem of projecting an excessively presidential style of polling, when none actually exists on the ground. Even though it can be said that Prime Minister Modi’s campaign style is typically presidential, overflowing with speeches, perhaps more than his own party or even the opposition. In true presidential fashion, the focus remains on the principal contender, who is larger than life, not just for the public, but also for the media. Modi’s campaign style is excessively personal. There are barely any references to the BJP - in fact the punch line for election 2019 is ‘Phir ek baar Modi sarkar’ (Modi government again); in 2014, it was ‘Abki baar Modi sarkar’ (Modi government this time). Campaign Modi is, therefore, the end product of a complex web of back end outreach initiatives, nearly totally technology driven. With such an onerous comparison, Rahul Gandhi has had no option but to imitate a presidential style campaign and the jury is still out whether it suits him or not. However, that is where the comparison ends, because the Constitution of the country dictates the style of government and not the style of the practitioners. Perhaps, more clarity on it would come, once the poll results are known. Unlike a presidential campaign, there are powerful regional satraps, who dominate India’s political landscape in their own bailiwick, campaigning ceaselessly, against both Modi and occasionally, the Congress. The BJP’s fight, as the final numbers will bear out, is going to be against the powerful regional satraps, and not the Congress, as is being incorrectly projected. A presidential election would necessarily mean high-velocity televised debates while in India, such arguments are the prerogative of television studios, where a number of low ranking leaders looking to make a mark, flex their muscles at each other, the higher the decibel level the better the entertainment. Direct polemics between leading political lights is not just uncommon, it is not even heard of. Speeches delivered are extempore at different locations and there is no question of anyone raising any point of order. Everyone on stage is a fellow traveller, so any dissension, as a form of political expression, simply does not exist. Politically speaking, when and if an alliance is cobbled, then the presidential aspect would not come into the picture. It would not be an alliance between two big parties, but two big political formations. Parties, with wide ideological divergences in the past, would suddenly deem it fit to form a government, once an alliance is put into place. By May 23, India would undoubtedly be as far away from a presidential system as it ever has been. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

It's no way just BJP vs Congress as regional satraps dominate India’s political landscape

The 4th phase of the Lok Sabha election 2019 has been summed up. Congress in the assembly elections last year gained momentum upon which they were building their path to win General elections 2019. But is that so?

Lok Sabha election 2019: Will Congress' assembly poll momentum work?

4th phase of The Lok Sabha election 2019 has been summed up. Watch big battles for the 4th phase of polls.

Lok Sabha election 2019: Watch big battles for the 4th phase of polls

Lok Sabha election 2019 reaches its half-way mark with voting in the fourth of seven phases taking place across 72 constituencies where 961 candidates are in the fray. Watch this video to know more.

Lok Sabha Election 2019: Big ticket battles in phase 4

Lok Sabha Polls: Voting underway for 6 Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai

Lok Sabha Polls: India votes in phase 4 of General Polls

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-may-not-get-even-50-seats-modi-213853">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Saturday slammed the Congress party, questioning if the party and its leaders are capable of removing terrorism and Naxalism from the country.&nbsp;

While addressing a rally in Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, the prime minister said that the Congress party has said that it will "reduce the presence of armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir. It wants to repeal sedition law too. Can people with such mentality remove terrorism and Naxalism?" he enquired.&nbsp;

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PM Modi in Sitapur: Congress is saying that they will reduce presence of armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Congress wants to repeal sedition law too. Can people with such mentality remove terrorism and naxalism? <a href="https://t.co/SfDyMvzRe5">pic.twitter.com/SfDyMvzRe5</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1122073860717694976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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PM Modi also addressed a rally in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh wherein he slammed the Congress and blamed it for showing scant regard for Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar.&nbsp;

"They (opposition) want a government at the Centre which is 'majboor' (helpless) not 'majboot' (strong) as it used to do before 2014," he said.

The prime minister, earlier in the day, slammed the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh, saying the tie-up of "opportunists" wants a helpless government because.

PM Modi addressed election rallies in Kannauj, a Samajwadi Party stronghold, Hardoi and Sitapur, a day after filing his nomination from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat for a second term.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday slammed the Congress party, questioning if the party and its leaders are capable of removing terrorism and Naxalism from the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday slammed the Congress party, questioning if the party and its leaders are capable of removing terrorism and Naxalism from the country. While addressing a rally in Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, the prime minister said that the Congress party has said that it will "reduce the presence of armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir. It wants to repeal sedition law too. Can people with such mentality remove terrorism and Naxalism?" he enquired. PM Modi in Sitapur: Congress is saying that they will reduce presence of armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Congress wants to repeal sedition law too. Can people with such mentality remove terrorism and naxalism? pic.twitter.com/SfDyMvzRe5 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 27, 2019 × PM Modi also addressed a rally in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh wherein he slammed the Congress and blamed it for showing scant regard for Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. "They (opposition) want a government at the Centre which is 'majboor' (helpless) not 'majboot' (strong) as it used to do before 2014," he said. The prime minister, earlier in the day, slammed the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh, saying the tie-up of "opportunists" wants a helpless government because. PM Modi addressed election rallies in Kannauj, a Samajwadi Party stronghold, Hardoi and Sitapur, a day after filing his nomination from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat for a second term.

Is Congress capable of removing terrorism, Naxalism from country? PM Modi asks

Minister of State, Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju spoke to WION's political editor Kartikeya Sharma amid the heatwave of the ongoing general elections.

Exuding confidence, on behalf of Bharatiya Janata Party, of registering a landslide win in this general polls, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kiren-rijiju-accuses-congress-of-using-illegal-bangladeshi-infiltrators-as-vote-bank-in-northeast-197400">Rijiju attacked Congress party</a> for spreading falsehood and claimed that "there is no alternative to the leadership of PM Modi".&nbsp;

WION: Your thoughts on Congress as the opposition this Lok Sabha polls

Kiren Rijiju: See, the country can't be tied in Congress' falsehood. Congress' slogans are just rhetorical statements and people of India are tired of the party. No one takes the party seriously, no one takes Rahul Gandhi seriously.&nbsp;

Congress' 'Garibi Hatao' campaign, has poverty gone anywhere? It has only increased.&nbsp;

There is no alternative to the leadership of PM Modi. There should be not even an iota of doubt that Modi ji is the man of the moment.&nbsp;

WION: Your thoughts on the candidature on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pragya-says-nia-order-on-her-candidature-victory-of-truth-213299">Pragya Thakur</a>

Kiren Rijiju: Any trial in India has its own process. I'm not gonna dwell on history, but the investigation was carried out under the guided supervision of the court... unless a person is prevented by the law why should that person be questioned?

The question is whether she is permitted or not? If she has been permitted then why should anyone make an issue of it?&nbsp;

WION: BJP's prospects in the northeast?

Kiren Rijiju: The region offers 25 Lok Sabha seats and with the help of our allies we should be able to touch 20. This is my fifth election and I'm going to increase my margins.&nbsp;

WION: Issues faced by the party in the region

Kiren Rijiju: Other than the Citizenship Amendment Bill, the party did not face any issue in the region. We have clarified that it is not northeast specific. Without a discussion, no bill will be brought. We introduced the bill knowing and assuring the people that there will be no damage.&nbsp;

WION: Is this election PM Modi versus the rest or against Rahul Gandhi?

Kiren Rijiju: There is no question of PM Modi being put with someone else. He must lead the nation, this country deserves him as a leader, needs him.&nbsp;

WION: So, do you think our parliamentary elections have become presidential in nature?&nbsp;

Kiren Rijiju: You have got to have a leader who has a vision, a mission and that is all.&nbsp;

WION: Does the BJP sees Rahul Gandhi as a contender?&nbsp;

Kiren Rijiju: Rahul Gandhi is a young leader of the oldest political party in the country. I don't want to comment, just want to say that people do not take him seriously and this is the reality. He takes politics as a part-time job. He comes, campaigns and goes for vacations. Politics can't be a part-time job, it is a full-fledged job, service to the people. He is not a person who can stir up a political party, he has crumbled under his own failure.

WION: Your thoughts on the Grand Alliance

Kiren Rijiju: These parties have come together only because Modi ji and the BJP have&nbsp;become popular. Why else will SP and BSP come together? Tell me, could there be any other reasons? Congress has failed, if it doesn't side with these parties, it will alienate; if it goes with them, it will begin to shrink.&nbsp;

WION: Any thoughts on the Kashmir issue?

Kiren Rijiju: See, it is not easy to comment on such a complex issue. The PM has already spelt out his mission and vision, let's hope it works. The BJP has given scope for everybody to come on board.&nbsp;

WION: Do you think GST and demonetisation gave the opposition something to pick on?

Kiren Rijiju: Those could be implemented only because of the strong leadership, it was not easy but necessary. People who were hit hard, naturally they were the ones to create an issue.

WION: Do you think Rafale is an election issue?

Kiren Rijiju: It was never an issue for the people, it was an issue for Rahul Gandhi. We have an honest PM, people know that.&nbsp;

WION: What about the Naga Accord?&nbsp;

Kiren Rijiju: It has moved, there has been progress. If things get delayed because of something, doesn't mean it has failed. I agree we could not sign the final accord, certain reasons are there but we have moved much more than what people had thought.&nbsp;

Minister of State, Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju spoke to WION's political editor Kartikeya Sharma amid the heatwave of the ongoing general elections. Exuding confidence, on behalf of Bharatiya Janata Party, of registering a landslide win in this general polls, Rijiju attacked Congress party for spreading falsehood and claimed that "there is no alternative to the leadership of PM Modi".

Minister of State, Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju spoke to WION's political editor Kartikeya Sharma amid the heatwave of the ongoing general elections. Exuding confidence, on behalf of Bharatiya Janata Party, of registering a landslide win in this general polls, Rijiju attacked Congress party for spreading falsehood and claimed that "there is no alternative to the leadership of PM Modi". WION: Your thoughts on Congress as the opposition this Lok Sabha polls Kiren Rijiju: See, the country can't be tied in Congress' falsehood. Congress' slogans are just rhetorical statements and people of India are tired of the party. No one takes the party seriously, no one takes Rahul Gandhi seriously. Congress' 'Garibi Hatao' campaign, has poverty gone anywhere? It has only increased. There is no alternative to the leadership of PM Modi. There should be not even an iota of doubt that Modi ji is the man of the moment. WION: Your thoughts on the candidature on Pragya Thakur Kiren Rijiju: Any trial in India has its own process. I'm not gonna dwell on history, but the investigation was carried out under the guided supervision of the court... unless a person is prevented by the law why should that person be questioned? The question is whether she is permitted or not? If she has been permitted then why should anyone make an issue of it? WION: BJP's prospects in the northeast? Kiren Rijiju: The region offers 25 Lok Sabha seats and with the help of our allies we should be able to touch 20. This is my fifth election and I'm going to increase my margins. WION: Issues faced by the party in the region Kiren Rijiju: Other than the Citizenship Amendment Bill, the party did not face any issue in the region. We have clarified that it is not northeast specific. Without a discussion, no bill will be brought. We introduced the bill knowing and assuring the people that there will be no damage. WION: Is this election PM Modi versus the rest or against Rahul Gandhi? Kiren Rijiju: There is no question of PM Modi being put with someone else. He must lead the nation, this country deserves him as a leader, needs him. WION: So, do you think our parliamentary elections have become presidential in nature? Kiren Rijiju: You have got to have a leader who has a vision, a mission and that is all. WION: Does the BJP sees Rahul Gandhi as a contender? Kiren Rijiju: Rahul Gandhi is a young leader of the oldest political party in the country. I don't want to comment, just want to say that people do not take him seriously and this is the reality. He takes politics as a part-time job. He comes, campaigns and goes for vacations. Politics can't be a part-time job, it is a full-fledged job, service to the people. He is not a person who can stir up a political party, he has crumbled under his own failure. WION: Your thoughts on the Grand Alliance Kiren Rijiju: These parties have come together only because Modi ji and the BJP have become popular. Why else will SP and BSP come together? Tell me, could there be any other reasons? Congress has failed, if it doesn't side with these parties, it will alienate; if it goes with them, it will begin to shrink. WION: Any thoughts on the Kashmir issue? Kiren Rijiju: See, it is not easy to comment on such a complex issue. The PM has already spelt out his mission and vision, let's hope it works. The BJP has given scope for everybody to come on board. WION: Do you think GST and demonetisation gave the opposition something to pick on? Kiren Rijiju: Those could be implemented only because of the strong leadership, it was not easy but necessary. People who were hit hard, naturally they were the ones to create an issue. WION: Do you think Rafale is an election issue? Kiren Rijiju: It was never an issue for the people, it was an issue for Rahul Gandhi. We have an honest PM, people know that. WION: What about the Naga Accord? Kiren Rijiju: It has moved, there has been progress. If things get delayed because of something, doesn't mean it has failed. I agree we could not sign the final accord, certain reasons are there but we have moved much more than what people had thought.

No one takes Rahul Gandhi seriously, he is crumbling under his own failure: Kiren Rijiju to WION

Congress on Saturday accused the Election Commission (EC) of ignoring the party's complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah on model code violations and said it may consider moving court if no action is initiated by the poll body.

"We are astonished and sadly compelled to say that the Model Code of Conduct has become Modi code of conduct," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi told a press conference here.

He said, "We are also saddened to say that it is as if in the second word of the Election Commission, the letter 'C' has been dropped and it has become the 'Election omission' as far as the Modi and Shah duo is concerned."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/just-a-couple-of-days-after-polls-chandrababu-naidu-raises-questions-over-evms-asks-election-commission-to-revert-to-ballot-system-210068">Just a couple of days after polls, Chandrababu Naidu raises questions over EVMs; asks Election Commission to revert to ballot system</a>

Congress charged the poll watchdog with not taking action against Modi as well as the BJP president for their "hateful, virulent and divisive" speeches and “politicisation of the valour” of the armed forces at election rallies for "cheap electoral gains".

Singhvi said, "In the last 20 days, the Modi-Shah duo has made statements with divisive tone so many times. They have politicised the valour of our armed forces. Modi held rallies before and after casting vote (in Ahmedabad on Tuesday). This scale of violation has never happened in the last 72 years."

A Congress delegation had on Tuesday met with Election Commission officials and demanded a 48 to 72-hour ban on speeches by the Prime Minister and Shah.

Singhvi said, "We are not surprised by the violations of the MCC by BJP leaders. They are resorting to all tactics because they know they are losing the polls. But we cannot understand why the election policeman is silent on this matter. Its silence somehow means it is endorsing the acts of the BJP leaders."

At the same time, he acknowledged the EC actions on Congress' complaints against UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Himachal Pradesh BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti who were banned from making public speeches for 72 and 48 hours respectively.

He said,&nbsp;"The EC acted on some of our complaints and we praise them for that but it not acting against the Modi-Shah duo. Do the two leaders not come within the ambit of the EC rule book?"

Singhvi said if action is not taken on the Congress complaints, the party may approach court on Monday.&nbsp;

Congress on Saturday accused the Election Commission (EC) of ignoring the party's complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah on model code violations and said it may consider moving court if no action is initiated by the poll body.

Congress on Saturday accused the Election Commission (EC) of ignoring the party's complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah on model code violations and said it may consider moving court if no action is initiated by the poll body. "We are astonished and sadly compelled to say that the Model Code of Conduct has become Modi code of conduct," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi told a press conference here. He said, "We are also saddened to say that it is as if in the second word of the Election Commission, the letter 'C' has been dropped and it has become the 'Election omission' as far as the Modi and Shah duo is concerned." Also read: Just a couple of days after polls, Chandrababu Naidu raises questions over EVMs; asks Election Commission to revert to ballot system Congress charged the poll watchdog with not taking action against Modi as well as the BJP president for their "hateful, virulent and divisive" speeches and “politicisation of the valour” of the armed forces at election rallies for "cheap electoral gains". Singhvi said, "In the last 20 days, the Modi-Shah duo has made statements with divisive tone so many times. They have politicised the valour of our armed forces. Modi held rallies before and after casting vote (in Ahmedabad on Tuesday). This scale of violation has never happened in the last 72 years." A Congress delegation had on Tuesday met with Election Commission officials and demanded a 48 to 72-hour ban on speeches by the Prime Minister and Shah. Singhvi said, "We are not surprised by the violations of the MCC by BJP leaders. They are resorting to all tactics because they know they are losing the polls. But we cannot understand why the election policeman is silent on this matter. Its silence somehow means it is endorsing the acts of the BJP leaders." At the same time, he acknowledged the EC actions on Congress' complaints against UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Himachal Pradesh BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti who were banned from making public speeches for 72 and 48 hours respectively. He said, "The EC acted on some of our complaints and we praise them for that but it not acting against the Modi-Shah duo. Do the two leaders not come within the ambit of the EC rule book?" Singhvi said if action is not taken on the Congress complaints, the party may approach court on Monday.

May move court if no action is taken by Election Commission against Modi, Shah: Congress

In this segment, we brings Answers to Frequently Asked Questions in Election season. Watch full video to know more.

India Election Watch: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions in Election season

Popular Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi on Friday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in presence of BJP North West Delhi candidate Hans Raj Hans and union minister Vijay Goel.

Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir were also present at the event when 'Tunak tunak tun'&nbsp;singer joined the party.

Daler Mehndi's daughter is married to a son of Hans Raj Hans.

A few days ago, the party has also given a ticket to Sufi singer Hans Raj Hans to contest Lok Sabha polls from the North West Delhi constituency.

Hans has replaced MP Udit Raj. 
&nbsp;

Popular Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi on Friday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in presence of BJP North West Delhi candidate Hans Raj Hans and union minister Vijay Goel.

Popular Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi on Friday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in presence of BJP North West Delhi candidate Hans Raj Hans and union minister Vijay Goel. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir were also present at the event when 'Tunak tunak tun' singer joined the party. Daler Mehndi's daughter is married to a son of Hans Raj Hans. A few days ago, the party has also given a ticket to Sufi singer Hans Raj Hans to contest Lok Sabha polls from the North West Delhi constituency. Hans has replaced MP Udit Raj.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi joins BJP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has filed his nomination from Varanasi for Lok Sabha constituency on Friday. All senior leaders of the BJP, NDA and North East Democratic Alliance were present to mark the occasion.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: PM Modi files nomination from Varanasi

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