<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-akhilesh-yadav-vs-dinesh-lal-yadav-nirahua-fight-puts-the-spotlight-on-azamgarh-207977">Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav</a> on Friday released party manifesto ahead of the Lok Sabha polls due next week. Calling the manifesto their "vision document", Yadav said the document will be used for "answering the BJP".&nbsp;

The 16-page document called for 'mahaparivartan' (mega transformation) and emphasised the gaping chasm between the rich and the poor. &nbsp;&nbsp;

While releasing the document, the SP chief said the future of the country should be better for all sections, including farmers and Muslims. &nbsp;

Asked whether the document is an election manifesto, Yadav said, "If I say it is a manifesto, you will ask are you going to form a government. This is a vision document or message to party cadre with which they will reply to the BJP and understand the party's stand on various issues. Our party candidates and workers will take it to people."

"We feel the future of the country should be better for all sections - be it farmers, youth or Muslims. The chasm between rich and poor has become very wide," he said.

The document, studded with the photographs of Akhilesh and party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, also carried Ram Manohar Lohia's quote, "The fight against poverty is a farce till there is discrimination on basis of caste and sex."

(With inputs from PTI)

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday released party manifesto ahead of the Lok Sabha polls due next week. Calling the manifesto their "vision document", Yadav said the document will be used for "answering the BJP".

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday released party manifesto ahead of the Lok Sabha polls due next week. Calling the manifesto their "vision document", Yadav said the document will be used for "answering the BJP". The 16-page document called for 'mahaparivartan' (mega transformation) and emphasised the gaping chasm between the rich and the poor. While releasing the document, the SP chief said the future of the country should be better for all sections, including farmers and Muslims. Asked whether the document is an election manifesto, Yadav said, "If I say it is a manifesto, you will ask are you going to form a government. This is a vision document or message to party cadre with which they will reply to the BJP and understand the party's stand on various issues. Our party candidates and workers will take it to people." "We feel the future of the country should be better for all sections - be it farmers, youth or Muslims. The chasm between rich and poor has become very wide," he said. The document, studded with the photographs of Akhilesh and party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, also carried Ram Manohar Lohia's quote, "The fight against poverty is a farce till there is discrimination on basis of caste and sex." (With inputs from PTI)

Lok Sabha polls: Samajwadi Party releases 'vision document'; calls for mega transformation

The reluctance to concede ground to allies and its choice of candidates are sufficient indications that Congress is experimenting with the 2019 general elections to revive its organisational structure, rather than halt BJP’s march. &nbsp;

This is particularly pronounced in politically crucial UP. &nbsp;

Political pundits want to know why Congress has changed its strategy from consolidating secular and democratic forces, to going alone in key states. &nbsp;

Even its earlier plans to prevent the consolidation of Hindu votes in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by adopting soft Hindutva, has been ignored. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Unlike Sonia Gandhi’s strategy that led to the defeat of Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government in 2004, Rahul Gandhi has chosen to rebuild the mortgaged and depleted Congress 'haveli’, instead of dealing with the real situation on the ground.&nbsp;

At a time, when the grand old party faces a real political threat, it is surprising that it was still not ready to concede ground to like-minded allies.

Even in Jammu and Kashmir, where the party has no base, it has refused to part with two seats in the Kashmir Valley to ally National Conference or the PDP. Both these parties left two seats in the Jammu region to the Congress, making the contest a cliff hanger for the BJP. &nbsp;

Instead, the Congress has fielded candidates from the north and south Kashmir seats. &nbsp; &nbsp;

In stitching alliances, the NDA has taken the lead, cobbling together 40 parties. It has succeeded in bringing in estranged partners like Shiv Sena and Asom Gana Parishad, who were critical of Modi over the years. &nbsp;

Alliances need sacrifices and BJP has shown the way by sacrificing its ministers and sitting MPs to concede seats to its allies. &nbsp;

In the words of analyst Anurag Modi, the common village voter is hardly influenced by TV debates. His voice may not be heard by those sitting at the highest pedestals, but his time comes when India votes. &nbsp;

Congress’s main challenge is to avoid the fragmentation of this vote. This can only be possible if Rahul Gandhi ignores sycophants around him and toes his mother’s tried and tested line.

Rahul Gandhi’s experiment fits in with the resolution adopted at the September 1998 Congress session at the scenic Pachmarhi hills in Madhya Pradesh. &nbsp;

The party decided to reclaim its lost ground by going to the polls alone, with the exception of few states like Tamil Nadu.

Leaders, more sycophantic than visionary, told Sonia Gandhi in 1998 that the NDA will disappear and meet a fate similar to the Janata Party in 1979, which had ousted the Congress under powerful Indira Gandhi for just two years. &nbsp;

It would appear that Rahul Gandhi has reached similar conclusions about the secular and regional parties thriving at the expense of the Congress. &nbsp;

A senior Congress leader bluntly confided to this writer that while BJP is a political rival, regional secular parties were enemies. “They have eaten into our vote base, making us non-existent in West Bengal, Bihar, UP and Tamil Nadu,” he said. &nbsp;

Sonia learned that going alone will harm the party. In the 1999 Lok Sabha elections, fighting solo under Sonia Gandhi, the Congress lost more ground, depleting its numbers further. &nbsp;

Thereafter, the party lost state after state in the assembly elections. Following the 2002 Gujarat riots, CPI(M) general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet approached Sonia and asked her to review the Pachmarhi resolution.&nbsp;

In a brainstorming session at Shimla in July 2003, the party adopted an open-minded approach on pre-poll and post-poll alliances, which, it said will be implemented at the national level.

Soon after the Karnataka assembly elections last year in May, a revival of the 2004 Congress spirit to lead liberal and democratic forces, resurfaced.&nbsp;

It was, in fact, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati who immediately dialled Sonia after the Karnataka election results indicated a fractured mandate. &nbsp;

She reportedly brought the Congress and Janata Dal (S) chief, HD Devegowda, together to keep the BJP at bay in the southern state. She called up Devegowda and convinced him to take Congress support.&nbsp;

Naturally, questions are being asked as to why Rahul didn’t restructure or rebuild the organisation in the last five years.

After its worst defeat in 2014, it was a godsend scenario for the current Congress president to initiate reforms and delegate powers to district committees to choose candidates and be accountable. He had ample time to get the organisation come out of the grip of family loyalists.

The result is that Congress remains in tatters, as Rahul has done nothing except make noises about “structural reforms”. &nbsp;

He first told workers in UP that the party would not be revived in the state unless it contests on its own and then justified an alliance with the Samajwadi Party in the last assembly election. &nbsp;

Even though Congress continues to be a central column for any secular alliance, there is need to have clarity on alliances.

Many opposition leaders asked the Congress to emulate a Bihar-type grand alliance at the national level by sacrificing ego.&nbsp;

Tactically, they asked the party to focus on west India, including Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and leave eastern India, basically UP and Bihar, to regional parties to limit seats of the BJP-led NDA. &nbsp;

But in the words of Rasheed Kidwai, a veteran writer on Congress affairs, the party’s 2019 story is bad and muddled. &nbsp;

In addition to Rahul Gandhi’s inexperience, the grand old party lacks self-belief and its ability to communicate and connect, even though it has produced a really sound manifesto. But then Indian elections are not contested on manifestos alone.&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-ignoring-key-election-allies-what-is-congress-gameplan-for-ls-poll-2019-2736401">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

The reluctance to concede ground to allies and its choice of candidates are sufficient indications that Congress is experimenting with the 2019 general elections to revive its organisational structure, rather than halt BJP’s march.

The reluctance to concede ground to allies and its choice of candidates are sufficient indications that Congress is experimenting with the 2019 general elections to revive its organisational structure, rather than halt BJP’s march. This is particularly pronounced in politically crucial UP. Political pundits want to know why Congress has changed its strategy from consolidating secular and democratic forces, to going alone in key states. Even its earlier plans to prevent the consolidation of Hindu votes in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by adopting soft Hindutva, has been ignored. Unlike Sonia Gandhi’s strategy that led to the defeat of Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government in 2004, Rahul Gandhi has chosen to rebuild the mortgaged and depleted Congress 'haveli’, instead of dealing with the real situation on the ground. At a time, when the grand old party faces a real political threat, it is surprising that it was still not ready to concede ground to like-minded allies. Even in Jammu and Kashmir, where the party has no base, it has refused to part with two seats in the Kashmir Valley to ally National Conference or the PDP. Both these parties left two seats in the Jammu region to the Congress, making the contest a cliff hanger for the BJP. Instead, the Congress has fielded candidates from the north and south Kashmir seats. In stitching alliances, the NDA has taken the lead, cobbling together 40 parties. It has succeeded in bringing in estranged partners like Shiv Sena and Asom Gana Parishad, who were critical of Modi over the years. Alliances need sacrifices and BJP has shown the way by sacrificing its ministers and sitting MPs to concede seats to its allies. In the words of analyst Anurag Modi, the common village voter is hardly influenced by TV debates. His voice may not be heard by those sitting at the highest pedestals, but his time comes when India votes. Congress’s main challenge is to avoid the fragmentation of this vote. This can only be possible if Rahul Gandhi ignores sycophants around him and toes his mother’s tried and tested line. Rahul Gandhi’s experiment fits in with the resolution adopted at the September 1998 Congress session at the scenic Pachmarhi hills in Madhya Pradesh. The party decided to reclaim its lost ground by going to the polls alone, with the exception of few states like Tamil Nadu. Leaders, more sycophantic than visionary, told Sonia Gandhi in 1998 that the NDA will disappear and meet a fate similar to the Janata Party in 1979, which had ousted the Congress under powerful Indira Gandhi for just two years. It would appear that Rahul Gandhi has reached similar conclusions about the secular and regional parties thriving at the expense of the Congress. A senior Congress leader bluntly confided to this writer that while BJP is a political rival, regional secular parties were enemies. “They have eaten into our vote base, making us non-existent in West Bengal, Bihar, UP and Tamil Nadu,” he said. Sonia learned that going alone will harm the party. In the 1999 Lok Sabha elections, fighting solo under Sonia Gandhi, the Congress lost more ground, depleting its numbers further. Thereafter, the party lost state after state in the assembly elections. Following the 2002 Gujarat riots, CPI(M) general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet approached Sonia and asked her to review the Pachmarhi resolution. In a brainstorming session at Shimla in July 2003, the party adopted an open-minded approach on pre-poll and post-poll alliances, which, it said will be implemented at the national level. Soon after the Karnataka assembly elections last year in May, a revival of the 2004 Congress spirit to lead liberal and democratic forces, resurfaced. It was, in fact, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati who immediately dialled Sonia after the Karnataka election results indicated a fractured mandate. She reportedly brought the Congress and Janata Dal (S) chief, HD Devegowda, together to keep the BJP at bay in the southern state. She called up Devegowda and convinced him to take Congress support. Naturally, questions are being asked as to why Rahul didn’t restructure or rebuild the organisation in the last five years. After its worst defeat in 2014, it was a godsend scenario for the current Congress president to initiate reforms and delegate powers to district committees to choose candidates and be accountable. He had ample time to get the organisation come out of the grip of family loyalists. The result is that Congress remains in tatters, as Rahul has done nothing except make noises about “structural reforms”. He first told workers in UP that the party would not be revived in the state unless it contests on its own and then justified an alliance with the Samajwadi Party in the last assembly election. Even though Congress continues to be a central column for any secular alliance, there is need to have clarity on alliances. Many opposition leaders asked the Congress to emulate a Bihar-type grand alliance at the national level by sacrificing ego. Tactically, they asked the party to focus on west India, including Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and leave eastern India, basically UP and Bihar, to regional parties to limit seats of the BJP-led NDA. But in the words of Rasheed Kidwai, a veteran writer on Congress affairs, the party’s 2019 story is bad and muddled. In addition to Rahul Gandhi’s inexperience, the grand old party lacks self-belief and its ability to communicate and connect, even though it has produced a really sound manifesto. But then Indian elections are not contested on manifestos alone. (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.)

Ignoring key election allies: Congress lacks ability to communicate and connect

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said his party and the BJP are bound by Hindutva and the two decided to enter into a pre-poll alliance after overcoming differences that soured their ties in the past. In an interview to Sena MP Sanjay Raut in party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’, Thackeray said he agreed to the alliance after BJP president Amit Shah came to him twice to sort out the issues.

The Sena, which has often been critical of the BJP, its leadership and policies of the NDA government, entered into a seat-sharing pact with the ruling party recently. The BJP and Sena agreed to contest 25 and 23 seats, respectively, in Maharashtra which has 48 Lok Sabha constituencies. “…You ask me why did we agree to an alliance again. The whole world is a witness. BJP president Amit Shah came to me not once, but twice. And when the alliance was charted out, we put forth the problems of people. Even the chief minister was present when all this happened,” Thackeray said.

Shah wanted the sourness between both the parties to end, he said, adding he also agreed to the BJP chief’s views. To another query, Thackeray said in the course of discussions, the issues that caused the sourness between the two saffron parties were “ironed out”. “Like before, Hindutva is the thread that binds the BJP and the Sena together,” he asserted. He also hit out at the opposition parties, saying if they come to power, they would “quarrel” for the prime minister’s post as they lack a leader to bind them together.

The way the opposition parties have come together now ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, they had made a similar move after the Emergency — since there was immense anger among people — and formed the Janata government which lasted for 22 months, he noted. “Then they at least had a face in Jayaprakash Narayan.

Now, there is no face to bind the opposition in the country. If the opposition comes to power, there will be quarrelling among them for the prime minister’s post,” he claimed. “We (Sena and BJP) have Hindutva as a common thread. Hindutva is nationalism,” said Thackeray, whose party is an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra.

To a query on BJP veteran L K Advani, Thackeray said during the last five-ten years of his father late Bal Thackeray’s life, the younger generation took over the Sena and the patriarch guided them, but intervened and spoke only when it was necessary. “Change is a natural process. But it doesn’t mean you forget them after making them retire. You have to be forever grateful to them. Because, the Sena supremo, Atalji, Advaniji sowed the seeds in an extremely difficult environment. They risked their lives in spreading Hindutva,” he said.

Asked if he stood by his earlier statement that the Sena rotted in 25 years of alliance with the BJP, Thackeray said his father extensively travelled across Maharashtra to spread his party. “However, we became inattentive after the alliance (with BJP). This carelessness is no more there. Spreading of one’s ideology is not a crime,” he said. “Should I keep the Sena limited to the seats which we received as part of the alliance formula? Should we not take our party to other places as well? Because Sena is not a party but an ideology,” the 58-year-old leader said. Asked if he had also become a “chowkidar” after a tie-up with the BJP, Thackeray said he was just a common man. “I am a Shiv Sainik. I don’t need to be separately called a chowkidar.

A soldier is a soldier who safeguards the common man and fights for their rights. I don’t need to separately become a chowkidar,” he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently added “chowkidar” to his Twitter handle profile and asked people to take the #MainBhiChowkidar pledge against corruption. Several BJP leaders and ministers later followed suit.

Asked if the Sena will get a better share in portfolio allocation after the Lok Sabha polls, Thackeray said maintaining relations was the responsibility of both the alliance partners. But, the first priority was to win the elections and the opposition, however weak, cannot be ignored, he added. On the leadership of Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Thackeray said he does not have personal enmity against anyone.

“Since they are both younger to me, I look at them as kids. Both these kids are trying to find stability in the present environment. We will know about their success and failure later. However, I don’t see a specific shape of his (Rahul Gandhi’s) leadership,” he said.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said his party and the BJP are bound by Hindutva and the two decided to enter into a pre-poll alliance after overcoming differences that soured their ties in the past.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said his party and the BJP are bound by Hindutva and the two decided to enter into a pre-poll alliance after overcoming differences that soured their ties in the past. In an interview to Sena MP Sanjay Raut in party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’, Thackeray said he agreed to the alliance after BJP president Amit Shah came to him twice to sort out the issues. The Sena, which has often been critical of the BJP, its leadership and policies of the NDA government, entered into a seat-sharing pact with the ruling party recently. The BJP and Sena agreed to contest 25 and 23 seats, respectively, in Maharashtra which has 48 Lok Sabha constituencies. “…You ask me why did we agree to an alliance again. The whole world is a witness. BJP president Amit Shah came to me not once, but twice. And when the alliance was charted out, we put forth the problems of people. Even the chief minister was present when all this happened,” Thackeray said. Shah wanted the sourness between both the parties to end, he said, adding he also agreed to the BJP chief’s views. To another query, Thackeray said in the course of discussions, the issues that caused the sourness between the two saffron parties were “ironed out”. “Like before, Hindutva is the thread that binds the BJP and the Sena together,” he asserted. He also hit out at the opposition parties, saying if they come to power, they would “quarrel” for the prime minister’s post as they lack a leader to bind them together. The way the opposition parties have come together now ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, they had made a similar move after the Emergency — since there was immense anger among people — and formed the Janata government which lasted for 22 months, he noted. “Then they at least had a face in Jayaprakash Narayan. Now, there is no face to bind the opposition in the country. If the opposition comes to power, there will be quarrelling among them for the prime minister’s post,” he claimed. “We (Sena and BJP) have Hindutva as a common thread. Hindutva is nationalism,” said Thackeray, whose party is an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra. To a query on BJP veteran L K Advani, Thackeray said during the last five-ten years of his father late Bal Thackeray’s life, the younger generation took over the Sena and the patriarch guided them, but intervened and spoke only when it was necessary. “Change is a natural process. But it doesn’t mean you forget them after making them retire. You have to be forever grateful to them. Because, the Sena supremo, Atalji, Advaniji sowed the seeds in an extremely difficult environment. They risked their lives in spreading Hindutva,” he said. Asked if he stood by his earlier statement that the Sena rotted in 25 years of alliance with the BJP, Thackeray said his father extensively travelled across Maharashtra to spread his party. “However, we became inattentive after the alliance (with BJP). This carelessness is no more there. Spreading of one’s ideology is not a crime,” he said. “Should I keep the Sena limited to the seats which we received as part of the alliance formula? Should we not take our party to other places as well? Because Sena is not a party but an ideology,” the 58-year-old leader said. Asked if he had also become a “chowkidar” after a tie-up with the BJP, Thackeray said he was just a common man. “I am a Shiv Sainik. I don’t need to be separately called a chowkidar. A soldier is a soldier who safeguards the common man and fights for their rights. I don’t need to separately become a chowkidar,” he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently added “chowkidar” to his Twitter handle profile and asked people to take the #MainBhiChowkidar pledge against corruption. Several BJP leaders and ministers later followed suit. Asked if the Sena will get a better share in portfolio allocation after the Lok Sabha polls, Thackeray said maintaining relations was the responsibility of both the alliance partners. But, the first priority was to win the elections and the opposition, however weak, cannot be ignored, he added. On the leadership of Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Thackeray said he does not have personal enmity against anyone. “Since they are both younger to me, I look at them as kids. Both these kids are trying to find stability in the present environment. We will know about their success and failure later. However, I don’t see a specific shape of his (Rahul Gandhi’s) leadership,” he said.

Agreed to an alliance with BJP after two visits by Amit Shah: Uddhav Thackeray

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-president-amit-shah-files-nomination-for-gandhinagar-seat-206682">president Amit Shah </a>said on Monday that he is confident that his party will get the mandate again in this election and that Congress will remain out of power for at least 5 years.

Talking about "zero tolerance on terror", Amit Shah said Modi's government has shown that no terror attack will go unpunished and the country will give a befitting reply to all such attacks.&nbsp;

"Jab hamla hoga to goli ka jawab gole se diya jayega (When attacked, we will respond to bullets with bombs)," the BJP chief told Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary at Zee News's 'India Ka DNA' conclave.&nbsp;

"BJP's aim is to change the country and not worry about Lutyens Delhi and its media. Congress coined Hindu terror for vote bank. Now even the court has ruled that the case was cooked up," he said.

He said that people should always think about the security of the country and it was a good thing that it had become an election issue.&nbsp;

"Citizens of the country should always think about the security of the country. Country's security should be an election agenda. Every country must think about security and it should become criteria for voting," Shah said.&nbsp;

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah said on Monday that he is confident that his party will get the mandate again in this election and that Congress will remain out of power for at least 5 years.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah said on Monday that he is confident that his party will get the mandate again in this election and that Congress will remain out of power for at least 5 years. Talking about "zero tolerance on terror", Amit Shah said Modi's government has shown that no terror attack will go unpunished and the country will give a befitting reply to all such attacks. "Jab hamla hoga to goli ka jawab gole se diya jayega (When attacked, we will respond to bullets with bombs)," the BJP chief told Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary at Zee News's 'India Ka DNA' conclave. "BJP's aim is to change the country and not worry about Lutyens Delhi and its media. Congress coined Hindu terror for vote bank. Now even the court has ruled that the case was cooked up," he said. He said that people should always think about the security of the country and it was a good thing that it had become an election issue. "Citizens of the country should always think about the security of the country. Country's security should be an election agenda. Every country must think about security and it should become criteria for voting," Shah said.

Congress will remain out of power for at least 5 years, says Amit Shah at 'India ka DNA' conclave

Democracy in India is 70-years-old but a 107-year-old man here is set to vote for the 17th time in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Ram Prasad Sharma has been continuously voting in the Lok Sabha elections, first conducted in 1951-52. He is the oldest person in the Semra Village in Khandauli town.

"I have not been keeping well, but I will definitely go to vote this time also. I also request everyone to vote as it is the most important thing we can do for our country," Ram Prasad said.

His 75-year-old son said that he pushes everyone who comes to visit him, to vote. "He reads the newspaper every day to keep himself up to date about whatever is happening in the country. The zeal with which he prompts everyone to vote is commendable," he added.

The seven-phase Lok Sabha polls are set to begin on April 11 and will end on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

In Uttar Pradesh, where 80 seats are at stake, polling will be held during all seven phases.

Democracy in India is 70-years-old but a 107-year-old man here is set to vote for the 17th time in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Ram Prasad Sharma has been continuously voting in the Lok Sabha elections, first conducted in 1951-52.

Democracy in India is 70-years-old but a 107-year-old man here is set to vote for the 17th time in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Ram Prasad Sharma has been continuously voting in the Lok Sabha elections, first conducted in 1951-52. He is the oldest person in the Semra Village in Khandauli town. "I have not been keeping well, but I will definitely go to vote this time also. I also request everyone to vote as it is the most important thing we can do for our country," Ram Prasad said. His 75-year-old son said that he pushes everyone who comes to visit him, to vote. "He reads the newspaper every day to keep himself up to date about whatever is happening in the country. The zeal with which he prompts everyone to vote is commendable," he added. The seven-phase Lok Sabha polls are set to begin on April 11 and will end on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. In Uttar Pradesh, where 80 seats are at stake, polling will be held during all seven phases.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: 107-year-old, who voted in the first-ever Lok Sabha elections, set to vote for the 17th time

The BJP Monday announced the names of three more Lok Sabha candidates from Odisha.

With this, the party has announced the names of 374 candidates.&nbsp;

The party has also released the names of 11 more candidates for the Odisha state assembly polls, which will be held in four phases starting from April 11 and ending on April 29.&nbsp;

The BJP has so far announced candidates for all the Lok Sabha seats which will go to polls in the first four phases of the seven-phased election.&nbsp;

The general elections will begin from April 11 and continue till May 19. The counting of votes will be held on May 23.

The BJP had earlier nominated Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow. Party chief Amit Shah will contest from Gandhinagar, where L K Advani is the sitting MP.&nbsp;

The BJP Monday announced the names of three more Lok Sabha candidates from Odisha. With this, the party has announced the names of 374 candidates. The party has also released the names of 11 more candidates for the Odisha state assembly polls, which will be held in four phases starting from April 11 and ending on April 29.

The BJP Monday announced the names of three more Lok Sabha candidates from Odisha. With this, the party has announced the names of 374 candidates. The party has also released the names of 11 more candidates for the Odisha state assembly polls, which will be held in four phases starting from April 11 and ending on April 29. The BJP has so far announced candidates for all the Lok Sabha seats which will go to polls in the first four phases of the seven-phased election. The general elections will begin from April 11 and continue till May 19. The counting of votes will be held on May 23. The BJP had earlier nominated Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow. Party chief Amit Shah will contest from Gandhinagar, where L K Advani is the sitting MP.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: BJP announces three more Lok Sabha candidates from Odisha

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that the BJP will win more than 74 Lok Sabha seats in the state in the Lok Sabha elections. He also termed the alliance of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party as "unmatchable."

“BJP was never weak. It won 73 seats in 2014. BJP won 325 seats in 2017 Assembly elections. In the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, BJP will win more than 74 seats,” the Chief Minister claimed while addressing a press conference here.

Taking a dig at the SP-BSP alliance, the Chief Minister said, “Unmatchable alliance won't succeed. Oil and water cannot be together.”

The Chief Minister was speaking at a press conference organised to induct SP leaders Choudhary Virendra Singh, Manish Chauhan, and Harvinder Chauhan into the party. UP BJP president Mahendranath Pandey was also present on the occasion.

Virendra Singh is currently an MLC from the Samajwadi Party. He has been elected to the state legislature six times and was a Cabinet minister in the Samajwadi Party government.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Pandey described Virendra Singh as someone with “great reputation” in the Gurjar community and especially in the western Uttar Pradesh.

Welcoming them in BJP family, the Chief Minister said that he was happy to see that “the people who wish to see a safe and prosperous India are committed to making Narendra Modi the Prime Minister of this country again.”

“I trust they (newly inducted leaders) will contribute immensely to this mission of development and nationalism, a mission that is embedded with Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, which means that development to everyone without any discrimination,” the Chief Minister said.

Seven-phase Lok Sabha polls are set to begin on April 11 and will go on till May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

In&nbsp;Uttar Pradesh, where 80 seats are at stake, polling will be held during all seven phases.&nbsp;

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that the BJP will win more than 74 Lok Sabha seats in the state in the Lok Sabha elections. He also termed the alliance of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party as "unmatchable.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that the BJP will win more than 74 Lok Sabha seats in the state in the Lok Sabha elections. He also termed the alliance of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party as "unmatchable." “BJP was never weak. It won 73 seats in 2014. BJP won 325 seats in 2017 Assembly elections. In the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, BJP will win more than 74 seats,” the Chief Minister claimed while addressing a press conference here. Taking a dig at the SP-BSP alliance, the Chief Minister said, “Unmatchable alliance won't succeed. Oil and water cannot be together.” The Chief Minister was speaking at a press conference organised to induct SP leaders Choudhary Virendra Singh, Manish Chauhan, and Harvinder Chauhan into the party. UP BJP president Mahendranath Pandey was also present on the occasion. Virendra Singh is currently an MLC from the Samajwadi Party. He has been elected to the state legislature six times and was a Cabinet minister in the Samajwadi Party government. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Pandey described Virendra Singh as someone with “great reputation” in the Gurjar community and especially in the western Uttar Pradesh. Welcoming them in BJP family, the Chief Minister said that he was happy to see that “the people who wish to see a safe and prosperous India are committed to making Narendra Modi the Prime Minister of this country again.” “I trust they (newly inducted leaders) will contribute immensely to this mission of development and nationalism, a mission that is embedded with Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, which means that development to everyone without any discrimination,” the Chief Minister said. Seven-phase Lok Sabha polls are set to begin on April 11 and will go on till May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. In Uttar Pradesh, where 80 seats are at stake, polling will be held during all seven phases.

Will win more than 74 Lok Sabha seats in UP: Yogi Adityanath

Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad on Saturday said that on Friday he met with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and that the meeting went well. Nishad stated that Adityanath assured him yesterday "that our grievances will be heard and dealt with".

Nishad added that his party will contest on its own symbol and that "NDA will decide who will contest from where".&nbsp;

Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad on Friday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-nishad-party-quits-alliance-with-spbsp-in-uttar-pradesh-206583">called off the alliance with SP, BSP in Uttar Pradesh</a>. Nishad noted that his party workers and the core committee were upset with the alliance.&nbsp;

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Nishad Party chief, Sanjay Nishad, on joining NDA alliance for Lok Sabha elections: UP CM assured me yesterday that our grievances will be heard &amp; dealt with. Nishad Party will contest on its own symbol. NDA will decide who will contest from where <a href="https://t.co/9FZJHjUula">pic.twitter.com/9FZJHjUula</a>
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"Akhilesh Yadav had said he'll make an announcement on seats for our party. But they didn't put our name on poster/letter or anything. My party workers, authorities, core committee were upset," Nishad told media adding that his party is now free to explore other option or to even go solo in the ensuing general elections.&nbsp;

"So the Nishad party has taken a decision today that we are not with the 'gathbandhan', we are free, can fight elections independently and can look for other options as well. The party is free now," the party chief noted.&nbsp;

Later in the day, Nishad was spotted meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday announced that Nishad Party and Janvadi Party (Socialist) are now a part of Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance in Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

According to the seat-sharing arrangement, Samajwadi Party will contest 37 seats while BSP will fight on 38. Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal was being considered the third wheel of the alliance.&nbsp;

Lok Sabha 2019 will be held in seven phases starting April 11, ending on May 19. Uttar Pradesh will cast vote in seven phases.&nbsp;

Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad on Saturday said that on Friday he met with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and that the meeting went well. Nishad stated that Adityanath assured him yesterday "that our grievances will be heard and dealt with".

Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad on Saturday said that on Friday he met with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and that the meeting went well. Nishad stated that Adityanath assured him yesterday "that our grievances will be heard and dealt with". Nishad added that his party will contest on its own symbol and that "NDA will decide who will contest from where". Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad on Friday called off the alliance with SP, BSP in Uttar Pradesh. Nishad noted that his party workers and the core committee were upset with the alliance. Nishad Party chief, Sanjay Nishad, on joining NDA alliance for Lok Sabha elections: UP CM assured me yesterday that our grievances will be heard & dealt with. Nishad Party will contest on its own symbol. NDA will decide who will contest from where pic.twitter.com/9FZJHjUula — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 30, 2019 × "Akhilesh Yadav had said he'll make an announcement on seats for our party. But they didn't put our name on poster/letter or anything. My party workers, authorities, core committee were upset," Nishad told media adding that his party is now free to explore other option or to even go solo in the ensuing general elections. "So the Nishad party has taken a decision today that we are not with the 'gathbandhan', we are free, can fight elections independently and can look for other options as well. The party is free now," the party chief noted. Later in the day, Nishad was spotted meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday announced that Nishad Party and Janvadi Party (Socialist) are now a part of Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance in Uttar Pradesh. According to the seat-sharing arrangement, Samajwadi Party will contest 37 seats while BSP will fight on 38. Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal was being considered the third wheel of the alliance. Lok Sabha 2019 will be held in seven phases starting April 11, ending on May 19. Uttar Pradesh will cast vote in seven phases.

Lok Sabha polls: 'NDA will decide who will contest from where,' says Nishad party chief after quitting SP-BSP alliance

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said that opposition's defeat is certain in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra as BJP and Shiv Sena are contesting the polls in an alliance with each other.

Speaking to ANI, Thackeray said, "We did not come here to demonstrate our power. It is obvious that the alliance is already very powerful. Since the BJP and the Shiv Sena are contesting the polls in an alliance, opposition's defeat is certain."

Earlier in the day, he addressed a gathering here, during which he reaffirmed his whole-hearted support to the BJP and its president Amit Shah by asserting that whatever issues they had in past are resolved and they would never ‘stab it in the back.’

Thackeray made these statements while sharing the stage with senior BJP leaders during the filing of the nomination of BJP chief Amit Shah.

He also said that despite having differences in the past, BJP and Shiv Sena are together because of their ideologies.

Maharashtra will go to polls in the first four phases, beginning April 11. Results of the polls will be declared on May 23.&nbsp;

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said that opposition's defeat is certain in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra as BJP and Shiv Sena are contesting the polls in an alliance with each other.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said that opposition's defeat is certain in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra as BJP and Shiv Sena are contesting the polls in an alliance with each other. Speaking to ANI, Thackeray said, "We did not come here to demonstrate our power. It is obvious that the alliance is already very powerful. Since the BJP and the Shiv Sena are contesting the polls in an alliance, opposition's defeat is certain." Earlier in the day, he addressed a gathering here, during which he reaffirmed his whole-hearted support to the BJP and its president Amit Shah by asserting that whatever issues they had in past are resolved and they would never ‘stab it in the back.’ Thackeray made these statements while sharing the stage with senior BJP leaders during the filing of the nomination of BJP chief Amit Shah. He also said that despite having differences in the past, BJP and Shiv Sena are together because of their ideologies. Maharashtra will go to polls in the first four phases, beginning April 11. Results of the polls will be declared on May 23.

Opposition's defeat is certain; BJP, Shiv Sena are together in Lok Sabha polls: Uddhav Thackeray

People saw in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lots-to-be-done-to-take-country-forward-im-here-to-complete-that-work-pm-modi-206738">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> a leader they had been waiting for the last 70 years, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-president-amit-shah-files-nomination-for-gandhinagar-seat-206682">BJP chief Amit Shah</a> claimed Saturday and asserted that this Lok Sabha polls will be fought only on the issue of who will lead the country.

Addressing a rally here before filing his nomination papers for the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat, he said the BJP was his life, and also recalled his journey -- from being a party worker in 1982 to becoming its national president.

Shah has replaced BJP veteran L K Advani, who had been winning uninterrupted from Gandhinagar since 1998, from the prestigious constituency. The BJP chief is contesting the Lok Sabha poll for the first time.

Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari and leaders of NDA allies, including Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, SAD supremo Parkash Singh Badal and LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan were present on the stage with Shah at the rally.

"This election will be fought on only one issue, and that is, who will lead this country? When I ask who will lead the country, from Himachal to Kanyakumari and from Kamrup to Gandhinagar, only one word is heard, that is, Modi, Modi, Modi," Shah said.

"Why was this trust formed in just five years? Why has a Gujarat chief minister, who had not even contested a panchayat election before becoming the chief minister, became the favourite of the entire country in just five years? It is because people saw in Narendra Modi a leader that they had been waiting to have for the last 70 years," he said.

Shah claimed that only Modi, the BJP and the NDA government can assure security to the country.

"The question before the country is who can assure security to the country? Only one person, only one party can assure this. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and NDA government can assure security to the country," he said.

Shah said he was fortunate to file his nomination papers from Gandhinagar seat, which was earlier represented by leaders including Advani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Purushottam Ganesh Mavlankar. He said he was an MLA for five times from the region, which falls under the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency.

"I am fortunate that BJP has made me the candidate from Gandhinagar seat that was represented by Lal Krishna Advani, Atalji and Purushottam Ganesh Mavalankar. It is this region from where I was elected MLA for five times. From this region, I successfully did electoral politics with your support," he said.

Asserting that he would carry forward Advani's legacy once he gets elected from the Gandhinagar parliamentary constituency, Shah said, "Development of Gandhinagar seat is the commitment of all of BJP party workers.

"Today, Gandhinagar seat is among the most developed seat in the country and I will humbly and from the bottom of my heart try to carry forward the legacy of Advaniji," he said.

Recalling his days as a BJP worker in 1982, Shah said, "If you remove BJP from my life, then what is left is zero. Whatever I have received, learnt and tried to give to the country and the state is what was given to me by the BJP."

The BJP chief's Lok Sabha poll debut from the Gandhinagar constituency replacing Advani marks a generational shift in the party. The state BJP feels that Shah's nomination will energise the party in Gujarat and help it win all the 26 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

People saw in Prime Minister Narendra Modi a leader they had been waiting for the last 70 years, BJP chief Amit Shah claimed Saturday and asserted that this Lok Sabha polls will be fought only on the issue of who will lead the country.

People saw in Prime Minister Narendra Modi a leader they had been waiting for the last 70 years, BJP chief Amit Shah claimed Saturday and asserted that this Lok Sabha polls will be fought only on the issue of who will lead the country. Addressing a rally here before filing his nomination papers for the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat, he said the BJP was his life, and also recalled his journey -- from being a party worker in 1982 to becoming its national president. Shah has replaced BJP veteran L K Advani, who had been winning uninterrupted from Gandhinagar since 1998, from the prestigious constituency. The BJP chief is contesting the Lok Sabha poll for the first time. Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari and leaders of NDA allies, including Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, SAD supremo Parkash Singh Badal and LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan were present on the stage with Shah at the rally. "This election will be fought on only one issue, and that is, who will lead this country? When I ask who will lead the country, from Himachal to Kanyakumari and from Kamrup to Gandhinagar, only one word is heard, that is, Modi, Modi, Modi," Shah said. "Why was this trust formed in just five years? Why has a Gujarat chief minister, who had not even contested a panchayat election before becoming the chief minister, became the favourite of the entire country in just five years? It is because people saw in Narendra Modi a leader that they had been waiting to have for the last 70 years," he said. Shah claimed that only Modi, the BJP and the NDA government can assure security to the country. "The question before the country is who can assure security to the country? Only one person, only one party can assure this. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and NDA government can assure security to the country," he said. Shah said he was fortunate to file his nomination papers from Gandhinagar seat, which was earlier represented by leaders including Advani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Purushottam Ganesh Mavlankar. He said he was an MLA for five times from the region, which falls under the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency. "I am fortunate that BJP has made me the candidate from Gandhinagar seat that was represented by Lal Krishna Advani, Atalji and Purushottam Ganesh Mavalankar. It is this region from where I was elected MLA for five times. From this region, I successfully did electoral politics with your support," he said. Asserting that he would carry forward Advani's legacy once he gets elected from the Gandhinagar parliamentary constituency, Shah said, "Development of Gandhinagar seat is the commitment of all of BJP party workers. "Today, Gandhinagar seat is among the most developed seat in the country and I will humbly and from the bottom of my heart try to carry forward the legacy of Advaniji," he said. Recalling his days as a BJP worker in 1982, Shah said, "If you remove BJP from my life, then what is left is zero. Whatever I have received, learnt and tried to give to the country and the state is what was given to me by the BJP." The BJP chief's Lok Sabha poll debut from the Gandhinagar constituency replacing Advani marks a generational shift in the party. The state BJP feels that Shah's nomination will energise the party in Gujarat and help it win all the 26 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

People saw in Modi the leader they waited for 70 years: Amit Shah

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-the-northeast-lotus-first-bloomed-in-arunachal-pradesh-pm-modi-206651">Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said</a> although a lot has been done by his government, a lot more is left to be done to take the country forward.&nbsp;

"Despite doing many things, still a lot is required to be done for taking the country forward. If something is left to be done somewhere, if speed was slow somewhere, if priorities were changed somewhere, I am here for your blessings to complete the work," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing a rally in Gohpur, Assam on Saturday.

The Prime Minister said that he never claimed to have completed all that needs to be done in five years.&nbsp;

"I have tried my best with sincerity to serve Assam and people of the nation, but my dear brothers and sisters I do not claim that I have completed all the work in five years. If those who have stayed for 70 years cannot claim then how can a person who is there for 5 years claim this?" he asked while making a veiled reference to Congress.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister also referred to himself as the 'chowkidar' whom the Opposition is afraid of.&nbsp;

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"I am a chowkidar...you are also the same right?" he asked the public present at the rally. "I am the kind of chowkidar you all love but they are afraid of," he added.

In an oblique reference to Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister Modi said that Assam has given a Prime Minister which the people of the state do not remember.

"You have given a Prime Minister also. He was the Prime Minister that people of Assam don't even remember about," he quipped.

Citing Lachit Borphukan he said: "No Mama (maternal uncle) is bigger than the nation."

"But for the Congress, every 'Mama' is bigger than the nation who support and help them in their vested interest and greed. Congress has Michel Mama, Quattrocchi Mama and many more Mamas for whom they can even put the country at stake," he claimed.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Lok Sabha election will be held in Assam on April 11, 18 and 23. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said although a lot has been done by his government, a lot more is left to be done to take the country forward. "Despite doing many things, still a lot is required to be done for taking the country forward.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said although a lot has been done by his government, a lot more is left to be done to take the country forward. "Despite doing many things, still a lot is required to be done for taking the country forward. If something is left to be done somewhere, if speed was slow somewhere, if priorities were changed somewhere, I am here for your blessings to complete the work," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing a rally in Gohpur, Assam on Saturday. The Prime Minister said that he never claimed to have completed all that needs to be done in five years. "I have tried my best with sincerity to serve Assam and people of the nation, but my dear brothers and sisters I do not claim that I have completed all the work in five years. If those who have stayed for 70 years cannot claim then how can a person who is there for 5 years claim this?" he asked while making a veiled reference to Congress. The Prime Minister also referred to himself as the 'chowkidar' whom the Opposition is afraid of. #WATCH "Mein ek chowkidar hun, mein ek chowkidar hun...aap bhi hain na?", asks Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the public present at his rally in Gohpur, Assam. pic.twitter.com/MhmtlI5Z46 — ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2019 × "I am a chowkidar...you are also the same right?" he asked the public present at the rally. "I am the kind of chowkidar you all love but they are afraid of," he added. In an oblique reference to Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister Modi said that Assam has given a Prime Minister which the people of the state do not remember. "You have given a Prime Minister also. He was the Prime Minister that people of Assam don't even remember about," he quipped. Citing Lachit Borphukan he said: "No Mama (maternal uncle) is bigger than the nation." "But for the Congress, every 'Mama' is bigger than the nation who support and help them in their vested interest and greed. Congress has Michel Mama, Quattrocchi Mama and many more Mamas for whom they can even put the country at stake," he claimed. The Lok Sabha election will be held in Assam on April 11, 18 and 23. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Lots to be done to take the country forward, I'm here to complete that work: PM Modi

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal Friday met members of the party's Punjab unit and asked them to dispel rumours of any alliance with the Congress in the state for the Lok Sabha polls, sources said.

Kejriwal held the meeting at his residence with AAP Punjab chief Bhagwant Mann, eight of the 13 Lok Sabha candidates declared by the party and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Harpal Singh Cheema.

"The meeting was to dispel rumours surrounding an alliance with the Congress in Punjab and to clarify that there would be no such alliance between the AAP and the Congress," party sources said.

During the meeting, the names of the five remaining candidates were discussed along with the campaign strategy, the sources said.

The eight names announced by AAP so far include Justice Zora Singh (retd) from Jalandhar, Baljinder Singh Chaundha from Fatehgarh Sahib and Peter Masih Cheeda from Gurdaspur, Bhagwant Mann from Sangrur, Ravjot Singh from Hoshiarpur, Sadhu Singh from Faridkot, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal from Amritsar and Narinder Singh Shergill from Anandpur Sahib.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership said the candidates for the remaining constituencies, including Bathinda, Ferozepur, Ludhiana, Khadoor Sahib and Patiala, would be announced soon.

Polling will be held in Punjab in a single phase on May 19 and results will be announced on May 23.&nbsp;

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal Friday met members of the party's Punjab unit and asked them to dispel rumours of any alliance with the Congress in the state for the Lok Sabha polls, sources said.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal Friday met members of the party's Punjab unit and asked them to dispel rumours of any alliance with the Congress in the state for the Lok Sabha polls, sources said. Kejriwal held the meeting at his residence with AAP Punjab chief Bhagwant Mann, eight of the 13 Lok Sabha candidates declared by the party and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Harpal Singh Cheema. "The meeting was to dispel rumours surrounding an alliance with the Congress in Punjab and to clarify that there would be no such alliance between the AAP and the Congress," party sources said. During the meeting, the names of the five remaining candidates were discussed along with the campaign strategy, the sources said. The eight names announced by AAP so far include Justice Zora Singh (retd) from Jalandhar, Baljinder Singh Chaundha from Fatehgarh Sahib and Peter Masih Cheeda from Gurdaspur, Bhagwant Mann from Sangrur, Ravjot Singh from Hoshiarpur, Sadhu Singh from Faridkot, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal from Amritsar and Narinder Singh Shergill from Anandpur Sahib. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership said the candidates for the remaining constituencies, including Bathinda, Ferozepur, Ludhiana, Khadoor Sahib and Patiala, would be announced soon. Polling will be held in Punjab in a single phase on May 19 and results will be announced on May 23.

Kejriwal asks Punjab party leaders to dispel rumours of alliance with Congress

Dubbed an "outsider" by the Opposition, BJP MP Hema Malini has said she has a "divine connection" with Mathura, the city of Lord Krishna, and has no intention of becoming a minister.

The actor-turned-politician, who has been fielded once again by the BJP from the Mathura constituency, filed her nomination papers for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections earlier this week.

The 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) of Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal has said that Mathura will witness an "outsider vs Brijwasi" battle as Hema Malini lives in Mumbai.

"Yes, I have a house in Mumbai. What is the problem with that? I have a house here also and I am a Virndavanwasi," Hema Malini told PTI in an exclusive interview.

"I am so involved with the city and I feel some divine connection with this city. I have been playing Radha and Meera throughout my life and I was in a temple only when my candidature was announced," she said.

The BJP MP said she also has to fulfil her professional commitments as an actor and a danseuse.

"In the last five years I have come here more than 250 times. People should understand that I am not just an MP and I have to use my talent as an actor and a danseuse as well. There is no need for me to be here 24 hours. I come and get things done in 10 days," Hema Malini said.

"I know that I can't satisfy the entire city, which is so huge, but I have done my work with utmost sincerity and will continue to do so in future as well," she said. 
Hema Malini said it pained her when people questioned her work in the last five years.

"I really feel hurt when someone asks 'apne kya kaam kiya?' (what work did you do). The first two years were difficult as I could not communicate (with the people). But in the last two years I was able to get things done with the support of the Centre and the state government," she said.

"Many projects have been sanctioned under Brij Teerth Vikas Parishad and I am working to revive the old heritage of Brij Mandal," she said, adding that she needed another five years for that.

"This is why I have decided to stay back," she said.

Despite being a star campaigner of the ruling BJP, the BJP MP said she was not eyeing a ministerial berth at the Centre and wants to focus on Mathura only.

"I am not a hardcore politician and I want to limit myself to Mathura only. I am asked many times if I want to become a minister and it sounds so strange. Being a minister is a full-time responsibility," Hema Malini said.

"Women ministers in Modiji's cabinet have done extremely well and I am proud of them, but this is not a competition," she said.

Rejecting speculation about differences in the BJP's local unit, Hema Malini said everyone is working together to ensure a second term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"There is no infighting and my party workers have a lot of love and respect for me. They are supporting me in a big way and I am 100 per cent sure of winning with a bigger margin this time," she said.

Asked about her announcement, which she made after filing her nomination papers, that this election will be her last, Hema Malini said as of now, she was focussing on making the most of the next five years.

"We will talk about the future after five years. Let's see how much energy I will have left by then," she said.

Asked about the possibility of her family members campaigning for her, she said, "I can't say yet whether Dharamji will come. I wanted Esha to come but she is expecting a baby," she said.

Hema Malini had defeated RLD's sitting MP Jayant Chaudhary in 2014 by a huge margin of 3,30,743 votes in 2014.

This year, she is pitted against RLD's Kunwar Narendra Singh.

Voting will be held in Mathura in the second round of seven-phase Lok Sabha polls on April 18. Results will be announced on May 23.&nbsp;

Dubbed an "outsider" by the Opposition, BJP MP Hema Malini has said she has a "divine connection" with Mathura, the city of Lord Krishna, and has no intention of becoming a minister.

Dubbed an "outsider" by the Opposition, BJP MP Hema Malini has said she has a "divine connection" with Mathura, the city of Lord Krishna, and has no intention of becoming a minister. The actor-turned-politician, who has been fielded once again by the BJP from the Mathura constituency, filed her nomination papers for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections earlier this week. The 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) of Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal has said that Mathura will witness an "outsider vs Brijwasi" battle as Hema Malini lives in Mumbai. "Yes, I have a house in Mumbai. What is the problem with that? I have a house here also and I am a Virndavanwasi," Hema Malini told PTI in an exclusive interview. "I am so involved with the city and I feel some divine connection with this city. I have been playing Radha and Meera throughout my life and I was in a temple only when my candidature was announced," she said. The BJP MP said she also has to fulfil her professional commitments as an actor and a danseuse. "In the last five years I have come here more than 250 times. People should understand that I am not just an MP and I have to use my talent as an actor and a danseuse as well. There is no need for me to be here 24 hours. I come and get things done in 10 days," Hema Malini said. "I know that I can't satisfy the entire city, which is so huge, but I have done my work with utmost sincerity and will continue to do so in future as well," she said. Hema Malini said it pained her when people questioned her work in the last five years. "I really feel hurt when someone asks 'apne kya kaam kiya?' (what work did you do). The first two years were difficult as I could not communicate (with the people). But in the last two years I was able to get things done with the support of the Centre and the state government," she said. "Many projects have been sanctioned under Brij Teerth Vikas Parishad and I am working to revive the old heritage of Brij Mandal," she said, adding that she needed another five years for that. "This is why I have decided to stay back," she said. Despite being a star campaigner of the ruling BJP, the BJP MP said she was not eyeing a ministerial berth at the Centre and wants to focus on Mathura only. "I am not a hardcore politician and I want to limit myself to Mathura only. I am asked many times if I want to become a minister and it sounds so strange. Being a minister is a full-time responsibility," Hema Malini said. "Women ministers in Modiji's cabinet have done extremely well and I am proud of them, but this is not a competition," she said. Rejecting speculation about differences in the BJP's local unit, Hema Malini said everyone is working together to ensure a second term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "There is no infighting and my party workers have a lot of love and respect for me. They are supporting me in a big way and I am 100 per cent sure of winning with a bigger margin this time," she said. Asked about her announcement, which she made after filing her nomination papers, that this election will be her last, Hema Malini said as of now, she was focussing on making the most of the next five years. "We will talk about the future after five years. Let's see how much energy I will have left by then," she said. Asked about the possibility of her family members campaigning for her, she said, "I can't say yet whether Dharamji will come. I wanted Esha to come but she is expecting a baby," she said. Hema Malini had defeated RLD's sitting MP Jayant Chaudhary in 2014 by a huge margin of 3,30,743 votes in 2014. This year, she is pitted against RLD's Kunwar Narendra Singh. Voting will be held in Mathura in the second round of seven-phase Lok Sabha polls on April 18. Results will be announced on May 23.

I share 'divine connection' with Mathura: Hema Malini

The Election Commission of India on Friday stated that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ec-will-examine-if-pm-modis-address-to-nation-violated-model-code-of-conduct-206148">Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Mission Shakti" address</a> didn't violate Model Code of Conduct (MCC) as public broadcasters were used.&nbsp;

"Committee has reached to the conclusion that MCC provision regarding misuse of official mass media as contained in Para (IV) of Part VII of MCC isn't attracted in the case," the poll body stated today.&nbsp;

The EC took the decision based on the report of a committee of officers which found that the prime minister did not violate the provision of 'party in power' in the poll code, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

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Election Commission says PM Modi's "Mission Shakti" speech didn't violate Model Code of Conduct (MCC); states, "Committee has reached to conclusion that MCC provision regarding misuse of official mass media as contained in Para (IV) of Part VII of MCC isn't attracted in the case" <a href="https://t.co/fjDZRnvsMc">pic.twitter.com/fjDZRnvsMc</a>
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Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation after the successful testing of A-SAT missile on Wednesday. After much clamour from the opposition parties, the Election Commission of India directed a Committee of Officers to examine the matter immediately and ascertain if the speech violated the Model Code of Conduct as alleged by the opposition.

India shot down one of its satellites in space on Wednesday with an anti-satellite missile to demonstrate this complex capability, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced, making it only the fourth country to have used such a weapon.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

The Election Commission of India on Friday stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Mission Shakti" address didn't violate Model Code of Conduct (MCC) as public broadcasters were used.

The Election Commission of India on Friday stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Mission Shakti" address didn't violate Model Code of Conduct (MCC) as public broadcasters were used. "Committee has reached to the conclusion that MCC provision regarding misuse of official mass media as contained in Para (IV) of Part VII of MCC isn't attracted in the case," the poll body stated today. The EC took the decision based on the report of a committee of officers which found that the prime minister did not violate the provision of 'party in power' in the poll code, news agency PTI reported. Election Commission says PM Modi's "Mission Shakti" speech didn't violate Model Code of Conduct (MCC); states, "Committee has reached to conclusion that MCC provision regarding misuse of official mass media as contained in Para (IV) of Part VII of MCC isn't attracted in the case" pic.twitter.com/fjDZRnvsMc — ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2019 × Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation after the successful testing of A-SAT missile on Wednesday. After much clamour from the opposition parties, the Election Commission of India directed a Committee of Officers to examine the matter immediately and ascertain if the speech violated the Model Code of Conduct as alleged by the opposition. India shot down one of its satellites in space on Wednesday with an anti-satellite missile to demonstrate this complex capability, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced, making it only the fourth country to have used such a weapon. (With inputs from PTI)

PM's 'Mission Shakti' address does not violate Model Code of Conduct: Election Commission

Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad on Friday called off the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-nishad-party-and-janvadi-party-socialist-join-sp-bsp-rld-alliance-in-uttar-pradesh-205715">alliance with SP, BSP in Uttar Pradesh</a>. Nishad noted that his party workers and the core committee were upset with the alliance.&nbsp;

"Akhilesh Yadav had said he'll make an announcement on seats for our party. But they didn't put our name on poster/letter or anything. My party workers, authorities, core committee were upset," Nishad told media adding that his party is now free to explore other option or to even go solo in the ensuing general elections.&nbsp;

"So the Nishad party has taken a decision today that we are not with the 'gathbandhan', we are free, can fight elections independently and can look for other options as well. The party is free now," the party chief noted.&nbsp;

Later in the day, Nishad was spotted meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.&nbsp;

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Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad meets Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow <a href="https://t.co/MNvdVzOiXQ">pic.twitter.com/MNvdVzOiXQ</a>
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The development came just a few days after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday announced that Nishad Party and Janvadi Party (Socialist) are now a part of Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance in Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

According to the seat-sharing arrangement, Samajwadi Party will contest 37 seats while BSP will fight on 38. Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal was being considered the third wheel of the alliance.&nbsp;

Lok Sabha 2019 will be held in seven phases starting April 11, ending on May 19. Uttar Pradesh will cast vote in seven phases.&nbsp;

Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad on Friday called off the alliance with SP, BSP in Uttar Pradesh. Nishad noted that his party workers and the core committee were upset with the alliance.

Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad on Friday called off the alliance with SP, BSP in Uttar Pradesh. Nishad noted that his party workers and the core committee were upset with the alliance. "Akhilesh Yadav had said he'll make an announcement on seats for our party. But they didn't put our name on poster/letter or anything. My party workers, authorities, core committee were upset," Nishad told media adding that his party is now free to explore other option or to even go solo in the ensuing general elections. "So the Nishad party has taken a decision today that we are not with the 'gathbandhan', we are free, can fight elections independently and can look for other options as well. The party is free now," the party chief noted. Later in the day, Nishad was spotted meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad meets Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow pic.twitter.com/MNvdVzOiXQ — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 29, 2019 × The development came just a few days after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday announced that Nishad Party and Janvadi Party (Socialist) are now a part of Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance in Uttar Pradesh. According to the seat-sharing arrangement, Samajwadi Party will contest 37 seats while BSP will fight on 38. Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal was being considered the third wheel of the alliance. Lok Sabha 2019 will be held in seven phases starting April 11, ending on May 19. Uttar Pradesh will cast vote in seven phases.

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Taking a swipe at the grand alliance of opposition parties, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Friday said the '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mahagathbandhan-in-bihar-allocates-seats-for-alliance-partners-for-lok-sabha-poll-phases-3-to-7-206478">mahagathbandhan</a>' is a 'non-bandhan', political circus and a recipe for chaos.

Several political parties, mostly traditional BJP opponents, have come together to take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the ensuing general elections beginning April 11.

In a blog post, Jaitley said that over the last several months, India was "exhausted" with the talk of a 'Mahagathbandhan'.&nbsp;

The rationale, he said, was that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP were very strong and could not be challenged by an individual party.&nbsp;

Stressing that Indians judge politicians by their merit and capacity and no longer by any traditional loyalty, he said, "We were promised a 'coalition of rivals' because India had to be saved. We were promised a common minimum agenda. Each leader amongst the aspirant Prime Ministers wanted to become a 'sutradhar' (anchor) of the alliance. He/she would periodically organise shows in his/her State and invite the entire bandwagon."&nbsp;

In opposition camp, Jaitley said there is a tussle for leadership as already multiple candidates have made their desire clear to take over the mantle of the leadership.&nbsp;

According to him, each one of them is interested to see the strength of the other party's contender depleting and also have high hopes in a chaotic and highly hung Parliament.&nbsp;

"He/ she believes that only in a chaotic situation he/she has a chance," said Jaitley, who is heading the BJP's publicity division of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

The past track record of such governments in terms of policy, longevity and growth has to be borne in mind, he said adding their track record of corruption is equally well-known.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Jaitley further said it is only because of the size of the BJP and clarity on leadership in the last coalition that a successful government was run under Prime Minister Modi.&nbsp;

"Today you have no 'gathbandhan' let alone 'mahagathbandhan'. It is a 'non-bandhan'. You have no leader, no programme, no meeting of minds.&nbsp;

"Stability, which is paramount, is a major casualty. The only thing in common is the negative agenda 'remove one man'. It is a recipe for chaos," he said in the blog titled 'A Political Circus Called 'Mahagathbandhan'.&nbsp;

The nominations for the first two phases of polling are over and those for the third phase are about to happen. The results will be announced on May 23.&nbsp;

Taking a swipe at the grand alliance of opposition parties, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Friday said the 'mahagathbandhan' is a 'non-bandhan', political circus and a recipe for chaos.

Taking a swipe at the grand alliance of opposition parties, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Friday said the 'mahagathbandhan' is a 'non-bandhan', political circus and a recipe for chaos. Several political parties, mostly traditional BJP opponents, have come together to take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the ensuing general elections beginning April 11. In a blog post, Jaitley said that over the last several months, India was "exhausted" with the talk of a 'Mahagathbandhan'. The rationale, he said, was that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP were very strong and could not be challenged by an individual party. Stressing that Indians judge politicians by their merit and capacity and no longer by any traditional loyalty, he said, "We were promised a 'coalition of rivals' because India had to be saved. We were promised a common minimum agenda. Each leader amongst the aspirant Prime Ministers wanted to become a 'sutradhar' (anchor) of the alliance. He/she would periodically organise shows in his/her State and invite the entire bandwagon." In opposition camp, Jaitley said there is a tussle for leadership as already multiple candidates have made their desire clear to take over the mantle of the leadership. According to him, each one of them is interested to see the strength of the other party's contender depleting and also have high hopes in a chaotic and highly hung Parliament. "He/ she believes that only in a chaotic situation he/she has a chance," said Jaitley, who is heading the BJP's publicity division of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. The past track record of such governments in terms of policy, longevity and growth has to be borne in mind, he said adding their track record of corruption is equally well-known. Jaitley further said it is only because of the size of the BJP and clarity on leadership in the last coalition that a successful government was run under Prime Minister Modi. "Today you have no 'gathbandhan' let alone 'mahagathbandhan'. It is a 'non-bandhan'. You have no leader, no programme, no meeting of minds. "Stability, which is paramount, is a major casualty. The only thing in common is the negative agenda 'remove one man'. It is a recipe for chaos," he said in the blog titled 'A Political Circus Called 'Mahagathbandhan'. The nominations for the first two phases of polling are over and those for the third phase are about to happen. The results will be announced on May 23.

Mahagathbandhan is political circus, recipe for chaos: Arun Jaitley

In a big blow to the Congress, Patidar leader Hardik Patel has been barred from contesting the ensuing Lok Sabha polls owing to his conviction in a 2015 rioting case.

According to reports, the Gujarat High court on Friday rejected <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/hardik-patel-to-fight-lok-sabha-polls-congress-says-may-join-party-195669">Patel's plea seeking suspension of his conviction</a> in a 2015 rioting case in Mehsana.&nbsp;

As per the Representation of the People Act, 1951, Patel won't be able to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha Election due to his conviction.

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Gujarat High court rejects Congress leader Hardik Patel's plea seeking suspension of his conviction in a rioting case of 2015 in Mehsana. As per the Representation of the People Act, 1951, Hardik Patel won't be able to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha Election due to his conviction <a href="https://t.co/qmiuGwHMa3">pic.twitter.com/qmiuGwHMa3</a>
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Patel was barred from entering Mehsana by a court in the 2015 Mehsana riot case. He had filed a plea in the Gujarat high court against the lower court order.

In February sources from Congress were quoted by news agency PTI saying, "If the HC vacates the ban on his entry into Mehsana district, he is most likely to contest from Mehsana (in north Gujarat).... Amreli (in Saurasthra) is another seat which has been offered to him".

Patel's entry into the electoral fray will have an impact in Gujarat, where the Bharatiya Janata Party has been winning assembly elections since 1995. In the 2014 general election, the BJP had won all the 26 Lok Sabha seats in the state.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

In a big blow to the Congress, Patidar leader Hardik Patel has been barred from contesting the ensuing Lok Sabha polls owing to his conviction in a 2015 rioting case.

In a big blow to the Congress, Patidar leader Hardik Patel has been barred from contesting the ensuing Lok Sabha polls owing to his conviction in a 2015 rioting case. According to reports, the Gujarat High court on Friday rejected Patel's plea seeking suspension of his conviction in a 2015 rioting case in Mehsana. As per the Representation of the People Act, 1951, Patel won't be able to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha Election due to his conviction. Gujarat High court rejects Congress leader Hardik Patel's plea seeking suspension of his conviction in a rioting case of 2015 in Mehsana. As per the Representation of the People Act, 1951, Hardik Patel won't be able to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha Election due to his conviction pic.twitter.com/qmiuGwHMa3 — ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2019 × Patel was barred from entering Mehsana by a court in the 2015 Mehsana riot case. He had filed a plea in the Gujarat high court against the lower court order. In February sources from Congress were quoted by news agency PTI saying, "If the HC vacates the ban on his entry into Mehsana district, he is most likely to contest from Mehsana (in north Gujarat).... Amreli (in Saurasthra) is another seat which has been offered to him". Patel's entry into the electoral fray will have an impact in Gujarat, where the Bharatiya Janata Party has been winning assembly elections since 1995. In the 2014 general election, the BJP had won all the 26 Lok Sabha seats in the state. (With inputs from PTI)

Hardik Patel won't contest Lok Sabha polls, Gujarat HC rejects plea to stay his conviction in riots case

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday released its 12th <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-releases-first-list-of-182-candidates-for-lok-sabha-polls-modi-to-contest-from-varanasi-again-204704">list of candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls</a>. The list contains names of 11 candidates in Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.&nbsp;

The party has announced names of 367 candidates so far for the polls which will be held in seven phases starting April 11.&nbsp;

The list includes three candidates each from Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and one each from Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir.

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BJP releases 12th list of 11 candidates in Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra &amp; Rajasthan for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/6GNeE0K0Ab">pic.twitter.com/6GNeE0K0Ab</a>
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will contest from his home constituency Varanasi while Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will fight from Lucknow. Party chief Amit Shah will contest from Gandhinagar.&nbsp;

Textiles Minister Smriti Irani will challenge Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Gandhi-family bastion Amethi. &nbsp;

VK Singh (Ghaziabad), Hema Malini (Mathura), Sakshi Maharaj (Unnao) are some of the other prominent figures announced in the first list. &nbsp;

Jugal Kishore to contest from Jammu, Dr Jitendra Singh from Udhampur, Sofi Yousuf from Anantnag and Khalid Jehangir will contest from Srinagar.

Babul Supriyo will contest from Asanasol, Rahul Sinha from Kolkata North and CK Bose from Kolkata South.

Subhash Bhamre to contest from Dhule, Hansraj Ahir from Chandrapur, Poonam Mahajan from Mumbai North Central.

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday released its 12th list of candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. The list contains names of 11 candidates in Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday released its 12th list of candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. The list contains names of 11 candidates in Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The party has announced names of 367 candidates so far for the polls which will be held in seven phases starting April 11. The list includes three candidates each from Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and one each from Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir. BJP releases 12th list of 11 candidates in Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra & Rajasthan for #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/6GNeE0K0Ab — ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2019 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi will contest from his home constituency Varanasi while Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will fight from Lucknow. Party chief Amit Shah will contest from Gandhinagar. Textiles Minister Smriti Irani will challenge Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Gandhi-family bastion Amethi. VK Singh (Ghaziabad), Hema Malini (Mathura), Sakshi Maharaj (Unnao) are some of the other prominent figures announced in the first list. Jugal Kishore to contest from Jammu, Dr Jitendra Singh from Udhampur, Sofi Yousuf from Anantnag and Khalid Jehangir will contest from Srinagar. Babul Supriyo will contest from Asanasol, Rahul Sinha from Kolkata North and CK Bose from Kolkata South. Subhash Bhamre to contest from Dhule, Hansraj Ahir from Chandrapur, Poonam Mahajan from Mumbai North Central.

Lok Sabha polls: BJP releases 12th list of 11 candidates

Gravitas: PM Modi rallies in UP, Uttarakhand and J&K

The Bhartiya Janta Party's national president Amit Shah launched a blistering attack on Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday and claimed that the party will implement NRC in Bengal if voted to power.

“We give equal respect to all religions in the country. But Mamata didi gives a monthly stipend to Imams only. But the same monthly stipend is not given to the pandits. This is minority appeasement. She forcibly imposes Urdu language in schools. She alloted Rs 4,000 crore budget to Madrasa but the entire higher education budget is less than 4,000 crore depriving children of becoming engineers and doctors,” Shah said during a campaign rally in Alipurduar district of Bengal.

He added that if voted to power, the party will implement the NRC in the state. “We are going to implement the NRC in West Bengal and kick out all infiltrators. I want to assure all refugees that we will give you shelter through the Citizenship Amendment Bill. Mamata ji wants to kick out the refugees but we will not allow that,” added Shah.

The BJP national president once again raised the issue of the Rath Yatra permission being denied by the authorities and claimed that democracy does not prevail in the state.

“When we were to take out the Rath Yatra we were not given permission. Helicopter’s permission was denied to me, Rajnath Singh ji and Yogi Adityanath ji. Mamata ji doesn't allow villagers to cast their vote. I want to tell everyone that TMC's time is up and we are confident of getting 23 seats here,” he said.

The Bhartiya Janta Party's national president Amit Shah launched a blistering attack on Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday and claimed that the party will implement NRC in Bengal if voted to power.

The Bhartiya Janta Party's national president Amit Shah launched a blistering attack on Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday and claimed that the party will implement NRC in Bengal if voted to power. “We give equal respect to all religions in the country. But Mamata didi gives a monthly stipend to Imams only. But the same monthly stipend is not given to the pandits. This is minority appeasement. She forcibly imposes Urdu language in schools. She alloted Rs 4,000 crore budget to Madrasa but the entire higher education budget is less than 4,000 crore depriving children of becoming engineers and doctors,” Shah said during a campaign rally in Alipurduar district of Bengal. He added that if voted to power, the party will implement the NRC in the state. “We are going to implement the NRC in West Bengal and kick out all infiltrators. I want to assure all refugees that we will give you shelter through the Citizenship Amendment Bill. Mamata ji wants to kick out the refugees but we will not allow that,” added Shah. The BJP national president once again raised the issue of the Rath Yatra permission being denied by the authorities and claimed that democracy does not prevail in the state. “When we were to take out the Rath Yatra we were not given permission. Helicopter’s permission was denied to me, Rajnath Singh ji and Yogi Adityanath ji. Mamata ji doesn't allow villagers to cast their vote. I want to tell everyone that TMC's time is up and we are confident of getting 23 seats here,” he said.

Lok Sabha polls: 'TMC's time is up, will implement NRC in state if voted to power,' says Amit Shah in Bengal

PM Modi addresses rally in Meerut, Says Chowkidar never do injustice

Rebel BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha to join Congress today

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's father Nand Kumar Baghel on Monday expressed his willingness to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Nand Kumar Baghel is not a member of any political party. Addressing reporters outside the Congress headquarters here, he said, "I want to contest election against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. If Congress gives me a ticket, I will contest to defeat him and make Rahul Gandhi the next Prime Minister of India."

Terming Prime Minister as "dictator", he said, "He (Modi) has made false promises to the country. Congress should field me against him."

"Congress party should not ally with regional parties and if the alliance happens, it should happen only on condition that Rahul Gandhi will be the next Prime Minister," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is once again set to contest general elections from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, the seat from which he won in 2014 polls.

The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be conducted in seven phases. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.&nbsp;

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's father Nand Kumar Baghel on Monday expressed his willingness to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's father Nand Kumar Baghel on Monday expressed his willingness to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nand Kumar Baghel is not a member of any political party. Addressing reporters outside the Congress headquarters here, he said, "I want to contest election against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. If Congress gives me a ticket, I will contest to defeat him and make Rahul Gandhi the next Prime Minister of India." Terming Prime Minister as "dictator", he said, "He (Modi) has made false promises to the country. Congress should field me against him." "Congress party should not ally with regional parties and if the alliance happens, it should happen only on condition that Rahul Gandhi will be the next Prime Minister," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is once again set to contest general elections from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, the seat from which he won in 2014 polls. The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be conducted in seven phases. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls: Chhattisgarh CM's father wishes to contest against PM Modi

Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan and Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar were among prominent candidates who Monday filed their nomination papers in the state for the Lok Sabha elections.

Gadkari filed his papers for the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat, where polls will be held on April 11.

The BJP stalwart, who had defeated Vilas Muttemwar (Congress) in the 2014 elections by a margin of 2.84 lakh votes, said he will win with a bigger margin this time around.

"This time, I will win with a bigger margin. People have a good opinion of the work done by the Narendra Modi-led government in the last five years. Our government did more than (what was promised) in the poll manifesto," Gadkari told reporters.

The former BJP president was accompanied by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Energy Minister Chandrashekar Bawankule, family members and a large number of party workers, while filing his papers.

"Your support and love is the biggest strength for us," said Gadkari, who handles a number of infrastructure-related portfolios in the Modi government. 
Fadnavis said Gadkari will register a "historic win" in Nagpur.

"He will create a record in Maharashtra," the chief minister said, adding the "BJP-Shiv Sena combine would win 45 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Shiv Sena's Krupal Tumane, the sitting MP from Ramtek (SC) seat, also filed his nomination papers for the Ramtek seat.

Nana Patole of the Congress, who will take on Gadkari in Nagpur, and former IAS officer Kishor Gajbhiye, pitted against Tumane in Ramtek, also filed their nomination papers later in the day.

Patole claimed Nagpur and Ramtek seats were Congress bastions, and said he would defeat Gadkari comfortably.

Chavan filed his papers from the Nanded constituency.

He was accompanied by NCP leader Kamal Kishore Kadam on the occasion.

Chavan, the sitting MP from Nanded, exuded confidence that the Congress will emerge victorious in the country winning seats "in big numbers".

The former Maharashtra chief minister claimed the present atmosphere in the country was against the BJP.

"People are fed up. Farmers, students, unemployed and traders are fed up with the government. The (BJP-led) government has not kept its promises. Hence, there will definitely be a change in guard," Chavan claimed.

Chavan is pitted against Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Chikhlikar, who is contesting on a BJP ticket.

Another senior Maharashtra Congress leader, Manikrao Thakre, filed his papers from the Yavatmal-Washim seat.

Meanwhile, Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar, who has formed a new political front, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, along with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, filed his papers from the Solapur seat.

He will take on Congress veteran Sushilkumar Shinde there. The seat is held by BJP's Sharad Bansode, who defeated Shinde in the 2014 polls by a margin of 1.49 lakh votes.

Ambedkar accused Shinde, a former Union Home Minister, of not protecting the interests of backward class communities from the constituency.

Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir of the BJP also filed his nomination papers. He is contesting from the Chandrapur constituency and will take on Suresh Dhanorkar of the Congress.

The other BJP candidates who filed their papers included Sanjay Dhotre (Akola), Ashok Nete (Gadchiroli-Chimur), Jaysiddheshwar Swami (Solapur) and Dr Pritam Munde (Beed).

Dhotre will contest against NCP's Hidayat Patel, while Munde will take on NCP's Bajarang Sonawane. BJP's Nete will take on Congress candidate Dr Namdev Usendi.

The three sitting MPs of the Shiv Sena from western Vidarbha -- Anandrao Adsul (Amravati), Prataprao Jadhav (Buldana) and Bhavana Gawali (Yavatmal-Washim) also filed their nomination papers.

Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray was present when Adsul, whose candidature has been opposed by a Sena faction, filed his nomination papers.

Shiv Sena candidate Omraje Nimbalkar filed his nomination papers from the Osmanabad Lok Sabha constituency. The sitting Sena MP from Osmanabad Ravindra Gaikwad has been denied ticket this time.

Adsul will be challenged by NCPs Navneet Rana. Jadhav will take on NCPs Rajendra Shingane, while Gawali's main opponent is Thakre (Congress).

Maharashtra, which has the second highest Lok Sabha seats in the country, will vote in four phases - on April 11, 18, 23, 29.&nbsp;

Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan and Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar were among prominent candidates who Monday filed their nomination papers in the state for the Lok Sabha elections.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan and Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar were among prominent candidates who Monday filed their nomination papers in the state for the Lok Sabha elections. Gadkari filed his papers for the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat, where polls will be held on April 11. The BJP stalwart, who had defeated Vilas Muttemwar (Congress) in the 2014 elections by a margin of 2.84 lakh votes, said he will win with a bigger margin this time around. "This time, I will win with a bigger margin. People have a good opinion of the work done by the Narendra Modi-led government in the last five years. Our government did more than (what was promised) in the poll manifesto," Gadkari told reporters. The former BJP president was accompanied by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Energy Minister Chandrashekar Bawankule, family members and a large number of party workers, while filing his papers. "Your support and love is the biggest strength for us," said Gadkari, who handles a number of infrastructure-related portfolios in the Modi government. Fadnavis said Gadkari will register a "historic win" in Nagpur. "He will create a record in Maharashtra," the chief minister said, adding the "BJP-Shiv Sena combine would win 45 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Shiv Sena's Krupal Tumane, the sitting MP from Ramtek (SC) seat, also filed his nomination papers for the Ramtek seat. Nana Patole of the Congress, who will take on Gadkari in Nagpur, and former IAS officer Kishor Gajbhiye, pitted against Tumane in Ramtek, also filed their nomination papers later in the day. Patole claimed Nagpur and Ramtek seats were Congress bastions, and said he would defeat Gadkari comfortably. Chavan filed his papers from the Nanded constituency. He was accompanied by NCP leader Kamal Kishore Kadam on the occasion. Chavan, the sitting MP from Nanded, exuded confidence that the Congress will emerge victorious in the country winning seats "in big numbers". The former Maharashtra chief minister claimed the present atmosphere in the country was against the BJP. "People are fed up. Farmers, students, unemployed and traders are fed up with the government. The (BJP-led) government has not kept its promises. Hence, there will definitely be a change in guard," Chavan claimed. Chavan is pitted against Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Chikhlikar, who is contesting on a BJP ticket. Another senior Maharashtra Congress leader, Manikrao Thakre, filed his papers from the Yavatmal-Washim seat. Meanwhile, Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar, who has formed a new political front, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, along with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, filed his papers from the Solapur seat. He will take on Congress veteran Sushilkumar Shinde there. The seat is held by BJP's Sharad Bansode, who defeated Shinde in the 2014 polls by a margin of 1.49 lakh votes. Ambedkar accused Shinde, a former Union Home Minister, of not protecting the interests of backward class communities from the constituency. Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir of the BJP also filed his nomination papers. He is contesting from the Chandrapur constituency and will take on Suresh Dhanorkar of the Congress. The other BJP candidates who filed their papers included Sanjay Dhotre (Akola), Ashok Nete (Gadchiroli-Chimur), Jaysiddheshwar Swami (Solapur) and Dr Pritam Munde (Beed). Dhotre will contest against NCP's Hidayat Patel, while Munde will take on NCP's Bajarang Sonawane. BJP's Nete will take on Congress candidate Dr Namdev Usendi. The three sitting MPs of the Shiv Sena from western Vidarbha -- Anandrao Adsul (Amravati), Prataprao Jadhav (Buldana) and Bhavana Gawali (Yavatmal-Washim) also filed their nomination papers. Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray was present when Adsul, whose candidature has been opposed by a Sena faction, filed his nomination papers. Shiv Sena candidate Omraje Nimbalkar filed his nomination papers from the Osmanabad Lok Sabha constituency. The sitting Sena MP from Osmanabad Ravindra Gaikwad has been denied ticket this time. Adsul will be challenged by NCPs Navneet Rana. Jadhav will take on NCPs Rajendra Shingane, while Gawali's main opponent is Thakre (Congress). Maharashtra, which has the second highest Lok Sabha seats in the country, will vote in four phases - on April 11, 18, 23, 29.

Lok Sabha polls: Gadkari, Chavan, Ambedkar file nominations in Maharashtra 

In a surprise move, the BJP Tuesday fielded party's youth wing leader Tejaswi Surya from its bastion of Bangalore South from where the widow of union minister Ananth Kumar, a six-time MP from this prestigious Lok Sabha constituency, was denied the ticket.

Ending the suspense with just hours left for the deadline for filing of nominations for the first phase of polls in Karnataka, the BJP central leadership announced past midnight last night the name of 28-year-old Surya, a lawyer and a member of the party's national social media campaign team.&nbsp;

Surya is the general secretary of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha(BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP.

It was widely expected that the BJP would field Tejaswini given her active participation in scripting her husband's victories from the seat six times, but Surya emerged as the dark horse. Surya filed his nomination papers Tuesday.

The Karnataka BJP core committee had proposed only Tejaswini's name, according to Padmanabhanagar MLA and former deputy chief minister R Ashok.

Tejaswini was also confident about fighting the poll on BJP ticket and had been preparing for it and had started a door-to-door campaign.

She said the party decision came as a shock to her and all of her supporters but maintained that it is very important to show that the BJP was a party with a difference.

"OMG OMG!!! I can't believe this. PM of world's largest democracy &amp; President of largest political party has reposed faith in a 28 yr old guy to represent them in a constituency as prestigious as B'lore South. This can happen only in my BJP," Surya tweeted, reacting to the announcement. 
"Tejaswini Ji has given her blessings".

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
OMG OMG!!! I can't believe this. 
PM of world's largest democracy &amp; President of largest political party have reposed faith in a 28 yr old guy to represent them in a constituency as prestigious as B'lore South. This can happen only in my BJP. Only in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewIndia</a> of <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>
— Chowkidar Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tejasvi_Surya/status/1110289883887656960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The reason behind projecting Surya, said BJP sources, was to build a second line of young and talented leaders who can lead the party.

Counted for his oratorical skills, Surya was involved in strengthening the party base in the city as well as in coastal Karnataka, especially around Mangaluru and Udupi, the BJP strongholds.

He will take on Congress Rajya Sabha member B K Hariprasad.

The party apparently plumped for Surya who is from the RSS stable.&nbsp;

Besides being a part of the BJP social media campaign team, he heads the party's state IT cell.

A BJP veteran, Ananth Kumar, who died last year after battling cancer, represented Bangalore South for six terms and had defeated IT czar Nandan Nilekani in the 2014 polls.

"It's Tejaswi and not Tejaswini!" the Twitterati reacted, as the BJP central leadership sprang a surprise for the Bangalore South seat.

Following the denial of ticket to Tejaswini, her loyalists made a bee-line to her house.

A group of her supporters shouted slogans, saying she should have been given the ticket.

Tejaswini, however, insisted that she remained loyal to the party and she accepted their decision to ensure 'NaMo Again'.

"I urge all the BJP karyakartas, friends and well-wishers who are anxious and upset &amp; still visiting our house in large numbers, time to show we are a party with a difference. We are all committed to tread the path of ideology. And work for #NamoAgain2019," she said in a tweet.

Later talking to reporters here, she said there can be some sense of dissatisfaction because things did not happen according to one's beliefs. 
"It is but natural. But above all is the decision of the party... I have been telling my party workers, whatever the party has decided will remain binding on me. Nation first, party next and my interests come last," she added.

Tejaswini, an aerospace engineer, runs an NGO Adamya Chetana in memory of her mother-in-law Girija Shastry, a staunch RSS loyalist, who was active in politics as the member of Bharatiya Jan Sangh, the earlier avatar of BJP. 
Active in public life through the NGO, Tejaswini had worked as a scientist at Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) between 1993-1997 and also on the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA - Tejas) project.

During her student days, she was very active in Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and has also served as its state Joint Secretary and the National executive member.

Highly politically conscious Bangalore South has remained an anti-Congress pocket since 1977, barring once when former late chief minister and a Congress stalwart R Gundu Rao won the 1989 polls.

Bangalore South has eight assembly segments, with BJP holding five and Congress three after the 2018 assembly polls in Karnataka.

True to its cosmopolitan nature, the constituency has a considerable share of Brahmin, Vokkaliga and Muslim voters and a mix of upper and middle-class voters.

The constituency was under the hold of the erstwhile Janata Party after the 1977, 1980 and 1984 general elections and from 1991-2014 in successive parliamentary polls the BJP has maintained its grip, mostly with Ananth Kumar, who first got elected to the Lok Sabha in 1996.

In a surprise move, the BJP Tuesday fielded party's youth wing leader Tejaswi Surya from its bastion of Bangalore South from where the widow of union minister Ananth Kumar, a six-time MP from this prestigious Lok Sabha constituency, was denied the ticket.

In a surprise move, the BJP Tuesday fielded party's youth wing leader Tejaswi Surya from its bastion of Bangalore South from where the widow of union minister Ananth Kumar, a six-time MP from this prestigious Lok Sabha constituency, was denied the ticket. Ending the suspense with just hours left for the deadline for filing of nominations for the first phase of polls in Karnataka, the BJP central leadership announced past midnight last night the name of 28-year-old Surya, a lawyer and a member of the party's national social media campaign team. Surya is the general secretary of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha(BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP. It was widely expected that the BJP would field Tejaswini given her active participation in scripting her husband's victories from the seat six times, but Surya emerged as the dark horse. Surya filed his nomination papers Tuesday. The Karnataka BJP core committee had proposed only Tejaswini's name, according to Padmanabhanagar MLA and former deputy chief minister R Ashok. Tejaswini was also confident about fighting the poll on BJP ticket and had been preparing for it and had started a door-to-door campaign. She said the party decision came as a shock to her and all of her supporters but maintained that it is very important to show that the BJP was a party with a difference. "OMG OMG!!! I can't believe this. PM of world's largest democracy & President of largest political party has reposed faith in a 28 yr old guy to represent them in a constituency as prestigious as B'lore South. This can happen only in my BJP," Surya tweeted, reacting to the announcement. "Tejaswini Ji has given her blessings". OMG OMG!!! I can't believe this. PM of world's largest democracy & President of largest political party have reposed faith in a 28 yr old guy to represent them in a constituency as prestigious as B'lore South. This can happen only in my BJP. Only in #NewIndia of @narendramodi — Chowkidar Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) March 25, 2019 × The reason behind projecting Surya, said BJP sources, was to build a second line of young and talented leaders who can lead the party. Counted for his oratorical skills, Surya was involved in strengthening the party base in the city as well as in coastal Karnataka, especially around Mangaluru and Udupi, the BJP strongholds. He will take on Congress Rajya Sabha member B K Hariprasad. The party apparently plumped for Surya who is from the RSS stable. Besides being a part of the BJP social media campaign team, he heads the party's state IT cell. A BJP veteran, Ananth Kumar, who died last year after battling cancer, represented Bangalore South for six terms and had defeated IT czar Nandan Nilekani in the 2014 polls. "It's Tejaswi and not Tejaswini!" the Twitterati reacted, as the BJP central leadership sprang a surprise for the Bangalore South seat. Following the denial of ticket to Tejaswini, her loyalists made a bee-line to her house. A group of her supporters shouted slogans, saying she should have been given the ticket. Tejaswini, however, insisted that she remained loyal to the party and she accepted their decision to ensure 'NaMo Again'. "I urge all the BJP karyakartas, friends and well-wishers who are anxious and upset & still visiting our house in large numbers, time to show we are a party with a difference. We are all committed to tread the path of ideology. And work for #NamoAgain2019," she said in a tweet. Later talking to reporters here, she said there can be some sense of dissatisfaction because things did not happen according to one's beliefs. "It is but natural. But above all is the decision of the party... I have been telling my party workers, whatever the party has decided will remain binding on me. Nation first, party next and my interests come last," she added. Tejaswini, an aerospace engineer, runs an NGO Adamya Chetana in memory of her mother-in-law Girija Shastry, a staunch RSS loyalist, who was active in politics as the member of Bharatiya Jan Sangh, the earlier avatar of BJP. Active in public life through the NGO, Tejaswini had worked as a scientist at Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) between 1993-1997 and also on the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA - Tejas) project. During her student days, she was very active in Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and has also served as its state Joint Secretary and the National executive member. Highly politically conscious Bangalore South has remained an anti-Congress pocket since 1977, barring once when former late chief minister and a Congress stalwart R Gundu Rao won the 1989 polls. Bangalore South has eight assembly segments, with BJP holding five and Congress three after the 2018 assembly polls in Karnataka. True to its cosmopolitan nature, the constituency has a considerable share of Brahmin, Vokkaliga and Muslim voters and a mix of upper and middle-class voters. The constituency was under the hold of the erstwhile Janata Party after the 1977, 1980 and 1984 general elections and from 1991-2014 in successive parliamentary polls the BJP has maintained its grip, mostly with Ananth Kumar, who first got elected to the Lok Sabha in 1996.

Tejasvi Surya: 28-year-old lawyer, BJP’s surprise pick over late Ananth Kumar’s wife for Bengaluru South seat

Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party on Tuesday released its list of star campaigners ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The list includes party president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.&nbsp;

Some of the other prominent leaders in the list are Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ashok Chavan, Mallikarjun Kharge, Prithviraj Chavan, KC Venugopal, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Milind Deora and cricketer-turned-politician Mohammad Azharuddin, among others. &nbsp;

The Bharatiya Janata Party also released its list of star campaigners and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-bjps-list-of-star-campaigners-skips-advani-murli-manohar-joshi-205654">skipped some of its veteran leaders</a>. The BJP, for this year's Lok Sabha polls, has decided not to field <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-2019-bjp-snubs-veteran-leaders-murli-manohar-joshi-asked-not-to-contest-205698">veteran leaders ageing above 75 years</a> in its move to promote younger candidates.&nbsp;

Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party, last week, in its 'star campaigners' list left out party patriarch and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav who was hastily added back to the list a day later.&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party on Tuesday released its list of star campaigners ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The list includes party president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party on Tuesday released its list of star campaigners ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The list includes party president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Some of the other prominent leaders in the list are Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ashok Chavan, Mallikarjun Kharge, Prithviraj Chavan, KC Venugopal, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Milind Deora and cricketer-turned-politician Mohammad Azharuddin, among others. The Bharatiya Janata Party also released its list of star campaigners and skipped some of its veteran leaders. The BJP, for this year's Lok Sabha polls, has decided not to field veteran leaders ageing above 75 years in its move to promote younger candidates. Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party, last week, in its 'star campaigners' list left out party patriarch and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav who was hastily added back to the list a day later.

Lok Sabha polls: Congress' list of star campaigners includes Gandhi clan, former CM, party bigwigs and Mohammad Azharuddin