Former union&nbsp;minister and NCP leader Tariq Anwar quit NCP over Sharad Pawar’s proximity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking with WION Anwar said that Sharad Pawar’s statement in support of the Prime Minister on Rafale is not acceptable.

“Lot of mixed signals were coming from the party. People had started to say that NCP can go with BJP anytime. We also initially supported BJP in Maharashtra,” said Tariq Anwar. He also said that he respects NCP President Sharad Pawar but ideology cannot be diluted before the elections when a united Opposition is trying to mount a challenge against Narendra Modi.

When asked about his future, he said, "All options are open.”

Tariq Anwar also said that party was giving out mixed signals to the electorate on the side which it might take and that was not acceptable to him. 
&nbsp; 
Tariq Anwar started his career with the Congress Party. He quit Congress Party with Sharad Pawar and PA Sangama on Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin in 1999.

All three of them to found NCP which subsequently aligned with Congress to defeat BJP in 2004. &nbsp;Tariq Anwar remained associated with Sharad Pawar for more than 2 decades.

He in his career been elected to both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Congress has been very aggressive on the Rafale deal and using it as a principle plank to target and attack BJP on the issue of corruption.

The issue personally has been addressed in public domain number of times by Congress President Rahul Gandhi himself. Tariq Anwar was elected to Lok Sabha from Katihar in Bihar in 1980 on a Congress ticket.

Former union minister and NCP leader Tariq Anwar quit NCP over Sharad Pawar’s proximity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking with WION Anwar said that Sharad Pawar’s statement in support of the Prime Minister on Rafale is not acceptable.

Former union minister and NCP leader Tariq Anwar quit NCP over Sharad Pawar’s proximity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking with WION Anwar said that Sharad Pawar’s statement in support of the Prime Minister on Rafale is not acceptable. “Lot of mixed signals were coming from the party. People had started to say that NCP can go with BJP anytime. We also initially supported BJP in Maharashtra,” said Tariq Anwar. He also said that he respects NCP President Sharad Pawar but ideology cannot be diluted before the elections when a united Opposition is trying to mount a challenge against Narendra Modi. When asked about his future, he said, "All options are open.” Tariq Anwar also said that party was giving out mixed signals to the electorate on the side which it might take and that was not acceptable to him. Tariq Anwar started his career with the Congress Party. He quit Congress Party with Sharad Pawar and PA Sangama on Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin in 1999. All three of them to found NCP which subsequently aligned with Congress to defeat BJP in 2004. Tariq Anwar remained associated with Sharad Pawar for more than 2 decades. He in his career been elected to both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Congress has been very aggressive on the Rafale deal and using it as a principle plank to target and attack BJP on the issue of corruption. The issue personally has been addressed in public domain number of times by Congress President Rahul Gandhi himself. Tariq Anwar was elected to Lok Sabha from Katihar in Bihar in 1980 on a Congress ticket.

Tariq Anwar quits NCP over Pawar’s dalliance with BJP 

Attacking the Congress for its alleged support to Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements, BJP president Amit Shah Friday said "there is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress".

Shah's response came after the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the arrest of five rights activists by the Maharashtra Police in connection with the Koregaon-Bhima violence case and declined to appoint a SIT to probe their arrest.

"There is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress. Support 'Bharat Ke Tukde Tukde Gang' (break India gang), Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements. Defame all those who are honest and working.&nbsp;Welcome to Rahul Gandhi's Congress," he said in a tweet.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
There is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress. Support ‘Bharat Ke Tukde Tukde Gang’, Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements. Defame all those who are honest and working.&nbsp; 
 
Welcome to Rahul Gandhi’s Congress.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BhimaKoregaon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BhimaKoregaon</a> <a href="https://t.co/eWoeT0qo1L">https://t.co/eWoeT0qo1L</a>
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah/status/1045572928153116673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

He used the hashtag Bhima Koregaon.

The Bharatiya Janata Party chief was responding to a tweet posted by Congress president Rahul Gandhi on August 28.

Gandhi had said following the arrests that there is a place for only one NGO in India and it's called the RSS.

"Shut down all other NGOs. Jail all activists and shoot those that complain. Welcome to the new India," he said.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, in a 2:1 verdict, Friday refused the plea seeking the immediate release of the activists.

Attacking the Congress for its alleged support to Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements, BJP president Amit Shah Friday said "there is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress".

Attacking the Congress for its alleged support to Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements, BJP president Amit Shah Friday said "there is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress". Shah's response came after the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the arrest of five rights activists by the Maharashtra Police in connection with the Koregaon-Bhima violence case and declined to appoint a SIT to probe their arrest. "There is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress. Support 'Bharat Ke Tukde Tukde Gang' (break India gang), Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements. Defame all those who are honest and working. Welcome to Rahul Gandhi's Congress," he said in a tweet. There is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress. Support ‘Bharat Ke Tukde Tukde Gang’, Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements. Defame all those who are honest and working. Welcome to Rahul Gandhi’s Congress. #BhimaKoregaon https://t.co/eWoeT0qo1L — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 28, 2018 × He used the hashtag Bhima Koregaon. The Bharatiya Janata Party chief was responding to a tweet posted by Congress president Rahul Gandhi on August 28. Gandhi had said following the arrests that there is a place for only one NGO in India and it's called the RSS. "Shut down all other NGOs. Jail all activists and shoot those that complain. Welcome to the new India," he said. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, in a 2:1 verdict, Friday refused the plea seeking the immediate release of the activists.

Only one place for idiocy and it's called Congress: Amit Shah

The BJP on Thursday said it does not see any grand alliance taking shape against it as there are many "gaps and contradictions" among opposition parties, even as it exuded confidence of increasing its tally in Uttar Pradesh in the next Lok Sabha polls.

"The BJP's performance will be better in 2019 compared to 2014, when the party and its allies bagged a lion's share of 73 seats (of total 80 seats)," state BJP President Mahendra Nath Pandey told PTI in an interview here.

Asked about the opposition parties' attempt to form a grand alliance to take on the BJP, he said, "I don't see it taking place. There are many gaps and contradictions among them. Even if it (alliance) is formed, it will not last."

Undeterred by the BSP and the SP eyeing the Dalit and OBC votes, besides the Muslim electorates, Pandey said his party was doing its own ground work.

"We are taking along the castes which they (SP, BSP) bank upon. We have recently held successful OBC conferences (between Sept 4-24) in which backward caste representatives from all over the state actively participated," he said.

The conference saw overwhelming response from the backward classes as they see Prime Minister Narendra Modi as their leader, the UP BJP chief said.

"Besides, we are soon going to organise Dalit&nbsp;sammelan&nbsp;(conference) and 'prabuddh'(intellectuals') meet. These sections have only been cheated by previous SP and BSP regimes in the state. Only the BJP is the party which is really working with&nbsp;'sabka saath sabka vikas'&nbsp;motive. This is the reason for our success," he said.

He said that his party was working at several levels to increase its victory margin.

"We are highlighting our work at the centre and state and above all Modiji's personality, which will be presented before the people."

"At the organisation level, we are emphasising on ensuring our presence from booth to division to assembly and Lok Sabha segments. We are doing a micro-planning for that," he said.

Noting that the party has a lot to tell the people about the good work and projects its governments at the centre and state have initiated, Mr Pandey said, "We will reach out to people and inform them about these works and are confident of getting their positive response in terms of votes. No government has done such a good work till now."

"The party will bank on the "towering personality" of Modi ji, who is loved by all sections of the society due to this 'working style and aura'. Our leader is accepted by all. No other leader can stand in front of him. Opposition has not one (leader), who can challenge him," he asserted.

The BJP state president said he was "sure" his party will form the government at the centre again and UP's contribution will be remarkable.

Pandey's remarks assume significance amid reports of the SP and the BSP toying the idea of cobbling an alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, barely few months away, as they had done in bye-elections to Gorakhpur, Phulpur and Kairana constituencies of the Lower House, in which ruling BJP candidates were defeated.

Buoyed by this success, reports of bonhomie between SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and his BSP counterpart Mayawati started doing the rounds in political circles.

There were talks that the Congress too might be roped in in the proposed alliance. But in what is seen as a snub to the grand old party, Mayawati dumped it and tied up with the party of rebel Congress leader Ajit Jogi for the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections and projected him as the chief ministerial candidate.

Also, the SP too suffered a setback when its stalwart Shivpal Yadav floated a new front as he felt he was being sidelined in the parent party.

"These gaps and contradictions will make our task further easy," said the state BJP president, who is a Lok Sabha member from Chandauli.

The BJP on Thursday said it does not see any grand alliance taking shape against it as there are many "gaps and contradictions" among opposition parties, even as it exuded confidence of increasing its tally in Uttar Pradesh in the next Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP on Thursday said it does not see any grand alliance taking shape against it as there are many "gaps and contradictions" among opposition parties, even as it exuded confidence of increasing its tally in Uttar Pradesh in the next Lok Sabha polls. "The BJP's performance will be better in 2019 compared to 2014, when the party and its allies bagged a lion's share of 73 seats (of total 80 seats)," state BJP President Mahendra Nath Pandey told PTI in an interview here. Asked about the opposition parties' attempt to form a grand alliance to take on the BJP, he said, "I don't see it taking place. There are many gaps and contradictions among them. Even if it (alliance) is formed, it will not last." Undeterred by the BSP and the SP eyeing the Dalit and OBC votes, besides the Muslim electorates, Pandey said his party was doing its own ground work. "We are taking along the castes which they (SP, BSP) bank upon. We have recently held successful OBC conferences (between Sept 4-24) in which backward caste representatives from all over the state actively participated," he said. The conference saw overwhelming response from the backward classes as they see Prime Minister Narendra Modi as their leader, the UP BJP chief said. "Besides, we are soon going to organise Dalit sammelan (conference) and 'prabuddh'(intellectuals') meet. These sections have only been cheated by previous SP and BSP regimes in the state. Only the BJP is the party which is really working with 'sabka saath sabka vikas' motive. This is the reason for our success," he said. He said that his party was working at several levels to increase its victory margin. "We are highlighting our work at the centre and state and above all Modiji's personality, which will be presented before the people." "At the organisation level, we are emphasising on ensuring our presence from booth to division to assembly and Lok Sabha segments. We are doing a micro-planning for that," he said. Noting that the party has a lot to tell the people about the good work and projects its governments at the centre and state have initiated, Mr Pandey said, "We will reach out to people and inform them about these works and are confident of getting their positive response in terms of votes. No government has done such a good work till now." "The party will bank on the "towering personality" of Modi ji, who is loved by all sections of the society due to this 'working style and aura'. Our leader is accepted by all. No other leader can stand in front of him. Opposition has not one (leader), who can challenge him," he asserted. The BJP state president said he was "sure" his party will form the government at the centre again and UP's contribution will be remarkable. Pandey's remarks assume significance amid reports of the SP and the BSP toying the idea of cobbling an alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, barely few months away, as they had done in bye-elections to Gorakhpur, Phulpur and Kairana constituencies of the Lower House, in which ruling BJP candidates were defeated. Buoyed by this success, reports of bonhomie between SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and his BSP counterpart Mayawati started doing the rounds in political circles. There were talks that the Congress too might be roped in in the proposed alliance. But in what is seen as a snub to the grand old party, Mayawati dumped it and tied up with the party of rebel Congress leader Ajit Jogi for the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections and projected him as the chief ministerial candidate. Also, the SP too suffered a setback when its stalwart Shivpal Yadav floated a new front as he felt he was being sidelined in the parent party. "These gaps and contradictions will make our task further easy," said the state BJP president, who is a Lok Sabha member from Chandauli.

Will increase seats tally in Uttar Pradesh in 2019: State BJP chief

Congress social media chief Divya Spandana has been reportedly booked under sedition charges for allegedly posting an "insulting" tweet against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, news agency PTI reported on Wednesday.

According to media reports, Divya Spandana posted a photoshopped picture of&nbsp;PM Modi&nbsp;showing him painting “chor” (thief) on his own wax statue’s forehead. She also reportedly used “ChorPMChupHai”.

A case was registered on Tuesday at the Gomtinagar Police Station here, PTI reported.&nbsp;

"An FIR was registered against Divya Spandana under the Information Technology Act and the relevant sections of the IPC," news agency PTI quoted Gomtinagar SHO DP Tiwari as saying.

The FIR was lodged on a complaint by lawyer Syed Rizvan Ahmed, who alleged that Spandana had tweeted an "utterly insulting" post against the prime minister, he said.

In the complaint, Ahmed alleged that the post had the potential to "instigate hatred" against Modi.

On Wednesday, Spandana took to Twitter to say that “India should do away with its sedition law, it's archaic and misused”.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Thank you guys for extending your support and for those who didn’t like the tweet, well, what can I say? Will keep it ‘classy’ next time 😊 
India should do away with the sedition law, it’s archaic and misused. 
To the folks who filed the FIR- <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PMChorHai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PMChorHai</a> 🤭😀
— Divya Spandana/Ramya (@divyaspandana) <a href="https://twitter.com/divyaspandana/status/1044982008236183552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

So far no official statement has been issued by Congress reacting to the FIR.

&nbsp;

Congress social media chief Divya Spandana has been reportedly booked under sedition charges for allegedly posting an "insulting" tweet against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, news agency PTI reported on Wednesday.

Congress social media chief Divya Spandana has been reportedly booked under sedition charges for allegedly posting an "insulting" tweet against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, news agency PTI reported on Wednesday. According to media reports, Divya Spandana posted a photoshopped picture of PM Modi showing him painting “chor” (thief) on his own wax statue’s forehead. She also reportedly used “ChorPMChupHai”. A case was registered on Tuesday at the Gomtinagar Police Station here, PTI reported. "An FIR was registered against Divya Spandana under the Information Technology Act and the relevant sections of the IPC," news agency PTI quoted Gomtinagar SHO DP Tiwari as saying. The FIR was lodged on a complaint by lawyer Syed Rizvan Ahmed, who alleged that Spandana had tweeted an "utterly insulting" post against the prime minister, he said. In the complaint, Ahmed alleged that the post had the potential to "instigate hatred" against Modi. On Wednesday, Spandana took to Twitter to say that “India should do away with its sedition law, it's archaic and misused”. Thank you guys for extending your support and for those who didn’t like the tweet, well, what can I say? Will keep it ‘classy’ next time 😊 India should do away with the sedition law, it’s archaic and misused. To the folks who filed the FIR- #PMChorHai 🤭😀 — Divya Spandana/Ramya (@divyaspandana) September 26, 2018 × So far no official statement has been issued by Congress reacting to the FIR.

Congress social media chief Divya Spandana booked for insulting PM Modi in tweet

Train services were disrupted for a few minutes at some stations in West Bengal during a 12-hour bandh called by the BJP Wednesday to protest the killing of two students in a clash in North Dinajpur district, Railway officials said.

No untoward incident was, however, reported during the blockades put up by bandh supporters at the stations, a police official said.

Transport services were normal in the city though bus drivers were seen wearing helmets.

Bandh supporters had squatted on the tracks at Barasat, Krishnagar and some stations in Sealdah division for 5-10 minutes in the morning, but the blockade has been lifted, an Eastern Railway spokesman said.

At present, train services in the Eastern Railway, including suburban services, are normal, he said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Howrah: Train movement obstructed by protesters on Howrah-Bardhaman Main Line. BJP has called for a 12-hour bandh in West Bengal today in protest against the death of 2 students following a clash with police in North Dinajpur's Islampur. <a href="https://t.co/nHdR5fP5Ui">pic.twitter.com/nHdR5fP5Ui</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1044779626755579904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Party workers are staging blockades at Chengail, Andul and Ramrajatala stations in the Howrah-Kharagpur section of the South Eastern Railway, affecting suburban train services in the section, SER Central Public Relations Officer Sanjoy Ghosh said.

A huge police contingent has been deployed in the city to avoid any untoward incident during the shutdown and no untoward incident has been reported in the metropolis since 6 am, a police official said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called the bandh to protest against the death of two students in a clash with the police on October 20 during a demonstration over recruitment of teachers at Daribhita High School in Islampur area, the police said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
West Bengal: Protesters vandalise government buses and torch tyres in Midnapore. BJP has called for a 12-hour statewide bandh today in protest against the death of a student who died following a clash with police in North Dinajpur's Islampur. <a href="https://t.co/qBn4SHX0Dx">pic.twitter.com/qBn4SHX0Dx</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1044774962681176066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The protesting students had said they did not require an Urdu and Sanskrit teachers and demanded that teachers be recruited for science and other subjects. 
In the Islampur area, BJP supporters squatted on the road to stop traffic movement.

The state government had issued a notification for its employees asking them to attend office on the bandh day.

There will be no holiday on the day before or after the Bangla Bandh. Even a half-holiday will not be sanctioned on the day, it said.

Commercial establishments, private offices and educational institutions were also asked to function normally on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Train services were disrupted for a few minutes at some stations in West Bengal during a 12-hour bandh called by the BJP Wednesday to protest the killing of two students in a clash in North Dinajpur district, Railway officials said.

Train services were disrupted for a few minutes at some stations in West Bengal during a 12-hour bandh called by the BJP Wednesday to protest the killing of two students in a clash in North Dinajpur district, Railway officials said. No untoward incident was, however, reported during the blockades put up by bandh supporters at the stations, a police official said. Transport services were normal in the city though bus drivers were seen wearing helmets. Bandh supporters had squatted on the tracks at Barasat, Krishnagar and some stations in Sealdah division for 5-10 minutes in the morning, but the blockade has been lifted, an Eastern Railway spokesman said. At present, train services in the Eastern Railway, including suburban services, are normal, he said. Howrah: Train movement obstructed by protesters on Howrah-Bardhaman Main Line. BJP has called for a 12-hour bandh in West Bengal today in protest against the death of 2 students following a clash with police in North Dinajpur's Islampur. pic.twitter.com/nHdR5fP5Ui — ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2018 × Party workers are staging blockades at Chengail, Andul and Ramrajatala stations in the Howrah-Kharagpur section of the South Eastern Railway, affecting suburban train services in the section, SER Central Public Relations Officer Sanjoy Ghosh said. A huge police contingent has been deployed in the city to avoid any untoward incident during the shutdown and no untoward incident has been reported in the metropolis since 6 am, a police official said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called the bandh to protest against the death of two students in a clash with the police on October 20 during a demonstration over recruitment of teachers at Daribhita High School in Islampur area, the police said. West Bengal: Protesters vandalise government buses and torch tyres in Midnapore. BJP has called for a 12-hour statewide bandh today in protest against the death of a student who died following a clash with police in North Dinajpur's Islampur. pic.twitter.com/qBn4SHX0Dx — ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2018 × The protesting students had said they did not require an Urdu and Sanskrit teachers and demanded that teachers be recruited for science and other subjects. In the Islampur area, BJP supporters squatted on the road to stop traffic movement. The state government had issued a notification for its employees asking them to attend office on the bandh day. There will be no holiday on the day before or after the Bangla Bandh. Even a half-holiday will not be sanctioned on the day, it said. Commercial establishments, private offices and educational institutions were also asked to function normally on Wednesday.

BJP calls 12-hour bandh in Bengal, train services affected 

Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the key political parties of Uttar Pradesh seem to have chosen their favourite gods.

With the BJP apparently sticking to Lord Ram, the Samajwadi Party seems to have chosen Vishnu and the Congress Lord Shiva to spur their poll fortunes, if remarks by their leaders are any indication.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, fresh from his Mansarovar Yatra, was greeted in his Lok Sabha constituency Amethi this week by hundreds of 'bol bam'-chanting party activists, all dressed up as "Kanwariyas", the devotees of Lord Shiva.

The BJP's UP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey's reiterated the saffron party's backing for a Ram temple on the disputed site in Ayopdhya. He said the party is trying to ensure that the temple is built in Ayodhya through consensus.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, on the other hand, has pledged to develop a grand city named after Lord Vishnu, complete with a spectacular temple in it on lines of Cambodia's Angkor Wat, in the state, if voted to power.

Uttar Pradesh sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. In the 2014 parliamentary elections, the BJP won 71 seats, its ally Apna Dal got two, while the SP bagged five and the Congress remaining two.

Fresh from his recent Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, the Congress chief Monday was presented a portrait of Lord Shiva by Shiva devotees at Fursatganj.

In a video footage that went viral on social media, Gandhi is seen with his forehead smeared with sandalwood paste with a prominent red 'tilak' in the centre. 
 
With a scarf around his neck, he is seen taking part in a 'puja'.

He was greeted with posters hailing 'Shiv bhakt Rahul Gandhi' on his first visit here after undertaking the arduous 12-day pilgrimage in August to Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva.

The Congress chief had announced his intention to undertake the pilgrimage after a mid-air scare when his plane had plunged hundreds of feet down during one of his flights during the Karnataka poll campaign in April.

The pilgrimage was aimed at seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva for the country's prosperity, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had said earlier.

In the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the entire spectacle is being seen by some as the Congress bid to woo Hindu voters.

UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey, meanwhile, said Sunday, "Ram temple is the centre of faith and devotion for us. It should be built as per the law and we are committed to this."

The BJP is making efforts to build the Ram temple through consensus, he had said.

"The people know Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya and they want a Ram temple there. The feeling of every Indian is the feeling of the BJP," Pandey had said.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has declared his intent to "develop a city in the name of Lord Vishnu over 2,000 acres of land near Lion Safari (Etawah)."

"We have a lot of land in Chambal ravines and the city will have a grand Vishnu temple akin to the famous Angkor Wat temple."

Yadav's comments had come in the wake of BJP leader and UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya raking up the Ram temple issue and suggesting a legislative route for it.

Yadav, however, has promised that, if voted to power, he would develop a city after the name of Lord Vishnu, with both Lord Ram and Lord Krishna being his incarnations.

A team of experts will be sent to Cambodia to plan the city, which will be a centre for culture and knowledge of our ancient times, the SP chief said.

Angkor Wat in Cambodia is one of the largest religious monuments in the world which was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu but gradually transformed into a Buddhist shrine.&nbsp;

Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the key political parties of Uttar Pradesh seem to have chosen their favourite gods. With the BJP apparently sticking to Lord Ram, the Samajwadi Party seems to have chosen Vishnu and the Congress Lord Shiva to spur their poll fortunes, if remarks by their leaders are any indication.

Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the key political parties of Uttar Pradesh seem to have chosen their favourite gods. With the BJP apparently sticking to Lord Ram, the Samajwadi Party seems to have chosen Vishnu and the Congress Lord Shiva to spur their poll fortunes, if remarks by their leaders are any indication. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, fresh from his Mansarovar Yatra, was greeted in his Lok Sabha constituency Amethi this week by hundreds of 'bol bam'-chanting party activists, all dressed up as "Kanwariyas", the devotees of Lord Shiva. The BJP's UP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey's reiterated the saffron party's backing for a Ram temple on the disputed site in Ayopdhya. He said the party is trying to ensure that the temple is built in Ayodhya through consensus. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, on the other hand, has pledged to develop a grand city named after Lord Vishnu, complete with a spectacular temple in it on lines of Cambodia's Angkor Wat, in the state, if voted to power. Uttar Pradesh sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. In the 2014 parliamentary elections, the BJP won 71 seats, its ally Apna Dal got two, while the SP bagged five and the Congress remaining two. Fresh from his recent Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, the Congress chief Monday was presented a portrait of Lord Shiva by Shiva devotees at Fursatganj. In a video footage that went viral on social media, Gandhi is seen with his forehead smeared with sandalwood paste with a prominent red 'tilak' in the centre. With a scarf around his neck, he is seen taking part in a 'puja'. He was greeted with posters hailing 'Shiv bhakt Rahul Gandhi' on his first visit here after undertaking the arduous 12-day pilgrimage in August to Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva. The Congress chief had announced his intention to undertake the pilgrimage after a mid-air scare when his plane had plunged hundreds of feet down during one of his flights during the Karnataka poll campaign in April. The pilgrimage was aimed at seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva for the country's prosperity, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had said earlier. In the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the entire spectacle is being seen by some as the Congress bid to woo Hindu voters. UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey, meanwhile, said Sunday, "Ram temple is the centre of faith and devotion for us. It should be built as per the law and we are committed to this." The BJP is making efforts to build the Ram temple through consensus, he had said. "The people know Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya and they want a Ram temple there. The feeling of every Indian is the feeling of the BJP," Pandey had said. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has declared his intent to "develop a city in the name of Lord Vishnu over 2,000 acres of land near Lion Safari (Etawah)." "We have a lot of land in Chambal ravines and the city will have a grand Vishnu temple akin to the famous Angkor Wat temple." Yadav's comments had come in the wake of BJP leader and UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya raking up the Ram temple issue and suggesting a legislative route for it. Yadav, however, has promised that, if voted to power, he would develop a city after the name of Lord Vishnu, with both Lord Ram and Lord Krishna being his incarnations. A team of experts will be sent to Cambodia to plan the city, which will be a centre for culture and knowledge of our ancient times, the SP chief said. Angkor Wat in Cambodia is one of the largest religious monuments in the world which was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu but gradually transformed into a Buddhist shrine.

As BJP sticks to Ram, SP picks Vishnu, Congress Shiva for luck in 2019 polls

Two priests and a functionary of a prominent Syrian Church in Kerala have formally joined BJP, giving a boost to the saffron party's bid to reach out to minorities in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in 2019.

Fr Geevarghese Thomas Kizhakkedam, a 43-year-old vicar of a Jacobite Syrian Church near Pala, joined BJP on Saturday along with deacon Andrews Mangalath and another priest Fr Thomas Kulathumkal.

Deacon is a post just below the rank of a priest in the religious order.

Fr Kizhakkedam said more people from the minority community are ready to join the party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.

They were welcomed to the party fold by its Kerala state president P S Sreedharan Pillai and district unit chief N Hari at a function here on Saturday.

Talking to PTI, Kizhakkedam said he has been a follower of BJP since 1997, two years after joining an institute near Anand in Gujarat for pursuing a BCA course.

He said the BJP is not a communal outfit, as being alleged by "so called secular parties" like Congress and BJP.

"I am convinced that BJP is the party that represents all sections of society. The party-led governments are pro-poor and take care of the needs of each and every section of the society," he said.

Recalling his personal experience when Narendra Modi took over as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001, he said he had applied for a ration card and the officer concerned sought a bribe. It was soon after Modi became Chief Minister.

"I wrote to him complaining about the official. I got a reply from the Chief Minister's office in seven days, informing me that my ration card is ready. Can we think about such a prompt action in Kerala? Such was the quality of his governance," the Kizhakkedam said.

The priest claimed that more Christian priests had contacted him, expressing interest in associating with the BJP.

Asked whether he was willing to accept any post in the party, Kizhakkedam said he joined BJP without aspirations for any post and added that he was ready to accept whatever responsibilities were given to him to serve the party.

"But that should not become a hindrance to my responsibilities as a parish priest," he said. 
BJP district president Hari alleged that minorities in Kerala, including Christians and Muslims, constituting nearly 50 per cent of the state's population, were being misled by the state's prominent political forces, including Congress and the Left. 
"Now they have realised the truth. They understand that the anti-BJP propaganda unleashed by these parties in the state is fake. We are certain that more people will come forward to join BJP. The response we get from these sections of society is overwhelming," Hari said.&nbsp;

Two priests and a functionary of a prominent Syrian Church in Kerala have formally joined BJP, giving a boost to the saffron party's bid to reach out to minorities in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in 2019.

Two priests and a functionary of a prominent Syrian Church in Kerala have formally joined BJP, giving a boost to the saffron party's bid to reach out to minorities in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in 2019. Fr Geevarghese Thomas Kizhakkedam, a 43-year-old vicar of a Jacobite Syrian Church near Pala, joined BJP on Saturday along with deacon Andrews Mangalath and another priest Fr Thomas Kulathumkal. Deacon is a post just below the rank of a priest in the religious order. Fr Kizhakkedam said more people from the minority community are ready to join the party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. They were welcomed to the party fold by its Kerala state president P S Sreedharan Pillai and district unit chief N Hari at a function here on Saturday. Talking to PTI, Kizhakkedam said he has been a follower of BJP since 1997, two years after joining an institute near Anand in Gujarat for pursuing a BCA course. He said the BJP is not a communal outfit, as being alleged by "so called secular parties" like Congress and BJP. "I am convinced that BJP is the party that represents all sections of society. The party-led governments are pro-poor and take care of the needs of each and every section of the society," he said. Recalling his personal experience when Narendra Modi took over as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001, he said he had applied for a ration card and the officer concerned sought a bribe. It was soon after Modi became Chief Minister. "I wrote to him complaining about the official. I got a reply from the Chief Minister's office in seven days, informing me that my ration card is ready. Can we think about such a prompt action in Kerala? Such was the quality of his governance," the Kizhakkedam said. The priest claimed that more Christian priests had contacted him, expressing interest in associating with the BJP. Asked whether he was willing to accept any post in the party, Kizhakkedam said he joined BJP without aspirations for any post and added that he was ready to accept whatever responsibilities were given to him to serve the party. "But that should not become a hindrance to my responsibilities as a parish priest," he said. BJP district president Hari alleged that minorities in Kerala, including Christians and Muslims, constituting nearly 50 per cent of the state's population, were being misled by the state's prominent political forces, including Congress and the Left. "Now they have realised the truth. They understand that the anti-BJP propaganda unleashed by these parties in the state is fake. We are certain that more people will come forward to join BJP. The response we get from these sections of society is overwhelming," Hari said.

Kerala: Two prominent Syrian church priests join BJP

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra Wednesday broke his silence on the charges of corruption levelled against him by the BJP and said the ruling party had been indulging in a "baseless political witch-hunt" against him for the last four years.&nbsp;

''BJP rakes up my name every time they are cornered whether its falling rupee, soaring oil prices or this latest number when they have been totally exposed selling out nation on Rafale,'' Vadra was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

BJP should tell nation truth about Rafale deal rather than hide behind 'bunch of lies' that people are fed up of hearing, he reportedly told ANI. &nbsp;

Accusing BJP of indulging in a baseless political witch-hunt against him for last 4 years, Vadra said having all the agencies under their beck and call....no one knows better than the present government and the BJP that they have indulged in a baseless political witch hunt against me for the last 4 years.

The BJP dragged the Gandhi family into the intensifying political row over the fighter aircraft deal, with Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat alleging that the U<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-scrapped-rafale-deal-vadras-firm-wasnt-made-middleman-bjp-167508">PA government had called off the multi-billion dollar deal</a> after a private company linked to Vadra was not chosen as a broker.&nbsp;

The Rafale controversy took a new turn last week after Francois Hollande, who was French president when the Rs 58,000 crore deal was announced, was quoted as saying by French publication Mediapart that France was given "no choice" on selection of the Indian partner for Dassault and the Indian government proposed the name of Reliance as offset partner for the French aerospace giant.

Modi had announced the procurement of 36 Rafale fighters after holding talks with Hollande on April 10, 2015, in Paris.&nbsp;

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra Wednesday broke his silence on the charges of corruption levelled against him by the BJP and said the ruling party had been indulging in a "baseless political witch-hunt" against him for the last four years.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra Wednesday broke his silence on the charges of corruption levelled against him by the BJP and said the ruling party had been indulging in a "baseless political witch-hunt" against him for the last four years. ''BJP rakes up my name every time they are cornered whether its falling rupee, soaring oil prices or this latest number when they have been totally exposed selling out nation on Rafale,'' Vadra was quoted as saying. BJP should tell nation truth about Rafale deal rather than hide behind 'bunch of lies' that people are fed up of hearing, he reportedly told ANI. Accusing BJP of indulging in a baseless political witch-hunt against him for last 4 years, Vadra said having all the agencies under their beck and call....no one knows better than the present government and the BJP that they have indulged in a baseless political witch hunt against me for the last 4 years. The BJP dragged the Gandhi family into the intensifying political row over the fighter aircraft deal, with Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat alleging that the UPA government had called off the multi-billion dollar deal after a private company linked to Vadra was not chosen as a broker. The Rafale controversy took a new turn last week after Francois Hollande, who was French president when the Rs 58,000 crore deal was announced, was quoted as saying by French publication Mediapart that France was given "no choice" on selection of the Indian partner for Dassault and the Indian government proposed the name of Reliance as offset partner for the French aerospace giant. Modi had announced the procurement of 36 Rafale fighters after holding talks with Hollande on April 10, 2015, in Paris.

BJP indulging in political witch hunt against me for 4 years: Robert Vadra 

Security has been heightened in Bhopal ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the city today.

Speaking to ANI, Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) Makrand Deuskar, said, "5,000 police personnel will be deployed. Bhopal police have done elaborate planning on traffic. The Prime Minister is Special Protection Group (SPG) protectee and security arrangements will be done accordingly."

Prime Minister Modi will address a massive congregation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers at Karyakarta Mahakumbh in Bhopal.

The programme is being organised at Jamboori Maidan in BHEL to mark the birth anniversary of party ideologue and co-founder of Janasangh, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay.

BJP president Amit Shah will also address a workers' congregation which will begin at 10 AM with a musical concert of singer Kailash Kher. An estimated 10 lakh party workers from 65,000 polling booths spread across 230 assembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh will take part in the programme.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, party organisational general secretary Ramlal and central and state ministers and other senior leaders will attend the congregation.

An exhibition hall named after BJP leader and former union minister late Anil Madhav Dave has also been set up at the rally site.

The exhibition venue will showcase the journey and works of BJP stalwarts, including former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Modi and Chouhan.

Security has been heightened in Bhopal ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the city today. Speaking to ANI, Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) Makrand Deuskar, said, "5,000 police personnel will be deployed.

Security has been heightened in Bhopal ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the city today. Speaking to ANI, Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) Makrand Deuskar, said, "5,000 police personnel will be deployed. Bhopal police have done elaborate planning on traffic. The Prime Minister is Special Protection Group (SPG) protectee and security arrangements will be done accordingly." Prime Minister Modi will address a massive congregation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers at Karyakarta Mahakumbh in Bhopal. The programme is being organised at Jamboori Maidan in BHEL to mark the birth anniversary of party ideologue and co-founder of Janasangh, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. BJP president Amit Shah will also address a workers' congregation which will begin at 10 AM with a musical concert of singer Kailash Kher. An estimated 10 lakh party workers from 65,000 polling booths spread across 230 assembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh will take part in the programme. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, party organisational general secretary Ramlal and central and state ministers and other senior leaders will attend the congregation. An exhibition hall named after BJP leader and former union minister late Anil Madhav Dave has also been set up at the rally site. The exhibition venue will showcase the journey and works of BJP stalwarts, including former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Modi and Chouhan.

PM Modi to visit Bhopal today, security beefed up 

The Congress Tuesday rejected BJP's claim that Rahul Gandhi wanted the Rafale deal scrapped to help a firm linked to his brother-in-law Robert Vadra and said the Modi government was responding to the alleged "scam" with abuses and mud-slinging.

On Monday, the BJP alleged that the Congress president was involved in a "conspiracy, internationally" and former French president Francois Hollande was part of the "nexus" to sabotage the Rafale deal.

Responding to the claims, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the Congress government gave the contract to state-run firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave it to Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence.

"The tender was issued in 2007 August, and on December 12, 2012, it was opened...And in March 13, 2014, the Congress government gave the offset contract to state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited," Surjewala told reporters.

He cited the statements made by Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier and former HAL chairperson T S Raju.

Hitting out at Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and the Modi government, Surjewala said they were responding to the Rafale "scam" with abuses and mud-slinging.

"The country has heard the tale of Ali Baba aur Chaalis Chor, now it is asking that when will Modi Baba and Chaalis Chor answer," Surjewala said in a word play on the folk tale "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves".

"Are you Ambani's PM, or the country's prime minister?" he asked.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat had dragged the Gandhi family into the intensifying political row over the fighter aircraft deal, alleging that the UPA government had called off the multi-billion dollar deal after a private company linked to Vadra was not chosen as a broker.

The Rafale controversy took a new turn last week after Hollande, who was French president when the Rs 58,000 crore deal was announced, was quoted as saying by French publication Mediapart on Friday that France was given "no choice" on selection of the Indian partner for Dassault and the Indian government proposed the name of Reliance as offset partner for the French aerospace giant.

Modi had announced the procurement of 36 Rafale fighters after holding talks with Hollande on April 10, 2015, in Paris.&nbsp;

The Congress Tuesday rejected BJP's claim that Rahul Gandhi wanted the Rafale deal scrapped to help a firm linked to his brother-in-law Robert Vadra and said the Modi government was responding to the alleged "scam" with abuses and mud-slinging.

The Congress Tuesday rejected BJP's claim that Rahul Gandhi wanted the Rafale deal scrapped to help a firm linked to his brother-in-law Robert Vadra and said the Modi government was responding to the alleged "scam" with abuses and mud-slinging. On Monday, the BJP alleged that the Congress president was involved in a "conspiracy, internationally" and former French president Francois Hollande was part of the "nexus" to sabotage the Rafale deal. Responding to the claims, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the Congress government gave the contract to state-run firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave it to Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence. "The tender was issued in 2007 August, and on December 12, 2012, it was opened...And in March 13, 2014, the Congress government gave the offset contract to state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited," Surjewala told reporters. He cited the statements made by Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier and former HAL chairperson T S Raju. Hitting out at Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and the Modi government, Surjewala said they were responding to the Rafale "scam" with abuses and mud-slinging. "The country has heard the tale of Ali Baba aur Chaalis Chor, now it is asking that when will Modi Baba and Chaalis Chor answer," Surjewala said in a word play on the folk tale "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves". "Are you Ambani's PM, or the country's prime minister?" he asked. Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat had dragged the Gandhi family into the intensifying political row over the fighter aircraft deal, alleging that the UPA government had called off the multi-billion dollar deal after a private company linked to Vadra was not chosen as a broker. The Rafale controversy took a new turn last week after Hollande, who was French president when the Rs 58,000 crore deal was announced, was quoted as saying by French publication Mediapart on Friday that France was given "no choice" on selection of the Indian partner for Dassault and the Indian government proposed the name of Reliance as offset partner for the French aerospace giant. Modi had announced the procurement of 36 Rafale fighters after holding talks with Hollande on April 10, 2015, in Paris.

BJP responding to Rafale 'scam' with abuses, mud-slinging: Congress

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/both-congress-and-pakistan-want-modi-removed-indian-politics-bjp-167450">Both Congress and Pakistan want Modi removed from Indian politics: BJP</a>

Escalating its attack on the Congress, the BJP Monday drew a parallel between the opposition party and Pakistani leaders, saying both want Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed from Indian politics.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sad-truth-about-indias-commander-thief-rahul-gandhi-167432">Watch: Rahul Gandhi says ex-French president Francois Hollande has called Modi a 'thief'</a>

Congress President Rahul Gandhi launched a one-line Twitter broadside against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. In his tweet, he wrote: "The sad truth about India's Commander in Thief".&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/relief-maldives-strongman-concedes-defeat-167448">Relief as Maldives strongman concedes defeat</a>

The strongman leader of the Maldives on Monday conceded defeat in the presidential election, easing fears of a fresh political crisis in the archipelago at the centre of a battle for influence between India and China.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-plane-downing-result-premeditated-actions-israeli-pilots-167437">Russia says plane downing result of 'premeditated' actions by Israeli pilots</a>

The Kremlin on Monday accused Israeli pilots of "premeditated actions" over the downing of a Russian plane in Syria last week, warning it will harm relations between the two countries.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/shah-rukh-khan-told-me-i-should-learn-how-act-kajol-167433">Shah Rukh Khan told me I should learn how to act: Kajol</a>

She may be a name to reckon with in the acting world but Kajol admits that she learnt the craft hands-on, one film at a time.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Both Congress and Pakistan want Modi removed from Indian politics: BJP Escalating its attack on the Congress, the BJP Monday drew a parallel between the opposition party and Pakistani leaders, saying both want Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed from Indian politics.

Both Congress and Pakistan want Modi removed from Indian politics: BJP Escalating its attack on the Congress, the BJP Monday drew a parallel between the opposition party and Pakistani leaders, saying both want Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed from Indian politics. Watch: Rahul Gandhi says ex-French president Francois Hollande has called Modi a 'thief' Congress President Rahul Gandhi launched a one-line Twitter broadside against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. In his tweet, he wrote: "The sad truth about India's Commander in Thief". Relief as Maldives strongman concedes defeat The strongman leader of the Maldives on Monday conceded defeat in the presidential election, easing fears of a fresh political crisis in the archipelago at the centre of a battle for influence between India and China. Russia says plane downing result of 'premeditated' actions by Israeli pilots The Kremlin on Monday accused Israeli pilots of "premeditated actions" over the downing of a Russian plane in Syria last week, warning it will harm relations between the two countries. Shah Rukh Khan told me I should learn how to act: Kajol She may be a name to reckon with in the acting world but Kajol admits that she learnt the craft hands-on, one film at a time.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Following the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/two-ministers-dropped-manohar-parrikars-cabinet-goa-167360">removal of two ministers from Goa cabinet</a> on Monday, the BJP inducted&nbsp;Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral and Mormugao MLA Milind Naik in the party.

The two MLAs were sworn in as ministers in the state cabinet at Raj Bhawan.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Goa: Curchorem BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral &amp; Mormugao BJP MLA Milind Naik have been sworn-in as ministers in the state cabinet at Raj Bhawan.
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1044191995969884163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The new induction has come after the BJP removed two ministers Francis D’Souza and Pandurang Madkaikar from the Manohar Parrikar cabinet in Goa.

D’Souza was heading the urban development department while Madkaikar was heading the power minister.

The ministers had been ailing for some time and are currently admitted at hospitals.

D’Souza is currently admitted at a hospital in the USA, while Madkaikar, who had suffered a brain stroke in June, is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mumbai.

The development comes at a time when Chief Minister Parrikar is undergoing treatment for a pancreatic ailment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah had said Sunday that Parrikar would continue in his post and announced that a reshuffle of the state’s ministers would soon take place.

(With inputs from agencies)

Following the removal of two ministers from Goa cabinet on Monday, the BJP inducted Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral and Mormugao MLA Milind Naik in the party. The two MLAs were sworn in as ministers in the state cabinet at Raj Bhawan.

Following the removal of two ministers from Goa cabinet on Monday, the BJP inducted Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral and Mormugao MLA Milind Naik in the party. The two MLAs were sworn in as ministers in the state cabinet at Raj Bhawan. Goa: Curchorem BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral & Mormugao BJP MLA Milind Naik have been sworn-in as ministers in the state cabinet at Raj Bhawan. — ANI (@ANI) September 24, 2018 × The new induction has come after the BJP removed two ministers Francis D’Souza and Pandurang Madkaikar from the Manohar Parrikar cabinet in Goa. D’Souza was heading the urban development department while Madkaikar was heading the power minister. The ministers had been ailing for some time and are currently admitted at hospitals. D’Souza is currently admitted at a hospital in the USA, while Madkaikar, who had suffered a brain stroke in June, is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mumbai. The development comes at a time when Chief Minister Parrikar is undergoing treatment for a pancreatic ailment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah had said Sunday that Parrikar would continue in his post and announced that a reshuffle of the state’s ministers would soon take place. (With inputs from agencies)

After removing ailing ministers, BJP inducts MLA Nilesh Cabral and Milind Naik in Goa cabinet

BJP President Amit Shah drew strong criticism on Monday from Bangladesh after he&nbsp;compared Bangladeshi migrants living in India with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bangladeshi-migrants-termites-will-be-sent-out-country-amit-shah-167170">"termites"</a> who are eating into the country's resources.

Reacting to the remarks, Bangladesh Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu was quoted in media reports as saying that "Amit Shah made an unwanted remark"&nbsp;and Dhaka does not&nbsp;give any importance to his statement as it does not carry the gravity of an official statement of India.

"We have maintained that the NRC process in Assam and the welfare of the Bengali-speaking citizens of India are internal issues of India," Hasanul Haq added.

The senior Bangladesh&nbsp;minister and a veteran of 1971 War of Liberation also said that Amit Shah is perhaps uninformed about the dialogue that India and Bangladesh have held at the official level on the NRC in Assam with home minister Rajnath Singh and Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla based in Dhaka in which India assured that not a single Bengali-speaking person will be sent to Bangladesh.

Hasanul Haq Inu's&nbsp;response came after Amit Shah in a public meeting in Rajasthan on Saturday said that&nbsp;Bangladeshi migrants are like termites and each one of them will be sent out of the country.

At another meeting in Kota, he said the Congress treated infiltrators as a vote bank while the BJP is committed to identifying each one of them and sending them out of the country.

He also repeated the remark in Delhi, a day after and promised that if BJP is re-elected in 2019 it will pick out each and every infiltrator and send them back. 
&nbsp;

BJP President Amit Shah drew strong criticism on Monday from Bangladesh after he compared Bangladeshi migrants living in India with "termites" who are eating into the country's resources.

BJP President Amit Shah drew strong criticism on Monday from Bangladesh after he compared Bangladeshi migrants living in India with "termites" who are eating into the country's resources. Reacting to the remarks, Bangladesh Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu was quoted in media reports as saying that "Amit Shah made an unwanted remark" and Dhaka does not give any importance to his statement as it does not carry the gravity of an official statement of India. "We have maintained that the NRC process in Assam and the welfare of the Bengali-speaking citizens of India are internal issues of India," Hasanul Haq added. The senior Bangladesh minister and a veteran of 1971 War of Liberation also said that Amit Shah is perhaps uninformed about the dialogue that India and Bangladesh have held at the official level on the NRC in Assam with home minister Rajnath Singh and Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla based in Dhaka in which India assured that not a single Bengali-speaking person will be sent to Bangladesh. Hasanul Haq Inu's response came after Amit Shah in a public meeting in Rajasthan on Saturday said that Bangladeshi migrants are like termites and each one of them will be sent out of the country. At another meeting in Kota, he said the Congress treated infiltrators as a vote bank while the BJP is committed to identifying each one of them and sending them out of the country. He also repeated the remark in Delhi, a day after and promised that if BJP is re-elected in 2019 it will pick out each and every infiltrator and send them back.

Amit Shah's 'termites' remark 'unwanted', says Bangladesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited Odisha and laid the foundation stone of Talcher Fertiliser Plant in Talcher, news agency ANI reported. He also addressed a rally here during which he lashed out at the previous UPA government for the closure of industries during its rule.

"UPA regime failed to revive closed industries," PM Modi noted.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister said that the NDA government revived industries for the development of the nation.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Odisha: Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays foundation stone of Talcher Fertiliser Plant in Talcher <a href="https://t.co/LjQ43NPsyV">pic.twitter.com/LjQ43NPsyV</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1043370096578764805?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

After laying the foundation stone of the Talcher fertiliser plant, the Prime Minister stated that the "work on fertiliser plants picked up speed" with the BJP assuming power.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
When BJP govt came to power in the centre, the work on fertiliser plants picked up speed. I ensure you that the construction of Talcher Fertiliser Plant will be completed in 36 months &amp; I'll again come here to inaugurate it: PM Modi at a public rally in Talcher. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Odisha?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Odisha</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ja70Uqg42j">pic.twitter.com/Ja70Uqg42j</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1043379384097234950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"I ensure you that the construction of Talcher Fertiliser Plant will be completed in 36 months and I'll again come here to inaugurate it," PM Modi addressed the rally at Talcher. &nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Rs 13,000 crore-project to revive the Talcher fertiliser plant will for the first time see coal being converted into gas for use as the feedstock and for producing neem-coated urea.

"Our aim is to take India to new heights of growth," he said.

Talcher fertiliser project of the Fertilizer Corporation of India was shut in 2002 by the then BJP-led NDA government as frequent power restrictions, obsolete and mismatch of technology made the plant economically unviable.

The government in August 2011 decided to revive the plant.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Three days ago, the central govt took a decision that was needed since decades. The decision was on Triple Talaq. No one was ready to even talk about it due to the fear of losing votes. Now, it has been declared illegal: PM Narendra Modi at a public rally in Talcher. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Odisha?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Odisha</a> <a href="https://t.co/UpIKzuPuZK">pic.twitter.com/UpIKzuPuZK</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1043383850657767424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The Prime Minister, on the sidelines of the Talcher event, asked Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to link the people of the state with the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. The scheme provides Rs 5 lakh health insurance to the people.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
You have broken all records of previous rallies. This huge crowd portrays the sentiments of the people of Odisha: PM Modi at a public rally in Talcher. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Odisha?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Odisha</a> <a href="https://t.co/fK8gDEJuGq">pic.twitter.com/fK8gDEJuGq</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1043376590715899904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"I urge Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to link people of the state with Ayushman Bharat scheme to be launched on Sunday," he said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/67wmXycb5k8" width="1280"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited Odisha and laid the foundation stone of Talcher Fertiliser Plant in Talcher, news agency ANI reported. He also addressed a rally here during which he lashed out at the previous UPA government for the closure of industries during its rule.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited Odisha and laid the foundation stone of Talcher Fertiliser Plant in Talcher, news agency ANI reported. He also addressed a rally here during which he lashed out at the previous UPA government for the closure of industries during its rule. "UPA regime failed to revive closed industries," PM Modi noted. The Prime Minister said that the NDA government revived industries for the development of the nation. Odisha: Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays foundation stone of Talcher Fertiliser Plant in Talcher pic.twitter.com/LjQ43NPsyV — ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2018 × After laying the foundation stone of the Talcher fertiliser plant, the Prime Minister stated that the "work on fertiliser plants picked up speed" with the BJP assuming power. When BJP govt came to power in the centre, the work on fertiliser plants picked up speed. I ensure you that the construction of Talcher Fertiliser Plant will be completed in 36 months & I'll again come here to inaugurate it: PM Modi at a public rally in Talcher. #Odisha pic.twitter.com/Ja70Uqg42j — ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2018 × "I ensure you that the construction of Talcher Fertiliser Plant will be completed in 36 months and I'll again come here to inaugurate it," PM Modi addressed the rally at Talcher. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Rs 13,000 crore-project to revive the Talcher fertiliser plant will for the first time see coal being converted into gas for use as the feedstock and for producing neem-coated urea. "Our aim is to take India to new heights of growth," he said. Talcher fertiliser project of the Fertilizer Corporation of India was shut in 2002 by the then BJP-led NDA government as frequent power restrictions, obsolete and mismatch of technology made the plant economically unviable. The government in August 2011 decided to revive the plant. Three days ago, the central govt took a decision that was needed since decades. The decision was on Triple Talaq. No one was ready to even talk about it due to the fear of losing votes. Now, it has been declared illegal: PM Narendra Modi at a public rally in Talcher. #Odisha pic.twitter.com/UpIKzuPuZK — ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2018 × The Prime Minister, on the sidelines of the Talcher event, asked Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to link the people of the state with the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. The scheme provides Rs 5 lakh health insurance to the people. You have broken all records of previous rallies. This huge crowd portrays the sentiments of the people of Odisha: PM Modi at a public rally in Talcher. #Odisha pic.twitter.com/fK8gDEJuGq — ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2018 × "I urge Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to link people of the state with Ayushman Bharat scheme to be launched on Sunday," he said. ×

UPA regime failed to revive closed industries: PM Modi in Odisha

The Congress in Chhattisgarh has hit out at Mayawati-led BSP for <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/would-ban-alcohol-but-not-for-tribals-ex-chhattisgarh-chief-minister-ajit-jogi-153615">allying with former chief minister Ajit Jogi</a>'s party for the upcoming state assembly election and claimed the pre-poll tie-up has the support of the ruling BJP.

The main opposition party was hoping for an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party to take on the BJP in upcoming polls.

It said the BSP has allied with Jogi, an ex-Congressman, as it was facing heat from central government agencies.

The Congress said the alliance between the BSP and Jogi's Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC) has the support of the BJP, which is ruling the state since 2003.

The alliance between the BSP and the JCC was announced in Lucknow Thursday by Mayawati, who said Jogi will be its chief ministerial candidate. According to her, the

BSP will contest 35 seats and the JCC 55 in the 90-member House.

"Pressure from the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate on the BSP has led to the creation of this alliance.

"This alliance had been formed with the BJP's support and the people of the state had an understanding of it," state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel said Thursday.

He claimed the BSP had been fielding candidates on the direction of the BJP in all elections in the state so far.

"In the coming polls too, the BSP will field candidates as per the ruling party's choice. This time the party has been exposed by supporting Jogi who has acted as a 'B' team of the BJP," Baghel said.

On the other hand, the BJP said it sees no threat from the BSP-JCC tie-up and is hopeful that the alliance will benefit it.

"Hopes of the Congress were dashed as it had been trying for an alliance with the BSP. The political scenario emerging after the alliance between the BSP and the JCC reflects that the state will see a triangular fight in the coming election," state BJP president Dharamlal Kaushik said.

"However, the BJP is not at all worried as it (BSP-JCC tie-up) will benefit the party and it will storm back to power for a fourth consecutive term," Kaushik said.

The BJP had been working on a mission to win 65 of the 90 assembly seats this time and it will achieve its goal, Kaushik said.

Political observers said the alliance has come as a jolt to the Congress, which was hoping to end the long reign of the BJP in the state.

The BJP and the Congress have dominated the bipolar political landscape in Chhattisgarh, which came into existence in November 2000, and there has been a very limited impact of smaller parties in elections.

However, the BSP-JCC alliance will make the contest triangular when the elections are held by the year-end.

"The Congress has suffered a setback with the move as it was attempting to take the BSP to his side for the upcoming election in view of the latter's hold among

Scheduled Caste population, particularly the Satnami community, in districts like Janjgir-Champa, Raigarh and Bilaspur," veteran journalist Ramesh Nayyar told PTI.

However, the development has made the BJP anxious, Nayyar said.

The BSP-JCC combination will prompt both the national parties to devise strategies to attract Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe voters, who comprise nearly 50 per cent of the population of the state, and Jogi has considerable influence among these sections, he added.

Ajit Jogi's son Amit, a legislator, said only the BSP-JCC alliance is capable of stopping the BJP from coming to power in the state.

"BSP chief Mayawati was well aware of the fact that the Congress is a sinking ship. She knows it is only the JCC which has the potential to snatch power from the ruling BJP," said Amit Jogi, MLA from Marwahi seat.

"The people of the state will get a better alternative this time and very soon a joint programme of both the leaders (Mayawati and Ajit Jogi) will be held in the state," he said. 
In the 2013 poll, the BJP had won 49 seats, Congress 39, the BSP 1 and Independent 1. The BJP had secured 41.04 per cent of the total votes polled, the Congress 40.29 per cent and the BSP 4.27 per cent. 
Ajit Jogi quit the Congress in 2016 and launched his own party.&nbsp;

The Congress in Chhattisgarh has hit out at Mayawati-led BSP for allying with former chief minister Ajit Jogi's party for the upcoming state assembly election and claimed the pre-poll tie-up has the support of the ruling BJP.

The Congress in Chhattisgarh has hit out at Mayawati-led BSP for allying with former chief minister Ajit Jogi's party for the upcoming state assembly election and claimed the pre-poll tie-up has the support of the ruling BJP. The main opposition party was hoping for an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party to take on the BJP in upcoming polls. It said the BSP has allied with Jogi, an ex-Congressman, as it was facing heat from central government agencies. The Congress said the alliance between the BSP and Jogi's Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC) has the support of the BJP, which is ruling the state since 2003. The alliance between the BSP and the JCC was announced in Lucknow Thursday by Mayawati, who said Jogi will be its chief ministerial candidate. According to her, the BSP will contest 35 seats and the JCC 55 in the 90-member House. "Pressure from the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate on the BSP has led to the creation of this alliance. "This alliance had been formed with the BJP's support and the people of the state had an understanding of it," state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel said Thursday. He claimed the BSP had been fielding candidates on the direction of the BJP in all elections in the state so far. "In the coming polls too, the BSP will field candidates as per the ruling party's choice. This time the party has been exposed by supporting Jogi who has acted as a 'B' team of the BJP," Baghel said. On the other hand, the BJP said it sees no threat from the BSP-JCC tie-up and is hopeful that the alliance will benefit it. "Hopes of the Congress were dashed as it had been trying for an alliance with the BSP. The political scenario emerging after the alliance between the BSP and the JCC reflects that the state will see a triangular fight in the coming election," state BJP president Dharamlal Kaushik said. "However, the BJP is not at all worried as it (BSP-JCC tie-up) will benefit the party and it will storm back to power for a fourth consecutive term," Kaushik said. The BJP had been working on a mission to win 65 of the 90 assembly seats this time and it will achieve its goal, Kaushik said. Political observers said the alliance has come as a jolt to the Congress, which was hoping to end the long reign of the BJP in the state. The BJP and the Congress have dominated the bipolar political landscape in Chhattisgarh, which came into existence in November 2000, and there has been a very limited impact of smaller parties in elections. However, the BSP-JCC alliance will make the contest triangular when the elections are held by the year-end. "The Congress has suffered a setback with the move as it was attempting to take the BSP to his side for the upcoming election in view of the latter's hold among Scheduled Caste population, particularly the Satnami community, in districts like Janjgir-Champa, Raigarh and Bilaspur," veteran journalist Ramesh Nayyar told PTI. However, the development has made the BJP anxious, Nayyar said. The BSP-JCC combination will prompt both the national parties to devise strategies to attract Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe voters, who comprise nearly 50 per cent of the population of the state, and Jogi has considerable influence among these sections, he added. Ajit Jogi's son Amit, a legislator, said only the BSP-JCC alliance is capable of stopping the BJP from coming to power in the state. "BSP chief Mayawati was well aware of the fact that the Congress is a sinking ship. She knows it is only the JCC which has the potential to snatch power from the ruling BJP," said Amit Jogi, MLA from Marwahi seat. "The people of the state will get a better alternative this time and very soon a joint programme of both the leaders (Mayawati and Ajit Jogi) will be held in the state," he said. In the 2013 poll, the BJP had won 49 seats, Congress 39, the BSP 1 and Independent 1. The BJP had secured 41.04 per cent of the total votes polled, the Congress 40.29 per cent and the BSP 4.27 per cent. Ajit Jogi quit the Congress in 2016 and launched his own party.

Congress slams BSP over Jogi alliance, sees BJP role in tie-up

The Shree Karni Sena of Jaipur has threatened Rajsthan's education minister, Kiran Maheshwari to chop off her nose and ears for comparing rats equating Rajputs with ''rats''.

On Monday while addressing a media conference Kiran Maheshwari was asked to comment on Sarv Rajput Samaj Sangharsh Samiti is compaigning agianst the BJP to which she reportedly responded saying that, "Aise bhi log hai jo barsati choose hain, jo chunav aate he bilon se nikal aatein hain (There are people like rainy rats who come out of their holes during election time)."&nbsp

According to media reports, the Karni Sena after holding a meeting&nbspin Jaipur&nbspwarned Maheshwari to apologise for the statement immediately or will face dire consequences.

They also reportedly added that Maheshwari should have remembered the Deepika Padukone incident during the 'Padmaavat'&nbspcontroversy while making such remark.

However, Kiran Maheshwari later denied that she equated rats with Rajputs and&nbspclarified&nbspthat she was targetting Congress. She also added that her statement was twisted to incite the community.

The Karni Sena has also said that they hold women in high regard but will not tolerate any women insulting the community.

Meanwhile, Congress' Rajsthan chief Sachin Pilot also asked Maheshwari to apologise to the community for her offensive language.

The Karni Sena said that Kiran Maheshwari should have remembered the Deepika Padukone incident during the 'Padmaavat' controversy while making such remark

The Shree Karni Sena of Jaipur has threatened Rajsthan's education minister, Kiran Maheshwari to chop off her nose and ears for comparing rats equating Rajputs with ''rats''. On Monday while addressing a media conference Kiran Maheshwari was asked to comment on Sarv Rajput Samaj Sangharsh Samiti is compaigning agianst the BJP to which she reportedly responded saying that, "Aise bhi log hai jo barsati choose hain, jo chunav aate he bilon se nikal aatein hain (There are people like rainy rats who come out of their holes during election time)." According to media reports, the Karni Sena after holding a meeting&nbspin Jaipur&nbspwarned Maheshwari to apologise for the statement immediately or will face dire consequences. They also reportedly added that Maheshwari should have remembered the Deepika Padukone incident during the 'Padmaavat'&nbspcontroversy while making such remark. However, Kiran Maheshwari later denied that she equated rats with Rajputs and&nbspclarified&nbspthat she was targetting Congress. She also added that her statement was twisted to incite the community. The Karni Sena has also said that they hold women in high regard but will not tolerate any women insulting the community. Meanwhile, Congress' Rajsthan chief Sachin Pilot also asked Maheshwari to apologise to the community for her offensive language.

Karni Sena threatens Rajasthan education minister to chop off her nose and ears

A "mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance) of the opposition to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and the RSS is the sentiment of the people and not just political parties, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said today.

Lashing out at Modi and the ruling party, Gandhi alleged that the prime minister and the BJP were attacking the Constitution and other institutions of the nation.

"It is the sentiment of the people and not just political parties which are opposed to the BJP, to have a 'mahagathbandhan' that can take on the BJP, the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Gandhi told reporters here.

However, he remained silent when asked who would lead the grand alliance of the opposition parties.

"Prime Minister Modi and the BJP are attacking the Constitution and institutions of the nation," he alleged, saying the question faced by the people was how to stop this.

The Congress is trying to join together these voices and the work is going on, Gandhi said.

The 47-year-old Congress leader is on a two-day visit to Maharashtra since yesterday.

He said the opposition has been asking Modi to bring prices of petrol and diesel under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to provide relief to the common man, but "he is not interested."

"There was an attack on Mumbai (through demonetisation). There are small industries, traders here... the leather industry and the cloth industry are all here. They were attacked by the 'Gabbar Singh Tax' (implying the GST by drawing a reference to the celluloid bandit Gabbar Singh)," Gandhi said.

"The whole country is sad, small businessmen are sad because of demonetisation and we are fighting for them," he said. 
Gandhi said during the UPA government's rule, the crude price was USD 130 a barrel that has now come down to USD 70 a barrel.

"However, the benefit has not been passed on to the common man. Where does this money go? In the pockets of a handful of 15 to 20 rich people," he alleged.

Gandhi had yesterday accused the Modi government of creating hatred and division in the society and betraying farmers as well as youth in the country.

Addressing a convention of Mumbai booth-level Congress workers here last evening, he alleged that Modi was a "chowkidar" only for a handful of industrialists and not the common man.

He had also accused Modi of "humiliating" BJP veterans Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L K Advani and Jaswant Singh and their families, and alleged that it was his "way of protecting Indian culture".&nbsp

'It is the sentiment of the people and not just political parties which are opposed to the BJP, to have a 'mahagathbandhan' that can take on the BJP, the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi,' Gandhi told reporters in Mumbai

A "mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance) of the opposition to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and the RSS is the sentiment of the people and not just political parties, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said today. Lashing out at Modi and the ruling party, Gandhi alleged that the prime minister and the BJP were attacking the Constitution and other institutions of the nation. "It is the sentiment of the people and not just political parties which are opposed to the BJP, to have a 'mahagathbandhan' that can take on the BJP, the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Gandhi told reporters here. However, he remained silent when asked who would lead the grand alliance of the opposition parties. "Prime Minister Modi and the BJP are attacking the Constitution and institutions of the nation," he alleged, saying the question faced by the people was how to stop this. The Congress is trying to join together these voices and the work is going on, Gandhi said. The 47-year-old Congress leader is on a two-day visit to Maharashtra since yesterday. He said the opposition has been asking Modi to bring prices of petrol and diesel under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to provide relief to the common man, but "he is not interested." "There was an attack on Mumbai (through demonetisation). There are small industries, traders here... the leather industry and the cloth industry are all here. They were attacked by the 'Gabbar Singh Tax' (implying the GST by drawing a reference to the celluloid bandit Gabbar Singh)," Gandhi said. "The whole country is sad, small businessmen are sad because of demonetisation and we are fighting for them," he said. Gandhi said during the UPA government's rule, the crude price was USD 130 a barrel that has now come down to USD 70 a barrel. "However, the benefit has not been passed on to the common man. Where does this money go? In the pockets of a handful of 15 to 20 rich people," he alleged. Gandhi had yesterday accused the Modi government of creating hatred and division in the society and betraying farmers as well as youth in the country. Addressing a convention of Mumbai booth-level Congress workers here last evening, he alleged that Modi was a "chowkidar" only for a handful of industrialists and not the common man. He had also accused Modi of "humiliating" BJP veterans Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L K Advani and Jaswant Singh and their families, and alleged that it was his "way of protecting Indian culture".

Grand alliance against Modi 'is sentiment of people, not just political parties': Rahul Gandhi

"The great-grandson of the man who authored 'The Discovery of India'&nbsp;could with his customary inaccuracies one day give to this country his monumental work on 'The Rediscovery of Coca-Cola,'" Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley published a blog on Wednesday targetting Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, harping on his factual "customary inaccuracies" and his "inability to understand basic procedure of bank functioning".&nbsp;

In a scathing attack on the Congress, Jaitley questioned if the party has no ideology left at its core and if its Anti-Modi stance is the only way to steer the ship forward.&nbsp;

Jaitley eulogised NDA's Mudra Yojana describing it as an imperative tool in job creation and generating self-employment opportunities to various weaker sections.

"Two days ago, while addressing a gathering of what they claimed were their OBC supporters, Rahul Gandhi spoke on the entrepreneurial skills of Shikanjiwalas, dabbawalas and mechanics. Though factually what he stated was incorrect, the larger point is that he saw virtues in these professions which can act as a launch pad for many start-ups," Jaitley wrote.

"It is the NDA Government under Prime Minister Modi which realised the importance of millions of such self-employment opportunities for which in the year 2015 Mudra Yojana was launched... The UPA never did so," he further added.&nbsp;

The piece continued to attack Rahul Gandhi stating that while political positions are heritable, "unfortunately wisdom is not. It has to be acquired through learning".

Jaitley, in his verbal attack, questioned the Congress' new-found love for the OBC community adding that "the OBCs deserted Congress Party in the early 1990s. The Congress was always anti-OBC".&nbsp;

Later in the piece, Jaitley enumerates instances where he thinks the Congress chief gave away his weaknesses. "Interacting with his interviewer in Singapore a few weeks ago, Rahul Gandhi left his audience stunned by suggesting if MRI machines in India were connected, this would lead to a Medical Revolution. How? Except breaching a patient’s privacy by sharing his details with other hospitals what would this achieve?" Jaitley questioned.&nbsp;

"In all the above statements, there is no ideological pattern. Ignorance with anti-Modism is a common thread," the piece read.

Jaitley concluded by announcing dynastic political parties as "family and personality dominated" where "ideology takes a back seat".&nbsp;

"The leader’s ill-informed instincts become the ideology. This can only happen to a party which becomes ideologyless," the piece concluded.

Jaitley, in his verbal attack, questioned the Congress' new-found love for the OBC community adding that 'the OBCs deserted Congress Party in the early 1990s. The Congress was always anti-OBC'

"The great-grandson of the man who authored 'The Discovery of India' could with his customary inaccuracies one day give to this country his monumental work on 'The Rediscovery of Coca-Cola,'" Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley published a blog on Wednesday targetting Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, harping on his factual "customary inaccuracies" and his "inability to understand basic procedure of bank functioning". In a scathing attack on the Congress, Jaitley questioned if the party has no ideology left at its core and if its Anti-Modi stance is the only way to steer the ship forward. Jaitley eulogised NDA's Mudra Yojana describing it as an imperative tool in job creation and generating self-employment opportunities to various weaker sections. "Two days ago, while addressing a gathering of what they claimed were their OBC supporters, Rahul Gandhi spoke on the entrepreneurial skills of Shikanjiwalas, dabbawalas and mechanics. Though factually what he stated was incorrect, the larger point is that he saw virtues in these professions which can act as a launch pad for many start-ups," Jaitley wrote. "It is the NDA Government under Prime Minister Modi which realised the importance of millions of such self-employment opportunities for which in the year 2015 Mudra Yojana was launched... The UPA never did so," he further added. The piece continued to attack Rahul Gandhi stating that while political positions are heritable, "unfortunately wisdom is not. It has to be acquired through learning". Jaitley, in his verbal attack, questioned the Congress' new-found love for the OBC community adding that "the OBCs deserted Congress Party in the early 1990s. The Congress was always anti-OBC". Later in the piece, Jaitley enumerates instances where he thinks the Congress chief gave away his weaknesses. "Interacting with his interviewer in Singapore a few weeks ago, Rahul Gandhi left his audience stunned by suggesting if MRI machines in India were connected, this would lead to a Medical Revolution. How? Except breaching a patient’s privacy by sharing his details with other hospitals what would this achieve?" Jaitley questioned. "In all the above statements, there is no ideological pattern. Ignorance with anti-Modism is a common thread," the piece read. Jaitley concluded by announcing dynastic political parties as "family and personality dominated" where "ideology takes a back seat". "The leader’s ill-informed instincts become the ideology. This can only happen to a party which becomes ideologyless," the piece concluded.

Jaitley attacks Rahul Gandhi in blog post; says ignorance with 'anti-Modism' is common thread

The BJP accused Congress President Rahul Gandhi of practising the "lowest form of politics" after he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of humiliating former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and senior BJP leader LK Advani.&nbsp

News reports quoted Gandhi as having said at a rally in Mumbai that the Congress had accorded more respect to Advani than Modi.&nbsp

The reports quoted Gandhi as saying Advani had been Modi's guru but that he (Gandhi) had noticed "in events" that Modi does not even respect his guru. And that he (Gandhi) feels "very sad" for Advani.&nbsp

Gandhi later tweeted that "Ekalavya cut off his right thumb because his Guru demanded it" but "In the BJP, they cut down their own Gurus. Humiliating Vajpayeeji, Advaniji, Jaswant Singhji and their families is the Prime Minister’s way of protecting Indian culture."&nbsp

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Ekalavya cut off his right thumb because his Guru demanded it. 
 
In the BJP, they cut down their own Gurus. Humiliating Vajpayeeji, Advaniji, Jaswant Singhji and their families is the Prime Minister’s way of protecting Indian culture. <a href="https://t.co/lqUtBtj0t8">pic.twitter.com/lqUtBtj0t8</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1006553306083180544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Gandhi also said Tuesday that the Congress party had fought against Vajpayee but when he was hospitalised on Monday, it was " it was we who first visited him".&nbsp

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Congress party fought against Vajpayee's govt, but when he was sick it was we who first visited him. This is the ideology of Congress party, we respect our opponents: Congress President <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RahulGandhi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RahulGandhiInMumbai?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RahulGandhiInMumbai</a> <a href="https://t.co/5J7oVjpXlG">pic.twitter.com/5J7oVjpXlG</a>
— Congress (@INCIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/1006509591809572866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The pushback from the BJP was fast and furious.&nbsp

News reports quoted BJP spokespeson Anil Baluni as saying it was "bizarre" to see Gandhi "stoop to such a low".&nbsp

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Rahul Gandhi has been trying to advise BJP on how to respect senior leaders, he should first of all answer on his ill-treatment to their own senior leaders, like PV Narasimha Rao & Pranab Mukherjee: Anil Baluni, BJP (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/9S1o8snEBO">pic.twitter.com/9S1o8snEBO</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1006564268328669185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Baluni added that "Rahul Gandhi has been trying to advise BJP on how to respect senior leaders, he should first of all answer on his ill-treatment to their own senior leaders, like PV Narasimha Rao & Pranab Mukherjee".&nbsp

Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Advani had been Modi's guru but that he (Gandhi) had noticed 'in events' that Modi does not even respect his guru. And that he (Gandhi) feels 'very sad' for Advani

The BJP accused Congress President Rahul Gandhi of practising the "lowest form of politics" after he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of humiliating former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and senior BJP leader LK Advani. News reports quoted Gandhi as having said at a rally in Mumbai that the Congress had accorded more respect to Advani than Modi. The reports quoted Gandhi as saying Advani had been Modi's guru but that he (Gandhi) had noticed "in events" that Modi does not even respect his guru. And that he (Gandhi) feels "very sad" for Advani. Gandhi later tweeted that "Ekalavya cut off his right thumb because his Guru demanded it" but "In the BJP, they cut down their own Gurus. Humiliating Vajpayeeji, Advaniji, Jaswant Singhji and their families is the Prime Minister’s way of protecting Indian culture." Ekalavya cut off his right thumb because his Guru demanded it. In the BJP, they cut down their own Gurus. Humiliating Vajpayeeji, Advaniji, Jaswant Singhji and their families is the Prime Minister’s way of protecting Indian culture. pic.twitter.com/lqUtBtj0t8 — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 12, 2018 × Gandhi also said Tuesday that the Congress party had fought against Vajpayee but when he was hospitalised on Monday, it was " it was we who first visited him". Congress party fought against Vajpayee's govt, but when he was sick it was we who first visited him. This is the ideology of Congress party, we respect our opponents: Congress President @RahulGandhi #RahulGandhiInMumbai pic.twitter.com/5J7oVjpXlG — Congress (@INCIndia) June 12, 2018 × The pushback from the BJP was fast and furious. News reports quoted BJP spokespeson Anil Baluni as saying it was "bizarre" to see Gandhi "stoop to such a low". Rahul Gandhi has been trying to advise BJP on how to respect senior leaders, he should first of all answer on his ill-treatment to their own senior leaders, like PV Narasimha Rao & Pranab Mukherjee: Anil Baluni, BJP (file pic) pic.twitter.com/9S1o8snEBO — ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2018 × Baluni added that "Rahul Gandhi has been trying to advise BJP on how to respect senior leaders, he should first of all answer on his ill-treatment to their own senior leaders, like PV Narasimha Rao & Pranab Mukherjee".

'Lowest form of politics,' says BJP after Rahul alleges Modi humiliated Vajpayee, Advani

Capital's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said that he ensures that all the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) vote goes to the ruling party if the centre concedes statehood to the Capital city before the 2019 General Elections.

"I want to tell BJP that if before 2019 elections, Delhi is granted statehood, we'll make sure that each and every vote from Delhi goes in your favour, we'll campaign for you. If you don't do so Delhi residents will put up boards saying 'BJP leave Delhi'," he said in the Assembly.

On Sunday, Arvind Kejriwal has strongly urged the party workers with the slogan 'LG, Delhi chodo' as the ruling AAP announced a campaign in the entire city for the full statehood in Delhi.

Speaking with the party's ward-level officer and legislators at his residence, Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday compared the fight for Delhi's full statehood with the freedom struggle in 1947. In a frenzied address, he said Bapu had launched the Quit India movement during the British Raj likewise the AAP shall launch the 'LG Delhi Chodo' campaign in the BJP rule. kejriwal further said that in &nbsp;1947 India got freedom and all the British authorities were removed, but in Delhi, LG was appointed in place of the viceroys.

"We would ask people (during meetings) whether there should be people's rule or LG's rule in Delhi. LG creates hurdles in our every project, be it the CCTV project or doorstep delivery of ration," he had said.

Putting more emphasis on the campaign, senior AAP leader Gopal Rai said that all the AAP leaders, MLA's and workers will gather for meetings at 300 locations in the national capital commencing from June 17 and ending on June 24 in the first phase of turbulence.

In the second phase of the turbulence the AAP has planned to hold the party workers' convention at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on July 1, where the next action will be decided, the CM added.

In the second phase of the turbulence the AAP has planned to hold the party workers' convention at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on July 1, where the next action will be decided, the CM added.

Capital's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said that he ensures that all the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) vote goes to the ruling party if the centre concedes statehood to the Capital city before the 2019 General Elections. "I want to tell BJP that if before 2019 elections, Delhi is granted statehood, we'll make sure that each and every vote from Delhi goes in your favour, we'll campaign for you. If you don't do so Delhi residents will put up boards saying 'BJP leave Delhi'," he said in the Assembly. On Sunday, Arvind Kejriwal has strongly urged the party workers with the slogan 'LG, Delhi chodo' as the ruling AAP announced a campaign in the entire city for the full statehood in Delhi. Speaking with the party's ward-level officer and legislators at his residence, Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday compared the fight for Delhi's full statehood with the freedom struggle in 1947. In a frenzied address, he said Bapu had launched the Quit India movement during the British Raj likewise the AAP shall launch the 'LG Delhi Chodo' campaign in the BJP rule. kejriwal further said that in 1947 India got freedom and all the British authorities were removed, but in Delhi, LG was appointed in place of the viceroys. "We would ask people (during meetings) whether there should be people's rule or LG's rule in Delhi. LG creates hurdles in our every project, be it the CCTV project or doorstep delivery of ration," he had said. Putting more emphasis on the campaign, senior AAP leader Gopal Rai said that all the AAP leaders, MLA's and workers will gather for meetings at 300 locations in the national capital commencing from June 17 and ending on June 24 in the first phase of turbulence. In the second phase of the turbulence the AAP has planned to hold the party workers' convention at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on July 1, where the next action will be decided, the CM added.

Will campaign for BJP if Delhi is granted statehood before 2019: Arvind Kejriwal

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president M.K. Stalin and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday expressed their concerns on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's health and wished him a speedy recovery.

On Monday, Vajpayee was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and is currently undergoing treatment.

Taking to Twitter, Stalin said that he was saddened to hear Vajpayee's health and wished him a speedy and full recovery.

"I was saddened to hear about former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji being admitted to AIIMS. On behalf of DMK President Thalaivar Kalaignar and DMK party, I wish Vajpayeeji a speedy and full recovery back to normal health," Stalin wrote on the micro-blogging site.

Naidu also inquired on Vajpayee's health and prayed for a speedy recovery.

"I spoke to the officers in Delhi on the health of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Praying to God for his speedy recovery and his return to home with good health," Naidu tweeted.

Earlier today, AIIMS said that Vajpayee's condition was stable and is responding well to the treatment.

Dr. (Professor) Aarti Vij said in a statement, "Former Prime Minister Vajpayee's condition is stable. He is responding to treatment and is on injectable antibiotics. All vital parameters are stable. He will continue to be in hospital till infection is controlled."

Many political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi, visited the ailing former prime minister at AIIMS.

The 93-year-old Vajpayee was the first ever person from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to have become the nation's prime minister.

Vajpayee was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and is currently undergoing treatment

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president M.K. Stalin and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday expressed their concerns on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's health and wished him a speedy recovery. On Monday, Vajpayee was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and is currently undergoing treatment. Taking to Twitter, Stalin said that he was saddened to hear Vajpayee's health and wished him a speedy and full recovery. "I was saddened to hear about former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji being admitted to AIIMS. On behalf of DMK President Thalaivar Kalaignar and DMK party, I wish Vajpayeeji a speedy and full recovery back to normal health," Stalin wrote on the micro-blogging site. Naidu also inquired on Vajpayee's health and prayed for a speedy recovery. "I spoke to the officers in Delhi on the health of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Praying to God for his speedy recovery and his return to home with good health," Naidu tweeted. Earlier today, AIIMS said that Vajpayee's condition was stable and is responding well to the treatment. Dr. (Professor) Aarti Vij said in a statement, "Former Prime Minister Vajpayee's condition is stable. He is responding to treatment and is on injectable antibiotics. All vital parameters are stable. He will continue to be in hospital till infection is controlled." Many political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi, visited the ailing former prime minister at AIIMS. The 93-year-old Vajpayee was the first ever person from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to have become the nation's prime minister.

Stalin, Naidu wish speedy recovery of ex-PM Vajpayee

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said today that the sit-in by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues at the Lieutenant Governor's office was a "mockery of democracy".

Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues spent the night at Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's office to press for their demands including a direction to IAS officers to end their "strike" and action against officers who have struck work for "four months".

Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, Labour Minister Gopal Rai and Health Minister Satyendar Jain met Baijal at&nbsp;5.30 pm&nbsp;yesterday and since then, they stayed out there.

Tiwari tweeted, "Making mockery of Democracy, No Work only Drama (sic)."

Vijender Gupta, the leader of opposition in the assembly, called Kejriwal's sit-in a way to "shirk work".

"Delhi's Maalik (owner) Kejriwal and company are protesting inside an air-conditioned room. Delicacies are being served to them from outside while the city's reeling under a water crisis. They are only concerned about politics and not about people's issues," Gupta posted on Twitter.

A number of AAP MLAs, party's leaders and workers have also camped near the L-G office, and the police have barricaded the area.

The L-G's office slammed Kejriwal's sit-in, saying it was another protest in the sequence of "dharna without reason".

Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues spent the night at Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's office to press for their demands including a direction to IAS officers to end their 'strike' and action against officers who have struck work for 'four months'

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said today that the sit-in by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues at the Lieutenant Governor's office was a "mockery of democracy". Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues spent the night at Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's office to press for their demands including a direction to IAS officers to end their "strike" and action against officers who have struck work for "four months". Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, Labour Minister Gopal Rai and Health Minister Satyendar Jain met Baijal at 5.30 pm yesterday and since then, they stayed out there. Tiwari tweeted, "Making mockery of Democracy, No Work only Drama (sic)." Vijender Gupta, the leader of opposition in the assembly, called Kejriwal's sit-in a way to "shirk work". "Delhi's Maalik (owner) Kejriwal and company are protesting inside an air-conditioned room. Delicacies are being served to them from outside while the city's reeling under a water crisis. They are only concerned about politics and not about people's issues," Gupta posted on Twitter. A number of AAP MLAs, party's leaders and workers have also camped near the L-G office, and the police have barricaded the area. The L-G's office slammed Kejriwal's sit-in, saying it was another protest in the sequence of "dharna without reason".

Kejriwal's sit-in a mockery of democracy: Manoj Tiwari

A police sub-inspector has lodged a complaint against BJP MLA Narayan Kuche, accusing the legislator of abusing and threatening him over the phone during investigation of a case, the police said today. 
 
The complaint has been filed by sub-inspector Ashok Avchare, of the Ambad police station in Maharashtra's Jalna district. 
 
Mr Avchare was heading the investigation into the disappearance of one Bhausaheb Kisan Rathod, who went missing on June 7. A missing complaint was lodged with the Ambad police station. 
 
During the investigation, Mr Avchare came to know that Mr Rathod had borrowed&nbsp;Rs.&nbsp;3 lakh from an agent of a sugar factory and was not repaying the amount, police said. 
 
Later, the agent reportedly asked Suresh Chavan, a support of Mr Kuche, to recover the money from Mr Rathod. Mr Chavan had been allegedly harassing Mr Rathod over the pending amount, they said. 
 
Mr Avachare called Mr Chavan for inquiry and told him he will register a complaint against him in connection with the disappearance of Mr Rathod, police said. 
 
Mr Chavan reportedly called Mr Kuche and told him about the likely police action. Mr Kuche then called Mr Avachare and allegedly threatened and abused him for trying to "implicate" Mr Chavan in the case, they said.

Mr Avachare also made an entry in the police dairy regarding the incident. He yesterday submitted a written complaint against the MLA from Badnapur constituency in the district to in-charge of the Ambad police station.

Additional Superintendent of Police Lata Phad confirmed the filing of complaint against the legislator. 
 
Ms Phad did not provide further details, saying she was still looking into the matter. Mr Kuche was not available for comment.

The complaint has been filed by sub-inspector Ashok Avchare, of the Ambad police station in Maharashtra's Jalna district

A police sub-inspector has lodged a complaint against BJP MLA Narayan Kuche, accusing the legislator of abusing and threatening him over the phone during investigation of a case, the police said today. The complaint has been filed by sub-inspector Ashok Avchare, of the Ambad police station in Maharashtra's Jalna district. Mr Avchare was heading the investigation into the disappearance of one Bhausaheb Kisan Rathod, who went missing on June 7. A missing complaint was lodged with the Ambad police station. During the investigation, Mr Avchare came to know that Mr Rathod had borrowed Rs. 3 lakh from an agent of a sugar factory and was not repaying the amount, police said. Later, the agent reportedly asked Suresh Chavan, a support of Mr Kuche, to recover the money from Mr Rathod. Mr Chavan had been allegedly harassing Mr Rathod over the pending amount, they said. Mr Avachare called Mr Chavan for inquiry and told him he will register a complaint against him in connection with the disappearance of Mr Rathod, police said. Mr Chavan reportedly called Mr Kuche and told him about the likely police action. Mr Kuche then called Mr Avachare and allegedly threatened and abused him for trying to "implicate" Mr Chavan in the case, they said. Mr Avachare also made an entry in the police dairy regarding the incident. He yesterday submitted a written complaint against the MLA from Badnapur constituency in the district to in-charge of the Ambad police station. Additional Superintendent of Police Lata Phad confirmed the filing of complaint against the legislator. Ms Phad did not provide further details, saying she was still looking into the matter. Mr Kuche was not available for comment.

BJP legislator accused Of abusing, threatening Maharashtra policeman

India&nbsp;is set to miss a December deadline to acquire land for a Japan-backed $17 billion bullet train project following protests by fruit growers, government officials said, likely delaying one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's most ambitious projects.

Modi's office is now monitoring the project week-to-week, as&nbsp;Indian officials seek to reassure Tokyo that the hurdles can be overcome through intense negotiations with sapota and mango growers in Maharashtra.

Protests, backed by local politicians, have flared up in recent months against attempts to secure sections of a 108-km stretch, which is around one-fifth of the entire bullet train corridor connecting Mumbai with Ahmedabad, the largest commercial city in Modi's home state Gujarat.

"I've worked hard for three decades to develop this plantation, and they are asking me to hand over this land," sapota farmer Dashrat Purav, 62, said as he showed his orchard in the town of Palghar, a three-hour-drive north of Mumbai.

"I haven't worked hard to surrender land for the project. I did that for my children."

Purav said he would sell his land only if at least one of his two unemployed sons was promised a government job.

Protests against land acquisitions are common in&nbsp;India, where tens of millions of farmers till small holdings. A planned $44 billion refinery to be run by a consortium including Saudi Aramco, the world's biggest oil producer, is also struggling to secure land in Maharashtra.

"Land acquisition for any project is complex in&nbsp;India," said Dhananjay Kumar, spokesman for the National High-Speed Rail Corp Ltd (NHSRCL) that is overseeing the project. "Here also we are facing difficulty because of so much resistance."

Failure to procure the bullet train land by the deadline would delay disbursal of soft-loans by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a government development body, which is reviewing the project next month, said two senior officials with the state-run&nbsp;Indian Railways, declining to be named.

A JICA spokeswoman said that&nbsp;India&nbsp;must create&nbsp;relocation plans for local residents and make them public in order to enter into a loan agreement covering the main part of the bullet train project.

"It is possible that it takes time to sign a contract as&nbsp;India&nbsp;takes proper and careful measures in line with JICA's guidelines for environmental and social considerations," she said.

To assuage Japan's concerns,&nbsp;Indian officials have sought a meeting this month with transport ministry officials in Tokyo, one of the&nbsp;Indian officials said.&nbsp;India&nbsp;wants the project's completion target to be advanced by a year to 2022, the 75th year of&nbsp;India's independence.

A Japanese transport ministry official who deals with the bullet train project said that&nbsp;Indian officials had told them that "they can manage" the land acquisition.

"We will continue to work together with the&nbsp;Indian government to bring this project forward with an aim to start operation in 2023," the official said.

Japan is majority-funding the train project through a 50-year loan. Japanese companies such as Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corp, JFE Holdings, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Toshiba Corp and Hitachi are likely to supply at least 70 percent of the core components of the rail line, sources told Reuters in January.

Modi has called the project crucial for his pet "Make in&nbsp;India" campaign aimed at lifting the share of manufacturing in&nbsp;India's $2 trillion economy. The government also hopes to generate hundreds of jobs through the train project, and hence is pushing hard to finish it on time.

To sweeten the terms for people opposed to selling their land,&nbsp;Indian Railways has put its weight behind NHSRCL, pledging funds from its own welfare scheme to build schools and community halls, one of the officials said.

Ashwani Lohani, chairman of the&nbsp;Indian Railway Board, said the issues with farmers were not insurmountable.

The government has offered to buy land at a 25per centt premium to the market value, the two government officials said. Farmers are also being offered resettlement dues of 500,000 rupees ($7,409) or 50 percent of the land value, whichever is higher.

However, local political opposition in Palghar, ahead of a general election next year, has fanned the protests. Opponents say the bullet train is wasteful and the money would be better used upgrading the country's rickety rail infrastructure. Farmers have threatened a hunger strike.

Last week, farmers and local activists disrupted a public hearing conducted by NHSRCL, its second attempt to hold such an event in less than a month. The first one last month was also cut short by protests.

"In coming weeks, we will intensify the protests," said Nilam&nbsp;Gorhe, a spokesman for Shiv Sena, a regional party that has an on-off relationship with Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

'I haven't worked hard to surrender land for the project. I did that for my children'

India is set to miss a December deadline to acquire land for a Japan-backed $17 billion bullet train project following protests by fruit growers, government officials said, likely delaying one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's most ambitious projects. Modi's office is now monitoring the project week-to-week, as Indian officials seek to reassure Tokyo that the hurdles can be overcome through intense negotiations with sapota and mango growers in Maharashtra. Protests, backed by local politicians, have flared up in recent months against attempts to secure sections of a 108-km stretch, which is around one-fifth of the entire bullet train corridor connecting Mumbai with Ahmedabad, the largest commercial city in Modi's home state Gujarat. "I've worked hard for three decades to develop this plantation, and they are asking me to hand over this land," sapota farmer Dashrat Purav, 62, said as he showed his orchard in the town of Palghar, a three-hour-drive north of Mumbai. "I haven't worked hard to surrender land for the project. I did that for my children." Purav said he would sell his land only if at least one of his two unemployed sons was promised a government job. Protests against land acquisitions are common in India, where tens of millions of farmers till small holdings. A planned $44 billion refinery to be run by a consortium including Saudi Aramco, the world's biggest oil producer, is also struggling to secure land in Maharashtra. "Land acquisition for any project is complex in India," said Dhananjay Kumar, spokesman for the National High-Speed Rail Corp Ltd (NHSRCL) that is overseeing the project. "Here also we are facing difficulty because of so much resistance." Failure to procure the bullet train land by the deadline would delay disbursal of soft-loans by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a government development body, which is reviewing the project next month, said two senior officials with the state-run Indian Railways, declining to be named. A JICA spokeswoman said that India must create relocation plans for local residents and make them public in order to enter into a loan agreement covering the main part of the bullet train project. "It is possible that it takes time to sign a contract as India takes proper and careful measures in line with JICA's guidelines for environmental and social considerations," she said. To assuage Japan's concerns, Indian officials have sought a meeting this month with transport ministry officials in Tokyo, one of the Indian officials said. India wants the project's completion target to be advanced by a year to 2022, the 75th year of India's independence. A Japanese transport ministry official who deals with the bullet train project said that Indian officials had told them that "they can manage" the land acquisition. "We will continue to work together with the Indian government to bring this project forward with an aim to start operation in 2023," the official said. Japan is majority-funding the train project through a 50-year loan. Japanese companies such as Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corp, JFE Holdings, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Toshiba Corp and Hitachi are likely to supply at least 70 percent of the core components of the rail line, sources told Reuters in January. Modi has called the project crucial for his pet "Make in India" campaign aimed at lifting the share of manufacturing in India's $2 trillion economy. The government also hopes to generate hundreds of jobs through the train project, and hence is pushing hard to finish it on time. To sweeten the terms for people opposed to selling their land, Indian Railways has put its weight behind NHSRCL, pledging funds from its own welfare scheme to build schools and community halls, one of the officials said. Ashwani Lohani, chairman of the Indian Railway Board, said the issues with farmers were not insurmountable. The government has offered to buy land at a 25per centt premium to the market value, the two government officials said. Farmers are also being offered resettlement dues of 500,000 rupees ($7,409) or 50 percent of the land value, whichever is higher. However, local political opposition in Palghar, ahead of a general election next year, has fanned the protests. Opponents say the bullet train is wasteful and the money would be better used upgrading the country's rickety rail infrastructure. Farmers have threatened a hunger strike. Last week, farmers and local activists disrupted a public hearing conducted by NHSRCL, its second attempt to hold such an event in less than a month. The first one last month was also cut short by protests. "In coming weeks, we will intensify the protests," said Nilam Gorhe, a spokesman for Shiv Sena, a regional party that has an on-off relationship with Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

India set to miss key target for Japan-backed bullet train project

Praful Patel, former Union Cabinet Minister and senior NCP leader spoke on the issue of alliance with the Congress in Maharashtra and Grand Alliance in general. He said that Congress has made a good beginning with them in the state and an alliance can be recreated at the state level again. In the upcoming assembly election, BJP will be defeated, he said and welcomed the idea of a Grand Alliance.

&nbsp

Q: Can a combined opposition take on BJP in Lok Sabha elections?

A: It has become very visible in the results of all by-elections that where ever regional parties have sunk differences, BJP has been defeated. There is a visible disenchantment with BJP. BJP made huge promises during Lok Sabha elections but none of them have been kept. On top of it, political adjustments are taking place to ensure that 2014 is not repeated again at the national level.

 
Q: Has Congress become a big regional party and what role do you expect it to play?

A: Congress understands the new political reality. They have to respect the changed political circumstances. They too have made adjustments. For example, they gave away the position of Chief Minister to JD-U which would not have been possible in past. Even in Uttar Pradesh, Congress vote has become negligible. So it is better to adjust then perish. Having said that I would also say that Congress still remains the largest pan Indian party in the Opposition. Congress will have to play a role here and accordingly build consensus in the non-BJP bloc.

&nbsp

Q: What is Sharad Pawar’s idea of 2019 elections?

A: His understanding is that 2019 Lok Sabha elections will be about political alliances based on least division of votes. For this end, pan India alliances will have to be forged.

&nbsp

Q: Is one candidate, one constituency a good idea?

A: It depends on region to region but as far as possible, one candidate, one constituency is a good idea. All of this will depend on local and regional arrangements. But an arrangement like this in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra can affect BJP adversely.

&nbsp

Q: How significant is NCP’s victory in Gondia?

A: It is a significant victory for us. This seat belonged to us. Even in 2014, we fought elections together in Lok Sabha. Disenchantment against BJP is deep. They put all their money and muscle in Gondia but we ran a soft low-key campaign which worked for us.

&nbsp&nbsp

Q: Has the relationship between Congress and NCP improved?

A: Good beginning has been made which reflected in the byelection. There is more engagement now between both the parties.

&nbsp

Q: Will Congress and NCP fight elections together in Maharashtra?

A: As I said, a good beginning has been made. We had an alliance in past and it can be recreated.

Congress understands the new political reality. They have to respect the changed political circumstances. They too have made adjustments. For example, they gave away the position of Chief Minister to JD-U which would not have been possible in past.

Praful Patel, former Union Cabinet Minister and senior NCP leader spoke on the issue of alliance with the Congress in Maharashtra and Grand Alliance in general. He said that Congress has made a good beginning with them in the state and an alliance can be recreated at the state level again. In the upcoming assembly election, BJP will be defeated, he said and welcomed the idea of a Grand Alliance. Q: Can a combined opposition take on BJP in Lok Sabha elections? A: It has become very visible in the results of all by-elections that where ever regional parties have sunk differences, BJP has been defeated. There is a visible disenchantment with BJP. BJP made huge promises during Lok Sabha elections but none of them have been kept. On top of it, political adjustments are taking place to ensure that 2014 is not repeated again at the national level. Q: Has Congress become a big regional party and what role do you expect it to play? A: Congress understands the new political reality. They have to respect the changed political circumstances. They too have made adjustments. For example, they gave away the position of Chief Minister to JD-U which would not have been possible in past. Even in Uttar Pradesh, Congress vote has become negligible. So it is better to adjust then perish. Having said that I would also say that Congress still remains the largest pan Indian party in the Opposition. Congress will have to play a role here and accordingly build consensus in the non-BJP bloc. Q: What is Sharad Pawar’s idea of 2019 elections? A: His understanding is that 2019 Lok Sabha elections will be about political alliances based on least division of votes. For this end, pan India alliances will have to be forged. Q: Is one candidate, one constituency a good idea? A: It depends on region to region but as far as possible, one candidate, one constituency is a good idea. All of this will depend on local and regional arrangements. But an arrangement like this in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra can affect BJP adversely. Q: How significant is NCP’s victory in Gondia? A: It is a significant victory for us. This seat belonged to us. Even in 2014, we fought elections together in Lok Sabha. Disenchantment against BJP is deep. They put all their money and muscle in Gondia but we ran a soft low-key campaign which worked for us. Q: Has the relationship between Congress and NCP improved? A: Good beginning has been made which reflected in the byelection. There is more engagement now between both the parties. Q: Will Congress and NCP fight elections together in Maharashtra? A: As I said, a good beginning has been made. We had an alliance in past and it can be recreated.

Political adjustments are taking place to ensure 2014 is not repeated: ​​​​​​​Praful Patel

Student rights activist at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Shehla Rashid, made a controversial tweet by claiming that the <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/massive-manhunt-launched-to-locate-accused-in-pm-modis-assassination-plot-143263">assassination plot against PM Modi </a>is planned by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and the RSS.

She said that the RSS and Union Minister have planned the assassination to blame the Muslims/communists and then lynch the Muslims.

She tweeted, "Looks like RSS/Gadkari is planning to assassinate Modi, and then blame it upon Muslims/Communists and then lynch Muslims #RajivGandhiStyle."&nbsp;

In response to her attack, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that he would take legal action on "anti-social elements" for the comments.

His tweet read, "I would be taking legal action on anti-social elements who have made bizarre comments attributing personal motives to me, regarding the assassination threat to PM @narendramodi."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I would be taking legal action on anti-social elements who have made bizzare comments attributing personal motives to me, regarding the assassination threat to PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) <a href="https://twitter.com/nitin_gadkari/status/1005480418093686785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Soon after his tweet Shehla Rashid clarified that she was making a sarcastic comment on her post. She said, "Leader of world's biggest party gets worked up about a sarcastic tweet. Imagine what an innocent student @UmarKhalidJNU must be going through after a baseless media assault on him & his father".

Rashid's tweet referred to the assassination plot that was revealed by the Pune police after they recovered a letter from the residence of one of the five persons arrested in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Looks like RSS/Gadkari is planning to assassinate Modi, and then blame it upon Muslims/Communists and then lynch Muslims <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajivGandhiStyle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajivGandhiStyle</a>
— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shehla_Rashid/status/1005373847636303872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Leader of world's biggest party gets worked up about a sarcastic tweet. Imagine what an innocent student <a href="https://twitter.com/UmarKhalidJNU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UmarKhalidJNU</a> must be going through after a baseless media assault on him & his father by Times Now. 
 
Mr. Gadkari, will you also take action against Rahul Shivshankar? <a href="https://t.co/tNDZLrqOKV">https://t.co/tNDZLrqOKV</a>
— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shehla_Rashid/status/1005502570779967489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The letter read, "Com. Kisan and few other senior comrades have proposed concrete steps to end Modi-raj. We are thinking along the lines of another Rajiv Gandhi type incident. It sounds suicidal and there is a good chance that we might fail, but we feel that the party PB/CC must deliberate over our proposal. Targeting his road-shows could be an effective strategy. We collectively believe that survival of the party is supreme to all sacrifices".

It was also written that for Maoists, "defeating Hindu fascism has been our core agenda and a major concern for the party". 
&nbsp;

In response to the attack, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that he would take legal action on 'anti-social elements'

Student rights activist at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Shehla Rashid, made a controversial tweet by claiming that the assassination plot against PM Modi is planned by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and the RSS. She said that the RSS and Union Minister have planned the assassination to blame the Muslims/communists and then lynch the Muslims. She tweeted, "Looks like RSS/Gadkari is planning to assassinate Modi, and then blame it upon Muslims/Communists and then lynch Muslims #RajivGandhiStyle." In response to her attack, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that he would take legal action on "anti-social elements" for the comments. His tweet read, "I would be taking legal action on anti-social elements who have made bizarre comments attributing personal motives to me, regarding the assassination threat to PM @narendramodi." I would be taking legal action on anti-social elements who have made bizzare comments attributing personal motives to me, regarding the assassination threat to PM @narendramodi — Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) June 9, 2018 × Soon after his tweet Shehla Rashid clarified that she was making a sarcastic comment on her post. She said, "Leader of world's biggest party gets worked up about a sarcastic tweet. Imagine what an innocent student @UmarKhalidJNU must be going through after a baseless media assault on him & his father". Rashid's tweet referred to the assassination plot that was revealed by the Pune police after they recovered a letter from the residence of one of the five persons arrested in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence. Looks like RSS/Gadkari is planning to assassinate Modi, and then blame it upon Muslims/Communists and then lynch Muslims #RajivGandhiStyle — Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) June 9, 2018 × Leader of world's biggest party gets worked up about a sarcastic tweet. Imagine what an innocent student @UmarKhalidJNU must be going through after a baseless media assault on him & his father by Times Now. Mr. Gadkari, will you also take action against Rahul Shivshankar? https://t.co/tNDZLrqOKV — Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) June 9, 2018 × The letter read, "Com. Kisan and few other senior comrades have proposed concrete steps to end Modi-raj. We are thinking along the lines of another Rajiv Gandhi type incident. It sounds suicidal and there is a good chance that we might fail, but we feel that the party PB/CC must deliberate over our proposal. Targeting his road-shows could be an effective strategy. We collectively believe that survival of the party is supreme to all sacrifices". It was also written that for Maoists, "defeating Hindu fascism has been our core agenda and a major concern for the party".

Shehla Rashid tweets 'RSS/Gadkari planning to assassinate Modi'; Gadkari to sue

The Delhi unit of the BJP plans to hold four mega rallies, including one of settlers from Purvanchal, for a show of strength in the city to counter a possible alliance between the Congress and AAP before the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

A senior Delhi BJP leader said the rallies, likely to be held in October and November, will focus on the Dalit community, women, youth and people from Purvanchal or parts of eastern UP and Bihar. “Purvanchali people rallied behind the BJP in the MCD elections last year. If we succeed in having their support, the BJP will brave any challenge including the possibility of an alliance between the AAP and Congress,” he told PTI.

The party’s Delhi unit plans to invite top leaders such as Narendra Modi and Amit Shah to address the Purvanchali rally that will be the first in the series of the four mega-gatherings. The preparations have begun with contact programmes launched by the party.

The BJP hopes that each of the rallies will be attended by at least one lakh people, the party leader, who did not wish to be identified, said. The party, which believes that Purvanchalis constitute around 40 per cent of the city’s total voters, had appointed Bhojpuri superstar-turned-politician Manoj Tiwari as the city unit president in November 2016. Tiwari led the party to a major win in the civic polls in April 2017.

Poorvanchali voters constitute 20-45 per cent of the vote share in at least 20 Assembly constituencies in Delhi, the leader said. The Assembly segments where Purvanchalis dominate include Burari, Seemapuri, Gokalpuri, Karawal Nagar, Kirari, Badli and Nangloi.

“Under our ‘Sampark for Samarthan’ campaign, all senior leaders including Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari are meeting prominent people. Booth-level office-bearers have to approach 50 households and tell the people about the Modi government’s achievements,” he said. The Yuva Morcha has galvanised its cadre through bike rallies in spreading the message about the government’s achievements, he added.

The party's Delhi unit plans to invite top leaders such as Narendra Modi and Amit Shah to address the Purvanchali rally that will be the first in the series of the four mega-gatherings.

The Delhi unit of the BJP plans to hold four mega rallies, including one of settlers from Purvanchal, for a show of strength in the city to counter a possible alliance between the Congress and AAP before the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. A senior Delhi BJP leader said the rallies, likely to be held in October and November, will focus on the Dalit community, women, youth and people from Purvanchal or parts of eastern UP and Bihar. “Purvanchali people rallied behind the BJP in the MCD elections last year. If we succeed in having their support, the BJP will brave any challenge including the possibility of an alliance between the AAP and Congress,” he told PTI. The party’s Delhi unit plans to invite top leaders such as Narendra Modi and Amit Shah to address the Purvanchali rally that will be the first in the series of the four mega-gatherings. The preparations have begun with contact programmes launched by the party. The BJP hopes that each of the rallies will be attended by at least one lakh people, the party leader, who did not wish to be identified, said. The party, which believes that Purvanchalis constitute around 40 per cent of the city’s total voters, had appointed Bhojpuri superstar-turned-politician Manoj Tiwari as the city unit president in November 2016. Tiwari led the party to a major win in the civic polls in April 2017. Poorvanchali voters constitute 20-45 per cent of the vote share in at least 20 Assembly constituencies in Delhi, the leader said. The Assembly segments where Purvanchalis dominate include Burari, Seemapuri, Gokalpuri, Karawal Nagar, Kirari, Badli and Nangloi. “Under our ‘Sampark for Samarthan’ campaign, all senior leaders including Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari are meeting prominent people. Booth-level office-bearers have to approach 50 households and tell the people about the Modi government’s achievements,” he said. The Yuva Morcha has galvanised its cadre through bike rallies in spreading the message about the government’s achievements, he added.

Delhi BJP plans four mega rallies, one to woo Purvanchali voters

Mocking Rahul Gandhi as a "babua" (child), BJP president Amit Shah on Friday said the Congress chief keeps attacking the government for not doing one thing or another but should instead give an account of the works of his three generations who ruled India for decades.

Addressing workers of Jaipur Rural Lok Sabha constituency represented by Union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Shah also took a jibe at the rival party over its "happiness" on the BJP's defeat in bypolls and said he considered himself lucky that he has got such an opposition which was satisfied with victory in a few by-elections even though it was losing power in many states.

"We lost eight bypolls, but snatched power from them (opposition) in 14 states," he said in New Delhi.

Giving an account of the Modi government's works, including building of toilets, distribution of LPG cyllinders and other welfare measures, he said, "Rahul Gandhi (says) this has not happened, that has not happened."

"'Arre babua', tell me brother what you have done in 70 years? Your three generations were in power for 70 years and if they had done all these works then it would not be our luck to provide people toilets and poor mothers gas cylinders," he said.

The opposition is disconnected from the ground, Shah said and, in an apparent attack on Gandhi, added that nobody knows when he goes on a vacation and comes back.

The temperature in Gujarat and Rajasthan soars to 50 degrees Celsius and it is difficult to tolerate it, he said wryly.

Shah asked BJP workers to work overtime to ensure the party's win in the Rajasthan assembly poll, which is due later this year along with elections in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh so that its winning streak after emerging as the single largest party in Karnataka continues.

Shah said the difference between other parties and the BJP was that their soul was their leader while workers were its soul.&nbsp;

The BJP has also worked to propagate its ideology and enhance the country's prestige, and not merely to get power, he said.

"We are lucky that the world's most popular leader in Narendra Modi is leading the country and under him it is marching to become 'vishwa guru'," he said.

The Modi government has done a lot of work to bring about a fundamental change in the lives of the people and positively impacted over 50 crore citizens, he said.

It was due to its works that the BJP won elections in so many states and is now ruling 20 of them.

The central government had built 7.5 crore toilets, distributed 4 crore gas cylinders, taken electricity to one crore homes after electrifying all villages, provided one crore houses and opened bank accounts of more than 30 crore people, the BJP president added.&nbsp;

Mocking Rahul Gandhi as a "babua" (child), BJP president Amit Shah on Friday said the Congress chief keeps attacking the government for not doing one thing or another but should instead give an account of the works of his three generations who ruled India for decades

Mocking Rahul Gandhi as a "babua" (child), BJP president Amit Shah on Friday said the Congress chief keeps attacking the government for not doing one thing or another but should instead give an account of the works of his three generations who ruled India for decades. Addressing workers of Jaipur Rural Lok Sabha constituency represented by Union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Shah also took a jibe at the rival party over its "happiness" on the BJP's defeat in bypolls and said he considered himself lucky that he has got such an opposition which was satisfied with victory in a few by-elections even though it was losing power in many states. "We lost eight bypolls, but snatched power from them (opposition) in 14 states," he said in New Delhi. Giving an account of the Modi government's works, including building of toilets, distribution of LPG cyllinders and other welfare measures, he said, "Rahul Gandhi (says) this has not happened, that has not happened." "'Arre babua', tell me brother what you have done in 70 years? Your three generations were in power for 70 years and if they had done all these works then it would not be our luck to provide people toilets and poor mothers gas cylinders," he said. The opposition is disconnected from the ground, Shah said and, in an apparent attack on Gandhi, added that nobody knows when he goes on a vacation and comes back. The temperature in Gujarat and Rajasthan soars to 50 degrees Celsius and it is difficult to tolerate it, he said wryly. Shah asked BJP workers to work overtime to ensure the party's win in the Rajasthan assembly poll, which is due later this year along with elections in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh so that its winning streak after emerging as the single largest party in Karnataka continues. Shah said the difference between other parties and the BJP was that their soul was their leader while workers were its soul. The BJP has also worked to propagate its ideology and enhance the country's prestige, and not merely to get power, he said. "We are lucky that the world's most popular leader in Narendra Modi is leading the country and under him it is marching to become 'vishwa guru'," he said. The Modi government has done a lot of work to bring about a fundamental change in the lives of the people and positively impacted over 50 crore citizens, he said. It was due to its works that the BJP won elections in so many states and is now ruling 20 of them. The central government had built 7.5 crore toilets, distributed 4 crore gas cylinders, taken electricity to one crore homes after electrifying all villages, provided one crore houses and opened bank accounts of more than 30 crore people, the BJP president added.

Amit Shah mocks Rahul, says lucky that he got such opposition

BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa today claimed that several disgruntled leaders from the ruling Congress and JD(S) are eager to join his party.

Yeddyurappa's comments come as dissident activities of the MLAs intensified in the Congress over not getting ministerial berths.

The former chief minister, who is also the state BJP chief, asked his partymen to work as a strong opposition and prepare for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

"Several disgruntled young leaders and leaders from Congress and JD(S) are eager to join the BJP," Yeddyurappa said.

Addressing partymen, he said, "It is our responsibility to induct those who are disgruntled with the JD(S) and Congress and their style of administration in every assembly segment, and are willing to join the BJP, thereby strengthening the party in every constituency."

The BJP leader said the party has "complete strength" with 104 members in the assembly and "let's work as a "strong opposition."

"How long this government will function is a different matter, but without aspiring for seat of power, let us all 104 members work as successful opposition to our good work."

As the assembly polls threw up hung assembly with the BJP emerging as the single largest party, the BJP had formed the government but conceded the numbers game with Yeddyurappa resigning on May 19 without facing the trust vote.

Following this, Congress-JD(S) post-poll coalition formed the government in the state, under the leadership of HD Kumaraswamy.

Calling upon BJP Yuva Morcha to strengthen the organisation at every assembly constituency level, Yeddyurappa said that "by doing this let us prepare ourselves for the Lok Sabha election."

With his government facing birth pangs of coalition politics, Kumaraswamy yesterday stepped in to check the disquiet among newly elected Congress lawmakers who were left out during the Cabinet expansion, but they remained defiant.

Yeddyurappa's comments come as dissident activities of the MLAs intensified in the Congress over not getting ministerial berths

BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa today claimed that several disgruntled leaders from the ruling Congress and JD(S) are eager to join his party. Yeddyurappa's comments come as dissident activities of the MLAs intensified in the Congress over not getting ministerial berths. The former chief minister, who is also the state BJP chief, asked his partymen to work as a strong opposition and prepare for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "Several disgruntled young leaders and leaders from Congress and JD(S) are eager to join the BJP," Yeddyurappa said. Addressing partymen, he said, "It is our responsibility to induct those who are disgruntled with the JD(S) and Congress and their style of administration in every assembly segment, and are willing to join the BJP, thereby strengthening the party in every constituency." The BJP leader said the party has "complete strength" with 104 members in the assembly and "let's work as a "strong opposition." "How long this government will function is a different matter, but without aspiring for seat of power, let us all 104 members work as successful opposition to our good work." As the assembly polls threw up hung assembly with the BJP emerging as the single largest party, the BJP had formed the government but conceded the numbers game with Yeddyurappa resigning on May 19 without facing the trust vote. Following this, Congress-JD(S) post-poll coalition formed the government in the state, under the leadership of HD Kumaraswamy. Calling upon BJP Yuva Morcha to strengthen the organisation at every assembly constituency level, Yeddyurappa said that "by doing this let us prepare ourselves for the Lok Sabha election." With his government facing birth pangs of coalition politics, Kumaraswamy yesterday stepped in to check the disquiet among newly elected Congress lawmakers who were left out during the Cabinet expansion, but they remained defiant.

Several Congress, JDS MLAs willing to join BJP: Yeddyurappa

Maharashtra Swabhimani Paksha chief Narayan Rane on Thursday targeted the Shiv Sena and dared the Uddhav Thackeray-headed party to walk out of the BJP-led NDA government in the state as it announced its decision to contest elections on its own.

"You talk about fighting polls without an alliance (with the BJP). Then why do you not let go of power? You criticise your ally while being part of the government. Contesting elections separately does not befit the Sena," Rane said, addressing his party workers in suburban Bandra.&nbsp

Rane, a Rajya Sabha member, said there were various challenges plaguing the state but no political party seemed interested in tackling them, hence, he had to form his own political party.

The former Chief Minister of Maharashtra further questioned if the Sena was formed for the welfare of Marathi-speaking individuals, why did the percentage of such people decrease in Mumbai.

"Marathi people gave everything to the Sena but what did the party give back to them?" he questioned.

"If the entire responsibility of governance is on the BJP, are you just there to sit and eat? he asked.&nbsp

Slamming the Congress, Rane said the party did not fulfil the promises it had made to the people.

In an apparent dig at former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, who was earlier a Union minister, Rane said the reins of the state were given to a person who knew nothing about the state.

"I left the Congress because they kept making promises to me. After I quit the party, I had offers from parties including the Sena. However, I realised I had to form my own party if I wanted to give justice to my (party) workers," Rane said as he exhorted his workers to start preparations for the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Maharashtra Swabhimani Paksha chief Narayan Rane on Thursday targeted the Shiv Sena and dared the Uddhav Thackeray-headed party to walk out of the BJP-led NDA government in the state as it announced its decision to contest elections on its own

Maharashtra Swabhimani Paksha chief Narayan Rane on Thursday targeted the Shiv Sena and dared the Uddhav Thackeray-headed party to walk out of the BJP-led NDA government in the state as it announced its decision to contest elections on its own. "You talk about fighting polls without an alliance (with the BJP). Then why do you not let go of power? You criticise your ally while being part of the government. Contesting elections separately does not befit the Sena," Rane said, addressing his party workers in suburban Bandra. Rane, a Rajya Sabha member, said there were various challenges plaguing the state but no political party seemed interested in tackling them, hence, he had to form his own political party. The former Chief Minister of Maharashtra further questioned if the Sena was formed for the welfare of Marathi-speaking individuals, why did the percentage of such people decrease in Mumbai. "Marathi people gave everything to the Sena but what did the party give back to them?" he questioned. "If the entire responsibility of governance is on the BJP, are you just there to sit and eat? he asked. Slamming the Congress, Rane said the party did not fulfil the promises it had made to the people. In an apparent dig at former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, who was earlier a Union minister, Rane said the reins of the state were given to a person who knew nothing about the state. "I left the Congress because they kept making promises to me. After I quit the party, I had offers from parties including the Sena. However, I realised I had to form my own party if I wanted to give justice to my (party) workers," Rane said as he exhorted his workers to start preparations for the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Maharashtra Swabhimani Paksha chief Narayan Rane dares Shiv Sena to quit BJP-led govt

BJP veteran L K Advani on Friday described former president Pranab Mukherjee's visit to the RSS headquarters and his "illuminating exposition of the noble idea and ideals of Indian nationalism" as a "significant event in our country's contemporary history".

Advani lauded Mukherjee, who has had decades of association with the Congress, for accepting the invitation of the Hindutva organisation and its chief Mohan Bhagwat for inviting him, saying there was significant concord and resonance in the views expressed by both of them.&nbsp&nbsp &nbsp

As a lifelong 'swayamsevak' of the RSS, the BJP veteran said he believed that Mukherjee and Bhagwat have truly set a praiseworthy example of dialogue transcending ideological affiliations and differences.&nbsp

"Both of them highlighted the essential unity of India, which accepts and respects all diversities, including the pluralism of faiths," he said in a statement.

Advani, who has served as the BJP president for the longest period, expressed his happiness over the RSS under Bhagwat expanding and intensifying its efforts to reach out to various sections of the nation in the spirit of dialogue.

"Such conversations, conducted in the spirit of openness and mutual respect, will surely help in creating a much-needed atmosphere of tolerance, harmony and cooperation to build an India of our common dreams," he said.

Praising Mukherjee, Advani said he showed grace and goodwill in accepting the RSS invite as he recalled his long association with him.

"His own reflective nature, combined with his long and varied experience in public life, have made him a statesman who strongly believes in the necessity of dialogue and cooperation among people of various ideological and political backgrounds," he said of Mukherjee.

The former president's decision to accept the RSS invite to address its members had drawn a lot of flak from several Congress leaders and other rivals of the BJP, which is affiliated to the RSS.&nbsp

However, Mukherjee's speech drew praise from Congress leaders as well as from those associated with the RSS. He warned that hatred and intolerance diluted national identity and asserted that nationalism was not bound by race or religion while calling for dialogue to reconcile differences.

Advani lauded Mukherjee, who has had decades of association with the Congress, for accepting the invitation of the Hindutva organisation

BJP veteran L K Advani on Friday described former president Pranab Mukherjee's visit to the RSS headquarters and his "illuminating exposition of the noble idea and ideals of Indian nationalism" as a "significant event in our country's contemporary history". Advani lauded Mukherjee, who has had decades of association with the Congress, for accepting the invitation of the Hindutva organisation and its chief Mohan Bhagwat for inviting him, saying there was significant concord and resonance in the views expressed by both of them. As a lifelong 'swayamsevak' of the RSS, the BJP veteran said he believed that Mukherjee and Bhagwat have truly set a praiseworthy example of dialogue transcending ideological affiliations and differences. "Both of them highlighted the essential unity of India, which accepts and respects all diversities, including the pluralism of faiths," he said in a statement. Advani, who has served as the BJP president for the longest period, expressed his happiness over the RSS under Bhagwat expanding and intensifying its efforts to reach out to various sections of the nation in the spirit of dialogue. "Such conversations, conducted in the spirit of openness and mutual respect, will surely help in creating a much-needed atmosphere of tolerance, harmony and cooperation to build an India of our common dreams," he said. Praising Mukherjee, Advani said he showed grace and goodwill in accepting the RSS invite as he recalled his long association with him. "His own reflective nature, combined with his long and varied experience in public life, have made him a statesman who strongly believes in the necessity of dialogue and cooperation among people of various ideological and political backgrounds," he said of Mukherjee. The former president's decision to accept the RSS invite to address its members had drawn a lot of flak from several Congress leaders and other rivals of the BJP, which is affiliated to the RSS. However, Mukherjee's speech drew praise from Congress leaders as well as from those associated with the RSS. He warned that hatred and intolerance diluted national identity and asserted that nationalism was not bound by race or religion while calling for dialogue to reconcile differences.

Pranab's visit to RSS, his speech a significant event in our history: Advani

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

bjp