The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a show cause notice to BJP leader Babul Supriyo for a poll code violation on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The additional Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Basu said, ''We are keeping a close watch on media and through the surveillance, we came to know of the election campaign song of Babul Supriyo. The All India Trinamool Congress has also registered a complaint against the song with us. We investigated the complaint and it seems that he (Babul Supriyo) promoted the song without media certification in the electronic media, social sites.''

Sanjay Basu added, ''This is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. We have issued a show cause notice to Babul Supriyo. He has to reply to the show cause notice within 48 hours. As far as the content is concerned, we have received another complaint from the All India Trinamool Congress.''

Supriyo, on the other hand, claimed that he had not created the music video, rather media houses had covered it during the recording of the song.&nbsp;

''I will definitely reply to the show cause notice. The song will be sent to the media certification department and will be released in a proper manner from the BJP party office. I have not released the song on the social site also. During the recording, I had shared it with the party members and it seems that they have circulated it. I will abide by all the rules and regulations of the Election Commission,'' said Supriyo.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, an FIR was lodged against Supriyo at the Asansol South Police Station for the song slamming the ruling party in the state – Trinamool Congress.&nbsp;

On the same day, a high-level delegation of the Trinamool Congress, comprising party leaders Derek O'Brien, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Dr Chandan Mitra, met the officials of Election Commission of India in Delhi on a range of issues.&nbsp;

The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a show cause notice to BJP leader Babul Supriyo for a poll code violation on Tuesday. The additional Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Basu said, ''We are keeping a close watch on media and through the surveillance, we came to know of the election campaign song of Babul Supriyo.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a show cause notice to BJP leader Babul Supriyo for a poll code violation on Tuesday. The additional Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Basu said, ''We are keeping a close watch on media and through the surveillance, we came to know of the election campaign song of Babul Supriyo. The All India Trinamool Congress has also registered a complaint against the song with us. We investigated the complaint and it seems that he (Babul Supriyo) promoted the song without media certification in the electronic media, social sites.'' Sanjay Basu added, ''This is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. We have issued a show cause notice to Babul Supriyo. He has to reply to the show cause notice within 48 hours. As far as the content is concerned, we have received another complaint from the All India Trinamool Congress.'' Supriyo, on the other hand, claimed that he had not created the music video, rather media houses had covered it during the recording of the song. ''I will definitely reply to the show cause notice. The song will be sent to the media certification department and will be released in a proper manner from the BJP party office. I have not released the song on the social site also. During the recording, I had shared it with the party members and it seems that they have circulated it. I will abide by all the rules and regulations of the Election Commission,'' said Supriyo. Earlier in the day, an FIR was lodged against Supriyo at the Asansol South Police Station for the song slamming the ruling party in the state – Trinamool Congress. On the same day, a high-level delegation of the Trinamool Congress, comprising party leaders Derek O'Brien, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Dr Chandan Mitra, met the officials of Election Commission of India in Delhi on a range of issues.

Election Commission issues a show cause notice to Babul Supriyo for poll code violation

Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Central Election Committee (CEC) met on Tuesday to discuss seat-sharing allocation in 10 states.

The meeting, currently underway, at the party's headquarters here is presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president&nbsp;Amit Shah.

Union Minister Arun Jaitley, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Union Minister Rajnath Singh are also present at the meeting.

According to sources, discussions will be held on seat allocation in 10 states including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Odisha.

BJP has so far not released any list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Congress, on the other hand, has already released five lists. So far, the Congress has declared 137 candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, which will be held in seven phases beginning April 11. The last phase of polling is scheduled for May 19 and the counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Election Commission&nbsp;of India had on Monday issued a notification for the first phase of&nbsp;Lok Sabha&nbsp;election, which is due to be held on April 11 
States that will go to polls on April 11 in the first phase of the upcoming seven-phase Lok Sabha elections are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.

As many as 91 Parliamentary constituencies spread over 20 states and Union Territories will go to polls in this phase. The last date for filing of nominations is March 25 and the scrutiny of the nomination papers will be carried out on March 26.

The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is March 28.

Among the constituencies going for polls in the first phase are - eight in Uttar Pradesh, five in Uttarakhand, four in Bihar, seven in Maharashtra, five in Assam, four in Odisha, two each in Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and West Bengal, and one each in Chhattisgarh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.&nbsp;

Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Central Election Committee (CEC) met on Tuesday to discuss seat-sharing allocation in 10 states. The meeting, currently underway, at the party's headquarters here is presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah.

Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Central Election Committee (CEC) met on Tuesday to discuss seat-sharing allocation in 10 states. The meeting, currently underway, at the party's headquarters here is presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah. Union Minister Arun Jaitley, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Union Minister Rajnath Singh are also present at the meeting. According to sources, discussions will be held on seat allocation in 10 states including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Odisha. BJP has so far not released any list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Congress, on the other hand, has already released five lists. So far, the Congress has declared 137 candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, which will be held in seven phases beginning April 11. The last phase of polling is scheduled for May 19 and the counting of votes will take place on May 23. The Election Commission of India had on Monday issued a notification for the first phase of Lok Sabha election, which is due to be held on April 11 States that will go to polls on April 11 in the first phase of the upcoming seven-phase Lok Sabha elections are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. As many as 91 Parliamentary constituencies spread over 20 states and Union Territories will go to polls in this phase. The last date for filing of nominations is March 25 and the scrutiny of the nomination papers will be carried out on March 26. The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is March 28. Among the constituencies going for polls in the first phase are - eight in Uttar Pradesh, five in Uttarakhand, four in Bihar, seven in Maharashtra, five in Assam, four in Odisha, two each in Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and West Bengal, and one each in Chhattisgarh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

BJP holds Central Election Committee meeting in presence of PM Modi, Amit Shah

N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telegu Desam party on Tuesday released a list of 25 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections along with its third list of 36 candidates for the state assembly elections.&nbsp;

According to reports, Ashok Gajapathi Raju will contest from Vizianagaram Lok Sabha seat, Kesineni Srinivas from Vijayawada, Galla Jayadev from Guntur and N Sivaprasad from Chittoor.

This comes just a few days after the party released a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tdp-announces-126-candidates-for-assembly-polls-naidu-son-nara-lokesh-to-contest-203399">list of 126 candidates for the April 11 assembly elections</a> last Thursday.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is slated to contest from Kuppam assembly constituency while his son, IT Minister Nara Lokesh will fight from Mangalagiri.

Andhra Pradesh will conduct state assembly elections on April 11.&nbsp;

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora had announced the elections for the 175 Assembly seats and the 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh will take place on April 11 in a single phase.

The results of the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls will be announced on May 23.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telegu Desam party on Tuesday released a list of 25 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections along with its third list of 36 candidates for the state assembly elections.

N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telegu Desam party on Tuesday released a list of 25 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections along with its third list of 36 candidates for the state assembly elections. According to reports, Ashok Gajapathi Raju will contest from Vizianagaram Lok Sabha seat, Kesineni Srinivas from Vijayawada, Galla Jayadev from Guntur and N Sivaprasad from Chittoor. This comes just a few days after the party released a list of 126 candidates for the April 11 assembly elections last Thursday. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is slated to contest from Kuppam assembly constituency while his son, IT Minister Nara Lokesh will fight from Mangalagiri. Andhra Pradesh will conduct state assembly elections on April 11. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora had announced the elections for the 175 Assembly seats and the 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh will take place on April 11 in a single phase. The results of the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls will be announced on May 23. (With inputs from ANI)

TDP releases names of 25 candidates for Lok Sabha polls, third list for assembly elections 

I had begun the new year by discussing how smaller parties were going to be more important in this election season in India. Following the sad and premature demise of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and the tumultuous politics in the state in the aftermath, I am tempted to add one more thing: the Goa model of fractious, fluid coalition governments is set to spread over a larger swathe of India as democracy takes roots and interest group politics and local issues begin to override deeper issues of ideology, national-level posturing or big party organisations.

You only have to go state by state to understand how politics has entered the phase that the Indian economy did in the aftermath of reforms that kicked off in 1991. With the rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a slew of regional parties across the country, it is not just that coalitions have become mainstream.

Within each party, workers and lobbies have become more demanding - much like restless software employees who smelt opportunities in a world where employers including Infosys, Wipro, IBM, Accenture and a host of others competed for talent.

Goa is a small state and it took the charisma of Parrikar to keep his flock together. His successor Pramod Sawant was sworn in after the Congress tried valiantly to form a rival government on the strength of being the single largest party in the state assembly. Sawant now has a tough task ahead in emulating Parrikar in a state where Hindutva politics has limited utility because of the rooted presence of regional outfits and 25 per cent Christian voters.&nbsp;

A key point, as one analyst observed in a TV discussion, is that defecting leaders get re-elected from their constituencies, suggesting that their confidence and their abilities can overpower the might, the ideology or the symbol of a big party. Or, for that matter, the stigma that one used to attach to defections. I think this phenomenon is spreading across India. I hope to discuss specifics some other time, but there is a general pattern that needs to be noted.

Today's slogging party worker is tomorrow's neta. Imagine. Mamata Banerjee was just a humble Congress worker on the streets of what was then Calcutta. In today's Kolkata, she rules over the state with her own Trinamool Congress that has managed to take on both the CPM and her mothership, the Indian National Congress. Modi himself has risen in the BJP from his humble worker origins in Gujarat and has successfully sidelined stalwarts like Lal Krishna Advani.

The naive idealism of the Independence movement and the Emergency era have given way to hard-as-nuts ambitions and strategies. Mastery of local issues, goodwill, oratory, lobbying and media savvy are now explicitly recognised as key political skills.

If the "high command" of any party is not willing to recognise a worker, breakaway formations and audacious defections offer them a way out. All major Indian political parties with the exception of the communist groups no longer care enough about ideology or the mood of grassroots workers enough to discourage defectors from coming in.

There may be an unwritten recognition: a so-called loyal worker is just a not-so-competent chamcha. In such a context, parties prefer a smart defector to a dubious loyalist. Or a useful defector, as we found out last week when Tom Vadakkan, a long-time Congress spokesman considered close to Sonia Gandhi, simply jumped ship to the BJP. The Kerala leader's ostensible reason (Congress disregard for the Army) and timing for the jump were so flimsy, that it looked more comic than grandiose. Vadakkan after decades sitting literally 100 metres from 10 Janpath at the Congress head office suddenly realised the party practises dynastic politics. Excuse me?

Vadakkan is not a major leader but the BJP holding a news conference to announce his entry was certainly a significant indicator of where Indian politics is going.

Caste, community and tribe still remain important political currencies in India. To top this, we may add an increasing localisation of politics. Local netas who care about the neighbourhood hospital, road or school and are/or more available to meet voters to address their various concerns build up goodwill that escapes the attention of the national media. But they do not escape the hawk eye of the high commands of parties. We have a virtual stock exchange for "winnable" politicians based on ground reports.

The scene is not much different from the technology sector, where Amazon, Microsoft and Google may love to poach each other's employees based on their CVs and industry intelligence. Talent, work, skills and energy matter more than loyalty. If the people in question are mission critical (Read: key to winning seats or forming governments), the netas matter more.

What is happening this month across political parties are just like annual appraisals and job interviews in top companies every March, prior to the start of a new financial year. Some employees get thumbs-down signals and they look for other opportunities. Smart ones feel bad when smarter ones get the chance or a new boss moves in with his/her own ideas and confidants.

In a sense, such defections and group shifts have been part of Indian history and culture. Only, generals and soldiers who used to capture territories for kings have given way to netas and chamchas who capture votes for parties.

In such a context, the stylish reference to "winnability" in political parties is an indirect admission of the harsh reality of grassroots politics: Parties don't really win on the basis of their ideals; they increasingly put their brand names on those they think are likely to win, while keeping their trademarks alive with tall talk and big spending.

 
(This article was originally published on Zee News. Read the <a href="https://zeenews.india.com/blogs/pre-poll-defections-indias-politics-is-looking-more-and-more-like-its-it-sector-2188783.html">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

I had begun the new year by discussing how smaller parties were going to be more important in this election season in India. Following the sad and premature demise of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and the tumultuous politics in the state in the aftermath, I am tempted to add one more thing: the Goa model of fractious, fluid coalition governments is set to spread over a larger swathe of India as democracy takes roots and interest group politics and local issues begin to override deeper issues of ideology, national-level posturing or big party organisations.

I had begun the new year by discussing how smaller parties were going to be more important in this election season in India. Following the sad and premature demise of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and the tumultuous politics in the state in the aftermath, I am tempted to add one more thing: the Goa model of fractious, fluid coalition governments is set to spread over a larger swathe of India as democracy takes roots and interest group politics and local issues begin to override deeper issues of ideology, national-level posturing or big party organisations. You only have to go state by state to understand how politics has entered the phase that the Indian economy did in the aftermath of reforms that kicked off in 1991. With the rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a slew of regional parties across the country, it is not just that coalitions have become mainstream. Within each party, workers and lobbies have become more demanding - much like restless software employees who smelt opportunities in a world where employers including Infosys, Wipro, IBM, Accenture and a host of others competed for talent. Goa is a small state and it took the charisma of Parrikar to keep his flock together. His successor Pramod Sawant was sworn in after the Congress tried valiantly to form a rival government on the strength of being the single largest party in the state assembly. Sawant now has a tough task ahead in emulating Parrikar in a state where Hindutva politics has limited utility because of the rooted presence of regional outfits and 25 per cent Christian voters. A key point, as one analyst observed in a TV discussion, is that defecting leaders get re-elected from their constituencies, suggesting that their confidence and their abilities can overpower the might, the ideology or the symbol of a big party. Or, for that matter, the stigma that one used to attach to defections. I think this phenomenon is spreading across India. I hope to discuss specifics some other time, but there is a general pattern that needs to be noted. Today's slogging party worker is tomorrow's neta. Imagine. Mamata Banerjee was just a humble Congress worker on the streets of what was then Calcutta. In today's Kolkata, she rules over the state with her own Trinamool Congress that has managed to take on both the CPM and her mothership, the Indian National Congress. Modi himself has risen in the BJP from his humble worker origins in Gujarat and has successfully sidelined stalwarts like Lal Krishna Advani. The naive idealism of the Independence movement and the Emergency era have given way to hard-as-nuts ambitions and strategies. Mastery of local issues, goodwill, oratory, lobbying and media savvy are now explicitly recognised as key political skills. If the "high command" of any party is not willing to recognise a worker, breakaway formations and audacious defections offer them a way out. All major Indian political parties with the exception of the communist groups no longer care enough about ideology or the mood of grassroots workers enough to discourage defectors from coming in. There may be an unwritten recognition: a so-called loyal worker is just a not-so-competent chamcha. In such a context, parties prefer a smart defector to a dubious loyalist. Or a useful defector, as we found out last week when Tom Vadakkan, a long-time Congress spokesman considered close to Sonia Gandhi, simply jumped ship to the BJP. The Kerala leader's ostensible reason (Congress disregard for the Army) and timing for the jump were so flimsy, that it looked more comic than grandiose. Vadakkan after decades sitting literally 100 metres from 10 Janpath at the Congress head office suddenly realised the party practises dynastic politics. Excuse me? Vadakkan is not a major leader but the BJP holding a news conference to announce his entry was certainly a significant indicator of where Indian politics is going. Caste, community and tribe still remain important political currencies in India. To top this, we may add an increasing localisation of politics. Local netas who care about the neighbourhood hospital, road or school and are/or more available to meet voters to address their various concerns build up goodwill that escapes the attention of the national media. But they do not escape the hawk eye of the high commands of parties. We have a virtual stock exchange for "winnable" politicians based on ground reports. The scene is not much different from the technology sector, where Amazon, Microsoft and Google may love to poach each other's employees based on their CVs and industry intelligence. Talent, work, skills and energy matter more than loyalty. If the people in question are mission critical (Read: key to winning seats or forming governments), the netas matter more. What is happening this month across political parties are just like annual appraisals and job interviews in top companies every March, prior to the start of a new financial year. Some employees get thumbs-down signals and they look for other opportunities. Smart ones feel bad when smarter ones get the chance or a new boss moves in with his/her own ideas and confidants. In a sense, such defections and group shifts have been part of Indian history and culture. Only, generals and soldiers who used to capture territories for kings have given way to netas and chamchas who capture votes for parties. In such a context, the stylish reference to "winnability" in political parties is an indirect admission of the harsh reality of grassroots politics: Parties don't really win on the basis of their ideals; they increasingly put their brand names on those they think are likely to win, while keeping their trademarks alive with tall talk and big spending. (This article was originally published on 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.)

Pre-poll defections: Political parties prefer a smart defector than a dubious loyalist

The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu Tuesday promised a slew of measures in its election manifesto, including a national poverty eradication initiative that will be named after the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

Releasing the manifesto for the general election at a press conference here, AIADMK coordinator and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said the party would "vigorously pursue" the Amma National Poverty Eradication Initiative (ANPEI).

"Based on the experience already gained by the AIADMK government in this regard, a direct transfer of Rs 1,500 per month to the targeted population of the poor and deprived (people below poverty line, destitute women, widows without income, differently-abled, landless agricultural labourers, rural and urban manual labourers, destitute senior citizens etc) should not be difficult to implement," the party said.

Jayalalithaa is addressed as 'Amma' (mother) by her supporters and the ruling AIADMK has been implementing welfare measures under the brand Amma initiative, including the popular Amma subsidised canteens.

Panneerselvam, flanked by party co-coordinator and Chief Minister K Palaniswami, along with senior leaders and ministers, read out the salient features of the manifesto.

Reiterating the party's stand, Panneerselvam said AIADMK would press for the release of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/2019-lok-sabha-polls-aiadmk-dmk-say-will-urge-centre-to-release-7-convicted-in-rajiv-gandhi-assassination-204248">seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case</a> and strive for the scrapping of the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test for medical admissions.

"AIADMK will urge the Government of India and the president to give due direction to the Governor of Tamil Nadu for the release of seven Tamil convicts as ordered by the Supreme Court and approved by the cabinet of Tamil Nadu government," he said.

In September 2018, the cabinet had recommended to Governor Banwarilal Purohit the release of Murugan, Santhan, Perarivalan, Jayakumar, Ravichandran, Robert Payas and Nalini, all serving life in prison for their involvement in the killing of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi at an election rally here in 1991 by an LTTE suicide bomber.

On the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, AIADMK said it would press the Centre to take up the issue of "massacre" of civilian Tamils in the island republic during the peak of hostilities, with the International Criminal Court at the Hague.

Further, the party would urge the Centre to implement river interlinking programmes like the Cauvery-Godaveri linking project.

The manifesto said AIADMK would urge the Centre to waive education loans of students and also urge the government to come up with a firm policy to waive the loans obtained by small and medium farmers in the country.

It would urge the Centre to move education from the Concurrent List to the State List.

It said it would also urge the Centre to accept the Justice Sachar Committee recommendation to treat the converted SCs/STs, BCs and MBCs (to both Islam and Christianity) as "regular SC/ST/BC/MBC and provide them with all concessions now provided" for them.

The party said it would urge the Union government to implement Tamil as one of the official languages of the country and also impress upon it to declare Cauvery delta region a protected agriculture zone.

Panneerselvam said his party would urge the Centre to accord full statehood to the Union Territory of Puducherry to fulfil the aspirations of people.

Stressing that there is a need to skill the youth, the party said it would pursue with the Centre to institutionalise an arrangement similar to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority of the Philippines.

On the pricing of petroleum products, AIADMK said it would urge the Centre to take away the price-fixing power from the consortium of oil companies and take it upon itself and evolve a people friendly policy so that prices of commodities come under control.

"Frequent increase in prices of petroleum products by oil marketing companies have been augmenting the cost of all essential commodities, consumer goods and transport cost to all commuters, increasing the cost of living of consumers," it said.

On FDI, the party said it would urge the Union government to give up the policy of allowing foreign direct investment in retail to protect small and tiny retailers, reflecting Jayalalithaa's firm stand on this subject.

Its other promises included urging the Centre to establish a national commission for the welfare of fishermen.

AIADMK is leading the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The NDA constituents in Tamil Nadu are BJP, DMDK, PMK, TMC, Puthiya Neethi Katchi and Puthiya Tamizhagam while former Puducherry chief minister N Rangasamy-led All India NR Congress is the party's ally in the neighbouring union territory.

Polls to 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry are scheduled on April 18.

The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu Tuesday promised a slew of measures in its election manifesto, including a national poverty eradication initiative that will be named after the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu Tuesday promised a slew of measures in its election manifesto, including a national poverty eradication initiative that will be named after the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Releasing the manifesto for the general election at a press conference here, AIADMK coordinator and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said the party would "vigorously pursue" the Amma National Poverty Eradication Initiative (ANPEI). "Based on the experience already gained by the AIADMK government in this regard, a direct transfer of Rs 1,500 per month to the targeted population of the poor and deprived (people below poverty line, destitute women, widows without income, differently-abled, landless agricultural labourers, rural and urban manual labourers, destitute senior citizens etc) should not be difficult to implement," the party said. Jayalalithaa is addressed as 'Amma' (mother) by her supporters and the ruling AIADMK has been implementing welfare measures under the brand Amma initiative, including the popular Amma subsidised canteens. Panneerselvam, flanked by party co-coordinator and Chief Minister K Palaniswami, along with senior leaders and ministers, read out the salient features of the manifesto. Reiterating the party's stand, Panneerselvam said AIADMK would press for the release of the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case and strive for the scrapping of the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test for medical admissions. "AIADMK will urge the Government of India and the president to give due direction to the Governor of Tamil Nadu for the release of seven Tamil convicts as ordered by the Supreme Court and approved by the cabinet of Tamil Nadu government," he said. In September 2018, the cabinet had recommended to Governor Banwarilal Purohit the release of Murugan, Santhan, Perarivalan, Jayakumar, Ravichandran, Robert Payas and Nalini, all serving life in prison for their involvement in the killing of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi at an election rally here in 1991 by an LTTE suicide bomber. On the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, AIADMK said it would press the Centre to take up the issue of "massacre" of civilian Tamils in the island republic during the peak of hostilities, with the International Criminal Court at the Hague. Further, the party would urge the Centre to implement river interlinking programmes like the Cauvery-Godaveri linking project. The manifesto said AIADMK would urge the Centre to waive education loans of students and also urge the government to come up with a firm policy to waive the loans obtained by small and medium farmers in the country. It would urge the Centre to move education from the Concurrent List to the State List. It said it would also urge the Centre to accept the Justice Sachar Committee recommendation to treat the converted SCs/STs, BCs and MBCs (to both Islam and Christianity) as "regular SC/ST/BC/MBC and provide them with all concessions now provided" for them. The party said it would urge the Union government to implement Tamil as one of the official languages of the country and also impress upon it to declare Cauvery delta region a protected agriculture zone. Panneerselvam said his party would urge the Centre to accord full statehood to the Union Territory of Puducherry to fulfil the aspirations of people. Stressing that there is a need to skill the youth, the party said it would pursue with the Centre to institutionalise an arrangement similar to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority of the Philippines. On the pricing of petroleum products, AIADMK said it would urge the Centre to take away the price-fixing power from the consortium of oil companies and take it upon itself and evolve a people friendly policy so that prices of commodities come under control. "Frequent increase in prices of petroleum products by oil marketing companies have been augmenting the cost of all essential commodities, consumer goods and transport cost to all commuters, increasing the cost of living of consumers," it said. On FDI, the party said it would urge the Union government to give up the policy of allowing foreign direct investment in retail to protect small and tiny retailers, reflecting Jayalalithaa's firm stand on this subject. Its other promises included urging the Centre to establish a national commission for the welfare of fishermen. AIADMK is leading the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The NDA constituents in Tamil Nadu are BJP, DMDK, PMK, TMC, Puthiya Neethi Katchi and Puthiya Tamizhagam while former Puducherry chief minister N Rangasamy-led All India NR Congress is the party's ally in the neighbouring union territory. Polls to 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry are scheduled on April 18.

Lok Sabha polls: AIADMK manifesto promises national poverty eradication scheme

The problem with history is that it is often nuanced. Therefore, Rahul Gandhi’s colourful barb at NaMo’s China diplomacy in the Masood Azhar episode case might resonate with those bashing PM Narendra Modi, but betrays deep historical ignorance.

Such ignorance adds up because graver implications of past mistakes cannot be undone.&nbsp;

It is a fact that India was a founding member of the United Nations, whereas mainland China was excluded from that body until the early 1970s.

Nehru campaigned for China’s entry in the UN, and for making it a member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) at the expense of India’s chance of becoming a member of that apex body.&nbsp;

Even though never requested by China, India voluntarily and vigorously advocated Peoples Republic of China (PRC) for the permanent membership of the UNSC in lieu of Taiwan, lobbying with all nations for the UN membership and UNSC permanent seat - not for itself, but for China.&nbsp;

Both the US and the USSR were willing to accommodate India as a permanent member of the UNSC in 1955, in lieu of Taiwan, or as a sixth member, after amending the UN charter.&nbsp;

Nehru wanted the seat to be given to China, as he did not want them to be marginalised, a gesture reciprocated by China in kind seven years later in 1962.&nbsp;

That the lesson was completely lost on Nehru is evident from the fact that Nehru’s sister Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit — the first woman president of the United Nations General Assembly — advocated China’s case even in 1963.

Shashi Tharoor in his book ‘Nehru: The Invention of India’ recalls that when the US offered support for an “Indian Monroe Doctrine” in southern Asia in 1953, Nehru turned John Foster Dulles down with scorn.

“Indian diplomats who have seen the files swear that at about the same time Jawaharlal also declined a US offer to take the permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, then held, with scant credibility, by Taiwan, urging that it be offered to Beijing instead”.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in his speech in Parliament in August 1959, recalled how the Chinese occupation of Tibet in October 1950 notwithstanding, India had decided to raise the question of China’s admission into the United Nations in September 1959 at Nehru’s bidding.&nbsp;

On November 18, 1950, the representative of El Salvador moved the United Nations formally and asked the General Assembly to create a special committee to ‘study’ what measures should be adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to shield Tibet against ‘unprovoked’ Chinese aggression.&nbsp;

But when the Steering Committee of the United Nations met, the Indian representative asked the committee to drop the whole matter. When Vajpayee had moved a resolution in Parliament that simultaneously India should also raise the Tibetan issue in the United Nations, Nehru was unresponsive.&nbsp;

KM Panikkar, the Indian Ambassador in Beijing, stated that to protest the Chinese invasion of Tibet would be an act of interference vis a vis India’s efforts on behalf of China in the UN and destroy PRC’s prospects of entry into the UN.

Vallabhbhai Patel did try to draw the attention of Nehru to the threat expansionist China, warning against pursuing its entry into the UN, without quid-pro-quo, but Nehru seemed to be living in his own world, so far as China was concerned.

Patel advise came “in view of the rebuff which China has given us and the method which it has followed in dealing with Tibet”.

“There would probably be a threat in the UNO virtually to outlaw China, in view of its active participation in the Korean War”, Patel warned in his letter to Nehru, “We must determine our attitude on this question also.”

Nehru went ahead with his bull-headed stubbornness, his miscalculations driven by his inexplicably adamant and unreasonable approach, which ended up creating and complicating India-China border problem and allowed it to drift into an unfortunate war.&nbsp;

He bungled Kashmir in 1947-48 by refusing the military advice of its generals to clear the state of invaders, and internationalised the issue by sending it to the UN.&nbsp;

The Panchsheel in 1954 and the Indus Water Treaty in 1960, with zero reciprocity, amounted to massive giveaways.&nbsp;

After signing the Panchsheel agreement with China in 1954 and helping Chou Enlai to emerge into the limelight in Bandung in 1955, Nehru’s starry-eyed phase of “Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai” blissfully glossed over the real divergence of interests between the two countries at that time.&nbsp;

India exploded a bomb in 1974, but instead of declaring weapons status, it declared its intent to stay non-nuclear and left itself vulnerable to external pressures to disarm.

Nehru’s idealistic shenanigans were fatal, to say the least. Patel was strongly against the reference of Kashmir to the UN and preferred ‘timely action’ on the ground.&nbsp;

Because of this reference, the issue no longer remained an internal affair, but snowballed into an international issue in the UNSC, enabling Pakistan to rake it up every now and then.&nbsp;

If the grand old party is willing to own up the role of Indian National Congress in liberating India from the British rule all to itself, it must also be willing to accept that many of the pathogens still afflicting India are bequeathed to India by Nehru. Cosying up to China is one of them.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-cosying-up-to-the-dragon-2730407">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

 
 
&nbsp;

The problem with history is that it is often nuanced. Therefore, Rahul Gandhi’s colourful barb at NaMo’s China diplomacy in the Masood Azhar episode case might resonate with those bashing PM Narendra Modi, but betrays deep historical ignorance.

The problem with history is that it is often nuanced. Therefore, Rahul Gandhi’s colourful barb at NaMo’s China diplomacy in the Masood Azhar episode case might resonate with those bashing PM Narendra Modi, but betrays deep historical ignorance. Such ignorance adds up because graver implications of past mistakes cannot be undone. It is a fact that India was a founding member of the United Nations, whereas mainland China was excluded from that body until the early 1970s. Nehru campaigned for China’s entry in the UN, and for making it a member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) at the expense of India’s chance of becoming a member of that apex body. Even though never requested by China, India voluntarily and vigorously advocated Peoples Republic of China (PRC) for the permanent membership of the UNSC in lieu of Taiwan, lobbying with all nations for the UN membership and UNSC permanent seat - not for itself, but for China. Both the US and the USSR were willing to accommodate India as a permanent member of the UNSC in 1955, in lieu of Taiwan, or as a sixth member, after amending the UN charter. Nehru wanted the seat to be given to China, as he did not want them to be marginalised, a gesture reciprocated by China in kind seven years later in 1962. That the lesson was completely lost on Nehru is evident from the fact that Nehru’s sister Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit — the first woman president of the United Nations General Assembly — advocated China’s case even in 1963. Shashi Tharoor in his book ‘Nehru: The Invention of India’ recalls that when the US offered support for an “Indian Monroe Doctrine” in southern Asia in 1953, Nehru turned John Foster Dulles down with scorn. “Indian diplomats who have seen the files swear that at about the same time Jawaharlal also declined a US offer to take the permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, then held, with scant credibility, by Taiwan, urging that it be offered to Beijing instead”. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in his speech in Parliament in August 1959, recalled how the Chinese occupation of Tibet in October 1950 notwithstanding, India had decided to raise the question of China’s admission into the United Nations in September 1959 at Nehru’s bidding. On November 18, 1950, the representative of El Salvador moved the United Nations formally and asked the General Assembly to create a special committee to ‘study’ what measures should be adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to shield Tibet against ‘unprovoked’ Chinese aggression. But when the Steering Committee of the United Nations met, the Indian representative asked the committee to drop the whole matter. When Vajpayee had moved a resolution in Parliament that simultaneously India should also raise the Tibetan issue in the United Nations, Nehru was unresponsive. KM Panikkar, the Indian Ambassador in Beijing, stated that to protest the Chinese invasion of Tibet would be an act of interference vis a vis India’s efforts on behalf of China in the UN and destroy PRC’s prospects of entry into the UN. Vallabhbhai Patel did try to draw the attention of Nehru to the threat expansionist China, warning against pursuing its entry into the UN, without quid-pro-quo, but Nehru seemed to be living in his own world, so far as China was concerned. Patel advise came “in view of the rebuff which China has given us and the method which it has followed in dealing with Tibet”. “There would probably be a threat in the UNO virtually to outlaw China, in view of its active participation in the Korean War”, Patel warned in his letter to Nehru, “We must determine our attitude on this question also.” Nehru went ahead with his bull-headed stubbornness, his miscalculations driven by his inexplicably adamant and unreasonable approach, which ended up creating and complicating India-China border problem and allowed it to drift into an unfortunate war. He bungled Kashmir in 1947-48 by refusing the military advice of its generals to clear the state of invaders, and internationalised the issue by sending it to the UN. The Panchsheel in 1954 and the Indus Water Treaty in 1960, with zero reciprocity, amounted to massive giveaways. After signing the Panchsheel agreement with China in 1954 and helping Chou Enlai to emerge into the limelight in Bandung in 1955, Nehru’s starry-eyed phase of “Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai” blissfully glossed over the real divergence of interests between the two countries at that time. India exploded a bomb in 1974, but instead of declaring weapons status, it declared its intent to stay non-nuclear and left itself vulnerable to external pressures to disarm. Nehru’s idealistic shenanigans were fatal, to say the least. Patel was strongly against the reference of Kashmir to the UN and preferred ‘timely action’ on the ground. Because of this reference, the issue no longer remained an internal affair, but snowballed into an international issue in the UNSC, enabling Pakistan to rake it up every now and then. If the grand old party is willing to own up the role of Indian National Congress in liberating India from the British rule all to itself, it must also be willing to accept that many of the pathogens still afflicting India are bequeathed to India by Nehru. Cosying up to China is one of them. (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.)

Congress's barb at Narendra Modi government's China diplomacy shows historical ignorance

Intensifying his 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' (I too am watchman) campaign, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-pays-tribute-to-manohar-parrikar-in-goa-204051">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on March 31 will interact with people, who have pledged their support to the campaign, from 500 places across the country.

Speaking at a press conference here, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the campaign has become a "people's movement" as the 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' hashtag has been tweeted 20 lakh times and had 1680 crore impressions.

Replying to a question if the campaign was a counter to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's 'chowkidar chor hai' (watchman is the thief) barb, he rejected the suggestion and asserted that Modi in his campaign for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls had projected himself as the "first servant" and 'chowkidar' of the country.

On Saturday, Modi had urged his supporters to take the ''main bhi chowkidar''&nbsp;(I too am watchman) pledge, saying he is not alone in the fight against graft and social evils.

Following his appeal, all BJP leaders, including party chief Amit Shah and Union ministers, prefixed the word 'chowkidar' to their names in their Twitter profile as they sought people's support in the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

Intensifying his 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' (I too am watchman) campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 31 will interact with people, who have pledged their support to the campaign, from 500 places across the country.

Intensifying his 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' (I too am watchman) campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 31 will interact with people, who have pledged their support to the campaign, from 500 places across the country. Speaking at a press conference here, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the campaign has become a "people's movement" as the 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' hashtag has been tweeted 20 lakh times and had 1680 crore impressions. Replying to a question if the campaign was a counter to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's 'chowkidar chor hai' (watchman is the thief) barb, he rejected the suggestion and asserted that Modi in his campaign for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls had projected himself as the "first servant" and 'chowkidar' of the country. On Saturday, Modi had urged his supporters to take the ''main bhi chowkidar'' (I too am watchman) pledge, saying he is not alone in the fight against graft and social evils. Following his appeal, all BJP leaders, including party chief Amit Shah and Union ministers, prefixed the word 'chowkidar' to their names in their Twitter profile as they sought people's support in the Lok Sabha elections.

PM Modi to interact with people on March 31 over 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' campaign

Both the big Tamil Nadu parties said Tuesday that they would urge the government of India to order the release of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-heres-why-rajiv-gandhis-assassins-should-be-freed-165057">the seven people convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case</a>.&nbsp;

"AIADMK will urge Government of India and the President to give due direction to the Governor of Tamil Nadu for release of the seven Tamil convicts as ordered by Supreme Court and approved by," the ruling AIADMK said.&nbsp;

And DMK chief MK Stalin said "the seven prisoners of Rajiv Gandhi assassination case will be released on humanitarian basis".&nbsp;

The announcement by both parties was made at the release of their election manifestos.&nbsp;

The DMK were the first to release its manifesto from its party office Anna Arivalayam, where Party President MK Stalin read out the salient features of their manifesto. Some of its salient features were&nbsp;providing Indian citizenship for Sri Lankan Tamils who have been living in refugee camps, abolition of the NEET entrance exam, Central Government Offices in Tamil Nadu would use Tamil as a co-official language, fuel prices would be regulated using an administered pricing mechanism, among others.

Additionally it also mentioned Metro Rail projects for cities such as Madurai, Trichy, Salem, Coimbatore, introducing measures to protect the firecracker industry in Tamil Nadu, offering free train passes for school and college students, and an initiative to link rivers in South India.&nbsp;

About an hour later, the Coordinator of the AIADMK O Panneerselvam released his party’s manifesto. Its highlights included an Amma Poverty Alleviation Scheme, monthly aid of Rs1500 to below poverty line families, the differently-abled and landless agricultural labourers, ensuring that Tamil Nadu is exempt from the NEET exam, and a Cauvery-Godavari river linkage scheme. It also made mention of waiving education loans, transferring education from the concurrent list to the state list, and called for a probe led by an international committee into the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
AIADMK in its election manifesto: AIADMK will urge Government of India and the President to give due direction to the Governor of Tamil Nadu for release of the seven Tamil convicts as ordered by Supreme Court and approved by 
cabinet of Tamil Nadu govt. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/22UtSl55s4">https://t.co/22UtSl55s4</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1107893986650411010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
DMK Chief MK Stalin during the release of DMK Election Manifesto in Chennai: The seven prisoners of Rajiv Gandhi assassination case will be released on humanitarian basis. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/KUmmjiNMIB">pic.twitter.com/KUmmjiNMIB</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1107893143347826688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Most of the seven convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case are Sri Lankan Tamils.&nbsp;

This is not the first time a Tamil Nadu government has said it will release the seven, but the proposal has been turned down by the Centre.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Tuesday, the DMK also said at the release of its manifesto that it would restart the Sethu Samudram project which envisages the creation of a shipping lane in the Gulf of Mannar which runs between India and the western coast of Sri Lanka.&nbsp;The Congress government at the Centre had to pull back a similar proposal in 2007 because of massive resistance&nbsp;— a number of Hindus believe the Gulf of Mannar is the site of the mythical Ram Setu.&nbsp;

The DMK added that it would introduce a quota in the private sector.&nbsp;

Tamil Nadu goes to polls over a single phase on April 18.&nbsp;

AIADMK and DMK candidates will be in a direct face-off in eight of Tamil Nadu’s 39 constituencies. They include Chennai South, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai, Tirunelveli, Mayiladuthurai, Salem, Nilgiris and Pollachi.

The AIADMK alliance includes the BJP, PMK, DMDK and smaller regional outfits, while the DMK alliance includes the Congress, Left Parties and smaller regional outfits.

BJP and Congress candidates meanwhile will face off in Kanyakumari and Sivaganga.

The AIADMK and DMK have given 20 seats to their candidates while the rest have been distributed among allies.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Both the big Tamil Nadu parties said Tuesday that they would urge the government of India to order the release of the seven people convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

Both the big Tamil Nadu parties said Tuesday that they would urge the government of India to order the release of the seven people convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. "AIADMK will urge Government of India and the President to give due direction to the Governor of Tamil Nadu for release of the seven Tamil convicts as ordered by Supreme Court and approved by," the ruling AIADMK said. And DMK chief MK Stalin said "the seven prisoners of Rajiv Gandhi assassination case will be released on humanitarian basis". The announcement by both parties was made at the release of their election manifestos. The DMK were the first to release its manifesto from its party office Anna Arivalayam, where Party President MK Stalin read out the salient features of their manifesto. Some of its salient features were providing Indian citizenship for Sri Lankan Tamils who have been living in refugee camps, abolition of the NEET entrance exam, Central Government Offices in Tamil Nadu would use Tamil as a co-official language, fuel prices would be regulated using an administered pricing mechanism, among others. Additionally it also mentioned Metro Rail projects for cities such as Madurai, Trichy, Salem, Coimbatore, introducing measures to protect the firecracker industry in Tamil Nadu, offering free train passes for school and college students, and an initiative to link rivers in South India. About an hour later, the Coordinator of the AIADMK O Panneerselvam released his party’s manifesto. Its highlights included an Amma Poverty Alleviation Scheme, monthly aid of Rs1500 to below poverty line families, the differently-abled and landless agricultural labourers, ensuring that Tamil Nadu is exempt from the NEET exam, and a Cauvery-Godavari river linkage scheme. It also made mention of waiving education loans, transferring education from the concurrent list to the state list, and called for a probe led by an international committee into the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka. AIADMK in its election manifesto: AIADMK will urge Government of India and the President to give due direction to the Governor of Tamil Nadu for release of the seven Tamil convicts as ordered by Supreme Court and approved by cabinet of Tamil Nadu govt. #LokSabhaElections2019 https://t.co/22UtSl55s4 — ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2019 × DMK Chief MK Stalin during the release of DMK Election Manifesto in Chennai: The seven prisoners of Rajiv Gandhi assassination case will be released on humanitarian basis. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/KUmmjiNMIB — ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2019 × Most of the seven convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case are Sri Lankan Tamils. This is not the first time a Tamil Nadu government has said it will release the seven, but the proposal has been turned down by the Centre. On Tuesday, the DMK also said at the release of its manifesto that it would restart the Sethu Samudram project which envisages the creation of a shipping lane in the Gulf of Mannar which runs between India and the western coast of Sri Lanka. The Congress government at the Centre had to pull back a similar proposal in 2007 because of massive resistance — a number of Hindus believe the Gulf of Mannar is the site of the mythical Ram Setu. The DMK added that it would introduce a quota in the private sector. Tamil Nadu goes to polls over a single phase on April 18. AIADMK and DMK candidates will be in a direct face-off in eight of Tamil Nadu’s 39 constituencies. They include Chennai South, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai, Tirunelveli, Mayiladuthurai, Salem, Nilgiris and Pollachi. The AIADMK alliance includes the BJP, PMK, DMDK and smaller regional outfits, while the DMK alliance includes the Congress, Left Parties and smaller regional outfits. BJP and Congress candidates meanwhile will face off in Kanyakumari and Sivaganga. The AIADMK and DMK have given 20 seats to their candidates while the rest have been distributed among allies.

2019 Lok Sabha polls: AIADMK, DMK say will urge Centre to release 7 convicted in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case

There are broadly three categories of political migrants during the election season. The first comprises leaders that have been denied tickets by their respective parties and thus switch over to a rival camp which offers them the chance to contest. The second has leaders who have been long-time rebels waiting for the right occasion to jump ship. The third group consists of politicians that latch on to current developments other than purely political as a reason to leave their parties, even though politics remains a consideration.&nbsp;

In the present context, the first classification would feature a host of figures from all sides — for instance, sitting BJP Member of Parliament Shyama Charan Gupta, who crossed over to the Samajwadi Party after he realised that he would not get the ticket from the Bharatiya Janata Party. The second group has the likes of Kirti Azad, who for months as a sitting MP from the BJP, had criticised the party and its leadership on a variety of issues; and ‘Jay’ Panda, who came over to the BJP from the Biju Janata Dal after spending several months condemning his original party while remaining there.&nbsp;

Prominent in the third category is Tom Vadakkan, until recently a senior Congress leader, a one-time aide to Sonia Gandhi and vociferous supporter of the dynasty. He recently joined the BJP, saying he had been deeply upset by the Congress’s response to the Pulwama attack and the air strikes which were conducted inside Pakistani territory. This group also boasts of politicians from the Trinamool Congress who have migrated to the BJP, angry with West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee over her politics and the manner she has responded to issues of national security.&nbsp;

But there is a fourth classification too, which is unique in the sense that, so far, there is only one person in this list. A few days ago, senior Janata Dal (Secular) leader Danish Ali quit his party and joined the Bahujan Samaj Party. What makes the switchover stand out is his claim that he had the blessing of the senior-most JD (S) leaders, HD Deve Gowda and Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, for his action. It is difficult to digest this contention, not just because it is unbelievable that the leadership of a party he quits would consent to his joining a different party.&nbsp;

Kumaraswamy’s remark that Danish Ali’s move was a “thoughtful political decision taken by JD (S) and BSP to win more seats in the Lok Sabha election” must be taken with a pinch of salt.&nbsp;

Only a few weeks ago, the BSP had pulled out of the coalition regime in Karnataka led by the JD(S), causing embarrassment to the JD(S). How will it help the party if Danish Ali works to expand the BSP’s based in the state where the JD(S) is already struggling to keep the alliance with the Congress going? As JD(S) leader, Danish Ali had played a significant role in getting his party and the Congress together to foil the BJP’s chances of forming a government in Karnataka after the last election had resulted in a hung Assembly. Only days before he announced his departure from the JD(S), he had met Congress president Rahul Gandhi to sort out the alliance frictions. &nbsp;

The fact is that, despite these optics, Danish Ali had begun to nurse misgivings about the Congress. He must have been as frustrated as the senior JD(S) leadership with the conduct of the senior alliance partner. HD Kumaraswamy may have reconciled to drinking the “poison” of the alliance, but Danish Ali perhaps felt choked enough to not endure the situation any further. His decision to join the BSP was more out of compulsion than choice. He could obviously not go to the Congress, and he would have been a misfit in the BJP. The Samajwadi Party had even a smaller presence in Karnataka than the BSP. Moreover, unlike the BSP, the SP was more inclined in favour of Congress. &nbsp; 
 
It is being said by him and his supporters that the development should be seen as Danish Ali’s attempt to strengthen the hands of anti-Narendra Modi forces. It is difficult to understand this line of reasoning. He brings nothing on the table for the BSP in Karnataka, not to speak of Uttar Pradesh. He is a lightweight politician in any case, and for BSP chief Mayawati, he would have mere optical value. It is possible that Danish Ali is now looking for a new place of work — Uttar Pradesh, which he has suddenly remembered is his birthplace. There is speculation that the BSP could offer him the ticket from one of the ’safer’ constituencies in the state, possibly Amroha. If that is the case, it more honestly explains Danish Ali’s decision.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

There are broadly three categories of political migrants during the election season. The first comprises leaders that have been denied tickets by their respective parties and thus switch over to a rival camp which offers them the chance to contest.

There are broadly three categories of political migrants during the election season. The first comprises leaders that have been denied tickets by their respective parties and thus switch over to a rival camp which offers them the chance to contest. The second has leaders who have been long-time rebels waiting for the right occasion to jump ship. The third group consists of politicians that latch on to current developments other than purely political as a reason to leave their parties, even though politics remains a consideration. In the present context, the first classification would feature a host of figures from all sides — for instance, sitting BJP Member of Parliament Shyama Charan Gupta, who crossed over to the Samajwadi Party after he realised that he would not get the ticket from the Bharatiya Janata Party. The second group has the likes of Kirti Azad, who for months as a sitting MP from the BJP, had criticised the party and its leadership on a variety of issues; and ‘Jay’ Panda, who came over to the BJP from the Biju Janata Dal after spending several months condemning his original party while remaining there. Prominent in the third category is Tom Vadakkan, until recently a senior Congress leader, a one-time aide to Sonia Gandhi and vociferous supporter of the dynasty. He recently joined the BJP, saying he had been deeply upset by the Congress’s response to the Pulwama attack and the air strikes which were conducted inside Pakistani territory. This group also boasts of politicians from the Trinamool Congress who have migrated to the BJP, angry with West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee over her politics and the manner she has responded to issues of national security. But there is a fourth classification too, which is unique in the sense that, so far, there is only one person in this list. A few days ago, senior Janata Dal (Secular) leader Danish Ali quit his party and joined the Bahujan Samaj Party. What makes the switchover stand out is his claim that he had the blessing of the senior-most JD (S) leaders, HD Deve Gowda and Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, for his action. It is difficult to digest this contention, not just because it is unbelievable that the leadership of a party he quits would consent to his joining a different party. Kumaraswamy’s remark that Danish Ali’s move was a “thoughtful political decision taken by JD (S) and BSP to win more seats in the Lok Sabha election” must be taken with a pinch of salt. Only a few weeks ago, the BSP had pulled out of the coalition regime in Karnataka led by the JD(S), causing embarrassment to the JD(S). How will it help the party if Danish Ali works to expand the BSP’s based in the state where the JD(S) is already struggling to keep the alliance with the Congress going? As JD(S) leader, Danish Ali had played a significant role in getting his party and the Congress together to foil the BJP’s chances of forming a government in Karnataka after the last election had resulted in a hung Assembly. Only days before he announced his departure from the JD(S), he had met Congress president Rahul Gandhi to sort out the alliance frictions. The fact is that, despite these optics, Danish Ali had begun to nurse misgivings about the Congress. He must have been as frustrated as the senior JD(S) leadership with the conduct of the senior alliance partner. HD Kumaraswamy may have reconciled to drinking the “poison” of the alliance, but Danish Ali perhaps felt choked enough to not endure the situation any further. His decision to join the BSP was more out of compulsion than choice. He could obviously not go to the Congress, and he would have been a misfit in the BJP. The Samajwadi Party had even a smaller presence in Karnataka than the BSP. Moreover, unlike the BSP, the SP was more inclined in favour of Congress. It is being said by him and his supporters that the development should be seen as Danish Ali’s attempt to strengthen the hands of anti-Narendra Modi forces. It is difficult to understand this line of reasoning. He brings nothing on the table for the BSP in Karnataka, not to speak of Uttar Pradesh. He is a lightweight politician in any case, and for BSP chief Mayawati, he would have mere optical value. It is possible that Danish Ali is now looking for a new place of work — Uttar Pradesh, which he has suddenly remembered is his birthplace. There is speculation that the BSP could offer him the ticket from one of the ’safer’ constituencies in the state, possibly Amroha. If that is the case, it more honestly explains Danish Ali’s decision. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Lok Sabha elections 2019: The curious case of political switchovers

BJP workers have hit the ground running in the Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency, from where Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will file his nomination again this year, to reach out to voters ahead of the upcoming general elections.

The party workers and office-bearers are making detailed plans to woo voters and leaving nothing to chance.

A massive team of 65,000-70,000 BJP workers and supporters has fanned out in every assembly segment that falls under the Lok Sabha constituency, which has 1,903 voting booths, BJP sources said.

One 'panna pramukh' has been deployed for each voters list. There are around 55,000 people working as 'panna pramukh' (page in-charge) in the constituency.

The 'panna pramukh' is the first point of contact for voters under the BJP's election management strategy.

Besides, 10,000-20,000 BJP office-bearers and workers are part of other campaigning verticals, they said.

BJP's Nagpur spokesperson Chandan Goswami told PTI that party workers have started a door-to-door campaign to reach out to the voters.

The workers will apprise the voters about various welfare schemes launched by the BJP-led state and central governments, he said.

Details of the Nagpur metro project, the first phase of which became operational in early March, and the Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) will also be shared with the voters, he said.

Gadkari, in his public rallies last month, had said infrastructure projects in Nagpur have attracted investment worth Rs 80,000 crore.

At public rallies, the former BJP chief often highlights the work done by him for the city, the second capital of Maharashtra.

A team of 50 workers will be actively working in each Vidhan Sabha constituency under the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat, Goswami said.

There are six Vidhan Sabha segments in Nagpur.

Similarly, a micro-planning team is working under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Gadkari himself is overseeing all the campaigning work in Maharashtra, Goswami said.

Likewise, 'cluster pramukhs' will be working under Nagpur Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, he said.

These 'cluster pramukhs' will look after campaigning on social media in assembly constituencies and door-to-door campaigns, Goswami said.

A manifesto team has also been formed under local legislators who will be going to the voters with the BJP's manifesto, he added.

Besides, several public meetings have been lined up. State and Union ministers will address these meetings, he said.

There are a total of 40,24,197 voters, including 19,57,995 women, in the Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency, where voting will take place in single phase on April 11.

The Congress has fielded Nana Patole, a former BJP MP from Gondia Bhandara who joined the party last year, from Nagpur.&nbsp;

The results for Lok Sabha polls will be announced on May 23.

BJP workers have hit the ground running in the Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency, from where Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will file his nomination again this year, to reach out to voters ahead of the upcoming general elections.

BJP workers have hit the ground running in the Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency, from where Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will file his nomination again this year, to reach out to voters ahead of the upcoming general elections. The party workers and office-bearers are making detailed plans to woo voters and leaving nothing to chance. A massive team of 65,000-70,000 BJP workers and supporters has fanned out in every assembly segment that falls under the Lok Sabha constituency, which has 1,903 voting booths, BJP sources said. One 'panna pramukh' has been deployed for each voters list. There are around 55,000 people working as 'panna pramukh' (page in-charge) in the constituency. The 'panna pramukh' is the first point of contact for voters under the BJP's election management strategy. Besides, 10,000-20,000 BJP office-bearers and workers are part of other campaigning verticals, they said. BJP's Nagpur spokesperson Chandan Goswami told PTI that party workers have started a door-to-door campaign to reach out to the voters. The workers will apprise the voters about various welfare schemes launched by the BJP-led state and central governments, he said. Details of the Nagpur metro project, the first phase of which became operational in early March, and the Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) will also be shared with the voters, he said. Gadkari, in his public rallies last month, had said infrastructure projects in Nagpur have attracted investment worth Rs 80,000 crore. At public rallies, the former BJP chief often highlights the work done by him for the city, the second capital of Maharashtra. A team of 50 workers will be actively working in each Vidhan Sabha constituency under the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat, Goswami said. There are six Vidhan Sabha segments in Nagpur. Similarly, a micro-planning team is working under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Gadkari himself is overseeing all the campaigning work in Maharashtra, Goswami said. Likewise, 'cluster pramukhs' will be working under Nagpur Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, he said. These 'cluster pramukhs' will look after campaigning on social media in assembly constituencies and door-to-door campaigns, Goswami said. A manifesto team has also been formed under local legislators who will be going to the voters with the BJP's manifesto, he added. Besides, several public meetings have been lined up. State and Union ministers will address these meetings, he said. There are a total of 40,24,197 voters, including 19,57,995 women, in the Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency, where voting will take place in single phase on April 11. The Congress has fielded Nana Patole, a former BJP MP from Gondia Bhandara who joined the party last year, from Nagpur. The results for Lok Sabha polls will be announced on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls: BJP readies voter contact programme in Nagpur

A&nbsp;day after declaring its candidate for the seventh Lok Sabha seat, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday made it clear that there would be neither any alliance with the Congress nor a rollback of any of its candidates in Delhi.

Asserting that "enough is enough", senior AAP leader Gopal Rai said these are the final seven candidates of the party and there is no question of "any roll back".

The ruling AAP had earlier on March 2, announced the names of its candidates for the six Lok Sabha seats.

On Sunday, the party declared its last candidate in Delhi, with a senior leader saying the announcement was made seeing the Congress's "irresponsible and indecisive" attitude towards an alliance.

"Despite facing stiff opposition from its workers, the AAP was open to an alliance with the Congress in Delhi but after waiting for so long and constantly hearing conflicting statements from the party, we have decided that enough is enough and now even if Congress approaches us with a proposal there would be no alliance in Delhi," he said.

He said there has been no communication from the Congress and it clearly shows that the grand old party is "not serious" about elections in Delhi.

The BJP and Congress have not yet declared their candidates for elections in Delhi.

There were rumours of an alliance between Congress-AAP last week when the Congress decided to seek feedback from its booth-level workers on a tie-up with the AAP.

"There are many leaders and workers in Delhi Congress who are in favour of alliance with AAP. But a final call in this regard will be taken by party president Rahul Gandhi," P C Chacko, a senior Congress leader, had said earlier.

Elections to the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will be held on May 12. The results will be declared with the rest of the country on May 23.

A day after declaring its candidate for the seventh Lok Sabha seat, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday made it clear that there would be neither any alliance with the Congress nor a rollback of any of its candidates in Delhi.

A day after declaring its candidate for the seventh Lok Sabha seat, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday made it clear that there would be neither any alliance with the Congress nor a rollback of any of its candidates in Delhi. Asserting that "enough is enough", senior AAP leader Gopal Rai said these are the final seven candidates of the party and there is no question of "any roll back". The ruling AAP had earlier on March 2, announced the names of its candidates for the six Lok Sabha seats. On Sunday, the party declared its last candidate in Delhi, with a senior leader saying the announcement was made seeing the Congress's "irresponsible and indecisive" attitude towards an alliance. "Despite facing stiff opposition from its workers, the AAP was open to an alliance with the Congress in Delhi but after waiting for so long and constantly hearing conflicting statements from the party, we have decided that enough is enough and now even if Congress approaches us with a proposal there would be no alliance in Delhi," he said. He said there has been no communication from the Congress and it clearly shows that the grand old party is "not serious" about elections in Delhi. The BJP and Congress have not yet declared their candidates for elections in Delhi. There were rumours of an alliance between Congress-AAP last week when the Congress decided to seek feedback from its booth-level workers on a tie-up with the AAP. "There are many leaders and workers in Delhi Congress who are in favour of alliance with AAP. But a final call in this regard will be taken by party president Rahul Gandhi," P C Chacko, a senior Congress leader, had said earlier. Elections to the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will be held on May 12. The results will be declared with the rest of the country on May 23.

No alliance with Congress in Delhi: AAP

NDA constituent DMDK Monday announced its candidates for the four Lok Sabha seats allotted to it in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-aiadmk-alliance-partner-pmk-announces-first-five-candidates-204047">AIADMK-led alliance</a>, fielding among others, party founder Vijayakanth's brother-in-law LK Sutheesh.

Sutheesh is the party's Deputy Secretary.

In a statement, DMDK founder Vijayakanth announced the candidature of R Azhagarsamy from Virudhunagar and Alagapuram R Mohanraj from Chennai North, while Dr V Ilangovan will fight from Tiruchirappalli.

Sutheesh has been nominated from the Kallakuruchi Parliamentary constituency.

Azhagarsamy is a senior party leader while Mohanraj is a former MLA who represented Salem North in the 2011-16 state Assembly. He was DMDK's Deputy leader in the Assembly then.

Ilangovan is the party's Presidium Chairman.

Elections to 39 Lok Sabha seats in the state are scheduled on April 18, the second of the seven-phase polling to a total of 543 parliamentary seats.

AIADMK and DMDK had last week agreed upon the seat-sharing pact after much deliberations, with the latter being allotted four seats.

The other NDA constituents in Tamil Nadu are BJP, PMK, Tamil Maanila Congress, Puthiya Tamizhagam and Puthiya Neethi Katchi.

NDA constituent DMDK Monday announced its candidates for the four Lok Sabha seats allotted to it in the AIADMK-led alliance, fielding among others, party founder Vijayakanth's brother-in-law LK Sutheesh.

NDA constituent DMDK Monday announced its candidates for the four Lok Sabha seats allotted to it in the AIADMK-led alliance, fielding among others, party founder Vijayakanth's brother-in-law LK Sutheesh. Sutheesh is the party's Deputy Secretary. In a statement, DMDK founder Vijayakanth announced the candidature of R Azhagarsamy from Virudhunagar and Alagapuram R Mohanraj from Chennai North, while Dr V Ilangovan will fight from Tiruchirappalli. Sutheesh has been nominated from the Kallakuruchi Parliamentary constituency. Azhagarsamy is a senior party leader while Mohanraj is a former MLA who represented Salem North in the 2011-16 state Assembly. He was DMDK's Deputy leader in the Assembly then. Ilangovan is the party's Presidium Chairman. Elections to 39 Lok Sabha seats in the state are scheduled on April 18, the second of the seven-phase polling to a total of 543 parliamentary seats. AIADMK and DMDK had last week agreed upon the seat-sharing pact after much deliberations, with the latter being allotted four seats. The other NDA constituents in Tamil Nadu are BJP, PMK, Tamil Maanila Congress, Puthiya Tamizhagam and Puthiya Neethi Katchi.

Lok Sabha polls: DMDK names candidates for four seats

PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi), an alliance partner of AIADMK on Sunday released its first list of five candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls.

The PMK would contest on Dharmapuri, Vizhupuram, Arakkanom, Cuddalore, central Chennai, Sriperambadur, Dindugal.

The first five names released by PMK to contest LS polls in the state&nbsp;include sitting MP Anbumani Ramadoss from his own constituency Dharmapuri, Vadivel Iravanan&nbsp;from Villupuram, R Govinda Swamy from Cuddalore, AK Moorthy from Arrakonam and Sam Paul from central Chennai.&nbsp;

As PMK will field its candidates in seven seats in the state, the remaining two candidates will be announced soon.&nbsp;

In a joint press conference held by the BJP, AIADMK, PMK, and DMDK on Sunday, it was announced that AIADMK will contest on 20 Lok Sabha seats including South Chennai, Theni, Pollachi, Karur and Erode while BJP would be fielding its candidates from Kanyakumari, Sivagangai, Coimbatore, Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha constituencies.

AIADMK will contest on Salem, Namakkal, Krishnagiri, Erode, Karur, Thiruppur, Pollachi, Arani, Thiruvannamalai, Chidambaram, Perambalur, Theni, Madurai, Nilagiri, Tirunelveli, Nagapattinam, Mayiladururai, Thiruvallur, Chennai south, Perambalur.

BJP will contest on Kanyakumari,Sivagangai, Kovai,Tutucorin and&nbsp;Ramanadhaputam.

DMDK, on the other hand, will contest on Chennai north, Virudhunagar, Trichy, Kallakuruchi, while Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) headed by GK Vasan will field candidates from Tanjore, Puthiya Tamiligam in Thenkasi,&nbsp;&nbsp;Puthiya Needhi Katchi in&nbsp;&nbsp;Vellore and NR Congress in Puducherry.

Tamil Nadu will go to polls on April 18 for its 39 parliamentary constituencies, while counting of votes will take place on May 23.

PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi), an alliance partner of AIADMK on Sunday released its first list of five candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. The PMK would contest on Dharmapuri, Vizhupuram, Arakkanom, Cuddalore, central Chennai, Sriperambadur, Dindugal.

PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi), an alliance partner of AIADMK on Sunday released its first list of five candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. The PMK would contest on Dharmapuri, Vizhupuram, Arakkanom, Cuddalore, central Chennai, Sriperambadur, Dindugal. The first five names released by PMK to contest LS polls in the state include sitting MP Anbumani Ramadoss from his own constituency Dharmapuri, Vadivel Iravanan from Villupuram, R Govinda Swamy from Cuddalore, AK Moorthy from Arrakonam and Sam Paul from central Chennai. As PMK will field its candidates in seven seats in the state, the remaining two candidates will be announced soon. In a joint press conference held by the BJP, AIADMK, PMK, and DMDK on Sunday, it was announced that AIADMK will contest on 20 Lok Sabha seats including South Chennai, Theni, Pollachi, Karur and Erode while BJP would be fielding its candidates from Kanyakumari, Sivagangai, Coimbatore, Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha constituencies. AIADMK will contest on Salem, Namakkal, Krishnagiri, Erode, Karur, Thiruppur, Pollachi, Arani, Thiruvannamalai, Chidambaram, Perambalur, Theni, Madurai, Nilagiri, Tirunelveli, Nagapattinam, Mayiladururai, Thiruvallur, Chennai south, Perambalur. BJP will contest on Kanyakumari,Sivagangai, Kovai,Tutucorin and Ramanadhaputam. DMDK, on the other hand, will contest on Chennai north, Virudhunagar, Trichy, Kallakuruchi, while Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) headed by GK Vasan will field candidates from Tanjore, Puthiya Tamiligam in Thenkasi, Puthiya Needhi Katchi in Vellore and NR Congress in Puducherry. Tamil Nadu will go to polls on April 18 for its 39 parliamentary constituencies, while counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls: AIADMK alliance partner PMK announces first five candidates

There is less than a month to go for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which will be held from April 11 to May 19. The results will be known on May 23.&nbsp;

The Lok Sabha has 543 elected seats and any party or coalition needs a minimum of 272 MPs to form a government.&nbsp;

With 90 crore eligible voters, the 2019 general election will be the largest the world has seen.

The big fight is between the ruling National Democratic Alliance led by Narendra Modi's BJP and the United Progressive Alliance led by Congress.

Here are five factors that hold a key position in the Lok Sabha Election 2019.&nbsp;

Economy

The major weapon against the incumbent government for Lok Sabha Election 2019, is the failure of creating jobs as per the promises made by the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2014.&nbsp;

The opposition has been alleging that the job creation has drastically deteriorated in the Modi government.&nbsp;

India’s GDP needs to grow faster than even 7%. For the quarter ended October-December 2018, the growth rate stood at 6.6% and any marked improvement has been ruled out in the ongoing financial quarter as well.&nbsp;

The 2016 currency ban - locally called 'demonetisation' and decision on goods and services tax will have its effects on upcoming elections.

Rural India

About 80 crores of India’s 133.92 crores population depend on farming for their livelihood.&nbsp;

A slowdown in India’s rural economy deepened in January, reflecting a crunch on spending by agricultural workers.

Falling rural incomes and farm distress has taken the shine off one of the key achievements of the Modi government.

The farmers have been demanding a special parliament session which would only address the agrarian crisis.&nbsp;

Thousands of farmers walked to parliament, Ramlila Maidan demanding- implementation of M S Swaminathan report, address the agrarian crisis in parliament and better prices for the crops.

First-time voters and women voters

Over 1.5 crore voters in 18-19 year age group will be eligible to vote for the first time in the seven-phased Lok Sabha election beginning April 11 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling upon them to vote in record numbers.

These voters in the age group of 18-19 years constitute 1.66 per cent of the total electorate. All citizens who turned 18 on January 1 this year and registered as electors will get the opportunity to cast their vote in upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections.

Women's rising turnout in elections and their growing political assertiveness will again be an important swing factor in the upcoming election.

In the last few years, the concerns regarding women and their issues have gained importance and received attention from the political class, at least in slogans and speeches. Women's issues are key in political manifestoes, though their effectiveness is debatable.

Social media&nbsp;

At a time when all political parties in India are trying tooth and nail to woo young first-time voters, social media has established itself as a formidable player in the field of politics.

While all the spotlight has been on Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter in India's 'like' wars in the last few years, Instagram, the Facebook-owned photograph sharing application, has discreetly risen as a critical stage for India's political parties ahead of the 2019 general elections.

National security and Surgical strike

The Pulwama attack and the subsequent Indian Air Force strike on Balakot, in Pakistan, has changed the political scenario of India. Suddenly questions of national security were front and centre. The opposition blames that the Centre ordered the air strike in Pakistan’s Balakot with the “sole purpose” of winning Lok Sabha elections. The BJP has charged the opposition of playing into the hands of Pakistan and demoralizing our armed forces by questioning the number of casualties.

There is less than a month to go for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which will be held from April 11 to May 19. The results will be known on May 23. The Lok Sabha has 543 elected seats and any party or coalition needs a minimum of 272 MPs to form a government.

There is less than a month to go for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which will be held from April 11 to May 19. The results will be known on May 23. The Lok Sabha has 543 elected seats and any party or coalition needs a minimum of 272 MPs to form a government. With 90 crore eligible voters, the 2019 general election will be the largest the world has seen. The big fight is between the ruling National Democratic Alliance led by Narendra Modi's BJP and the United Progressive Alliance led by Congress. Here are five factors that hold a key position in the Lok Sabha Election 2019. Economy The major weapon against the incumbent government for Lok Sabha Election 2019, is the failure of creating jobs as per the promises made by the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2014. The opposition has been alleging that the job creation has drastically deteriorated in the Modi government. India’s GDP needs to grow faster than even 7%. For the quarter ended October-December 2018, the growth rate stood at 6.6% and any marked improvement has been ruled out in the ongoing financial quarter as well. The 2016 currency ban - locally called 'demonetisation' and decision on goods and services tax will have its effects on upcoming elections. Rural India About 80 crores of India’s 133.92 crores population depend on farming for their livelihood. A slowdown in India’s rural economy deepened in January, reflecting a crunch on spending by agricultural workers. Falling rural incomes and farm distress has taken the shine off one of the key achievements of the Modi government. The farmers have been demanding a special parliament session which would only address the agrarian crisis. Thousands of farmers walked to parliament, Ramlila Maidan demanding- implementation of M S Swaminathan report, address the agrarian crisis in parliament and better prices for the crops. First-time voters and women voters Over 1.5 crore voters in 18-19 year age group will be eligible to vote for the first time in the seven-phased Lok Sabha election beginning April 11 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling upon them to vote in record numbers. These voters in the age group of 18-19 years constitute 1.66 per cent of the total electorate. All citizens who turned 18 on January 1 this year and registered as electors will get the opportunity to cast their vote in upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Women's rising turnout in elections and their growing political assertiveness will again be an important swing factor in the upcoming election. In the last few years, the concerns regarding women and their issues have gained importance and received attention from the political class, at least in slogans and speeches. Women's issues are key in political manifestoes, though their effectiveness is debatable. Social media At a time when all political parties in India are trying tooth and nail to woo young first-time voters, social media has established itself as a formidable player in the field of politics. While all the spotlight has been on Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter in India's 'like' wars in the last few years, Instagram, the Facebook-owned photograph sharing application, has discreetly risen as a critical stage for India's political parties ahead of the 2019 general elections. National security and Surgical strike The Pulwama attack and the subsequent Indian Air Force strike on Balakot, in Pakistan, has changed the political scenario of India. Suddenly questions of national security were front and centre. The opposition blames that the Centre ordered the air strike in Pakistan’s Balakot with the “sole purpose” of winning Lok Sabha elections. The BJP has charged the opposition of playing into the hands of Pakistan and demoralizing our armed forces by questioning the number of casualties.

Lok Sabha polls 2019:  Five things that could decide the election

When bigwigs unite: A look at the key constituents of the 'Mahagathbandhan'

DMK Sunday announced former union ministers Dayanidhi Maran, A Raja and T R Baalu and its Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi among its candidates for the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies it is contesting in Tamil Nadu.

Releasing the list of candidates which included another woman, party president M K Stalin said Maran will contest from Central Chennai, A Raja from Nilgiris (SC) and T R Baalu from Sriperumbudur constituencies, which they had won in 2009.

Stalin's sister and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi will for the first time try her luck in the Lok Sabha polls as she had been fielded in Tuticorin constituency in southern Tamil Nadu.

A total of 12 candidates are new faces.

In the April 18 elections, DMK is contesting 20 out of the 39 Lok Sabha seats in the state, leaving the rest to its allies, including Congress.

The party had drawn a blank in the 2014 polls when it contested 34 seats while its arch-rival AIADMK romped home winning 37 segments. Congress had gone alone but failed to win a single seat.

Replying to questions from reporters, Stalin said DMK's manifesto will be released soon.

It would be both the "hero and heroine and definitely not a villain," he added.

DMK also named its candidates for by-polls to the 18 assembly constituencies in the state to be held along with the Lok Sabha polls on April 18.

Former union ministers of state S Jagathrakshagan and S S Palanimanickam have been fielded in Arakkonam and Thanjavur constituencies.

Kanimozhi's Rajya Sabha terms end in July this year.

T Sumathi alias Tamizhachi Thangapandian, a noted orator in Tamil, will contest from Chennai South, Kalanidhi Veerasamy from Chennai North and D M Kathir Anand, son of party Treasurer Duraimurugan, from Vellore.

While Tamizhachi is the daughter of late DMK leader V Thangapandian and sister of former state Minister Thangam Thennarasu, Kalanidhi is the son of former state Minister Arcot N Veerasamy.

Similarly, in Kallakurichi, former State Minister K Ponmudi's son Gowtham Sigamani is fielded.

Other candidates are: G Selvam (Kancheepuram-SC), S Senthilkumar (Dharmapuri), C N Annadurai (Tiruvannamalai), SR Parthiban (Salem), K Shanmugasundaram (Pollachi), P Velusamy (Dindigul), T R V S Sriramesh (Cuddalore), S Ramalingam (Mayiladuthurai), Dhanush M Kumar (Thenkasi-SC), and S Gnanathiraviam (Tirunelveli).

Parthiban was a former DMDK MLA (2011-16) and represented Mettur constituency in Salem district.

He had quit the Vijayakanth-led party to form the Makakl DMDK and later joined the DMK.

Stalin released the list of candidates after visiting the mausoleum of his late father and party patriarch M Karunanidhi at the Marina beach here.

He placed the list on the floor and paid floral tributes, symbolising seeking the late leader's blessings.

Stalin also named his party candidate for the by-poll to an assembly seat (Thattanchavadi) in neighbouring Puducherry.

DMK Sunday announced former union ministers Dayanidhi Maran, A Raja and T R Baalu and its Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi among its candidates for the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies it is contesting in Tamil Nadu.

DMK Sunday announced former union ministers Dayanidhi Maran, A Raja and T R Baalu and its Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi among its candidates for the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies it is contesting in Tamil Nadu. Releasing the list of candidates which included another woman, party president M K Stalin said Maran will contest from Central Chennai, A Raja from Nilgiris (SC) and T R Baalu from Sriperumbudur constituencies, which they had won in 2009. Stalin's sister and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi will for the first time try her luck in the Lok Sabha polls as she had been fielded in Tuticorin constituency in southern Tamil Nadu. A total of 12 candidates are new faces. In the April 18 elections, DMK is contesting 20 out of the 39 Lok Sabha seats in the state, leaving the rest to its allies, including Congress. The party had drawn a blank in the 2014 polls when it contested 34 seats while its arch-rival AIADMK romped home winning 37 segments. Congress had gone alone but failed to win a single seat. Replying to questions from reporters, Stalin said DMK's manifesto will be released soon. It would be both the "hero and heroine and definitely not a villain," he added. DMK also named its candidates for by-polls to the 18 assembly constituencies in the state to be held along with the Lok Sabha polls on April 18. Former union ministers of state S Jagathrakshagan and S S Palanimanickam have been fielded in Arakkonam and Thanjavur constituencies. Kanimozhi's Rajya Sabha terms end in July this year. T Sumathi alias Tamizhachi Thangapandian, a noted orator in Tamil, will contest from Chennai South, Kalanidhi Veerasamy from Chennai North and D M Kathir Anand, son of party Treasurer Duraimurugan, from Vellore. While Tamizhachi is the daughter of late DMK leader V Thangapandian and sister of former state Minister Thangam Thennarasu, Kalanidhi is the son of former state Minister Arcot N Veerasamy. Similarly, in Kallakurichi, former State Minister K Ponmudi's son Gowtham Sigamani is fielded. Other candidates are: G Selvam (Kancheepuram-SC), S Senthilkumar (Dharmapuri), C N Annadurai (Tiruvannamalai), SR Parthiban (Salem), K Shanmugasundaram (Pollachi), P Velusamy (Dindigul), T R V S Sriramesh (Cuddalore), S Ramalingam (Mayiladuthurai), Dhanush M Kumar (Thenkasi-SC), and S Gnanathiraviam (Tirunelveli). Parthiban was a former DMDK MLA (2011-16) and represented Mettur constituency in Salem district. He had quit the Vijayakanth-led party to form the Makakl DMDK and later joined the DMK. Stalin released the list of candidates after visiting the mausoleum of his late father and party patriarch M Karunanidhi at the Marina beach here. He placed the list on the floor and paid floral tributes, symbolising seeking the late leader's blessings. Stalin also named his party candidate for the by-poll to an assembly seat (Thattanchavadi) in neighbouring Puducherry.

DMK names Kanimozhi, former ministers Maran, TR Baalu among Lok Sabha candidates

The Gujarat BJP Sunday held a meeting to discuss names of candidates for the state's 26 Lok Sabha seats.

All 26 seats, currently held by the BJP, will go to polls in a single phase on April 23.

The meeting, which took place in Gandhinagar, was attended by Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, state Lok Sabha poll in-charge Om Mathur and state unit chief Jitu Vaghani among others.

Names of probable candidates will be discussed for three days after which a final report will be sent to the party high command in Delhi, a leader said on condition of anonymity.

Senior BJP leaders met Sunday to discuss names of probable candidates for Vadodara, Bharuch, Panchmahals, Chhota Udepur, Dahod, Valsad, Navsari, Vardoli, Surat, Anand and Kheda Lok Sabha constituencies, Rupani said in a Facebook post.

"The Lok Sabha election committee met in Gandhinagar. Discussions were held on candidates for the Lok Sabha seats based on input received by party's poll observers," Rupani said.

Rupani said names of probable candidates for Vadodara, Bharuch, Panchmahals, Chhota Udepur, Dahod, Valsad, Navsari, Vardoli, Surat, Anand and Kheda Lok Sabha seats were discussed.

Sources said sitting MPs from the 26 seats were discussed Sunday.

Discussions on rest of the seats will be held tomorrow and day after tomorrow, a party source said.

The opposition Congress also held a meeting Sunday under the leadership of state unit president Amit Chavda.

Party sources said Congress leaders from Kheda, Kutch and Surendranagar Lok Sabha constituencies were among those who met Chavda.

Discussions were also held on the party's preparations for bypolls in five Assembly constituencies, Congress sources said.

The Gujarat BJP Sunday held a meeting to discuss names of candidates for the state's 26 Lok Sabha seats. All 26 seats, currently held by the BJP, will go to polls in a single phase on April 23.

The Gujarat BJP Sunday held a meeting to discuss names of candidates for the state's 26 Lok Sabha seats. All 26 seats, currently held by the BJP, will go to polls in a single phase on April 23. The meeting, which took place in Gandhinagar, was attended by Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, state Lok Sabha poll in-charge Om Mathur and state unit chief Jitu Vaghani among others. Names of probable candidates will be discussed for three days after which a final report will be sent to the party high command in Delhi, a leader said on condition of anonymity. Senior BJP leaders met Sunday to discuss names of probable candidates for Vadodara, Bharuch, Panchmahals, Chhota Udepur, Dahod, Valsad, Navsari, Vardoli, Surat, Anand and Kheda Lok Sabha constituencies, Rupani said in a Facebook post. "The Lok Sabha election committee met in Gandhinagar. Discussions were held on candidates for the Lok Sabha seats based on input received by party's poll observers," Rupani said. Rupani said names of probable candidates for Vadodara, Bharuch, Panchmahals, Chhota Udepur, Dahod, Valsad, Navsari, Vardoli, Surat, Anand and Kheda Lok Sabha seats were discussed. Sources said sitting MPs from the 26 seats were discussed Sunday. Discussions on rest of the seats will be held tomorrow and day after tomorrow, a party source said. The opposition Congress also held a meeting Sunday under the leadership of state unit president Amit Chavda. Party sources said Congress leaders from Kheda, Kutch and Surendranagar Lok Sabha constituencies were among those who met Chavda. Discussions were also held on the party's preparations for bypolls in five Assembly constituencies, Congress sources said.

Gujarat: BJP, Congress hold meetings for Lok Sabha poll candidates

Madhya Pradesh BJP leaders Sunday joined the party's "chowkidar" social media poll campaign, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi added "chowkidar" to his Twitter handle profile and asked people to take the #MainBhiChowkidar pledge against corruption.

Among the leaders was former MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and state unit chief Rakesh Singh.

"Chowkidar" is a term often used by the PM to describe his role at the Centre as a watchdog against corruption as well as his hands-on style of work.

However, the Congress, which has alleged corruption to the tune of several thousand crore in the Rafale fighter jet purchase deal, has been hitting back with the slogan "chowkidar chor hai" (watchman is a thief).

The ruling BJP has now turned the watchman moniker into Lok Sabha poll campaign ammunition by asking people to use it along with their names on social media platforms.

Several Union ministers and BJP leaders have already made the "chowkidar" addition to their social media profiles.&nbsp;

Madhya Pradesh BJP leaders Sunday joined the party's "chowkidar" social media poll campaign, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi added "chowkidar" to his Twitter handle profile and asked people to take the #MainBhiChowkidar pledge against corruption.

Madhya Pradesh BJP leaders Sunday joined the party's "chowkidar" social media poll campaign, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi added "chowkidar" to his Twitter handle profile and asked people to take the #MainBhiChowkidar pledge against corruption. Among the leaders was former MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and state unit chief Rakesh Singh. "Chowkidar" is a term often used by the PM to describe his role at the Centre as a watchdog against corruption as well as his hands-on style of work. However, the Congress, which has alleged corruption to the tune of several thousand crore in the Rafale fighter jet purchase deal, has been hitting back with the slogan "chowkidar chor hai" (watchman is a thief). The ruling BJP has now turned the watchman moniker into Lok Sabha poll campaign ammunition by asking people to use it along with their names on social media platforms. Several Union ministers and BJP leaders have already made the "chowkidar" addition to their social media profiles.

Madhya Pradesh BJP leaders join party's 'chowkidar' social media campaign

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-navy-says-ins-vikramaditya-nuclear-submarines-deployed-in-northern-arabian-sea-amid-indo-pak-tensions-203846">Indian Navy says INS Vikramaditya, nuclear submarines were deployed in </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-navy-says-ins-vikramaditya-nuclear-submarines-deployed-in-northern-arabian-sea-amid-indo-pak-tensions-203846">northern</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-navy-says-ins-vikramaditya-nuclear-submarines-deployed-in-northern-arabian-sea-amid-indo-pak-tensions-203846"> Arabian Sea after Pulwama terror attack</a>

The Indian navy said that it had deployed its assets including INS Vikramaditya and nuclear submarines in northern Arabian sea in the last week of February amid tension between India and Pakistan following Pulwama terror attack on February 14.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-bjp-releases-andhra-arunachal-candidates-list-203879">Lok Sabha polls: BJP releases Andhra, Arunachal candidates list</a>

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its list of candidates for the 54 seats of Arunachal Pradesh and 123 seats of Andhra Pradesh for upcoming legislative assembly elections on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-returns-the-favour-leaves-seven-seats-for-sp-bsp-combine-in-uttar-pradesh-203877">Lok Sabha polls: Congress returns the favour, leaves seven seats for SP-BSP combine in Uttar Pradesh&nbsp;</a>

Pakistan: Four killed, 10 wounded after bomb went off on train track in Balochistan

Four people were killed and 10 injured in Pakistan on Sunday when a bomb went off on a train track in the resource-rich province of Balochistan, where separatist rebels have been fighting the security forces for years.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suspicious-package-shutters-new-zealands-dunedin-airport-203848">'Suspicious package' shutters New Zealand's Dunedin airport</a>

New Zealand police closed Dunedin airport late Sunday after a suspicious device was reported on the airfield.&nbsp;

'Dunedin Airport is currently closed' a statement said. 'Police are at the scene and specialist teams have been deployed to determine the nature of the package.'

Indian Navy says INS Vikramaditya, nuclear submarines were deployed in northern Arabian Sea after Pulwama terror attack The Indian navy said that it had deployed its assets including INS Vikramaditya and nuclear submarines in northern Arabian sea in the last week of February amid tension between India and Pakistan following Pulwama terror attack on February 14.

Indian Navy says INS Vikramaditya, nuclear submarines were deployed in northern Arabian Sea after Pulwama terror attack The Indian navy said that it had deployed its assets including INS Vikramaditya and nuclear submarines in northern Arabian sea in the last week of February amid tension between India and Pakistan following Pulwama terror attack on February 14. Lok Sabha polls: BJP releases Andhra, Arunachal candidates list The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its list of candidates for the 54 seats of Arunachal Pradesh and 123 seats of Andhra Pradesh for upcoming legislative assembly elections on Sunday. Lok Sabha polls: Congress returns the favour, leaves seven seats for SP-BSP combine in Uttar Pradesh Pakistan: Four killed, 10 wounded after bomb went off on train track in Balochistan Four people were killed and 10 injured in Pakistan on Sunday when a bomb went off on a train track in the resource-rich province of Balochistan, where separatist rebels have been fighting the security forces for years. 'Suspicious package' shutters New Zealand's Dunedin airport New Zealand police closed Dunedin airport late Sunday after a suspicious device was reported on the airfield. 'Dunedin Airport is currently closed' a statement said. 'Police are at the scene and specialist teams have been deployed to determine the nature of the package.'

News brief: Big stories of the day

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-bjp-releases-andhra-arunachal-candidates-list-203879">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> is yet to hit the campaign trail after the Lok Sabha election schedule was announced on March 10 but he has already addressed public meetings or BJP workers in over 100 Lok Sabha constituencies in 22 states in the past few weeks, the party said on Sunday. 
 
The party's media head and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni said the BJP through a series of programmes such as 'Mera Parivar, Bhajapa Parivar', mega contact drive and 'Vijay Sankalp' rallies, has reached out to over 10 crore people recently. 
 
While Modi has relied on rallies and addressing party workers and beneficiaries of his government's schemes through video- conferences for his campaign, party president Amit Shah has done so by holding public meetings, speaking to social media volunteers and addressing booth-level workers in over 130 Lok Sabha constituencies. 
 
Election to the 543-member Lok Sabha will be held in seven phases between April 11 and May 19. 
 
Modi began his public outreach ahead of the Lok Sabha elections with programmes, including a rally, in Andaman and Nicobar Islands on December 29 and 30 and has travelled to different parts of the country while also using the tool of video-conference to contact the masses and party workers, the BJP said. 
 
Shah started his campaign for the polls with a visit to Tripura on January 5 and has held over 45 public meetings till March 7. 
 
After the announcement of the poll schedule by the Election Commission, Modi and Shah have not begun their campaign yet. 
 
Baluni asserted that people have been showing massive support for Modi and the BJP. 
 
'People have decided on having the Modi government once more,'&nbsp;he said, adding that India has become 'prosperous, secure and decisive'&nbsp;under him.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is yet to hit the campaign trail after the Lok Sabha election schedule was announced on March 10 but he has already addressed public meetings or BJP workers in over 100 Lok Sabha constituencies in 22 states in the past few weeks, the party said on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is yet to hit the campaign trail after the Lok Sabha election schedule was announced on March 10 but he has already addressed public meetings or BJP workers in over 100 Lok Sabha constituencies in 22 states in the past few weeks, the party said on Sunday. The party's media head and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni said the BJP through a series of programmes such as 'Mera Parivar, Bhajapa Parivar', mega contact drive and 'Vijay Sankalp' rallies, has reached out to over 10 crore people recently. While Modi has relied on rallies and addressing party workers and beneficiaries of his government's schemes through video- conferences for his campaign, party president Amit Shah has done so by holding public meetings, speaking to social media volunteers and addressing booth-level workers in over 130 Lok Sabha constituencies. Election to the 543-member Lok Sabha will be held in seven phases between April 11 and May 19. Modi began his public outreach ahead of the Lok Sabha elections with programmes, including a rally, in Andaman and Nicobar Islands on December 29 and 30 and has travelled to different parts of the country while also using the tool of video-conference to contact the masses and party workers, the BJP said. Shah started his campaign for the polls with a visit to Tripura on January 5 and has held over 45 public meetings till March 7. After the announcement of the poll schedule by the Election Commission, Modi and Shah have not begun their campaign yet. Baluni asserted that people have been showing massive support for Modi and the BJP. 'People have decided on having the Modi government once more,' he said, adding that India has become 'prosperous, secure and decisive' under him.

PM Modi addressed rallies in 100 Lok Sabha seats in last few weeks: BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its list of candidates for the 54 seats of Arunachal Pradesh and 123 seats of Andhra Pradesh for upcoming legislative assembly elections on Sunday.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
BJP releases its list of candidates for the 54 seats of Arunachal Pradesh for upcoming legislative assembly elections <a href="https://t.co/iOZ2CEx156">pic.twitter.com/iOZ2CEx156</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1107252058338586626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
BJP releases its list of candidates for the 123 seats of Andhra Pradesh for upcoming legislative assembly elections <a href="https://t.co/A3kkwBhQI8">pic.twitter.com/A3kkwBhQI8</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1107251380065128449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has been fielded from Mukto constituency.

In Andhra Pradesh, the two main challengers for power are Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP and Jaganmohan Reddy-led YSR Congress with the BJP hoping to improve its tally.

BJP late Saturday held a meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah, to shortlist candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

According to news agency ANI, in Saturday's meeting there was no discussion on Uttar Pradesh, which has 80 parliamentary seats.

Amit Shah is likely to meet with the core committee of the party on Sunday.

The BJP Central Election Committee is likely to meet again on Monday and by March 22 the party may announce the list of all candidates, sources said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its list of candidates for the 54 seats of Arunachal Pradesh and 123 seats of Andhra Pradesh for upcoming legislative assembly elections on Sunday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its list of candidates for the 54 seats of Arunachal Pradesh and 123 seats of Andhra Pradesh for upcoming legislative assembly elections on Sunday. BJP releases its list of candidates for the 54 seats of Arunachal Pradesh for upcoming legislative assembly elections pic.twitter.com/iOZ2CEx156 — ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2019 × BJP releases its list of candidates for the 123 seats of Andhra Pradesh for upcoming legislative assembly elections pic.twitter.com/A3kkwBhQI8 — ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2019 × Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has been fielded from Mukto constituency. In Andhra Pradesh, the two main challengers for power are Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP and Jaganmohan Reddy-led YSR Congress with the BJP hoping to improve its tally. BJP late Saturday held a meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah, to shortlist candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. According to news agency ANI, in Saturday's meeting there was no discussion on Uttar Pradesh, which has 80 parliamentary seats. Amit Shah is likely to meet with the core committee of the party on Sunday. The BJP Central Election Committee is likely to meet again on Monday and by March 22 the party may announce the list of all candidates, sources said. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha polls: BJP releases Andhra, Arunachal candidates list

BJP's National general secretary and in-charge of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-stays-haryana-law-allowing-construction-in-aravalli-region-200553">Haryana</a>, Anil Jain said that party is not going for an alliance with any other party in Haryana and is confident of winning all the 10 Lok Sabha seats on its own. 
 
'BJP is not going to do any alliance in Haryana. On all the 10 Lok Sabha seats BJP will contest and will win,'&nbsp;he said. 
 
Jain also said that there is no "Mahagathbandhan" (Grand-alliance) of opposition in Haryana as the BJP is the "strongest in the state.' 
 
He also targeted Congress party saying that despite the fact that its top leadership is "mired neck deep into corruption" they "shamelessly" accuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the same. 
 
'<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/does-rahul-gandhi-need-certificate-from-pakistan-on-rafale-bjp-201717">Rahul Gandhi</a>, his mother, his brother-in-law, and sister have all been involved in corruption and they allege a person like Prime Minister Narendra Modi of corruption is shamelessness. 
 
Nobody will believe them,'&nbsp;said Jain. All the 10 Lok Sabha constituencies in Haryana will go to polls on May 12 in the sixth phase of 7 phased Lok Sabha elections. 
 
Polling for the general elections will be held in seven phases starting April 11 and will conclude on May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

BJP's National general secretary and in-charge of Haryana, Anil Jain said that party is not going for an alliance with any other party in Haryana and is confident of winning all the 10 Lok Sabha seats on its own.

BJP's National general secretary and in-charge of Haryana, Anil Jain said that party is not going for an alliance with any other party in Haryana and is confident of winning all the 10 Lok Sabha seats on its own. 'BJP is not going to do any alliance in Haryana. On all the 10 Lok Sabha seats BJP will contest and will win,' he said. Jain also said that there is no "Mahagathbandhan" (Grand-alliance) of opposition in Haryana as the BJP is the "strongest in the state.' He also targeted Congress party saying that despite the fact that its top leadership is "mired neck deep into corruption" they "shamelessly" accuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the same. 'Rahul Gandhi, his mother, his brother-in-law, and sister have all been involved in corruption and they allege a person like Prime Minister Narendra Modi of corruption is shamelessness. Nobody will believe them,' said Jain. All the 10 Lok Sabha constituencies in Haryana will go to polls on May 12 in the sixth phase of 7 phased Lok Sabha elections. Polling for the general elections will be held in seven phases starting April 11 and will conclude on May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

BJP will not form any alliance in Haryana: Anil Jain

Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Shah Faesal launched his party - the Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement - here on Sunday.

Faesal had quit government service in January this year as a mark of protest against the "unabated killings" in Kashmir and "lack of any sincere reach-out from the Union government."&nbsp;

He had also alleged "insidious attacks on the special identity of the Jammu and Kashmir and growing culture of intolerance and hate in mainland India in the name of hypernationalism."

Speaking at the launch of his political quarter, Faesal said, "I went into civil service to help people but the situation in the state has made me switch my path and I am entering into politics."&nbsp;

He also praised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for their "political commitment".&nbsp;

"I praise both of them because even after facing so many challenges in politics they never bowed down," he said.&nbsp;

The vision document of the party stated that the Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement "shall pursue a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir problem as per the will and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir State."

The party aims at achieving "sustainable peace" in the state and has also pledged to open the "ancient Silk Route civilization so that Jammu and Kashmir can reemerge as a corridor of peace between various South Asian neighbours."

In an effort to emerge as an inclusive outfit, the party seeks "political representation for under-represented communities like Buddhists, Sikhs, Christians and Kashmiri Pandits."

Former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader and activist Sheila Rashid also joined the Jammu and Kashmir People`s Movement.

Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Shah Faesal launched his party - the Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement - here on Sunday. Faesal had quit government service in January this year as a mark of protest against the "unabated killings" in Kashmir and "lack of any sincere reach-out from the Union government.

Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Shah Faesal launched his party - the Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement - here on Sunday. Faesal had quit government service in January this year as a mark of protest against the "unabated killings" in Kashmir and "lack of any sincere reach-out from the Union government." He had also alleged "insidious attacks on the special identity of the Jammu and Kashmir and growing culture of intolerance and hate in mainland India in the name of hypernationalism." Speaking at the launch of his political quarter, Faesal said, "I went into civil service to help people but the situation in the state has made me switch my path and I am entering into politics." He also praised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for their "political commitment". "I praise both of them because even after facing so many challenges in politics they never bowed down," he said. The vision document of the party stated that the Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement "shall pursue a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir problem as per the will and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir State." The party aims at achieving "sustainable peace" in the state and has also pledged to open the "ancient Silk Route civilization so that Jammu and Kashmir can reemerge as a corridor of peace between various South Asian neighbours." In an effort to emerge as an inclusive outfit, the party seeks "political representation for under-represented communities like Buddhists, Sikhs, Christians and Kashmiri Pandits." Former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader and activist Sheila Rashid also joined the Jammu and Kashmir People`s Movement.

Former IAS officer Shah Faesal launches new party in Jammu and Kashmir

Returning the favour to SP-BSP coalition, Congress party on Sunday left seven seats vacant for &nbsp;SP, BSP and RLD in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, reported news agency ANI.&nbsp;

''We are leaving seven seats vacant for SP, BSP and RLD.These include Mainpuri, Kannauj, Firozabad and whatever seats Mayawati and RLD's Jayant and Ajit Singh contest from,'' Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

Earlier, while announcing the seat-sharing agreement in Uttar Pradesh, SP-BSP combine&nbsp;said they will not be contesting from Amethi and Rae Bareli -- constituencies of Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
UP Congress chief Raj Babbar: We are leaving 7 seats vacant for SP, BSP and RLD. These include Mainpuri, Kannauj, Firozabad and whatever seats Mayawati ji &amp; RLD's Jayant ji and Ajit Singh contest from. We will also give two seats to Apna Dal - Gonda &amp; Pilibhit. <a href="https://t.co/n37SFNa04L">pic.twitter.com/n37SFNa04L</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1107214709093212160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Congress also gave Gonda and Pilibhit seats to one of its allies Apna Dal.&nbsp;

The alliance between the Congress and Apna Dal was finalised at a meeting in Delhi, where Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Jyotiraditya Scindia finalised the deal in the presence of Apna Dal president Krishna Patel and party general secretary Pankaj Niranjan Singh Chandel.

Babbar further said Congress party had reached an agreement on seven seats with Jan Adhikar party (JAP). Out of those seven, JAP will fight in five and while Congress will contest from two seats, he added.&nbsp;

''We had talked to Mahan Dal earlier. They had said they were fine with whatever seats we give them, all they wanted was to contest Vidhan Sabha election. For Lok Sabha elections they had said they'll contest on our symbol. We'll find out a way to work with them.

Returning the favour to SP-BSP coalition, Congress party on Sunday left seven seats vacant for SP, BSP and RLD in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, reported news agency ANI.

Returning the favour to SP-BSP coalition, Congress party on Sunday left seven seats vacant for SP, BSP and RLD in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, reported news agency ANI. ''We are leaving seven seats vacant for SP, BSP and RLD.These include Mainpuri, Kannauj, Firozabad and whatever seats Mayawati and RLD's Jayant and Ajit Singh contest from,'' Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar was quoted as saying. Earlier, while announcing the seat-sharing agreement in Uttar Pradesh, SP-BSP combine said they will not be contesting from Amethi and Rae Bareli -- constituencies of Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. UP Congress chief Raj Babbar: We are leaving 7 seats vacant for SP, BSP and RLD. These include Mainpuri, Kannauj, Firozabad and whatever seats Mayawati ji & RLD's Jayant ji and Ajit Singh contest from. We will also give two seats to Apna Dal - Gonda & Pilibhit. pic.twitter.com/n37SFNa04L — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 17, 2019 × Congress also gave Gonda and Pilibhit seats to one of its allies Apna Dal. The alliance between the Congress and Apna Dal was finalised at a meeting in Delhi, where Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Jyotiraditya Scindia finalised the deal in the presence of Apna Dal president Krishna Patel and party general secretary Pankaj Niranjan Singh Chandel. Babbar further said Congress party had reached an agreement on seven seats with Jan Adhikar party (JAP). Out of those seven, JAP will fight in five and while Congress will contest from two seats, he added. ''We had talked to Mahan Dal earlier. They had said they were fine with whatever seats we give them, all they wanted was to contest Vidhan Sabha election. For Lok Sabha elections they had said they'll contest on our symbol. We'll find out a way to work with them.

Lok Sabha polls: Congress returns the favour, leaves seven seats for SP-BSP combine in Uttar Pradesh 

The Congress has announced its candidates for five out of the total 11 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, giving a chance to three of its sitting MLAs.

The names of candidates for Surguja, Bastar, Raigarh and Kanker seats, reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Janjgir-Champa, which is allocated to a Scheduled Caste (SCs) candidate, were declared late Saturday night.

Prominent tribal leader Khelsai Singh, currently an MLA from Premnagar Assembly seat, has been nominated from Surguja Lok Sabha constituency.

Mr Singh, a four-time MLA, earlier represented the Surguja Lok Sabha seat thrice in 1991, 1996 and 1999.

Another tribal leader Dipak Baij, who is a legislator from Chitrakot Assembly seat, will contest from Bastar Lok Sabha constituency.

Also, Dharamjaigarh seat MLA Laljeet Singh Rathiya has been fielded from Raigarh Lok Sabha constituency.

His father Chanesh Ram Rathiya had been a Congress MLA from Madhya Pradesh before Chhattisgarh was carved out of it.

Besides, the Congress has fielded Biresh Thakur from Kanker Lok Sabha seat.

He is currently a member of the Kanker Zila panchayat. His father Satyanarayan Singh Thakur and grandfather Ratan Singh Thakur had also earlier served as Congress MLAs in MP.

Former Congress MP Parasram Bhardwaj's son Ravi Bhardwaj will contest from Janjgir-Champa (SC) Lok Sabha seat.

"All the five candidates are active in their regions. The way Congress unseated the BJP in last year's Assembly polls, it will also win all the 11 Lok Sabha seats in the state," state Congress spokesperson RP Singh told PTI.

The party is yet to announced its candidates for the remaining six general category Lok Sabha seats - Raipur, Mahasamund, Rajnandgaon, Bilaspur, Korba and Durg.

In the 2014 general elections, the BJP won 10 out of the 11 seats in the state.

Tamradhwaj Sahu was the lone Congress candidate who won from Durg parliamentary seat.

The BJP is yet to announce its candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, to be held in three phases in the state on April 11, 18 and 23.

The Congress has announced its candidates for five out of the total 11 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, giving a chance to three of its sitting MLAs. The names of candidates for Surguja, Bastar, Raigarh and Kanker seats, reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Janjgir-Champa, which is allocated to a Scheduled Caste (SCs) candidate, were declared late Saturday night.

The Congress has announced its candidates for five out of the total 11 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, giving a chance to three of its sitting MLAs. The names of candidates for Surguja, Bastar, Raigarh and Kanker seats, reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Janjgir-Champa, which is allocated to a Scheduled Caste (SCs) candidate, were declared late Saturday night. Prominent tribal leader Khelsai Singh, currently an MLA from Premnagar Assembly seat, has been nominated from Surguja Lok Sabha constituency. Mr Singh, a four-time MLA, earlier represented the Surguja Lok Sabha seat thrice in 1991, 1996 and 1999. Another tribal leader Dipak Baij, who is a legislator from Chitrakot Assembly seat, will contest from Bastar Lok Sabha constituency. Also, Dharamjaigarh seat MLA Laljeet Singh Rathiya has been fielded from Raigarh Lok Sabha constituency. His father Chanesh Ram Rathiya had been a Congress MLA from Madhya Pradesh before Chhattisgarh was carved out of it. Besides, the Congress has fielded Biresh Thakur from Kanker Lok Sabha seat. He is currently a member of the Kanker Zila panchayat. His father Satyanarayan Singh Thakur and grandfather Ratan Singh Thakur had also earlier served as Congress MLAs in MP. Former Congress MP Parasram Bhardwaj's son Ravi Bhardwaj will contest from Janjgir-Champa (SC) Lok Sabha seat. "All the five candidates are active in their regions. The way Congress unseated the BJP in last year's Assembly polls, it will also win all the 11 Lok Sabha seats in the state," state Congress spokesperson RP Singh told PTI. The party is yet to announced its candidates for the remaining six general category Lok Sabha seats - Raipur, Mahasamund, Rajnandgaon, Bilaspur, Korba and Durg. In the 2014 general elections, the BJP won 10 out of the 11 seats in the state. Tamradhwaj Sahu was the lone Congress candidate who won from Durg parliamentary seat. The BJP is yet to announce its candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, to be held in three phases in the state on April 11, 18 and 23.

Lok Sabha polls: Congress announces candidates for 5 seats in Chhattisgarh

Seeking to raise awareness among the electorate in Delhi that a photo voter slip can no longer be used as a valid standalone identification document during elections, the CEO office here will soon launch a campaign, officials said. 
 
The campaign comes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and Delhi's seven parliamentary seats will go to polls on May 12. 
 
The office of Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has also stepped up its drive to raise awareness on the use of various mobile apps, including 'cVigil', and on the significance of voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPATs). 
 
'cVigil', which stands for 'citizens' vigil', is a unique Internet-based mobile application through which a person can send to poll authorities, geo-tagged videos and photos of illegal money being distributed or a hate speech being made during polls. 
 
The app will work only during the time the model code of conduct is in place in a poll-bound state.&nbsp; 
 
The CEO office under its Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme are also preparing to start a campaign in both print and audio-visual media to raise awareness on the photo voter slip. 
 
The Election Commission late February had said a photo voter slip shall no longer be used as a standalone identification document during elections, and a voter will have to carry any of the 12 approved identity cards to the polling station. 
 
The documents accepted for identification include - EPIC (Electoral Photo Identity Card), passport, Aadhaar card, driving licence, service identity cards with photographs issued to employees by central and state government, PSUs, public limited companies, passbooks issued by a bank or post office, PAN card and smart card issued by the Registrar General of India under the National Populations Register. 
 
'At present, we have intensified our campaign on raising awareness on the use of 'cVigil' so that more number of people can report violations of the moral code of conduct for the polls. A radio spot has already been made and is being used. Besides, we have just launched a print advertisement on its use, in national dailies also,'&nbsp;a senior official from the SVEEP programme said. 
 
'People can also report poll code violations through helpline -1950, or making a call to the district level or state-level control rooms. The purpose is to stop such violations as soon as possible," the official said. 
 
The CEO office in Delhi has already roped in cricketer Rishabh Pant and ace tennis player Manika Batra as brand ambassadors for raising awareness ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. 
'Both sportspersons will also be soon seen in the print and audio-visual advertisements to raise awareness among voters,'&nbsp;he said. 
 
On photo voter slip, Delhi CEO Ranbir Singh had earlier said the slip will also carry a disclaimer in bold letters that it won't be accepted for the purpose of identification. 
 
'But, we will carry out awareness campaigns from our own side to tell voters that it is no longer valid as a standalone proof for identification,'&nbsp;he said. 
 
However, the Election Commission had also said such slips will continue to be prepared and issued to electors as part of the awareness building exercise. 
 
The senior official of the SVEEP programme said, for the first time, publicity material has been used on auto-rickshaws under the Voter Verification and Information Programme (VVIP) segment. 
 
'We have used them on 3,000 auto-rickshaws across Delhi under VVIP'&nbsp;he said. 
 
The VVIP was launched last month by the Election Commission for citizens for verification of their names, new registrations, changes in the voter details and corrections in voter identity cards ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. 
 
Besides, cinema halls and radio spots are also part of the campaign to raise awareness on voting and use of VVPATs. 
 
A VVPAT is intended as an independent verification system for electronic voting machines designed to allow voters to verify that their vote was cast correctly, to detect possible fraud or malfunction, and to provide a means to audit the stored electronic results. 
 
A senior official of the Delhi CEO office had earlier said that for the 'first time', VVPATs will be used at all polling stations in Delhi, and in a Lok Sabha poll here. 
 
'We have 20,435 VVPATs for 13,816 polling stations. As per EVMs, we have 34,953 Ballot Units and 19,002 Control Units. VVPATs were used only in Delhi Cantonment in 2015 Assembly polls. They were not used in 2014 Lok Sabha elections,'&nbsp;the official had said. 
 
There are nearly 1.39 crore voters in the electoral roll of the national capital as of now, an increase of nearly two lakh from the corresponding figure on January 18 this year.

Seeking to raise awareness among the electorate in Delhi that a photo voter slip can no longer be used as a valid standalone identification document during elections, the CEO office here will soon launch a campaign, officials said.

Seeking to raise awareness among the electorate in Delhi that a photo voter slip can no longer be used as a valid standalone identification document during elections, the CEO office here will soon launch a campaign, officials said. The campaign comes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and Delhi's seven parliamentary seats will go to polls on May 12. The office of Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has also stepped up its drive to raise awareness on the use of various mobile apps, including 'cVigil', and on the significance of voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPATs). 'cVigil', which stands for 'citizens' vigil', is a unique Internet-based mobile application through which a person can send to poll authorities, geo-tagged videos and photos of illegal money being distributed or a hate speech being made during polls. The app will work only during the time the model code of conduct is in place in a poll-bound state. The CEO office under its Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme are also preparing to start a campaign in both print and audio-visual media to raise awareness on the photo voter slip. The Election Commission late February had said a photo voter slip shall no longer be used as a standalone identification document during elections, and a voter will have to carry any of the 12 approved identity cards to the polling station. The documents accepted for identification include - EPIC (Electoral Photo Identity Card), passport, Aadhaar card, driving licence, service identity cards with photographs issued to employees by central and state government, PSUs, public limited companies, passbooks issued by a bank or post office, PAN card and smart card issued by the Registrar General of India under the National Populations Register. 'At present, we have intensified our campaign on raising awareness on the use of 'cVigil' so that more number of people can report violations of the moral code of conduct for the polls. A radio spot has already been made and is being used. Besides, we have just launched a print advertisement on its use, in national dailies also,' a senior official from the SVEEP programme said. 'People can also report poll code violations through helpline -1950, or making a call to the district level or state-level control rooms. The purpose is to stop such violations as soon as possible," the official said. The CEO office in Delhi has already roped in cricketer Rishabh Pant and ace tennis player Manika Batra as brand ambassadors for raising awareness ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. 'Both sportspersons will also be soon seen in the print and audio-visual advertisements to raise awareness among voters,' he said. On photo voter slip, Delhi CEO Ranbir Singh had earlier said the slip will also carry a disclaimer in bold letters that it won't be accepted for the purpose of identification. 'But, we will carry out awareness campaigns from our own side to tell voters that it is no longer valid as a standalone proof for identification,' he said. However, the Election Commission had also said such slips will continue to be prepared and issued to electors as part of the awareness building exercise. The senior official of the SVEEP programme said, for the first time, publicity material has been used on auto-rickshaws under the Voter Verification and Information Programme (VVIP) segment. 'We have used them on 3,000 auto-rickshaws across Delhi under VVIP' he said. The VVIP was launched last month by the Election Commission for citizens for verification of their names, new registrations, changes in the voter details and corrections in voter identity cards ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Besides, cinema halls and radio spots are also part of the campaign to raise awareness on voting and use of VVPATs. A VVPAT is intended as an independent verification system for electronic voting machines designed to allow voters to verify that their vote was cast correctly, to detect possible fraud or malfunction, and to provide a means to audit the stored electronic results. A senior official of the Delhi CEO office had earlier said that for the 'first time', VVPATs will be used at all polling stations in Delhi, and in a Lok Sabha poll here. 'We have 20,435 VVPATs for 13,816 polling stations. As per EVMs, we have 34,953 Ballot Units and 19,002 Control Units. VVPATs were used only in Delhi Cantonment in 2015 Assembly polls. They were not used in 2014 Lok Sabha elections,' the official had said. There are nearly 1.39 crore voters in the electoral roll of the national capital as of now, an increase of nearly two lakh from the corresponding figure on January 18 this year.

Awareness drive on photo voter slip to begin soon; use of 'cVigil' being promoted

Odisha MLA Prakash Chandra Behera Sunday joined the BJP after being with the Congress for 20 years, with Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan saying his presence will help the party bring about changes in Odisha under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. 
 
Behera, who represents Cuttack's Salepur constituency, quit the Congress on Saturday. 
 
Joining the BJP during a party press conference here, he said, 'I have faith in Narendra Modi's leadership and the youngsters in my constituency are really impressed with the government's decision of carrying out surgical strikes.' 
 
He said he quit the Congress because he was ignored by the party's state leadership.&nbsp; 
 
Pradhan welcomed him into the BJP fold and said his presence will help the party bring about changes in Odisha under the Modi leadership.&nbsp;

Odisha MLA Prakash Chandra Behera Sunday joined the BJP after being with the Congress for 20 years, with Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan saying his presence will help the party bring about changes in Odisha under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

Odisha MLA Prakash Chandra Behera Sunday joined the BJP after being with the Congress for 20 years, with Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan saying his presence will help the party bring about changes in Odisha under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Behera, who represents Cuttack's Salepur constituency, quit the Congress on Saturday. Joining the BJP during a party press conference here, he said, 'I have faith in Narendra Modi's leadership and the youngsters in my constituency are really impressed with the government's decision of carrying out surgical strikes.' He said he quit the Congress because he was ignored by the party's state leadership. Pradhan welcomed him into the BJP fold and said his presence will help the party bring about changes in Odisha under the Modi leadership.

Odisha MLA Prakash Chandra Behera joins BJP

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Sunday exuded confidence that people will make the right choice in the forthcoming general elections by electing a stable government rather than 'mahamilawat gathbandhan', which is being envisaged as a road to disaster.

The mahamilawat gathbandhan, which has leaders and political parties of different ideologies, can only promise political instability, said Jaitley in his seventh blog on 'Agenda 2019'.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Agenda 2019 – Part – 7 : Mahamilawat or Gathbandhan – A Race to the Bottom <a href="https://t.co/w9L9LCIp0w">https://t.co/w9L9LCIp0w</a>
— Chowkidar Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) <a href="https://twitter.com/arunjaitley/status/1107211543018651649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"At the cusp of history, India and Indians have a choice to make. Are they electing a six month Government or a five year Government? Are they choosing between a tried, tested and a performing leader or a chaotic crowd of non-leaders?

"Is India looking at a Government which accelerates growth, development and poverty alleviation or is it looking for a Government made by persons who excel only at self-enrichment? I am confident that aspirational people of an evolving society will make the right choice," said Jaitley who is also the head of the publicity wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Mahamilawat gathbandhan, being formed with the objective of ousting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "is a road to disaster. It is a race to the bottom," said the minister.

Jaitley said while in the NDA government, the last word belonged to the Prime Minister, there is a "tug of war" on the issue of leader in the coalition proposed by the opposition parties, including Congress, BSP, SP, TMC, and TDP.

"Four people have clearly indicated their desire to be Prime Ministers - Shri Rahul Gandhi, Behan Mayawati, Mamata Didi and Shri Sharad Pawar. Each desires to expand his or her own base and reduce that of the competitor," the minister said in the blog.

He further said that the gathbandhan unquestionably promises only political instability.

Such non-ideological alliances have only lasted for a few months, he said while citing examples of governments headed by Chaudhary Charan Singh, V P Singh, Chandrasekhar, H D Deve Gowda and I K Gujral, which did not last full term.

"Who would want to invest in India in an environment of political instability? Would even Indian investors prefer to go outside and look for more stable countries for investment? Where there is instability, there is corruption.

"People with brief political opportunities make the best of them. This is the experience of the past," said the senior BJP leader.

Jaitley further said federalism in India is inherent both geographically and constitutionally.

The Constitution defines 'India' i.E. 'Bharat ? a Union of States'. 
The states must be fiscally strong. This is the essence of Indian federalism.

Equally, if not more important, is the fact that for India to be a Union of States, there must be a strong Union, he said, adding if there is no strong Union, both India and India's federalism will stand to suffer.

"Let there be absolute clarity. India is a Union of States. It is not a Confederation of States. That is the fundamental difference between NDA and the UPA. This is also the fundamental flaw in this idea of the federal front," he said.

He said the framers of the Constitution had a vision and they were men of wisdom.

When prominent areas like defence, sovereignty, security of India, foreign policy and eventually the war against terror were maintained as primary responsibility of the Union Government, can India be ever defended without a strong Union? he wondered.

"There can be no 'federal front' without a strong Central party," Jaitley said, adding that in the both the NDA governments the nucleus of the coalition was a large party.

"There was no completion for leadership. The last word belonged to the Prime Minister. That is how the two Governments functioned. There was clarity in terms of policy and the Government had the capacity to take difficult decisions and deliver," he said.

The minister further said that today we have reached a situation where India grows faster than others in the world.

"The essential pre-requisite for accelerating our movement in this direction is that India must have political stability, a clear policy direction, a strong and decisive leadership. If we falter on any one of these, we will be letting down our own people and future generations. India cannot afford lost opportunities at this stage," he said.

About 900 million Indians would start voting from April 11 to elect the next government in a seven-phased election. The votes are scheduled to be counted on May 23.&nbsp;

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Sunday exuded confidence that people will make the right choice in the forthcoming general elections by electing a stable government rather than 'mahamilawat gathbandhan', which is being envisaged as a road to disaster.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Sunday exuded confidence that people will make the right choice in the forthcoming general elections by electing a stable government rather than 'mahamilawat gathbandhan', which is being envisaged as a road to disaster. The mahamilawat gathbandhan, which has leaders and political parties of different ideologies, can only promise political instability, said Jaitley in his seventh blog on 'Agenda 2019'. Agenda 2019 – Part – 7 : Mahamilawat or Gathbandhan – A Race to the Bottom https://t.co/w9L9LCIp0w — Chowkidar Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) March 17, 2019 × "At the cusp of history, India and Indians have a choice to make. Are they electing a six month Government or a five year Government? Are they choosing between a tried, tested and a performing leader or a chaotic crowd of non-leaders? "Is India looking at a Government which accelerates growth, development and poverty alleviation or is it looking for a Government made by persons who excel only at self-enrichment? I am confident that aspirational people of an evolving society will make the right choice," said Jaitley who is also the head of the publicity wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Mahamilawat gathbandhan, being formed with the objective of ousting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "is a road to disaster. It is a race to the bottom," said the minister. Jaitley said while in the NDA government, the last word belonged to the Prime Minister, there is a "tug of war" on the issue of leader in the coalition proposed by the opposition parties, including Congress, BSP, SP, TMC, and TDP. "Four people have clearly indicated their desire to be Prime Ministers - Shri Rahul Gandhi, Behan Mayawati, Mamata Didi and Shri Sharad Pawar. Each desires to expand his or her own base and reduce that of the competitor," the minister said in the blog. He further said that the gathbandhan unquestionably promises only political instability. Such non-ideological alliances have only lasted for a few months, he said while citing examples of governments headed by Chaudhary Charan Singh, V P Singh, Chandrasekhar, H D Deve Gowda and I K Gujral, which did not last full term. "Who would want to invest in India in an environment of political instability? Would even Indian investors prefer to go outside and look for more stable countries for investment? Where there is instability, there is corruption. "People with brief political opportunities make the best of them. This is the experience of the past," said the senior BJP leader. Jaitley further said federalism in India is inherent both geographically and constitutionally. The Constitution defines 'India' i.E. 'Bharat ? a Union of States'. The states must be fiscally strong. This is the essence of Indian federalism. Equally, if not more important, is the fact that for India to be a Union of States, there must be a strong Union, he said, adding if there is no strong Union, both India and India's federalism will stand to suffer. "Let there be absolute clarity. India is a Union of States. It is not a Confederation of States. That is the fundamental difference between NDA and the UPA. This is also the fundamental flaw in this idea of the federal front," he said. He said the framers of the Constitution had a vision and they were men of wisdom. When prominent areas like defence, sovereignty, security of India, foreign policy and eventually the war against terror were maintained as primary responsibility of the Union Government, can India be ever defended without a strong Union? he wondered. "There can be no 'federal front' without a strong Central party," Jaitley said, adding that in the both the NDA governments the nucleus of the coalition was a large party. "There was no completion for leadership. The last word belonged to the Prime Minister. That is how the two Governments functioned. There was clarity in terms of policy and the Government had the capacity to take difficult decisions and deliver," he said. The minister further said that today we have reached a situation where India grows faster than others in the world. "The essential pre-requisite for accelerating our movement in this direction is that India must have political stability, a clear policy direction, a strong and decisive leadership. If we falter on any one of these, we will be letting down our own people and future generations. India cannot afford lost opportunities at this stage," he said. About 900 million Indians would start voting from April 11 to elect the next government in a seven-phased election. The votes are scheduled to be counted on May 23.

People will make the right choice in upcoming elections: Arun Jaitley

The core committee of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/goa-cm-manohar-parrikars-health-has-deteriorated-but-he-is-stable-vijai-sardesai-203759">Goa</a> BJP Sunday met to finalize candidates for the two Lok Sabha seats in the coastal state. 
 
Elections to the two Lok Sabha seats and three Assembly seats in Goa will be held on April 23. 
 
Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant said names have been finalized for the North Goa and South Goa seats but refused to reveal who they were. 
 
He said the two names finalized would be sent to the party high command in Delhi which will make the official announcement. 
 
North Goa and South Goa are currently with the BJP and are represented by Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik and Narendra Sawaikar respectively. 
 
With Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar ailing and his health deteriorating on Saturday, leaders said there was no discussion on leadership change. 
 
BJP Goa general secretary Sadanand Tanavade said it was a meeting to shortlist Lok Sabha candidates and no discussion took place on the leadership issue. 
 
However, former state minister and core committee member Dayanand Mandrekar said there was a need for leadership change as Parrikar was not keeping well.&nbsp;

The core committee of the Goa BJP Sunday met to finalize candidates for the two Lok Sabha seats in the coastal state. Elections to the two Lok Sabha seats and three Assembly seats in Goa will be held on April 23.

The core committee of the Goa BJP Sunday met to finalize candidates for the two Lok Sabha seats in the coastal state. Elections to the two Lok Sabha seats and three Assembly seats in Goa will be held on April 23. Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant said names have been finalized for the North Goa and South Goa seats but refused to reveal who they were. He said the two names finalized would be sent to the party high command in Delhi which will make the official announcement. North Goa and South Goa are currently with the BJP and are represented by Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik and Narendra Sawaikar respectively. With Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar ailing and his health deteriorating on Saturday, leaders said there was no discussion on leadership change. BJP Goa general secretary Sadanand Tanavade said it was a meeting to shortlist Lok Sabha candidates and no discussion took place on the leadership issue. However, former state minister and core committee member Dayanand Mandrekar said there was a need for leadership change as Parrikar was not keeping well.

Lok Sabha polls: Goa BJP finalises names of candidates for two seats in state

Lok Sabha polls: A closer look at the key constituents of the National Democratic Alliance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday urged his supporters to take the 'main bhai chowkidar' (I too am watchman) pledge, saying he is not alone in the fight against graft and social evils.

"Your Chowkidar is standing firm and serving the nation. But, I am not alone. Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar. Today, every Indian is saying-#MainBhiChowkidar," he wrote on Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Your Chowkidar is standing firm &amp; serving the nation. 
 
But, I am not alone. 
 
Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. 
 
Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar. 
 
Today, every Indian is saying-<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MainBhiChowkidar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MainBhiChowkidar</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1106759555315314689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

He also posted a three-minute long video to drive home his message.

PM Modi has often described himself as a "chowkidar" by the opposition.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been repeatedly hurling the "chowkidar chor hai" (watchman is the thief) jibe at the Prime Minister to claim irregularities and favouritism in the Rafale fighter jet deal, a charge the BJP-led government has rejected.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday urged his supporters to take the 'main bhai chowkidar' (I too am watchman) pledge, saying he is not alone in the fight against graft and social evils.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday urged his supporters to take the 'main bhai chowkidar' (I too am watchman) pledge, saying he is not alone in the fight against graft and social evils. "Your Chowkidar is standing firm and serving the nation. But, I am not alone. Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar. Today, every Indian is saying-#MainBhiChowkidar," he wrote on Twitter. Your Chowkidar is standing firm & serving the nation. But, I am not alone. Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar. Today, every Indian is saying-#MainBhiChowkidar — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 16, 2019 × He also posted a three-minute long video to drive home his message. PM Modi has often described himself as a "chowkidar" by the opposition. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been repeatedly hurling the "chowkidar chor hai" (watchman is the thief) jibe at the Prime Minister to claim irregularities and favouritism in the Rafale fighter jet deal, a charge the BJP-led government has rejected.

Your 'chowkidar' is standing firm and serving nation: PM Modi