Tripura Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Tripura voted in first of two phases of teh Lok Sabha elections on Friday (Apr 19). The northeast Indian will hold election for two parliamentary seats in two phases, featuring an electoral battle between the ruling BJP-led NDA and Congress and CPI (M) of the INDIA bloc.

Tripura Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Tripura voted in first of two phases of teh Lok Sabha elections on Friday (Apr 19). The northeast Indian will hold election for two parliamentary seats in two phases, featuring an electoral battle between the ruling BJP-led NDA and Congress and CPI (M) of the INDIA bloc. The northeast Indian state's regional party, TIPRA Motha, is in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Currently, BJP holds both the Lok Sabha seats in Tripura, which the party won with a thumping majority. However, the BJP has decided to field new nominees in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. They're fielding Biplab Kumar Dev, Tripura's former chief minister, and TIPRA Motha's Maharani Kriti Singh Debbarma. Tripura Lok Sabha elections 2024: Date, Full Schedule and phases Lok Sabha elections in Tripura will occur in two phases. Here's the full schedule: Phase 1: April 19 Constituency: Tripura West Phase 2: April 26 Constituency: Tripura East Tripura Lok Sabha elections 2024: List of Constituencies There are two Lok Sabha constituencies in Tripura: Tripura East and Tripura West. In the Lok Sabha Elections 2019, Rebati Tripura and Pratima Bhoumik, both BJP candidates, won from their respective constituencies. Bhoumik was appointed Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment of India, becoming the first-ever resident of Tripura to become a minister in the union cabinet. Lok Sabha Election 2019 Tripura East Result Candidate Votes % ±% BJP Rebati Tripura 482,126 46.12 40.13 INC Maharaj Kumari Pragya Deb Burman 2,77,836 26.58 12.78 CPI(M) Jitendra Choudhury 2,00,963 19.22 -46 IPFT Narendra Chandra Debbarma 45,304 4.33 2,04,290 20.84 14.84 10,46,123 82.9 ALSO READ | Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Check schedule, phases, seats, candidates and all you need to know Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Tripura West Result Candidate Votes % ±% BJP Pratima Bhoumik 573,532 51.77 46.67 INC Subal Bhowmik 2,67,843 24.18 8.5 CPI(M) Sankar Prasad Datta 1,71,826 15.51 -47.1 IPFT Brishaketu Debbarma 44,225 3.99 AITC Maman Khan 8,613 0.78 -10.19 3,05,669 27.69 11,08,427 81.93 Tripura Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Candidates Tripura East Candidates: Rajendra Reang – CPI(M) Maharani Kriti Singh Debbarma – TIPRA Motha Tripura West Candidates: Biplab Kumar Deb – BJP Asish Kumar Saha – Congress (With inputs from agencies)

Tripura Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Dates, schedule, phase, constituencies, candidates - all you need to know

After a media report of Chinese government's snooping on over 10,000 Indian individuals, the opposition parties, especially the Congress has urged the government to step up its efforts on cybersecurity for confronting China's intentions in the cyberspace.

Yesterday a media report published by The Indian Express said that a Shenzen-based Company named Zhenhua Data Information Technology Co. Limited has been tasked with monitoring over 10,000 prominent citizens including President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among others.

Tagging the news report, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said on Twitter that the news about Chinese digital surveillance of India's leaders and others is "worrying".

"We condemn this unequivocally. Have the Chinese used this 2 yr old Company to influence Govt policies in any manner? Will the Govt investigate &amp; assure the Nation?" he said. 
 
<img alt="Randeep Surjewala" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5e181766-42c8-4c85-9844-edd508538f24" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/randip-surjewala.JPG" />

In another tweet, Surjewala asked that, if the report is correct, then did the Modi government know about this serious matter.

"Or they didn't know that we were being spied upon? Why is the government failing to protect our strategic interests over and over again?" he said.

A clear message needs to be sent out to China to prevent them from indulging in such activities, he said in the tweet in Hindi.

When asked about the report, Congress' deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said, "We want the government of India to step up its efforts on cybersecurity because when we confront a country like China, we are not only confronting China on land, sea and air, we are also confronting Chinese intentions in the cyberspace as well."

The government should not be caught sleeping and should ramp up its efforts, he told reporters.

"In the days to come, the government should be clear...that all the data that has been collected by Chinese agencies has not been used to manipulate policy, has not been used to gain more intelligence data on our military or sensitive information," he said.

That kind of assurance should come from this government, Gogoi asserted.

(With inputs from PTI)

After a media report of Chinese government's snooping on over 10,000 Indian individuals, the opposition parties, especially the Congress has urged the government to step up its efforts on cybersecurity for confronting China's intentions in the cyberspace.

After a media report of Chinese government's snooping on over 10,000 Indian individuals, the opposition parties, especially the Congress has urged the government to step up its efforts on cybersecurity for confronting China's intentions in the cyberspace. Yesterday a media report published by The Indian Express said that a Shenzen-based Company named Zhenhua Data Information Technology Co. Limited has been tasked with monitoring over 10,000 prominent citizens including President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among others. Tagging the news report, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said on Twitter that the news about Chinese digital surveillance of India's leaders and others is "worrying". "We condemn this unequivocally. Have the Chinese used this 2 yr old Company to influence Govt policies in any manner? Will the Govt investigate & assure the Nation?" he said. In another tweet, Surjewala asked that, if the report is correct, then did the Modi government know about this serious matter. "Or they didn't know that we were being spied upon? Why is the government failing to protect our strategic interests over and over again?" he said. A clear message needs to be sent out to China to prevent them from indulging in such activities, he said in the tweet in Hindi. When asked about the report, Congress' deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said, "We want the government of India to step up its efforts on cybersecurity because when we confront a country like China, we are not only confronting China on land, sea and air, we are also confronting Chinese intentions in the cyberspace as well." The government should not be caught sleeping and should ramp up its efforts, he told reporters. "In the days to come, the government should be clear...that all the data that has been collected by Chinese agencies has not been used to manipulate policy, has not been used to gain more intelligence data on our military or sensitive information," he said. That kind of assurance should come from this government, Gogoi asserted. (With inputs from PTI)

Opposition raises questions after reports of China snooping on Indians

Responding to <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delay-hurting-us-giving-impression-of-drift-indecision-tharoor-on-appointment-of-congress-president-239220&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj_mdqWmNrjAhUKSo8KHaiaDOgQFjABegQIChAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw38vJlBfnzHpNdoaZQ2XFWd">Congress MP Shashi Tharoor</a>'s concerns for the party, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/priyanka-gandhi-perfect-choice-for-congress-president-cwc-to-take-final-call-amarinder-singh-239223&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj_mdqWmNrjAhUKSo8KHaiaDOgQFjAAegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1O1Ybv9TnkGk1KuCYse4vh">Congress</a> general secretary KC Venugopal on Monday said the party has not been orphaned.

Tharoor had expressed frustration over the delay in the appointment of a new Congress president, saying that it was giving an impression of "drift and indecision".

Talking to media today, Venugopal said,&nbsp;"Shashi Tharoor has expressed the sentiments of a common Congressman. It is, however, not an orphaned scenario."

"The Congress president has stepped down. When he (Rahul Gandhi) did that, he offered to run the office until a replacement was found. He said this in the last Working Committee meeting," he added.

"He (Rahul Gandhi) has been involving himself in the day to day activities of the parties," he further said.

Tharoor had lamented the disarray in the party, saying that it was "not worthy of a grand national party" that the Congress is.&nbsp;

"What we are seeing is a level of disarray which is not worthy of a grand national party that we are. It will end the moment a quick efficient decision is taken and then I believe a democratic process should take place that will open up the election to other candidates," said Tharoor.

Demanding that someone should be given authority to make decisions, he added: "First thing is to appoint an interim president or authorise someone to take decisions."

Responding to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's concerns for the party, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Monday said the party has not been orphaned. Tharoor had expressed frustration over the delay in the appointment of a new Congress president, saying that it was giving an impression of "drift and indecision".

Responding to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's concerns for the party, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Monday said the party has not been orphaned. Tharoor had expressed frustration over the delay in the appointment of a new Congress president, saying that it was giving an impression of "drift and indecision". Talking to media today, Venugopal said, "Shashi Tharoor has expressed the sentiments of a common Congressman. It is, however, not an orphaned scenario." "The Congress president has stepped down. When he (Rahul Gandhi) did that, he offered to run the office until a replacement was found. He said this in the last Working Committee meeting," he added. "He (Rahul Gandhi) has been involving himself in the day to day activities of the parties," he further said. Tharoor had lamented the disarray in the party, saying that it was "not worthy of a grand national party" that the Congress is. "What we are seeing is a level of disarray which is not worthy of a grand national party that we are. It will end the moment a quick efficient decision is taken and then I believe a democratic process should take place that will open up the election to other candidates," said Tharoor. Demanding that someone should be given authority to make decisions, he added: "First thing is to appoint an interim president or authorise someone to take decisions."

Congress party is not orphaned: General Secretary KC Venugopal

Facebook to remove 687 Cong-linked pages on bases of behavior, content

Senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel will be the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. The decision was announced at the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party on Sunday.

Bhupesh Baghel is Congress party chief for Chattisgarh and also an MLA from Patan, he is credited for bringing the party back to power after 15 years in oblivion.

Apart from Baghel, TS Singh Deo, Tamradhwaj Sahu and Charan Das Mahant were the top contenders for the post.

After mulling over various options for the past four days, Rahul Gandhi led Congress decided on Baghel, said sources.&nbsp;

The Gandhi scion held discussions with senior state leaders&nbsp;for the top post&nbsp;in New Delhi.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister designate Bhupesh Baghel with Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and PL Punia in Raipur <a href="https://t.co/Des7A6fhFZ">pic.twitter.com/Des7A6fhFZ</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1074227486521769984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 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>

Sources said the process of consultation on who will be the next chief minister of Chhattisgarh was marked by flip-flop throughout the day.

<img alt="Congress Legislature Party" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bb6a1779-4a63-4bdb-9f08-9dcf8eee5a46" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/WhatsApp%20Image%202018-12-16%20at%2013.09.54.jpeg" />

Yesterday, the Congress president tweeted a smiling picture of all the four aspirants for the Chhattisgarh CM's post along with a quote by Reid Hoffman.

"No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you're playing a solo game, you'll always lose out to a team. - Reid Hoffman," he tweeted.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you’re playing a solo game, you’ll always lose out to a team. 
 
– Reid Hoffman <a href="https://t.co/TL5rPwiCDX">pic.twitter.com/TL5rPwiCDX</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1073898465938300928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 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>

Congress had romped home to power in Chhattisgarh after 15 years with a two-third majority.

The Congress had on Friday named Ashok Gehlot Rajasthan's next chief minister after several rounds of discussions lasting more than two days.&nbsp;

In Madhya Pradesh, Congress leader Kamal Nath was announced as chief minister-designate on December 13.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel will be the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. The decision was announced at the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party on Sunday.

Senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel will be the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. The decision was announced at the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party on Sunday. Bhupesh Baghel is Congress party chief for Chattisgarh and also an MLA from Patan, he is credited for bringing the party back to power after 15 years in oblivion. Apart from Baghel, TS Singh Deo, Tamradhwaj Sahu and Charan Das Mahant were the top contenders for the post. After mulling over various options for the past four days, Rahul Gandhi led Congress decided on Baghel, said sources. The Gandhi scion held discussions with senior state leaders for the top post in New Delhi. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister designate Bhupesh Baghel with Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and PL Punia in Raipur pic.twitter.com/Des7A6fhFZ — ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2018 × Sources said the process of consultation on who will be the next chief minister of Chhattisgarh was marked by flip-flop throughout the day. Yesterday, the Congress president tweeted a smiling picture of all the four aspirants for the Chhattisgarh CM's post along with a quote by Reid Hoffman. "No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you're playing a solo game, you'll always lose out to a team. - Reid Hoffman," he tweeted. No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you’re playing a solo game, you’ll always lose out to a team. – Reid Hoffman pic.twitter.com/TL5rPwiCDX — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 15, 2018 × Congress had romped home to power in Chhattisgarh after 15 years with a two-third majority. The Congress had on Friday named Ashok Gehlot Rajasthan's next chief minister after several rounds of discussions lasting more than two days. In Madhya Pradesh, Congress leader Kamal Nath was announced as chief minister-designate on December 13. (With inputs from agencies)

Congress picks Bhupesh Baghel as chief minister of Chhattisgarh

Ahead of the assembly election results on December 11th, the exit poll results for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh predict a tight finish between the Congress and the BJP. In Telangana, poll agencies predict a clear victory for KCR-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).

&nbsp;

<img alt="Madhya Pradesh exit poll result" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="12a203f7-aeb0-4693-bfe3-4f7d38449be8" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Poll.jpg" />

Madhya Pradesh

According to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-elections-rajasthan-registers-around-74-voter-turnout-lower-than-2013-182306">CNX, BJP chief minister Shivraj Singh</a> Chouhan's party will win 126 seats and the Congress 89 with the BSP trailing far behind with 6 seats in the 240-member Assembly. Axis has put BJP in front with 111 seats with the Congress just a shade behind with 113 seats.

Jan ki Baat has pitched BJP with 118 seats with Congress close behind at 105. However, the CSDS exit poll has put Congress in front with 126 seats with the BJP trailing with 94 seats.

In the last assembly polls in 2013, BJP had trounced the Congress by winning 165 seats with Rahul's party managing just 58 seats.&nbsp;

Rajasthan

In chief minister Vasundhara Raje's state, CNX and Axis agree that the ruling BJP will lose the state. The CNX exit poll has put Congress in front with 105 seats with the BJP behind at 85.

Axis exit poll result has put Congress ahead with a clear 130 seats with the BJP far behind at just 63 seats.&nbsp;

However, Jan ki Baat has predicted a neck-and-neck tussle in the state with BJP set to win 93 seats and the Congress taking 91 seats as Others grab the rest of the 15 seats in the 199- member assembly.

Chhattisgarh

In BJP chief Raman Singh's state, poll agencies are split between the Congress and the BJP.&nbsp;

CNX and CSDS have put BJP ahead with 46 and 52 seats respectively with Axis and My Pace declaring that the Congress will surpass the BJP winning 60 and 48 seats in the 90-member assembly.

CNX has predicted that the ruling BJP will be just 11 seats ahead with the Congress winning 35 seats while CSDS has put Congress far behind at 35 seats. Axis has predicted a much wider margin of victory for the Congress in the state with the BJP predicted to get just 26 seats.

Telangana

Poll agencies <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-records-67-polling-voting-largely-peaceful-182301">CNX and Jan ki Baat predict a</a> clear victory for TRS chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. CNX has predicted TRS winning 66 seats with the Congress and TDP winning 37 seats and the BJP just 7 seats.

Jan ki Baat has predicted TRS winning 58 seats with the Congress and TDP winning 45 and BJP grabbing six seats.

My Pace has predicted a close battle with the BJP just 10 behind the Congress with 38 seats.

Mizoram

In the north-eastern state of Mizoram, the Congress and Mizo National Front(MNF) along with BJP, National People’s Party(NPP) and Zoram People’s Movement(ZPM) have been doing battle.

The hill state has been dominated by the Congress for the last 10 years with the party winning 34 seats in the 2013 elections in the 40 member assembly.

The C-Voter poll agency has predicted a close finish in the state with the Congress set to win between 14-18 seat with the MNF taking 16-20, ZPM winning 3-7 seats and Others getting 3 seats.

CNX has predicted MNF will pip Congress to the post by winning 18 seats and Rahul's party getting 16 and Others grabbing 6 seats.

My Axis exit poll predicts ZPM winning 8-12 seats similar to the Congress which will also win between 8-12 seats with the MNF coming out on top with 16-22 seats.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Ahead of the assembly election results on December 11th, the exit poll results for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh predict a tight finish between the Congress and the BJP.

Ahead of the assembly election results on December 11th, the exit poll results for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh predict a tight finish between the Congress and the BJP. In Telangana, poll agencies predict a clear victory for KCR-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). Madhya Pradesh According to CNX, BJP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's party will win 126 seats and the Congress 89 with the BSP trailing far behind with 6 seats in the 240-member Assembly. Axis has put BJP in front with 111 seats with the Congress just a shade behind with 113 seats. Jan ki Baat has pitched BJP with 118 seats with Congress close behind at 105. However, the CSDS exit poll has put Congress in front with 126 seats with the BJP trailing with 94 seats. In the last assembly polls in 2013, BJP had trounced the Congress by winning 165 seats with Rahul's party managing just 58 seats. Rajasthan In chief minister Vasundhara Raje's state, CNX and Axis agree that the ruling BJP will lose the state. The CNX exit poll has put Congress in front with 105 seats with the BJP behind at 85. Axis exit poll result has put Congress ahead with a clear 130 seats with the BJP far behind at just 63 seats. However, Jan ki Baat has predicted a neck-and-neck tussle in the state with BJP set to win 93 seats and the Congress taking 91 seats as Others grab the rest of the 15 seats in the 199- member assembly. Chhattisgarh In BJP chief Raman Singh's state, poll agencies are split between the Congress and the BJP. CNX and CSDS have put BJP ahead with 46 and 52 seats respectively with Axis and My Pace declaring that the Congress will surpass the BJP winning 60 and 48 seats in the 90-member assembly. CNX has predicted that the ruling BJP will be just 11 seats ahead with the Congress winning 35 seats while CSDS has put Congress far behind at 35 seats. Axis has predicted a much wider margin of victory for the Congress in the state with the BJP predicted to get just 26 seats. Telangana Poll agencies CNX and Jan ki Baat predict a clear victory for TRS chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. CNX has predicted TRS winning 66 seats with the Congress and TDP winning 37 seats and the BJP just 7 seats. Jan ki Baat has predicted TRS winning 58 seats with the Congress and TDP winning 45 and BJP grabbing six seats. My Pace has predicted a close battle with the BJP just 10 behind the Congress with 38 seats. Mizoram In the north-eastern state of Mizoram, the Congress and Mizo National Front(MNF) along with BJP, National People’s Party(NPP) and Zoram People’s Movement(ZPM) have been doing battle. The hill state has been dominated by the Congress for the last 10 years with the party winning 34 seats in the 2013 elections in the 40 member assembly. The C-Voter poll agency has predicted a close finish in the state with the Congress set to win between 14-18 seat with the MNF taking 16-20, ZPM winning 3-7 seats and Others getting 3 seats. CNX has predicted MNF will pip Congress to the post by winning 18 seats and Rahul's party getting 16 and Others grabbing 6 seats. My Axis exit poll predicts ZPM winning 8-12 seats similar to the Congress which will also win between 8-12 seats with the MNF coming out on top with 16-22 seats.

What exit polls say in 5 state elections

Pitted against the BJP chief minister Vasundhara Raje in a high-stakes contest, the Congress candidate Manvendra Singh is asking voters in the Jhalrapatan constituency whether they want their vote to go in favour of an outgoing government or for the incoming one.

The Congress leader, who switched over from the BJP just weeks before being fielded against the chief minister, is putting this poser in all his election meetings throughout the day while asserting that there was a 'wave'&nbsp;in favour of the grand-old party across the state leaving no doubt about who would form the government.

'Apna mat kisko doge&nbsp;Avavaldhi ko ya Javavaldhi ko (You will give your vote to the incoming government or the outgoing government),&nbsp;he asked the crowd in Daulatpura village during his campaign trail.

Dubbed as an 'outsider'&nbsp;and a 'turncoat' by his opponents, Singh is looking to counter these charges with an extensive outreach campaign for which he sets off in the morning and till late evening goes from village to village to interact with the people of the constituency and seek votes.

Dressed in his trademark dhoti, kurta and a colourful bandhej safa, Singh greets people along the way, obliges selfie seekers, and tells people to vote in large numbers.

His electoral pitch to voters remains the same as he reaches out to village elders, youth and even children.

In Devchi village here, he highlighted the lack of roads and drainage system, saying if villages in a 'VIP constituency'&nbsp;were in such a state then what would be the condition of other places.

'Even before polling, people know what the result would be. There is a wave that the incoming government will be of the Congress. There is no dispute on that. The only point of debate is how many seats it will get.

'Some say 130, some say 140, while some even say over 150. So when there is no doubt about this, the question to you is whether your vote will be in favour of the incoming government or the outgoing government," he asked voters in Devchi village.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/rajasthan-assembly-elections-with-his-brahmin-remark-has-cp-joshi-cut-the-nose-to-spite-the-face-179448">There are 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan and election for 199 seats would be held on December 7 </a>as the polling for one seat has to be postponed due to death of a BSP candidate. Votes would be counted on December 11.

Raje formed the state government with a massive majority in the 2013 assembly elections, in which the BJP had won a record 163 seats and the Congress could get just 21. The BSP had got three seats, while independents and candidates of other parties won 13.

With the Congress making an all-out effort to return to power in Rajasthan, Singh said the government that will come this time will be for the villages and for the welfare of the farmers.

Another common theme of his campaign meetings is highlighting the key farmers-related promises made by the Congress in its manifesto such as loan waiver for them and pension for elderly farmers for the first time.

In Rampuria village, he repeated his pitch to voters and also welcomed a BJP worker into the Congress fold.

Often, Singh also tries to connect with village elders and farmers and tells them to take care of the December 7 voting.

'This time it will be the Congress' 'hand' that will win from here,'&nbsp;said Gangaram, a farmer, referring to the party's poll symbol.

Another farmer at one of Singh's meeting, Jujhar Singh, said it was time for a change as development has lagged behind in the village.

While support for Singh in villages seems to be growing, it appears to be an uphill task for him in the city where people swear by the rapid development undertaken by Raje to give the town amenities such hospitals, schools and infrastructure.

Rampal Yadav, an auto-driver, when asked about the much-talked-about electoral battle here, said it was just a hype and in reality, it was a one-sided contest in favour of Raje.

Echoing his views, a restaurant owner said the credit for all the development in the city goes to Raje and she will win comfortably.

Manvendra Singh's wife, Chitra Singh, has also been working hard in the city, campaigning for her husband from morning to evening in a bid to win supporters.

Rajput vote is crucial for both candidates and they have been trying to woo the community with outreach efforts.

Singh also addressed a Rajput community meeting on Friday where Rajput leaders called for unity and support for him.

Chitra Singh also exhorted the gathering to unite and said the Rajput community needed to learn from other communities when it comes to acting unitedly.

The result may be difficult to guess, but Singh is making an all-out effort in what is being seen as a prestige battle.

The much-talked-about differences between the two leaders have made the Singh-Raje battle even more interesting.

Pitted against the BJP chief minister Vasundhara Raje in a high-stakes contest, the Congress candidate Manvendra Singh is asking voters in the Jhalrapatan constituency whether they want their vote to go in favour of an outgoing government or for the incoming one.

Pitted against the BJP chief minister Vasundhara Raje in a high-stakes contest, the Congress candidate Manvendra Singh is asking voters in the Jhalrapatan constituency whether they want their vote to go in favour of an outgoing government or for the incoming one. The Congress leader, who switched over from the BJP just weeks before being fielded against the chief minister, is putting this poser in all his election meetings throughout the day while asserting that there was a 'wave' in favour of the grand-old party across the state leaving no doubt about who would form the government. 'Apna mat kisko doge Avavaldhi ko ya Javavaldhi ko (You will give your vote to the incoming government or the outgoing government), he asked the crowd in Daulatpura village during his campaign trail. Dubbed as an 'outsider' and a 'turncoat' by his opponents, Singh is looking to counter these charges with an extensive outreach campaign for which he sets off in the morning and till late evening goes from village to village to interact with the people of the constituency and seek votes. Dressed in his trademark dhoti, kurta and a colourful bandhej safa, Singh greets people along the way, obliges selfie seekers, and tells people to vote in large numbers. His electoral pitch to voters remains the same as he reaches out to village elders, youth and even children. In Devchi village here, he highlighted the lack of roads and drainage system, saying if villages in a 'VIP constituency' were in such a state then what would be the condition of other places. 'Even before polling, people know what the result would be. There is a wave that the incoming government will be of the Congress. There is no dispute on that. The only point of debate is how many seats it will get. 'Some say 130, some say 140, while some even say over 150. So when there is no doubt about this, the question to you is whether your vote will be in favour of the incoming government or the outgoing government," he asked voters in Devchi village. There are 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan and election for 199 seats would be held on December 7 as the polling for one seat has to be postponed due to death of a BSP candidate. Votes would be counted on December 11. Raje formed the state government with a massive majority in the 2013 assembly elections, in which the BJP had won a record 163 seats and the Congress could get just 21. The BSP had got three seats, while independents and candidates of other parties won 13. With the Congress making an all-out effort to return to power in Rajasthan, Singh said the government that will come this time will be for the villages and for the welfare of the farmers. Another common theme of his campaign meetings is highlighting the key farmers-related promises made by the Congress in its manifesto such as loan waiver for them and pension for elderly farmers for the first time. In Rampuria village, he repeated his pitch to voters and also welcomed a BJP worker into the Congress fold. Often, Singh also tries to connect with village elders and farmers and tells them to take care of the December 7 voting. 'This time it will be the Congress' 'hand' that will win from here,' said Gangaram, a farmer, referring to the party's poll symbol. Another farmer at one of Singh's meeting, Jujhar Singh, said it was time for a change as development has lagged behind in the village. While support for Singh in villages seems to be growing, it appears to be an uphill task for him in the city where people swear by the rapid development undertaken by Raje to give the town amenities such hospitals, schools and infrastructure. Rampal Yadav, an auto-driver, when asked about the much-talked-about electoral battle here, said it was just a hype and in reality, it was a one-sided contest in favour of Raje. Echoing his views, a restaurant owner said the credit for all the development in the city goes to Raje and she will win comfortably. Manvendra Singh's wife, Chitra Singh, has also been working hard in the city, campaigning for her husband from morning to evening in a bid to win supporters. Rajput vote is crucial for both candidates and they have been trying to woo the community with outreach efforts. Singh also addressed a Rajput community meeting on Friday where Rajput leaders called for unity and support for him. Chitra Singh also exhorted the gathering to unite and said the Rajput community needed to learn from other communities when it comes to acting unitedly. The result may be difficult to guess, but Singh is making an all-out effort in what is being seen as a prestige battle. The much-talked-about differences between the two leaders have made the Singh-Raje battle even more interesting.

Will you vote for incoming government or outgoing: Congress' Manvendra Singh in Rajasthan

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-polls-amit-shah-accuses-congress-of-supporting-urban-naxals-179396">BJP president Amit Shah</a> Sunday alleged that the caretaker Chief Minister of Telangana, K Chandrasekhar Rao, had burdened the state with crores of rupees by opting for early polls.

Speaking at an election rally at Narayanpet in Mahbubnagar district, he also alleged that both the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the Congress believed in the "appeasement" of minorities and that AIMIM's Akbaruddin Owaisi had said whoever became the chief minister of the southern state would have to bow before his party.

'Telangana would have saved hundreds of crores of rupees had it opted for the Assembly polls along with the Lok Sabha election in May next year. KCR burdened the state with crores of rupees of election expenditure. Who is responsible for this&nbsp;KCR was doubtful of his victory in May, fearing a (Prime Minister) Modi wave,'&nbsp;Shah said.

He alleged that the Congress, in its manifesto for the December 7 polls, had promised 'free electricity'&nbsp;to mosques and churches but not to temples.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief also alleged that as part of its politics of minority appeasement, the opposition party had promised an educational aid of Rs 20 lakh to the minority students if it came to power in Telangana.

'The Congress also speaks (in its manifesto) about reservations for the minorities in government contracts. It also talks about separate hospitals for the minorities. I want to ask (Congress president) Rahul Gandhi, what would be the fate of the poor people who do not belong to the minority communities,'&nbsp;he said.

Shah reiterated that the saffron party was not in favour of reservations based on religion as it was against the Constitution. 
'The Telangana chief minister has promised a 12-per cent reservation for Muslims. The BJP and its cadre will ensure that a reservation based on religion will not be implemented in Telangana,'&nbsp;he asserted.

Taking a dig at the Asaduddin Owaisi-led<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-trs-aimim-are-one-and-pm-modi-is-their-leader-ghulam-nabi-azad-180341"> All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the TRS</a>, Shah claimed that due to the fear of the Owaisi brothers, the KCR government no longer celebrated the state's Liberation Day on September 17 and vowed that if the BJP came to power in Telangana, the Hyderabad Liberation Day will be celebrated with fanfare.

'Akbaruddin says whoever becomes the chief minister of Telangana should keep his head at the feet of the Majlis (AIMIM)," he said. 
Referring to KCR's promise of giving two-bedroom houses to backward families, Shah said the TRS chief not only failed to implement the scheme but also deprived the people of the state of the benefits of the Prime Minister Awas Yojana.

He urged the voters to vote for the BJP for the overall development of Narayanpet and Telangana.

At another public meeting at Kalwakurthy, Shah alleged that 4,500 farmers had committed suicide in Telangana in the last four-and-half-years of the TRS rule.

KCR, who claimed to be a messiah of farmers, handcuffed them in Khammam when they asked for a support price for their produce, he charged.

The BJP chief also alleged that KCR had forgotten the promise of providing government jobs and compensation to the kin of the 1,200 people who had lost their lives during the separate Telangana movement.

The 119-member<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/trans-woman-contesting-telangana-poll-missing-179936"> Telangana Assembly</a> will go to the polls on December 7 and the results will be announced on December 11.&nbsp;

BJP president Amit Shah Sunday alleged that the caretaker Chief Minister of Telangana, K Chandrasekhar Rao, had burdened the state with crores of rupees by opting for early polls.

BJP president Amit Shah Sunday alleged that the caretaker Chief Minister of Telangana, K Chandrasekhar Rao, had burdened the state with crores of rupees by opting for early polls. Speaking at an election rally at Narayanpet in Mahbubnagar district, he also alleged that both the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the Congress believed in the "appeasement" of minorities and that AIMIM's Akbaruddin Owaisi had said whoever became the chief minister of the southern state would have to bow before his party. 'Telangana would have saved hundreds of crores of rupees had it opted for the Assembly polls along with the Lok Sabha election in May next year. KCR burdened the state with crores of rupees of election expenditure. Who is responsible for this KCR was doubtful of his victory in May, fearing a (Prime Minister) Modi wave,' Shah said. He alleged that the Congress, in its manifesto for the December 7 polls, had promised 'free electricity' to mosques and churches but not to temples. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief also alleged that as part of its politics of minority appeasement, the opposition party had promised an educational aid of Rs 20 lakh to the minority students if it came to power in Telangana. 'The Congress also speaks (in its manifesto) about reservations for the minorities in government contracts. It also talks about separate hospitals for the minorities. I want to ask (Congress president) Rahul Gandhi, what would be the fate of the poor people who do not belong to the minority communities,' he said. Shah reiterated that the saffron party was not in favour of reservations based on religion as it was against the Constitution. 'The Telangana chief minister has promised a 12-per cent reservation for Muslims. The BJP and its cadre will ensure that a reservation based on religion will not be implemented in Telangana,' he asserted. Taking a dig at the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the TRS, Shah claimed that due to the fear of the Owaisi brothers, the KCR government no longer celebrated the state's Liberation Day on September 17 and vowed that if the BJP came to power in Telangana, the Hyderabad Liberation Day will be celebrated with fanfare. 'Akbaruddin says whoever becomes the chief minister of Telangana should keep his head at the feet of the Majlis (AIMIM)," he said. Referring to KCR's promise of giving two-bedroom houses to backward families, Shah said the TRS chief not only failed to implement the scheme but also deprived the people of the state of the benefits of the Prime Minister Awas Yojana. He urged the voters to vote for the BJP for the overall development of Narayanpet and Telangana. At another public meeting at Kalwakurthy, Shah alleged that 4,500 farmers had committed suicide in Telangana in the last four-and-half-years of the TRS rule. KCR, who claimed to be a messiah of farmers, handcuffed them in Khammam when they asked for a support price for their produce, he charged. The BJP chief also alleged that KCR had forgotten the promise of providing government jobs and compensation to the kin of the 1,200 people who had lost their lives during the separate Telangana movement. The 119-member Telangana Assembly will go to the polls on December 7 and the results will be announced on December 11.

KCR burdened Telangana with crore of rupees by opting for early polls: Amit Shah

Poll temperature has shot up in Telangana with the ruling TRS, the Congress and the BJP pulling out all stops to woo voters ahead of the December 7 <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mohammed-azharuddin-named-telangana-congress-working-president-days-before-assembly-polls-180445">Assembly elections.</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi who have already addressed campaign meetings are returning to the country's youngest state tomorrow to address public rallies in what is seen as a 'final push'.

Caretaker Chief Minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-polls-elections-cannot-be-won-on-false-promises-raman-singh-to-chandrasekhar-rao-180767">K Chandrasekhar Rao</a> has been on a vigorous campaign trail in the past few days seeking a second term for the party and has been unsparing in his attack on Modi, Rahul and TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

The TRS is going alone in the poll to the 119-member Assembly, as also is the BJP. Campaigning ends on Wednesday.

The Congress has forged "Prajakutami" (People's Alliance) with the TDP, the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) headed by professor M Kodandaram, and the CPI.

Both the BJP and the Congress have deployed senior leaders for the 'battle for Telangana'.

BJP president Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari were among those who addressed public meetings in different parts of the state on Sunday.

Union Ministers Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh campaigned for party candidates last week.

For the Congress, Sonia Gandhi addressed a public meeting last week. Chandrababu Naidu is also engaged in an intensive campaign for the People's Alliance.

Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal, Jairam Ramesh and Veerappa Moily were among those who had been drafted to guide the party campaign in Telangana.

The Congress has dubbed the TRS as a "stooge" and a "proxy" of the BJP, while the BJP has attacked the Chandrasekhar Rao-led party for promoting "family rule".

'TRS prospects are extremely bright and in fact, things are improving by the day,'&nbsp;KT Rama Rao, TRS leader and son of the caretaker Chief Minister, told PTI.

He credited his party's bright prospects to the state government's 'good governance and solid combination of welfare and development, fruits of which the people have enjoyed in the last four years'.&nbsp;

Poll temperature has shot up in Telangana with the ruling TRS, the Congress and the BJP pulling out all stops to woo voters ahead of the December 7 Assembly elections.

Poll temperature has shot up in Telangana with the ruling TRS, the Congress and the BJP pulling out all stops to woo voters ahead of the December 7 Assembly elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi who have already addressed campaign meetings are returning to the country's youngest state tomorrow to address public rallies in what is seen as a 'final push'. Caretaker Chief Minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief K Chandrasekhar Rao has been on a vigorous campaign trail in the past few days seeking a second term for the party and has been unsparing in his attack on Modi, Rahul and TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. The TRS is going alone in the poll to the 119-member Assembly, as also is the BJP. Campaigning ends on Wednesday. The Congress has forged "Prajakutami" (People's Alliance) with the TDP, the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) headed by professor M Kodandaram, and the CPI. Both the BJP and the Congress have deployed senior leaders for the 'battle for Telangana'. BJP president Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari were among those who addressed public meetings in different parts of the state on Sunday. Union Ministers Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh campaigned for party candidates last week. For the Congress, Sonia Gandhi addressed a public meeting last week. Chandrababu Naidu is also engaged in an intensive campaign for the People's Alliance. Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal, Jairam Ramesh and Veerappa Moily were among those who had been drafted to guide the party campaign in Telangana. The Congress has dubbed the TRS as a "stooge" and a "proxy" of the BJP, while the BJP has attacked the Chandrasekhar Rao-led party for promoting "family rule". 'TRS prospects are extremely bright and in fact, things are improving by the day,' KT Rama Rao, TRS leader and son of the caretaker Chief Minister, told PTI. He credited his party's bright prospects to the state government's 'good governance and solid combination of welfare and development, fruits of which the people have enjoyed in the last four years'.

Poll temperature shoots up in poll-bound Telangana

The Congress Sunday maintained 'friendly contests'&nbsp;in some segments among partners of the People's Alliance would have no bearing on the grouping's electoral prospects, even as negotiations are on with the 'rebels'&nbsp;to see they retire from the contest before the polls begin.

In some constituencies of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-polls-elections-cannot-be-won-on-false-promises-raman-singh-to-chandrasekhar-rao-180767">Telangana</a>, where<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-elections-2018-parties-in-one-upmanship-game-to-woo-voters-in-telangana-180428"> Assembly elections</a> would be held on December 7, Congress and Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) rebels are in the fray in seats which have been allotted to other partners.

'You cannot call them rebels. We (<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-grand-alliance-accuses-kcr-of-colluding-with-bjp-to-escape-from-cbi-180664">the alliance partners</a>) could not convince some of our candidates, so their participation is friendly contest," AICC in-charge of Telangana R C Khuntia told PTI.

The TDP, the TJS led by professor M Kodandaram and CPI are part of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/assembly-elections-2018-its-all-up-in-the-air-180356">Congress-led People's Alliance ('Prajakutami') </a>which has struck a seat-sharing deal among the partners.

However in Wyra and Bellampalli, for example, the two seats allotted to the CPI, Congress rebels &nbsp;Ramulu Naik and G Vinod, who is the son of former Union Minister late G Venkataswamy are in the fray.

'This will not affect our winning possibility. Two-three days before the elections, some decision may be taken to see to they (the rebels) withdraw from the contest. Negotiations are on with them', he said.

Khuntia expressed confidence over the alliance coming to power after the elections to the 119-member Assembly, noting the collective 'strength'&nbsp;of the two parties.

'We will get between 75 and 80 seats', he said.

CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said, given the current trend, it looks like a tough contest between the Congress-led alliance and the TRS.

'I hope, ultimately, the opposition front will gain the upper hand. The front has an edge because four parties have come together", Reddy said.

Sources in the alliance said the CPI(M)-led Bahujan Left Front, which has fielded candidates in 109 segments, may split some votes which would have otherwise gone to the People's Alliance.

There is also some 'heartburn' in the Left camp over the CPI(M) and CPI fighting separately. 
'We (BLF) are contesting in 109 seats, out of that we are concentrating on 20 to 25 seats. We are expecting to win at least five seats,' CPI(M) Telangana unit secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram said.

'Through Congress rule, they (CPI) want to achieve Telangana development, it is not possible at all,'&nbsp;Veerabhadram said.

On CPI(M) and CPI choosing different electoral paths in Telangana, CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat told PTI, 'In Telangana, BJP is not a factor. It is important to project an alternative policy platform which is what CPI(M) and BLF are doing.'

The Congress Sunday maintained 'friendly contests' in some segments among partners of the People's Alliance would have no bearing on the grouping's electoral prospects, even as negotiations are on with the 'rebels' to see they retire from the contest before the polls begin.

The Congress Sunday maintained 'friendly contests' in some segments among partners of the People's Alliance would have no bearing on the grouping's electoral prospects, even as negotiations are on with the 'rebels' to see they retire from the contest before the polls begin. In some constituencies of Telangana, where Assembly elections would be held on December 7, Congress and Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) rebels are in the fray in seats which have been allotted to other partners. 'You cannot call them rebels. We (the alliance partners) could not convince some of our candidates, so their participation is friendly contest," AICC in-charge of Telangana R C Khuntia told PTI. The TDP, the TJS led by professor M Kodandaram and CPI are part of the Congress-led People's Alliance ('Prajakutami') which has struck a seat-sharing deal among the partners. However in Wyra and Bellampalli, for example, the two seats allotted to the CPI, Congress rebels Ramulu Naik and G Vinod, who is the son of former Union Minister late G Venkataswamy are in the fray. 'This will not affect our winning possibility. Two-three days before the elections, some decision may be taken to see to they (the rebels) withdraw from the contest. Negotiations are on with them', he said. Khuntia expressed confidence over the alliance coming to power after the elections to the 119-member Assembly, noting the collective 'strength' of the two parties. 'We will get between 75 and 80 seats', he said. CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said, given the current trend, it looks like a tough contest between the Congress-led alliance and the TRS. 'I hope, ultimately, the opposition front will gain the upper hand. The front has an edge because four parties have come together", Reddy said. Sources in the alliance said the CPI(M)-led Bahujan Left Front, which has fielded candidates in 109 segments, may split some votes which would have otherwise gone to the People's Alliance. There is also some 'heartburn' in the Left camp over the CPI(M) and CPI fighting separately. 'We (BLF) are contesting in 109 seats, out of that we are concentrating on 20 to 25 seats. We are expecting to win at least five seats,' CPI(M) Telangana unit secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram said. 'Through Congress rule, they (CPI) want to achieve Telangana development, it is not possible at all,' Veerabhadram said. On CPI(M) and CPI choosing different electoral paths in Telangana, CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat told PTI, 'In Telangana, BJP is not a factor. It is important to project an alternative policy platform which is what CPI(M) and BLF are doing.'

Rebel threat to not hurt opposition alliance prospects: Congress

Amidst speculation of probable post-poll alliance among political parties, senior Congress leader T S Singh Deo has said there was no need to "look left or right" for any support and his party will form the government in Chhattisgarh on its own.

His comments assume significance as there have been reports of post-poll alliances among different political parties, even before the results are announced.

While <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/assembly-elections-2018-voters-counter-maoist-threat-in-chhattisgarh-177306">Chhattisgarh went to polls in two phases</a> on November 12 for 18 seats and on November 20 for 72 seats, the counting of votes is scheduled for December 11 along with the same for four other states including neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.

'I am confident of victory. We are getting a clear majority. There is no need to look left or right (for any support or post-poll alliance),'&nbsp;Singh Deo told PTI.

He was asked whether his party would accept support from former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi in case it lacks numbers to form the government.

'There has been a misrule in the BJP's tenure. Corruption has gone up in all the government departments. Farmers, in particular, are in a lot of distress. That is the reason why people came out in large numbers to vote against the BJP government,'&nbsp;said Singh Deo, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly.

The BJP's Raman Singh has been the CM of the state for past 15 years.

Voter turnout of 76.35 per cent was recorded in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/chhattisgarh-assembly-elections-cm-face-and-congress-dilemma-178560">Chhattisgarh Assembly election</a>, a little less than the 77.4 per cent in the 2013 polls.

Talking about the Congress party's poll manifesto, which is also called as the 'Jan Ghoshana Patra', Singh Deo said feedback from the people living in almost all the districts of the state were taken into account as part of the planning process.

"It took six long months for our teams to visit the whole state and to record feedback in our party's manifesto. We consulted over 80,000 people. We have offered the availability of water, electricity subsidy and good price of farmers produce to address farmers distress in the state apparently due to the government's apathy. There are so many 'pro-people' proposals outlined in the manifesto," Singh Deo said.

Many Congress leaders have termed the Jan Ghoshana Patra as the game changer.

'Farmers and people from rural areas came out in large numbers to vote against the BJP government in the state. It will bring the result,"'another senior Congress leader said.

When asked who would be their CM candidate in case the Congress comes to power in Chhattisgarh, he said winning MLAs will choose their leader and the chief minister would be decided by the party high command in Delhi.

Earlier, talking to PTI, Singh Deo had said the chief minister's face of the Congress will be elected through "Swayamvar" after the poll results are announced.

"There are many good people in the party who have done very good work. So there will be a 'Swayamvar' after the poll victory," he had said.&nbsp;

Amidst speculation of probable post-poll alliance among political parties, senior Congress leader T S Singh Deo has said there was no need to "look left or right" for any support and his party will form the government in Chhattisgarh on its own.

Amidst speculation of probable post-poll alliance among political parties, senior Congress leader T S Singh Deo has said there was no need to "look left or right" for any support and his party will form the government in Chhattisgarh on its own. His comments assume significance as there have been reports of post-poll alliances among different political parties, even before the results are announced. While Chhattisgarh went to polls in two phases on November 12 for 18 seats and on November 20 for 72 seats, the counting of votes is scheduled for December 11 along with the same for four other states including neighbouring Madhya Pradesh. 'I am confident of victory. We are getting a clear majority. There is no need to look left or right (for any support or post-poll alliance),' Singh Deo told PTI. He was asked whether his party would accept support from former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi in case it lacks numbers to form the government. 'There has been a misrule in the BJP's tenure. Corruption has gone up in all the government departments. Farmers, in particular, are in a lot of distress. That is the reason why people came out in large numbers to vote against the BJP government,' said Singh Deo, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. The BJP's Raman Singh has been the CM of the state for past 15 years. Voter turnout of 76.35 per cent was recorded in the Chhattisgarh Assembly election, a little less than the 77.4 per cent in the 2013 polls. Talking about the Congress party's poll manifesto, which is also called as the 'Jan Ghoshana Patra', Singh Deo said feedback from the people living in almost all the districts of the state were taken into account as part of the planning process. "It took six long months for our teams to visit the whole state and to record feedback in our party's manifesto. We consulted over 80,000 people. We have offered the availability of water, electricity subsidy and good price of farmers produce to address farmers distress in the state apparently due to the government's apathy. There are so many 'pro-people' proposals outlined in the manifesto," Singh Deo said. Many Congress leaders have termed the Jan Ghoshana Patra as the game changer. 'Farmers and people from rural areas came out in large numbers to vote against the BJP government in the state. It will bring the result,"'another senior Congress leader said. When asked who would be their CM candidate in case the Congress comes to power in Chhattisgarh, he said winning MLAs will choose their leader and the chief minister would be decided by the party high command in Delhi. Earlier, talking to PTI, Singh Deo had said the chief minister's face of the Congress will be elected through "Swayamvar" after the poll results are announced. "There are many good people in the party who have done very good work. So there will be a 'Swayamvar' after the poll victory," he had said.

Not looking for any support, will form government in Chhattisgarh on own: Congress

The Mizoram government has allocated Rs 52.75 crore towards expenses of the November 28 state legislative assembly polls, finance department officials said Friday.

The officials said the finance department has released Rs 32.5 crore to the state election department.

Of the Rs 52.75 crore election budget, Rs 37.75 crore will be disbursed to eight district election offices, while Rs 4 crore will go to the state election directorate.

The officials said Rs 11 crore was the total estimate for expenses to be incurred on deployment of 40 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), which was regarded as on the higher side.

The expenditure for the state assembly election is to be borne entirely by the state government, they said, adding Rs 24.30 crore was spent in the 2013 state assembly polls.&nbsp;

The Mizoram government has allocated Rs 52.75 crore towards expenses of the November 28 state legislative assembly polls, finance department officials said Friday.

The Mizoram government has allocated Rs 52.75 crore towards expenses of the November 28 state legislative assembly polls, finance department officials said Friday. The officials said the finance department has released Rs 32.5 crore to the state election department. Of the Rs 52.75 crore election budget, Rs 37.75 crore will be disbursed to eight district election offices, while Rs 4 crore will go to the state election directorate. The officials said Rs 11 crore was the total estimate for expenses to be incurred on deployment of 40 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), which was regarded as on the higher side. The expenditure for the state assembly election is to be borne entirely by the state government, they said, adding Rs 24.30 crore was spent in the 2013 state assembly polls.

Mizoram government allocates Rs 52.75 cr for poll expenses

The ruling Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance, which has seen rough patches time and again, is all set to undergo its first litmus test as counting of votes cast during the recently-held by-polls has begun.

Results for bypolls held in Shimoga, Bellary and Mandya Lok Sabha seats, and Ramanagara and Jamakhandi legislative assembly seats will be declared later today.

Elections in the three Lok Sabha and two Assembly constituencies were held on November 3.

At the end of the stipulated voting period, &nbsp;Bellary parliamentary constituency had recorded the highest voter turnout (63.85 per cent) among the three Lok Sabha constituencies while Mandya saw the least (53.93 per cent). Among the assembly constituencies, Jamakhandi recorded 81.58 per cent while Ramanagara saw 73. 71 per cent voter turnout.

While JD(S) candidates contested from Mandya and Shimoga Lok Sabha seats and the Ramanagara assembly constituency, the Congress fielded candidates in the Bellary Lok Sabha seat and Jamakhandi assembly seat.

In Ramanagara, the JD (S) fielded Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy's wife Anitha Kumaraswamy. The by-poll was necessitated after Kumaraswamy, who contested on two seats - Channapatna and Ramanagara - in the assembly elections earlier this year, decided to resign from Ramanagara.

The Shimoga Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after former state chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader BS Yeddyurappa decided not to contest the assembly election from Shikaripura.

The terms for the Bellary, Shimoga and Mandya seats will be too short considering the fact that the Lok Sabha elections are due next year.&nbsp;

The ruling Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance, which has seen rough patches time and again, is all set to undergo its first litmus test as counting of votes cast during the recently-held by-polls has begun.

The ruling Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance, which has seen rough patches time and again, is all set to undergo its first litmus test as counting of votes cast during the recently-held by-polls has begun. Results for bypolls held in Shimoga, Bellary and Mandya Lok Sabha seats, and Ramanagara and Jamakhandi legislative assembly seats will be declared later today. Elections in the three Lok Sabha and two Assembly constituencies were held on November 3. At the end of the stipulated voting period, Bellary parliamentary constituency had recorded the highest voter turnout (63.85 per cent) among the three Lok Sabha constituencies while Mandya saw the least (53.93 per cent). Among the assembly constituencies, Jamakhandi recorded 81.58 per cent while Ramanagara saw 73. 71 per cent voter turnout. While JD(S) candidates contested from Mandya and Shimoga Lok Sabha seats and the Ramanagara assembly constituency, the Congress fielded candidates in the Bellary Lok Sabha seat and Jamakhandi assembly seat. In Ramanagara, the JD (S) fielded Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy's wife Anitha Kumaraswamy. The by-poll was necessitated after Kumaraswamy, who contested on two seats - Channapatna and Ramanagara - in the assembly elections earlier this year, decided to resign from Ramanagara. The Shimoga Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after former state chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader BS Yeddyurappa decided not to contest the assembly election from Shikaripura. The terms for the Bellary, Shimoga and Mandya seats will be too short considering the fact that the Lok Sabha elections are due next year.

Karnataka bypolls: High stakes for Cong-JD(S) alliance as counting of votes begins

Karnataka's ruling Congress-JD(S) is set to clinch four of the five seats&nbsp;that went to the polls last weekend.

The Congress has won 1 of the 3 Lok Sabha seats being contested, and leads in another. It has also won the two assembly seats&nbsp;being contested.&nbsp;

That left the BJP with just one win — in Shivamogga, where its state party chief B S Yeddyurappa's son B Y Raghavendra was ahead of former chief minister S Bangarappa's son Madhu Bangarappa of JD(S) by 36,351 votes.

Making inroads in the BJP-held Ballari Lok Saba constituency, Congress' V S Ugrappa was leading over BJP's J Shantha by 1,74,294 votes, officials said.

Shantha is the sister of B Sriramulu, who gave up the seat after being elected to the state assembly in the polls in May this year.

JD(S) candidate L Shivarame Gowda established an unassailable lead of 99,198 votes against the BJP's new face Dr Siddaramaiah, a former official, in the party bastion of Mandya in the Vokkaliga belt in the old Mysuru region.

Of the three Lok Sabha seats that went to the by-polls, BJP had held Shivamogga and Ballari and JD(S) Mandya.

In the Ramanagara assembly seat, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's wife Anitha Kumaraswamy established a huge lead of 71,613 votes over BJP's L Chandrashekar, who pulled out of the contest but officially still remains the party candidate.

Chandrashekhar joined the BJP ahead of the polls but returned to the Congress weeks later, leaving the saffron party red-faced. 
Facing a no-contest, it will be a walkover for Anitha Kumaraswamy.

In the Jamkhandi assembly segment in north Karnataka, Congress candidate Anand Nyamgouda was ahead of BJP's Srikant Kulkarni by a margin of 32,933 votes, riding on a sympathy wave following his father and sitting MLA Siddu Nyamagoudas death in a road accident.

The Ramanagara assembly seat was held by the JD(S) and Jamkhandi by the Congress.

The parliamentary by-elections were necessitated after BJP's Yeddyurappa (Shivamogga) and Sriramalu (Ballari), and C S Puttaraju of the JD(S) (Mandya) resigned as MPs on their election to the assembly in May.

The by-election to the Jamkhandi assembly seat was caused by the death of Congress MLA Siddu Nyamagouda. The Ramanagara seat fell vacant after

Kumaraswamy gave up the seat, preferring Chennapatna, the other constituency from where he had won.

The by-elections are being seen as a popularity test of the Congress-JD(S) coalition, cobbled together after the May assembly polls that threw up a fractured verdict.

The BJP and the Congress-JD(S) combine launched an all out offensive to break into each other's bastions to gain advantage before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Karnataka's ruling Congress-JD(S) is set to clinch four of the five seats that went to the polls last weekend. The Congress has won 1 of the 3 Lok Sabha seats being contested, and leads in another.

Karnataka's ruling Congress-JD(S) is set to clinch four of the five seats that went to the polls last weekend. The Congress has won 1 of the 3 Lok Sabha seats being contested, and leads in another. It has also won the two assembly seats being contested. That left the BJP with just one win — in Shivamogga, where its state party chief B S Yeddyurappa's son B Y Raghavendra was ahead of former chief minister S Bangarappa's son Madhu Bangarappa of JD(S) by 36,351 votes. Making inroads in the BJP-held Ballari Lok Saba constituency, Congress' V S Ugrappa was leading over BJP's J Shantha by 1,74,294 votes, officials said. Shantha is the sister of B Sriramulu, who gave up the seat after being elected to the state assembly in the polls in May this year. JD(S) candidate L Shivarame Gowda established an unassailable lead of 99,198 votes against the BJP's new face Dr Siddaramaiah, a former official, in the party bastion of Mandya in the Vokkaliga belt in the old Mysuru region. Of the three Lok Sabha seats that went to the by-polls, BJP had held Shivamogga and Ballari and JD(S) Mandya. In the Ramanagara assembly seat, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's wife Anitha Kumaraswamy established a huge lead of 71,613 votes over BJP's L Chandrashekar, who pulled out of the contest but officially still remains the party candidate. Chandrashekhar joined the BJP ahead of the polls but returned to the Congress weeks later, leaving the saffron party red-faced. Facing a no-contest, it will be a walkover for Anitha Kumaraswamy. In the Jamkhandi assembly segment in north Karnataka, Congress candidate Anand Nyamgouda was ahead of BJP's Srikant Kulkarni by a margin of 32,933 votes, riding on a sympathy wave following his father and sitting MLA Siddu Nyamagoudas death in a road accident. The Ramanagara assembly seat was held by the JD(S) and Jamkhandi by the Congress. The parliamentary by-elections were necessitated after BJP's Yeddyurappa (Shivamogga) and Sriramalu (Ballari), and C S Puttaraju of the JD(S) (Mandya) resigned as MPs on their election to the assembly in May. The by-election to the Jamkhandi assembly seat was caused by the death of Congress MLA Siddu Nyamagouda. The Ramanagara seat fell vacant after Kumaraswamy gave up the seat, preferring Chennapatna, the other constituency from where he had won. The by-elections are being seen as a popularity test of the Congress-JD(S) coalition, cobbled together after the May assembly polls that threw up a fractured verdict. The BJP and the Congress-JD(S) combine launched an all out offensive to break into each other's bastions to gain advantage before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Karnataka bypolls: Congress-JD(S) combine win 4 out of 5 seats

Independent legislator and Jat leader Hanuman Beniwal will soon launch his new party that will support third front in the poll-bound Rajasthan.

Beniwal, who represents Khinvsar constituency of Nagaur district, said he will hold a mass rally in Jaipur in the next few days where he will announce&nbsp;the new party.

"I am going to announce my new party in a mass rally in Jaipur in next few days. This will support third front in the state which is immensely needed because people are suffering from the misrule of BJP and opposition Congress too could not act as an effective opposition in the state," Beniwal told PTI.

"Issues of farmers and youths are prominent this time and my party will contest on elections on many seats on these issues," he said.

Several parties including Left parties have come together to form an alliance against the BJP and Congress in the poll-bound state.<iframe data-load-complete="true" frameborder="0" height="1" id="google_ads_iframe_/1068322/NDTV_News_ROS_Native_Outstream_0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="google_ads_iframe_/1068322/NDTV_News_ROS_Native_Outstream_0" scrolling="no" srcdoc="" title="3rd party ad content" width="1"></iframe>

Forty-six year old Mr Beniwal who won his first election as a legislator on BJP ticket in 2008, said he was well in touch with other dissents of the saffron party and would create the alliance with them.

Beniwal, Ghanshyam Tiwari and Kirori Lal Meena had quit the BJP at different point of time due to differences with Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

While Tiwari has already formed his Bharat Vahini Party, Meena joined the BJP again in March this year and he is now a Rajya Sabha MP.

Independent legislator and Jat leader Hanuman Beniwal will soon launch his new party that will support third front in the poll-bound Rajasthan. Beniwal, who represents Khinvsar constituency of Nagaur district, said he will hold a mass rally in Jaipur in the next few days where he will announce the new party.

Independent legislator and Jat leader Hanuman Beniwal will soon launch his new party that will support third front in the poll-bound Rajasthan. Beniwal, who represents Khinvsar constituency of Nagaur district, said he will hold a mass rally in Jaipur in the next few days where he will announce the new party. "I am going to announce my new party in a mass rally in Jaipur in next few days. This will support third front in the state which is immensely needed because people are suffering from the misrule of BJP and opposition Congress too could not act as an effective opposition in the state," Beniwal told PTI. "Issues of farmers and youths are prominent this time and my party will contest on elections on many seats on these issues," he said. Several parties including Left parties have come together to form an alliance against the BJP and Congress in the poll-bound state. Forty-six year old Mr Beniwal who won his first election as a legislator on BJP ticket in 2008, said he was well in touch with other dissents of the saffron party and would create the alliance with them. Beniwal, Ghanshyam Tiwari and Kirori Lal Meena had quit the BJP at different point of time due to differences with Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. While Tiwari has already formed his Bharat Vahini Party, Meena joined the BJP again in March this year and he is now a Rajya Sabha MP.

Independent legislator Hanuman Beniwal to launch party in Rajasthan

Senior Congress leader Priyanka Chaturvedi Friday said the party would forge an alliance with like minded parties for the 2019 general elections and would return to power.

The Congress, however, would not compromise on the ideology and values of the party, Chaturvedi said.

"We are not compelled to compromise on our ideology and values just for the sake of stitching up alliances. We will be reaching out to all political opposition parties and alliance will be formed on the basis of our and their understanding of the situation," said Chaturvedi, a national spokesperson of the party.

Asked whether the Congress's proposed opposition alliance would include the Trinamool Congress too, she said it would include all political parties that believe in basic ethos and idea of our country and do not believe in dividing people of religious and caste lines.

On NCP president Sharad Pawar's comment on Rafale scam, she said Pawar has not given a clean chit to anybody.

"Sharad Pawar has gone on record saying he was misquoted, misrepresented and asked specific questions to the government. He has not at all given any clean chit to the Modi government," she said.

In an interview to a Marathi news channel earlier this week, Pawar said he didn't think that people have doubts about Modi's intentions in the Rafale deal.

Later, the NCP clarified that Pawar had not given any clean chit to Modi on the Rafale issue, and reiterated its demands that the central government disclose the price of the fighter jets and order a JPC probe.&nbsp;

Senior Congress leader Priyanka Chaturvedi Friday said the party would forge an alliance with like minded parties for the 2019 general elections and would return to power.

Senior Congress leader Priyanka Chaturvedi Friday said the party would forge an alliance with like minded parties for the 2019 general elections and would return to power. The Congress, however, would not compromise on the ideology and values of the party, Chaturvedi said. "We are not compelled to compromise on our ideology and values just for the sake of stitching up alliances. We will be reaching out to all political opposition parties and alliance will be formed on the basis of our and their understanding of the situation," said Chaturvedi, a national spokesperson of the party. Asked whether the Congress's proposed opposition alliance would include the Trinamool Congress too, she said it would include all political parties that believe in basic ethos and idea of our country and do not believe in dividing people of religious and caste lines. On NCP president Sharad Pawar's comment on Rafale scam, she said Pawar has not given a clean chit to anybody. "Sharad Pawar has gone on record saying he was misquoted, misrepresented and asked specific questions to the government. He has not at all given any clean chit to the Modi government," she said. In an interview to a Marathi news channel earlier this week, Pawar said he didn't think that people have doubts about Modi's intentions in the Rafale deal. Later, the NCP clarified that Pawar had not given any clean chit to Modi on the Rafale issue, and reiterated its demands that the central government disclose the price of the fighter jets and order a JPC probe.

Will form alliance with like minded parties for LS polls: Congress

congess

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