Ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the country would face a setback of 50 years if Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not return to power.

"If we are laid back and if you lose the momentum for having a strong good majority government, we will be facing a setback of 50 years at least," Sitharaman said while speaking at an informal interaction organised by Thinkers Forum in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Sitharaman added that India would be disfavouring first-time voters if the BJP's work is not recognised.

"And for those of us who were born in the 20th century, we will be doing a disservice to those who will be voting for the first time. Are we going to do disfavour for the youth of this country by bringing back forces that have absolutely no delectation to this country and dedication to clean politics and dedication to putting the nation before themselves?" she asked.

Lauding Prime Minister Modi, the Defence Minister said, "In the history of any nation, it's not very often that you get a leadership like what you have got know."

She claimed that there was not even a whisper of corruption from 2014-2019.

"Last five years have been intense working. You see the Prime Minister without a day's break working and all of us from our ministries being pulled up and inspired. One very obvious and noteworthy difference between the previous and current government is that there was not a whisper of corruption under Modi ji's tenure. So that's why the Congress president (Rahul Gandhi) probably feels the need to point out or pick issues," she said.

Stating that the 2019 Lok Sabha elections were essential for India, she said, "2019 elections to the Lok Sabha is certainly not just any other election. And in this election, we really cannot take it lightly. We each will have to be a campaigner. We have to do 10 times more than what we have done in 2013-14. The BJP will fight an election. Particularly, under the leadership of Modi ji, we will definitely give a very good fight and win."

Sitharaman also said that the opposition's allegations were not based on facts and they could stoop to any level to levy allegations on the BJP government.

"All facts checked, it is true that between 2014 and today vis-a-vis 2004 and 2013, except for Kashmir, has there been any terrorist/minor bomb attack anywhere else in the country? Let's talk on facts. Opposition allegations are not based on facts and they could stoop to any level to make allegations."

"There could have been truth in the allegations that India would run out of ammunition if there was a continuous war for 10 days. But in the last five years, things have changed. The problems of the defence sector were so severe that the forces did not have bulletproof jackets, ammunition for tankers and technology upgradation for the Air Force. For the first two years, Mr Manohar Parrikar spent time understanding the problems of the forces. Next, Mr Arun Jaitley prepared a report on that. After I took over, I could take it forward, as the report was ready."

Responding to a question on the dastardly Pulwama terror attack, Sitharaman said that the anger, disappointment and the emotions of the people to strike back are well absorbed by the government and the Prime Minister.

"Pakistan is the fountainhead of terrorism not just against India but many parts of the globe. Pakistan feels very much under stress since it had been economically isolated by the world community. More can be done on this front," she said.

Attacking Congress President Rahul Gandhi over the Rafale deal, Sitharaman said that during 10 years of UPA rule, not even a single aircraft was added to the Air Force, and added that during Prime Minister Modi's tenure, a due process was followed and all the details were given to the Supreme Court and Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) regarding the Rafale deal. "September 19 your first Rafale is coming into this country," said Sitharaman.&nbsp;

Ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the country would face a setback of 50 years if Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not return to power.

Ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the country would face a setback of 50 years if Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not return to power. "If we are laid back and if you lose the momentum for having a strong good majority government, we will be facing a setback of 50 years at least," Sitharaman said while speaking at an informal interaction organised by Thinkers Forum in Bengaluru on Sunday. Sitharaman added that India would be disfavouring first-time voters if the BJP's work is not recognised. "And for those of us who were born in the 20th century, we will be doing a disservice to those who will be voting for the first time. Are we going to do disfavour for the youth of this country by bringing back forces that have absolutely no delectation to this country and dedication to clean politics and dedication to putting the nation before themselves?" she asked. Lauding Prime Minister Modi, the Defence Minister said, "In the history of any nation, it's not very often that you get a leadership like what you have got know." She claimed that there was not even a whisper of corruption from 2014-2019. "Last five years have been intense working. You see the Prime Minister without a day's break working and all of us from our ministries being pulled up and inspired. One very obvious and noteworthy difference between the previous and current government is that there was not a whisper of corruption under Modi ji's tenure. So that's why the Congress president (Rahul Gandhi) probably feels the need to point out or pick issues," she said. Stating that the 2019 Lok Sabha elections were essential for India, she said, "2019 elections to the Lok Sabha is certainly not just any other election. And in this election, we really cannot take it lightly. We each will have to be a campaigner. We have to do 10 times more than what we have done in 2013-14. The BJP will fight an election. Particularly, under the leadership of Modi ji, we will definitely give a very good fight and win." Sitharaman also said that the opposition's allegations were not based on facts and they could stoop to any level to levy allegations on the BJP government. "All facts checked, it is true that between 2014 and today vis-a-vis 2004 and 2013, except for Kashmir, has there been any terrorist/minor bomb attack anywhere else in the country? Let's talk on facts. Opposition allegations are not based on facts and they could stoop to any level to make allegations." "There could have been truth in the allegations that India would run out of ammunition if there was a continuous war for 10 days. But in the last five years, things have changed. The problems of the defence sector were so severe that the forces did not have bulletproof jackets, ammunition for tankers and technology upgradation for the Air Force. For the first two years, Mr Manohar Parrikar spent time understanding the problems of the forces. Next, Mr Arun Jaitley prepared a report on that. After I took over, I could take it forward, as the report was ready." Responding to a question on the dastardly Pulwama terror attack, Sitharaman said that the anger, disappointment and the emotions of the people to strike back are well absorbed by the government and the Prime Minister. "Pakistan is the fountainhead of terrorism not just against India but many parts of the globe. Pakistan feels very much under stress since it had been economically isolated by the world community. More can be done on this front," she said. Attacking Congress President Rahul Gandhi over the Rafale deal, Sitharaman said that during 10 years of UPA rule, not even a single aircraft was added to the Air Force, and added that during Prime Minister Modi's tenure, a due process was followed and all the details were given to the Supreme Court and Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) regarding the Rafale deal. "September 19 your first Rafale is coming into this country," said Sitharaman.

Country will face setback of 50 years if Modi not voted to power: Sitharaman

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Saturday appealed to the leaders and office-bearers of his party to ensure the victory of BJP-Sena alliance in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Thackeray held a meeting of party MPs, district and taluka chiefs at the party headquarters to devise a strategy for the polls. It was the first meeting after a decision was taken to join hands with the BJP for the Lok Sabha and state assembly polls.

The directives assume significance as a section of grassroots party workers are not happy with his decision to ally with the BJP.

Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe said, "Uddhav ji believes in a two-way approach towards party workers. He gives them guidance and takes their advice."

He said Thackeray was conducting meetings at various levels, to clear doubts and answer queries of grassroots workers regarding the alliance.

Meanwhile, another Sena leader quoted Thackeray as saying the Sena-BJP alliance's victory was very important for the country and all party workers should strive hard for it.

He also said efforts should be made at the local level to pave the way for the alliance's victory.&nbsp;

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Saturday appealed to the leaders and office-bearers of his party to ensure the victory of BJP-Sena alliance in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Saturday appealed to the leaders and office-bearers of his party to ensure the victory of BJP-Sena alliance in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. Thackeray held a meeting of party MPs, district and taluka chiefs at the party headquarters to devise a strategy for the polls. It was the first meeting after a decision was taken to join hands with the BJP for the Lok Sabha and state assembly polls. The directives assume significance as a section of grassroots party workers are not happy with his decision to ally with the BJP. Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe said, "Uddhav ji believes in a two-way approach towards party workers. He gives them guidance and takes their advice." He said Thackeray was conducting meetings at various levels, to clear doubts and answer queries of grassroots workers regarding the alliance. Meanwhile, another Sena leader quoted Thackeray as saying the Sena-BJP alliance's victory was very important for the country and all party workers should strive hard for it. He also said efforts should be made at the local level to pave the way for the alliance's victory.

Uddhav Thackeray asks party workers to ensure BJP-Sena victory

TRS MP K Kavitha has said regional parties would play a greater role in the general elections and it was time for a federal front to come to power, as the BJP and the Congress "got ample opportunities but did not fulfil their promises".

Interacting Saturday with the media at a programme -- 'meet the press' -- organised by the Press Club of Thiruvananthapuram, she said her party has had discussions with several regional parties and the BJP and the Congress need to be rooted out.

"The two parties got ample opportunities and they have not fulfilled their promises. How can they ask for votes?" said Kavitha, daughter of TRS supremo and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.

She said the fundamental agenda of the alliance of regional parties would be not to tie up either with the BJP or the Congress.

"Regional parties will play a greater role in this election. While playing that role, we want to make sure that the BJP and the Congress are kept away from power. It's high time as we have given them ample opportunity. It's time for someone else to take charge," she said.

The Nizamabad Lok Sabha MP said, "We want to make sure that a non-BJP, non-Congress alliance comes to power in this country. We will work very hard for that. We have already began the work."

Kavitha opined the proposed alliance of regional parties should not be called a 'third front', but a 'federal front'.

"Because you never know, we might surprise you and emerge as the 'first front'."&nbsp;

She said states should have more freedom to decide on various important issues like reservation, education and health.&nbsp;

"So, we call this a federal front and we are working with like-minded parties. Many parties are on board. We are overtly and covertly working with various parties. Once the elections are over, you will see what shape the Federal front is going to take," she said.

"The front will be driven by an agenda to make sure that the nation makes progress."&nbsp;

She lashed out at the Narendra Modi-led NDA government alleging it failed to fulfil the promises made to the people of the country. 
Kavitha also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion that his government has ensured power supply to 18,000 villages where there was no electricity before 2014.

"I always hear the same number of (18,000) for last five years. So I don't know how many villages got power in last five years. This rhetoric won't work," she said.

She said promises made by political parties during election campaigns should be fulfilled.

"Modiji...Came to power and made a promise that 33 per cent women reservation bill would be taken up. Five full years have passed. The BJP government was in full majority and they have comfortable majority in Rajya Sabha as well.&nbsp;

"Why have they (BJP) not introduced the bill? Should not the women of the country question them? Should not be a political party be held accountable for the promises made? We (TRS) have fulfilled our promises," she said.&nbsp;

She said the BJP and Congress ruled this country for 75 years and asked, "how many opportunities have they missed". "I think it's time for a change and for a new leadership to take charge."

She was also critical of the current reservation policy of the country.

"Each state has got a different demography. How can the same reservation policy be effective for all the states...States should be given more freedom to decide on these matters.&nbsp;

"The states are more informed about these issues. The Centre should be focusing more on foreign policy and international issues, monetary issues, internal security," she said.

She praised the Kudumbashree project of the Kerala government and said her party was "very impressed" by it.

"We have discussed at length the project Kudumbashree as we are very fond of it. We are very impressed with how the women are empowered in Kerala.

We are now going to start one food processing industry in every constituency of Telangana. The self-help group of women will be involved in the project," she said.&nbsp;

TRS MP K Kavitha has said regional parties would play a greater role in the general elections and it was time for a federal front to come to power, as the BJP and the Congress "got ample opportunities but did not fulfil their promises".

TRS MP K Kavitha has said regional parties would play a greater role in the general elections and it was time for a federal front to come to power, as the BJP and the Congress "got ample opportunities but did not fulfil their promises". Interacting Saturday with the media at a programme -- 'meet the press' -- organised by the Press Club of Thiruvananthapuram, she said her party has had discussions with several regional parties and the BJP and the Congress need to be rooted out. "The two parties got ample opportunities and they have not fulfilled their promises. How can they ask for votes?" said Kavitha, daughter of TRS supremo and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. She said the fundamental agenda of the alliance of regional parties would be not to tie up either with the BJP or the Congress. "Regional parties will play a greater role in this election. While playing that role, we want to make sure that the BJP and the Congress are kept away from power. It's high time as we have given them ample opportunity. It's time for someone else to take charge," she said. The Nizamabad Lok Sabha MP said, "We want to make sure that a non-BJP, non-Congress alliance comes to power in this country. We will work very hard for that. We have already began the work." Kavitha opined the proposed alliance of regional parties should not be called a 'third front', but a 'federal front'. "Because you never know, we might surprise you and emerge as the 'first front'." She said states should have more freedom to decide on various important issues like reservation, education and health. "So, we call this a federal front and we are working with like-minded parties. Many parties are on board. We are overtly and covertly working with various parties. Once the elections are over, you will see what shape the Federal front is going to take," she said. "The front will be driven by an agenda to make sure that the nation makes progress." She lashed out at the Narendra Modi-led NDA government alleging it failed to fulfil the promises made to the people of the country. Kavitha also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion that his government has ensured power supply to 18,000 villages where there was no electricity before 2014. "I always hear the same number of (18,000) for last five years. So I don't know how many villages got power in last five years. This rhetoric won't work," she said. She said promises made by political parties during election campaigns should be fulfilled. "Modiji...Came to power and made a promise that 33 per cent women reservation bill would be taken up. Five full years have passed. The BJP government was in full majority and they have comfortable majority in Rajya Sabha as well. "Why have they (BJP) not introduced the bill? Should not the women of the country question them? Should not be a political party be held accountable for the promises made? We (TRS) have fulfilled our promises," she said. She said the BJP and Congress ruled this country for 75 years and asked, "how many opportunities have they missed". "I think it's time for a change and for a new leadership to take charge." She was also critical of the current reservation policy of the country. "Each state has got a different demography. How can the same reservation policy be effective for all the states...States should be given more freedom to decide on these matters. "The states are more informed about these issues. The Centre should be focusing more on foreign policy and international issues, monetary issues, internal security," she said. She praised the Kudumbashree project of the Kerala government and said her party was "very impressed" by it. "We have discussed at length the project Kudumbashree as we are very fond of it. We are very impressed with how the women are empowered in Kerala. We are now going to start one food processing industry in every constituency of Telangana. The self-help group of women will be involved in the project," she said.

Regional parties to play greater role, BJP & Congress won't come to power: TRS MP K Kavitha

The BJP state unit Friday announced that the party would contest the Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram and also the Assembly by-election.

Mizoram has only one Lok Sabha seat. By-election to the Aizawl West-I Assembly seat is most likely to be held simultaneously with the parliamentary polls.

A press statement issued by the state BJP unit said that the meeting of the office bearers of the BJP Mizoram Pradesh, chaired by state unit president Prof John V Hluna took the decision on Friday.

"The names of the candidates for both the polls would be announced after the search committee, which will be constituted soon, makes its recommendations," the statement said.

The BJP state unit Friday announced that the party would contest the Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram and also the Assembly by-election. Mizoram has only one Lok Sabha seat.

The BJP state unit Friday announced that the party would contest the Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram and also the Assembly by-election. Mizoram has only one Lok Sabha seat. By-election to the Aizawl West-I Assembly seat is most likely to be held simultaneously with the parliamentary polls. A press statement issued by the state BJP unit said that the meeting of the office bearers of the BJP Mizoram Pradesh, chaired by state unit president Prof John V Hluna took the decision on Friday. "The names of the candidates for both the polls would be announced after the search committee, which will be constituted soon, makes its recommendations," the statement said.

BJP to contest Mizoram Lok Sabha seat: Party state unit

Lt Gen (retd) D S Hooda, who was the commanding officer during the 2016 surgical strike, has denied reports of having joined the Indian National Congress.

“I have not joined the Congress party”, Hooda told ANI when asked whether he had joined Congress party, which has asked him to prepare a report on national security.

Hooda was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command during the terror attack on Uri Army camp and the subsequent surgical strike in September 2016.

The&nbsp;Congress&nbsp;has on Thursday roped in Hooda to prepare a "vision document" for the country's security, more than two months after the former Army Commander said the surgical strike was "overhyped and politicised".

"The&nbsp;Congress&nbsp;President (Rahul Gandhi) is setting up a Task Force on National Security to prepare a&nbsp;vision&nbsp;paper for the country,"' the Opposition party said in a statement here.

It added that&nbsp;Hooda&nbsp;will lead the Task Force and prepare the paper in consultation with a select group of experts.

Hooda, who had overseen the surgical strike of September 2016 on terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, retired from service in November 2016.

In December, he had triggered a controversy by saying that the&nbsp;surgical strike was “overhyped and&nbsp;politicised.”&nbsp;

“The military operation was important and we had to do it. Now how much should it have been politicised, whether it is right or wrong is something that should be asked to politicians,” he had said.

“I do think that there was too much hype over it,”&nbsp;Hooda&nbsp;had said.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had later dismissed&nbsp;Hooda’s remarks as an “individual person’s perception.”&nbsp;

Lt Gen (retd) D S Hooda, who was the commanding officer during the 2016 surgical strike, has denied reports of having joined the Indian National Congress. “I have not joined the Congress party”, Hooda told ANI when asked whether he had joined Congress party, which has asked him to prepare a report on national security.

Lt Gen (retd) D S Hooda, who was the commanding officer during the 2016 surgical strike, has denied reports of having joined the Indian National Congress. “I have not joined the Congress party”, Hooda told ANI when asked whether he had joined Congress party, which has asked him to prepare a report on national security. Hooda was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command during the terror attack on Uri Army camp and the subsequent surgical strike in September 2016. The Congress has on Thursday roped in Hooda to prepare a "vision document" for the country's security, more than two months after the former Army Commander said the surgical strike was "overhyped and politicised". "The Congress President (Rahul Gandhi) is setting up a Task Force on National Security to prepare a vision paper for the country,"' the Opposition party said in a statement here. It added that Hooda will lead the Task Force and prepare the paper in consultation with a select group of experts. Hooda, who had overseen the surgical strike of September 2016 on terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, retired from service in November 2016. In December, he had triggered a controversy by saying that the surgical strike was “overhyped and politicised.” “The military operation was important and we had to do it. Now how much should it have been politicised, whether it is right or wrong is something that should be asked to politicians,” he had said. “I do think that there was too much hype over it,” Hooda had said. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had later dismissed Hooda’s remarks as an “individual person’s perception.”

Have not joined Congress: Lt Gen DS Hooda clarifies

A crucial meeting of opposition parties on the Common Minimum Programme - a collective strategy to fight the BJP across the country in the upcoming 2019 polls - will be held on February 27 in New Delhi, sources said Friday.&nbsp;

The decision to formulate a common strategy was devised in a February 13 meeting of leaders of six major opposition parties, including the Congress, after which it was announced that there will be a pre-poll alliance and a Common Minimum Programme&nbsp;(CMP)&nbsp;for the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2019-bjp-to-contest-25-seats-shiv-sena-23-in-alliance-in-maharashtra-198153"> Lok Sabha polls.</a>

The meet was attended by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Aam Aadmi Party Chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, NCP president Sharad Pawar, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah and others.

The Left parties, which have decided not to go in for any pre-poll alliances, are not likely to be part of the meeting, sources said. 
&nbsp;

A crucial meeting of opposition parties on the Common Minimum Programme - a collective strategy to fight the BJP across the country in the upcoming 2019 polls - will be held on February 27 in New Delhi, sources said Friday.

A crucial meeting of opposition parties on the Common Minimum Programme - a collective strategy to fight the BJP across the country in the upcoming 2019 polls - will be held on February 27 in New Delhi, sources said Friday. The decision to formulate a common strategy was devised in a February 13 meeting of leaders of six major opposition parties, including the Congress, after which it was announced that there will be a pre-poll alliance and a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) for the Lok Sabha polls. The meet was attended by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Aam Aadmi Party Chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, NCP president Sharad Pawar, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah and others. The Left parties, which have decided not to go in for any pre-poll alliances, are not likely to be part of the meeting, sources said.

Crucial opposition meet on February 27 to decide strategy for Lok Sabha polls

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said Tuesday evening that he <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2019-bjp-to-contest-25-seats-shiv-sena-23-in-alliance-in-maharashtra-198153">decided to join hands with the BJP</a> because of the saffron party's changed way of dealing with its allies.

Thackeray was speaking to Sena workers at his residence here.

On Monday, Shiv Sena and BJP, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-mad-murderer-yogi-adityanath-hypocrite-shiv-sena-139795">the sparring ruling allies</a>, announced that they would contest the coming Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections together.

"I experienced the change in the way they treat people, hence I decided to join hands with the BJP," Thackeray said.

He also reiterated that the BJP's proposal that the chief minister will be from the party which will send more MLAs to the Assembly was not acceptable to the Sena.

"I want to see a Sena chief minister and I will work for it," he said.

"I have already won in the treaty, now we should win the real battle of the election," Thackeray said.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said Tuesday evening that he decided to join hands with the BJP because of the saffron party's changed way of dealing with its allies.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said Tuesday evening that he decided to join hands with the BJP because of the saffron party's changed way of dealing with its allies. Thackeray was speaking to Sena workers at his residence here. On Monday, Shiv Sena and BJP, the sparring ruling allies, announced that they would contest the coming Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections together. "I experienced the change in the way they treat people, hence I decided to join hands with the BJP," Thackeray said. He also reiterated that the BJP's proposal that the chief minister will be from the party which will send more MLAs to the Assembly was not acceptable to the Sena. "I want to see a Sena chief minister and I will work for it," he said. "I have already won in the treaty, now we should win the real battle of the election," Thackeray said.

Agreed to alliance as BJP's way of treating allies has changed: Uddhav Thackeray

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/trump-says-pulwama-attack-a-horrible-situation-198413">Trump says Pulwama attack a 'horrible situation'</a>

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday described as a "horrible situation" the Pulwama terrorist attack by the Jaish-e-Mohammed group, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed, saying he was getting reports on it and would issue a statement.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unleashing-the-power-of-south-asia-at-wion-conclave-today-in-dubai-thought-leaders-to-discuss-way-forward-for-the-region-198427">Unleashing the Power of South Asia: At WION conclave today in Dubai, thought leaders to discuss </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unleashing-the-power-of-south-asia-at-wion-conclave-today-in-dubai-thought-leaders-to-discuss-way-forward-for-the-region-198427">way</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unleashing-the-power-of-south-asia-at-wion-conclave-today-in-dubai-thought-leaders-to-discuss-way-forward-for-the-region-198427"> forward for the region</a>

WION is holding its 'Unleashing the Power of South Asia' conclave today in Dubai, the UAE. &nbsp;

The summit will bring together thought leaders from around the world to find common ground on the way forward for the South Asian region.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-urges-india-pakistan-to-take-immediate-steps-to-defuse-tensions-198397">UN Secretary-General Guterres urges India, Pakistan to defuse tension, offers to broker peace</a>

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on India and Pakistan to take immediate steps to defuse tensions and offered to help broker a solution if both sides agree.

The two countries have been locked in a diplomatic clash following a suicide attack on February 14 in Kashmir that killed 40 Indian security personnel, triggering counter-operations by Indian forces in the area.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-urges-india-pakistan-to-take-immediate-steps-to-defuse-tensions-198397">Britain to strip teen who joined Islamic State of citizenship: Lawyer</a>

Britain will strip citizenship from Shamima Begum, a UK teenager who joined the Islamic State group in Syria and wants to return home with a newborn baby, a lawyer for her family said Tuesday.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agreed-for-alliance-as-bjps-way-of-treating-allies-has-changed-uddhav-thackeray-198407">Agreed to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agreed-for-alliance-as-bjps-way-of-treating-allies-has-changed-uddhav-thackeray-198407">alliance</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agreed-for-alliance-as-bjps-way-of-treating-allies-has-changed-uddhav-thackeray-198407"> as BJP's way of treating allies has changed: Uddhav Thackeray</a>

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said Tuesday evening that he decided to join hands with the BJP because of the saffron party's changed way of dealing with its allies.

Thackeray was speaking to Sena workers at his residence here.

Trump says Pulwama attack a 'horrible situation' US President Donald Trump on Tuesday described as a "horrible situation" the Pulwama terrorist attack by the Jaish-e-Mohammed group, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed, saying he was getting reports on it and would issue a statement.

Trump says Pulwama attack a 'horrible situation' US President Donald Trump on Tuesday described as a "horrible situation" the Pulwama terrorist attack by the Jaish-e-Mohammed group, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed, saying he was getting reports on it and would issue a statement. Unleashing the Power of South Asia: At WION conclave today in Dubai, thought leaders to discuss way forward for the region WION is holding its 'Unleashing the Power of South Asia' conclave today in Dubai, the UAE. The summit will bring together thought leaders from around the world to find common ground on the way forward for the South Asian region. UN Secretary-General Guterres urges India, Pakistan to defuse tension, offers to broker peace UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on India and Pakistan to take immediate steps to defuse tensions and offered to help broker a solution if both sides agree. The two countries have been locked in a diplomatic clash following a suicide attack on February 14 in Kashmir that killed 40 Indian security personnel, triggering counter-operations by Indian forces in the area. Britain to strip teen who joined Islamic State of citizenship: Lawyer Britain will strip citizenship from Shamima Begum, a UK teenager who joined the Islamic State group in Syria and wants to return home with a newborn baby, a lawyer for her family said Tuesday. Agreed to alliance as BJP's way of treating allies has changed: Uddhav Thackeray Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said Tuesday evening that he decided to join hands with the BJP because of the saffron party's changed way of dealing with its allies. Thackeray was speaking to Sena workers at his residence here.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Watch: WION Gravitas, February 19th, 2019

India: AIDMK finalises alliance with BJP

Ending weeks of speculation, Tamil Nadu's ruling party the AIADMK made two important alliance announcements in a day, &nbsp;offering 7 Lok Sabha seats and 1 Rajya Sabha seat to the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and 5 Lok Sabha seats to the BJP.

The first announcement of 8 seats to the PMK came earlier in the day, after negotiations between the Aiadmk and PMK top brass, at a star hotel in Chennai. PMK gains electoral significance due to their strong Vanniyar vote bank in certain pockets of the state. In the past elections, they secured a 10-25% vote share in their strongholds.

It was expected that BJP President Amit Shah would visit Chennai today to firm up and make an announcement regarding the alliance. However, it was Union Minister Piyush Goyal would fly down to Chennai for the task. Piyush Goyal also made a visit to Chennai on 14th February to hold the initial round of talks.

Of the 40 seats spread across Tamil Nadu and &nbsp;Pondicherry, the AIADMK has offered 12 seats to its allies. Besides the BJP and PMK, the Aiadmk was said to be in talks with the DMDK, TMC and other smaller outfits. Which means that the AIADMK could part with a few more seats before finalizing their front.

The DMK was the party from Tamil Nadu to make the first move and express support for the Congress. However, talks are still said to be underway between the DMK and Congress, and no official announcement of their alliance has been made yet. Other parties such as the CPI, CPI(M), MDMK and VCK are also said to be inclined towards the DMK-Congress alliance.

Given that the AIADMK has made their announcement, it would be safe to say that the DMK alliance announcement will not be prolonged. Tamil Nadu will not witness the campaigns of veteran leaders such as Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa, but an interesting election season awaits as the BJP makes attempts to foray into the heartland of Dravidian politics.

Ending weeks of speculation, Tamil Nadu's ruling party the AIADMK made two important alliance announcements in a day, offering 7 Lok Sabha seats and 1 Rajya Sabha seat to the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and 5 Lok Sabha seats to the BJP.

Ending weeks of speculation, Tamil Nadu's ruling party the AIADMK made two important alliance announcements in a day, offering 7 Lok Sabha seats and 1 Rajya Sabha seat to the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and 5 Lok Sabha seats to the BJP. The first announcement of 8 seats to the PMK came earlier in the day, after negotiations between the Aiadmk and PMK top brass, at a star hotel in Chennai. PMK gains electoral significance due to their strong Vanniyar vote bank in certain pockets of the state. In the past elections, they secured a 10-25% vote share in their strongholds. It was expected that BJP President Amit Shah would visit Chennai today to firm up and make an announcement regarding the alliance. However, it was Union Minister Piyush Goyal would fly down to Chennai for the task. Piyush Goyal also made a visit to Chennai on 14th February to hold the initial round of talks. Of the 40 seats spread across Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, the AIADMK has offered 12 seats to its allies. Besides the BJP and PMK, the Aiadmk was said to be in talks with the DMDK, TMC and other smaller outfits. Which means that the AIADMK could part with a few more seats before finalizing their front. The DMK was the party from Tamil Nadu to make the first move and express support for the Congress. However, talks are still said to be underway between the DMK and Congress, and no official announcement of their alliance has been made yet. Other parties such as the CPI, CPI(M), MDMK and VCK are also said to be inclined towards the DMK-Congress alliance. Given that the AIADMK has made their announcement, it would be safe to say that the DMK alliance announcement will not be prolonged. Tamil Nadu will not witness the campaigns of veteran leaders such as Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa, but an interesting election season awaits as the BJP makes attempts to foray into the heartland of Dravidian politics.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: After weeks of speculation, AIADMK announces alliance with BJP and PMK

Does it make sense for India to get words of help from a superpower called the United States of America that no longer behaves like one? Does it make sense for India to have hostile neighbours when it has the world's fastest-growing major economy? Should it do something that could exacerbate tensions that affects the mood of investors?&nbsp;

Tough challenges face Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence after last week's horrendous car bomb attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists on a convoy of Central Reserve Police Force jawans at Pulwama in Kashmir, in which at least 40 men were martyred.

It is fine to light candles to mourn the victims and cry out in outrage against Pakistan's help for jihadi terror groups on its soil, and fine for the Army to carry out retaliatory operations as it happened in the aftermath of the attack. But one harsh reality remains: the world has changed so much, that a painstakingly built-up diplomatic advantage that India had in cornering Pakistan after the 9/11 attacks in New York by Al Qaeda in 2001 and then the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai in 2008 has been considerably eroded by the flow of events since then.

What this means is that even as India reserves the right to secure its territory from attackers and terrorists, it is a lonely game in which it has to walk diplomatic tightropes all around.

Pakistan is neither the failed state it is often painted to be, nor isolated in the international community. While Indians lit candles to mourn dead jawans, Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad was playing chauffeur to Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman, whose team pledged $20 billion investments into Pakistan - and that is about Rs 140,000 crore! Contrast that with the fact that the annual export from Pakistan to India affected by New Delhi withdrawing the Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan is less than $ 0.5 billion.

China, which has rejected India's attempts at the United Nations to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist despite overwhelming evidence is clearly not helping India in containing terrorism. Please also recall that Pakistan's then army chief and later miltary dictator Pervez Musharraf was in Beijing when the Kargil war broke out in 1999 - under his supervision.

Last month, Pakistan and China decided to widen the scope of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), including expansion of activities in the Gwadar Port in Balochistan. CPEC passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and involves investments estimated at $62 billion - and that is worth about Rs 440,000 crore! The Chinese dragon won't spew that kind of money without a quid-pro-quo. Beijing's mandarins now have a clear access to the Arabian Sea through Pakistan.

All this is happening while the US is busy pulling its troops out of Afghanistan.&nbsp;

India now has to deal with a new geopolitical reality in which Washington is less interested in policing the planet while China is helping Pakistan. Some of that Saudi money coming into Pakistan may well trickle towards jihadi groups. Islamabad is cleverly hedging its bets by keeping both the Saudis and the Chinese happy. Failed state, did someone say?&nbsp;

Meanwhile, as India warms up to Iran, Saudi Arabia is slamming Tehran for blaming it for an attack last week that killed 27 members of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard. Tehran, after blaming the Saudis, now blames Pakistan. It is all very messy but it is vital to note the attack took place on the Iranian side of Balochistan.

Officially, everybody condemns terrorism but ground realities are different.

India now has the lever of trade to tackle Beijing. China is the leading maker or exporter of smartphones sold in India and its investors are hot in India's digital economy. The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek a ban on Chinese companies in India. India imported Chinese goods worth $68 billion in 2017 and its exports to China was about $16 billion.&nbsp;

India's best bet could stem from the fact that the US and China are also in the middle of a trade war while Beijing badly needs help to boost its sagging economy. But India also gets investments into India from China, with billion-dollar-valuation startups like PayTm gaining significantly. It is a complicated chessboard, but trade seems to be the best lever India can use to make China see reason.&nbsp;

Indians lighting candles for Pulwama victims may well pause a moment to think of the dragon in the neighbourhood. The government could do with some help.

 
(This article was originally published on Zee News. Read the <a href="https://zeenews.india.com/blogs/lonely-after-pulwama-indias-diplomatic-challenge-as-saudi-arabia-and-china-embrace-pakistan-2181690.html">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
&nbsp;

Does it make sense for India to get words of help from a superpower called the United States of America that no longer behaves like one? Does it make sense for India to have hostile neighbours when it has the world's fastest-growing major economy?

Does it make sense for India to get words of help from a superpower called the United States of America that no longer behaves like one? Does it make sense for India to have hostile neighbours when it has the world's fastest-growing major economy? Should it do something that could exacerbate tensions that affects the mood of investors? Tough challenges face Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence after last week's horrendous car bomb attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists on a convoy of Central Reserve Police Force jawans at Pulwama in Kashmir, in which at least 40 men were martyred. It is fine to light candles to mourn the victims and cry out in outrage against Pakistan's help for jihadi terror groups on its soil, and fine for the Army to carry out retaliatory operations as it happened in the aftermath of the attack. But one harsh reality remains: the world has changed so much, that a painstakingly built-up diplomatic advantage that India had in cornering Pakistan after the 9/11 attacks in New York by Al Qaeda in 2001 and then the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai in 2008 has been considerably eroded by the flow of events since then. What this means is that even as India reserves the right to secure its territory from attackers and terrorists, it is a lonely game in which it has to walk diplomatic tightropes all around. Pakistan is neither the failed state it is often painted to be, nor isolated in the international community. While Indians lit candles to mourn dead jawans, Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad was playing chauffeur to Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman, whose team pledged $20 billion investments into Pakistan - and that is about Rs 140,000 crore! Contrast that with the fact that the annual export from Pakistan to India affected by New Delhi withdrawing the Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan is less than $ 0.5 billion. China, which has rejected India's attempts at the United Nations to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist despite overwhelming evidence is clearly not helping India in containing terrorism. Please also recall that Pakistan's then army chief and later miltary dictator Pervez Musharraf was in Beijing when the Kargil war broke out in 1999 - under his supervision. Last month, Pakistan and China decided to widen the scope of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), including expansion of activities in the Gwadar Port in Balochistan. CPEC passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and involves investments estimated at $62 billion - and that is worth about Rs 440,000 crore! The Chinese dragon won't spew that kind of money without a quid-pro-quo. Beijing's mandarins now have a clear access to the Arabian Sea through Pakistan. All this is happening while the US is busy pulling its troops out of Afghanistan. India now has to deal with a new geopolitical reality in which Washington is less interested in policing the planet while China is helping Pakistan. Some of that Saudi money coming into Pakistan may well trickle towards jihadi groups. Islamabad is cleverly hedging its bets by keeping both the Saudis and the Chinese happy. Failed state, did someone say? Meanwhile, as India warms up to Iran, Saudi Arabia is slamming Tehran for blaming it for an attack last week that killed 27 members of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard. Tehran, after blaming the Saudis, now blames Pakistan. It is all very messy but it is vital to note the attack took place on the Iranian side of Balochistan. Officially, everybody condemns terrorism but ground realities are different. India now has the lever of trade to tackle Beijing. China is the leading maker or exporter of smartphones sold in India and its investors are hot in India's digital economy. The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek a ban on Chinese companies in India. India imported Chinese goods worth $68 billion in 2017 and its exports to China was about $16 billion. India's best bet could stem from the fact that the US and China are also in the middle of a trade war while Beijing badly needs help to boost its sagging economy. But India also gets investments into India from China, with billion-dollar-valuation startups like PayTm gaining significantly. It is a complicated chessboard, but trade seems to be the best lever India can use to make China see reason. Indians lighting candles for Pulwama victims may well pause a moment to think of the dragon in the neighbourhood. The government could do with some help. (This article was originally published on Zee News. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

India faces diplomatic challenge as Saudi Arabia and China embrace Pakistan

The Bharatiya Janata Party has called for a countrywide protest, on Sunday to condemn the Pulwama terror attack, and condolence meetings for the victims at various district headquarters, a senior party leader said.

"According to instructions from the party`s national president, all party workers will on February 17 participate in the event that will be held in a public place and offer their respects to the slain soldiers. Party workers will also resolve to take a pledge for a decisive battle against terrorism. All elected representatives and office-bearers will take part in the programme," a communique issued by the BJP`s media cell said.

Prominent intellectuals and other dignitaries should also be present at the function, according to the party`s media head Anil Baluni.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised a befitting reply to those involved in the heinous terror attack in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed into a CRPF convoy.

The party president Amit Shah has also decried the cowardly attack and asked party workers to extend solidarity to the families of the slain soldiers.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has called for a countrywide protest, on Sunday to condemn the Pulwama terror attack, and condolence meetings for the victims at various district headquarters, a senior party leader said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has called for a countrywide protest, on Sunday to condemn the Pulwama terror attack, and condolence meetings for the victims at various district headquarters, a senior party leader said. "According to instructions from the party`s national president, all party workers will on February 17 participate in the event that will be held in a public place and offer their respects to the slain soldiers. Party workers will also resolve to take a pledge for a decisive battle against terrorism. All elected representatives and office-bearers will take part in the programme," a communique issued by the BJP`s media cell said. Prominent intellectuals and other dignitaries should also be present at the function, according to the party`s media head Anil Baluni. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised a befitting reply to those involved in the heinous terror attack in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed into a CRPF convoy. The party president Amit Shah has also decried the cowardly attack and asked party workers to extend solidarity to the families of the slain soldiers.

Pulwama attack: BJP to hold protest, condolence meetings at all district headquarters today

Amid a row over the entry of women of menstrual age into Sabarimala temple, Union Minister Smriti Irani said Friday that religious practices should be "respected" and anyone breaching them just to "make headlines" would do a great disservice to the country's diversity.

She said this during an event in Delhi University campus in response to a question from a student on Irani's recent comments on the issue where she said that the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate.

"I speak from personal experience. And, I said that publicly when I made that comment..I am married to a Zoroastrian, i.E., a Parsi, and by law, I am not allowed (to enter fire temple). And, by law means not by the Constitution but by laws that govern that particular religious practice," she said.

"Irrespective of how empowered I am, I am not allowed to enter a fire temple," Irani told a gathering of students at a business conclave event at Shri Ram College of Commerce here.

The textile minister said her earlier comments on the issue was to tell that there are religious practices across different communities.

"I have not gone to the Supreme Court, to tell Supreme Court to give me the power to barge into a fire temple, because I respect the religious beliefs of the community that I am associated with.

"That community says, I will not have access to a fire temple. I have to stand on the road when my children are inside, praying," she said.

She was asked why should there be a blanket restriction on women's entry to the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala, over objections from certain quarters.

"It is incumbent upon you to respect that religious practice because the Constitution gives us rights to be free, but it also impinges upon us responsibilities towards fellow citizens," she said.

Irani said there are "many temples" across the country, where "men are not allowed".

There are many churches, many mosques where restrictions are given for religious practices to be undertaken, she said.

"As individuals, it is our responsibility, given the diverse nature of communities in our country, to respect those tenets, and those practices.

"Do we breach practices only because we seek to make headlines or do we talk about only and only matters of faith. And, that is where my comments came from," she said.

"That if I breach somebody's religious practice only because my face will be in the newspaper, then I do great disservice to the diversity of India," Irani said.

On September 28 last year, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine.

Amid protests against the Supreme Court order opening the temple to women of all ages, Irani had in October said that the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate.

"I am nobody to speak against the Supreme Court verdict as I am a serving cabinet minister. But just plain common sense is that would you carry a napkin seeped with menstrual blood and walk into a friend's house. You would not," she had said then, adding, "And would you think it is respectful to do the same when you walk into the house of God? That is the difference. I have the right to pray, but no right to desecrate. That is the difference that we need to recognise and respect."

Besides, the minister was asked about the allegation that the BJP-led government hid important unemployment statistics which purportedly led to the resignation of key people in the National Statistical Commission.

"I am happy that you asked this question because it gives me a sense of the distortion that is being done amongst people with regards to...Fake news," Irani said in response.

The minister referred to initiatives such as the Rs 6,000-crore package to apparel manufacturers, 1.3 crore homes built by the present government, 1.7 crore capital assets built across the country by the present government through MNREGA and plan of building 1 lakh well-ness centres across the country to counter the lack of job creation narrative.

"If you look at the figures, they speak for themselves...," Irani said.

She claimed that before the present BJP-led government assumed, rural job guarantee scheme MNREGA was used so that doles could be given out and no capital assets could be built for the country.

"We insisted that you build capital assets and as compared to the previous government where only 20 lakh such assets were made we ensured that 1.7 crore capital assets are built by those very fellow citizens who were part of a pre-existing opportunity," said the minister.

Amid a row over the entry of women of menstrual age into Sabarimala temple, Union Minister Smriti Irani said Friday that religious practices should be "respected" and anyone breaching them just to "make headlines" would do a great disservice to the country's diversity.

Amid a row over the entry of women of menstrual age into Sabarimala temple, Union Minister Smriti Irani said Friday that religious practices should be "respected" and anyone breaching them just to "make headlines" would do a great disservice to the country's diversity. She said this during an event in Delhi University campus in response to a question from a student on Irani's recent comments on the issue where she said that the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate. "I speak from personal experience. And, I said that publicly when I made that comment..I am married to a Zoroastrian, i.E., a Parsi, and by law, I am not allowed (to enter fire temple). And, by law means not by the Constitution but by laws that govern that particular religious practice," she said. "Irrespective of how empowered I am, I am not allowed to enter a fire temple," Irani told a gathering of students at a business conclave event at Shri Ram College of Commerce here. The textile minister said her earlier comments on the issue was to tell that there are religious practices across different communities. "I have not gone to the Supreme Court, to tell Supreme Court to give me the power to barge into a fire temple, because I respect the religious beliefs of the community that I am associated with. "That community says, I will not have access to a fire temple. I have to stand on the road when my children are inside, praying," she said. She was asked why should there be a blanket restriction on women's entry to the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala, over objections from certain quarters. "It is incumbent upon you to respect that religious practice because the Constitution gives us rights to be free, but it also impinges upon us responsibilities towards fellow citizens," she said. Irani said there are "many temples" across the country, where "men are not allowed". There are many churches, many mosques where restrictions are given for religious practices to be undertaken, she said. "As individuals, it is our responsibility, given the diverse nature of communities in our country, to respect those tenets, and those practices. "Do we breach practices only because we seek to make headlines or do we talk about only and only matters of faith. And, that is where my comments came from," she said. "That if I breach somebody's religious practice only because my face will be in the newspaper, then I do great disservice to the diversity of India," Irani said. On September 28 last year, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine. Amid protests against the Supreme Court order opening the temple to women of all ages, Irani had in October said that the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate. "I am nobody to speak against the Supreme Court verdict as I am a serving cabinet minister. But just plain common sense is that would you carry a napkin seeped with menstrual blood and walk into a friend's house. You would not," she had said then, adding, "And would you think it is respectful to do the same when you walk into the house of God? That is the difference. I have the right to pray, but no right to desecrate. That is the difference that we need to recognise and respect." Besides, the minister was asked about the allegation that the BJP-led government hid important unemployment statistics which purportedly led to the resignation of key people in the National Statistical Commission. "I am happy that you asked this question because it gives me a sense of the distortion that is being done amongst people with regards to...Fake news," Irani said in response. The minister referred to initiatives such as the Rs 6,000-crore package to apparel manufacturers, 1.3 crore homes built by the present government, 1.7 crore capital assets built across the country by the present government through MNREGA and plan of building 1 lakh well-ness centres across the country to counter the lack of job creation narrative. "If you look at the figures, they speak for themselves...," Irani said. She claimed that before the present BJP-led government assumed, rural job guarantee scheme MNREGA was used so that doles could be given out and no capital assets could be built for the country. "We insisted that you build capital assets and as compared to the previous government where only 20 lakh such assets were made we ensured that 1.7 crore capital assets are built by those very fellow citizens who were part of a pre-existing opportunity," said the minister.

Religious practices should be 'respected': Smriti Irani on Sabarimala row

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cancelled all political programmes it had planned in the wake of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-terror-attack-india-summons-pakistan-high-commission-lodges-strong-protest-197574">Pulwama terror attack</a> in which as many as forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed on Thursday.

Speaking to media, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meeting in Madhya Pradesh's Itarsi has been cancelled, and party president Amit Shah will not hold any rallies in Odisha and Chhattisgarh today, as scheduled. Patra assured the public that despite gruesome terror attacks, the Centre will not stop carrying out developmental work across the country.

"We will continue to work in order to develop our country. No developmental activities will be stopped because of such terror attacks. The agenda of the terrorist is to create obstructions in the path of development, but we will not let them succeed," the BJP spokesperson said.

On Thursday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi also cancelled a lunch with envoys of G-20 countries which was slated to be held today. Moreover, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called off her first press conference, stating that it was not an appropriate time to talk politics and observed silence for the slain CRPF soldiers.

As many as 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy was targeted on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on Thursday.

The convoy comprised 78 buses in which around 2500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar.

Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was caused by a suicide bomber, according to a local news agency.&nbsp;

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cancelled all political programmes it had planned in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack in which as many as forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed on Thursday.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cancelled all political programmes it had planned in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack in which as many as forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed on Thursday. Speaking to media, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meeting in Madhya Pradesh's Itarsi has been cancelled, and party president Amit Shah will not hold any rallies in Odisha and Chhattisgarh today, as scheduled. Patra assured the public that despite gruesome terror attacks, the Centre will not stop carrying out developmental work across the country. "We will continue to work in order to develop our country. No developmental activities will be stopped because of such terror attacks. The agenda of the terrorist is to create obstructions in the path of development, but we will not let them succeed," the BJP spokesperson said. On Thursday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi also cancelled a lunch with envoys of G-20 countries which was slated to be held today. Moreover, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called off her first press conference, stating that it was not an appropriate time to talk politics and observed silence for the slain CRPF soldiers. As many as 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy was targeted on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on Thursday. The convoy comprised 78 buses in which around 2500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar. Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was caused by a suicide bomber, according to a local news agency.

Pulwama terror attack: BJP cancels all political programmes

The ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) Board of Directors, present and voting at its board meeting on September 21, 2021, unanimously approved the merger between Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) and ZEEL.&nbsp;

The Board considered not just the financial aspects of the partnership, but also the strategic value it brings to the table.

The Board came to the conclusion that the merger would benefit all shareholders and stakeholders.&nbsp;

Punit Goenka will continue as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) after the merger of Zee Entertainment and Sony Pictures India. &nbsp; 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/zeel-board-gives-go-ahead-for-merger-with-sony-pictures-networks-india-414797">ZEEL board gives go-ahead for merger with Sony Pictures Networks India</a>

Talking about the mega-merger deal, Goenka said: “The mega-merger between ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited and Sony Pictures Networks India will create the largest media and entertainment company in India. The merger will create close to $2 billion in revenue.” &nbsp;

He also stated that the combined business will be valued at $1.6 billion in cash. In the mega-merger, ZEEL will own 47 percent of the company. There will also be a non-binding term sheet with a 90-day mutual diligence period.”

Sony will have the opportunity to designate new promoters to the board, according to Goenka. The new board of the amalgamated firm will decide on fund infusion avenues.”&nbsp;

He also asserted that the overlaps are largely in the Hindi GEC space. However, the objective is to maximise viewership. The MD also mentioned that no open offer is required in a merger. &nbsp;

Goenka further added that the channel rationalisation call will be taken by the board of the merged entity. Similarly, the capital allocation strategy will also be taken by the board. &nbsp;&nbsp;

He mentioned that “We will first optimise revenue from the merged entity and then cost.” 
 
(Disclaimer: Zee Entertainment is not our sister concern/ group company. Though our names sound similar, but our company is owned by Zee Media Corporation, which is a different group)

The ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) Board of Directors, present and voting at its board meeting on September 21, 2021, unanimously approved the merger between Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) and ZEEL.

The ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) Board of Directors, present and voting at its board meeting on September 21, 2021, unanimously approved the merger between Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) and ZEEL. The Board considered not just the financial aspects of the partnership, but also the strategic value it brings to the table. The Board came to the conclusion that the merger would benefit all shareholders and stakeholders. Punit Goenka will continue as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) after the merger of Zee Entertainment and Sony Pictures India. Also read: ZEEL board gives go-ahead for merger with Sony Pictures Networks India Talking about the mega-merger deal, Goenka said: “The mega-merger between ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited and Sony Pictures Networks India will create the largest media and entertainment company in India. The merger will create close to $2 billion in revenue.” He also stated that the combined business will be valued at $1.6 billion in cash. In the mega-merger, ZEEL will own 47 percent of the company. There will also be a non-binding term sheet with a 90-day mutual diligence period.” Sony will have the opportunity to designate new promoters to the board, according to Goenka. The new board of the amalgamated firm will decide on fund infusion avenues.” He also asserted that the overlaps are largely in the Hindi GEC space. However, the objective is to maximise viewership. The MD also mentioned that no open offer is required in a merger. Goenka further added that the channel rationalisation call will be taken by the board of the merged entity. Similarly, the capital allocation strategy will also be taken by the board. He mentioned that “We will first optimise revenue from the merged entity and then cost.” (Disclaimer: Zee Entertainment is not our sister concern/ group company. Though our names sound similar, but our company is owned by Zee Media Corporation, which is a different group)

Simultaneous Lok Sabha, Assembly polls possible in Jammu and Kashmir: Ram Madhav

As the 2019 general election is approaching, the issue of women is likely to assume significance.&nbsp;

It has been observed that during the last few years, the participation of women in electoral voting has increased considerably. In 16 out of 29 states of India, more women voted than men in 2014 elections. &nbsp;

Women turnout during India's 2014 parliamentary general elections was 65.63 per cent, compared to 67.09 per cent turnout for men. Though the rise in female voter registration has been modest, turnout among female electors has surged. This trend has made every political party sensitive to the demands of women.

It is ironical that Indian politics has been represented by strong women personality over the last 60 years such as Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Jayalalitha, Mayawati, Mamata &nbsp;Banerjee, Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit, Rabri Devi, Agatha Sangma etc. However, this has not translated into significant development of women in society.&nbsp;

Contrary to the democratic expectations, violence against women has increased in Indian society. Cases of crime against women have increased by over 40 per cent from 2012 to 2016, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. A woman was raped every 13 minutes, a bride was murdered for dowry every 69 minutes, and six women were gang-raped every day in India in 2016.

Participation of women in opportunity structure is significantly low, particularly in the political structure. Indian women have the lowest representation in Parliament, they make up a mere 11.6 per cent of the 542-member Lok Sabha and 11 per cent of the 245-member Rajya Sabha. In 2014, just 8.1 per cent of candidates for the Lok Sabha were women.&nbsp;

Among its South Asian neighbours, India ranks fifth in women’s political representation in Parliament falling behind Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal. It's sad that India which aspires to become a regional and global power has poor records of women underrepresentation in state and national decision-making bodies.

At the same time, the current government is credited to make women for the first time as defence minister of the country. PM Modi's Council of Ministers consists of 9 female ministers, of whom 6 hold the rank of Cabinet minister, the highest number of female Cabinet ministers in any Indian government in history.

Also, the government is known for its numerous women-centred policies like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujjawala scheme etc. It's yet to be seen whether women electorate will continue to support PM Modi now as he remains a popular figure among Indian women.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

&nbsp;

As the 2019 general election is approaching, the issue of women is likely to assume significance. It has been observed that during the last few years, the participation of women in electoral voting has increased considerably.

As the 2019 general election is approaching, the issue of women is likely to assume significance. It has been observed that during the last few years, the participation of women in electoral voting has increased considerably. In 16 out of 29 states of India, more women voted than men in 2014 elections. Women turnout during India's 2014 parliamentary general elections was 65.63 per cent, compared to 67.09 per cent turnout for men. Though the rise in female voter registration has been modest, turnout among female electors has surged. This trend has made every political party sensitive to the demands of women. It is ironical that Indian politics has been represented by strong women personality over the last 60 years such as Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Jayalalitha, Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee, Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit, Rabri Devi, Agatha Sangma etc. However, this has not translated into significant development of women in society. Contrary to the democratic expectations, violence against women has increased in Indian society. Cases of crime against women have increased by over 40 per cent from 2012 to 2016, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. A woman was raped every 13 minutes, a bride was murdered for dowry every 69 minutes, and six women were gang-raped every day in India in 2016. Participation of women in opportunity structure is significantly low, particularly in the political structure. Indian women have the lowest representation in Parliament, they make up a mere 11.6 per cent of the 542-member Lok Sabha and 11 per cent of the 245-member Rajya Sabha. In 2014, just 8.1 per cent of candidates for the Lok Sabha were women. Among its South Asian neighbours, India ranks fifth in women’s political representation in Parliament falling behind Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal. It's sad that India which aspires to become a regional and global power has poor records of women underrepresentation in state and national decision-making bodies. At the same time, the current government is credited to make women for the first time as defence minister of the country. PM Modi's Council of Ministers consists of 9 female ministers, of whom 6 hold the rank of Cabinet minister, the highest number of female Cabinet ministers in any Indian government in history. Also, the government is known for its numerous women-centred policies like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujjawala scheme etc. It's yet to be seen whether women electorate will continue to support PM Modi now as he remains a popular figure among Indian women. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Women electorate to play an important role in Lok Sabha elections 2019

The BJP Tuesday accused Rahul Gandhi of working as a "lobbyist" for foreign firms and asserted that the e-mail he cited to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to some chopper deal and not the purchase of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-to-table-cag-report-on-rafale-deal-in-parliament-tuesday-196795">Rafale fighter jet</a> as the Congress president claimed.

After Gandhi accused Modi of "treason" claiming that businessman Anil Ambani was aware in advance of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rafale-deal-modi-government-followed-upas-policy-on-inter-governmental-agreements-196598">Rafale deal India </a>and France had signed in 2015, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad dismissed his charges as "height of shamelessness and irresponsibility" and dubbed him a "lying machine".

The Union minister also put Airbus, whose internal e-mail was cited by the Congress president, in a dock, saying the European aircraft manufacturer is under a needle of suspicion in deals finalised during the previous Congress-led government.

The firm is also linked to a corporate lobbyist, who was recently deported from the UAE and is being probed on money laundering charges, he alleged.

"Let Rahul Gandhi explain where did he get an internal e-mail of Airbus.&nbsp;

Who is supplying him? ...There cannot be a bigger thing than this that he is working as a lobbyist for foreign firms," Prasad said.

He also took strong exception to the Congress leader charging Modi with "treason", saying his party had serious differences with former prime ministers coming from the Gandhi family over several "murky" defence deals signed during their term but it never accused them of treason.

"He (Rahul Gandhi) has thrown muck at his own face by abusing our honest prime minister... We will expose his lies before the public," he said. 
Gandhi has repeatedly levelled allegations against the government over baseless claims, he said.

Earlier Tuesday, Gandhi accused Modi of acting as a "middleman" of Anil Ambani in the Rafale jet deal, as he cited the e-mail to claim the businessman was aware of the MoU before India and France signed it. 
In a scathing counter-attack targeting the Gandhi family, the BJP leader alleged that its members "looted" the country and that both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are on bail in a case of "land grab", a reference to the National Herald case.

When they were in power, they made money by "brokering" deals and have now become a lobbyist for foreign firms for making money, Prasad added.

Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra is facing probe and he has the temerity to question our honest prime minister, he said.

"This is the height of shamelessness and irresponsibility. He called the prime minister traitor. What else we can expect from this lying machine," he said.

To Gandhi's dismissal of the CAG report on the Rafale deal as "Chowkidar auditor general" report, the BJP leader said the Congress has a tendency to target institutions when their stand does not suit them. 
&nbsp;

The BJP Tuesday accused Rahul Gandhi of working as a "lobbyist" for foreign firms and asserted that the e-mail he cited to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to some chopper deal and not the purchase of Rafale fighter jet as the Congress president claimed.

The BJP Tuesday accused Rahul Gandhi of working as a "lobbyist" for foreign firms and asserted that the e-mail he cited to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to some chopper deal and not the purchase of Rafale fighter jet as the Congress president claimed. After Gandhi accused Modi of "treason" claiming that businessman Anil Ambani was aware in advance of the Rafale deal India and France had signed in 2015, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad dismissed his charges as "height of shamelessness and irresponsibility" and dubbed him a "lying machine". The Union minister also put Airbus, whose internal e-mail was cited by the Congress president, in a dock, saying the European aircraft manufacturer is under a needle of suspicion in deals finalised during the previous Congress-led government. The firm is also linked to a corporate lobbyist, who was recently deported from the UAE and is being probed on money laundering charges, he alleged. "Let Rahul Gandhi explain where did he get an internal e-mail of Airbus. Who is supplying him? ...There cannot be a bigger thing than this that he is working as a lobbyist for foreign firms," Prasad said. He also took strong exception to the Congress leader charging Modi with "treason", saying his party had serious differences with former prime ministers coming from the Gandhi family over several "murky" defence deals signed during their term but it never accused them of treason. "He (Rahul Gandhi) has thrown muck at his own face by abusing our honest prime minister... We will expose his lies before the public," he said. Gandhi has repeatedly levelled allegations against the government over baseless claims, he said. Earlier Tuesday, Gandhi accused Modi of acting as a "middleman" of Anil Ambani in the Rafale jet deal, as he cited the e-mail to claim the businessman was aware of the MoU before India and France signed it. In a scathing counter-attack targeting the Gandhi family, the BJP leader alleged that its members "looted" the country and that both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are on bail in a case of "land grab", a reference to the National Herald case. When they were in power, they made money by "brokering" deals and have now become a lobbyist for foreign firms for making money, Prasad added. Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra is facing probe and he has the temerity to question our honest prime minister, he said. "This is the height of shamelessness and irresponsibility. He called the prime minister traitor. What else we can expect from this lying machine," he said. To Gandhi's dismissal of the CAG report on the Rafale deal as "Chowkidar auditor general" report, the BJP leader said the Congress has a tendency to target institutions when their stand does not suit them.

BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of acting as a defence lobbyist

Mayawati and Akhilesh have sealed the deal for the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) which sends the highest number of Members to Parliament. BJP swept the state in 2014 riding on Modi wave and its development agenda trumping caste politics. Opinion polls predict heavy losses for BJP in the state. In this article, we look at eleven key factors which will determine the results of UP in 2019.

Transfer of votes without leakages: The success of any alliance depends upon the ability of partners to transfer their votes to each other with limited leakages. While in Bihar in 2015, a similar Mahagathbandhan (MGB) of Lalu, Nitish and Congress succeeded in doing so, in UP, alliance of SP-Congress failed to shift votes to each other in 2017. An informal alliance of SP and BSP for three bypolls succeeded vote transfer in bypolls last year.&nbsp;

Management of rebels: SP and BSP contested separately in 2014 and on an aggregate fielded 158 candidates. Almost half of these candidates (82 out of 158) will be denied tickets this time due to an alliance. Both parties will have to put in a lot of efforts to quell rebellion and reduce the impact to minimum levels. Uncle Shivpal’s party and even Congress could accommodate such rebels.

Ram Mandir &amp; reverse polarisation: The Mandir issue is hot currently with RSS and other Hindu organisations. UP CM Yogi Adityanath has many times reiterated that bhavya Ram mandir will be built in Ayodhya. In such an environment, any attempts to consolidate the minority vote by MGB in their favour could be counter-productive and unify the Hindu votes towards BJP.

Voting preference of non-Jatavs: The prime reason for decline in BSP’s influence in UP has been that it is losing support of its core vote bank of Dalits. They account for 21 per cent of the population; Jatavs (Mayawati’s caste is 12-14 per cent) and non-Jatavs (7-9 per cent). The support of non-Jatavs which was 64 per cent for party in 2009 declined to 30 per cent in 2014. BJP emerged as the choice for 45 per cent of non-Jatavs in 2014 as they were unhappy with Jatavisation/ Brahmanisation of BSP.&nbsp;

Voting preference of non-Yadav OBCs: OBCs account for 40 per cent of the state’s population. Yadavs (10 per cent) have been backing the SP while non-Yadavs (29 per cent), including Kurmis, Lodhis, Patels mostly supported the BJP till the time Kalyan Singh was there in the party. After his exit in 1999, the party lost the NYOBC votes to SP-BSP. From 43 per cent in 2002, support of Kurmis/ Koeris for BJP declined to 20 per cent in 2009. The fact that Modi belongs to the OBC community, strategic alliance entered with Apna Dal and disenchantment of non-Yadavs with SP due to their neglect led to massive consolidation in favour of BJP (60 per cent) in 2014.

How many sitting MPs are denied tickets? Modi and Shah follow a unique model to curb anti-incumbency. Today there is BJP government at the Centre, in the state and in many local bodies. So, the party has to face what I call triple anti-incumbency. To negate the impact of this, the party usually denies tickets to 30-40 per cent of its existing MPs/ MLAs. In the three state elections held recently, the number was between 25-30 per cent. In MCD elections, all corporators of BJP were denied tickets.

How seriously Congress fights in UP &amp; Priyanka factor: After being snubbed, the Congress has declared it will contest all 80 seats and has made Priyanka in-charge of East UP. She is expected to contest from Rae Bareli. This has enthused the party cadre. The Congress bagged 7.5 per cent vote share in 2014 in peak Modi wave, winning two and finishing second in seats. It also has influence in urban areas and enjoys support from section of upper castes, Muslims and Dalits in the state. If SP, BSP, Congress and RLD had contested together they would have won 57 seats in 2014 instead of 41 if only SP and BSP contested together.&nbsp;

Impact of smaller parties: Smaller parties have traditionally recorded 10-15 per cent vote share in UP. They are community-specific parties like RLD (Jats), Apna Dal (Patel’s), SBSP (Rajbhar), Nishad Party (Mallah) etc. BJP entered into strategic alliances with Apna Dal and SBSP in central and state polls to get the community votes and make inroads. Both allies are unhappy with BJP and posturing for more tickets this time around. Nishad Party is likely to get two seats from MGB quota.&nbsp;

Voting pattern of first-time voters: First-time voters play a crucial role in every election. These young voters mostly do not carry any baggage of ideology and vote on issues/ development. A media survey in 2014 said that almost half of 15 crore first-time voters in the 2014 general election, wanted to see Modi as PM. BJP made good inroads into young Yadav and Dalit voters in UP. As per reports, there are 12.7 crore first-time voters in 2019 out of which 2.2 crores are in UP.

Ability of MGB to manage contradictions in its vote blocks: It will be difficult for a section of SP and BSP cadre to accept each other as allies forgetting their bitter past. Many Dalits have borne the brunt of violence/torture by powerful OBCs.

How does development vs caste politics pan out? In 2014, BJP was able to convert the caste-ridden politics of the state into a narrative of nation-building and got support from all caste/class groups. As AK Verma opines in NES 2014, “This victory signalled a paradigm shift in voter behaviour, with a preference for good governance and development pushing out the identity politics of caste and community.” Whether MGB takes it back to caste politics, remains to be seen!

To sum up, in 2019, voters of UP will evaluate the performance of the Modi government. MGB will try to convert this battle into an ‘agadey vs pichadey’ fight. An interesting battle on the cards with many layers.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-uttar-pradesh-a-cakewalk-for-none-2718126">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Mayawati and Akhilesh have sealed the deal for the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) which sends the highest number of Members to Parliament. BJP swept the state in 2014 riding on Modi wave and its development agenda trumping caste politics.

Mayawati and Akhilesh have sealed the deal for the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) which sends the highest number of Members to Parliament. BJP swept the state in 2014 riding on Modi wave and its development agenda trumping caste politics. Opinion polls predict heavy losses for BJP in the state. In this article, we look at eleven key factors which will determine the results of UP in 2019. Transfer of votes without leakages: The success of any alliance depends upon the ability of partners to transfer their votes to each other with limited leakages. While in Bihar in 2015, a similar Mahagathbandhan (MGB) of Lalu, Nitish and Congress succeeded in doing so, in UP, alliance of SP-Congress failed to shift votes to each other in 2017. An informal alliance of SP and BSP for three bypolls succeeded vote transfer in bypolls last year. Management of rebels: SP and BSP contested separately in 2014 and on an aggregate fielded 158 candidates. Almost half of these candidates (82 out of 158) will be denied tickets this time due to an alliance. Both parties will have to put in a lot of efforts to quell rebellion and reduce the impact to minimum levels. Uncle Shivpal’s party and even Congress could accommodate such rebels. Ram Mandir & reverse polarisation: The Mandir issue is hot currently with RSS and other Hindu organisations. UP CM Yogi Adityanath has many times reiterated that bhavya Ram mandir will be built in Ayodhya. In such an environment, any attempts to consolidate the minority vote by MGB in their favour could be counter-productive and unify the Hindu votes towards BJP. Voting preference of non-Jatavs: The prime reason for decline in BSP’s influence in UP has been that it is losing support of its core vote bank of Dalits. They account for 21 per cent of the population; Jatavs (Mayawati’s caste is 12-14 per cent) and non-Jatavs (7-9 per cent). The support of non-Jatavs which was 64 per cent for party in 2009 declined to 30 per cent in 2014. BJP emerged as the choice for 45 per cent of non-Jatavs in 2014 as they were unhappy with Jatavisation/ Brahmanisation of BSP. Voting preference of non-Yadav OBCs: OBCs account for 40 per cent of the state’s population. Yadavs (10 per cent) have been backing the SP while non-Yadavs (29 per cent), including Kurmis, Lodhis, Patels mostly supported the BJP till the time Kalyan Singh was there in the party. After his exit in 1999, the party lost the NYOBC votes to SP-BSP. From 43 per cent in 2002, support of Kurmis/ Koeris for BJP declined to 20 per cent in 2009. The fact that Modi belongs to the OBC community, strategic alliance entered with Apna Dal and disenchantment of non-Yadavs with SP due to their neglect led to massive consolidation in favour of BJP (60 per cent) in 2014. How many sitting MPs are denied tickets? Modi and Shah follow a unique model to curb anti-incumbency. Today there is BJP government at the Centre, in the state and in many local bodies. So, the party has to face what I call triple anti-incumbency. To negate the impact of this, the party usually denies tickets to 30-40 per cent of its existing MPs/ MLAs. In the three state elections held recently, the number was between 25-30 per cent. In MCD elections, all corporators of BJP were denied tickets. How seriously Congress fights in UP & Priyanka factor: After being snubbed, the Congress has declared it will contest all 80 seats and has made Priyanka in-charge of East UP. She is expected to contest from Rae Bareli. This has enthused the party cadre. The Congress bagged 7.5 per cent vote share in 2014 in peak Modi wave, winning two and finishing second in seats. It also has influence in urban areas and enjoys support from section of upper castes, Muslims and Dalits in the state. If SP, BSP, Congress and RLD had contested together they would have won 57 seats in 2014 instead of 41 if only SP and BSP contested together. Impact of smaller parties: Smaller parties have traditionally recorded 10-15 per cent vote share in UP. They are community-specific parties like RLD (Jats), Apna Dal (Patel’s), SBSP (Rajbhar), Nishad Party (Mallah) etc. BJP entered into strategic alliances with Apna Dal and SBSP in central and state polls to get the community votes and make inroads. Both allies are unhappy with BJP and posturing for more tickets this time around. Nishad Party is likely to get two seats from MGB quota. Voting pattern of first-time voters: First-time voters play a crucial role in every election. These young voters mostly do not carry any baggage of ideology and vote on issues/ development. A media survey in 2014 said that almost half of 15 crore first-time voters in the 2014 general election, wanted to see Modi as PM. BJP made good inroads into young Yadav and Dalit voters in UP. As per reports, there are 12.7 crore first-time voters in 2019 out of which 2.2 crores are in UP. Ability of MGB to manage contradictions in its vote blocks: It will be difficult for a section of SP and BSP cadre to accept each other as allies forgetting their bitter past. Many Dalits have borne the brunt of violence/torture by powerful OBCs. How does development vs caste politics pan out? In 2014, BJP was able to convert the caste-ridden politics of the state into a narrative of nation-building and got support from all caste/class groups. As AK Verma opines in NES 2014, “This victory signalled a paradigm shift in voter behaviour, with a preference for good governance and development pushing out the identity politics of caste and community.” Whether MGB takes it back to caste politics, remains to be seen! To sum up, in 2019, voters of UP will evaluate the performance of the Modi government. MGB will try to convert this battle into an ‘agadey vs pichadey’ fight. An interesting battle on the cards with many layers. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Uttar Pradesh: A cakewalk for none

The BJP Saturday warned Twitter of "repercussions" after the social network company's CEO and top officials <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/twitter-ceo-and-senior-officials-refuse-to-appear-before-parliamentary-committee-196223">declined to appear before the parliamentary committee</a> on information technology, saying no agency has the right to disrespect institutions of the country.

The parliamentary panel had summoned Twitter CEO and officials over the issue of safeguarding citizens' rights on social media platforms.

"In any country, no agency has the right to disrespect the institutions of that country. In this situation, if Twitter is disrespecting the established institution of Parliament, then there are repercussions," BJP spokesperson and New Delhi MP Meenakshi Lekhi told reporters.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Anurag Thakur, Chairman of Parliamentary IT Committee on Twitter CEO&amp;senior officials of the company have refused to appear before Parliamentary Committee on IT on Feb 11: We've taken a serious note of Twitter’s reply. We'll discuss that on Monday (11.02) &amp; take further action <a href="https://t.co/wXgl0xj0v0">pic.twitter.com/wXgl0xj0v0</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1094236129170141184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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"There are repercussions because in any democratic country, institutions need to be respected by the world powers. If there is any violation of any sort, then there are repercussions to those violations...The institutions need to be respected," she said.

The parliamentary committee, headed by BJP MP Anurag Thakur, had issued a summon to Twitter via an official letter on February 1.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Piyush Goel on 'Twitter CEO&amp;senior officials refusing to appear before Parliamentary Committee on IT:Chairman of RS&amp;Speaker of LS will decide on what will be the action in such cases when somebody refuses to submit before parliamentary committee,govt doesn’t take decisions on it. <a href="https://t.co/tYcn0rNVlK">pic.twitter.com/tYcn0rNVlK</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1094197366742122496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Its meeting was scheduled for February 7, but was later postponed to February 11 to allow the Twitter CEO and senior officials more time to make themselves available, sources in the panel said.

Twitter cited "short notice of the hearing" as the reason, despite being given 10 days to travel, the sources said.&nbsp;

The BJP Saturday warned Twitter of "repercussions" after the social network company's CEO and top officials declined to appear before the parliamentary committee on information technology, saying no agency has the right to disrespect institutions of the country.

The BJP Saturday warned Twitter of "repercussions" after the social network company's CEO and top officials declined to appear before the parliamentary committee on information technology, saying no agency has the right to disrespect institutions of the country. The parliamentary panel had summoned Twitter CEO and officials over the issue of safeguarding citizens' rights on social media platforms. "In any country, no agency has the right to disrespect the institutions of that country. In this situation, if Twitter is disrespecting the established institution of Parliament, then there are repercussions," BJP spokesperson and New Delhi MP Meenakshi Lekhi told reporters. Anurag Thakur, Chairman of Parliamentary IT Committee on Twitter CEO&senior officials of the company have refused to appear before Parliamentary Committee on IT on Feb 11: We've taken a serious note of Twitter’s reply. We'll discuss that on Monday (11.02) & take further action pic.twitter.com/wXgl0xj0v0 — ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2019 × "There are repercussions because in any democratic country, institutions need to be respected by the world powers. If there is any violation of any sort, then there are repercussions to those violations...The institutions need to be respected," she said. The parliamentary committee, headed by BJP MP Anurag Thakur, had issued a summon to Twitter via an official letter on February 1. Piyush Goel on 'Twitter CEO&senior officials refusing to appear before Parliamentary Committee on IT:Chairman of RS&Speaker of LS will decide on what will be the action in such cases when somebody refuses to submit before parliamentary committee,govt doesn’t take decisions on it. pic.twitter.com/tYcn0rNVlK — ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2019 × Its meeting was scheduled for February 7, but was later postponed to February 11 to allow the Twitter CEO and senior officials more time to make themselves available, sources in the panel said. Twitter cited "short notice of the hearing" as the reason, despite being given 10 days to travel, the sources said.

There will be 'repercussions': BJP warns Twitter for declining to appear before Parliamentary Committee

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waited for an opportune time and venue to blast Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party president Nara Chandrababu Naidu. The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-hating-modi-the-opposition-has-begun-to-hate-the-nation-pm-modi-195852">prime minister</a>, while addressing a BJP-organised public meeting in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur district, did not leave any stone unturned to come down strongly on his friend-turned-foe.&nbsp;

"Baap-bete (Chandrababu and son Lokesh) ki sarkaar Andhra Pradesh se jaana tay hain,'' thundered Modi while blowing the poll bugle in the state.&nbsp;

In his one-hour speech which started exactly at 11.40 am and finished at 12.40 pm, the prime minister took 42 minutes to take on Chandrababu Naidu and his son Nara Lokesh point by point.

Calling Chandrababu Naidu a backstabber while referring to the coup Naidu staged against his father-in-law NT Rama Rao way back in 1995, the prime minister shot off what he said were "four truths": &nbsp;

"One, Chandrababu is now scared of losing the 2019 elections. Two, that the Andhra Pradesh chief minister wants to anoint his son Nara Lokesh as his political successor but is unable to do so. Three, Naidu is focusing on wealth creation; not of Andhra Pradesh but his own wealth creation. And four, your chaukidaar is giving Naidu sleepless nights asking him tough questions on where the central money has been spent and how much.''

Modi took a dig at Chandrababu for allegedly using public money to book two trains to New Delhi from Andhra Pradesh to demand special status for the state. "Just for photo opportunity, Babu is using public money for his own political gains and what he is going to do in Delhi... go and bow his head in front of Congress. The TDP was formed by late NTR on self-respect plank against this very Congress Party but today Chandrababu would do anything to please the Congress.''

Reacting sharply to frequent allegations that the Centre has given Andhra Pradesh step-motherly treatment, Modi informed the gathering of all the schemes and money that the Centre has given to Andhra Pradesh. "We will never deprieve any state of what it deserves and in case of Andhra Pradesh, we are fulfilling one by one all the provisions made in Andhra Pradesh state re-organisation act," Modi said.

While taking strong exception to the foul language being used against him by the TDP, Modi said, "There's desperation in TDP and they know quite well that they are going to lose the next elections here."

Interestingly, the prime minister did not make any mention of YSR Congress Party or Pavan Kalyan, who had supported the TDP-BJP combine in the 2014 elections but has now formed a political outfit of its own. 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waited for an opportune time and venue to blast Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party president Nara Chandrababu Naidu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waited for an opportune time and venue to blast Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party president Nara Chandrababu Naidu. The prime minister, while addressing a BJP-organised public meeting in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur district, did not leave any stone unturned to come down strongly on his friend-turned-foe. "Baap-bete (Chandrababu and son Lokesh) ki sarkaar Andhra Pradesh se jaana tay hain,'' thundered Modi while blowing the poll bugle in the state. In his one-hour speech which started exactly at 11.40 am and finished at 12.40 pm, the prime minister took 42 minutes to take on Chandrababu Naidu and his son Nara Lokesh point by point. Calling Chandrababu Naidu a backstabber while referring to the coup Naidu staged against his father-in-law NT Rama Rao way back in 1995, the prime minister shot off what he said were "four truths": "One, Chandrababu is now scared of losing the 2019 elections. Two, that the Andhra Pradesh chief minister wants to anoint his son Nara Lokesh as his political successor but is unable to do so. Three, Naidu is focusing on wealth creation; not of Andhra Pradesh but his own wealth creation. And four, your chaukidaar is giving Naidu sleepless nights asking him tough questions on where the central money has been spent and how much.'' Modi took a dig at Chandrababu for allegedly using public money to book two trains to New Delhi from Andhra Pradesh to demand special status for the state. "Just for photo opportunity, Babu is using public money for his own political gains and what he is going to do in Delhi... go and bow his head in front of Congress. The TDP was formed by late NTR on self-respect plank against this very Congress Party but today Chandrababu would do anything to please the Congress.'' Reacting sharply to frequent allegations that the Centre has given Andhra Pradesh step-motherly treatment, Modi informed the gathering of all the schemes and money that the Centre has given to Andhra Pradesh. "We will never deprieve any state of what it deserves and in case of Andhra Pradesh, we are fulfilling one by one all the provisions made in Andhra Pradesh state re-organisation act," Modi said. While taking strong exception to the foul language being used against him by the TDP, Modi said, "There's desperation in TDP and they know quite well that they are going to lose the next elections here." Interestingly, the prime minister did not make any mention of YSR Congress Party or Pavan Kalyan, who had supported the TDP-BJP combine in the 2014 elections but has now formed a political outfit of its own.

Chandrababu Naidu stabbed his father-in-law in the back: Modi in Andhra

Addressing a rally in West Bengals' Kharagpur, Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday targeted the Trinamool Congress calling it corrupt and said his party would not stop till the Trinamool regime was ousted from the state.

He also made a scathing attack at the TMC government for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamata-government-denies-permission-for-yogi-adityanath-rally-in-west-bengal-194729">denying permission</a> to several BJP leaders to land helicopters in the state, resulting in the cancellation of a number of public meetings.

Mamata Banerjee led government in West Bengal had earlier refused&nbsp;to allow the landing of the chopper of BJP leaders&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/calcutta-high-court-denies-permission-for-bjp-president-amit-shahs-rath-yatra-in-west-bengal-181993">Amit Shah</a>&nbsp;and Yogi Adityanath.

Chouhan who was scheduled to address two meetings in the state on Wednesday had to cancel one in the state's Bahrampur in Murshidabad after his helicopter was denied permission to land.

The former chief minister addressed only one "Ganatantra bachao rally" at Kharagpur travelling by road after alighting at the Kolkata airport.&nbsp;

"The more you (Mamata) try and stop us, more often shall we come to Bengal, "he said.

He also asked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been instrumental in bringing together opposition parties onto one platform, to name the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/how-far-will-the-united-opposition-go-without-prime-ministerial-face-194989">PM candidate of the alliance</a>.

Mocking the 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) that was called off by Mamata Banerjee on January 19 he called the meeting "Bina dhulhe ki barat" (marriage party without a groom).

Further targetting the Mamata government over the recent tussle between Kolkata police and the CBI, Chouhan said, "Mamata ji, not only Bengal but entire nation wants to know why do you want to protect Rajeev Kumar. Who would've landed in trouble had he been interrogated? She sits on dharna worrying, she loses her sleep. We want answers. Has an IPS officer ever sat on a dharna?"

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SS Chouhan,BJP: Mamata ji, not only Bengal but entire nation wants to know why do you want to protect Rajeev Kumar. Who would've landed in trouble had he been interrogated? She sits on dharna worrying, she loses her sleep. We want answers. Has an IPS officer ever sat on a dharna? <a href="https://t.co/9plqcqvqFM">pic.twitter.com/9plqcqvqFM</a>
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SS Chouhan, BJP: These days Mamata ji is doing everything else except running her govt... Amit Shah ka helicopter na utar jaaye, Pradhanmantri ji ki sabha na ho jaaye, Yogi ji ki sabha nA ho jaaye, Shivraj ka helicopter na utar jaaye iss chinta mein Mamata Didi dubli ho rahi hain <a href="https://t.co/7z0DKGscf7">pic.twitter.com/7z0DKGscf7</a>
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(With inputs from agencies)

Addressing a rally in West Bengals' Kharagpur, Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday targeted the Trinamool Congress calling it corrupt and said his party would not stop till the Trinamool regime was ousted from the state.

Addressing a rally in West Bengals' Kharagpur, Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday targeted the Trinamool Congress calling it corrupt and said his party would not stop till the Trinamool regime was ousted from the state. He also made a scathing attack at the TMC government for denying permission to several BJP leaders to land helicopters in the state, resulting in the cancellation of a number of public meetings. Mamata Banerjee led government in West Bengal had earlier refused to allow the landing of the chopper of BJP leaders Amit Shah and Yogi Adityanath. Chouhan who was scheduled to address two meetings in the state on Wednesday had to cancel one in the state's Bahrampur in Murshidabad after his helicopter was denied permission to land. The former chief minister addressed only one "Ganatantra bachao rally" at Kharagpur travelling by road after alighting at the Kolkata airport. "The more you (Mamata) try and stop us, more often shall we come to Bengal, "he said. He also asked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been instrumental in bringing together opposition parties onto one platform, to name the PM candidate of the alliance. Mocking the 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) that was called off by Mamata Banerjee on January 19 he called the meeting "Bina dhulhe ki barat" (marriage party without a groom). Further targetting the Mamata government over the recent tussle between Kolkata police and the CBI, Chouhan said, "Mamata ji, not only Bengal but entire nation wants to know why do you want to protect Rajeev Kumar. Who would've landed in trouble had he been interrogated? She sits on dharna worrying, she loses her sleep. We want answers. Has an IPS officer ever sat on a dharna?" SS Chouhan,BJP: Mamata ji, not only Bengal but entire nation wants to know why do you want to protect Rajeev Kumar. Who would've landed in trouble had he been interrogated? She sits on dharna worrying, she loses her sleep. We want answers. Has an IPS officer ever sat on a dharna? pic.twitter.com/9plqcqvqFM — ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2019 × SS Chouhan, BJP: These days Mamata ji is doing everything else except running her govt... Amit Shah ka helicopter na utar jaaye, Pradhanmantri ji ki sabha na ho jaaye, Yogi ji ki sabha nA ho jaaye, Shivraj ka helicopter na utar jaaye iss chinta mein Mamata Didi dubli ho rahi hain pic.twitter.com/7z0DKGscf7 — ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2019 × (With inputs from agencies)

Mamata Banerjee government now does not allow Shivraj Singh Chouhan's helicopter to land

Firebrand Patidar community leader Hardik Patel announced on Wednesday that he would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

Although Patel did not specify whether he would join any political party or contest as an Independent, sources in the Congress claimed that he is likely to join the party to fight the polls.

"Bilkul, hum 2019 mein chunav ladenge (I will definitely contest the 2019 elections)," Patel told reporters in Lucknow when asked if would take a plunge into electoral politics.

On joining the Congress, the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader said he would take a decision about it later.

Congress sources said negotiations were on with Patel about his joining the party to fight the elections. He might contest the elections from Mehsana or Amreli seat, which have a strong presence of the Patel community, party leaders said.

But Patel has been barred from entering Mehsana by a court in a case of violence during the 2015 Patidar agitation, party sources said. He had filed a plea in the Gujarat high court against the lower court order.

"If the HC vacates the ban on his entry into Mehsana district, he is most likely to contest from Mehsana (in north Gujarat).... Amreli (in Saurasthra) is another seat which has been offered to him," they said.

Congress leaders, however, did not rule out the possibility of the PAAS leader contesting the election as an Independent candidate with the party's outside support.

Patel's entry into electoral fray will have an impact in Gujarat, where the Bharatiya Janata Party has been winning assembly elections since 1995. In the 2014 general election, the BJP had won all the 26 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

"After the Centre granted 10 per cent quota for the economically weaker sections (EWS), it was our wish that Hardik should contest the Lok Sabha polls and take ahead the cause of our community," PAAS leader Dharmik Malaviya said.

Since Hardik has crossed the age of 25, he is eligible to contest elections now, he added.

Patel came into limelight for leading strident protests in the state over his community's demand to get reservation in education and jobs. Clashes had broken out during the quota agitation led by Patel on August 25, 2015, leading to the death of 14 people and large-scale destruction of public property.

The Patidar leader was slapped with sedition and other charges. He was in jail for nine months, before being released on bail in July 2016. 
Before the state Assembly election in December 2017, Patel had declared support to the Congress.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Firebrand Patidar community leader Hardik Patel announced on Wednesday that he would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Although Patel did not specify whether he would join any political party or contest as an Independent, sources in the Congress claimed that he is likely to join the party to fight the polls.

Firebrand Patidar community leader Hardik Patel announced on Wednesday that he would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Although Patel did not specify whether he would join any political party or contest as an Independent, sources in the Congress claimed that he is likely to join the party to fight the polls. "Bilkul, hum 2019 mein chunav ladenge (I will definitely contest the 2019 elections)," Patel told reporters in Lucknow when asked if would take a plunge into electoral politics. On joining the Congress, the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader said he would take a decision about it later. Congress sources said negotiations were on with Patel about his joining the party to fight the elections. He might contest the elections from Mehsana or Amreli seat, which have a strong presence of the Patel community, party leaders said. But Patel has been barred from entering Mehsana by a court in a case of violence during the 2015 Patidar agitation, party sources said. He had filed a plea in the Gujarat high court against the lower court order. "If the HC vacates the ban on his entry into Mehsana district, he is most likely to contest from Mehsana (in north Gujarat).... Amreli (in Saurasthra) is another seat which has been offered to him," they said. Congress leaders, however, did not rule out the possibility of the PAAS leader contesting the election as an Independent candidate with the party's outside support. Patel's entry into electoral fray will have an impact in Gujarat, where the Bharatiya Janata Party has been winning assembly elections since 1995. In the 2014 general election, the BJP had won all the 26 Lok Sabha seats in the state. "After the Centre granted 10 per cent quota for the economically weaker sections (EWS), it was our wish that Hardik should contest the Lok Sabha polls and take ahead the cause of our community," PAAS leader Dharmik Malaviya said. Since Hardik has crossed the age of 25, he is eligible to contest elections now, he added. Patel came into limelight for leading strident protests in the state over his community's demand to get reservation in education and jobs. Clashes had broken out during the quota agitation led by Patel on August 25, 2015, leading to the death of 14 people and large-scale destruction of public property. The Patidar leader was slapped with sedition and other charges. He was in jail for nine months, before being released on bail in July 2016. Before the state Assembly election in December 2017, Patel had declared support to the Congress.

Hardik Patel to fight Lok Sabha polls, Congress says may join party

The Indian government expects the central bank to pay a dividend of 690 billion rupees ($9.63 billion) in the next financial year beginning April 2019, a senior finance ministry source, who requested anonymity, told reporters on Tuesday.

Piyush Goyal, India's interim finance minister, in his annual budget for 2019/20 tabled in parliament last week, estimated to get 829.11 billion rupees through dividend from banks, financial institutions and the Reserve Bank of India next financial year.

Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India is likely to change its monetary policy stance to "neutral" from "calibrated tightening" on Thursday and move closer to a rate cut in April as inflation stays below the central bank's 4per cent target.

A softer stance would bode well for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, which wants to boost lending and lift growth as it faces elections by May.

While two-thirds of 65 economists expected the RBI to hold the repo rate at 6.50 per cent, most respondents predicted the six-member monetary policy committee (MPC) would shift its stance to neutral, according to a Reuters poll published on Jan. 24. Nearly half of respondents expected a 25 basis point rate cut by mid-2019.

At Thursday's MPC meeting - the first for RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das - it will be tough to balance desire to support economic growth with the need to contain inflationary expectations.

Some economists said Das, a seasoned bureaucrat, is likely to promote growth and aid the fragile financial sector, as inflation is comfortable at present, in December dropping to an 18-month low of 2.19 per cent.

The Indian government expects the central bank to pay a dividend of 690 billion rupees ($9.63 billion) in the next financial year beginning April 2019, a senior finance ministry source, who requested anonymity, told reporters on Tuesday.

The Indian government expects the central bank to pay a dividend of 690 billion rupees ($9.63 billion) in the next financial year beginning April 2019, a senior finance ministry source, who requested anonymity, told reporters on Tuesday. Piyush Goyal, India's interim finance minister, in his annual budget for 2019/20 tabled in parliament last week, estimated to get 829.11 billion rupees through dividend from banks, financial institutions and the Reserve Bank of India next financial year. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India is likely to change its monetary policy stance to "neutral" from "calibrated tightening" on Thursday and move closer to a rate cut in April as inflation stays below the central bank's 4per cent target. A softer stance would bode well for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, which wants to boost lending and lift growth as it faces elections by May. While two-thirds of 65 economists expected the RBI to hold the repo rate at 6.50 per cent, most respondents predicted the six-member monetary policy committee (MPC) would shift its stance to neutral, according to a Reuters poll published on Jan. 24. Nearly half of respondents expected a 25 basis point rate cut by mid-2019. At Thursday's MPC meeting - the first for RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das - it will be tough to balance desire to support economic growth with the need to contain inflationary expectations. Some economists said Das, a seasoned bureaucrat, is likely to promote growth and aid the fragile financial sector, as inflation is comfortable at present, in December dropping to an 18-month low of 2.19 per cent.

Government expects 690 billion rupees in dividend from RBI in coming financial year

Union Minister Arun Jaitley is likely to return back from the United States, where he has been undergoing medical treatment, by this weekend, a source with knowledge of the matter said.

Jaitley, who was Finance Minister before a medical procedure led to the charge being temporarily taken away from him, missed presenting the sixth and the final Budget of the Narendra Modi Government. In his absence, the charge of the Ministry was given to Railways Minister Piyush Goyal.

Jaitley, however, has been active on social media tweeting and writing Facebook posts and had also met reporters through a video call from New York and fielded questions on the Budget. He also gave interviews on the subject.

The source said Jaitley is recovering well and is likely to be back in India by this weekend and depending on doctor's advice, may also attend Parliament next week. 
He, however, did not offer any details.

It is unclear if he would be renamed the finance minister soon after his return.

In an interview to PTI in New York after the Budget presentation, he said he was on recovery course and return to India in time to reply to the Budget debate in Parliament will depend on when his doctors allow him to leave.

"It depends on after my treatment here, which is all over. I am on the recovery course. It's when my doctors allow me to go back. As of present, as I understand, Piyush Goyal will be replying (to the Budget debate in Parliament)," he said.

The Budget session of Parliament ends on February 13, and debate on the interim budget, presented by Goyal, is supposed to happen before that.

"Will be back soon. I am much better now. Hopefully, will be back soon," Jaitley had said on February 1, when asked when would he come back.

Jaitley, 66, had last month flown to New York for the treatment after being reportedly diagnosed with soft tissue cancer which required surgery.

This is his first overseas visit after he underwent renal transplant surgery on May 14, 2018, at AIIMS.

He had stopped attending office at the beginning of April last year due to his kidney ailment and was back in North Block - the seat of Finance Ministry - on August 23, 2018. Even then, Goyal had manned the Ministry for about 100 days.

Jaitley in September 2014 underwent bariatric surgery to treat weight gain that he suffered because of a long-standing diabetic condition.&nbsp;

Union Minister Arun Jaitley is likely to return back from the United States, where he has been undergoing medical treatment, by this weekend, a source with knowledge of the matter said.

Union Minister Arun Jaitley is likely to return back from the United States, where he has been undergoing medical treatment, by this weekend, a source with knowledge of the matter said. Jaitley, who was Finance Minister before a medical procedure led to the charge being temporarily taken away from him, missed presenting the sixth and the final Budget of the Narendra Modi Government. In his absence, the charge of the Ministry was given to Railways Minister Piyush Goyal. Jaitley, however, has been active on social media tweeting and writing Facebook posts and had also met reporters through a video call from New York and fielded questions on the Budget. He also gave interviews on the subject. The source said Jaitley is recovering well and is likely to be back in India by this weekend and depending on doctor's advice, may also attend Parliament next week. He, however, did not offer any details. It is unclear if he would be renamed the finance minister soon after his return. In an interview to PTI in New York after the Budget presentation, he said he was on recovery course and return to India in time to reply to the Budget debate in Parliament will depend on when his doctors allow him to leave. "It depends on after my treatment here, which is all over. I am on the recovery course. It's when my doctors allow me to go back. As of present, as I understand, Piyush Goyal will be replying (to the Budget debate in Parliament)," he said. The Budget session of Parliament ends on February 13, and debate on the interim budget, presented by Goyal, is supposed to happen before that. "Will be back soon. I am much better now. Hopefully, will be back soon," Jaitley had said on February 1, when asked when would he come back. Jaitley, 66, had last month flown to New York for the treatment after being reportedly diagnosed with soft tissue cancer which required surgery. This is his first overseas visit after he underwent renal transplant surgery on May 14, 2018, at AIIMS. He had stopped attending office at the beginning of April last year due to his kidney ailment and was back in North Block - the seat of Finance Ministry - on August 23, 2018. Even then, Goyal had manned the Ministry for about 100 days. Jaitley in September 2014 underwent bariatric surgery to treat weight gain that he suffered because of a long-standing diabetic condition.

Arun Jaitley likely to return from US by this weekend

Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani on Sunday said that she would stay in politics for long, however, she will quit politics the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hang his boots.

Speaking at the Words Count Festival here in a discussion titled `Scripting Her Story, From Star to Star Campaigner`, Irani said: "I will never become the prime minister.I take pride in the fact that I got an opportunity to work with charismatic leaders like late Atal Bihari Bajpayee ji and Modi ji."&nbsp;

"The day `pradhan sevak` Narendra Modi ji decides to retire, I will also leave Indian politics," she added. "People have started presuming that Modi ji won`t be there for long, but I can assure you that he is going to stay here for many years," Irani said when asked whether the BJP will come in power once again in 2019.

The Union Minister further said that whether she would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from Amethi against Congress president Rahul Gandhi or not, will be decided by BJP president Amit Shah, adding that "People were not able to recognise me in Amethi in 2014 but now they know who I am." Irani fought against Rahul in the 2014 general elections from Amethi.&nbsp;

Talking about the menace of trolling on social media platforms, Irani asserted that she had been trolled not only by celebrated journalists and politicians but also by "anonymous denizens".

The Union Minister further said that she admires Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan."Without any additional support, they both have made a difference in Indian politics. They truly inspire me," she added.&nbsp;

Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani on Sunday said that she would stay in politics for long, however, she will quit politics the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hang his boots.

Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani on Sunday said that she would stay in politics for long, however, she will quit politics the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hang his boots. Speaking at the Words Count Festival here in a discussion titled `Scripting Her Story, From Star to Star Campaigner`, Irani said: "I will never become the prime minister.I take pride in the fact that I got an opportunity to work with charismatic leaders like late Atal Bihari Bajpayee ji and Modi ji." "The day `pradhan sevak` Narendra Modi ji decides to retire, I will also leave Indian politics," she added. "People have started presuming that Modi ji won`t be there for long, but I can assure you that he is going to stay here for many years," Irani said when asked whether the BJP will come in power once again in 2019. The Union Minister further said that whether she would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from Amethi against Congress president Rahul Gandhi or not, will be decided by BJP president Amit Shah, adding that "People were not able to recognise me in Amethi in 2014 but now they know who I am." Irani fought against Rahul in the 2014 general elections from Amethi. Talking about the menace of trolling on social media platforms, Irani asserted that she had been trolled not only by celebrated journalists and politicians but also by "anonymous denizens". The Union Minister further said that she admires Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan."Without any additional support, they both have made a difference in Indian politics. They truly inspire me," she added.

The day Narendra Modi decides to hang his boots, I will leave politics, says Smriti Irani

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Monday said the BJP's alliance with the Shiv Sena for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections is "certain" and all internal differences will be resolved by the two parties.

He said there are differences of opinion in every home, but they are ultimately resolved.

Fadnavis said it is "certain" that the BJP will have an alliance with the Shiv Sena for the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, which sends 48 members, the second highest, to the Lower House of Parliament.

The CM was talking to reporters after the concluding programme of an animal fair held here in the Marathwada region of central Maharashtra.

Early last year, Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had declared that his party will fight all future elections on its own.

The Sena is a constituent of the BJP-led ruling coalitions in Maharashtra and also at the Centre, but it routinely criticises its alliance partner's leaders and government policies.

Minister of State for Diary Development and Shiv Sena leader Arjun Khotkar was also present.

On differences between Khotkar and Maharashtra BJP president Raosaheb Danve, Fadnavis said, "I havecome (to (Jalna) to resolve differences."

It may be noted thatKhotkar andDanve have been attacking each other at public platforms.

Khotkar has declared that he will contest the Lok Sabha election against Danve from Jalna, the seat currently held by the BJP leader.&nbsp;Danve&nbsp;was not present at the programme.

Speaking to media persons, Khotkar, who also hails from Jalna district, asserted he would not back out from his decision to contest against Danve.

The Sena leader claimed the people of Jalna are with him.&nbsp;

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Monday said the BJP's alliance with the Shiv Sena for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections is "certain" and all internal differences will be resolved by the two parties.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Monday said the BJP's alliance with the Shiv Sena for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections is "certain" and all internal differences will be resolved by the two parties. He said there are differences of opinion in every home, but they are ultimately resolved. Fadnavis said it is "certain" that the BJP will have an alliance with the Shiv Sena for the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, which sends 48 members, the second highest, to the Lower House of Parliament. The CM was talking to reporters after the concluding programme of an animal fair held here in the Marathwada region of central Maharashtra. Early last year, Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had declared that his party will fight all future elections on its own. The Sena is a constituent of the BJP-led ruling coalitions in Maharashtra and also at the Centre, but it routinely criticises its alliance partner's leaders and government policies. Minister of State for Diary Development and Shiv Sena leader Arjun Khotkar was also present. On differences between Khotkar and Maharashtra BJP president Raosaheb Danve, Fadnavis said, "I havecome (to (Jalna) to resolve differences." It may be noted thatKhotkar andDanve have been attacking each other at public platforms. Khotkar has declared that he will contest the Lok Sabha election against Danve from Jalna, the seat currently held by the BJP leader. Danve was not present at the programme. Speaking to media persons, Khotkar, who also hails from Jalna district, asserted he would not back out from his decision to contest against Danve. The Sena leader claimed the people of Jalna are with him.

Fadnavis confident of BJP's pre-poll alliance with Shiv Sena

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said that her dharna against the CBI's attempt to grill the Kolkata Police chief in the chit fund scam cases will continue till Friday in view of the upcoming boards examinations.

Banerjee is sitting on a dharna at the Metro Channel in Esplanade area in the heart of the city, the same spot she had sat on a 26-day fast in 2006 against the acquisition of farmland at Singur for the Tata Motors factory.

She has termed her dharna as "satyagraha" against the CBI and the Centre, which she said was attempting a "coup" in Bengal.

"This demonstration will continue till February 8. Because the boards examinations will be starting soon and we will not be playing the loudspeakers," she said.

Earlier in the day, Banerjee had said she would continue her "satyagraha" till the country and its Constitution are "saved".

A CBI team had gone to Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar's residence in the city on Sunday to question him in connection with multi-crore chit fund scams but was denied permission, bundled into jeeps and whisked to a police station.

The Trinamool Congress supremo has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah of trying to organise a "coup" in the state and alleged that

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is directing CBI to harass political opponents on the orders of the prime minister.

Effigies of Modi and Shah were burnt in several parts of the state including Burdwan, Birbhum, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas districts.

Trinamool activists also blocked trains in Howrah and Hooghly districts and put up blockades on the national highway in Bankura district.&nbsp;

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said that her dharna against the CBI's attempt to grill the Kolkata Police chief in the chit fund scam cases will continue till Friday in view of the upcoming boards examinations.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said that her dharna against the CBI's attempt to grill the Kolkata Police chief in the chit fund scam cases will continue till Friday in view of the upcoming boards examinations. Banerjee is sitting on a dharna at the Metro Channel in Esplanade area in the heart of the city, the same spot she had sat on a 26-day fast in 2006 against the acquisition of farmland at Singur for the Tata Motors factory. She has termed her dharna as "satyagraha" against the CBI and the Centre, which she said was attempting a "coup" in Bengal. "This demonstration will continue till February 8. Because the boards examinations will be starting soon and we will not be playing the loudspeakers," she said. Earlier in the day, Banerjee had said she would continue her "satyagraha" till the country and its Constitution are "saved". A CBI team had gone to Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar's residence in the city on Sunday to question him in connection with multi-crore chit fund scams but was denied permission, bundled into jeeps and whisked to a police station. The Trinamool Congress supremo has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah of trying to organise a "coup" in the state and alleged that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is directing CBI to harass political opponents on the orders of the prime minister. Effigies of Modi and Shah were burnt in several parts of the state including Burdwan, Birbhum, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas districts. Trinamool activists also blocked trains in Howrah and Hooghly districts and put up blockades on the national highway in Bankura district.

Dharna will continue till Friday: Mamata Banerjee

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday reacted to BJP president Amit Shah's remark of NDA "closing its doors"&nbsp;for the TDP supremo.

The Andhra CM condemned Shah's "attitude and arrogance" adding that no one "has asked him to open the door".

"Who has asked him to open the door? Why is he talking like this? I totally condemn this attitude and arrogance," Naidu said.&nbsp;

BJP president Amit Shah on Monday called the TDP chief a "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandrababu-naidu-is-u-turn-cm-ndas-doors-shut-forever-for-him-amit-shah-195080">U-turn Chief Minister</a>" and declared he will not be allowed to enter the NDA alliance again.

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Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu on Amit Shah's remark 'doors closed for Chandrababu Naidu in NDA': Who has asked him to open the door? Why is he talking like this? I totally condemn this attitude and arrogance <a href="https://t.co/vssFVDnObt">pic.twitter.com/vssFVDnObt</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1092443526921637888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"As soon as Atal Bihari Vajpayee government came to power, Chandrababu Naidu joined NDA and left the alliance in 2004 when Congress came to power. He is now supporting Congress party which insulted Andhra Pradesh. He fought the Telangana elections with the Congress, and when he lost, he joined the 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance)," Shah said at a rally.

"I am sure once the counting for 2019 elections will be over and NDA government will come to power again, Chandrababu Naidu will make all the efforts to join the NDA back. Let me tell you that this time, the NDA's doors for him have been shut forever. He has misguided the people of the state. It is appropriate to call Chandrababu Naidu a U-turn chief minister," he added.

The TDP, a ruling party of Andhra Pradesh, pulled out from the NDA last year over the demand of special category status which was promised during the bifurcation of the state in 2014. 
&nbsp;

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday reacted to BJP president Amit Shah's remark of NDA "closing its doors" for the TDP supremo. The Andhra CM condemned Shah's "attitude and arrogance" adding that no one "has asked him to open the door".

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday reacted to BJP president Amit Shah's remark of NDA "closing its doors" for the TDP supremo. The Andhra CM condemned Shah's "attitude and arrogance" adding that no one "has asked him to open the door". "Who has asked him to open the door? Why is he talking like this? I totally condemn this attitude and arrogance," Naidu said. BJP president Amit Shah on Monday called the TDP chief a "U-turn Chief Minister" and declared he will not be allowed to enter the NDA alliance again. Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu on Amit Shah's remark 'doors closed for Chandrababu Naidu in NDA': Who has asked him to open the door? Why is he talking like this? I totally condemn this attitude and arrogance pic.twitter.com/vssFVDnObt — ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2019 × "As soon as Atal Bihari Vajpayee government came to power, Chandrababu Naidu joined NDA and left the alliance in 2004 when Congress came to power. He is now supporting Congress party which insulted Andhra Pradesh. He fought the Telangana elections with the Congress, and when he lost, he joined the 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance)," Shah said at a rally. "I am sure once the counting for 2019 elections will be over and NDA government will come to power again, Chandrababu Naidu will make all the efforts to join the NDA back. Let me tell you that this time, the NDA's doors for him have been shut forever. He has misguided the people of the state. It is appropriate to call Chandrababu Naidu a U-turn chief minister," he added. The TDP, a ruling party of Andhra Pradesh, pulled out from the NDA last year over the demand of special category status which was promised during the bifurcation of the state in 2014.

'Who asked him to open door?': Chandrababu Naidu reacts to Amit Shah saying NDA's door shut for him

TMC supporters allegedly vandalised BJP party office in South Kolkata on Monday.

The BJP accused TMC supporters of vandalising its office in Bhawanipore, South Kolkata stating that "law and order has completely collapsed! No one is safe under TMC".

".@mamataofficial’s goons have vandalised the BJP party office in Bhawanipore, South Kolkata. Mamata represents the Bhawanipore constituency," read a tweet posted by BJP Bengal.&nbsp;

Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday said there may be a constitutional breakdown in West Bengal in the wake of the Kolkata Police-CBI face-off and asserted that the Centre has the power to take action.

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/MamataOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mamataofficial</a>’s goons have vandalised the BJP party office in Bhawanipore, South Kolkata. Mamata represents the Bhawanipore constituency. 
 
Law and order has completely collapsed! No one is safe under TMC. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MamataFreeBengal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MamataFreeBengal</a> <a href="https://t.co/v28er7Sb80">pic.twitter.com/v28er7Sb80</a>
— BJP Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4Bengal/status/1092372365332246528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Amidst uproar in the Lok Sabha, he also termed as "unprecedented" the move to stop the probe agency from performing its duty.

In an unprecedented development, a number of CBI officers, who had gone to question Rajeev Kumar in connection with chit fund scam cases, were bundled into police jeeps, whisked to a police station and briefly detained on Sunday.

Hours after the incident, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee began a sit-in right in front of the Metro Cinema to protest "insults" she faced at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah and claimed the CBI knocked on the doors of Kumar without a search warrant.

As the West Bengal CM continues with her dharna, she claimed that her 'Satyagraha' isn't against any agency but against "Modi-government's atrocities."

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Kolkata: BJP office in Bhabanipur has been vandalised. More details awaited. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://t.co/LvKXrQqtHW">pic.twitter.com/LvKXrQqtHW</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1092383319147319296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-vs-bengal-ready-to-give-my-life-but-not-compromise-says-mamata-cbi-files-contempt-plea-in-sc-195124">I am ready to give my life</a> but not compromise. I did not take to the streets when you touched TMC leaders. But I am angry when they tried to insult the chair of the Kolkata Police Commissioner, he is leading the organisation," Banerjee noted on Monday.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor KN Tripathi has submitted a report to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the situation that unfolded in the city after a CBI team was allegedly obstructed by the police from questioning Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar in the Saradha scam, Raj Bhavan sources said Monday.

The contents of the report were, however, not immediately known, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

As per an ANI report, the CBI has filed a contempt plea in the Supreme Court against West Bengal's Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and Kolkata Police Commissioner for wilful and deliberate violation of apex court's orders. More details on the development are awaited.&nbsp;

TMC supporters allegedly vandalised BJP party office in South Kolkata on Monday. The BJP accused TMC supporters of vandalising its office in Bhawanipore, South Kolkata stating that "law and order has completely collapsed!

TMC supporters allegedly vandalised BJP party office in South Kolkata on Monday. The BJP accused TMC supporters of vandalising its office in Bhawanipore, South Kolkata stating that "law and order has completely collapsed! No one is safe under TMC". ".@mamataofficial’s goons have vandalised the BJP party office in Bhawanipore, South Kolkata. Mamata represents the Bhawanipore constituency," read a tweet posted by BJP Bengal. Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday said there may be a constitutional breakdown in West Bengal in the wake of the Kolkata Police-CBI face-off and asserted that the Centre has the power to take action. .@mamataofficial’s goons have vandalised the BJP party office in Bhawanipore, South Kolkata. Mamata represents the Bhawanipore constituency. Law and order has completely collapsed! No one is safe under TMC. #MamataFreeBengal pic.twitter.com/v28er7Sb80 — BJP Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) February 4, 2019 × Amidst uproar in the Lok Sabha, he also termed as "unprecedented" the move to stop the probe agency from performing its duty. In an unprecedented development, a number of CBI officers, who had gone to question Rajeev Kumar in connection with chit fund scam cases, were bundled into police jeeps, whisked to a police station and briefly detained on Sunday. Hours after the incident, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee began a sit-in right in front of the Metro Cinema to protest "insults" she faced at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah and claimed the CBI knocked on the doors of Kumar without a search warrant. As the West Bengal CM continues with her dharna, she claimed that her 'Satyagraha' isn't against any agency but against "Modi-government's atrocities." Kolkata: BJP office in Bhabanipur has been vandalised. More details awaited. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/LvKXrQqtHW — ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2019 × "I am ready to give my life but not compromise. I did not take to the streets when you touched TMC leaders. But I am angry when they tried to insult the chair of the Kolkata Police Commissioner, he is leading the organisation," Banerjee noted on Monday. Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor KN Tripathi has submitted a report to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the situation that unfolded in the city after a CBI team was allegedly obstructed by the police from questioning Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar in the Saradha scam, Raj Bhavan sources said Monday. The contents of the report were, however, not immediately known, news agency PTI reported. As per an ANI report, the CBI has filed a contempt plea in the Supreme Court against West Bengal's Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and Kolkata Police Commissioner for wilful and deliberate violation of apex court's orders. More details on the development are awaited.

BJP accuses 'Mamata's goons' of vandalising party office in South Kolkata, posts video

In a blistering attack on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, BJP president <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/alliances-prove-our-strength-amit-shah-on-sp-bsp-coming-together-194602">Amit Shah</a> on Monday termed the TDP supremo as a "U-turn Chief Minister" and declared he will not be allowed to enter the NDA alliance again.

Taking a jibe at the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister for switching parties when either the BJP or the Congress came to power at the Centre, Shah accused Naidu of misguiding the people of the state.

"As soon as Atal Bihari Vajpayee government came to power, Chandrababu Naidu joined NDA and left the alliance in 2004 when Congress came to power. He is now supporting Congress party which insulted Andhra Pradesh. He fought the Telangana elections with the Congress, and when he lost, he joined the 'Mahagathbandhan'&nbsp;(grand alliance)," Shah said at a rally.

"I am sure once the counting for 2019 elections will be over and NDA government will come to power again, Chandrababu Naidu will make all the efforts to join the NDA back. Let me tell you that this time, the NDA's doors for him have been shut forever. He has misguided the people of the state. It is appropriate to call Chandrababu Naidu a U-turn chief minister," he added.

The TDP, a ruling party of Andhra Pradesh, pulled out from the NDA last year over the demand of special category status which was promised during the bifurcation of the state in 2014.

Continuing his attack on the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Shah said, "When he (Chandrababu Naidu) felt that people are angry with the way he is running the government and with his efforts to try to make his son as the Chief Minister, to try to gain sympathy, he put the entire blame on BJP and distanced himself from us."

Shah claimed that Naidu snapped ties with the NDA to overcome corruption in the TDP government of the state. Trashing Naidu's allegations that the Centre did not focus more on Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation, the BJP chief remarked that the NDA government’s support for the state's development is ten times more than what was provided during the Congress government in over 50 years."

14 important tasks of Andhra Reorganisation Act were to be completed in 10 years. Out of those 14, 10 tasks have already been completed in five years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi government. He (Naidu) is lying that we have done nothing," he added.

Talking about the steps taken by the central government for Andhra Pradesh's development, Shah underlined that the BJP opened more than 20 institutions of National Education and initiated several projects for AIIMS, IIT, and IIM in various regions of the state.

"Under Awas Yojana, more than 10 lakh houses have been constructed in Andhra Pradesh. 37 lakh toilets were constructed and more than 27 lakh youth received Mudra loans in Andhra Pradesh. Over 6 crore women received free gas cylinders under Ujjwala Yojana. Farmers across the country with up to five acres of land will be provided Rs 6,000 assistance directly into their account," he elaborated.

Alleging a nexus between the TDP and Congress, Shah said, "I just want to ask Chandrababu Naidu, why did you leave NDA, which gave Rs 5,56,000 crores to the state of Andhra Pradesh? Why did you join hands with Congress which gave just Rs 1,17,000 crores?"

He asserted that leaders of both Congress and TDP are corrupt and will not be able to take Andhra Pradesh to greater heights, and argued that only the NDA government can develop the state.

 
&nbsp;

In a blistering attack on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, BJP president Amit Shah on Monday termed the TDP supremo as a "U-turn Chief Minister" and declared he will not be allowed to enter the NDA alliance again.

In a blistering attack on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, BJP president Amit Shah on Monday termed the TDP supremo as a "U-turn Chief Minister" and declared he will not be allowed to enter the NDA alliance again. Taking a jibe at the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister for switching parties when either the BJP or the Congress came to power at the Centre, Shah accused Naidu of misguiding the people of the state. "As soon as Atal Bihari Vajpayee government came to power, Chandrababu Naidu joined NDA and left the alliance in 2004 when Congress came to power. He is now supporting Congress party which insulted Andhra Pradesh. He fought the Telangana elections with the Congress, and when he lost, he joined the 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance)," Shah said at a rally. "I am sure once the counting for 2019 elections will be over and NDA government will come to power again, Chandrababu Naidu will make all the efforts to join the NDA back. Let me tell you that this time, the NDA's doors for him have been shut forever. He has misguided the people of the state. It is appropriate to call Chandrababu Naidu a U-turn chief minister," he added. The TDP, a ruling party of Andhra Pradesh, pulled out from the NDA last year over the demand of special category status which was promised during the bifurcation of the state in 2014. Continuing his attack on the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Shah said, "When he (Chandrababu Naidu) felt that people are angry with the way he is running the government and with his efforts to try to make his son as the Chief Minister, to try to gain sympathy, he put the entire blame on BJP and distanced himself from us." Shah claimed that Naidu snapped ties with the NDA to overcome corruption in the TDP government of the state. Trashing Naidu's allegations that the Centre did not focus more on Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation, the BJP chief remarked that the NDA government’s support for the state's development is ten times more than what was provided during the Congress government in over 50 years." 14 important tasks of Andhra Reorganisation Act were to be completed in 10 years. Out of those 14, 10 tasks have already been completed in five years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi government. He (Naidu) is lying that we have done nothing," he added. Talking about the steps taken by the central government for Andhra Pradesh's development, Shah underlined that the BJP opened more than 20 institutions of National Education and initiated several projects for AIIMS, IIT, and IIM in various regions of the state. "Under Awas Yojana, more than 10 lakh houses have been constructed in Andhra Pradesh. 37 lakh toilets were constructed and more than 27 lakh youth received Mudra loans in Andhra Pradesh. Over 6 crore women received free gas cylinders under Ujjwala Yojana. Farmers across the country with up to five acres of land will be provided Rs 6,000 assistance directly into their account," he elaborated. Alleging a nexus between the TDP and Congress, Shah said, "I just want to ask Chandrababu Naidu, why did you leave NDA, which gave Rs 5,56,000 crores to the state of Andhra Pradesh? Why did you join hands with Congress which gave just Rs 1,17,000 crores?" He asserted that leaders of both Congress and TDP are corrupt and will not be able to take Andhra Pradesh to greater heights, and argued that only the NDA government can develop the state.

Chandrababu Naidu is 'U-turn CM', NDA's doors shut to him forever: Amit Shah

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