<p>Senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram on Sunday said that Gujarat, in reality, has worsened since BJP came to power 22 years ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Taking a jibe at much-touted Gujarat model, Chidambaram said that state&#39;s developmental model, which is being further examined and dissected, in a sense&nbsp;disappointed many as&nbsp;Modi failed to deliver on his &#39;extravagant promises&#39; as he failed to deliver on his grandstanding with his extravagant promises ahead of Lok Sabha polls in 2014: &ldquo;I will create 2 crore jobs every year&rdquo;, &ldquo;I will bring back black money stashed abroad and put Rs 15 lakh in the bank account of every Indian&rdquo; and so on.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">1. Mr Narendra Modi, the candidate, claimed to bring development to the centre of the political debate in 2014 with his brilliant slogan &#39;achhe din aane wale hain&#39;.</p>
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/932094160940580864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">2. He also took to grandstanding with his extravagant promises: &ldquo;I will create 2 crore jobs every year&rdquo;, &ldquo;I will bring back black money stashed abroad and put Rs 15 lakh in the bank account of every Indian&rdquo; and so on.</p>
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/932094235695710208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">4. A similar sense of disappointment prevails in Gujarat which goes to election in December. The much-touted &lsquo;Gujarat Model&rsquo; is being dissected and examined.</p>
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/932094329153249280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The Congress leader went on to compare Gujarat&#39;s development figures with other states&nbsp;such as&nbsp;Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra, and stated state continues to lag behind even after all the &#39;boasting&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He acknowledged that the state has made some&nbsp;industrial progress. However, it still has a long way to go in critical areas of human development.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">4. A similar sense of disappointment prevails in Gujarat which goes to election in December. The much-touted &lsquo;Gujarat Model&rsquo; is being dissected and examined.</p>
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/932094329153249280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Gujarat performed above the national growth average even before 1995, he added.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">5. Even before 1995, Gujarat&rsquo;s growth rate was higher than the national average and Gujarat has maintained that edge. Amul, the ports, the vibrant textile industry and the chemical and petrochemical industry pre-date 1995.</p>
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/932094416247910400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Voicing his concern on how various sections of people have been neglected on the guise of much-touted developmental agenda of Modi, he said that the upcoming election will be of many hues like economic/social reality vs headline-grabbing announcements and poor human development Indicators vs billion dollar investment proposals.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">9. As a result of a distorted concept of development or vikas, many sections of the people have been left behind.</p>
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/932094684712771584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">10. The election in Gujarat promises to be a contest of many hues: Economic/Social Reality vs Headline Grabbing Announcements and Poor Human Development Indicators vs Billion Dollar Investment Proposals.</p>
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/932094915751714816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Earlier, former PM Manmohan Singh also addressed the distress among the youth of different sections of the society &quot;The winds of change are blowing in Gujarat. The agitations are an indication of the deep dissatisfaction with the performance of successive BJP governments in Gujarat. The Congress will ensure the voice of every Gujarati, regardless of caste, creed, gender or class, is&nbsp;heard.&quot; he said.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The leader said that the state has actually regressed since BJP came to power in the state, 22 years ago.

Senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram on Sunday said that Gujarat, in reality, has worsened since BJP came to power 22 years ago. Taking a jibe at much-touted Gujarat model, Chidambaram said that state's developmental model, which is being further examined and dissected, in a sense disappointed many as Modi failed to deliver on his 'extravagant promises' as he failed to deliver on his grandstanding with his extravagant promises ahead of Lok Sabha polls in 2014: “I will create 2 crore jobs every year”, “I will bring back black money stashed abroad and put Rs 15 lakh in the bank account of every Indian” and so on. 1. Mr Narendra Modi, the candidate, claimed to bring development to the centre of the political debate in 2014 with his brilliant slogan 'achhe din aane wale hain'. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 19, 2017 × 2. He also took to grandstanding with his extravagant promises: “I will create 2 crore jobs every year”, “I will bring back black money stashed abroad and put Rs 15 lakh in the bank account of every Indian” and so on. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 19, 2017 × 4. A similar sense of disappointment prevails in Gujarat which goes to election in December. The much-touted ‘Gujarat Model’ is being dissected and examined. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 19, 2017 × The Congress leader went on to compare Gujarat's development figures with other states such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra, and stated state continues to lag behind even after all the 'boasting'. He acknowledged that the state has made some industrial progress. However, it still has a long way to go in critical areas of human development. 4. A similar sense of disappointment prevails in Gujarat which goes to election in December. The much-touted ‘Gujarat Model’ is being dissected and examined. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 19, 2017 × Gujarat performed above the national growth average even before 1995, he added. 5. Even before 1995, Gujarat’s growth rate was higher than the national average and Gujarat has maintained that edge. Amul, the ports, the vibrant textile industry and the chemical and petrochemical industry pre-date 1995. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 19, 2017 × Voicing his concern on how various sections of people have been neglected on the guise of much-touted developmental agenda of Modi, he said that the upcoming election will be of many hues like economic/social reality vs headline-grabbing announcements and poor human development Indicators vs billion dollar investment proposals. 9. As a result of a distorted concept of development or vikas, many sections of the people have been left behind. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 19, 2017 × 10. The election in Gujarat promises to be a contest of many hues: Economic/Social Reality vs Headline Grabbing Announcements and Poor Human Development Indicators vs Billion Dollar Investment Proposals. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 19, 2017 × Earlier, former PM Manmohan Singh also addressed the distress among the youth of different sections of the society "The winds of change are blowing in Gujarat. The agitations are an indication of the deep dissatisfaction with the performance of successive BJP governments in Gujarat. The Congress will ensure the voice of every Gujarati, regardless of caste, creed, gender or class, is heard." he said.

Chidambaram takes potshots at much-touted 'Gujarat model' ahead of poll

<p>As India&#39;s first and only female Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi&nbsp;fought for her vision against &#39;vested interests&#39;, said Congress president Sonia Gandhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Inauguration of a photo exhibition on Indira Gandhi on the occasion of her 100th birth anniversary, the Congress president said,&nbsp;&quot;Indira Ji was the iron lady of India.&quot;.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Indira ji was the iron lady of India.She fought for her vision against vested interests: Sonia Gandhi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiraGandhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiraGandhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/JJdQM041OH">pic.twitter.com/JJdQM041OH</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932121467478614016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;&#39;&#39;Indira Gandhi fought for secularism, against those who wanted to divide society on religion and caste,&#39;&#39; she added.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">She fought for secularism and against those who wanted to divide society on religion and caste lines: Sonia Gandhi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiraGandhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiraGandhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ik9GW1ah2b">pic.twitter.com/Ik9GW1ah2b</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932134665850273792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Speaking on the occasion, former president Pranab Mukherjee said that Indira can never be erased from the pages of history.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">She can never be erased from the pages of history: Former President Pranab Mukherjee on Indira Gandhi&#39;s birth anniversary <a href="https://t.co/9AWyaAUXtB">pic.twitter.com/9AWyaAUXtB</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932128367591034880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Over 200 archived images from&nbsp;Indira Gandhi&#39;s life will be available for public viewing at the&nbsp;Indira Gandhi&nbsp;Memorial Trust from November 21.&nbsp;Titled &#39;Indira: A Life of Courage&#39;, the exclusive photographic exhibition was inaugurated to commemorate the birth centenary of former the former prime minister.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi: Congress VP Rahul Gandhi greets senior party leaders Sheila Dikshit and Dr. Karan Singh at inauguration of a photo exhibition on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiraGandhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiraGandhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/0M6YAdr7sd">pic.twitter.com/0M6YAdr7sd</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932126656407334914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Earlier in the day, several leaders including Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi,&nbsp;former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/100-years-of-indira-gandhi-24551" target="_blank">paid their respects to Indira Gandhi</a>.</p>


Former president Pranab Mukherjee also spoke on the birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi.He said that Indira can never be erased from the pages of history

As India's first and only female Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi fought for her vision against 'vested interests', said Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Inauguration of a photo exhibition on Indira Gandhi on the occasion of her 100th birth anniversary, the Congress president said, "Indira Ji was the iron lady of India.". Indira ji was the iron lady of India.She fought for her vision against vested interests: Sonia Gandhi #IndiraGandhi pic.twitter.com/JJdQM041OH — ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2017 × ''Indira Gandhi fought for secularism, against those who wanted to divide society on religion and caste,'' she added. She fought for secularism and against those who wanted to divide society on religion and caste lines: Sonia Gandhi #IndiraGandhi pic.twitter.com/Ik9GW1ah2b — ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2017 × Speaking on the occasion, former president Pranab Mukherjee said that Indira can never be erased from the pages of history. She can never be erased from the pages of history: Former President Pranab Mukherjee on Indira Gandhi's birth anniversary pic.twitter.com/9AWyaAUXtB — ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2017 × Over 200 archived images from Indira Gandhi's life will be available for public viewing at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust from November 21. Titled 'Indira: A Life of Courage', the exclusive photographic exhibition was inaugurated to commemorate the birth centenary of former the former prime minister. Delhi: Congress VP Rahul Gandhi greets senior party leaders Sheila Dikshit and Dr. Karan Singh at inauguration of a photo exhibition on #IndiraGandhi pic.twitter.com/0M6YAdr7sd — ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2017 × Earlier in the day, several leaders including Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid their respects to Indira Gandhi.

Indira Gandhi fought for secularism: Sonia Gandhi

<p>Days before polling-day in the Gujarat assembly elections, differences have cropped up between Congress and Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) over seat sharing as Congress is not ready to yield to the demands of Hardik Patel to part with nine seats.</p>

<p>The Congress is ready to give only 4 tickets to the Patel led outfit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to media reports, the representatives from the two parties met on Friday to discuss ticket sharing and quota issue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>By late Friday, PAAS leaders gave a 24-hour ultimatum to Congress for a final decision.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PAAS is demanding tickets in Patidar dominated areas in Ahmedabad, north Gujarat and Saurashtra.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress had earlier assured adequate political representation to the Patidars. However, it changed its mind after the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-elections-sex-cd-goes-viral-allegation-is-it-features-hardik-patel-24122" target="_blank"> alleged sex CD</a> surfaced.</p>

<p>The Congress united with the Patidars to garner support from the state&#39;s Patidar community.</p>

<p>It had earlier<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-invites-hardik-patel-to-contest-gujarat-elections-22699" target="_blank"> invited Hardik Patel to contest elections</a> in state&#39;s assembly elections.&nbsp;To which Hardik replied that it was not a BJP-Congress election. However, he added, &quot; we must unite against BJP&quot;.</p>

<p>The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/want-clarity-on-patidar-reservation-issue-by-nov-7-hardik-patel-23167" target="_blank">Patidar leader joined Congress on a condition</a> that the party would adhere to their <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-elections-cong-gives-3-quota-options-to-patidars-who-say-theyll-get-back-to-them-23775" target="_blank">demands of allowing reservation </a>in education and government jobs to his community.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Conflicts arose after Congress refused to accede to the demands Hardik Patel led Samiti's proposal of 9 tickets.?The Congress is ready to give only 4 tickets to the Patel led outfit

Days before polling-day in the Gujarat assembly elections, differences have cropped up between Congress and Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) over seat sharing as Congress is not ready to yield to the demands of Hardik Patel to part with nine seats. The Congress is ready to give only 4 tickets to the Patel led outfit. According to media reports, the representatives from the two parties met on Friday to discuss ticket sharing and quota issue. By late Friday, PAAS leaders gave a 24-hour ultimatum to Congress for a final decision. PAAS is demanding tickets in Patidar dominated areas in Ahmedabad, north Gujarat and Saurashtra. The Congress had earlier assured adequate political representation to the Patidars. However, it changed its mind after the alleged sex CD surfaced. The Congress united with the Patidars to garner support from the state's Patidar community. It had earlier invited Hardik Patel to contest elections in state's assembly elections. To which Hardik replied that it was not a BJP-Congress election. However, he added, " we must unite against BJP". The Patidar leader joined Congress on a condition that the party would adhere to their demands of allowing reservation in education and government jobs to his community.

Hardik Patel sulks over seat sharing ahead of Gujarat poll

<p>Several leaders including Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi,&nbsp;former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to India&#39;s first and only female Prime Minister&nbsp;Indira Gandhi on her 100th birth anniversary on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tributes to former PM Mrs. Indira Gandhi on her birth anniversary.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/932059203132411905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Indira Gandhi, who was born on&nbsp;November 19, 1917, was assassinated by her own bodyguard&nbsp;in October 1984.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I remember you Dadi with so much love and happiness. You are my mentor and guide. You give me strength. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indira100?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Indira100</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/932101627510534145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Known as the &#39;Iron Lady&#39;, Gandhi was&nbsp;India&rsquo;s most powerful prime minister.</p>

<p>Over 200 archived images from&nbsp;Indira Gandhi&#39;s life will be available for public viewing at the&nbsp;Indira Gandhi&nbsp;Memorial Trust from November 21.&nbsp;Titled &#39;Indira: A Life of Courage&#39;, the exclusive photographic exhibition will be inaugurated on November 19 to commemorate the birth centenary of former the former prime minister.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi: Former PM Manmohan Singh and Congress VP Rahul Gandhi pay tribute to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiraGandhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiraGandhi</a> on her birth anniversary <a href="https://t.co/Gncpb2CJoa">pic.twitter.com/Gncpb2CJoa</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932084170951606272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">&quot;I don&#39;t mind if my life goes in the service of the nation - If I die..every drop of my blood will invigorate the nation&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indira100?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Indira100</a> <a href="https://t.co/hYqEI22aUU">pic.twitter.com/hYqEI22aUU</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@0ffice0ffRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/0ffice0ffRG/status/932085858454212608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Indira Gandhi, who was born on?November 19, 1917, was assassinated by her own bodyguard?in October 1984

Several leaders including Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to India's first and only female Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 100th birth anniversary on Sunday. Tributes to former PM Mrs. Indira Gandhi on her birth anniversary. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 19, 2017 × Indira Gandhi, who was born on November 19, 1917, was assassinated by her own bodyguard in October 1984. I remember you Dadi with so much love and happiness. You are my mentor and guide. You give me strength. #Indira100 — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 19, 2017 × Known as the 'Iron Lady', Gandhi was India’s most powerful prime minister. Over 200 archived images from Indira Gandhi's life will be available for public viewing at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust from November 21. Titled 'Indira: A Life of Courage', the exclusive photographic exhibition will be inaugurated on November 19 to commemorate the birth centenary of former the former prime minister. Delhi: Former PM Manmohan Singh and Congress VP Rahul Gandhi pay tribute to #IndiraGandhi on her birth anniversary pic.twitter.com/Gncpb2CJoa — ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2017 × "I don't mind if my life goes in the service of the nation - If I die..every drop of my blood will invigorate the nation" #Indira100 pic.twitter.com/hYqEI22aUU — Office of RG (@0ffice0ffRG) November 19, 2017 ×

Indira Gandhi remembered on her 100th birth anniversary

<p>The BJP today released its first list of 70 candidates for the Gujarat elections, including five Congress rebels and 49 sitting MLAs.</p>

<p>The state&#39;s ruling party has fielded 16 fresh faces in its first list for elections to the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, to be held in two phases on December 9 and 14.</p>

<p>The five Congress rebels who have been given tickets are Raghavji Patel, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Ramsinh Parmar, Mansinh Chauhan and C K Raolji. They had supported the BJP during the presidential election and during Congress leader Ahmed Patel&#39;s Rajya Sabha election.</p>

<p>The party has named Chief Minister Vijaybhai Rupani as its candidate from Rajkot West.</p>

<p>Deputy Chief Minister Nitinbhai Patel will contest from Mahesana and state party president Jitubhai Vaghani from Bhavnagar West.</p>

<p>Of the 70, 17 are Patels, 18 OBCs, three SCs and 11 STs, party sources said.</p>

<p>A majority of OBC candidates are Thakores followed by Kolis, the sources added.</p>

<p>The names were finalized by BJP&#39;s Central Election Committee, which met on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The meeting, chaired by BJP president Amit Shah, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj among others, party leaders said.&nbsp;</p>


The party has named Chief Minister Vijaybhai Rupani as its candidate from Rajkot West

The BJP today released its first list of 70 candidates for the Gujarat elections, including five Congress rebels and 49 sitting MLAs. The state's ruling party has fielded 16 fresh faces in its first list for elections to the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, to be held in two phases on December 9 and 14. The five Congress rebels who have been given tickets are Raghavji Patel, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Ramsinh Parmar, Mansinh Chauhan and C K Raolji. They had supported the BJP during the presidential election and during Congress leader Ahmed Patel's Rajya Sabha election. The party has named Chief Minister Vijaybhai Rupani as its candidate from Rajkot West. Deputy Chief Minister Nitinbhai Patel will contest from Mahesana and state party president Jitubhai Vaghani from Bhavnagar West. Of the 70, 17 are Patels, 18 OBCs, three SCs and 11 STs, party sources said. A majority of OBC candidates are Thakores followed by Kolis, the sources added. The names were finalized by BJP's Central Election Committee, which met on Wednesday. The meeting, chaired by BJP president Amit Shah, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj among others, party leaders said.

Gujarat elections: BJP releases first list of 70 candidates

<p>Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Friday that the allegations against the Rafale deal were &quot;shameful&quot; and a &quot;disservice&quot; to the country&#39;s armed forces.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sitharaman&#39;s remarks came a day after Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of changing the &quot;entire deal&quot; for the benefit of one businessman. &nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Can you explain &quot;Reliance&quot; on someone with nil experience in aerospace for Rafale deal?</p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/930995047436185600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Self &quot;Reliance&quot; is obviously a critical aspect of &quot;Make in India.&quot;</p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/930995317801082882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>India is buying 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress has alleged the deal is overpriced, and that there is a scam brewing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And that the deal was changed to benefit Anil Ambani&#39;s Reliance Defence Limited.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to the French government about the jets during his April 2015 visit to Paris.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The final agreement for the jets was signed in 2016.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress has alleged that the planes are being bought at three times the price the former UPA government had negotiated with France.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 36 Rafale jets are going to cost India Rs 58,000 crore.</p>

<p>The Congress says the UPA government had negotiated a $10.2 billion deal for the acquisition of 126 Rafale jets while the NDA government renegotiated the deal down to $8.7 billion -- but for just 36 fighters.</p>

<p>Sitharaman retorted Friday that the Congress had sat on the deal for 10 years -- at the cost of national security.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Smt <a href="https://twitter.com/nsitharaman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nsitharaman</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rafale?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rafale</a> : &quot; The present govt addressed the vacuum in our national security structure created by the indecisiveness of 10 yr long UPA regime by immediately procuring 36 aircraft in a fly-away condition&quot; (1)</p>
&mdash; Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenceMinIndia/status/931494883226824706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&quot;This (delay) potentially compromised national security interests,&quot; the minister was quoted as saying.</p>

<p>Sitharaman added Friday that the deal was signed after five rounds of discussions between the Indian and French sides, and approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;These allegations are shameful...The deal was finalised following a transparent procedure,&quot; PTI reported Sitharaman as telling reporters.</p>

<p>Indian Air Force Chief BS Dhano had on Thursday also weighed in on the controversy, saying he did not understand what it was about.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;This is a cheaper deal,&quot; he had said.&nbsp;</p>


The Congress has alleged the deal -- India is buying 36 Rafale fighter jets from France -- is overpriced, and that there is a scam brewing

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Friday that the allegations against the Rafale deal were "shameful" and a "disservice" to the country's armed forces. Sitharaman's remarks came a day after Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of changing the "entire deal" for the benefit of one businessman. Can you explain "Reliance" on someone with nil experience in aerospace for Rafale deal? — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 16, 2017 × Self "Reliance" is obviously a critical aspect of "Make in India." — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 16, 2017 × India is buying 36 Rafale fighter jets from France. The Congress has alleged the deal is overpriced, and that there is a scam brewing. And that the deal was changed to benefit Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence Limited. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to the French government about the jets during his April 2015 visit to Paris. The final agreement for the jets was signed in 2016. The Congress has alleged that the planes are being bought at three times the price the former UPA government had negotiated with France. The 36 Rafale jets are going to cost India Rs 58,000 crore. The Congress says the UPA government had negotiated a $10.2 billion deal for the acquisition of 126 Rafale jets while the NDA government renegotiated the deal down to $8.7 billion -- but for just 36 fighters. Sitharaman retorted Friday that the Congress had sat on the deal for 10 years -- at the cost of national security. Smt @nsitharaman on #Rafale : " The present govt addressed the vacuum in our national security structure created by the indecisiveness of 10 yr long UPA regime by immediately procuring 36 aircraft in a fly-away condition" (1) — Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) November 17, 2017 × "This (delay) potentially compromised national security interests," the minister was quoted as saying. Sitharaman added Friday that the deal was signed after five rounds of discussions between the Indian and French sides, and approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security. "These allegations are shameful...The deal was finalised following a transparent procedure," PTI reported Sitharaman as telling reporters. Indian Air Force Chief BS Dhano had on Thursday also weighed in on the controversy, saying he did not understand what it was about. "This is a cheaper deal," he had said.

Allegations against Rafale deal 'shameful', 'disservice' to armed forces: Nirmala Sitharaman

<p>The Election Commission(EC) has put restrictions on the use of the term &quot;Pappu&quot; by BJP&#39;s electronic advertisement cell in Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ruling BJP has been barred from using the term &quot;Pappu&quot; in their electronic advertisement for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The term is often used to describe Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.</p>

<p>Calling the term &quot;derogatory&quot;&nbsp;the Election Commission in Gujarat has asked to remove or replace it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The media committee under the Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer(CEO) objected to the word &quot;pappu&quot; which was mentioned in the BJP&#39;s script of advertising, BJP sources cited. The script was submitted to the media committee for approval.</p>

<p>Clarifying itself, the BJP said the script of the advertisement did not &quot;link the word to any individual&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A BJP leader said that they asked the Election Commission to reconsider their decision as there was no direct reference to any person with the term. However, the request was rejected by the EC.</p>

<p>The leader later assured to replace the word and submit a new script to the Election Commission.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
All political parties need to submit their script related to the election advertisement to the EC. The parties can continue with the advertisement only after they get a certificate of approval from the commission.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Calling the term "derogatory"?the Election Commission in Gujarat has asked to remove or replace it

The Election Commission(EC) has put restrictions on the use of the term "Pappu" by BJP's electronic advertisement cell in Gujarat. The ruling BJP has been barred from using the term "Pappu" in their electronic advertisement for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. The term is often used to describe Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. Calling the term "derogatory" the Election Commission in Gujarat has asked to remove or replace it. The media committee under the Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer(CEO) objected to the word "pappu" which was mentioned in the BJP's script of advertising, BJP sources cited. The script was submitted to the media committee for approval. Clarifying itself, the BJP said the script of the advertisement did not "link the word to any individual". A BJP leader said that they asked the Election Commission to reconsider their decision as there was no direct reference to any person with the term. However, the request was rejected by the EC. The leader later assured to replace the word and submit a new script to the Election Commission. All political parties need to submit their script related to the election advertisement to the EC. The parties can continue with the advertisement only after they get a certificate of approval from the commission.

Election Commission bars BJP from using the term 'Pappu' in Gujarat elections

<p>The politics of caste has always been there in Gujarat like it has existed elsewhere in the country. But never before in the last two decades has it assumed a pole position in the manner that it has in the ongoing Assembly election campaign. What makes the development more interesting is that it is neither of the two major competitors &mdash; the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party &mdash; which is the driver.</p>

<p>The thrust is being engineered by three caste leaders who are upstarts and hope to, in the process, gain a pan-State relevance. Since they have decided to oppose the BJP, the Congress has latched on to them. And, the issue is not only one of caste calculations but of caste reservations.</p>

<p>Having jumped on to the caste bandwagon, the Congress cannot now turn back. Therefore, it is busy crafting the KHAM 2.0 version in the hope that this will shut down the BJP&rsquo;s page in the State. It was in the 1980s that senior Congress leader and four-time Chief Minister Madhav Singh Solanki along with Congressman Jinabhai Darji formulated the Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi and Muslim (KHAM) grouping. It served his party well.</p>

<p>The Congress won the Assembly election in 1981, bagging 156 seats &mdash; an achievement which the BJP has been straining to match. The winning formula worked for several years before the BJP took over Gujarat and reduced the KHAM phenomenon to ashes. The combination eventually lost out because it alienated the others, especially the upper castes and the influential Patidar community whom the BJP courted with success. The 2014 Lok Sabha election decimated whatever had remained of this coalition, with the BJP winning all the 26 seats on offer in the State. The new revived KHAM version includes the Patidars.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Whether it was during the 2002 communal violence or thereafter, the Patidars backed the BJP and the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Whether it was during the 2002 communal violence or thereafter, the Patidars backed the BJP and the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>On the face of it, KHAM-plus-Patidar is a formidable formulation. The Patidar community represents a little over 12 per cent of the State&rsquo;s population; the Muslims comprise roughly 10 per cent, and the Adivasi community is around 15 per cent (the Scheduled Castes are eight per cent or so). The Kshatriyas in Gujarat are a mixed lot &mdash; the Koli people consider themselves as Kshatriyas, and so do a few others. But the success of KHAM 2.0 depends more on paper calculations. Will the chemistry complement the mathematics?</p>

<p>It stands to reason that the OBCs who are present beneficiaries of the reservation policy will not be amused by the demands of aspiring entrants. This could be more pronounced in the Patidar case, given that the Patidars are seen to have gained considerably over the decades, socially, educationally and economically, and are considered unworthy of the &lsquo;positive discrimination&rsquo; they now demand.</p>

<p>Additionally, if the Patidars become part of the Congress&rsquo;s KHAM 2.0, it would need a resolution of the long-standing conflict between the Patidar community and the rest, especially the main religious minority &mdash; the Muslims. Whether it was during the 2002 communal violence or thereafter, the Patidars backed the BJP and the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Dissatisfaction among large sections of the traditional voters of the BJP need not automatically lead to their casting votes against the party.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Dissatisfaction among large sections of the traditional voters of the BJP need not automatically lead to their casting votes against the party." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>It is one thing for a bunch of Patidar leaders, such as Hardik Patel and the Congress to align with each other. The real test lies in the alliance&rsquo;s acceptance among the people at the lower levels. Uttar Pradesh provides a good example. Congress&rsquo;s Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party&rsquo;s Akhilesh Yadav formed a coalition, but the understanding did not strike a chord at the local levels of the leadership. Neither was it seen as credible among the caste voters of both the groups. The Congress-SP combine faced a rout.</p>

<p>Besides, dissatisfaction among large sections of the traditional voters of the BJP need not automatically lead to their casting votes against the party. For instance, major opinion polls conducted so far in the State have noted considerable levels of unhappiness with the Government on a host of issues, including the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax and the demonetisation decision. And yet, the projected anger does not get reflected in the overall numbers the surveys projected &mdash; with the BJP doing nearly as well as it did in 2012.</p>

<p>However, none of the above arguments can be reason enough to dismiss the challenge the BJP faces in the wake the new caste coalition. The BJP cannot wish away the thought of the Congress reviving the KHAM coalition, strengthened with the addition of a good chunk of the OBCs and the Patidars. Nor can it shut its eyes to the traction that the trio of Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor (OBC leader) and Jignesh Mevani (Scheduled Castes leader) has gained and their pronounced tilt in the Congress&rsquo;s favour.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Fobbing off the Hardik Patel challenge could be a different cup of tea for BJP this time, given that the Patel charge is fortified with the OBC factor and possible anti-incumbency.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Fobbing off the Hardik Patel challenge could be a different cup of tea for BJP this time, given that the Patel charge is fortified with the OBC factor and possible anti-incumbency." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>Some commentators may have gone overboard in comparing their combined assault against the BJP to the India Against Corruption movement Anna Hazare had launched four years ago. But it is a fact that the three have managed to sway public opinion in their favour at least in their strongholds. Mevani seeks to make a mark in Ahmedabad and nearabout; Patel in and around Bhavnagar; and Thakor at Mehsana and the neighbourhood.</p>

<p>Saurashtra and north Gujarat are the key regions that will determine the larger Patel drift as they are dominated by the Patidar community. Together they account for more than 100 seats. In 2012, the BJP had easily overcome a stiff challenge from Keshubhai Patel who had rebelled against the party. Fobbing off the Hardik Patel challenge could be a different cup of tea for the party this time, given that the Patel charge is fortified with the OBC factor and possible anti-incumbency.</p>

<p>And yet, it would be pertinent to note the word of caution which the original architect of KHAM, Solanki, expressed two years ago. He said the Patidar agitation would eventually fizzle out &ldquo;because truth has no role in it&rdquo;. While he did not name Hardik Patel or his outfit, the inference was clear as daylight.</p>

<p>This is what the BJP hopes in, more so because it believes that the Congress is in no position to offer a credible and workable reservation formula. It may be that Solanki was out of touch with the new realities when he made that remark and that his forward caste bias was on display. But the over-zealous and newly-emerged caste leaders cannot be oblivious to the fact that glories acquired overnight can dissipate just as quickly.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The real test of Hardik Patel's alliance with the Congress party lies in the alliance?s acceptance among the people at the lower levels.

The politics of caste has always been there in Gujarat like it has existed elsewhere in the country. But never before in the last two decades has it assumed a pole position in the manner that it has in the ongoing Assembly election campaign. What makes the development more interesting is that it is neither of the two major competitors — the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party — which is the driver. The thrust is being engineered by three caste leaders who are upstarts and hope to, in the process, gain a pan-State relevance. Since they have decided to oppose the BJP, the Congress has latched on to them. And, the issue is not only one of caste calculations but of caste reservations. Having jumped on to the caste bandwagon, the Congress cannot now turn back. Therefore, it is busy crafting the KHAM 2.0 version in the hope that this will shut down the BJP’s page in the State. It was in the 1980s that senior Congress leader and four-time Chief Minister Madhav Singh Solanki along with Congressman Jinabhai Darji formulated the Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi and Muslim (KHAM) grouping. It served his party well. The Congress won the Assembly election in 1981, bagging 156 seats — an achievement which the BJP has been straining to match. The winning formula worked for several years before the BJP took over Gujarat and reduced the KHAM phenomenon to ashes. The combination eventually lost out because it alienated the others, especially the upper castes and the influential Patidar community whom the BJP courted with success. The 2014 Lok Sabha election decimated whatever had remained of this coalition, with the BJP winning all the 26 seats on offer in the State. The new revived KHAM version includes the Patidars. Whether it was during the 2002 communal violence or thereafter, the Patidars backed the BJP and the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. × On the face of it, KHAM-plus-Patidar is a formidable formulation. The Patidar community represents a little over 12 per cent of the State’s population; the Muslims comprise roughly 10 per cent, and the Adivasi community is around 15 per cent (the Scheduled Castes are eight per cent or so). The Kshatriyas in Gujarat are a mixed lot — the Koli people consider themselves as Kshatriyas, and so do a few others. But the success of KHAM 2.0 depends more on paper calculations. Will the chemistry complement the mathematics? It stands to reason that the OBCs who are present beneficiaries of the reservation policy will not be amused by the demands of aspiring entrants. This could be more pronounced in the Patidar case, given that the Patidars are seen to have gained considerably over the decades, socially, educationally and economically, and are considered unworthy of the ‘positive discrimination’ they now demand. Additionally, if the Patidars become part of the Congress’s KHAM 2.0, it would need a resolution of the long-standing conflict between the Patidar community and the rest, especially the main religious minority — the Muslims. Whether it was during the 2002 communal violence or thereafter, the Patidars backed the BJP and the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Dissatisfaction among large sections of the traditional voters of the BJP need not automatically lead to their casting votes against the party. × It is one thing for a bunch of Patidar leaders, such as Hardik Patel and the Congress to align with each other. The real test lies in the alliance’s acceptance among the people at the lower levels. Uttar Pradesh provides a good example. Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav formed a coalition, but the understanding did not strike a chord at the local levels of the leadership. Neither was it seen as credible among the caste voters of both the groups. The Congress-SP combine faced a rout. Besides, dissatisfaction among large sections of the traditional voters of the BJP need not automatically lead to their casting votes against the party. For instance, major opinion polls conducted so far in the State have noted considerable levels of unhappiness with the Government on a host of issues, including the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax and the demonetisation decision. And yet, the projected anger does not get reflected in the overall numbers the surveys projected — with the BJP doing nearly as well as it did in 2012. However, none of the above arguments can be reason enough to dismiss the challenge the BJP faces in the wake the new caste coalition. The BJP cannot wish away the thought of the Congress reviving the KHAM coalition, strengthened with the addition of a good chunk of the OBCs and the Patidars. Nor can it shut its eyes to the traction that the trio of Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor (OBC leader) and Jignesh Mevani (Scheduled Castes leader) has gained and their pronounced tilt in the Congress’s favour. Fobbing off the Hardik Patel challenge could be a different cup of tea for BJP this time, given that the Patel charge is fortified with the OBC factor and possible anti-incumbency. × Some commentators may have gone overboard in comparing their combined assault against the BJP to the India Against Corruption movement Anna Hazare had launched four years ago. But it is a fact that the three have managed to sway public opinion in their favour at least in their strongholds. Mevani seeks to make a mark in Ahmedabad and nearabout; Patel in and around Bhavnagar; and Thakor at Mehsana and the neighbourhood. Saurashtra and north Gujarat are the key regions that will determine the larger Patel drift as they are dominated by the Patidar community. Together they account for more than 100 seats. In 2012, the BJP had easily overcome a stiff challenge from Keshubhai Patel who had rebelled against the party. Fobbing off the Hardik Patel challenge could be a different cup of tea for the party this time, given that the Patel charge is fortified with the OBC factor and possible anti-incumbency. And yet, it would be pertinent to note the word of caution which the original architect of KHAM, Solanki, expressed two years ago. He said the Patidar agitation would eventually fizzle out “because truth has no role in it”. While he did not name Hardik Patel or his outfit, the inference was clear as daylight. This is what the BJP hopes in, more so because it believes that the Congress is in no position to offer a credible and workable reservation formula. It may be that Solanki was out of touch with the new realities when he made that remark and that his forward caste bias was on display. But the over-zealous and newly-emerged caste leaders cannot be oblivious to the fact that glories acquired overnight can dissipate just as quickly.

Gujarat election: Hardik Patel's glory may fizzle out

<p>With the Gujarat elections just around the corner, a &quot;sex CD&quot; has gone viral on social media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>News reports said the CD showed &quot;intimate moments&quot; between a man and a woman. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The allegation -- which has not been proved -- is that the man in the video is Hardik Patel, the leader of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Patel reacted to the allegation, tweeting:&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">?? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ???????? ????? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ??????,????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ??? ????</p>
&mdash; Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) <a href="https://twitter.com/HardikPatel_/status/930005238991478784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&quot;This is the beginning of dirty politics. Defame me, it will not make a difference,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;But the women of Gujarat are being insulted,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>A prophecy foretold</strong></p>

<p>The interesting thing is Hardik had foretold -- on November 10 -- the release of the sex CD.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hardik had said then that the BJP would be responsible, and that they would do so for electoral gain.</p>

<p>&quot;The BJP has prepared a doctored sex CD to defame me and it will be released just before the election. What else can one expect from the BJP? So just wait, watch and enjoy,&quot; Hardik had said then.</p>

<p>When he was asked how he knew about the CD, Hardik had said, &quot;This is typical of the BJP.&quot;</p>

<p><strong>The Patidar </strong><strong>agit</strong><strong>ation</strong></p>

<p>Patel had led the massive Patidar agitation in the state in 2015.</p>

<p>The Patidars had been asking for reservations for the community in government jobs and educational institutions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress has since been courting Patel, who has said that he will work towards beating the BJP in the upcoming Gujarat elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-invites-hardik-patel-to-contest-gujarat-elections-22699" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;Congress invites Hardik Patel to contest Gujarat elections</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-elections-cong-gives-3-quota-options-to-patidars-who-say-theyll-get-back-to-them-23775" target="_blank">Also read: Gujarat elections: Cong gives 3 quota options to Patidars who say they&#39;ll get back to them</a></p>

<p><strong>Not the first time</strong></p>

<p>This is not the first time an attempt has been made to defame Patel.</p>

<p>A sex CD was released in 2015 also, with exactly the same allegation -- that it was Hardik in the video.</p>


With the Gujarat elections just around the corner, a "sex CD" has gone viral on social media. News reports said the CD showed "intimate moments" between a man and a woman. The allegation -- which has not been proved -- is that the man in the video is Hardik Patel, the leader of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS). Patel reacted to the allegation, tweeting: ?? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ???????? ????? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ??????,????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ??? ???? — Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) November 13, 2017 × "This is the beginning of dirty politics. Defame me, it will not make a difference," he said. "But the women of Gujarat are being insulted," he added. A prophecy foretold The interesting thing is Hardik had foretold -- on November 10 -- the release of the sex CD. Hardik had said then that the BJP would be responsible, and that they would do so for electoral gain. "The BJP has prepared a doctored sex CD to defame me and it will be released just before the election. What else can one expect from the BJP? So just wait, watch and enjoy," Hardik had said then. When he was asked how he knew about the CD, Hardik had said, "This is typical of the BJP." The Patidar agitation Patel had led the massive Patidar agitation in the state in 2015. The Patidars had been asking for reservations for the community in government jobs and educational institutions. The Congress has since been courting Patel, who has said that he will work towards beating the BJP in the upcoming Gujarat elections. Also read: Congress invites Hardik Patel to contest Gujarat elections Also read: Gujarat elections: Cong gives 3 quota options to Patidars who say they'll get back to them Not the first time This is not the first time an attempt has been made to defame Patel. A sex CD was released in 2015 also, with exactly the same allegation -- that it was Hardik in the video.

Gujarat elections: Sex CD goes viral, allegation is it features Hardik Patel

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday elaborated on the strategy that undergoes for the maintenance of his much-talked-about Twitter handle these days.</p>

<p>The Congress scion responded when people questioned him on his mounting fan following, as he addressed a gathering in Gujarat&#39;s Banaskantha.</p>

<p>He said, &quot;We reflect on ideas, there is a team of three or four people, to who I give suggestions and after fine tuning them we tweet. Routine work, like birthday wishes, isn&#39;t done by me, I give little inputs on it, tweets on political issues are mine.&quot;</p>

<p>Rahul further said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has &#39;paid social media&#39;, while the Congress has &#39;free social media&#39;.</p>

<p>&quot;The way they (BJP) can spread anger, you (IT cell members) cannot. Even if you give your entire life to it. It is because you are from the Congress and they from the BJP,&quot; he said, adding, &quot;Like radio&#39;s fine tuning, Modi ji fine-tunes the truth,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi, of late, has been making headlines due to his tweets that spell humour, coupled with political wit.</p>

<p>Recently, he created quite a buzz on social media when he posted a video on Twitter of his dog being fed biscuits.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ppl been asking who tweets for this guy..I&#39;m coming clean..it&#39;s me..Pidi..I&#39;m way ?? than him. Look what I can do with a tweet..oops..treat! <a href="https://t.co/fkQwye94a5">pic.twitter.com/fkQwye94a5</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/924531438661148673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>In the political arena, this tweet of his was highly criticised by the opposition.</p>


Rahul further said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 'paid social media', while the Congress has 'free social media'.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday elaborated on the strategy that undergoes for the maintenance of his much-talked-about Twitter handle these days. The Congress scion responded when people questioned him on his mounting fan following, as he addressed a gathering in Gujarat's Banaskantha. He said, "We reflect on ideas, there is a team of three or four people, to who I give suggestions and after fine tuning them we tweet. Routine work, like birthday wishes, isn't done by me, I give little inputs on it, tweets on political issues are mine." Rahul further said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 'paid social media', while the Congress has 'free social media'. "The way they (BJP) can spread anger, you (IT cell members) cannot. Even if you give your entire life to it. It is because you are from the Congress and they from the BJP," he said, adding, "Like radio's fine tuning, Modi ji fine-tunes the truth," he added. Rahul Gandhi, of late, has been making headlines due to his tweets that spell humour, coupled with political wit. Recently, he created quite a buzz on social media when he posted a video on Twitter of his dog being fed biscuits. Ppl been asking who tweets for this guy..I'm coming clean..it's me..Pidi..I'm way ?? than him. Look what I can do with a tweet..oops..treat! pic.twitter.com/fkQwye94a5 — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) October 29, 2017 × In the political arena, this tweet of his was highly criticised by the opposition.

Rahul reveals his Twitter strategy amid Gujarat poll frenzy

<p>Union Minister&nbsp;Smriti Irani&nbsp;on Saturday launched a scathing attack on&nbsp;Congress&nbsp;vice-president&nbsp;Rahul Gandhi&nbsp;saying he should give up the hope of winning the Gujarat Assembly polls.</p>

<p>The Union Minister had hit back at Rahul for criticising the Goods and Services tax (GST) implemented by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre.</p>

<p>&quot;Rahul is an MP from Amethi Lok Sabha Constituency for the last 13 years and Gandhi-Nehru has ruled the Amethi Constituency for 50 years. He should be worried about the fact that in the Uttar Pradesh elections last year, the Congress could not win a single seat out of his five Vidhan Sabha seats,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>Irani added,&quot;So someone who could not win his five Vidhan Sabha seats, should stop dreaming about winning Gujarat elections. We and the people of Gujarat will not let this dream come true.&quot;</p>

<p>Taking a jibe at the Congress leader for his statement on development in Gujarat, she said, &quot;When Rahul talks of development, he should know that we went to lay the foundation stone of the collector&#39;s office of his constituency.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;He was not even able to build the collector&#39;s office, provide roads, education, health to his constituency. So on what basis is he talking about development in Gujarat?&quot; she questioned.</p>

<p>The Congress has been critical of GST ever since it was implemented.</p>

<p>&quot;In GST Council meeting, the Congress was also included. All the decisions have been taken till now on the basis of consensus. During the Congress rule, the GST was not passed as the state governments did not have faith in the party. In GST, someone whose annual income is below Rs 20 lakh is already exempted and that means poor are exempted from GST,&quot; Irani opined.</p>

<p>The Congress vice-president had called for structural changes in the uniform tax regime and termed GST as Gabbar Singh Tax.</p>

<p>Speaking at a rally in Gandhinagar, Gandhi said, &quot;It&#39;s a good thing that the BJP government has slashed the tax rate from 28 percent to 18 percent for many products due to the pressure made by the Congress party and the people of India.&quot;</p>

<p>He further said, &quot;We are still not happy and won&#39;t stop here. India doesn&#39;t want five different types of taxes, we want one. There&#39;s a need to make structural changes in the Goods and Services Tax (GST).&quot;</p>

<p>Earlier on Wednesday, while interacting with traders in Gujarat&#39;s Surat, Rahul said that Congress will reassess and restructure the GST, if they come to power at the Centre in the 2019 general elections.</p>


The Congress has been critical of GST ever since it was implemented.

Union Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi saying he should give up the hope of winning the Gujarat Assembly polls. The Union Minister had hit back at Rahul for criticising the Goods and Services tax (GST) implemented by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre. "Rahul is an MP from Amethi Lok Sabha Constituency for the last 13 years and Gandhi-Nehru has ruled the Amethi Constituency for 50 years. He should be worried about the fact that in the Uttar Pradesh elections last year, the Congress could not win a single seat out of his five Vidhan Sabha seats," she said. Irani added,"So someone who could not win his five Vidhan Sabha seats, should stop dreaming about winning Gujarat elections. We and the people of Gujarat will not let this dream come true." Taking a jibe at the Congress leader for his statement on development in Gujarat, she said, "When Rahul talks of development, he should know that we went to lay the foundation stone of the collector's office of his constituency." "He was not even able to build the collector's office, provide roads, education, health to his constituency. So on what basis is he talking about development in Gujarat?" she questioned. The Congress has been critical of GST ever since it was implemented. "In GST Council meeting, the Congress was also included. All the decisions have been taken till now on the basis of consensus. During the Congress rule, the GST was not passed as the state governments did not have faith in the party. In GST, someone whose annual income is below Rs 20 lakh is already exempted and that means poor are exempted from GST," Irani opined. The Congress vice-president had called for structural changes in the uniform tax regime and termed GST as Gabbar Singh Tax. Speaking at a rally in Gandhinagar, Gandhi said, "It's a good thing that the BJP government has slashed the tax rate from 28 percent to 18 percent for many products due to the pressure made by the Congress party and the people of India." He further said, "We are still not happy and won't stop here. India doesn't want five different types of taxes, we want one. There's a need to make structural changes in the Goods and Services Tax (GST)." Earlier on Wednesday, while interacting with traders in Gujarat's Surat, Rahul said that Congress will reassess and restructure the GST, if they come to power at the Centre in the 2019 general elections.

Rahul should stop dreaming about sweeping Gujarat polls: Smriti Irani

<p>Former Finance Minister and Congress leader P&nbsp;Chidambaram on Saturday lashed out at Modi&#39;s government after the government brought down the 28 per cent&nbsp; Goods and Services Tax (GST) slab to just 50 products against earlier&nbsp;227 products.</p>

<p>In a series of tweets, Chidambaram took potshots at Modi government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;It took four months and ten days for common&nbsp;sense to germinate, flower and ripen into a fruit,&quot; the Congress leader said in the first of several tweets posted on his Twitter handle on Friday.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">4 months and 10 days is the time taken for commonsense to germinate, flower and ripen into a fruit.</p>
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/929212211792199680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&quot;Congress is vindicated. I am vindicated. The merit of capping GST at 18 percent is now recognised,&quot; Chidambaram tweeted on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress is vindicated. I am vindicated. The merit of capping GST at 18% is now recognised.</p>
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/929032922916462592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The BJP) government at the Centre realised&nbsp;its mistake as Gujarat Assembly election&nbsp;is around the corner, he further said.</p>

<p>Responding to Chidambaram&#39;s allegations,&nbsp;Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said GST&nbsp;was adopted taking all political parties into consideration and every change that has been made was done after looking into one&#39;s needs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress has just been trying to misinterpret the fact.</p>

<p>&quot;Modiji government listens to everything that public says and respond to people.The GST was implemented with the agreement of all political parties. We are ready if there is a need for any change like the Centre did in yesterday&#39;s GST Council meeting. The Congress party is trying to misinterpret the fact,&quot; new agency ANI quoted&nbsp;Sitharaman as saying.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The rearrangements in the tax system were carried out at the 23rd GST Council meeting headed by the finance minister, at Guwahati on Friday.&nbsp;</p>


Chidambaram also took a dig at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and said that the government has realised their mistake because of the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections.

Former Finance Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday lashed out at Modi's government after the government brought down the 28 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) slab to just 50 products against earlier 227 products. In a series of tweets, Chidambaram took potshots at Modi government. "It took four months and ten days for common sense to germinate, flower and ripen into a fruit," the Congress leader said in the first of several tweets posted on his Twitter handle on Friday. 4 months and 10 days is the time taken for commonsense to germinate, flower and ripen into a fruit. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 11, 2017 × "Congress is vindicated. I am vindicated. The merit of capping GST at 18 percent is now recognised," Chidambaram tweeted on Friday. Congress is vindicated. I am vindicated. The merit of capping GST at 18% is now recognised. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 10, 2017 × The BJP) government at the Centre realised its mistake as Gujarat Assembly election is around the corner, he further said. Responding to Chidambaram's allegations, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said GST was adopted taking all political parties into consideration and every change that has been made was done after looking into one's needs. Congress has just been trying to misinterpret the fact. "Modiji government listens to everything that public says and respond to people.The GST was implemented with the agreement of all political parties. We are ready if there is a need for any change like the Centre did in yesterday's GST Council meeting. The Congress party is trying to misinterpret the fact," new agency ANI quoted Sitharaman as saying. The rearrangements in the tax system were carried out at the 23rd GST Council meeting headed by the finance minister, at Guwahati on Friday.

It took 4 months for common sense to germinate on GST: Chidambaram

<p>Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi&nbsp;made some promising comments while addressing people in Khedbrahma, Sabarkantha on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He took a jab at Modi&#39;s government yet again and said that &#39;as soon as his government comes to power, he promises to bring down&nbsp;&#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39; (GST), bring a sound GST so that no one will have to pay anything over 18% tax&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">As soon as Congress comes to the power, we will bring down Gabbar Singh Tax, bring a sound GST so that no one will have to pay anything above 18% tax.: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Khedbrahma, Sabarkantha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a> <a href="https://t.co/xub6Oo3d7l">pic.twitter.com/xub6Oo3d7l</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/929333658137214977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Gandhi further stated that &#39;this is the highest unemployment rate in 8 years&#39;.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This phase marks the highest number of unemployment in 8 years: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Khedbrahma, Sabarkantha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a> <a href="https://t.co/NAKpN2P8F3">pic.twitter.com/NAKpN2P8F3</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/929331099452313607?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The Congress leader has previously taken many hits at Modi&#39;s government, suggesting them to impose a &#39;simple tax&#39; rather than &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39; and how the recent rearrangement in GST is going to cause a slowdown for small and medium businesses.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Moreover,&nbsp;Congress, on Saturday, also&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/23995">claimed credit for the the GST Council&#39;s decision to cut tax rates on 178 items of daily use</a>, saying the government was forced to do so due to the pressure mounted by party vice-president Rahul Gandhi and the &#39;huge response&#39;&nbsp;his campaign had been receiving in poll-bound Gujarat.</p>


Gandhi further stated that 'this is the highest unemployment rate in 8 years'.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi made some promising comments while addressing people in Khedbrahma, Sabarkantha on Saturday. He took a jab at Modi's government yet again and said that 'as soon as his government comes to power, he promises to bring down 'Gabbar Singh Tax' (GST), bring a sound GST so that no one will have to pay anything over 18% tax'. As soon as Congress comes to the power, we will bring down Gabbar Singh Tax, bring a sound GST so that no one will have to pay anything above 18% tax.: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Khedbrahma, Sabarkantha #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/xub6Oo3d7l — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2017 × Gandhi further stated that 'this is the highest unemployment rate in 8 years'. This phase marks the highest number of unemployment in 8 years: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Khedbrahma, Sabarkantha #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/NAKpN2P8F3 — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2017 × The Congress leader has previously taken many hits at Modi's government, suggesting them to impose a 'simple tax' rather than 'Gabbar Singh Tax' and how the recent rearrangement in GST is going to cause a slowdown for small and medium businesses. Moreover, Congress, on Saturday, also claimed credit for the the GST Council's decision to cut tax rates on 178 items of daily use, saying the government was forced to do so due to the pressure mounted by party vice-president Rahul Gandhi and the 'huge response' his campaign had been receiving in poll-bound Gujarat.

Will bring down GST if Congress comes to power, says Rahul Gandhi

<p>As the 23rd GST Council meeting ended on Friday, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said that his party will not let the BJP-led NDA government to impose the&nbsp;&quot;Gabbar Singh Tax&quot;, meaning the GST.</p>

<p>Gabbar Singh is a famous decoit in the Bollywood movie<em> Sholay, </em>Rahul had earlier too taken potshots at the BJP government over the GST, calling it the&nbsp;&quot;Gabbar Singh Tax&quot;.</p>

<p>The Congres vice-president&nbsp;said the government&#39;s new tax structure would &quot;break the back of small and medium businesses, crush the informal sector and destroy millions&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We will not allow BJP to impose a Gabbar Singh Tax on India. They cannot break the back of the small and medium businesses, crush the informal sector and destroy millions of jobs. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GSTCouncilMeet?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GSTCouncilMeet</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/928951424473378817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The Congress leader then went on to give some &#39;suggestions&#39;, saying, &quot;correct the fundamental flaw in GST architecture to give India a &quot;Genuine Simple Tax&quot; and advised the government not to waste time&nbsp;with lip service.</p>

<p>&quot;Acknowledge your incompetence, shed your arrogance and listen to the people of India,&quot; he told the government.</p>


He also said how this decision would 'break the back of small and medium businesses, crush the informal sector and destroy millions'.?

As the 23rd GST Council meeting ended on Friday, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said that his party will not let the BJP-led NDA government to impose the "Gabbar Singh Tax", meaning the GST. Gabbar Singh is a famous decoit in the Bollywood movie Sholay, Rahul had earlier too taken potshots at the BJP government over the GST, calling it the "Gabbar Singh Tax". The Congres vice-president said the government's new tax structure would "break the back of small and medium businesses, crush the informal sector and destroy millions". We will not allow BJP to impose a Gabbar Singh Tax on India. They cannot break the back of the small and medium businesses, crush the informal sector and destroy millions of jobs. #GSTCouncilMeet — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 10, 2017 × The Congress leader then went on to give some 'suggestions', saying, "correct the fundamental flaw in GST architecture to give India a "Genuine Simple Tax" and advised the government not to waste time with lip service. "Acknowledge your incompetence, shed your arrogance and listen to the people of India," he told the government.

Correct GST with 'Genuine Simple Tax', says Rahul Gandhi

<p>Polling started on a dull note for 68 Assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh today with 13.72 per cent voters exercising their franchise in the first two hours.</p>

<p>The polling started across the state at 8 am and at several places in Chamba and tribal areas five to ten per cent polling was recorded.</p>

<p>Shimla district recorded 18 per cent polling, Hamirpur 17 per cent, Chamba 12 per cent, Kangra 14 per cent, Mandi 16 per cent, Una, Hamirpur and Bilaspur 15 to 20 per cent and Solan and Sirmaur 18 to 20 per cent.</p>

<p>Reports of fault in VVPAT machines were received in Sirmaur district while polling started late by 15-20 minutes in some polling booths.</p>

<p>Kusumpti constituency in Shimla recorded 22 per cent polling, Shimla(rural) 20 per cent, Theog 19 per cent, Rampur 18 per cent and Shimla (Urban) and Rohroo 16 per cent, Election Department.</p>

<p>Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh exercised his franchise at Rampur while former chief minister P K Dhumal cast his vote at Samirpur along with family members.</p>

<p>A total of 50,25,941 voters are eligible to cast their vote.</p>

<p>As many as 7,525 polling booths have been set up in the state and 37,605 polling personnel have been deputed for poll duty.</p>

<p>Besides 17,850 personnel of police and Home Guards and 65 companies of central paramilitary force have been deployed.</p>

<p>Chief Minister Singh, 10 ministers, eight Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, Deputy Speaker Jagat Singh Negi, former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and over a dozen former ministers are among those contesting the polls.</p>

<p>The ruling Congress led by the chief minister and the BJP led with former chief minister Dhumal are contesting all 68 seats while the BSP is contesting 42 seats, followed by the CPI(M) 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI-3.</p>

<p>There is a straight contest only in one constituency (Jhanduta) while the maximum number of 12 candidates is in fray in Dharamsala.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh exercised his franchise at Rampur while former chief minister P K Dhumal cast his vote at Samirpur along with family members

Polling started on a dull note for 68 Assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh today with 13.72 per cent voters exercising their franchise in the first two hours. The polling started across the state at 8 am and at several places in Chamba and tribal areas five to ten per cent polling was recorded. Shimla district recorded 18 per cent polling, Hamirpur 17 per cent, Chamba 12 per cent, Kangra 14 per cent, Mandi 16 per cent, Una, Hamirpur and Bilaspur 15 to 20 per cent and Solan and Sirmaur 18 to 20 per cent. Reports of fault in VVPAT machines were received in Sirmaur district while polling started late by 15-20 minutes in some polling booths. Kusumpti constituency in Shimla recorded 22 per cent polling, Shimla(rural) 20 per cent, Theog 19 per cent, Rampur 18 per cent and Shimla (Urban) and Rohroo 16 per cent, Election Department. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh exercised his franchise at Rampur while former chief minister P K Dhumal cast his vote at Samirpur along with family members. A total of 50,25,941 voters are eligible to cast their vote. As many as 7,525 polling booths have been set up in the state and 37,605 polling personnel have been deputed for poll duty. Besides 17,850 personnel of police and Home Guards and 65 companies of central paramilitary force have been deployed. Chief Minister Singh, 10 ministers, eight Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, Deputy Speaker Jagat Singh Negi, former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and over a dozen former ministers are among those contesting the polls. The ruling Congress led by the chief minister and the BJP led with former chief minister Dhumal are contesting all 68 seats while the BSP is contesting 42 seats, followed by the CPI(M) 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI-3. There is a straight contest only in one constituency (Jhanduta) while the maximum number of 12 candidates is in fray in Dharamsala.

Himachal Pradesh: 13.72% polling recorded in first two hours

<p>Congress gave three options to the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) at a late night meeting here with respect to latter&#39;s quota demand for its community, even as the organisation members said they would consult their leaders and legal experts before taking a decision.</p>

<p>The options were conveyed to the PAAS members by senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal at the meeting which took place at 11:30 PM and ended at about 2 AM.</p>

<p>&quot;We have been given three options by the Congress party on how to provide reservation to our community in educational institutions and government jobs,&quot; PAAS convener Dinesh Bambhania said after the meeting.</p>

<p>He, however, did not divulge the details of the options.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>The Congress proposal has not touched 49% reservations for SC, ST and OBC which exists in the state. The options that have been given are over and above it</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The Congress proposal has not touched 49% reservations for SC, ST and OBC which exists in the state. The options that have been given are over and above it" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>&quot;The options that have been given will be kept confidential till we discuss it with Hardik, social leaders of the community, legal experts and then it would be kept before our community. If the community accepts the demand, we will convey it accordingly to the Congress party,&quot; Bambhania said.</p>

<p>He said, &quot;The Congress proposal has not touched 49 per cent reservations for SC, ST and OBC which exists in the state. The options that have been given are over and above it.&quot;</p>

<p>The PAAS convener said the meeting took place in a &quot;very cordial atmosphere&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;We have rejected the Congress&#39; reservation offer under the Economically Backward Class as it is not constitutionally valid,&quot; Bambhania said.</p>

<p>Sibal, after the meeting, told a press conference that &quot;today&#39;s meeting between Congress leaders and PAAS has brought hope that something can be worked out.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;We have discussed all the aspects and will do all the things (to provide reservation to the Patidar community) as per the constitution,&quot; the Congress leader said.</p>

<p>He said they would again meet in the next two-three days.</p>

<p>&quot;We expect that the matter will become clear in two to three days,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>The PAAS members met Sibal to discuss modalities of providing reservation to Patidars if voted to power in the upcoming Assembly polls in Gujarat.</p>

<p>The meeting was scheduled at 9 pm but Sibal reached the venue late.</p>

<p>Hardik, the Patidar quota agitation spearhead, who had earlier set a condition that he would support the Congress in the Assembly election, due next month, only if the party committed itself to allotting reservation in education and government jobs to his community, was not present in the meeting.</p>

<p>He had set November 7 as the deadline for the Congress to make its stand clear on the issue.</p>

<p>The polling for the two-phase elections in the state will take place on December 9 and 14 and votes will be counted on December 18.&nbsp;</p>


'We have been given three options by the Congress party on how to provide reservation to our community,' Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti convener Dinesh Bambhania said

Congress gave three options to the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) at a late night meeting here with respect to latter's quota demand for its community, even as the organisation members said they would consult their leaders and legal experts before taking a decision. The options were conveyed to the PAAS members by senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal at the meeting which took place at 11:30 PM and ended at about 2 AM. "We have been given three options by the Congress party on how to provide reservation to our community in educational institutions and government jobs," PAAS convener Dinesh Bambhania said after the meeting. He, however, did not divulge the details of the options. The Congress proposal has not touched 49% reservations for SC, ST and OBC which exists in the state. The options that have been given are over and above it × "The options that have been given will be kept confidential till we discuss it with Hardik, social leaders of the community, legal experts and then it would be kept before our community. If the community accepts the demand, we will convey it accordingly to the Congress party," Bambhania said. He said, "The Congress proposal has not touched 49 per cent reservations for SC, ST and OBC which exists in the state. The options that have been given are over and above it." The PAAS convener said the meeting took place in a "very cordial atmosphere". "We have rejected the Congress' reservation offer under the Economically Backward Class as it is not constitutionally valid," Bambhania said. Sibal, after the meeting, told a press conference that "today's meeting between Congress leaders and PAAS has brought hope that something can be worked out." "We have discussed all the aspects and will do all the things (to provide reservation to the Patidar community) as per the constitution," the Congress leader said. He said they would again meet in the next two-three days. "We expect that the matter will become clear in two to three days," he added. The PAAS members met Sibal to discuss modalities of providing reservation to Patidars if voted to power in the upcoming Assembly polls in Gujarat. The meeting was scheduled at 9 pm but Sibal reached the venue late. Hardik, the Patidar quota agitation spearhead, who had earlier set a condition that he would support the Congress in the Assembly election, due next month, only if the party committed itself to allotting reservation in education and government jobs to his community, was not present in the meeting. He had set November 7 as the deadline for the Congress to make its stand clear on the issue. The polling for the two-phase elections in the state will take place on December 9 and 14 and votes will be counted on December 18.

Gujarat elections: Cong gives 3 quota options to Patidars who say they'll get back to them

<p>It has been a year since Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared on the national television and announced the scrapping of Rs 500 and 1000 currency notes.</p>

<p>The BJP is celebrating the first year anniversary of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/demonetisation-indian-economy-watershed-or-waterboarded-23707" target="_blank">Demonetisation</a> as &quot;Anti Black Money Day&quot;&nbsp;while the Congress along with other opposition parties is observing the day as &quot;Black Day&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The PM assured that the scrapping of the currency notes&nbsp;will help in countering the growing corruption, killing black money, counterfeit notes and cut down funding to terrorists.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Claiming it to be a pro-poor move he said that demonetisation will root out inequality from the society.</p>

<p>PM Modi asked the country to unite in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/demonetisation-will-spur-indian-economy-in-long-run-indias-pm-modi-10715" target="_blank">larger objective of a cleaner society</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However,&nbsp; since the past one year, there has been a constant criticism of the &quot;Modi&nbsp;policy&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Opposition has claimed that the policy&nbsp;was responsible for job losses, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sambit-patra-says-for-congress-ease-of-doing-corruption-was-the-core-issue-23288" target="_blank">GDP downfall and destroying small business</a>, besides the physical pain that the people suffered in long queues.</p>

<p>On the eve of the first anniversary of Demonetisation <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-repeat-was-organised-loot-and-legalised-plunder-manmohan-singh-on-demonetisation-23656" target="_blank">former prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh</a> said, &quot;Demonetisation was a black day for economy and democracy&quot;.</p>

<p>But the govt has maintained that the policy implemented has achieved its set goals.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/demonetisation-november-8-watershed-moment-in-history-of-indian-economy-says-arun-jaitley-23652" target="_blank">Finance Minister Arun Jaitley </a>said that&nbsp;demonetisation has led to a significant <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/demonitisation-choked-terror-funds-says-jaitley-23669" target="_blank">decrease in terror activities</a> in Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He claimed that the total fake currencies seized after demonetisation accounted to Rs 11.23 crore</p>

<p>The Reserve Bank of India recently claimed that 99 per cent of the old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes amounting to Rs 15.44 lakh crore have come back to the banking system.</p>

<p>The government also said that about Rs 17,000 crore has been recovered from income tax raids after the implementation of the policy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The government also claims that demonetisation has led to an increase in tax base with 9.1 million new taxpayers. They have stated an increase of 24 per cent in tax collections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also&nbsp;read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-is-moving-towards-digital-economy-post-demonetisation-arun-jaitley-23614" target="_blank">India moving towards digital economy </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-is-moving-towards-digital-economy-post-demonetisation-arun-jaitley-23614" target="_blank">post-demonetisation</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-is-moving-towards-digital-economy-post-demonetisation-arun-jaitley-23614" target="_blank">: Arun Jaitley</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The BJP-led central government is celebrating the first year anniversary of Demonetisation as 'Anti Black Money Day'?while the Congress along with other opposition parties is observing the day as 'Black Day'

It has been a year since Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared on the national television and announced the scrapping of Rs 500 and 1000 currency notes. The BJP is celebrating the first year anniversary of Demonetisation as "Anti Black Money Day" while the Congress along with other opposition parties is observing the day as "Black Day". The PM assured that the scrapping of the currency notes will help in countering the growing corruption, killing black money, counterfeit notes and cut down funding to terrorists. Claiming it to be a pro-poor move he said that demonetisation will root out inequality from the society. PM Modi asked the country to unite in the larger objective of a cleaner society. However, since the past one year, there has been a constant criticism of the "Modi policy". The Opposition has claimed that the policy was responsible for job losses, GDP downfall and destroying small business, besides the physical pain that the people suffered in long queues. On the eve of the first anniversary of Demonetisation former prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said, "Demonetisation was a black day for economy and democracy". But the govt has maintained that the policy implemented has achieved its set goals. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that demonetisation has led to a significant decrease in terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh. He claimed that the total fake currencies seized after demonetisation accounted to Rs 11.23 crore The Reserve Bank of India recently claimed that 99 per cent of the old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes amounting to Rs 15.44 lakh crore have come back to the banking system. The government also said that about Rs 17,000 crore has been recovered from income tax raids after the implementation of the policy. The government also claims that demonetisation has led to an increase in tax base with 9.1 million new taxpayers. They have stated an increase of 24 per cent in tax collections. Also read: India moving towards digital economy post-demonetisation: Arun Jaitley

One year of demonetisation: Government observes 'Anti Black Money Day'

<p>Ministers in the Modi government will fan across the country on Tuesday and Wednesday to highlight the crackdown on black money to mark the first anniversary of demonetisation on November 8 which the BJP will observe as &#39;anti-black money day&#39; and Congress as &#39;black day&#39;.</p>

<p>Many of them will speak to media on Tuesday in major cities, while BJP leaders, including ministers, MPs and MLAs, will hold several events to highlight the Modi dispensation&#39;s policies to curb illicit money, party sources said.</p>

<p>Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will interact with journalists in the national capital on Tuesday, while Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi will speak in Bhopal and Patna respectively.</p>

<p>On November 8, Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Ananth Kumar, Nirmala Sitharaman, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Suresh Prabhu and Smriti Irani will speak in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Chandigarh, Jaipur and Lucknow respectively.</p>

<p>Prakash Javadekar will speak to media in Bengaluru and Piyush Goyal in Ahmedabad. Union minister Jayant Sinha has also been drafted for the exercise, sources said.</p>

<p>BJP chief Amit Shah will be in Gujarat that day.</p>

<p>With the BJP and the Congress involved in a war of words over demonetisation&#39;s implications, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned up the heat on the opposition party over the issue of black money and corruption during his election rallies.</p>

<p>The Congress too has planned a nation-wide exercise to project demonetisation as a &quot;failure&quot;.&nbsp;</p>


Ministers in the Modi government will fan across the country on Tuesday and Wednesday to highlight the crackdown on black money to mark the first anniversary of demonetisation on November 8.

Ministers in the Modi government will fan across the country on Tuesday and Wednesday to highlight the crackdown on black money to mark the first anniversary of demonetisation on November 8 which the BJP will observe as 'anti-black money day' and Congress as 'black day'. Many of them will speak to media on Tuesday in major cities, while BJP leaders, including ministers, MPs and MLAs, will hold several events to highlight the Modi dispensation's policies to curb illicit money, party sources said. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will interact with journalists in the national capital on Tuesday, while Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi will speak in Bhopal and Patna respectively. On November 8, Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Ananth Kumar, Nirmala Sitharaman, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Suresh Prabhu and Smriti Irani will speak in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Chandigarh, Jaipur and Lucknow respectively. Prakash Javadekar will speak to media in Bengaluru and Piyush Goyal in Ahmedabad. Union minister Jayant Sinha has also been drafted for the exercise, sources said. BJP chief Amit Shah will be in Gujarat that day. With the BJP and the Congress involved in a war of words over demonetisation's implications, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned up the heat on the opposition party over the issue of black money and corruption during his election rallies. The Congress too has planned a nation-wide exercise to project demonetisation as a "failure".

One year of demonetisation: Ministers to highlight govt's fight against black money

<p>Speaking exclusively to WION&rsquo;s Kartikeya Sharma, the former MoS Home Affairs also talks about Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi, and the state of Congress.</p>

<p>He adds that the policies of the ruling BJP government at the Centre have hurt the common man.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;<br />
Here is the full transcript of the interview:<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: Is Congress&rsquo; election campaign in Gujarat on the line of UP ke ladke, the election campaign theme of SP-Cong in Uttar Pradesh? Rahul Gandhi plus three boys from the state against Narendra Modi?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: Not at all. I is not about individuals.&nbsp;It is not Rahul Gandhi vs anyone. It is not about individuals. It is about people of Gujarat and problems accruing from the policies of BJP-led state and central governments. People have suffered and Rahul Gandhi is only voicing the discomfort faced by people of Gujarat. It is people of Gujarat versus policies of the present government.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: Demonetisation did not work in UP. What makes you think that GST as a political campaign will work in Gujarat?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: BJP did a smart thing during UP elections. The message which went out during UP elections was that haves were being attacked and money would eventually be ploughed back to have nots. BJP had earlier promised Rs 15 lakh in people&rsquo;s account and electorate thought that perhaps this scheme is probably a culmination of that promise. This messaging worked then, but now people understand that demonetisation led to nothing. And GST has hurt people.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: What is the main challenge for the Congress in Jharkhand?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: BJP government in Jharkhand has been trying to tweak land laws to parcel out land from the tribal community. We have been trying to stall it. They have tried changing land acquisition rules too. There are many issues in the state like health and hunger. Many children died because their mothers were malnourished. Poor has suffered in the state. These are the issues we want to focus on. And then the main focus remains on organization.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: Congress for quite some time has been in alliance with regional parties in the state. So how do you expect to challenge BJP?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: Congress has not done well in assembly and Lok Sabha elections last time around. We are trying to strengthen the Congress from booth level onwards. We are trying to take all communities on board.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: Every assembly election, Congress jumps into the lap of a regional party. How will you change the outlook?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: In Jharkhand, we contested independently and votes against BJP got divided which helped them. We are making sure that Congress is present in all 81 seats. Though elections are two years away but even if we go for alliance this time around we would like to be equal partners this time around. We aren&rsquo;t ruling out alliance but it needs to be on equal footing.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: What explains the rapid expansion of BJP in many states?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: This issue has been addressed many times. In the last two to three years, we lost touch with real issues and what people wanted from us. We did good work but did not communicate well enough. We weren&rsquo;t good at it then. The UPA did a good job in social sector. What we see today is strong communication by BJP but the work on the ground remains nil.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: Did the issue of saffron terror controversy impact Congress very negatively?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: Those speeches have never ever been Congress party&rsquo;s view. Terror has no caste, religion or creed; those were individual remarks which I believe were communicated out of context. It has never been the Congress&#39; stand but a perception was created and it did impact the Congress party.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: Why is elevation of Rahul Gandhi getting delayed?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: It is not getting delayed. There is an electoral process which is coming to close. PCC delegates have been elected and (his) elevation will happen soon.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: Where lies the salvation of the Congress party? In building organization or electoral alliances to stop BJP?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: We need to build our cadre and make people believe in our ideology.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: The general message is that Congress has turned Left of Centre?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: We are a centrist party. I will quote late Mrs Indira Gandhi, &ldquo;We are in the centre and we will stand tall.&rdquo;</p>


In an exclusive interview with WION, Singh also spoke about Rahul Gandhi and the state of the Congress party

Speaking exclusively to WION’s Kartikeya Sharma, the former MoS Home Affairs also talks about Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi, and the state of Congress. He adds that the policies of the ruling BJP government at the Centre have hurt the common man. Here is the full transcript of the interview: Q: Is Congress’ election campaign in Gujarat on the line of UP ke ladke, the election campaign theme of SP-Cong in Uttar Pradesh? Rahul Gandhi plus three boys from the state against Narendra Modi? RPN Singh: Not at all. I is not about individuals. It is not Rahul Gandhi vs anyone. It is not about individuals. It is about people of Gujarat and problems accruing from the policies of BJP-led state and central governments. People have suffered and Rahul Gandhi is only voicing the discomfort faced by people of Gujarat. It is people of Gujarat versus policies of the present government. Q: Demonetisation did not work in UP. What makes you think that GST as a political campaign will work in Gujarat? RPN Singh: BJP did a smart thing during UP elections. The message which went out during UP elections was that haves were being attacked and money would eventually be ploughed back to have nots. BJP had earlier promised Rs 15 lakh in people’s account and electorate thought that perhaps this scheme is probably a culmination of that promise. This messaging worked then, but now people understand that demonetisation led to nothing. And GST has hurt people. Q: What is the main challenge for the Congress in Jharkhand? RPN Singh: BJP government in Jharkhand has been trying to tweak land laws to parcel out land from the tribal community. We have been trying to stall it. They have tried changing land acquisition rules too. There are many issues in the state like health and hunger. Many children died because their mothers were malnourished. Poor has suffered in the state. These are the issues we want to focus on. And then the main focus remains on organization. Q: Congress for quite some time has been in alliance with regional parties in the state. So how do you expect to challenge BJP? RPN Singh: Congress has not done well in assembly and Lok Sabha elections last time around. We are trying to strengthen the Congress from booth level onwards. We are trying to take all communities on board. Q: Every assembly election, Congress jumps into the lap of a regional party. How will you change the outlook? RPN Singh: In Jharkhand, we contested independently and votes against BJP got divided which helped them. We are making sure that Congress is present in all 81 seats. Though elections are two years away but even if we go for alliance this time around we would like to be equal partners this time around. We aren’t ruling out alliance but it needs to be on equal footing. Q: What explains the rapid expansion of BJP in many states? RPN Singh: This issue has been addressed many times. In the last two to three years, we lost touch with real issues and what people wanted from us. We did good work but did not communicate well enough. We weren’t good at it then. The UPA did a good job in social sector. What we see today is strong communication by BJP but the work on the ground remains nil. Q: Did the issue of saffron terror controversy impact Congress very negatively? RPN Singh: Those speeches have never ever been Congress party’s view. Terror has no caste, religion or creed; those were individual remarks which I believe were communicated out of context. It has never been the Congress' stand but a perception was created and it did impact the Congress party. Q: Why is elevation of Rahul Gandhi getting delayed? RPN Singh: It is not getting delayed. There is an electoral process which is coming to close. PCC delegates have been elected and (his) elevation will happen soon. Q: Where lies the salvation of the Congress party? In building organization or electoral alliances to stop BJP? RPN Singh: We need to build our cadre and make people believe in our ideology. Q: The general message is that Congress has turned Left of Centre? RPN Singh: We are a centrist party. I will quote late Mrs Indira Gandhi, “We are in the centre and we will stand tall.”

Gujarat election is about people vs govt policies: Former Union Minister RPN Singh tells WION

<p>During the last Assembly election in Gujarat, Narendra Modi was the chief minister; Shankersinh Vaghela was the tallest Congress leader in the State; veteran Patidar leader Keshubhai Patel had rebelled against the Bharatiya Janata Party and floated his own outfit, the Gujarat Parivartan Party; Sonia Gandhi had vigorously campaigned for the Congress; the Congress was in power at the Centre; 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab was hanged; and Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray had passed away.</p>

<p>The BJP led by Modi had registered a resounding victory while the Congress helmed by Vaghela and consisting of a motley of lesser leaders managed just about half the number of seats the winning party got. Keshubhai Patel&rsquo;s party, contrary to its partvartan promise, could bring no change, ending with a paltry two seats. The so-called KHAM (Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi, Muslim) combine, that had been crafted in the 1980s by Congress leader Madhavsinh Solanki as his party&rsquo;s vote bank, failed to deliver &mdash; as it had on previous occasions in the past decade or so.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>The last election prepared the ground for Modi&rsquo;s elevation to the national stage; the 2017 result could solidify his and his party&rsquo;s position in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The last election prepared the ground for Modi?s elevation to the national stage; the 2017 result could solidify his and his party?s position in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>Now, as the people of Gujarat prepare to vote in a few weeks from now for a new Assembly, much has changed. Modi is the country&rsquo;s Prime Minister; Vaghela has quit the Congress and is expected to harm his former party&rsquo;s prospects; Keshubhai Patel has reconciled to being a non-entity in the State&rsquo;s politics; the Hardik Patel factor has been introduced to lure the Patidar votes away from the BJP; Balasaheb Thackeray&rsquo;s son and successor Uddhav Thackeray has turned into more of a rival than an ally (which is officially is) of the ruling party; Sonia Gandhi may not campaign extensively owing to her health; Rahul Gandhi, soon to be made Congress president, is at the forefront of his party&rsquo;s electoral battle; and, the BJP has replaced the Congress at the Centre.</p>

<p>Yet, some things remain the same. Modi in 2017, as in 2012, is the BJP&rsquo;s mascot and the Congress&rsquo;s chief enemy and a wall yet to be dented. Like in 2012, Modi is hard selling &lsquo;development&rsquo; and Gujarati pride in 2017 as well. Rahul Gandhi is seeking to establish his credentials as a serious and credible politician, something he had attempted in 2012 as well.</p>

<p>The Muslim voters of the State are as wary of the BJP today as they were in 2012, and they have to do with the ruling party&rsquo;s slogan of &ldquo;Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas&rdquo;. Finally, if the Gujarat election in 2012 was important on account of Modi, it is more so in 2017. The last election prepared the ground for Modi&rsquo;s elevation to the national stage; the 2017 result could solidify his and his party&rsquo;s position in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll.</p>

<p>The gloves are off on both the sides. Prime Minister Modi and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi have visited Gujarat on several occasions and are expected to keep doing so in the run-up to the election. If Modi has sought to leverage &lsquo;development&rsquo;, Rahul Gandhi has concentrated on the &lsquo;divisive&rsquo; nature of his rival and rubbished the claimed development.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>If Modi has sought to leverage &lsquo;development&rsquo;, Rahul Gandhi has concentrated on the &lsquo;divisive&rsquo; nature of his rival and rubbished the claimed development.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text= If Modi has sought to leverage ?development?, Rahul Gandhi has concentrated on the ?divisive? nature of his rival and rubbished the claimed development.

" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>Modi talks of the Congress&rsquo;s corruption while Rahul Gandhi attacks the BJP for &lsquo;atrocities&rsquo; on Scheduled Castes and discrimination against the Muslims. If the BJP brandishes the World Bank&rsquo;s Doing Business report as a vindication of the Modi regime&rsquo;s economic policies, the Congress alleges the report was &lsquo;manufactured&rsquo; and &lsquo;fixed&rsquo;. The Congress cautions Gujarat&rsquo;s voters against social and economic disasters in case they let the BJP return to power, and the BJP warns them of a rude jolt to the development and Gujarati pride if the Congress succeeds.</p>

<p>The Congress believes, and with good reasons of its own, that it has the best chance in two decades to oust the BJP from the State. It may not have been wrong in sensing a level of disaffection among a section of the traditional BJP supporters &mdash; the business community and the Patidars, for example. The Congress is seeking to tap into the discontent among traders over disruptions caused by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, while it is hoping to swing the Patel votes its way by holding out the promise of reservations in Government jobs and educational institutions.</p>

<p>With Patidar leader Hardik Patel apparently throwing his weight behind the Congress, the opposition party is upbeat. Add to this, the anger in the Scheduled Caste community following the Una incident last year under the BJP rule. The Congress hopes to exploit this as well, although the Dalit population in the State is too insignificant to make a major overall electoral impact.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>The BJP is banking on its strong and decades-long socio-economic connect with the Patidar community to neutralise the Hardik Patel fallout.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The BJP is banking on its strong and decades-long socio-economic connect with the Patidar community to neutralise the Hardik Patel fallout." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>Mindful of the new challenges which have come its way, the BJP has adopted a multi-pronged approach. For one, it has stepped up its focus on development and Gujarati pride &mdash; juxtaposing it with the Congress&rsquo;s &lsquo;indifference&rsquo;. While dedicating the Sardar Sarovar project to the nation, Modi did not fail to underline what he alleged were obstacles that Congress regimes at the Centre had placed in the early completion of the dam work. In later meetings in the State, he spoke of the delays the Congress-led UPA had effected, in the name of environment protection, in developing coastal Gujarat.</p>

<p>Modi spoke of the Congress&rsquo;s sidelining of Gujarati pride &mdash; freedom fighter, senior Congress leader and independent India&rsquo;s first Minister for Home Affairs, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel &mdash; and mentioned the ongoing work on the Statue of Unity that the BJP had undertaken in the Iron Man&rsquo;s memory. It has been wooing important leaders of the Patidar community to blunt the Hardik Patel impact, and also highlighting Hardik Patel&rsquo;s proximity to the Congress &mdash; a party which it says had consistently betrayed the Patel cause. The BJP is banking on its strong and decades-long socio-economic connect with the Patidar community to neutralise the Hardik Patel fallout.</p>

<p>As campaigning picks up and nominations are filed and confirmed, there will emerge a better understanding at constituency levels on which way the battle is going. Certain issues will gain steam while others may fall by the wayside. The larger picture, going by published opinion polls so far, appears to be in the BJP&rsquo;s favour. The party is expected to sweep as it did in 2012. These surveys also inform that a majority of the people are unhappy with the GST mess and the effects of demonetisation. And yet, if the BJP still wins, it can only mean one thing &mdash; and one that is discouraging to the Congress: People may be unhappy with some of the BJP Government&rsquo;s decisions, but they will not necessarily vote against the party.</p>


BJP has stepped up its focus on development and Gujarati pride ? juxtaposing it with the Congress?s ?indifference?.

During the last Assembly election in Gujarat, Narendra Modi was the chief minister; Shankersinh Vaghela was the tallest Congress leader in the State; veteran Patidar leader Keshubhai Patel had rebelled against the Bharatiya Janata Party and floated his own outfit, the Gujarat Parivartan Party; Sonia Gandhi had vigorously campaigned for the Congress; the Congress was in power at the Centre; 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab was hanged; and Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray had passed away. The BJP led by Modi had registered a resounding victory while the Congress helmed by Vaghela and consisting of a motley of lesser leaders managed just about half the number of seats the winning party got. Keshubhai Patel’s party, contrary to its partvartan promise, could bring no change, ending with a paltry two seats. The so-called KHAM (Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi, Muslim) combine, that had been crafted in the 1980s by Congress leader Madhavsinh Solanki as his party’s vote bank, failed to deliver — as it had on previous occasions in the past decade or so. The last election prepared the ground for Modi’s elevation to the national stage; the 2017 result could solidify his and his party’s position in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll. × Now, as the people of Gujarat prepare to vote in a few weeks from now for a new Assembly, much has changed. Modi is the country’s Prime Minister; Vaghela has quit the Congress and is expected to harm his former party’s prospects; Keshubhai Patel has reconciled to being a non-entity in the State’s politics; the Hardik Patel factor has been introduced to lure the Patidar votes away from the BJP; Balasaheb Thackeray’s son and successor Uddhav Thackeray has turned into more of a rival than an ally (which is officially is) of the ruling party; Sonia Gandhi may not campaign extensively owing to her health; Rahul Gandhi, soon to be made Congress president, is at the forefront of his party’s electoral battle; and, the BJP has replaced the Congress at the Centre. Yet, some things remain the same. Modi in 2017, as in 2012, is the BJP’s mascot and the Congress’s chief enemy and a wall yet to be dented. Like in 2012, Modi is hard selling ‘development’ and Gujarati pride in 2017 as well. Rahul Gandhi is seeking to establish his credentials as a serious and credible politician, something he had attempted in 2012 as well. The Muslim voters of the State are as wary of the BJP today as they were in 2012, and they have to do with the ruling party’s slogan of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”. Finally, if the Gujarat election in 2012 was important on account of Modi, it is more so in 2017. The last election prepared the ground for Modi’s elevation to the national stage; the 2017 result could solidify his and his party’s position in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll. The gloves are off on both the sides. Prime Minister Modi and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi have visited Gujarat on several occasions and are expected to keep doing so in the run-up to the election. If Modi has sought to leverage ‘development’, Rahul Gandhi has concentrated on the ‘divisive’ nature of his rival and rubbished the claimed development. If Modi has sought to leverage ‘development’, Rahul Gandhi has concentrated on the ‘divisive’ nature of his rival and rubbished the claimed development. × Modi talks of the Congress’s corruption while Rahul Gandhi attacks the BJP for ‘atrocities’ on Scheduled Castes and discrimination against the Muslims. If the BJP brandishes the World Bank’s Doing Business report as a vindication of the Modi regime’s economic policies, the Congress alleges the report was ‘manufactured’ and ‘fixed’. The Congress cautions Gujarat’s voters against social and economic disasters in case they let the BJP return to power, and the BJP warns them of a rude jolt to the development and Gujarati pride if the Congress succeeds. The Congress believes, and with good reasons of its own, that it has the best chance in two decades to oust the BJP from the State. It may not have been wrong in sensing a level of disaffection among a section of the traditional BJP supporters — the business community and the Patidars, for example. The Congress is seeking to tap into the discontent among traders over disruptions caused by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, while it is hoping to swing the Patel votes its way by holding out the promise of reservations in Government jobs and educational institutions. With Patidar leader Hardik Patel apparently throwing his weight behind the Congress, the opposition party is upbeat. Add to this, the anger in the Scheduled Caste community following the Una incident last year under the BJP rule. The Congress hopes to exploit this as well, although the Dalit population in the State is too insignificant to make a major overall electoral impact. The BJP is banking on its strong and decades-long socio-economic connect with the Patidar community to neutralise the Hardik Patel fallout. × Mindful of the new challenges which have come its way, the BJP has adopted a multi-pronged approach. For one, it has stepped up its focus on development and Gujarati pride — juxtaposing it with the Congress’s ‘indifference’. While dedicating the Sardar Sarovar project to the nation, Modi did not fail to underline what he alleged were obstacles that Congress regimes at the Centre had placed in the early completion of the dam work. In later meetings in the State, he spoke of the delays the Congress-led UPA had effected, in the name of environment protection, in developing coastal Gujarat. Modi spoke of the Congress’s sidelining of Gujarati pride — freedom fighter, senior Congress leader and independent India’s first Minister for Home Affairs, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — and mentioned the ongoing work on the Statue of Unity that the BJP had undertaken in the Iron Man’s memory. It has been wooing important leaders of the Patidar community to blunt the Hardik Patel impact, and also highlighting Hardik Patel’s proximity to the Congress — a party which it says had consistently betrayed the Patel cause. The BJP is banking on its strong and decades-long socio-economic connect with the Patidar community to neutralise the Hardik Patel fallout. As campaigning picks up and nominations are filed and confirmed, there will emerge a better understanding at constituency levels on which way the battle is going. Certain issues will gain steam while others may fall by the wayside. The larger picture, going by published opinion polls so far, appears to be in the BJP’s favour. The party is expected to sweep as it did in 2012. These surveys also inform that a majority of the people are unhappy with the GST mess and the effects of demonetisation. And yet, if the BJP still wins, it can only mean one thing — and one that is discouraging to the Congress: People may be unhappy with some of the BJP Government’s decisions, but they will not necessarily vote against the party.

Gujarat election: Demonetisation vs Gujarati pride

<p>The US government will constantly monitor its sanctions regime to respond to violence in Myanmar&#39;s Rakhine state that has sent hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslim refugees across the border to Bangladesh, a senior US official said on Saturday.</p>

<p>&quot;We are constantly evaluating the situation,&quot; Simon Henshaw, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, told reporters at a news briefing in Dhaka after visiting camps in Cox&#39;s Bazar where hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees are sheltering.</p>

<p>&quot;Congress has given us a number of tools we can use,&quot; he said, noting disturbing reports of atrocities in Rakhine state.</p>

<p>&quot;We call for a full investigation of these reports, we call for those who committed (the atrocities) to be held accountable,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;It is incredible that only within two months more than 600,000 refugees have taken shelter in a country.&quot;</p>

<p>A seven-member delegation led by Henshaw visited Myanmar from October 29 before traveling to Bangladesh on Wednesday. It went to Cox&#39;s Bazar on Thursday.</p>

<p>&quot;During our meetings with Myanmar government officials, we told them that it is their responsibility to return a secure and stable situation in Rakhine state. It is also their responsibility to investigate the reports of atrocities.&quot;</p>

<p>The delegation also asked Myanmar to allow Rohingya people back to their land and to rehabilitate the villages that were burned. He said they had been shocked by Rohingya accounts of atrocities, murder, and sexual assaults.</p>

<p>&quot;The delegation called on the Myanmar government to allow access to the press and international organizations so they could see the situation on the ground,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the issue has been taken to the highest level of authority in the US government.</p>

<p>&quot;The statements related to the situation in Myanmar have been issued from the White House and also from the State Department.&quot;</p>

<p>She said the delegation would update US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson before his visit to Myanmar on Nov. 15.</p>

<p>Some 2,500 Rohingya refugees crossed into Bangladesh on Friday through two border crossings, a senior security official said on Saturday.</p>

<p>&quot;Those refugees are already being sent to different camps under the supervision of Bangladesh Army,&quot; Major Mohammad Iqbal, Deputy Commanding Officer of Bangladesh Border Guard of Cox&#39;s Bazar district told Reuters.</p>


"Congress has given us a number of tools we can use," the official said, noting disturbing reports of atrocities in Rakhine state.

The US government will constantly monitor its sanctions regime to respond to violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state that has sent hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslim refugees across the border to Bangladesh, a senior US official said on Saturday. "We are constantly evaluating the situation," Simon Henshaw, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, told reporters at a news briefing in Dhaka after visiting camps in Cox's Bazar where hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees are sheltering. "Congress has given us a number of tools we can use," he said, noting disturbing reports of atrocities in Rakhine state. "We call for a full investigation of these reports, we call for those who committed (the atrocities) to be held accountable," he said. "It is incredible that only within two months more than 600,000 refugees have taken shelter in a country." A seven-member delegation led by Henshaw visited Myanmar from October 29 before traveling to Bangladesh on Wednesday. It went to Cox's Bazar on Thursday. "During our meetings with Myanmar government officials, we told them that it is their responsibility to return a secure and stable situation in Rakhine state. It is also their responsibility to investigate the reports of atrocities." The delegation also asked Myanmar to allow Rohingya people back to their land and to rehabilitate the villages that were burned. He said they had been shocked by Rohingya accounts of atrocities, murder, and sexual assaults. "The delegation called on the Myanmar government to allow access to the press and international organizations so they could see the situation on the ground," he said. US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the issue has been taken to the highest level of authority in the US government. "The statements related to the situation in Myanmar have been issued from the White House and also from the State Department." She said the delegation would update US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson before his visit to Myanmar on Nov. 15. Some 2,500 Rohingya refugees crossed into Bangladesh on Friday through two border crossings, a senior security official said on Saturday. "Those refugees are already being sent to different camps under the supervision of Bangladesh Army," Major Mohammad Iqbal, Deputy Commanding Officer of Bangladesh Border Guard of Cox's Bazar district told Reuters.

Constantly monitoring sanctions regime on Myanmar situation: US

<p>The Congress on Sunday expressed suspicion over the arrest of Abdul Rashid Ajmeri, alleged prime conspirator of the terrorist attack on Gandhinagar Akshardham temple in 2002, ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections.</p>

<p>Congress leader Tom Vadakkan told ANI, &quot;Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat when this incident happened and he was not able to trace this culprit then. Now 15 years later, just before the Gujarat elections, he as the Prime Minister has been able to get hold of this culprit. Moreover, the culprit is arrested after the visit of the Prime Minister to the temple. There are too many coincidences,&quot; Vadakkan mooted.</p>

<p>He added that Vijay Rupani as Gujarat&#39;s Chief Minister has failed in all fronts of governance but it took Prime Minister Modi&#39;s prodding to capture the chief architect of the crime.</p>

<p>&quot;It also happened very close to Gujarat`s elections, which is suspicious. But yes, I am happy that the terrorist has been arrested,&quot; Vadakkan said.</p>

<p>Earlier on Friday, Ajmeri, was arrested at the Ahmedabad airport after his arrival from Riyadh.</p>

<p>It was alleged that he had planned the terror attack and helped Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in executing it. Ajmeri, an Ahmedabad resident, had absconded to Riyadh before the terror act was committed.</p>

<p>Two terrorists, allegedly with links to Pakistan-based LeT, had attacked the temple in Gandhinagar on September 24, 2002, killing 32 and injuring over 80 people.</p>

<p>The attackers were killed by the National Security Guard (NSG) commandos.</p>

<p>The Supreme Court had, in May 2014, acquitted all six convicts arrested earlier, including three facing death sentences, in the case.</p>

<p>The two-phase polling in the state is scheduled on December 9 and 14.</p>


Congress leader Tom Vadakkan said that Vijay Rupani as Gujarat's Chief Minister has failed in all fronts of governance but it took Prime Minister Modi's prodding to capture the chief architect of the crime.

The Congress on Sunday expressed suspicion over the arrest of Abdul Rashid Ajmeri, alleged prime conspirator of the terrorist attack on Gandhinagar Akshardham temple in 2002, ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections. Congress leader Tom Vadakkan told ANI, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat when this incident happened and he was not able to trace this culprit then. Now 15 years later, just before the Gujarat elections, he as the Prime Minister has been able to get hold of this culprit. Moreover, the culprit is arrested after the visit of the Prime Minister to the temple. There are too many coincidences," Vadakkan mooted. He added that Vijay Rupani as Gujarat's Chief Minister has failed in all fronts of governance but it took Prime Minister Modi's prodding to capture the chief architect of the crime. "It also happened very close to Gujarat`s elections, which is suspicious. But yes, I am happy that the terrorist has been arrested," Vadakkan said. Earlier on Friday, Ajmeri, was arrested at the Ahmedabad airport after his arrival from Riyadh. It was alleged that he had planned the terror attack and helped Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in executing it. Ajmeri, an Ahmedabad resident, had absconded to Riyadh before the terror act was committed. Two terrorists, allegedly with links to Pakistan-based LeT, had attacked the temple in Gandhinagar on September 24, 2002, killing 32 and injuring over 80 people. The attackers were killed by the National Security Guard (NSG) commandos. The Supreme Court had, in May 2014, acquitted all six convicts arrested earlier, including three facing death sentences, in the case. The two-phase polling in the state is scheduled on December 9 and 14.

Congress questions arrest of 2002 Akshardham attacker ahead of Gujarat polls

<p>&quot;Former prime minister Indira Gandhi refused to carry out note ban. Had she done note ban when needed, I would not have had to carry out this big task,&#39;&#39; said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p>

<p>Stressing that the implementation of demonetisation policy was required in 1971, but it was implemented by the BJP government, the prime minister added.</p>

<p>After Modi announced the demonetisation of high-value currency on November 8, 2016, several BJP leaders have hit out Indira Gandhi and said she lacked the courage to go ahead with the&nbsp;demonetisation, though she was advised to do so.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Fmr PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiraGandhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiraGandhi</a> refused to carry out note ban.Had she done note ban when needed, I would not have had to carry out this big task: Modi.</p>
&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/927125446646366208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Attacking the Congress on the issue of corruption, Modi accused the previous Congress-led government at the Centre of abusing subsidies worth Rs 57,000 crore. He claimed he had stopped this misuse, and the money was now being used for the welfare of the poor.</p>

<p>&quot;Over Rs 57,000 crore in subsidies were looted by middlemen. Modi has stopped all this and this money is now being spent for the welfare of the poor,&quot; he said, holding that this was the reason for the Congress&#39;s attack on him.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rs 4,000 cr fraud found in probe into 5,000 companies out of 3 lakh that have shut down after <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/demonetisation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#demonetisation</a>: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>.</p>
&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/927125779552518144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>He also took a dig at former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for his statement that out of one rupee spent from Delhi, only 15 paisa reached the villages, saying that Gandhi was merely painting a picture of what the Congress did when it ran the country.</p>

<p>Gandhi, he added, was a doctor who diagnosed the problem of corruption but did nothing&nbsp;about it.</p>

<p>Modi wondered where the 85 paise went.</p>

<p>&quot;Who was that magician? Or which &#39;panja&#39; (palm) was used to steal that money,&quot; he asked, in an apparent reference to the Congress&#39;s electoral symbol, the palm.<br />
On GST, Modi said no businessman or business body had opposed the new tax regime, and the government was doing everything to resolve the problems of traders and shopkeepers after taking all states on board.</p>

<p>&quot;If there is a problem in any corner of the country, we discuss and seriously think about it and try to resolve it. The GST Council last month resolved all the problems of businessmen arising out of the one tax law,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With agency inputs)&nbsp;</em></p>


"Never has there been a one-sided election as seen in this election. The reason for this is that the country knows what the Congress government is like and what its intentions are," Modi said.

"Former prime minister Indira Gandhi refused to carry out note ban. Had she done note ban when needed, I would not have had to carry out this big task,'' said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Stressing that the implementation of demonetisation policy was required in 1971, but it was implemented by the BJP government, the prime minister added. After Modi announced the demonetisation of high-value currency on November 8, 2016, several BJP leaders have hit out Indira Gandhi and said she lacked the courage to go ahead with the demonetisation, though she was advised to do so. Fmr PM #IndiraGandhi refused to carry out note ban.Had she done note ban when needed, I would not have had to carry out this big task: Modi. — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 5, 2017 × Attacking the Congress on the issue of corruption, Modi accused the previous Congress-led government at the Centre of abusing subsidies worth Rs 57,000 crore. He claimed he had stopped this misuse, and the money was now being used for the welfare of the poor. "Over Rs 57,000 crore in subsidies were looted by middlemen. Modi has stopped all this and this money is now being spent for the welfare of the poor," he said, holding that this was the reason for the Congress's attack on him. Rs 4,000 cr fraud found in probe into 5,000 companies out of 3 lakh that have shut down after #demonetisation: PM @narendramodi. — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 5, 2017 × He also took a dig at former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for his statement that out of one rupee spent from Delhi, only 15 paisa reached the villages, saying that Gandhi was merely painting a picture of what the Congress did when it ran the country. Gandhi, he added, was a doctor who diagnosed the problem of corruption but did nothing about it. Modi wondered where the 85 paise went. "Who was that magician? Or which 'panja' (palm) was used to steal that money," he asked, in an apparent reference to the Congress's electoral symbol, the palm. On GST, Modi said no businessman or business body had opposed the new tax regime, and the government was doing everything to resolve the problems of traders and shopkeepers after taking all states on board. "If there is a problem in any corner of the country, we discuss and seriously think about it and try to resolve it. The GST Council last month resolved all the problems of businessmen arising out of the one tax law," he said. (With agency inputs)

Indira Gandhi refused to carry out note ban: Modi

<p>The BJP in poll-bound Gujarat today asked <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/want-clarity-on-patidar-reservation-issue-by-nov-7-hardik-patel-23167" target="_blank">Patidar leader Hardik Patel</a> and the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-to-meet-gujarat-dalit-leader-mevani-congress-leader-23461" target="_blank">Congress</a> to clarify their positions after senior Congress leader Mohansinh Rathwa said it is not possible to carve out a quota for the Patidar community in the existing 49 per cent reservations.</p>

<p>Rathwa, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, made the statement at a rally before party vice president Rahul Gandhi&#39;s arrival at the tribal-dominated Nana Pondha village in Valsad district yesterday.</p>

<p>&quot;Patidars will be given reservation without interfering with the current quota of 49 per cent. There will not be any change in the current quota. If we give reservation, it has to be outside that quota,&quot; said Rathwa, a tribal leader and the senior-most Congress MLA in the state.</p>

<p>BJP leader and Union minister Parshottam Rupala today said Rathwa&#39;s remarks put both Hardik Patel and the Congress in the dock.</p>

<p>&quot;Rathwa spoke his mind. Now both Hardik and Congress need to clarify their stands, as Hardik only wanted reservation under the OBC quota, not under EBC (economically backward classes) category which was offered by the Congress. But opposition leaders are mum about granting the OBC status to Patels,&quot; Rupala said, speaking to reporters here.</p>

<p>&quot;As soon as Hardik slid towards Congress, some Congress leaders began suspecting whether there was any secret deal (to include Patels in the OBC category). After Rathwa&#39;s remarks, the Congress should clarify how it would grant reservation to Patidars under the existing OBC quota,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Earlier this week, members of Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and the Congress held a meeting and announced that an agreement has been reached on four main demands of the community. But there wasn&#39;t a final agreement on the key demand of the reservation yet, they said.</p>

<p>PAAS leaders said they will hold another round of discussions with the Congress by November 7.</p>

<p>Earlier, the Gujarat Congress had promised a 20 per cent reservation under the EBC quota to non-reserved communities including Patels if the party came to power.</p>

<p>&quot;The fact is, the Congress never said anything about OBC reservations. They only talk about EBC quota. The Gujarat government has already given a 10 per cent quota in EBC. It is now quite clear that the Congress is trying to mislead Patidars with such vague promises,&quot; said Rupala.&nbsp;</p>


The BJP in poll-bound Gujarat today asked Patidar leader Hardik Patel and the Congress to clarify their positions after senior Congress leader Mohansinh Rathwa said it is not possible to carve out a quota for the Patidar community in the existing 49 per cent reservations

The BJP in poll-bound Gujarat today asked Patidar leader Hardik Patel and the Congress to clarify their positions after senior Congress leader Mohansinh Rathwa said it is not possible to carve out a quota for the Patidar community in the existing 49 per cent reservations. Rathwa, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, made the statement at a rally before party vice president Rahul Gandhi's arrival at the tribal-dominated Nana Pondha village in Valsad district yesterday. "Patidars will be given reservation without interfering with the current quota of 49 per cent. There will not be any change in the current quota. If we give reservation, it has to be outside that quota," said Rathwa, a tribal leader and the senior-most Congress MLA in the state. BJP leader and Union minister Parshottam Rupala today said Rathwa's remarks put both Hardik Patel and the Congress in the dock. "Rathwa spoke his mind. Now both Hardik and Congress need to clarify their stands, as Hardik only wanted reservation under the OBC quota, not under EBC (economically backward classes) category which was offered by the Congress. But opposition leaders are mum about granting the OBC status to Patels," Rupala said, speaking to reporters here. "As soon as Hardik slid towards Congress, some Congress leaders began suspecting whether there was any secret deal (to include Patels in the OBC category). After Rathwa's remarks, the Congress should clarify how it would grant reservation to Patidars under the existing OBC quota," he said. Earlier this week, members of Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and the Congress held a meeting and announced that an agreement has been reached on four main demands of the community. But there wasn't a final agreement on the key demand of the reservation yet, they said. PAAS leaders said they will hold another round of discussions with the Congress by November 7. Earlier, the Gujarat Congress had promised a 20 per cent reservation under the EBC quota to non-reserved communities including Patels if the party came to power. "The fact is, the Congress never said anything about OBC reservations. They only talk about EBC quota. The Gujarat government has already given a 10 per cent quota in EBC. It is now quite clear that the Congress is trying to mislead Patidars with such vague promises," said Rupala.

BJP questions Congress's quota promise to Patidars

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will visit Rae bareli on Thursday following an explosion at the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) plant that left 18 people dead.</p>

<p>Rahul, who was in Gujarat on Wednesday for the election campaigning, took to Twitter and said, &quot;Due to the unfortunate NTPC accident, I will visit Rae Bareli tomorrow morning. I will join Gujarat Navsarjan Yatra in the afternoon.&quot;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Due to the unfortunate NTPC accident, I will visit Rae Bareli tomorrow morning. Will join Gujarat Navsarjan Yatra in the afternoon.</p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/925776585533169664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Rahul was in Gujarat as part of his three-day Navsarjan Yatra, ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the state.</p>

<p>Earlier on Wednesday, at least 18 people were killed and 100 others sustained injuries after an ash-pipe exploded due to pressure at the NTPC plant in Unchahar area of Raebareli.</p>

<p>The Congress vice-president also expressed his condolences over the deaths and tweeted, &quot;I am deeply saddened with the incident at the Rae Bareli&#39;s NTPC plant. My heartfelt condolences are with the family of the deceased. I request the administration to help the injured immediately.&quot;&nbsp;</p>


Rahul Gandhi will visit Raebareli on Thursday following an explosion at the NTPC plant

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will visit Rae bareli on Thursday following an explosion at the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) plant that left 18 people dead. Rahul, who was in Gujarat on Wednesday for the election campaigning, took to Twitter and said, "Due to the unfortunate NTPC accident, I will visit Rae Bareli tomorrow morning. I will join Gujarat Navsarjan Yatra in the afternoon." Due to the unfortunate NTPC accident, I will visit Rae Bareli tomorrow morning. Will join Gujarat Navsarjan Yatra in the afternoon. — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 1, 2017 × Rahul was in Gujarat as part of his three-day Navsarjan Yatra, ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the state. Earlier on Wednesday, at least 18 people were killed and 100 others sustained injuries after an ash-pipe exploded due to pressure at the NTPC plant in Unchahar area of Raebareli. The Congress vice-president also expressed his condolences over the deaths and tweeted, "I am deeply saddened with the incident at the Rae Bareli's NTPC plant. My heartfelt condolences are with the family of the deceased. I request the administration to help the injured immediately."

Rahul Gandhi to visit Rae Bareli after NTPC plant explosion

<p>After taking a potshot at the Congress on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sambit-patra-says-for-congress-ease-of-doing-corruption-was-the-core-issue-23288">&#39;&#39;ease of doing business&#39;&#39;</a>, Prime Minister Narendra Modi again attacked Rahul Gandhi on Friday by saying the Congress leader lacked&nbsp;primary understanding of diplomacy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Addressing a rally in Himachal Pradesh&#39;s Kangra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocked Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, saying, &quot;Instead of asking Indian diplomats and foreign minister, you go and ask Chinese envoy.&quot;<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
&#39;&#39;Instead of asking Indian diplomats and foreign ministry, you go and ask Chinese envoy. Sorry to say this shows lack of primary understanding,&#39;&#39; Modi said and added that the country was well aware of how the Doklam issue was resolved, but the Congress even questioned that.</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;The country is aware how the Doklam issue was dealt with, but the Congress even questioned that,&#39;&#39; the prime minister said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Turning the spotlight on the dynastic&nbsp;politics yet again, Modi said someone born in a family which has ruled for decades doesn&#39;t believe his own Army and agencies? Meet&nbsp;China&#39;s envoy and ask&nbsp;about Doklam, he said.</p>

<p>&quot;Congress had become a &#39;laughing club&#39; and they need to introspect why people were turning away from them across the country, &#39;&#39; Modi asserted.</p>

<p>Speaking of the problems faced by the state, Modi said that there were five monsters that Himachal needed&nbsp;to get rid off: Mining mafia, forest mafia, drug mafia, tender mafia and transfer mafia.</p>

<p>&quot;Himachal Pradesh is embroiled in corruption yet Congress&#39; manifesto says there will be zero tolerance for corruption. Even a child won&#39;t believe it,&#39;&#39; Modi said and added that he had worked extensively in Himachal Pradesh and was very familiar with every nook and corner of the state.</p>


Turning the spotlight on the dynasty politics yet again, Modi said someone born in a family which has ruled for decades doesn't believe his own Army and agencies? Meets China's envoy and asks about Doklam.

After taking a potshot at the Congress on ''ease of doing business'', Prime Minister Narendra Modi again attacked Rahul Gandhi on Friday by saying the Congress leader lacked primary understanding of diplomacy. Addressing a rally in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocked Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, saying, "Instead of asking Indian diplomats and foreign minister, you go and ask Chinese envoy." ''Instead of asking Indian diplomats and foreign ministry, you go and ask Chinese envoy. Sorry to say this shows lack of primary understanding,'' Modi said and added that the country was well aware of how the Doklam issue was resolved, but the Congress even questioned that. ''The country is aware how the Doklam issue was dealt with, but the Congress even questioned that,'' the prime minister said. Turning the spotlight on the dynastic politics yet again, Modi said someone born in a family which has ruled for decades doesn't believe his own Army and agencies? Meet China's envoy and ask about Doklam, he said. "Congress had become a 'laughing club' and they need to introspect why people were turning away from them across the country, '' Modi asserted. Speaking of the problems faced by the state, Modi said that there were five monsters that Himachal needed to get rid off: Mining mafia, forest mafia, drug mafia, tender mafia and transfer mafia. "Himachal Pradesh is embroiled in corruption yet Congress' manifesto says there will be zero tolerance for corruption. Even a child won't believe it,'' Modi said and added that he had worked extensively in Himachal Pradesh and was very familiar with every nook and corner of the state.

Rahul Gandhi lacks primary understanding of diplomacy: Modi

<p>The BJP on Wednesday attacked the Congress by saying that &#39;ease of doing corruption&#39; has been replaced by the ease of doing business.</p>

<p>&quot;The difference between the UPA and NDA - &#39;The ease of doing corruption has been replaced by the ease of doing business&#39;,&quot; tweeted Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.</p>

<p>Jaitley was responding to Rahul Gandhi&#39;s charge that there was no ease of doing business in India as demonetisation and GST destroyed everything.</p>

<p>Addressing a public meeting in Gujarat&#39;s Bharuch,&nbsp; Gandhi said that BJP will &quot;get a&nbsp;shock of their life&quot; on the day of Gujarat election and added, &quot;there was no ease of doing business in India as demonetisation and GST have destroyed everything&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;The BJP has been in power for the last three years. How many Swiss account holders are in jail? Tell me,&quot; the Gandhi scion asked saying that Vijay Mallya was still enjoying in the&nbsp;UK, he further said.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&quot;Modiji gave loan worth Rs 33,000 crore for Tata Nano plant, almost free, charging the least possible rate. Using that money, they could have written off the loans of the farmers. Farmers in Gujarat are crying, they are being suppressed,&#39;&#39; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused the UPA dispensation under the rule of&nbsp;Manmohan Singh of draining the country of its resources worth approximately 12-14 lakh crore through various corrupt scams.</p>

<p>&quot;Today when Rahul Gandhi is, in fact, challenging the World Bank&#39;s data saying that he knows as to how this data is produced, Rahul Gandhi should be answering whom he believes,&nbsp;his Pidi or the world bank,&quot; Patra added.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Addressing a public meeting in Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi said there was no ease of doing business in India as demonetisation and GST have destroyed everything.

The BJP on Wednesday attacked the Congress by saying that 'ease of doing corruption' has been replaced by the ease of doing business. "The difference between the UPA and NDA - 'The ease of doing corruption has been replaced by the ease of doing business'," tweeted Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Jaitley was responding to Rahul Gandhi's charge that there was no ease of doing business in India as demonetisation and GST destroyed everything. Addressing a public meeting in Gujarat's Bharuch, Gandhi said that BJP will "get a shock of their life" on the day of Gujarat election and added, "there was no ease of doing business in India as demonetisation and GST have destroyed everything". "The BJP has been in power for the last three years. How many Swiss account holders are in jail? Tell me," the Gandhi scion asked saying that Vijay Mallya was still enjoying in the UK, he further said. "Modiji gave loan worth Rs 33,000 crore for Tata Nano plant, almost free, charging the least possible rate. Using that money, they could have written off the loans of the farmers. Farmers in Gujarat are crying, they are being suppressed,'' he added. Earlier BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused the UPA dispensation under the rule of Manmohan Singh of draining the country of its resources worth approximately 12-14 lakh crore through various corrupt scams. "Today when Rahul Gandhi is, in fact, challenging the World Bank's data saying that he knows as to how this data is produced, Rahul Gandhi should be answering whom he believes, his Pidi or the world bank," Patra added.

'Ease of doing corruption' replaced by ease of doing business: Arun Jaitley taunts UPA

<p>Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday attacked the Narendra Modi government&nbsp;saying the country was getting increasingly divided in the name of &quot;narrow nationalism&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;The liberal, tolerant Indian ethos that former prime minister late Indira Gandhi embodied is being rejected and repudiated,&quot; she said in a&nbsp;speech at a function in which the 30th Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration was conferred on Carnatic musician T M Krishna.</p>

<p>She also said that the idea of India that Indira Gandhi fought for has been thrown fundamentally into question by the &quot;rising intolerance&quot; that one witnessed today. &quot;The country&#39;s heritage is now in the hands of those who are bent upon rewriting history, imposing falsehood and unscientific ideas on our people and stifling independent thinking,&quot; Gandhi said without naming any party or individual.</p>

<p>&quot;We must be undaunted, unafraid, and uncompromising against the forces of darkness that seek to engulf our land,&quot; she added.</p>

<p>Indira Gandhi, she said, led India through major transformations and in her 16-year long battle against poverty and social injustice, she gave her all to make the country self-reliant in agriculture, industry and technology.</p>

<p>Sonia Gandhi said that after Operation Bluestar, when she was advised to transfer some bodyguards out of her service, she refused, saying that she would not judge anyone on the basis of religion.</p>


Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday attacked the Narendra Modi government saying the country was getting increasingly divided in the name of "narrow nationalism".

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday attacked the Narendra Modi government saying the country was getting increasingly divided in the name of "narrow nationalism". "The liberal, tolerant Indian ethos that former prime minister late Indira Gandhi embodied is being rejected and repudiated," she said in a speech at a function in which the 30th Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration was conferred on Carnatic musician T M Krishna. She also said that the idea of India that Indira Gandhi fought for has been thrown fundamentally into question by the "rising intolerance" that one witnessed today. "The country's heritage is now in the hands of those who are bent upon rewriting history, imposing falsehood and unscientific ideas on our people and stifling independent thinking," Gandhi said without naming any party or individual. "We must be undaunted, unafraid, and uncompromising against the forces of darkness that seek to engulf our land," she added. Indira Gandhi, she said, led India through major transformations and in her 16-year long battle against poverty and social injustice, she gave her all to make the country self-reliant in agriculture, industry and technology. Sonia Gandhi said that after Operation Bluestar, when she was advised to transfer some bodyguards out of her service, she refused, saying that she would not judge anyone on the basis of religion.

Sonia Gandhi attacks Modi government, says country getting divided in the name of narrow nationalism

<p>The Congress on Wednesday asked the Narendra Modi government to do a &#39;reality check&#39; across India on ease of doing business.</p>

<p>The Congress&#39;&nbsp;demand has come after the World Bank&#39;s &#39;Doing Business 2018&#39;&nbsp;report said India is one of the top improvers and it ranks among the top 30 countries in three indicators.</p>

<p>Addressing a press conference, former union minister and senior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said the Modi government, which is boasting about the World Bank report, should also do a reality check across the country.</p>

<p>&quot;We don&#39;t have any objection on World Bank report, but, we want to ask a question: what is the ground reality? The latest World Bank report is based on survey in Delhi and Mumbai only. But, what is happening in other parts of the country? Six hundred eighty startups have been shut. Exports have fallen down to a 14 year low. If there was ease of doing business then why did the exports fall? Apart from it, 3.72 crore people have lost jobs. Where is the ease of business?&quot; Shukla asked.</p>

<p>He also said that price rise is a continuous phenomenon under the Prime Minister Modi led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.</p>

<p>&quot;Price rise is continuous. The price of cooking gas has fallen up to 35 percent in the international market, but here in India the subsidised LPG cylinder that cost Rs 412 in 2014 is now being sold at Rs 487.18 in Delhi. The non-subsidised LPG cylinder has become dearer by Rs 141.50,&quot; the Congress leader said.</p>

<p>He also said that people should realise that today the price of petrol and diesel is more or less the same with the price during Congress rule when now the international price of crude oil is 50 US Dollar per barrel whereas we used to purchase at 110-120 US Dollar per barrel.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh said the World Bank report on ease of doing business is an answer to Congress and other political parties who have been targeting the Modi government over its economic reforms.</p>

<p>Singh termed improvement of India`s ranking in the World Bank report as a matter of pride not only for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but for every Indian</p>


Addressing a press conference here, former union minister and senior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said the Modi government, which is boasting about the World Bank report, should also do a reality check across the country

The Congress on Wednesday asked the Narendra Modi government to do a 'reality check' across India on ease of doing business. The Congress' demand has come after the World Bank's 'Doing Business 2018' report said India is one of the top improvers and it ranks among the top 30 countries in three indicators. Addressing a press conference, former union minister and senior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said the Modi government, which is boasting about the World Bank report, should also do a reality check across the country. "We don't have any objection on World Bank report, but, we want to ask a question: what is the ground reality? The latest World Bank report is based on survey in Delhi and Mumbai only. But, what is happening in other parts of the country? Six hundred eighty startups have been shut. Exports have fallen down to a 14 year low. If there was ease of doing business then why did the exports fall? Apart from it, 3.72 crore people have lost jobs. Where is the ease of business?" Shukla asked. He also said that price rise is a continuous phenomenon under the Prime Minister Modi led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. "Price rise is continuous. The price of cooking gas has fallen up to 35 percent in the international market, but here in India the subsidised LPG cylinder that cost Rs 412 in 2014 is now being sold at Rs 487.18 in Delhi. The non-subsidised LPG cylinder has become dearer by Rs 141.50," the Congress leader said. He also said that people should realise that today the price of petrol and diesel is more or less the same with the price during Congress rule when now the international price of crude oil is 50 US Dollar per barrel whereas we used to purchase at 110-120 US Dollar per barrel. Earlier in the day, Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh said the World Bank report on ease of doing business is an answer to Congress and other political parties who have been targeting the Modi government over its economic reforms. Singh termed improvement of India`s ranking in the World Bank report as a matter of pride not only for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but for every Indian

Congress demands 'reality check' across India on ease of doing business

<p>A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) named Prem Kumar Dhumal as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Himachal Pradesh elections, the Congress said that the party took the decision in compulsion.</p>

<p>Congress leader Anand Sharma said that the decision will not make any difference as their party is already strong in Himachal.</p>

<p>&quot;I don&#39;t think this is going to make any difference. This is a political compulsion. They realised that it is a very difficult contest for BJP and Congress party is strong on the ground. There is internal conflict within the BJP which prevented them from declaring Dhumal as their CM face. Now they have done it because of the compulsion after Dhumal expressed his unhappiness in public. Dhumal has been a chief minister in the past and has been a miserable failure. He has failed to deliver,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The BJP on Tuesday named Dhumal as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Himachal Pradesh elections.</p>

<p>While addressing a rally here, the BJP president Amit Shah said, &quot;The BJP will fight Himachal Pradesh assembly elections under the leadership of Prem Kumar Dhumal. I want to tell you Virbhadra Singh ji (Himachal CM) that former CM and current leader of Opposition Dhumal ji will become chief minister of Himachal Pradesh after December 18.&quot;</p>

<p>The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly election is scheduled to be held on November 9, 2017, and the results will be declared on December 18.</p>

<p>Dhumal has twice been the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh from March 1998 to March 2003 and again from 1 January 2008 to 25 December 2012.</p>

<p>Presently, he holds the designation of Leader of Opposition in the state assembly.&nbsp;</p>


The BJP on Tuesday named Dhumal as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Himachal Pradesh elections.

A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) named Prem Kumar Dhumal as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Himachal Pradesh elections, the Congress said that the party took the decision in compulsion. Congress leader Anand Sharma said that the decision will not make any difference as their party is already strong in Himachal. "I don't think this is going to make any difference. This is a political compulsion. They realised that it is a very difficult contest for BJP and Congress party is strong on the ground. There is internal conflict within the BJP which prevented them from declaring Dhumal as their CM face. Now they have done it because of the compulsion after Dhumal expressed his unhappiness in public. Dhumal has been a chief minister in the past and has been a miserable failure. He has failed to deliver," he said. The BJP on Tuesday named Dhumal as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Himachal Pradesh elections. While addressing a rally here, the BJP president Amit Shah said, "The BJP will fight Himachal Pradesh assembly elections under the leadership of Prem Kumar Dhumal. I want to tell you Virbhadra Singh ji (Himachal CM) that former CM and current leader of Opposition Dhumal ji will become chief minister of Himachal Pradesh after December 18." The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly election is scheduled to be held on November 9, 2017, and the results will be declared on December 18. Dhumal has twice been the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh from March 1998 to March 2003 and again from 1 January 2008 to 25 December 2012. Presently, he holds the designation of Leader of Opposition in the state assembly.

Congress says BJP named Dhumal its CM face out of compulsion

<p>October 31, 2017, is the 142nd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. Unlike the past, political parties of all orientations particularly BJP and Congress are into competitive contest to appropriate Sardar Patel. Undoubtedly, it is a welcome sign. As a mark of respect, all the leaders who served immensely in shaping India as a modern united country deserve special tribute.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Sardar Patel&rsquo;s contributions are immense and thus he deserves special remembrance by the State, groups and individuals.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Sardar Patel?s contributions are immense and thus he deserves special remembrance by the State, groups and individuals." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>It does not mean that political regimes should prefer one leader over another or exaggerate the contributions of one while hiding the others to suit their ideological temperament. It has happened in the past and it is happening now. For many of us, both are wrong. And two wrongs cannot make right.</p>

<p>Sardar Patel&rsquo;s contributions are immense and thus he deserves special remembrance by the State, groups and individuals. His personality was multifaceted. He was known for a strong sense of determination, quick decision-making, straightforwardness in discussions, firmness in action, believe in unity in diversity and deep sense of patriotic pride. Alas! These characteristics are visibly lacking in the present leadership.</p>

<p>In the past, Congress has named many policies, monuments, places, roads, institutions after Sardar Patel. But comparing the people belonging to Nehru dynasty, the name of other stalwarts did not figure much in its governance model of commemoration. It is because of this gap, BJP is able to gain the strategic edge in appropriating them.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>The much-hyped World&rsquo;s tallest statue of Sardar Patel referred as Statue of Unity (SOU) with a projected cost of more than two-thousand crores is already in circulation.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The much-hyped World?s tallest statue of Sardar Patel referred as Statue of Unity (SOU) with a projected cost of more than two-thousand crores is already in circulation." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>Sardar Patel is now an easy co-opt for the BJP. &nbsp;October 31 is declared as the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) in 2014. The much-hyped World&rsquo;s tallest statue of Sardar Patel referred as Statue of Unity (SOU) with a projected cost of more than two-thousand crores is already in circulation. Interestingly, public sector companies like ONGC, HPCL, IOCL and OIL have decided to contribute over hundreds of crore towards the construction of this statue as a part of their corporate social responsibility. These are extravaganza but often justified because similar things had been done in the past too.</p>

<p>Ministries of the Centre and States are giving special focus to observe &ldquo;Nation Salutes Sardar Vallabbhai Patel&rdquo; on October 31, 2017. Cultural, literary and sports programmes including essay competitions and &lsquo;Unity Run&rsquo; are organised across India. Despite all these, the renewed and unprecedented interest of the BJP in Sardar Patel is more strategic than its love for the ideas and actions of Sardar Patel. It can be seen in overuse of these exercises in the electoral campaigns beginning with 2014. Sardar Patel hardly gained the present prominence in the framework of Narendra Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat for one and half decade.</p>

<p>One may agree or disagree on the methods and approaches of Sardar Patel, but his commitment to preserving India&rsquo;s unity cannot be doubted. He is rightly credited along with V.P. Menon to save the country from balkanisation by putting up the representatives of more than 500 states on one platform and transforming them into 14 administrative units and later shaping them into uniform administrative, financial and judicial mechanism of India. At many instances, his impersonal and hard actions were the outcome of the then expediency than conscious choice. Despite achieving this herculean task, Sardar Patel had neither tried to adopt the narcissistic politics nor indulged in populist and ideological actions.</p>

<p>Though he has a dominant presence in the organisational wing of Congress from the late 1930s until his death in 1950, he has neither used principally untoward means to achieve personal gains nor side-lined his political opponents within the party. It can be seen in his acceptance of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad as the President of the Congress and later stepping aside to allow Jawaharlal Nehru to become Prime Minister despite being the choice of the majority of the political leaders in the provinces. However, the death of Patel in 1950 was a great loss for the Congress but a gain for the Nehru family as the absence of his unique leadership clearly drifted the party towards dynastic ambitions that finally culminated in the virtual decay of the Congress in today&rsquo;s time.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Sardar Patel appreciated the service role of RSS and later critiqued it for its supposed role in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and banned the organisation for a year.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Sardar Patel appreciated the service role of RSS and later critiqued it for its supposed role in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and banned the organisation for a year." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>Sardar Patel&rsquo;s biographer Narhari Parikh has highlighted that Patel was always willing to fight for what he considered right. He always took a procedural route to express his anguish while respecting the party hierarchy. At the same time, he accommodated dissent and a great variety of opinions. For instance, his opposition to socialist politics was paternalistic as can be seen in his offer to Purshottam Trikamdas, a renowned socialist to form the government in the State of Bombay to prove the promises of a clean and efficient government. Similarly, despite being loyal to Congress, Sardar Patel appreciated the service role of RSS and later critiqued it for its supposed role in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and banned the organisation for a year.</p>

<p>Ironically, BJP has emerged as the ardent admirer of Sardar Patel but without subscribing to his leadership quality, understanding his idea of patriotism and treatment to secular ethos. The uniqueness of Patel&rsquo;s leadership lies in its judicious character that treated everyone with the same yardstick. Sardar Patel has certainly believed in strong and united India but his patriotism was rarely rooted in extreme nationalism, in general, or Hindu nationalism. He was a secularist to the core but with a difference of Nehru and Gandhi. Nehru&rsquo;s secularism was religious neutral while Patel&rsquo;s notion of secularism was rooted in his religious and cultural socialisation. Similarly, Gandhi&rsquo;s approach towards secularism was to grant dignified concessions to Muslims while Patel wanted to treat everyone as a citizen without creating minority-majority dyad.</p>

<p>There has always been made an attempt to vitiate the communal atmosphere of the country by looking at things through the polarised spectacles. Contrary to the wishes of Patel, communal harmony has become a unrealised goal. Much against the belief of Patel, he is being glorified as the champion of anti-Muslim tirade. Selective reading and un-contextual quotes of his speeches are cited to support the proposition. In fact, after Independence, it was Patel who asked the people of India in plain-speaking terms, &ldquo;to forget the past, because it is a manly virtue to do so... in India, every Muslim should feel that he is an Indian citizen and has equal rights as an Indian citizen&rdquo;.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>His dream was to lay the foundation of strong and united India without obliterating the socio-cultural diversities of the country.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=His dream was to lay the foundation of strong and united India without obliterating the socio-cultural diversities of the country." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>At the same time, he frankly told Muslims that for &ldquo;a community to think that its interests are different from that of the country in which it lives is a great mistake.&rdquo; He, therefore, advised them that &ldquo;the future of a minority-any minority-is to trust the majority&rdquo;; that they should &ldquo;make friends with others and create a change in the atmosphere.&rdquo; His advice to Muslims is very much in tune with the advices of Dr M.A. Ansari, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and all other patriotic citizens. One can have a detailed understanding of Patel and Muslim relationship while reading the timely book Sardar Patel and Indian Muslims by Rafiq Zakaria published in 1995.</p>

<p>Be that as it may, Sardar Patel&rsquo;s tone and approach may be harsh and at time suspicious, but he never aimed at creating hatred between minorities and majority. Let the country know on his 142nd birth anniversary that Sardar Patel&rsquo;s sense of unity was not sharpened on the artificial disunity between religious and cultural communities. Like many others, his dream was to lay the foundation of strong and united India without obliterating the socio-cultural diversities of the country.</p>


Sardar Patel?s sense of unity was not sharpened on the artificial disunity between religious and cultural communities

October 31, 2017, is the 142nd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. Unlike the past, political parties of all orientations particularly BJP and Congress are into competitive contest to appropriate Sardar Patel. Undoubtedly, it is a welcome sign. As a mark of respect, all the leaders who served immensely in shaping India as a modern united country deserve special tribute. Sardar Patel’s contributions are immense and thus he deserves special remembrance by the State, groups and individuals. × It does not mean that political regimes should prefer one leader over another or exaggerate the contributions of one while hiding the others to suit their ideological temperament. It has happened in the past and it is happening now. For many of us, both are wrong. And two wrongs cannot make right. Sardar Patel’s contributions are immense and thus he deserves special remembrance by the State, groups and individuals. His personality was multifaceted. He was known for a strong sense of determination, quick decision-making, straightforwardness in discussions, firmness in action, believe in unity in diversity and deep sense of patriotic pride. Alas! These characteristics are visibly lacking in the present leadership. In the past, Congress has named many policies, monuments, places, roads, institutions after Sardar Patel. But comparing the people belonging to Nehru dynasty, the name of other stalwarts did not figure much in its governance model of commemoration. It is because of this gap, BJP is able to gain the strategic edge in appropriating them. The much-hyped World’s tallest statue of Sardar Patel referred as Statue of Unity (SOU) with a projected cost of more than two-thousand crores is already in circulation. × Sardar Patel is now an easy co-opt for the BJP. October 31 is declared as the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) in 2014. The much-hyped World’s tallest statue of Sardar Patel referred as Statue of Unity (SOU) with a projected cost of more than two-thousand crores is already in circulation. Interestingly, public sector companies like ONGC, HPCL, IOCL and OIL have decided to contribute over hundreds of crore towards the construction of this statue as a part of their corporate social responsibility. These are extravaganza but often justified because similar things had been done in the past too. Ministries of the Centre and States are giving special focus to observe “Nation Salutes Sardar Vallabbhai Patel” on October 31, 2017. Cultural, literary and sports programmes including essay competitions and ‘Unity Run’ are organised across India. Despite all these, the renewed and unprecedented interest of the BJP in Sardar Patel is more strategic than its love for the ideas and actions of Sardar Patel. It can be seen in overuse of these exercises in the electoral campaigns beginning with 2014. Sardar Patel hardly gained the present prominence in the framework of Narendra Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat for one and half decade. One may agree or disagree on the methods and approaches of Sardar Patel, but his commitment to preserving India’s unity cannot be doubted. He is rightly credited along with V.P. Menon to save the country from balkanisation by putting up the representatives of more than 500 states on one platform and transforming them into 14 administrative units and later shaping them into uniform administrative, financial and judicial mechanism of India. At many instances, his impersonal and hard actions were the outcome of the then expediency than conscious choice. Despite achieving this herculean task, Sardar Patel had neither tried to adopt the narcissistic politics nor indulged in populist and ideological actions. Though he has a dominant presence in the organisational wing of Congress from the late 1930s until his death in 1950, he has neither used principally untoward means to achieve personal gains nor side-lined his political opponents within the party. It can be seen in his acceptance of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad as the President of the Congress and later stepping aside to allow Jawaharlal Nehru to become Prime Minister despite being the choice of the majority of the political leaders in the provinces. However, the death of Patel in 1950 was a great loss for the Congress but a gain for the Nehru family as the absence of his unique leadership clearly drifted the party towards dynastic ambitions that finally culminated in the virtual decay of the Congress in today’s time. Sardar Patel appreciated the service role of RSS and later critiqued it for its supposed role in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and banned the organisation for a year. × Sardar Patel’s biographer Narhari Parikh has highlighted that Patel was always willing to fight for what he considered right. He always took a procedural route to express his anguish while respecting the party hierarchy. At the same time, he accommodated dissent and a great variety of opinions. For instance, his opposition to socialist politics was paternalistic as can be seen in his offer to Purshottam Trikamdas, a renowned socialist to form the government in the State of Bombay to prove the promises of a clean and efficient government. Similarly, despite being loyal to Congress, Sardar Patel appreciated the service role of RSS and later critiqued it for its supposed role in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and banned the organisation for a year. Ironically, BJP has emerged as the ardent admirer of Sardar Patel but without subscribing to his leadership quality, understanding his idea of patriotism and treatment to secular ethos. The uniqueness of Patel’s leadership lies in its judicious character that treated everyone with the same yardstick. Sardar Patel has certainly believed in strong and united India but his patriotism was rarely rooted in extreme nationalism, in general, or Hindu nationalism. He was a secularist to the core but with a difference of Nehru and Gandhi. Nehru’s secularism was religious neutral while Patel’s notion of secularism was rooted in his religious and cultural socialisation. Similarly, Gandhi’s approach towards secularism was to grant dignified concessions to Muslims while Patel wanted to treat everyone as a citizen without creating minority-majority dyad. There has always been made an attempt to vitiate the communal atmosphere of the country by looking at things through the polarised spectacles. Contrary to the wishes of Patel, communal harmony has become a unrealised goal. Much against the belief of Patel, he is being glorified as the champion of anti-Muslim tirade. Selective reading and un-contextual quotes of his speeches are cited to support the proposition. In fact, after Independence, it was Patel who asked the people of India in plain-speaking terms, “to forget the past, because it is a manly virtue to do so... in India, every Muslim should feel that he is an Indian citizen and has equal rights as an Indian citizen”. His dream was to lay the foundation of strong and united India without obliterating the socio-cultural diversities of the country. × At the same time, he frankly told Muslims that for “a community to think that its interests are different from that of the country in which it lives is a great mistake.” He, therefore, advised them that “the future of a minority-any minority-is to trust the majority”; that they should “make friends with others and create a change in the atmosphere.” His advice to Muslims is very much in tune with the advices of Dr M.A. Ansari, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and all other patriotic citizens. One can have a detailed understanding of Patel and Muslim relationship while reading the timely book Sardar Patel and Indian Muslims by Rafiq Zakaria published in 1995. Be that as it may, Sardar Patel’s tone and approach may be harsh and at time suspicious, but he never aimed at creating hatred between minorities and majority. Let the country know on his 142nd birth anniversary that Sardar Patel’s sense of unity was not sharpened on the artificial disunity between religious and cultural communities. Like many others, his dream was to lay the foundation of strong and united India without obliterating the socio-cultural diversities of the country.

Sardar Patel never wanted hatred between religious communities

congress

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