Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sharpened his attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that the "goons of the Trinamool Congress are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers".&nbsp;

"They are not letting BJP leaders campaign," the Prime Minister said while speaking at a rally in Serampore in West Bengal.

The Prime Minister said that on May 23, when the Lok Sabha election results will be declared, lotus will bloom everywhere, "and your MLAs will leave you. Even today, didi, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-2019-40-trinamool-congress-mlas-ready-to-join-once-bjp-wins-polls-says-pm-narendra-modi-214436">40 of your MLAs are in contact with me</a>," he added.&nbsp;

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Serampore, West Bengal: Goons of TMC are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers, they are not letting BJP leaders campaign. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/BmXt1IHBKO">pic.twitter.com/BmXt1IHBKO</a>
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"Didi said she wants to give me a rasgulla made of soil and pebbles. The soil of Bengal has the essence of greats like Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, JC Bose, Netaji, SP Mukherjee and if Modi gets a rasgulla made of this holy soil then it will be a 'prasad' for Modi," he stated.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-ask-election-commission-to-seek-expenditure-details-of-pm-modis-rallies-mamata-banerjee-214158">On Sunday, Banerjee accused the BJP</a> of doling out money to buy votes in the general election. Mamata Banerjee said her party will request the poll panel to seek an account of expenditure at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rallies.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Serampore, West Bengal: Didi, on 23 May when the results will come, lotus will bloom everywhere and your MLAs will leave you. Even today, didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me. <a href="https://t.co/XaZQ4BORwO">pic.twitter.com/XaZQ4BORwO</a>
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Banerjee also demanded that Modi's candidature from Varanasi be cancelled, claiming that he has written "does not know" on many counts in his affidavit.

Addressing back-to-back rallies in East Midnapore, she said, "We will ask the Election Commission (EC) to keep an account of the spendings in the prime minister's public meetings. If the EC can seek details of expenditure from others, why not from him?"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sharpened his attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that the "goons of the Trinamool Congress are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sharpened his attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that the "goons of the Trinamool Congress are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers". "They are not letting BJP leaders campaign," the Prime Minister said while speaking at a rally in Serampore in West Bengal. The Prime Minister said that on May 23, when the Lok Sabha election results will be declared, lotus will bloom everywhere, "and your MLAs will leave you. Even today, didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Serampore, West Bengal: Goons of TMC are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers, they are not letting BJP leaders campaign. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/BmXt1IHBKO — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 × "Didi said she wants to give me a rasgulla made of soil and pebbles. The soil of Bengal has the essence of greats like Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, JC Bose, Netaji, SP Mukherjee and if Modi gets a rasgulla made of this holy soil then it will be a 'prasad' for Modi," he stated. On Sunday, Banerjee accused the BJP of doling out money to buy votes in the general election. Mamata Banerjee said her party will request the poll panel to seek an account of expenditure at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rallies. #WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Serampore, West Bengal: Didi, on 23 May when the results will come, lotus will bloom everywhere and your MLAs will leave you. Even today, didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me. pic.twitter.com/XaZQ4BORwO — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 × Banerjee also demanded that Modi's candidature from Varanasi be cancelled, claiming that he has written "does not know" on many counts in his affidavit. Addressing back-to-back rallies in East Midnapore, she said, "We will ask the Election Commission (EC) to keep an account of the spendings in the prime minister's public meetings. If the EC can seek details of expenditure from others, why not from him?"

Goons of the Trinamool Congress are trying their hardest to stop BJP: PM Modi

Congress candidate for Lok Sabha's Patna Sahib constituency Shatrughan Sinha on Monday filed his nomination.&nbsp;

Earlier in the month, Sinha faced a backlash from Congress' Lucknow candidate for campaigning for his wife Poonam Sinha. Shatrughan responded saying that it is his duty "as the head of the family and a husband to support my family."&nbsp;

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Bihar: Congress candidate for Patna Sahib constituency Shatrughan Sinha files nomination. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/DAiOk9yvfX">pic.twitter.com/DAiOk9yvfX</a>
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While Shatrughan Sinha is set to take on Bharatiya Janata Party's Ravi Shankar Prasad from Patna Sahib constituency this Lok Sabha polls, his wife Poonam Sinha - who has been fielded on an SP ticket - will face BJP leader and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress' Pramod Krishnam from Lucknow.&nbsp;

Patna Sahib in Bihar will go to polls in the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 19. Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh will conduct general elections for the constituency in the fifth phase on May 6.&nbsp;

Congress candidate for Lok Sabha's Patna Sahib constituency Shatrughan Sinha on Monday filed his nomination. Earlier in the month, Sinha faced a backlash from Congress' Lucknow candidate for campaigning for his wife Poonam Sinha.

Congress candidate for Lok Sabha's Patna Sahib constituency Shatrughan Sinha on Monday filed his nomination. Earlier in the month, Sinha faced a backlash from Congress' Lucknow candidate for campaigning for his wife Poonam Sinha. Shatrughan responded saying that it is his duty "as the head of the family and a husband to support my family." Bihar: Congress candidate for Patna Sahib constituency Shatrughan Sinha files nomination. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/DAiOk9yvfX — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 × While Shatrughan Sinha is set to take on Bharatiya Janata Party's Ravi Shankar Prasad from Patna Sahib constituency this Lok Sabha polls, his wife Poonam Sinha - who has been fielded on an SP ticket - will face BJP leader and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress' Pramod Krishnam from Lucknow. Patna Sahib in Bihar will go to polls in the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 19. Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh will conduct general elections for the constituency in the fifth phase on May 6.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Shatrughan Sinha files nomination from Patna Sahib constituency

Prominent stars of Bollywood, including Salman Khan, Kangana Ranaut and the Bachchans cast their votes in Mumbai on Monday.

Lok Sabha Polls 2019: Bachchan family, Salman Khan and Kangana Ranaut cast their vote

Lok Sabha election 2019 reaches its half-way mark with voting in the fourth of seven phases taking place across 72 constituencies where 961 candidates are in the fray. Watch this video to know more.

Lok Sabha Election 2019: Big ticket battles in phase 4

Lok Sabha Polls: Voting underway for 6 Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai

Lok Sabha Polls: India votes in phase 4 of General Polls

Over 12.79 crore voters will decide the fate of 945 candidates on 71 Lok Sabha seats spread across nine states during the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls on Monday.

As per the election schedule, five seats in Bihar, one in Jammu and Kashmir, three in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/three-lok-sabha-seats-in-jharkhand-go-to-polls-on-april-29-214071">Jharkhand</a>, six in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha each, 17 in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-polling-in-17-seats-in-fourth-phase-on-monday-214115">Maharashtra</a>, 13 in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/13-of-25-seats-in-rajasthan-to-go-to-polls-on-monday-115-candidates-in-the-fray-214126">Rajasthan</a> and Uttar Pradesh each, and eight in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/eight-lok-sabha-seats-in-west-bengal-to-go-to-polls-in-fourth-phase-214055">West Bengal</a> will go to polls during the fourth phase of polling. &nbsp;

Apart from these, 42 Assembly constituencies in Odisha will also go to polls on Monday.

The voting will take place from 7 am to 6 pm for most of the constituencies.

In Bihar, five constituencies -- Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, and Munger will go to polls. A total of sixty-six candidates are in the fray for these five seats. Voting will be held at 8,834 polling stations where around 87,02,313 voters will cast their votes.

All eyes will be on Begusarai seat from where CPI’s Kanhaiya Kumar is up against Union Minister Giriraj Singh and RJD’s Tanveer Hassan. Several prominent Bollywood personalities including Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Swara Bhaskar, and Prakash Raj have campaigned for the former JNU Students Union president.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Anantnag Lok Sabha seat will go to polls on Monday. It is to be noted that the election for Anantnag constituency is scheduled to be held in three phases. Polling will be held at 433 polling booths where 3,44,224 people will cast their votes.

In Jharkhand, Rajmahal, Dumka, and Godda seats will go to polls. Here, 59 candidates are in the fray. Polling will be held at 3,013 polling stations where 45,26,693 will exercise their right to franchise.

In Madhya Pradesh, six seats -- Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat, and Chhindwara will go to polls where a total of 108 candidates are contesting. Polling will be held at 13,491 polling stations where 1,05,55,689 voters will use exercise their franchise.

Chhindwara will be keenly watched from where Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath’s son Nakul Nath is contesting on the Congress ticket. The election is being seen as a test to Chief Minister Kamal Nath’s popularity.

Kamal Nath has represented this seat for 40 years before he was appointed the state Chief Minister in December last year.

In Maharashtra, 17 seats will go to polls. These are Nandurbar, Dhule, Dindori, Nashik, Palghar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Thane, Mumbai North, Mumbai North-West, Mumbai

North-East, Mumbai North-Central, Mumbai South–Central, Mumbai South, Maval, Shiru, and Shirdi.

Voting will be held at 33,314 polling station where 3,11,92,823 people will decide the fate of 323 candidates.

Mumbai Congress chief Milind Deora, Congress leader Milind Deora and Priya Dutt are some of the high-profile candidates whose fate will be sealed in the EVMs on Monday.

In Odisha, six seats -- Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur will go to polls. Here, 52 candidates are in the fray. Polling will take place at 10,792 booths and 95,14,883 voters will exercise their franchise.

Former BJD leader and presently BJP vice president Baijayanta Panda is contesting from Kendrapada.

A total of 336 candidates are also contesting from 42 Assembly constituencies.

“Special attention will be given on Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency and additional police force has been deployed,” said Surendra Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha.

In Rajasthan, 13 seats -- Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota, and Jhalawar-Baran will go to polls.

Polling will be held at 28,182 polling stations. 115 candidates are in the fray from these 13 seats. A total of 2,57,76,993 voters are expected to cast their votes.

Polls for 13 seats of Uttar Pradesh will also be held on Monday. The seats are -- Shahjahanpur, Kheri, Hardoi, Misrikh, Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah, Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun, Jhansi, and Hamirpur.

Here, the fate of 154 candidates will be decided by 2,38,88,367 voters. Voting will take place at 27,513 polling stations.

Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav who is also the wife of party president Akhilesh Yadav is contesting from Kannauj.

BJP has retained Sakshi Maharaj from Unnao seat.

In West Bengal, eight seats -- Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Bardhaman Purba, Bardhaman–Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur, and Birbhum are going to polls.

Polling will be held at 15,277 stations. A total of 1,34,56,491 voters will exercise their franchise. The fate of 68 candidates will be sealed in EVMs.

Union Minister Babul Supriyo is contesting from Asansol seat against Trinamool Congress’ Moon Moon Sen.

The seven-phased Lok Sabha polls began on April 11. The first phase recorded 69.45 per cent voter turnout across the country. The second phase of polling took place on

April 18, which logged 69.43 per cent voting. The third phase of elections held on April 23 witnessed a turnout of 66 per cent.

The counting of votes will be done on May 23.

Over 12.79 crore voters will decide the fate of 945 candidates on 71 Lok Sabha seats spread across nine states during the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls on Monday.

Over 12.79 crore voters will decide the fate of 945 candidates on 71 Lok Sabha seats spread across nine states during the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls on Monday. As per the election schedule, five seats in Bihar, one in Jammu and Kashmir, three in Jharkhand, six in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha each, 17 in Maharashtra, 13 in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh each, and eight in West Bengal will go to polls during the fourth phase of polling. Apart from these, 42 Assembly constituencies in Odisha will also go to polls on Monday. The voting will take place from 7 am to 6 pm for most of the constituencies. In Bihar, five constituencies -- Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, and Munger will go to polls. A total of sixty-six candidates are in the fray for these five seats. Voting will be held at 8,834 polling stations where around 87,02,313 voters will cast their votes. All eyes will be on Begusarai seat from where CPI’s Kanhaiya Kumar is up against Union Minister Giriraj Singh and RJD’s Tanveer Hassan. Several prominent Bollywood personalities including Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Swara Bhaskar, and Prakash Raj have campaigned for the former JNU Students Union president. In Jammu and Kashmir, Anantnag Lok Sabha seat will go to polls on Monday. It is to be noted that the election for Anantnag constituency is scheduled to be held in three phases. Polling will be held at 433 polling booths where 3,44,224 people will cast their votes. In Jharkhand, Rajmahal, Dumka, and Godda seats will go to polls. Here, 59 candidates are in the fray. Polling will be held at 3,013 polling stations where 45,26,693 will exercise their right to franchise. In Madhya Pradesh, six seats -- Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat, and Chhindwara will go to polls where a total of 108 candidates are contesting. Polling will be held at 13,491 polling stations where 1,05,55,689 voters will use exercise their franchise. Chhindwara will be keenly watched from where Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath’s son Nakul Nath is contesting on the Congress ticket. The election is being seen as a test to Chief Minister Kamal Nath’s popularity. Kamal Nath has represented this seat for 40 years before he was appointed the state Chief Minister in December last year. In Maharashtra, 17 seats will go to polls. These are Nandurbar, Dhule, Dindori, Nashik, Palghar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Thane, Mumbai North, Mumbai North-West, Mumbai North-East, Mumbai North-Central, Mumbai South–Central, Mumbai South, Maval, Shiru, and Shirdi. Voting will be held at 33,314 polling station where 3,11,92,823 people will decide the fate of 323 candidates. Mumbai Congress chief Milind Deora, Congress leader Milind Deora and Priya Dutt are some of the high-profile candidates whose fate will be sealed in the EVMs on Monday. In Odisha, six seats -- Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur will go to polls. Here, 52 candidates are in the fray. Polling will take place at 10,792 booths and 95,14,883 voters will exercise their franchise. Former BJD leader and presently BJP vice president Baijayanta Panda is contesting from Kendrapada. A total of 336 candidates are also contesting from 42 Assembly constituencies. “Special attention will be given on Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency and additional police force has been deployed,” said Surendra Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha. In Rajasthan, 13 seats -- Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota, and Jhalawar-Baran will go to polls. Polling will be held at 28,182 polling stations. 115 candidates are in the fray from these 13 seats. A total of 2,57,76,993 voters are expected to cast their votes. Polls for 13 seats of Uttar Pradesh will also be held on Monday. The seats are -- Shahjahanpur, Kheri, Hardoi, Misrikh, Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah, Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun, Jhansi, and Hamirpur. Here, the fate of 154 candidates will be decided by 2,38,88,367 voters. Voting will take place at 27,513 polling stations. Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav who is also the wife of party president Akhilesh Yadav is contesting from Kannauj. BJP has retained Sakshi Maharaj from Unnao seat. In West Bengal, eight seats -- Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Bardhaman Purba, Bardhaman–Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur, and Birbhum are going to polls. Polling will be held at 15,277 stations. A total of 1,34,56,491 voters will exercise their franchise. The fate of 68 candidates will be sealed in EVMs. Union Minister Babul Supriyo is contesting from Asansol seat against Trinamool Congress’ Moon Moon Sen. The seven-phased Lok Sabha polls began on April 11. The first phase recorded 69.45 per cent voter turnout across the country. The second phase of polling took place on April 18, which logged 69.43 per cent voting. The third phase of elections held on April 23 witnessed a turnout of 66 per cent. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.

Fourth phase Lok Sabha polling on Monday; over 12.7 crore electors to vote for 71 constituencies

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-may-not-get-even-50-seats-modi-213853">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Saturday slammed the Congress party, questioning if the party and its leaders are capable of removing terrorism and Naxalism from the country.&nbsp;

While addressing a rally in Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, the prime minister said that the Congress party has said that it will "reduce the presence of armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir. It wants to repeal sedition law too. Can people with such mentality remove terrorism and Naxalism?" he enquired.&nbsp;

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PM Modi in Sitapur: Congress is saying that they will reduce presence of armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Congress wants to repeal sedition law too. Can people with such mentality remove terrorism and naxalism? <a href="https://t.co/SfDyMvzRe5">pic.twitter.com/SfDyMvzRe5</a>
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PM Modi also addressed a rally in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh wherein he slammed the Congress and blamed it for showing scant regard for Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar.&nbsp;

"They (opposition) want a government at the Centre which is 'majboor' (helpless) not 'majboot' (strong) as it used to do before 2014," he said.

The prime minister, earlier in the day, slammed the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh, saying the tie-up of "opportunists" wants a helpless government because.

PM Modi addressed election rallies in Kannauj, a Samajwadi Party stronghold, Hardoi and Sitapur, a day after filing his nomination from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat for a second term.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday slammed the Congress party, questioning if the party and its leaders are capable of removing terrorism and Naxalism from the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday slammed the Congress party, questioning if the party and its leaders are capable of removing terrorism and Naxalism from the country. While addressing a rally in Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, the prime minister said that the Congress party has said that it will "reduce the presence of armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir. It wants to repeal sedition law too. Can people with such mentality remove terrorism and Naxalism?" he enquired. PM Modi in Sitapur: Congress is saying that they will reduce presence of armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Congress wants to repeal sedition law too. Can people with such mentality remove terrorism and naxalism? pic.twitter.com/SfDyMvzRe5 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 27, 2019 × PM Modi also addressed a rally in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh wherein he slammed the Congress and blamed it for showing scant regard for Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. "They (opposition) want a government at the Centre which is 'majboor' (helpless) not 'majboot' (strong) as it used to do before 2014," he said. The prime minister, earlier in the day, slammed the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh, saying the tie-up of "opportunists" wants a helpless government because. PM Modi addressed election rallies in Kannauj, a Samajwadi Party stronghold, Hardoi and Sitapur, a day after filing his nomination from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat for a second term.

Is Congress capable of removing terrorism, Naxalism from country? PM Modi asks

It is a matter of happiness that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is counting the number of days I have visited Amethi as he is unable to tell the public where the 'missing MP'&nbsp;was for 15 years, said Union Minister Smriti Irani here on Sunday.

"I am happy that Priyanka Vadra is counting the number of times I came to Amethi. Probably she is counting mine because she is unable to tell the public where the missing MP was for 15 years. I request her to provide that information too," Smriti said while talking to ANI.

She also questioned Congress'&nbsp;method of showing love for the nation. "Yasin Malik is charged with the murder of Air Force officials. Yet the statement given by PC Chacko yesterday supporting him should be condemned either by Priyanka or Rahul Gandhi. I want to ask Priyanka Vadra are these your ways of showing nationalism," she said.

Congress spokesperson PC Chacko on Saturday told reporters in New Delhi that "If Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused, can contest an election, and the way Delhi is asking him (Yasin Malik) at gunpoint to surrender, anyone with self-respect will react the way Yasin Malik did."

She also said that Priyanka should take a closer look at the acts of Congress before she gives statements on nationalism. Irani, who lost to Rahul Gandhi in the last Lok Sabha from Amethi, is again facing him here. Amethi will go to polls on May 6. The results will be announced on May 23.&nbsp;

It is a matter of happiness that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is counting the number of days I have visited Amethi as he is unable to tell the public where the 'missing MP' was for 15 years, said Union Minister Smriti Irani here on Sunday.

It is a matter of happiness that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is counting the number of days I have visited Amethi as he is unable to tell the public where the 'missing MP' was for 15 years, said Union Minister Smriti Irani here on Sunday. "I am happy that Priyanka Vadra is counting the number of times I came to Amethi. Probably she is counting mine because she is unable to tell the public where the missing MP was for 15 years. I request her to provide that information too," Smriti said while talking to ANI. She also questioned Congress' method of showing love for the nation. "Yasin Malik is charged with the murder of Air Force officials. Yet the statement given by PC Chacko yesterday supporting him should be condemned either by Priyanka or Rahul Gandhi. I want to ask Priyanka Vadra are these your ways of showing nationalism," she said. Congress spokesperson PC Chacko on Saturday told reporters in New Delhi that "If Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused, can contest an election, and the way Delhi is asking him (Yasin Malik) at gunpoint to surrender, anyone with self-respect will react the way Yasin Malik did." She also said that Priyanka should take a closer look at the acts of Congress before she gives statements on nationalism. Irani, who lost to Rahul Gandhi in the last Lok Sabha from Amethi, is again facing him here. Amethi will go to polls on May 6. The results will be announced on May 23.

Happy that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is counting the days I spent in Amethi: Smriti Irani

Accusing the BJP of doling out money to buy votes in the general election, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee Sunday said her party will request the poll panel to seek an account of expenditure at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rallies.

Banerjee also demanded that Modi's candidature from Varanasi be cancelled, claiming that he has written "does not know" on many counts in his affidavit.

Addressing back-to-back rallies in East Midnapore, she said, "We will ask the Election Commission (EC) to keep an account of the spendings in the prime minister's public meetings. If the EC can seek details of expenditure from others, why not from him?"

The chief minister also alleged that the saffron party is doling out thousands of rupees to lure people to its rallies, while also buying votes.

Taking her diatribe against the prime minister to his homefront, she claimed that "all throughout his life, Modi never respected his mother or his wife".

"You shy away from giving your wife her due respect, what respect will you give to the people?" the CM said.

Maintaining that she has seen Modi's affidavit in his nomination papers, Banerjee said, "The PM has written that he does not know about his wife's movable and immovable assets. I don't like making such comments, but the level he has stooped to forced me to speak out," the TMC boss said.

She urged the Election Commission to carry out an investigation into the spendings of Modi's "colourful rally" in the holy town of Varanasi before filing his nomination.

"This election is not (a test) for Mamata Banerjee, but for you (Modi). It is time for you to answer what you have done in five years," she said, insisting that the prime minister was busy touring the world during his tenure.

Maintaining that Modi is worse than Muhammed bin Tughlaq, the 14th-century sultan of Delhi known for his whims, she said that the sudden demonetisation of high-value currency notes in November 2016 caused immense hardship to people, be it a housewife, farmer, worker or a small businessman.

Banerjee, whose aversion to communism and everything associated with it including the colour red is well-known, for once sought refuge in Karl Marx to deride the BJP.

Drawing from Marx's famous statement "religion is the opium of the masses", she said, "The BJP is using religion as opium to divert the attention of people from the non-performance of its government at the Centre.

She, however, did not mince her words when it came to targeting the Left parties in the state.

"Those who wore red shirts earlier are now donning saffron kurtas in West Bengal," the TMC chief said, indicating that many BJP workers in the state are former CPI(M) cadres.

The CM also iterated that Modi will ensure that there was no further election in the country if re-elected to power.

She charged the poll panel with "doing the bidding of the BJP".

Banerjee, whose party was accused of unleashing a reign of terror during the panchayat polls, insisted that it was her partymen who were killed during the elections in 2018.

"In Bengal, there is a democratically elected dispensation, but the BJP is trying to run a parallel government here. A retired officer is dictating terms to the serving officers, this is unconstitutional," she said, referring to the two special observers appointed by the EC to oversee polls in West Bengal.&nbsp;

Accusing the BJP of doling out money to buy votes in the general election, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee Sunday said her party will request the poll panel to seek an account of expenditure at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rallies.

Accusing the BJP of doling out money to buy votes in the general election, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee Sunday said her party will request the poll panel to seek an account of expenditure at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rallies. Banerjee also demanded that Modi's candidature from Varanasi be cancelled, claiming that he has written "does not know" on many counts in his affidavit. Addressing back-to-back rallies in East Midnapore, she said, "We will ask the Election Commission (EC) to keep an account of the spendings in the prime minister's public meetings. If the EC can seek details of expenditure from others, why not from him?" The chief minister also alleged that the saffron party is doling out thousands of rupees to lure people to its rallies, while also buying votes. Taking her diatribe against the prime minister to his homefront, she claimed that "all throughout his life, Modi never respected his mother or his wife". "You shy away from giving your wife her due respect, what respect will you give to the people?" the CM said. Maintaining that she has seen Modi's affidavit in his nomination papers, Banerjee said, "The PM has written that he does not know about his wife's movable and immovable assets. I don't like making such comments, but the level he has stooped to forced me to speak out," the TMC boss said. She urged the Election Commission to carry out an investigation into the spendings of Modi's "colourful rally" in the holy town of Varanasi before filing his nomination. "This election is not (a test) for Mamata Banerjee, but for you (Modi). It is time for you to answer what you have done in five years," she said, insisting that the prime minister was busy touring the world during his tenure. Maintaining that Modi is worse than Muhammed bin Tughlaq, the 14th-century sultan of Delhi known for his whims, she said that the sudden demonetisation of high-value currency notes in November 2016 caused immense hardship to people, be it a housewife, farmer, worker or a small businessman. Banerjee, whose aversion to communism and everything associated with it including the colour red is well-known, for once sought refuge in Karl Marx to deride the BJP. Drawing from Marx's famous statement "religion is the opium of the masses", she said, "The BJP is using religion as opium to divert the attention of people from the non-performance of its government at the Centre. She, however, did not mince her words when it came to targeting the Left parties in the state. "Those who wore red shirts earlier are now donning saffron kurtas in West Bengal," the TMC chief said, indicating that many BJP workers in the state are former CPI(M) cadres. The CM also iterated that Modi will ensure that there was no further election in the country if re-elected to power. She charged the poll panel with "doing the bidding of the BJP". Banerjee, whose party was accused of unleashing a reign of terror during the panchayat polls, insisted that it was her partymen who were killed during the elections in 2018. "In Bengal, there is a democratically elected dispensation, but the BJP is trying to run a parallel government here. A retired officer is dictating terms to the serving officers, this is unconstitutional," she said, referring to the two special observers appointed by the EC to oversee polls in West Bengal.

Will ask Election Commission to seek expenditure details of PM Modi's rallies: Mamata Banerjee

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Sunday trashed AAP's allegations that opposition MLAs were offered money and plum posts to switch over to the Congress, saying the Arvind Kejriwal-led party was frustrated over its failure in garnering support in the state and indulging in gimmickry.

He asked why would the Congress buy opposition MLAs when it already has a majority in the state assembly.

"It's a case of sheer frustration over AAP's complete failure to mop up support and keep the party intact in Punjab," he said.

"AAP has completely lost its narrative in Punjab and was reduced to indulging in all kinds of gimmickry and fabrications in a desperate bid to retain some semblance of being a serious party," he added.

The chief minister said hurling false accusations at the Congress was not going to help the AAP regain lost ground.

Aam Aadmi Party's state unit president and Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann had earlier alleged that the Congress had been offering up to Rs 10 crore and plum posts to AAP MLAs in the state to make them switch over to the Congress before the polling for the 13 LS seats in Punjab.

Meanwhile, Singh on Sunday welcomed former MLA Vijay Kumar Sathi back into the party fold, claiming the influx into the Punjab Congress was a sign of the growing disenchantment within other parties active in the state's political arena.

Sathi had quit the party's primary membership in January 2015, along with several others in support of former MP Jagmeet Singh Brar.

A former Janata Dal MLA from Bagha Purana, Sathi said he would work hard for the success of the Congress in parliamentary polls, and thereafter.

Singh said he was happy to have Sathi back in the Congress and was confident the party would benefit from his experience.

The polling for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will be held in the seventh and final phase on May 19.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Sunday trashed AAP's allegations that opposition MLAs were offered money and plum posts to switch over to the Congress, saying the Arvind Kejriwal-led party was frustrated over its failure in garnering support in the state and indulging in gimmickry.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Sunday trashed AAP's allegations that opposition MLAs were offered money and plum posts to switch over to the Congress, saying the Arvind Kejriwal-led party was frustrated over its failure in garnering support in the state and indulging in gimmickry. He asked why would the Congress buy opposition MLAs when it already has a majority in the state assembly. "It's a case of sheer frustration over AAP's complete failure to mop up support and keep the party intact in Punjab," he said. "AAP has completely lost its narrative in Punjab and was reduced to indulging in all kinds of gimmickry and fabrications in a desperate bid to retain some semblance of being a serious party," he added. The chief minister said hurling false accusations at the Congress was not going to help the AAP regain lost ground. Aam Aadmi Party's state unit president and Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann had earlier alleged that the Congress had been offering up to Rs 10 crore and plum posts to AAP MLAs in the state to make them switch over to the Congress before the polling for the 13 LS seats in Punjab. Meanwhile, Singh on Sunday welcomed former MLA Vijay Kumar Sathi back into the party fold, claiming the influx into the Punjab Congress was a sign of the growing disenchantment within other parties active in the state's political arena. Sathi had quit the party's primary membership in January 2015, along with several others in support of former MP Jagmeet Singh Brar. A former Janata Dal MLA from Bagha Purana, Sathi said he would work hard for the success of the Congress in parliamentary polls, and thereafter. Singh said he was happy to have Sathi back in the Congress and was confident the party would benefit from his experience. The polling for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will be held in the seventh and final phase on May 19.

'We already have majority', Amarinder Singh on AAP allegations of 'buying MLAs'

With four Uttar Pradesh ministers fighting the ongoing Lok Sabha polls and standing "bright chances" to win their seats, the Adityanath government may have to undertake its first Cabinet reshuffle soon after the elections are over.

The four state ministers in the poll fray include Rita Bahuguna Joshi from Allahabad, S P Singh Baghel from Agra, Satyadev Pachauri from Kanpur and Mukut Bihari from Ambedkarnagar parliamentary constituencies.&nbsp;

"The names of ministers were zeroed in on for fielding, seeing their track record, utility and effectiveness in respective areas, dedication towards the party, communication with party workers and their overall performance, the names of ministers were zeroed in on," state BJP spokesperson Hero Bajpai told PTI.

"They all stand bright chances of winning their respective seats," he added.

Asked by PTI recently if any Cabinet reshuffle is on cards, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said, "First let the elections get over."&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

The whole election process will be completed by May 27 after counting of votes on May 23, said an Election Commission official.&nbsp;

Among the four state ministers fielded so far in the ongoing polls, the name of Cooperative Minister Mukut Bihari figured in the BJP latest poll list.

Bihari has been fielded from Ambedkarnagar parliamentary constituency which goes to polls on May 12 in the sixth phase.&nbsp;

The BJP had earlier named Minister for Animal Husbandry, Minor Irrigation and Fisheries Baghel in its first list as its candidate for the reserved Lok Sabha seat of Agra.&nbsp; 
Agra had gone to polls on April 18 in the second phase of elections.&nbsp;

Two others, Minister for Women, Family, Mother and Child Welfare Department Joshi and Minister for Khadi Village Industries, Sericulture, Textile, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Export Promotion departments Pachauri have been fielded from Allahabad and Kanpur Lok Sabha seats.

Joshi, who is presently also the tourism minister in the UP Cabinet had contested the 2014 General Elections from Lucknow parliamentary constituency on a Congress ticket and lost to the BJP's Rajnath Singh.

Voting in Kanpur will be held on April 29, while Allahabad goes to polls on May 12. 
&nbsp;

With four Uttar Pradesh ministers fighting the ongoing Lok Sabha polls and standing "bright chances" to win their seats, the Adityanath government may have to undertake its first Cabinet reshuffle soon after the elections are over.

With four Uttar Pradesh ministers fighting the ongoing Lok Sabha polls and standing "bright chances" to win their seats, the Adityanath government may have to undertake its first Cabinet reshuffle soon after the elections are over. The four state ministers in the poll fray include Rita Bahuguna Joshi from Allahabad, S P Singh Baghel from Agra, Satyadev Pachauri from Kanpur and Mukut Bihari from Ambedkarnagar parliamentary constituencies. "The names of ministers were zeroed in on for fielding, seeing their track record, utility and effectiveness in respective areas, dedication towards the party, communication with party workers and their overall performance, the names of ministers were zeroed in on," state BJP spokesperson Hero Bajpai told PTI. "They all stand bright chances of winning their respective seats," he added. Asked by PTI recently if any Cabinet reshuffle is on cards, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said, "First let the elections get over." The whole election process will be completed by May 27 after counting of votes on May 23, said an Election Commission official. Among the four state ministers fielded so far in the ongoing polls, the name of Cooperative Minister Mukut Bihari figured in the BJP latest poll list. Bihari has been fielded from Ambedkarnagar parliamentary constituency which goes to polls on May 12 in the sixth phase. The BJP had earlier named Minister for Animal Husbandry, Minor Irrigation and Fisheries Baghel in its first list as its candidate for the reserved Lok Sabha seat of Agra. Agra had gone to polls on April 18 in the second phase of elections. Two others, Minister for Women, Family, Mother and Child Welfare Department Joshi and Minister for Khadi Village Industries, Sericulture, Textile, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Export Promotion departments Pachauri have been fielded from Allahabad and Kanpur Lok Sabha seats. Joshi, who is presently also the tourism minister in the UP Cabinet had contested the 2014 General Elections from Lucknow parliamentary constituency on a Congress ticket and lost to the BJP's Rajnath Singh. Voting in Kanpur will be held on April 29, while Allahabad goes to polls on May 12.

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet may undergo reshuffle soon after general polls

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son, a member of erstwhile Jaipur royal family and two Union ministers are among 115 candidates whose fate will be decided in polling on 13 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan on Monday.

The polling will take place amid tight security arrangements from 7 am to 6 pm on Monday in 13 of total 25 constituencies - Tonk-Sawaimadhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota and Jhalawar-Baran, according to chief electoral officer Anand Kumar.

Jodhpur became one of the most talked about seats in the Congress-ruled state where Gehlot did massive campaigning for his son Vaibhav, pitted against sitting MP and Union minister of state Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.&nbsp;

The Jodhpur constituency, which has been represented by Gehlot for five times since 1980, has become a prestige issue for him who conducted more than 90 rallies, public meetings, road shows in the constituency during the campaigning period which ended Saturday evening.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah also held public meetings and road shows in Jodhpur to ensure the victory of party candidate Shekhawat.&nbsp;

In Barmer seat, former external affairs minister Jaswant Singh Manvendra is contesting the election on Congress ticket against BJP's Kailash Chaudhary.&nbsp; 
The seat is spread over entire Barmer and half of Jaisalmer district. It was once held by Manvendra's father and he is banking on the support of Rajputs, associated castes and minority.&nbsp;

Former BJP MLA and ex Jaipur royal family member Diya Kumari is making debut in the Lok Sabha election as a BJP candidate from Rajsamand while Union minister of state P P Chaudhary is in the fray from Pali.

The Tonk-Sawaimadhopur seat will see a contest between former Union Minister and Congress candidate Namonarain Meena and BJP MP Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria.

Industrialist and Congress candidate Riju Jhunjhunwala and BJP's Bhagirath Chaudhary will fight to win Ajmer seat.

This seat in 2009 was won by Sachin Pilot, who is now the state Congress chief and Rajasthan's deputy chief minister.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

About 2.57 crore people are eligible to vote at 28, 182 polling stations in the 13 constituencies where elaborate security arrangements have been made.

Meanwhile, Udaipur based Narayan Seva Sansthan has provided wheelchairs to authorities for the convenience of differently abled voters.

"We have given 150 wheelchairs for the convenience of Divyang voters on the election day. Our volunteers will be deployed specifically to help of Divyang, pregnant women, elderly voters at booths," Prashant Agarwal, president of the organisation said.

Remaining 12 constituencies - Sriganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhuju, and Sikar, Jaipur rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, Dausa and Nagaur - will go to polls on May 6.&nbsp;

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son, a member of erstwhile Jaipur royal family and two Union ministers are among 115 candidates whose fate will be decided in polling on 13 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan on Monday.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son, a member of erstwhile Jaipur royal family and two Union ministers are among 115 candidates whose fate will be decided in polling on 13 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan on Monday. The polling will take place amid tight security arrangements from 7 am to 6 pm on Monday in 13 of total 25 constituencies - Tonk-Sawaimadhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota and Jhalawar-Baran, according to chief electoral officer Anand Kumar. Jodhpur became one of the most talked about seats in the Congress-ruled state where Gehlot did massive campaigning for his son Vaibhav, pitted against sitting MP and Union minister of state Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The Jodhpur constituency, which has been represented by Gehlot for five times since 1980, has become a prestige issue for him who conducted more than 90 rallies, public meetings, road shows in the constituency during the campaigning period which ended Saturday evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah also held public meetings and road shows in Jodhpur to ensure the victory of party candidate Shekhawat. In Barmer seat, former external affairs minister Jaswant Singh Manvendra is contesting the election on Congress ticket against BJP's Kailash Chaudhary. The seat is spread over entire Barmer and half of Jaisalmer district. It was once held by Manvendra's father and he is banking on the support of Rajputs, associated castes and minority. Former BJP MLA and ex Jaipur royal family member Diya Kumari is making debut in the Lok Sabha election as a BJP candidate from Rajsamand while Union minister of state P P Chaudhary is in the fray from Pali. The Tonk-Sawaimadhopur seat will see a contest between former Union Minister and Congress candidate Namonarain Meena and BJP MP Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria. Industrialist and Congress candidate Riju Jhunjhunwala and BJP's Bhagirath Chaudhary will fight to win Ajmer seat. This seat in 2009 was won by Sachin Pilot, who is now the state Congress chief and Rajasthan's deputy chief minister. About 2.57 crore people are eligible to vote at 28, 182 polling stations in the 13 constituencies where elaborate security arrangements have been made. Meanwhile, Udaipur based Narayan Seva Sansthan has provided wheelchairs to authorities for the convenience of differently abled voters. "We have given 150 wheelchairs for the convenience of Divyang voters on the election day. Our volunteers will be deployed specifically to help of Divyang, pregnant women, elderly voters at booths," Prashant Agarwal, president of the organisation said. Remaining 12 constituencies - Sriganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhuju, and Sikar, Jaipur rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, Dausa and Nagaur - will go to polls on May 6.

13 of 25 seats in Rajasthan to go to polls on Monday, 115 candidates in the fray 

BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan asserted on Sunday that the ruling NDA is on track to retain power at the Centre, helped by the "Modi factor" and the appeal of the issue of nationalism, while the Opposition has become a picture of "disunity" in a key state like Bihar.

The Lok Janshakti Party leader said the 2019 general election stands out from many elections he has seen in his over five-decade long career for the centrality of the issue of nationalism in this poll with people supporting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for development as well as national security.

In an interview to PTI, the Dalit leader said the momentum in the NDA's favour is increasing in every phase of polling and that the "wave has now become a tsunami".

Three phases of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections have been held so far, with the Hindi-heartland states being the key battleground in the remaining phases.

Paswan claimed there has been no contest so far in Bihar, seen as a key state to the NDA's fortunes. Giving seat-wise figures to support his claim, Paswan said opposition parties like the Congress and the RJD have been working at cross-purposes while "united" NDA partners -- BJP, JD(U) and LJP -- have got better of them in most seats.

"Our vote is increasing in every phase. The Modi factor was recently at work in the prime minister's massive road shows in Varanasi and Jharkhand. More people are joining us. On the other hand, opposition parties have not been able to unite either in Delhi or here in Bihar. People wonder what is the point of even voting for them as they don't know what these parties will do," he said.

The NDA may win over 35 seats of the total 40 in Bihar, he said. It had won 31 in 2014.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi and RJD's Tejashwai Yadav have often avoided campaigning for candidates of the other party, Paswan said and added that they held their first joint rally in Samastipur only this Friday.

"I am confident that the NDA will repeat the scale of victory it had achieved the last time. It will form the government under Modi's leadership," he said. 
The NDA had won 336 seats in 543-member Lok Sabha in 2014, with the BJP getting its maiden majority by winning 282 seats on its own.

Paswan said issues like terrorism and nationalism may have emerged as central issues in the poll but Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has also received people's support on the plank of development.

From subsidised food to LPG cylinders, toilets, homes and health insurance, the government is working to provide the masses with all essentials of life, he said, adding that people have been backing the NDA for these measures as well.

But it is the emotive issue of nationalism and action against Pakistan-based terrorists that has been a central theme of the NDA's campaign, something that the opposition has criticised, accusing the ruling dispensation of using them to divert people's attention from issues like jobs and economy.

The LJP leader dismissed the opposition criticism, saying "all is fair in love and war". He also hit back at the opposition parties and alleged a "sinister campaign" over the issue among Muslims.

"The big issue here is that we target terrorists, we say terrorism should be finished, but they (Opposition) whisper in Muslims' ears that we want to finish them. As if, Muslims are terrorists," he said.

Paswan referred to the response from people when NDA leaders in their campaign speeches invoke the issue of nationalism, saying all such references have received wide support from the masses.

The Modi factor and the nationalism issue have helped the NDA cover up localised factors like choice of candidates among others, he said.

Paswan claimed that a section of even Yadavs, seen as a solid vote bank of Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have supported NDA nominees in seats where opposition candidates enjoyed little connect with them.

Yadavs have long been part of "power politics" and they are in no mood to give votes to candidates of parties Vikassheel Insaan Party or Hindustani Awam Morcha as they have little resonance on the ground, he said. Both these parties are also part of the opposition alliance.

The 72-year-old leader is not fighting the poll this time with his younger brother Pashupati Kumar Paras contesting from Hajipur, a seat Paswan has traditionally represented in Lok Sabha. The senior leader's son Chirag and another brother Ramchandra Paswan, both MPs, are also in the fray. The LJP had won six seats in 2014.&nbsp;

BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan asserted on Sunday that the ruling NDA is on track to retain power at the Centre, helped by the "Modi factor" and the appeal of the issue of nationalism, while the Opposition has become a picture of "disunity" in a key state like Bihar.

BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan asserted on Sunday that the ruling NDA is on track to retain power at the Centre, helped by the "Modi factor" and the appeal of the issue of nationalism, while the Opposition has become a picture of "disunity" in a key state like Bihar. The Lok Janshakti Party leader said the 2019 general election stands out from many elections he has seen in his over five-decade long career for the centrality of the issue of nationalism in this poll with people supporting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for development as well as national security. In an interview to PTI, the Dalit leader said the momentum in the NDA's favour is increasing in every phase of polling and that the "wave has now become a tsunami". Three phases of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections have been held so far, with the Hindi-heartland states being the key battleground in the remaining phases. Paswan claimed there has been no contest so far in Bihar, seen as a key state to the NDA's fortunes. Giving seat-wise figures to support his claim, Paswan said opposition parties like the Congress and the RJD have been working at cross-purposes while "united" NDA partners -- BJP, JD(U) and LJP -- have got better of them in most seats. "Our vote is increasing in every phase. The Modi factor was recently at work in the prime minister's massive road shows in Varanasi and Jharkhand. More people are joining us. On the other hand, opposition parties have not been able to unite either in Delhi or here in Bihar. People wonder what is the point of even voting for them as they don't know what these parties will do," he said. The NDA may win over 35 seats of the total 40 in Bihar, he said. It had won 31 in 2014. Congress president Rahul Gandhi and RJD's Tejashwai Yadav have often avoided campaigning for candidates of the other party, Paswan said and added that they held their first joint rally in Samastipur only this Friday. "I am confident that the NDA will repeat the scale of victory it had achieved the last time. It will form the government under Modi's leadership," he said. The NDA had won 336 seats in 543-member Lok Sabha in 2014, with the BJP getting its maiden majority by winning 282 seats on its own. Paswan said issues like terrorism and nationalism may have emerged as central issues in the poll but Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has also received people's support on the plank of development. From subsidised food to LPG cylinders, toilets, homes and health insurance, the government is working to provide the masses with all essentials of life, he said, adding that people have been backing the NDA for these measures as well. But it is the emotive issue of nationalism and action against Pakistan-based terrorists that has been a central theme of the NDA's campaign, something that the opposition has criticised, accusing the ruling dispensation of using them to divert people's attention from issues like jobs and economy. The LJP leader dismissed the opposition criticism, saying "all is fair in love and war". He also hit back at the opposition parties and alleged a "sinister campaign" over the issue among Muslims. "The big issue here is that we target terrorists, we say terrorism should be finished, but they (Opposition) whisper in Muslims' ears that we want to finish them. As if, Muslims are terrorists," he said. Paswan referred to the response from people when NDA leaders in their campaign speeches invoke the issue of nationalism, saying all such references have received wide support from the masses. The Modi factor and the nationalism issue have helped the NDA cover up localised factors like choice of candidates among others, he said. Paswan claimed that a section of even Yadavs, seen as a solid vote bank of Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have supported NDA nominees in seats where opposition candidates enjoyed little connect with them. Yadavs have long been part of "power politics" and they are in no mood to give votes to candidates of parties Vikassheel Insaan Party or Hindustani Awam Morcha as they have little resonance on the ground, he said. Both these parties are also part of the opposition alliance. The 72-year-old leader is not fighting the poll this time with his younger brother Pashupati Kumar Paras contesting from Hajipur, a seat Paswan has traditionally represented in Lok Sabha. The senior leader's son Chirag and another brother Ramchandra Paswan, both MPs, are also in the fray. The LJP had won six seats in 2014.

NDA is gaining momentum in every phase, set to repeat its 2014 win: Ram Vilas Paswan

The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala Sunday rejected allegations of bogus voting at various polling booths in the Kasargod Lok Sabha constituency during elections on April 23 and welcomed any probe into the charges.

There is no need for the CPI(M) to resort to bogus voting for winning the elections in Kerala, senior CPI-M leader and state Finance Minister TM Thomas Isaac told reporters here.

He said secretaries of CPI(M)'s Kasargod and Kannur districts have already rejected the allegations.

Those who were not satisfied with their clarifications can approach the Election Commission, which has established mechanisms to examine such allegations, Issac, also the central committee member of the CPI(M), said.

The CPI(M) is ready to face any probe into the allegations, he said.

His statement comes a day after Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena sought a report from officers in Kasargod and Kannur districts collectors over claims of bogus voting.

Local TV channels in the state had aired visuals of some people casting their votes twice at two polling booths in Kasaragod constituency.

On Saturday, Congress Leader Ramesh Chennithala had lashed out at the ruling LDF alleging that the CPI(M) has resorted to bogus voting, fearing defeat in elections.

He said the Left was trying to manipulate the public mandate and the Congress would initiate legal proceedings against the bogus voting.

Polling was held for all 20 Lok Sabha seats in the state on April 23.&nbsp;

The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala Sunday rejected allegations of bogus voting at various polling booths in the Kasargod Lok Sabha constituency during elections on April 23 and welcomed any probe into the charges.

The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala Sunday rejected allegations of bogus voting at various polling booths in the Kasargod Lok Sabha constituency during elections on April 23 and welcomed any probe into the charges. There is no need for the CPI(M) to resort to bogus voting for winning the elections in Kerala, senior CPI-M leader and state Finance Minister TM Thomas Isaac told reporters here. He said secretaries of CPI(M)'s Kasargod and Kannur districts have already rejected the allegations. Those who were not satisfied with their clarifications can approach the Election Commission, which has established mechanisms to examine such allegations, Issac, also the central committee member of the CPI(M), said. The CPI(M) is ready to face any probe into the allegations, he said. His statement comes a day after Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena sought a report from officers in Kasargod and Kannur districts collectors over claims of bogus voting. Local TV channels in the state had aired visuals of some people casting their votes twice at two polling booths in Kasaragod constituency. On Saturday, Congress Leader Ramesh Chennithala had lashed out at the ruling LDF alleging that the CPI(M) has resorted to bogus voting, fearing defeat in elections. He said the Left was trying to manipulate the public mandate and the Congress would initiate legal proceedings against the bogus voting. Polling was held for all 20 Lok Sabha seats in the state on April 23.

Kerala: CPI(M) rejects bogus voting charges, welcomes probe

BJP President Amit Shah on Saturday affirmed in a public meeting at Sitamarhi that it is the Modi government which has truly secured the borders of the country and made national security as its foremost priority.

"The Prime Minister has taken effective steps to secure the borders of the country. In the regime of UPA-I and II, enemy forces used to run havoc in the country but no action was taken on that front," Shah contended.

"In the recent past, our 40 security personnel lost their lives in the Pulwama attack by Pakistan-aided terrorism. Due to the decisive nature of PM Modi, our brave Indian Air Force (IAF) troops retaliated and entered enemy territory to debase their terror camps. India is only the third country after Israel and the United States of America (USA) to have retaliated to terrorism in this brave manner," Shah asserted.

"Sam Pitroda issued a statement that such retaliation is unwarranted but is it a fair question by the opposition," Amit Shah asked the public.

"One thing is clear that if Pakistan fires a bullet, we'll surely bomb them," he affirmed.

"Omar Abdullah said that Kashmir should have a different Prime Minister. It is very unfair and this shows their design that they want Kashmir to not be part of the nation. Till the date, BJP workers are alive, we will make sure that Kashmir is an integral part of India," Shah said.

"In every corner of the country, people are not chanting the name of Prime Minister Modi without any reason. They are chanting PM Modi's name because he works for the poor with honesty and purpose. He has never taken a holiday since he became Gujrat's chief minister. He works 18 hours a day and takes tough decisions with sensitivity for the people," he said.

"8 crore households have got toilets, 2.5 crore houses have been made for the poor and 2.35 crore people have got electricity for the first time in their houses. Under Ayushman Bharat Yojana, 50 crore people have got the facility of getting upto Rs 5 Lakh for treatment of serious diseases, free of cost," he added.

"In the times of RJD and Congress rule, people were deprived of basic healthcare facilities. It is the BJP government which has taken credible steps towards alleviation of these problems," Shah lamented.

The BJP President then elaborated the steps taken by the central and state government for the development of Bihar.

"PM Modi has done a lot for the development of Bihar. The NDA government under Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi have freed Bihar from the lawlessness under the jungle raj of RJD rule," he said.

"Rahul Gandhi keeps asking PM Modi that what has been done in five years. In reality, Rahul Baba has no right to ask this as he did precious little for Bihar when his government was there. In the 13th Finance Commission under the UPA rule, Bihar got Rs 1.93 lakh crore. When PM Modi came in power, the NDA government gave above Rs 6.06 lakh crore to Bihar. What right does UPA have to question us?" Shah questioned.

"The NDA government brought in 133 development schemes for the people of the country. We brought dignity for the backward and oppressed classes of the country. We also heard the plight of economically backward classes in the forward classes by giving them 10% reservation without affecting other classes," he said.

He specifically cited road and railway construction in North Bihar and of the inclusion of Sitamarhi in the Ramayan Circuit by the NDA government which includes a road to Nepal that was built from here.

Shah talked about other development work done in Bihar and urged the public to vote for NDA and not the propagators of jungle raj.

Three phases of the general election are over in Bihar while four phases remain on April 29, May 6, 12 and 19. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.&nbsp;

BJP President Amit Shah on Saturday affirmed in a public meeting at Sitamarhi that it is the Modi government which has truly secured the borders of the country and made national security as its foremost priority.

BJP President Amit Shah on Saturday affirmed in a public meeting at Sitamarhi that it is the Modi government which has truly secured the borders of the country and made national security as its foremost priority. "The Prime Minister has taken effective steps to secure the borders of the country. In the regime of UPA-I and II, enemy forces used to run havoc in the country but no action was taken on that front," Shah contended. "In the recent past, our 40 security personnel lost their lives in the Pulwama attack by Pakistan-aided terrorism. Due to the decisive nature of PM Modi, our brave Indian Air Force (IAF) troops retaliated and entered enemy territory to debase their terror camps. India is only the third country after Israel and the United States of America (USA) to have retaliated to terrorism in this brave manner," Shah asserted. "Sam Pitroda issued a statement that such retaliation is unwarranted but is it a fair question by the opposition," Amit Shah asked the public. "One thing is clear that if Pakistan fires a bullet, we'll surely bomb them," he affirmed. "Omar Abdullah said that Kashmir should have a different Prime Minister. It is very unfair and this shows their design that they want Kashmir to not be part of the nation. Till the date, BJP workers are alive, we will make sure that Kashmir is an integral part of India," Shah said. "In every corner of the country, people are not chanting the name of Prime Minister Modi without any reason. They are chanting PM Modi's name because he works for the poor with honesty and purpose. He has never taken a holiday since he became Gujrat's chief minister. He works 18 hours a day and takes tough decisions with sensitivity for the people," he said. "8 crore households have got toilets, 2.5 crore houses have been made for the poor and 2.35 crore people have got electricity for the first time in their houses. Under Ayushman Bharat Yojana, 50 crore people have got the facility of getting upto Rs 5 Lakh for treatment of serious diseases, free of cost," he added. "In the times of RJD and Congress rule, people were deprived of basic healthcare facilities. It is the BJP government which has taken credible steps towards alleviation of these problems," Shah lamented. The BJP President then elaborated the steps taken by the central and state government for the development of Bihar. "PM Modi has done a lot for the development of Bihar. The NDA government under Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi have freed Bihar from the lawlessness under the jungle raj of RJD rule," he said. "Rahul Gandhi keeps asking PM Modi that what has been done in five years. In reality, Rahul Baba has no right to ask this as he did precious little for Bihar when his government was there. In the 13th Finance Commission under the UPA rule, Bihar got Rs 1.93 lakh crore. When PM Modi came in power, the NDA government gave above Rs 6.06 lakh crore to Bihar. What right does UPA have to question us?" Shah questioned. "The NDA government brought in 133 development schemes for the people of the country. We brought dignity for the backward and oppressed classes of the country. We also heard the plight of economically backward classes in the forward classes by giving them 10% reservation without affecting other classes," he said. He specifically cited road and railway construction in North Bihar and of the inclusion of Sitamarhi in the Ramayan Circuit by the NDA government which includes a road to Nepal that was built from here. Shah talked about other development work done in Bihar and urged the public to vote for NDA and not the propagators of jungle raj. Three phases of the general election are over in Bihar while four phases remain on April 29, May 6, 12 and 19. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.

If Pakistan fires a bullet, we will surely bomb them: Amit Shah

Union minister Subhash Bhamre, and Congress leaders Milind Deora and Urmila Matondkar are among the 323 candidates whose fate would be decided in the fourth and final phase of polling in Maharashtra across 17 Lok Sabha seats on Monday.

Altogether 3.11 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise across the 17 seats of Mumbai metropolitan region and parts of northern and western Maharashtra.

The constituencies up for grabs are - Nandurbar, Dhule, Dindori, Nashik (North Maharashtra), Palghar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Thane, Mumbai-North, Mumbai-North West, Mumbai-North Central, Mumbai-North East, Mumbai-South and Mumbai-South Central in the Mumbai region, Maval and Shirur in Pune district, and Shirdi in Ahmednagar district.

There are 65 critical booths in suburban Mumbai where the polling process will be monitored through web-casting, an election official said.

People will not be allowed to take their mobile phones inside the polling booths, he said.

A total of 33,314 polling stations are set up across the 17 constituencies.

Out of 3,11,92,823 eligible voters, 1,66,31,707 are men, 1,45,59,698 women and 1,418 members of the third gender.

In the 2014 general polls, the BJP won eight out of these 17 seats and its ally Shiv Sena bagged nine.

The BJP last year also won the bypoll to Palghar Lok Sabha seat, where sitting MP Rajendra Gavit is contesting on Shiv Sena's ticket this time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed rallies in Nandurbar, Dindori and Mumbai and tried to woo the rural as well as cosmopolitan voters by highlighting infrastructural and developmental work done under his rule.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who campaigned in Shirdi, tried to project his party's proposed minimum guarantee scheme 'NYAY' as a game changer for the poor.

Bhamre is BJP's nominee from Dhule, while Deora and Matondkar are contesting on Congress' ticket from Mumbai-South and Mumbai-North seats, respectively.

Deora is pitted against sitting Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant while Matondkar is taking on BJP veteran and parliamentarian Gopal Shetty.

The other prominent candidates include Congress' Priya Dutt from Mumbai-North Central seat and NCP chief Sharad Pawar's grandnephew Parth Pawar, who is entering the electoral politics from Maval seat.

In Mumbai-North East seat, where sitting BJP MP Kirit Somaiya has been denied a ticket, the main contest is between the party nominee Manoj Kotak and NCP's Sanjay Dina Patil.

Saffron allies BJP and Shiv Sena are contesting three seats each out of total six in Mumbai.

The Congress nominees are in the fray in five of these seats while the NCP has fielded its candidate in one seat.

In Nashik, sitting Sena MP Hemant Godse is in the fray against Sameer Bhujbal, nephew of NCP stalwart Chhagan Bhujbal who is battling money laundering charges.

Maharashtra sends 48 MPs to Lok Sabha, the second highest after Uttar Pradesh which has 80 parliamentary seats.

Polling for the previous three phases in Maharashtra was held on April 11 (seven seats), April 18 (10 seats) and April 23 (14 seats).

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Mumbai, in view of the recent serial blasts in Sri Lanka.

Over 40,400 security personnel have been deployed in the metropolis for the smooth conduct of the polls, according to a statement issued by Mumbai Police.

Anti-terror measures have also been put in place with personnel from Force One, Quick Response Teams, Assault Teams and Anti-Terrorism Cell being deployed in Mumbai.

Over 17,000 officers and staff members of the Mumbai Police have registered to cast their votes through postal ballots.&nbsp;

Union minister Subhash Bhamre, and Congress leaders Milind Deora and Urmila Matondkar are among the 323 candidates whose fate would be decided in the fourth and final phase of polling in Maharashtra across 17 Lok Sabha seats on Monday.

Union minister Subhash Bhamre, and Congress leaders Milind Deora and Urmila Matondkar are among the 323 candidates whose fate would be decided in the fourth and final phase of polling in Maharashtra across 17 Lok Sabha seats on Monday. Altogether 3.11 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise across the 17 seats of Mumbai metropolitan region and parts of northern and western Maharashtra. The constituencies up for grabs are - Nandurbar, Dhule, Dindori, Nashik (North Maharashtra), Palghar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Thane, Mumbai-North, Mumbai-North West, Mumbai-North Central, Mumbai-North East, Mumbai-South and Mumbai-South Central in the Mumbai region, Maval and Shirur in Pune district, and Shirdi in Ahmednagar district. There are 65 critical booths in suburban Mumbai where the polling process will be monitored through web-casting, an election official said. People will not be allowed to take their mobile phones inside the polling booths, he said. A total of 33,314 polling stations are set up across the 17 constituencies. Out of 3,11,92,823 eligible voters, 1,66,31,707 are men, 1,45,59,698 women and 1,418 members of the third gender. In the 2014 general polls, the BJP won eight out of these 17 seats and its ally Shiv Sena bagged nine. The BJP last year also won the bypoll to Palghar Lok Sabha seat, where sitting MP Rajendra Gavit is contesting on Shiv Sena's ticket this time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed rallies in Nandurbar, Dindori and Mumbai and tried to woo the rural as well as cosmopolitan voters by highlighting infrastructural and developmental work done under his rule. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who campaigned in Shirdi, tried to project his party's proposed minimum guarantee scheme 'NYAY' as a game changer for the poor. Bhamre is BJP's nominee from Dhule, while Deora and Matondkar are contesting on Congress' ticket from Mumbai-South and Mumbai-North seats, respectively. Deora is pitted against sitting Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant while Matondkar is taking on BJP veteran and parliamentarian Gopal Shetty. The other prominent candidates include Congress' Priya Dutt from Mumbai-North Central seat and NCP chief Sharad Pawar's grandnephew Parth Pawar, who is entering the electoral politics from Maval seat. In Mumbai-North East seat, where sitting BJP MP Kirit Somaiya has been denied a ticket, the main contest is between the party nominee Manoj Kotak and NCP's Sanjay Dina Patil. Saffron allies BJP and Shiv Sena are contesting three seats each out of total six in Mumbai. The Congress nominees are in the fray in five of these seats while the NCP has fielded its candidate in one seat. In Nashik, sitting Sena MP Hemant Godse is in the fray against Sameer Bhujbal, nephew of NCP stalwart Chhagan Bhujbal who is battling money laundering charges. Maharashtra sends 48 MPs to Lok Sabha, the second highest after Uttar Pradesh which has 80 parliamentary seats. Polling for the previous three phases in Maharashtra was held on April 11 (seven seats), April 18 (10 seats) and April 23 (14 seats). Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Mumbai, in view of the recent serial blasts in Sri Lanka. Over 40,400 security personnel have been deployed in the metropolis for the smooth conduct of the polls, according to a statement issued by Mumbai Police. Anti-terror measures have also been put in place with personnel from Force One, Quick Response Teams, Assault Teams and Anti-Terrorism Cell being deployed in Mumbai. Over 17,000 officers and staff members of the Mumbai Police have registered to cast their votes through postal ballots.

Maharashtra: Polling in 17 seats in fourth phase on Monday

Former cricketer and BJP's candidate from East Delhi constituency, Gautam Gambhir downplayed the allegations levelled by AAP against him and slammed them for their negative politics.

When asked about the allegations made by AAP's Atishi Marlena on his name figuring twice in electoral rolls, Gambhir retorted, "When a party has no vision and has not done anything in the last four and a half years, they stoop to these levels of allegations. There is a great difference between the thinking of BJP and AAP. We do positive politics."

He added, "We will do everything according to the rules."

"We will make promises which are achievable. Many people have said that they will make Delhi into Paris or London. In reality, we will develop Delhi in such a way that people will be happy to live in such a city with a robust infrastructure. Our greatest challenge will be to achieve our honest promises," he added.

On being asked about the development of East Delhi, Gambhir said, "Not only East Delhi, but the entire Delhi's development will be our priority. We will make it the best constituency."

Gambhir expressed confidence in Prime Minister Modi's leadership.

"We need a decisive leader who could take tough steps. If you see our steps after Uri attack or Pulwama attack, we have responded in a strong and decisive way. Today our country needs good leadership for the development and progress of the nation and our PM Modi is one such leader."

"Our PM's vision is for the development of the country and we would always like to join a party which follows such vision. He knows the strength of the country and knows how to take strong decisions," he signed off.

Delhi goes to poll on May 12 in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha Elections. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.&nbsp;

Former cricketer and BJP's candidate from East Delhi constituency, Gautam Gambhir downplayed the allegations levelled by AAP against him and slammed them for their negative politics.

Former cricketer and BJP's candidate from East Delhi constituency, Gautam Gambhir downplayed the allegations levelled by AAP against him and slammed them for their negative politics. When asked about the allegations made by AAP's Atishi Marlena on his name figuring twice in electoral rolls, Gambhir retorted, "When a party has no vision and has not done anything in the last four and a half years, they stoop to these levels of allegations. There is a great difference between the thinking of BJP and AAP. We do positive politics." He added, "We will do everything according to the rules." "We will make promises which are achievable. Many people have said that they will make Delhi into Paris or London. In reality, we will develop Delhi in such a way that people will be happy to live in such a city with a robust infrastructure. Our greatest challenge will be to achieve our honest promises," he added. On being asked about the development of East Delhi, Gambhir said, "Not only East Delhi, but the entire Delhi's development will be our priority. We will make it the best constituency." Gambhir expressed confidence in Prime Minister Modi's leadership. "We need a decisive leader who could take tough steps. If you see our steps after Uri attack or Pulwama attack, we have responded in a strong and decisive way. Today our country needs good leadership for the development and progress of the nation and our PM Modi is one such leader." "Our PM's vision is for the development of the country and we would always like to join a party which follows such vision. He knows the strength of the country and knows how to take strong decisions," he signed off. Delhi goes to poll on May 12 in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha Elections. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.

Gambhir downplays AAP's allegations, says 'I believe in positive politics'

As we approach the halfway mark of the seven-phase 2019 elections, it is clear that this is the ugliest campaign in India’s 70-year-old electoral history. As a witness to three general elections and an activist observer or researcher in 12 others, one has never witnessed so much bad blood as this seventeenth general election.&nbsp;

This, of course, has not happened overnight. It has reached this stage because critical issues confronting the electoral system have not been addressed over the years. To ensure fair and free polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) was given statutory status. In 1962, the idea of a ‘model code’, experimented for the first time in Kerala in 1960, was adopted. In 1979, certain restraints were introduced for the party in power. In 1991, Election Commissioner T N Seshan demonstrated what a proactive and independent ECI could do to ensure independence. There were more than a couple of parliamentary committees set up to propose electoral reforms. But with political parties becoming all-powerful, despite losing much of their sheen, electoral practices have continued to decline.&nbsp;

Take Indonesia. With a history of two decades of elections and 187 million voters, the country had a one-day national poll recently. Whereas in India, a voter has to wait for 43 days to know the winner, despite the EVMs. &nbsp;Never before has the ECI been seen to be as partisan as today and no efforts have been made to ensure that the electoral process regains credibility.&nbsp;

Instruments like the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) have outlived their utility. The irrelevance of ECI’s instruments is evident from a cursory reading of the code. Neither of the eight provisions dealing with the conduct of poll is being observed either by the candidates or the political parties in the fray. &nbsp;The first of the eight is on “general conduct” of polls. This includes a ban on “caste and communal feelings”, “criticism of candidates on the basis of unverified reports”, and “bribing of voters”. &nbsp;“No political party can use pictures of defence and military personnel”, in a poll campaign, is another MCC guideline, which has been thrown out of the window. &nbsp;

In 1979, MCC prohibited government advertisement of their ‘achievements’ and banned announcement of grants and schemes, so that the ruling party does not get an unfair advantage. The government or the ruling party “should not launch any welfare programmes, including ribbon cutting ceremonies”, said the code.&nbsp;

However, what is happening is exactly the opposite and the Supreme Court had to remind the ECI that it is not toothless. An analysis of nominations filed for assemblies and Parliament in the last few elections, according to the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), reveals that the percentage of rich, privileged and those with a criminal background, total to nearly one-third of the elected members. CMS studies on poll expenditure over the last three general elections, bring out three critical points. First, a significant per cent of voters is being paid money across the states, both in rural and urban India. Second, the expenditure being incurred by parties and candidates has been going up in such a way that only millionaires can now contest. &nbsp;Third, the campaigns are focused on lure rather than on issues and concerns. Neither is there evidence that political parties have become accountable or are taking their manifestos seriously.

Despite ECI’s hundreds of “expenditure observers,” the extent of unaccounted money confiscated is on rise with no effect on the overall poll expenditure. Only one Assembly member was ever disqualified in UP, a couple of years ago, for not submitting accounts, as required. &nbsp; 
 
There have been several parliamentary panels on poll funding in the last four decades, but their recommendations have remained only on paper. If anything, recent government measures are aimed at facilitating funding, including from foreign corporates, with no transparency. It is tempting to ask why we have not pursued a different kind of electoral campaign or evaluated the actual requirements of a contesting candidate. There is no reason why a candidate should not reach out to voters, present his or her credentials, address voters’ concerns and propose what he or she will do if elected.&nbsp;

Candidates mainly stress on the negative aspects of their rivals. Increasingly, many of them spend more time on their opponents, than on what they propose to do.&nbsp;Big changes are needed. Candidates can campaign together so that voters can make a better choice more transparently. There must be minimum joint public meetings in every constituency.

It will help bring down poll expenditure substantially. When competing candidates address voters together, they are likely to be more positive and cordial. After all, if two bitter rivals can come together in a poll alliance, why can’t opposing candidates campaign together? Unless political leaders and parties come forward to restore the sanctity of electoral practices, nothing is going to change. And unless that happens, it is difficult to expect good governance, deepen democracy and inclusive development.

It is time to relook the relevance of ECI’s code of conduct. This is not possible without the support, cooperation and participation of the news media. The judiciary needs to be consulted in repositioning the ECI. India needs an electoral shake-up as the republic enters the 75th year. &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-poll-code-nothing-really-model-about-it-2743200">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

As we approach the halfway mark of the seven-phase 2019 elections, it is clear that this is the ugliest campaign in India’s 70-year-old electoral history. As a witness to three general elections and an activist observer or researcher in 12 others, one has never witnessed so much bad blood as this seventeenth general election.

As we approach the halfway mark of the seven-phase 2019 elections, it is clear that this is the ugliest campaign in India’s 70-year-old electoral history. As a witness to three general elections and an activist observer or researcher in 12 others, one has never witnessed so much bad blood as this seventeenth general election. This, of course, has not happened overnight. It has reached this stage because critical issues confronting the electoral system have not been addressed over the years. To ensure fair and free polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) was given statutory status. In 1962, the idea of a ‘model code’, experimented for the first time in Kerala in 1960, was adopted. In 1979, certain restraints were introduced for the party in power. In 1991, Election Commissioner T N Seshan demonstrated what a proactive and independent ECI could do to ensure independence. There were more than a couple of parliamentary committees set up to propose electoral reforms. But with political parties becoming all-powerful, despite losing much of their sheen, electoral practices have continued to decline. Take Indonesia. With a history of two decades of elections and 187 million voters, the country had a one-day national poll recently. Whereas in India, a voter has to wait for 43 days to know the winner, despite the EVMs. Never before has the ECI been seen to be as partisan as today and no efforts have been made to ensure that the electoral process regains credibility. Instruments like the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) have outlived their utility. The irrelevance of ECI’s instruments is evident from a cursory reading of the code. Neither of the eight provisions dealing with the conduct of poll is being observed either by the candidates or the political parties in the fray. The first of the eight is on “general conduct” of polls. This includes a ban on “caste and communal feelings”, “criticism of candidates on the basis of unverified reports”, and “bribing of voters”. “No political party can use pictures of defence and military personnel”, in a poll campaign, is another MCC guideline, which has been thrown out of the window. In 1979, MCC prohibited government advertisement of their ‘achievements’ and banned announcement of grants and schemes, so that the ruling party does not get an unfair advantage. The government or the ruling party “should not launch any welfare programmes, including ribbon cutting ceremonies”, said the code. However, what is happening is exactly the opposite and the Supreme Court had to remind the ECI that it is not toothless. An analysis of nominations filed for assemblies and Parliament in the last few elections, according to the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), reveals that the percentage of rich, privileged and those with a criminal background, total to nearly one-third of the elected members. CMS studies on poll expenditure over the last three general elections, bring out three critical points. First, a significant per cent of voters is being paid money across the states, both in rural and urban India. Second, the expenditure being incurred by parties and candidates has been going up in such a way that only millionaires can now contest. Third, the campaigns are focused on lure rather than on issues and concerns. Neither is there evidence that political parties have become accountable or are taking their manifestos seriously. Despite ECI’s hundreds of “expenditure observers,” the extent of unaccounted money confiscated is on rise with no effect on the overall poll expenditure. Only one Assembly member was ever disqualified in UP, a couple of years ago, for not submitting accounts, as required. There have been several parliamentary panels on poll funding in the last four decades, but their recommendations have remained only on paper. If anything, recent government measures are aimed at facilitating funding, including from foreign corporates, with no transparency. It is tempting to ask why we have not pursued a different kind of electoral campaign or evaluated the actual requirements of a contesting candidate. There is no reason why a candidate should not reach out to voters, present his or her credentials, address voters’ concerns and propose what he or she will do if elected. Candidates mainly stress on the negative aspects of their rivals. Increasingly, many of them spend more time on their opponents, than on what they propose to do. Big changes are needed. Candidates can campaign together so that voters can make a better choice more transparently. There must be minimum joint public meetings in every constituency. It will help bring down poll expenditure substantially. When competing candidates address voters together, they are likely to be more positive and cordial. After all, if two bitter rivals can come together in a poll alliance, why can’t opposing candidates campaign together? Unless political leaders and parties come forward to restore the sanctity of electoral practices, nothing is going to change. And unless that happens, it is difficult to expect good governance, deepen democracy and inclusive development. It is time to relook the relevance of ECI’s code of conduct. This is not possible without the support, cooperation and participation of the news media. The judiciary needs to be consulted in repositioning the ECI. India needs an electoral shake-up as the republic enters the 75th year. (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.)

Political leaders and parties must come forward to restore the sanctity of electoral practices

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi files his nomination from Varanasi, earlier today PM Modi visited Kal Bhairav temple. Watch this video to know more.

General Election 2019: PM Modi files his nomination from Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has filed his nomination from Varanasi for Lok Sabha constituency on Friday. All senior leaders of the BJP, NDA and North East Democratic Alliance were present to mark the occasion.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: PM Modi files nomination from Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his mega roadshow in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi today as thousands attended chanting the prime minister's name.

PM Modi begins mega roadshow in Varanasi

India’s first Union cabinet under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru embraced the idea of lateral talent. Among the 15 members of the cabinet in 1947 was John Mathai, an economist who served as Railways Minister and then Finance Minister before leaving the government in 1950. &nbsp;

Over the years, inducting such lateral professional talent into the Union cabinet from outside party politics has grown rarer.&nbsp;

In welcome contrast, none of the nine professionals recently selected under the aegis of the UPSC to serve the government as joint secretaries, belong to a political party. All have specialised domain knowledge.&nbsp;

Amber Dubey, for example, was head of aerospace and defence at KPMG. He has been selected to join the civil aviation ministry where his experience of over 26 years in the aviation and defence domain will be useful as India reforms its aviation, space and defence technology sectors.&nbsp;

The selection of Dubey, an IIT Bombay and IIM Ahmedabad alumni, who has spent his entire career in the private sector, reflects the winds of change blowing over a critical area of Indian governance: technocratic talent. &nbsp;

The country is run at four levels. One, the Prime Minister-led Union cabinet and the Chief Minister-led state cabinets where specialised domain talent is slender. Two, the central and state bureaucracies which are largely filled with generalists, not specialists.&nbsp;

Three, local civic municipalities where again political affiliations often carry more weight than competence. Four, village panchayats and local bodies where caste and religion cast a long shadow.&nbsp;

In the United States, the cabinet is small (16 members) and mostly technocratic, drawn from the private sector, the professions and academia. The Narendra Modi cabinet is large (over 70 ministers and ministers of state) and apart from some honourable exceptions, does not exactly overflow with talent.&nbsp;

That is why the lateral selection of nine professionals as joint secretaries is a welcome development.&nbsp;

Consider the core competencies of some of the new lateral recruits: Dinesh Jagdale, CEO of Panama Renewable Energy Group, will join the renewable energy ministry. Kakoli Ghosh, who has deep knowledge of the multilateral farm sector, will join the agriculture ministry. Most of the others have been placed in ministries where their professional experience and knowledge will be put to good use.&nbsp;

These infusions are just the beginning. Indian bureaucracies, central and state, must absorb UPSC-selected lateral appointments of technocrats with ever-greater urgency.&nbsp;

In a technology-enabled world, specialisation is mandatory. IAS officers, however competent and dedicated, have two handicaps, First, they are generalists with little specialised domain expertise. Second, they are transferred so often across the country – for example, from animal husbandry to defence acquisitions – that focus is lost.&nbsp; 
 
The certainty of tenure among civil servants also engenders a sense of complacency. Over the years, the ministries of finance and defence, in particular, have developed a reputation for cronyism and corruption.&nbsp;

Leaks to the media in the Rafale fighter jet case and examples of department officers surreptitiously encouraging arms dealers (though they were explicitly banned in 2014) have damaged the national interest.&nbsp;

The introduction of fresh professional blood should act as a deterrent when the minister in charge of a particular portfolio has not been able to impose his or her will with sufficient authority on department officers.&nbsp;

If Prime Minister Narendra Modi does win a second term, it’s possible the BJP’s majority in Parliament will be significantly reduced. That is not a bad thing. Modi was used to running a compact state like Gujarat with a group of loyal and competent bureaucrats who dared not defy his authority or miss deadlines on projects.&nbsp;

The same modus operandi has not worked in the Byzantine culture of Delhi. Days after he took office as prime minister, Modi called more than 70 senior bureaucrats to meet him. As they stood in a line before him, he told them to work without fear or favour. They could come to him with any problems they had, he said.&nbsp;

The senior IAS officers, still standing in a parabolic line, nodded silently. But every one of them must have thought cynically to himself or herself that fear and favour were the time-honoured way bureaucracy worked. How would Modi break that habit? He hasn’t.&nbsp;

The series of legal setbacks in the 2G, Rafale and other cases has exposed the government’s poor selection of its law officers.&nbsp;

Equally lacklustre has been its communications strategy. Instead of being proactive over a range of contentious issues – from Rafale to electoral bonds – the government has been slow and reactive when perception damage has already been done.&nbsp;

In a 24x7 news cycle, every major government holds briefings in near real-time. The Chinese and American administrations respond to any issue concerning their government promptly and clearly. 
 
Even Pakistan’s information ministry reacts rapidly to events though in its case it is to add a positive spin to negative stories about, for example, Islamabad’s likely blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for terror financing and money laundering.&nbsp;

The under-utilisation by the Indian government of an articulate and credible Information &amp; Broadcasting (I&amp;B) minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, an Olympian and a former soldier, in delivering daily media briefings underscores how unprofessionally the government has communicated its agenda to voters. They will now deliver their verdict. &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-lateral-hiring-in-govt-bridging-the-talent-deficit-2742935">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

India’s first Union cabinet under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru embraced the idea of lateral talent. Among the 15 members of the cabinet in 1947 was John Mathai, an economist who served as Railways Minister and then Finance Minister before leaving the government in 1950.

India’s first Union cabinet under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru embraced the idea of lateral talent. Among the 15 members of the cabinet in 1947 was John Mathai, an economist who served as Railways Minister and then Finance Minister before leaving the government in 1950. Over the years, inducting such lateral professional talent into the Union cabinet from outside party politics has grown rarer. In welcome contrast, none of the nine professionals recently selected under the aegis of the UPSC to serve the government as joint secretaries, belong to a political party. All have specialised domain knowledge. Amber Dubey, for example, was head of aerospace and defence at KPMG. He has been selected to join the civil aviation ministry where his experience of over 26 years in the aviation and defence domain will be useful as India reforms its aviation, space and defence technology sectors. The selection of Dubey, an IIT Bombay and IIM Ahmedabad alumni, who has spent his entire career in the private sector, reflects the winds of change blowing over a critical area of Indian governance: technocratic talent. The country is run at four levels. One, the Prime Minister-led Union cabinet and the Chief Minister-led state cabinets where specialised domain talent is slender. Two, the central and state bureaucracies which are largely filled with generalists, not specialists. Three, local civic municipalities where again political affiliations often carry more weight than competence. Four, village panchayats and local bodies where caste and religion cast a long shadow. In the United States, the cabinet is small (16 members) and mostly technocratic, drawn from the private sector, the professions and academia. The Narendra Modi cabinet is large (over 70 ministers and ministers of state) and apart from some honourable exceptions, does not exactly overflow with talent. That is why the lateral selection of nine professionals as joint secretaries is a welcome development. Consider the core competencies of some of the new lateral recruits: Dinesh Jagdale, CEO of Panama Renewable Energy Group, will join the renewable energy ministry. Kakoli Ghosh, who has deep knowledge of the multilateral farm sector, will join the agriculture ministry. Most of the others have been placed in ministries where their professional experience and knowledge will be put to good use. These infusions are just the beginning. Indian bureaucracies, central and state, must absorb UPSC-selected lateral appointments of technocrats with ever-greater urgency. In a technology-enabled world, specialisation is mandatory. IAS officers, however competent and dedicated, have two handicaps, First, they are generalists with little specialised domain expertise. Second, they are transferred so often across the country – for example, from animal husbandry to defence acquisitions – that focus is lost. The certainty of tenure among civil servants also engenders a sense of complacency. Over the years, the ministries of finance and defence, in particular, have developed a reputation for cronyism and corruption. Leaks to the media in the Rafale fighter jet case and examples of department officers surreptitiously encouraging arms dealers (though they were explicitly banned in 2014) have damaged the national interest. The introduction of fresh professional blood should act as a deterrent when the minister in charge of a particular portfolio has not been able to impose his or her will with sufficient authority on department officers. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi does win a second term, it’s possible the BJP’s majority in Parliament will be significantly reduced. That is not a bad thing. Modi was used to running a compact state like Gujarat with a group of loyal and competent bureaucrats who dared not defy his authority or miss deadlines on projects. The same modus operandi has not worked in the Byzantine culture of Delhi. Days after he took office as prime minister, Modi called more than 70 senior bureaucrats to meet him. As they stood in a line before him, he told them to work without fear or favour. They could come to him with any problems they had, he said. The senior IAS officers, still standing in a parabolic line, nodded silently. But every one of them must have thought cynically to himself or herself that fear and favour were the time-honoured way bureaucracy worked. How would Modi break that habit? He hasn’t. The series of legal setbacks in the 2G, Rafale and other cases has exposed the government’s poor selection of its law officers. Equally lacklustre has been its communications strategy. Instead of being proactive over a range of contentious issues – from Rafale to electoral bonds – the government has been slow and reactive when perception damage has already been done. In a 24x7 news cycle, every major government holds briefings in near real-time. The Chinese and American administrations respond to any issue concerning their government promptly and clearly. Even Pakistan’s information ministry reacts rapidly to events though in its case it is to add a positive spin to negative stories about, for example, Islamabad’s likely blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for terror financing and money laundering. The under-utilisation by the Indian government of an articulate and credible Information & Broadcasting (I&B) minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, an Olympian and a former soldier, in delivering daily media briefings underscores how unprofessionally the government has communicated its agenda to voters. They will now deliver their verdict. (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.)

Inducting lateral professional skills into the cabinet by Narendra Modi government is a welcome step

Bhopal BJP candidate and Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur on Wednesday termed NIA court's decision to turn down a plea seeking to bar her from contesting poll as the victory of "truth and virtues".

"This is our victory. Truth and dharma (virtue) always win. I already knew it (about the court's decision). I have done no wrong," Pragya told reporters here.

She said that the case against her was a result of a conspiracy by the Congress.

Earlier in the day, a special NIA court turned down the application filed by Nisar Ahmed Sayyed Bilal, the father of a victim of the 2008 Malegaon terror blast, seeking to bar Thakur from contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Special NIA Judge Vinod Padalkar while negating the plea, said, "In present ongoing elections, this court does not have any legal powers to prohibit anyone from contesting elections. It is the job of the electoral officers to decide. This court can't stop the accused from contesting elections. This application is negated by this court."

Special Judge Padalkar stated that the agency cannot mention that there is no prima facie case against Thakur.

The applicant's lawyer argued before the court that Pragya was not attending the court proceedings on grounds of ill health but undertook election campaign where she is not looking ill.

On Tuesday, Thakur filed her response to the plea and dubbed the petition as "frivolous" adding that the plea was filed with a "political agenda" and was "publicity stunt".

In her reply filed before the NIA court, Pragya said, "There is no provision in the Representation of Peoples Act 1951, which disqualifies the candidate from contesting elections if a criminal case is pending against him/her."

Thakur is among the seven accused facing trial in the Malegaon blast case, wherein six people were killed and a dozen others were injured when a bomb placed on a motorcycle exploded in Maharashtra`s Malegaon on September 29, 2008.

Bhopal BJP candidate and Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur on Wednesday termed NIA court's decision to turn down a plea seeking to bar her from contesting poll as the victory of "truth and virtues".

Bhopal BJP candidate and Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur on Wednesday termed NIA court's decision to turn down a plea seeking to bar her from contesting poll as the victory of "truth and virtues". "This is our victory. Truth and dharma (virtue) always win. I already knew it (about the court's decision). I have done no wrong," Pragya told reporters here. She said that the case against her was a result of a conspiracy by the Congress. Earlier in the day, a special NIA court turned down the application filed by Nisar Ahmed Sayyed Bilal, the father of a victim of the 2008 Malegaon terror blast, seeking to bar Thakur from contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Special NIA Judge Vinod Padalkar while negating the plea, said, "In present ongoing elections, this court does not have any legal powers to prohibit anyone from contesting elections. It is the job of the electoral officers to decide. This court can't stop the accused from contesting elections. This application is negated by this court." Special Judge Padalkar stated that the agency cannot mention that there is no prima facie case against Thakur. The applicant's lawyer argued before the court that Pragya was not attending the court proceedings on grounds of ill health but undertook election campaign where she is not looking ill. On Tuesday, Thakur filed her response to the plea and dubbed the petition as "frivolous" adding that the plea was filed with a "political agenda" and was "publicity stunt". In her reply filed before the NIA court, Pragya said, "There is no provision in the Representation of Peoples Act 1951, which disqualifies the candidate from contesting elections if a criminal case is pending against him/her." Thakur is among the seven accused facing trial in the Malegaon blast case, wherein six people were killed and a dozen others were injured when a bomb placed on a motorcycle exploded in Maharashtra`s Malegaon on September 29, 2008.

Pragya says NIA order on her candidature 'victory of truth'

BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur has declared assets worth more than Rs 4.44 lakh that includes a 150-gram silver-coated brick which has Lord Rama inscribed on it, according to her affidavit.

Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case currently on bail, has mentioned in her affidavit that she depends on alms and the society for her livelihood.

The total value of her possessions, including cash in hand, a silver 'kamandal'&nbsp;(water pot) weighing 2 kg, gold and silver jewellery and the silver-coated brick, stood at Rs 4,44,224, according to the affidavit submitted along with her nomination papers to election authorities here Tuesday.

The silver-coated brick, weighing 150 grams, is worth Rs 7,000 and has Lord Rama engraved on it, the document said.

The right-wing activist belongs to Lahar town in Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh and is a post-graduate from the Jiwaji University, Gwalior and also holds BP Ed (Bachelor of Physical Education) degree from the Barkatullah University, Bhopal, according to the affidavit.

The 49-year-old sadhvi has declared that a criminal case related to the 2008 blast case is registered against her at the Azad Nagar police station in Malegaon town of Nashik district in North Maharashtra.

The Bhopal police, on orders of the Election Commission (EC), has filed an FIR against Thakur for her remarks over the demolition of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya in 1992. 
Thakur is contesting against Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh.

Voting in the Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency, which the BJP has been winning since 1989, will take place on May 12.&nbsp;

BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur has declared assets worth more than Rs 4.44 lakh that includes a 150-gram silver-coated brick which has Lord Rama inscribed on it, according to her affidavit.

BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur has declared assets worth more than Rs 4.44 lakh that includes a 150-gram silver-coated brick which has Lord Rama inscribed on it, according to her affidavit. Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case currently on bail, has mentioned in her affidavit that she depends on alms and the society for her livelihood. The total value of her possessions, including cash in hand, a silver 'kamandal' (water pot) weighing 2 kg, gold and silver jewellery and the silver-coated brick, stood at Rs 4,44,224, according to the affidavit submitted along with her nomination papers to election authorities here Tuesday. The silver-coated brick, weighing 150 grams, is worth Rs 7,000 and has Lord Rama engraved on it, the document said. The right-wing activist belongs to Lahar town in Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh and is a post-graduate from the Jiwaji University, Gwalior and also holds BP Ed (Bachelor of Physical Education) degree from the Barkatullah University, Bhopal, according to the affidavit. The 49-year-old sadhvi has declared that a criminal case related to the 2008 blast case is registered against her at the Azad Nagar police station in Malegaon town of Nashik district in North Maharashtra. The Bhopal police, on orders of the Election Commission (EC), has filed an FIR against Thakur for her remarks over the demolition of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya in 1992. Thakur is contesting against Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh. Voting in the Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency, which the BJP has been winning since 1989, will take place on May 12.

Silver-coated brick among Rs 4.44 lakh assets owned by Pragya Singh Thakur

Just days after the BJP approached the Election Commission seeking a ban on the release of the alleged biopic on Mamata Banerjee till the election is over, the West Bengal Chief Minister said in a tweet that she has "nothing at all to do with any biopic" and "will file defamation suit if compelled."

"What is all this nonsense being spread! I have nothing at all to do with any biopic. If some young people have collected stories and expressed themselves, that's up to them. Not related to us. I am not Narendra Modi. Please do not compel me to file for defamation by spreading lies," she wrote on Twitter, on Wednesday.

On April 17, the BJP had penned down a letter to the poll body asking them to review the purported biopic on the TMC supremo and put a ban on it till the time the Lok Sabha elections are over.

"This is to draw your attention to the news in the media that a biopic allegedly of Smt Mamata Banerjee will be released on 3 May 2019. Bharatiya Janata Party requests the Hon'ble Election Commission of India and its representative in West Bengal, the CEO, to review the said biopic before release, on similar lines done in the case of another biopic depicting Shri Narendra Modi," a letter signed by BJP West Bengal Vice-President Joy Prakash Majumdar and BJP leader Shishir Bajoria read.

Just days after the BJP approached the Election Commission seeking a ban on the release of the alleged biopic on Mamata Banerjee till the election is over, the West Bengal Chief Minister said in a tweet that she has "nothing at all to do with any biopic" and "will file defamation suit if compelled.

Just days after the BJP approached the Election Commission seeking a ban on the release of the alleged biopic on Mamata Banerjee till the election is over, the West Bengal Chief Minister said in a tweet that she has "nothing at all to do with any biopic" and "will file defamation suit if compelled." "What is all this nonsense being spread! I have nothing at all to do with any biopic. If some young people have collected stories and expressed themselves, that's up to them. Not related to us. I am not Narendra Modi. Please do not compel me to file for defamation by spreading lies," she wrote on Twitter, on Wednesday. On April 17, the BJP had penned down a letter to the poll body asking them to review the purported biopic on the TMC supremo and put a ban on it till the time the Lok Sabha elections are over. "This is to draw your attention to the news in the media that a biopic allegedly of Smt Mamata Banerjee will be released on 3 May 2019. Bharatiya Janata Party requests the Hon'ble Election Commission of India and its representative in West Bengal, the CEO, to review the said biopic before release, on similar lines done in the case of another biopic depicting Shri Narendra Modi," a letter signed by BJP West Bengal Vice-President Joy Prakash Majumdar and BJP leader Shishir Bajoria read.

What is all this nonsense being spread!: Mamata Banerjee on her bipoic

In a veiled reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that West Bengal Chief Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-have-many-friends-in-opposition-mamata-banerjee-sends-kurtas-sweets-to-me-pm-narendra-modi-to-akshay-kumar-213161">Mamata Banerjee sends him sweets and kurtas every year</a>, the TMC leader said Wednesday it is Bengal's culture to welcome guests with sweets and gifts but not a single vote will be given to his party.

Banerjee made the comments at a rally in Serampore in Hooghly district against the backdrop of Modi's interview to actor Akshay Kumar aired by TV channels in which the prime minister mentioned her gifts to him.

"It is Bengal's culture to welcome guests with sweets and tea. We also greet them on special occasions. This is our tradition. We welcome guests with sweets and gifts but not a single vote will be given (to BJP)," the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo said without naming Modi.

&nbsp;

In a veiled reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sends him sweets and kurtas every year, the TMC leader said Wednesday it is Bengal's culture to welcome guests with sweets and gifts but not a single vote will be given to his party.

In a veiled reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sends him sweets and kurtas every year, the TMC leader said Wednesday it is Bengal's culture to welcome guests with sweets and gifts but not a single vote will be given to his party. Banerjee made the comments at a rally in Serampore in Hooghly district against the backdrop of Modi's interview to actor Akshay Kumar aired by TV channels in which the prime minister mentioned her gifts to him. "It is Bengal's culture to welcome guests with sweets and tea. We also greet them on special occasions. This is our tradition. We welcome guests with sweets and gifts but not a single vote will be given (to BJP)," the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo said without naming Modi.

It's Bengal's culture, says Mamata in veiled response to PM's remark on receiving sweets from her

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a veiled dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying people looking at a mirror 10 times a day and aspiring to become PM cannot even win assembly constituencies in their Lok Sabha seat.

He said the Congress-led opposition, which has been "hurling abuse" at him, was now talking ill of the EVMs after realising the "trend" of three rounds of voting in the general election, "just like a child who makes excuses to justify his underperformance in exams".

PM Modi also slammed Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy for his remarks that those who cannot make both ends meet alone join the army, and wondered over the Congress' "silence" over it.

"People who look at a mirror ten times a day and then daydream about becoming the prime minister... It's ridiculous that they cannot even win the assembly constituencies in their Lok Sabha seat," PM Modi said in an apparent attack on Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress chief is in the fray from Amethi for the fourth time and is pitted against Union minister Smriti Irani, who had lost to him in 2014. Gandhi is also contesting Wayanad seat in Kerala.

In the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, the BJP had won four of the five seats under Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, while the fifth had gone to the Samajwadi Party.

"After the trends of three phases of polling, the opposition has come to know which way the wind is blowing. They have been abusing me. Now they are abusing EVM and are angry with the machine. What can the EVM do?" PM Modi said addressing a rally here for BJP candidates for Chatra, Lohardaga and Palamau Lok Sabha seats.

He said the 'mahamilawatis' have realised they "stand no chance" after three phases of polling and are looking for excuses to defend their poor show.

At a press meet on Tuesday, leaders of several major opposition parties had questioned the credibility of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and renewed their demand that 50 per cent of the voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips be matched with the EVM results.

"Just like a child who makes excuses to justify his underperformance in exams, opposition parties have started directing their anger at the EVMs and the voting process to cover their shortcomings. The response in the first three phases of polls have left the opposition with no option but to accept defeat," he said.

"A son of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda (Kumaraswamy) demoralises the army by saying only those who cannot make both ends meet to join the army... Arre doob maro (go, drown yourself). Our valiant soldiers are fighting to secure the country. They are fighting the enemy and taking bullets," he said.

PM Modi wondered why the Congress was "silent" over the remarks of Kumaraswamy, the Karnataka chief minister and its partner in the state's ruling coalition. He also wanted to know why the media was not discussing it.

Referring to the slain CRPF jawan Vijay Soreng, a Jharkhand native who was among the 40 personnel killed in a terror attack in Pulwama on February 14, PM Modi wanted to know whether his family sent him to join the force as it did not have food.

Claiming that Naxalites and terrorists got emboldened whenever the Congress was in power, PM Modi claimed ultra-Left extremism has been quelled to a great extent in the last five years, with the youth shunning the path of violence and joining the social mainstream.

PM Modi appealed to people to once again elect a government with a full majority as only such dispensations could control the menace of Naxalism and terrorism.

The prime minister asserted his government helps all people irrespective of their religious faith.

"We did not see what (religious) affiliations the 46 daughters of Kerala had. They were freed from terrorists in Iraq. They are your daughters, they are also the daughters of this chowkidar," he said referring to the rescue of nurses from the southern state, mostly Christians, from the captivity of ISIS terrorists.

With Balakot air strikes in mind, the prime minister said, "It is this chowkidar's government which knows how to respond to Pakistan and the terrorists promoted by it in their own language. Your government gave a befitting response to the terrorists by entering into their territory and destroying their headquarters."

He asserted terror groups were now afraid that his government will smoke them out even from the netherworld.

Referring to the terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, PM Modi said before 2014, even India faced such strikes but all that changed afterwards.

Before 2014, India responded in a "feeble voice" to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. "The terrorists are now looking for new abodes," PM Modi asserted.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a veiled dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying people looking at a mirror 10 times a day and aspiring to become PM cannot even win assembly constituencies in their Lok Sabha seat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a veiled dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying people looking at a mirror 10 times a day and aspiring to become PM cannot even win assembly constituencies in their Lok Sabha seat. He said the Congress-led opposition, which has been "hurling abuse" at him, was now talking ill of the EVMs after realising the "trend" of three rounds of voting in the general election, "just like a child who makes excuses to justify his underperformance in exams". PM Modi also slammed Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy for his remarks that those who cannot make both ends meet alone join the army, and wondered over the Congress' "silence" over it. "People who look at a mirror ten times a day and then daydream about becoming the prime minister... It's ridiculous that they cannot even win the assembly constituencies in their Lok Sabha seat," PM Modi said in an apparent attack on Rahul Gandhi. The Congress chief is in the fray from Amethi for the fourth time and is pitted against Union minister Smriti Irani, who had lost to him in 2014. Gandhi is also contesting Wayanad seat in Kerala. In the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, the BJP had won four of the five seats under Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, while the fifth had gone to the Samajwadi Party. "After the trends of three phases of polling, the opposition has come to know which way the wind is blowing. They have been abusing me. Now they are abusing EVM and are angry with the machine. What can the EVM do?" PM Modi said addressing a rally here for BJP candidates for Chatra, Lohardaga and Palamau Lok Sabha seats. He said the 'mahamilawatis' have realised they "stand no chance" after three phases of polling and are looking for excuses to defend their poor show. At a press meet on Tuesday, leaders of several major opposition parties had questioned the credibility of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and renewed their demand that 50 per cent of the voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips be matched with the EVM results. "Just like a child who makes excuses to justify his underperformance in exams, opposition parties have started directing their anger at the EVMs and the voting process to cover their shortcomings. The response in the first three phases of polls have left the opposition with no option but to accept defeat," he said. "A son of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda (Kumaraswamy) demoralises the army by saying only those who cannot make both ends meet to join the army... Arre doob maro (go, drown yourself). Our valiant soldiers are fighting to secure the country. They are fighting the enemy and taking bullets," he said. PM Modi wondered why the Congress was "silent" over the remarks of Kumaraswamy, the Karnataka chief minister and its partner in the state's ruling coalition. He also wanted to know why the media was not discussing it. Referring to the slain CRPF jawan Vijay Soreng, a Jharkhand native who was among the 40 personnel killed in a terror attack in Pulwama on February 14, PM Modi wanted to know whether his family sent him to join the force as it did not have food. Claiming that Naxalites and terrorists got emboldened whenever the Congress was in power, PM Modi claimed ultra-Left extremism has been quelled to a great extent in the last five years, with the youth shunning the path of violence and joining the social mainstream. PM Modi appealed to people to once again elect a government with a full majority as only such dispensations could control the menace of Naxalism and terrorism. The prime minister asserted his government helps all people irrespective of their religious faith. "We did not see what (religious) affiliations the 46 daughters of Kerala had. They were freed from terrorists in Iraq. They are your daughters, they are also the daughters of this chowkidar," he said referring to the rescue of nurses from the southern state, mostly Christians, from the captivity of ISIS terrorists. With Balakot air strikes in mind, the prime minister said, "It is this chowkidar's government which knows how to respond to Pakistan and the terrorists promoted by it in their own language. Your government gave a befitting response to the terrorists by entering into their territory and destroying their headquarters." He asserted terror groups were now afraid that his government will smoke them out even from the netherworld. Referring to the terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, PM Modi said before 2014, even India faced such strikes but all that changed afterwards. Before 2014, India responded in a "feeble voice" to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. "The terrorists are now looking for new abodes," PM Modi asserted.

Looking in mirror 10 times and aspiring to become prime minister: PM Modi's veiled attack on Rahul Gandhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday slammed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/corruption-and-crime-are-non-stop-in-trinamool-congress-rule-speed-breaker-didi-is-also-there-pm-modi-is-asansol-212968">West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee</a> stating that her party is now trying to survive with the help of "videshi kalakar" or artists from abroad in its last try.&nbsp;

The prime minister added that this time around the people of West Bengal have together with the BJP against them.

PM Modi was addressing a public rally in Ranaghat, West Bengal.&nbsp;

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PM Modi at a rally in Ranaghat,West Bengal:Ab videshi kalakaron aur kiraye ke gundon ke bal par hi Didi akhri koshish karne mein juti hai.Lekin iss baar bachna mushkil hi nahi namumkin hai, kyunki iss baar BJP ke saath hi WB ki janta bhi unke khilaaf maidan mein khadi ho gayi hai <a href="https://t.co/CRf7WEuugl">pic.twitter.com/CRf7WEuugl</a>
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched an attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stating that her party's state is such that people are not turning up for the rallies. He was addressing a rally in Asansol.

"Today TMC's condition has become such that people are not turning up for their rallies, they are forced to call actors from abroad. I feel pity for you didi, look what the brave people of Bengal have done to you," the PM noted.

PM Modi went on to say that the TMC chief is dreaming of becoming the prime minister of the nation by fighting on just a handful of seats.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stating that her party is now trying to survive with the help of "videshi kalakar" or artists from abroad in its last try.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stating that her party is now trying to survive with the help of "videshi kalakar" or artists from abroad in its last try. The prime minister added that this time around the people of West Bengal have together with the BJP against them. PM Modi was addressing a public rally in Ranaghat, West Bengal. PM Modi at a rally in Ranaghat,West Bengal:Ab videshi kalakaron aur kiraye ke gundon ke bal par hi Didi akhri koshish karne mein juti hai.Lekin iss baar bachna mushkil hi nahi namumkin hai, kyunki iss baar BJP ke saath hi WB ki janta bhi unke khilaaf maidan mein khadi ho gayi hai pic.twitter.com/CRf7WEuugl — ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2019 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched an attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stating that her party's state is such that people are not turning up for the rallies. He was addressing a rally in Asansol. "Today TMC's condition has become such that people are not turning up for their rallies, they are forced to call actors from abroad. I feel pity for you didi, look what the brave people of Bengal have done to you," the PM noted. PM Modi went on to say that the TMC chief is dreaming of becoming the prime minister of the nation by fighting on just a handful of seats.

In her final attempt, 'Didi' has resorted to help from 'videshi' artists: PM Modi

Returning Officer K. Mahesh on Wednesday accepted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Gautam Gambhir's nomination from East Delhi parliamentary constituency after the party clarified that his affidavit was not antedated.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress had raised objections on the affidavit filed by the cricketer-turned-politician.

Speaking to reporters, Gambhir's lawyer Anil Soni clarified that all of it was a plan to create a ruckus by AAP and it was the opposition's fear of BJP winning the elections which forced them to object to his client's affidavit.

"Aam Aadmi Party using some miscreants had tried to create a ruckus by falsely stating that our affidavit was antedated. The rejected candidates too asked how the date of 19/04 was mentioned when the affidavit was filed on April 23. We clarified that we had filed two affidavits, one on April 18 and the other had the serial number 1904, it was not the date but the serial number, we also showed the notary registry and called up the notary too," said Anil.

Mahesh clarified that the objections to Gambhir's candidature had come from AAP and Congress which were resolved after an explanation came from BJP, following which his nomination was approved.

"We started the scrutiny on April 24 at 11 am, when BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir's paper came up the AAP candidate Atishi with her lawyer and Congress candidate Arvind Lovely and one more independent candidate raised objections. They said that the date mentioned on the nomination paper was not similar to the day when the affidavit was filed (April 23), we organised a proper hearing and called both parties at 3 pm, both the parties appeared before us, clarifications were given and the issue was resolved," said Mahesh.

Delhi, where seven Lok Sabha seats are at stake will go to poll on May 12. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

A total of 173 nominations have been filed till date, and the last date of withdrawal is April 26.&nbsp;

Returning Officer K. Mahesh on Wednesday accepted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Gautam Gambhir's nomination from East Delhi parliamentary constituency after the party clarified that his affidavit was not antedated.

Returning Officer K. Mahesh on Wednesday accepted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Gautam Gambhir's nomination from East Delhi parliamentary constituency after the party clarified that his affidavit was not antedated. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress had raised objections on the affidavit filed by the cricketer-turned-politician. Speaking to reporters, Gambhir's lawyer Anil Soni clarified that all of it was a plan to create a ruckus by AAP and it was the opposition's fear of BJP winning the elections which forced them to object to his client's affidavit. "Aam Aadmi Party using some miscreants had tried to create a ruckus by falsely stating that our affidavit was antedated. The rejected candidates too asked how the date of 19/04 was mentioned when the affidavit was filed on April 23. We clarified that we had filed two affidavits, one on April 18 and the other had the serial number 1904, it was not the date but the serial number, we also showed the notary registry and called up the notary too," said Anil. Mahesh clarified that the objections to Gambhir's candidature had come from AAP and Congress which were resolved after an explanation came from BJP, following which his nomination was approved. "We started the scrutiny on April 24 at 11 am, when BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir's paper came up the AAP candidate Atishi with her lawyer and Congress candidate Arvind Lovely and one more independent candidate raised objections. They said that the date mentioned on the nomination paper was not similar to the day when the affidavit was filed (April 23), we organised a proper hearing and called both parties at 3 pm, both the parties appeared before us, clarifications were given and the issue was resolved," said Mahesh. Delhi, where seven Lok Sabha seats are at stake will go to poll on May 12. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. A total of 173 nominations have been filed till date, and the last date of withdrawal is April 26.

Gautam Gambhir's nomination from East Delhi accepted by returning officer

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