Hinting at her prime ministerial ambition, BSP chief Mayawati said Wednesday she would use the experience she has gained as UP chief minister to give the "best government" at the Centre "if we get an opportunity".

She said she has been Uttar Pradesh chief minister four times.

"I have a lot of experience. I will use that experience at the Centre and work for people's welfare," the Bahujan Samaj Party supremo said at a press conference in Visakhapatnam.

"If we get an opportunity at the Centre, we will adopt the UP pattern and give the best government in all aspects. At all levels, a good government," she asserted.

Asked if she would like to become the prime minister, Mayawati, however, said things would be clear when results of the general election are declared on May 23.

The BSP is contesting Lok Sabha and state assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh in alliance with the Jana Sena, the CPI and the CPI(M).

As part of the alliance, the BSP is contesting three Lok Sabha seats out of the 25 in the state and 21 assembly seats of the total 175.

Flanked by Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan at the presser, Mayawati said people "want a change" at the national level.

"They want a party in power that takes care of their welfare. They want our country safe," she said.

She pointed out that her party had garnered the third-largest vote share in the 2014 election, after the BJP and the Congress.

Asked if there's a need for a "Third Front", the BSP chief replied it would become clear when the election results come out.

"In the 2014 election, BJP promised big things. But it did not fulfil the promises in five years," she said, adding that the ruling party has diverted people's attention from those promises to "other issues".

On the Congress, she said people rejected the party that has remained in power for the longest time "because it failed to honour its promises" and the BJP "took advantage of it".

"Last time the BJP promised Rs 15-20 lakh for each poor family. Now the Congress is talking on the same lines. It is promising Rs 72,000 per year.

"The Congress should remember, when Indira Gandhi was in power she had started the 20-point programme in the name of Garibi Hatao. Kya garibi hati (Was poverty eradicated)?" Mayawati asked.

She said the BSP always talked less and believed in delivering more.

If BSP gets an opportunity at the Centre, it will work for the poor and the unemployed, irrespective of their caste. "We will give top priority to them. And farmers have multiple problems and we will try to get rid of them," she said.

Her government, if elected, would not be biased towards any state.

"If Congress is in power at the Centre, it supports some states and does not support others. BJP has its own equations. It will not happen with us," she said.

Claiming that the BJP's situation was "very bad", particularly vis-a-vis the BSP-SP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh, the BSP chief said the ruling party was "worried."

"Wherever we have alliance, BJP will suffer," she said.

Mayawati also promised to grant the special category status to Andhra Pradesh.

"AP people are angry that both BJP and Congress did not deliver SCS. If we get a chance at the Centre, we will give SCS," she said.

The BSP chief hoped that the JSP-BSP-CPI(M)-CPI alliance would for the government in Andhra Pradesh and Pawan Kalyan would become the CM.

"People don't want to fall in the trap of regional parties of either Jagan Mohan Reddy (YSR Congress) or Chandrababu Naidu (Telugu Desam Party). They want a new leadership, young blood who could lead the state well... They should give a chance to Pawan Kalyan..."

Hinting at her prime ministerial ambition, BSP chief Mayawati said Wednesday she would use the experience she has gained as UP chief minister to give the "best government" at the Centre "if we get an opportunity".

Hinting at her prime ministerial ambition, BSP chief Mayawati said Wednesday she would use the experience she has gained as UP chief minister to give the "best government" at the Centre "if we get an opportunity". She said she has been Uttar Pradesh chief minister four times. "I have a lot of experience. I will use that experience at the Centre and work for people's welfare," the Bahujan Samaj Party supremo said at a press conference in Visakhapatnam. "If we get an opportunity at the Centre, we will adopt the UP pattern and give the best government in all aspects. At all levels, a good government," she asserted. Asked if she would like to become the prime minister, Mayawati, however, said things would be clear when results of the general election are declared on May 23. The BSP is contesting Lok Sabha and state assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh in alliance with the Jana Sena, the CPI and the CPI(M). As part of the alliance, the BSP is contesting three Lok Sabha seats out of the 25 in the state and 21 assembly seats of the total 175. Flanked by Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan at the presser, Mayawati said people "want a change" at the national level. "They want a party in power that takes care of their welfare. They want our country safe," she said. She pointed out that her party had garnered the third-largest vote share in the 2014 election, after the BJP and the Congress. Asked if there's a need for a "Third Front", the BSP chief replied it would become clear when the election results come out. "In the 2014 election, BJP promised big things. But it did not fulfil the promises in five years," she said, adding that the ruling party has diverted people's attention from those promises to "other issues". On the Congress, she said people rejected the party that has remained in power for the longest time "because it failed to honour its promises" and the BJP "took advantage of it". "Last time the BJP promised Rs 15-20 lakh for each poor family. Now the Congress is talking on the same lines. It is promising Rs 72,000 per year. "The Congress should remember, when Indira Gandhi was in power she had started the 20-point programme in the name of Garibi Hatao. Kya garibi hati (Was poverty eradicated)?" Mayawati asked. She said the BSP always talked less and believed in delivering more. If BSP gets an opportunity at the Centre, it will work for the poor and the unemployed, irrespective of their caste. "We will give top priority to them. And farmers have multiple problems and we will try to get rid of them," she said. Her government, if elected, would not be biased towards any state. "If Congress is in power at the Centre, it supports some states and does not support others. BJP has its own equations. It will not happen with us," she said. Claiming that the BJP's situation was "very bad", particularly vis-a-vis the BSP-SP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh, the BSP chief said the ruling party was "worried." "Wherever we have alliance, BJP will suffer," she said. Mayawati also promised to grant the special category status to Andhra Pradesh. "AP people are angry that both BJP and Congress did not deliver SCS. If we get a chance at the Centre, we will give SCS," she said. The BSP chief hoped that the JSP-BSP-CPI(M)-CPI alliance would for the government in Andhra Pradesh and Pawan Kalyan would become the CM. "People don't want to fall in the trap of regional parties of either Jagan Mohan Reddy (YSR Congress) or Chandrababu Naidu (Telugu Desam Party). They want a new leadership, young blood who could lead the state well... They should give a chance to Pawan Kalyan..."

Mayawati hints at her prime ministerial ambition

Lok Sabha elections are going to see some interesting battles this year. Among them is the fight in Baghpat, one of the 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, where voting will be held in the first phase on April 11.

In the 2014 election, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Satyapal Singh won the seat with a margin of 2,09,866 votes defeating Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Ajit Singh. The victory was significant because Satyapal Singh was contesting for the first time and Ajit Singh had been winning the seat since 1999. The election saw a voter turnout of 71.58 per cent. Of the 14 contestants who were in the fray, 11 lost their deposits.

Satyapal Singh, who was the Mumbai Police Commissioner, quit the post to join politics. After the successful electoral contest against the RLD chief, he became a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet.

During his tenure in Mumbai, he is credited with breaking the backbone of organised crime syndicates that terrorised Mumbai in the 1990s, including the Chhota Rajan, Chhota Shakeel and Arun Gawli gangs. That tenure saw several encounter killings in Mumbai with specialists such as Daya Nayak, Pradeep Sharma and Vijay Salaskar given the licence to take on the underworld. It was during this stint that the 25 August 2003 Mumbai bombings at Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar took place.

This time, the voting for Lok Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases and Baghpat will be going to polls in the first phase. What makes the electoral fight interesting is that RLD has fielded Ajit Singh's son Jayant Chaudhary against Satyapal Singh, who has been chosen again by the BJP.

The RLD has teamed up with the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the alliance feels that it will benefit from division of Jat votes this time, and that the Muslim, Dalits and backward sections will vote for them.

Counting for the election will be held on May 23. Along with the Baghpat district, the constituency covers parts of Meerut, Ghaziabad and Shamli districts.

After the reorganisation of the parliamentary constituencies in 2008, Baghpat Lok Sabha constituency comprises of five legislative assembly segments, namely Siwalkhas, Chhaprauli, Baraut, Baghpat and Modi Nagar.

Lok Sabha elections are going to see some interesting battles this year. Among them is the fight in Baghpat, one of the 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, where voting will be held in the first phase on April 11.

Lok Sabha elections are going to see some interesting battles this year. Among them is the fight in Baghpat, one of the 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, where voting will be held in the first phase on April 11. In the 2014 election, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Satyapal Singh won the seat with a margin of 2,09,866 votes defeating Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Ajit Singh. The victory was significant because Satyapal Singh was contesting for the first time and Ajit Singh had been winning the seat since 1999. The election saw a voter turnout of 71.58 per cent. Of the 14 contestants who were in the fray, 11 lost their deposits. Satyapal Singh, who was the Mumbai Police Commissioner, quit the post to join politics. After the successful electoral contest against the RLD chief, he became a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet. During his tenure in Mumbai, he is credited with breaking the backbone of organised crime syndicates that terrorised Mumbai in the 1990s, including the Chhota Rajan, Chhota Shakeel and Arun Gawli gangs. That tenure saw several encounter killings in Mumbai with specialists such as Daya Nayak, Pradeep Sharma and Vijay Salaskar given the licence to take on the underworld. It was during this stint that the 25 August 2003 Mumbai bombings at Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar took place. This time, the voting for Lok Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases and Baghpat will be going to polls in the first phase. What makes the electoral fight interesting is that RLD has fielded Ajit Singh's son Jayant Chaudhary against Satyapal Singh, who has been chosen again by the BJP. The RLD has teamed up with the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the alliance feels that it will benefit from division of Jat votes this time, and that the Muslim, Dalits and backward sections will vote for them. Counting for the election will be held on May 23. Along with the Baghpat district, the constituency covers parts of Meerut, Ghaziabad and Shamli districts. After the reorganisation of the parliamentary constituencies in 2008, Baghpat Lok Sabha constituency comprises of five legislative assembly segments, namely Siwalkhas, Chhaprauli, Baraut, Baghpat and Modi Nagar.

Baghpat battle: After defeating father Ajit Singh, BJP's Satyapal Singh pitted against Jayant Chaudhary

In this year's Lok Sabha elections, some key political battles will determine the fates of many political bigwigs. Among these is the battle royale in Amethi, a small town but holds big political relevance.

Amethi has been the bastion and Lok Sabha constituency of Congress president Rahul Gandhi since 2004. However, his victory margin suffered a major blow when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded Smriti Irani to take on the Gandhi scion in the 2014 Lok Sabha election from the turf of Nehru-Gandhi family in Uttar Pradesh.

Rahul Gandhi has won three consecutive Lok Sabha elections from Amethi in 2004, 2009 and 2014. While his victory margin in 2004 and 2007 were 2,90,853 and 3,70,198, respectively, it was merely 1,07,903 against Smriti Irani in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when the BJP was riding on Narendra Modi wave. The close fight showed that Smriti Irani had managed to corner Rahul Gandhi and delivered some crunching blows.

And this year too, the BJP has fielded Amriti Irani from Amethi to take on Rahul Gandhi.

Though Smriti Irani could not win the elections, she made a promise to people of Amethi that she would not turn her back. And since then, the Union minister has been launching a slew of projects and schemes in a bid to turn the fortunes of the people hailing from the Gandhi bastion.

The actress-turned-politician has also been making several trips to Amethi. During one of her visits, in November 2018, Smriti had inaugurated and laid foundation stones of projects of various schemes worth Rs 77 crore. And not just this, the Union minister has promised that by 2022, every family in Amethi will have a house and each household will have electricity.

The Congress, meanwhile, announced that Rahul Gandhi will also contest from Wayanad in Kerala. The announcement gave ammunition to BJP who accused Rahul of running away because he has not fulfilled the promises he made to the people of Amethi. But the Congress president hit back claiming that people in South India "feel hostility" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he decided to contest from Wayanad in Kerala to send out the message that he stands with them.

Wayanad district is in the north eastern part of Kerala and houses various tribal groups of the state. The area was badly affected due to last year's floods. The Congress is hoping to further consolidate its position this time in Kerala.

Top Congress leaders have contested from the South earlier as well.

The 2014 Lok Sabha election witnessed a fierce contest in Amethi between Smriti Irani and Rahul Gandhi. And with the BJP deciding to retain her candidature in 2019 as well, it will certainly be one of the most dramatic battles to be fought during the Lok Sabha election.

In this year's Lok Sabha elections, some key political battles will determine the fates of many political bigwigs. Among these is the battle royale in Amethi, a small town but holds big political relevance.

In this year's Lok Sabha elections, some key political battles will determine the fates of many political bigwigs. Among these is the battle royale in Amethi, a small town but holds big political relevance. Amethi has been the bastion and Lok Sabha constituency of Congress president Rahul Gandhi since 2004. However, his victory margin suffered a major blow when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded Smriti Irani to take on the Gandhi scion in the 2014 Lok Sabha election from the turf of Nehru-Gandhi family in Uttar Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi has won three consecutive Lok Sabha elections from Amethi in 2004, 2009 and 2014. While his victory margin in 2004 and 2007 were 2,90,853 and 3,70,198, respectively, it was merely 1,07,903 against Smriti Irani in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when the BJP was riding on Narendra Modi wave. The close fight showed that Smriti Irani had managed to corner Rahul Gandhi and delivered some crunching blows. And this year too, the BJP has fielded Amriti Irani from Amethi to take on Rahul Gandhi. Though Smriti Irani could not win the elections, she made a promise to people of Amethi that she would not turn her back. And since then, the Union minister has been launching a slew of projects and schemes in a bid to turn the fortunes of the people hailing from the Gandhi bastion. The actress-turned-politician has also been making several trips to Amethi. During one of her visits, in November 2018, Smriti had inaugurated and laid foundation stones of projects of various schemes worth Rs 77 crore. And not just this, the Union minister has promised that by 2022, every family in Amethi will have a house and each household will have electricity. The Congress, meanwhile, announced that Rahul Gandhi will also contest from Wayanad in Kerala. The announcement gave ammunition to BJP who accused Rahul of running away because he has not fulfilled the promises he made to the people of Amethi. But the Congress president hit back claiming that people in South India "feel hostility" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he decided to contest from Wayanad in Kerala to send out the message that he stands with them. Wayanad district is in the north eastern part of Kerala and houses various tribal groups of the state. The area was badly affected due to last year's floods. The Congress is hoping to further consolidate its position this time in Kerala. Top Congress leaders have contested from the South earlier as well. The 2014 Lok Sabha election witnessed a fierce contest in Amethi between Smriti Irani and Rahul Gandhi. And with the BJP deciding to retain her candidature in 2019 as well, it will certainly be one of the most dramatic battles to be fought during the Lok Sabha election.

Amethi's battle royale: Smriti Irani to take on Rahul Gandhi again

Varanasi is again going to be among the most-watched constituencies in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who won from here in 2014, will seek re-election.

Unlike the last elections, PM Modi will not be contesting from a second seat this time.

Varanasi which will go to elections on May 19 is now ending up being a jam-packed front line in the general elections.

Congress and SP-BSP alliance haven't announced any candidate from Varanasi yet. But there are others who are challenging PM Modi in this battle royale.

111 Tamil Nadu farmers

The distressed Tamil Nadu farmers, who had taken their protests to the national capital to highlight their demands, have decided to fight the electoral battle against the PM Narendra Modi.

On March 23, Tamil Nadu farmers leader P Ayyakannu said that 111 farmers from the state will contest against PM Modi from Varanasi.

BSF constable Tej Bahadur Yadav

The BSF constable who was dismissed from service in 2017 after he posted a video online complaining about the quality of food served to the troops has said he would take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi.

"I will contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi constituency as an independent candidate," Yadav said announcing his candidature as an independent.

Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar

Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan officially declared a month ago that he will be contesting Lok Sabha polls from Varanasi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He has already launched his poll campaign by holding a roadshow in the city. BSP chief Mayawati has, meanwhile, alleged that Azad has the ill-intention of dividing Dalit votes.

Rumours about a star-studded contest in Varanasi peaked after reports that Priyanka Gandhi remarked to party workers during her boat campaign last month, "Why not Varanasi?"

But sources close to Congress party have indicated that Priyanka Gandhi, who is party general secretary in charge of east Uttar Pradesh, will not contest against PM Modi because it will weaken the campaign in the rest of the state.

Uttar Pradesh is a standout amongst the most critical states of the politically charged Hindi heartland. With the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party teaming up and the Congress fielding their trump card Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as a general secretary, the state's decisions will be one to look out for.

Varanasi will vote on May 19, in the last round of seven-phase polls that start on April 11. The results will be declared on May 23.

Varanasi is again going to be among the most-watched constituencies in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who won from here in 2014, will seek re-election.

Varanasi is again going to be among the most-watched constituencies in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who won from here in 2014, will seek re-election. Unlike the last elections, PM Modi will not be contesting from a second seat this time. Varanasi which will go to elections on May 19 is now ending up being a jam-packed front line in the general elections. Congress and SP-BSP alliance haven't announced any candidate from Varanasi yet. But there are others who are challenging PM Modi in this battle royale. 111 Tamil Nadu farmers The distressed Tamil Nadu farmers, who had taken their protests to the national capital to highlight their demands, have decided to fight the electoral battle against the PM Narendra Modi. On March 23, Tamil Nadu farmers leader P Ayyakannu said that 111 farmers from the state will contest against PM Modi from Varanasi. BSF constable Tej Bahadur Yadav The BSF constable who was dismissed from service in 2017 after he posted a video online complaining about the quality of food served to the troops has said he would take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi. "I will contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi constituency as an independent candidate," Yadav said announcing his candidature as an independent. Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan officially declared a month ago that he will be contesting Lok Sabha polls from Varanasi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has already launched his poll campaign by holding a roadshow in the city. BSP chief Mayawati has, meanwhile, alleged that Azad has the ill-intention of dividing Dalit votes. Rumours about a star-studded contest in Varanasi peaked after reports that Priyanka Gandhi remarked to party workers during her boat campaign last month, "Why not Varanasi?" But sources close to Congress party have indicated that Priyanka Gandhi, who is party general secretary in charge of east Uttar Pradesh, will not contest against PM Modi because it will weaken the campaign in the rest of the state. Uttar Pradesh is a standout amongst the most critical states of the politically charged Hindi heartland. With the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party teaming up and the Congress fielding their trump card Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as a general secretary, the state's decisions will be one to look out for. Varanasi will vote on May 19, in the last round of seven-phase polls that start on April 11. The results will be declared on May 23.

Varanasi: Constituency to watch out for this election

In view of the deployment of Central Reserve Paramilitary Forces (CRPF) in North Bengal in the first and second phase of Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India on withdrew all companies of CRPF from the Maoist-infested districts of the state.

This order comes in the wake of the West Bengal government writing to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) thrice, asking them not to withdraw force stating that the withdrawal of the CRPF jawans from the LWE (Left Wing Extremism) affected districts may lead to a regrouping of Maoists.

This decision also comes in the wake of the Central Police Observer Vivek Dube holding meetings with the state officials and officials from the central armed paramilitary force like CRPF and BSF over the deployment of central forces.

"The state's stand is still the same. Withdrawal of forces from Jangal Mahal – Maoist infested districts will help Maoists operating in the bordering areas to enter the state. We have written to the MHA thrice stating the concerns relating to the withdrawal of forces," said a senior police official.

While the state has not seen any Maoist activity in the last five years, but several groups are active on the Jharkhand-Bengal border, according to Intel reports.

The state had a total of 35 companies of CRPF. Of the total 35 companies, 29 were deployed in the Jangal Mahal area. In the first phase, 18 and later the remaining companies were withdrawn and deployed in parts of North Bengal going for polls on April 11 and 18.

On the other hand, the state seems unhappy with the commission’s decision.

The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee even said on Monday, “They want to withdraw the CRPF from Jangal Mahal. We have managed to restore peace there. But withdrawal will mean further disturbance. We have repeatedly requested them to not withdraw it. Now, if there is a Maoist attack, they will be responsible for it."

For the first and second phase of polls, a total of 49 companies of central forces – 20 BSF companies and 29 CRPF companies are being deployed in North Bengal.

In view of the deployment of Central Reserve Paramilitary Forces (CRPF) in North Bengal in the first and second phase of Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India on withdrew all companies of CRPF from the Maoist-infested districts of the state.

In view of the deployment of Central Reserve Paramilitary Forces (CRPF) in North Bengal in the first and second phase of Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India on withdrew all companies of CRPF from the Maoist-infested districts of the state. This order comes in the wake of the West Bengal government writing to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) thrice, asking them not to withdraw force stating that the withdrawal of the CRPF jawans from the LWE (Left Wing Extremism) affected districts may lead to a regrouping of Maoists. This decision also comes in the wake of the Central Police Observer Vivek Dube holding meetings with the state officials and officials from the central armed paramilitary force like CRPF and BSF over the deployment of central forces. "The state's stand is still the same. Withdrawal of forces from Jangal Mahal – Maoist infested districts will help Maoists operating in the bordering areas to enter the state. We have written to the MHA thrice stating the concerns relating to the withdrawal of forces," said a senior police official. While the state has not seen any Maoist activity in the last five years, but several groups are active on the Jharkhand-Bengal border, according to Intel reports. The state had a total of 35 companies of CRPF. Of the total 35 companies, 29 were deployed in the Jangal Mahal area. In the first phase, 18 and later the remaining companies were withdrawn and deployed in parts of North Bengal going for polls on April 11 and 18. On the other hand, the state seems unhappy with the commission’s decision. The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee even said on Monday, “They want to withdraw the CRPF from Jangal Mahal. We have managed to restore peace there. But withdrawal will mean further disturbance. We have repeatedly requested them to not withdraw it. Now, if there is a Maoist attack, they will be responsible for it." For the first and second phase of polls, a total of 49 companies of central forces – 20 BSF companies and 29 CRPF companies are being deployed in North Bengal.

Lok Sabha poll 2019: EC withdraws CRPF from Maoist-hit districts of Bengal for redeployment during elections

Seeking to give a tough fight to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in a known socialist bastion Azamgarh, BJP fielded Bhojpuri actor Dinesh Lal Yadav from the constituency.

But coming together of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, the fight for Azamgarh is expected to be a cakewalk for Akhilesh Yadav.

In 2014, the consolidated vote level of the SP's Mulayam Singh Yadav and BSP's Shah Alam Alias Guddu Jamali in Azamgarh was more than 63%, compared to the 28.8% of the BJP candidate Ramakant Yadav.

Bhojpuri superstar Dinesh Lal Yadav aka ‘Nirahua’ had joined the BJP a few days back during a meeting with chief minister Yogi Adityanath on March 27.

Nirahua, who had acted in dozens of 'Bhojpuri' films and enjoys huge popularity, especially in eastern UP &nbsp;and Bihar, had campaigned for the Samajwadi Party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav in Azamgarh in 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Akhilesh Yadav is replacing father Mulayam in Azamgarh; the move, however, is also a key move to cement Samajwadi Party's position in the important east UP region which includes Varanasi and Gorakhpur, important for the BJP.

In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Mulayam had contested from two seats -- Azamgarh and Mainpuri. However, he later gave up Mainpuri seat which was subsequently successfully contested by grandnephew of Mulayam Singh Yadav, Tej Pratap Singh Yadav.&nbsp;

The seven-phase Lok Sabha polls are set to begin on April 11 and will go on till May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

In Uttar Pradesh, where 80 seats are at stake, polling will be held in all seven phases. Azamgarh will vote in the sixth phase - on May 12.

Seeking to give a tough fight to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in a known socialist bastion Azamgarh, BJP fielded Bhojpuri actor Dinesh Lal Yadav from the constituency.

Seeking to give a tough fight to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in a known socialist bastion Azamgarh, BJP fielded Bhojpuri actor Dinesh Lal Yadav from the constituency. But coming together of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, the fight for Azamgarh is expected to be a cakewalk for Akhilesh Yadav. In 2014, the consolidated vote level of the SP's Mulayam Singh Yadav and BSP's Shah Alam Alias Guddu Jamali in Azamgarh was more than 63%, compared to the 28.8% of the BJP candidate Ramakant Yadav. Bhojpuri superstar Dinesh Lal Yadav aka ‘Nirahua’ had joined the BJP a few days back during a meeting with chief minister Yogi Adityanath on March 27. Nirahua, who had acted in dozens of 'Bhojpuri' films and enjoys huge popularity, especially in eastern UP and Bihar, had campaigned for the Samajwadi Party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav in Azamgarh in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Akhilesh Yadav is replacing father Mulayam in Azamgarh; the move, however, is also a key move to cement Samajwadi Party's position in the important east UP region which includes Varanasi and Gorakhpur, important for the BJP. In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Mulayam had contested from two seats -- Azamgarh and Mainpuri. However, he later gave up Mainpuri seat which was subsequently successfully contested by grandnephew of Mulayam Singh Yadav, Tej Pratap Singh Yadav. The seven-phase Lok Sabha polls are set to begin on April 11 and will go on till May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. In Uttar Pradesh, where 80 seats are at stake, polling will be held in all seven phases. Azamgarh will vote in the sixth phase - on May 12.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Akhilesh Yadav vs Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua' fight puts the spotlight on Azamgarh

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Ethiopia’s minister of transport delivered the first official report on the airplane disaster and stated that the Ethiopian Airlines pilots followed proper procedures when their Boeing MAX 8 airplane repeatedly nosedived before a March 10 crash that killed 157 people, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

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Four BSF jawans have been killed and two injured in an encounter battle with Naxals in southern Chhattisgarh.&nbsp;Police said the encounter took place in the district of Kanker.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/trumps-criticizes-india-for-tremendously-high-tariffs-on-us-goods-says-its-one-of-the-highest-taxing-nations-in-world-207904">India one of the world's 'highest-taxing nations': US President Donald Trump</a>

India is one of the world's "highest-taxing nations", US President Donald Trump has alleged as he again criticised the country for imposing 100 per cent tariffs on American products, including the iconic Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-takes-lead-in-advertising-on-google-youtube-with-rs-121-cr-spend-207865">Lok Sabha polls: BJP has spent Rs 1.21 crore on advertising on Google, Congress Rs 54,100</a>

A week before the first phase of elections, ruling BJP has taken a big lead in advertising on Google and its affiliated platforms such as YouTube with an ad spend of Rs 1.21 crore, while its main rival Congress has spent only Rs 54,100, the search engine said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-slams-un-experts-who-condemned-deportation-of-rohingyas-207935">India slams UN experts who 'condemned' deportation of Rohingyas</a> 
 
India has slammed the UN human rights experts who "condemned" the Indian government’s decision to deport three Rohingya to Myanmar, saying the statements made by them are misleading and incorrect and that New Delhi's action is in accordance with Indian laws.

Ethiopian Airlines crash: Crew followed Boeing's procedures but could not regain control of plane Ethiopia’s minister of transport delivered the first official report on the airplane disaster and stated that the Ethiopian Airlines pilots followed proper procedures when their Boeing MAX 8 airplane repeatedly nosedived before a March 10 crash that killed 157 people, news agency Reuters reported.

Ethiopian Airlines crash: Crew followed Boeing's procedures but could not regain control of plane Ethiopia’s minister of transport delivered the first official report on the airplane disaster and stated that the Ethiopian Airlines pilots followed proper procedures when their Boeing MAX 8 airplane repeatedly nosedived before a March 10 crash that killed 157 people, news agency Reuters reported. Chhattisgarh: 4 Border Security Force jawans killed in encounter with Naxals Four BSF jawans have been killed and two injured in an encounter battle with Naxals in southern Chhattisgarh. Police said the encounter took place in the district of Kanker. India one of the world's 'highest-taxing nations': US President Donald Trump India is one of the world's "highest-taxing nations", US President Donald Trump has alleged as he again criticised the country for imposing 100 per cent tariffs on American products, including the iconic Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Lok Sabha polls: BJP has spent Rs 1.21 crore on advertising on Google, Congress Rs 54,100 A week before the first phase of elections, ruling BJP has taken a big lead in advertising on Google and its affiliated platforms such as YouTube with an ad spend of Rs 1.21 crore, while its main rival Congress has spent only Rs 54,100, the search engine said. India slams UN experts who 'condemned' deportation of Rohingyas India has slammed the UN human rights experts who "condemned" the Indian government’s decision to deport three Rohingya to Myanmar, saying the statements made by them are misleading and incorrect and that New Delhi's action is in accordance with Indian laws.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, WION's political editor Kartikeya Sharma spoke with Praveen Chakravarty who heads the Data Analytics department of the Congress Party.&nbsp;

Chakravarty is a Wharton graduate and economist by profession. He also worked in the UIDAI project during the UPA regime and, in his current avatar, is working closely with Congress president Rahul Gandhi, engaged in mapping the party.

Kartikeya Sharma quizzes Chakravarty on a range of topics, from the need to establish the data department, his ability to map the Congress to what does the data depict about the 'grand old party's' electoral prospects this Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

WION: Why was the data department set up by Rahul Gandhi?

Praveen Chakravarty: Rahul Gandhi is a strong believer in measurement and objectivity. He felt strongly about the need for the objective assessment of everything. The second objective of data is to help bring the wisdom of the crowd in the decision-making process. It translates into surveys and feedback from party workers, voters and influencers on various decisions which a political party needs to make. Objectivity comes from how you measure things like comparing different people's performances.

WION: Like data is considered new oil of economy, can we say that it has become the new mantra for political parties?

Praveen Chakravarty: I disagree. Data is input into better decision making. In Congress, we use it as an input in decision-making which could be about the selection of candidates or alliances with political parties or even for organizational decision-making like for promoting people. Data is also used for electoral strategy or to determine which booths to focus on or what do voters want to hear. Data is also being used to decide a party’s campaign theme and its election campaign.

WION: What were the challenges when you took up this job?

Praveen Chakravarty: We are just one input and not the sole decision makers. I come from a background of science and research, so I understand data science. As an economist, I had worked with multiple data sets. Before I took this job, I had landed conversations with the Congress president. He had a clear vision about this department even before he brought me into the party, so the mandate was clear. This department has been built to help and not take over anything. I have a simple rule for all my data scientist - if a booth worker far away is unable to understand what we communicate, then it is a pointless exercise.

WION: What tools are used to harness data?

Praveen Chakravarty: We only work with public data and internal data which belongs to the party. The problem for us was that data was not in the form which was easy to use and analyse&nbsp;for decision-making. Upon my joining, Rahul Gandhi personally tweeted out and as a result, I got flooded with talent. It enabled me to quickly build a large team which, I can say with great pride, is one of the best in the country.

WION: How many workers have you connected through data apparatus?

Praveen Chakravarty: As of now, 66 lakh people; it continues to grow every minute. It keeps increasing every second. We have connected millions of booths and party workers. Sitting in Delhi, the Congress president can call a booth worker directly and ask what is going on. Data and technology have provided a face to the party workers.

WION: What are the applications?

Praveen Chakravarty: 'Shakti' is the most known application. The second application is 'Vidya' which is like a control room where every single booth and candidate has been mapped. It has been given to every single candidate. The third one is 'Awaaz' which is an internal communication application. It is used by verified Congress party workers. It is used for booth management, feedback, door to door campaigning et cetera. Congress president Rahul Gandhi used this platform to decide the chief ministers for Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

WION: Did these applications make a difference in the selection of candidates?

Praveen Chakravarty: It provides with input and now it is a condition to have this input amongst many other inputs to decide the candidate.

WION: How do you ensure that technology is not manipulated?

Praveen Chakravarty: I have a 'data first' approach and not 'tech first' approach. We ensure that a person’s multiple identities are grafted in the system. For example, if a person does not have a voter identity then he cannot enter my system.

WION: Have you been able to map the organization?

Praveen Chakravarty: We have done it. We can even point out the best-performing workers. A gamification aspect has been built into the 'Shakti' application. People are given points when they respond to activities. For example, when I say that assemble in front of the CBI to protest, I would know as to who showed up in the protest, I would give them points.

WION: Did you face any resistance while introducing these systems?

Praveen Chakravarty: People were curious when we first started but now people come to me and ask whether feedback has been taken or not. Even senior leaders ask me.

WION: Is your project making any difference to the 2019 elections?

Praveen Chakravarty: It is not about winning or losing an election. The inputs from the department are now being sought by everyone as they are perceived to be helpful.

WION: How do you maintain neutrality?

Praveen Chakravarty: I have come from a political background. I have no bones to pick. I have always looked for empirical validation. I always want to be clear about my model. For example, during the recent assembly elections, I found out through data that farmers distress was far higher in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, but everybody was talking about Rajasthan. Actually, it turned out to be right.

WION: What is data saying about Lok Sabha elections?

Praveen Chakravarty: Trends are very clear. Most people are underestimating the anger against the government. I’m not saying just because I’m sitting inside AICC but because data is saying so. There is a lot of anger and also there is the existence of silent voter phenomena. Since people are fearful, they are not willing to share their true opinion. I have tested it. There is a lot of anger on broader economic issues like jobs and farmers distress. The pan-India issue today, as per the data, is of jobs.

WION: What about the prospects of the Congress Party?

Praveen Chakravarty: Congress is on a rising trend. The question is how much of this anger can we convert into votes and then into seats. For that, we need to have a strong message on what are we going to do to solve the economic issues. We are tackling this issue through NYAY. A lot of things will need to be done, holding press conferences rallies is not enough. We must do it on the ground. Our campaign has to be intensive and door-to-door. I believe that the success of Congress to win seats rests entirely on converting the existing anger into votes and seats through our ground campaign. We need to have the campaign at the booth and district level. Just press conferences and rallies will not do.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, WION's political editor Kartikeya Sharma spoke with Praveen Chakravarty who heads the Data Analytics department of the Congress Party.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, WION's political editor Kartikeya Sharma spoke with Praveen Chakravarty who heads the Data Analytics department of the Congress Party. Chakravarty is a Wharton graduate and economist by profession. He also worked in the UIDAI project during the UPA regime and, in his current avatar, is working closely with Congress president Rahul Gandhi, engaged in mapping the party. Kartikeya Sharma quizzes Chakravarty on a range of topics, from the need to establish the data department, his ability to map the Congress to what does the data depict about the 'grand old party's' electoral prospects this Lok Sabha polls. WION: Why was the data department set up by Rahul Gandhi? Praveen Chakravarty: Rahul Gandhi is a strong believer in measurement and objectivity. He felt strongly about the need for the objective assessment of everything. The second objective of data is to help bring the wisdom of the crowd in the decision-making process. It translates into surveys and feedback from party workers, voters and influencers on various decisions which a political party needs to make. Objectivity comes from how you measure things like comparing different people's performances. WION: Like data is considered new oil of economy, can we say that it has become the new mantra for political parties? Praveen Chakravarty: I disagree. Data is input into better decision making. In Congress, we use it as an input in decision-making which could be about the selection of candidates or alliances with political parties or even for organizational decision-making like for promoting people. Data is also used for electoral strategy or to determine which booths to focus on or what do voters want to hear. Data is also being used to decide a party’s campaign theme and its election campaign. WION: What were the challenges when you took up this job? Praveen Chakravarty: We are just one input and not the sole decision makers. I come from a background of science and research, so I understand data science. As an economist, I had worked with multiple data sets. Before I took this job, I had landed conversations with the Congress president. He had a clear vision about this department even before he brought me into the party, so the mandate was clear. This department has been built to help and not take over anything. I have a simple rule for all my data scientist - if a booth worker far away is unable to understand what we communicate, then it is a pointless exercise. WION: What tools are used to harness data? Praveen Chakravarty: We only work with public data and internal data which belongs to the party. The problem for us was that data was not in the form which was easy to use and analyse for decision-making. Upon my joining, Rahul Gandhi personally tweeted out and as a result, I got flooded with talent. It enabled me to quickly build a large team which, I can say with great pride, is one of the best in the country. WION: How many workers have you connected through data apparatus? Praveen Chakravarty: As of now, 66 lakh people; it continues to grow every minute. It keeps increasing every second. We have connected millions of booths and party workers. Sitting in Delhi, the Congress president can call a booth worker directly and ask what is going on. Data and technology have provided a face to the party workers. WION: What are the applications? Praveen Chakravarty: 'Shakti' is the most known application. The second application is 'Vidya' which is like a control room where every single booth and candidate has been mapped. It has been given to every single candidate. The third one is 'Awaaz' which is an internal communication application. It is used by verified Congress party workers. It is used for booth management, feedback, door to door campaigning et cetera. Congress president Rahul Gandhi used this platform to decide the chief ministers for Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. WION: Did these applications make a difference in the selection of candidates? Praveen Chakravarty: It provides with input and now it is a condition to have this input amongst many other inputs to decide the candidate. WION: How do you ensure that technology is not manipulated? Praveen Chakravarty: I have a 'data first' approach and not 'tech first' approach. We ensure that a person’s multiple identities are grafted in the system. For example, if a person does not have a voter identity then he cannot enter my system. WION: Have you been able to map the organization? Praveen Chakravarty: We have done it. We can even point out the best-performing workers. A gamification aspect has been built into the 'Shakti' application. People are given points when they respond to activities. For example, when I say that assemble in front of the CBI to protest, I would know as to who showed up in the protest, I would give them points. WION: Did you face any resistance while introducing these systems? Praveen Chakravarty: People were curious when we first started but now people come to me and ask whether feedback has been taken or not. Even senior leaders ask me. WION: Is your project making any difference to the 2019 elections? Praveen Chakravarty: It is not about winning or losing an election. The inputs from the department are now being sought by everyone as they are perceived to be helpful. WION: How do you maintain neutrality? Praveen Chakravarty: I have come from a political background. I have no bones to pick. I have always looked for empirical validation. I always want to be clear about my model. For example, during the recent assembly elections, I found out through data that farmers distress was far higher in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, but everybody was talking about Rajasthan. Actually, it turned out to be right. WION: What is data saying about Lok Sabha elections? Praveen Chakravarty: Trends are very clear. Most people are underestimating the anger against the government. I’m not saying just because I’m sitting inside AICC but because data is saying so. There is a lot of anger and also there is the existence of silent voter phenomena. Since people are fearful, they are not willing to share their true opinion. I have tested it. There is a lot of anger on broader economic issues like jobs and farmers distress. The pan-India issue today, as per the data, is of jobs. WION: What about the prospects of the Congress Party? Praveen Chakravarty: Congress is on a rising trend. The question is how much of this anger can we convert into votes and then into seats. For that, we need to have a strong message on what are we going to do to solve the economic issues. We are tackling this issue through NYAY. A lot of things will need to be done, holding press conferences rallies is not enough. We must do it on the ground. Our campaign has to be intensive and door-to-door. I believe that the success of Congress to win seats rests entirely on converting the existing anger into votes and seats through our ground campaign. We need to have the campaign at the booth and district level. Just press conferences and rallies will not do.

People are angry...question is how much of it can be converted into votes: Congress data analytics chief to WION

A week before the first phase of elections, ruling BJP has taken a big lead in advertising on Google and its affiliated platforms such as YouTube with an ad spend of Rs 1.21 crore, while its main rival <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-am-not-going-to-say-a-word-against-the-cpm-in-my-entire-campaign-rahul-gandhi-207872">Congress</a> has spent only Rs 54,100, the search engine said.

Google, in a report on political advertisement across its platforms — Google, YouTube and partner properties, said Rs 3.76 crore was spent by advertisers since February 19.

"Our goal is to provide greater transparency in political advertising on Google, YouTube, and partner properties. This report includes information about Lok Sabha election ads that feature or are run by a political party, a political candidate, or a current member of the Lok Sabha," it said.

Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP was the biggest ad spender with a total expenditure of Rs 1.48 crore. His ad spend was by two firms — Pramanya Strategy Consulting (Rs 85.25 lakh) and Digitant Consulting (Rs 63.43 lakh).

<img alt="Political ads" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3e3108cd-bddc-4fbe-9334-f7c9d504455e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%20Spenders.JPG" />BJP spent Rs 1.21 crore on advertisements during this period.

TDP's rival YSR Congress of Jagan Reddy was a close third with an ad spend of Rs 1.04 crore.

Congress spent Rs 54,100 on Google platforms.

<img alt="Political ads" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ebec6b27-196a-4a09-8ed7-cb5e5b6306df" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Political%20ads.JPG" />

The remaining spend was by Ethinos Digital Marketing (RS 1.56 lakh), Pammi Sai Charan Reddy (Rs 26,400), Harshnath Human Services (Rs 6,300), Jaskaran Dhillon (Rs 5,400), Vidooly Media Tech (Rs 1,300) and Akula Satyanarayana (Rs 400).

With Andhra Pradesh going to polls in the first phase on April 11, the state saw the biggest ad spend of Rs 1.73 crore, followed by Bihar (Rs 10.5 lakh), Maharashtra (Rs 17.19 lakh), Uttar Pradesh (18.47 lakh).

Advertisement spend by Andhra parties is likely to dry out after April 11. The state will go to polls in a single phase on that day. Polling for all the 25 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state as well as 175 assembly seats will be held on April 11.&nbsp;

A week before the first phase of elections, ruling BJP has taken a big lead in advertising on Google and its affiliated platforms such as YouTube with an ad spend of Rs 1.

A week before the first phase of elections, ruling BJP has taken a big lead in advertising on Google and its affiliated platforms such as YouTube with an ad spend of Rs 1.21 crore, while its main rival Congress has spent only Rs 54,100, the search engine said. Google, in a report on political advertisement across its platforms — Google, YouTube and partner properties, said Rs 3.76 crore was spent by advertisers since February 19. "Our goal is to provide greater transparency in political advertising on Google, YouTube, and partner properties. This report includes information about Lok Sabha election ads that feature or are run by a political party, a political candidate, or a current member of the Lok Sabha," it said. Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP was the biggest ad spender with a total expenditure of Rs 1.48 crore. His ad spend was by two firms — Pramanya Strategy Consulting (Rs 85.25 lakh) and Digitant Consulting (Rs 63.43 lakh). BJP spent Rs 1.21 crore on advertisements during this period. TDP's rival YSR Congress of Jagan Reddy was a close third with an ad spend of Rs 1.04 crore. Congress spent Rs 54,100 on Google platforms. The remaining spend was by Ethinos Digital Marketing (RS 1.56 lakh), Pammi Sai Charan Reddy (Rs 26,400), Harshnath Human Services (Rs 6,300), Jaskaran Dhillon (Rs 5,400), Vidooly Media Tech (Rs 1,300) and Akula Satyanarayana (Rs 400). With Andhra Pradesh going to polls in the first phase on April 11, the state saw the biggest ad spend of Rs 1.73 crore, followed by Bihar (Rs 10.5 lakh), Maharashtra (Rs 17.19 lakh), Uttar Pradesh (18.47 lakh). Advertisement spend by Andhra parties is likely to dry out after April 11. The state will go to polls in a single phase on that day. Polling for all the 25 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state as well as 175 assembly seats will be held on April 11.

Lok Sabha polls: BJP has spent Rs 1.21 crore on advertising on Google, Congress Rs 54,100

With barely two weeks left for the polling day (April 18th) in Tamil Nadu, Election commissioners Ashok Saxena and Sushil Chandra along with Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer(CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo, met the media and &nbsp;clarified their stance on issues ranging from seizures of unaccounted cash, raids on residences of political leaders and also the controversy over the sudden seizure of to-be-released books on the Rafale scam among others.&nbsp;

The officials said that they have concluded their 3-day review in Tamil Nadu for forthcoming elections. ”During our visit, we met all political parties and all deputy commissioners, collectors, police officials and senior officials of the state Government among others. These include officials of Income Tax, RBI, Excise and taxation department, Narcotics control bureau and the airport director and all others involved in enforcement activities”.

Speaking of the important issues listed by political parties, they mentioned that, people belonging to weaker sections should be provided security to cast vote freely and fairly, CCTV cameras within the booth and outside the polling station, Bye-elections for the vacant assembly seats, provision of adequate minimum facilities such as supply of water, and tents at polling booths to help voters brave the summer.&nbsp;

Regarding the confiscation of to-be-released books on the alleged Rafale Scam, the officials responded saying that, it was brought to our knowledge through the electronic media, we were informed that CEO had not authorized this kind of action by flying squad. The concerned flying squad has been changed and the Book launch took place in the evening. All officials associated with that incident have been removed, we are awaiting a full report.&nbsp;

Responding to questions on the rampant cash seizures across Tamil Nadu and their alleged political links, they said, &nbsp;whenever such seizures are made, the preliminary report is given to EC. The EC doesn't name anyone or any party, but after the report, there is a comprehensive procedure of law enforcement that is to be followed. We are finding that so far cash seizure of Rs.127crore has been reported in TN. This is much more than previous elections. Prosecuting is done after comprehensive enquiry, &nbsp;EC doesn't prosecute. &nbsp;

Enlisting the challenges faced by the EC in conducting the polls across the country they said, Sheer scale and size are a challenge. We have 10.35 lakh polling stations, 12 million people involved in the conduct of elections, Informing people of new technology that is adopted and preventing the use of money and muscle power.

The officers also responded to the reports of the candidate Mohanraj who had declared his cash holding as 1.76 lakh crore and liabilities as 4 Lakh crore world bank loan. They said, “Whenever a candidate files his nomination papers and gives document in the laid down format, the returning officer is responsible and empowered to take a decision. If there is a deficiency in the affidavit or nomination form, the returning officer can inform of deficiency and decision to accept or reject is finally of the returning officer. He/she &nbsp;need not go into veracity, as it involves a long process of adjudication.”

Mobile applications such as cVigil and Suvidha are also being used for the effective interface between the ECI and voters, candidates. While the Suvidha application facilitates single window clearance from rally and vehicles, cVigil&nbsp;enables all to take pictures or videos of illegal activity or model code violation and it goes straight to control room and a response can be expected within 100 minutes.

With barely two weeks left for the polling day (April 18th) in Tamil Nadu, Election commissioners Ashok Saxena and Sushil Chandra along with Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer(CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo, met the media and clarified their stance on issues ranging from seizures of unaccounted cash, raids on residences of political leaders and also the controversy over the sudden seizure of to-be-released books on the Rafale scam among others.

With barely two weeks left for the polling day (April 18th) in Tamil Nadu, Election commissioners Ashok Saxena and Sushil Chandra along with Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer(CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo, met the media and clarified their stance on issues ranging from seizures of unaccounted cash, raids on residences of political leaders and also the controversy over the sudden seizure of to-be-released books on the Rafale scam among others. The officials said that they have concluded their 3-day review in Tamil Nadu for forthcoming elections. ”During our visit, we met all political parties and all deputy commissioners, collectors, police officials and senior officials of the state Government among others. These include officials of Income Tax, RBI, Excise and taxation department, Narcotics control bureau and the airport director and all others involved in enforcement activities”. Speaking of the important issues listed by political parties, they mentioned that, people belonging to weaker sections should be provided security to cast vote freely and fairly, CCTV cameras within the booth and outside the polling station, Bye-elections for the vacant assembly seats, provision of adequate minimum facilities such as supply of water, and tents at polling booths to help voters brave the summer. Regarding the confiscation of to-be-released books on the alleged Rafale Scam, the officials responded saying that, it was brought to our knowledge through the electronic media, we were informed that CEO had not authorized this kind of action by flying squad. The concerned flying squad has been changed and the Book launch took place in the evening. All officials associated with that incident have been removed, we are awaiting a full report. Responding to questions on the rampant cash seizures across Tamil Nadu and their alleged political links, they said, whenever such seizures are made, the preliminary report is given to EC. The EC doesn't name anyone or any party, but after the report, there is a comprehensive procedure of law enforcement that is to be followed. We are finding that so far cash seizure of Rs.127crore has been reported in TN. This is much more than previous elections. Prosecuting is done after comprehensive enquiry, EC doesn't prosecute. Enlisting the challenges faced by the EC in conducting the polls across the country they said, Sheer scale and size are a challenge. We have 10.35 lakh polling stations, 12 million people involved in the conduct of elections, Informing people of new technology that is adopted and preventing the use of money and muscle power. The officers also responded to the reports of the candidate Mohanraj who had declared his cash holding as 1.76 lakh crore and liabilities as 4 Lakh crore world bank loan. They said, “Whenever a candidate files his nomination papers and gives document in the laid down format, the returning officer is responsible and empowered to take a decision. If there is a deficiency in the affidavit or nomination form, the returning officer can inform of deficiency and decision to accept or reject is finally of the returning officer. He/she need not go into veracity, as it involves a long process of adjudication.” Mobile applications such as cVigil and Suvidha are also being used for the effective interface between the ECI and voters, candidates. While the Suvidha application facilitates single window clearance from rally and vehicles, cVigil enables all to take pictures or videos of illegal activity or model code violation and it goes straight to control room and a response can be expected within 100 minutes.

Election commission clarifies on major issues during preparedness review in Chennai

India's general election: Mahayudh between Congress's old idea of India and Modi's 'Naya Bharat'

Star power in 2019 Lok Sabha elections

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday poked fun at the BJP by asking if it will release its manifesto of "achhe din" after the elections.

"Vikas puch raha hai...Pradhanji ka acche din wala ghoshna patra kya chunav baad ayega? Is baar toh BJP wale ek-dusre se bhi nahi keh pa rahe 'acche din aane wale hain' toh janata se kya kahenge? ('Vikas' is asking if the prime minister's manifesto of 'achhe din' will come after the polls? This time even the BJP supporters are not able to say among themselves that 'acche din' is coming, so how will they say this to people?)" Akhilesh said in a tweet.

The SP chief also said that countdown of the BJP has started.

Akhilesh is using hashtag #VikasPoochhRahaHai in his tweets to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his development claims.&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday poked fun at the BJP by asking if it will release its manifesto of "achhe din" after the elections. "Vikas puch raha hai.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday poked fun at the BJP by asking if it will release its manifesto of "achhe din" after the elections. "Vikas puch raha hai...Pradhanji ka acche din wala ghoshna patra kya chunav baad ayega? Is baar toh BJP wale ek-dusre se bhi nahi keh pa rahe 'acche din aane wale hain' toh janata se kya kahenge? ('Vikas' is asking if the prime minister's manifesto of 'achhe din' will come after the polls? This time even the BJP supporters are not able to say among themselves that 'acche din' is coming, so how will they say this to people?)" Akhilesh said in a tweet. The SP chief also said that countdown of the BJP has started. Akhilesh is using hashtag #VikasPoochhRahaHai in his tweets to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his development claims.

Akhilesh ridicules BJP, asks if manifesto will come after polls

Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who is contesting from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/keralas-wayanad-the-constituency-congress-chief-rahul-gandhi-fighting-from-207761">Wayanad Lok Sabha seat </a>in Kerala in addition to his traditional stronghold of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, filed nomination for Wayanad on Thursday.

Gandhi, accompanied by his&nbsp;sister and AICC in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi and senior Congress leaders including K C Venugopal and Mukul Wasnik, submitted the papers before the district Collector A R Ajayakumar at the district headquarters in Wayanad.

Heavy security was in place in and around the Collectorate ahead of the high profile visit of the Congress chief.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SBqfhLG-z3A" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The Congress announced on Sunday that Gandhi would contest from Wayanad constituency.

Gandhi has claimed that the people in South India "feel hostility" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he decided to contest from Wayanad to send out the message that he stands with them.&nbsp;

Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who is contesting from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala in addition to his traditional stronghold of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, filed nomination for Wayanad on Thursday.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who is contesting from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala in addition to his traditional stronghold of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, filed nomination for Wayanad on Thursday. Gandhi, accompanied by his sister and AICC in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi and senior Congress leaders including K C Venugopal and Mukul Wasnik, submitted the papers before the district Collector A R Ajayakumar at the district headquarters in Wayanad. Heavy security was in place in and around the Collectorate ahead of the high profile visit of the Congress chief. The Congress announced on Sunday that Gandhi would contest from Wayanad constituency. Gandhi has claimed that the people in South India "feel hostility" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he decided to contest from Wayanad to send out the message that he stands with them.

Rahul Gandhi files nomination from Wayanad parliamentary constituency 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that Congress's manifesto is full of lies and termed it as a ''hypocrisy document''. He was addressing his second rally this week at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh.

Modi also talked about Congress' 2014 manifesto&nbsp;and said it had promised that every house would have electricity by 2009.

"However, till 2014 around 18,000 houses were unelectrified... Just like them (the Congress), their manifesto is corrupt and full of lies. Therefore, it should be called hypocrisy document, not a manifesto," Modi said.

Citing Congress' manifesto for farmers, Modi said, ''Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) govt has never asked for votes by fooling farmers.''

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-unveils-manifesto-titled-congress-will-deliver-207408">Congress released party's manifesto</a> for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday at the party headquarters in New Delhi.&nbsp;

Modi also talked about the developments of roads, national highways and railways.

''It is with the support of the people of Arunachal Pradesh that we have been able to develop roads, national highway, railway and improves air connectivity of the state with the rest of the nation. It is the result of your strong trust on us,'' Modi said.

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PM Modi in Pasighat: It is with the support of the people of Arunachal Pradesh that we have been able to develop roads, national highway, railway and improve air connectivity of the state with the rest of the nation. It is the result of your strong trust on us. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArunachalPradesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArunachalPradesh</a> <a href="https://t.co/cV7h5pfMR7">pic.twitter.com/cV7h5pfMR7</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1113309653402673154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-manifesto-some-ideas-positively-dangerous-says-bjp-207472">BJP on Tuesday said</a> that some of the ideas in the Congress manifesto were "positively dangerous".&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that Congress's manifesto is full of lies and termed it as a ''hypocrisy document''. He was addressing his second rally this week at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that Congress's manifesto is full of lies and termed it as a ''hypocrisy document''. He was addressing his second rally this week at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh. Modi also talked about Congress' 2014 manifesto and said it had promised that every house would have electricity by 2009. "However, till 2014 around 18,000 houses were unelectrified... Just like them (the Congress), their manifesto is corrupt and full of lies. Therefore, it should be called hypocrisy document, not a manifesto," Modi said. Citing Congress' manifesto for farmers, Modi said, ''Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) govt has never asked for votes by fooling farmers.'' Congress released party's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday at the party headquarters in New Delhi. Modi also talked about the developments of roads, national highways and railways. ''It is with the support of the people of Arunachal Pradesh that we have been able to develop roads, national highway, railway and improves air connectivity of the state with the rest of the nation. It is the result of your strong trust on us,'' Modi said. PM Modi in Pasighat: It is with the support of the people of Arunachal Pradesh that we have been able to develop roads, national highway, railway and improve air connectivity of the state with the rest of the nation. It is the result of your strong trust on us. #ArunachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/cV7h5pfMR7 — ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2019 × BJP on Tuesday said that some of the ideas in the Congress manifesto were "positively dangerous". (With inputs from PTI)

Congress manifesto corrupt, full of lies: PM Modi in Arunachal Pradesh

Everyone loves elections in India. Especially the vibrant Indian media which lives off elections, seemingly at the cost of all other news. &nbsp;

In the process, television news today has created its own imagery: capturing the pandal, a stage set high above the ground far removed from the people gathered in front; a line-up of leaders in white khadi photographed with arms raised, their hands clasped in a photo-op of solidarity; tinselly crowns, swords, bows, and arrows being presented to a supreme leader. &nbsp;

It is the crowning glory. What takes the cake, rather the crown, is the mukut or tiara itself. Innumerable images, even of Dalit leaders, who have spent lifetimes fighting for equality and constitutional freedoms are on camera juggling uneasily with gold-plated tiaras on their heads. &nbsp;

An accessory befitting a local theatre group enacting Ramayana scenes is now seen occupying pride of place. For upper caste political leaders, the mukut seems just right. &nbsp;

The mukut-dhaaris wear it with a sense of entitlement completely at odds with our democratic polity. The King-like mystique or Goddess-like aura is recreated time and again, reinforcing the image of rulers with their ‘right to rule’ persona. No questions asked. &nbsp;

Now is the time when swords create images. Throughout the Hindi heartland, the talwar or sword held aloft is a metaphor of martial strength sanctified by our caste hierarchies. Leaders are filmed drawing the sword, often shakily, from its scabbard. Undoubtedly, it is a mighty act.&nbsp;

 
Unsheathing the power of the sword, bringing die-hard bravery to the fore and reaffirming their right to fight for democratic rights with such ancient weaponry. &nbsp;

Images of women leaders, conservatively draped in saris, now with a naked sword in hand gets its share of coverage. It is an image of empowerment in this age of gender fluidity, with the clarion calls for Bharat Mata ki Jai in the background. &nbsp;

Next is the imagery of togetherness and leadership. On a dais or a stage way above the ground level, a mass of men and women come together signifying their unity and uniformity. &nbsp;

Seen from a distance, this critical mass of leadership is often indistinguishable. The images captured have flashes of white and red, green and saffron, the dominant colours signifying India. &nbsp;

The leaders’ attire, body language and speeches do make them distinct for a while, as they speak from the rostrum. Speech over, they merge together again. Today’s leadership is about numbers; the more leaders on stage, the more powerful they are perceived to be. Politics and perceptions share shadowy borders. &nbsp;

When there are people, people everywhere, there’s new powerful imagery. Janata or the crowds are packed together. Like a wheat-field packed, filled with ripening stalks. When Elias Canetti used such strong imagery to explain crowds, he visualised homogeneous faceless masses. &nbsp;

Crowds in India seem homogeneous but they are not. Village folk sit, crouch, and stand in similar ways; they lean together and when prompted, cheer in unison. They are the audience, watching political dramas unfold on the stage in front of them. &nbsp;

What they see and what they hear is not what is telecast or broadcast. Leaders often hail this janata as ‘janardan’, likening them to a benevolent God, who always helps. What a turn and twist in this phrase: Janata janardan hai. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The Gandhi cap is still an omnipresent image. But it just doesn’t fit all or anybody! Even though the cap is freely available at all Khadi Bhandar showrooms, stacked in cardboard boxes, it really seems like a limp relic of the past. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Neither the Congressmen and women nor leaders of other political hues have shown the imagination to make capital out of this simple cap. Merely putting the cap on has become a defining moment. Like during the ‘India Against Corruption’ movement at Ramlila grounds of New Delhi. Each leader who donned one was hoping it would create a new image, generate a new aura around them and make history. &nbsp;

The socialists of Uttar Pradesh prefer red instead of white caps. Colours change but the simplicity, austerity of the Gandhi cap continues to be a complete misfit in today’s time and age of consumerism, opulence and fortune-for-the-few. &nbsp;

On TV studio-floors, there’s the taandav of image-making. Television anchors are adept at creating their own imagery, aesthetically designed to pull audiences into a studio-generated illusionary world. &nbsp;

Here colours streak across screens with music rising to a crescendo and merging visuals into words. One TV anchor has made rubbing hands his signature style. It was a gesture rarely seen on TV screens; he created the imagery of an eager auctioneer rubbing his hands in glee. Breaking news made him break the mould. &nbsp;

Other anchors are in throes of self-induced ecstasy, a news-morphine-high, which makes them leap across studio floors, punching the air in front of large studio screens.

The whiplash of their words activates a mass of graphical data, conjuring images of a ringmaster on a circus floor, summoning jokers, who cartwheel and monkeys who ride bicycles. And then suddenly it all fades away…time now for Chyawanprash ads to roll. &nbsp;

These images and performances go on, evening after evening, night after night, when electoral politics are dissected, debated and discussed. Our television studios, newspapers, magazines and news portals are a world of such profound sound and fury, music and graphics. &nbsp;

It signifies our reality: so western, so contemporary, where modern style and substance go together hand in hand. Who said we are stereotypical, regressive, chauvinistic, unimaginative and unconstitutional…? 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-the-imagery-of-poll-politics-2735806">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Everyone loves elections in India. Especially the vibrant Indian media which lives off elections, seemingly at the cost of all other news. In the process, television news today has created its own imagery: capturing the pandal, a stage set high above the ground far removed from the people gathered in front; a line-up of leaders in white khadi photographed with arms raised, their hands clasped in a photo-op of solidarity; tinselly crowns, swords, bows, and arrows being presented to a supreme leader.

Everyone loves elections in India. Especially the vibrant Indian media which lives off elections, seemingly at the cost of all other news. In the process, television news today has created its own imagery: capturing the pandal, a stage set high above the ground far removed from the people gathered in front; a line-up of leaders in white khadi photographed with arms raised, their hands clasped in a photo-op of solidarity; tinselly crowns, swords, bows, and arrows being presented to a supreme leader. It is the crowning glory. What takes the cake, rather the crown, is the mukut or tiara itself. Innumerable images, even of Dalit leaders, who have spent lifetimes fighting for equality and constitutional freedoms are on camera juggling uneasily with gold-plated tiaras on their heads. An accessory befitting a local theatre group enacting Ramayana scenes is now seen occupying pride of place. For upper caste political leaders, the mukut seems just right. The mukut-dhaaris wear it with a sense of entitlement completely at odds with our democratic polity. The King-like mystique or Goddess-like aura is recreated time and again, reinforcing the image of rulers with their ‘right to rule’ persona. No questions asked. Now is the time when swords create images. Throughout the Hindi heartland, the talwar or sword held aloft is a metaphor of martial strength sanctified by our caste hierarchies. Leaders are filmed drawing the sword, often shakily, from its scabbard. Undoubtedly, it is a mighty act. Unsheathing the power of the sword, bringing die-hard bravery to the fore and reaffirming their right to fight for democratic rights with such ancient weaponry. Images of women leaders, conservatively draped in saris, now with a naked sword in hand gets its share of coverage. It is an image of empowerment in this age of gender fluidity, with the clarion calls for Bharat Mata ki Jai in the background. Next is the imagery of togetherness and leadership. On a dais or a stage way above the ground level, a mass of men and women come together signifying their unity and uniformity. Seen from a distance, this critical mass of leadership is often indistinguishable. The images captured have flashes of white and red, green and saffron, the dominant colours signifying India. The leaders’ attire, body language and speeches do make them distinct for a while, as they speak from the rostrum. Speech over, they merge together again. Today’s leadership is about numbers; the more leaders on stage, the more powerful they are perceived to be. Politics and perceptions share shadowy borders. When there are people, people everywhere, there’s new powerful imagery. Janata or the crowds are packed together. Like a wheat-field packed, filled with ripening stalks. When Elias Canetti used such strong imagery to explain crowds, he visualised homogeneous faceless masses. Crowds in India seem homogeneous but they are not. Village folk sit, crouch, and stand in similar ways; they lean together and when prompted, cheer in unison. They are the audience, watching political dramas unfold on the stage in front of them. What they see and what they hear is not what is telecast or broadcast. Leaders often hail this janata as ‘janardan’, likening them to a benevolent God, who always helps. What a turn and twist in this phrase: Janata janardan hai. The Gandhi cap is still an omnipresent image. But it just doesn’t fit all or anybody! Even though the cap is freely available at all Khadi Bhandar showrooms, stacked in cardboard boxes, it really seems like a limp relic of the past. Neither the Congressmen and women nor leaders of other political hues have shown the imagination to make capital out of this simple cap. Merely putting the cap on has become a defining moment. Like during the ‘India Against Corruption’ movement at Ramlila grounds of New Delhi. Each leader who donned one was hoping it would create a new image, generate a new aura around them and make history. The socialists of Uttar Pradesh prefer red instead of white caps. Colours change but the simplicity, austerity of the Gandhi cap continues to be a complete misfit in today’s time and age of consumerism, opulence and fortune-for-the-few. On TV studio-floors, there’s the taandav of image-making. Television anchors are adept at creating their own imagery, aesthetically designed to pull audiences into a studio-generated illusionary world. Here colours streak across screens with music rising to a crescendo and merging visuals into words. One TV anchor has made rubbing hands his signature style. It was a gesture rarely seen on TV screens; he created the imagery of an eager auctioneer rubbing his hands in glee. Breaking news made him break the mould. Other anchors are in throes of self-induced ecstasy, a news-morphine-high, which makes them leap across studio floors, punching the air in front of large studio screens. The whiplash of their words activates a mass of graphical data, conjuring images of a ringmaster on a circus floor, summoning jokers, who cartwheel and monkeys who ride bicycles. And then suddenly it all fades away…time now for Chyawanprash ads to roll. These images and performances go on, evening after evening, night after night, when electoral politics are dissected, debated and discussed. Our television studios, newspapers, magazines and news portals are a world of such profound sound and fury, music and graphics. It signifies our reality: so western, so contemporary, where modern style and substance go together hand in hand. Who said we are stereotypical, regressive, chauvinistic, unimaginative and unconstitutional…? (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Politics and perceptions: The more leaders on stage, the more powerful they are perceived to be

The quaint region of Wayanad is witnessing some hectic political activity.&nbsp;AICC President Rahul Gandhi has chosen Wayanad as his second seat to contest the Lok Sabha elections - also being called as his safe seat by many owing to its substantial minority population.&nbsp;

Wayanad is a picturesque district nestled in the eco-sensitive Western Ghats, but the parliamentary constituency spreads across three districts - Wayanad, Malappuram and Kozhikode.&nbsp;

Under Wayanad district, the constituency has Mananthavady, Sulthan Bathery and Kalpetta, Thiruvamabady in Kozhikode district and Nilambur, Wandoor and Eranad in Malappuram.&nbsp;

According to the 2011 census data, Wayanad has 28.8% Muslims, 21.5% Christians and 49.5% Hindus. In Mallapuram the Muslim population is stronger at 70%, Christians at 21.5% and Hindus at 28%. In Kozhikode too, Muslims play a decisive role in electorally with a population of 39.24%.&nbsp;

But there is more than one reason for Rahul Gandhi to contest from this second seat. While one popular perception is that the AICC chief needed a safer seat than Amethi, the truth is Congress in Kerala also desperately needed the national leader to hold its factions together.&nbsp;

The two warring groups within the state Congress, one led by former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the other led by Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennitala, were at loggerheads over the candidate from Wayanad.&nbsp;

Though Oommen Chandy's close aide T Siddique was finally chosen for the job, the party looked up to Rahul Gandhi to save it from self-destructive dissidence.&nbsp;

'All the rank and file of the party and UDF are in a good mood to welcome Rahul Ji. The people of Wayanad now feel that through Rahul Ji's candidature their problems will finally be addressed and heard at the national level. It is for the first time Kerala is witnessing such a candidature' asserted Siddique while speaking to WION, as the two factions seem to have finally united for the elections.&nbsp;

But in its supposed battle for secularism against the BJP, Congress seems to have rubbed off the LDF in Kerala. Wayanad has barely any presence of the saffron party and the state's ruling LDF is its prime opposition.&nbsp;

The Left candidate from Wayanad, PP Suneer, has been vocally critical of the Congress leader's candidature from the region. 'Rahul Gandhi's decision is a Himalayan blunder. It is disappointing to the secular, democratic forces in India. This is a direct fight between LDF and UDF. The BJP has no presence. Around 600 farmers committed suicide in the district during the UPA government's tenure and the previous Congress MP Shanavas failed to address many problems. Wayanad will be Rahul Gandhi's Waterloo. He will be surely defeated' says Suneer as he carries on his third round of the door-to-door campaign. In response, Congress claims the Left is merely rattled. 'In the elections, the LDF has decided to contest some seats in Kerala. According to a survey report, they will not get any seats in West Bengal, they will lose in Tripura and they had hopes only with Kerala. But with Rahul Gandhi's candidature, their hopes have been dashed' responded Congress' Siddique. However, LDF asserts that it will put up a tough fight as it has 4 out of the 7 MLAs, 4 out of the 5 municipalities and 29 out of 50-gram panchayats in the constituency.&nbsp;

The third candidate pitted against Rahul Gandhi is NDA'S Thussar Vellapally. The President of Bharat Dharma Jana Sena or BDJS that has entered into an alliance with the BJP, Thussar Vellapally is the son of Vellapally Natesan, the tallest Ezhava Caste leader, a backward community that enjoys substantial strength in the region.&nbsp;

'We are only talking about development. Kerala is not like other states. We are not here to communally balance. BDJS has followers from all communities. All communities will vote for me. There are 50% Hindus here. I will get votes from all communities' says Thussar Vellapally while speaking to WION.&nbsp;

Interestingly senior Vellapally who is the General Secretary of the community organisation SNDP has backed LDF and portrays opposing views on several issues like the Women's Wall in Kerala on the Sabarimala issue.&nbsp;

This is the first time Rahul Gandhi will be contesting from the South of India where surveys indicate that he enjoys more popularity than Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

Though other states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka had also urged the party president to contest, Rahul Gandhi seems to have chosen Kerala where Congress continues to enjoy dominance.

The quaint region of Wayanad is witnessing some hectic political activity. AICC President Rahul Gandhi has chosen Wayanad as his second seat to contest the Lok Sabha elections - also being called as his safe seat by many owing to its substantial minority population.

The quaint region of Wayanad is witnessing some hectic political activity. AICC President Rahul Gandhi has chosen Wayanad as his second seat to contest the Lok Sabha elections - also being called as his safe seat by many owing to its substantial minority population. Wayanad is a picturesque district nestled in the eco-sensitive Western Ghats, but the parliamentary constituency spreads across three districts - Wayanad, Malappuram and Kozhikode. Under Wayanad district, the constituency has Mananthavady, Sulthan Bathery and Kalpetta, Thiruvamabady in Kozhikode district and Nilambur, Wandoor and Eranad in Malappuram. According to the 2011 census data, Wayanad has 28.8% Muslims, 21.5% Christians and 49.5% Hindus. In Mallapuram the Muslim population is stronger at 70%, Christians at 21.5% and Hindus at 28%. In Kozhikode too, Muslims play a decisive role in electorally with a population of 39.24%. But there is more than one reason for Rahul Gandhi to contest from this second seat. While one popular perception is that the AICC chief needed a safer seat than Amethi, the truth is Congress in Kerala also desperately needed the national leader to hold its factions together. The two warring groups within the state Congress, one led by former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the other led by Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennitala, were at loggerheads over the candidate from Wayanad. Though Oommen Chandy's close aide T Siddique was finally chosen for the job, the party looked up to Rahul Gandhi to save it from self-destructive dissidence. 'All the rank and file of the party and UDF are in a good mood to welcome Rahul Ji. The people of Wayanad now feel that through Rahul Ji's candidature their problems will finally be addressed and heard at the national level. It is for the first time Kerala is witnessing such a candidature' asserted Siddique while speaking to WION, as the two factions seem to have finally united for the elections. But in its supposed battle for secularism against the BJP, Congress seems to have rubbed off the LDF in Kerala. Wayanad has barely any presence of the saffron party and the state's ruling LDF is its prime opposition. The Left candidate from Wayanad, PP Suneer, has been vocally critical of the Congress leader's candidature from the region. 'Rahul Gandhi's decision is a Himalayan blunder. It is disappointing to the secular, democratic forces in India. This is a direct fight between LDF and UDF. The BJP has no presence. Around 600 farmers committed suicide in the district during the UPA government's tenure and the previous Congress MP Shanavas failed to address many problems. Wayanad will be Rahul Gandhi's Waterloo. He will be surely defeated' says Suneer as he carries on his third round of the door-to-door campaign. In response, Congress claims the Left is merely rattled. 'In the elections, the LDF has decided to contest some seats in Kerala. According to a survey report, they will not get any seats in West Bengal, they will lose in Tripura and they had hopes only with Kerala. But with Rahul Gandhi's candidature, their hopes have been dashed' responded Congress' Siddique. However, LDF asserts that it will put up a tough fight as it has 4 out of the 7 MLAs, 4 out of the 5 municipalities and 29 out of 50-gram panchayats in the constituency. The third candidate pitted against Rahul Gandhi is NDA'S Thussar Vellapally. The President of Bharat Dharma Jana Sena or BDJS that has entered into an alliance with the BJP, Thussar Vellapally is the son of Vellapally Natesan, the tallest Ezhava Caste leader, a backward community that enjoys substantial strength in the region. 'We are only talking about development. Kerala is not like other states. We are not here to communally balance. BDJS has followers from all communities. All communities will vote for me. There are 50% Hindus here. I will get votes from all communities' says Thussar Vellapally while speaking to WION. Interestingly senior Vellapally who is the General Secretary of the community organisation SNDP has backed LDF and portrays opposing views on several issues like the Women's Wall in Kerala on the Sabarimala issue. This is the first time Rahul Gandhi will be contesting from the South of India where surveys indicate that he enjoys more popularity than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Though other states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka had also urged the party president to contest, Rahul Gandhi seems to have chosen Kerala where Congress continues to enjoy dominance.

Kerala’s Wayanad: The other constituency Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is fighting from

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Chinese wall graffiti appear on Kolkata streets

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-manifesto-some-ideas-positively-dangerous-says-bjp-207472">Congress party on Tuesday</a> released a list of 20 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Senior Congress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal will contest from the Chandigarh seat.

Besides him, the party has fielded Preneet Kaur from Patiala, Ravneet Singh Bittu from Ludhiana, Rajkumar Chabbewal Hoshiarpur, Santokh Singh Chaudhary from Jalandhar, Gurjit Singh Aujla from Amritsar and Sunil Jakhar from Gurdaspur in Punjab.

In Gujarat, CJ Chavda will contest from Gandhinagar, Geetaben Patel from Ahmedabad East, Somabhai Patel from Surendranagar and Murubhai Kandoriya from Jamnagar.

In Jharkhand, Subodh Kant Sahay will represent the party from Ranchi, Geeta Kora from Singhbhum and Sukhdeo Bhagat from Lohardaga.

The party has also announced names of Pawan Kajal from Kangra (Himachal Pradesh) and Prabhu Ratnabhai Tokiya from Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

In Karnataka, Congress has fielded Vinay Kulkarni from Dharwad and HB Manjappa Davanagere.

The Lok Sabha election will start on April 11 and will end on May 19. The result will be announced on May 23.

Meanwhile, the Congress has also released a list of nine candidates for Odisha Assembly election.

The Congress party on Tuesday released a list of 20 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Senior Congress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal will contest from the Chandigarh seat.

The Congress party on Tuesday released a list of 20 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Senior Congress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal will contest from the Chandigarh seat. Besides him, the party has fielded Preneet Kaur from Patiala, Ravneet Singh Bittu from Ludhiana, Rajkumar Chabbewal Hoshiarpur, Santokh Singh Chaudhary from Jalandhar, Gurjit Singh Aujla from Amritsar and Sunil Jakhar from Gurdaspur in Punjab. In Gujarat, CJ Chavda will contest from Gandhinagar, Geetaben Patel from Ahmedabad East, Somabhai Patel from Surendranagar and Murubhai Kandoriya from Jamnagar. In Jharkhand, Subodh Kant Sahay will represent the party from Ranchi, Geeta Kora from Singhbhum and Sukhdeo Bhagat from Lohardaga. The party has also announced names of Pawan Kajal from Kangra (Himachal Pradesh) and Prabhu Ratnabhai Tokiya from Dadra and Nagar Haveli. In Karnataka, Congress has fielded Vinay Kulkarni from Dharwad and HB Manjappa Davanagere. The Lok Sabha election will start on April 11 and will end on May 19. The result will be announced on May 23. Meanwhile, the Congress has also released a list of nine candidates for Odisha Assembly election.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Congress releases list of 20 candidates

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-bsf-officer-5-year-old-girl-killed-in-ceasefire-violation-by-pakistan-army-in-poonch-207208">Jammu and Kashmir</a> poll panel has received over 180 complaints of alleged violations of the model code of conduct, through the cVigil app and other modes, an official said Tuesday.&nbsp;

The Election Commission had launched the cVigil application last month to facilitate a person send to the poll panel geo-tagged videos and photos of various electoral malpractice.

Of the total complaints, 123 have been disposed of while the rest 59 are being looked into, State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shalinder Kumar said, adding over 20 employees were also suspended for violating the poll code.&nbsp;

Out of 88 complaints received through C-Vigil and other online modes, 61 were dropped, 22 disposed of and five are under examination, he added.

The actions against electoral malpractice included registration of 6 FIRs, suspension of 24 state government employees, besides seizure of 36 illegal weapons and cash worth Rs 19.68, he said, adding a considerable quantity of liquor too has been seized.

For free and fair conduct of the Lok Sabha elections in the state, the election department has also formed 1,500 mobile and static teams, besides deploying flying squads with video cameras to ensure strict adherence of the poll code.&nbsp;

"We will not overlook a single complaint whether it is against a big leader or a junior one, no one will be spared," said CEO Kumar.

The CEO said citizens can register their complaints on the poll panel's app eVigil for a number of violations, including those against candidates distributing money or liquor to influence voters.

They can also alert the Election Commission if they find a candidate involved in promoting paid news, he said, adding candidates using vehicles or convoys without permission are also breach the poll code.

Transporting voters on the day of polling or campaigning within 200 metres of the polling booth are strictly prohibited under the guidelines, Kumar said.&nbsp;

The Jammu and Kashmir poll panel has received over 180 complaints of alleged violations of the model code of conduct, through the cVigil app and other modes, an official said Tuesday.

The Jammu and Kashmir poll panel has received over 180 complaints of alleged violations of the model code of conduct, through the cVigil app and other modes, an official said Tuesday. The Election Commission had launched the cVigil application last month to facilitate a person send to the poll panel geo-tagged videos and photos of various electoral malpractice. Of the total complaints, 123 have been disposed of while the rest 59 are being looked into, State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shalinder Kumar said, adding over 20 employees were also suspended for violating the poll code. Out of 88 complaints received through C-Vigil and other online modes, 61 were dropped, 22 disposed of and five are under examination, he added. The actions against electoral malpractice included registration of 6 FIRs, suspension of 24 state government employees, besides seizure of 36 illegal weapons and cash worth Rs 19.68, he said, adding a considerable quantity of liquor too has been seized. For free and fair conduct of the Lok Sabha elections in the state, the election department has also formed 1,500 mobile and static teams, besides deploying flying squads with video cameras to ensure strict adherence of the poll code. "We will not overlook a single complaint whether it is against a big leader or a junior one, no one will be spared," said CEO Kumar. The CEO said citizens can register their complaints on the poll panel's app eVigil for a number of violations, including those against candidates distributing money or liquor to influence voters. They can also alert the Election Commission if they find a candidate involved in promoting paid news, he said, adding candidates using vehicles or convoys without permission are also breach the poll code. Transporting voters on the day of polling or campaigning within 200 metres of the polling booth are strictly prohibited under the guidelines, Kumar said.

J&K poll panel gets over 180 complaints of model code breach through cVigil app: Official

The Supreme Court Wednesday asked<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bimal-gurung-suspended-from-gorkha-janmukti-morcha-tamang-new-chief-24689"> Gorkha Janmukti Morcha </a>(GJM) leaders<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/darjeeling-violence-kolkata-high-court-tell-west-bengal-government-to-restore-peace-16902/amp"> Roshan Giri and Bimal Gurung</a>, who are seeking protection to participate in campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls, to approach Calcutta High Court within four days for the relief.

A bench of Justices Arun Mishra, M M Shantanagoudar and Navin Sinha said no coercive action be taken against the leaders till then.

The court said the Calcutta High Court will decide the matter expeditiously. Giri had on Tuesday told the apex court that Mamata Banerjee led West Bengal government was “vindictive” towards him and has implicated him in several “bogus cases”.

However, the West Bengal government has strongly opposed his contentions and said Giri was an absconder and there were several incriminating materials against him which allegedly showed his complicity in various cases of heinous nature. Giri and Gurung are among the accused in the 2010 Madan Tamang murder case.

Besides this, several other cases are pending against them in West Bengal. Police have claimed Tamang, who was the All India Gorkha League (AIGL) president, was hacked to death in Darjeeling on May 21, 2010, in broad daylight when he was overseeing preparations for a public meeting. Giri has been charged with alleged “criminal conspiracy for murder”, along with several other sides of him, in the murder case of Tamang.

The Supreme Court Wednesday asked Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders Roshan Giri and Bimal Gurung, who are seeking protection to participate in campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls, to approach Calcutta High Court within four days for the relief.

The Supreme Court Wednesday asked Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders Roshan Giri and Bimal Gurung, who are seeking protection to participate in campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls, to approach Calcutta High Court within four days for the relief. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra, M M Shantanagoudar and Navin Sinha said no coercive action be taken against the leaders till then. The court said the Calcutta High Court will decide the matter expeditiously. Giri had on Tuesday told the apex court that Mamata Banerjee led West Bengal government was “vindictive” towards him and has implicated him in several “bogus cases”. However, the West Bengal government has strongly opposed his contentions and said Giri was an absconder and there were several incriminating materials against him which allegedly showed his complicity in various cases of heinous nature. Giri and Gurung are among the accused in the 2010 Madan Tamang murder case. Besides this, several other cases are pending against them in West Bengal. Police have claimed Tamang, who was the All India Gorkha League (AIGL) president, was hacked to death in Darjeeling on May 21, 2010, in broad daylight when he was overseeing preparations for a public meeting. Giri has been charged with alleged “criminal conspiracy for murder”, along with several other sides of him, in the murder case of Tamang.

GJM leaders move SC seeking protection for Lok Sabha campaign, asked to approach Calcutta High Court

Has Congress president Rahul Gandhi taken a wrong step forward (or backward) by deciding to contest for the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala? In principle, this is not so, but in practical detail, I think the answer is yes.

It seems to be that the keenly contested general elections this year has begun to resemble a snakes and ladders game. When the Pulwama attack happened, it seemed like the BJP had hit the mouth of a snake, but when the Balakot strikes happened, Prime Minister Narendra Modi seemed to have converted a potential snake into a ladder as national security became mainstream in the election discourse.

Again, when the Congress president upped the ante for Modi and BJP president Amit Shah by announcing a Rs 6,000-per-month basic income scheme for the poorest Indians to counter the NDA government's PM KISAN scheme that offers a fraction of that to farmers, it seemed Rahul Gandhi had begun climbing a ladder.

However, the Wayanad move has turned out to be a snake for Rahul Gandhi, in my opinion, because it gave Modi a chance to hit out against minority-centric politics. We thought the Congress had begun to avoid the minority-ist tag after Rahul Gandhi declared himself a Shiv bhakt to counter insinuations that he was not for Hindus.

BJP's national-security-plus-Hindutva pitch seems to be working substantially across the Hindi belt, though I would not say that about the regions south of the Vindhyas and east of Patna. In this see-saw, snakes-and-ladders election year, Rahul Gandhi is stronger than what his critics might say but is weaker than what his supporters might think.

The Wayanad gambit invites charges that the Congress needs to avoid if it is to remain a national party because the sentiments whipped up by the BJP are such that even a please-all manifesto of the kind Congress released this week has limitations despite its sense of painstaking detail. The cynic might say speeches matter more than manifestos.

I have also been reading that the anti-incumbency factor in elections has been receding since 2002 in India, and this means Congress needs to go more than that extra mile.

The Wayanad shift by Rahul Gandhi has made the CPM counter the Congress when one thought they were teaming up to beat the BJP. With friends like that, Congress is definitely on a tricky wicket. If you had asked me which seat Rahul G would contest from if the south was a priority, I would have guessed Medak in Telangana because that is the place from where his grandmother Indira Gandhi won in 1980 on her comeback after the Congress suffered a humiliating defeat in the post-Emergency elections in 1977. Of course, this would mean playing ball with K Chandrashekar Rao, the Telangana Chief Minister, who won the seat in 2014 before relinquishing it to become the CM of the newly-carved state. KCR now is pulling his own line as a "Third Front" leader, mocking both the Congress and the BJP.

Now, here is the deal. Mainstream Telugu parties like the YSR Congress and Telugu Desam Party are discredited in Telangana because they staunchly opposed the division of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. KCR is enjoying a long political honeymoon thanks to his decades of leadership for the movement that created the state he is ruling. But somewhere, the anti-incumbency factor kicks in, and that would help the Congress. Given that KCR walks the tightrope between the BJP and Muslim groups alike, befriending him would have helped the Congress as a tactical alliance. The Congress is the natural inheritor of the opposition mantle in Telangana, given its support for the formation of the state and its socio-economic platform that helps farmers, Dalits and minorities in the region. Being gracious to KCR's Telangana Rashtra Samiti here now would have fortified Congress in the north while building a beach-head in the south. That would have required Rahul Gandhi to go that extra mile.

But if there is one thing the Congress does not know, it is going that extra mile. Like the Maharajas who sported their royal turbans long after Independence in 1947, the Congress has an identity crisis in which it has to choose between defeating the BJP and retaining its identity.

The Congress is reluctant to live down memories of an overarching, imperious "Grand Old Party" of India. It does not know that winning and keeping allies is an art. Modi won power in 2014 on the BJP's own strength, but his party has been nice to those who stood by him in difficult times and has even kissed and made up with a difficult ally like Nitish Kumar of Janata Dal (United) in Bihar.&nbsp;

Under a fourth-generation PM aspirant, one would have thought Congress would shed its modern maharaja attitude under Rahul Gandhi. There is not enough sign of it so far, though the manifesto he has outlined is a dramatically democratic one. Given that he is coming out with his own ideas and crafting his own set of advisers, his decision to contest from Wayanad is strange because the move smells of the Congress of yore. Habits die hard, it seems.

What all this means on the political chessboard is that by gaining a pawn in Kerala, Congress may be losing a rook and a bishop in Rajasthan or MP. In plain English, Rahul Gandhi may win in Wayanad, but Modi's BJP will win more seats in the north thanks to that.&nbsp;

Ultimately, politics is a game in which when a throw of dice is done well, the board changes from snakes and ladders to chess. That's dicey.

(This article was originally published on The Zee News. Read the <a href="https://zeenews.india.com/blogs/rahul-gandhis-mistake-congress-may-have-gained-if-he-contested-in-the-north-than-wayanad-2192177.html">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
&nbsp;

Has Congress president Rahul Gandhi taken a wrong step forward (or backward) by deciding to contest for the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala? In principle, this is not so, but in practical detail, I think the answer is yes.

Has Congress president Rahul Gandhi taken a wrong step forward (or backward) by deciding to contest for the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala? In principle, this is not so, but in practical detail, I think the answer is yes. It seems to be that the keenly contested general elections this year has begun to resemble a snakes and ladders game. When the Pulwama attack happened, it seemed like the BJP had hit the mouth of a snake, but when the Balakot strikes happened, Prime Minister Narendra Modi seemed to have converted a potential snake into a ladder as national security became mainstream in the election discourse. Again, when the Congress president upped the ante for Modi and BJP president Amit Shah by announcing a Rs 6,000-per-month basic income scheme for the poorest Indians to counter the NDA government's PM KISAN scheme that offers a fraction of that to farmers, it seemed Rahul Gandhi had begun climbing a ladder. However, the Wayanad move has turned out to be a snake for Rahul Gandhi, in my opinion, because it gave Modi a chance to hit out against minority-centric politics. We thought the Congress had begun to avoid the minority-ist tag after Rahul Gandhi declared himself a Shiv bhakt to counter insinuations that he was not for Hindus. BJP's national-security-plus-Hindutva pitch seems to be working substantially across the Hindi belt, though I would not say that about the regions south of the Vindhyas and east of Patna. In this see-saw, snakes-and-ladders election year, Rahul Gandhi is stronger than what his critics might say but is weaker than what his supporters might think. The Wayanad gambit invites charges that the Congress needs to avoid if it is to remain a national party because the sentiments whipped up by the BJP are such that even a please-all manifesto of the kind Congress released this week has limitations despite its sense of painstaking detail. The cynic might say speeches matter more than manifestos. I have also been reading that the anti-incumbency factor in elections has been receding since 2002 in India, and this means Congress needs to go more than that extra mile. The Wayanad shift by Rahul Gandhi has made the CPM counter the Congress when one thought they were teaming up to beat the BJP. With friends like that, Congress is definitely on a tricky wicket. If you had asked me which seat Rahul G would contest from if the south was a priority, I would have guessed Medak in Telangana because that is the place from where his grandmother Indira Gandhi won in 1980 on her comeback after the Congress suffered a humiliating defeat in the post-Emergency elections in 1977. Of course, this would mean playing ball with K Chandrashekar Rao, the Telangana Chief Minister, who won the seat in 2014 before relinquishing it to become the CM of the newly-carved state. KCR now is pulling his own line as a "Third Front" leader, mocking both the Congress and the BJP. Now, here is the deal. Mainstream Telugu parties like the YSR Congress and Telugu Desam Party are discredited in Telangana because they staunchly opposed the division of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. KCR is enjoying a long political honeymoon thanks to his decades of leadership for the movement that created the state he is ruling. But somewhere, the anti-incumbency factor kicks in, and that would help the Congress. Given that KCR walks the tightrope between the BJP and Muslim groups alike, befriending him would have helped the Congress as a tactical alliance. The Congress is the natural inheritor of the opposition mantle in Telangana, given its support for the formation of the state and its socio-economic platform that helps farmers, Dalits and minorities in the region. Being gracious to KCR's Telangana Rashtra Samiti here now would have fortified Congress in the north while building a beach-head in the south. That would have required Rahul Gandhi to go that extra mile. But if there is one thing the Congress does not know, it is going that extra mile. Like the Maharajas who sported their royal turbans long after Independence in 1947, the Congress has an identity crisis in which it has to choose between defeating the BJP and retaining its identity. The Congress is reluctant to live down memories of an overarching, imperious "Grand Old Party" of India. It does not know that winning and keeping allies is an art. Modi won power in 2014 on the BJP's own strength, but his party has been nice to those who stood by him in difficult times and has even kissed and made up with a difficult ally like Nitish Kumar of Janata Dal (United) in Bihar. Under a fourth-generation PM aspirant, one would have thought Congress would shed its modern maharaja attitude under Rahul Gandhi. There is not enough sign of it so far, though the manifesto he has outlined is a dramatically democratic one. Given that he is coming out with his own ideas and crafting his own set of advisers, his decision to contest from Wayanad is strange because the move smells of the Congress of yore. Habits die hard, it seems. What all this means on the political chessboard is that by gaining a pawn in Kerala, Congress may be losing a rook and a bishop in Rajasthan or MP. In plain English, Rahul Gandhi may win in Wayanad, but Modi's BJP will win more seats in the north thanks to that. Ultimately, politics is a game in which when a throw of dice is done well, the board changes from snakes and ladders to chess. That's dicey. (This article was originally published on The Zee News. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Rahul Gandhi's Wayanad choice could hurt Congress in the North

BSP supremo Mayawati Wednesday termed the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-exactly-does-the-congress-manifesto-promise-207487"> Congress manifesto</a> as a “showoff” and an “illusion” and said there was no credibility of the promises made by the party due to its past. Congress and BJP are no different when it comes to<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-scrapping-afspa-sedition-law-to-farmer-budget-key-takeaways-from-congress-manifesto-207507"> non-fulfilment of promises</a>, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said in a tweet.

“Congress election manifesto appears to be a showoff and illusion like its previous promises. Due to continuous working against its promises, there is no credibility left for Congress among the people. Congress and BJP are no different in non-fulfilling promises,” she said in the tweet.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi Tuesday released his party’s manifesto for Lok Sabha polls, making jobs creation, addressing farm distress, bringing a single moderate rate of GST and giving Rs 72,000 per annum to poor families as the key focus if the party comes to power.

Claiming the BJP was afraid of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance, Mayawati said, “They (BJP) are so afraid that instead of talking of issues, they indulge in unnecessary casteist statements on the top leader of (alliance). No one should be provoked by them (statements) and give them befitting reply by showing good results”.

BSP supremo Mayawati Wednesday termed the Congress manifesto as a “showoff” and an “illusion” and said there was no credibility of the promises made by the party due to its past.

BSP supremo Mayawati Wednesday termed the Congress manifesto as a “showoff” and an “illusion” and said there was no credibility of the promises made by the party due to its past. Congress and BJP are no different when it comes to non-fulfilment of promises, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said in a tweet. “Congress election manifesto appears to be a showoff and illusion like its previous promises. Due to continuous working against its promises, there is no credibility left for Congress among the people. Congress and BJP are no different in non-fulfilling promises,” she said in the tweet. Congress President Rahul Gandhi Tuesday released his party’s manifesto for Lok Sabha polls, making jobs creation, addressing farm distress, bringing a single moderate rate of GST and giving Rs 72,000 per annum to poor families as the key focus if the party comes to power. Claiming the BJP was afraid of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance, Mayawati said, “They (BJP) are so afraid that instead of talking of issues, they indulge in unnecessary casteist statements on the top leader of (alliance). No one should be provoked by them (statements) and give them befitting reply by showing good results”.

Congress manifesto for 2019 polls an illusion, says Mayawati, reminds party of past record

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday slammed Congress' manifesto for upcoming Lok Sabha Elections.&nbsp;

During a press conference in Delhi, Sitharaman citing manifesto said, ''Congress is supporting separatists and anti-nationalists and&nbsp;its leaders back terrorists.''

<a href="http://13.232.42.114/india-news/congress-manifesto-some-ideas-positively-dangerous-says-bjp-207472">Congress released party's manifesto</a> for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday at the party headquarters in New Delhi.&nbsp;

Congress announced that it would review the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) for which Sitharaman said, ''Is this right? It is an effort to weaken the armed forces. They are trying to dilute the immunity of our security forces. The security forces need immunity.''

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Defence Minister &amp; BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman on Congress party election manifesto promising to amend the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act - AFSPA: Is this right? It is an effort to weaken the armed forces. They are trying to dilute the immunity of our security forces. <a href="https://t.co/v1vqIriFjy">pic.twitter.com/v1vqIriFjy</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1113341677102489600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Sitharaman also said that Congress is demoralising our forces.

Earlier, The BJP said that some of the ideas in the Congress <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-manifesto-some-ideas-positively-dangerous-says-bjp-207472">manifesto were "positively dangerous"</a>.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday slammed Congress' manifesto for upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. During a press conference in Delhi, Sitharaman citing manifesto said, ''Congress is supporting separatists and anti-nationalists and its leaders back terrorists.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday slammed Congress' manifesto for upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. During a press conference in Delhi, Sitharaman citing manifesto said, ''Congress is supporting separatists and anti-nationalists and its leaders back terrorists.'' Congress released party's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday at the party headquarters in New Delhi. Congress announced that it would review the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) for which Sitharaman said, ''Is this right? It is an effort to weaken the armed forces. They are trying to dilute the immunity of our security forces. The security forces need immunity.'' Defence Minister & BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman on Congress party election manifesto promising to amend the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act - AFSPA: Is this right? It is an effort to weaken the armed forces. They are trying to dilute the immunity of our security forces. pic.twitter.com/v1vqIriFjy — ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2019 × Sitharaman also said that Congress is demoralising our forces. Earlier, The BJP said that some of the ideas in the Congress manifesto were "positively dangerous".

Congress trying to dilute immunity of our security forces: Nirmala Sitharaman

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had an issue with the colour scheme used in the election manifesto released by the Congress on Tuesday. Mrs Gandhi, the former president of the party, spoke to Rajeev Gowda, the head of party's research department right before the function to release the manifesto at Congress headquarters in New Delhi. Sources told WION that she wanted lighter colours on the cover of the manifesto instead of the dark theme used currently.

Gowda, the convener of the manifesto committee of Congress, acknowledged the conversation with Mrs Gandhi. "We did not put leaders' face on the manifesto because we wanted to put people on the cover. This cover is a departure from past and decision was reached after many rounds of meeting which included senior leaders like Sam Pitroda," he said.

Sonia Gandhi, after going through the manifesto, suggested that photograph published on page nine of the party's manifesto could have been used as the cover picture. The photograph showed Congress president Rahul Gandhi sitting with a group of rural women with ghoonghat (veil).

<img alt="Rahul-Congress" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6571a73e-2586-463b-8474-aec4a2d3d050" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/sonia-rahul-congress-manifesto-ANI_0.jpg" />

(The photo which was used as the cover of Congress's manifesto)

Sources said that the said photo was dropped for the wrong messaging it would have done. "The picture looked very good in context of colour scheme but women were in ghooghat and we were against putting this photograph on the front page," sources told WION.

Gowda, meanwhile, clarified that no discussion took place about the size of Rahul Gandhi's photograph on the cover, nor there was any suggestion on part of Sonia Gandhi to add photographs of other leaders. When WION enquired about absence of Mahatma Gandhi on the cover, Gowda said, "It is not easy to use Gandhi's picture during election time for various reasons." Rajeev Gowda said that manifesto signals professionalism and show case a modern approach. When asked whether Sonia Gandhi enquired about absence of other leaders on manifesto, Gowda said, "No conversation of this nature took place." Though it is being said Sonia Gandhi also enquired about the absence of photographs of older leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru.

Former finance minister P Chidambaram is the chairman of the manifesto committee.

The much-talked-about manifesto was released by Rahul Gandhi with a tagline "Congress Will Deliver". The manifesto promised the Congress will create jobs, address farm distress, bring in a single moderate rate of GST and give Rs 72,000 per annum to poor families if it comes to power in the Lok Sabha polls.

In the 55-page document, the Congress also promised to come out with separate budget for farmers, fill up 22 lakh government vacancies, allocate six per cent of GDP to education, assured 50 more days of guaranteed jobs from current 100 under the MNREGA, boosting healthcare infrastructure and enhance safety of women.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had an issue with the colour scheme used in the election manifesto released by the Congress on Tuesday. Mrs Gandhi, the former president of the party, spoke to Rajeev Gowda, the head of party's research department right before the function to release the manifesto at Congress headquarters in New Delhi.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had an issue with the colour scheme used in the election manifesto released by the Congress on Tuesday. Mrs Gandhi, the former president of the party, spoke to Rajeev Gowda, the head of party's research department right before the function to release the manifesto at Congress headquarters in New Delhi. Sources told WION that she wanted lighter colours on the cover of the manifesto instead of the dark theme used currently. Gowda, the convener of the manifesto committee of Congress, acknowledged the conversation with Mrs Gandhi. "We did not put leaders' face on the manifesto because we wanted to put people on the cover. This cover is a departure from past and decision was reached after many rounds of meeting which included senior leaders like Sam Pitroda," he said. Sonia Gandhi, after going through the manifesto, suggested that photograph published on page nine of the party's manifesto could have been used as the cover picture. The photograph showed Congress president Rahul Gandhi sitting with a group of rural women with ghoonghat (veil). (The photo which was used as the cover of Congress's manifesto) Sources said that the said photo was dropped for the wrong messaging it would have done. "The picture looked very good in context of colour scheme but women were in ghooghat and we were against putting this photograph on the front page," sources told WION. Gowda, meanwhile, clarified that no discussion took place about the size of Rahul Gandhi's photograph on the cover, nor there was any suggestion on part of Sonia Gandhi to add photographs of other leaders. When WION enquired about absence of Mahatma Gandhi on the cover, Gowda said, "It is not easy to use Gandhi's picture during election time for various reasons." Rajeev Gowda said that manifesto signals professionalism and show case a modern approach. When asked whether Sonia Gandhi enquired about absence of other leaders on manifesto, Gowda said, "No conversation of this nature took place." Though it is being said Sonia Gandhi also enquired about the absence of photographs of older leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru. Former finance minister P Chidambaram is the chairman of the manifesto committee. The much-talked-about manifesto was released by Rahul Gandhi with a tagline "Congress Will Deliver". The manifesto promised the Congress will create jobs, address farm distress, bring in a single moderate rate of GST and give Rs 72,000 per annum to poor families if it comes to power in the Lok Sabha polls. In the 55-page document, the Congress also promised to come out with separate budget for farmers, fill up 22 lakh government vacancies, allocate six per cent of GDP to education, assured 50 more days of guaranteed jobs from current 100 under the MNREGA, boosting healthcare infrastructure and enhance safety of women.

This is the photograph Sonia Gandhi wanted on Congress manifesto cover

Messaging service WhatsApp, which has over 200 million active users in India, on Tuesday said that it has launched a tip line for Indians to submit rumours and uncertain information, in the latest step to combat false news in India during the national election.

Facebook-owned WhatsApp said in a statement it was working with an Indian startup called Proto that will help to classify messages sent by users as true, false, misleading or disputed, news agency Reuters reported.

India is WhatsApp's biggest market in the world.&nbsp;

The platform has over 1.5 billion users globally.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

Messaging service WhatsApp, which has over 200 million active users in India, on Tuesday said that it has launched a tip line for Indians to submit rumours and uncertain information, in the latest step to combat false news in India during the national election.

Messaging service WhatsApp, which has over 200 million active users in India, on Tuesday said that it has launched a tip line for Indians to submit rumours and uncertain information, in the latest step to combat false news in India during the national election. Facebook-owned WhatsApp said in a statement it was working with an Indian startup called Proto that will help to classify messages sent by users as true, false, misleading or disputed, news agency Reuters reported. India is WhatsApp's biggest market in the world. The platform has over 1.5 billion users globally. (With inputs from Reuters)

WhatsApp launches India tip line to curb fake news during Lok Sabha polls 

Union Minister for Textiles Smriti Irani said on Monday that she is confident the BJP will win the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and PM Narendra Modi will return to power.

Iran was speaking at Zee News's '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-will-remain-out-of-power-for-at-least-5-years-says-amit-shah-207273">India Ka DNA</a>' conclave in New Delhi.

On being asked whether there is a Modi "lehar"&nbsp;(wave) across the country, Irani answered, "Why is Congress president fighting from two seats if there is no Modi wave? His candidature from two seats proves that there is Modi lehar.”

Irani, who is contesting against Rahul Gandhi from the Amethi parliamentary constituency in the upcoming election, said the "BJP is contesting from Amethi and I am just a representative. My fight against Rahul Gandhi is not personal. The fight is against an ideology, corruption and dynasty."

Irani said her "biggest achievement" will be when on May 23 Rahul Gandhi loses from Amethi. "Modi will once again become the pradhan sewak on May 23," she added.

However, the Congress party’s vote share was reduced to 46 per cent in 2014 as against the earlier figures of 71 per cent and 66 per cent in the 2009 and 2004 elections, respectively. The BJP, whose vote share in Amethi remained in the single digits in 2004, garnered 37 per cent of the votes cast in 2014.

Union Minister for Textiles Smriti Irani said on Monday that she is confident the BJP will win the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and PM Narendra Modi will return to power.

Union Minister for Textiles Smriti Irani said on Monday that she is confident the BJP will win the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and PM Narendra Modi will return to power. Iran was speaking at Zee News's 'India Ka DNA' conclave in New Delhi. On being asked whether there is a Modi "lehar" (wave) across the country, Irani answered, "Why is Congress president fighting from two seats if there is no Modi wave? His candidature from two seats proves that there is Modi lehar.” Irani, who is contesting against Rahul Gandhi from the Amethi parliamentary constituency in the upcoming election, said the "BJP is contesting from Amethi and I am just a representative. My fight against Rahul Gandhi is not personal. The fight is against an ideology, corruption and dynasty." Irani said her "biggest achievement" will be when on May 23 Rahul Gandhi loses from Amethi. "Modi will once again become the pradhan sewak on May 23," she added. However, the Congress party’s vote share was reduced to 46 per cent in 2014 as against the earlier figures of 71 per cent and 66 per cent in the 2009 and 2004 elections, respectively. The BJP, whose vote share in Amethi remained in the single digits in 2004, garnered 37 per cent of the votes cast in 2014.

Fighting against dynasty and corruption in Amethi: Smriti Irani at 'India ka DNA' conclave

From scrapping AFSPA, sedition law to farmer Budget: Key Takeaways from Congress manifesto

In a move to check misuse of money during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Goa Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has issued directions to all banks to keep a tab on transactions above Rs 1 lakh. He has also asked banks to keep a watch on any suspicious transaction and report it to a local election officer or police, a senior poll official said on Tuesday.

Transactions made through e-commerce platforms would be also under the scrutiny of the CEO, he said. During a meeting last week with political parties in the state, the CEO informed them about measures initiated for monitoring expenditures made by candidates and their outfits. The current expenditure limit for the Lok Sabha polls is Rs 54 lakh and for the Assembly elections is Rs 20 lakh.

“Banks have been asked to keep a watch on suspicious transactions. All bank transactions above Rs 1 lakh will be under strict vigil,” according to the minutes of the meeting. The CEO has also asked banks to report to the Income Tax department about any account transaction above Rs 10 lakh. The limit for carrying cash is Rs 50,000.

Any person carrying more amount than that will have to explain its source, the poll official said. The CEO has also advised the public to abstain from carrying a large amount of cash while travelling during the poll code period, he said.

Polling for the two Lok Sabha seats in Goa and by-elections in three Assembly seats – Mandrem, Shiroda, and Mapusa – will be held on April 23 and results will be declared on May 23. The model code of conduct for the polls came into the force on March 10.

In a move to check misuse of money during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Goa Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has issued directions to all banks to keep a tab on transactions above Rs 1 lakh.

In a move to check misuse of money during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Goa Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has issued directions to all banks to keep a tab on transactions above Rs 1 lakh. He has also asked banks to keep a watch on any suspicious transaction and report it to a local election officer or police, a senior poll official said on Tuesday. Transactions made through e-commerce platforms would be also under the scrutiny of the CEO, he said. During a meeting last week with political parties in the state, the CEO informed them about measures initiated for monitoring expenditures made by candidates and their outfits. The current expenditure limit for the Lok Sabha polls is Rs 54 lakh and for the Assembly elections is Rs 20 lakh. “Banks have been asked to keep a watch on suspicious transactions. All bank transactions above Rs 1 lakh will be under strict vigil,” according to the minutes of the meeting. The CEO has also asked banks to report to the Income Tax department about any account transaction above Rs 10 lakh. The limit for carrying cash is Rs 50,000. Any person carrying more amount than that will have to explain its source, the poll official said. The CEO has also advised the public to abstain from carrying a large amount of cash while travelling during the poll code period, he said. Polling for the two Lok Sabha seats in Goa and by-elections in three Assembly seats – Mandrem, Shiroda, and Mapusa – will be held on April 23 and results will be declared on May 23. The model code of conduct for the polls came into the force on March 10.

In Goa, officials keeping watch on all bank transactions above Rs 1 lakh

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government for "not cooperating" with the Centre to bring about speedy development in the state and said he has taken advantage of central schemes to ensure the welfare of Odiyas.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

"The government in Odisha did not cooperate with us. Despite its indifference, we did our best in launching development projects in the state," Modi said while addressing a rally in this west Odisha town.

This ''chowkidaar'' (watchman) has taken advantage of Centre's schemes to ensure the welfare of the Odiyas, he insisted.

If the BJP had formed a government in Odisha after the 2014 election, the state would have witnessed "speedy development in all sectors", he claimed.

Calling upon the people to vote for the double-engine government of the BJP at the Centre and the state, Modi said Odisha should repeat the history created by Uttar Pradesh in 2017 and Tripura in 2018.

Listing his government's achievements, he said the NDA government has constructed pucca homes for eight lakh families, provided power connections to 24 lakh homes, gas connection to 40 lakh mothers and sisters.

"In the last five years, we have opened bank accounts for 1 crore 40 lakh people, built toilets in 50 lakh homes, ensuring women's safety and security," he maintained.

Hitting out at the Congress, Modi said the grand old party has cheated Odisha people over the years by denying the poor their due rights.

"Under the Congress rule, middlemen benefitted largely. It is because of this deception, people had to go to migrate to other states, leaving their families," he charged.

Without taking a single leave in the last five years, this "chowkidar has worked diligently" to bring about a transformation in the country, Modi said.

"The credit for the transformation goes to the people of the country, who voted the BJP to power. It is your vote and not Modi who brought positive changes in the country, lit up lives of poor, filled their lives with hopes," he added.

Modi and his partymen have launched the 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' (I too am a watchman) campaign to blunt the Opposition's, especially the Congress's, 'chowkidar chor hai (watchman is a thief) slogan.

Assembly elections in Odisha will be held along with Lok Sabha polls in four phases - on April 11, 18, 23 and 29.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government for "not cooperating" with the Centre to bring about speedy development in the state and said he has taken advantage of central schemes to ensure the welfare of Odiyas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government for "not cooperating" with the Centre to bring about speedy development in the state and said he has taken advantage of central schemes to ensure the welfare of Odiyas. "The government in Odisha did not cooperate with us. Despite its indifference, we did our best in launching development projects in the state," Modi said while addressing a rally in this west Odisha town. This ''chowkidaar'' (watchman) has taken advantage of Centre's schemes to ensure the welfare of the Odiyas, he insisted. If the BJP had formed a government in Odisha after the 2014 election, the state would have witnessed "speedy development in all sectors", he claimed. Calling upon the people to vote for the double-engine government of the BJP at the Centre and the state, Modi said Odisha should repeat the history created by Uttar Pradesh in 2017 and Tripura in 2018. Listing his government's achievements, he said the NDA government has constructed pucca homes for eight lakh families, provided power connections to 24 lakh homes, gas connection to 40 lakh mothers and sisters. "In the last five years, we have opened bank accounts for 1 crore 40 lakh people, built toilets in 50 lakh homes, ensuring women's safety and security," he maintained. Hitting out at the Congress, Modi said the grand old party has cheated Odisha people over the years by denying the poor their due rights. "Under the Congress rule, middlemen benefitted largely. It is because of this deception, people had to go to migrate to other states, leaving their families," he charged. Without taking a single leave in the last five years, this "chowkidar has worked diligently" to bring about a transformation in the country, Modi said. "The credit for the transformation goes to the people of the country, who voted the BJP to power. It is your vote and not Modi who brought positive changes in the country, lit up lives of poor, filled their lives with hopes," he added. Modi and his partymen have launched the 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' (I too am a watchman) campaign to blunt the Opposition's, especially the Congress's, 'chowkidar chor hai (watchman is a thief) slogan. Assembly elections in Odisha will be held along with Lok Sabha polls in four phases - on April 11, 18, 23 and 29.

BJD government did not cooperate, chowkidar transformed Odisha with Central schemes: Modi