<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cabinet-clears-triple-talaq-bill-3-years-jail-for-guilty-husbands-in-proposed-law-26824">Cabinet clears triple talaq bill, 3 years jail for guilty husbands in proposed law</a></p>

<p>The Union cabinet on Friday cleared the triple talaq bill.</p>

<p>Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Cabinet had approved a proposal to introduce the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, to make instant triple talaq void and illegal.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-agrees-with-government-aadhaar-to-be-linked-with-all-schemes-till-march-31st-next-year-26795">Supreme Court agrees with government: Aadhaar to be linked with all schemes till March 31st next year</a></p>

<p>Supreme Court has agreed with government&#39;s decision to link Aadhaar with all schemes till March 31st next year.</p>

<p>The five-judge Constitution bench also passed an interim order to extend the linking of Aadhaar with mobile phones in the country.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sonia-gandhi-has-not-retired-from-politics-congress-26819">Sonia Gandhi has not retired from politics: Congress</a></p>

<p>The Congress party dismissed rumours that its chief Sonia Gandhi was retiring from politics.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The clarification came after there were media reports quoting Sonia Gandhi as saying that she will retire from politics once her son Rahul Gandhi takes over the leadership of the party.</p>

<p>MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) Randeep Surjewala clarified on Twitter that Sonia Gandhi had retired as president of the Congress and not from politics.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ngt-bans-plastic-items-in-towns-located-along-ganga-banks-26834">NGT bans plastic items in towns located along banks of Ganga</a></p>

<p>The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today imposed a complete ban on the sale, manufacture and storage of plastic items in towns located on the banks of the River Ganga in view of the pollution of the river caused by these items.</p>

<p>A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar banned items such as carry bags, plates and cutlery till Uttarkashi.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-approaches-sc-seeking-cross-verification-of-at-least-25-vvpat-slips-plea-dismissed-26829">Congress approaches SC seeking cross verification of at least 25% VVPAT slips, plea dismissed</a></p>

<p>In a major set back to the Congress party, the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed their plea seeking directions to the Election Commission to count and cross verify at least 25 per cent of paper trails generated by the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines with the actual vote tally in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Cabinet clears triple talaq bill, 3 years jail for guilty husbands in proposed law The Union cabinet on Friday cleared the triple talaq bill. Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Cabinet had approved a proposal to introduce the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, to make instant triple talaq void and illegal. Supreme Court agrees with government: Aadhaar to be linked with all schemes till March 31st next year Supreme Court has agreed with government's decision to link Aadhaar with all schemes till March 31st next year. The five-judge Constitution bench also passed an interim order to extend the linking of Aadhaar with mobile phones in the country. Sonia Gandhi has not retired from politics: Congress The Congress party dismissed rumours that its chief Sonia Gandhi was retiring from politics. The clarification came after there were media reports quoting Sonia Gandhi as saying that she will retire from politics once her son Rahul Gandhi takes over the leadership of the party. MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) Randeep Surjewala clarified on Twitter that Sonia Gandhi had retired as president of the Congress and not from politics. NGT bans plastic items in towns located along banks of Ganga The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today imposed a complete ban on the sale, manufacture and storage of plastic items in towns located on the banks of the River Ganga in view of the pollution of the river caused by these items. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar banned items such as carry bags, plates and cutlery till Uttarkashi. Congress approaches SC seeking cross verification of at least 25% VVPAT slips, plea dismissed In a major set back to the Congress party, the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed their plea seeking directions to the Election Commission to count and cross verify at least 25 per cent of paper trails generated by the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines with the actual vote tally in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

WION Evening News Brief, December 15, 2017

<p>After &quot;farrago&quot;, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has let loose another little-used word on the Indian public.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The word farrago was used by Tharoor to describe television reporting by a section of the media on the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Farrago by the way means &quot;a confused mixture&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>You would use it in a sentence that goes something like &quot;a farrago of fact and fiction...&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The new word Tharoor let loose was &quot;rodomontade&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>He tweeted:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">To all the well-meaning folks who send me parodies of my supposed speaking/writing style: The purpose of speaking or writing is to communicate w/ precision. I choose my words because they are the best ones for the idea i want to convey, not the most obscure or rodomontade ones!</p>
&mdash; Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/941019065136451584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rodomontade, by the way, means &quot;boastful or inflated talk or behaviour&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Twitter quickly lapped it up and passed it along.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Follow my friend <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShashiTharoor</a> for words you never knew existed... &quot; former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;&amp; will struggle to ever use in a sentence but by golly they sound impressive,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Learning English? Follow my friend <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShashiTharoor</a> for words you never knew existed &amp; will struggle to ever use in a sentence but by golly they sound impressive. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rodomontade?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#rodomontade</a> ??</p>
&mdash; Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/status/941158860856815616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Surprisingly, considering social media, most of it was in good humour:&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rodomontade?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#rodomontade</a> I think this actually means for many &quot;Give my school fees back&quot; :)</p>
&mdash; Ramkrishna Vattikuti (@vattikuti) <a href="https://twitter.com/vattikuti/status/941263031799074817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I can rodomontadely say that day by day I read your rodomontaded tweets in English, I will be rodomontaded of my improved English. A rodomontade Jai Hind sir.</p>
&mdash; Kanatunga (@Kanatunga) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kanatunga/status/941020384924647424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Then again, considering social media, some of it was not:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Your problem is... You use onerous words to convey rodomontade views defeating the purpose for which vocabulary exists. <a href="https://t.co/G4ubz3LYEx">https://t.co/G4ubz3LYEx</a></p>
&mdash; ?&oslash;&yuml; ?? (@MixedRaita) <a href="https://twitter.com/MixedRaita/status/941246441162461185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Rodomontade by the way means 'boastful or inflated talk or behaviour'

After "farrago", Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has let loose another little-used word on the Indian public. The word farrago was used by Tharoor to describe television reporting by a section of the media on the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar. Farrago by the way means "a confused mixture". You would use it in a sentence that goes something like "a farrago of fact and fiction...". The new word Tharoor let loose was "rodomontade" He tweeted: To all the well-meaning folks who send me parodies of my supposed speaking/writing style: The purpose of speaking or writing is to communicate w/ precision. I choose my words because they are the best ones for the idea i want to convey, not the most obscure or rodomontade ones! — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 13, 2017 × Rodomontade, by the way, means "boastful or inflated talk or behaviour". Twitter quickly lapped it up and passed it along. "Follow my friend @ShashiTharoor for words you never knew existed... " former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted. "& will struggle to ever use in a sentence but by golly they sound impressive," he added. Learning English? Follow my friend @ShashiTharoor for words you never knew existed & will struggle to ever use in a sentence but by golly they sound impressive. #rodomontade ?? — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 14, 2017 × Surprisingly, considering social media, most of it was in good humour: #rodomontade I think this actually means for many "Give my school fees back" :) — Ramkrishna Vattikuti (@vattikuti) December 14, 2017 × I can rodomontadely say that day by day I read your rodomontaded tweets in English, I will be rodomontaded of my improved English. A rodomontade Jai Hind sir. — Kanatunga (@Kanatunga) December 13, 2017 × Then again, considering social media, some of it was not: Your problem is... You use onerous words to convey rodomontade views defeating the purpose for which vocabulary exists. https://t.co/G4ubz3LYEx — ?øÿ ?? (@MixedRaita) December 14, 2017 ×

Tharoor now gives us 'rodomontade', Twitter laps up the word

<p>Hardik Patel tweeted after the Gujarat elections, saying &quot;great change&quot; was coming to Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;A storm from the north, a lion from Saurashtra, anger from the south, together they will lead to great change,&quot; the Patidar leader said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">????? ?? ????,????????? ?? ???,?????? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ???????????</p>
&mdash; Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) <a href="https://twitter.com/HardikPatel_/status/941303687447744513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Voting for the Gujarat assembly elections came to an end today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The campaign for Gujarat has been <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-claims-pakistan-trying-to-influence-gujarat-elections-26391" target="_blank">long and bitter</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And at points the ruling BJP -- they&#39;ve been in power for 22 years -- has looked nervous.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A large reason for that has been Hardik exhorting his community to vote against the BJP. (The Patels make up 12 per cent of Gujarat&#39;s population.)&nbsp;</p>

<p>The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/exit-poll-results-2017-bjp-to-retain-gujarat-overthrow-congress-in-himachal-pradesh-26751" target="_blank">exit polls</a> however seem to disagree with Hardik.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Most of them have said Gujarat will go to the BJP again, although with a two per cent drop in vote share.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress meanwhile, the exit polls say, will see a two per cent increase in vote share.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The exit polls add that the BJP will overthrow the Congress in Himachal Pradesh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The results of both elections will be out on December 18.&nbsp;</p>


'A storm from the north, a lion from Saurashtra, anger from the south, together they will lead to great change,' the Patidar leader said

Hardik Patel tweeted after the Gujarat elections, saying "great change" was coming to Gujarat. "A storm from the north, a lion from Saurashtra, anger from the south, together they will lead to great change," the Patidar leader said. ????? ?? ????,????????? ?? ???,?????? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ??????????? — Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) December 14, 2017 × Voting for the Gujarat assembly elections came to an end today. The campaign for Gujarat has been long and bitter. And at points the ruling BJP -- they've been in power for 22 years -- has looked nervous. A large reason for that has been Hardik exhorting his community to vote against the BJP. (The Patels make up 12 per cent of Gujarat's population.) The exit polls however seem to disagree with Hardik. Most of them have said Gujarat will go to the BJP again, although with a two per cent drop in vote share. The Congress meanwhile, the exit polls say, will see a two per cent increase in vote share. The exit polls add that the BJP will overthrow the Congress in Himachal Pradesh. The results of both elections will be out on December 18.

Hardik tweets, says 'great change' coming to Gujarat

<p>Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener Hardik Patel on Wednesday rejected the reports of his meeting with businessman and Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi&#39;s brother-in-law Robert Vadra&quot; Robert Vadra.</p>

<p>Speaking to ANI, Hardik said that the reports of his meeting with Vadra were false.</p>

<p>&quot;Now they are alleging I met Robert Vadra. This is false. After ten days they can even claim I met Nawaz Sharif, then they will say I met Dawood Ibrahim,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Hardik&#39;s former aide Dinesh Bambhania yesterday claimed that the Patidar leader had met Vadra at a five-star hotel in October.</p>

<p>Speaking about the Gujarat polls, Hardik said that he always pitched for people&#39;s right and never tried to put anyone down.</p>

<p>&quot;The people of Gujarat need a strong voice to support them. I have always raised my voice for people&#39;s right and asked everyone to fight for their right,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Hardik has joined hands with the Congress party for the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections.</p>

<p>Last month, Hardik made headlines after he claimed that the Congress has agreed to give reservation to the Patidar community, if the party comes to power in Gujarat.</p>

<p>Patidars or Patels are an important group in Gujarat, who enjoy great political dominance in the state. (ANI)</p>


'Now they are alleging I met Robert Vadra. This is false. After ten days they can even claim I met Nawaz Sharif, then they will say I met Dawood Ibrahim,' said Hardik

Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener Hardik Patel on Wednesday rejected the reports of his meeting with businessman and Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra" Robert Vadra. Speaking to ANI, Hardik said that the reports of his meeting with Vadra were false. "Now they are alleging I met Robert Vadra. This is false. After ten days they can even claim I met Nawaz Sharif, then they will say I met Dawood Ibrahim," he said. Hardik's former aide Dinesh Bambhania yesterday claimed that the Patidar leader had met Vadra at a five-star hotel in October. Speaking about the Gujarat polls, Hardik said that he always pitched for people's right and never tried to put anyone down. "The people of Gujarat need a strong voice to support them. I have always raised my voice for people's right and asked everyone to fight for their right," he added. Hardik has joined hands with the Congress party for the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections. Last month, Hardik made headlines after he claimed that the Congress has agreed to give reservation to the Patidar community, if the party comes to power in Gujarat. Patidars or Patels are an important group in Gujarat, who enjoy great political dominance in the state. (ANI)

Gujarat elections: Hardik rebuffs report of meeting with Robert Vadra

<p>In exactly a week from now, we shall know whether the Lotus has bloomed or the Hand has swept aside its rivals in Gujarat. We shall also know whether Rahul Gandhi begins his new innings as Congress president with a morale-boosting win or a defeat for which his minions will need to scamper to find scapegoats. And, we shall know too if Prime Minister Narendra Modi approaches the forthcoming electoral challenges after having being endorsed as Gujarat&rsquo;s Pride or rejected in his own backyard. Both sides are confident of a decisive victory, but that is only to be expected. One has to lose and will lose. After all, while many scenarios have been discussed, none has ventured to suggest a hung Assembly where the winner-loser is unclear.</p>

<p>Election campaigns are composed of several issues, and it is rare for just one or two of these to determine the outcome. The 2014 Lok Sabha poll was one such exception where corruption and policy paralysis alone doomed the Congress. Various other matters, factual or perceptional, became subordinate to this twin overriding narrative. In the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election held earlier this year, the two issues that tamed the Samajwadi Party were minority appeasement and poor law and order.</p>

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<p>The Bihar Assembly poll was fought and won by the Lalu Prasad-Nitish Kumar combine (which has since evaporated) on pure caste arithmetic. Aside these, elections are contested and decided on multiple grounds, and this makes the democratic exercise all the more challenging &mdash; and even more challenging to predict. Rare is that political commentator who is able to say, with some amount of accuracy, that a particular issue would be the dominant factor. In hindsight, once the results are known, there are many to &lsquo;analyse&rsquo; the impact of one strand or the other.</p>

<p>The Gujarat campaign began in a simple enough manner, giving hope to the plethora of commentators of a fairly accurate assessment. Led by Prime Minister Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party went on an overdrive, listing its achievements in the State over the two decades of its rule &mdash; especially the period 2002-14 when Modi was the Chief Minister. The Gujarat Model of development was showcased, the ease of doing the business ranking of the World Bank was flaunted, the upgrade in the country&rsquo;s ratings by Moody&rsquo;s was quoted, the robustness of the Indian economy was pointed out, and the &lsquo;exemplary&rsquo; law and order situation in the State was underlined. The Congress sought to pick holes in the Gujarat Model by citing matters of unemployment, poor social welfare indices, farmers&rsquo; distress etc.</p>

<p>Thereafter, as the campaign picked momentum, the issue of reservation for the Patidar community gained ground. While it was there from the beginning, the matter received heft after the Congress and Patidar leader Hardik Patel joined hands officially. Once the Congress formally endorsed Patidar reservation, the BJP swung into action, first by projecting that the Patidars were a divided lot and that the sensible among them &mdash; who according to BJP leaders were in a majority &mdash; would remain loyal to the BJP. Second, the ruling party forcefully projected the &lsquo;impossibility&rsquo; of the reservation in constitutional terms and said the Congress was taking the Patidars for a ride.</p>

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<h5>The BJP had been keeping an eye on Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s sudden devotion to temples; by some accounts, he has visited more than a dozen of them during his campaigns in the State.</h5>
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<p>So far, the going was simple enough and the commentators were still a happy lot. The BJP pitched for inclusive development (reminding voters of its past record and promising more of the same for the future) while the Congress aggressively pushed for reservation as an affirmative action to benefit the Patidars who form nearly 12 per cent of the population in Gujarat. The caste rainbow of Patidar-OBC-Scheduled Caste, which the Congress had quickly put out, was supposed to extinguish the BJP&rsquo;s flame of hope. Then, the development versus reservation narrative began to change.</p>

<p>For some time, the BJP had been keeping an eye on Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s sudden devotion to temples; by some accounts, he has visited more than a dozen of them during his campaigns in the State. But after his trip to the Somnath temple, the party got an opportunity to say something. Somebody supposedly from the Congress leader&rsquo;s side entered his name as a non-Hindu visitor to the temple. BJP leaders were quick to demand an explanation. The Congress fell in the trap and one of its senior functionaries claimed that Rahul Gandhi was a &ldquo;<em>Janeu-</em><em>dhari</em> (sacred thread wearing) Hindu&rdquo;. To top this, Rahul Gandhi said he was a Shiva devotee! His acolytes then went on to speculate on the religious affiliations of both the Prime Minister and BJP president Amit Shah.</p>

<p>The sudden turn towards religion, on which the Congress generally finds itself on the defensive given that the BJP leaders make no bones about where their inclinations lie, shaped the narrative even more decidedly when senior Congress leader and noted lawyer Kapil Sibal demanded that the Supreme Court postpone the hearing on the Ayodhya temple-mosque dispute case, and take it up after the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The direct linkage of the dispute with politics left the Congress red-faced. Worse, even the litigants who had hired Sibal condemned the senior advocate&rsquo;s stand and said they wanted an early hearing and quick settlement of the issue.</p>

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<h5>The manner in which the BJP latched on to the issue at his public rallies and converted it into a major talking point, should have alerted the Congress against more self-goals.</h5>
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<p>The manner in which the BJP, especially Prime Minister Modi, latched on to the issue at his public rallies and converted it into a major talking point, should have alerted the Congress against more self-goals. After all, it suited the opposite party to target the BJP on the issues of reservation and lack of real and inclusive development. But, perhaps already confident that they were winning Gujarat, senior Congress leaders breached the red line. Mani Shankar Aiyar called the Prime Minister &ldquo;<em>neech</em>&rdquo;, &nbsp;a term which Modi and his team ran swiftly to the electorate and termed it as a slight to his social status of being an OBC. Now, the BJP used the occasion to not just strike at the Congress for its &lsquo;elitist&rsquo; and &lsquo;feudal&rsquo; mindset but also quoted the abuse as an insult to Gujarati asmita (pride).</p>

<p>Had these blunders come in the early stages of electioneering, the Congress could have had a better chance of glossing over them or having them dominated by other, fresher issues. But they have come towards the end stages of campaigning, and their recall value is, therefore, more likely. Does this mean that religion and personal abuse will eventually determine the outcome? The Congress must be hoping to the contrary, and the BJP praying that the issues click.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).</em></p>


The Congress aggressively pushed for reservation as an affirmative action to benefit the Patidars who form nearly 12 per cent of the population in Gujarat

In exactly a week from now, we shall know whether the Lotus has bloomed or the Hand has swept aside its rivals in Gujarat. We shall also know whether Rahul Gandhi begins his new innings as Congress president with a morale-boosting win or a defeat for which his minions will need to scamper to find scapegoats. And, we shall know too if Prime Minister Narendra Modi approaches the forthcoming electoral challenges after having being endorsed as Gujarat’s Pride or rejected in his own backyard. Both sides are confident of a decisive victory, but that is only to be expected. One has to lose and will lose. After all, while many scenarios have been discussed, none has ventured to suggest a hung Assembly where the winner-loser is unclear. Election campaigns are composed of several issues, and it is rare for just one or two of these to determine the outcome. The 2014 Lok Sabha poll was one such exception where corruption and policy paralysis alone doomed the Congress. Various other matters, factual or perceptional, became subordinate to this twin overriding narrative. In the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election held earlier this year, the two issues that tamed the Samajwadi Party were minority appeasement and poor law and order. The Gujarat campaign began in a simple enough manner, giving hope to the plethora of commentators of a fairly accurate assessment. × The Bihar Assembly poll was fought and won by the Lalu Prasad-Nitish Kumar combine (which has since evaporated) on pure caste arithmetic. Aside these, elections are contested and decided on multiple grounds, and this makes the democratic exercise all the more challenging — and even more challenging to predict. Rare is that political commentator who is able to say, with some amount of accuracy, that a particular issue would be the dominant factor. In hindsight, once the results are known, there are many to ‘analyse’ the impact of one strand or the other. The Gujarat campaign began in a simple enough manner, giving hope to the plethora of commentators of a fairly accurate assessment. Led by Prime Minister Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party went on an overdrive, listing its achievements in the State over the two decades of its rule — especially the period 2002-14 when Modi was the Chief Minister. The Gujarat Model of development was showcased, the ease of doing the business ranking of the World Bank was flaunted, the upgrade in the country’s ratings by Moody’s was quoted, the robustness of the Indian economy was pointed out, and the ‘exemplary’ law and order situation in the State was underlined. The Congress sought to pick holes in the Gujarat Model by citing matters of unemployment, poor social welfare indices, farmers’ distress etc. Thereafter, as the campaign picked momentum, the issue of reservation for the Patidar community gained ground. While it was there from the beginning, the matter received heft after the Congress and Patidar leader Hardik Patel joined hands officially. Once the Congress formally endorsed Patidar reservation, the BJP swung into action, first by projecting that the Patidars were a divided lot and that the sensible among them — who according to BJP leaders were in a majority — would remain loyal to the BJP. Second, the ruling party forcefully projected the ‘impossibility’ of the reservation in constitutional terms and said the Congress was taking the Patidars for a ride. The BJP had been keeping an eye on Rahul Gandhi’s sudden devotion to temples; by some accounts, he has visited more than a dozen of them during his campaigns in the State. × So far, the going was simple enough and the commentators were still a happy lot. The BJP pitched for inclusive development (reminding voters of its past record and promising more of the same for the future) while the Congress aggressively pushed for reservation as an affirmative action to benefit the Patidars who form nearly 12 per cent of the population in Gujarat. The caste rainbow of Patidar-OBC-Scheduled Caste, which the Congress had quickly put out, was supposed to extinguish the BJP’s flame of hope. Then, the development versus reservation narrative began to change. For some time, the BJP had been keeping an eye on Rahul Gandhi’s sudden devotion to temples; by some accounts, he has visited more than a dozen of them during his campaigns in the State. But after his trip to the Somnath temple, the party got an opportunity to say something. Somebody supposedly from the Congress leader’s side entered his name as a non-Hindu visitor to the temple. BJP leaders were quick to demand an explanation. The Congress fell in the trap and one of its senior functionaries claimed that Rahul Gandhi was a “Janeu-dhari (sacred thread wearing) Hindu”. To top this, Rahul Gandhi said he was a Shiva devotee! His acolytes then went on to speculate on the religious affiliations of both the Prime Minister and BJP president Amit Shah. The sudden turn towards religion, on which the Congress generally finds itself on the defensive given that the BJP leaders make no bones about where their inclinations lie, shaped the narrative even more decidedly when senior Congress leader and noted lawyer Kapil Sibal demanded that the Supreme Court postpone the hearing on the Ayodhya temple-mosque dispute case, and take it up after the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The direct linkage of the dispute with politics left the Congress red-faced. Worse, even the litigants who had hired Sibal condemned the senior advocate’s stand and said they wanted an early hearing and quick settlement of the issue. The manner in which the BJP latched on to the issue at his public rallies and converted it into a major talking point, should have alerted the Congress against more self-goals. × The manner in which the BJP, especially Prime Minister Modi, latched on to the issue at his public rallies and converted it into a major talking point, should have alerted the Congress against more self-goals. After all, it suited the opposite party to target the BJP on the issues of reservation and lack of real and inclusive development. But, perhaps already confident that they were winning Gujarat, senior Congress leaders breached the red line. Mani Shankar Aiyar called the Prime Minister “neech”, a term which Modi and his team ran swiftly to the electorate and termed it as a slight to his social status of being an OBC. Now, the BJP used the occasion to not just strike at the Congress for its ‘elitist’ and ‘feudal’ mindset but also quoted the abuse as an insult to Gujarati asmita (pride). Had these blunders come in the early stages of electioneering, the Congress could have had a better chance of glossing over them or having them dominated by other, fresher issues. But they have come towards the end stages of campaigning, and their recall value is, therefore, more likely. Does this mean that religion and personal abuse will eventually determine the outcome? The Congress must be hoping to the contrary, and the BJP praying that the issues click. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Gujarat elections, a litmus test for Rahul

<p>After the poll planks of Shiv Bhakt and Janeu Dhari Hindu, it is quite evident that Congress has been slightly leaning towards a mild Hindutva platform. It will be historic for a party whose poll equation starts from Dalit-OBCs and ends up wooing the Muslims. Congress never tried to take Hindus as whole in their account. BJP was never shy to carry Hindutva tag but Congress distanced itself whenever they were caught doing minority appeasement. And during this high potential elections, the newly-elected president of the Grand Old Party is playing a mild Hindu card beyond Dalits and OBCs and started taking intrest in upper castes like Patidars in Gujarat and Brahmin-Thakurs in Himachal Pradesh.</p>

<p><strong>HEADS:</strong></p>

<p>As an old saying goes &quot;Diamond cuts diamond&quot;, perhaps this political technique of Rahul Gandhi may stand against the Hindutva mindset of RSS-BJP. Lots of political analysts and Congress leaning journalists who are acknowledging a sudden maturity in Rahul Gandhi think that this poll plank may add a feather in Rahul&#39;s hat. General people on the ground in Gujarat and especially the Patidars exclusively believe in Hindutva. So this electoral tool of Hinduism might woo Hindutva. In fact they would receive vote chunk from every caste instead of a particular one. The self-styled godmans and other religious yogis who have infuence in Indian political mandate won&#39;t neglect Congress because they are Muslim-only appeasers. The Hindus from states other than Gujarat might get good impression from this gesture of Rahul Gandhi. So called secular ideologues had once appreciated Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan for contributing in works of Hinduism (not Hindutva) so they might praise Mr Gandhi in the same fashion. Muslim appeasement was once the medium of Congress to show that they are secular. It is very astonishing that finally Congress realised that Muslim appeasement and this secularism won&#39;t be a lifeboat for them. Muslims Tribals-Dalits hate Hindutva put forth by BJP-RSS, but they may be comfortable with this mild Hindu card played by the Grand Old Party. The best or worst part in Indian politics is, that Indian voter doesn&#39;t care about a political trend of a party in other state i.e. a voter in Karnataka won&#39;t carry what Rahul Gandhi says in Gujarat. Moreover, the public memory is very short and weak. So that is why the people in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh, where elections are coming, voters wouldn&#39;t mind this mild Hindu card. Well the best thing which I see is that Congress party till recent years used to think that going to temples and talking on behalf of upper classes is a part of communal agenda. Now the eyes of Congress seem to have opened and leaned towards realism rather than cloud of just rationalism. Overall, this move of Congress would not only help the Grand Old Party to remove its Muslim-only tag but also would help to improve realistic upbringing in Indian politics.</p>

<p><strong>TAILS:</strong></p>

<p>In today&#39;s political phase, India needs a strong opposition having a centrist ideology which identifies state and religion as different entities. So the opposition needs to be far secular i.e. &#39;Empowerment of all and Appeasement of none&#39;. But the current move of 132-year-old party has an opposite ideology i.e. &#39;Empowerment of none but appeasement of all&#39;. This poll plank would definitely hurt our current politics. It&#39;s a matter of great debate whether the political parties should amend their ideologies in time now. I won&#39;t say what Indian political ideologies should generally do, but on this right leaned political pitch, the original centre-left Congress is the only party competent to do proper bowling. The original Congress of Gandhian ideology would propose &#39;Religion neutral, Caste neutral, only Indianity&#39; concept which is needed right now, but unfortunately Congress seems to have forgot Congress! I urge Sashi Tharoor Sir to remind their newly elected (nominated) president, about what original Congress stand for.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi needs to be reminded that Hindutva is the last thing that a BJP voter wants. The thing which elevated Chief Minister Narendra Modi to Prime Minister of world&#39;s largest democracy isn&#39;t actually his Hindutva background. Moreover, if there would be any shameful and genuine incident of threat on minorities then it would be impossible for the Grand old Party to present its stance before the nation. Even if a voter wants to vote for rhetoric of Hindutva then Congress is less likely to be first option for him. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also ridiculed this move of Congress and said that people would vote for original rather than a clone. Congress is questioning the incumbent government very properly, but at the same time, they need to put forth a socio-economic model before the people which have capability to stand before the economic pitches of PM Narendra Modi. Congress still has a chance, but they need to work too hard to achieve even 30 per cent of what those guys hope and quote.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity)</em></p>


This move of Congress would not only help the grand old party to remove its Muslim-only tag but also help to improve realistic upbringing in Indian politics.

After the poll planks of Shiv Bhakt and Janeu Dhari Hindu, it is quite evident that Congress has been slightly leaning towards a mild Hindutva platform. It will be historic for a party whose poll equation starts from Dalit-OBCs and ends up wooing the Muslims. Congress never tried to take Hindus as whole in their account. BJP was never shy to carry Hindutva tag but Congress distanced itself whenever they were caught doing minority appeasement. And during this high potential elections, the newly-elected president of the Grand Old Party is playing a mild Hindu card beyond Dalits and OBCs and started taking intrest in upper castes like Patidars in Gujarat and Brahmin-Thakurs in Himachal Pradesh. HEADS: As an old saying goes "Diamond cuts diamond", perhaps this political technique of Rahul Gandhi may stand against the Hindutva mindset of RSS-BJP. Lots of political analysts and Congress leaning journalists who are acknowledging a sudden maturity in Rahul Gandhi think that this poll plank may add a feather in Rahul's hat. General people on the ground in Gujarat and especially the Patidars exclusively believe in Hindutva. So this electoral tool of Hinduism might woo Hindutva. In fact they would receive vote chunk from every caste instead of a particular one. The self-styled godmans and other religious yogis who have infuence in Indian political mandate won't neglect Congress because they are Muslim-only appeasers. The Hindus from states other than Gujarat might get good impression from this gesture of Rahul Gandhi. So called secular ideologues had once appreciated Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan for contributing in works of Hinduism (not Hindutva) so they might praise Mr Gandhi in the same fashion. Muslim appeasement was once the medium of Congress to show that they are secular. It is very astonishing that finally Congress realised that Muslim appeasement and this secularism won't be a lifeboat for them. Muslims Tribals-Dalits hate Hindutva put forth by BJP-RSS, but they may be comfortable with this mild Hindu card played by the Grand Old Party. The best or worst part in Indian politics is, that Indian voter doesn't care about a political trend of a party in other state i.e. a voter in Karnataka won't carry what Rahul Gandhi says in Gujarat. Moreover, the public memory is very short and weak. So that is why the people in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh, where elections are coming, voters wouldn't mind this mild Hindu card. Well the best thing which I see is that Congress party till recent years used to think that going to temples and talking on behalf of upper classes is a part of communal agenda. Now the eyes of Congress seem to have opened and leaned towards realism rather than cloud of just rationalism. Overall, this move of Congress would not only help the Grand Old Party to remove its Muslim-only tag but also would help to improve realistic upbringing in Indian politics. TAILS: In today's political phase, India needs a strong opposition having a centrist ideology which identifies state and religion as different entities. So the opposition needs to be far secular i.e. 'Empowerment of all and Appeasement of none'. But the current move of 132-year-old party has an opposite ideology i.e. 'Empowerment of none but appeasement of all'. This poll plank would definitely hurt our current politics. It's a matter of great debate whether the political parties should amend their ideologies in time now. I won't say what Indian political ideologies should generally do, but on this right leaned political pitch, the original centre-left Congress is the only party competent to do proper bowling. The original Congress of Gandhian ideology would propose 'Religion neutral, Caste neutral, only Indianity' concept which is needed right now, but unfortunately Congress seems to have forgot Congress! I urge Sashi Tharoor Sir to remind their newly elected (nominated) president, about what original Congress stand for. Rahul Gandhi needs to be reminded that Hindutva is the last thing that a BJP voter wants. The thing which elevated Chief Minister Narendra Modi to Prime Minister of world's largest democracy isn't actually his Hindutva background. Moreover, if there would be any shameful and genuine incident of threat on minorities then it would be impossible for the Grand old Party to present its stance before the nation. Even if a voter wants to vote for rhetoric of Hindutva then Congress is less likely to be first option for him. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also ridiculed this move of Congress and said that people would vote for original rather than a clone. Congress is questioning the incumbent government very properly, but at the same time, they need to put forth a socio-economic model before the people which have capability to stand before the economic pitches of PM Narendra Modi. Congress still has a chance, but they need to work too hard to achieve even 30 per cent of what those guys hope and quote. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity)

Opinion: Rahul Gandhi leaning towards mild Hindutva platform. And it might help Congress

<p>Time seems to have come to a standstill in some tribal areas of Gujarat.</p>

<p>More than three years after Narendra Modi became the country&#39;s prime minister, for a section of people here he is still the chief minister.</p>

<p>In the interior areas of Chhota Udaipur district, dominated by Scheduled Tribes such as the Rathwas, voters said that when it came to politics, they knew of only three factors -- Modi, Modi&#39;s party and the Congress.</p>

<p>Few referred to the BJP by name, calling it Modi&#39;s party. And when prodded about the Congress, the only name they could readily recall was that of Indira Gandhi.</p>

<p>My forefathers have always voted for the Congress but now people in surrounding villages also vote for a candidate from Modi-Sa&#39;ab&#39;s party,&nbsp;50-year-old Ramsinh Rathwa said.</p>

<p>Ramsinh, who was in Chhota Udaipur with three other men from his village Kanda, identified the lotus as the symbol of &quot;Modi&#39;s party&quot;, but was less familiar with the BJP.</p>

<p>The four men, all farmers, said irrespective of who won from their constituency, &quot;Modi will again become the chief minister of Gujarat&quot;.</p>

<p>In Jogpura, another village in the Chhota Udaipur constituency, voter Dilip Rathwa said the fight was between the Congress and Modi.</p>

<p>He said his village usually votes for the same candidate and added that while Modi was popular, local Congress leaders visited their homes on occasions such as marriages.</p>

<p>Local Congress candidate Mohansinh Rathwa in the last elections had visited our village and had also sought blessings from my father by touching his feet,&nbsp;he said.</p>

<p>School teacher Sumanben Parmar of Pavi Jetpur said while Modi was popular, people in the region, where Muslims are the second largest community, were not greatly aware of the identity of other politicians.</p>

<p>The tribal-Muslim combination benefits the Congress in the three ST reserved seats of Chhota Udaipur district, which borders BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh on two sides and shares its water borders with another BJP-ruled state, Maharashtra.</p>

<p>But local BJP leaders believed Modi&#39;s personality always helped pull votes for the party.</p>

<p>&quot;The fight is between local Congress candidates and Modi&#39;s popularity,&quot; agreed Ramesh Patel, a local Congress worker in Pavi Jetpur.</p>


In the interior areas of Chhota Udaipur district, dominated by Scheduled Tribes such as the Rathwas, voters said that when it came to politics, they knew of only three factors -- Modi, Modi's party and the Congress

Time seems to have come to a standstill in some tribal areas of Gujarat. More than three years after Narendra Modi became the country's prime minister, for a section of people here he is still the chief minister. In the interior areas of Chhota Udaipur district, dominated by Scheduled Tribes such as the Rathwas, voters said that when it came to politics, they knew of only three factors -- Modi, Modi's party and the Congress. Few referred to the BJP by name, calling it Modi's party. And when prodded about the Congress, the only name they could readily recall was that of Indira Gandhi. My forefathers have always voted for the Congress but now people in surrounding villages also vote for a candidate from Modi-Sa'ab's party, 50-year-old Ramsinh Rathwa said. Ramsinh, who was in Chhota Udaipur with three other men from his village Kanda, identified the lotus as the symbol of "Modi's party", but was less familiar with the BJP. The four men, all farmers, said irrespective of who won from their constituency, "Modi will again become the chief minister of Gujarat". In Jogpura, another village in the Chhota Udaipur constituency, voter Dilip Rathwa said the fight was between the Congress and Modi. He said his village usually votes for the same candidate and added that while Modi was popular, local Congress leaders visited their homes on occasions such as marriages. Local Congress candidate Mohansinh Rathwa in the last elections had visited our village and had also sought blessings from my father by touching his feet, he said. School teacher Sumanben Parmar of Pavi Jetpur said while Modi was popular, people in the region, where Muslims are the second largest community, were not greatly aware of the identity of other politicians. The tribal-Muslim combination benefits the Congress in the three ST reserved seats of Chhota Udaipur district, which borders BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh on two sides and shares its water borders with another BJP-ruled state, Maharashtra. But local BJP leaders believed Modi's personality always helped pull votes for the party. "The fight is between local Congress candidates and Modi's popularity," agreed Ramesh Patel, a local Congress worker in Pavi Jetpur.

Gujarat's tribal region: Where Modi is still CM, and Indira is recalled

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conclude the last of the election&nbsp;campaign in Gujarat with a visit to Ambaji Mata temple.</p>

<p>While addressing a press conference BJP President Amit Shah said that&nbsp;PM Modi will visit Ambaji temple on 12 December.</p>

<p>He added that his&nbsp;visit will be done uniquely to promote tourism.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, &quot;Modi will take off in a seaplane&nbsp;from Sabarmati riverfront, land in Dharoi dam&#39;s pond and will proceed to the temple by road.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="it"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to travel from Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam via sea plane, shortly <a href="https://t.co/GWjrVO5Sgz">pic.twitter.com/GWjrVO5Sgz</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940429243011317761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> of sea plane Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling in, from Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam shortly <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a> <a href="https://t.co/C8mqgzm1LA">pic.twitter.com/C8mqgzm1LA</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940432703161110529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Amit Shah&#39;s clarification came after<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-elections-gujarat-police-denies-permission-to-pm-modi-rahul-for-roadshow-26431" target="_blank"> the state police denied the request for a&nbsp;road show</a> on the last day of the election campaign in Gujarat.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Since admn asked to not conduct road show of PM Modi on 12th he&#39;ll go to Ambaji Mata temple tomorrow. It&#39;ll be done uniquely. To promote Gujarat tourism, he&#39;ll take off in a sea plane from Sabarmati river front, land in Dharoi dam&#39;s pond &amp; will go to temple by road: Amit Shah <a href="https://t.co/5L7Tam3AMD">pic.twitter.com/5L7Tam3AMD</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940264089737076742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Gujarat police had turned down the request made by political parties for conducting a road show in the state.</p>

<p>BJP and Congress had requested for a roadshow to be conducted on Tuesday, however, the state police rejected their request citing law and order situation.</p>

<p>The state will undergo the second phase of elections on December 14&nbsp;for 93 seats in North and Central Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The counting of votes is scheduled for December 18.&nbsp;</p>
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The Gujarat police turned down the request made by political parties for conducting a road show in the state on the last day of election campaign

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conclude the last of the election campaign in Gujarat with a visit to Ambaji Mata temple. While addressing a press conference BJP President Amit Shah said that PM Modi will visit Ambaji temple on 12 December. He added that his visit will be done uniquely to promote tourism. He said, "Modi will take off in a seaplane from Sabarmati riverfront, land in Dharoi dam's pond and will proceed to the temple by road." #Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to travel from Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam via sea plane, shortly pic.twitter.com/GWjrVO5Sgz — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × #WATCH: #Visuals of sea plane Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling in, from Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam shortly #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/C8mqgzm1LA — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × Amit Shah's clarification came after the state police denied the request for a road show on the last day of the election campaign in Gujarat. Since admn asked to not conduct road show of PM Modi on 12th he'll go to Ambaji Mata temple tomorrow. It'll be done uniquely. To promote Gujarat tourism, he'll take off in a sea plane from Sabarmati river front, land in Dharoi dam's pond & will go to temple by road: Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/5L7Tam3AMD — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017 × The Gujarat police had turned down the request made by political parties for conducting a road show in the state. BJP and Congress had requested for a roadshow to be conducted on Tuesday, however, the state police rejected their request citing law and order situation. The state will undergo the second phase of elections on December 14 for 93 seats in North and Central Gujarat. The counting of votes is scheduled for December 18.

Gujarat elections: On last day of election campaign PM Modi to visit Ambaji Temple via seaplane

<p>The Gujarat police have turned down the request made by political parties for conducting a road show in the state.</p>

<p>BJP and Congress had requested for a roadshow to be conducted on Tuesday, however, the state police rejected their request citing law and order situation.</p>

<p>Police Commissioner Anup Kumar Singh said that the request was turned down due to security, law and order reasons and to avoid public inconvenience.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Request by BJP &amp; Congress for conducting PM Modi &amp; Rahul Gandhi&#39;s road show tomorrow, turned down by Police due to security, law &amp; order reasons &amp; to avoid public inconvenience : Anup Kumar Singh, Police Commissioner <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ahmedabad?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ahmedabad</a> to ANI <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/qaNr7lbdYL">pic.twitter.com/qaNr7lbdYL</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940079236823400450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi were to address the last day of campaigning for the Gujarat assembly elections on Tuesday, December 12.</p>

<p>The state will undergo the second phase of elections on December 14&nbsp;for 93 seats in North and Central Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The voting for the first phase of election in Gujarat was conducted on 9 December which saw a voter turnout of 68 per cent. The first phase elections were conducted on 89 seats of Saurashtra and South region.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The counting of votes is scheduled for December 18.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


BJP and Congress had requested for a roadshow to be conducted on Tuesday, however, the state police rejected their request citing law and order situation

The Gujarat police have turned down the request made by political parties for conducting a road show in the state. BJP and Congress had requested for a roadshow to be conducted on Tuesday, however, the state police rejected their request citing law and order situation. Police Commissioner Anup Kumar Singh said that the request was turned down due to security, law and order reasons and to avoid public inconvenience. Request by BJP & Congress for conducting PM Modi & Rahul Gandhi's road show tomorrow, turned down by Police due to security, law & order reasons & to avoid public inconvenience : Anup Kumar Singh, Police Commissioner #Ahmedabad to ANI #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/qaNr7lbdYL — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017 × PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi were to address the last day of campaigning for the Gujarat assembly elections on Tuesday, December 12. The state will undergo the second phase of elections on December 14 for 93 seats in North and Central Gujarat. The voting for the first phase of election in Gujarat was conducted on 9 December which saw a voter turnout of 68 per cent. The first phase elections were conducted on 89 seats of Saurashtra and South region. The counting of votes is scheduled for December 18.

Gujarat elections: Police denies permission to PM Modi, Rahul for election roadshow

<p>Amid all the congratulatory messages which Rahul Gandhi has been receiving for his unopposed elevation as the President of Indian National Congress, it would be Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s wishes which would have brought a smile on his face.</p>

<p>The two political rivals left no stone unturned to defame each other&#39;s position and policies in the Gujarat assembly election campaigns.<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp;<br />
But after the news of Rahul Gandhi&#39;s elevation was confirmed, PM Modi wasted no time and took to his Twitter handle to wish the Gandhi scion a fruitful tenure:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I congratulate Rahul Ji on his election as Congress President. My best wishes for a fruitful tenure. <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficeOfRG</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/940207336097964032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rahul replied:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you for your good wishes Modi ji. <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/940278053636161536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier at a press conference today, Senior Congress leader Mullappally Ramachandran named Rahul Gandhi as the new president of the grand old party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ramachandran, who is also the All India Congress Committee&#39;s returning officer for the election, added that all 89 nominations proposals were found to be valid, and Rahul had been elevated to the top post since he was the only candidate in the fray.</p>

<p>Rahul will take over the reins of the party from his mother and current president, Sonia Gandhi, on December 16, who held held the position for almost 19 years.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Rahul will officially take over as Congress president -- from his mother -- on Dec 16

Amid all the congratulatory messages which Rahul Gandhi has been receiving for his unopposed elevation as the President of Indian National Congress, it would be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's wishes which would have brought a smile on his face. The two political rivals left no stone unturned to defame each other's position and policies in the Gujarat assembly election campaigns. But after the news of Rahul Gandhi's elevation was confirmed, PM Modi wasted no time and took to his Twitter handle to wish the Gandhi scion a fruitful tenure: I congratulate Rahul Ji on his election as Congress President. My best wishes for a fruitful tenure. @OfficeOfRG — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2017 × Rahul replied: Thank you for your good wishes Modi ji. @narendramodi — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 11, 2017 × Earlier at a press conference today, Senior Congress leader Mullappally Ramachandran named Rahul Gandhi as the new president of the grand old party. Ramachandran, who is also the All India Congress Committee's returning officer for the election, added that all 89 nominations proposals were found to be valid, and Rahul had been elevated to the top post since he was the only candidate in the fray. Rahul will take over the reins of the party from his mother and current president, Sonia Gandhi, on December 16, who held held the position for almost 19 years.

PM Modi wishes Rahul Gandhi 'fruitful tenure' as Congress president

<p>The job has come easy to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-the-underdog-26329">Rahul Gandhi</a> as president of the Congress party but the task in front him is cut out. He takes over from <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sonia-turns-71-cong-leaders-and-workers-throng-residence-26315">Sonia Gandhi</a> who is the longest serving president of the Congress. Sonia Gandhi had certain comforts when she took over the Congress which Rahul does not enjoy, so there are less similarities between both events apart from the family name. Rahul inherits tougher and more challenging circumstances.</p>

<p>Sonia took over reins of the Congress in similar but less enduring circumstances and brought it to power by 2004. For Rahul, things are tougher. Sample this: Unlike 2003-04, Congress has collapsed in many states, number of states under Congress is miniscule, till 2003, the party still had many strong state leaders and seasoned politicians from Rajiv and Indira days which in 2017 are either not there or on the verge of retirement.</p>

<p><strong><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-elected-congress-president-unopposed-26455">Also Read: Rahul Gandhi elected Congress president, unopposed</a></strong></p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi, on the other hand, has his set of team but most of them have not served at the top rung of the UPA and for that reason for some time will have to depend on the older set when it comes to Parliament.</p>

<p>Sonia once in charge, gradually brought faces who were handpicked either by Indira or Sanjay Gandhi. Very few from the core team of Rajiv Gandhi were able to make to her inner circle. Whether it was Arjun Singh, Natwar Singh, Ambika Soni, Margaret Alva, Gulam Nabi Azad, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Priyaranjan Das Munshi, Kamalnath, Hansraj Bhardwaj, AK Antony or Ahmad Patel, they had cut teeth into politics much before Sonia Gandhi entered politics.</p>

<p>On top of it, she had to face much gentler Atal Bihari Vajpayee who never brought his political battle to the Gandhi family&#39;s home or bastion. On the other hand, Narendra Modi has done all of that. He has made dynasty an issue for Congress, charged them as un-Indian, and openly questioned the Congress abroad. All of it cannot be pinned on Rahul because political flanks were left vulnerable by the Congress and he took advantage of it. Rahul Gandhi will have to deal with all of them apart from a very visible RSS which was not the case under Vajpayee government. Rahul Gandhi will have to work through states where Congress has an organizational vacuum. These states are in plenty unlike 1999. These states are Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar. Together, they constitute more than 200 Lok Sabha seats. And it does not stop here. For the first time, even North East is vulnerable where BJP has made massive in roads. For this reason, Rahul Gandhi&#39;s journey is going to be tougher.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
But in politics nothing succeeds like success. The differentiator between Modi and the rest is that he is a vote catcher and that too a mammoth one. Secondly, despite murmurs he unites all the BJP workers if not the leaders.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi has neither proved to be a vote catcher nor a glue to keep the Congress united. In past, most of the Congress leaders from the state and Centre left the Congress accusing Rahul Gandhi. If Rahul Gandhi can unite the Congress party, it will be his first big step. The second step would be to have a victory solely attributable to him.</p>

<p>Third and the most important challenge for Rahul Gandhi would be to create a balance between building a coalition to keep BJP at bay and building Congress party brick by brick which has been corroded from seam by the very regional parties which had supported it at the Centre. Right now, the core has shrunk and regional parties have become assertive to a point where Congress is being treated as one amongst many.</p>

<p>Lastly, he needs to be seen as a sole challenger to Modi in India. He cannot afford another to be like Kejriwal. He has shown a bit of it in Gujarat. If this sense of challenge continues to emanate from Rahul Gandhi, he will be considered as the sole challenger by public against Modi. The public would say that Rahul Gandhi has arrived. For now, jury is out and all eyes are set on Gujarat where Congress has given a good fight.</p>

<p><strong>Watch this WION Special</strong></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Rahul Gandhi has his set of team but most of them have not served at the top rung of the UPA and for that reason for some time will have to depend on the older set when it comes to Parliament.

The job has come easy to Rahul Gandhi as president of the Congress party but the task in front him is cut out. He takes over from Sonia Gandhi who is the longest serving president of the Congress. Sonia Gandhi had certain comforts when she took over the Congress which Rahul does not enjoy, so there are less similarities between both events apart from the family name. Rahul inherits tougher and more challenging circumstances. Sonia took over reins of the Congress in similar but less enduring circumstances and brought it to power by 2004. For Rahul, things are tougher. Sample this: Unlike 2003-04, Congress has collapsed in many states, number of states under Congress is miniscule, till 2003, the party still had many strong state leaders and seasoned politicians from Rajiv and Indira days which in 2017 are either not there or on the verge of retirement. Also Read: Rahul Gandhi elected Congress president, unopposed Rahul Gandhi, on the other hand, has his set of team but most of them have not served at the top rung of the UPA and for that reason for some time will have to depend on the older set when it comes to Parliament. Sonia once in charge, gradually brought faces who were handpicked either by Indira or Sanjay Gandhi. Very few from the core team of Rajiv Gandhi were able to make to her inner circle. Whether it was Arjun Singh, Natwar Singh, Ambika Soni, Margaret Alva, Gulam Nabi Azad, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Priyaranjan Das Munshi, Kamalnath, Hansraj Bhardwaj, AK Antony or Ahmad Patel, they had cut teeth into politics much before Sonia Gandhi entered politics. On top of it, she had to face much gentler Atal Bihari Vajpayee who never brought his political battle to the Gandhi family's home or bastion. On the other hand, Narendra Modi has done all of that. He has made dynasty an issue for Congress, charged them as un-Indian, and openly questioned the Congress abroad. All of it cannot be pinned on Rahul because political flanks were left vulnerable by the Congress and he took advantage of it. Rahul Gandhi will have to deal with all of them apart from a very visible RSS which was not the case under Vajpayee government. Rahul Gandhi will have to work through states where Congress has an organizational vacuum. These states are in plenty unlike 1999. These states are Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar. Together, they constitute more than 200 Lok Sabha seats. And it does not stop here. For the first time, even North East is vulnerable where BJP has made massive in roads. For this reason, Rahul Gandhi's journey is going to be tougher. But in politics nothing succeeds like success. The differentiator between Modi and the rest is that he is a vote catcher and that too a mammoth one. Secondly, despite murmurs he unites all the BJP workers if not the leaders. Rahul Gandhi has neither proved to be a vote catcher nor a glue to keep the Congress united. In past, most of the Congress leaders from the state and Centre left the Congress accusing Rahul Gandhi. If Rahul Gandhi can unite the Congress party, it will be his first big step. The second step would be to have a victory solely attributable to him. Third and the most important challenge for Rahul Gandhi would be to create a balance between building a coalition to keep BJP at bay and building Congress party brick by brick which has been corroded from seam by the very regional parties which had supported it at the Centre. Right now, the core has shrunk and regional parties have become assertive to a point where Congress is being treated as one amongst many. Lastly, he needs to be seen as a sole challenger to Modi in India. He cannot afford another to be like Kejriwal. He has shown a bit of it in Gujarat. If this sense of challenge continues to emanate from Rahul Gandhi, he will be considered as the sole challenger by public against Modi. The public would say that Rahul Gandhi has arrived. For now, jury is out and all eyes are set on Gujarat where Congress has given a good fight. Watch this WION Special ×

Rahul takes over as Congress president, but faces greater challenges than mother Sonia Gandhi

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<p>Arab Foreign Ministers collectively denounced on Saturday President Donald Trump&#39;s acceptance of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital. Ministers from across the region met in Cairo to discuss a response to Trump&#39;s announcement on Wednesday (December 6), which overturned decades of US policy towards the Middle East.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/dangal-girl-zaira-wasim-alleges-molestation-attempt-in-delhi-mumbai-flight-26352" target="_blank">&#39;Dangal&#39; Girl Zaira Wasim alleges molestation attempt in Delhi-Mumbai flight</a></p>

<p>&#39;Dangal&#39; Girl Zaira Wasim alleged molestation attempt by a man sitting behind her in a Delhi-Mumbai flight. The man allegedly touched her neck and her back repeatedly with his feet.&nbsp;In an Instagram post, she alleged that a middle-aged man sitting behind her on Delhi-Mumbai Vistara flight tried to molest her.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nia-arrests-pulwama-youth-with-let-links-26351" target="_blank">NIA arrests Pulwama youth with LeT links</a></p>

<p>The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a man on Saturday for allegedly having links with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The arrested person, identified as Tauseef Ahmed Malik, (25), is a resident of Pulwama district, according to the anti-terror investigation agency.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/kohli-rested-india-all-set-to-take-lanka-in-odi-series-opener-26341" target="_blank">Kohli rested, India all set to take Lanka in ODI series opener</a></p>

<p>As the three-match One Day International (ODI) series between India and Sri Lanka begins on Sunday, the hosts will aim to attain the top spot at the ICC team rankings, whereas the visitors will look forward to tasting a win after the Test series loss.Though the Indian side &#39;run machine&#39; and regular skipper Virat Kohli has been rested for the series, it would still not be easy for Sri Lanka, as they will face the Men in Blue spearheaded by the most successful IPL captain Rohit Sharma, here at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala in &quot;fresh air&quot;.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-should-not-harbour-any-illusion-about-gujarat-poll-result-bjp-26350" target="_blank">Congress should not harbour any illusion about Gujarat poll result: BJP</a></p>

<p>With 68 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of Gujarat assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday expressed confidence over its victory, and said, now, Congress should not harbour any illusion about the result.</p>


Arab foreign ministers say no peace without a 'free' Jerusalem Arab Foreign Ministers collectively denounced on Saturday President Donald Trump's acceptance of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Ministers from across the region met in Cairo to discuss a response to Trump's announcement on Wednesday (December 6), which overturned decades of US policy towards the Middle East. 'Dangal' Girl Zaira Wasim alleges molestation attempt in Delhi-Mumbai flight 'Dangal' Girl Zaira Wasim alleged molestation attempt by a man sitting behind her in a Delhi-Mumbai flight. The man allegedly touched her neck and her back repeatedly with his feet. In an Instagram post, she alleged that a middle-aged man sitting behind her on Delhi-Mumbai Vistara flight tried to molest her. NIA arrests Pulwama youth with LeT links The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a man on Saturday for allegedly having links with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The arrested person, identified as Tauseef Ahmed Malik, (25), is a resident of Pulwama district, according to the anti-terror investigation agency. Kohli rested, India all set to take Lanka in ODI series opener As the three-match One Day International (ODI) series between India and Sri Lanka begins on Sunday, the hosts will aim to attain the top spot at the ICC team rankings, whereas the visitors will look forward to tasting a win after the Test series loss.Though the Indian side 'run machine' and regular skipper Virat Kohli has been rested for the series, it would still not be easy for Sri Lanka, as they will face the Men in Blue spearheaded by the most successful IPL captain Rohit Sharma, here at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala in "fresh air". Congress should not harbour any illusion about Gujarat poll result: BJP With 68 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of Gujarat assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday expressed confidence over its victory, and said, now, Congress should not harbour any illusion about the result.

WION Morning News Brief, 10 December 2017

<p>With 68 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of Gujarat assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday expressed confidence over its victory, and said, now, Congress should not harbour any illusion about the result.</p>

<p>Talking to ANI, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said, &quot;The way in which first phase of Gujarat Assembly elections has concluded, it seems the public has decided to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP win by securing a three-fourths majority. Gujarat has cleared the misgivings of Congress through its turnout in the first phase.&quot;</p>

<p>He said people of the state did not accept the kind of language used against the Prime Minister.</p>

<p>&quot;The voting has been in favour of the BJP and there is an excitement among the people,&quot; Hussain further said.</p>

<p>Another BJP leader, Bizay Sonkar Shastri said the votes in the first phase were clearly in party&#39;s victory.</p>

<p>&quot;The first phase voting will benefit our party and, moreover, the heavy membership within the party will play a positive role here,&quot; Shastri added.</p>

<p>While a Congress leader, Raju Waghmare said, &quot;It is a very good sign for the Congress and there are two reasons behind it. Some BJP voters are very nervous and they are disappointed by their party&#39;s performance. On the other hand, whatever the turnout is right now, the public wants a change and that change is possible with Congress&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;This 68 per cent is a very good sign for our party and we will take this first phase seriously,&quot; the Maharashtra leader added.</p>

<p>Sixty-eight percent voters came out to vote in the first phase of Gujarat Assembly elections, informed the Election Commission, on Saturday.</p>

<p>The voting for 89 assembly constituencies in Saurashtra and South Gujarat region, began at 8:00 am and ended in the evening on Saturday.</p>

<p>Prominent candidates in the fray include Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani of BJP, who is contesting from Rajkot (West), along with Congress&#39; Shaktisinh Gohil and Paresh Dhanani.</p>

<p>The second phase will be held on December 14 for the remaining 93 assembly constituencies. Counting of votes and the results will be announced on December 18.&nbsp;</p>


With 68 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of Gujarat assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday expressed confidence over its victory, and said, now, Congress should not harbour any illusion about the result

With 68 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of Gujarat assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday expressed confidence over its victory, and said, now, Congress should not harbour any illusion about the result. Talking to ANI, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said, "The way in which first phase of Gujarat Assembly elections has concluded, it seems the public has decided to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP win by securing a three-fourths majority. Gujarat has cleared the misgivings of Congress through its turnout in the first phase." He said people of the state did not accept the kind of language used against the Prime Minister. "The voting has been in favour of the BJP and there is an excitement among the people," Hussain further said. Another BJP leader, Bizay Sonkar Shastri said the votes in the first phase were clearly in party's victory. "The first phase voting will benefit our party and, moreover, the heavy membership within the party will play a positive role here," Shastri added. While a Congress leader, Raju Waghmare said, "It is a very good sign for the Congress and there are two reasons behind it. Some BJP voters are very nervous and they are disappointed by their party's performance. On the other hand, whatever the turnout is right now, the public wants a change and that change is possible with Congress". "This 68 per cent is a very good sign for our party and we will take this first phase seriously," the Maharashtra leader added. Sixty-eight percent voters came out to vote in the first phase of Gujarat Assembly elections, informed the Election Commission, on Saturday. The voting for 89 assembly constituencies in Saurashtra and South Gujarat region, began at 8:00 am and ended in the evening on Saturday. Prominent candidates in the fray include Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani of BJP, who is contesting from Rajkot (West), along with Congress' Shaktisinh Gohil and Paresh Dhanani. The second phase will be held on December 14 for the remaining 93 assembly constituencies. Counting of votes and the results will be announced on December 18.

Congress should not harbour any illusion about Gujarat poll result: BJP

<p>Congress has been rejected comprehensively across the nation and Gujarat too will reject the Congress and will punish them for their politics, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lunavada.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Addressing an election rally in Lunavada on Saturday Modi alleged that the Congress leader &nbsp;Salman Nizami, who was campaigning for Congress in Gujarat, has insulted him by tweeting &#39;&#39;who&#39;s your mother, who is your father.&#39;&#39;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;There is a youth Congress leader Salman Nizami, he is even campaigning for Congress in Gujarat. He wrote on Twitter about Rahul Ji&#39;s father, grandmother. That is ok but he asks - Modi tell me who is your Mother, who is your father? Such language can&#39;t even be used for enemies,&#39;&#39; Modi said.</p>

<p>Salman Nizami, Modi alleged, called for Azad Kashmir. He also called the army rapists, Modi said and added ``How can the people accept such people like Salman Nizami? He also says there will be an Afzal from every home.&#39;&#39;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi also accused the Congress of misleading the country with false promises. &quot;In every part of the nation, the Congress has misled the Muslim community. They have made fake promises of reservations for Muslims but in no state have they fulfilled their promise,&#39;&#39; Modi said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Emphasising his commitment for the country, &nbsp;the prime minister said &#39;&#39;I want to tell all Congress leaders who are abusing me, mocking my poor family, asking who my parents are- this nation is my everything. Every moment of my time is devoted to India and 125 crore Indians.&#39;&#39; &nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Congress leader Rajiv Shukla rejected Modi&#39;s allegations by saying&nbsp;Salman Nizami does not hold any position in the party.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Salman Nizami kaun hai hum jaante hi nahi. He does not hold any position in the party. We can also say that there is some random person Ram Lal in BJP who said something,&#39;&#39; Rajiv Shukla said on PM Modi&#39;s remarks about Salman Nizami.&nbsp;</p>


Addressing an election rally in Lunavada on Saturday Modi alleged that the Congress leader Salman Nizami, who was campaigning for Congress

Congress has been rejected comprehensively across the nation and Gujarat too will reject the Congress and will punish them for their politics, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lunavada. Addressing an election rally in Lunavada on Saturday Modi alleged that the Congress leader Salman Nizami, who was campaigning for Congress in Gujarat, has insulted him by tweeting ''who's your mother, who is your father.'' ''There is a youth Congress leader Salman Nizami, he is even campaigning for Congress in Gujarat. He wrote on Twitter about Rahul Ji's father, grandmother. That is ok but he asks - Modi tell me who is your Mother, who is your father? Such language can't even be used for enemies,'' Modi said. Salman Nizami, Modi alleged, called for Azad Kashmir. He also called the army rapists, Modi said and added ``How can the people accept such people like Salman Nizami? He also says there will be an Afzal from every home.'' Modi also accused the Congress of misleading the country with false promises. "In every part of the nation, the Congress has misled the Muslim community. They have made fake promises of reservations for Muslims but in no state have they fulfilled their promise,'' Modi said. Emphasising his commitment for the country, the prime minister said ''I want to tell all Congress leaders who are abusing me, mocking my poor family, asking who my parents are- this nation is my everything. Every moment of my time is devoted to India and 125 crore Indians.'' However, Congress leader Rajiv Shukla rejected Modi's allegations by saying Salman Nizami does not hold any position in the party. "Salman Nizami kaun hai hum jaante hi nahi. He does not hold any position in the party. We can also say that there is some random person Ram Lal in BJP who said something,'' Rajiv Shukla said on PM Modi's remarks about Salman Nizami.

Congress has been rejected comprehensively across nation: Modi

<p>Several cases of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) malfunctioning reported in the first phase of Gujarat Assembly election which began today morning.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An EVM machine in Surat&#39;s Varaccha was replaced earlier today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Master trainee of the election commission in Surat&#39;s Varaccha said that all the faulty machines have been replaced.&nbsp; &quot;These were electronic items, it could have had issues,&nbsp;&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;&#39;We have replaced two machines and one VVPAT, you cannot really call it a technical error, these are electronic&nbsp;items there can be some issues. Now everything is okay and voting is started,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Faulty EVM in Sardar Patel Vidyalaya booth in Surat&#39;s Varaccha has been replaced <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/X6Tzu7aNCs">pic.twitter.com/X6Tzu7aNCs</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939356762192277504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Have replaced two machines and one VVPAT, you cannot really call it a technical error, these are electronic items there can be some issues. Now everything is okay &amp; voting has started: Vipul Goti, Master Trainer, Election Commission in Surat&#39;s Varaccha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/RVF86aW4Wh">pic.twitter.com/RVF86aW4Wh</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939364978573709312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, Congress leader Ahmed Patel urged the election officials to deal with&nbsp;EVM malfunctioning immediately.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wherever there are complaints of EVM malfunctioning, it should be dealt with immediately: Ahmed Patel, Congress <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/CPkE8hM6cq">pic.twitter.com/CPkE8hM6cq</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939367044058722304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The first phase of Gujarat election is underway. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The voting is being held in 89 seats of Saurashtra and South Gujarat regions with a total of 977 candidates in the fray.</p>

<p>The second phase of election will be held in 93 seats in North and Central Gujarat and is scheduled for December 14.</p>

<p>Counting of votes will begin on December 18.</p>


Amidst the ongoing first phase assembly elections in Gujarat, reports of several faulty Electronic Voting Machines have surfaced

Several cases of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) malfunctioning reported in the first phase of Gujarat Assembly election which began today morning. An EVM machine in Surat's Varaccha was replaced earlier today. Master trainee of the election commission in Surat's Varaccha said that all the faulty machines have been replaced. "These were electronic items, it could have had issues, " he said. "'We have replaced two machines and one VVPAT, you cannot really call it a technical error, these are electronic items there can be some issues. Now everything is okay and voting is started," he added. Faulty EVM in Sardar Patel Vidyalaya booth in Surat's Varaccha has been replaced #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/X6Tzu7aNCs — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017 × Have replaced two machines and one VVPAT, you cannot really call it a technical error, these are electronic items there can be some issues. Now everything is okay & voting has started: Vipul Goti, Master Trainer, Election Commission in Surat's Varaccha #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/RVF86aW4Wh — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017 × Meanwhile, Congress leader Ahmed Patel urged the election officials to deal with EVM malfunctioning immediately. Wherever there are complaints of EVM malfunctioning, it should be dealt with immediately: Ahmed Patel, Congress #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/CPkE8hM6cq — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017 × The first phase of Gujarat election is underway. The voting is being held in 89 seats of Saurashtra and South Gujarat regions with a total of 977 candidates in the fray. The second phase of election will be held in 93 seats in North and Central Gujarat and is scheduled for December 14. Counting of votes will begin on December 18.

Gujarat elections: Faulty EVMs hinder smooth polling

<p>The first phase of voting in 89 assembly constituencies of Gujarat has begun today.</p>

<p>In 2012, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 63 of the 89 constituencies while the Congress got only 22 seats. Others won four seats.</p>

<p>Here is all you need to know about the first phase of elections for 182-member Gujarat Assembly.</p>

<p>Voters Breakup</p>

<p>Total Registered Voters: 2,12,31,652</p>

<p>Men: 1,11,05,933</p>

<p>Women: 1,01,25,472</p>

<p>Apart from it, there are seven constituencies with electors numbering more than 1.5 lakh but less than 2 lakh. Rest 82 constituencies have more than 2 lakh registered voters in each of them.</p>

<p>Largest Constituency</p>

<p>Abdasa Assembly seat in Kachchh district is the largest constituency, which is spread over 6,278 sq km.</p>

<p>Smallest Constituency</p>

<p>Karanj Assembly seat in Surat district is smallest constituency, which is spread over only 4 sq km</p>

<p>Total Candidates</p>

<p>A total of 977 candidates are in the fray, out of which 57 are women candidates.</p>

<p>Constituency with Highest Number of candidates</p>

<p>Jamnagar Rural in Saurashtra region has the highest number of contenders. Here 27 candidates are trying their luck.</p>

<p>Constituency with Lowest Number of candidates</p>

<p>Jhagadia (ST) in Bharuch district and Gandevi (ST) in Navsari district have only 3 contestants in fray.</p>

<p>Districts having maximum and minimum number of constituencies</p>

<p>While Surat district has maximum (16) number of stories, Dangs district has only one constituency.</p>

<p>District wise Constituency Breakup</p>

<p>Kachchh district: Abdasa, Mandvi , Bhuj, Anjar, Gandhidham (SC), and Rapar.</p>

<p>Surendranagar district: Dasada (SC) , Limbdi, Wadhwan, Chotila, and Dhrangadhra.</p>

<p>Morbi district: Morbi, Tankara, and Wankaner.</p>

<p>Rajkot district: Rajkot East, Rajkot West, Rajkot South, Rajkot Rural (SC), Jasdan, Gondal, Jetpur, and Dhoraji.</p>

<p>Jamnagar district: Kalavad (SC), Jamnagar Rural, Jamnagar North, Jamnagar South, and Jamjodhpur.</p>

<p>Devbhumi Dwarka district: Khambhalia, and Dwarka.</p>

<p>Porbandar district: Porbandar and Kutiyana.</p>

<p>Junagadh district: Manavadar, Junagadh, Visavadar, Keshod, and Mangrol.</p>

<p>Gir Somnath district: Somnath, Talala, Kodinar (SC), and Una.</p>

<p>Amreli district: Dhari, Amreli, Lathi, Savarkundla, and Rajula.</p>

<p>Bhavnagar district: Mahuva, Talaja, Gariadhar, Palitana, Bhavnagar Rural, Bhavnagar East, Bhavnagar West.</p>

<p>Botad district: Botad and Gadhada (SC).</p>

<p>Narmada district: Nandod (ST) and Dediapada (ST).</p>

<p>Bharuch district: Jambusar, Vagra, Jhagadia (ST), Bharuch, and Ankleshwar.</p>

<p>Surat district: Olpad, Mangrol (ST), Mandvi (ST), Kamrej, Surat East, Surat North, Varachha Road, Karanj, Limbayat, Udhna, Majura, Katargam, Surat West, Choryasi, Bardoli (SC), Mahuva (ST).</p>

<p>Tapi district: Vyara (ST) and Nizar (ST).</p>

<p>Dangs district: Dangs (ST).</p>

<p>Navsari district: Jalalpore, Navsari, Gandevi (ST), and Bansda (ST).</p>

<p>Valsad district: Dharampur (ST), Valsad, Pardi, Kaprada (ST), and Umbergaon (ST). (ANI)</p>


In 2012, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 63 of the 89 constituencies while the Congress got only 22 seats. Others won four seats

The first phase of voting in 89 assembly constituencies of Gujarat has begun today. In 2012, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 63 of the 89 constituencies while the Congress got only 22 seats. Others won four seats. Here is all you need to know about the first phase of elections for 182-member Gujarat Assembly. Voters Breakup Total Registered Voters: 2,12,31,652 Men: 1,11,05,933 Women: 1,01,25,472 Apart from it, there are seven constituencies with electors numbering more than 1.5 lakh but less than 2 lakh. Rest 82 constituencies have more than 2 lakh registered voters in each of them. Largest Constituency Abdasa Assembly seat in Kachchh district is the largest constituency, which is spread over 6,278 sq km. Smallest Constituency Karanj Assembly seat in Surat district is smallest constituency, which is spread over only 4 sq km Total Candidates A total of 977 candidates are in the fray, out of which 57 are women candidates. Constituency with Highest Number of candidates Jamnagar Rural in Saurashtra region has the highest number of contenders. Here 27 candidates are trying their luck. Constituency with Lowest Number of candidates Jhagadia (ST) in Bharuch district and Gandevi (ST) in Navsari district have only 3 contestants in fray. Districts having maximum and minimum number of constituencies While Surat district has maximum (16) number of stories, Dangs district has only one constituency. District wise Constituency Breakup Kachchh district: Abdasa, Mandvi , Bhuj, Anjar, Gandhidham (SC), and Rapar. Surendranagar district: Dasada (SC) , Limbdi, Wadhwan, Chotila, and Dhrangadhra. Morbi district: Morbi, Tankara, and Wankaner. Rajkot district: Rajkot East, Rajkot West, Rajkot South, Rajkot Rural (SC), Jasdan, Gondal, Jetpur, and Dhoraji. Jamnagar district: Kalavad (SC), Jamnagar Rural, Jamnagar North, Jamnagar South, and Jamjodhpur. Devbhumi Dwarka district: Khambhalia, and Dwarka. Porbandar district: Porbandar and Kutiyana. Junagadh district: Manavadar, Junagadh, Visavadar, Keshod, and Mangrol. Gir Somnath district: Somnath, Talala, Kodinar (SC), and Una. Amreli district: Dhari, Amreli, Lathi, Savarkundla, and Rajula. Bhavnagar district: Mahuva, Talaja, Gariadhar, Palitana, Bhavnagar Rural, Bhavnagar East, Bhavnagar West. Botad district: Botad and Gadhada (SC). Narmada district: Nandod (ST) and Dediapada (ST). Bharuch district: Jambusar, Vagra, Jhagadia (ST), Bharuch, and Ankleshwar. Surat district: Olpad, Mangrol (ST), Mandvi (ST), Kamrej, Surat East, Surat North, Varachha Road, Karanj, Limbayat, Udhna, Majura, Katargam, Surat West, Choryasi, Bardoli (SC), Mahuva (ST). Tapi district: Vyara (ST) and Nizar (ST). Dangs district: Dangs (ST). Navsari district: Jalalpore, Navsari, Gandevi (ST), and Bansda (ST). Valsad district: Dharampur (ST), Valsad, Pardi, Kaprada (ST), and Umbergaon (ST). (ANI)

All you need to know about 1st phase of Gujarat Assembly elections

<p>Hardik Patel&#39;s key aide and senior member of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti Dinesh Bambhania has alleged that the quota agitation spearhead&#39;s support to the Congress party smacks of some kind of &quot;fixing&quot; between them.</p>

<p>Bambhania yesterday said he could not understand why Patel was supporting the Congress party, despite it not clarifying how it would give reservation to the Patidar community if voted to power.</p>

<p>&quot;In the poll manifesto, the Congress has not clarified how it would grant us reservation under OBC quota after coming to power in Gujarat. It shows that Congress actually never wanted to give us reservation. Yet, Hardik Patel is doing rallies in Congress&#39; favour,&quot; he told reporters here.</p>

<p>&quot;Though there is no clarity how we will get reservation under OBC quota, Hardik is mum about it. It seems like fixing to me. Our fight was not about bringing a party to power. At least I do not wish to be an agent of a party. Hardik should not politicise the agitation,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Hardik is playing into the hands of Congress in the name of the Patidar movement, Bambhania said, adding, &quot;Hardik is using the agitation for political purposes and I am totally against it.&quot;</p>

<p>&nbsp;&quot;I urge all the Patidars to use their wisdom when they go for voting tomorrow,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Bambhania&#39;s open rebellion against Patel came a day ahead of the first phase of polling in Saurashtra and south Gujarat.</p>

<p>Commenting on Patel&#39;s purported sex tapes, Bambhania indicated that only one CD can be morphed, not all.</p>

<p>&quot;Hardik is seen as an icon. Patidars are having very high hopes from him. One CD can be morphed, but, when so many CDs came out, it does not suit a man who is the leader of a community. I am deeply pained by the entire episode,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Bambhania claimed he was still with Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and said he was not joining the BJP.</p>

<p>&quot;Neither am I against Hardik, nor I am leaving PAAS. I am also not joining BJP. My only contention is that Hardik has failed to pressure the Congress to accept our demand as agreed earlier between both PAAS and Congress,&quot; he added.</p>


Bambhania yesterday said he could not understand why Patel was supporting the Congress party, despite it not clarifying how it would give reservation to the Patidar community if voted to power

Hardik Patel's key aide and senior member of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti Dinesh Bambhania has alleged that the quota agitation spearhead's support to the Congress party smacks of some kind of "fixing" between them. Bambhania yesterday said he could not understand why Patel was supporting the Congress party, despite it not clarifying how it would give reservation to the Patidar community if voted to power. "In the poll manifesto, the Congress has not clarified how it would grant us reservation under OBC quota after coming to power in Gujarat. It shows that Congress actually never wanted to give us reservation. Yet, Hardik Patel is doing rallies in Congress' favour," he told reporters here. "Though there is no clarity how we will get reservation under OBC quota, Hardik is mum about it. It seems like fixing to me. Our fight was not about bringing a party to power. At least I do not wish to be an agent of a party. Hardik should not politicise the agitation," he added. Hardik is playing into the hands of Congress in the name of the Patidar movement, Bambhania said, adding, "Hardik is using the agitation for political purposes and I am totally against it." "I urge all the Patidars to use their wisdom when they go for voting tomorrow," he said. Bambhania's open rebellion against Patel came a day ahead of the first phase of polling in Saurashtra and south Gujarat. Commenting on Patel's purported sex tapes, Bambhania indicated that only one CD can be morphed, not all. "Hardik is seen as an icon. Patidars are having very high hopes from him. One CD can be morphed, but, when so many CDs came out, it does not suit a man who is the leader of a community. I am deeply pained by the entire episode," he said. Bambhania claimed he was still with Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and said he was not joining the BJP. "Neither am I against Hardik, nor I am leaving PAAS. I am also not joining BJP. My only contention is that Hardik has failed to pressure the Congress to accept our demand as agreed earlier between both PAAS and Congress," he added.

PAAS leader claims 'fixing' between Hardik Patel, Congress

<p>Obstacles in elections always come out of the blue. They are sudden and have the capacity to change the narrative. Indian elections are far more prone to react to lose talk and emotional pitch. Both Kapil Sibal and Mani Shankar Aiyyar&rsquo;s comments proved once again that elections can go off the course if organisations fail to control leaders of their extra-curricular activities.</p>

<p>Many in BJP rejoiced that Congress handed over a &#39;<em>Maut Ka Saudagar</em>&#39; moment to them on a platter till Nana Patole, BJP MP resigned from Lok Sabha calling BJP anti-farmers. It is too early to know about the nature and depth of the damage and whether it is <em>Maut ka Saudagar</em> part 2, it definitely tells us a few things about current politics.</p>

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<h5>Despite analysts making broad observations about highly charged urban Gujarat, rural and economic issues have found resonance in the state.</h5>
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<p>Despite analysts making broad observations about highly charged urban Gujarat, rural and economic issues have found resonance in the state. It, for this reason, BJP clung to mandir and &#39;<em>neech</em>&#39; remarks quickly because it could harness latent Gujarati pride. Lastly, the industry which has worked well pillorying Rahul Gandhi have a cause to worry.</p>

<p>Even social media&rsquo;s response to this issue in Gujarat and rest of India remained very different. Rahul is a dynast and not like Modi who has become Prime Minister out of his own might and will. The only difference is that for the first time instead of being seen as a child of privilege, Rahul is getting sympathy for a simple reason that the people feel that he has received more than his share of brickbats.</p>

<p>BJP should be wary of it. Indira became authoritarian from being strong in a very short period of time. Rajiv Gandhi from being the most honest and fresh politician became a symbol of corruption. The liberal and new age Nehru became weak within a decade and division of power between Sonia and Manmohan led to the theme of PM without authority in 2014 Lok Sabha elections.</p>

<p>Rahul who has portrayed as <em>Pappu</em> and a dynast has the capacity to become an underdog. It should worry the government, whether Gujarat is retained or not. It should worry Modi too though he is quick to change and responded pretty quickly to <em>suit boot ki Sarkar</em> jibe which had pinned him as pro industrialist. It is for this reason land bill is still in cold storage.</p>

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<h5>Politicians like Mani Shankar and Kapil Sibal enjoyed a good amount of autonomy under Sonia which I don&rsquo;t think will continue under Rahul Gandhi.</h5>
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<p>Internally, what we see today is a different Congress. Politicians like Mani Shankar and Kapil Sibal enjoyed a good amount of autonomy under Sonia which I don&rsquo;t think will continue under Rahul Gandhi. Within hours, Mani Shankar Aiyyar was suspended, apology issued and BJP was asked to extend a similar courtesy to Congress when their senior leaders abuse Gandhi&rsquo;s in person.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
BJP on the other hands remain fixated on the power of emotional issues. Its campaign which had been lacklustre only picked up after <em>neech</em>&nbsp;and <em>mandir</em> made it to the public domain. Prime Minister was quick to seize the opportunity and milked the statement to best of his abilities. It remains to be seen whether it can recreate the magic of <em>maut ka saudagar</em>&nbsp;once again.</p>

<p>The controversy shows that BJP wants to ensure that its national campaign remains centred around cultural nationalism and Ayodhya issue. The success of Gujarat will show the way to BJP for 2019 campaign. During 2014, the campaign was around delivering a prosperous India. 2019 may be about strong and united India if the emotional pitch of PM works in Gujarat. Whatever may be the result, the election would be interesting and polarised.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).</em></p>


In 2014 the campaign was around delivering a prosperous India. 2019 may be about strong and united India if the emotional pitch of PM works in Gujarat

Obstacles in elections always come out of the blue. They are sudden and have the capacity to change the narrative. Indian elections are far more prone to react to lose talk and emotional pitch. Both Kapil Sibal and Mani Shankar Aiyyar’s comments proved once again that elections can go off the course if organisations fail to control leaders of their extra-curricular activities. Many in BJP rejoiced that Congress handed over a 'Maut Ka Saudagar' moment to them on a platter till Nana Patole, BJP MP resigned from Lok Sabha calling BJP anti-farmers. It is too early to know about the nature and depth of the damage and whether it is Maut ka Saudagar part 2, it definitely tells us a few things about current politics. Despite analysts making broad observations about highly charged urban Gujarat, rural and economic issues have found resonance in the state. × Despite analysts making broad observations about highly charged urban Gujarat, rural and economic issues have found resonance in the state. It, for this reason, BJP clung to mandir and 'neech' remarks quickly because it could harness latent Gujarati pride. Lastly, the industry which has worked well pillorying Rahul Gandhi have a cause to worry. Even social media’s response to this issue in Gujarat and rest of India remained very different. Rahul is a dynast and not like Modi who has become Prime Minister out of his own might and will. The only difference is that for the first time instead of being seen as a child of privilege, Rahul is getting sympathy for a simple reason that the people feel that he has received more than his share of brickbats. BJP should be wary of it. Indira became authoritarian from being strong in a very short period of time. Rajiv Gandhi from being the most honest and fresh politician became a symbol of corruption. The liberal and new age Nehru became weak within a decade and division of power between Sonia and Manmohan led to the theme of PM without authority in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Rahul who has portrayed as Pappu and a dynast has the capacity to become an underdog. It should worry the government, whether Gujarat is retained or not. It should worry Modi too though he is quick to change and responded pretty quickly to suit boot ki Sarkar jibe which had pinned him as pro industrialist. It is for this reason land bill is still in cold storage. Politicians like Mani Shankar and Kapil Sibal enjoyed a good amount of autonomy under Sonia which I don’t think will continue under Rahul Gandhi. × Internally, what we see today is a different Congress. Politicians like Mani Shankar and Kapil Sibal enjoyed a good amount of autonomy under Sonia which I don’t think will continue under Rahul Gandhi. Within hours, Mani Shankar Aiyyar was suspended, apology issued and BJP was asked to extend a similar courtesy to Congress when their senior leaders abuse Gandhi’s in person. BJP on the other hands remain fixated on the power of emotional issues. Its campaign which had been lacklustre only picked up after neech and mandir made it to the public domain. Prime Minister was quick to seize the opportunity and milked the statement to best of his abilities. It remains to be seen whether it can recreate the magic of maut ka saudagar once again. The controversy shows that BJP wants to ensure that its national campaign remains centred around cultural nationalism and Ayodhya issue. The success of Gujarat will show the way to BJP for 2019 campaign. During 2014, the campaign was around delivering a prosperous India. 2019 may be about strong and united India if the emotional pitch of PM works in Gujarat. Whatever may be the result, the election would be interesting and polarised. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Rahul, the underdog?

<p>Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who is set to handle over the party&#39;s mantle to her son Rahul Gandhi after steering it for 19 years, today turned 71 and party leaders and workers thronged her residence to greet her on her birthday.</p>

<p>Gandhi also met a number of leaders including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and accepted their greetings.</p>

<p>Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and several former chief ministers and officer bearers also greeted Gandhi.</p>

<p>Congressmen gathered outside Sonia Gandhi&#39;s 10 Janpath residence since morning and celebrated her birthday by dancing to the beats of drums. Many carried posters and placards wishing Sonia Gandhi.</p>

<p>Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat tried his hands at the drums as folk dancers performed outside Gandhi&#39;s house.</p>

<p>Former chief ministers Sheila Dikshit, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Union ministers including Anand Sharma, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and RPN Singh, and party general secretaries including Janardan Dwivedi, Ambika Soni and Mohan Prakash were also present.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wished Gandhi with a tweet, saying &quot;Birthday greetings to Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi. I pray for her long life and good health.</p>

<p>Many Congress leaders also wished her with bouquets.</p>

<p>&quot;I extend my warm birthday greetings to Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi ji. Wish her a healthy, happy and long life,? said Ashok Gehlot, party?s general secretary in-charge of Gujarat.</p>

<p>Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also greeted Gandhi, saying, Warm birthday greetings to Congress President Sonia Gandhi ji. On the occasion of your birthday, I wish for your good health and long life.&quot;</p>

<p>Sonia Gandhi was born on December 9, 1946 in Louisiana, Vicenza in Italy.</p>

<p>She has held the post of Congress President since 1998 and has been a Lok Sabha MP since 1999. She is all set to hand over the party&#39;s reins to Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;</p>


Former PM Manmohan Singh came to wish her

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who is set to handle over the party's mantle to her son Rahul Gandhi after steering it for 19 years, today turned 71 and party leaders and workers thronged her residence to greet her on her birthday. Gandhi also met a number of leaders including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and accepted their greetings. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and several former chief ministers and officer bearers also greeted Gandhi. Congressmen gathered outside Sonia Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence since morning and celebrated her birthday by dancing to the beats of drums. Many carried posters and placards wishing Sonia Gandhi. Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat tried his hands at the drums as folk dancers performed outside Gandhi's house. Former chief ministers Sheila Dikshit, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Union ministers including Anand Sharma, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and RPN Singh, and party general secretaries including Janardan Dwivedi, Ambika Soni and Mohan Prakash were also present. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wished Gandhi with a tweet, saying "Birthday greetings to Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi. I pray for her long life and good health. Many Congress leaders also wished her with bouquets. "I extend my warm birthday greetings to Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi ji. Wish her a healthy, happy and long life,? said Ashok Gehlot, party?s general secretary in-charge of Gujarat. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also greeted Gandhi, saying, Warm birthday greetings to Congress President Sonia Gandhi ji. On the occasion of your birthday, I wish for your good health and long life." Sonia Gandhi was born on December 9, 1946 in Louisiana, Vicenza in Italy. She has held the post of Congress President since 1998 and has been a Lok Sabha MP since 1999. She is all set to hand over the party's reins to Rahul Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi turns 71, Congress leaders & workers throng residence

<p>Campaigning for the second phase of Gujarat assembly elections kicked-off with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a rally in Bhabhar, Gujarat earlier today.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister, while addressing a rally in Surat yesterday, attacked Congress leader <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/neech-row-both-congress-and-i-want-mani-shankar-aiyar-to-apologise-says-rahul-gandhi-26147" target="_blank">Mani Shankar Aiyar</a> for calling him a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-neech-jibe-on-pm-modi-congress-suspends-mani-shankar-aiyar-26159" target="_blank">&quot;</a><em><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-neech-jibe-on-pm-modi-congress-suspends-mani-shankar-aiyar-26159">neech</a></em><em><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-neech-jibe-on-pm-modi-congress-suspends-mani-shankar-aiyar-26159"> </a></em><em><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-neech-jibe-on-pm-modi-congress-suspends-mani-shankar-aiyar-26159">admi</a></em>&quot;.</p>

<p>In today&#39;s rally, PM Modi touched upon development issues in the area and attacking Congress&#39; for its inability to prove itself.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Addressed a huge public meeting in Banaskantha district. Under the <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4Gujarat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4Gujarat</a> Governments, North Gujarat has been transformed. This region is making strides in agriculture and solar energy. <a href="https://t.co/ytr0ygaGtQ">pic.twitter.com/ytr0ygaGtQ</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/939050596992106497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;People of Patan and Banaskantha know the difference between Congress and BJP. When there were floods here Congress MLAs were relaxing in Bengaluru whereas BJP leaders were working with people, helping in relief operations,&quot; noted PM Modi.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP leaders were providing flood relief whereas Congress leaders were relaxing in swimming pools in resorts in Bengaluru: PM Modi in Banaskantha&#39;s Bhabhar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/QgyGUbnDCN">pic.twitter.com/QgyGUbnDCN</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939036156162842625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM Modi&#39;s election campaign&nbsp;for the second phase of Gujarat elections started today. Polls will be conducted on Thursday on a total of 93 seats in the second phase.</p>

<p>Voting for the first phase of 89 seats will begin tomorrow. Counting of votes will take place on December 18.</p>

<p>PM Modi is now expected to visit Kallol, Gandhinagar and will address a rally in Himmatnagar. He will also hold a rally in Nikol, Ahmedabad later in the day today.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


PM Modi's election campaign?for the second phase of Gujarat election started today

Campaigning for the second phase of Gujarat assembly elections kicked-off with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a rally in Bhabhar, Gujarat earlier today. The Prime Minister, while addressing a rally in Surat yesterday, attacked Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar for calling him a "neech admi". In today's rally, PM Modi touched upon development issues in the area and attacking Congress' for its inability to prove itself. Addressed a huge public meeting in Banaskantha district. Under the @BJP4Gujarat Governments, North Gujarat has been transformed. This region is making strides in agriculture and solar energy. pic.twitter.com/ytr0ygaGtQ — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2017 × "People of Patan and Banaskantha know the difference between Congress and BJP. When there were floods here Congress MLAs were relaxing in Bengaluru whereas BJP leaders were working with people, helping in relief operations," noted PM Modi. BJP leaders were providing flood relief whereas Congress leaders were relaxing in swimming pools in resorts in Bengaluru: PM Modi in Banaskantha's Bhabhar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/QgyGUbnDCN — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2017 × PM Modi's election campaign for the second phase of Gujarat elections started today. Polls will be conducted on Thursday on a total of 93 seats in the second phase. Voting for the first phase of 89 seats will begin tomorrow. Counting of votes will take place on December 18. PM Modi is now expected to visit Kallol, Gandhinagar and will address a rally in Himmatnagar. He will also hold a rally in Nikol, Ahmedabad later in the day today.

BJP was providing flood relief while Congress leaders relaxed in swimming pools, PM Modi in Gujarat rally

<p>Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh lashed out at Mani Shankar Aiyar for his &quot;neech&quot; comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p>

<p>Amar Singh said that Aiyar has insulted several politicians in the past including&nbsp;former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha and Union Minister Uma Bharti.</p>

<p>&quot;In this country, many people have been troubled by Mani Shankar Aiyar. Aiyar has insulted many influential people like Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. I too have had a sour experience with him,&quot; said Amar Singh.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Iss desh ke anek neta Mani peedit hain, iss mein Uma Bharti ji, late Jayalalithaa ji aur tamaam bade bade naam hain. Mai swayam bhi Mani peedit hoon: Amar Singh on Mani Shankar Aiyar&#39;s remark about PM Modi yesterday <a href="https://t.co/rkDVMvEpmk">pic.twitter.com/rkDVMvEpmk</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938961628044804096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p><br />
Singh also recalled a similar incident between him and Aiyar.</p>

<p>Amar Singh also recalled a tiff between him and Aiyar saying, &quot;Once there was dinner at Satish Gujral&#39;s house, after consuming alcohol he was saying such things that I had a historical argument with him.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Gujral saab (Satish Gujral, brother of former PM IK Gujral) ke niwaas par ek bhoj tha; madhyapaan karke, nashe mein choor madmast aadhe ghante itni kroor baatein wo kar rahe the ki humari aur unki ek etihaisik jhadap hui: Amar Singh on Mani Shankar Aiyar <a href="https://t.co/4Npg8XZg5d">pic.twitter.com/4Npg8XZg5d</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938961820454305793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Later he gave him a befitting reply, &quot;The tiff between me and Aiyar became famous across the country,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>On Thursday Aiyar&#39;s&nbsp;raised a controversy by his choice of words as he referred Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a &quot;neech aadmi.&quot;</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/neech-remark-row-bjp-should-improve-their-language-says-surjewala-26173">&#39;Neech&#39; remark row: BJP should improve their language, says Surjewala</a></p>

<p>Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/neech-row-both-congress-and-i-want-mani-shankar-aiyar-to-apologise-says-rahul-gandhi-26147"> &#39;Neech&#39; row: I can reply to PM in his language, says Mani Shankar Aiyar</a></p>

<p>But later, Aiyar&nbsp;clarified that it was unintentional&nbsp;and happened due to his poor understanding of Hindi Language.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mani Shankar has now been <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-neech-jibe-on-pm-modi-congress-suspends-mani-shankar-aiyar-26159">suspended</a> from the primary membership of the party and also issues a show cause notice by Congress.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


On Thursday Aiyar's?raised a controversy by his choice of words as he referred Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a 'neech aadmi'

Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh lashed out at Mani Shankar Aiyar for his "neech" comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Amar Singh said that Aiyar has insulted several politicians in the past including former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha and Union Minister Uma Bharti. "In this country, many people have been troubled by Mani Shankar Aiyar. Aiyar has insulted many influential people like Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. I too have had a sour experience with him," said Amar Singh. Iss desh ke anek neta Mani peedit hain, iss mein Uma Bharti ji, late Jayalalithaa ji aur tamaam bade bade naam hain. Mai swayam bhi Mani peedit hoon: Amar Singh on Mani Shankar Aiyar's remark about PM Modi yesterday pic.twitter.com/rkDVMvEpmk — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2017 × Singh also recalled a similar incident between him and Aiyar. Amar Singh also recalled a tiff between him and Aiyar saying, "Once there was dinner at Satish Gujral's house, after consuming alcohol he was saying such things that I had a historical argument with him." Gujral saab (Satish Gujral, brother of former PM IK Gujral) ke niwaas par ek bhoj tha; madhyapaan karke, nashe mein choor madmast aadhe ghante itni kroor baatein wo kar rahe the ki humari aur unki ek etihaisik jhadap hui: Amar Singh on Mani Shankar Aiyar pic.twitter.com/4Npg8XZg5d — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2017 × Later he gave him a befitting reply, "The tiff between me and Aiyar became famous across the country," he added. On Thursday Aiyar's raised a controversy by his choice of words as he referred Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "neech aadmi." Also read: 'Neech' remark row: BJP should improve their language, says Surjewala Also read: 'Neech' row: I can reply to PM in his language, says Mani Shankar Aiyar But later, Aiyar clarified that it was unintentional and happened due to his poor understanding of Hindi Language. Mani Shankar has now been suspended from the primary membership of the party and also issues a show cause notice by Congress.

Amar Singh calls Aiyar 'habitual offender'

<p>Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tapan Bhowmik on Friday stirred a controversy saying if the Supreme Court doesn&#39;t pronounce the Ayodhya verdict in favour of the Ram temple, then the apex body will be forced to do so by the Hindus. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Bhowmik, who was addressing a gathering in Madhya Pradesh&#39;s Ratlam, stated that crores of Hindus will make sure that SC favours them.</p>

<p>He added that after the verdict, their people sitting in Lok Sabha will make rules and pass a bill to build a temple at the same spot.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Verdict will go in favour of Hindus&hellip; if it does not, we will ensure it does. Hindus will do so. After this verdict, our people sitting in Lok Sabha will make rules, pass Bill to build a temple at the same spot: Tapan Bhowmik,BJP on Ram Temple in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ayodhya?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ayodhya</a> <a href="https://t.co/KUGxQQUww7">pic.twitter.com/KUGxQQUww7</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938991911704002561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If that does not happen, crores of Hindus will make that happen: Tapan Bhowmik,BJP on Ram Temple in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ayodhya?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ayodhya</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZHnav491Ad">pic.twitter.com/ZHnav491Ad</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938992046466940930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>As per reports, Bhowmik made these statements during an event to mark the release of a book titled &#39;Kar Sewa Aankhon Dekhi&#39;. &nbsp;</p>


Bhowmik said that crores of Hindus will make sure that SC favours them

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tapan Bhowmik on Friday stirred a controversy saying if the Supreme Court doesn't pronounce the Ayodhya verdict in favour of the Ram temple, then the apex body will be forced to do so by the Hindus. Bhowmik, who was addressing a gathering in Madhya Pradesh's Ratlam, stated that crores of Hindus will make sure that SC favours them. He added that after the verdict, their people sitting in Lok Sabha will make rules and pass a bill to build a temple at the same spot. Verdict will go in favour of Hindus… if it does not, we will ensure it does. Hindus will do so. After this verdict, our people sitting in Lok Sabha will make rules, pass Bill to build a temple at the same spot: Tapan Bhowmik,BJP on Ram Temple in #Ayodhya pic.twitter.com/KUGxQQUww7 — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2017 × If that does not happen, crores of Hindus will make that happen: Tapan Bhowmik,BJP on Ram Temple in #Ayodhya pic.twitter.com/ZHnav491Ad — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2017 × As per reports, Bhowmik made these statements during an event to mark the release of a book titled 'Kar Sewa Aankhon Dekhi'.

Will force SC to pronounce Ayodhya's verdict in favour of Ram Temple, says BJP leader

<p>The BJP come under renewed attack on Friday when the opposition took aim at the saffron party for not releasing party&#39;s manifesto ahead of the Assembly polls in Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday tweeted accused&nbsp;the &#39;BJP of disrespecting the&nbsp;people of Gujarat by not releasing the manifesto.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;The BJP has shown unbelievable disrespect towards the people of Gujarat. The campaign is over and STILL no mention of a manifesto for the people, no vision and no ideas presented for Gujarat&rsquo;s future,&#39;&#39; tweeted Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">CD ????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ??,?? ?????? ????????????</p>
&mdash; Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) <a href="https://twitter.com/HardikPatel_/status/938994900795666432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;Meanwhile Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel today tweeted BJP is busy making CDs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;The BJP is busy making CDs and in the process forgot to release the party manifesto,&#39;&#39; Patel tweeted in Hindi.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The BJP has shown unbelievable disrespect towards the people of Gujarat. Campaign is over and STILL no mention of a manifesto for the people, no vision and no ideas presented for Gujarat&rsquo;s future. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BJPDisrespectsGujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BJPDisrespectsGujarat</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/938806342411739137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress party released its manifesto on December 4 and&nbsp;promised&nbsp;quota for Patidars besides farm debt waiver.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The election will be held in two phases on December 9 and 14.</p>


Congress vice-president tweeted yesterday that the BJP has shown unbelievable disrespect towards the people of Gujarat. Campaign is over and still no mention of a manifesto

The BJP come under renewed attack on Friday when the opposition took aim at the saffron party for not releasing party's manifesto ahead of the Assembly polls in Gujarat. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday tweeted accused the 'BJP of disrespecting the people of Gujarat by not releasing the manifesto. ''The BJP has shown unbelievable disrespect towards the people of Gujarat. The campaign is over and STILL no mention of a manifesto for the people, no vision and no ideas presented for Gujarat’s future,'' tweeted Rahul Gandhi. CD ????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ??,?? ?????? ???????????? — Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) December 8, 2017 × Meanwhile Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel today tweeted BJP is busy making CDs. ''The BJP is busy making CDs and in the process forgot to release the party manifesto,'' Patel tweeted in Hindi. The BJP has shown unbelievable disrespect towards the people of Gujarat. Campaign is over and STILL no mention of a manifesto for the people, no vision and no ideas presented for Gujarat’s future. #BJPDisrespectsGujarat — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 7, 2017 × Congress party released its manifesto on December 4 and promised quota for Patidars besides farm debt waiver. The election will be held in two phases on December 9 and 14.

BJP is busy making CDs, forgot to release party's manifesto: Hardik Patel

<p>In a move to avoid any further political distress, the Congress has instructed all its spokesperson to steer clear of making any comments on PM Modi or his public addresses.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress instructs all its spokespersons not to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi or his public addresses.</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939149133788545025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Political leaders took to condemning Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar who recently made headlines for calling PM Modi a &#39;<em>neech</em><em> </em><em>aadmi</em>&#39;.</p>

<p>The veteran Congressman was asked by Congress supremo Rahul Gandhi to apologise to the PM and later suspended from the party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mani Shankar Aiyar later confessed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/neech-row-i-am-ready-to-accept-any-punishment-that-the-congress-wants-to-give-me-says-mani-shankar-aiyar-26240" target="_blank">his willingness to accept any punishment</a> from the Congress if the party faces loss in Gujarat elections owing to the &#39;<em>neech</em>&#39; row.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi alluded to the topic earlier today while addressing a rally in Chotta Udaipur stating that Congress respects the PM and that nobody in the party can use ill language to talk about the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-pak-mani-shankar-aiyar-said-remove-modi-from-the-way-says-pm-modi-in-gujarat-rally-26269" target="_blank">Prime Minister</a> of the country.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Congress party hindustan ke PM ki kursi ka aadar karti hai. Aur congress party mein galat shabd prayog karke koi bhi PM ke baare mein nahi bol sakta. Modi ji humare baare mein kuch bhi keh sakte hain. Isliye humne <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ManiShankarAiyar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManiShankarAiyar</a> par sakht karyawahi ki: Rahul Gandhi <a href="https://t.co/pYHMJB0QRs">pic.twitter.com/pYHMJB0QRs</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939043112025964545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;<em>Modi ji humare baare mein kuch bhi keh sakte hain. Isliye humne Mani Shankar Aiyar par sakht karyawahi ki</em>,&quot; he noted.&nbsp;</p>


Political leaders took to condemning Congress Leader Mani Shankar Aiyar who recently made headlines for calling PM Modi a 'neech aadmi'

In a move to avoid any further political distress, the Congress has instructed all its spokesperson to steer clear of making any comments on PM Modi or his public addresses. Congress instructs all its spokespersons not to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi or his public addresses. — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2017 × Political leaders took to condemning Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar who recently made headlines for calling PM Modi a 'neech aadmi'. The veteran Congressman was asked by Congress supremo Rahul Gandhi to apologise to the PM and later suspended from the party. Mani Shankar Aiyar later confessed his willingness to accept any punishment from the Congress if the party faces loss in Gujarat elections owing to the 'neech' row. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi alluded to the topic earlier today while addressing a rally in Chotta Udaipur stating that Congress respects the PM and that nobody in the party can use ill language to talk about the Prime Minister of the country. Congress party hindustan ke PM ki kursi ka aadar karti hai. Aur congress party mein galat shabd prayog karke koi bhi PM ke baare mein nahi bol sakta. Modi ji humare baare mein kuch bhi keh sakte hain. Isliye humne #ManiShankarAiyar par sakht karyawahi ki: Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/pYHMJB0QRs — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2017 × "Modi ji humare baare mein kuch bhi keh sakte hain. Isliye humne Mani Shankar Aiyar par sakht karyawahi ki," he noted.

Congress instructs spokespersons not to comment on PM Modi: Report

<p>Congress leader Randeep Surjewala on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using objectionable language indiscriminately and asked them to improve their conduct.</p>

<p>The statement comes after BJP leader Amit Shah said Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar&#39;s &#39;low-born&#39; remark against Prime Minister Modi had resonated the culture of the Congress Party.</p>

<p>Claiming that the prime minister had crossed all limits, Surjewala told ANI, &quot;The BJP and Prime Minister Modi have been using intemperate and objectionable language and sometimes downright filthy language for the Congress leadership and the Congress Party. Prime Minister Modi had crossed all limits when he tried to belittle, humiliate and berate.&quot;</p>

<p>Shah had tweeted, &quot;Neither shocked nor surprised by Mani Shankar Aiyar&#39;s referring to PM as &#39;Neech.&#39; This is the culture of the Congress Party. People of Gujarat will punish anti-poor, anti-Dalit, anti-Tribal and anti-OBC Congress.&quot;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Congress Party has suspended Mani Shankar Aiyar from the primary membership of the party, in the wake of his &#39;neech&#39; remark sparking a controversy.</p>

<p>Surjewala, on Thursday, took to Twitter to apprise of the development.</p>

<p>To this end, he told ANI that Congress had a Gandhian culture and heritage, which is why party vice president Rahul Gandhi publically reprimanded and directed Aiyar to apologise to the prime minister for using unacceptable and unparliamentary language.</p>

<p>&quot;We may oppose each other on policies and issues. But the balance of language, the gravitas of politics and the balance of culture, respect for opponent should never be lost,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Asking the BJP and Prime Minister Modi to keep a check on their language, Surjewala added, &quot;We hope Prime Minister Modi will now show the courage or conviction to take an action against his own party members and also looking within to improve his language and conduct.&quot;</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Aiyar had told ANI that it was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who turned Dr Ambedkar&#39;s wish into reality and it was not correct to badmouth the Nehru-Gandhi family.</p>

<p>&quot;This person [PM Modi] is a &#39;neech aadmi&#39; (low-minded). He is not civilised and in a situation like this, there is no need to practice such dirty politics,&quot; Aiyar had said.</p>

<p>He later &#39;apologised&#39; for calling Prime Minister Modi &#39;neech???????&#39;, saying he implied a different meaning for the word and denied calling the prime minister a &#39;Chaiwala&#39;.&nbsp;</p>


The statement comes after BJP leader Amit Shah said Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's 'low-born' remark against Prime Minister Modi had resonated the culture of the Congress Party.

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using objectionable language indiscriminately and asked them to improve their conduct. The statement comes after BJP leader Amit Shah said Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's 'low-born' remark against Prime Minister Modi had resonated the culture of the Congress Party. Claiming that the prime minister had crossed all limits, Surjewala told ANI, "The BJP and Prime Minister Modi have been using intemperate and objectionable language and sometimes downright filthy language for the Congress leadership and the Congress Party. Prime Minister Modi had crossed all limits when he tried to belittle, humiliate and berate." Shah had tweeted, "Neither shocked nor surprised by Mani Shankar Aiyar's referring to PM as 'Neech.' This is the culture of the Congress Party. People of Gujarat will punish anti-poor, anti-Dalit, anti-Tribal and anti-OBC Congress." Meanwhile, the Congress Party has suspended Mani Shankar Aiyar from the primary membership of the party, in the wake of his 'neech' remark sparking a controversy. Surjewala, on Thursday, took to Twitter to apprise of the development. To this end, he told ANI that Congress had a Gandhian culture and heritage, which is why party vice president Rahul Gandhi publically reprimanded and directed Aiyar to apologise to the prime minister for using unacceptable and unparliamentary language. "We may oppose each other on policies and issues. But the balance of language, the gravitas of politics and the balance of culture, respect for opponent should never be lost," he said. Asking the BJP and Prime Minister Modi to keep a check on their language, Surjewala added, "We hope Prime Minister Modi will now show the courage or conviction to take an action against his own party members and also looking within to improve his language and conduct." Earlier in the day, Aiyar had told ANI that it was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who turned Dr Ambedkar's wish into reality and it was not correct to badmouth the Nehru-Gandhi family. "This person [PM Modi] is a 'neech aadmi' (low-minded). He is not civilised and in a situation like this, there is no need to practice such dirty politics," Aiyar had said. He later 'apologised' for calling Prime Minister Modi 'neech???????', saying he implied a different meaning for the word and denied calling the prime minister a 'Chaiwala'.

'Neech' remark row: BJP should improve their language, says Surjewala

<p>It is the time we examined the society we have created before we invoke the rather trite argument of dynastic rule to stridently criticise the Gandhis and the Congress. No doubt, the dynasty is antithetical to democratic politics. Yet, it is also true that dynastic succession is the norm outside the Indian political realm as well. Its sheer pervasiveness explains why people dismiss outright the hypocritical media outcry against dynastic succession to routinely vote paterfamilias to power, in the state as well at the Centre.</p>

<p>Among the media personalities, arguably the most vocal critics of dynastic succession &ndash; and the Gandhis &ndash; are two stalwarts who are guilty of what they rail against. One of them is considered the diadem of Indian journalism &ndash; he became an editor at a young age, launched a classy newspaper, joined the Congress briefly, returned to journalism and now heads a weekly newspaper in which his son is an associate editor. The other acquired from a generous industrialist, now deceased, a newspaper more than a century old. He is a member of parliament and his son is now the newspaper&rsquo;s managing editor, presumably being groomed to take over from his father.</p>

<p>It is true the roles of political parties are remarkably different from those of newspapers. It is also possible the children of these two luminaries are prodigiously talented. It is conceivable their fathers, immune to the irresistible tug of paternal love, saw in them qualities they couldn&rsquo;t in anyone who could step into their posts. Such arguments, though, echo precisely the ones the Congressmen mouth to justify the assigning of party leadership to Rahul Gandhi. He is astonishingly talented, even nonpareil, Congressmen declare earnestly.</p>

<p>In contrast to the Congress, the two illustrious editors run private operations and enjoy an unassailable right to choose who oversees them. Nevertheless, for many in the profession, it could well appear as examples of powerful fathers subverting the idea of meritocracy, given their inevitable role in the appointment of their children.</p>

<p>Might it not have been better for them to have designations which did not vouch for their journalistic excellence and which did not indicate to others that there is &ldquo;space for eminence&rdquo; in the two organisations, &ldquo;but none for pre-eminence&rdquo;? (The words in quotes belong to one of the two who used it to criticise the appointment of Rahul Gandhi as the vice-president of the Congress.) To what extent is the ethos of the two media organisations any different from the Congress whose members claim they are entitled to run their party as they desire? And to think the media isn&rsquo;t just a profit-making enterprise but the watchdog of democracy!</p>

<p>Dynastic succession dominates the realm of religion as well. As you enter through the imposing gates of Delhi&rsquo;s Jama Masjid, from the Chandni Chowk side, you will read written on a board, in a reverential tone, that the descendants of the Bukhari family have been the Imams of the historic mosque for 13 generations, beginning from 1656. Who&rsquo;s to tell them that the idea of the hereditary imam is in gross violation of Islam, which decrees his selection through consultation and consensus?</p>

<p>Similarly, innumerable hallowed temples of India have the tradition of hereditary priests, usually belonging to the Brahmin caste, presiding over them. In 2006, the Tamil Nadu government of M Karunanidhi issued an order abrogating the unwritten principle of hereditary, familial succession to the priesthood, which was also opened to non-Brahmin castes. Obviously, the momentous nature of the order, irrespective of its eventual efficacy, was delightfully ironical, for Karunanidhi, too, acquiesced into the dynastic principle in politics.</p>

<p>Or take the scions of illustrious business families. Irrespective of their abilities, children often inherit companies their fathers or grandfathers established and in which ordinary shareholders are today heavily invested. Think of a businessman, owning a substantial share in an Indian corporation, who voluntarily chose to overlook his or her children at the time of passing the baton. Are we not acquainted with the phenomenon of doctors boasting flourishing clinics paying massive donation fees to ensure their children, unable to qualify for admission to government medical colleges, acquire the mandatory MBBS degree to take over from them?</p>

<p>At least, unlike editor-owners, priests and businessmen, the great political families of India can claim that they have to at least periodically pass the electoral test to acquire power. It is an argument Bollywood too could cite to justify their dynasties. Though children from these families don&rsquo;t have to struggle for a foothold in the Hindi film industry, the longevity of their career depends on their ability to satisfy the audience. Nevertheless, their presence in Bollywood, as is true of all dynasties in every field, concentrates power in a few, skews and stifles competition. This is true of even classical music, whose practitioners can narrate the debilitating impact ordinary children of extraordinary parents have had on the talented.</p>

<p>India&rsquo;s propensity to spawn dynasties testifies to the persistence of our feudal mindset, still intact due to our unconscionable socio-economic inequalities and the inherited ethos of our caste system, consequently ensuring the <em>raja-</em><em>praja</em> type of relationship thrives in different modern avatars. It is through the bridging of these inequalities that we can send dynasties packing, not through hurling blunted barbs at the Gandhis and others even though we are as guilty as they are.</p>

<p>This <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/central_south_asia/pot-calling-the-dynasty-black-ajaz-ashraf/" rel="nofollow" target="blank">article</a> has been originally published in <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/" rel="nofollow" target="blank">Fair Observer</a>.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).</em></p>


India?s propensity to spawn dynasties testifies to the persistence of our feudal mindset, still intact due to our unconscionable socio-economic inequalities and the inherited ethos of our caste system

It is the time we examined the society we have created before we invoke the rather trite argument of dynastic rule to stridently criticise the Gandhis and the Congress. No doubt, the dynasty is antithetical to democratic politics. Yet, it is also true that dynastic succession is the norm outside the Indian political realm as well. Its sheer pervasiveness explains why people dismiss outright the hypocritical media outcry against dynastic succession to routinely vote paterfamilias to power, in the state as well at the Centre. Among the media personalities, arguably the most vocal critics of dynastic succession – and the Gandhis – are two stalwarts who are guilty of what they rail against. One of them is considered the diadem of Indian journalism – he became an editor at a young age, launched a classy newspaper, joined the Congress briefly, returned to journalism and now heads a weekly newspaper in which his son is an associate editor. The other acquired from a generous industrialist, now deceased, a newspaper more than a century old. He is a member of parliament and his son is now the newspaper’s managing editor, presumably being groomed to take over from his father. It is true the roles of political parties are remarkably different from those of newspapers. It is also possible the children of these two luminaries are prodigiously talented. It is conceivable their fathers, immune to the irresistible tug of paternal love, saw in them qualities they couldn’t in anyone who could step into their posts. Such arguments, though, echo precisely the ones the Congressmen mouth to justify the assigning of party leadership to Rahul Gandhi. He is astonishingly talented, even nonpareil, Congressmen declare earnestly. In contrast to the Congress, the two illustrious editors run private operations and enjoy an unassailable right to choose who oversees them. Nevertheless, for many in the profession, it could well appear as examples of powerful fathers subverting the idea of meritocracy, given their inevitable role in the appointment of their children. Might it not have been better for them to have designations which did not vouch for their journalistic excellence and which did not indicate to others that there is “space for eminence” in the two organisations, “but none for pre-eminence”? (The words in quotes belong to one of the two who used it to criticise the appointment of Rahul Gandhi as the vice-president of the Congress.) To what extent is the ethos of the two media organisations any different from the Congress whose members claim they are entitled to run their party as they desire? And to think the media isn’t just a profit-making enterprise but the watchdog of democracy! Dynastic succession dominates the realm of religion as well. As you enter through the imposing gates of Delhi’s Jama Masjid, from the Chandni Chowk side, you will read written on a board, in a reverential tone, that the descendants of the Bukhari family have been the Imams of the historic mosque for 13 generations, beginning from 1656. Who’s to tell them that the idea of the hereditary imam is in gross violation of Islam, which decrees his selection through consultation and consensus? Similarly, innumerable hallowed temples of India have the tradition of hereditary priests, usually belonging to the Brahmin caste, presiding over them. In 2006, the Tamil Nadu government of M Karunanidhi issued an order abrogating the unwritten principle of hereditary, familial succession to the priesthood, which was also opened to non-Brahmin castes. Obviously, the momentous nature of the order, irrespective of its eventual efficacy, was delightfully ironical, for Karunanidhi, too, acquiesced into the dynastic principle in politics. Or take the scions of illustrious business families. Irrespective of their abilities, children often inherit companies their fathers or grandfathers established and in which ordinary shareholders are today heavily invested. Think of a businessman, owning a substantial share in an Indian corporation, who voluntarily chose to overlook his or her children at the time of passing the baton. Are we not acquainted with the phenomenon of doctors boasting flourishing clinics paying massive donation fees to ensure their children, unable to qualify for admission to government medical colleges, acquire the mandatory MBBS degree to take over from them? At least, unlike editor-owners, priests and businessmen, the great political families of India can claim that they have to at least periodically pass the electoral test to acquire power. It is an argument Bollywood too could cite to justify their dynasties. Though children from these families don’t have to struggle for a foothold in the Hindi film industry, the longevity of their career depends on their ability to satisfy the audience. Nevertheless, their presence in Bollywood, as is true of all dynasties in every field, concentrates power in a few, skews and stifles competition. This is true of even classical music, whose practitioners can narrate the debilitating impact ordinary children of extraordinary parents have had on the talented. India’s propensity to spawn dynasties testifies to the persistence of our feudal mindset, still intact due to our unconscionable socio-economic inequalities and the inherited ethos of our caste system, consequently ensuring the raja-praja type of relationship thrives in different modern avatars. It is through the bridging of these inequalities that we can send dynasties packing, not through hurling blunted barbs at the Gandhis and others even though we are as guilty as they are. This article has been originally published in Fair Observer. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Critiquing Rahul Gandhi is like pot calling the dynasty black

<p>The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB)&nbsp;has cleared the air regarding Kapil Sibal&#39;s request to the Supreme Court.</p>

<p>Senior advocate <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ayodhya-case-next-hearing-in-supreme-court-in-february-2018-25932" target="_blank">Kapil Sibal had asked the Supreme Court</a> yesterday to take up the Ayodhya matter on July 15, 2019, once all the pleadings are complete.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His request had drawn a lot of verbal attack&nbsp;from the opposition.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Even the Sunni Waqf Board represented by Haji Mehboob had disapproved Sibal&#39;s request to the Supreme Court for conducting the judgment after July 2019.</p>

<p>He said that Sibal asking for a delay in the judgment was wrong and that they want the court to pronounce the judgment as soon as possible. He said: &quot;Yes Kapil Sibal is our lawyer but he is also related to a political party, his statement in Supreme Court yesterday was wrong, we want a solution to the issue at the earliest.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Clearing the stance of Kapil Sibal, the AIMPLB has said that a stand was taken by the counsels representing Muslim Parties that it was not the right time to take up the matter for final hearing.&nbsp;The Law Board said the stand was taken on the instruction of their respective clients.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">During the course of arguments in SC, a stand was taken by the Counsels representing Muslim Parties, on instruction of their respective Clients, stating that it was not the right time to take up the matter for Final Hearing: All India Muslim Personal Law Board <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ayodhya?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ayodhya</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938390565342859266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">As the representative body, the Board endorses and confirms the said statement of the Counsels made in Court: All India Muslim Personal Law Board General Secretary <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ayodhya?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ayodhya</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938390700227379200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Board clarifies that statements from leaders for constructing Ram Temple &amp; indicating dates/place etc are unfortunate. Condemn it as case is subjudice, expect political statements not to be made by parties,as we&#39;ve heard since yesterday in relation to the court proceedings:AIMPLB</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938391700711473152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Following the clarification, Haji Mehboob, the Ayodhya case petitioner has also assented to the request of Kapil Sibal.</p>

<p>He said &quot;If Jilani saab&nbsp;is saying that what Kapil Sibal said yesterday was right, then I agree&nbsp;with him.&quot;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If Jilani saab (Zafaryab Jilani,convenor of the Babri Masjid Action Committee) is saying that what Kapil Sibal said yesterday was right, then I agree with him. Don&#39;t want to say anything else: Haji Mehboob, Ayodhya case petitioner <a href="https://t.co/mDggyrqVEg">pic.twitter.com/mDggyrqVEg</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938393503570128897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>After Sibal&#39;s&nbsp;request to the Supreme Court, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-is-ayodhya-case-related-to-2019-elections-pm-modi-asks-kapil-sibal-26043" target="_blank">leaders from the opposition</a> including PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Ravishankar Prasad, Sambit Patra and many other attacked Sibal and his party asking the party&#39;s stand on Temple issue.</p>


Earlier, Haji Mehboob representing the Sunni Waqf Board had disapproved Sibal's request to the Supreme Court for conducting the judgment after July 2019

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has cleared the air regarding Kapil Sibal's request to the Supreme Court. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal had asked the Supreme Court yesterday to take up the Ayodhya matter on July 15, 2019, once all the pleadings are complete. His request had drawn a lot of verbal attack from the opposition. Even the Sunni Waqf Board represented by Haji Mehboob had disapproved Sibal's request to the Supreme Court for conducting the judgment after July 2019. He said that Sibal asking for a delay in the judgment was wrong and that they want the court to pronounce the judgment as soon as possible. He said: "Yes Kapil Sibal is our lawyer but he is also related to a political party, his statement in Supreme Court yesterday was wrong, we want a solution to the issue at the earliest." Clearing the stance of Kapil Sibal, the AIMPLB has said that a stand was taken by the counsels representing Muslim Parties that it was not the right time to take up the matter for final hearing. The Law Board said the stand was taken on the instruction of their respective clients. During the course of arguments in SC, a stand was taken by the Counsels representing Muslim Parties, on instruction of their respective Clients, stating that it was not the right time to take up the matter for Final Hearing: All India Muslim Personal Law Board #Ayodhya — ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2017 × As the representative body, the Board endorses and confirms the said statement of the Counsels made in Court: All India Muslim Personal Law Board General Secretary #Ayodhya — ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2017 × Board clarifies that statements from leaders for constructing Ram Temple & indicating dates/place etc are unfortunate. Condemn it as case is subjudice, expect political statements not to be made by parties,as we've heard since yesterday in relation to the court proceedings:AIMPLB — ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2017 × Following the clarification, Haji Mehboob, the Ayodhya case petitioner has also assented to the request of Kapil Sibal. He said "If Jilani saab is saying that what Kapil Sibal said yesterday was right, then I agree with him." If Jilani saab (Zafaryab Jilani,convenor of the Babri Masjid Action Committee) is saying that what Kapil Sibal said yesterday was right, then I agree with him. Don't want to say anything else: Haji Mehboob, Ayodhya case petitioner pic.twitter.com/mDggyrqVEg — ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2017 × After Sibal's request to the Supreme Court, leaders from the opposition including PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Ravishankar Prasad, Sambit Patra and many other attacked Sibal and his party asking the party's stand on Temple issue.

Ayodhya case: Sunni Waqf Board assents to Kapil Sibal's request to Supreme Court

<p>Congress leader Randeep Surejwala has said that Congress stand has always been clear and that the BJP is playing the role of &#39;Manthara&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Surejwala said, &quot; The Congress stand has always been clear, that Ayodhya case will be decided by Supreme Court, same has been said by Law minister many times.&quot;</p>

<p>He said that that the Congress party has nothing to do with who Kapil Sibal represents.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Referring to Arun Jaitley&#39;s representation in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy&nbsp;case, the Congress leader asked: should the entire BJP be blamed for that?</p>

<p>BJP President Amit Shah had asked&nbsp;Congress to clear their stand on temple issue after&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ayodhya-case-next-hearing-in-supreme-court-in-february-2018-25932" target="_blank">Kapil Sibal asked for a delay in Ramjanambhoomi case</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said at a point when Rahul&nbsp;Gandhi is visiting temples in Gujarat, Kapil Sibal is asking for a delay in Ram Janambhoomi case.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Senior advocate Kapil Sibal who is representing the Sunni Waqf Board in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/a-wion-perspective-ayodhyas-temple-of-harmony-7163" target="_blank">Ayodhya Babri Masjid case</a>&nbsp;has asked the Supreme Court&nbsp;to take up the matter on July 15, 2019 once all the pleadings are complete.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>He told the Supreme Court that serious repercussions will be created outside the court, whenever the matter is heard. To preserve the decorum of law and order, the court should conduct the proceedings after all pleadings are complete.&nbsp;</p>


Replying to Amit Shah, Congress leader Randeep Surejwala has said that Congress stand has always been clear and that the BJP is playing the role of Manthara

Congress leader Randeep Surejwala has said that Congress stand has always been clear and that the BJP is playing the role of 'Manthara'. Surejwala said, " The Congress stand has always been clear, that Ayodhya case will be decided by Supreme Court, same has been said by Law minister many times." He said that that the Congress party has nothing to do with who Kapil Sibal represents. Referring to Arun Jaitley's representation in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy case, the Congress leader asked: should the entire BJP be blamed for that? BJP President Amit Shah had asked Congress to clear their stand on temple issue after Kapil Sibal asked for a delay in Ramjanambhoomi case. He said at a point when Rahul Gandhi is visiting temples in Gujarat, Kapil Sibal is asking for a delay in Ram Janambhoomi case. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal who is representing the Sunni Waqf Board in Ayodhya Babri Masjid case has asked the Supreme Court to take up the matter on July 15, 2019 once all the pleadings are complete. He told the Supreme Court that serious repercussions will be created outside the court, whenever the matter is heard. To preserve the decorum of law and order, the court should conduct the proceedings after all pleadings are complete.

BJP playing the role of 'Manthara': Congress leader

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that Congress should stick to the truth and added that people of Gujarat &#39;&#39;do not like poll time lollipops and false promises of the Congress&#39;&#39;.</p>

<p>Campaigning in Bhavnagar for the upcoming Gujarat elections, Modi said &#39;&#39;I am seeing videos of Congress supporters saying, vote for Congress on 9th and 14th and then we will do &#39;Dadagiri&#39; for 5 years. This is not the Gujarat that the people desire.&#39;&#39;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I appeal to the Congress to stick to the truth. The people of Gujarat do not like poll time lollipops and false promises of the Congress: PM Modi in Bhavnagar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/CcT8neCelA">pic.twitter.com/CcT8neCelA</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937619412281991168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Modi also criticised lawyer and Congress leader Kapil Sibal on the occasion. Congress has a very able lawyer in Kapil Sibal, he said and added &#39;&#39;he is always handling all the indefensible and wrong matters. In 2007 he came to Viramgam and said after the results are out Modi will be in Jail. He was very powerful in that government,&#39;&#39; Modi said.</p>

<p>Taking a dig at Congress for the drubbing it suffered at the Uttar Pradesh Assembly hustings, Modi said the people of UP knew the Congress and their leadership well and they rejected Congress repeatedly.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress has a very able lawyer in Kapil Sibal. He is always handling all the indefensible and wrong matters. In 2007 he came to Viramgam and said after the results are out Modi will be in Jail. He was very powerful in that government: PM Modi in Bhavnagar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/7A4hi0L5Uz">pic.twitter.com/7A4hi0L5Uz</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937618384081973249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&#39;&#39;The people of UP know the Congress and their leadership well. And see how they have rejected Congress repeatedly,&#39;&#39; he said.</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;I fail to understand why is Congress once again doing what it always did in the past- divide people - be it on caste lines, communal lines, between villages and cities. Congress has learnt &#39;divide and rule&#39; from our colonial rulers rather well,&#39;&#39; Modi said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The people of UP know the Congress and their leadership well. And see how they have rejected Congress repeatedly: PM in Bhavnagar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/gg3simshBJ">pic.twitter.com/gg3simshBJ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937615759500443656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Gujarat has grown due to the power of Shanti, Ekta and Sadbhavana, Modi said.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Gujarat has grown due to the power of Shanti, Ekta and Sadbhavana, Modi said

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that Congress should stick to the truth and added that people of Gujarat ''do not like poll time lollipops and false promises of the Congress''. Campaigning in Bhavnagar for the upcoming Gujarat elections, Modi said ''I am seeing videos of Congress supporters saying, vote for Congress on 9th and 14th and then we will do 'Dadagiri' for 5 years. This is not the Gujarat that the people desire.'' I appeal to the Congress to stick to the truth. The people of Gujarat do not like poll time lollipops and false promises of the Congress: PM Modi in Bhavnagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/CcT8neCelA — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × Modi also criticised lawyer and Congress leader Kapil Sibal on the occasion. Congress has a very able lawyer in Kapil Sibal, he said and added ''he is always handling all the indefensible and wrong matters. In 2007 he came to Viramgam and said after the results are out Modi will be in Jail. He was very powerful in that government,'' Modi said. Taking a dig at Congress for the drubbing it suffered at the Uttar Pradesh Assembly hustings, Modi said the people of UP knew the Congress and their leadership well and they rejected Congress repeatedly. Congress has a very able lawyer in Kapil Sibal. He is always handling all the indefensible and wrong matters. In 2007 he came to Viramgam and said after the results are out Modi will be in Jail. He was very powerful in that government: PM Modi in Bhavnagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/7A4hi0L5Uz — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × ''The people of UP know the Congress and their leadership well. And see how they have rejected Congress repeatedly,'' he said. ''I fail to understand why is Congress once again doing what it always did in the past- divide people - be it on caste lines, communal lines, between villages and cities. Congress has learnt 'divide and rule' from our colonial rulers rather well,'' Modi said. The people of UP know the Congress and their leadership well. And see how they have rejected Congress repeatedly: PM in Bhavnagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/gg3simshBJ — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × Gujarat has grown due to the power of Shanti, Ekta and Sadbhavana, Modi said.

People of Gujarat do not like poll time lollipops and false promises: Modi in Bhavnagar

<p>The Congress on Monday released its manifesto for the Gujarat Assembly polls. The election will be held in two phases on December 9 and 14.</p>

<p>Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot and Bharatsinh Solanki released the party&#39;s manifesto in Ahmedabad.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress party releases its election manifesto ahead of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a>, in Ahmedabad <a href="https://t.co/0Kxj8XIqbH">pic.twitter.com/0Kxj8XIqbH</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937642450767638528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Key highlights of the manifesto:</p>

<p>A special Bill to be brought in the Assembly to provide quotas to those who are not presently entitled to any quota. The quota given to OBC, ST and SC will not be touched. Patidars to get quota under a special category.</p>

<p>Petrol and diesel pieces to be slashed by Rs 10 per litre in Gujarat</p>

<p>Farm debt to be waived off. Farmers to get 16 hours electricity. All farmers to be given electricity connection.</p>

<p>Every unemployed youth to get Rs 4000 per month as unemployment allowance till he/she gets the job</p>

<p>Fixed pay system, contractual system in government and semi-government jobs to be abolished</p>

<p>Every woman who has no house will be provided subsidised homes</p>

<p>Special Investigation Teams (SIT) to be set up to probe BJP government&rsquo;s corruption</p>

<p>Media club will be set up and mediapersons to be provided subsidised houses. A corpus to be created to help journalists and their family members in case of critical illness</p>


Petrol and diesel pieces to be slashed by Rs 10 per litre in Gujarat

The Congress on Monday released its manifesto for the Gujarat Assembly polls. The election will be held in two phases on December 9 and 14. Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot and Bharatsinh Solanki released the party's manifesto in Ahmedabad. Congress party releases its election manifesto ahead of #GujaratElection2017, in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/0Kxj8XIqbH — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × Key highlights of the manifesto: A special Bill to be brought in the Assembly to provide quotas to those who are not presently entitled to any quota. The quota given to OBC, ST and SC will not be touched. Patidars to get quota under a special category. Petrol and diesel pieces to be slashed by Rs 10 per litre in Gujarat Farm debt to be waived off. Farmers to get 16 hours electricity. All farmers to be given electricity connection. Every unemployed youth to get Rs 4000 per month as unemployment allowance till he/she gets the job Fixed pay system, contractual system in government and semi-government jobs to be abolished Every woman who has no house will be provided subsidised homes Special Investigation Teams (SIT) to be set up to probe BJP government’s corruption Media club will be set up and mediapersons to be provided subsidised houses. A corpus to be created to help journalists and their family members in case of critical illness

Congress'Gujarat manifesto promises quota for Patidars

<p>BJP President Amit Shah told Rahul Gandhi on Sunday to &quot;please&nbsp;respect the honour and valour of our jawans guarding the borders&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shah, who was campaigning in Mahuva, Gujarat, said the Congress vice-president had asked for proof after the surgical strike carried out by the army in Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;He (Rahul Gandhi) was asking, who saw the surgical strikes taking place?&quot; said Shah.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Rahul bhai, please respect the honour and valour of our jawans guarding the borders,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">When Uri terror attack took place, anger was brewing in the entire nation.<br />
Everyone thought PM would give a statement&amp; things will get over but this time it wasn&#39;t the government of Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh rather it was a govt chosen by you: Amit Shah in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>&#39;s Mahuva <a href="https://t.co/6uco6zh7hb">pic.twitter.com/6uco6zh7hb</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937245797397098496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Within ten days Indian Army went to Pakistan, took revenge &amp; came back.Pak was left red faced&amp; Rahul Gandhi was demanding proof. He was asking, who saw the surgical strikes taking place? Rahul Bhai, please respect the honour and valour of our jawans guarding the borders:Amit Shah <a href="https://t.co/bsIe0EqWAg">pic.twitter.com/bsIe0EqWAg</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937246142026301440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>This was not the first attack on Gandhi on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had reacted to Rahul&#39;s &quot;development has gone mad&quot; comment by saying&nbsp;&quot;unke dimaag par taras aata hai&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;Development can slow down, it can speed up, it can stop, but does it ever go mad?&quot; Singh had said. Adding,&nbsp;&quot;And what do you call someone who says that?&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unke-dimaag-par-taras-aata-hai-rajnath-singh-on-rahul-gandhis-development-has-gone-mad-remark-25734" target="_blank">&#39;Unke </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unke-dimaag-par-taras-aata-hai-rajnath-singh-on-rahul-gandhis-development-has-gone-mad-remark-25734" target="_blank">dimaag</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unke-dimaag-par-taras-aata-hai-rajnath-singh-on-rahul-gandhis-development-has-gone-mad-remark-25734" target="_blank"> par </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unke-dimaag-par-taras-aata-hai-rajnath-singh-on-rahul-gandhis-development-has-gone-mad-remark-25734" target="_blank">taras</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unke-dimaag-par-taras-aata-hai-rajnath-singh-on-rahul-gandhis-development-has-gone-mad-remark-25734" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unke-dimaag-par-taras-aata-hai-rajnath-singh-on-rahul-gandhis-development-has-gone-mad-remark-25734" target="_blank">aata</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unke-dimaag-par-taras-aata-hai-rajnath-singh-on-rahul-gandhis-development-has-gone-mad-remark-25734" target="_blank"> hai&#39;: Rajnath Singh on Rahul Gandhi&#39;s &#39;development has gone mad&#39; remark</a></p>

<p>Gandhi had himself on Sunday accused the BJP government of not providing the women of poll-bound Gujarat with security, education, or nutrition.</p>

<p>Gujarat goes to the polls on December 9 and 14.&nbsp;</p>


Shah said Rahul Gandhi had asked for proof of the 'surgical strike'

BJP President Amit Shah told Rahul Gandhi on Sunday to "please respect the honour and valour of our jawans guarding the borders". Shah, who was campaigning in Mahuva, Gujarat, said the Congress vice-president had asked for proof after the surgical strike carried out by the army in Pakistan. "He (Rahul Gandhi) was asking, who saw the surgical strikes taking place?" said Shah. "Rahul bhai, please respect the honour and valour of our jawans guarding the borders," he added. When Uri terror attack took place, anger was brewing in the entire nation. Everyone thought PM would give a statement& things will get over but this time it wasn't the government of Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh rather it was a govt chosen by you: Amit Shah in #Gujarat's Mahuva pic.twitter.com/6uco6zh7hb — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Within ten days Indian Army went to Pakistan, took revenge & came back.Pak was left red faced& Rahul Gandhi was demanding proof. He was asking, who saw the surgical strikes taking place? Rahul Bhai, please respect the honour and valour of our jawans guarding the borders:Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/bsIe0EqWAg — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × This was not the first attack on Gandhi on Sunday. Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had reacted to Rahul's "development has gone mad" comment by saying "unke dimaag par taras aata hai". "Development can slow down, it can speed up, it can stop, but does it ever go mad?" Singh had said. Adding, "And what do you call someone who says that?" 'Unke dimaag par taras aata hai': Rajnath Singh on Rahul Gandhi's 'development has gone mad' remark Gandhi had himself on Sunday accused the BJP government of not providing the women of poll-bound Gujarat with security, education, or nutrition. Gujarat goes to the polls on December 9 and 14.

Rahul bhai, please respect honour & valour of jawans guarding borders: Amit Shah

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