Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday again hit out at those seeking proof of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-last-5-years-we-have-hit-pakistan-3-times-rajnath-singh-202200">India's air strike at Balakot</a>&nbsp;in Pakistan and slammed the previous Congress government for its handling of terror attacks like the one in Mumbai in 2008.

Addressing a public meeting in Greater Noida, Modi said the "corrupt" are opposing and abusing him in order to get votes.

Modi said today India works on 'nayi reeti, nayi neeti' (new methods, new policies), asserting that after the terror attack in Uri (Jammu and Kashmir) in 2016, the country for the first time taught terrorists a lesson "in a language they understand" with surgical strikes.

"Is it okay for you to have a government that does nothing? A chowkidar (referring to himself) who sleeps?" he asked the gathering of thousands, after inaugurating several development projects.

He said the country can never forget the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai. India should have responded then and the whole world would have supported the country, he said.

"But that required courage. All evidence was against terrorist handlers in Pakistan which proved them guilty. But how did India respond? There are reports that our forces were ready to avenge the terror attack even then, but Delhi remained cold. The forces were not allowed to take any action," he said.

Stating that there were repeated terror attacks in India after 2008 whose links were found across the border, Modi questioned the previous government's response. They did not change their policy, they only changed their home ministers, he said.

"Had the previous government shown some courage and taught terrorists a lesson in their own language, terrorism would not have emerged as the menace it is now," he said.

He said after the pre-dawn air strike on February 24, India was quietly monitoring the situation and it was Pakistan which started "crying" around 5.00 am that "Modi has hit us".

"They were thinking they can keep wounding India, wage attacks, proxy wars and India would not respond. The reason the enemies of India could think this was because of the attitude of the 'remote-controlled' government prior to 2014. That is why the enemies could nurture this attitude," the prime minster said.

He said some politicians are making controversial statements which elicit applause in Pakistan and urged the people to decide if they want to trust them or not.

"Aaj har bhrasht ko Modi se kasht hai (Today every corrupt person has a problem with Modi). There is a competition among them to abuse this chowkidar (watchman), they think abusing me will get them votes," Modi said.

Referring to the opposition, he said, "They have turned so hopeless that in their stubbornness to oppose Modi, they have started opposing the nation also."

"After Uri, proof was sought. Our soldiers did something that has never happened before. Our soldiers struck terrorists inside their home. Terrorists and their guardians had not expected such action (this time)," he said.

"They thought if India once did a surgical strike, they would again do something similar. So they had deployed forces along the border, but we went by air this time," Modi added.

While addressing a public meeting in Ghaziabad on Friday, the prime minister had slammed rivals' questioning the air strike and said the "trust of 130 crore people" was his proof to them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday again hit out at those seeking proof of India's air strike at Balakot in Pakistan and slammed the previous Congress government for its handling of terror attacks like the one in Mumbai in 2008.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday again hit out at those seeking proof of India's air strike at Balakot in Pakistan and slammed the previous Congress government for its handling of terror attacks like the one in Mumbai in 2008. Addressing a public meeting in Greater Noida, Modi said the "corrupt" are opposing and abusing him in order to get votes. Modi said today India works on 'nayi reeti, nayi neeti' (new methods, new policies), asserting that after the terror attack in Uri (Jammu and Kashmir) in 2016, the country for the first time taught terrorists a lesson "in a language they understand" with surgical strikes. "Is it okay for you to have a government that does nothing? A chowkidar (referring to himself) who sleeps?" he asked the gathering of thousands, after inaugurating several development projects. He said the country can never forget the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai. India should have responded then and the whole world would have supported the country, he said. "But that required courage. All evidence was against terrorist handlers in Pakistan which proved them guilty. But how did India respond? There are reports that our forces were ready to avenge the terror attack even then, but Delhi remained cold. The forces were not allowed to take any action," he said. Stating that there were repeated terror attacks in India after 2008 whose links were found across the border, Modi questioned the previous government's response. They did not change their policy, they only changed their home ministers, he said. "Had the previous government shown some courage and taught terrorists a lesson in their own language, terrorism would not have emerged as the menace it is now," he said. He said after the pre-dawn air strike on February 24, India was quietly monitoring the situation and it was Pakistan which started "crying" around 5.00 am that "Modi has hit us". "They were thinking they can keep wounding India, wage attacks, proxy wars and India would not respond. The reason the enemies of India could think this was because of the attitude of the 'remote-controlled' government prior to 2014. That is why the enemies could nurture this attitude," the prime minster said. He said some politicians are making controversial statements which elicit applause in Pakistan and urged the people to decide if they want to trust them or not. "Aaj har bhrasht ko Modi se kasht hai (Today every corrupt person has a problem with Modi). There is a competition among them to abuse this chowkidar (watchman), they think abusing me will get them votes," Modi said. Referring to the opposition, he said, "They have turned so hopeless that in their stubbornness to oppose Modi, they have started opposing the nation also." "After Uri, proof was sought. Our soldiers did something that has never happened before. Our soldiers struck terrorists inside their home. Terrorists and their guardians had not expected such action (this time)," he said. "They thought if India once did a surgical strike, they would again do something similar. So they had deployed forces along the border, but we went by air this time," Modi added. While addressing a public meeting in Ghaziabad on Friday, the prime minister had slammed rivals' questioning the air strike and said the "trust of 130 crore people" was his proof to them.

Modi slams Congress's handling of terror attacks, says India now follows new policy

The BJP parliamentary body, the party's top decision-making body, is expected to meet on Friday to take stock of its Lok Sabha election preparedness and campaign, a party leader said.

The meeting, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah, comes at a time when the ruling BJP and opposition parties, including the Congress, have been engaged in a heated debate over the Balakot air strike.

Both have accused each other of politicising the Indian Air Force' strike at terror camps in Pakistan with the BJP attacking the Congress over the issue of nationalism.

A BJP leader said the party top brass will discuss a range of issues as its campaign picks up pace and strategise over its agenda in the days ahead.

The Election Commission is likely to announce the election dates in the next few days.

The BJP parliamentary body, the party's top decision-making body, is expected to meet on Friday to take stock of its Lok Sabha election preparedness and campaign, a party leader said.

The BJP parliamentary body, the party's top decision-making body, is expected to meet on Friday to take stock of its Lok Sabha election preparedness and campaign, a party leader said. The meeting, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah, comes at a time when the ruling BJP and opposition parties, including the Congress, have been engaged in a heated debate over the Balakot air strike. Both have accused each other of politicising the Indian Air Force' strike at terror camps in Pakistan with the BJP attacking the Congress over the issue of nationalism. A BJP leader said the party top brass will discuss a range of issues as its campaign picks up pace and strategise over its agenda in the days ahead. The Election Commission is likely to announce the election dates in the next few days.

BJP parliamentary board meeting to take place on Friday

When India is fighting a war against terror and has even conducted an airstrike and bombed the Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) terrorist training facility at Balakot in Pakistan, the leaders of Congress and other opposition parties are busy targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP by casting aspersions and ascribing motives to the direct offensive launched by India to uproot and destroy the terror factories in Pakistan.

After the Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Modi was quick in announcing that the Indian Armed Forces have been given full powers to handle the situation and counter cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

After the February 26 airstrike that targeted the terror infrastructure at Balakot, Pakistan Air force F-16 jets entered the Indian territory to target military installations. They were intercepted and chased away by Indian Air Force pilots. The Pakistani offensive resulted in the downing of an F-16 aircraft. India's brave fighter pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan, whose aircraft was also hit, was captured when he ejected and landed inside the Pakistani territory. Under immense diplomatic pressure mounted by India and also the threat of direct action in case Pakistan chose to remain defiant, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced in his Parliament that Abhinandan would be released.

“The Indian Air Defence system was on full alert in the morning of 27 February - a day after the Balakot airstrike. Build up of Pakistan Air Force aircraft on their side of LoC was noticed in time and additional aircraft were scrambled to tackle Pak incursion. When there was an attempt to attack Indian military installations, PAF aircraft were engaged and forced to withdraw by Mirage-2000, Su-30 and MiG-21 Bison aircraft from the Indian side. They left in a hurry as demonstrated by large missed distances of the weapons dropped by them. &nbsp;During combat, use of F-16 by PAF and multiple launches of AMRAAM (American beyond visual range air-to-air missile) were conclusively observed. Prompt and correct tactical action by Su-30 aircraft, in response to AMRAAM launch, defeated the missile. Parts of the missile fell in area East of Rajouri in J&amp;K, injuring a civilian on ground.” With this statement on Tuesday, the Indian Ministry of Defence has blasted the false claim by Pakistan of shooting down an Su-30, which was obviously a cover up for loss of its own aircraft.

In the meanwhile, even as Pakistan imposed a ban on Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafeez Saeed led Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) on Tuesday, there has been no let up and Pakistan has continued to violate the ceasefire along the line of control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and there have been civilian casualties too.

When troops on both sides are in a state of combat readiness and it is time for the nation to remain united to face the enemy, the Congress party and other opposition parties are working overtime and throwing posers about the outcome of the February 26 airstrike. They all are asking the same question in tandem and the people at large are viewing this as an attempt by the opposition to politicise the situation keeping in view the upcoming general election. What is also alarming is that the opposition leaders are even pointing their fingers questioning the “timing of the post-Pulwama offensive (ahead of the Lok Sabha polls).

Gloating over the situation prevailing in India are those at the helm of affairs in Pakistan. That country’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in an interview, has talked of differences among the political parties in India with regard to the numbers of terrorists killed in the airstrike. In a video that’s gone viral, Qureshi is heard saying, "The Congress party is questioning the claim that terror camps have been destroyed and a large number of terrorists have been killed."

On the current situation, the nation is also witnessing a war of words on social media between the BJP and opposition leaders. What is particularly capturing headlines are a couple of tweets by senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh. After citing a certain news-report and asking “what is the truth behind the bombing of Balakot”, Singh said in another tweet:&nbsp;

After the Air Strike conducted by our Air Force in the wake of the Pulwama attack, doubt is being expressed in a section of foreign media and as a consequence of this, the credibility of the government of India is being questioned. 
 
The remarks by opposition leaders are being seen as an attempt by the opposition leaders to dilute the gravity of the Pulwama attack and undermine India’s war against terror. The direct beneficiary of this is Pakistan.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

When India is fighting a war against terror and has even conducted an airstrike and bombed the Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) terrorist training facility at Balakot in Pakistan, the leaders of Congress and other opposition parties are busy targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP by casting aspersions and ascribing motives to the direct offensive launched by India to uproot and destroy the terror factories in Pakistan.

When India is fighting a war against terror and has even conducted an airstrike and bombed the Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) terrorist training facility at Balakot in Pakistan, the leaders of Congress and other opposition parties are busy targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP by casting aspersions and ascribing motives to the direct offensive launched by India to uproot and destroy the terror factories in Pakistan. After the Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Modi was quick in announcing that the Indian Armed Forces have been given full powers to handle the situation and counter cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. After the February 26 airstrike that targeted the terror infrastructure at Balakot, Pakistan Air force F-16 jets entered the Indian territory to target military installations. They were intercepted and chased away by Indian Air Force pilots. The Pakistani offensive resulted in the downing of an F-16 aircraft. India's brave fighter pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan, whose aircraft was also hit, was captured when he ejected and landed inside the Pakistani territory. Under immense diplomatic pressure mounted by India and also the threat of direct action in case Pakistan chose to remain defiant, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced in his Parliament that Abhinandan would be released. “The Indian Air Defence system was on full alert in the morning of 27 February - a day after the Balakot airstrike. Build up of Pakistan Air Force aircraft on their side of LoC was noticed in time and additional aircraft were scrambled to tackle Pak incursion. When there was an attempt to attack Indian military installations, PAF aircraft were engaged and forced to withdraw by Mirage-2000, Su-30 and MiG-21 Bison aircraft from the Indian side. They left in a hurry as demonstrated by large missed distances of the weapons dropped by them. During combat, use of F-16 by PAF and multiple launches of AMRAAM (American beyond visual range air-to-air missile) were conclusively observed. Prompt and correct tactical action by Su-30 aircraft, in response to AMRAAM launch, defeated the missile. Parts of the missile fell in area East of Rajouri in J&K, injuring a civilian on ground.” With this statement on Tuesday, the Indian Ministry of Defence has blasted the false claim by Pakistan of shooting down an Su-30, which was obviously a cover up for loss of its own aircraft. In the meanwhile, even as Pakistan imposed a ban on Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafeez Saeed led Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) on Tuesday, there has been no let up and Pakistan has continued to violate the ceasefire along the line of control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and there have been civilian casualties too. When troops on both sides are in a state of combat readiness and it is time for the nation to remain united to face the enemy, the Congress party and other opposition parties are working overtime and throwing posers about the outcome of the February 26 airstrike. They all are asking the same question in tandem and the people at large are viewing this as an attempt by the opposition to politicise the situation keeping in view the upcoming general election. What is also alarming is that the opposition leaders are even pointing their fingers questioning the “timing of the post-Pulwama offensive (ahead of the Lok Sabha polls). Gloating over the situation prevailing in India are those at the helm of affairs in Pakistan. That country’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in an interview, has talked of differences among the political parties in India with regard to the numbers of terrorists killed in the airstrike. In a video that’s gone viral, Qureshi is heard saying, "The Congress party is questioning the claim that terror camps have been destroyed and a large number of terrorists have been killed." On the current situation, the nation is also witnessing a war of words on social media between the BJP and opposition leaders. What is particularly capturing headlines are a couple of tweets by senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh. After citing a certain news-report and asking “what is the truth behind the bombing of Balakot”, Singh said in another tweet: After the Air Strike conducted by our Air Force in the wake of the Pulwama attack, doubt is being expressed in a section of foreign media and as a consequence of this, the credibility of the government of India is being questioned. The remarks by opposition leaders are being seen as an attempt by the opposition leaders to dilute the gravity of the Pulwama attack and undermine India’s war against terror. The direct beneficiary of this is Pakistan. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By politicising Balakot airstrike, opposition leaders have given Pakistan a big reason to cheer

At what cost the BJP should be stopped is the question which confronts Congress Party today. Should Congress Party sacrifice itself on the altar of secularism to prevent BJP coming to power or should it fight the elections to expand itself both electorally and organisationally?&nbsp;

Ideally, this question should have been settled two years back, but the party continues to vacillate on the issue of alliance and organisation. Congress today stands split between two types of groups. One group wants to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi at any cost, and hence, wants Congress to sacrifice and accommodate regional parties in form of a broader alliance.&nbsp;

The other group wants to contest the Lok Sabha elections with smaller partners who add strength to the Congress. This group has been resenting party’s tryst with SP-BSP in Uttar Pradesh and with AAP in Delhi. What is surprising is despite resistance from the local leadership, the idea to stich an alliance continues to flow from the top leaders in the Congress. Even in the case of Uttar Pradesh, a big section within the Congress desires to become the part of the umbrella alliance in Uttar Pradesh.

The desire exists understanding fully well that it would damage the reputation and standing of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. With an alliance in place, the question would arise,” Why did you get Priyanka when Congress only wanted to fight on 10 odd seats.”

Where does this fear stems from? Does it stem from the fact that Congress has accepted that it cannot match vote consolidation of the BJP all across India? The answer lies somewhere else. It lies within the culture of Congress post 1970s.

Over a period of time, ideological debate on issues and individuals died in the Congress. This is not to say that great debates are taking place under Modi’s BJP, but RSS makes up for it by pursuing dialogues internally. Lack of this exercise creates an atmosphere which subsequently reduces idealism in the party. Idealism is a glue which kept Left and Right alive during lean times. Congress on the other hand either falls back on charisma of the Gandhi’s or power to stay together. With reduced charisma of Gandhis in national politics, the glue which holds the Congress together today is power hence the pressure from senior leadership to ensure Modi loses at any cost, even at the cost of the Congress Party?

This thinking needs to be seriously reversed for the health of democracy. Congress is the only national party after BJP. It is down but not out. It needs to get into a smart alliance with smaller parties and ensure that narrative remains around jobs and economy. Congress mishandled Pulwama terror attack and BJP stole the thunder right under its nose. Congress needs to reset the narrative which it had after winning three Hindi heartland states. If it fails, Congress will again be reduced to two digits in Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

Congress needs to regain the lost confidence too with the message that it will remain in business for the next 100 years. RSS was banned thrice and faced the stigma of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination but still survived to ensure that it had its government with a simple majority in power in 2014. This tenacity to stay relevant should be a learning curve for Congress.&nbsp;

This tenacity can be reached if Congress recreates a robust ideological culture inside the party which would recreate new ideals for the Congress.&nbsp;

Side by side, it should be ensured that the organisation is not compromised for the sake of keeping Modi out of power. It never worked for the Socialists. There rabid anti-Congress attitude was devoid of ideology and ultimately led to their own demise. Their governments were short lived. Same should not happen to Congress as it cannot afford to become Rishi Dadhichi who gave up his life so that his bones could be used to make an Astra to kill a demon.&nbsp;

In today’s context, Congress as a national party is required as a bulwark against hegemonic BJP. In the interest of democracy, it should focus on its own health rather than following the single point agenda of keeping Modi out.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

At what cost the BJP should be stopped is the question which confronts Congress Party today. Should Congress Party sacrifice itself on the altar of secularism to prevent BJP coming to power or should it fight the elections to expand itself both electorally and organisationally?

At what cost the BJP should be stopped is the question which confronts Congress Party today. Should Congress Party sacrifice itself on the altar of secularism to prevent BJP coming to power or should it fight the elections to expand itself both electorally and organisationally? Ideally, this question should have been settled two years back, but the party continues to vacillate on the issue of alliance and organisation. Congress today stands split between two types of groups. One group wants to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi at any cost, and hence, wants Congress to sacrifice and accommodate regional parties in form of a broader alliance. The other group wants to contest the Lok Sabha elections with smaller partners who add strength to the Congress. This group has been resenting party’s tryst with SP-BSP in Uttar Pradesh and with AAP in Delhi. What is surprising is despite resistance from the local leadership, the idea to stich an alliance continues to flow from the top leaders in the Congress. Even in the case of Uttar Pradesh, a big section within the Congress desires to become the part of the umbrella alliance in Uttar Pradesh. The desire exists understanding fully well that it would damage the reputation and standing of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. With an alliance in place, the question would arise,” Why did you get Priyanka when Congress only wanted to fight on 10 odd seats.” Where does this fear stems from? Does it stem from the fact that Congress has accepted that it cannot match vote consolidation of the BJP all across India? The answer lies somewhere else. It lies within the culture of Congress post 1970s. Over a period of time, ideological debate on issues and individuals died in the Congress. This is not to say that great debates are taking place under Modi’s BJP, but RSS makes up for it by pursuing dialogues internally. Lack of this exercise creates an atmosphere which subsequently reduces idealism in the party. Idealism is a glue which kept Left and Right alive during lean times. Congress on the other hand either falls back on charisma of the Gandhi’s or power to stay together. With reduced charisma of Gandhis in national politics, the glue which holds the Congress together today is power hence the pressure from senior leadership to ensure Modi loses at any cost, even at the cost of the Congress Party? This thinking needs to be seriously reversed for the health of democracy. Congress is the only national party after BJP. It is down but not out. It needs to get into a smart alliance with smaller parties and ensure that narrative remains around jobs and economy. Congress mishandled Pulwama terror attack and BJP stole the thunder right under its nose. Congress needs to reset the narrative which it had after winning three Hindi heartland states. If it fails, Congress will again be reduced to two digits in Lok Sabha. Congress needs to regain the lost confidence too with the message that it will remain in business for the next 100 years. RSS was banned thrice and faced the stigma of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination but still survived to ensure that it had its government with a simple majority in power in 2014. This tenacity to stay relevant should be a learning curve for Congress. This tenacity can be reached if Congress recreates a robust ideological culture inside the party which would recreate new ideals for the Congress. Side by side, it should be ensured that the organisation is not compromised for the sake of keeping Modi out of power. It never worked for the Socialists. There rabid anti-Congress attitude was devoid of ideology and ultimately led to their own demise. Their governments were short lived. Same should not happen to Congress as it cannot afford to become Rishi Dadhichi who gave up his life so that his bones could be used to make an Astra to kill a demon. In today’s context, Congress as a national party is required as a bulwark against hegemonic BJP. In the interest of democracy, it should focus on its own health rather than following the single point agenda of keeping Modi out. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Should Congress sacrifice itself to keep Narendra Modi out?

A Delhi court on Saturday extended the interim protection from arrest granted to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-posters-in-moradabad-read-robert-vadra-is-welcome-to-contest-lok-sabha-polls-199567">Robert Vadra</a> till March 19 in a money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).&nbsp;

Special judge Arvind Kumar granted the relief to Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

The ED case against Vadra relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property at 12, Bryanston Square worth GBP 1.9 million (British pounds), which is allegedly owned by him.&nbsp;

A Delhi court on Saturday extended the interim protection from arrest granted to Robert Vadra till March 19 in a money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

A Delhi court on Saturday extended the interim protection from arrest granted to Robert Vadra till March 19 in a money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Special judge Arvind Kumar granted the relief to Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi. The ED case against Vadra relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property at 12, Bryanston Square worth GBP 1.9 million (British pounds), which is allegedly owned by him.

Robert Vadra: Delhi court extends protection from arrest till March 19

The Bombay High Court Friday issued show cause notices to the Congress, the BSP and the Shiv Sena, asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for putting up illegal hoardings and banners across Maharashtra.

A division bench, headed by Justice A S Oka, said it was of the prima facie opinion that these political parties had committed a breach of previous court orders that prohibited display of hoarding or banner without requisite permission.

"There is material to show that these political parties have indulged in display of illegal hoardings, banners and so on. We issue notices to these parties asking them to show cause as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them," the court said.

The bench sought the parties' responses by March 27.

The bench warned that if the parties fail to take appropriate action on the matter, it will issue notices to their leaders.

"Today, we are issuing notices to the political parties, but if we feel that proper action has not been taken on the issue then we will issue notices against the leaders," Justice Oka said.

The court was hearing a bunch of petitions filed before it, raising the issue of numerous hoardings and banners put up on public roads illegally.&nbsp;

The Bombay High Court Friday issued show cause notices to the Congress, the BSP and the Shiv Sena, asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for putting up illegal hoardings and banners across Maharashtra.

The Bombay High Court Friday issued show cause notices to the Congress, the BSP and the Shiv Sena, asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for putting up illegal hoardings and banners across Maharashtra. A division bench, headed by Justice A S Oka, said it was of the prima facie opinion that these political parties had committed a breach of previous court orders that prohibited display of hoarding or banner without requisite permission. "There is material to show that these political parties have indulged in display of illegal hoardings, banners and so on. We issue notices to these parties asking them to show cause as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them," the court said. The bench sought the parties' responses by March 27. The bench warned that if the parties fail to take appropriate action on the matter, it will issue notices to their leaders. "Today, we are issuing notices to the political parties, but if we feel that proper action has not been taken on the issue then we will issue notices against the leaders," Justice Oka said. The court was hearing a bunch of petitions filed before it, raising the issue of numerous hoardings and banners put up on public roads illegally.

Bombay High Court issues notices to Congress, BSP, Sena for putting up illegal hoardings, banners

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-kim-trump-arrives-in-hanoi-for-summit-talks-199903">US President Donald Trump</a>'s former <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/michael-cohen-gave-prosecutors-information-on-trump-family-business-report-199063">personal attorney Michael Cohen</a> will tell lawmakers on Wednesday that Trump asked him several times about a proposed skyscraper project in Moscow long after he secured the Republican presidential nomination, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

As Special Counsel Robert Mueller appears to near the end of his probe into whether Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election in collusion with Trump's campaign, Cohen's assertion that Trump was inquiring about the skyscraper project as late as June 2016, if true, would show Trump remained personally engaged in the venture well into his candidacy.

Cohen was set to offer lawmakers new information about Trump's private affairs over three consecutive days of in-depth discussion with congressional committees that began on Tuesday with a closed hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

The focus of the session, which lasted for roughly 9 hours, was mainly on what Cohen knows about Trump's dealings with Russia, as well as about Cohen's previous lies, two congressional sources said. Cohen apologised to the committee for lying to it in 2017, according to CNN.

In brief comments to the media after the Senate session ended, Cohen said he was looking forward to Wednesday's open hearing in the House where he plans to make his case for why people should believe him over Trump.

"I'm going to let the American people decide exactly who is telling the truth," Cohen said.

Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate committee, suggested Cohen's testimony was important to its probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

"Two years ago when this investigation started, I said it may be the most important thing I'm involved in my public life in the Senate and nothing I have heard today dissuades me from that view," Warner told reporters outside the hearing room.

As Cohen testified, Republican US Representative Matt Gaetz, a Trump ally, suggested in a tweet that there was compromising information about Cohen's private life.

Gaetz later told the Daily Beast that he was not engaging in witness intimidation. "It is challenging the veracity and character of a witness. We do it every day," he said.

The lawmaker does not sit on the House Oversight Committee, which will be conducting Wednesday's hearing with Cohen and therefore will not be allowed to ask him questions.

Lanny Davis, an attorney for Cohen, said: "We will not respond to Mr Gaetz's despicable lies and personal smears, except to say we trust that his colleagues in the House, both Republicans and Democrats, will repudiate his words and his conduct."

Cohen was one of Trump's closest aides and once said he would "take a bullet" for him. But he turned against his former boss last year and is cooperating with prosecutors after pleading guilty to tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations.

Cohen has said Trump directed him to make hush-money payments to two women who said they had sexual relationships with Trump, in violation of campaign finance laws before the 2016 election.

Trump called Cohen a "rat" after he turned on him, and the White House again attacked Cohen's credibility on Tuesday.

"It's laughable that anyone would take a convicted liar like Cohen at his word, and pathetic to see him given yet another opportunity to spread his lies," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

Trump has denied any collusion between his campaign and Moscow. Russia denies US intelligence agencies' assertions that it interfered in the election.

Cohen has been disbarred, according to a decision by a New York state appeals court in Manhattan made public on Tuesday. Disbarment is automatic in New York for lawyers convicted of felonies.

Michael Monico, a lawyer for Cohen, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

'GRANULAR DETAILS'

On Wednesday, in a public session before the House Oversight Committee, Cohen intends to give lawmakers "granular details" about a hush-money payment to adult-film actress Stephanie Clifford, known as Stormy Daniels, and information about a "money trail" after Trump became president, said the person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified.

Cohen will also offer new information on Trump's financial statements that "have never been produced before" relating to how Trump represented the values of his assets in financial transactions and other matters, that person said.

Cohen will also offer first-hand anecdotes to illustrate Trump's "lies, racism and cheating" during the decade Cohen worked for the real estate mogul and provide "evidence of criminal conduct" since he became president, the source said.

Like Tuesday's hearing, his testimony on Thursday with the House Intelligence Committee will also be behind closed doors.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee plan to question Cohen publicly about Trump's personal finances, including the payments to women, as well as alleged efforts by Trump and his lawyers to intimidate Cohen to try to keep him from testifying.

Last November, Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress by telling lawmakers in 2017 that all efforts relating to the Moscow project had ceased by January 2016. In fact, Cohen said, those efforts continued until June 2016.

US President Donald Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen will tell lawmakers on Wednesday that Trump asked him several times about a proposed skyscraper project in Moscow long after he secured the Republican presidential nomination, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

US President Donald Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen will tell lawmakers on Wednesday that Trump asked him several times about a proposed skyscraper project in Moscow long after he secured the Republican presidential nomination, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters. As Special Counsel Robert Mueller appears to near the end of his probe into whether Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election in collusion with Trump's campaign, Cohen's assertion that Trump was inquiring about the skyscraper project as late as June 2016, if true, would show Trump remained personally engaged in the venture well into his candidacy. Cohen was set to offer lawmakers new information about Trump's private affairs over three consecutive days of in-depth discussion with congressional committees that began on Tuesday with a closed hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee. The focus of the session, which lasted for roughly 9 hours, was mainly on what Cohen knows about Trump's dealings with Russia, as well as about Cohen's previous lies, two congressional sources said. Cohen apologised to the committee for lying to it in 2017, according to CNN. In brief comments to the media after the Senate session ended, Cohen said he was looking forward to Wednesday's open hearing in the House where he plans to make his case for why people should believe him over Trump. "I'm going to let the American people decide exactly who is telling the truth," Cohen said. Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate committee, suggested Cohen's testimony was important to its probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. "Two years ago when this investigation started, I said it may be the most important thing I'm involved in my public life in the Senate and nothing I have heard today dissuades me from that view," Warner told reporters outside the hearing room. As Cohen testified, Republican US Representative Matt Gaetz, a Trump ally, suggested in a tweet that there was compromising information about Cohen's private life. Gaetz later told the Daily Beast that he was not engaging in witness intimidation. "It is challenging the veracity and character of a witness. We do it every day," he said. The lawmaker does not sit on the House Oversight Committee, which will be conducting Wednesday's hearing with Cohen and therefore will not be allowed to ask him questions. Lanny Davis, an attorney for Cohen, said: "We will not respond to Mr Gaetz's despicable lies and personal smears, except to say we trust that his colleagues in the House, both Republicans and Democrats, will repudiate his words and his conduct." Cohen was one of Trump's closest aides and once said he would "take a bullet" for him. But he turned against his former boss last year and is cooperating with prosecutors after pleading guilty to tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. Cohen has said Trump directed him to make hush-money payments to two women who said they had sexual relationships with Trump, in violation of campaign finance laws before the 2016 election. Trump called Cohen a "rat" after he turned on him, and the White House again attacked Cohen's credibility on Tuesday. "It's laughable that anyone would take a convicted liar like Cohen at his word, and pathetic to see him given yet another opportunity to spread his lies," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. Trump has denied any collusion between his campaign and Moscow. Russia denies US intelligence agencies' assertions that it interfered in the election. Cohen has been disbarred, according to a decision by a New York state appeals court in Manhattan made public on Tuesday. Disbarment is automatic in New York for lawyers convicted of felonies. Michael Monico, a lawyer for Cohen, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 'GRANULAR DETAILS' On Wednesday, in a public session before the House Oversight Committee, Cohen intends to give lawmakers "granular details" about a hush-money payment to adult-film actress Stephanie Clifford, known as Stormy Daniels, and information about a "money trail" after Trump became president, said the person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified. Cohen will also offer new information on Trump's financial statements that "have never been produced before" relating to how Trump represented the values of his assets in financial transactions and other matters, that person said. Cohen will also offer first-hand anecdotes to illustrate Trump's "lies, racism and cheating" during the decade Cohen worked for the real estate mogul and provide "evidence of criminal conduct" since he became president, the source said. Like Tuesday's hearing, his testimony on Thursday with the House Intelligence Committee will also be behind closed doors. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee plan to question Cohen publicly about Trump's personal finances, including the payments to women, as well as alleged efforts by Trump and his lawyers to intimidate Cohen to try to keep him from testifying. Last November, Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress by telling lawmakers in 2017 that all efforts relating to the Moscow project had ceased by January 2016. In fact, Cohen said, those efforts continued until June 2016.

Trump's ex-lawyer Cohen to offer new Russia details to Congress: Source

As a political commentator, most discussions with people hover around General Election 2019. And, the million-dollar question which comes up is inevitably this &nbsp;— ‘kiski sarkar banegi’ (who will form the next government).

Elections are difficult to predict in a country as vast and unique as India. Opinion polls are predicting a hung house with NDA as the single, largest pre-poll coalition. Under the circumstances, five factors, which put BJP in a pole position to form the next government at the Centre, need to be highlighted. The General Election in India is increasingly becoming Presidential style. Though Rahul has been catching up with Modi on the popularity ratings, the Prime Minister is still comfortably ahead with a 10 per cent to 14 per cent lead.

With just a couple of months to go for election, this lead is substantial. Even in opinion polls, which predict a hung house situation, 60 per cent respondents want to give the NDA another chance to form the government.

The second reason is that pan-India, the Mahagathbandhan has not shaped up yet. The opposition’s dream of organising one-on-one contests on the 1977 model, has not worked out. Bua and Babua (aunt Mayawati and nephew Akhilesh Yadav) have left out Congress from the UP grand alliance.

Congress has decided it will go alone in West Bengal, Andhra, and Telangana. In Kerala, the Left cannot form an alliance with Congress and neither can Biju ally with the grand old party in Odisha.

In Delhi, AAP and Congress have not been able to sink their differences, while Haryana is likely to see a multi-cornered contest like in the recent by-polls. There is no news of settlement with AIUDF in Assam and neither is PDP expected to join the National Conference-Congress combine in Jammu and Kashmir.

UPA hasn’t expanded much, the only notable inclusion being Janata Dal-Secular in Karnataka. In Bihar and Jharkhand, some small regional parties have joined the UPA, but they are not expected to significantly change the electoral dynamics. If anything, they have increased headaches over seat distribution.

On the other hand, BJP has managed to cool Shiv Sena and added AIADMK into the NDA fold in Tamil Nadu, which may prevent a DMK sweep.

Thirdly, many regional parties have no option, but to back BJP or abstain during the confidence vote, if it comes down to it.

There are several regional parties whose entire politics has been based on anti-Congressism in their home state, as that is the principal opposition party.

These include Naveen Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal, KCR’s Telangana Rashtriya Samiti and Jagan Reddy’s YSR Congress, to name a few.

Jagan and Rahul/Sonia share an acrimonious relationship. KCR and Rahul can’t see eye to eye. Some of these parties have been helping NDA pass important legislations and register victories in the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman elections.

These three parties are expected to bag 41, 38 and 43 seats respectively, as per three well-known TV channel surveys conducted in January 2019. This could compensate for some of the losses of BJP in the states where it peaked in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Fourthly, the Congress party won just 44 seats in 2014, while UPA could muster only 59. Some opinion polls are projecting 166-167 seats for UPA. Their gains are primarily coming from Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Jharkhand.BJP has firmed up alliances in Maharashtra (Shiv Sena) and Bihar (JDU+LJP) and is most likely to retain its 2014 tally, as per polls, with minor losses.

Four states, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, where the Congress put up a good fight or won recently in state elections, will see a direct contest between the BJP and the Grand Old Party.

These states account for 91 seats with BJP sweeping 88 out of these in 2014. Based on extrapolation of state election results, Congress could gain 30-40 seats here.

These states account for another 245 seats (45 per cent) where bulk of the gains are expected.

Still, the UPA is expected to fall 60-70 seats short of NDA. Nobody, even anti-BJP brigade at this point of time, is predicting that UPA will cross NDA.

Lastly, Congress is raising issues, but not providing solutions. It has raised the Rafale issue, but even surveys predicting a hung Parliament, show that this may not be working with the public.

Unless the Congress comes up with specific bribery allegations, this will not work. The party has raised the issue of farmer distress and unemployment but has not come up yet with specific solutions.

To sum up, while there is a lot of hoopla&nbsp;over a hung house, all latest polls show NDA ahead and within striking distance of forming the government. The narrative of “55 years versus 55 months” is likely to propel NDA and Modi back to power.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-55-years-versus-55-months-2724414">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

 
&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

As a political commentator, most discussions with people hover around General Election 2019. And, the million-dollar question which comes up is inevitably this — ‘kiski sarkar banegi’ (who will form the next government).

As a political commentator, most discussions with people hover around General Election 2019. And, the million-dollar question which comes up is inevitably this — ‘kiski sarkar banegi’ (who will form the next government). Elections are difficult to predict in a country as vast and unique as India. Opinion polls are predicting a hung house with NDA as the single, largest pre-poll coalition. Under the circumstances, five factors, which put BJP in a pole position to form the next government at the Centre, need to be highlighted. The General Election in India is increasingly becoming Presidential style. Though Rahul has been catching up with Modi on the popularity ratings, the Prime Minister is still comfortably ahead with a 10 per cent to 14 per cent lead. With just a couple of months to go for election, this lead is substantial. Even in opinion polls, which predict a hung house situation, 60 per cent respondents want to give the NDA another chance to form the government. The second reason is that pan-India, the Mahagathbandhan has not shaped up yet. The opposition’s dream of organising one-on-one contests on the 1977 model, has not worked out. Bua and Babua (aunt Mayawati and nephew Akhilesh Yadav) have left out Congress from the UP grand alliance. Congress has decided it will go alone in West Bengal, Andhra, and Telangana. In Kerala, the Left cannot form an alliance with Congress and neither can Biju ally with the grand old party in Odisha. In Delhi, AAP and Congress have not been able to sink their differences, while Haryana is likely to see a multi-cornered contest like in the recent by-polls. There is no news of settlement with AIUDF in Assam and neither is PDP expected to join the National Conference-Congress combine in Jammu and Kashmir. UPA hasn’t expanded much, the only notable inclusion being Janata Dal-Secular in Karnataka. In Bihar and Jharkhand, some small regional parties have joined the UPA, but they are not expected to significantly change the electoral dynamics. If anything, they have increased headaches over seat distribution. On the other hand, BJP has managed to cool Shiv Sena and added AIADMK into the NDA fold in Tamil Nadu, which may prevent a DMK sweep. Thirdly, many regional parties have no option, but to back BJP or abstain during the confidence vote, if it comes down to it. There are several regional parties whose entire politics has been based on anti-Congressism in their home state, as that is the principal opposition party. These include Naveen Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal, KCR’s Telangana Rashtriya Samiti and Jagan Reddy’s YSR Congress, to name a few. Jagan and Rahul/Sonia share an acrimonious relationship. KCR and Rahul can’t see eye to eye. Some of these parties have been helping NDA pass important legislations and register victories in the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman elections. These three parties are expected to bag 41, 38 and 43 seats respectively, as per three well-known TV channel surveys conducted in January 2019. This could compensate for some of the losses of BJP in the states where it peaked in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Fourthly, the Congress party won just 44 seats in 2014, while UPA could muster only 59. Some opinion polls are projecting 166-167 seats for UPA. Their gains are primarily coming from Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Jharkhand.BJP has firmed up alliances in Maharashtra (Shiv Sena) and Bihar (JDU+LJP) and is most likely to retain its 2014 tally, as per polls, with minor losses. Four states, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, where the Congress put up a good fight or won recently in state elections, will see a direct contest between the BJP and the Grand Old Party. These states account for 91 seats with BJP sweeping 88 out of these in 2014. Based on extrapolation of state election results, Congress could gain 30-40 seats here. These states account for another 245 seats (45 per cent) where bulk of the gains are expected. Still, the UPA is expected to fall 60-70 seats short of NDA. Nobody, even anti-BJP brigade at this point of time, is predicting that UPA will cross NDA. Lastly, Congress is raising issues, but not providing solutions. It has raised the Rafale issue, but even surveys predicting a hung Parliament, show that this may not be working with the public. Unless the Congress comes up with specific bribery allegations, this will not work. The party has raised the issue of farmer distress and unemployment but has not come up yet with specific solutions. To sum up, while there is a lot of hoopla over a hung house, all latest polls show NDA ahead and within striking distance of forming the government. The narrative of “55 years versus 55 months” is likely to propel NDA and Modi back to power. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Lok Sabha elections 2019: Differences among opposition parties strengthen NDA's chances of coming back to power

The Congress in general — and Rahul Gandhi in particular — is trying to keep the Rafale deal as a major poll plank in the absence of a topic that can create a narrative against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Congress has not been able to dig up any scam. No evidence of any kickbacks has been brought in the public domain by the Congress chief, though he persistently and quite unabashedly keeps abusing the PM. The CAG, the Supreme Court, and the French government have pronounced that there was no wrongdoing and that the deal is in India’s benefit.

The deal is worth only Rs 58,000 crore. But, Rahul keeps saying that due to the PM, Anil Ambani benefitted to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore, which is absurd on the face of it. The Congress has to answer why it delayed the deal for 10 years when the Air Force was in dire need of medium combat aircraft since 2004. Modi did a great service to the nation by reducing the number of aircraft from 126 to 36 as it would have become obsolete by the time the entire 126 would be delivered. By reducing the number to just two squadrons Modi saved a large amount of foreign exchange. If the idea was to make shady deals as Rahul Gandhi had alleged, then, the government would have gone ahead with a larger order package.

For about a year, Rahul was making unsubstantiated allegations. The Rafale deal is a project of the UPA. Between 2012 and 2014, there was a 100 per cent escalation in its price. Then, in the new deal, the government has asked for technology upgradation, additional features and transfer of technology. If the Modi government wanted, it could have scrapped the deal and gone for a new global tender. Rafale was selected in January 2012 when Dr Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister. Reliance came into the picture the same year, under UPA. In February 2012, Reliance Industries and France’s Dassault Aviation signed a pact for partnering in the defence and homeland security sector in India. The accord came less than two weeks after Dassault’s Rafale warplanes emerged as the preferred bidder in a $15 billion-contest to supply India with 126 fighter jets.

The partnership provided Dassault with a substantial opportunity to fulfil its offset obligations under the contract. Dassault wanted RIL to be the main partner. Under the offset clause, a foreign supplier must award contracts worth a chunk of the deal value to Indian companies in return.

The opposition’s furore over Rafale seems to be an attempt to starve the Indian Air Force of combat aircrafts of international standards. A demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee will put the entire procurement and ‘Make in India’ programme in cold storage for years. As for Reliance not having past experience, it was again the French company which found it useful.

If having Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries on board was okay in February 2012, then how does getting Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence in the deal become cronyism and scam in 2016? Is it only because it happened under Modi? About the price, Rahul Gandhi is quoting the price of 2008 in 2018. Can he get even a razor for the same price today as it was in 2008? In a joint venture, the partner has to invest money and Rafale will only be transferring technology. How can Reliance make money here? Rather, they have to put in money. The French government has said that choosing the Indian partner was the job of Dassault Aviation. The French company has said they chose the Indian partner. How can Rahul blame Modi for this? He is either being vicious or ill-informed or has, as usual, got only half-baked information.

Each time Rahul was providing different figures as the Reliance’s gain and the prices at which the deal was signed by the UPA and the NDA. In the first place, the UPA never signed any deal with Dassault (Aviation). It was only negotiating, and different prices were quoted. The price finally agreed by the UPA was Rs 737 crore per aircraft, and with additional fittings and capabilities the price agreed was Rs 2,000 crore per piece. The deal was, however, never signed. The deal signed by the NDA is for Rs 670 crore per aircraft, and with additional capacity it comes to Rs 1,600 crore per aircraft. The NDA has ordered for 36 aircraft whereas UPA was planning to buy 126.

The Indian Air Force in 2001 projected a desperate need for 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) and the process of selecting the same concluded in 2007 under the UPA. The two aircraft shortlisted were Rafale and Eurofighter, which was number two. When the Modi government came to power, Eurofighter was hopeful of getting the deal as it felt the one selected by the UPA could be replaced. They lobbied hard with support from the British government.

The UPA had selected a middleman, who was to get a 10 per cent cut. The deal finally was not signed also perhaps because of this. Although the IAF was desperate, then Defence Minister AK Antony refused to sign any paper. Then, it was said that the UPA had no money; it was decided to postpone the purchase until the next government assumed power. The NDA has entered into a government-to-government deal, so there is neither any middleman nor commission agent.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-rafale-and-rahul-s-fiction-2722971">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

The Congress in general — and Rahul Gandhi in particular — is trying to keep the Rafale deal as a major poll plank in the absence of a topic that can create a narrative against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Congress in general — and Rahul Gandhi in particular — is trying to keep the Rafale deal as a major poll plank in the absence of a topic that can create a narrative against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress has not been able to dig up any scam. No evidence of any kickbacks has been brought in the public domain by the Congress chief, though he persistently and quite unabashedly keeps abusing the PM. The CAG, the Supreme Court, and the French government have pronounced that there was no wrongdoing and that the deal is in India’s benefit. The deal is worth only Rs 58,000 crore. But, Rahul keeps saying that due to the PM, Anil Ambani benefitted to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore, which is absurd on the face of it. The Congress has to answer why it delayed the deal for 10 years when the Air Force was in dire need of medium combat aircraft since 2004. Modi did a great service to the nation by reducing the number of aircraft from 126 to 36 as it would have become obsolete by the time the entire 126 would be delivered. By reducing the number to just two squadrons Modi saved a large amount of foreign exchange. If the idea was to make shady deals as Rahul Gandhi had alleged, then, the government would have gone ahead with a larger order package. For about a year, Rahul was making unsubstantiated allegations. The Rafale deal is a project of the UPA. Between 2012 and 2014, there was a 100 per cent escalation in its price. Then, in the new deal, the government has asked for technology upgradation, additional features and transfer of technology. If the Modi government wanted, it could have scrapped the deal and gone for a new global tender. Rafale was selected in January 2012 when Dr Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister. Reliance came into the picture the same year, under UPA. In February 2012, Reliance Industries and France’s Dassault Aviation signed a pact for partnering in the defence and homeland security sector in India. The accord came less than two weeks after Dassault’s Rafale warplanes emerged as the preferred bidder in a $15 billion-contest to supply India with 126 fighter jets. The partnership provided Dassault with a substantial opportunity to fulfil its offset obligations under the contract. Dassault wanted RIL to be the main partner. Under the offset clause, a foreign supplier must award contracts worth a chunk of the deal value to Indian companies in return. The opposition’s furore over Rafale seems to be an attempt to starve the Indian Air Force of combat aircrafts of international standards. A demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee will put the entire procurement and ‘Make in India’ programme in cold storage for years. As for Reliance not having past experience, it was again the French company which found it useful. If having Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries on board was okay in February 2012, then how does getting Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence in the deal become cronyism and scam in 2016? Is it only because it happened under Modi? About the price, Rahul Gandhi is quoting the price of 2008 in 2018. Can he get even a razor for the same price today as it was in 2008? In a joint venture, the partner has to invest money and Rafale will only be transferring technology. How can Reliance make money here? Rather, they have to put in money. The French government has said that choosing the Indian partner was the job of Dassault Aviation. The French company has said they chose the Indian partner. How can Rahul blame Modi for this? He is either being vicious or ill-informed or has, as usual, got only half-baked information. Each time Rahul was providing different figures as the Reliance’s gain and the prices at which the deal was signed by the UPA and the NDA. In the first place, the UPA never signed any deal with Dassault (Aviation). It was only negotiating, and different prices were quoted. The price finally agreed by the UPA was Rs 737 crore per aircraft, and with additional fittings and capabilities the price agreed was Rs 2,000 crore per piece. The deal was, however, never signed. The deal signed by the NDA is for Rs 670 crore per aircraft, and with additional capacity it comes to Rs 1,600 crore per aircraft. The NDA has ordered for 36 aircraft whereas UPA was planning to buy 126. The Indian Air Force in 2001 projected a desperate need for 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) and the process of selecting the same concluded in 2007 under the UPA. The two aircraft shortlisted were Rafale and Eurofighter, which was number two. When the Modi government came to power, Eurofighter was hopeful of getting the deal as it felt the one selected by the UPA could be replaced. They lobbied hard with support from the British government. The UPA had selected a middleman, who was to get a 10 per cent cut. The deal finally was not signed also perhaps because of this. Although the IAF was desperate, then Defence Minister AK Antony refused to sign any paper. Then, it was said that the UPA had no money; it was decided to postpone the purchase until the next government assumed power. The NDA has entered into a government-to-government deal, so there is neither any middleman nor commission agent. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Rahul Gandhi’s fiction: Congress trying to keep Rafael a major poll plank

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have not joined Congress: Lt Gen DS Hooda clarifies

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's "development book" has improved much since 2014 and he and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's support, but they cannot be compared with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the Shiv Sena said on Wednesday.

The remarks by the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agreed-for-alliance-as-bjps-way-of-treating-allies-has-changed-uddhav-thackeray-198407">Uddhav Thackeray</a>-led party came two days after it sealed a pre-poll alliance with the BJP after years of bickering and criticism of its policies and leaders.

Responding to opposition criticism of the seat-sharing pact, the Sena, in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana', said questions on tie-up are less in the minds of people but much more among political opponents as these "insects" will be crushed due to the alliance.

Referring to Modi's stewardship, it said, "Rahul Gandhi's book of development has improved much since 2014 and he has Priyanka's help.&nbsp;However, they can't be compared with Modi's leadership."

Asserting that the party is not helpless for power, the editorial said there are several questions - like why did it ally with the BJP despite differences in 2014, will the Ram Temple be constructed, will there be Sena's chief minister - and their answers are "positive".

Instead of replying to questions on the alliance, it is better that the "arrangement" made for the benefit of Maharashtra is taken ahead, it said.

The Marathi daily said BJP president Amit Shah himself came to Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's suburban residence 'Matoshree'. Thackeray told him what he had to and it was finally decided to give the alliance another chance.

Maintaining that there was no enmity between the Sena and the BJP, it said if (Bihar chief minister and JD-U head) Nitish Kumar could join the NDA despite differences of opinion with Modi and if the Congress could forge a "mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance), then the Sena has always been a part of the BJP-led coalition.

The Sena said there was resentment in 2014 against the Congress and its allies and there was a "wave" in favour of Modi.

However, in 2019, the wave has receded and elections have to be fought not on the back of the "wave", but on ideology, development works and future, it added.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's "development book" has improved much since 2014 and he and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's support, but they cannot be compared with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the Shiv Sena said on Wednesday.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's "development book" has improved much since 2014 and he and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's support, but they cannot be compared with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the Shiv Sena said on Wednesday. The remarks by the Uddhav Thackeray-led party came two days after it sealed a pre-poll alliance with the BJP after years of bickering and criticism of its policies and leaders. Responding to opposition criticism of the seat-sharing pact, the Sena, in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana', said questions on tie-up are less in the minds of people but much more among political opponents as these "insects" will be crushed due to the alliance. Referring to Modi's stewardship, it said, "Rahul Gandhi's book of development has improved much since 2014 and he has Priyanka's help. However, they can't be compared with Modi's leadership." Asserting that the party is not helpless for power, the editorial said there are several questions - like why did it ally with the BJP despite differences in 2014, will the Ram Temple be constructed, will there be Sena's chief minister - and their answers are "positive". Instead of replying to questions on the alliance, it is better that the "arrangement" made for the benefit of Maharashtra is taken ahead, it said. The Marathi daily said BJP president Amit Shah himself came to Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's suburban residence 'Matoshree'. Thackeray told him what he had to and it was finally decided to give the alliance another chance. Maintaining that there was no enmity between the Sena and the BJP, it said if (Bihar chief minister and JD-U head) Nitish Kumar could join the NDA despite differences of opinion with Modi and if the Congress could forge a "mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance), then the Sena has always been a part of the BJP-led coalition. The Sena said there was resentment in 2014 against the Congress and its allies and there was a "wave" in favour of Modi. However, in 2019, the wave has receded and elections have to be fought not on the back of the "wave", but on ideology, development works and future, it added.

Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi no match for Modi's leadership: Shiv Sena

Brazil's lower chamber handed right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro his first defeat in Congress on Tuesday, the day before his government presents its most important legislative proposal to rein in a gaping budget deficit and spur growth.

The house voted overwhelmingly to suspend an executive order by the Bolsonaro government that altered Brazil's freedom of information law to broaden the number of officials allowed to designate data and documents as secret or ultra-secret.

Lawmakers voted 367 to 57 to fast-track a bill overturning the secrecy measure and government whips were unable to muster votes to avoid defeat.

The bill must still be voted on by the Senate, but the reversal showed that Bolsonaro, who took office on Jan. 1, has not yet been able to organise a coalition in Congress to back his legislative agenda.

On Wednesday, Bolsonaro will send to Congress his plan to overhaul Brazil's generous and costly pension system that eats up more than half of federal spending and is the main factor behind an unsustainable budget deficit.

Approval of pension reform is vital for the recovery of investor confidence in Latin America's largest economy.

The defeat on the floor of the house came one day after Bolsonaro fired a senior minister amid a scandal involving campaign financing for some of his party's congressional candidates in the October elections.

The ousted minister, Gustavo Bebianno, was instrumental in getting Bolsonaro elected but had a run-in with one of the president's sons, triggering the weeks-old government's first cabinet crisis.

In a note to clients, analysts at Eurasia Group said the scandal indicated the administration's political team was in disarray, but they still expected the pension reform to get passed, albeit in a less ambitious version.

Brazil's lower chamber handed right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro his first defeat in Congress on Tuesday, the day before his government presents its most important legislative proposal to rein in a gaping budget deficit and spur growth.

Brazil's lower chamber handed right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro his first defeat in Congress on Tuesday, the day before his government presents its most important legislative proposal to rein in a gaping budget deficit and spur growth. The house voted overwhelmingly to suspend an executive order by the Bolsonaro government that altered Brazil's freedom of information law to broaden the number of officials allowed to designate data and documents as secret or ultra-secret. Lawmakers voted 367 to 57 to fast-track a bill overturning the secrecy measure and government whips were unable to muster votes to avoid defeat. The bill must still be voted on by the Senate, but the reversal showed that Bolsonaro, who took office on Jan. 1, has not yet been able to organise a coalition in Congress to back his legislative agenda. On Wednesday, Bolsonaro will send to Congress his plan to overhaul Brazil's generous and costly pension system that eats up more than half of federal spending and is the main factor behind an unsustainable budget deficit. Approval of pension reform is vital for the recovery of investor confidence in Latin America's largest economy. The defeat on the floor of the house came one day after Bolsonaro fired a senior minister amid a scandal involving campaign financing for some of his party's congressional candidates in the October elections. The ousted minister, Gustavo Bebianno, was instrumental in getting Bolsonaro elected but had a run-in with one of the president's sons, triggering the weeks-old government's first cabinet crisis. In a note to clients, analysts at Eurasia Group said the scandal indicated the administration's political team was in disarray, but they still expected the pension reform to get passed, albeit in a less ambitious version.

Brazil's Bolsonaro suffers first defeat in Congress

With the latest report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Air Force, Performance Audit on “Capital Acquisition in Indian Air Force” tabled in Parliament, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Arun Jaitley has gone on the offensive and called the Congress party’s bluff. He has tweeted "CAG report has completely vindicated the stand of NDA Government. It has blasted the big lie which was being spearheaded by the Congress."

The CAG report says that the fly-away price of the Rafale jet is the same as agreed in 2007 by the UPA government for 126 aircraft deal, Compared to that deal, India could manage to save 17.08 per cent money for specific enhancements in the present 36 Rafale contract.&nbsp;

The CAG report comes close on the heels of the huge Congress rally in Lucknow on January 11 to kickstart the party's election campaign for the coming Lok Sabha election. This rally was led by Congress President Rahul Gandhi, along with the two newly appointed general secretaries of the party, Rahul’s sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and the scion of the erstwhile ruling family of Gwalior Jyotiraditya Scindia, both in-charge of Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress President used the Lucknow rally to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi by calling him a thief.&nbsp;

Armed with the 141-page CAG report, Jaitley has lashed out at the Congress President and said in a tweet: "The entire pricing argument was factually wrong. The Rs. 30,000 crore favour to a private company is non-existent. He has also reminded people how in 1989 when the Congress government headed by Rajeev Gandhi was mired in corruption, they had manufactured a Saint Kitts against VP Singh. Because Modi has a clean image they are manufacturing a crisis.... This is exactly the repetition of 1989.”&nbsp;

When the Rafale deal is in focus, one should understand that acquisition by the Air Force has been disturbed for over 15 years.&nbsp;

As a consequence of this, about a dozen Air Force squadrons had suffered depleting strength and there was an emergency-like situation. Hence for the sake of augmenting air power, there were negotiations and renegotiations for 2 squadrons on a priority basis leading to the Rafale deal.

A lot of confusion has been created among the masses by the Congress party and the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance of opposition parties) about Rafale. People need to be told that Rs. 30,000 crore offset has not gone entirely to Reliance. In fact, Reliance, chosen directly by Dassault under the offset clause, is there only for manufacturing the cockpit assembly for Falcon jets and the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) has already completed the first cockpit front section for a Falcon 2000 at its Nagpur manufacturing facility.&nbsp;

Also, the Congress leaders have been talking a lot about HAL not being brought in through the offset route for Rafale jets. In this regard, it is important to note that negotiations for Transfer of Technology (ToT) in the case of HAL had collapsed during the previous UPA regime and if negotiations were to start again, it would have taken another 2 to 3 years to arrive at an agreement.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra might be enthused by the huge turnout at Congress party’s Lucknow rally. But in the coming days, she will have to be ready to face a burst of salvos for standing by Robert Vadra, her husband, when he went to the Enforcement Directorate to answer queries during the investigation into the alleged acquisition of properties in London worth millions of British Pound.&nbsp;

Her action by any standard goes against probity in public life. Priyanka would have risen in public esteem if she had detached herself and taken the stand that first her husband should get exonerated just as leaders, cutting across party lines, had done when they were roped in the Hawala scandal in the early ‘90s of the last Century. 
 
By not taking this position it is clear that in the case of the first family of the Congress party the family comes before the nation.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
 
&nbsp;

With the latest report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Air Force, Performance Audit on “Capital Acquisition in Indian Air Force” tabled in Parliament, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Arun Jaitley has gone on the offensive and called the Congress party’s bluff.

With the latest report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Air Force, Performance Audit on “Capital Acquisition in Indian Air Force” tabled in Parliament, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Arun Jaitley has gone on the offensive and called the Congress party’s bluff. He has tweeted "CAG report has completely vindicated the stand of NDA Government. It has blasted the big lie which was being spearheaded by the Congress." The CAG report says that the fly-away price of the Rafale jet is the same as agreed in 2007 by the UPA government for 126 aircraft deal, Compared to that deal, India could manage to save 17.08 per cent money for specific enhancements in the present 36 Rafale contract. The CAG report comes close on the heels of the huge Congress rally in Lucknow on January 11 to kickstart the party's election campaign for the coming Lok Sabha election. This rally was led by Congress President Rahul Gandhi, along with the two newly appointed general secretaries of the party, Rahul’s sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and the scion of the erstwhile ruling family of Gwalior Jyotiraditya Scindia, both in-charge of Uttar Pradesh. The Congress President used the Lucknow rally to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi by calling him a thief. Armed with the 141-page CAG report, Jaitley has lashed out at the Congress President and said in a tweet: "The entire pricing argument was factually wrong. The Rs. 30,000 crore favour to a private company is non-existent. He has also reminded people how in 1989 when the Congress government headed by Rajeev Gandhi was mired in corruption, they had manufactured a Saint Kitts against VP Singh. Because Modi has a clean image they are manufacturing a crisis.... This is exactly the repetition of 1989.” When the Rafale deal is in focus, one should understand that acquisition by the Air Force has been disturbed for over 15 years. As a consequence of this, about a dozen Air Force squadrons had suffered depleting strength and there was an emergency-like situation. Hence for the sake of augmenting air power, there were negotiations and renegotiations for 2 squadrons on a priority basis leading to the Rafale deal. A lot of confusion has been created among the masses by the Congress party and the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance of opposition parties) about Rafale. People need to be told that Rs. 30,000 crore offset has not gone entirely to Reliance. In fact, Reliance, chosen directly by Dassault under the offset clause, is there only for manufacturing the cockpit assembly for Falcon jets and the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) has already completed the first cockpit front section for a Falcon 2000 at its Nagpur manufacturing facility. Also, the Congress leaders have been talking a lot about HAL not being brought in through the offset route for Rafale jets. In this regard, it is important to note that negotiations for Transfer of Technology (ToT) in the case of HAL had collapsed during the previous UPA regime and if negotiations were to start again, it would have taken another 2 to 3 years to arrive at an agreement. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra might be enthused by the huge turnout at Congress party’s Lucknow rally. But in the coming days, she will have to be ready to face a burst of salvos for standing by Robert Vadra, her husband, when he went to the Enforcement Directorate to answer queries during the investigation into the alleged acquisition of properties in London worth millions of British Pound. Her action by any standard goes against probity in public life. Priyanka would have risen in public esteem if she had detached herself and taken the stand that first her husband should get exonerated just as leaders, cutting across party lines, had done when they were roped in the Hawala scandal in the early ‘90s of the last Century. By not taking this position it is clear that in the case of the first family of the Congress party the family comes before the nation. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Congress must come clean on corruption charges against Robert Vadra first and then talk about Rafale deal

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has got down to business. A day after a roadshow and being with her mother-in-law in Jaipur, the newly-appointed Congress general secretary and east UP in charge met the party workers and sought details of their social media accounts.

The politicians and party workers who want to meet Priyanka are given a form asking for basic information like age, electoral experience, whether they have held any organisational positions, their Twitter handles and WhatsApp numbers.

The information about Twitter handles is being sought to gauge the social media presence of the individual.

Congress has been late on this platform but realised its importance in shaping public opinion. Just days ago, Priyanka Gandhi also made a debut on Twitter and got lakhs of followers in just a few hours. 
 
<img alt="Feedback Form" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5f7d1e0f-f1bd-4866-85bc-86a4a970db72" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Form%20%281%29.jpg" />

BSP president Mayawati also opened a Twitter account recently in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. There was a time when her party used to say that BSP supporters do not watch TV and don't get influenced by surveys. This myth was shattered both in the last Lok Sabha elections as well as Uttar Pradesh assembly elections where BSP suffered major reverses. It is for this reason that Congress wants to map social influencers within its own organisation.

The WhatsApp number is being sought because Congress wants to create a feedback and direct communication mechanism with every person within the party's eco-system. It wants to turn a platform made for personal communication into a broadcast mechanism. The BJP used WhatsApp brilliantly in Gujarat and snatched the elections from the jaws of defeat.

The collation will allow Data Analytics department in Delhi to create faster and honest feedback for the leadership.

But what makes this form truly Indian is that it also asks for the caste and sub-caste status of an individual. The caste system is India's hard and ugly reality and no political party in the country gives tickets without taking caste into consideration. So is the case with Congress.

Every party speaks against the caste system. Indian Constitution intends to correct social inequity caused by the caste system through the reservation. Even then political parties do not move away from the caste matrix.&nbsp;

This is the irony of the Indian politics that commitment to erase caste from public life remains only on paper and seminar halls.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has got down to business. A day after a roadshow and being with her mother-in-law in Jaipur, the newly-appointed Congress general secretary and east UP in charge met the party workers and sought details of their social media accounts.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has got down to business. A day after a roadshow and being with her mother-in-law in Jaipur, the newly-appointed Congress general secretary and east UP in charge met the party workers and sought details of their social media accounts. The politicians and party workers who want to meet Priyanka are given a form asking for basic information like age, electoral experience, whether they have held any organisational positions, their Twitter handles and WhatsApp numbers. The information about Twitter handles is being sought to gauge the social media presence of the individual. Congress has been late on this platform but realised its importance in shaping public opinion. Just days ago, Priyanka Gandhi also made a debut on Twitter and got lakhs of followers in just a few hours. BSP president Mayawati also opened a Twitter account recently in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. There was a time when her party used to say that BSP supporters do not watch TV and don't get influenced by surveys. This myth was shattered both in the last Lok Sabha elections as well as Uttar Pradesh assembly elections where BSP suffered major reverses. It is for this reason that Congress wants to map social influencers within its own organisation. The WhatsApp number is being sought because Congress wants to create a feedback and direct communication mechanism with every person within the party's eco-system. It wants to turn a platform made for personal communication into a broadcast mechanism. The BJP used WhatsApp brilliantly in Gujarat and snatched the elections from the jaws of defeat. The collation will allow Data Analytics department in Delhi to create faster and honest feedback for the leadership. But what makes this form truly Indian is that it also asks for the caste and sub-caste status of an individual. The caste system is India's hard and ugly reality and no political party in the country gives tickets without taking caste into consideration. So is the case with Congress. Every party speaks against the caste system. Indian Constitution intends to correct social inequity caused by the caste system through the reservation. Even then political parties do not move away from the caste matrix. This is the irony of the Indian politics that commitment to erase caste from public life remains only on paper and seminar halls. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Hard to ignore? Congress form asks for caste along with Twitter, WhatsApp

Union Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lies-of-mahajhootbandhan-stand-exposed-by-cag-report-on-rafale-says-jaitley-197100">Arun Jaitley </a>on Wednesday took a dig at the Congress over its constant attack on the Rafale deal.

Claiming that the party has ''vested interests'' in delaying the aircraft deal, Jaitley blamed the UPA government for compromising with the national security of the country.

He further hit out at the Congress and said that Rahul Gandhi had lied about the Rafale deal.

Jaitley said that the maintenance process of the aircraft&nbsp;is cheaper under the NDA government and&nbsp;the price was increased due to the addition of sophisticated equipment.

Citing the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nda-rafale-deal-286-per-cent-cheaper-than-the-one-negotiated-upa-cag-197103">CAG report</a>, he said, "The report has completely vindicated stand of NDA government. It has blasted the big lie which was being spearheaded by the Congress."

He further said that the deal had received a satisfactory response from the Supreme Court and the CAG and that the&nbsp;matter does not end here.

"The matter doesn’t finish here, the people have to punish those who misled the country. This is exactly the repetition of 1989. In 1989 when the Congress government headed by Shri Rajeev Gandhi was mired in corruption, they manufactured a Saint Kitts against Mr VP Singh. Because Mr Modi has a clean image let us manufacture a crisis," he said.

Dismissing the reports of the government intervention in the deal he said, "In a consultation process, people are bound to express different views (MoD dissent note), that is how decisions take place, but ultimately the Government is one and final decision is taken. "

On reports of Congress' charge against CAG Mehrishi he said, "Congress stands for the destruction of institutions, they destroyed institutions during the emergency. No file or decision relating to any defence purchase, or Rafale in particular ever went to Rajiv Mehrishi(CAG) when he was Secy Economic Affairs for eleven months".

The Union Minister also assured that the delivery of the planes would be done faster. 
&nbsp;

Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday took a dig at the Congress over its constant attack on the Rafale deal. Claiming that the party has ''vested interests'' in delaying the aircraft deal, Jaitley blamed the UPA government for compromising with the national security of the country.

Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday took a dig at the Congress over its constant attack on the Rafale deal. Claiming that the party has ''vested interests'' in delaying the aircraft deal, Jaitley blamed the UPA government for compromising with the national security of the country. He further hit out at the Congress and said that Rahul Gandhi had lied about the Rafale deal. Jaitley said that the maintenance process of the aircraft is cheaper under the NDA government and the price was increased due to the addition of sophisticated equipment. Citing the CAG report, he said, "The report has completely vindicated stand of NDA government. It has blasted the big lie which was being spearheaded by the Congress." He further said that the deal had received a satisfactory response from the Supreme Court and the CAG and that the matter does not end here. "The matter doesn’t finish here, the people have to punish those who misled the country. This is exactly the repetition of 1989. In 1989 when the Congress government headed by Shri Rajeev Gandhi was mired in corruption, they manufactured a Saint Kitts against Mr VP Singh. Because Mr Modi has a clean image let us manufacture a crisis," he said. Dismissing the reports of the government intervention in the deal he said, "In a consultation process, people are bound to express different views (MoD dissent note), that is how decisions take place, but ultimately the Government is one and final decision is taken. " On reports of Congress' charge against CAG Mehrishi he said, "Congress stands for the destruction of institutions, they destroyed institutions during the emergency. No file or decision relating to any defence purchase, or Rafale in particular ever went to Rajiv Mehrishi(CAG) when he was Secy Economic Affairs for eleven months". The Union Minister also assured that the delivery of the planes would be done faster.

Government stand vindicated, says Arun Jaitley on Rafale deal

WION Dispatch, 11th February, 2019

Decked-up Lucknow welcomes Priyanka Gandhi as she makes political debut

One wonders why Jyotiraditya Scindia has been made the Congress party’s general secretary in-charge for western Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He doesn’t bring any special understanding of the region to the table, nor is he a charismatic figure there.

Also, although technically on a footing equal with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who too has been appointed general secretary but in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Scindia cannot hope to match her profile or stature within the party even with the new assignment. One can, therefore, only speculate on the reasons.&nbsp;

Here’s speculation number one. The appointment is Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s way of keeping him away from the politics of Madhya Pradesh, where Kamal Nath is ensconced as chief minister. Scindia had been a formidable candidate to take over the reins of the government after the Congress displaced a Bharatiya Janata Party regime in the state recently.&nbsp;

He was both popular and close to Rahul Gandhi. When the Congress high command decided in Kamal Nath’s favour, it reportedly offered Scindia the deputy chief minister’s post, which was declined. Since then, the party felt it is prudent to avoid situations of direct conflict between Scindia and Kamal Nath, and thus, shifted the young leader out.&nbsp;

Speculation number two: The appointment is a way to cut Scindia down to size. His refusal to accept the deputy’s position was seen as a snub to the high command and to the Kamal Nath-Digvijaya Singh lobby. He was, thus, given charge of a region where the Congress stands little chance of doing well and can be made a scapegoat after the Congress fails in the region. Only days prior to his appointment, Scindia&nbsp;had a long meeting with senior BJP leader and former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan with whom he is said to share a good rapport. That may have rankled the high command too.&nbsp; 
 
And speculation number three is that Scindia will be used a foil in the post-result scenario for comparison with Priyanka’s performance in eastern Uttar Pradesh, where the Congress has a fighting chance to win a fistful of seats — at least two to four. This may be nothing to talk about, but it’s still better than zero, which is what many analysts believe the Congress will get in the western parts of the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Admittedly, all this is speculation. What is not speculation but a fact is that the Congress is weak and anaemic in western Uttar Pradesh. It could not do well even in the 2017 Assembly elections when most analysts had predicted trouble for the BJP there for a variety of factors. The Jats, comprising some 17 per cent of the population, are a dominant factor. 
 
They were supposedly angry with the BJP for having made a non-Jat the chief minister of neighbouring Haryana. Besides, they were said to have been a spanner in the works of the BJP’s larger Hindu consolidation drive. The Muslims, another important segment in the region, were upset with the BJP too. Ajit Singh’s party, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), was tipped to spoil the BJP’s party and thus help others such as the Congress to gain a foothold in the region. And yet, nothing of these happened. The Congress failed miserably and the BJP romped home.&nbsp;

The situation is perhaps worse for the Congress this coming Lok Sabha polls. Not only is it pitted against the BJP but it has to also counter the combined might of the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party- RLD. If the Jats are indeed so upset with the BJP that they have decided to vote against it, they will in probability go with the new alliance. The Muslims will not waste their votes on the Congress if they sense that the party is on a weak footing. Which voter segment is the Congress banking on?&nbsp;

Western Uttar Pradesh is also communally sensitive. The Muzaffarnagar riots during the Samajwadi party rule had led to a Hindu-Muslim polarisation of sorts, which benefitted the BJP in the last Assembly polls and brought no gains to the Congress which was unsure of its stand. The new grand alliance has the Dalit-Muslim plan up its sleeve this time to neutralise a possible Hindu re-consolidation. 
 
In the 2017 polls, the RLD had tied up with the Congress but gained little out of that alliance. Many believed that the Congress had pulled down Ajit Singh’s party, which is why the RLD has dumped the Congress for the 2019 elections.

Look at it any which way, Scindia’s official foray into western Uttar Pradesh’s politics is fraught with danger.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
&nbsp;

One wonders why Jyotiraditya Scindia has been made the Congress party’s general secretary in-charge for western Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He doesn’t bring any special understanding of the region to the table, nor is he a charismatic figure there.

One wonders why Jyotiraditya Scindia has been made the Congress party’s general secretary in-charge for western Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He doesn’t bring any special understanding of the region to the table, nor is he a charismatic figure there. Also, although technically on a footing equal with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who too has been appointed general secretary but in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Scindia cannot hope to match her profile or stature within the party even with the new assignment. One can, therefore, only speculate on the reasons. Here’s speculation number one. The appointment is Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s way of keeping him away from the politics of Madhya Pradesh, where Kamal Nath is ensconced as chief minister. Scindia had been a formidable candidate to take over the reins of the government after the Congress displaced a Bharatiya Janata Party regime in the state recently. He was both popular and close to Rahul Gandhi. When the Congress high command decided in Kamal Nath’s favour, it reportedly offered Scindia the deputy chief minister’s post, which was declined. Since then, the party felt it is prudent to avoid situations of direct conflict between Scindia and Kamal Nath, and thus, shifted the young leader out. Speculation number two: The appointment is a way to cut Scindia down to size. His refusal to accept the deputy’s position was seen as a snub to the high command and to the Kamal Nath-Digvijaya Singh lobby. He was, thus, given charge of a region where the Congress stands little chance of doing well and can be made a scapegoat after the Congress fails in the region. Only days prior to his appointment, Scindia had a long meeting with senior BJP leader and former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan with whom he is said to share a good rapport. That may have rankled the high command too. And speculation number three is that Scindia will be used a foil in the post-result scenario for comparison with Priyanka’s performance in eastern Uttar Pradesh, where the Congress has a fighting chance to win a fistful of seats — at least two to four. This may be nothing to talk about, but it’s still better than zero, which is what many analysts believe the Congress will get in the western parts of the state. Admittedly, all this is speculation. What is not speculation but a fact is that the Congress is weak and anaemic in western Uttar Pradesh. It could not do well even in the 2017 Assembly elections when most analysts had predicted trouble for the BJP there for a variety of factors. The Jats, comprising some 17 per cent of the population, are a dominant factor. They were supposedly angry with the BJP for having made a non-Jat the chief minister of neighbouring Haryana. Besides, they were said to have been a spanner in the works of the BJP’s larger Hindu consolidation drive. The Muslims, another important segment in the region, were upset with the BJP too. Ajit Singh’s party, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), was tipped to spoil the BJP’s party and thus help others such as the Congress to gain a foothold in the region. And yet, nothing of these happened. The Congress failed miserably and the BJP romped home. The situation is perhaps worse for the Congress this coming Lok Sabha polls. Not only is it pitted against the BJP but it has to also counter the combined might of the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party- RLD. If the Jats are indeed so upset with the BJP that they have decided to vote against it, they will in probability go with the new alliance. The Muslims will not waste their votes on the Congress if they sense that the party is on a weak footing. Which voter segment is the Congress banking on? Western Uttar Pradesh is also communally sensitive. The Muzaffarnagar riots during the Samajwadi party rule had led to a Hindu-Muslim polarisation of sorts, which benefitted the BJP in the last Assembly polls and brought no gains to the Congress which was unsure of its stand. The new grand alliance has the Dalit-Muslim plan up its sleeve this time to neutralise a possible Hindu re-consolidation. In the 2017 polls, the RLD had tied up with the Congress but gained little out of that alliance. Many believed that the Congress had pulled down Ajit Singh’s party, which is why the RLD has dumped the Congress for the 2019 elections. Look at it any which way, Scindia’s official foray into western Uttar Pradesh’s politics is fraught with danger. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Is Congress trying to keep Jyotiraditya Scindia away from MP?

A parliamentary panel has taken strong exception to the utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund in the construction of buildings, saying such allocations virtually defeat the very purpose of the project — the women safety.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, headed by Congress leader P Chidambaram, said, "The committee is also of the firm view that funds for construction of buildings should come from other sources and not from the Nirbhaya Fund.&nbsp;

"Nirbhaya Fund should not be used for the construction of buildings. Such allocations virtually defeat the purpose of it," the panel said in its report submitted to the Rajya Sabha last week.

The committee said it strongly recommends that the home ministry should desist from sanctioning funds for schemes like construction of buildings from the Nirbhaya Fund and adhere to its original purpose.

The Nirbhaya Fund was started in 2013 by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to implement initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security of women across the country.

The non-lapsable corpus fund was instituted following gang-rape of a girl in Delhi in 2012 which triggered a nation-wide outrage and protests.

The committee said that sanctioning money from Nirbhaya Fund for schemes pertaining to compensation would render it as a fund for mere disbursal and would not have a desired impact at the ground-level in enhancing the security scenario for the women.

The panel observed that Rs 200 crore has been sanctioned as a one-time grant for Central Victim Compensation Fund (CVCF) Scheme for compensating women victims of acid attacks, rape, trafficking, etc.

It appreciated the necessity and significance of the CVCF Scheme, however, suggesting that this scheme could have been funded from other sources.

The committee took note of the reply of the home ministry that the decreased allocation made for 'Schemes of Safety of Women' was primarily because most of the expenditure out of the approved outlay for Emergency Response Support System had already been incurred up to 2017-18.&nbsp;

The committee, however, felt that the home ministry should have been "more proactive in finding new technology-driven projects" that could have been implemented during the current fiscal year.

"The committee feels that ministry should identify such innovative projects for funding and implementation.

"The committee, therefore, recommends that the ministry should undertake sincere efforts to identify innovative technology-driven projects that can enhance the safety of women, and seek additional funds for their implementation," it said.&nbsp;

A parliamentary panel has taken strong exception to the utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund in the construction of buildings, saying such allocations virtually defeat the very purpose of the project — the women safety.

A parliamentary panel has taken strong exception to the utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund in the construction of buildings, saying such allocations virtually defeat the very purpose of the project — the women safety. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, headed by Congress leader P Chidambaram, said, "The committee is also of the firm view that funds for construction of buildings should come from other sources and not from the Nirbhaya Fund. "Nirbhaya Fund should not be used for the construction of buildings. Such allocations virtually defeat the purpose of it," the panel said in its report submitted to the Rajya Sabha last week. The committee said it strongly recommends that the home ministry should desist from sanctioning funds for schemes like construction of buildings from the Nirbhaya Fund and adhere to its original purpose. The Nirbhaya Fund was started in 2013 by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to implement initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security of women across the country. The non-lapsable corpus fund was instituted following gang-rape of a girl in Delhi in 2012 which triggered a nation-wide outrage and protests. The committee said that sanctioning money from Nirbhaya Fund for schemes pertaining to compensation would render it as a fund for mere disbursal and would not have a desired impact at the ground-level in enhancing the security scenario for the women. The panel observed that Rs 200 crore has been sanctioned as a one-time grant for Central Victim Compensation Fund (CVCF) Scheme for compensating women victims of acid attacks, rape, trafficking, etc. It appreciated the necessity and significance of the CVCF Scheme, however, suggesting that this scheme could have been funded from other sources. The committee took note of the reply of the home ministry that the decreased allocation made for 'Schemes of Safety of Women' was primarily because most of the expenditure out of the approved outlay for Emergency Response Support System had already been incurred up to 2017-18. The committee, however, felt that the home ministry should have been "more proactive in finding new technology-driven projects" that could have been implemented during the current fiscal year. "The committee feels that ministry should identify such innovative projects for funding and implementation. "The committee, therefore, recommends that the ministry should undertake sincere efforts to identify innovative technology-driven projects that can enhance the safety of women, and seek additional funds for their implementation," it said.

Parliamentary panel takes exception to Nirbhaya Fund being used for construction of buildings

Nothing is permanent in Indian politics. Right after a triple victory in Assembly elections, Congress lost Jind in Haryana and Mausam Noor shifted her loyalty to TMC from Congress in West Bengal.&nbsp;

In this context, what has happened in Mumbai is also not a small development. It has brought out fissures in the party in open before the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

Senior leaders have addressed internal issues in public drawing strong attention of the ruling dispensation to the state of affairs within the Congress. 
&nbsp; 
Today, Mumbai Congress stands split wide open over the issue of leadership and choice of candidates. Ticket distribution has dominated the reportage but the real reason for the tiff lies elsewhere. The fight also brings out the tussle between who started their political career from Congress and those who joined after having a career in regional parties.&nbsp;

In this case, for Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam - Shiv Sena will always remain a baggage. 
&nbsp; 
A lot of local leaders within the Congress feel that Mumbai Congress is on the verge of becoming a casualty of identity politics. Mumbai’s electorate is primarily divided among Marathi, Gujarati and people from North India.&nbsp;

Leaders like Milind Deora feel that aggressive polarisation between communities has upset Gujarati and Marathi communities in Mumbai. Some local politicians believe that aggressive identity politics done by past party presidents like Kripashankar Singh, Janardan Chandurkar and present chief by Sanjay Nirupam have alienated the Gujarati and Marathi votes from the Congress. This section feels that strong identity politics is Shiv Sena's domain and Congress should not walk the same path as it is a&nbsp;recipient of votes from&nbsp;broad section of the society. 
&nbsp; 
Many leaders in Congress admit that aggressive politics on identity is a departure from the politics of the earlier era. Rajni Patel was a Gujarati who could manage a broad spectrum of communities for the Congress. Murli Deora was a Marwari who stayed as Mumbai Congress president for 22 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gurudas Kamat was a Kannadiga but avoided hard identity politics. The view is that hard identity politics is Shiv Sena’s domain and Congress would not fetch political results if it tries to walk the same route.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
On the other hand, the detractors argue that Marathi votes would get divided between all the parties in the fray in Mumbai, and Gujarati votes are, anyways, predisposed towards Prime minister Narendra Modi, and hence, the strategy to go after the North Indian votes is a good one.&nbsp;

But all these perspectives instead of being discussed behind close room are being debated in public. 
&nbsp; 
Subsequently, the squabble has found expression in ticket distribution in Mumbai. Who gets which seat is a big question. Whether Sanjay Nirupam should get Mumbai North West or Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi or Kripa Shankar Singh is a matter of debate.&nbsp;

Whether Sanjay Nirupam should be replaced and Milind Deora be made the Mumbai Congress chief is again a matter of&nbsp;strategy. 
&nbsp; 
But if Congress does not put its own house in order then it would be in no position to fight BJP-Shiv Sena combine in Maharashtra. It should worry the Congress leadership in Delhi. When Congress beat BJP in 2009 Lok Sabha elections, it did very well in both Mumbai and Delhi. Both cities represent a cosmopolitan idea of India and unfortunately, the party lies in a disarray.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Nothing is permanent in Indian politics. Right after a triple victory in Assembly elections, Congress lost Jind in Haryana and Mausam Noor shifted her loyalty to TMC from Congress in West Bengal.

Nothing is permanent in Indian politics. Right after a triple victory in Assembly elections, Congress lost Jind in Haryana and Mausam Noor shifted her loyalty to TMC from Congress in West Bengal. In this context, what has happened in Mumbai is also not a small development. It has brought out fissures in the party in open before the Lok Sabha elections. Senior leaders have addressed internal issues in public drawing strong attention of the ruling dispensation to the state of affairs within the Congress. Today, Mumbai Congress stands split wide open over the issue of leadership and choice of candidates. Ticket distribution has dominated the reportage but the real reason for the tiff lies elsewhere. The fight also brings out the tussle between who started their political career from Congress and those who joined after having a career in regional parties. In this case, for Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam - Shiv Sena will always remain a baggage. A lot of local leaders within the Congress feel that Mumbai Congress is on the verge of becoming a casualty of identity politics. Mumbai’s electorate is primarily divided among Marathi, Gujarati and people from North India. Leaders like Milind Deora feel that aggressive polarisation between communities has upset Gujarati and Marathi communities in Mumbai. Some local politicians believe that aggressive identity politics done by past party presidents like Kripashankar Singh, Janardan Chandurkar and present chief by Sanjay Nirupam have alienated the Gujarati and Marathi votes from the Congress. This section feels that strong identity politics is Shiv Sena's domain and Congress should not walk the same path as it is a recipient of votes from broad section of the society. Many leaders in Congress admit that aggressive politics on identity is a departure from the politics of the earlier era. Rajni Patel was a Gujarati who could manage a broad spectrum of communities for the Congress. Murli Deora was a Marwari who stayed as Mumbai Congress president for 22 years. Gurudas Kamat was a Kannadiga but avoided hard identity politics. The view is that hard identity politics is Shiv Sena’s domain and Congress would not fetch political results if it tries to walk the same route. On the other hand, the detractors argue that Marathi votes would get divided between all the parties in the fray in Mumbai, and Gujarati votes are, anyways, predisposed towards Prime minister Narendra Modi, and hence, the strategy to go after the North Indian votes is a good one. But all these perspectives instead of being discussed behind close room are being debated in public. Subsequently, the squabble has found expression in ticket distribution in Mumbai. Who gets which seat is a big question. Whether Sanjay Nirupam should get Mumbai North West or Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi or Kripa Shankar Singh is a matter of debate. Whether Sanjay Nirupam should be replaced and Milind Deora be made the Mumbai Congress chief is again a matter of strategy. But if Congress does not put its own house in order then it would be in no position to fight BJP-Shiv Sena combine in Maharashtra. It should worry the Congress leadership in Delhi. When Congress beat BJP in 2009 Lok Sabha elections, it did very well in both Mumbai and Delhi. Both cities represent a cosmopolitan idea of India and unfortunately, the party lies in a disarray. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Congress's Mumbai blues: Locals vs outsiders at heart of the debate

Prime Minister Narendra <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/after-rahul-gandhi-announces-loan-waiver-for-all-farmers-across-country-pm-modi-attacks-congress-for-gimmick-194848">Modi attacked the Congress again and again</a>&nbsp;in the Lok Sabha on Thursday — Modi was replying to the motion of thanks on the President's address — so much so that by the end of it, he seemed to talk more about the Congress and less about his own government.&nbsp;

Anything he said seemed to be juxtaposed against <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-accuses-congress-of-protecting-1984-riot-culprits-takes-jibe-at-kamal-nath-188104">the previous Congress regime</a>.&nbsp;

"Our friends in the Congress see things in two time periods. BC, which is 'Before Congress', when nothing happened and the other is AD —'After Dynasty' — where everything happened," Modi said.&nbsp;

"You want to know what is my crime for them?" he asked. "That a person born in a poor family is challenging their 'sultanate'. In 55 years of their rule, sanitation coverage was around 38% and in our 55 months, it is nearly 98%."&nbsp;

"In hating Modi, the Opposition has begun to hate the nation," he added. "That is why their leaders go to London and do press conferences to show India in bad light."

He brought up the charge against him that he is guilty of destroying institutions, again saying that it was the Congress and not him that was guilty.&nbsp;

"Congress insults Army, calls the Army chief a 'Gunda' but it is Modi who is destroying institutions? Congress leaders create stories that Indian Army is planning a coup but it is Modi who is destroying institutions?" he said. &nbsp;

"In 1959, Congress Central Govt dismissed the Communist Govt in Kerala, 60 years now, hope my friends from Kerala remember. So, what sanctity? What respect of institutions?"

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PM Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha: People have seen the work a Government with an absolute majority can do. They have seen our work. They do not want a 'Mahamilavat' Government of those who recently gathered in Kolkata <a href="https://t.co/OfdVaCOSLm">pic.twitter.com/OfdVaCOSLm</a>
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PM Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha: Aap keh rahe hain Modi sansthaon ko khatam kar raha hai, ulta chor chowkidaar ko daante. Aapatkal lagaya Congress ne, Sena ka apmaan kiya Congress ne, aur kehte hain Modi barbaad kar raha hai <a href="https://t.co/lvzjATFm54">pic.twitter.com/lvzjATFm54</a>
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha: Kharge ji ek decent vyakti hai, lekin pata nahi kya majboori hai, kis museebat mein phanse hain ki decent vyakti, har baar dissent, har baar dissent. <a href="https://t.co/u2cK4tj8mt">pic.twitter.com/u2cK4tj8mt</a>
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He spoke of the economy, again comparing the current size of India's economy to its breadth under the Congress. "In last 4 1/2 years India became 6th largest economy from the 10-11th largest. When we reached 11th position then people, who cannot even be seen in opposition now, praised themselves.They felt proud on reaching 11th, why are they saddened when we have reached 6th?"

He mentioned the 2010 Commonwealth Games, but again using it to accuse the Congress of corruption. "In 2010 Commonwealth games, on one hand, our athletes were working hard to win medals for the country, while these people(Congress) were accumulating wealth for themselves."

He talked of gas connections, and yet again compared their number now to their number under the Congress. "Gas connections in their 55 years of rule were 12 crore, it is 13 crore in our 55 months. We have worked at much faster speed in our five years."&nbsp;

"See your(Congress) manifestos of 2004, 2009 and 2014. In all the manifestos you have promised that within three years, every house will have electricity. I am amazed at this," he added.&nbsp;

And on and on it went. He accused the Congress of not wanting a strong Indian Air Force.&nbsp;

"In our neighbourhood, everyone is building war capabilities, why didn't we do it in all these years? This is criminal negligence. Congress doesn't want a strong Indian Air Force," he said.&nbsp;

"Congress doesn't want our air force to be strong. I am levelling a serious allegation here. You want this Rafale deal to be cancelled, on whose behest? For which company?" he added.&nbsp;

He said that Ambedkar had said it would be suicidal to join the Congress, and that Gandhi had recommended the dissolution of the Congress. So when he was calling for a "Congress-mukt Bharat", he was only trying to fulfil Gandhi's wish.&nbsp;

Inflation and Congress, Modi said, have a strong bond.&nbsp;

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PM Modi in Lok Sabha: Two songs became very popular, 'Baaki kuch bacha to mehengayi maar gayi' and 'mehengai dayen khaaye jaat hai' both these songs were in who's tenure? First during Indira ji, and second during remote control Govt. Inflation and Congress have a strong bond <a href="https://t.co/Wpkd2hX7KJ">pic.twitter.com/Wpkd2hX7KJ</a>
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Modi also broached the topic of rising unemployment in the country.&nbsp;

"In the last four years, 6.35 lakh new professionals have come up. You think if a doctor opens a clinic or a nursing home then he will employ only one person? Or does a CA only employ one person?" he asked. "No," he answered.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress again and again in the Lok Sabha on Thursday — Modi was replying to the motion of thanks on the President's address — so much so that by the end of it, he seemed to talk more about the Congress and less about his own government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress again and again in the Lok Sabha on Thursday — Modi was replying to the motion of thanks on the President's address — so much so that by the end of it, he seemed to talk more about the Congress and less about his own government. Anything he said seemed to be juxtaposed against the previous Congress regime. "Our friends in the Congress see things in two time periods. BC, which is 'Before Congress', when nothing happened and the other is AD —'After Dynasty' — where everything happened," Modi said. "You want to know what is my crime for them?" he asked. "That a person born in a poor family is challenging their 'sultanate'. In 55 years of their rule, sanitation coverage was around 38% and in our 55 months, it is nearly 98%." "In hating Modi, the Opposition has begun to hate the nation," he added. "That is why their leaders go to London and do press conferences to show India in bad light." He brought up the charge against him that he is guilty of destroying institutions, again saying that it was the Congress and not him that was guilty. "Congress insults Army, calls the Army chief a 'Gunda' but it is Modi who is destroying institutions? Congress leaders create stories that Indian Army is planning a coup but it is Modi who is destroying institutions?" he said. "In 1959, Congress Central Govt dismissed the Communist Govt in Kerala, 60 years now, hope my friends from Kerala remember. So, what sanctity? What respect of institutions?" PM Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha: People have seen the work a Government with an absolute majority can do. They have seen our work. They do not want a 'Mahamilavat' Government of those who recently gathered in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/OfdVaCOSLm — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2019 × PM Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha: Aap keh rahe hain Modi sansthaon ko khatam kar raha hai, ulta chor chowkidaar ko daante. Aapatkal lagaya Congress ne, Sena ka apmaan kiya Congress ne, aur kehte hain Modi barbaad kar raha hai pic.twitter.com/lvzjATFm54 — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2019 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha: Kharge ji ek decent vyakti hai, lekin pata nahi kya majboori hai, kis museebat mein phanse hain ki decent vyakti, har baar dissent, har baar dissent. pic.twitter.com/u2cK4tj8mt — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2019 × He spoke of the economy, again comparing the current size of India's economy to its breadth under the Congress. "In last 4 1/2 years India became 6th largest economy from the 10-11th largest. When we reached 11th position then people, who cannot even be seen in opposition now, praised themselves.They felt proud on reaching 11th, why are they saddened when we have reached 6th?" He mentioned the 2010 Commonwealth Games, but again using it to accuse the Congress of corruption. "In 2010 Commonwealth games, on one hand, our athletes were working hard to win medals for the country, while these people(Congress) were accumulating wealth for themselves." He talked of gas connections, and yet again compared their number now to their number under the Congress. "Gas connections in their 55 years of rule were 12 crore, it is 13 crore in our 55 months. We have worked at much faster speed in our five years." "See your(Congress) manifestos of 2004, 2009 and 2014. In all the manifestos you have promised that within three years, every house will have electricity. I am amazed at this," he added. And on and on it went. He accused the Congress of not wanting a strong Indian Air Force. "In our neighbourhood, everyone is building war capabilities, why didn't we do it in all these years? This is criminal negligence. Congress doesn't want a strong Indian Air Force," he said. "Congress doesn't want our air force to be strong. I am levelling a serious allegation here. You want this Rafale deal to be cancelled, on whose behest? For which company?" he added. He said that Ambedkar had said it would be suicidal to join the Congress, and that Gandhi had recommended the dissolution of the Congress. So when he was calling for a "Congress-mukt Bharat", he was only trying to fulfil Gandhi's wish. Inflation and Congress, Modi said, have a strong bond. PM Modi in Lok Sabha: Two songs became very popular, 'Baaki kuch bacha to mehengayi maar gayi' and 'mehengai dayen khaaye jaat hai' both these songs were in who's tenure? First during Indira ji, and second during remote control Govt. Inflation and Congress have a strong bond pic.twitter.com/Wpkd2hX7KJ — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2019 × Modi also broached the topic of rising unemployment in the country. "In the last four years, 6.35 lakh new professionals have come up. You think if a doctor opens a clinic or a nursing home then he will employ only one person? Or does a CA only employ one person?" he asked. "No," he answered.

In hating me, the opposition has begun to hate the nation: PM Modi

Congress misused Article 356 several times: PM Modi in Lok Sabha

Addressing a rally in West Bengals' Kharagpur, Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday targeted the Trinamool Congress calling it corrupt and said his party would not stop till the Trinamool regime was ousted from the state.

He also made a scathing attack at the TMC government for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamata-government-denies-permission-for-yogi-adityanath-rally-in-west-bengal-194729">denying permission</a> to several BJP leaders to land helicopters in the state, resulting in the cancellation of a number of public meetings.

Mamata Banerjee led government in West Bengal had earlier refused&nbsp;to allow the landing of the chopper of BJP leaders&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/calcutta-high-court-denies-permission-for-bjp-president-amit-shahs-rath-yatra-in-west-bengal-181993">Amit Shah</a>&nbsp;and Yogi Adityanath.

Chouhan who was scheduled to address two meetings in the state on Wednesday had to cancel one in the state's Bahrampur in Murshidabad after his helicopter was denied permission to land.

The former chief minister addressed only one "Ganatantra bachao rally" at Kharagpur travelling by road after alighting at the Kolkata airport.&nbsp;

"The more you (Mamata) try and stop us, more often shall we come to Bengal, "he said.

He also asked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been instrumental in bringing together opposition parties onto one platform, to name the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/how-far-will-the-united-opposition-go-without-prime-ministerial-face-194989">PM candidate of the alliance</a>.

Mocking the 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) that was called off by Mamata Banerjee on January 19 he called the meeting "Bina dhulhe ki barat" (marriage party without a groom).

Further targetting the Mamata government over the recent tussle between Kolkata police and the CBI, Chouhan said, "Mamata ji, not only Bengal but entire nation wants to know why do you want to protect Rajeev Kumar. Who would've landed in trouble had he been interrogated? She sits on dharna worrying, she loses her sleep. We want answers. Has an IPS officer ever sat on a dharna?"

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SS Chouhan,BJP: Mamata ji, not only Bengal but entire nation wants to know why do you want to protect Rajeev Kumar. Who would've landed in trouble had he been interrogated? She sits on dharna worrying, she loses her sleep. We want answers. Has an IPS officer ever sat on a dharna? <a href="https://t.co/9plqcqvqFM">pic.twitter.com/9plqcqvqFM</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1093126781111070720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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SS Chouhan, BJP: These days Mamata ji is doing everything else except running her govt... Amit Shah ka helicopter na utar jaaye, Pradhanmantri ji ki sabha na ho jaaye, Yogi ji ki sabha nA ho jaaye, Shivraj ka helicopter na utar jaaye iss chinta mein Mamata Didi dubli ho rahi hain <a href="https://t.co/7z0DKGscf7">pic.twitter.com/7z0DKGscf7</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1093124055144808449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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(With inputs from agencies)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen delayed his closed-door testimony planned for Friday before the US House Intelligence Committee, the panel said in a statement on Wednesday.

It was the second appearance Cohen has cancelled before Congress.&nbsp;

Last month, he postponed a public congressional hearing, citing threats from Trump, before later agreeing to testify behind closed doors.

Last year in December Cohen claimed that Trump was aware that the hush money payments were wrong.&nbsp;

News agency AFP quoted Cohen as saying, "Trump knew hush-money payments were wrong".

Michael Cohen has been sentenced to three years in jail for his role in the payment of hush money to women who said they had affairs with Trump and for lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Tower project in Russia discussed during the 2016 election campaign.

Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen delayed his closed-door testimony planned for Friday before the US House Intelligence Committee, the panel said in a statement on Wednesday.

Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen delayed his closed-door testimony planned for Friday before the US House Intelligence Committee, the panel said in a statement on Wednesday. It was the second appearance Cohen has cancelled before Congress. Last month, he postponed a public congressional hearing, citing threats from Trump, before later agreeing to testify behind closed doors. Last year in December Cohen claimed that Trump was aware that the hush money payments were wrong. News agency AFP quoted Cohen as saying, "Trump knew hush-money payments were wrong". Michael Cohen has been sentenced to three years in jail for his role in the payment of hush money to women who said they had affairs with Trump and for lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Tower project in Russia discussed during the 2016 election campaign.

Former Trump lawyer Cohen delays congressional testimony until February 28

Robert Vadra arrived at the Delhi offices of the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday to be questioned in connection with a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/robert-vadra-calls-his-false-prosecution-a-political-witch-hunt-194530">money-laundering case</a>. the case relates to the alleged possession of illegal foreign assets.

Vadra was dropped at the ED office by his wife Priyanka Gandhi, who left soon after. Priyanka was recently appointed Congress general secretary for eastern Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

Vadra entered the ED office at about 3:47 pm — a team of his lawyers arrived a few minutes before him.&nbsp;

ANI reported that Vadra was being questioned by a team of seven ED&nbsp;officers. ANI reported the ED team was led by a joint director and included the deputy director and five others.&nbsp;

Vadra had been directed to appear before the ED by a Delhi court after he petitioned it for&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-court-grants-interim-bail-to-robert-vadra-in-money-laundering-case-194565">anticipatory bail</a>.

The money-laundering case relates to the purchase, allegedly by Vadra, of a London-based property worth 1.9 million pounds.&nbsp;

This is the first time that Vadra — Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law — is appearing before a probe agency in connection with alleged criminal charges of dubious financial dealings.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Robert Vadra accompanied by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrived at the Enforcement Directorate office to appear in connection with a money laundering case. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra left soon after. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/WI8qlLtF0X">pic.twitter.com/WI8qlLtF0X</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1093096180874203136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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A Delhi court had earlier granted <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/robert-vadra-calls-his-false-prosecution-a-political-witch-hunt-194530">Vadra</a>&nbsp;interim bail till February 16. Vadra had moved the Supreme Court on February 1, again seeking anticipatory bail.

The ED had carried out raids in connection with the case in December last year and grilled his aide Manoj Arora, an employee of a firm linked to Vadra, Skylight Hospitality LLP.

Vadra has also been directed by the Rajasthan High Court to appear before the ED on February 12 in connection with another money-laundering case being probed by the agency.

(With inputs from agencies)

Robert Vadra arrived at the Delhi offices of the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday to be questioned in connection with a money-laundering case. the case relates to the alleged possession of illegal foreign assets.

Robert Vadra arrived at the Delhi offices of the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday to be questioned in connection with a money-laundering case. the case relates to the alleged possession of illegal foreign assets. Vadra was dropped at the ED office by his wife Priyanka Gandhi, who left soon after. Priyanka was recently appointed Congress general secretary for eastern Uttar Pradesh. Vadra entered the ED office at about 3:47 pm — a team of his lawyers arrived a few minutes before him. ANI reported that Vadra was being questioned by a team of seven ED officers. ANI reported the ED team was led by a joint director and included the deputy director and five others. Vadra had been directed to appear before the ED by a Delhi court after he petitioned it for anticipatory bail. The money-laundering case relates to the purchase, allegedly by Vadra, of a London-based property worth 1.9 million pounds. This is the first time that Vadra — Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law — is appearing before a probe agency in connection with alleged criminal charges of dubious financial dealings. #WATCH Robert Vadra accompanied by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrived at the Enforcement Directorate office to appear in connection with a money laundering case. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra left soon after. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/WI8qlLtF0X — ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2019 × A Delhi court had earlier granted Vadra interim bail till February 16. Vadra had moved the Supreme Court on February 1, again seeking anticipatory bail. The ED had carried out raids in connection with the case in December last year and grilled his aide Manoj Arora, an employee of a firm linked to Vadra, Skylight Hospitality LLP. Vadra has also been directed by the Rajasthan High Court to appear before the ED on February 12 in connection with another money-laundering case being probed by the agency. (With inputs from agencies)

Money-laundering case: Robert Vadra at ED office, is being questioned by 7-man team

Posters outside the AICC office featuring Congress President Rahul Gandhi along with newly inducted party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi and her husband Robert Vadra were on Wednesday taken down by the NDMC.

Vadra’s photograph was featured along with the two Gandhi siblings in the posters which had “Kattar soch nahi yuva josh” (No extremist thinking but youthful thinking) written on top and along with the tag line of “Jan Jan ki hai Pukar, Rahul Ji Priyank Ji abki baar” (The public wants Rahul and Priyanka this time).

The posters that came up outside the Congress Party’s headquarters office at Akbar Road in Delhi late on Tuesday were removed by workers of the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) on Wedesday morning. &nbsp;

BJP leader Sambit Patra said the posters that had come up were of criminals.&nbsp;

“Posters of two criminals have been put in front of Congress office. Both of them are out on bail; Criminal no.1 Rahul Gandhi in connection with National Herald case and criminal number two Robert Vadra who has to appear before ED today in connection with money laundering case.”

Robert Vadra is to appear before the Enforcement Directorate pertaining to a 2009 petroleum deal case.

A Delhi court had given Vadra interim bail till February 16 in connection with a &nbsp;money laundering case.

Jagdish Sharma, who had helped in putting up the posters said, “I put up the posters at 4 am in the morning. Later on, I got the information that NDMC removed all the posters,” Sharma said. &nbsp;

The posters come a day after Priyanka Gandhi returned to the national capital after her trip abroad, Soon after her arrival Priyanka conducted meeting with Rahul and other prominent members of the party to review ongoing preparations for the Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

Posters outside the AICC office featuring Congress President Rahul Gandhi along with newly inducted party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi and her husband Robert Vadra were on Wednesday taken down by the NDMC.

Posters outside the AICC office featuring Congress President Rahul Gandhi along with newly inducted party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi and her husband Robert Vadra were on Wednesday taken down by the NDMC. Vadra’s photograph was featured along with the two Gandhi siblings in the posters which had “Kattar soch nahi yuva josh” (No extremist thinking but youthful thinking) written on top and along with the tag line of “Jan Jan ki hai Pukar, Rahul Ji Priyank Ji abki baar” (The public wants Rahul and Priyanka this time). The posters that came up outside the Congress Party’s headquarters office at Akbar Road in Delhi late on Tuesday were removed by workers of the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) on Wedesday morning. BJP leader Sambit Patra said the posters that had come up were of criminals. “Posters of two criminals have been put in front of Congress office. Both of them are out on bail; Criminal no.1 Rahul Gandhi in connection with National Herald case and criminal number two Robert Vadra who has to appear before ED today in connection with money laundering case.” Robert Vadra is to appear before the Enforcement Directorate pertaining to a 2009 petroleum deal case. A Delhi court had given Vadra interim bail till February 16 in connection with a money laundering case. Jagdish Sharma, who had helped in putting up the posters said, “I put up the posters at 4 am in the morning. Later on, I got the information that NDMC removed all the posters,” Sharma said. The posters come a day after Priyanka Gandhi returned to the national capital after her trip abroad, Soon after her arrival Priyanka conducted meeting with Rahul and other prominent members of the party to review ongoing preparations for the Lok Sabha polls.

NDMC removes posters featuring Rahul-Priyanka-Robert outside AICC headquarters

President Donald Trump promises a shift to sunny optimism in the State of the Union speech but with his congressional Democratic nemesis seated right behind him, will he be able to resist throwing his usual thunderbolts?

The annual presidential speech to Congress is typically a ritualistic set piece, bloated by lofty rhetoric and endless ovations.

Trump's dramatically delayed State of the Union on Tuesday is, like the president himself, less predictable.

The White House is flagging an "optimistic," "unifying," even "visionary" speech to mark this presidency's midway point. In an excerpt released Friday, Trump predicts Republicans and Democrats can "break decades of political stalemate."

But the mood in Washington is as hostile as it has been for years following the confrontation between Trump and the Democratic-led House of Representatives over his demand for funding for a US-Mexico border wall.

Already, the row has triggered a crippling five-week partial shutdown of government and led to the State of the Union speech itself being put off by a week.

And who'll be sitting on a dais just a few feet behind Trump when he speaks? The House Democrats' steely speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Wall fight

Pelosi has frustrated Trump since December by pushing back against the wall project. Neither is there much sign of a thaw ahead of the president's February 15 deadline for Congress finally to come up with funding or face renewed conflict.

Pelosi, Trump said in an interview with CBS television's "Face the Nation" Sunday talkshow, is "rigid" and "very bad for the country."

If Congress doesn't relent, Trump says he could repeat his government shutdown tactic, which earlier this year led to the temporary freezing of 800,000 federal jobs.

Alternatively, he could bypass Congress altogether, declaring a national emergency due to what he claims is an invasion of criminals along the border, thereby attempting to secure wall funds unilaterally.

It's a move that would spark uproar and lawsuits accusing Trump of manufacturing a crisis for his own political gain.

But not only is an emergency declaration a real possibility, it could, Trump has teased, be unleashed during his speech.

Achievements and threats

Traditionally, the State of the Union is a showcase for the president's accomplishments and broad new proposals.

Trump can be counted on to tout the strength of the US economy, a key message in his looming 2020 reelection campaign. The White House says he will also propose federal infrastructure spending, an area where Democrats could conceivably join forces with the government.

More contentiously, Trump will claim foreign policy successes.

That means defending his push -- criticized by some in the security services and the Republicans -- to withdraw US soldiers from Syria and Afghanistan as soon as possible.

Trump is likewise expected to update Congress on China trade talks and on his intention to hold a second summit with reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whom he is trying to persuade to give up nuclear weapons.

And he may use the high-profile occasion to dial up the pressure on Venezuela's leftist leader Nicolas Maduro -- with opposition leader Juan Guaido's envoy to Washington among the top guests invited to attend.

At each listing of successes, Trump will see Republican legislators rise to clap.

The opposition, however, may greet much of the speech with silence or even the odd heckle, like the "You lie!" yelled at Barack Obama in 2009.

Democrats are lining up ahead of the 2020 polls to take on a president they see as already badly wounded.

Among those watching Trump from the chamber will be members of House investigative committees determined to probe the president's personal finances and other sensitive areas.

That's on top of the huge report by special prosecutor Robert Mueller, who is charged with examining alleged collusion between the Trump election campaign and the Kremlin.

So Trump could breathe fire during his big speech. But Pelosi and her Democrats will be breathing down his neck.

President Donald Trump promises a shift to sunny optimism in the State of the Union speech but with his congressional Democratic nemesis seated right behind him, will he be able to resist throwing his usual thunderbolts?

President Donald Trump promises a shift to sunny optimism in the State of the Union speech but with his congressional Democratic nemesis seated right behind him, will he be able to resist throwing his usual thunderbolts? The annual presidential speech to Congress is typically a ritualistic set piece, bloated by lofty rhetoric and endless ovations. Trump's dramatically delayed State of the Union on Tuesday is, like the president himself, less predictable. The White House is flagging an "optimistic," "unifying," even "visionary" speech to mark this presidency's midway point. In an excerpt released Friday, Trump predicts Republicans and Democrats can "break decades of political stalemate." But the mood in Washington is as hostile as it has been for years following the confrontation between Trump and the Democratic-led House of Representatives over his demand for funding for a US-Mexico border wall. Already, the row has triggered a crippling five-week partial shutdown of government and led to the State of the Union speech itself being put off by a week. And who'll be sitting on a dais just a few feet behind Trump when he speaks? The House Democrats' steely speaker Nancy Pelosi. Wall fight Pelosi has frustrated Trump since December by pushing back against the wall project. Neither is there much sign of a thaw ahead of the president's February 15 deadline for Congress finally to come up with funding or face renewed conflict. Pelosi, Trump said in an interview with CBS television's "Face the Nation" Sunday talkshow, is "rigid" and "very bad for the country." If Congress doesn't relent, Trump says he could repeat his government shutdown tactic, which earlier this year led to the temporary freezing of 800,000 federal jobs. Alternatively, he could bypass Congress altogether, declaring a national emergency due to what he claims is an invasion of criminals along the border, thereby attempting to secure wall funds unilaterally. It's a move that would spark uproar and lawsuits accusing Trump of manufacturing a crisis for his own political gain. But not only is an emergency declaration a real possibility, it could, Trump has teased, be unleashed during his speech. Achievements and threats Traditionally, the State of the Union is a showcase for the president's accomplishments and broad new proposals. Trump can be counted on to tout the strength of the US economy, a key message in his looming 2020 reelection campaign. The White House says he will also propose federal infrastructure spending, an area where Democrats could conceivably join forces with the government. More contentiously, Trump will claim foreign policy successes. That means defending his push -- criticized by some in the security services and the Republicans -- to withdraw US soldiers from Syria and Afghanistan as soon as possible. Trump is likewise expected to update Congress on China trade talks and on his intention to hold a second summit with reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whom he is trying to persuade to give up nuclear weapons. And he may use the high-profile occasion to dial up the pressure on Venezuela's leftist leader Nicolas Maduro -- with opposition leader Juan Guaido's envoy to Washington among the top guests invited to attend. At each listing of successes, Trump will see Republican legislators rise to clap. The opposition, however, may greet much of the speech with silence or even the odd heckle, like the "You lie!" yelled at Barack Obama in 2009. Democrats are lining up ahead of the 2020 polls to take on a president they see as already badly wounded. Among those watching Trump from the chamber will be members of House investigative committees determined to probe the president's personal finances and other sensitive areas. That's on top of the huge report by special prosecutor Robert Mueller, who is charged with examining alleged collusion between the Trump election campaign and the Kremlin. So Trump could breathe fire during his big speech. But Pelosi and her Democrats will be breathing down his neck.

Trump promises sunny State of Union speech but clouds thicken

The BJP Sunday slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-sits-on-dharna-after-cbi-kolkata-police-face-off-194890">Kolkata Police stopped the CBI</a> from questioning its chief, accusing it of making a mockery of governance, democracy and constitutional propriety.

The party said the state government's action is a direct assault on the constitutional scheme of things and reflects dictatorial streak of the chief minister.

"The development in Kolkata and the resistance to the CBI investigation is bizarre, unprecedented and reflect Banerjee's dictatorial attitude. She has violated the very Constitution she had sworn by," party spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said.

Noting that the CBI has been probing the chit fund scams on the Supreme Court's order, he said the city police's action amounts to disrespect and disobedience to the apex court.

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GVL Narasimha Rao: CBI is working as per directions of SC, no state govt has the power to obstruct or detain them. It's unconstitutional&amp;undemocratic...We hope SC gives a direction to WB govt, keeping this incident in view otherwise no agency will be able to work in this country. <a href="https://t.co/VYPz9pXGR4">https://t.co/VYPz9pXGR4</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1092096591559680000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Nalin Kohli, another BJP spokesperson, described the situation in the state as unprecedented and said it is an indication of "total collapse" of law and order.

Never before a premier investigation agency like the CBI has been stopped from doing its work, which is working under the court's direction.

"It is clear that the state government under Mamata Banerjee has lost sight of all constitutional propriety. People can see what a mockery of governance, democracy and constitutional propriety taking place," he said.

BJP leaders also spoke about how the state government "refused" its leaders from exercising their democratic rights by preventing them from attending rallies and other political programmes in the state.

Rao said the state government has been indulging in undemocratic and unconstitutional action for long and the Sunday's action by the Kolkata Police is "an assault beyond all limitations".&nbsp;

The BJP Sunday slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal after Kolkata Police stopped the CBI from questioning its chief, accusing it of making a mockery of governance, democracy and constitutional propriety.

The BJP Sunday slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal after Kolkata Police stopped the CBI from questioning its chief, accusing it of making a mockery of governance, democracy and constitutional propriety. The party said the state government's action is a direct assault on the constitutional scheme of things and reflects dictatorial streak of the chief minister. "The development in Kolkata and the resistance to the CBI investigation is bizarre, unprecedented and reflect Banerjee's dictatorial attitude. She has violated the very Constitution she had sworn by," party spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said. Noting that the CBI has been probing the chit fund scams on the Supreme Court's order, he said the city police's action amounts to disrespect and disobedience to the apex court. GVL Narasimha Rao: CBI is working as per directions of SC, no state govt has the power to obstruct or detain them. It's unconstitutional&undemocratic...We hope SC gives a direction to WB govt, keeping this incident in view otherwise no agency will be able to work in this country. https://t.co/VYPz9pXGR4 — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × Nalin Kohli, another BJP spokesperson, described the situation in the state as unprecedented and said it is an indication of "total collapse" of law and order. Never before a premier investigation agency like the CBI has been stopped from doing its work, which is working under the court's direction. "It is clear that the state government under Mamata Banerjee has lost sight of all constitutional propriety. People can see what a mockery of governance, democracy and constitutional propriety taking place," he said. BJP leaders also spoke about how the state government "refused" its leaders from exercising their democratic rights by preventing them from attending rallies and other political programmes in the state. Rao said the state government has been indulging in undemocratic and unconstitutional action for long and the Sunday's action by the Kolkata Police is "an assault beyond all limitations".

Mamata government making mockery of democracy, constitutional propriety: BJP

The BJP would go it alone in Telangana for the upcoming general elections and contest in all the 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state, senior party leader Bandaru Dattatreya said Sunday.

Asserting that his party is making efforts to cross 400 Lok Sabha seats this time, the former Union minister and an MP from Secunderabad claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a corruption-free government and his image and popularity continues to rise.

"The BJP will independently contest in all the 17 Lok Sabha seats. The Assembly election was a totally different scenario. This is is parliamentary election and we are confident," Dattatreya, the lone BJP MP from Telangana, told reporters in Hyderabad.

In the December Assembly polls in Telangana, BJP managed to win only one out of 120 seats.

Dattatreya alleged that opposition leaders are involved in one scam or the other and they are "criticising" Modi only to garner votes of minorities.

Be it Congress president Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu or Telangana Chief Minister and TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao, no opposition leader can match him, he claimed.

According to Dattatreya, nearly 40 crore people have benefited from various welfare schemes launched by the Modi government, including around 16 crore who had benefited from the MUDRA Yojana alone.

"We are making efforts to cross 400 Lok Sabha seats. We are confident BJP will come to power and Modiji will again become Prime Minister," he said.

Dattatreya said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will on February 5 take part in the BJP's cluster meeting of Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Malkajgiri parliamentary seats here and Amit Shah is expected to visit the state on February 13 to review the party's poll preparedness.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several central ministers are also likely to visit Telangana in the coming days, he said.

Dattatreya slammed the TRS government in Telangana for not implementing Central schemes including the PMJAY health insurance scheme in Telangana.

The Telangana government will get Rs 3,000 crore towards the 'Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi', under which Rs 6,000 will be transferred into bank accounts of farmers holding up to two hectares land, he said and demanded the TRS government to separately implement the Centre's scheme and its 'Rythu Bandhu' scheme.

Under Rythu Bandhu, an agriculture investment support scheme, the Telangana government is providing farmers Rs 4,000 per acre per season for purchase of inputs like seeds, fertilisers and pesticides, twice a year -- for rabi and kharif seasons.

The BJP would go it alone in Telangana for the upcoming general elections and contest in all the 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state, senior party leader Bandaru Dattatreya said Sunday.

The BJP would go it alone in Telangana for the upcoming general elections and contest in all the 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state, senior party leader Bandaru Dattatreya said Sunday. Asserting that his party is making efforts to cross 400 Lok Sabha seats this time, the former Union minister and an MP from Secunderabad claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a corruption-free government and his image and popularity continues to rise. "The BJP will independently contest in all the 17 Lok Sabha seats. The Assembly election was a totally different scenario. This is is parliamentary election and we are confident," Dattatreya, the lone BJP MP from Telangana, told reporters in Hyderabad. In the December Assembly polls in Telangana, BJP managed to win only one out of 120 seats. Dattatreya alleged that opposition leaders are involved in one scam or the other and they are "criticising" Modi only to garner votes of minorities. Be it Congress president Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu or Telangana Chief Minister and TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao, no opposition leader can match him, he claimed. According to Dattatreya, nearly 40 crore people have benefited from various welfare schemes launched by the Modi government, including around 16 crore who had benefited from the MUDRA Yojana alone. "We are making efforts to cross 400 Lok Sabha seats. We are confident BJP will come to power and Modiji will again become Prime Minister," he said. Dattatreya said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will on February 5 take part in the BJP's cluster meeting of Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Malkajgiri parliamentary seats here and Amit Shah is expected to visit the state on February 13 to review the party's poll preparedness. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several central ministers are also likely to visit Telangana in the coming days, he said. Dattatreya slammed the TRS government in Telangana for not implementing Central schemes including the PMJAY health insurance scheme in Telangana. The Telangana government will get Rs 3,000 crore towards the 'Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi', under which Rs 6,000 will be transferred into bank accounts of farmers holding up to two hectares land, he said and demanded the TRS government to separately implement the Centre's scheme and its 'Rythu Bandhu' scheme. Under Rythu Bandhu, an agriculture investment support scheme, the Telangana government is providing farmers Rs 4,000 per acre per season for purchase of inputs like seeds, fertilisers and pesticides, twice a year -- for rabi and kharif seasons.

BJP to go it alone in Telangana, to contest in all 17 Lok Sabha seats

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