BJP leader LK Advani breaks silence says, those who disagree with BJP are not enemies

Development work and a strong connection with people will help him retain the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat for the fourth time, believes<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/aimim-confident-of-winning-all-contested-seats-owaisi-182226&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjOnpGhs7bhAhUWXisKHe2rCsYQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0q2kngPVDha170B77KgPqY"> AIMIM</a> chief Asaduddin Owaisi, even as the BJP and the Congress claim he will lose for his divisive politics and “goondaism”. The constituency, which is traditionally an All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) stronghold and won by <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-fields-muslim-woman-candidate-against-akbaruddin-owaisi-175290&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj30aLPs7bhAhVp7nMBHUi7A4MQFggIMAE&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0NCzpv3-O-Or0pbmrQj1am">Owaisi</a> since 2004, has six assembly segments, and five of these were won by the party in the 2018 <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-polls-aimim-workers-booked-for-violating-model-code-of-conduct-177680&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjL04e6s7bhAhWr7nMBHaciCxEQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw2i8orymMSl05X1VcbsxqjV">Telangana polls</a>. The BJP has again fielded J Bhagwant Rao, who had lost to Owaisi by over two lakh votes in the 2014 polls, from the seat, while Congress’s Feroz Khan, who unsuccessfully contested the 2018 assembly elections, is trying his luck from the constituency.

The <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-rashtra-samiti-supports-bjp-on-issue-of-simultaneous-lok-sabha-assembly-polls-31322&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjQytTks7bhAhXkmeYKHQLxAxQQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw10sXLLQ5ptSRQC8gxzEYmx">Telangana Rashtra Samiti </a>(TRS) has fielded Puste Srikanth. But, Chief Minister and TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao have kept it no secret that the party is backing Owaisi, whose support it is counting on in the remaining 16 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

In total, there are 15 candidates in the fray from the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat. Meeting people at their homes, padayatras and organising interactions and meetings, especially with young voters and students, are the backbone of Owaisi’s campaign in the parliamentary constituency. The party is seeking votes on ‘hamare kaam ki buniyaad par’ (on the basis of their work) and is confident of a win from the seat, said Asaduddin, who is being accompanied by his brother and AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi on his campaign trail.

“Paidal dauras (campaigning on foot) has been the AIMIM’s way through which we communicate our performance as representatives, and learn from our constituents on what more can be done,” he said “With my MPLAD expenditure, my focus has always been on investing in our children’s future, their health, education and well-being,” Asaduddin said, adding, “I am contesting this election on my record, and a lot more needs to be done and Inshallah I’ll work towards it”.

Both the Owaisi brothers are targeting the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a number of issues, including the February 14 Pulwama terror attack and the ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ (I, too, am watchman) campaign. The AIMIM, whose election symbol is ‘kite’, has maintained a firm grip on the minority voters-dominated constituency by winning the seat since 1984. The party’s former chief and Asaduddin’s father Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi got elected six times consecutively from Hyderabad. BJP candidate Bhagwant Rao, who secured over three lakh votes in 2014 general elections, alleged that the AIMIM is not a secular party and accused it of being a “destructive” force. People will support the BJP as they want to see Modi as prime minister again, he asserted.

“Last time there was booth capturing in minority-dominated areas,” Bhagwant Rao said, adding that poll and police officials should be alert, and take necessary measures to ensure free and fair elections. “The Majlis (AIMIM) does not even have a manifesto. Their manifesto is only instigating people in the name of religion. The BJP will carry out comprehensive development of the Old City if it wins. The Hyderabadi voters are keen to support the strong leadership of PM Modi”, he said.

The Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency lacks civic amenities and dispensaries, and hospitals in the parliamentary seat do not have proper facilities, Bhagwant Rao said. “AIMIM leaders divide people and instigate minorities and take their votes. They have acquired huge wealth,” he alleged. But, Asaduddin, who is supporting Chandrasekhar Rao’s idea of promoting a non-BJP and non-Congress front, said the public wants the TRS to win in the 16 Lok Sabha seats in the state and the AIMIM to be victorious on the Hyderabad seat. Congress’s Feroz Khan said the competition for the seat is between his party and the AIMIM as the BJP has fielded a “dummy” candidate. He claimed that the people want to bring about change and said the Congress is the alternative.

“For 40 years the AIMIM spread only darkness and ‘god willing’, the Congress will bring the sun to drive away this darkness,” he said, alleging that the AIMIM wins elections by indulging in “goondaism, rowdyism and through bogus votes”. “Our effort is to stop it and to take up an agenda of development among the people,” said Khan, who is hopeful that people will bless him with a win on the Hyderabad seat. Only the Congress can ensure BJP’s and Modi defeat, he said. However, a section of voters said Asaduddin’s victory is certain and it will be a one-sided election again in Hyderabad.

Development work and a strong connection with people will help him retain the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat for the fourth time, believes AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, even as the BJP and the Congress claim he will lose for his divisive politics and “goondaism”.

Development work and a strong connection with people will help him retain the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat for the fourth time, believes AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, even as the BJP and the Congress claim he will lose for his divisive politics and “goondaism”. The constituency, which is traditionally an All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) stronghold and won by Owaisi since 2004, has six assembly segments, and five of these were won by the party in the 2018 Telangana polls. The BJP has again fielded J Bhagwant Rao, who had lost to Owaisi by over two lakh votes in the 2014 polls, from the seat, while Congress’s Feroz Khan, who unsuccessfully contested the 2018 assembly elections, is trying his luck from the constituency. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) has fielded Puste Srikanth. But, Chief Minister and TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao have kept it no secret that the party is backing Owaisi, whose support it is counting on in the remaining 16 Lok Sabha seats in the state. In total, there are 15 candidates in the fray from the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat. Meeting people at their homes, padayatras and organising interactions and meetings, especially with young voters and students, are the backbone of Owaisi’s campaign in the parliamentary constituency. The party is seeking votes on ‘hamare kaam ki buniyaad par’ (on the basis of their work) and is confident of a win from the seat, said Asaduddin, who is being accompanied by his brother and AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi on his campaign trail. “Paidal dauras (campaigning on foot) has been the AIMIM’s way through which we communicate our performance as representatives, and learn from our constituents on what more can be done,” he said “With my MPLAD expenditure, my focus has always been on investing in our children’s future, their health, education and well-being,” Asaduddin said, adding, “I am contesting this election on my record, and a lot more needs to be done and Inshallah I’ll work towards it”. Both the Owaisi brothers are targeting the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a number of issues, including the February 14 Pulwama terror attack and the ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ (I, too, am watchman) campaign. The AIMIM, whose election symbol is ‘kite’, has maintained a firm grip on the minority voters-dominated constituency by winning the seat since 1984. The party’s former chief and Asaduddin’s father Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi got elected six times consecutively from Hyderabad. BJP candidate Bhagwant Rao, who secured over three lakh votes in 2014 general elections, alleged that the AIMIM is not a secular party and accused it of being a “destructive” force. People will support the BJP as they want to see Modi as prime minister again, he asserted. “Last time there was booth capturing in minority-dominated areas,” Bhagwant Rao said, adding that poll and police officials should be alert, and take necessary measures to ensure free and fair elections. “The Majlis (AIMIM) does not even have a manifesto. Their manifesto is only instigating people in the name of religion. The BJP will carry out comprehensive development of the Old City if it wins. The Hyderabadi voters are keen to support the strong leadership of PM Modi”, he said. The Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency lacks civic amenities and dispensaries, and hospitals in the parliamentary seat do not have proper facilities, Bhagwant Rao said. “AIMIM leaders divide people and instigate minorities and take their votes. They have acquired huge wealth,” he alleged. But, Asaduddin, who is supporting Chandrasekhar Rao’s idea of promoting a non-BJP and non-Congress front, said the public wants the TRS to win in the 16 Lok Sabha seats in the state and the AIMIM to be victorious on the Hyderabad seat. Congress’s Feroz Khan said the competition for the seat is between his party and the AIMIM as the BJP has fielded a “dummy” candidate. He claimed that the people want to bring about change and said the Congress is the alternative. “For 40 years the AIMIM spread only darkness and ‘god willing’, the Congress will bring the sun to drive away this darkness,” he said, alleging that the AIMIM wins elections by indulging in “goondaism, rowdyism and through bogus votes”. “Our effort is to stop it and to take up an agenda of development among the people,” said Khan, who is hopeful that people will bless him with a win on the Hyderabad seat. Only the Congress can ensure BJP’s and Modi defeat, he said. However, a section of voters said Asaduddin’s victory is certain and it will be a one-sided election again in Hyderabad.

Asaduddin Owaisi dismisses allegations of goondaism, confident of the fourth term from Hyderabad

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, WION's political editor Kartikeya Sharma spoke with Praveen Chakravarty who heads the Data Analytics department of the Congress Party.&nbsp;

Chakravarty is a Wharton graduate and economist by profession. He also worked in the UIDAI project during the UPA regime and, in his current avatar, is working closely with Congress president Rahul Gandhi, engaged in mapping the party.

Kartikeya Sharma quizzes Chakravarty on a range of topics, from the need to establish the data department, his ability to map the Congress to what does the data depict about the 'grand old party's' electoral prospects this Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

WION: Why was the data department set up by Rahul Gandhi?

Praveen Chakravarty: Rahul Gandhi is a strong believer in measurement and objectivity. He felt strongly about the need for the objective assessment of everything. The second objective of data is to help bring the wisdom of the crowd in the decision-making process. It translates into surveys and feedback from party workers, voters and influencers on various decisions which a political party needs to make. Objectivity comes from how you measure things like comparing different people's performances.

WION: Like data is considered new oil of economy, can we say that it has become the new mantra for political parties?

Praveen Chakravarty: I disagree. Data is input into better decision making. In Congress, we use it as an input in decision-making which could be about the selection of candidates or alliances with political parties or even for organizational decision-making like for promoting people. Data is also used for electoral strategy or to determine which booths to focus on or what do voters want to hear. Data is also being used to decide a party’s campaign theme and its election campaign.

WION: What were the challenges when you took up this job?

Praveen Chakravarty: We are just one input and not the sole decision makers. I come from a background of science and research, so I understand data science. As an economist, I had worked with multiple data sets. Before I took this job, I had landed conversations with the Congress president. He had a clear vision about this department even before he brought me into the party, so the mandate was clear. This department has been built to help and not take over anything. I have a simple rule for all my data scientist - if a booth worker far away is unable to understand what we communicate, then it is a pointless exercise.

WION: What tools are used to harness data?

Praveen Chakravarty: We only work with public data and internal data which belongs to the party. The problem for us was that data was not in the form which was easy to use and analyse&nbsp;for decision-making. Upon my joining, Rahul Gandhi personally tweeted out and as a result, I got flooded with talent. It enabled me to quickly build a large team which, I can say with great pride, is one of the best in the country.

WION: How many workers have you connected through data apparatus?

Praveen Chakravarty: As of now, 66 lakh people; it continues to grow every minute. It keeps increasing every second. We have connected millions of booths and party workers. Sitting in Delhi, the Congress president can call a booth worker directly and ask what is going on. Data and technology have provided a face to the party workers.

WION: What are the applications?

Praveen Chakravarty: 'Shakti' is the most known application. The second application is 'Vidya' which is like a control room where every single booth and candidate has been mapped. It has been given to every single candidate. The third one is 'Awaaz' which is an internal communication application. It is used by verified Congress party workers. It is used for booth management, feedback, door to door campaigning et cetera. Congress president Rahul Gandhi used this platform to decide the chief ministers for Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

WION: Did these applications make a difference in the selection of candidates?

Praveen Chakravarty: It provides with input and now it is a condition to have this input amongst many other inputs to decide the candidate.

WION: How do you ensure that technology is not manipulated?

Praveen Chakravarty: I have a 'data first' approach and not 'tech first' approach. We ensure that a person’s multiple identities are grafted in the system. For example, if a person does not have a voter identity then he cannot enter my system.

WION: Have you been able to map the organization?

Praveen Chakravarty: We have done it. We can even point out the best-performing workers. A gamification aspect has been built into the 'Shakti' application. People are given points when they respond to activities. For example, when I say that assemble in front of the CBI to protest, I would know as to who showed up in the protest, I would give them points.

WION: Did you face any resistance while introducing these systems?

Praveen Chakravarty: People were curious when we first started but now people come to me and ask whether feedback has been taken or not. Even senior leaders ask me.

WION: Is your project making any difference to the 2019 elections?

Praveen Chakravarty: It is not about winning or losing an election. The inputs from the department are now being sought by everyone as they are perceived to be helpful.

WION: How do you maintain neutrality?

Praveen Chakravarty: I have come from a political background. I have no bones to pick. I have always looked for empirical validation. I always want to be clear about my model. For example, during the recent assembly elections, I found out through data that farmers distress was far higher in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, but everybody was talking about Rajasthan. Actually, it turned out to be right.

WION: What is data saying about Lok Sabha elections?

Praveen Chakravarty: Trends are very clear. Most people are underestimating the anger against the government. I’m not saying just because I’m sitting inside AICC but because data is saying so. There is a lot of anger and also there is the existence of silent voter phenomena. Since people are fearful, they are not willing to share their true opinion. I have tested it. There is a lot of anger on broader economic issues like jobs and farmers distress. The pan-India issue today, as per the data, is of jobs.

WION: What about the prospects of the Congress Party?

Praveen Chakravarty: Congress is on a rising trend. The question is how much of this anger can we convert into votes and then into seats. For that, we need to have a strong message on what are we going to do to solve the economic issues. We are tackling this issue through NYAY. A lot of things will need to be done, holding press conferences rallies is not enough. We must do it on the ground. Our campaign has to be intensive and door-to-door. I believe that the success of Congress to win seats rests entirely on converting the existing anger into votes and seats through our ground campaign. We need to have the campaign at the booth and district level. Just press conferences and rallies will not do.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, WION's political editor Kartikeya Sharma spoke with Praveen Chakravarty who heads the Data Analytics department of the Congress Party.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, WION's political editor Kartikeya Sharma spoke with Praveen Chakravarty who heads the Data Analytics department of the Congress Party. Chakravarty is a Wharton graduate and economist by profession. He also worked in the UIDAI project during the UPA regime and, in his current avatar, is working closely with Congress president Rahul Gandhi, engaged in mapping the party. Kartikeya Sharma quizzes Chakravarty on a range of topics, from the need to establish the data department, his ability to map the Congress to what does the data depict about the 'grand old party's' electoral prospects this Lok Sabha polls. WION: Why was the data department set up by Rahul Gandhi? Praveen Chakravarty: Rahul Gandhi is a strong believer in measurement and objectivity. He felt strongly about the need for the objective assessment of everything. The second objective of data is to help bring the wisdom of the crowd in the decision-making process. It translates into surveys and feedback from party workers, voters and influencers on various decisions which a political party needs to make. Objectivity comes from how you measure things like comparing different people's performances. WION: Like data is considered new oil of economy, can we say that it has become the new mantra for political parties? Praveen Chakravarty: I disagree. Data is input into better decision making. In Congress, we use it as an input in decision-making which could be about the selection of candidates or alliances with political parties or even for organizational decision-making like for promoting people. Data is also used for electoral strategy or to determine which booths to focus on or what do voters want to hear. Data is also being used to decide a party’s campaign theme and its election campaign. WION: What were the challenges when you took up this job? Praveen Chakravarty: We are just one input and not the sole decision makers. I come from a background of science and research, so I understand data science. As an economist, I had worked with multiple data sets. Before I took this job, I had landed conversations with the Congress president. He had a clear vision about this department even before he brought me into the party, so the mandate was clear. This department has been built to help and not take over anything. I have a simple rule for all my data scientist - if a booth worker far away is unable to understand what we communicate, then it is a pointless exercise. WION: What tools are used to harness data? Praveen Chakravarty: We only work with public data and internal data which belongs to the party. The problem for us was that data was not in the form which was easy to use and analyse for decision-making. Upon my joining, Rahul Gandhi personally tweeted out and as a result, I got flooded with talent. It enabled me to quickly build a large team which, I can say with great pride, is one of the best in the country. WION: How many workers have you connected through data apparatus? Praveen Chakravarty: As of now, 66 lakh people; it continues to grow every minute. It keeps increasing every second. We have connected millions of booths and party workers. Sitting in Delhi, the Congress president can call a booth worker directly and ask what is going on. Data and technology have provided a face to the party workers. WION: What are the applications? Praveen Chakravarty: 'Shakti' is the most known application. The second application is 'Vidya' which is like a control room where every single booth and candidate has been mapped. It has been given to every single candidate. The third one is 'Awaaz' which is an internal communication application. It is used by verified Congress party workers. It is used for booth management, feedback, door to door campaigning et cetera. Congress president Rahul Gandhi used this platform to decide the chief ministers for Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. WION: Did these applications make a difference in the selection of candidates? Praveen Chakravarty: It provides with input and now it is a condition to have this input amongst many other inputs to decide the candidate. WION: How do you ensure that technology is not manipulated? Praveen Chakravarty: I have a 'data first' approach and not 'tech first' approach. We ensure that a person’s multiple identities are grafted in the system. For example, if a person does not have a voter identity then he cannot enter my system. WION: Have you been able to map the organization? Praveen Chakravarty: We have done it. We can even point out the best-performing workers. A gamification aspect has been built into the 'Shakti' application. People are given points when they respond to activities. For example, when I say that assemble in front of the CBI to protest, I would know as to who showed up in the protest, I would give them points. WION: Did you face any resistance while introducing these systems? Praveen Chakravarty: People were curious when we first started but now people come to me and ask whether feedback has been taken or not. Even senior leaders ask me. WION: Is your project making any difference to the 2019 elections? Praveen Chakravarty: It is not about winning or losing an election. The inputs from the department are now being sought by everyone as they are perceived to be helpful. WION: How do you maintain neutrality? Praveen Chakravarty: I have come from a political background. I have no bones to pick. I have always looked for empirical validation. I always want to be clear about my model. For example, during the recent assembly elections, I found out through data that farmers distress was far higher in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, but everybody was talking about Rajasthan. Actually, it turned out to be right. WION: What is data saying about Lok Sabha elections? Praveen Chakravarty: Trends are very clear. Most people are underestimating the anger against the government. I’m not saying just because I’m sitting inside AICC but because data is saying so. There is a lot of anger and also there is the existence of silent voter phenomena. Since people are fearful, they are not willing to share their true opinion. I have tested it. There is a lot of anger on broader economic issues like jobs and farmers distress. The pan-India issue today, as per the data, is of jobs. WION: What about the prospects of the Congress Party? Praveen Chakravarty: Congress is on a rising trend. The question is how much of this anger can we convert into votes and then into seats. For that, we need to have a strong message on what are we going to do to solve the economic issues. We are tackling this issue through NYAY. A lot of things will need to be done, holding press conferences rallies is not enough. We must do it on the ground. Our campaign has to be intensive and door-to-door. I believe that the success of Congress to win seats rests entirely on converting the existing anger into votes and seats through our ground campaign. We need to have the campaign at the booth and district level. Just press conferences and rallies will not do.

People are angry...question is how much of it can be converted into votes: Congress data analytics chief to WION

Google: At $1,75,958, BJP highest spender on online political ads since February

India Election Watch, 3rd April 2019

BSP supremo Mayawati Wednesday termed the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-exactly-does-the-congress-manifesto-promise-207487"> Congress manifesto</a> as a “showoff” and an “illusion” and said there was no credibility of the promises made by the party due to its past. Congress and BJP are no different when it comes to<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-scrapping-afspa-sedition-law-to-farmer-budget-key-takeaways-from-congress-manifesto-207507"> non-fulfilment of promises</a>, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said in a tweet.

“Congress election manifesto appears to be a showoff and illusion like its previous promises. Due to continuous working against its promises, there is no credibility left for Congress among the people. Congress and BJP are no different in non-fulfilling promises,” she said in the tweet.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi Tuesday released his party’s manifesto for Lok Sabha polls, making jobs creation, addressing farm distress, bringing a single moderate rate of GST and giving Rs 72,000 per annum to poor families as the key focus if the party comes to power.

Claiming the BJP was afraid of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance, Mayawati said, “They (BJP) are so afraid that instead of talking of issues, they indulge in unnecessary casteist statements on the top leader of (alliance). No one should be provoked by them (statements) and give them befitting reply by showing good results”.

BSP supremo Mayawati Wednesday termed the Congress manifesto as a “showoff” and an “illusion” and said there was no credibility of the promises made by the party due to its past.

BSP supremo Mayawati Wednesday termed the Congress manifesto as a “showoff” and an “illusion” and said there was no credibility of the promises made by the party due to its past. Congress and BJP are no different when it comes to non-fulfilment of promises, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said in a tweet. “Congress election manifesto appears to be a showoff and illusion like its previous promises. Due to continuous working against its promises, there is no credibility left for Congress among the people. Congress and BJP are no different in non-fulfilling promises,” she said in the tweet. Congress President Rahul Gandhi Tuesday released his party’s manifesto for Lok Sabha polls, making jobs creation, addressing farm distress, bringing a single moderate rate of GST and giving Rs 72,000 per annum to poor families as the key focus if the party comes to power. Claiming the BJP was afraid of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance, Mayawati said, “They (BJP) are so afraid that instead of talking of issues, they indulge in unnecessary casteist statements on the top leader of (alliance). No one should be provoked by them (statements) and give them befitting reply by showing good results”.

Congress manifesto for 2019 polls an illusion, says Mayawati, reminds party of past record

Congress to release manifesto today

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - April 2nd, 2019

India Election Watch: Rally roster for BJP's top leaders for April 2nd, 2019

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Decoding Congress's manifesto

The BJP said Tuesday that some of the ideas in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-exactly-does-the-congress-manifesto-promise-207487">Congress manifesto</a> were "positively dangerous".&nbsp;

The pushback — the Congress manifesto had been released earlier on Tuesday — was launched by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who said the ideas were "an agenda for the Balkanisation of India".&nbsp;

Jaitley was by and large referring to what the Congress manifesto has said about Kashmir.&nbsp;

The five big promises made by the Congress on Kashmir are:&nbsp;

1. There will be no change to Kashmir's constitutional status &nbsp;— which means there will be no tinkering with Article 370 and Article 35A&nbsp;

2. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) will be reviewed

3. That fewer soldiers, and more policemen instead, will be stationed in Kashmir&nbsp;

4. That talks in Jammu and Kashmir will be held without preconditions

5. And finally, that three interlocutors will be assigned to hold talks in Kashmir&nbsp;

Jaitley said Tuesday that some of the points in the Congress manifesto seem like they had been drafted by the Congress president's (Rahul Gandhi) "friends in the tukde-tukde gang".&nbsp;

"They're against the unity of India," Jaitley said.&nbsp;

Jaitley added that the Congress had failed to mention the plight of Kashmiri pandits in its manifesto. And that the Congress "does not deserve even a single vote for promises like doing away with the sedition law". &nbsp;

The Congress's 55-page manifesto — it is called "Hum Nibhayenge" or "We Will Deliver" — focuses on addressing the issues of joblessness, farm distress, the&nbsp;safety of women and the boosting of the rural economy, with a stress on building a narrative around the "real issues" faced by the people.

The manifesto was released by party president Rahul Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and senior leader P Chidambaram among others.

For farmers, Congress promised to put them on the path from "Karz Maafi" (loan waiver), to "Karz Mukti" (freedom from loans).

This the party said would be done through remunerative pricing, lower input costs, and assured access to institutional credit, the party said, adding it will present a separate "Kisan Budget" every year, if voted to power.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iGr_HCnZ1UA" width="560"></iframe>

(Watch: WION's Political Editor Kartikeya Sharma breaks down the Congress's election&nbsp;manifesto.)

Speaking on the occasion at Congress headquarters here, Gandhi said the Congress will allocate six per cent of GDP to education, strengthen government hospitals and give high-quality healthcare access to poor if voted to power.

The party also promised to enact the Right to Healthcare Act and guarantee every citizen free diagnostics, out-patient care, free medicines and hospitalisation, through a network of public hospitals and enlisted private hospitals.&nbsp;

The Congress's Nyay scheme meanwhile envisages the giving of Rs 72,000 a year to five crore EWS families each. And it said Tuesday that, if it came to power, it would bring in one single (moderate) GST rate.

&nbsp;Jaitley said the ideas were "unimplementable".&nbsp;

The Congress's P Chidambaram — he and Jairam Ramesh began their press conference even as Jaitley was still speaking — was quick to reply that "every word here (in the manifesto), we heard from the people of India".&nbsp;

"This is what the people want," Chidambaram said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

The BJP said Tuesday that some of the ideas in the Congress manifesto were "positively dangerous". The pushback — the Congress manifesto had been released earlier on Tuesday — was launched by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who said the ideas were "an agenda for the Balkanisation of India".

The BJP said Tuesday that some of the ideas in the Congress manifesto were "positively dangerous". The pushback — the Congress manifesto had been released earlier on Tuesday — was launched by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who said the ideas were "an agenda for the Balkanisation of India". Jaitley was by and large referring to what the Congress manifesto has said about Kashmir. The five big promises made by the Congress on Kashmir are: 1. There will be no change to Kashmir's constitutional status — which means there will be no tinkering with Article 370 and Article 35A 2. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) will be reviewed 3. That fewer soldiers, and more policemen instead, will be stationed in Kashmir 4. That talks in Jammu and Kashmir will be held without preconditions 5. And finally, that three interlocutors will be assigned to hold talks in Kashmir Jaitley said Tuesday that some of the points in the Congress manifesto seem like they had been drafted by the Congress president's (Rahul Gandhi) "friends in the tukde-tukde gang". "They're against the unity of India," Jaitley said. Jaitley added that the Congress had failed to mention the plight of Kashmiri pandits in its manifesto. And that the Congress "does not deserve even a single vote for promises like doing away with the sedition law". The Congress's 55-page manifesto — it is called "Hum Nibhayenge" or "We Will Deliver" — focuses on addressing the issues of joblessness, farm distress, the safety of women and the boosting of the rural economy, with a stress on building a narrative around the "real issues" faced by the people. The manifesto was released by party president Rahul Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and senior leader P Chidambaram among others. For farmers, Congress promised to put them on the path from "Karz Maafi" (loan waiver), to "Karz Mukti" (freedom from loans). This the party said would be done through remunerative pricing, lower input costs, and assured access to institutional credit, the party said, adding it will present a separate "Kisan Budget" every year, if voted to power. (Watch: WION's Political Editor Kartikeya Sharma breaks down the Congress's election manifesto.) Speaking on the occasion at Congress headquarters here, Gandhi said the Congress will allocate six per cent of GDP to education, strengthen government hospitals and give high-quality healthcare access to poor if voted to power. The party also promised to enact the Right to Healthcare Act and guarantee every citizen free diagnostics, out-patient care, free medicines and hospitalisation, through a network of public hospitals and enlisted private hospitals. The Congress's Nyay scheme meanwhile envisages the giving of Rs 72,000 a year to five crore EWS families each. And it said Tuesday that, if it came to power, it would bring in one single (moderate) GST rate. Jaitley said the ideas were "unimplementable". The Congress's P Chidambaram — he and Jairam Ramesh began their press conference even as Jaitley was still speaking — was quick to reply that "every word here (in the manifesto), we heard from the people of India". "This is what the people want," Chidambaram said. (With inputs from PTI)

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Congress releases manifesto, BJP says some of its ideas 'positively dangerous'

The Congress released its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday, and the BJP was quick to say some of the ideas in it were "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-manifesto-some-ideas-positively-dangerous-says-bjp-207472">positively dangerous</a>".&nbsp;

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley went so far as to say some of the ideas in the manifesto were "an agenda for the Balkanisation of India" and that they looked like the had been written by Congress president Rahul Gandhi's "friends in the tukde-tukde gang".&nbsp;

Jaitley was by and larger referring to what the Congress manifesto says about &nbsp;Kashmir — that there will be no tinkering with its constitutional status, that AFSPA will be reviewed, and that there will be fewer soldiers — and more policemen instead — deployed in the Valley.&nbsp;

This was expected. The BJP has been focusing tremendous amounts of attention on national security ever since the Pulwama suicide attack that left 40 CRPF personnel dead and the consequent Indian Air Force air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Pakistan's Balakote.&nbsp;

But what else does the 55-page long Congress manifesto called "Hum Nibhayenge" or "We Will Deliver" say?&nbsp;

Here are the salient points:&nbsp;

The big Congress scheme of course is NYAY which envisages the giving of Rs 72,000 a year to 20% or 5 crore of India's poorest families.&nbsp;

On Tuesday the Congress said it would also present a separate budget for farmers. The Congress would like to keep the focus on rural distress and joblessness. It therefore announced Tuesday that it would fill up 22 lakh government vacancies.&nbsp;

The Congress Tuesday promised to put farmers on the path from "karz maafi" (loan waiver) to "karz mukti" (freedom from loans).

This the party said would be done through remunerative pricing, lower input costs, and assured access to institutional credit.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iGr_HCnZ1UA" width="560"></iframe>

(Watch: WION's Political Editor Kartikeya Sharma breaks down the Congress's election&nbsp;manifesto.)

Rahul Gandhi, speaking at the release of the manifesto at Congress headquarters in Delhi, said his party would allocate 6 per cent of GDP to education, strengthening government hospitals and providing high-quality healthcare access to the poor if voted to power.

The party also promised to enact the Right to Healthcare Act and guarantee every citizen free diagnostics, out-patient care, free medicines and hospitalisation, through a network of public hospitals and enlisted private hospitals.&nbsp;

To the youth of India, the Congress pledged to make jobs its top priority, saying it would ensure 34 lakh jobs in the public sector by filling all 4 lakh central government vacancies before March 2020, persuading state governments to fill 20 lakh vacancies and creating an estimated 10 lakh new Seva Mitra positions in every gram panchayat and urban local bodies.

The party said it will also provide a fillip to the private sector by incentivising businesses for jobs creation and employing more women.

The Congress added Tuesday that would radically simplify the GST regime with a single moderate rate of tax, zero rating of exports, and an exemption for all essential goods and services.&nbsp;

It also promised panchayats and municipalities a share of GST revenues.

The Congress added that it would reverse the trend of declining defence spending under the NDA government, and increase it to meet the requirements of the armed forces.&nbsp;

On education, the Congress promised that school education from Class I to Class XII in all public schools would be compulsory and free.&nbsp;

And finally, the party promised to pass in the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha the Women's Reservation Bill reserving 33 percent of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies.&nbsp;

"Congress will also reserve 33 percent of all posts/vacancies in the Central government for women," the party's manifesto added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

 
&nbsp;

The Congress released its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday, and the BJP was quick to say some of the ideas in it were "positively dangerous".

The Congress released its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday, and the BJP was quick to say some of the ideas in it were "positively dangerous". Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley went so far as to say some of the ideas in the manifesto were "an agenda for the Balkanisation of India" and that they looked like the had been written by Congress president Rahul Gandhi's "friends in the tukde-tukde gang". Jaitley was by and larger referring to what the Congress manifesto says about Kashmir — that there will be no tinkering with its constitutional status, that AFSPA will be reviewed, and that there will be fewer soldiers — and more policemen instead — deployed in the Valley. This was expected. The BJP has been focusing tremendous amounts of attention on national security ever since the Pulwama suicide attack that left 40 CRPF personnel dead and the consequent Indian Air Force air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Pakistan's Balakote. But what else does the 55-page long Congress manifesto called "Hum Nibhayenge" or "We Will Deliver" say? Here are the salient points: The big Congress scheme of course is NYAY which envisages the giving of Rs 72,000 a year to 20% or 5 crore of India's poorest families. On Tuesday the Congress said it would also present a separate budget for farmers. The Congress would like to keep the focus on rural distress and joblessness. It therefore announced Tuesday that it would fill up 22 lakh government vacancies. The Congress Tuesday promised to put farmers on the path from "karz maafi" (loan waiver) to "karz mukti" (freedom from loans). This the party said would be done through remunerative pricing, lower input costs, and assured access to institutional credit. (Watch: WION's Political Editor Kartikeya Sharma breaks down the Congress's election manifesto.) Rahul Gandhi, speaking at the release of the manifesto at Congress headquarters in Delhi, said his party would allocate 6 per cent of GDP to education, strengthening government hospitals and providing high-quality healthcare access to the poor if voted to power. The party also promised to enact the Right to Healthcare Act and guarantee every citizen free diagnostics, out-patient care, free medicines and hospitalisation, through a network of public hospitals and enlisted private hospitals. To the youth of India, the Congress pledged to make jobs its top priority, saying it would ensure 34 lakh jobs in the public sector by filling all 4 lakh central government vacancies before March 2020, persuading state governments to fill 20 lakh vacancies and creating an estimated 10 lakh new Seva Mitra positions in every gram panchayat and urban local bodies. The party said it will also provide a fillip to the private sector by incentivising businesses for jobs creation and employing more women. The Congress added Tuesday that would radically simplify the GST regime with a single moderate rate of tax, zero rating of exports, and an exemption for all essential goods and services. It also promised panchayats and municipalities a share of GST revenues. The Congress added that it would reverse the trend of declining defence spending under the NDA government, and increase it to meet the requirements of the armed forces. On education, the Congress promised that school education from Class I to Class XII in all public schools would be compulsory and free. And finally, the party promised to pass in the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha the Women's Reservation Bill reserving 33 percent of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies. "Congress will also reserve 33 percent of all posts/vacancies in the Central government for women," the party's manifesto added. (With inputs from PTI)

What exactly does the Congress manifesto say? 

Terror emanating from Pakistan, India's bid for UNSC and NSG Membership and working with SAARC are foreign policy focus areas in the manifesto released by Indian National Congress for the 2019 General Election on Tuesday.

On terror emanating from Pakistan, the Congress manifesto said, "Congress will take determined steps to persuade other countries to compel Pakistan to verifiably end its support to the terrorist groups that it shelters."

It is important to note that the 2014 manifesto of Congress focused on dialogue with Islamabad depending on its action on terror infrastructure. The 2014 manifesto said Congress will "calibrate the dialogue consistent with delivery on accountability for 26/11 as well as dismantling of the infrastructure of terrorism" when it comes to ties with Pakistan.

On efforts to combat the scourge, the grand old party in the 2019 manifesto said it "will persuade the United Nations to constantly review the list of terrorists and to expand the scope of sanctions."

It has also proposed to establish "effective mechanisms" with Sri Lanka and Pakistan to resolve the problems faced by fishermen.

503 Indian fishermen are in Pakistan’s custody. The Modi Government has been able to secure the release of 1725 fishermen along with 57 boats from Pakistan’s custody since 2014.

While announcing "re-doubling" of efforts for India's United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Nuclear Suppliers Group membership, the Congress manifesto said, it "will work with SAARC &amp; ASEAN".

SAARC is on a standstill after India along with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives boycotted the 19th SAARC summit in Islamabad in the aftermath of the 2016 Uri terror attack perpetrated by Pakistan based United Nations listed terror organisation — Jaish-e-Mohammed.

The Congress has also announced that it will establish a national council on foreign policy consisting of members of the cabinet committee on security, scholars, diplomats to advise the govt.&nbsp;

Other than this the party in the manifesto said that it will increase the size of Indian foreign service, "induct domain experts" and open more missions abroad.

There wasn't any direct mention of China in the foreign policy section of the manifesto but under the border security section, the party said, if voted to power it will accelerate the construction of border roads "especially, the India-China border."

Congress president Rahul Gandhi had a few weeks ago met 30 envoys of foreign countries which included G20 countries and neighbourhood (barring Pakistan) and discussed regional and global issues.

Terror emanating from Pakistan, India's bid for UNSC and NSG Membership and working with SAARC are foreign policy focus areas in the manifesto released by Indian National Congress for the 2019 General Election on Tuesday.

Terror emanating from Pakistan, India's bid for UNSC and NSG Membership and working with SAARC are foreign policy focus areas in the manifesto released by Indian National Congress for the 2019 General Election on Tuesday. On terror emanating from Pakistan, the Congress manifesto said, "Congress will take determined steps to persuade other countries to compel Pakistan to verifiably end its support to the terrorist groups that it shelters." It is important to note that the 2014 manifesto of Congress focused on dialogue with Islamabad depending on its action on terror infrastructure. The 2014 manifesto said Congress will "calibrate the dialogue consistent with delivery on accountability for 26/11 as well as dismantling of the infrastructure of terrorism" when it comes to ties with Pakistan. On efforts to combat the scourge, the grand old party in the 2019 manifesto said it "will persuade the United Nations to constantly review the list of terrorists and to expand the scope of sanctions." It has also proposed to establish "effective mechanisms" with Sri Lanka and Pakistan to resolve the problems faced by fishermen. 503 Indian fishermen are in Pakistan’s custody. The Modi Government has been able to secure the release of 1725 fishermen along with 57 boats from Pakistan’s custody since 2014. While announcing "re-doubling" of efforts for India's United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Nuclear Suppliers Group membership, the Congress manifesto said, it "will work with SAARC & ASEAN". SAARC is on a standstill after India along with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives boycotted the 19th SAARC summit in Islamabad in the aftermath of the 2016 Uri terror attack perpetrated by Pakistan based United Nations listed terror organisation — Jaish-e-Mohammed. The Congress has also announced that it will establish a national council on foreign policy consisting of members of the cabinet committee on security, scholars, diplomats to advise the govt. Other than this the party in the manifesto said that it will increase the size of Indian foreign service, "induct domain experts" and open more missions abroad. There wasn't any direct mention of China in the foreign policy section of the manifesto but under the border security section, the party said, if voted to power it will accelerate the construction of border roads "especially, the India-China border." Congress president Rahul Gandhi had a few weeks ago met 30 envoys of foreign countries which included G20 countries and neighbourhood (barring Pakistan) and discussed regional and global issues.

Foreign policy in Congress manifesto focuses on terror emanating from Pakistan, working with SAARC

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government for "not cooperating" with the Centre to bring about speedy development in the state and said he has taken advantage of central schemes to ensure the welfare of Odiyas.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

"The government in Odisha did not cooperate with us. Despite its indifference, we did our best in launching development projects in the state," Modi said while addressing a rally in this west Odisha town.

This ''chowkidaar'' (watchman) has taken advantage of Centre's schemes to ensure the welfare of the Odiyas, he insisted.

If the BJP had formed a government in Odisha after the 2014 election, the state would have witnessed "speedy development in all sectors", he claimed.

Calling upon the people to vote for the double-engine government of the BJP at the Centre and the state, Modi said Odisha should repeat the history created by Uttar Pradesh in 2017 and Tripura in 2018.

Listing his government's achievements, he said the NDA government has constructed pucca homes for eight lakh families, provided power connections to 24 lakh homes, gas connection to 40 lakh mothers and sisters.

"In the last five years, we have opened bank accounts for 1 crore 40 lakh people, built toilets in 50 lakh homes, ensuring women's safety and security," he maintained.

Hitting out at the Congress, Modi said the grand old party has cheated Odisha people over the years by denying the poor their due rights.

"Under the Congress rule, middlemen benefitted largely. It is because of this deception, people had to go to migrate to other states, leaving their families," he charged.

Without taking a single leave in the last five years, this "chowkidar has worked diligently" to bring about a transformation in the country, Modi said.

"The credit for the transformation goes to the people of the country, who voted the BJP to power. It is your vote and not Modi who brought positive changes in the country, lit up lives of poor, filled their lives with hopes," he added.

Modi and his partymen have launched the 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' (I too am a watchman) campaign to blunt the Opposition's, especially the Congress's, 'chowkidar chor hai (watchman is a thief) slogan.

Assembly elections in Odisha will be held along with Lok Sabha polls in four phases - on April 11, 18, 23 and 29.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government for "not cooperating" with the Centre to bring about speedy development in the state and said he has taken advantage of central schemes to ensure the welfare of Odiyas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government for "not cooperating" with the Centre to bring about speedy development in the state and said he has taken advantage of central schemes to ensure the welfare of Odiyas. "The government in Odisha did not cooperate with us. Despite its indifference, we did our best in launching development projects in the state," Modi said while addressing a rally in this west Odisha town. This ''chowkidaar'' (watchman) has taken advantage of Centre's schemes to ensure the welfare of the Odiyas, he insisted. If the BJP had formed a government in Odisha after the 2014 election, the state would have witnessed "speedy development in all sectors", he claimed. Calling upon the people to vote for the double-engine government of the BJP at the Centre and the state, Modi said Odisha should repeat the history created by Uttar Pradesh in 2017 and Tripura in 2018. Listing his government's achievements, he said the NDA government has constructed pucca homes for eight lakh families, provided power connections to 24 lakh homes, gas connection to 40 lakh mothers and sisters. "In the last five years, we have opened bank accounts for 1 crore 40 lakh people, built toilets in 50 lakh homes, ensuring women's safety and security," he maintained. Hitting out at the Congress, Modi said the grand old party has cheated Odisha people over the years by denying the poor their due rights. "Under the Congress rule, middlemen benefitted largely. It is because of this deception, people had to go to migrate to other states, leaving their families," he charged. Without taking a single leave in the last five years, this "chowkidar has worked diligently" to bring about a transformation in the country, Modi said. "The credit for the transformation goes to the people of the country, who voted the BJP to power. It is your vote and not Modi who brought positive changes in the country, lit up lives of poor, filled their lives with hopes," he added. Modi and his partymen have launched the 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' (I too am a watchman) campaign to blunt the Opposition's, especially the Congress's, 'chowkidar chor hai (watchman is a thief) slogan. Assembly elections in Odisha will be held along with Lok Sabha polls in four phases - on April 11, 18, 23 and 29.

BJD government did not cooperate, chowkidar transformed Odisha with Central schemes: Modi

As you move away from Delhi, one understands that election has become regional and local despite the powerful narrative of nationalism married to Hindutva injected by BJP continues to dominate social media and TV screens. &nbsp;

It also holds true for the Congress which has decided to push Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) as its main electoral plank against BJP. Like nationalism driven campaign, it also hangs as one of the themes of the Lok Sabha elections. As of now, as the battle for phase one begins, regional issues have started to gain ground, making elections diverse and less Modi-centric.&nbsp;

For example, with SP-BSP-RLD combine in play, BJP cannot repeat its performance this time in UP. Unlike 2014, where election revolved around Modi, caste, candidates, local issues and delivery programmes of the government are also participating in the campaign in the state and not to mention the problem of stray cattle.&nbsp;

Same is the case with other states. Both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are contesting elections on strong regional issues revolving around regional pride, regional discrimination and welfare schemes. BJP has seen green shoots in Kerala, but there too, the issues are regional. Even Sabarimala has not been able to acquire sentiment of national proportion which Ayodhya did in the 1990s. Though BJP is expected to open an account in the state. 
 
The story in Tamil Nadu is also similar. It is a fight between two regional parties over regional issues and both the BJP and Congress claim a very small role. So whatever the result may be, a regional player will be the winner.

The state of Karnataka saw BJP’s resurgence during assembly elections but it had more to do with its brilliant performance in SC seats than because of urban voters - who these days are voting for BJP. Nonetheless, Karnataka is like UP where BJP can give a tough fight to the JDS-Congress alliance

In states like Odisha and West Bengal, where BJP has made inroads, election again is being fought on regional issues. Both BJD and TMC are fighting elections on pro-welfare agenda in the state. Though BJP again expected to do better, has not gone beyond criticism of Mamta Banerjee. 
&nbsp; 
Another example is that of the North East, an area where BJP had done exceptionally well. Even there, the issues are regional like, cross border migration and citizenship amendment bill. Before the citizenship amendment bill, BJP was all set to sweep the area but now it is difficult to say which way the election will turn after protests broke out in NE over the bill.&nbsp;

In Bihar, BJP is strong and well entrenched but it rests on the shoulder of Nitish Kumar, unlike 2014 when it swept the state on Modi’s name. Both Haryana and Punjab are voting on regional issues too. Haryana has witnessed strong pro BJP consolidation on anti-Jat line and in Punjab Congress has gained because of anti- SAD sentiment continues to persist and AAP has completely collapsed in the state.&nbsp;

Even big states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Rajasthan are being fought on regional issues ranging from caste reservation, agrarian loans, candidature, hard Hindutva and etc. It is not to say that the direct benefit schemes introduced by the Prime Minister including welfare projects will have no impact on the electorate but will short when it comes to the creation of a wave like 2014. Even in the 2017 assembly election, the results were more out of Hindu-Muslim polarisation than the success of Ujjwala scheme.&nbsp;

More so, the injection of hard Hindutva in body politics by BJP will add and subtract votes at the same time which was not the case in 2014 elections which were solely focussed around New India. 
 
The states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh too will be fought on the basis of candidates and performance of the respective governments. Jammu and Kashmir is the only state that will respond to the policy decision of the BJP and promises it is making during national elections.

If one looks at the election history, victory comes often at the time when things seem lost. No one thought within the Opposition that they would be able to defeat the Congress in 1977. Even Rajiv Gandhi did fathom his scale of defeat in 1989. His campaign, Mera Bharat Mahan was a royal flop. Narasimha Rao felt that he was winning the election in 1996. &nbsp;In 2004 every political pundit wrote off Congress party but it was BJP who lost elections under the weight of Shining India campaign. Even in 2009, not a single political pundit gave Congress more than 200 seats and very few people believed that BJP would get a simple majority in 2014.&nbsp;

There is no doubt that propaganda of BJP is loud, and the Congress party’s electoral campaign is weak and badly coordinated. In fact, the campaign does not stand anywhere close to BJP but even then, voters have a way of surprising powerful people.

This election holds the capacity to put regional parties at the forefront of decision making as gain and loss of both BJP and Congress ‘can’ be incremental because of regional placement of the elections.&nbsp;

BJP is trying to polarise it on the national security issue, but it has not been able to create a surge in the electorate. Even the Kargil war did not help Vajpayee during elections. In the case of BJP and Congress getting confined within 270 to 300 seats, regional players will emerge as the king makers. This is scenario one.&nbsp;

But if Lok Sabha elections follow the old hard pattern of Indian politics, then BJP may end up with a shocking result which is - where a losing side ends up with a huge loss and gainer ends up with most.

It happened with BJP in 2014, wherein it got a simple majority and Congress who thought it may end up with 100 seats ended up with 44.&nbsp;

If this scenario is reversed with current issues in play, India is looking at a fractured Parliament where the difference between BJP and Congress can stand anywhere between 50 to 70 seats with BJP in the lead.

 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

As you move away from Delhi, one understands that election has become regional and local despite the powerful narrative of nationalism married to Hindutva injected by BJP continues to dominate social media and TV screens.

As you move away from Delhi, one understands that election has become regional and local despite the powerful narrative of nationalism married to Hindutva injected by BJP continues to dominate social media and TV screens. It also holds true for the Congress which has decided to push Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) as its main electoral plank against BJP. Like nationalism driven campaign, it also hangs as one of the themes of the Lok Sabha elections. As of now, as the battle for phase one begins, regional issues have started to gain ground, making elections diverse and less Modi-centric. For example, with SP-BSP-RLD combine in play, BJP cannot repeat its performance this time in UP. Unlike 2014, where election revolved around Modi, caste, candidates, local issues and delivery programmes of the government are also participating in the campaign in the state and not to mention the problem of stray cattle. Same is the case with other states. Both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are contesting elections on strong regional issues revolving around regional pride, regional discrimination and welfare schemes. BJP has seen green shoots in Kerala, but there too, the issues are regional. Even Sabarimala has not been able to acquire sentiment of national proportion which Ayodhya did in the 1990s. Though BJP is expected to open an account in the state. The story in Tamil Nadu is also similar. It is a fight between two regional parties over regional issues and both the BJP and Congress claim a very small role. So whatever the result may be, a regional player will be the winner. The state of Karnataka saw BJP’s resurgence during assembly elections but it had more to do with its brilliant performance in SC seats than because of urban voters - who these days are voting for BJP. Nonetheless, Karnataka is like UP where BJP can give a tough fight to the JDS-Congress alliance In states like Odisha and West Bengal, where BJP has made inroads, election again is being fought on regional issues. Both BJD and TMC are fighting elections on pro-welfare agenda in the state. Though BJP again expected to do better, has not gone beyond criticism of Mamta Banerjee. Another example is that of the North East, an area where BJP had done exceptionally well. Even there, the issues are regional like, cross border migration and citizenship amendment bill. Before the citizenship amendment bill, BJP was all set to sweep the area but now it is difficult to say which way the election will turn after protests broke out in NE over the bill. In Bihar, BJP is strong and well entrenched but it rests on the shoulder of Nitish Kumar, unlike 2014 when it swept the state on Modi’s name. Both Haryana and Punjab are voting on regional issues too. Haryana has witnessed strong pro BJP consolidation on anti-Jat line and in Punjab Congress has gained because of anti- SAD sentiment continues to persist and AAP has completely collapsed in the state. Even big states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Rajasthan are being fought on regional issues ranging from caste reservation, agrarian loans, candidature, hard Hindutva and etc. It is not to say that the direct benefit schemes introduced by the Prime Minister including welfare projects will have no impact on the electorate but will short when it comes to the creation of a wave like 2014. Even in the 2017 assembly election, the results were more out of Hindu-Muslim polarisation than the success of Ujjwala scheme. More so, the injection of hard Hindutva in body politics by BJP will add and subtract votes at the same time which was not the case in 2014 elections which were solely focussed around New India. The states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh too will be fought on the basis of candidates and performance of the respective governments. Jammu and Kashmir is the only state that will respond to the policy decision of the BJP and promises it is making during national elections. If one looks at the election history, victory comes often at the time when things seem lost. No one thought within the Opposition that they would be able to defeat the Congress in 1977. Even Rajiv Gandhi did fathom his scale of defeat in 1989. His campaign, Mera Bharat Mahan was a royal flop. Narasimha Rao felt that he was winning the election in 1996. In 2004 every political pundit wrote off Congress party but it was BJP who lost elections under the weight of Shining India campaign. Even in 2009, not a single political pundit gave Congress more than 200 seats and very few people believed that BJP would get a simple majority in 2014. There is no doubt that propaganda of BJP is loud, and the Congress party’s electoral campaign is weak and badly coordinated. In fact, the campaign does not stand anywhere close to BJP but even then, voters have a way of surprising powerful people. This election holds the capacity to put regional parties at the forefront of decision making as gain and loss of both BJP and Congress ‘can’ be incremental because of regional placement of the elections. BJP is trying to polarise it on the national security issue, but it has not been able to create a surge in the electorate. Even the Kargil war did not help Vajpayee during elections. In the case of BJP and Congress getting confined within 270 to 300 seats, regional players will emerge as the king makers. This is scenario one. But if Lok Sabha elections follow the old hard pattern of Indian politics, then BJP may end up with a shocking result which is - where a losing side ends up with a huge loss and gainer ends up with most. It happened with BJP in 2014, wherein it got a simple majority and Congress who thought it may end up with 100 seats ended up with 44. If this scenario is reversed with current issues in play, India is looking at a fractured Parliament where the difference between BJP and Congress can stand anywhere between 50 to 70 seats with BJP in the lead. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

BJP’s nationalist narrative driving TV debates but may not get party the result it wants

BJP chooses Tushar Vellapally against Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad

The BJP Monday announced the names of three more Lok Sabha candidates from Odisha.

With this, the party has announced the names of 374 candidates.&nbsp;

The party has also released the names of 11 more candidates for the Odisha state assembly polls, which will be held in four phases starting from April 11 and ending on April 29.&nbsp;

The BJP has so far announced candidates for all the Lok Sabha seats which will go to polls in the first four phases of the seven-phased election.&nbsp;

The general elections will begin from April 11 and continue till May 19. The counting of votes will be held on May 23.

The BJP had earlier nominated Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow. Party chief Amit Shah will contest from Gandhinagar, where L K Advani is the sitting MP.&nbsp;

The BJP Monday announced the names of three more Lok Sabha candidates from Odisha. With this, the party has announced the names of 374 candidates. The party has also released the names of 11 more candidates for the Odisha state assembly polls, which will be held in four phases starting from April 11 and ending on April 29.

The BJP Monday announced the names of three more Lok Sabha candidates from Odisha. With this, the party has announced the names of 374 candidates. The party has also released the names of 11 more candidates for the Odisha state assembly polls, which will be held in four phases starting from April 11 and ending on April 29. The BJP has so far announced candidates for all the Lok Sabha seats which will go to polls in the first four phases of the seven-phased election. The general elections will begin from April 11 and continue till May 19. The counting of votes will be held on May 23. The BJP had earlier nominated Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow. Party chief Amit Shah will contest from Gandhinagar, where L K Advani is the sitting MP.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: BJP announces three more Lok Sabha candidates from Odisha

Lok Sabha polls: From Indira's era to rise of NDA, a look at India's electoral history

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Sunday that Congress president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-to-contest-from-wayanad-in-kerala-besides-amethi-206891">Rahul Gandhi contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Wayanad</a> in the state — apart from Amethi in UP — could only be seen as a move to fight the Left parties and not the BJP, and asserted that the LDF would defeat him in the April 23 Lok Sabha elections.

There was no need to attach any special importance to the Congress president contesting from the state and Gandhi was just one among the 20 candidates of the opposition UDF, who are trying their luck from Kerala, he said.

"If Gandhi's fight is against the BJP, he should have contested against the saffron party. In Kerala, the fight is between LDF and UDF in the elections," Vijayan told a meet-the-press programme at the Press Club here.

He was reacting to the announcement by Congress that Gandhi would contest from the hilly Wayanad, considered a fortress of the party, in addition to the Gandhi family's pocket burrow Amethi seat in Uttar Pradesh in the polls.

"The present move can only be seen as a fight against the Left. But, we have no anxiety...We are fully confident and will strive to defeat him in Wayanad," the CPI-M veteran said.

Gandhi had announced earlier he would retain Amethi in Uttar Pradesh as his constituency after elections, he said.

"So, it is like...Gandhi will continue as the MP from Amethi and in Wayand he is examining if he can defeat the Left", the Chief Minister said asking what message the Congress was conveying to the people through the move.

When asked about the proposed post-poll alliance with the Congress at the national level, Vijayan said it was a matter to be thought off after the elections.

BJP state chief P S Sreedharan Pillai said the Congress decision to field Gandhi from Wayanad showed the "decay" in the grand old party.

"After realising that he will lose from Amethi, Gandhi has decided to contest from wayand", he told reporters here.

The BJP would give a "tough fight" to the Congress candidate, he said adding Gandhi's Wayanad contest was being viewed by the party as "acceptance of defeat".

The state Congress leaders were all in a jubilant mood over the AICC chief's decision.

Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Ramesh Chennithala said the party'saim was to ensure Gandhi's victory with a massive margin.

"I challenge Pinarayi Vijayan, if he can defeat Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad and we accept the challenge," he told reporters at Alapuzha.

It would be a "historical win" for Gandhi in Wayanad and there would be a "Rahul wave" in the entire state, he claimed.

"A prime ministerial candidate is contesting from Kerala for the first time and this will have an impact in the entire state," he said adding the UDF would win all 20 seats.

Party's state unit President Mulapally Ramachandran said the decision to field Gandhi from Wayand would be "a happy news for secular-democratic forces" in the state.

He also remembered how former Congress presidents Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi had scripted impressive victories from South India.

Congress leader M I Shanavas, who died in November last year, had won Wayanad, known for its picturesque locales and spices, in the 2009 and 2014 elections.

The LDF has decided to field CPIs P P Suneer in the constituency this time while BJP-NDA yet to announce its candidate.&nbsp;

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Sunday that Congress president Rahul Gandhi contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Wayanad in the state — apart from Amethi in UP — could only be seen as a move to fight the Left parties and not the BJP, and asserted that the LDF would defeat him in the April 23 Lok Sabha elections.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Sunday that Congress president Rahul Gandhi contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Wayanad in the state — apart from Amethi in UP — could only be seen as a move to fight the Left parties and not the BJP, and asserted that the LDF would defeat him in the April 23 Lok Sabha elections. There was no need to attach any special importance to the Congress president contesting from the state and Gandhi was just one among the 20 candidates of the opposition UDF, who are trying their luck from Kerala, he said. "If Gandhi's fight is against the BJP, he should have contested against the saffron party. In Kerala, the fight is between LDF and UDF in the elections," Vijayan told a meet-the-press programme at the Press Club here. He was reacting to the announcement by Congress that Gandhi would contest from the hilly Wayanad, considered a fortress of the party, in addition to the Gandhi family's pocket burrow Amethi seat in Uttar Pradesh in the polls. "The present move can only be seen as a fight against the Left. But, we have no anxiety...We are fully confident and will strive to defeat him in Wayanad," the CPI-M veteran said. Gandhi had announced earlier he would retain Amethi in Uttar Pradesh as his constituency after elections, he said. "So, it is like...Gandhi will continue as the MP from Amethi and in Wayand he is examining if he can defeat the Left", the Chief Minister said asking what message the Congress was conveying to the people through the move. When asked about the proposed post-poll alliance with the Congress at the national level, Vijayan said it was a matter to be thought off after the elections. BJP state chief P S Sreedharan Pillai said the Congress decision to field Gandhi from Wayanad showed the "decay" in the grand old party. "After realising that he will lose from Amethi, Gandhi has decided to contest from wayand", he told reporters here. The BJP would give a "tough fight" to the Congress candidate, he said adding Gandhi's Wayanad contest was being viewed by the party as "acceptance of defeat". The state Congress leaders were all in a jubilant mood over the AICC chief's decision. Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Ramesh Chennithala said the party'saim was to ensure Gandhi's victory with a massive margin. "I challenge Pinarayi Vijayan, if he can defeat Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad and we accept the challenge," he told reporters at Alapuzha. It would be a "historical win" for Gandhi in Wayanad and there would be a "Rahul wave" in the entire state, he claimed. "A prime ministerial candidate is contesting from Kerala for the first time and this will have an impact in the entire state," he said adding the UDF would win all 20 seats. Party's state unit President Mulapally Ramachandran said the decision to field Gandhi from Wayand would be "a happy news for secular-democratic forces" in the state. He also remembered how former Congress presidents Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi had scripted impressive victories from South India. Congress leader M I Shanavas, who died in November last year, had won Wayanad, known for its picturesque locales and spices, in the 2009 and 2014 elections. The LDF has decided to field CPIs P P Suneer in the constituency this time while BJP-NDA yet to announce its candidate.

Rahul Gandhi fighting from Wayanad means he is fighting Left, not BJP: Kerala CM Pinari Vijayan

Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad on Saturday said that on Friday he met with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and that the meeting went well. Nishad stated that Adityanath assured him yesterday "that our grievances will be heard and dealt with".

Nishad added that his party will contest on its own symbol and that "NDA will decide who will contest from where".&nbsp;

Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad on Friday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-nishad-party-quits-alliance-with-spbsp-in-uttar-pradesh-206583">called off the alliance with SP, BSP in Uttar Pradesh</a>. Nishad noted that his party workers and the core committee were upset with the alliance.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Nishad Party chief, Sanjay Nishad, on joining NDA alliance for Lok Sabha elections: UP CM assured me yesterday that our grievances will be heard &amp; dealt with. Nishad Party will contest on its own symbol. NDA will decide who will contest from where <a href="https://t.co/9FZJHjUula">pic.twitter.com/9FZJHjUula</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1111969764107128837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"Akhilesh Yadav had said he'll make an announcement on seats for our party. But they didn't put our name on poster/letter or anything. My party workers, authorities, core committee were upset," Nishad told media adding that his party is now free to explore other option or to even go solo in the ensuing general elections.&nbsp;

"So the Nishad party has taken a decision today that we are not with the 'gathbandhan', we are free, can fight elections independently and can look for other options as well. The party is free now," the party chief noted.&nbsp;

Later in the day, Nishad was spotted meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday announced that Nishad Party and Janvadi Party (Socialist) are now a part of Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance in Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

According to the seat-sharing arrangement, Samajwadi Party will contest 37 seats while BSP will fight on 38. Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal was being considered the third wheel of the alliance.&nbsp;

Lok Sabha 2019 will be held in seven phases starting April 11, ending on May 19. Uttar Pradesh will cast vote in seven phases.&nbsp;

Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad on Saturday said that on Friday he met with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and that the meeting went well. Nishad stated that Adityanath assured him yesterday "that our grievances will be heard and dealt with".

Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad on Saturday said that on Friday he met with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and that the meeting went well. Nishad stated that Adityanath assured him yesterday "that our grievances will be heard and dealt with". Nishad added that his party will contest on its own symbol and that "NDA will decide who will contest from where". Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad on Friday called off the alliance with SP, BSP in Uttar Pradesh. Nishad noted that his party workers and the core committee were upset with the alliance. Nishad Party chief, Sanjay Nishad, on joining NDA alliance for Lok Sabha elections: UP CM assured me yesterday that our grievances will be heard & dealt with. Nishad Party will contest on its own symbol. NDA will decide who will contest from where pic.twitter.com/9FZJHjUula — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 30, 2019 × "Akhilesh Yadav had said he'll make an announcement on seats for our party. But they didn't put our name on poster/letter or anything. My party workers, authorities, core committee were upset," Nishad told media adding that his party is now free to explore other option or to even go solo in the ensuing general elections. "So the Nishad party has taken a decision today that we are not with the 'gathbandhan', we are free, can fight elections independently and can look for other options as well. The party is free now," the party chief noted. Later in the day, Nishad was spotted meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday announced that Nishad Party and Janvadi Party (Socialist) are now a part of Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance in Uttar Pradesh. According to the seat-sharing arrangement, Samajwadi Party will contest 37 seats while BSP will fight on 38. Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal was being considered the third wheel of the alliance. Lok Sabha 2019 will be held in seven phases starting April 11, ending on May 19. Uttar Pradesh will cast vote in seven phases.

Lok Sabha polls: 'NDA will decide who will contest from where,' says Nishad party chief after quitting SP-BSP alliance

India Election Watch: Exclusive interview with Rajnath Singh

External Affairs Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-national-stabbed-to-death-in-germanys-munich-sushma-swaraj-206661">Sushma Swaraj on Saturday</a> gave a befitting reply to a Twitter user who asked why has she inducted 'Chowkidar' in her official Twitter handle.&nbsp;

The user tweeted out calling Swaraj "the only one sensible leader in the BJP" who, he thought, would not hop on to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chowkidar-is-pure-another-term-for-him-is-sure-rajnath-singh-goes-poetic-on-modi-205719">'Chowkidar' bandwagon on Twitter</a>.&nbsp;

Swaraj replied saying that she is one of the country's watchdog and that she looks after the security of national interests and the nationals abroad.&nbsp;

"Because I am doing Chowkidari of Indian interests and Indian nationals abroad," read her tweet.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Because I am doing Chowkidari of Indian interests and Indian nationals abroad. <a href="https://t.co/dCgiBPsagz">https://t.co/dCgiBPsagz</a>
— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1111862550579142657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Scores of BJP leaders changed their Twitter handle to add 'Chowkidar' after Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed his name on Twitter to 'Chowkidar Narendra Modi'.&nbsp;

On March 16, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged his supporters to take the 'main bhai chowkidar' (I too am watchman) pledge, saying he is not alone in the fight against graft and social evils.

"Your Chowkidar is standing firm &amp; serving the nation," Modi had tweeted out earlier this month launching -#MainBhiChowkidar campaign.

"But, I am not alone," he said. "Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar."&nbsp;

"Today, every Indian is saying-#MainBhiChowkidar," he added.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister had first referred to himself as the chowkidar (watchman) of the nation in the run-up to the 2014 general elections. "Na khaoonga, na khaane doonga (I will not be corrupt, I will not let others be corrupt)," he had said then. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday gave a befitting reply to a Twitter user who asked why has she inducted 'Chowkidar' in her official Twitter handle.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday gave a befitting reply to a Twitter user who asked why has she inducted 'Chowkidar' in her official Twitter handle. The user tweeted out calling Swaraj "the only one sensible leader in the BJP" who, he thought, would not hop on to the 'Chowkidar' bandwagon on Twitter. Swaraj replied saying that she is one of the country's watchdog and that she looks after the security of national interests and the nationals abroad. "Because I am doing Chowkidari of Indian interests and Indian nationals abroad," read her tweet. Because I am doing Chowkidari of Indian interests and Indian nationals abroad. https://t.co/dCgiBPsagz — Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 30, 2019 × Scores of BJP leaders changed their Twitter handle to add 'Chowkidar' after Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed his name on Twitter to 'Chowkidar Narendra Modi'. On March 16, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged his supporters to take the 'main bhai chowkidar' (I too am watchman) pledge, saying he is not alone in the fight against graft and social evils. "Your Chowkidar is standing firm & serving the nation," Modi had tweeted out earlier this month launching -#MainBhiChowkidar campaign. "But, I am not alone," he said. "Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar." "Today, every Indian is saying-#MainBhiChowkidar," he added. The Prime Minister had first referred to himself as the chowkidar (watchman) of the nation in the run-up to the 2014 general elections. "Na khaoonga, na khaane doonga (I will not be corrupt, I will not let others be corrupt)," he had said then.

Because I'm doing 'chowkidari' of Indian interests and nationals abroad: Swaraj on adding 'Chowkidar' to Twitter handle

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said that opposition's defeat is certain in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra as BJP and Shiv Sena are contesting the polls in an alliance with each other.

Speaking to ANI, Thackeray said, "We did not come here to demonstrate our power. It is obvious that the alliance is already very powerful. Since the BJP and the Shiv Sena are contesting the polls in an alliance, opposition's defeat is certain."

Earlier in the day, he addressed a gathering here, during which he reaffirmed his whole-hearted support to the BJP and its president Amit Shah by asserting that whatever issues they had in past are resolved and they would never ‘stab it in the back.’

Thackeray made these statements while sharing the stage with senior BJP leaders during the filing of the nomination of BJP chief Amit Shah.

He also said that despite having differences in the past, BJP and Shiv Sena are together because of their ideologies.

Maharashtra will go to polls in the first four phases, beginning April 11. Results of the polls will be declared on May 23.&nbsp;

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said that opposition's defeat is certain in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra as BJP and Shiv Sena are contesting the polls in an alliance with each other.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said that opposition's defeat is certain in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra as BJP and Shiv Sena are contesting the polls in an alliance with each other. Speaking to ANI, Thackeray said, "We did not come here to demonstrate our power. It is obvious that the alliance is already very powerful. Since the BJP and the Shiv Sena are contesting the polls in an alliance, opposition's defeat is certain." Earlier in the day, he addressed a gathering here, during which he reaffirmed his whole-hearted support to the BJP and its president Amit Shah by asserting that whatever issues they had in past are resolved and they would never ‘stab it in the back.’ Thackeray made these statements while sharing the stage with senior BJP leaders during the filing of the nomination of BJP chief Amit Shah. He also said that despite having differences in the past, BJP and Shiv Sena are together because of their ideologies. Maharashtra will go to polls in the first four phases, beginning April 11. Results of the polls will be declared on May 23.

Opposition's defeat is certain; BJP, Shiv Sena are together in Lok Sabha polls: Uddhav Thackeray

Dubbed an "outsider" by the Opposition, BJP MP Hema Malini has said she has a "divine connection" with Mathura, the city of Lord Krishna, and has no intention of becoming a minister.

The actor-turned-politician, who has been fielded once again by the BJP from the Mathura constituency, filed her nomination papers for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections earlier this week.

The 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) of Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal has said that Mathura will witness an "outsider vs Brijwasi" battle as Hema Malini lives in Mumbai.

"Yes, I have a house in Mumbai. What is the problem with that? I have a house here also and I am a Virndavanwasi," Hema Malini told PTI in an exclusive interview.

"I am so involved with the city and I feel some divine connection with this city. I have been playing Radha and Meera throughout my life and I was in a temple only when my candidature was announced," she said.

The BJP MP said she also has to fulfil her professional commitments as an actor and a danseuse.

"In the last five years I have come here more than 250 times. People should understand that I am not just an MP and I have to use my talent as an actor and a danseuse as well. There is no need for me to be here 24 hours. I come and get things done in 10 days," Hema Malini said.

"I know that I can't satisfy the entire city, which is so huge, but I have done my work with utmost sincerity and will continue to do so in future as well," she said. 
Hema Malini said it pained her when people questioned her work in the last five years.

"I really feel hurt when someone asks 'apne kya kaam kiya?' (what work did you do). The first two years were difficult as I could not communicate (with the people). But in the last two years I was able to get things done with the support of the Centre and the state government," she said.

"Many projects have been sanctioned under Brij Teerth Vikas Parishad and I am working to revive the old heritage of Brij Mandal," she said, adding that she needed another five years for that.

"This is why I have decided to stay back," she said.

Despite being a star campaigner of the ruling BJP, the BJP MP said she was not eyeing a ministerial berth at the Centre and wants to focus on Mathura only.

"I am not a hardcore politician and I want to limit myself to Mathura only. I am asked many times if I want to become a minister and it sounds so strange. Being a minister is a full-time responsibility," Hema Malini said.

"Women ministers in Modiji's cabinet have done extremely well and I am proud of them, but this is not a competition," she said.

Rejecting speculation about differences in the BJP's local unit, Hema Malini said everyone is working together to ensure a second term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"There is no infighting and my party workers have a lot of love and respect for me. They are supporting me in a big way and I am 100 per cent sure of winning with a bigger margin this time," she said.

Asked about her announcement, which she made after filing her nomination papers, that this election will be her last, Hema Malini said as of now, she was focussing on making the most of the next five years.

"We will talk about the future after five years. Let's see how much energy I will have left by then," she said.

Asked about the possibility of her family members campaigning for her, she said, "I can't say yet whether Dharamji will come. I wanted Esha to come but she is expecting a baby," she said.

Hema Malini had defeated RLD's sitting MP Jayant Chaudhary in 2014 by a huge margin of 3,30,743 votes in 2014.

This year, she is pitted against RLD's Kunwar Narendra Singh.

Voting will be held in Mathura in the second round of seven-phase Lok Sabha polls on April 18. Results will be announced on May 23.&nbsp;

Dubbed an "outsider" by the Opposition, BJP MP Hema Malini has said she has a "divine connection" with Mathura, the city of Lord Krishna, and has no intention of becoming a minister.

Dubbed an "outsider" by the Opposition, BJP MP Hema Malini has said she has a "divine connection" with Mathura, the city of Lord Krishna, and has no intention of becoming a minister. The actor-turned-politician, who has been fielded once again by the BJP from the Mathura constituency, filed her nomination papers for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections earlier this week. The 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) of Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal has said that Mathura will witness an "outsider vs Brijwasi" battle as Hema Malini lives in Mumbai. "Yes, I have a house in Mumbai. What is the problem with that? I have a house here also and I am a Virndavanwasi," Hema Malini told PTI in an exclusive interview. "I am so involved with the city and I feel some divine connection with this city. I have been playing Radha and Meera throughout my life and I was in a temple only when my candidature was announced," she said. The BJP MP said she also has to fulfil her professional commitments as an actor and a danseuse. "In the last five years I have come here more than 250 times. People should understand that I am not just an MP and I have to use my talent as an actor and a danseuse as well. There is no need for me to be here 24 hours. I come and get things done in 10 days," Hema Malini said. "I know that I can't satisfy the entire city, which is so huge, but I have done my work with utmost sincerity and will continue to do so in future as well," she said. Hema Malini said it pained her when people questioned her work in the last five years. "I really feel hurt when someone asks 'apne kya kaam kiya?' (what work did you do). The first two years were difficult as I could not communicate (with the people). But in the last two years I was able to get things done with the support of the Centre and the state government," she said. "Many projects have been sanctioned under Brij Teerth Vikas Parishad and I am working to revive the old heritage of Brij Mandal," she said, adding that she needed another five years for that. "This is why I have decided to stay back," she said. Despite being a star campaigner of the ruling BJP, the BJP MP said she was not eyeing a ministerial berth at the Centre and wants to focus on Mathura only. "I am not a hardcore politician and I want to limit myself to Mathura only. I am asked many times if I want to become a minister and it sounds so strange. Being a minister is a full-time responsibility," Hema Malini said. "Women ministers in Modiji's cabinet have done extremely well and I am proud of them, but this is not a competition," she said. Rejecting speculation about differences in the BJP's local unit, Hema Malini said everyone is working together to ensure a second term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "There is no infighting and my party workers have a lot of love and respect for me. They are supporting me in a big way and I am 100 per cent sure of winning with a bigger margin this time," she said. Asked about her announcement, which she made after filing her nomination papers, that this election will be her last, Hema Malini said as of now, she was focussing on making the most of the next five years. "We will talk about the future after five years. Let's see how much energy I will have left by then," she said. Asked about the possibility of her family members campaigning for her, she said, "I can't say yet whether Dharamji will come. I wanted Esha to come but she is expecting a baby," she said. Hema Malini had defeated RLD's sitting MP Jayant Chaudhary in 2014 by a huge margin of 3,30,743 votes in 2014. This year, she is pitted against RLD's Kunwar Narendra Singh. Voting will be held in Mathura in the second round of seven-phase Lok Sabha polls on April 18. Results will be announced on May 23.

I share 'divine connection' with Mathura: Hema Malini

IEW: Know Your Candidate: Who is Amit Shah?

IEW: Shatrughan Sinha to join Congress & contest from same constituency Patna Sahib

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday released its 12th <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-releases-first-list-of-182-candidates-for-lok-sabha-polls-modi-to-contest-from-varanasi-again-204704">list of candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls</a>. The list contains names of 11 candidates in Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.&nbsp;

The party has announced names of 367 candidates so far for the polls which will be held in seven phases starting April 11.&nbsp;

The list includes three candidates each from Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and one each from Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
BJP releases 12th list of 11 candidates in Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra &amp; Rajasthan for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/6GNeE0K0Ab">pic.twitter.com/6GNeE0K0Ab</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1111537516744724480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will contest from his home constituency Varanasi while Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will fight from Lucknow. Party chief Amit Shah will contest from Gandhinagar.&nbsp;

Textiles Minister Smriti Irani will challenge Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Gandhi-family bastion Amethi. &nbsp;

VK Singh (Ghaziabad), Hema Malini (Mathura), Sakshi Maharaj (Unnao) are some of the other prominent figures announced in the first list. &nbsp;

Jugal Kishore to contest from Jammu, Dr Jitendra Singh from Udhampur, Sofi Yousuf from Anantnag and Khalid Jehangir will contest from Srinagar.

Babul Supriyo will contest from Asanasol, Rahul Sinha from Kolkata North and CK Bose from Kolkata South.

Subhash Bhamre to contest from Dhule, Hansraj Ahir from Chandrapur, Poonam Mahajan from Mumbai North Central.

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday released its 12th list of candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. The list contains names of 11 candidates in Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday released its 12th list of candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. The list contains names of 11 candidates in Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The party has announced names of 367 candidates so far for the polls which will be held in seven phases starting April 11. The list includes three candidates each from Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and one each from Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir. BJP releases 12th list of 11 candidates in Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra & Rajasthan for #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/6GNeE0K0Ab — ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2019 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi will contest from his home constituency Varanasi while Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will fight from Lucknow. Party chief Amit Shah will contest from Gandhinagar. Textiles Minister Smriti Irani will challenge Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Gandhi-family bastion Amethi. VK Singh (Ghaziabad), Hema Malini (Mathura), Sakshi Maharaj (Unnao) are some of the other prominent figures announced in the first list. Jugal Kishore to contest from Jammu, Dr Jitendra Singh from Udhampur, Sofi Yousuf from Anantnag and Khalid Jehangir will contest from Srinagar. Babul Supriyo will contest from Asanasol, Rahul Sinha from Kolkata North and CK Bose from Kolkata South. Subhash Bhamre to contest from Dhule, Hansraj Ahir from Chandrapur, Poonam Mahajan from Mumbai North Central.

Lok Sabha polls: BJP releases 12th list of 11 candidates

Gravitas: PM Modi rallies in UP, Uttarakhand and J&K

JDS-Congress accuse BJP of using IT dept for political gain

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

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

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

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

It happens rarely that the best weapon in one’s arsenal turns into a strategic burden. Cow protection is being milked by BJP vigorously from 2014 onwards. Despite the violence in the name of cow, BJP could retain its support base for the first time. The saffron party was able to turn the cow into a symbol of political identity successfully.&nbsp;

Today, in 2019, stray cattle are very bane for BJP.&nbsp;

On my way to Amethi, I casually enquired from my driver about this issue, he replied,” Din mein gaari drive karen aur raat bhar khet mein gaiya hanke, to kaam kaise chalega.” The stray cattle problem is an open secret in Uttar Pradesh. Take the case of Kanha Gauvansh Vihar in Rai Bareilly. It has the capacity to house 150-200 animals but today it houses 480 stray cattle.&nbsp;

The facility belongs to a defunct government programme to raise jersey cows. Today, its job is to accommodate the cattle which roam free in the city and rural areas. One of the caretakers told WION that people sometimes bring personal animals and tie them to tree and leave, knowing well that they do not come under the category of stray cattle. As per the 2012 census of livestock, Uttar Pradesh accounted for more than 10 lakh stray cattle.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<img alt="Cattle" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e78030ff-8f4a-4911-8e8e-88085f568e47" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/cattle1.jpg" />

 
Ram Shabda, one the medical officer told WION that strays are a big problem in rural areas as they destroy crops. This battle between the bovine and human also had its funny moments. Irritated farmers in many places herded the cattle into primary schools creating a law and order situation.&nbsp;

Another example is of the newly made cattle shelter in Maharjganj. It is built next to a dumping ground. The view is mind-boggling. At one end, you see a brightly painted saffron building in the middle of the green field. When you go nearer, you realise that building has been erected adjacent to a dumping ground used for the city which looks like a sea of white in the middle of nowhere. If this does not shock you then the planning inside the building would.&nbsp; 
 
The cattle shit and piss at the same place where they are tied. On being asked why is this the case, the caretaker said that, ideally, the place should have had a slant so that we could have collected urine and cow dung for processing but now it cannot be done.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="Cattle" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="94d22363-3d67-46ef-a04e-aac55a743e6e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/cattle.jpg" /> 
 
This blows in the face of propaganda that cow dung and urine would be productively used to make medicines and agarbattis. Every enclosure has a segregated facility for bulls and cow. Most of the strays belong to the local breed which is unproductive, sick or not as productive as a farmer would like it to be.

What is surprising is that even Opposition in India has stayed away from the issue fearing backlash. Even in Madhya Pradesh, Congress, instead of tackling the issue of rural distress caused by the stray, spoke of building more shelters.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<img alt="Cattle" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9fdf8185-7f56-4d50-9549-4c30b163f13a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/cattle3.jpg" />

The issue of culling livestock remains tangled in the religious and political ego of the Hindu community. It has been strengthened by a belief that the cattle economy does not exist.

India still remains one of the biggest exporters of beef in the world. This schizophrenic approach to cattle economy instead of being resolved has become an issue of identity and other in India. It does not mean that the agrarian sector will boycott Modi as he still enjoys a high level of confidence but it can definitely spoil the party for BJP. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

It happens rarely that the best weapon in one’s arsenal turns into a strategic burden. Cow protection is being milked by BJP vigorously from 2014 onwards. Despite the violence in the name of cow, BJP could retain its support base for the first time.

It happens rarely that the best weapon in one’s arsenal turns into a strategic burden. Cow protection is being milked by BJP vigorously from 2014 onwards. Despite the violence in the name of cow, BJP could retain its support base for the first time. The saffron party was able to turn the cow into a symbol of political identity successfully. Today, in 2019, stray cattle are very bane for BJP. On my way to Amethi, I casually enquired from my driver about this issue, he replied,” Din mein gaari drive karen aur raat bhar khet mein gaiya hanke, to kaam kaise chalega.” The stray cattle problem is an open secret in Uttar Pradesh. Take the case of Kanha Gauvansh Vihar in Rai Bareilly. It has the capacity to house 150-200 animals but today it houses 480 stray cattle. The facility belongs to a defunct government programme to raise jersey cows. Today, its job is to accommodate the cattle which roam free in the city and rural areas. One of the caretakers told WION that people sometimes bring personal animals and tie them to tree and leave, knowing well that they do not come under the category of stray cattle. As per the 2012 census of livestock, Uttar Pradesh accounted for more than 10 lakh stray cattle. Ram Shabda, one the medical officer told WION that strays are a big problem in rural areas as they destroy crops. This battle between the bovine and human also had its funny moments. Irritated farmers in many places herded the cattle into primary schools creating a law and order situation. Another example is of the newly made cattle shelter in Maharjganj. It is built next to a dumping ground. The view is mind-boggling. At one end, you see a brightly painted saffron building in the middle of the green field. When you go nearer, you realise that building has been erected adjacent to a dumping ground used for the city which looks like a sea of white in the middle of nowhere. If this does not shock you then the planning inside the building would. The cattle shit and piss at the same place where they are tied. On being asked why is this the case, the caretaker said that, ideally, the place should have had a slant so that we could have collected urine and cow dung for processing but now it cannot be done. This blows in the face of propaganda that cow dung and urine would be productively used to make medicines and agarbattis. Every enclosure has a segregated facility for bulls and cow. Most of the strays belong to the local breed which is unproductive, sick or not as productive as a farmer would like it to be. What is surprising is that even Opposition in India has stayed away from the issue fearing backlash. Even in Madhya Pradesh, Congress, instead of tackling the issue of rural distress caused by the stray, spoke of building more shelters. The issue of culling livestock remains tangled in the religious and political ego of the Hindu community. It has been strengthened by a belief that the cattle economy does not exist. India still remains one of the biggest exporters of beef in the world. This schizophrenic approach to cattle economy instead of being resolved has become an issue of identity and other in India. It does not mean that the agrarian sector will boycott Modi as he still enjoys a high level of confidence but it can definitely spoil the party for BJP. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Blog: Is stray cattle the Achilles Heel of BJP in UP ahead of Lok Sabha elections?

Bjp, News on Bjp, stories on Bjp, articles on Bjp, Bjp stories at Wion, Bjp news, Bjp latest news