A day after the arrest of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) youth wing convenor Priyanka Sharma, her mother alleged she was arrested at TMC's behest because she used to work for BJP.

"My daughter was arrested because she used to work for the BJP. This is all part of a big plot. This is the first time she is far away from us. Had she been a TMC worker nothing bad would have happened to her, this is all done by TMC. The fact that she is in jail has increased our worries," Priyanka's mother told ANI.

Priyanka was accused of sharing a morphed photo of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on social media. She was arrested on Friday and sent to jail for 14 days.

Her brother said, at first, he was not allowed to meet her. However, when he put pressure, the authorities let him in. He also alleged that his sister's security was at risk as her entry in jail was not recorded within 24 hours of her arrest.

He also said BJP leader Poonam Mahajan called him to Delhi.

"I will take the matter to Supreme Court to save my sister", he said.

Om Prakash Singh, district president of BJYM, said there was nothing wrong with what Priyanka did, but her arrest was wrong.

"Social media is a place where everybody wants the freedom to express. It is shameful that Mamata Banerjee is curbing freedom on that platform. Priyanka just shared an edited photo which was already viral on the platform. There is nothing vulgar or shameful in the photo. We have ideological differences with TMC, but we have never disrespected her."

"The police have not put a non-bailable warrant against her. She is not being allowed to meet her family or anyone. We will take the legal course of action and also carry out protests against this action taken by the police. We will not stay silent when TMC is trying to end the freedom of speech in West Bengal," Singh told reporters.

This is not the first time that Banerjee took action against someone who took a dig at her. In 2012, Professor Ambikesh Mahapatra of the Jadavpur University was arrested for forwarding a cartoon of the chief minister. In the same year, she had also termed a student "Maoist" for questioning her government`s policies.&nbsp;

A day after the arrest of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) youth wing convenor Priyanka Sharma, her mother alleged she was arrested at TMC's behest because she used to work for BJP.

A day after the arrest of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) youth wing convenor Priyanka Sharma, her mother alleged she was arrested at TMC's behest because she used to work for BJP. "My daughter was arrested because she used to work for the BJP. This is all part of a big plot. This is the first time she is far away from us. Had she been a TMC worker nothing bad would have happened to her, this is all done by TMC. The fact that she is in jail has increased our worries," Priyanka's mother told ANI. Priyanka was accused of sharing a morphed photo of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on social media. She was arrested on Friday and sent to jail for 14 days. Her brother said, at first, he was not allowed to meet her. However, when he put pressure, the authorities let him in. He also alleged that his sister's security was at risk as her entry in jail was not recorded within 24 hours of her arrest. He also said BJP leader Poonam Mahajan called him to Delhi. "I will take the matter to Supreme Court to save my sister", he said. Om Prakash Singh, district president of BJYM, said there was nothing wrong with what Priyanka did, but her arrest was wrong. "Social media is a place where everybody wants the freedom to express. It is shameful that Mamata Banerjee is curbing freedom on that platform. Priyanka just shared an edited photo which was already viral on the platform. There is nothing vulgar or shameful in the photo. We have ideological differences with TMC, but we have never disrespected her." "The police have not put a non-bailable warrant against her. She is not being allowed to meet her family or anyone. We will take the legal course of action and also carry out protests against this action taken by the police. We will not stay silent when TMC is trying to end the freedom of speech in West Bengal," Singh told reporters. This is not the first time that Banerjee took action against someone who took a dig at her. In 2012, Professor Ambikesh Mahapatra of the Jadavpur University was arrested for forwarding a cartoon of the chief minister. In the same year, she had also termed a student "Maoist" for questioning her government`s policies.

My daughter got arrested at Trinamool Congress' behest: BJP youth wing convenor's mother

The BJP Sunday termed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-2019-bjp-candidate-attacked-twice-in-west-bengal-ceo-seeks-report-217994">attack on its candidate Bharati Ghosh in West Bengal</a> an "act of frustration" by the ruling Trinamool Congress in the state and claimed that the days of the Mamata Banerjee government are numbered.

The party also demanded that the Election Commission take suo motu cognisance of matter.

Ghosh was allegedly attacked twice by locals on Sunday when the former IPS officer tried to visit polling stations in Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency, where she is the BJP candidate when polling was underway there.

One of her security guards was injured in stone pelting while Ghosh herself suffered minor injuries when a group of women allegedly attacked her when she tried to take a BJP agent inside a polling booth at Keshpur area in the morning.

Union minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said, "Stones were pelted on her car and she was also injured. Instead of taking action against the goons, Ghosh's movements have been restricted and her car, which was vandalised, has been seized by the local administration. This is unacceptable. The TMC goons are engaged in unabated violence against the BJP. This is an act of frustration."

The state CEO has sought reports from the West Midnapore district magistrate about the incidents.

Javadekar also claimed that in Jhargam Lok Sabha constituency, the body of a BJP booth president has been recovered.

Demanding that poll observers should ensure proper deployment of central forces for smooth voting, the Union minister said, "Mamata (Banerjee) says there is an expiry date for the prime minister. But the way they are conducting elections, the amount of frustration, and with the imminent defeat of the TMC, there is an expiry date of the Mamata government."&nbsp;

The BJP Sunday termed the attack on its candidate Bharati Ghosh in West Bengal an "act of frustration" by the ruling Trinamool Congress in the state and claimed that the days of the Mamata Banerjee government are numbered.

The BJP Sunday termed the attack on its candidate Bharati Ghosh in West Bengal an "act of frustration" by the ruling Trinamool Congress in the state and claimed that the days of the Mamata Banerjee government are numbered. The party also demanded that the Election Commission take suo motu cognisance of matter. Ghosh was allegedly attacked twice by locals on Sunday when the former IPS officer tried to visit polling stations in Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency, where she is the BJP candidate when polling was underway there. One of her security guards was injured in stone pelting while Ghosh herself suffered minor injuries when a group of women allegedly attacked her when she tried to take a BJP agent inside a polling booth at Keshpur area in the morning. Union minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said, "Stones were pelted on her car and she was also injured. Instead of taking action against the goons, Ghosh's movements have been restricted and her car, which was vandalised, has been seized by the local administration. This is unacceptable. The TMC goons are engaged in unabated violence against the BJP. This is an act of frustration." The state CEO has sought reports from the West Midnapore district magistrate about the incidents. Javadekar also claimed that in Jhargam Lok Sabha constituency, the body of a BJP booth president has been recovered. Demanding that poll observers should ensure proper deployment of central forces for smooth voting, the Union minister said, "Mamata (Banerjee) says there is an expiry date for the prime minister. But the way they are conducting elections, the amount of frustration, and with the imminent defeat of the TMC, there is an expiry date of the Mamata government."

Attack on BJP candidate by Trinamool Congress in West Bengal act of frustration: Javadekar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday mounted a scathing attack on BSP supremo Mayawati accusing her of "shedding crocodile tears" over the gang-rape incident in Rajasthan's Alwar and demanded that her party withdraw support from the Congress government in that state if she is "serious".

On April 26, the victim was travelling with her husband on a motorcycle when the accused stopped them and took them to an isolated place off the road. They beat the husband and raped her in front of him, threatening them of dire consequences.

Her husband claimed that he had approached Rajasthan police on April 26 after the incident, but an FIR was filed on May 2. He had alleged that the police did not take action saying that they were busy with elections.

Addressing election meetings in Kushinagar and Deoria in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Modi said, "Please do not shed crocodile tears. If you are serious, why don't you withdraw support from the Congress government in Rajasthan."

BSP has given support to the Congress government in the state.

Expressing concern over the gang-rape of the Dalit woman, Mayawati had Saturday alleged that the Congress government in Rajasthan did not let the matter come to anyone's notice by "terrorising" the victim's family until the completion of the polling process there.

"Under these circumstances, the victim and her family will not be able to get proper justice. The BSP appeals to the Supreme Court to take notice for ensuring prompt justice and strict punishment to the accused," she had said.

Hitting out at the BSP chief Modi said, "Even the Congress government wanted to suppress the incident involving a Dalit woman as the party thought 'hua toh hua' (So what, it happened)."

His reference was to Congress leader Sam Pitroda's "hua to hua" remark about the in 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which raised a political storm over the weekend.

Continuing his tirade at the opposition, the prime minister said, "The biggest example of how the 'mahamilawat' (highly adulterated) SP-BSP-Congress alliance actually works is Rajasthan."

"When the (Lucknow) guest house incident happened, the entire country was pained. What is the reason that you are not feeling pained now? If you are so honest about the dignity of the daughters, then you should immediately write a letter to the Rajasthan Governor and withdraw your support from the Congress government," he said.

"A Dalit daughter is gang-raped and there is a government of the Congress and 'naamdaar' (dynast). And the Rajasthan government is not a dispensation which enjoys full majority. It is working with the support of BSP. It is busy in hushing up the matter," Modi said.

In the infamous Lucknow guest house incident in 1995, armed Samajwadi Party cadre had assaulted the BSP supremo when she was having a meeting there.

Attacking the Congress, the prime minister said, "The Congress which chants nyay, nyay, nyay, its naamdaar (dynast) has been silenced by the rapists. Today, the daughters of Uttar Pradesh are asking Behenji (Mayawati), and Behenji you have to answer why you have not withdrawn your support to the Congress government (in Rajasthan). You are shedding crocodile tears by only indulging in issuing statements."

"To punish those who commit crime against women, this chowkidaar of yours had made provisions for the capital punishment. If the intention of the Congress government was right, it would not have suppressed the Alwar incident, but they have only one answer 'hua toh hua'. Be it corruption, price rise or the 1984 anti-Sikh genocide, their answer is 'hua toh hua'," he said.

Polling for the Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan took place in two phases on April 29 and May 6.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday mounted a scathing attack on BSP supremo Mayawati accusing her of "shedding crocodile tears" over the gang-rape incident in Rajasthan's Alwar and demanded that her party withdraw support from the Congress government in that state if she is "serious".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday mounted a scathing attack on BSP supremo Mayawati accusing her of "shedding crocodile tears" over the gang-rape incident in Rajasthan's Alwar and demanded that her party withdraw support from the Congress government in that state if she is "serious". On April 26, the victim was travelling with her husband on a motorcycle when the accused stopped them and took them to an isolated place off the road. They beat the husband and raped her in front of him, threatening them of dire consequences. Her husband claimed that he had approached Rajasthan police on April 26 after the incident, but an FIR was filed on May 2. He had alleged that the police did not take action saying that they were busy with elections. Addressing election meetings in Kushinagar and Deoria in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Modi said, "Please do not shed crocodile tears. If you are serious, why don't you withdraw support from the Congress government in Rajasthan." BSP has given support to the Congress government in the state. Expressing concern over the gang-rape of the Dalit woman, Mayawati had Saturday alleged that the Congress government in Rajasthan did not let the matter come to anyone's notice by "terrorising" the victim's family until the completion of the polling process there. "Under these circumstances, the victim and her family will not be able to get proper justice. The BSP appeals to the Supreme Court to take notice for ensuring prompt justice and strict punishment to the accused," she had said. Hitting out at the BSP chief Modi said, "Even the Congress government wanted to suppress the incident involving a Dalit woman as the party thought 'hua toh hua' (So what, it happened)." His reference was to Congress leader Sam Pitroda's "hua to hua" remark about the in 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which raised a political storm over the weekend. Continuing his tirade at the opposition, the prime minister said, "The biggest example of how the 'mahamilawat' (highly adulterated) SP-BSP-Congress alliance actually works is Rajasthan." "When the (Lucknow) guest house incident happened, the entire country was pained. What is the reason that you are not feeling pained now? If you are so honest about the dignity of the daughters, then you should immediately write a letter to the Rajasthan Governor and withdraw your support from the Congress government," he said. "A Dalit daughter is gang-raped and there is a government of the Congress and 'naamdaar' (dynast). And the Rajasthan government is not a dispensation which enjoys full majority. It is working with the support of BSP. It is busy in hushing up the matter," Modi said. In the infamous Lucknow guest house incident in 1995, armed Samajwadi Party cadre had assaulted the BSP supremo when she was having a meeting there. Attacking the Congress, the prime minister said, "The Congress which chants nyay, nyay, nyay, its naamdaar (dynast) has been silenced by the rapists. Today, the daughters of Uttar Pradesh are asking Behenji (Mayawati), and Behenji you have to answer why you have not withdrawn your support to the Congress government (in Rajasthan). You are shedding crocodile tears by only indulging in issuing statements." "To punish those who commit crime against women, this chowkidaar of yours had made provisions for the capital punishment. If the intention of the Congress government was right, it would not have suppressed the Alwar incident, but they have only one answer 'hua toh hua'. Be it corruption, price rise or the 1984 anti-Sikh genocide, their answer is 'hua toh hua'," he said. Polling for the Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan took place in two phases on April 29 and May 6.

Don't shed crocodile tears, withdraw support to Congress in Rajasthan: PM to Mayawati

Aus Envoy Harinder Sidhu impressed with EVMs, VVPATs. Watch this video to know more.

Aus Envoy Harinder Sidhu impressed with EVMs, VVPATs

Oldest voter of the national capital, 111-year-old Bachan Singh, exercised his franchise on Sunday as all the seven seats in Delhi polled in the sixth round of national polls.

"I have cast my vote to the party which inclined towards development and work," wheelchair-bound Singh told ANI at a booth in Sant Garh.

Bachan Singh, a native of Lalpura in Punjab, lives as well as preaches the motto "even a single vote should be wasted".

On Saturday, Election Commission officers went to Singh's house to invite him to vote and gifted him a mug and bouquet as a token of respect. He was also provided with pick and drop facility by the poll body.

Senior citizens and first-time voters stole the show with their enthusiasm as they arrived at different polling stations across the six states and capital of Delhi to cast their votes.

"I am voting for the country. I want to see India on the first position," said 88-year-old Sardar Charan Singh at a booth in Madhu Vihar.

Wheelchair-bound Satya Devi, another octogenarian voter in the capital appealed to all to vote.

"Voting is important for all. I want development in Delhi and want the government to work for public benefit," she remarked.

Most first-time voters were exercised to a part of the elections in the world's largest democracy.

"I was very excited to exercise my right to vote for the first time. I came early to avoid the rush. I want to say to everyone to go vote. Voting is important if people want to be heard," a first-timer, Bhavya said.

59 seats across six states and the capital of Delhi are voting today in the sixth round. The final phase of polling will be held on May 19, and counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Oldest voter of the national capital, 111-year-old Bachan Singh, exercised his franchise on Sunday as all the seven seats in Delhi polled in the sixth round of national polls.

Oldest voter of the national capital, 111-year-old Bachan Singh, exercised his franchise on Sunday as all the seven seats in Delhi polled in the sixth round of national polls. "I have cast my vote to the party which inclined towards development and work," wheelchair-bound Singh told ANI at a booth in Sant Garh. Bachan Singh, a native of Lalpura in Punjab, lives as well as preaches the motto "even a single vote should be wasted". On Saturday, Election Commission officers went to Singh's house to invite him to vote and gifted him a mug and bouquet as a token of respect. He was also provided with pick and drop facility by the poll body. Senior citizens and first-time voters stole the show with their enthusiasm as they arrived at different polling stations across the six states and capital of Delhi to cast their votes. "I am voting for the country. I want to see India on the first position," said 88-year-old Sardar Charan Singh at a booth in Madhu Vihar. Wheelchair-bound Satya Devi, another octogenarian voter in the capital appealed to all to vote. "Voting is important for all. I want development in Delhi and want the government to work for public benefit," she remarked. Most first-time voters were exercised to a part of the elections in the world's largest democracy. "I was very excited to exercise my right to vote for the first time. I came early to avoid the rush. I want to say to everyone to go vote. Voting is important if people want to be heard," a first-timer, Bhavya said. 59 seats across six states and the capital of Delhi are voting today in the sixth round. The final phase of polling will be held on May 19, and counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls phase 6: 111-year-old oldest voter of Delhi casts his vote

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Sunday said it is "very clear" that the BJP will face defeat in Lok Sabha polls as people are "angry and distressed" and they will convey their sentiments through voting.

Interacting with reporters after exercising her franchise, the senior party leader said it was "very clear that the BJP government is going".

"There is anger among people, and they are under distress. Modiji, instead of talking about real issues, has been talking about random things. And, now, they will express their anger against this government through voting," the Congress general secretary said.

She said this will be witnessed especially in Uttar Pradesh.

Priyanka again hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said, "He doesn't reply to any of the issues that our party raised, and just talks about random things."

Congress campaigns on real issues and the prime minister has "not even responded to the challenge thrown by our party president (Rahul Gandhi) to debate on real issues," she said.

He and his party had in 2014 promised to deposit Rs 15 lakh in every Indian's bank account and create two crore jobs, but Prime Minister Modi "doesn't talk about that", she said.

Asked about the constant criticism the Nehru-Gandhi family faces from the BJP, she recounted an anecdote about her guru telling her the calmness that Lord Buddha had in face of detractors.

Priyanka was accompanied by her husband Robert Vadra who also cast his vote.

The seven constituencies in Delhi are voting on Sunday alongside 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 10 in Haryana, eight each in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, and four in Jharkhand as part of the sixth phase of the 2019 poll which ends on May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

The Congress chief said that so far it has been a "good fight" in the elections.

Asked how many seats the Congress is winning, he said, "I won't comment on that. It will be decided by the people."

"People are the master. Whatever people say, we will accept. How many seats we will win, people will decide that... Jai Hind," he said.

In Delhi, it is largely a three-way contest among the BJP, the Congress and the AAP.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha poll, all the seven seats in the national capital were won by the BJP. While the Congress is hoping to bounce back in Delhi, the AAP is keen to give a good fight.&nbsp;

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Sunday said it is "very clear" that the BJP will face defeat in Lok Sabha polls as people are "angry and distressed" and they will convey their sentiments through voting.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Sunday said it is "very clear" that the BJP will face defeat in Lok Sabha polls as people are "angry and distressed" and they will convey their sentiments through voting. Interacting with reporters after exercising her franchise, the senior party leader said it was "very clear that the BJP government is going". "There is anger among people, and they are under distress. Modiji, instead of talking about real issues, has been talking about random things. And, now, they will express their anger against this government through voting," the Congress general secretary said. She said this will be witnessed especially in Uttar Pradesh. Priyanka again hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said, "He doesn't reply to any of the issues that our party raised, and just talks about random things." Congress campaigns on real issues and the prime minister has "not even responded to the challenge thrown by our party president (Rahul Gandhi) to debate on real issues," she said. He and his party had in 2014 promised to deposit Rs 15 lakh in every Indian's bank account and create two crore jobs, but Prime Minister Modi "doesn't talk about that", she said. Asked about the constant criticism the Nehru-Gandhi family faces from the BJP, she recounted an anecdote about her guru telling her the calmness that Lord Buddha had in face of detractors. Priyanka was accompanied by her husband Robert Vadra who also cast his vote. The seven constituencies in Delhi are voting on Sunday alongside 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 10 in Haryana, eight each in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, and four in Jharkhand as part of the sixth phase of the 2019 poll which ends on May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23. The Congress chief said that so far it has been a "good fight" in the elections. Asked how many seats the Congress is winning, he said, "I won't comment on that. It will be decided by the people." "People are the master. Whatever people say, we will accept. How many seats we will win, people will decide that... Jai Hind," he said. In Delhi, it is largely a three-way contest among the BJP, the Congress and the AAP. In the 2014 Lok Sabha poll, all the seven seats in the national capital were won by the BJP. While the Congress is hoping to bounce back in Delhi, the AAP is keen to give a good fight.

It is clear BJP government is going: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra after casting vote

Sharpening his attack against the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/will-jawans-take-ecs-permission-before-shooting-terrorists-pm-modi-218000">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Sunday asked how parties that are incapable of handling "roadside goons" can combat terrorism.

Addressing a poll rally here, Modi claimed that 'vote-cutter'&nbsp;Congress'&nbsp;defence policy encourages terrorism.

"SP-BSP can't fight terrorism, these people can't even control roadside goons, how will they combat terrorism? Meanwhile, vote-cutter Congress'&nbsp;defence policy encourages terrorism and Naxalism," said.

Modi went on to say that he has never utilised his public office for personal gains while taking a jibe at the 'bua-babua'&nbsp;duo (Mayawati and Akhilesh).

"I remained the chief minister of a prosperous state for more than the terms of 'bua'&nbsp;and 'babua'&nbsp;summed up together. I am also the Prime Minister of the country for the last 5 years. But I have never used my office for removing my poverty or poverty of my family," said Modi.

"I never dreamt of becoming wealthy by 'jod-tod'&nbsp;(corruption) nor let my family see such dream. Today I am fit and fine but imagine a time after 20-25 years when my body might not be so well and will weaken, I will have to take leave and will have to search for rented accommodation for my stay," he added.

Continuing his tirade against the Opposition, Modi said his opponents want to form a government at the Centre for 'looting'&nbsp;public money and wealth of the nation.

"They want to form the government at the centre because they want to get back the license to loot for their families and known ones. Someone gulped down coal, someone did telecom scam, some even snatched bricks and cement, they have not left even the tap," said Modi.

"I have studied whole night under kerosene oil lamp without any electricity. I have witnessed how hard it is for the families that have no toilet, no bank account, no health facilities. I have reached here braving such odds," he added.

Voting for the sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls began on Sunday morning. A total of 59 seats from six states and one Union Territory are going to polls in this phase.

Counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

Sharpening his attack against the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked how parties that are incapable of handling "roadside goons" can combat terrorism.

Sharpening his attack against the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked how parties that are incapable of handling "roadside goons" can combat terrorism. Addressing a poll rally here, Modi claimed that 'vote-cutter' Congress' defence policy encourages terrorism. "SP-BSP can't fight terrorism, these people can't even control roadside goons, how will they combat terrorism? Meanwhile, vote-cutter Congress' defence policy encourages terrorism and Naxalism," said. Modi went on to say that he has never utilised his public office for personal gains while taking a jibe at the 'bua-babua' duo (Mayawati and Akhilesh). "I remained the chief minister of a prosperous state for more than the terms of 'bua' and 'babua' summed up together. I am also the Prime Minister of the country for the last 5 years. But I have never used my office for removing my poverty or poverty of my family," said Modi. "I never dreamt of becoming wealthy by 'jod-tod' (corruption) nor let my family see such dream. Today I am fit and fine but imagine a time after 20-25 years when my body might not be so well and will weaken, I will have to take leave and will have to search for rented accommodation for my stay," he added. Continuing his tirade against the Opposition, Modi said his opponents want to form a government at the Centre for 'looting' public money and wealth of the nation. "They want to form the government at the centre because they want to get back the license to loot for their families and known ones. Someone gulped down coal, someone did telecom scam, some even snatched bricks and cement, they have not left even the tap," said Modi. "I have studied whole night under kerosene oil lamp without any electricity. I have witnessed how hard it is for the families that have no toilet, no bank account, no health facilities. I have reached here braving such odds," he added. Voting for the sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls began on Sunday morning. A total of 59 seats from six states and one Union Territory are going to polls in this phase. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

SP-BSP incapable of handling goons, how will they combat terrorism: PM Modi

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/yogi-adityanath-likens-akhilesh-to-aurangzeb-says-dethroned-his-father-217780">Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath</a> on Saturday took a dig at the opposition parties for not declaring their Prime Ministerial candidate, saying even the Congress president Rahul Gandhi does not know who will be his Prime Minister if the party is voted to power.

"If you ask Congress leaders who are their PM candidate, forget that they will tell you some name. Even their president himself cannot tell who is their PM candidate&nbsp;is since they know their party is not coming to power, so there is no point in declaring a PM candidate," Yogi said at an election rally.

The UP Chief Minister said that the opposition parties lack leadership and there was a confusion in the SP-BSP-RLD alliance over their candidate for the top job.

He said, "The Congress lacks leadership. It has no policies. SP-BSP alliance is no different. You ask a Samajwadi Party leader, he will name Akhilesh Yadav. Ask a Bahujan Samaj Party leader, he will project Mayawati ji."

"But if you ask the SP people if they will make Mayawati ji Prime Minister, they will ask - where Mulayam Singh ji will go? You ask BSP people if they will make Mulayam ji PM, they will say - where Mayawati ji will go," he said.

He further said, "A new experiment was done in 2014 when the BSP's elephant starting delivering eggs. They got no seats. They will get nothing in this elections as well."

"On one side, there is the world's most eligible leadership with his clear policies, on the other, there are parties which have no leadership," Yogi said, targeting the opposition parties.

Five phases of Lok Sabha elections are over, while the elections for 118 of a total of 543 Lok Sabha seats will take place in the next two phases on May 12 and 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday took a dig at the opposition parties for not declaring their Prime Ministerial candidate, saying even the Congress president Rahul Gandhi does not know who will be his Prime Minister if the party is voted to power.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday took a dig at the opposition parties for not declaring their Prime Ministerial candidate, saying even the Congress president Rahul Gandhi does not know who will be his Prime Minister if the party is voted to power. "If you ask Congress leaders who are their PM candidate, forget that they will tell you some name. Even their president himself cannot tell who is their PM candidate is since they know their party is not coming to power, so there is no point in declaring a PM candidate," Yogi said at an election rally. The UP Chief Minister said that the opposition parties lack leadership and there was a confusion in the SP-BSP-RLD alliance over their candidate for the top job. He said, "The Congress lacks leadership. It has no policies. SP-BSP alliance is no different. You ask a Samajwadi Party leader, he will name Akhilesh Yadav. Ask a Bahujan Samaj Party leader, he will project Mayawati ji." "But if you ask the SP people if they will make Mayawati ji Prime Minister, they will ask - where Mulayam Singh ji will go? You ask BSP people if they will make Mulayam ji PM, they will say - where Mayawati ji will go," he said. He further said, "A new experiment was done in 2014 when the BSP's elephant starting delivering eggs. They got no seats. They will get nothing in this elections as well." "On one side, there is the world's most eligible leadership with his clear policies, on the other, there are parties which have no leadership," Yogi said, targeting the opposition parties. Five phases of Lok Sabha elections are over, while the elections for 118 of a total of 543 Lok Sabha seats will take place in the next two phases on May 12 and 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Even Rahul Gandhi doesn't know who is Congress' PM candidate: Yogi Adityanath

More than 60,000 security personnel, including the Home Guards and paramilitary forces, have been deployed across the city a day before the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/really-hope-the-best-candidate-wins-lok-sabha-polls-gautam-gambhir-217718">Lok Sabha elections in the capital city on Sunday</a>.

Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik told PTI that elaborate arrangements, according to the instructions of the Election Commission of India, are in place to ensure no anti-social element causes any menace.

Security personnel have been deployed at polling booths and special reserve parties and policemen are patrolling vulnerable areas, the police said.

The Police Control Room Unit will also stay alert to calls of any complaints being made, especially relating to the election process, they added.

"The model code of conduct is being strictly enforced. There is a special watch on border areas to foil any attempt to infiltrate by anti-social elements to cause disruption. There will be a strict vigil to ensure malpractices like liquor peddling and movement of anti-social elements with a purpose to influence voters do not happen," Patnaik said.

Anti-terror measures are also in place and special arrangements have been made to check sabotage of polling booths, including election rigging, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) and the spokesperson of the force, Madhur Verma, said.

The officer added that extra picket teams have been deployed in border areas too. "Briefings were held with the polling staff on the dispersal of EVMs and the routes to be taken to ensure no rigging of EVMs happens on the way. Night patrolling has been intensified to check the use of muscle power and money to lure voters," Verma said.

Adequate security forces have been deployed at identified polling stations with Quick Reaction Teams placed at congested areas across the district in case of an emergency, another official added.

The police have registered 1,378 FIRs and arrested 1,381 people under the Excise Act. They have also seized 691 unlicensed arms and weapons, and 3,007 cartridges and explosives, a statement said.

It said 1,14,482 people have been booked till date under various sections of the CrPC and the Delhi Police Act.

A police official said there are three facets to the security apparatus,&nbsp;at places where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are kept, border checking, and law and order arrangements for polling and counting days.

The officer said police will be involved in enforcing a dry day, which came into effect from 5 pm on Friday.

Another official said 39,000 police personnel and 13,000 Home Guards will be involved in ensuring the security of polling booths.

They will be supplemented by police personnel from the Police Control Room and the traffic unit, along with 47 companies of paramilitary personnel, another official added.

Each company comprises 100 personnel.&nbsp;

All seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will head for polling on Sunday.&nbsp;

More than 60,000 security personnel, including the Home Guards and paramilitary forces, have been deployed across the city a day before the Lok Sabha elections in the capital city on Sunday.

More than 60,000 security personnel, including the Home Guards and paramilitary forces, have been deployed across the city a day before the Lok Sabha elections in the capital city on Sunday. Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik told PTI that elaborate arrangements, according to the instructions of the Election Commission of India, are in place to ensure no anti-social element causes any menace. Security personnel have been deployed at polling booths and special reserve parties and policemen are patrolling vulnerable areas, the police said. The Police Control Room Unit will also stay alert to calls of any complaints being made, especially relating to the election process, they added. "The model code of conduct is being strictly enforced. There is a special watch on border areas to foil any attempt to infiltrate by anti-social elements to cause disruption. There will be a strict vigil to ensure malpractices like liquor peddling and movement of anti-social elements with a purpose to influence voters do not happen," Patnaik said. Anti-terror measures are also in place and special arrangements have been made to check sabotage of polling booths, including election rigging, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) and the spokesperson of the force, Madhur Verma, said. The officer added that extra picket teams have been deployed in border areas too. "Briefings were held with the polling staff on the dispersal of EVMs and the routes to be taken to ensure no rigging of EVMs happens on the way. Night patrolling has been intensified to check the use of muscle power and money to lure voters," Verma said. Adequate security forces have been deployed at identified polling stations with Quick Reaction Teams placed at congested areas across the district in case of an emergency, another official added. The police have registered 1,378 FIRs and arrested 1,381 people under the Excise Act. They have also seized 691 unlicensed arms and weapons, and 3,007 cartridges and explosives, a statement said. It said 1,14,482 people have been booked till date under various sections of the CrPC and the Delhi Police Act. A police official said there are three facets to the security apparatus, at places where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are kept, border checking, and law and order arrangements for polling and counting days. The officer said police will be involved in enforcing a dry day, which came into effect from 5 pm on Friday. Another official said 39,000 police personnel and 13,000 Home Guards will be involved in ensuring the security of polling booths. They will be supplemented by police personnel from the Police Control Room and the traffic unit, along with 47 companies of paramilitary personnel, another official added. Each company comprises 100 personnel. All seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will head for polling on Sunday.

60,000 personnel to be on toes on polling day in Delhi

The fate of several Union ministers including Radha Mohan Singh, Harshvardhan and Maneka Gandhi, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia will be decided Sunday in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/phase-6-polls-akhilesh-yadav-maneka-gandhi-among-key-candidates-in-uttar-pradesh-217752">the sixth and penultimate phase of Lok Sabha polls</a> to be held in 59 constituencies in six states and Delhi.

Elections will be held in 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 10 seats in Haryana, eights constituencies each in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/60000-personnel-to-be-on-toes-on-polling-day-in-delhi-tomorrow-217790">seven seats in Delhi</a> and four in Jharkhand.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Over 10.17 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to choose among the 979 candidates in the fray. The Election Commission has set up over 1.13 lakh polling stations for smooth conduct of polls.

The elections in this phase are seen as a big test for the BJP which had won 45 of these seats in 2014, with the Trinamool Congress bagging 8, the Congress two and the Samajwadi Party and the LJP one seat each among others.&nbsp;

In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP had won 13 of the 14 constituencies in 2014, the only exception being Azamgarh, won then by SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav.

However, the BJP had to face defeat in the bypolls in Phulpur and Gorakhpur constituencies last year. While, the anti-BJP alliance would like to retain its grip over both the seats, the saffron party is looking to wrest them from the opposition.

Their importance can be gauged from the fact that Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017 before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Similarly, Phulpur was won for the first time by the BJP in 2014, when Keshav Prasad Maurya emerged victorious from the seat once represented by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister. Maurya vacated the seat after he became the deputy chief minister of the state in 2017.

In Azamgarh this time, Akhilesh is trying to retain his father's seat against Bhojpuri film star Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua' of the BJP.

Sultanpur too is seeing an interesting contest as the BJP has fielded Union minister Maneka Gandhi for the seat won by her son Varun in 2014.

The seats appear tricky for Maneka as BJP strategists are relying on a division of Congress and gathbandhan votes, besides possible counter-polarisation of non-Yadav and non-Jatav Dalit and OBC votes.

Polling will also be held for Bhopal, Morena, Bhind (SC), Gwalior, Guna, Sagar, Vidisha and Rajgarh seats in Madhya Pradesh. This will be the third phase of polling in Madhya Pradesh, with the first and second phases having been held on April 29 and May 6. The last phase will be held on May 19.

The Bhopal seat will see an interesting fight between senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and BJP nominee Pragya Singh Thakur.

Guna will seal the fate of AICC general secretary and Congress candidate Scindia. Union minister and BJP nominee Narendra Singh Tomar is in the fray from Morena.

In the national capital, voting will be held in all seven seats. As many as 164 candidates, including 18 women, are in the fray.

It is expected to be a three-cornered fight involving the BJP, AAP and the Congress.

Prominent candidates in the fray include veteran Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, Olympian boxer Vijender Singh, Union minister Harsh Vardhan, Atishi from AAP and her BJP rival cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir.

Union ministers Rao Inderjit Singh and Krishan Pal Gurjar are among the 223 candidates in fray in Haryana.

Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, a sitting MLA of Congress from Rohtak district, is once again trying his luck to enter the lower House, this time from Sonipat. Earlier, Hooda had remained a four-time MP from Rohtak parliamentary constituency.

Hooda's son Deepender is seeking re-election for the fourth term from Rohtak as Congress nominee.

Among other candidates, Union minister Birender Singh's son Brijendra Singh (BJP) and former chief minister Bhajan Lal's grandson Bhavya Bishnoi (Congress), both political greenhorns, are contesting from the Hisar Lok Sabha seat, where they face sitting MP and leader of newly floated JJP Dushyant Chautala, grandson of former chief minister, O P Chautala.

Former Union minister Kumari Selja and state Congress chief Ashok Tanwar are fighting from Ambala and Sirsa, respectively, for the party.

The ruling Trinamool Congress, the BJP, the Congress and the Left Front constituents - the CPI(M), the CPI and the AIFB - are the main contenders in West Bengal. In this phase, polling will be held in Jangal Mahal - the forested region of Bankura, West Midnapore, Jhargram and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-emerges-as-force-to-reckon-with-in-west-bengals-purulia-217827">Purulia</a> districts, which used to be a Maoist hotbed, during the erstwhile Left Front government.

In Jharkhand, state minister Chandraprakash Choudhary, former cricketer Kirti Azad and ex-chief minister Madhu Koda's wife Gita are among the 67 candidates whose fate will be sealed in the third phase of polls in the state.

Polling will be held in Dhanbad, Giridih, Jamshedpur and Singhbhum (ST) seats, all won by the BJP in 2014.

Altogether, 66,85,401 voters, including 31,79,720 women and 116 of the third gender, are eligible to exercise their franchise.

Four sitting MPs, including Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, are among the 127 candidates contesting in Bihar.

Amid tight security, polling will be held in eight Lok Sabha seats - Sheohar, Valmiki Nagar, Pashchimi Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Siwan, Gopalganj, Maharajganj and Vaishali.

Among the 127 candidates, 16 are women - eight in Vaishali, four in Siwan and one each in Sheohar, Maharajganj, Purvi Champaran and Valmiki Nagar.&nbsp;

The fate of several Union ministers including Radha Mohan Singh, Harshvardhan and Maneka Gandhi, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia will be decided Sunday in the sixth and penultimate phase of Lok Sabha polls to be held in 59 constituencies in six states and Delhi.

The fate of several Union ministers including Radha Mohan Singh, Harshvardhan and Maneka Gandhi, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia will be decided Sunday in the sixth and penultimate phase of Lok Sabha polls to be held in 59 constituencies in six states and Delhi. Elections will be held in 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 10 seats in Haryana, eights constituencies each in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, seven seats in Delhi and four in Jharkhand. Over 10.17 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to choose among the 979 candidates in the fray. The Election Commission has set up over 1.13 lakh polling stations for smooth conduct of polls. The elections in this phase are seen as a big test for the BJP which had won 45 of these seats in 2014, with the Trinamool Congress bagging 8, the Congress two and the Samajwadi Party and the LJP one seat each among others. In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP had won 13 of the 14 constituencies in 2014, the only exception being Azamgarh, won then by SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav. However, the BJP had to face defeat in the bypolls in Phulpur and Gorakhpur constituencies last year. While, the anti-BJP alliance would like to retain its grip over both the seats, the saffron party is looking to wrest them from the opposition. Their importance can be gauged from the fact that Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017 before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, Phulpur was won for the first time by the BJP in 2014, when Keshav Prasad Maurya emerged victorious from the seat once represented by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister. Maurya vacated the seat after he became the deputy chief minister of the state in 2017. In Azamgarh this time, Akhilesh is trying to retain his father's seat against Bhojpuri film star Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua' of the BJP. Sultanpur too is seeing an interesting contest as the BJP has fielded Union minister Maneka Gandhi for the seat won by her son Varun in 2014. The seats appear tricky for Maneka as BJP strategists are relying on a division of Congress and gathbandhan votes, besides possible counter-polarisation of non-Yadav and non-Jatav Dalit and OBC votes. Polling will also be held for Bhopal, Morena, Bhind (SC), Gwalior, Guna, Sagar, Vidisha and Rajgarh seats in Madhya Pradesh. This will be the third phase of polling in Madhya Pradesh, with the first and second phases having been held on April 29 and May 6. The last phase will be held on May 19. The Bhopal seat will see an interesting fight between senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and BJP nominee Pragya Singh Thakur. Guna will seal the fate of AICC general secretary and Congress candidate Scindia. Union minister and BJP nominee Narendra Singh Tomar is in the fray from Morena. In the national capital, voting will be held in all seven seats. As many as 164 candidates, including 18 women, are in the fray. It is expected to be a three-cornered fight involving the BJP, AAP and the Congress. Prominent candidates in the fray include veteran Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, Olympian boxer Vijender Singh, Union minister Harsh Vardhan, Atishi from AAP and her BJP rival cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir. Union ministers Rao Inderjit Singh and Krishan Pal Gurjar are among the 223 candidates in fray in Haryana. Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, a sitting MLA of Congress from Rohtak district, is once again trying his luck to enter the lower House, this time from Sonipat. Earlier, Hooda had remained a four-time MP from Rohtak parliamentary constituency. Hooda's son Deepender is seeking re-election for the fourth term from Rohtak as Congress nominee. Among other candidates, Union minister Birender Singh's son Brijendra Singh (BJP) and former chief minister Bhajan Lal's grandson Bhavya Bishnoi (Congress), both political greenhorns, are contesting from the Hisar Lok Sabha seat, where they face sitting MP and leader of newly floated JJP Dushyant Chautala, grandson of former chief minister, O P Chautala. Former Union minister Kumari Selja and state Congress chief Ashok Tanwar are fighting from Ambala and Sirsa, respectively, for the party. The ruling Trinamool Congress, the BJP, the Congress and the Left Front constituents - the CPI(M), the CPI and the AIFB - are the main contenders in West Bengal. In this phase, polling will be held in Jangal Mahal - the forested region of Bankura, West Midnapore, Jhargram and Purulia districts, which used to be a Maoist hotbed, during the erstwhile Left Front government. In Jharkhand, state minister Chandraprakash Choudhary, former cricketer Kirti Azad and ex-chief minister Madhu Koda's wife Gita are among the 67 candidates whose fate will be sealed in the third phase of polls in the state. Polling will be held in Dhanbad, Giridih, Jamshedpur and Singhbhum (ST) seats, all won by the BJP in 2014. Altogether, 66,85,401 voters, including 31,79,720 women and 116 of the third gender, are eligible to exercise their franchise. Four sitting MPs, including Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, are among the 127 candidates contesting in Bihar. Amid tight security, polling will be held in eight Lok Sabha seats - Sheohar, Valmiki Nagar, Pashchimi Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Siwan, Gopalganj, Maharajganj and Vaishali. Among the 127 candidates, 16 are women - eight in Vaishali, four in Siwan and one each in Sheohar, Maharajganj, Purvi Champaran and Valmiki Nagar.

Stage set for penultimate phase of Lok Sabha polls

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday claimed that BJP will see a reduced seat count in Uttar Pradesh and draw a blank in seven other states and the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are losing confidence about winning the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

She said BJP is looking at West Bengal for votes as it has fared badly in the last five phases of the Lok Sabha polls.

"Where will BJP get the numbers from? In Uttar Pradesh, its seat count will reduce from 73 to 13 or 17. In other states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Punjab and Odisha the party will draw a blank. Its seats will reduce in Madhya Pradesh also", Banerjee claimed while addressing a public meeting here in support of Trinamool Congress candidate Nusrat Jahan.

Modi is losing confidence, she said and urged the electorate not to vote for BJP.

"In Bengal, Trinamool Congress should win all the 42 seats which will help it to have some control in the formation of the new government," Banerjee who has been claiming that her party would play an important role at the Centre after the general elections, said.

"We do not want BJP. Show the door to the party through votes," the Trinamool Congress supremo said.

She alleged that BJP, Congress and CPI(M) are of the same ilk. "Some people are supporting BJP in the morning, Congress in the afternoon and CPI(M) in the night. So voting any of the three will be a waste. Vote for TMC, it is the only party which has the guts to fight BJP.

"BJP has kept the entire country petrified. Captured institutions like RBI, CBI, Income Tax and the ED... Instead of giving food, shelter and clothing, it has dismantled Planning Commission with Niti Aayog and shown how to create riots ... It started cow vigilantism and lynching syndicates", she said.

Modi and BJP president Amit Shah have often attacked the TMC by accusing it of running 'syndicates raj'.

Continuing her tirade against Modi, Banerjee said in the last parliamentary polls he had said a lot of things and became the prime minister. "But what work has he done in the last five years?"

Prices of commodities had risen during BJP's rule and are going to increase more after the elections.

"The BJP has forgotten Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose who gave the Jai Hind slogan. Nathuram Godse (who killed Mahatma Gandhi) is now its leader," she added.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday claimed that BJP will see a reduced seat count in Uttar Pradesh and draw a blank in seven other states and the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are losing confidence about winning the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday claimed that BJP will see a reduced seat count in Uttar Pradesh and draw a blank in seven other states and the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are losing confidence about winning the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. She said BJP is looking at West Bengal for votes as it has fared badly in the last five phases of the Lok Sabha polls. "Where will BJP get the numbers from? In Uttar Pradesh, its seat count will reduce from 73 to 13 or 17. In other states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Punjab and Odisha the party will draw a blank. Its seats will reduce in Madhya Pradesh also", Banerjee claimed while addressing a public meeting here in support of Trinamool Congress candidate Nusrat Jahan. Modi is losing confidence, she said and urged the electorate not to vote for BJP. "In Bengal, Trinamool Congress should win all the 42 seats which will help it to have some control in the formation of the new government," Banerjee who has been claiming that her party would play an important role at the Centre after the general elections, said. "We do not want BJP. Show the door to the party through votes," the Trinamool Congress supremo said. She alleged that BJP, Congress and CPI(M) are of the same ilk. "Some people are supporting BJP in the morning, Congress in the afternoon and CPI(M) in the night. So voting any of the three will be a waste. Vote for TMC, it is the only party which has the guts to fight BJP. "BJP has kept the entire country petrified. Captured institutions like RBI, CBI, Income Tax and the ED... Instead of giving food, shelter and clothing, it has dismantled Planning Commission with Niti Aayog and shown how to create riots ... It started cow vigilantism and lynching syndicates", she said. Modi and BJP president Amit Shah have often attacked the TMC by accusing it of running 'syndicates raj'. Continuing her tirade against Modi, Banerjee said in the last parliamentary polls he had said a lot of things and became the prime minister. "But what work has he done in the last five years?" Prices of commodities had risen during BJP's rule and are going to increase more after the elections. "The BJP has forgotten Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose who gave the Jai Hind slogan. Nathuram Godse (who killed Mahatma Gandhi) is now its leader," she added.

BJP will see reduced seat count in UP, draw blank in seven other states: Mamata Banerjee

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/vajpayee-government-conducted-nuclear-tests-20-years-back-other-governments-never-had-similar-courage-pm-modi-217767">Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday</a> said that he might come from a low caste but he is "trying day and night to uplift each and every person from the lower caste and every poor person in the country.

"Claiming that the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) all through their campaign targeted him for coming from a "lower" caste, Prime Minister Modi said, "I might come from a low caste but I am trying day and night to uplift each and every person from the lower caste and every poor person in the country."

Prime Minister Modi was addressing an election rally in favour of Union Minister Manoj Sinha, who is seeking re-election from this seat. Ghazipur goes to poll on May 19, the last phase of seven-phased Lok Sabha polling. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Expressing his dismay over the Congress government in Rajasthan for allegedly burying Alwar gang rape case due to polls, Modi said, "You must have heard of the incident from Rajasthan's Alwar district in the past two-three days."

"A Dalit girl was gang-raped by thugs. Instead of catching the accused the Congress government is trying to bury the case. This happened because there were elections in the state then. They delayed justice. This is the truth of Congress'&nbsp;justice," he said.

"I also want to ask why the Congress' darbaris are silent now. Why there is no candle march for Alwar's rape victim today. I want to ask the 'Award Wapsi'&nbsp;gang why are they silent when injustice has been caused to Alwar's daughter," he said.

A woman was allegedly gang-raped by five men while her husband was beaten up in Thanagaji area of Alwar district in Rajasthan on April 26. The woman and her husband were on a bike, when about five men aged between 20-25 years, stopped them and took the couple to a deserted place.

The husband was allegedly assaulted and tied up while the woman was gang-raped. The culprits, reportedly, also threatened the couple not to report the matter to the police or they would make the video public.

Earlier addressing an election rally at Sonbhadra, Prime Minister Modi said, "SP-BSP, who first ruined UP, are now hugging each other to save themselves from falling apart. Those who wanted to send each other to jail now want to send them to the palace today."

"The leaders of SP and BSP do not tell the people what is their policy for the nation. Whatever they talk about, abusing Modi is at the top of it. What will be their strategy to deal with terrorism - Naamdar, Behen ji and Babua ji will not speak anything about this," he said.

Arch-rivals in Uttar Pradesh - SP and BSP - have forged an alliance after the BJP swept Lok Polls in 2014 and registered landslide victory in Assembly elections of 2017.

Reiterating his poll campaign for a 'strong government'&nbsp;at the Centre, Prime Minister Modi said, "When there is an adulterated government at the Centre, then national security is put at stake. When there was a Third Front government, Samajwadi Party was in the Cabinet. What had they done to the country?"

"Many people have written about this before. They have said that the adulterated government had destroyed had intelligence system. The country has to suffer for that. What third front government had done is nothing less than crime," he said.

Calling the UPA government, which was in power from 2004 to 2014 as a "remotely controlled" government, Modi said, "After the government of Atal ji, the country saw such a weak government again, saw the government of such great people, who put the credibility of the country on the stake. Then remote-control government destroyed ten years of the country."

The Prime Minister also underlined that India had tested its first nuclear test on this day 21 years ago.

"21 years back on this day, India successfully carried out nuclear test - operation Shakti. I salute scientists who brought laurels to the country with hard work. This historical incident in 1998 proves what strong political willpower can do for national security," he said."India always had such ability but governments prior to Vajpayee government did not have the courage to take such a decision. You can achieve this only if your priority is national security. Only then can you have the courage to take a decision for the nuclear test," said Prime Minister Modi.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that he might come from a low caste but he is "trying day and night to uplift each and every person from the lower caste and every poor person in the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that he might come from a low caste but he is "trying day and night to uplift each and every person from the lower caste and every poor person in the country. "Claiming that the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) all through their campaign targeted him for coming from a "lower" caste, Prime Minister Modi said, "I might come from a low caste but I am trying day and night to uplift each and every person from the lower caste and every poor person in the country." Prime Minister Modi was addressing an election rally in favour of Union Minister Manoj Sinha, who is seeking re-election from this seat. Ghazipur goes to poll on May 19, the last phase of seven-phased Lok Sabha polling. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. Expressing his dismay over the Congress government in Rajasthan for allegedly burying Alwar gang rape case due to polls, Modi said, "You must have heard of the incident from Rajasthan's Alwar district in the past two-three days." "A Dalit girl was gang-raped by thugs. Instead of catching the accused the Congress government is trying to bury the case. This happened because there were elections in the state then. They delayed justice. This is the truth of Congress' justice," he said. "I also want to ask why the Congress' darbaris are silent now. Why there is no candle march for Alwar's rape victim today. I want to ask the 'Award Wapsi' gang why are they silent when injustice has been caused to Alwar's daughter," he said. A woman was allegedly gang-raped by five men while her husband was beaten up in Thanagaji area of Alwar district in Rajasthan on April 26. The woman and her husband were on a bike, when about five men aged between 20-25 years, stopped them and took the couple to a deserted place. The husband was allegedly assaulted and tied up while the woman was gang-raped. The culprits, reportedly, also threatened the couple not to report the matter to the police or they would make the video public. Earlier addressing an election rally at Sonbhadra, Prime Minister Modi said, "SP-BSP, who first ruined UP, are now hugging each other to save themselves from falling apart. Those who wanted to send each other to jail now want to send them to the palace today." "The leaders of SP and BSP do not tell the people what is their policy for the nation. Whatever they talk about, abusing Modi is at the top of it. What will be their strategy to deal with terrorism - Naamdar, Behen ji and Babua ji will not speak anything about this," he said. Arch-rivals in Uttar Pradesh - SP and BSP - have forged an alliance after the BJP swept Lok Polls in 2014 and registered landslide victory in Assembly elections of 2017. Reiterating his poll campaign for a 'strong government' at the Centre, Prime Minister Modi said, "When there is an adulterated government at the Centre, then national security is put at stake. When there was a Third Front government, Samajwadi Party was in the Cabinet. What had they done to the country?" "Many people have written about this before. They have said that the adulterated government had destroyed had intelligence system. The country has to suffer for that. What third front government had done is nothing less than crime," he said. Calling the UPA government, which was in power from 2004 to 2014 as a "remotely controlled" government, Modi said, "After the government of Atal ji, the country saw such a weak government again, saw the government of such great people, who put the credibility of the country on the stake. Then remote-control government destroyed ten years of the country." The Prime Minister also underlined that India had tested its first nuclear test on this day 21 years ago. "21 years back on this day, India successfully carried out nuclear test - operation Shakti. I salute scientists who brought laurels to the country with hard work. This historical incident in 1998 proves what strong political willpower can do for national security," he said."India always had such ability but governments prior to Vajpayee government did not have the courage to take such a decision. You can achieve this only if your priority is national security. Only then can you have the courage to take a decision for the nuclear test," said Prime Minister Modi.

I may come from low caste, but trying to uplift every poor person: PM Modi

In villages of Purulia that are awash with summer hues, the orange palash flowers blend with political parties' symbols, even as the BJP's 'lotus' and TMC's 'grass and two flowers' vie for attention -&nbsp;and political space.

With elections in the constituency scheduled for Sunday, the BJP's lotus appears on the walls of many mud house, side-by-side with the Trinamool Congress' symbol, signifying the BJP's emergence as a force to reckoned with.

In some places, the tiger symbol of the All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) makes its presence felt as it roars from the red flags that can be seen from a distance.

Following its impressive show in the 2018 panchayat elections in Purulia, the BJP is upbeat about wresting the Lok Sabha seat from the TMC. Left Front constituent AIFB, which held the seat from 1977 to 2011, before losing it to the TMC, is also positive about regaining its lost glory.

But TMC candidate Mriganka Mahato is sure he will win from Purulia for the second consecutive term. He is up against BJP's Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato, AIFB's four-time MP Bir Singh Mahato and Congress' Nepal Mahato.

"The huge amount of development work done under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, including roads, electricity connections and many welfare schemes, is there for everybody to see," Mriganka Mahato told PTI.

He is a doctor who was brought to electoral politics by the TMC chief in 2014.

Large parts of Purulia became Maoist strongholds for a few years towards the latter part of 34-year Left Front rule in the state. Subsequently, the Jangalmahal area, which comprises forested areas spread over the districts of Bankura, Purulia, West Midnapore and Jhargram, was freed from red terror by joint forces.

With the TMC government ushering in 'parivartan' (change) in 2011, smooth metalled roads have replaced the red soil-topped roads that used to turn into slush and pond-sized craters during the monsoons.

There have been several developments and welfare schemes and electricity has reached small villages in the area.

Life in the once-neglected district in the western part of West Bengal, bordering Jharkhand, is generally better than it was 10 years ago, said villagers.

But with change and development has come corruption and the wealth of a section of local Trinamool Congress leadership has risen manifold in just a few years, they alleged.

Amal Mahato, the owner of a small tea stall on the outskirts of Purulia town, said the arrogance of the leaders is alienating people.

Admitting that a small percentage of local party leaders and workers have become greedy in Jangalmahal, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee had said that action was taken against them and urged people not to turn towards an opposition party out of anger.&nbsp;

In a state with a volatile political history, Purulia has been largely free of poll-related violence. But the 2018 panchayat elections, in which the BJP emerged as the new opposition to the TMC, changed the scenario. At least 12 people were killed in the violence.

While the TMC won 234 seats in panchayat samitis in Purulia, the BJP bagged 142 seats, leaving the Congress with 33 and the Left with 25 seats as distant third and fourth place holders.&nbsp;

In the gram panchayats in the three-tier election, the TMC won 838 seats, the BJP 644, the Left 178 and the Congress 150.

The BJP, with its RSS and Bajrang Dal wings, appears to have made inroads among the indigenous people. The TMC leadership also seems worried as a section of the influential Mahato community is inclining towards the BJP, party workers said.

The BJP, which came fourth in the 2014 general elections, is the biggest challenger to the TMC in Purulia.

The seat was with the Forward Bloc since 1977 till 2014 when TMC's Mriganka Mahato defeated the Left party in a wave for the Mamata Banerjee-led party.&nbsp;

The TMC won 34 of 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal in the last general elections.

With Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressing a rally in Purulia, the party's candidate Nepal Mahato did get a boost but the party doesn't stand much a chance of now, political observers and villagers said.

According to BJP candidate Jyotirmoy Mahato, "People are not with the TMC. They only have goons in their fold. The general public will resist if they try to loot votes." 
He claimed the Left has been wiped out from Purulia and most of their supporters have joined the BJP.

AIFB contestant Bir Singh Mahato, who has been a four-time MP from the seat, said the so-called BJP wave has been artificially created.

"It has no proper leader in the constituency and its supporters have been left directionless, though the party had won quite a good number of seats in the panchayat elections," he said.

TMC candidate Mriganka Mahato said he expects a better fight from the Left which has a support base all over the constituency. The BJP and the Congress, he claimed, have only some pockets of influence.

"The BJP is using religion to divert the attention of people from the basic requirements of job, food and development, which it could not provide in the last five years," he said.&nbsp;

In villages of Purulia that are awash with summer hues, the orange palash flowers blend with political parties' symbols, even as the BJP's 'lotus' and TMC's 'grass and two flowers' vie for attention - and political space.

In villages of Purulia that are awash with summer hues, the orange palash flowers blend with political parties' symbols, even as the BJP's 'lotus' and TMC's 'grass and two flowers' vie for attention - and political space. With elections in the constituency scheduled for Sunday, the BJP's lotus appears on the walls of many mud house, side-by-side with the Trinamool Congress' symbol, signifying the BJP's emergence as a force to reckoned with. In some places, the tiger symbol of the All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) makes its presence felt as it roars from the red flags that can be seen from a distance. Following its impressive show in the 2018 panchayat elections in Purulia, the BJP is upbeat about wresting the Lok Sabha seat from the TMC. Left Front constituent AIFB, which held the seat from 1977 to 2011, before losing it to the TMC, is also positive about regaining its lost glory. But TMC candidate Mriganka Mahato is sure he will win from Purulia for the second consecutive term. He is up against BJP's Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato, AIFB's four-time MP Bir Singh Mahato and Congress' Nepal Mahato. "The huge amount of development work done under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, including roads, electricity connections and many welfare schemes, is there for everybody to see," Mriganka Mahato told PTI. He is a doctor who was brought to electoral politics by the TMC chief in 2014. Large parts of Purulia became Maoist strongholds for a few years towards the latter part of 34-year Left Front rule in the state. Subsequently, the Jangalmahal area, which comprises forested areas spread over the districts of Bankura, Purulia, West Midnapore and Jhargram, was freed from red terror by joint forces. With the TMC government ushering in 'parivartan' (change) in 2011, smooth metalled roads have replaced the red soil-topped roads that used to turn into slush and pond-sized craters during the monsoons. There have been several developments and welfare schemes and electricity has reached small villages in the area. Life in the once-neglected district in the western part of West Bengal, bordering Jharkhand, is generally better than it was 10 years ago, said villagers. But with change and development has come corruption and the wealth of a section of local Trinamool Congress leadership has risen manifold in just a few years, they alleged. Amal Mahato, the owner of a small tea stall on the outskirts of Purulia town, said the arrogance of the leaders is alienating people. Admitting that a small percentage of local party leaders and workers have become greedy in Jangalmahal, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee had said that action was taken against them and urged people not to turn towards an opposition party out of anger. In a state with a volatile political history, Purulia has been largely free of poll-related violence. But the 2018 panchayat elections, in which the BJP emerged as the new opposition to the TMC, changed the scenario. At least 12 people were killed in the violence. While the TMC won 234 seats in panchayat samitis in Purulia, the BJP bagged 142 seats, leaving the Congress with 33 and the Left with 25 seats as distant third and fourth place holders. In the gram panchayats in the three-tier election, the TMC won 838 seats, the BJP 644, the Left 178 and the Congress 150. The BJP, with its RSS and Bajrang Dal wings, appears to have made inroads among the indigenous people. The TMC leadership also seems worried as a section of the influential Mahato community is inclining towards the BJP, party workers said. The BJP, which came fourth in the 2014 general elections, is the biggest challenger to the TMC in Purulia. The seat was with the Forward Bloc since 1977 till 2014 when TMC's Mriganka Mahato defeated the Left party in a wave for the Mamata Banerjee-led party. The TMC won 34 of 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal in the last general elections. With Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressing a rally in Purulia, the party's candidate Nepal Mahato did get a boost but the party doesn't stand much a chance of now, political observers and villagers said. According to BJP candidate Jyotirmoy Mahato, "People are not with the TMC. They only have goons in their fold. The general public will resist if they try to loot votes." He claimed the Left has been wiped out from Purulia and most of their supporters have joined the BJP. AIFB contestant Bir Singh Mahato, who has been a four-time MP from the seat, said the so-called BJP wave has been artificially created. "It has no proper leader in the constituency and its supporters have been left directionless, though the party had won quite a good number of seats in the panchayat elections," he said. TMC candidate Mriganka Mahato said he expects a better fight from the Left which has a support base all over the constituency. The BJP and the Congress, he claimed, have only some pockets of influence. "The BJP is using religion to divert the attention of people from the basic requirements of job, food and development, which it could not provide in the last five years," he said.

BJP emerges as force to reckon with in West Bengal's Purulia

"I condemn the allegations. I have never discussed anything related to my candidature with my son," Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) West Delhi candidate Balbir Singh Jakhar said on Saturday after his son Uday Jakhar levelled charges of "cash-for-ticket" against him.

"He stays at his maternal parents` home from the time of his birth and I divorced my wife in 2009. She stayed with me only for 6-7 months. His custody was granted to my wife after the divorce. I condemn the allegations. I have never discussed with my son anything about my candidature. I speak to him very rarely," Balbir told media persons, a day before New Delhi is slated to vote in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

AAP candidate's comments came after his son accused him of giving AAP chief and Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Cabinet Minister Gopal Rai Rs 6 crore in exchange of the West Delhi ticket.

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Balbir Singh Jakhar, AAP candidate from West Delhi: He stays at his maternal parents' home from the time of his birth and I divorced my wife in 2009. She stayed with me for only 6-7 months. His custody was granted to my wife after the divorce. <a href="https://t.co/hHbhXq0Gxr">https://t.co/hHbhXq0Gxr</a>
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"Six crore rupees were given to Arvind Kejriwal and Gopal Rai by my father in exchange of the West Delhi ticket. He joined politics in January and prior to that, he had no experience in the political arena. I have credible evidence that he gave 6 crores to fight from this ticket," Uday said.

Claiming that his father tried to bail out former Congress leader and 1984 anti-Sikh riots accused Sajjan Kumar, he said, "He refused to give me money for my education and said that he would use it for his political endeavours. He was ready to use that money to give bail to Yashpal Singh and Sajjan Kumar, accused and convicts in 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He was ready to fight a case for them. He personally told me this."

Delhi, where 7 Lok Sabha seats are at stake, will go to poll on May 12.&nbsp;

"I condemn the allegations. I have never discussed anything related to my candidature with my son," Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) West Delhi candidate Balbir Singh Jakhar said on Saturday after his son Uday Jakhar levelled charges of "cash-for-ticket" against him.

"I condemn the allegations. I have never discussed anything related to my candidature with my son," Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) West Delhi candidate Balbir Singh Jakhar said on Saturday after his son Uday Jakhar levelled charges of "cash-for-ticket" against him. "He stays at his maternal parents` home from the time of his birth and I divorced my wife in 2009. She stayed with me only for 6-7 months. His custody was granted to my wife after the divorce. I condemn the allegations. I have never discussed with my son anything about my candidature. I speak to him very rarely," Balbir told media persons, a day before New Delhi is slated to vote in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. AAP candidate's comments came after his son accused him of giving AAP chief and Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Cabinet Minister Gopal Rai Rs 6 crore in exchange of the West Delhi ticket. Balbir Singh Jakhar, AAP candidate from West Delhi: He stays at his maternal parents' home from the time of his birth and I divorced my wife in 2009. She stayed with me for only 6-7 months. His custody was granted to my wife after the divorce. https://t.co/hHbhXq0Gxr — ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2019 × "Six crore rupees were given to Arvind Kejriwal and Gopal Rai by my father in exchange of the West Delhi ticket. He joined politics in January and prior to that, he had no experience in the political arena. I have credible evidence that he gave 6 crores to fight from this ticket," Uday said. Claiming that his father tried to bail out former Congress leader and 1984 anti-Sikh riots accused Sajjan Kumar, he said, "He refused to give me money for my education and said that he would use it for his political endeavours. He was ready to use that money to give bail to Yashpal Singh and Sajjan Kumar, accused and convicts in 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He was ready to fight a case for them. He personally told me this." Delhi, where 7 Lok Sabha seats are at stake, will go to poll on May 12.

AAP candidate Balbir Singh Jakhar refutes 'cash-for-ticket' allegations by son

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India was able to successfully carry out nuclear test - Operation Shakti - over two decades ago on this very day because the government was courageous enough to undertake such a task.&nbsp;

Other governments didn't have similar courage, Modi said&nbsp;while addressing an election rally in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. &nbsp;

"You can achieve this only if your priority is national security. Only then can you have the courage to take a decision for a nuclear test," he added.&nbsp;

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PM in Sonbhadra: 21 yrs back on this day, India successfully carried out nuclear test - operation Shakti. I salute scientists who brought laurels to the country with hardwork. This historical incident in 1998 proves what a strong political willpower can do for national security. <a href="https://t.co/Fl0eSzMDPV">pic.twitter.com/Fl0eSzMDPV</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1127151551636754432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"I salute the scientists who brought laurels to the country with their hard work. This historical incident in 1998 proves what strong political willpower can do for national security," PM Modi said.&nbsp;

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PM Modi in Sonbhadra: India always had such ability but govts prior to Vajpayee govt didn't have courage to take such decision. You can achieve this only if your priority is national security. Only then can you have courage to take a decision for nuclear test. <a href="https://t.co/RnfJa1P2xw">https://t.co/RnfJa1P2xw</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1127151705097940992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"India always had such an ability but the governments prior to the Vajpayee government didn't have the courage to take such a decision," he noted.

Slamming the opposition, the prime minister said that they were only interested in "asking what is the caste of Modi".

"Modi has only one caste - the caste which all the poor of this country belong to. Those who consider themselves poor, I belong to their caste," he added.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India was able to successfully carry out nuclear test - Operation Shakti - over two decades ago on this very day because the government was courageous enough to undertake such a task.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India was able to successfully carry out nuclear test - Operation Shakti - over two decades ago on this very day because the government was courageous enough to undertake such a task. Other governments didn't have similar courage, Modi said while addressing an election rally in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. "You can achieve this only if your priority is national security. Only then can you have the courage to take a decision for a nuclear test," he added. PM in Sonbhadra: 21 yrs back on this day, India successfully carried out nuclear test - operation Shakti. I salute scientists who brought laurels to the country with hardwork. This historical incident in 1998 proves what a strong political willpower can do for national security. pic.twitter.com/Fl0eSzMDPV — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 11, 2019 × "I salute the scientists who brought laurels to the country with their hard work. This historical incident in 1998 proves what strong political willpower can do for national security," PM Modi said. PM Modi in Sonbhadra: India always had such ability but govts prior to Vajpayee govt didn't have courage to take such decision. You can achieve this only if your priority is national security. Only then can you have courage to take a decision for nuclear test. https://t.co/RnfJa1P2xw — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 11, 2019 × "India always had such an ability but the governments prior to the Vajpayee government didn't have the courage to take such a decision," he noted. Slamming the opposition, the prime minister said that they were only interested in "asking what is the caste of Modi". "Modi has only one caste - the caste which all the poor of this country belong to. Those who consider themselves poor, I belong to their caste," he added.

Vajpayee govt conducted nuclear tests 20 years ago, other governments never had similar courage: PM Modi 

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/uttar-pradesh-yogi-adityanath-terms-sp-congress-as-supporters-of-terrorists-217652">Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath</a> Saturday tore into the SP-BSP alliance by likening <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/phase-6-polls-akhilesh-yadav-maneka-gandhi-among-key-candidates-in-uttar-pradesh-217752">SP chief Akhilesh Yadav</a> to Aurangzeb, who had imprisoned his father emperor Shahjahan.

He said the "'mahamilawatis' are behaving like snakes, frogs and scorpions who come together during floods.

In a tweet in Hindi, the chief minister said, "The one who dethroned his father, like Aurangzeb, joined hands with the sworn enemy. After May 23, they will again abuse each other. These 'mahamilavati' people are behaving today like scorpions, frogs and snakes which come together during floods."

Adityanath, who addressed an election meeting in Ballia on Saturday, said in another tweet, "When I and (Narendra) Modiji put a lock on the shops of 'Bua' (Mayawati) and 'Babua' (Akhilesh), they opened another counter to sell 'mahamilavati' goods and cheat the people.

"This counter will also be closed by the people on May 23 and they will again abuse each other. So do not waste your votes. Think, understand and get involved in the setting up a new and strong India."

Adityanath had earlier called Akhilesh 'goondon ka sartaj' (king of goons) and has often accused him of taking development works and extending basic facilities on caste and communal lines.&nbsp;

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Saturday tore into the SP-BSP alliance by likening SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to Aurangzeb, who had imprisoned his father emperor Shahjahan.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Saturday tore into the SP-BSP alliance by likening SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to Aurangzeb, who had imprisoned his father emperor Shahjahan. He said the "'mahamilawatis' are behaving like snakes, frogs and scorpions who come together during floods. In a tweet in Hindi, the chief minister said, "The one who dethroned his father, like Aurangzeb, joined hands with the sworn enemy. After May 23, they will again abuse each other. These 'mahamilavati' people are behaving today like scorpions, frogs and snakes which come together during floods." Adityanath, who addressed an election meeting in Ballia on Saturday, said in another tweet, "When I and (Narendra) Modiji put a lock on the shops of 'Bua' (Mayawati) and 'Babua' (Akhilesh), they opened another counter to sell 'mahamilavati' goods and cheat the people. "This counter will also be closed by the people on May 23 and they will again abuse each other. So do not waste your votes. Think, understand and get involved in the setting up a new and strong India." Adityanath had earlier called Akhilesh 'goondon ka sartaj' (king of goons) and has often accused him of taking development works and extending basic facilities on caste and communal lines.

Yogi Adityanath likens Akhilesh to Aurangzeb, says dethroned his father

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Union minister Maneka Gandhi are among key contestants in the second-last phase of polling in 14 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

Polling will be held in Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/a-battle-of-turncoats-in-phulpur-allahabad-lok-sabha-seats-217034">Phulpur, Allahabad</a>, Ambedkarnagar, Shrawasti, Domariyaganj, Basti, Sant Kabirnagar, Lalganj, Jaunpur, Machchlishahr, Bhadohi and Azamgarh constituencies in Purvanchal region of the state.

The Bharatiya Janata Party had won 13 of these 14 constituencies in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. The only exception was Azamgarh, won then by SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav.

However, the BJP had to bite the dust in the bypolls in Phulpur and Gorakhpur constituencies last year. While, the anti-BJP alliance would like to retain its grip over both the seats, the saffron party is looking to wrest them from the opposition.

Their importance can be gauged from the fact that Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017 before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Similarly, Phulpur was won for the first time by the BJP in 2014, when Keshav Prasad Maurya emerged victorious from the seat once represented by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister. Maurya vacated the seat after he became the deputy chief minister of the state in 2017.

The BJP had swept the 2014 polls winning 71 of the total 80 seats in the state, with two others being won by ally Apna Dal (Sonelal). The Congress won two and the SP five.

In Azamgarh this time, Akhilesh Yadav is trying to retain his father's seat against Bhojpuri film star Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua' of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

In 2016, Akhilesh Yadav had conferred the state's prestigious Yash Bharti award on Nirahua, who says that he too was getting a good response from youth and the middle-income group in the constituency.

The SP president's decision to contest from his father's bastion is being touted as a move to consolidate the Yadav, Dalit and Muslim voters in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh.

The constituency has a substantial population of Yadavs, Jatavs and Muslims -- the three communities which form the crux of the SP-BSP alliance in the politically crucial state.

Since 1996, only Muslims and Yadavs have won the Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat.

Azamgarh has over 17 lakh voters. Estimates say that about four lakh of them are Yadavs, three lakh Muslims and around 2.75 lakh Dalits.

Sultanpur too is seeing an interesting contest as the BJP has fielded Union minister Maneka Gandhi for the seat won by her son Varun Gandhi in 2014.

The seats appear tricky for Maneka Gandhi as BJP strategists are relying on a division of Congress and gathbandhan votes, besides possible counter-polarisation of non-Yadav and non-Jatav Dalit and OBC votes.

The party is also hoping that the Modi factor and central welfare schemes will make the voters' repose faith in the BJP yet again in the seat vacated by Maneka Gandhi's son Varun Gandhi.

The Union minister faces Chandra Bhadra Singh of the BSP and Sanjay Singh of the Congress, who was the Sultanpur MP from 2009-14.

Sanjay Singh did not contest in 2014 but fielded his wife Ameeta Singh who ended fourth.

The constituency has a total of 1,430,955 eligible voters out of which 764,314 are males and 666,641 females.

Altogether, 177 candidates are contesting in these 14 constituencies, where 2.53 crore people are eligible to vote at 16,998 polling centres.&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Union minister Maneka Gandhi are among key contestants in the second-last phase of polling in 14 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Union minister Maneka Gandhi are among key contestants in the second-last phase of polling in 14 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. Polling will be held in Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Phulpur, Allahabad, Ambedkarnagar, Shrawasti, Domariyaganj, Basti, Sant Kabirnagar, Lalganj, Jaunpur, Machchlishahr, Bhadohi and Azamgarh constituencies in Purvanchal region of the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party had won 13 of these 14 constituencies in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. The only exception was Azamgarh, won then by SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav. However, the BJP had to bite the dust in the bypolls in Phulpur and Gorakhpur constituencies last year. While, the anti-BJP alliance would like to retain its grip over both the seats, the saffron party is looking to wrest them from the opposition. Their importance can be gauged from the fact that Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017 before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, Phulpur was won for the first time by the BJP in 2014, when Keshav Prasad Maurya emerged victorious from the seat once represented by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister. Maurya vacated the seat after he became the deputy chief minister of the state in 2017. The BJP had swept the 2014 polls winning 71 of the total 80 seats in the state, with two others being won by ally Apna Dal (Sonelal). The Congress won two and the SP five. In Azamgarh this time, Akhilesh Yadav is trying to retain his father's seat against Bhojpuri film star Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua' of the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2016, Akhilesh Yadav had conferred the state's prestigious Yash Bharti award on Nirahua, who says that he too was getting a good response from youth and the middle-income group in the constituency. The SP president's decision to contest from his father's bastion is being touted as a move to consolidate the Yadav, Dalit and Muslim voters in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh. The constituency has a substantial population of Yadavs, Jatavs and Muslims -- the three communities which form the crux of the SP-BSP alliance in the politically crucial state. Since 1996, only Muslims and Yadavs have won the Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat. Azamgarh has over 17 lakh voters. Estimates say that about four lakh of them are Yadavs, three lakh Muslims and around 2.75 lakh Dalits. Sultanpur too is seeing an interesting contest as the BJP has fielded Union minister Maneka Gandhi for the seat won by her son Varun Gandhi in 2014. The seats appear tricky for Maneka Gandhi as BJP strategists are relying on a division of Congress and gathbandhan votes, besides possible counter-polarisation of non-Yadav and non-Jatav Dalit and OBC votes. The party is also hoping that the Modi factor and central welfare schemes will make the voters' repose faith in the BJP yet again in the seat vacated by Maneka Gandhi's son Varun Gandhi. The Union minister faces Chandra Bhadra Singh of the BSP and Sanjay Singh of the Congress, who was the Sultanpur MP from 2009-14. Sanjay Singh did not contest in 2014 but fielded his wife Ameeta Singh who ended fourth. The constituency has a total of 1,430,955 eligible voters out of which 764,314 are males and 666,641 females. Altogether, 177 candidates are contesting in these 14 constituencies, where 2.53 crore people are eligible to vote at 16,998 polling centres.

Phase 6 polls: Akhilesh Yadav, Maneka Gandhi among key candidates in Uttar Pradesh

With two of the seven-phased 2019 general election left to go, the Election Commission (EC) has reported countrywide confiscation of cash, gold, liquor and drugs. The haul, at the last count, is valued at over Rs 5,000 crore.&nbsp;

By the time polling concludes on May 19, this figure could go up significantly. Since the announcement of the election schedule on March 10, money has been impounded in drives by the authorities. The EC figures say that cash amounting to Rs 142 crore was seized between March 11 and 25 this year, the first 15 days of the general elections being announced.

Interestingly, what is confiscated is likely to be less than five per cent of what is being spent by candidates and parties in this general election. &nbsp;These are extremely worrying trends. The total approximate expenditure in this election — as calculated by me and now being confirmed by the news media — is Rs 50,000 crore. This is arguably the largest sum of money ever spent in an election, the American presidential polls included. Yet, there is scarcely a word on the subject by any political party or leader; a subject that poses a threat to the very fundamentals of the Republic. At the same time, leaders and candidates continue to accuse each other of bribing voters.&nbsp;

The news media, particularly TV channels, have been prominently reporting the confiscations with all the imagery at their command. Based on a survey conducted during the 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the Centre for Media Studies (CMS) had demonstrated that extravagant media coverage of the seizures heightened the expectations of the voters sky high. With more billionaires than before contesting the polls, the expectation of the money spent too has skyrocketed.

According to the Commission, with gold, silver, liquor and cash taken together at the end of the second phase, Gujarat topped with seizures worth Rs 1,000 crore, followed by Punjab and Delhi. Only a case study can tell us why Gujarat, dominated by one party, has to unleash so many lures to keep the electorate in good humour. &nbsp;

On cash confiscations alone, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka top the table. Now Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal too have joined this note-for-vote race. In Andhra Pradesh, a week before the first phase of polling on April 11, the EC had identified 116 of the 175 assembly constituencies as money guzzlers. In other states too, the Commission has shortlisted constituencies where the money is likely to play a dominant role in the elections.&nbsp;

Yet, despite EC’s expenditure observers scanning the political landscape with a fine microscope, no breakthrough in reversing this trend is evident. That so much cash, liquor, gold and silver (now even drugs) is flowing extensively in so many different directions, does not bother anyone. It is clear that the percentage of voters who are being seduced with such lures is on the increase. &nbsp;

Two major studies conducted by the CMS in 2005 and 2007 in 20 or more states, and select studies since then in every round of elections, have confirmed that the note-for-vote trend continues unabated, never mind the lip service politicians pay to wage a historic battle against corruption. The studies had indicated that cash was in distribution, irrespective of class, both in urban and the rural areas.

CMS studies on corruption over the 15 years have proved beyond any doubt that election-time expenditure of candidates is the mother of all corruption.

Without addressing this malaise, no other initiative or measure taken by the government is going to make any difference. That most — if not all — of this election money remains unaccounted, is of no concern to India’s political parties and their leaders. On the contrary, they seem to like it. &nbsp;&nbsp;

There is another, larger issue at stake here. Despite such intense campaigning by candidates and parties, whirlwind visits and public meetings of top leaders and saturation media coverage, why do contestants still have to rely on enticements and cash doles? If politicians genuinely believed that their campaigns motivated voters, they would not be throwing away money like this.

They might as well bid for votes and let the richest among them win! After all, that is where things are coming down to. It is also likely that our leaders secretly believe that money is more important than controversies, personal accusations and irrelevant rhetoric.

In this particular paradigm, it is difficult to see better sense prevail. It is also ambitious to expect an elected public representative who can strengthen democracy and represent peoples’ concerns in an effective manner. &nbsp; 
 
The 2019 Lok Sabha polls will go down as a watershed election. Quid pro quo has become the norm, with corporates and businesses becoming the major source of electoral funding.&nbsp;

Citizen or voter contribution to candidates and parties is no longer sought. The question is are we even aware of this change and its implications, or even whether this shift has taken place transparently?&nbsp;

Under the circumstances, news media can play a more positive and proactive role, making a difference to reverse the present trend, if only they are determined enough to pursue it as a strategy. But if the media itself is drowned in a conflict of interest and in an obliging mood, even that would be difficult.&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-the-note-for-vote-syndrome-2747667">original article</a>)

 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
&nbsp;

With two of the seven-phased 2019 general election left to go, the Election Commission (EC) has reported countrywide confiscation of cash, gold, liquor and drugs.

With two of the seven-phased 2019 general election left to go, the Election Commission (EC) has reported countrywide confiscation of cash, gold, liquor and drugs. The haul, at the last count, is valued at over Rs 5,000 crore. By the time polling concludes on May 19, this figure could go up significantly. Since the announcement of the election schedule on March 10, money has been impounded in drives by the authorities. The EC figures say that cash amounting to Rs 142 crore was seized between March 11 and 25 this year, the first 15 days of the general elections being announced. Interestingly, what is confiscated is likely to be less than five per cent of what is being spent by candidates and parties in this general election. These are extremely worrying trends. The total approximate expenditure in this election — as calculated by me and now being confirmed by the news media — is Rs 50,000 crore. This is arguably the largest sum of money ever spent in an election, the American presidential polls included. Yet, there is scarcely a word on the subject by any political party or leader; a subject that poses a threat to the very fundamentals of the Republic. At the same time, leaders and candidates continue to accuse each other of bribing voters. The news media, particularly TV channels, have been prominently reporting the confiscations with all the imagery at their command. Based on a survey conducted during the 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the Centre for Media Studies (CMS) had demonstrated that extravagant media coverage of the seizures heightened the expectations of the voters sky high. With more billionaires than before contesting the polls, the expectation of the money spent too has skyrocketed. According to the Commission, with gold, silver, liquor and cash taken together at the end of the second phase, Gujarat topped with seizures worth Rs 1,000 crore, followed by Punjab and Delhi. Only a case study can tell us why Gujarat, dominated by one party, has to unleash so many lures to keep the electorate in good humour. On cash confiscations alone, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka top the table. Now Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal too have joined this note-for-vote race. In Andhra Pradesh, a week before the first phase of polling on April 11, the EC had identified 116 of the 175 assembly constituencies as money guzzlers. In other states too, the Commission has shortlisted constituencies where the money is likely to play a dominant role in the elections. Yet, despite EC’s expenditure observers scanning the political landscape with a fine microscope, no breakthrough in reversing this trend is evident. That so much cash, liquor, gold and silver (now even drugs) is flowing extensively in so many different directions, does not bother anyone. It is clear that the percentage of voters who are being seduced with such lures is on the increase. Two major studies conducted by the CMS in 2005 and 2007 in 20 or more states, and select studies since then in every round of elections, have confirmed that the note-for-vote trend continues unabated, never mind the lip service politicians pay to wage a historic battle against corruption. The studies had indicated that cash was in distribution, irrespective of class, both in urban and the rural areas. CMS studies on corruption over the 15 years have proved beyond any doubt that election-time expenditure of candidates is the mother of all corruption. Without addressing this malaise, no other initiative or measure taken by the government is going to make any difference. That most — if not all — of this election money remains unaccounted, is of no concern to India’s political parties and their leaders. On the contrary, they seem to like it. There is another, larger issue at stake here. Despite such intense campaigning by candidates and parties, whirlwind visits and public meetings of top leaders and saturation media coverage, why do contestants still have to rely on enticements and cash doles? If politicians genuinely believed that their campaigns motivated voters, they would not be throwing away money like this. They might as well bid for votes and let the richest among them win! After all, that is where things are coming down to. It is also likely that our leaders secretly believe that money is more important than controversies, personal accusations and irrelevant rhetoric. In this particular paradigm, it is difficult to see better sense prevail. It is also ambitious to expect an elected public representative who can strengthen democracy and represent peoples’ concerns in an effective manner. The 2019 Lok Sabha polls will go down as a watershed election. Quid pro quo has become the norm, with corporates and businesses becoming the major source of electoral funding. Citizen or voter contribution to candidates and parties is no longer sought. The question is are we even aware of this change and its implications, or even whether this shift has taken place transparently? Under the circumstances, news media can play a more positive and proactive role, making a difference to reverse the present trend, if only they are determined enough to pursue it as a strategy. But if the media itself is drowned in a conflict of interest and in an obliging mood, even that would be difficult. (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.)

2019 Lok Sabha polls will go down as the most expensive election in the history of democracy

Watch this segment to know Lok Sabha elections related latest news.

Lok Sabha elections 2019: Watch latest election news

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said that the Aam Aadmi Party will support "whoever will be forming the government at the Centre except for Modi ji and Amit Shah" on the promise that "Delhi will be given statehood".

Last month, the party chief had accused the Congress of unsuccessful alliance talks between the two parties, saying they tried hard but the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/aap-congress-alliance-aap-accuses-congress-of-backtracking-212277">Congress 'backtracked'</a>.

"We tried very hard to forge an alliance with the Congress. We were ready to accept their every demand for Haryana and Punjab, but still, they backtracked. We cannot do anything more, the talks of alliance with Congress are over. We know, this will help BJP, but we simply don't have any choice left," said AAP leader Gopal Rai at a press conference here.

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Delhi CM: This is the mentality of BJP, even today BJP leaders are saying the same things that were written in the pamphlet. They have filed defamation case against us after defaming us. We are sending defamation notice to Gautam Gambhir today. We will not leave this matter. <a href="https://t.co/06bD9SkuZW">https://t.co/06bD9SkuZW</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1126788103631450113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, reacting over the ongoing row involving BJP's Delhi East candidate and AAP's Atishi, Kejriwal said that "this is the mentality of BJP, even today BJP leaders are saying the same things that were written in the pamphlet".&nbsp;

"They have filed defamation case against us after defaming us. We are sending defamation notice to Gautam Gambhir today. We will not leave this matter," the Delhi CM told reporters in New Delhi today. &nbsp;

AAP candidate from Delhi East Atishi accused her BJP opponent Gautam Gambhir of circulating pamphlets with derogatory and casteist remarks against her. Gambhir has asserted that if proven guilty, he would request AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal to draft his resignation letter, which he will tender publicly.

Speaking to ANI, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/will-tender-resignation-drafted-by-kejriwal-if-proven-guilty-gautam-gambhir-217400">Gambhir said he would retire from politics the day allegations against him are proven</a>.

"If he has proof, then he must bring it today. My resignation would be written by Arvind Kejriwal and I will sign it publicly," said Gambhir.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said that the Aam Aadmi Party will support "whoever will be forming the government at the Centre except for Modi ji and Amit Shah" on the promise that "Delhi will be given statehood".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said that the Aam Aadmi Party will support "whoever will be forming the government at the Centre except for Modi ji and Amit Shah" on the promise that "Delhi will be given statehood". Last month, the party chief had accused the Congress of unsuccessful alliance talks between the two parties, saying they tried hard but the Congress 'backtracked'. "We tried very hard to forge an alliance with the Congress. We were ready to accept their every demand for Haryana and Punjab, but still, they backtracked. We cannot do anything more, the talks of alliance with Congress are over. We know, this will help BJP, but we simply don't have any choice left," said AAP leader Gopal Rai at a press conference here. Delhi CM: This is the mentality of BJP, even today BJP leaders are saying the same things that were written in the pamphlet. They have filed defamation case against us after defaming us. We are sending defamation notice to Gautam Gambhir today. We will not leave this matter. https://t.co/06bD9SkuZW — ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2019 × Meanwhile, reacting over the ongoing row involving BJP's Delhi East candidate and AAP's Atishi, Kejriwal said that "this is the mentality of BJP, even today BJP leaders are saying the same things that were written in the pamphlet". "They have filed defamation case against us after defaming us. We are sending defamation notice to Gautam Gambhir today. We will not leave this matter," the Delhi CM told reporters in New Delhi today. AAP candidate from Delhi East Atishi accused her BJP opponent Gautam Gambhir of circulating pamphlets with derogatory and casteist remarks against her. Gambhir has asserted that if proven guilty, he would request AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal to draft his resignation letter, which he will tender publicly. Speaking to ANI, Gambhir said he would retire from politics the day allegations against him are proven. "If he has proof, then he must bring it today. My resignation would be written by Arvind Kejriwal and I will sign it publicly," said Gambhir.

Will support whoever forms government, except for Modi ji, on condition of full statehood to Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took a jibe at West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamta Banerjee for saying she doesn't consider him as the country's prime minister.

"If you don't consider me as a leader, I can understand. But Prime Minister's post is a constitutional post. You consider Pakistan's prime minister as PM, but India's Prime Minister is not PM for you. This is an insult to the Indian constitution," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-will-win-lok-sabha-polls-opposition-can-keep-dreaming-pm-modi-to-wion-217331">PM Modi told WION Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary</a>.

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The jibe comes days after Mamata Banerjee said in an election rally that she refused a meeting with Narendra Modi over Cyclone Fani as she does not consider him the country's prime minister.

"I do not consider him the country's prime minister, hence, I did not sit for the meeting. I do not want to be seen with him on the same platform. I will speak to the next prime minister. We can take care of the cyclone damage by ourselves. We do not need the Centre's help ahead of polls," she said in Jhargram on Monday.

At an election rally in West Bengal's Bankura, PM Modi said, "One can easily gauge the level of her anxiety hearing the language she has been using. Now she talks of stones and slaps for me... I am used to abusive language and have inculcated a power to digest all the slangs present in dictionaries around the world. But Didi is now in a frenzied condition. She is even insulting the Constitution of the country."

Modi also accused Banerjee of destroying West Bengal for "the sake of her addiction of power in the state".

"Now, she is further bent on destroying the state out of fear of losing her power. She is not bothered about 'Ma Maati Maanush' but her own benefits, the seat of power and also her relatives, nephew and extortionists," he said.

The Prime Minister also reiterated his earlier accusation that the Trinamool Congress chief neither received nor returned his calls to assess the losses inflicted by Cyclone Fani last week.

The rivalry between BJP and TMC has been the talking point in West Bengal politics with the workers of both party's clashing on several occasions. During his campaign, Modi alleged that the TMC government "made efforts to stop his rally, but failed".

&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took a jibe at West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamta Banerjee for saying she doesn't consider him as the country's prime minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took a jibe at West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamta Banerjee for saying she doesn't consider him as the country's prime minister. "If you don't consider me as a leader, I can understand. But Prime Minister's post is a constitutional post. You consider Pakistan's prime minister as PM, but India's Prime Minister is not PM for you. This is an insult to the Indian constitution," PM Modi told WION Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary. × The jibe comes days after Mamata Banerjee said in an election rally that she refused a meeting with Narendra Modi over Cyclone Fani as she does not consider him the country's prime minister. "I do not consider him the country's prime minister, hence, I did not sit for the meeting. I do not want to be seen with him on the same platform. I will speak to the next prime minister. We can take care of the cyclone damage by ourselves. We do not need the Centre's help ahead of polls," she said in Jhargram on Monday. At an election rally in West Bengal's Bankura, PM Modi said, "One can easily gauge the level of her anxiety hearing the language she has been using. Now she talks of stones and slaps for me... I am used to abusive language and have inculcated a power to digest all the slangs present in dictionaries around the world. But Didi is now in a frenzied condition. She is even insulting the Constitution of the country." Modi also accused Banerjee of destroying West Bengal for "the sake of her addiction of power in the state". "Now, she is further bent on destroying the state out of fear of losing her power. She is not bothered about 'Ma Maati Maanush' but her own benefits, the seat of power and also her relatives, nephew and extortionists," he said. The Prime Minister also reiterated his earlier accusation that the Trinamool Congress chief neither received nor returned his calls to assess the losses inflicted by Cyclone Fani last week. The rivalry between BJP and TMC has been the talking point in West Bengal politics with the workers of both party's clashing on several occasions. During his campaign, Modi alleged that the TMC government "made efforts to stop his rally, but failed".

Insult to India's Constitution: PM Modi on Mamata Banerjee's 'do not consider him PM' remark

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern over the sexual harassment allegations levelled against Chief Justice of India (CJI), Ranjan Gogoi. The PM said he is shocked to see the country's top position being maligned like this.

"I saw the allegations levelled against the Chief Justice of India, and the clean chit given to him by Supreme Court's in-house committee. I am seeing all this in the media because it's a secret report and I have not seen it. But I am shocked to see that even the people sitting in top position can be attacked and maligned like this," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-will-win-lok-sabha-polls-opposition-can-keep-dreaming-pm-modi-to-wion-217331">PM Modi told WION Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary</a>.

A woman staffer (an entry-level cleric), who worked at the Supreme Court, accused the CJI of sexually harassing her. An in-house committee was formed to look into the issue and it gave clean chit to CJI Gogoi, who appeared before the panel on May 1.

Sources later said that the complaint was part of a conspiracy to malign the image of the CJI. The woman staffer worked as junior court assistant for around seven weeks and during this period, had no occasion to meet the CJI, said sources. They also said that the woman never said anything about the alleged sexual harassment when she was arrested in connection with taking a bribe in the name of providing employment in the Supreme Court.

The sources further added that the conspiracy was hatched because the CJI's bench handled several high profile cases such as the Rafale case, the Ayodhya case, the case of CBI Director's appointment as also sub-judice cases such as contempt case against Congress president Rahul Gandhi and other constitutional matters which did not go well with certain quarters.

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They also questioned why the complainant is skipping participation in the procedural inquiries repeatedly. "She participated in the proceedings for three days and when she was supposed to answer the queries about an unexplained delay of more than six months, she concocted reasons to walk out," sources said.

The in-house committee led by Justice SA Bobde had on Monday given a clean chit to CJI Gogoi in the sexual harassment case. The committee also comprises Justices Indu Malhotra and Indira Banerjee said it found no substance in the sexual harassment allegations against the CJI.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) had earlier said that there was "something fishy" in the sexual harassment allegations levelled by her against CJI Gogoi. In a statement directed to members of legal fraternity, judges and people of the country, the BCI claimed that there was some very strong support behind the complaint against the CJI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern over the sexual harassment allegations levelled against Chief Justice of India (CJI), Ranjan Gogoi. The PM said he is shocked to see the country's top position being maligned like this.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern over the sexual harassment allegations levelled against Chief Justice of India (CJI), Ranjan Gogoi. The PM said he is shocked to see the country's top position being maligned like this. "I saw the allegations levelled against the Chief Justice of India, and the clean chit given to him by Supreme Court's in-house committee. I am seeing all this in the media because it's a secret report and I have not seen it. But I am shocked to see that even the people sitting in top position can be attacked and maligned like this," PM Modi told WION Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary. A woman staffer (an entry-level cleric), who worked at the Supreme Court, accused the CJI of sexually harassing her. An in-house committee was formed to look into the issue and it gave clean chit to CJI Gogoi, who appeared before the panel on May 1. Sources later said that the complaint was part of a conspiracy to malign the image of the CJI. The woman staffer worked as junior court assistant for around seven weeks and during this period, had no occasion to meet the CJI, said sources. They also said that the woman never said anything about the alleged sexual harassment when she was arrested in connection with taking a bribe in the name of providing employment in the Supreme Court. The sources further added that the conspiracy was hatched because the CJI's bench handled several high profile cases such as the Rafale case, the Ayodhya case, the case of CBI Director's appointment as also sub-judice cases such as contempt case against Congress president Rahul Gandhi and other constitutional matters which did not go well with certain quarters. × They also questioned why the complainant is skipping participation in the procedural inquiries repeatedly. "She participated in the proceedings for three days and when she was supposed to answer the queries about an unexplained delay of more than six months, she concocted reasons to walk out," sources said. The in-house committee led by Justice SA Bobde had on Monday given a clean chit to CJI Gogoi in the sexual harassment case. The committee also comprises Justices Indu Malhotra and Indira Banerjee said it found no substance in the sexual harassment allegations against the CJI. The Bar Council of India (BCI) had earlier said that there was "something fishy" in the sexual harassment allegations levelled by her against CJI Gogoi. In a statement directed to members of legal fraternity, judges and people of the country, the BCI claimed that there was some very strong support behind the complaint against the CJI.

Shocked to see CJI's image being maligned: PM Modi to WION

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the BJP will win the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with an even bigger margin than 2014.

"I assure you that the BJP is again going to form the government with an absolute majority. All the NDA constituents will emerge victorious with even bigger margins than 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The new government will be strong, and the work we have done in the last five years will speak for itself," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/insult-to-indias-constitution-pm-modi-on-mamata-banerjees-do-not-consider-him-pm-remark-217332">PM Modi told WION Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary</a>.

The Prime Minister also dismissed speculation that the BJP and NDA will need partners to form a government after the results are announced on May 23.

"I don't know what our opponents are thinking, they have full right to dream. But I have confidence that the people have decided to give more votes to the BJP. All the NDA constituents will also get more votes," he added.

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The BJP won the Lok Sabha polls in 2014, capturing 283 of the 543 seats. A Narendra Modi wave catapulted the BJP to power after 10 long years in the opposition.

This was only the second time in Independent India that an Opposition party came to power in such a manner, the earlier being the 1977 election that was held after the infamous Emergency era that brought the Janata Party to power.

The BJP came to power in 2014 for the fourth time since it was founded in 1980 after the split in the Janata Party. Its first government in 1996 lasted for merely 13 days and was dubbed 13-day wonder by the Congress.

In 1998, the next government of the BJP via the NDA route lasted 13 months while in 1999 it again came to power leading the NDA in the backdrop of the Kargil conflict with the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee projecting it as a victory over Pakistan. The largest number of 182 seats was won by BJP in this election.

&nbsp;In stark contrast, the fortunes reversed for the Congress in an unprecedented way as it saw the party's kitty dwindle from a record 415 to just 45 seats.

This year, India is witnessing a seven-phased Lok Sabha election which will end on May 19. The results will be declared on May 23.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the BJP will win the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with an even bigger margin than 2014. "I assure you that the BJP is again going to form the government with an absolute majority.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the BJP will win the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with an even bigger margin than 2014. "I assure you that the BJP is again going to form the government with an absolute majority. All the NDA constituents will emerge victorious with even bigger margins than 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The new government will be strong, and the work we have done in the last five years will speak for itself," PM Modi told WION Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary. The Prime Minister also dismissed speculation that the BJP and NDA will need partners to form a government after the results are announced on May 23. "I don't know what our opponents are thinking, they have full right to dream. But I have confidence that the people have decided to give more votes to the BJP. All the NDA constituents will also get more votes," he added. × The BJP won the Lok Sabha polls in 2014, capturing 283 of the 543 seats. A Narendra Modi wave catapulted the BJP to power after 10 long years in the opposition. This was only the second time in Independent India that an Opposition party came to power in such a manner, the earlier being the 1977 election that was held after the infamous Emergency era that brought the Janata Party to power. The BJP came to power in 2014 for the fourth time since it was founded in 1980 after the split in the Janata Party. Its first government in 1996 lasted for merely 13 days and was dubbed 13-day wonder by the Congress. In 1998, the next government of the BJP via the NDA route lasted 13 months while in 1999 it again came to power leading the NDA in the backdrop of the Kargil conflict with the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee projecting it as a victory over Pakistan. The largest number of 182 seats was won by BJP in this election. In stark contrast, the fortunes reversed for the Congress in an unprecedented way as it saw the party's kitty dwindle from a record 415 to just 45 seats. This year, India is witnessing a seven-phased Lok Sabha election which will end on May 19. The results will be declared on May 23.

BJP will win Lok Sabha polls, opposition can keep dreaming: PM Modi to WION

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/there-is-no-unity-in-mahagathbandhan-they-came-together-knowing-there-isnt-any-other-way-pm-modi-to-wion-217335">In an exclusive conversation with WION</a> Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he hopes to implement his 100-day agenda for another term if he gets re-elected.&nbsp;

"I admit that last time I had to learn a lot. We all evolved with time. I spent a lot of time learning, I was cautious but today is not the same situation. Today I am ready and confident," PM Modi said. &nbsp;

The prime minister said that he wants the government to be always prepared for a state of continuity and that is why "I never take leaves not let anyone take one. I tell them the agenda for the future way ahead" he said.&nbsp;

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Talking about terrorism and the recently conducted IAF strikes on JeM camp in Pakistan's Balakot, the prime minister said that "we must hit where terrorists are being fed and bred".&nbsp;

Taking a dig at the opposition and the various names he has been called by, PM Modi said he has a list of what all he has been called as by various leaders.&nbsp;

"It exhibits their mentality. Those who want to serve the nation are empathetic, we don't want any pedestal or any seat. I get pained as well but I have responsibilities to fulfil and that is why I gulp down that pain and have been doing so since past 20 years," the PM said. &nbsp;

PM Modi also said that his second term is going to be different as he now has an experience of five years.&nbsp;

"I just want to maintain the speed and see the country as a global player," he said.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

In an exclusive conversation with WION Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he hopes to implement his 100-day agenda for another term if he gets re-elected.

In an exclusive conversation with WION Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he hopes to implement his 100-day agenda for another term if he gets re-elected. "I admit that last time I had to learn a lot. We all evolved with time. I spent a lot of time learning, I was cautious but today is not the same situation. Today I am ready and confident," PM Modi said. The prime minister said that he wants the government to be always prepared for a state of continuity and that is why "I never take leaves not let anyone take one. I tell them the agenda for the future way ahead" he said. × Talking about terrorism and the recently conducted IAF strikes on JeM camp in Pakistan's Balakot, the prime minister said that "we must hit where terrorists are being fed and bred". Taking a dig at the opposition and the various names he has been called by, PM Modi said he has a list of what all he has been called as by various leaders. "It exhibits their mentality. Those who want to serve the nation are empathetic, we don't want any pedestal or any seat. I get pained as well but I have responsibilities to fulfil and that is why I gulp down that pain and have been doing so since past 20 years," the PM said. PM Modi also said that his second term is going to be different as he now has an experience of five years. "I just want to maintain the speed and see the country as a global player," he said.

I'm ready and confident, just want to see India as global player: PM Modi on his plan ahead

Around 5000 women in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu made a unique record by dancing in synchronisation with their voter ID cards. They created the record of ‘largest folk dance with voter cards’ which has been listed in India Book of Records. Their feat was also aimed at creating awareness about the ongoing general elections. Watch this video.

5000 women create record of ‘largest folk dance with voter cards'

The West Bengal State Commission for Protection of Child Rights ordered the arrest of BJP Diamond Harbour candidate Nilanjan Roy for allegedly molesting a minor girl. The Commission has demanded him arrested within 24 hours.&nbsp;

Elections to the Diamond Harbour constituency are scheduled to be held on May 19.&nbsp;

In a statement, the West Bengal State Commission for Protection of Child Rights said, “Taking cognizance following a complaint received by the commission in a POCSO case where the BJP candidate from the Diamond Harbour constituency in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections has been allegedly accused of sexually assaulting and outraging the modesty of a minor girl of 17 years under Falta police station, South 24 Parganas. The accused is yet to be arrested.”&nbsp;

The Commission further directed the Chief Electoral Officer to take the necessary action as per rules within 24 hours and also directed the police to arrest the alleged accused immediately under the POCSO Act, 2012. &nbsp;

The incident came to light when the Shiv Sena candidate Santosh Kumar from the same constituency wrote to the Commission seeking immediate action against the alleged accused Nilanjan Roy.&nbsp;

In his letter, Kumar stated, “The father was asked to wait outside when the minor girl was made to meet Roy to discuss the issue that had transpired earlier with other BJP supporters. Upon meeting him, it appears that instead of helping the minor girl, Roy carried out a sexual assault and harassed her”.&nbsp;

BJP candidate Roy could not be reached for comment.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, a complaint has been filed by the father of the minor girl at Falta police station. Charges under sections 354 IPC and sections 8 and 12 of the POCSO Act, 2012 have been slapped against Roy.&nbsp;

The West Bengal State Commission for Protection of Child Rights ordered the arrest of BJP Diamond Harbour candidate Nilanjan Roy for allegedly molesting a minor girl.

The West Bengal State Commission for Protection of Child Rights ordered the arrest of BJP Diamond Harbour candidate Nilanjan Roy for allegedly molesting a minor girl. The Commission has demanded him arrested within 24 hours. Elections to the Diamond Harbour constituency are scheduled to be held on May 19. In a statement, the West Bengal State Commission for Protection of Child Rights said, “Taking cognizance following a complaint received by the commission in a POCSO case where the BJP candidate from the Diamond Harbour constituency in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections has been allegedly accused of sexually assaulting and outraging the modesty of a minor girl of 17 years under Falta police station, South 24 Parganas. The accused is yet to be arrested.” The Commission further directed the Chief Electoral Officer to take the necessary action as per rules within 24 hours and also directed the police to arrest the alleged accused immediately under the POCSO Act, 2012. The incident came to light when the Shiv Sena candidate Santosh Kumar from the same constituency wrote to the Commission seeking immediate action against the alleged accused Nilanjan Roy. In his letter, Kumar stated, “The father was asked to wait outside when the minor girl was made to meet Roy to discuss the issue that had transpired earlier with other BJP supporters. Upon meeting him, it appears that instead of helping the minor girl, Roy carried out a sexual assault and harassed her”. BJP candidate Roy could not be reached for comment. Meanwhile, a complaint has been filed by the father of the minor girl at Falta police station. Charges under sections 354 IPC and sections 8 and 12 of the POCSO Act, 2012 have been slapped against Roy.

West Bengal State Commission for Protection of Child Rights orders arrest of BJP candidate for molestation 

West Bengal’s Maoists infested zones or the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) districts have been turned into a fortress with less than two days to go for the Lok Sabha polls here.

The largest paramilitary force – the CRPF - which was deployed in the Maoist-infested zones or Junglemahal in West Bengal was recently withdrawn by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in view of re-deployment of CRPF companies in other districts going to polls.

However, almost 80,000 jawans of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have been deployed in the sixth phase of elections. This phase is one of the most crucial as LWE zones, comprising districts of Jungle Mahal – Jhargram, Purulia and parts of Bankura, West Midnapore and Birbhum, have not seen any Maoist movements in the last five years and the security agencies have chalked out massive plan to thwart any Maoist attempt to disrupt the poll process.

“Since the last week, we have started combing and search operations. Culverts, new roads, ambush locations have all been identified and we have started sanitizing all these areas. As many as 683 companies have been deployed in these zones and all of the 683 company commanders and ADHOC commanders have been asked to be on the field and be available on the phone at all times,” said S Raveendran, IG, CRPF, West Bengal sector.

“Our priority is safety and security of polling personnel. We have often seen either on their way to the polling station or on their way back from the polling station, they come under attack. We will ensure they are escorted safely to and fro from the polling stations in sensitive areas. As far as the security of the jawans is concerned, they have been asked to be on foot to prevent any landmine blast. Several anti-landmine and landmine assistant vehicles have also been pressed into service. Jawans in the most sensitive zones have been asked to wear the bulletproof jackets and bulletproof helmets,” added Raveendran.

In case of an eventuality, a chopper will remain stationed at Salboni CRPF camp to evacuate the injured or be pressed into service in case of an emergency.

West Bengal’s Maoists infested zones or the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) districts have been turned into a fortress with less than two days to go for the Lok Sabha polls here.

West Bengal’s Maoists infested zones or the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) districts have been turned into a fortress with less than two days to go for the Lok Sabha polls here. The largest paramilitary force – the CRPF - which was deployed in the Maoist-infested zones or Junglemahal in West Bengal was recently withdrawn by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in view of re-deployment of CRPF companies in other districts going to polls. However, almost 80,000 jawans of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have been deployed in the sixth phase of elections. This phase is one of the most crucial as LWE zones, comprising districts of Jungle Mahal – Jhargram, Purulia and parts of Bankura, West Midnapore and Birbhum, have not seen any Maoist movements in the last five years and the security agencies have chalked out massive plan to thwart any Maoist attempt to disrupt the poll process. “Since the last week, we have started combing and search operations. Culverts, new roads, ambush locations have all been identified and we have started sanitizing all these areas. As many as 683 companies have been deployed in these zones and all of the 683 company commanders and ADHOC commanders have been asked to be on the field and be available on the phone at all times,” said S Raveendran, IG, CRPF, West Bengal sector. “Our priority is safety and security of polling personnel. We have often seen either on their way to the polling station or on their way back from the polling station, they come under attack. We will ensure they are escorted safely to and fro from the polling stations in sensitive areas. As far as the security of the jawans is concerned, they have been asked to be on foot to prevent any landmine blast. Several anti-landmine and landmine assistant vehicles have also been pressed into service. Jawans in the most sensitive zones have been asked to wear the bulletproof jackets and bulletproof helmets,” added Raveendran. In case of an eventuality, a chopper will remain stationed at Salboni CRPF camp to evacuate the injured or be pressed into service in case of an emergency.

CRPF draws massive plans to thwart Maoist attempts to disrupt poll process  

Speaking exclusively to WION, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/congress-has-lost-credibility-to-address-poverty-nitin-gadkari-217288">Union minister Nitin Gadkari</a> said that he does not harbour prime ministerial ambition and that he is confident that the BJP will form the next government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

Gadkari also said that the NDA is not a one-man government and every minister has a voice in the decision-making process.

As the Union minister spoke on a host of other issues, he said that 2019 is not an election of regional parties as the polity is divided between the NDA and the UPA.&nbsp;

“2019 is not 1996. Most of the regional parties will take a decision after the results come out and will align with either the NDA or the UPA. The federal front has no future,” he said.

Gadkari also took on the critics on the issue of the government interfering in the work of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He told WION that the RBI is not an autonomous institution as it works within the larger umbrella of the government.&nbsp;

He added that the government has full right to advice and direct the RBI for the benefit of people.&nbsp;

“We are the elected representatives. People will come to us in case of an economic downturn, so it becomes our responsibility to set things right when required,” said Gadkari.

Gadkari also openly defended the candidature of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur who is contesting against Congress' Digvijaya Singh from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat.&nbsp;

He said that Sadhvi has been a victim of a conspiracy hatched by the Congress which had spawned the myth of Hindu terrorism. “She is innocent and will win the elections from Bhopal,” he said.

He also spoke on the farm crisis and said that it is a result of the economic policies of the Congress. He said that the agricultural sector needs a lot of innovation and needs to respond to the new global economy. On the issue subsidy, Gadkari said that subsidy is required as the farm sector is under a tremendous strain.

Downplaying the role of the RSS in the government, Gadkari said that the RSS does not interfere in the work of the government. “It is a wrong perception,” he said.

Speaking exclusively to WION, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said that he does not harbour prime ministerial ambition and that he is confident that the BJP will form the next government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking exclusively to WION, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said that he does not harbour prime ministerial ambition and that he is confident that the BJP will form the next government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gadkari also said that the NDA is not a one-man government and every minister has a voice in the decision-making process. As the Union minister spoke on a host of other issues, he said that 2019 is not an election of regional parties as the polity is divided between the NDA and the UPA. “2019 is not 1996. Most of the regional parties will take a decision after the results come out and will align with either the NDA or the UPA. The federal front has no future,” he said. Gadkari also took on the critics on the issue of the government interfering in the work of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He told WION that the RBI is not an autonomous institution as it works within the larger umbrella of the government. He added that the government has full right to advice and direct the RBI for the benefit of people. “We are the elected representatives. People will come to us in case of an economic downturn, so it becomes our responsibility to set things right when required,” said Gadkari. Gadkari also openly defended the candidature of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur who is contesting against Congress' Digvijaya Singh from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat. He said that Sadhvi has been a victim of a conspiracy hatched by the Congress which had spawned the myth of Hindu terrorism. “She is innocent and will win the elections from Bhopal,” he said. He also spoke on the farm crisis and said that it is a result of the economic policies of the Congress. He said that the agricultural sector needs a lot of innovation and needs to respond to the new global economy. On the issue subsidy, Gadkari said that subsidy is required as the farm sector is under a tremendous strain. Downplaying the role of the RSS in the government, Gadkari said that the RSS does not interfere in the work of the government. “It is a wrong perception,” he said.

We will form the next government, 2019 will not be like 1996: Nitin Gadkari to WION

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party is bound to protect India and its citizens.&nbsp;

Answering a series of questions during his interaction with media in Haryana's Rohtak, the prime minister said that action will be taken against "any threat to the nation, be it by people or any system".

PM Modi was reacting to a query if action will be taken against Hafiz Saeed and Dawood Ibrahim like Masood Azahar. The prime minister responded, "Any threat to the nation, be it by people or system, whether it's on the land, sky or in space, BJP is bound to protect India and Indians," he told news agency ANI.&nbsp;

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PM Modi on if action will be taken against Hafiz Saeed &amp; Dawood Ibrahim like Masood Azahar, if BJP comes back to power: Don't take names of individuals, any threat to nation, be it by people or system, whether it's on land, sky or in space, BJP is bound to protect India &amp; Indians <a href="https://t.co/Hn166VqO2p">pic.twitter.com/Hn166VqO2p</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1126774374395068417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The prime minister sharpened his attack on the Congress and said that the party can't fight elections on issues of development and that is why "they manufacture a lie for which no facts are needed, but BJP is answerable to people and we keep all issues in front of the public".

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PM Narendra Modi: Congress can't fight elections on issues of development so they manufacture a lie for which no facts are needed, but BJP is answerable to people and we keep all issues in front of public <a href="https://t.co/eszZVqxJ1L">https://t.co/eszZVqxJ1L</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1126772296775913474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"I am saying from Day 1, we gave houses to 1.5 crore poor, electrification of 18,000 villages, Ayushmaan Bharat, MSP, highways etc. I wanted Congress to challenge us but Congress cant debate on these issues as facts are required," the PM stated.&nbsp;

Modi also slammed the Congress for its leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/narendra-modi-hits-out-at-congress-over-pitrodas-remark-on-anti-sikh-riots-217467">Sam Pitroda's reported remark on the anti-Sikh riots</a>, saying it showed the "character and mentality" of the party.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to ANI in Rohtak, Haryana <a href="https://t.co/U17jXxWct6">pic.twitter.com/U17jXxWct6</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1126770543342915584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"It reflects Congress's mentality, they have done this for years. Rajiv Gandhi had said 'when a big tree falls earth shakes'. They even made Kamal Nath in-charge of Punjab, now made him MP CM. So don't take this as an individual's statement," he said.&nbsp;

The prime minister said that this Lok Sabha polls, people will give the result of Congress' arrogance, "people of India will ensure that they slip even further," Modi said adding that it was "Congress's arrogance which got them 44 seats".&nbsp;

The prime minister, in an exclusive interview with WION, on Thursday exuded the confidence of securing a second term, that too with a thumping majority.&nbsp;

"I assure you that the BJP is again going to form the government with an absolute majority. All the NDA constituents will emerge victorious with even bigger margins than 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The new government will be strong, and the work we have done in the last five years will speak for itself," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-will-win-lok-sabha-polls-opposition-can-keep-dreaming-pm-modi-to-wion-217331">PM Modi told WION Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary</a>.

The Prime Minister also dismissed speculation that the BJP and NDA will need partners to form a government after the results are announced on May 23.

&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party is bound to protect India and its citizens. Answering a series of questions during his interaction with media in Haryana's Rohtak, the prime minister said that action will be taken against "any threat to the nation, be it by people or any system".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party is bound to protect India and its citizens. Answering a series of questions during his interaction with media in Haryana's Rohtak, the prime minister said that action will be taken against "any threat to the nation, be it by people or any system". PM Modi was reacting to a query if action will be taken against Hafiz Saeed and Dawood Ibrahim like Masood Azahar. The prime minister responded, "Any threat to the nation, be it by people or system, whether it's on the land, sky or in space, BJP is bound to protect India and Indians," he told news agency ANI. PM Modi on if action will be taken against Hafiz Saeed & Dawood Ibrahim like Masood Azahar, if BJP comes back to power: Don't take names of individuals, any threat to nation, be it by people or system, whether it's on land, sky or in space, BJP is bound to protect India & Indians pic.twitter.com/Hn166VqO2p — ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2019 × The prime minister sharpened his attack on the Congress and said that the party can't fight elections on issues of development and that is why "they manufacture a lie for which no facts are needed, but BJP is answerable to people and we keep all issues in front of the public". PM Narendra Modi: Congress can't fight elections on issues of development so they manufacture a lie for which no facts are needed, but BJP is answerable to people and we keep all issues in front of public https://t.co/eszZVqxJ1L — ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2019 × "I am saying from Day 1, we gave houses to 1.5 crore poor, electrification of 18,000 villages, Ayushmaan Bharat, MSP, highways etc. I wanted Congress to challenge us but Congress cant debate on these issues as facts are required," the PM stated. Modi also slammed the Congress for its leader Sam Pitroda's reported remark on the anti-Sikh riots, saying it showed the "character and mentality" of the party. #WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to ANI in Rohtak, Haryana pic.twitter.com/U17jXxWct6 — ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2019 × "It reflects Congress's mentality, they have done this for years. Rajiv Gandhi had said 'when a big tree falls earth shakes'. They even made Kamal Nath in-charge of Punjab, now made him MP CM. So don't take this as an individual's statement," he said. The prime minister said that this Lok Sabha polls, people will give the result of Congress' arrogance, "people of India will ensure that they slip even further," Modi said adding that it was "Congress's arrogance which got them 44 seats". The prime minister, in an exclusive interview with WION, on Thursday exuded the confidence of securing a second term, that too with a thumping majority. "I assure you that the BJP is again going to form the government with an absolute majority. All the NDA constituents will emerge victorious with even bigger margins than 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The new government will be strong, and the work we have done in the last five years will speak for itself," PM Modi told WION Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary. The Prime Minister also dismissed speculation that the BJP and NDA will need partners to form a government after the results are announced on May 23.

Whether on land, sky or in space, will protect Indians against any threat to nation: PM Modi 

The leaders of opposition parties are reportedly contemplating a meeting between May 19 (the last phase of polling) and May 23 (when the results will be announced). The meeting will be held to decide the Prime Ministerial candidate of the national-level alliance - 'Mahagathbandhan'.

On the other hand, there has been another significant development, wherein Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) revived his efforts to stitch a&nbsp;'third front'.

KCR met CPM leader and Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to discuss&nbsp;the&nbsp;'national political scenario'. 
 
Vijayan, after the meeting, said&nbsp;that neither Congress nor BJP will get absolute majority and regional parties will play a key role in the formation of government at the Centre.

However, it's unlikely that Vijayan will back the federal front as CPM is a foe of BJP.

Rao is also scheduled to meet DMK chief Stalin on May 13, though reports say Stalin has turned down his proposal owing to his campaign schedule for the May 19 by-polls.

It's to be noted that DMK has an alliance with the Congress in Tamil Nadu and Stalin has already extended his support to the 'Mahagathbandhan.&nbsp;

He had also recommended Rahul Gandhi's name as the Mahagathbandhan's Prime Ministerial candidate.

Also, Congress has, time and again, accused KCR as the B-team of NDA. According to the party, KCR has been trying to forge a third front to help BJP, in case, the saffron party falls short of numbers.

Furthermore, there are reports which suggest KCR has reportedly asked JD(S) leader and Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy to help him strike a deal with the Congress. The Karnataka chief minister appears as a facilitator here because JD(S) and Congress alliance is in power in Karnataka and the Mahagathbandhan too has Kumaraswamy's backing.

KCR has probably realised that any alliance without Congress party's participation won't work. Congress is the main opposition party and Rahul Gandhi has emerged as a credible and confident leader. 
 
It's worth noting here that in the Assembly elections, Congress pulled off stunning victories in the three Hindi heartland states under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi

It may be recalled that KCR's arch rival and Andhra Pradesh chief minister, Chandrababu Naidu, too has realised the importance of Congress party's presence in the Mahagathbandhan. 
 
Keeping aside three decades of rivalry, Naidu had reached out to Rahul Gandhi and both the leaders stressed the need to come together to 'save democracy'.

At the national level, most opposition parties have already extended their support to Mahagathbandhan to take on BJP. Congress too is likely to join this national-level alliance.&nbsp;

Last year, KCR had approached several party leaders not aligned with Congress and BJP, including Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy.

However, his effort had hit the speed bumps after most parties chose Mahagathbandhan over his federal front. So far, only YSR Congress chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy has openly backed him.

Mahagathbandhan, an idea floated by Mamata Banerjee and promoted by Chandrababu Naidu, also has the support of seasoned political leaders like Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah.

KCR's idea of a non-Congress front is too weak to take on BJP. And the only way he can garner the support of all like-minded opposition parties, to keep&nbsp;the BJP-led NDA out of power, is by seeking Congress's cooperation. 
 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The leaders of opposition parties are reportedly contemplating a meeting between May 19 (the last phase of polling) and May 23 (when the results will be announced).

The leaders of opposition parties are reportedly contemplating a meeting between May 19 (the last phase of polling) and May 23 (when the results will be announced). The meeting will be held to decide the Prime Ministerial candidate of the national-level alliance - 'Mahagathbandhan'. On the other hand, there has been another significant development, wherein Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) revived his efforts to stitch a 'third front'. KCR met CPM leader and Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to discuss the 'national political scenario'. Vijayan, after the meeting, said that neither Congress nor BJP will get absolute majority and regional parties will play a key role in the formation of government at the Centre. However, it's unlikely that Vijayan will back the federal front as CPM is a foe of BJP. Rao is also scheduled to meet DMK chief Stalin on May 13, though reports say Stalin has turned down his proposal owing to his campaign schedule for the May 19 by-polls. It's to be noted that DMK has an alliance with the Congress in Tamil Nadu and Stalin has already extended his support to the 'Mahagathbandhan. He had also recommended Rahul Gandhi's name as the Mahagathbandhan's Prime Ministerial candidate. Also, Congress has, time and again, accused KCR as the B-team of NDA. According to the party, KCR has been trying to forge a third front to help BJP, in case, the saffron party falls short of numbers. Furthermore, there are reports which suggest KCR has reportedly asked JD(S) leader and Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy to help him strike a deal with the Congress. The Karnataka chief minister appears as a facilitator here because JD(S) and Congress alliance is in power in Karnataka and the Mahagathbandhan too has Kumaraswamy's backing. KCR has probably realised that any alliance without Congress party's participation won't work. Congress is the main opposition party and Rahul Gandhi has emerged as a credible and confident leader. It's worth noting here that in the Assembly elections, Congress pulled off stunning victories in the three Hindi heartland states under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi It may be recalled that KCR's arch rival and Andhra Pradesh chief minister, Chandrababu Naidu, too has realised the importance of Congress party's presence in the Mahagathbandhan. Keeping aside three decades of rivalry, Naidu had reached out to Rahul Gandhi and both the leaders stressed the need to come together to 'save democracy'. At the national level, most opposition parties have already extended their support to Mahagathbandhan to take on BJP. Congress too is likely to join this national-level alliance. Last year, KCR had approached several party leaders not aligned with Congress and BJP, including Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy. However, his effort had hit the speed bumps after most parties chose Mahagathbandhan over his federal front. So far, only YSR Congress chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy has openly backed him. Mahagathbandhan, an idea floated by Mamata Banerjee and promoted by Chandrababu Naidu, also has the support of seasoned political leaders like Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah. KCR's idea of a non-Congress front is too weak to take on BJP. And the only way he can garner the support of all like-minded opposition parties, to keep the BJP-led NDA out of power, is by seeking Congress's cooperation. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

No takers for federal front: Has KCR realised his idea of a non-Congress front is too weak to take on BJP?

In Indian democracy, voting is a right. No matter what you think about it, it empowers millions of people across the country. It particularly empowers those who feel that their voice is not represented in the mainstream political discourse.

Recently, when the leader of Swaraj India, Yogendra Yadav, issued an appeal to voters in Delhi to vote for none of the above (NOTA), it led to a backlash. The absence of any political alternative and the cynicism of nothing changing even if you cast a vote, is what prompts NOTA.

It’s a tool of expressing dissatisfaction with the pool of candidates, a voice against the collective betrayal by the political class. But what if this voice isn’t heard?

The idea behind NOTA is that when people start exercising it, it should make the ruling class aware of their fallacies. In realpolitik, often dictated by pragmatism and procedural stunts rather than substantive political discourse, politicians do not necessarily have a conscience. They just want to win. For them, if the numbers are not big enough, there is no real reason to cater to that constituency.

Of course, they could look at NOTA votes as potential votes they could have won. After all, what can be more symbolic of the spirit of democracy than a prospective candidate trying to convince people that she/he is good enough for their vote.

Everything then boils down to the return on investment. Is the politician’s time and effort valuable enough to convince those disillusioned with the system? Would it be better invested in convincing people who are willing to choose sides?

In most cases, the answer to these questions lies in who actually votes for NOTA. It is an informed choice and thus people who vote NOTA generally have their arguments prepared on why they don’t want to vote for any of the candidates in the field.

Sadly, most candidates have neither the intellectual faculty nor the moral conviction to actually change their opinion.

In a political system where people jump parties every other day, where ideological change is a matter of a press conference and where the bar for political discourse is often set at its lowest marker, the candidates one gets to choose from are often disinterested in the voter’s voice.

For the voter, the dilemma is always between voting as an individual or voting as a collective. As an individual, one has every right to vote for NOTA. There are so many constituencies where the same pool of candidates keep fighting for years, even generations. There are many voters who haven’t ever seen an MP or an MLA because they feel their vote is not important enough.

On the other side, it is worth considering larger political ideologies and goals. For example, an individual can think as a caste group or a religious group or member of an urban community, like the RWA.

In these cases, collective interests often overpower individual interests. Politicians too try and appease these collective voters because it is better return on their investment.

One day, we might have collectives in India voting and propagating for NOTA. This will surely draw the attention of every political party towards the NOTA voter.

For now though, the NOTA voter is mostly an individual, tired of no change, watching a surfeit of TV news debates and appalled at the political discourse in the country.

Looked at it like that, Yogendra Yadav might have been advocating NOTA as a pragmatic political tool. After all, most NOTA voters in Delhi are presumably middle or upper class and have traditionally voted for either the BJP or Congress.

So NOTA, in reality, might actually help his old party, which is more popular among the lower middle and working classes of Delhi. For some, this might seem as a piece of far fetched political fiction, but one thing is for sure: No one can predict anything about the elections until the results are out. 
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(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-nota-unknown-factor-now-may-23-could-provide-clues-2747320">original article</a>)

 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

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In Indian democracy, voting is a right. No matter what you think about it, it empowers millions of people across the country. It particularly empowers those who feel that their voice is not represented in the mainstream political discourse.

In Indian democracy, voting is a right. No matter what you think about it, it empowers millions of people across the country. It particularly empowers those who feel that their voice is not represented in the mainstream political discourse. Recently, when the leader of Swaraj India, Yogendra Yadav, issued an appeal to voters in Delhi to vote for none of the above (NOTA), it led to a backlash. The absence of any political alternative and the cynicism of nothing changing even if you cast a vote, is what prompts NOTA. It’s a tool of expressing dissatisfaction with the pool of candidates, a voice against the collective betrayal by the political class. But what if this voice isn’t heard? The idea behind NOTA is that when people start exercising it, it should make the ruling class aware of their fallacies. In realpolitik, often dictated by pragmatism and procedural stunts rather than substantive political discourse, politicians do not necessarily have a conscience. They just want to win. For them, if the numbers are not big enough, there is no real reason to cater to that constituency. Of course, they could look at NOTA votes as potential votes they could have won. After all, what can be more symbolic of the spirit of democracy than a prospective candidate trying to convince people that she/he is good enough for their vote. Everything then boils down to the return on investment. Is the politician’s time and effort valuable enough to convince those disillusioned with the system? Would it be better invested in convincing people who are willing to choose sides? In most cases, the answer to these questions lies in who actually votes for NOTA. It is an informed choice and thus people who vote NOTA generally have their arguments prepared on why they don’t want to vote for any of the candidates in the field. Sadly, most candidates have neither the intellectual faculty nor the moral conviction to actually change their opinion. In a political system where people jump parties every other day, where ideological change is a matter of a press conference and where the bar for political discourse is often set at its lowest marker, the candidates one gets to choose from are often disinterested in the voter’s voice. For the voter, the dilemma is always between voting as an individual or voting as a collective. As an individual, one has every right to vote for NOTA. There are so many constituencies where the same pool of candidates keep fighting for years, even generations. There are many voters who haven’t ever seen an MP or an MLA because they feel their vote is not important enough. On the other side, it is worth considering larger political ideologies and goals. For example, an individual can think as a caste group or a religious group or member of an urban community, like the RWA. In these cases, collective interests often overpower individual interests. Politicians too try and appease these collective voters because it is better return on their investment. One day, we might have collectives in India voting and propagating for NOTA. This will surely draw the attention of every political party towards the NOTA voter. For now though, the NOTA voter is mostly an individual, tired of no change, watching a surfeit of TV news debates and appalled at the political discourse in the country. Looked at it like that, Yogendra Yadav might have been advocating NOTA as a pragmatic political tool. After all, most NOTA voters in Delhi are presumably middle or upper class and have traditionally voted for either the BJP or Congress. So NOTA, in reality, might actually help his old party, which is more popular among the lower middle and working classes of Delhi. For some, this might seem as a piece of far fetched political fiction, but one thing is for sure: No one can predict anything about the elections until the results are out. (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.)

This election, India will finally know the effect NOTA has on the political discourse