<p>With the Gujarat elections just around the corner, a &quot;sex CD&quot; has gone viral on social media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>News reports said the CD showed &quot;intimate moments&quot; between a man and a woman. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The allegation -- which has not been proved -- is that the man in the video is Hardik Patel, the leader of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Patel reacted to the allegation, tweeting:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">?? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ???????? ????? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ??????,????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ??? ????</p>
&mdash; Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) <a href="https://twitter.com/HardikPatel_/status/930005238991478784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;This is the beginning of dirty politics. Defame me, it will not make a difference,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;But the women of Gujarat are being insulted,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>A prophecy foretold</strong></p>

<p>The interesting thing is Hardik had foretold -- on November 10 -- the release of the sex CD.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hardik had said then that the BJP would be responsible, and that they would do so for electoral gain.</p>

<p>&quot;The BJP has prepared a doctored sex CD to defame me and it will be released just before the election. What else can one expect from the BJP? So just wait, watch and enjoy,&quot; Hardik had said then.</p>

<p>When he was asked how he knew about the CD, Hardik had said, &quot;This is typical of the BJP.&quot;</p>

<p><strong>The Patidar </strong><strong>agit</strong><strong>ation</strong></p>

<p>Patel had led the massive Patidar agitation in the state in 2015.</p>

<p>The Patidars had been asking for reservations for the community in government jobs and educational institutions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress has since been courting Patel, who has said that he will work towards beating the BJP in the upcoming Gujarat elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-invites-hardik-patel-to-contest-gujarat-elections-22699" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;Congress invites Hardik Patel to contest Gujarat elections</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-elections-cong-gives-3-quota-options-to-patidars-who-say-theyll-get-back-to-them-23775" target="_blank">Also read: Gujarat elections: Cong gives 3 quota options to Patidars who say they&#39;ll get back to them</a></p>

<p><strong>Not the first time</strong></p>

<p>This is not the first time an attempt has been made to defame Patel.</p>

<p>A sex CD was released in 2015 also, with exactly the same allegation -- that it was Hardik in the video.</p>


With the Gujarat elections just around the corner, a "sex CD" has gone viral on social media. News reports said the CD showed "intimate moments" between a man and a woman. The allegation -- which has not been proved -- is that the man in the video is Hardik Patel, the leader of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS). Patel reacted to the allegation, tweeting: ?? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ???????? ????? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ??????,????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ??? ???? — Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) November 13, 2017 × "This is the beginning of dirty politics. Defame me, it will not make a difference," he said. "But the women of Gujarat are being insulted," he added. A prophecy foretold The interesting thing is Hardik had foretold -- on November 10 -- the release of the sex CD. Hardik had said then that the BJP would be responsible, and that they would do so for electoral gain. "The BJP has prepared a doctored sex CD to defame me and it will be released just before the election. What else can one expect from the BJP? So just wait, watch and enjoy," Hardik had said then. When he was asked how he knew about the CD, Hardik had said, "This is typical of the BJP." The Patidar agitation Patel had led the massive Patidar agitation in the state in 2015. The Patidars had been asking for reservations for the community in government jobs and educational institutions. The Congress has since been courting Patel, who has said that he will work towards beating the BJP in the upcoming Gujarat elections. Also read: Congress invites Hardik Patel to contest Gujarat elections Also read: Gujarat elections: Cong gives 3 quota options to Patidars who say they'll get back to them Not the first time This is not the first time an attempt has been made to defame Patel. A sex CD was released in 2015 also, with exactly the same allegation -- that it was Hardik in the video.

Gujarat elections: Sex CD goes viral, allegation is it features Hardik Patel

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/himachal-votes-today-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-election-23777">Himachal votes today: All you need to know about the election</a></p>

<p>The northern hill state of Himachal Pradesh goes to polls today. Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is the chief ministerial candidate of the BJP. He faces-off with chief minister Virbhadra Singh of the Congress. Polling began at 8 am and will go on till 5 pm. Here&#39;s a ready reckoner.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/uk-minister-priti-patel-quits-over-unauthorised-israel-meetings-23774">UK minister Priti Patel quits over unauthorised Israel meetings</a></p>

<p>Britain&#39;s overseas aid minister Priti Patel quit on Wednesday over unauthorised meetings in Israel. Theresa May summoned Patel back from a trip to Africa to explain her talks with Israeli politicians and officials, in which she reportedly raised the possibility of Britain diverting aid to the Israeli army.</p>

<p>Patel had apologised on Monday for holding 12 separate meetings -- including with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- during a family holiday to Israel in August, without notifying the Foreign Office or Downing Street in advance.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-to-have-another-round-of-odd-even-rule-23778">Delhi gears up for second round of odd-even rule</a></p>

<p>In view of increasing air pollution, Delhi will have yet anothe round of odd-even. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Wednesday directed the Transport Department to start preparing for implementing the rule in Delhi.</p>

<p>Mr Baijal also directed Municipal Corporations, DDA and SDMs to strictly enforce a prohibition on open burning. Delhi Metro parking rates will also be increased four times the prevalent rates from Thursday onwards, in a bid to discourage use of private vehicles.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-elections-cong-gives-3-quota-options-to-patidars-who-say-theyll-get-back-to-them-23775">Gujarat elections: Cong gives 3 quota options to Patidars who say they&#39;ll get back to them</a></p>

<p>Congress gave three options to the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) at a late night meeting here with respect to latter&#39;s quota demand for its community, even as the organisation members said they would consult their leaders and legal experts before taking a decision.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-bill-looks-to-criminalise-homosexuality-23781">Egypt bill looks to criminalise homosexuality</a></p>

<p>Amnesty International on Thursday condemned a draft bill in the Egyptian parliament that would criminalise homosexuality, in what the rights group called an &quot;unprecedented homophobic crackdown&quot;.</p>

<p>The bill lays jail terms of between one and three years for first-time offenders, whether the act takes place in public or a private place. Repeat offenders would receive five years.</p>


The top stories from India and the world this morning

Himachal votes today: All you need to know about the election The northern hill state of Himachal Pradesh goes to polls today. Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is the chief ministerial candidate of the BJP. He faces-off with chief minister Virbhadra Singh of the Congress. Polling began at 8 am and will go on till 5 pm. Here's a ready reckoner. UK minister Priti Patel quits over unauthorised Israel meetings Britain's overseas aid minister Priti Patel quit on Wednesday over unauthorised meetings in Israel. Theresa May summoned Patel back from a trip to Africa to explain her talks with Israeli politicians and officials, in which she reportedly raised the possibility of Britain diverting aid to the Israeli army. Patel had apologised on Monday for holding 12 separate meetings -- including with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- during a family holiday to Israel in August, without notifying the Foreign Office or Downing Street in advance. Delhi gears up for second round of odd-even rule In view of increasing air pollution, Delhi will have yet anothe round of odd-even. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Wednesday directed the Transport Department to start preparing for implementing the rule in Delhi. Mr Baijal also directed Municipal Corporations, DDA and SDMs to strictly enforce a prohibition on open burning. Delhi Metro parking rates will also be increased four times the prevalent rates from Thursday onwards, in a bid to discourage use of private vehicles. Gujarat elections: Cong gives 3 quota options to Patidars who say they'll get back to them Congress gave three options to the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) at a late night meeting here with respect to latter's quota demand for its community, even as the organisation members said they would consult their leaders and legal experts before taking a decision. Egypt bill looks to criminalise homosexuality Amnesty International on Thursday condemned a draft bill in the Egyptian parliament that would criminalise homosexuality, in what the rights group called an "unprecedented homophobic crackdown". The bill lays jail terms of between one and three years for first-time offenders, whether the act takes place in public or a private place. Repeat offenders would receive five years.

WION morning news brief, November 9, 2017

<p>Congress gave three options to the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) at a late night meeting here with respect to latter&#39;s quota demand for its community, even as the organisation members said they would consult their leaders and legal experts before taking a decision.</p>

<p>The options were conveyed to the PAAS members by senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal at the meeting which took place at 11:30 PM and ended at about 2 AM.</p>

<p>&quot;We have been given three options by the Congress party on how to provide reservation to our community in educational institutions and government jobs,&quot; PAAS convener Dinesh Bambhania said after the meeting.</p>

<p>He, however, did not divulge the details of the options.</p>

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<h5>The Congress proposal has not touched 49% reservations for SC, ST and OBC which exists in the state. The options that have been given are over and above it</h5>
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<p>&quot;The options that have been given will be kept confidential till we discuss it with Hardik, social leaders of the community, legal experts and then it would be kept before our community. If the community accepts the demand, we will convey it accordingly to the Congress party,&quot; Bambhania said.</p>

<p>He said, &quot;The Congress proposal has not touched 49 per cent reservations for SC, ST and OBC which exists in the state. The options that have been given are over and above it.&quot;</p>

<p>The PAAS convener said the meeting took place in a &quot;very cordial atmosphere&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;We have rejected the Congress&#39; reservation offer under the Economically Backward Class as it is not constitutionally valid,&quot; Bambhania said.</p>

<p>Sibal, after the meeting, told a press conference that &quot;today&#39;s meeting between Congress leaders and PAAS has brought hope that something can be worked out.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;We have discussed all the aspects and will do all the things (to provide reservation to the Patidar community) as per the constitution,&quot; the Congress leader said.</p>

<p>He said they would again meet in the next two-three days.</p>

<p>&quot;We expect that the matter will become clear in two to three days,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>The PAAS members met Sibal to discuss modalities of providing reservation to Patidars if voted to power in the upcoming Assembly polls in Gujarat.</p>

<p>The meeting was scheduled at 9 pm but Sibal reached the venue late.</p>

<p>Hardik, the Patidar quota agitation spearhead, who had earlier set a condition that he would support the Congress in the Assembly election, due next month, only if the party committed itself to allotting reservation in education and government jobs to his community, was not present in the meeting.</p>

<p>He had set November 7 as the deadline for the Congress to make its stand clear on the issue.</p>

<p>The polling for the two-phase elections in the state will take place on December 9 and 14 and votes will be counted on December 18.&nbsp;</p>


'We have been given three options by the Congress party on how to provide reservation to our community,' Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti convener Dinesh Bambhania said

Congress gave three options to the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) at a late night meeting here with respect to latter's quota demand for its community, even as the organisation members said they would consult their leaders and legal experts before taking a decision. The options were conveyed to the PAAS members by senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal at the meeting which took place at 11:30 PM and ended at about 2 AM. "We have been given three options by the Congress party on how to provide reservation to our community in educational institutions and government jobs," PAAS convener Dinesh Bambhania said after the meeting. He, however, did not divulge the details of the options. The Congress proposal has not touched 49% reservations for SC, ST and OBC which exists in the state. The options that have been given are over and above it × "The options that have been given will be kept confidential till we discuss it with Hardik, social leaders of the community, legal experts and then it would be kept before our community. If the community accepts the demand, we will convey it accordingly to the Congress party," Bambhania said. He said, "The Congress proposal has not touched 49 per cent reservations for SC, ST and OBC which exists in the state. The options that have been given are over and above it." The PAAS convener said the meeting took place in a "very cordial atmosphere". "We have rejected the Congress' reservation offer under the Economically Backward Class as it is not constitutionally valid," Bambhania said. Sibal, after the meeting, told a press conference that "today's meeting between Congress leaders and PAAS has brought hope that something can be worked out." "We have discussed all the aspects and will do all the things (to provide reservation to the Patidar community) as per the constitution," the Congress leader said. He said they would again meet in the next two-three days. "We expect that the matter will become clear in two to three days," he added. The PAAS members met Sibal to discuss modalities of providing reservation to Patidars if voted to power in the upcoming Assembly polls in Gujarat. The meeting was scheduled at 9 pm but Sibal reached the venue late. Hardik, the Patidar quota agitation spearhead, who had earlier set a condition that he would support the Congress in the Assembly election, due next month, only if the party committed itself to allotting reservation in education and government jobs to his community, was not present in the meeting. He had set November 7 as the deadline for the Congress to make its stand clear on the issue. The polling for the two-phase elections in the state will take place on December 9 and 14 and votes will be counted on December 18.

Gujarat elections: Cong gives 3 quota options to Patidars who say they'll get back to them

<p>Speaking exclusively to WION&rsquo;s Kartikeya Sharma, the former MoS Home Affairs also talks about Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi, and the state of Congress.</p>

<p>He adds that the policies of the ruling BJP government at the Centre have hurt the common man.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;<br />
Here is the full transcript of the interview:<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: Is Congress&rsquo; election campaign in Gujarat on the line of UP ke ladke, the election campaign theme of SP-Cong in Uttar Pradesh? Rahul Gandhi plus three boys from the state against Narendra Modi?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: Not at all. I is not about individuals.&nbsp;It is not Rahul Gandhi vs anyone. It is not about individuals. It is about people of Gujarat and problems accruing from the policies of BJP-led state and central governments. People have suffered and Rahul Gandhi is only voicing the discomfort faced by people of Gujarat. It is people of Gujarat versus policies of the present government.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: Demonetisation did not work in UP. What makes you think that GST as a political campaign will work in Gujarat?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: BJP did a smart thing during UP elections. The message which went out during UP elections was that haves were being attacked and money would eventually be ploughed back to have nots. BJP had earlier promised Rs 15 lakh in people&rsquo;s account and electorate thought that perhaps this scheme is probably a culmination of that promise. This messaging worked then, but now people understand that demonetisation led to nothing. And GST has hurt people.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: What is the main challenge for the Congress in Jharkhand?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: BJP government in Jharkhand has been trying to tweak land laws to parcel out land from the tribal community. We have been trying to stall it. They have tried changing land acquisition rules too. There are many issues in the state like health and hunger. Many children died because their mothers were malnourished. Poor has suffered in the state. These are the issues we want to focus on. And then the main focus remains on organization.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: Congress for quite some time has been in alliance with regional parties in the state. So how do you expect to challenge BJP?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: Congress has not done well in assembly and Lok Sabha elections last time around. We are trying to strengthen the Congress from booth level onwards. We are trying to take all communities on board.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: Every assembly election, Congress jumps into the lap of a regional party. How will you change the outlook?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: In Jharkhand, we contested independently and votes against BJP got divided which helped them. We are making sure that Congress is present in all 81 seats. Though elections are two years away but even if we go for alliance this time around we would like to be equal partners this time around. We aren&rsquo;t ruling out alliance but it needs to be on equal footing.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: What explains the rapid expansion of BJP in many states?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: This issue has been addressed many times. In the last two to three years, we lost touch with real issues and what people wanted from us. We did good work but did not communicate well enough. We weren&rsquo;t good at it then. The UPA did a good job in social sector. What we see today is strong communication by BJP but the work on the ground remains nil.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: Did the issue of saffron terror controversy impact Congress very negatively?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: Those speeches have never ever been Congress party&rsquo;s view. Terror has no caste, religion or creed; those were individual remarks which I believe were communicated out of context. It has never been the Congress&#39; stand but a perception was created and it did impact the Congress party.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: Why is elevation of Rahul Gandhi getting delayed?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: It is not getting delayed. There is an electoral process which is coming to close. PCC delegates have been elected and (his) elevation will happen soon.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: Where lies the salvation of the Congress party? In building organization or electoral alliances to stop BJP?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: We need to build our cadre and make people believe in our ideology.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Q: The general message is that Congress has turned Left of Centre?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
RPN Singh: We are a centrist party. I will quote late Mrs Indira Gandhi, &ldquo;We are in the centre and we will stand tall.&rdquo;</p>


In an exclusive interview with WION, Singh also spoke about Rahul Gandhi and the state of the Congress party

Speaking exclusively to WION’s Kartikeya Sharma, the former MoS Home Affairs also talks about Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi, and the state of Congress. He adds that the policies of the ruling BJP government at the Centre have hurt the common man. Here is the full transcript of the interview: Q: Is Congress’ election campaign in Gujarat on the line of UP ke ladke, the election campaign theme of SP-Cong in Uttar Pradesh? Rahul Gandhi plus three boys from the state against Narendra Modi? RPN Singh: Not at all. I is not about individuals. It is not Rahul Gandhi vs anyone. It is not about individuals. It is about people of Gujarat and problems accruing from the policies of BJP-led state and central governments. People have suffered and Rahul Gandhi is only voicing the discomfort faced by people of Gujarat. It is people of Gujarat versus policies of the present government. Q: Demonetisation did not work in UP. What makes you think that GST as a political campaign will work in Gujarat? RPN Singh: BJP did a smart thing during UP elections. The message which went out during UP elections was that haves were being attacked and money would eventually be ploughed back to have nots. BJP had earlier promised Rs 15 lakh in people’s account and electorate thought that perhaps this scheme is probably a culmination of that promise. This messaging worked then, but now people understand that demonetisation led to nothing. And GST has hurt people. Q: What is the main challenge for the Congress in Jharkhand? RPN Singh: BJP government in Jharkhand has been trying to tweak land laws to parcel out land from the tribal community. We have been trying to stall it. They have tried changing land acquisition rules too. There are many issues in the state like health and hunger. Many children died because their mothers were malnourished. Poor has suffered in the state. These are the issues we want to focus on. And then the main focus remains on organization. Q: Congress for quite some time has been in alliance with regional parties in the state. So how do you expect to challenge BJP? RPN Singh: Congress has not done well in assembly and Lok Sabha elections last time around. We are trying to strengthen the Congress from booth level onwards. We are trying to take all communities on board. Q: Every assembly election, Congress jumps into the lap of a regional party. How will you change the outlook? RPN Singh: In Jharkhand, we contested independently and votes against BJP got divided which helped them. We are making sure that Congress is present in all 81 seats. Though elections are two years away but even if we go for alliance this time around we would like to be equal partners this time around. We aren’t ruling out alliance but it needs to be on equal footing. Q: What explains the rapid expansion of BJP in many states? RPN Singh: This issue has been addressed many times. In the last two to three years, we lost touch with real issues and what people wanted from us. We did good work but did not communicate well enough. We weren’t good at it then. The UPA did a good job in social sector. What we see today is strong communication by BJP but the work on the ground remains nil. Q: Did the issue of saffron terror controversy impact Congress very negatively? RPN Singh: Those speeches have never ever been Congress party’s view. Terror has no caste, religion or creed; those were individual remarks which I believe were communicated out of context. It has never been the Congress' stand but a perception was created and it did impact the Congress party. Q: Why is elevation of Rahul Gandhi getting delayed? RPN Singh: It is not getting delayed. There is an electoral process which is coming to close. PCC delegates have been elected and (his) elevation will happen soon. Q: Where lies the salvation of the Congress party? In building organization or electoral alliances to stop BJP? RPN Singh: We need to build our cadre and make people believe in our ideology. Q: The general message is that Congress has turned Left of Centre? RPN Singh: We are a centrist party. I will quote late Mrs Indira Gandhi, “We are in the centre and we will stand tall.”

Gujarat election is about people vs govt policies: Former Union Minister RPN Singh tells WION

<p>During the last Assembly election in Gujarat, Narendra Modi was the chief minister; Shankersinh Vaghela was the tallest Congress leader in the State; veteran Patidar leader Keshubhai Patel had rebelled against the Bharatiya Janata Party and floated his own outfit, the Gujarat Parivartan Party; Sonia Gandhi had vigorously campaigned for the Congress; the Congress was in power at the Centre; 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab was hanged; and Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray had passed away.</p>

<p>The BJP led by Modi had registered a resounding victory while the Congress helmed by Vaghela and consisting of a motley of lesser leaders managed just about half the number of seats the winning party got. Keshubhai Patel&rsquo;s party, contrary to its partvartan promise, could bring no change, ending with a paltry two seats. The so-called KHAM (Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi, Muslim) combine, that had been crafted in the 1980s by Congress leader Madhavsinh Solanki as his party&rsquo;s vote bank, failed to deliver &mdash; as it had on previous occasions in the past decade or so.</p>

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<p>Now, as the people of Gujarat prepare to vote in a few weeks from now for a new Assembly, much has changed. Modi is the country&rsquo;s Prime Minister; Vaghela has quit the Congress and is expected to harm his former party&rsquo;s prospects; Keshubhai Patel has reconciled to being a non-entity in the State&rsquo;s politics; the Hardik Patel factor has been introduced to lure the Patidar votes away from the BJP; Balasaheb Thackeray&rsquo;s son and successor Uddhav Thackeray has turned into more of a rival than an ally (which is officially is) of the ruling party; Sonia Gandhi may not campaign extensively owing to her health; Rahul Gandhi, soon to be made Congress president, is at the forefront of his party&rsquo;s electoral battle; and, the BJP has replaced the Congress at the Centre.</p>

<p>Yet, some things remain the same. Modi in 2017, as in 2012, is the BJP&rsquo;s mascot and the Congress&rsquo;s chief enemy and a wall yet to be dented. Like in 2012, Modi is hard selling &lsquo;development&rsquo; and Gujarati pride in 2017 as well. Rahul Gandhi is seeking to establish his credentials as a serious and credible politician, something he had attempted in 2012 as well.</p>

<p>The Muslim voters of the State are as wary of the BJP today as they were in 2012, and they have to do with the ruling party&rsquo;s slogan of &ldquo;Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas&rdquo;. Finally, if the Gujarat election in 2012 was important on account of Modi, it is more so in 2017. The last election prepared the ground for Modi&rsquo;s elevation to the national stage; the 2017 result could solidify his and his party&rsquo;s position in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll.</p>

<p>The gloves are off on both the sides. Prime Minister Modi and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi have visited Gujarat on several occasions and are expected to keep doing so in the run-up to the election. If Modi has sought to leverage &lsquo;development&rsquo;, Rahul Gandhi has concentrated on the &lsquo;divisive&rsquo; nature of his rival and rubbished the claimed development.</p>

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<h5>If Modi has sought to leverage &lsquo;development&rsquo;, Rahul Gandhi has concentrated on the &lsquo;divisive&rsquo; nature of his rival and rubbished the claimed development.</h5>
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<p>Modi talks of the Congress&rsquo;s corruption while Rahul Gandhi attacks the BJP for &lsquo;atrocities&rsquo; on Scheduled Castes and discrimination against the Muslims. If the BJP brandishes the World Bank&rsquo;s Doing Business report as a vindication of the Modi regime&rsquo;s economic policies, the Congress alleges the report was &lsquo;manufactured&rsquo; and &lsquo;fixed&rsquo;. The Congress cautions Gujarat&rsquo;s voters against social and economic disasters in case they let the BJP return to power, and the BJP warns them of a rude jolt to the development and Gujarati pride if the Congress succeeds.</p>

<p>The Congress believes, and with good reasons of its own, that it has the best chance in two decades to oust the BJP from the State. It may not have been wrong in sensing a level of disaffection among a section of the traditional BJP supporters &mdash; the business community and the Patidars, for example. The Congress is seeking to tap into the discontent among traders over disruptions caused by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, while it is hoping to swing the Patel votes its way by holding out the promise of reservations in Government jobs and educational institutions.</p>

<p>With Patidar leader Hardik Patel apparently throwing his weight behind the Congress, the opposition party is upbeat. Add to this, the anger in the Scheduled Caste community following the Una incident last year under the BJP rule. The Congress hopes to exploit this as well, although the Dalit population in the State is too insignificant to make a major overall electoral impact.</p>

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<h5>The BJP is banking on its strong and decades-long socio-economic connect with the Patidar community to neutralise the Hardik Patel fallout.</h5>
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<p>Mindful of the new challenges which have come its way, the BJP has adopted a multi-pronged approach. For one, it has stepped up its focus on development and Gujarati pride &mdash; juxtaposing it with the Congress&rsquo;s &lsquo;indifference&rsquo;. While dedicating the Sardar Sarovar project to the nation, Modi did not fail to underline what he alleged were obstacles that Congress regimes at the Centre had placed in the early completion of the dam work. In later meetings in the State, he spoke of the delays the Congress-led UPA had effected, in the name of environment protection, in developing coastal Gujarat.</p>

<p>Modi spoke of the Congress&rsquo;s sidelining of Gujarati pride &mdash; freedom fighter, senior Congress leader and independent India&rsquo;s first Minister for Home Affairs, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel &mdash; and mentioned the ongoing work on the Statue of Unity that the BJP had undertaken in the Iron Man&rsquo;s memory. It has been wooing important leaders of the Patidar community to blunt the Hardik Patel impact, and also highlighting Hardik Patel&rsquo;s proximity to the Congress &mdash; a party which it says had consistently betrayed the Patel cause. The BJP is banking on its strong and decades-long socio-economic connect with the Patidar community to neutralise the Hardik Patel fallout.</p>

<p>As campaigning picks up and nominations are filed and confirmed, there will emerge a better understanding at constituency levels on which way the battle is going. Certain issues will gain steam while others may fall by the wayside. The larger picture, going by published opinion polls so far, appears to be in the BJP&rsquo;s favour. The party is expected to sweep as it did in 2012. These surveys also inform that a majority of the people are unhappy with the GST mess and the effects of demonetisation. And yet, if the BJP still wins, it can only mean one thing &mdash; and one that is discouraging to the Congress: People may be unhappy with some of the BJP Government&rsquo;s decisions, but they will not necessarily vote against the party.</p>


BJP has stepped up its focus on development and Gujarati pride ? juxtaposing it with the Congress?s ?indifference?.

During the last Assembly election in Gujarat, Narendra Modi was the chief minister; Shankersinh Vaghela was the tallest Congress leader in the State; veteran Patidar leader Keshubhai Patel had rebelled against the Bharatiya Janata Party and floated his own outfit, the Gujarat Parivartan Party; Sonia Gandhi had vigorously campaigned for the Congress; the Congress was in power at the Centre; 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab was hanged; and Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray had passed away. The BJP led by Modi had registered a resounding victory while the Congress helmed by Vaghela and consisting of a motley of lesser leaders managed just about half the number of seats the winning party got. Keshubhai Patel’s party, contrary to its partvartan promise, could bring no change, ending with a paltry two seats. The so-called KHAM (Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi, Muslim) combine, that had been crafted in the 1980s by Congress leader Madhavsinh Solanki as his party’s vote bank, failed to deliver — as it had on previous occasions in the past decade or so. The last election prepared the ground for Modi’s elevation to the national stage; the 2017 result could solidify his and his party’s position in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll. × Now, as the people of Gujarat prepare to vote in a few weeks from now for a new Assembly, much has changed. Modi is the country’s Prime Minister; Vaghela has quit the Congress and is expected to harm his former party’s prospects; Keshubhai Patel has reconciled to being a non-entity in the State’s politics; the Hardik Patel factor has been introduced to lure the Patidar votes away from the BJP; Balasaheb Thackeray’s son and successor Uddhav Thackeray has turned into more of a rival than an ally (which is officially is) of the ruling party; Sonia Gandhi may not campaign extensively owing to her health; Rahul Gandhi, soon to be made Congress president, is at the forefront of his party’s electoral battle; and, the BJP has replaced the Congress at the Centre. Yet, some things remain the same. Modi in 2017, as in 2012, is the BJP’s mascot and the Congress’s chief enemy and a wall yet to be dented. Like in 2012, Modi is hard selling ‘development’ and Gujarati pride in 2017 as well. Rahul Gandhi is seeking to establish his credentials as a serious and credible politician, something he had attempted in 2012 as well. The Muslim voters of the State are as wary of the BJP today as they were in 2012, and they have to do with the ruling party’s slogan of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”. Finally, if the Gujarat election in 2012 was important on account of Modi, it is more so in 2017. The last election prepared the ground for Modi’s elevation to the national stage; the 2017 result could solidify his and his party’s position in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll. The gloves are off on both the sides. Prime Minister Modi and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi have visited Gujarat on several occasions and are expected to keep doing so in the run-up to the election. If Modi has sought to leverage ‘development’, Rahul Gandhi has concentrated on the ‘divisive’ nature of his rival and rubbished the claimed development. If Modi has sought to leverage ‘development’, Rahul Gandhi has concentrated on the ‘divisive’ nature of his rival and rubbished the claimed development. × Modi talks of the Congress’s corruption while Rahul Gandhi attacks the BJP for ‘atrocities’ on Scheduled Castes and discrimination against the Muslims. If the BJP brandishes the World Bank’s Doing Business report as a vindication of the Modi regime’s economic policies, the Congress alleges the report was ‘manufactured’ and ‘fixed’. The Congress cautions Gujarat’s voters against social and economic disasters in case they let the BJP return to power, and the BJP warns them of a rude jolt to the development and Gujarati pride if the Congress succeeds. The Congress believes, and with good reasons of its own, that it has the best chance in two decades to oust the BJP from the State. It may not have been wrong in sensing a level of disaffection among a section of the traditional BJP supporters — the business community and the Patidars, for example. The Congress is seeking to tap into the discontent among traders over disruptions caused by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, while it is hoping to swing the Patel votes its way by holding out the promise of reservations in Government jobs and educational institutions. With Patidar leader Hardik Patel apparently throwing his weight behind the Congress, the opposition party is upbeat. Add to this, the anger in the Scheduled Caste community following the Una incident last year under the BJP rule. The Congress hopes to exploit this as well, although the Dalit population in the State is too insignificant to make a major overall electoral impact. The BJP is banking on its strong and decades-long socio-economic connect with the Patidar community to neutralise the Hardik Patel fallout. × Mindful of the new challenges which have come its way, the BJP has adopted a multi-pronged approach. For one, it has stepped up its focus on development and Gujarati pride — juxtaposing it with the Congress’s ‘indifference’. While dedicating the Sardar Sarovar project to the nation, Modi did not fail to underline what he alleged were obstacles that Congress regimes at the Centre had placed in the early completion of the dam work. In later meetings in the State, he spoke of the delays the Congress-led UPA had effected, in the name of environment protection, in developing coastal Gujarat. Modi spoke of the Congress’s sidelining of Gujarati pride — freedom fighter, senior Congress leader and independent India’s first Minister for Home Affairs, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — and mentioned the ongoing work on the Statue of Unity that the BJP had undertaken in the Iron Man’s memory. It has been wooing important leaders of the Patidar community to blunt the Hardik Patel impact, and also highlighting Hardik Patel’s proximity to the Congress — a party which it says had consistently betrayed the Patel cause. The BJP is banking on its strong and decades-long socio-economic connect with the Patidar community to neutralise the Hardik Patel fallout. As campaigning picks up and nominations are filed and confirmed, there will emerge a better understanding at constituency levels on which way the battle is going. Certain issues will gain steam while others may fall by the wayside. The larger picture, going by published opinion polls so far, appears to be in the BJP’s favour. The party is expected to sweep as it did in 2012. These surveys also inform that a majority of the people are unhappy with the GST mess and the effects of demonetisation. And yet, if the BJP still wins, it can only mean one thing — and one that is discouraging to the Congress: People may be unhappy with some of the BJP Government’s decisions, but they will not necessarily vote against the party.

Gujarat election: Demonetisation vs Gujarati pride

<p>The BJP in poll-bound Gujarat today asked <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/want-clarity-on-patidar-reservation-issue-by-nov-7-hardik-patel-23167" target="_blank">Patidar leader Hardik Patel</a> and the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-to-meet-gujarat-dalit-leader-mevani-congress-leader-23461" target="_blank">Congress</a> to clarify their positions after senior Congress leader Mohansinh Rathwa said it is not possible to carve out a quota for the Patidar community in the existing 49 per cent reservations.</p>

<p>Rathwa, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, made the statement at a rally before party vice president Rahul Gandhi&#39;s arrival at the tribal-dominated Nana Pondha village in Valsad district yesterday.</p>

<p>&quot;Patidars will be given reservation without interfering with the current quota of 49 per cent. There will not be any change in the current quota. If we give reservation, it has to be outside that quota,&quot; said Rathwa, a tribal leader and the senior-most Congress MLA in the state.</p>

<p>BJP leader and Union minister Parshottam Rupala today said Rathwa&#39;s remarks put both Hardik Patel and the Congress in the dock.</p>

<p>&quot;Rathwa spoke his mind. Now both Hardik and Congress need to clarify their stands, as Hardik only wanted reservation under the OBC quota, not under EBC (economically backward classes) category which was offered by the Congress. But opposition leaders are mum about granting the OBC status to Patels,&quot; Rupala said, speaking to reporters here.</p>

<p>&quot;As soon as Hardik slid towards Congress, some Congress leaders began suspecting whether there was any secret deal (to include Patels in the OBC category). After Rathwa&#39;s remarks, the Congress should clarify how it would grant reservation to Patidars under the existing OBC quota,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Earlier this week, members of Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and the Congress held a meeting and announced that an agreement has been reached on four main demands of the community. But there wasn&#39;t a final agreement on the key demand of the reservation yet, they said.</p>

<p>PAAS leaders said they will hold another round of discussions with the Congress by November 7.</p>

<p>Earlier, the Gujarat Congress had promised a 20 per cent reservation under the EBC quota to non-reserved communities including Patels if the party came to power.</p>

<p>&quot;The fact is, the Congress never said anything about OBC reservations. They only talk about EBC quota. The Gujarat government has already given a 10 per cent quota in EBC. It is now quite clear that the Congress is trying to mislead Patidars with such vague promises,&quot; said Rupala.&nbsp;</p>


The BJP in poll-bound Gujarat today asked Patidar leader Hardik Patel and the Congress to clarify their positions after senior Congress leader Mohansinh Rathwa said it is not possible to carve out a quota for the Patidar community in the existing 49 per cent reservations

The BJP in poll-bound Gujarat today asked Patidar leader Hardik Patel and the Congress to clarify their positions after senior Congress leader Mohansinh Rathwa said it is not possible to carve out a quota for the Patidar community in the existing 49 per cent reservations. Rathwa, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, made the statement at a rally before party vice president Rahul Gandhi's arrival at the tribal-dominated Nana Pondha village in Valsad district yesterday. "Patidars will be given reservation without interfering with the current quota of 49 per cent. There will not be any change in the current quota. If we give reservation, it has to be outside that quota," said Rathwa, a tribal leader and the senior-most Congress MLA in the state. BJP leader and Union minister Parshottam Rupala today said Rathwa's remarks put both Hardik Patel and the Congress in the dock. "Rathwa spoke his mind. Now both Hardik and Congress need to clarify their stands, as Hardik only wanted reservation under the OBC quota, not under EBC (economically backward classes) category which was offered by the Congress. But opposition leaders are mum about granting the OBC status to Patels," Rupala said, speaking to reporters here. "As soon as Hardik slid towards Congress, some Congress leaders began suspecting whether there was any secret deal (to include Patels in the OBC category). After Rathwa's remarks, the Congress should clarify how it would grant reservation to Patidars under the existing OBC quota," he said. Earlier this week, members of Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and the Congress held a meeting and announced that an agreement has been reached on four main demands of the community. But there wasn't a final agreement on the key demand of the reservation yet, they said. PAAS leaders said they will hold another round of discussions with the Congress by November 7. Earlier, the Gujarat Congress had promised a 20 per cent reservation under the EBC quota to non-reserved communities including Patels if the party came to power. "The fact is, the Congress never said anything about OBC reservations. They only talk about EBC quota. The Gujarat government has already given a 10 per cent quota in EBC. It is now quite clear that the Congress is trying to mislead Patidars with such vague promises," said Rupala.

BJP questions Congress's quota promise to Patidars

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pidi-can-save-congress-bjps-jibe-at-rahul-gandhi-23113" target="_blank">Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi </a>would meet Gujarat Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani on Friday at Navsari, a spokesperson of the party said.</p>

<p>Mevani, who has been critical of the ruling BJP in the state, is expected to discuss the demands of his community when he meets the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-likens-rahul-gandhi-congress-to-pakistan-23338" target="_blank">Congress vice-president</a>, who is currently on an election campaign tour of south Gujarat.</p>

<p>&quot;Jignesh Mevani and other Dalit leaders had met Ashok Gehlot, the Congress&#39; Gujarat affairs in-charge earlier and presented a set of demands to him,&quot; Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said.</p>

<p>&quot;We have extended an invitation to Mevani to meet our vice-president Rahul Gandhi today. The two will meet at Navsari later in the day,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Congress Scheduled Castes (SC) cell national president K Raju also said a meeting had been arranged between Rahul Gandhi and Mevani.</p>

<p>Mevani had earlier said he would meet Rahul Gandhi only when he will be called to discuss the opposition party&#39;s stand on various demands of the Dalit community.</p>

<p>The Dalit rights campaigner, who has dubbed the BJP &quot;anti-Dalit&quot;, had also said he had no plans to join any political party.</p>

<p>&quot;I want to make it clear that neither have I joined the Congress nor am I going to join the party in the future. Not just the Congress, I have no plans of joining any other party as of now,&quot; he had told reporters in Ahmedabad yesterday.</p>

<p>However, the young leader, who shot to fame after the Una Dalit flogging incident last year, had added that he was ready to meet Rahul Gandhi to know about the Congress&#39; stand on 17 demands related to his community.</p>

<p>The demands include an allotment of five acres of farmland to the Dalits, alternative employment for those involved in cattle-skinning and manual scavenging and the release of a probe report into an incident of firing on the community members at Thangadh in Surendranagar district in 2012.</p>

<p>&quot;Since the BJP government is not even ready to hold talks with us on these demands, it is very clear that it is anti-Dalit. And, that is why we are also anti-BJP. But, that does not mean we are joining another party,&quot; Mevani had said.</p>

<p>&quot;However, I am ready to meet Rahul Gandhi to know about his party&#39;s stand on these demands. I want to know what can they do for our community if they come to power (in Gujarat),&quot; he had added.&nbsp;</p>


Mevani, who has been critical of the ruling BJP in the state, is expected to discuss the demands of his community when he meets the Congress vice-president, who is currently on an election campaign tour of south Gujarat

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi would meet Gujarat Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani on Friday at Navsari, a spokesperson of the party said. Mevani, who has been critical of the ruling BJP in the state, is expected to discuss the demands of his community when he meets the Congress vice-president, who is currently on an election campaign tour of south Gujarat. "Jignesh Mevani and other Dalit leaders had met Ashok Gehlot, the Congress' Gujarat affairs in-charge earlier and presented a set of demands to him," Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said. "We have extended an invitation to Mevani to meet our vice-president Rahul Gandhi today. The two will meet at Navsari later in the day," he added. Congress Scheduled Castes (SC) cell national president K Raju also said a meeting had been arranged between Rahul Gandhi and Mevani. Mevani had earlier said he would meet Rahul Gandhi only when he will be called to discuss the opposition party's stand on various demands of the Dalit community. The Dalit rights campaigner, who has dubbed the BJP "anti-Dalit", had also said he had no plans to join any political party. "I want to make it clear that neither have I joined the Congress nor am I going to join the party in the future. Not just the Congress, I have no plans of joining any other party as of now," he had told reporters in Ahmedabad yesterday. However, the young leader, who shot to fame after the Una Dalit flogging incident last year, had added that he was ready to meet Rahul Gandhi to know about the Congress' stand on 17 demands related to his community. The demands include an allotment of five acres of farmland to the Dalits, alternative employment for those involved in cattle-skinning and manual scavenging and the release of a probe report into an incident of firing on the community members at Thangadh in Surendranagar district in 2012. "Since the BJP government is not even ready to hold talks with us on these demands, it is very clear that it is anti-Dalit. And, that is why we are also anti-BJP. But, that does not mean we are joining another party," Mevani had said. "However, I am ready to meet Rahul Gandhi to know about his party's stand on these demands. I want to know what can they do for our community if they come to power (in Gujarat)," he had added.

Rahul Gandhi to meet Gujarat Dalit leader Mevani: Congress leader

<p>Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani demanded Congress leader Ahmed Patel&#39;s resignation as Rajya Sabha MP, alleging that a suspected ISIS operative arrested recently used to work at a hospital where Patel had been a trustee earlier.</p>

<p>Patel rejected the charge as &quot;completely baseless&quot; and urged the BJP not to politicise matters pertaining to national security and divide the peace-loving Gujaratis.</p>

<p>Union minister Prakash Javadekar also said that the Congress &quot;owes an explanation as to how a terrorist had been working there for so long&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP &amp; Gujarat CM Rupani trying to hide their incompetence by making such baseless statements: Randeep Surjewala, Congress <a href="https://t.co/rn3r28t6Nv">pic.twitter.com/rn3r28t6Nv</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/923953841904615424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Two suspected ISIS operatives were arrested by the Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) three days ago. According to an FIR, one of the accused, Kasim Stimberwala, earlier worked as a technician at Sardar Patel Hospital in Ankleshwar town of Bharuch district.</p>

<p>Rupani said in Gandhinagar that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Patel owe a clarification to the nation as the matter pertains to national security.</p>

<p>&quot;This is a serious issue, as a terrorist was arrested from a hospital which is being run by Patel... It has now been revealed that though Patel had resigned as a trustee of that hospital in 2014, he is still at the helm of the hospital&#39;s affairs,&quot; the Gujarat CM alleged.</p>

<p>&quot;Imagine what would have happened if these two terrorists were not arrested... Patel, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress must come clean on the issue. We also want Patel to resign as Rajya Sabha MP,&quot; he demanded.</p>

<p>&quot;It has now been revealed that Kasim had resigned just two days before he was arrested. This raises several questions. Patel must clarify how such a person got a job in his hospital and why he resigned just days ahead of his arrest,&quot; Rupani said.</p>

<p>Replying to the charges, Patel tweeted, &quot;My party and I appreciate the ATS&#39; effort to nab the two terrorists. I demand strict and speedy action against them. The allegations put forward by the BJP are completely baseless.&quot;</p>

<p>In another tweet, he said, &quot;We request that matters of national security not be politicised keeping elections in mind. Let&#39;s not divide the peace-loving Gujaratis while fighting terrorism.&quot;</p>

<p>Javadekar said in Bengaluru the Congress owes an explanation as to &quot;how a terrorist could work so long at the hospital&quot;.</p>

<p>The two IS suspects &quot;were planning attacks on a Jewish religious place&quot;, he said.</p>

<p>Congress in-charge of communications Randeep Surjewala came to the defence of Patel, saying neither he nor any of his family members were a trustee of the Bharuch Hospital where the alleged terrorist was working.</p>

<p>&quot;A frustrated BJP facing imminent defeat in Gujarat is resorting to leveling reckless and baseless allegations against Ahmed Patel,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Sardar Vallabhai Patel Hospital is a charitable hospital and it has between 150-200 employees including doctors and technicians, he said.</p>

<p>&quot;The BJP is being shown the door by 6.5 crore Gujaratis and a defeated BJP is clutching onto the polarising straws of blatant lies to reset the agenda. It will never succeed in its sinister conspiracies,&quot; the Congress leader said.</p>

<p>He said the BJP should stop preaching about fighting terrorism to anyone.</p>

<p>&quot;The BJP&#39;s track record on terrorism is quite dismal. Will Amit Shah and Vijay Rupani answer as to who permitted dreaded terrorist Dawood Ibrahim&#39;s wife to visit Mumbai and leave unscathed with the entire government sleeping over the same,&quot; he asked.</p>

<p>&quot;The truth is that Vijay Rupani and his government fired upon and killed farmers in Dahod in Gujarat. The BJP is trying to divert attention,&quot; he alleged.</p>

<p>The two suspected IS operatives had allegedly planned to carry out a &quot;lone wolf&quot; attack on a Jewish synagogue in Khadia area of the city.</p>


Vijay Rupani alleged that a suspected ISIS operative arrested recently used to work at a hospital where Patel had been a trustee

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani demanded Congress leader Ahmed Patel's resignation as Rajya Sabha MP, alleging that a suspected ISIS operative arrested recently used to work at a hospital where Patel had been a trustee earlier. Patel rejected the charge as "completely baseless" and urged the BJP not to politicise matters pertaining to national security and divide the peace-loving Gujaratis. Union minister Prakash Javadekar also said that the Congress "owes an explanation as to how a terrorist had been working there for so long". BJP & Gujarat CM Rupani trying to hide their incompetence by making such baseless statements: Randeep Surjewala, Congress pic.twitter.com/rn3r28t6Nv — ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2017 × Two suspected ISIS operatives were arrested by the Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) three days ago. According to an FIR, one of the accused, Kasim Stimberwala, earlier worked as a technician at Sardar Patel Hospital in Ankleshwar town of Bharuch district. Rupani said in Gandhinagar that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Patel owe a clarification to the nation as the matter pertains to national security. "This is a serious issue, as a terrorist was arrested from a hospital which is being run by Patel... It has now been revealed that though Patel had resigned as a trustee of that hospital in 2014, he is still at the helm of the hospital's affairs," the Gujarat CM alleged. "Imagine what would have happened if these two terrorists were not arrested... Patel, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress must come clean on the issue. We also want Patel to resign as Rajya Sabha MP," he demanded. "It has now been revealed that Kasim had resigned just two days before he was arrested. This raises several questions. Patel must clarify how such a person got a job in his hospital and why he resigned just days ahead of his arrest," Rupani said. Replying to the charges, Patel tweeted, "My party and I appreciate the ATS' effort to nab the two terrorists. I demand strict and speedy action against them. The allegations put forward by the BJP are completely baseless." In another tweet, he said, "We request that matters of national security not be politicised keeping elections in mind. Let's not divide the peace-loving Gujaratis while fighting terrorism." Javadekar said in Bengaluru the Congress owes an explanation as to "how a terrorist could work so long at the hospital". The two IS suspects "were planning attacks on a Jewish religious place", he said. Congress in-charge of communications Randeep Surjewala came to the defence of Patel, saying neither he nor any of his family members were a trustee of the Bharuch Hospital where the alleged terrorist was working. "A frustrated BJP facing imminent defeat in Gujarat is resorting to leveling reckless and baseless allegations against Ahmed Patel," he said. Sardar Vallabhai Patel Hospital is a charitable hospital and it has between 150-200 employees including doctors and technicians, he said. "The BJP is being shown the door by 6.5 crore Gujaratis and a defeated BJP is clutching onto the polarising straws of blatant lies to reset the agenda. It will never succeed in its sinister conspiracies," the Congress leader said. He said the BJP should stop preaching about fighting terrorism to anyone. "The BJP's track record on terrorism is quite dismal. Will Amit Shah and Vijay Rupani answer as to who permitted dreaded terrorist Dawood Ibrahim's wife to visit Mumbai and leave unscathed with the entire government sleeping over the same," he asked. "The truth is that Vijay Rupani and his government fired upon and killed farmers in Dahod in Gujarat. The BJP is trying to divert attention," he alleged. The two suspected IS operatives had allegedly planned to carry out a "lone wolf" attack on a Jewish synagogue in Khadia area of the city.

Gujarat CM demands Ahmed Patel's resignation after arrest of Islamic State suspect

<p>India&#39;s Election Commission <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-polling-before-himachal-results-are-out-election-commission-22759">today announced dates for Gujarat assembly polls</a> to be held in December.</p>

<p>The Election Commission said the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/himachal-polls-275-nominations-filed-on-last-day-22810">first phase of polls in Gujarat will be conducted on December 9th </a>and the second phase on December 14th.</p>

<p>The counting of votes will be held on December 18th.</p>

<p>&quot;No candidate can spend more than Rs 28 lakhs on campaigning,&quot; Chief Election Commissioner(CEC) AK Joti said.</p>

<p>&quot;Model code of conduct is now in effect,&quot; the CEC added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are ready, confident that BJP will win 3/4th majority: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani on announcement of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElections2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElections2017</a> dates <a href="https://t.co/Kw1ZjM67Yt">pic.twitter.com/Kw1ZjM67Yt</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/923111080607432704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>While declaring the Himachal election dates a few weeks back, the commission had announced that the counting of votes in both the states would take place on December 18.</p>

<p>The election body had come&nbsp;under attack from the opposition parties for not announcing the dates for Gujarat assembly elections along with Himachal Pradesh.</p>

<p>Election Commission officials had said that multiple factors, including the weather, were considered before deciding to hold the elections in Himachal Pradesh earlier than Gujarat.</p>

<p>Himachal Pradesh will go to the polls on November 9.</p>


India's Election Commission today announced dates for Gujarat assembly polls to be held in December. The Election Commission said the first phase of polls in Gujarat will be conducted on December 9th and the second phase on December 14th. The counting of votes will be held on December 18th. "No candidate can spend more than Rs 28 lakhs on campaigning," Chief Election Commissioner(CEC) AK Joti said. "Model code of conduct is now in effect," the CEC added. We are ready, confident that BJP will win 3/4th majority: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani on announcement of #GujaratElections2017 dates pic.twitter.com/Kw1ZjM67Yt — ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2017 × While declaring the Himachal election dates a few weeks back, the commission had announced that the counting of votes in both the states would take place on December 18. The election body had come under attack from the opposition parties for not announcing the dates for Gujarat assembly elections along with Himachal Pradesh. Election Commission officials had said that multiple factors, including the weather, were considered before deciding to hold the elections in Himachal Pradesh earlier than Gujarat. Himachal Pradesh will go to the polls on November 9.

Gujarat elections to be held on Dec 9 & 14, results to be announced on Dec 18

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is headed towards yet another clean sweep victory in the 2017 Gujarat Assembly election, an opinion poll has found. The survey concluded that the BJP is likely to win between 115 and 125 seats in the 182-seat Gujarat Assembly. This, despite many of the big ticket moves of the Modi government being viewed unfavourably.</p>

<p>The India Today-Axis My India opinion poll prediction puts the BJP in reach of an absolute majority. The Congress, with some pundits predicted would put up a fight this time, was expected to win 57 to 65 seats in the opinion poll, which also gave 0-3 seats to &#39;others&#39;.</p>

<p>The India Today-Axis My India opinion poll indicated that the BJP is likely to get 48 percent of the votes, with the Congress booking 38 percent.</p>

<p>As for the most preferred Chief Minister, 34 percent of the respondents preferred the incumbent, Vijay Rupani. Congress&#39;s Shaktisinh Gohil and Bharatsinh Madhavsinh Solanki found 19 percent and 11 percent support on this metric. BJP chief Amit Shah would make a good Chief Minister, thought 10 percent of the respondents, while six percent thought similarly of the Patel agitation leader Hardik Patel.</p>

<p>The opinion polls also found that 66 percent of the respondents believed Narendra Modi becoming the Prime Minister was beneficial for Gujarat. The opposite view was held by 31 percent of those who took part in the survey.</p>

<p>The result prediction notwithstanding, the opinion poll revealed that a number of key economic initiatives of the Modi government have not gone down well in Gujarat. This is significant considering the clout that traders wield in the state.</p>

<p>&nbsp;The rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) made 51 percent of the respondents unhappy. Demonetisation too took a hit, with 53 percent saying they did not find it beneficial. 49 percent of the respondents said they were dissatisfied with the Centre, while seven percent said they were angry.</p>

<p>The survey was conducted across all the constituencies of Gujarat between September 25 and October 15, and saw the participation of more than 18,000 respondents.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Other findings of the opinion poll include:</p>

<p>- Development, jobs and price rise emerged as the key issues in the polls.</p>

<p>- 31 percent said that price rise was the biggest issue, 24 percent said jobs, 16 percent development, 9 percent roads, 6 percent water, 4 percent agriculture and 3 percent water. &nbsp;</p>

<p>- 38 percent are happy with the GST, while 51 percent are unhappy with the new tax reform.</p>

<p>- 53 percent said that demonetisation was not beneficial. 44 percent gave thumps up to the note ban announced on November 08, 2016.</p>

<p>- 38 percent farmers are satisfied with the incumbent government, 49 percent are dissatisfied, while 7 percent are extremely angry as per the poll.</p>


The India Today-Axis My India opinion poll has indicated that the BJP is likely to get 48 percent of the votes, with the Congress booking 38 percent.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is headed towards yet another clean sweep victory in the 2017 Gujarat Assembly election, an opinion poll has found. The survey concluded that the BJP is likely to win between 115 and 125 seats in the 182-seat Gujarat Assembly. This, despite many of the big ticket moves of the Modi government being viewed unfavourably. The India Today-Axis My India opinion poll prediction puts the BJP in reach of an absolute majority. The Congress, with some pundits predicted would put up a fight this time, was expected to win 57 to 65 seats in the opinion poll, which also gave 0-3 seats to 'others'. The India Today-Axis My India opinion poll indicated that the BJP is likely to get 48 percent of the votes, with the Congress booking 38 percent. As for the most preferred Chief Minister, 34 percent of the respondents preferred the incumbent, Vijay Rupani. Congress's Shaktisinh Gohil and Bharatsinh Madhavsinh Solanki found 19 percent and 11 percent support on this metric. BJP chief Amit Shah would make a good Chief Minister, thought 10 percent of the respondents, while six percent thought similarly of the Patel agitation leader Hardik Patel. The opinion polls also found that 66 percent of the respondents believed Narendra Modi becoming the Prime Minister was beneficial for Gujarat. The opposite view was held by 31 percent of those who took part in the survey. The result prediction notwithstanding, the opinion poll revealed that a number of key economic initiatives of the Modi government have not gone down well in Gujarat. This is significant considering the clout that traders wield in the state. The rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) made 51 percent of the respondents unhappy. Demonetisation too took a hit, with 53 percent saying they did not find it beneficial. 49 percent of the respondents said they were dissatisfied with the Centre, while seven percent said they were angry. The survey was conducted across all the constituencies of Gujarat between September 25 and October 15, and saw the participation of more than 18,000 respondents. Other findings of the opinion poll include: - Development, jobs and price rise emerged as the key issues in the polls. - 31 percent said that price rise was the biggest issue, 24 percent said jobs, 16 percent development, 9 percent roads, 6 percent water, 4 percent agriculture and 3 percent water. - 38 percent are happy with the GST, while 51 percent are unhappy with the new tax reform. - 53 percent said that demonetisation was not beneficial. 44 percent gave thumps up to the note ban announced on November 08, 2016. - 38 percent farmers are satisfied with the incumbent government, 49 percent are dissatisfied, while 7 percent are extremely angry as per the poll.

BJP set to sweep Gujarat elections, says opinion poll

<p>Rahul Gandhi had on Monday at his rally in Gandhinagar, Gujarat dubbed the GST &quot;Gabbar Singh Tax&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Tuesday he took his formulation to Twitter, and then added some.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He first wrote Congress GST = Good and Simple Tax.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Then, Modiji GST = Gabbar Singh Tax.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And then added his coup de grace: Gabbar Singh Tax = Yeh Kamai Mujhe de de.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress GST= Genuine Simple Tax<br />
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Modi ji&#39;s GST= Gabbar Singh Tax =&#39;&#39;?? ???? ???? ?? ??&quot;</p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/922695603380879360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Twitterati quickly took up the cue:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What&rsquo;s your full form of GST?</p>
&mdash; History of India (@RealHistoryPic) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealHistoryPic/status/922493120545284096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>And the answers poured in, including from former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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&mdash; Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/status/922496966642167808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>And Shashi Tharoor:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">GST being translated increasingly as Gayi Sarkar Tumhari! great idea ruined by wretched implementation <a href="https://t.co/ExBhNY351T">pic.twitter.com/ExBhNY351T</a></p>
&mdash; Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/922757994219167744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Go Sell Tea</p>
&mdash; Uday Menon (@Uday47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Uday47/status/922493941097709569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Gayi Sarkar Tumhari</p>
&mdash; Rachit Seth (@rachitseth) <a href="https://twitter.com/rachitseth/status/922504102336008192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="tl">Ghoom Saariduniya Tax</p>
&mdash; Razi (@raz0212) <a href="https://twitter.com/raz0212/status/922500425265401856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>GST and demonetisation are being blamed for the current state of the Indian economy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And with Gujarat and Himachal going to the polls soon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP have been trying to put some distance between them and the tax.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi has of late been saying GST was first the Congress&#39;s idea.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress of course has been trying to do the opposite -- lay the blame squarely at the BJP&#39;s door.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


After Rahul Gandhi posted his formulation on Twitter, the Twitterati quickly took his cue

Rahul Gandhi had on Monday at his rally in Gandhinagar, Gujarat dubbed the GST "Gabbar Singh Tax". On Tuesday he took his formulation to Twitter, and then added some. He first wrote Congress GST = Good and Simple Tax. Then, Modiji GST = Gabbar Singh Tax. And then added his coup de grace: Gabbar Singh Tax = Yeh Kamai Mujhe de de. Congress GST= Genuine Simple Tax Modi ji's GST= Gabbar Singh Tax =''?? ???? ???? ?? ??" — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) October 24, 2017 × The Twitterati quickly took up the cue: What’s your full form of GST? — History of India (@RealHistoryPic) October 23, 2017 × And the answers poured in, including from former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah: Greatly Screwed-up Tax — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 23, 2017 × And Shashi Tharoor: GST being translated increasingly as Gayi Sarkar Tumhari! great idea ruined by wretched implementation pic.twitter.com/ExBhNY351T — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 24, 2017 × Go Sell Tea — Uday Menon (@Uday47) October 23, 2017 × Gayi Sarkar Tumhari — Rachit Seth (@rachitseth) October 23, 2017 × Ghoom Saariduniya Tax — Razi (@raz0212) October 23, 2017 × GST and demonetisation are being blamed for the current state of the Indian economy. And with Gujarat and Himachal going to the polls soon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP have been trying to put some distance between them and the tax. Modi has of late been saying GST was first the Congress's idea. The Congress of course has been trying to do the opposite -- lay the blame squarely at the BJP's door.

'Yeh kamai mujhe de de,' says Rahul after calling GST 'Gabbar Singh Tax'

<p>The Election Commission said today that it will hold the Gujarat assembly elections before the results for the Himachal Pradesh assembly polls were out.</p>

<p>Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Joti told ANI that the poll body would plan the election schedule in Gujarat in such a way that the &quot;the outcome of the result should not affect the voting in Gujarat.&quot;</p>

<p>The chief election commissioner was quoted as saying by a media outlet that elections in Gujarat would likely be called in the next two days since major relief work after the July floods had been completed.</p>

<p>He also told ANI&nbsp;that multiple factors, including the weather, were considered before deciding to hold the elections in Himachal Pradesh earlier than Gujarat.</p>

<p>In an exclusive interview to ANI, Joti said political parties and the state administration in Himachal Pradesh had requested the election commission to organise the polls before mid-November as there was probability of snowfall in three districts of the hill state.</p>

<p>&quot;Another main reason is that Himachal and Gujarat are not adjoining states. If multiple states go for polls, they are adjoining states. The EC has always made sure that the voting pattern of one state does not affect the voting pattern of another state, and that is why the counting period in Himachal Pradesh has been kept on 18th December 2017. We had stated that we would plan the election schedule in Gujarat in such a way that polling in Gujarat is over prior to Himachal Pradesh Assembly election result, so that the outcome of the result should not affect the voting in Gujarat,&quot; the chief election commissioner said.</p>

<p>He also said that it was necessary for the floods-affected state to undergo restoration before elections could be organised in view of the loss of lives and damage to the infrastructure.</p>

<p>The chief election commissioner said that the government staff which would carry out the restoration work was the one who would carry out election-related work. And that once the announcement for the polls was made, the government employees will have to leave the restoration work and perform election-related duties.</p>

<p>&quot;And at a time when restoration work is done, it involves a lot of government force. A total of 26443 employees of the state government will be given election duties. So the staff, which manages the restoration work will only be assigned the election duties as we don&#39;t supply staff,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>In July, parts of Gujarat were ravaged by incessant rains and floods that claimed more than 200 lives.</p>

<p>The poll body had announced the election dates for Himachal Pradesh earlier this month. For Gujarat, it had said that election would be over by December 18.</p>

<p>The Opposition had cried foul, stating that since 1998 elections in the two states had been held simultaneously with the exception of 2002 when the communal riots took place.</p>

<p>Congress leader P Chidambaram had alleged that the dates would be announced once the ruling BJP government in Gujarat had &quot;announced all concessions and freebies&quot;</p>

<p>The senior Congress leader wrote in a Twitter post, that the poll body &quot;has authorised PM to announce date of Gujarat elections at his last rally.&quot;</p>

<p>PM Modi has visited Gujarat thrice in the last one month. He has inaugurated a slew of infrastructure projects&nbsp; -- and a bullet train -- in the course of these visits.</p>

<p>The prime minister inaugurated a number of projects in Bhavnagar and Vadodra&nbsp;yesterday, the highlight being a ferry service from Ghogha in Bhavnagar district to Dahej in Bharuch.</p>


Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Joti said the Gujarat election schedule was being in a manner that the outcome of the result did not affect the voting in Gujarat

The Election Commission said today that it will hold the Gujarat assembly elections before the results for the Himachal Pradesh assembly polls were out. Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Joti told ANI that the poll body would plan the election schedule in Gujarat in such a way that the "the outcome of the result should not affect the voting in Gujarat." The chief election commissioner was quoted as saying by a media outlet that elections in Gujarat would likely be called in the next two days since major relief work after the July floods had been completed. He also told ANI that multiple factors, including the weather, were considered before deciding to hold the elections in Himachal Pradesh earlier than Gujarat. In an exclusive interview to ANI, Joti said political parties and the state administration in Himachal Pradesh had requested the election commission to organise the polls before mid-November as there was probability of snowfall in three districts of the hill state. "Another main reason is that Himachal and Gujarat are not adjoining states. If multiple states go for polls, they are adjoining states. The EC has always made sure that the voting pattern of one state does not affect the voting pattern of another state, and that is why the counting period in Himachal Pradesh has been kept on 18th December 2017. We had stated that we would plan the election schedule in Gujarat in such a way that polling in Gujarat is over prior to Himachal Pradesh Assembly election result, so that the outcome of the result should not affect the voting in Gujarat," the chief election commissioner said. He also said that it was necessary for the floods-affected state to undergo restoration before elections could be organised in view of the loss of lives and damage to the infrastructure. The chief election commissioner said that the government staff which would carry out the restoration work was the one who would carry out election-related work. And that once the announcement for the polls was made, the government employees will have to leave the restoration work and perform election-related duties. "And at a time when restoration work is done, it involves a lot of government force. A total of 26443 employees of the state government will be given election duties. So the staff, which manages the restoration work will only be assigned the election duties as we don't supply staff," he said. In July, parts of Gujarat were ravaged by incessant rains and floods that claimed more than 200 lives. The poll body had announced the election dates for Himachal Pradesh earlier this month. For Gujarat, it had said that election would be over by December 18. The Opposition had cried foul, stating that since 1998 elections in the two states had been held simultaneously with the exception of 2002 when the communal riots took place. Congress leader P Chidambaram had alleged that the dates would be announced once the ruling BJP government in Gujarat had "announced all concessions and freebies" The senior Congress leader wrote in a Twitter post, that the poll body "has authorised PM to announce date of Gujarat elections at his last rally." PM Modi has visited Gujarat thrice in the last one month. He has inaugurated a slew of infrastructure projects -- and a bullet train -- in the course of these visits. The prime minister inaugurated a number of projects in Bhavnagar and Vadodra yesterday, the highlight being a ferry service from Ghogha in Bhavnagar district to Dahej in Bharuch.

Gujarat polls before Himachal results are out: Election Commission

<p>The Congress on Sunday invited Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani to meet party vice-president Rahul Gandhi during his visit to the state on Monday ahead of the assembly polls.</p>

<p>Gandhi will take part in &#39;Navsarjan Gujarat Janadesh&rsquo; rally organised by the party in Gandhinagar where OBC leader Alpesh Thakor will join the Congress.</p>

<p>Congress&#39;s invite to Hardik Patel and Mevani comes a day after its state unit president Bharatsinh Solanki extended open invitation to Patel, Mevani and Thakor to join the party to ensure the ruling BJP&#39;s defeat.</p>

<p>&quot;Rahul Gandhi will be coming to Ahmedabad tomorrow. We have invited Hardik Patel and other leaders of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti. They had given a memorandum to us and we are positive about their demands,&quot; Solanki said on Sunday.</p>

<p>&quot;Rahul-ji will hold a meeting with them before the rally and discuss all the issues and will invite them to support the Congress,&quot; Solanki said.</p>

<p>&quot;We have separately invited Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani and others after the rally; Rahul-ji will meet them and discuss their issues,&quot; Solanki said.</p>

<p>Thakor, the leader of OBC Ekta Manch, will join the Congress with his associates at the rally, Solanki said.</p>

<p>Gandhi is also likely to meet Chotu Vasava, the leader of Janata Dal (U) in Gujarat, during his one-day visit.</p>

<p>Thakor met Gandhi in Delhi yesterday and later announced that he would soon join the party.</p>

<p>The Congress, which is out of power in Gujarat for 22 years, is wooing leaders such as Hardik Patel, Mevani and Thakor who have significant support base in their respective communities.</p>


The Congress on Sunday invited Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani to meet party vice-president Rahul Gandhi during his visit to the state on Monday ahead of the assembly polls.

The Congress on Sunday invited Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani to meet party vice-president Rahul Gandhi during his visit to the state on Monday ahead of the assembly polls. Gandhi will take part in 'Navsarjan Gujarat Janadesh’ rally organised by the party in Gandhinagar where OBC leader Alpesh Thakor will join the Congress. Congress's invite to Hardik Patel and Mevani comes a day after its state unit president Bharatsinh Solanki extended open invitation to Patel, Mevani and Thakor to join the party to ensure the ruling BJP's defeat. "Rahul Gandhi will be coming to Ahmedabad tomorrow. We have invited Hardik Patel and other leaders of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti. They had given a memorandum to us and we are positive about their demands," Solanki said on Sunday. "Rahul-ji will hold a meeting with them before the rally and discuss all the issues and will invite them to support the Congress," Solanki said. "We have separately invited Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani and others after the rally; Rahul-ji will meet them and discuss their issues," Solanki said. Thakor, the leader of OBC Ekta Manch, will join the Congress with his associates at the rally, Solanki said. Gandhi is also likely to meet Chotu Vasava, the leader of Janata Dal (U) in Gujarat, during his one-day visit. Thakor met Gandhi in Delhi yesterday and later announced that he would soon join the party. The Congress, which is out of power in Gujarat for 22 years, is wooing leaders such as Hardik Patel, Mevani and Thakor who have significant support base in their respective communities.

OBC leader Alpesh Thakor to join Congress at Rahul Gandhi rally; Hardik Patel invited too

<p>Two days after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hardik-patels-close-aides-join-bjp-22716" target="_blank">Reshma Patel and Varun Patel, close aides of Hardik Patel from the Patidar community joined Bhartiya Janata Party</a>, Patidar leader Narendra Patel has accused BJP of bribing him to join their party.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Narendra Patel said he was offered Rs 1 crore to join the BJP in Gujarat. He added&nbsp;that he has already received Rs 10 lakh in advance.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I was offered Rs 1 crore to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. I have already been given Rs 10 lakh advance: Narendra Patel, Patidar leader <a href="https://t.co/NZUN1NibQp">pic.twitter.com/NZUN1NibQp</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922280488735141888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Patel further said that he does not want the money. He joined the protest for the Patidar community and not for any&nbsp;political ambitions.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Yeh paisa mujhe nahi chahiye,main sirf Patidar samaj ke liye andolan mein aya hun, mein rajkiye apeksha ke liye nahi aya hun: Narendra Patel <a href="https://t.co/vRds1AqJak">pic.twitter.com/vRds1AqJak</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922282157229215745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;He said that he will return the sum of Rs 10 lakh as it is not earned from hard work, it is the result of corruption.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Jo Rs 10 lakh koi mehnat ka paisa nahi hai, bhrashtachar ka paisa hai, main Mehsana ka shaheed hun mein, paisa wapas karunga:Narendra Patel <a href="https://t.co/4HtoWb0pq8">pic.twitter.com/4HtoWb0pq8</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922282744255619074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He clarified that Varun Patel took him to a meeting where it was discussed that he will be given Rs 1 crore. He received the amount of Rs 10 lakhs from Varun Patel.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Varun&nbsp;and Reshma Patel&nbsp;joined BHP ahead of the assembly elections in the state. The leaders justified their alliance with the party by saying that BJP has assented to their demands and will assist them in their fight for the Patidars.</p>

<p>Responding to the allegations put by Narendra, Varun said the Patidar community is again coming together with the BJP for their benefits, he also joined the party for the same. Varun blamed the Congress party for creating controversies.</p>

<p>He also added that Narendra should have conducted the press conference after taking Rs 1 crore, why did he call the press conference after taking 10 lakhs?</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">10 lakh leke press ki, unhe to 1 crore leke press karni chahiye thi. Kyun 10 lakh leke ki?:Varun Patel, BJP on Narendra Patel&#39;s allegations <a href="https://t.co/lW2noVVk2E">pic.twitter.com/lW2noVVk2E</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922295778906849280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Patidar samaaj phir se BJP ki aur jud raha hai, hitt ke liye main bhi juda. Congress party ye saare khel kar rhi hai: Varun Patel,BJP <a href="https://t.co/GTSMIq7PX2">pic.twitter.com/GTSMIq7PX2</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922295956627890176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Karenge jo karna hai, jo action lena hai lenge: Varun Patel,BJP on Narendra Patel&#39;s allegation of being offered Rs. 1 crore to join BJP</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922296625698971648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Recently, Gujarat OBC leader Alpesh Thakur also joined Congress.</p>

<p>He assured that Hardik Patel&nbsp;will be working with the Congress to defeat BJP.</p>


He clarified that Varun Patel took him to a meeting where it was discussed that he will be given Rs 1 crore. He received the amount of Rs 10 lakhs from Varun Patel.

Two days after Reshma Patel and Varun Patel, close aides of Hardik Patel from the Patidar community joined Bhartiya Janata Party, Patidar leader Narendra Patel has accused BJP of bribing him to join their party. Narendra Patel said he was offered Rs 1 crore to join the BJP in Gujarat. He added that he has already received Rs 10 lakh in advance. I was offered Rs 1 crore to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. I have already been given Rs 10 lakh advance: Narendra Patel, Patidar leader pic.twitter.com/NZUN1NibQp — ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2017 × Patel further said that he does not want the money. He joined the protest for the Patidar community and not for any political ambitions. Yeh paisa mujhe nahi chahiye,main sirf Patidar samaj ke liye andolan mein aya hun, mein rajkiye apeksha ke liye nahi aya hun: Narendra Patel pic.twitter.com/vRds1AqJak — ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2017 × He said that he will return the sum of Rs 10 lakh as it is not earned from hard work, it is the result of corruption. Jo Rs 10 lakh koi mehnat ka paisa nahi hai, bhrashtachar ka paisa hai, main Mehsana ka shaheed hun mein, paisa wapas karunga:Narendra Patel pic.twitter.com/4HtoWb0pq8 — ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2017 × He clarified that Varun Patel took him to a meeting where it was discussed that he will be given Rs 1 crore. He received the amount of Rs 10 lakhs from Varun Patel. Varun and Reshma Patel joined BHP ahead of the assembly elections in the state. The leaders justified their alliance with the party by saying that BJP has assented to their demands and will assist them in their fight for the Patidars. Responding to the allegations put by Narendra, Varun said the Patidar community is again coming together with the BJP for their benefits, he also joined the party for the same. Varun blamed the Congress party for creating controversies. He also added that Narendra should have conducted the press conference after taking Rs 1 crore, why did he call the press conference after taking 10 lakhs? 10 lakh leke press ki, unhe to 1 crore leke press karni chahiye thi. Kyun 10 lakh leke ki?:Varun Patel, BJP on Narendra Patel's allegations pic.twitter.com/lW2noVVk2E — ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2017 × Patidar samaaj phir se BJP ki aur jud raha hai, hitt ke liye main bhi juda. Congress party ye saare khel kar rhi hai: Varun Patel,BJP pic.twitter.com/GTSMIq7PX2 — ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2017 × Karenge jo karna hai, jo action lena hai lenge: Varun Patel,BJP on Narendra Patel's allegation of being offered Rs. 1 crore to join BJP — ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2017 × Recently, Gujarat OBC leader Alpesh Thakur also joined Congress. He assured that Hardik Patel will be working with the Congress to defeat BJP.

Patidar leader claims BJP offered him Rs 1 crore to join their party

<p>Congress leader P Chidambaram today criticised the Election Commission saying that by not announcing the Gujarat poll schedule, it has &quot;authorised&quot; Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the dates at his last rally, after all &quot;freebies&quot; for the state were doled out.</p>

<p>The former finance and home minister also claimed the Election Commission will be &quot;recalled&quot; from its &quot;extended holiday&quot; after the Gujarat government has announced all &quot;concessions and freebies&quot;.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">EC will be recalled from its extended holiday after Gujarat Govt has announced all concessions and freebies.</p>
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/921194798572175360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">EC has authorised PM to announce date of Gujarat elections at his last rally (and kindly keep EC informed).</p>
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/921194860035555328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The poll body had on October 12 announced that polling for the assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh will take place on November 9, but held back the announcement of&nbsp;the Gujarat election schedule.</p>

<p>The Election Commission had simply said the polling in the western state would be held before December 18.</p>

<p>The Congress had alleged that the government put &quot;pressure&quot; on the poll panel to &quot;delay&quot; the announcement of Gujarat assembly poll schedule to enable the prime minister to act as a &quot;false santa claus&quot; and offer sops, use &quot;jumlas&quot; (rhetoric) during his October 16 visit to his home state.</p>

<p>The model code of conduct would have come into immediate effect in Gujarat had the poll schedule been announced along with Himachal Pradesh, the party had said.</p>

<p>Hitting back at the Congress for targeting the EC, BJP leader and Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said allegations levelled against the constitutional body were without any basis.</p>

<p>&quot;It is absolutely absurd. It&#39;s like questioning the prudence of the EC. The Congress is perhaps speaking out of its own experience where interference in the functioning of constitutional bodies used to be a thing in their rule. Such is not the case since 2014,&quot; he had said.&#39;</p>

<p>&quot;Let me also add, this tells that they are jittery about BJP?s prospects in the state,&quot; Prasad had said.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The senior Congress leader claimed the election schedule would be announced at PM Modi's last rally after all 'freebies' for the state were doled out

Congress leader P Chidambaram today criticised the Election Commission saying that by not announcing the Gujarat poll schedule, it has "authorised" Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the dates at his last rally, after all "freebies" for the state were doled out. The former finance and home minister also claimed the Election Commission will be "recalled" from its "extended holiday" after the Gujarat government has announced all "concessions and freebies". EC will be recalled from its extended holiday after Gujarat Govt has announced all concessions and freebies. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 20, 2017 × EC has authorised PM to announce date of Gujarat elections at his last rally (and kindly keep EC informed). — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 20, 2017 × The poll body had on October 12 announced that polling for the assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh will take place on November 9, but held back the announcement of the Gujarat election schedule. The Election Commission had simply said the polling in the western state would be held before December 18. The Congress had alleged that the government put "pressure" on the poll panel to "delay" the announcement of Gujarat assembly poll schedule to enable the prime minister to act as a "false santa claus" and offer sops, use "jumlas" (rhetoric) during his October 16 visit to his home state. The model code of conduct would have come into immediate effect in Gujarat had the poll schedule been announced along with Himachal Pradesh, the party had said. Hitting back at the Congress for targeting the EC, BJP leader and Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said allegations levelled against the constitutional body were without any basis. "It is absolutely absurd. It's like questioning the prudence of the EC. The Congress is perhaps speaking out of its own experience where interference in the functioning of constitutional bodies used to be a thing in their rule. Such is not the case since 2014," he had said.' "Let me also add, this tells that they are jittery about BJP?s prospects in the state," Prasad had said.

Chidambaram slams Election Commission for not announcing Gujarat poll schedule

<p>Finance minister Arun Jaitley took questions from ANI on GST, demonetisation, and Jay Shah.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The government has of late been pilloried for its handling of the economy, the state of which critics says has been worsened by the twin &quot;shocks&quot; of demonetisation and GST.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Most of the blame for the state of the economy has fallen on Jaitley.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>Watch video below:&nbsp; </em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: FM Arun Jaitley replies to question on issues like GST, Jay Shah and Demonetisation being raised in Gujarat polls. <a href="https://t.co/by6dMLCSo4">pic.twitter.com/by6dMLCSo4</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/919414072650506246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Jaitley said demonetisation was necessary to get rid of black money.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On GST, he said the idea of the goods and services tax had been introduced by the Congress.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that the upcoming Gujarat polls would lay to rest all questions, and that they would be the surest barometer of whether people supported the Narendra Modi-led government&#39;s policies or not.&nbsp;</p>


Jaitley was asked how those issues might affect the Gujarat elections

Finance minister Arun Jaitley took questions from ANI on GST, demonetisation, and Jay Shah. The government has of late been pilloried for its handling of the economy, the state of which critics says has been worsened by the twin "shocks" of demonetisation and GST. Most of the blame for the state of the economy has fallen on Jaitley. Watch video below: #WATCH: FM Arun Jaitley replies to question on issues like GST, Jay Shah and Demonetisation being raised in Gujarat polls. pic.twitter.com/by6dMLCSo4 — ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2017 × Jaitley said demonetisation was necessary to get rid of black money. On GST, he said the idea of the goods and services tax had been introduced by the Congress. He added that the upcoming Gujarat polls would lay to rest all questions, and that they would be the surest barometer of whether people supported the Narendra Modi-led government's policies or not.

WATCH: Arun Jaitley asked about GST, demonetisation, Jay Shah

<p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;cornered Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, saying when he takes the onus of campaigning for his candidates, his party loses.</p>

<p>&quot;If Rahul Gandhi is campaigning, it seals a loss for the Congress,&quot; Adityanath said, while addressing a rally in Gujarat`s Valsad.</p>

<p>Adityanath`s comment has come in the wake of preparations for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, for which senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have been holding rallies in the state.</p>

<p>Adityanath further said, &quot;Amit Shah visits Gujarat, and Rahul Gandhi runs to Italy. Doesn`t he feel the need to remember or visit Gujarat then?&quot;</p>

<p>The chief minister then targetted Rahul`s recent Amethi visit and said the Congress failed to bring any development in the state.</p>

<p>&quot;Even after ruling there for 14 years, Rahul Gandhi did not facilitate the building of a collectorate in Amethi,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>In the run-up to the assembly elections in Gujarat later this year, or early next year and the general elections in 2019, the war of words between the two parties has been on a rise.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi, who alleged that he was recently denied entry into his own constituency, Amethi, chose Gujarat for a four-phase tour to cover all regions of the state prior to the assembly elections.</p>

<p>The Congress MLAs in Gujarat had alleged the state BJP of horse-trading ahead of the assembly elections, which the saffron party outrightly denied.</p>

<p>When Rahul commented on the development in Gujarat, saying that `Vikas` (development in Hindi) had gone berserk due to listening to constant lies, likening development to a person, Union Minister Smriti Irani, in one of her addresses in Amethi, said `Vikas` was not something that should be ridiculed; rather, it should be accepted and appreciated.</p>

<p>Rahul also said that the Gujarat Government had majorly failed to provide basic facilities of education and sanitation to the people of the state. He also lashed out at the Modi government for making &quot;profit - the focus of educational institutions.&quot;</p>


Adityanath`s comment has come in the wake of preparations for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, for which senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have been holding rallies in the state

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday cornered Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, saying when he takes the onus of campaigning for his candidates, his party loses. "If Rahul Gandhi is campaigning, it seals a loss for the Congress," Adityanath said, while addressing a rally in Gujarat`s Valsad. Adityanath`s comment has come in the wake of preparations for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, for which senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have been holding rallies in the state. Adityanath further said, "Amit Shah visits Gujarat, and Rahul Gandhi runs to Italy. Doesn`t he feel the need to remember or visit Gujarat then?" The chief minister then targetted Rahul`s recent Amethi visit and said the Congress failed to bring any development in the state. "Even after ruling there for 14 years, Rahul Gandhi did not facilitate the building of a collectorate in Amethi," he said. In the run-up to the assembly elections in Gujarat later this year, or early next year and the general elections in 2019, the war of words between the two parties has been on a rise. Rahul Gandhi, who alleged that he was recently denied entry into his own constituency, Amethi, chose Gujarat for a four-phase tour to cover all regions of the state prior to the assembly elections. The Congress MLAs in Gujarat had alleged the state BJP of horse-trading ahead of the assembly elections, which the saffron party outrightly denied. When Rahul commented on the development in Gujarat, saying that `Vikas` (development in Hindi) had gone berserk due to listening to constant lies, likening development to a person, Union Minister Smriti Irani, in one of her addresses in Amethi, said `Vikas` was not something that should be ridiculed; rather, it should be accepted and appreciated. Rahul also said that the Gujarat Government had majorly failed to provide basic facilities of education and sanitation to the people of the state. He also lashed out at the Modi government for making "profit - the focus of educational institutions."

When Rahul Gandhi campaigns, Congress loses: Adityanath

<p>The Election commission today announced the dates for assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh.</p>

<p>Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A K Joti said that there will be a single-phase election in Himachal Pradesh. The state will go to polls on November 9 and the counting will be held on December 18.</p>

<p>&quot;Model code of conduct for Himachal Pradesh assembly election comes into effect from now itself,&quot; the CEC said. &quot;Bulk SMSes &amp; voice messages on phone shall also be in purview of election advertisements,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>We will have VVPATs along with EVMs; height of voting compartments will be increased to 30 inches, CEC Joti said.</p>

<p>&quot;The election is mainly against the BJP and we know their strengths and&nbsp;weaknesses,&quot; Himachal chief minister&nbsp;Virbhadra Singh said.</p>

<p>&quot;They are relying on Modi. We are self-reliant and&nbsp;focused on development,&quot;&nbsp;the chief minister added.</p>

<p>The commission is soon expected to announce the dates for assembly elections in Gujarat. The CEC today said that Gujarat elections will be held before December 18.</p>

<p>Joti had said on Wednesday that voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) system will be used in over 50,000 booths in Gujarat. VVPAT was first used in Goa polls earlier this year.</p>

<p>The tenure of 182-member Gujarat assembly is due to end on January 22, 2018.</p>

<p>The term of the 68-member Himachal Assembly ends on January 7, 2018.&nbsp;</p>


Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A K Joti said that there will be a single-phase election in Himachal Pradesh.

The Election commission today announced the dates for assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A K Joti said that there will be a single-phase election in Himachal Pradesh. The state will go to polls on November 9 and the counting will be held on December 18. "Model code of conduct for Himachal Pradesh assembly election comes into effect from now itself," the CEC said. "Bulk SMSes & voice messages on phone shall also be in purview of election advertisements," he added. We will have VVPATs along with EVMs; height of voting compartments will be increased to 30 inches, CEC Joti said. "The election is mainly against the BJP and we know their strengths and weaknesses," Himachal chief minister Virbhadra Singh said. "They are relying on Modi. We are self-reliant and focused on development," the chief minister added. The commission is soon expected to announce the dates for assembly elections in Gujarat. The CEC today said that Gujarat elections will be held before December 18. Joti had said on Wednesday that voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) system will be used in over 50,000 booths in Gujarat. VVPAT was first used in Goa polls earlier this year. The tenure of 182-member Gujarat assembly is due to end on January 22, 2018. The term of the 68-member Himachal Assembly ends on January 7, 2018.

Himachal Pradesh assembly election on November 9, counting on December 18

<p>The Congress on Wednesday expelled eight legislators for violating the party&#39;s whip and voting for BJP candidates in the elections to the Rajya Sabha. The party said it would expel six more MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly) in the days to come.</p>

<p>The legislators, which include former Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela, have been expelled from the party for six years, Congress&#39;s Gujarat in-charge Ashok Gehlot said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Vaghela had earlier resigned from the party but not from the House.</p>

<p>Eight Congress MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly) have already been expelled from the party. Six more Gujarat Congress MLAs to be expelled from the party for violating&nbsp;the whip in the Rajya Sabha polls,&quot; Ashok Gehlot told ANI.</p>

<p>The expulsion comes a day after the high stake Rajya Sabha election in which the BJP win two of the three seats to the Parliament&#39;s Upper House. BJP leaders Amit Shah and Smriti Irani won two seats while senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel won the remaining seat by a thin margin of 44 to 38 votes.</p>

<p>The election, which was frought with allegations of cross-voting, saw the nullification of the votes of two Congress legislators by the Election Commission after they showed their vote to a BJP agent in a clear violation of norms.</p>

<p>In the 182-member Assembly, 176 MLAs were eligible to vote after the resignation of six Congress MLAs - including Vaghela - ahead of the polls. The Election Commission<br />
order reduced the strength to 174.</p>

<p>The Congress had 51 seats in the 176-member assembly. Only 43 MLAs of the party voted for Ahmed Patel who needed 44 votes to win.</p>


The legislators, which include former Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela, have been expelled from the party for six years

The Congress on Wednesday expelled eight legislators for violating the party's whip and voting for BJP candidates in the elections to the Rajya Sabha. The party said it would expel six more MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly) in the days to come. The legislators, which include former Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela, have been expelled from the party for six years, Congress's Gujarat in-charge Ashok Gehlot said. Vaghela had earlier resigned from the party but not from the House. Eight Congress MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly) have already been expelled from the party. Six more Gujarat Congress MLAs to be expelled from the party for violating the whip in the Rajya Sabha polls," Ashok Gehlot told ANI. The expulsion comes a day after the high stake Rajya Sabha election in which the BJP win two of the three seats to the Parliament's Upper House. BJP leaders Amit Shah and Smriti Irani won two seats while senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel won the remaining seat by a thin margin of 44 to 38 votes. The election, which was frought with allegations of cross-voting, saw the nullification of the votes of two Congress legislators by the Election Commission after they showed their vote to a BJP agent in a clear violation of norms. In the 182-member Assembly, 176 MLAs were eligible to vote after the resignation of six Congress MLAs - including Vaghela - ahead of the polls. The Election Commission order reduced the strength to 174. The Congress had 51 seats in the 176-member assembly. Only 43 MLAs of the party voted for Ahmed Patel who needed 44 votes to win.

Congress expels 8 Gujarat legislators for cross-voting in Rajya Sabha polls

<p>Congress President Sonia Gandhi&rsquo;s political secretary Ahmed Patel, in an exclusive conversation with WION, said that BJP is using money power and central investigative agencies to win one Rajya Sabha election.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is arrogance of power. BJP cannot digest power and for this reason, it is using everything under the sun to defeat me,&rdquo; he said.</p>

<p>He also said that his election should not be linked to Sonia Gandhi as he is not contesting the elections as Sonia Gandhi&rsquo;s secretary but as a Congress candidate.</p>

<p>Ahmed Patel told WION that his election has been made a matter of prestige but will only end up boosting the morale of the Congress.</p>

<p>&ldquo;BJP thinks that by creating pressure like this they will win Gujarat. Instead of demoralizing us, it has united the leaders in the state,&rdquo; said Ahmed Patel.</p>

<p>When WION asked that the current political instability could have been avoided by ensuring that Shanker Sinh Vaghela didn&rsquo;t leave the Party, he said, &rdquo;We offered him everything except PCC seat. In fact, a day before filing the nomination, I offered him my seat. He even declined that.&rdquo;</p>

<p>When WION asked why has your election become a matter of honour for the BJP top brass, he said that this can only be answered by BJP president Amit Shah but said that he will not allow BJP to demoralize Congress before the assembly elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh are slated for polls in December of 2017. Congress is in power in Himachal Pradesh but Gujarat which once looked ripe for taking by the Congress has completely been overturned by the aggression BJP has shown during Rajya Sabha polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>From past 2 years, Hardik Patel has emerged as a new actor in the state because of Patidar agitation and mishandling of it led to removal of then chief minister Anandiben Patel.</p>

<p>Congress has cried foul after Income Tax department conducted raids on the premises of the Congress Karnataka minister Shivkumar on whose property Gujarat MLAs have been staying after they were rushed out of the home state fearing they might get poached.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ahmed Patel is a four&nbsp;time Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat and he was nominated record 5th time to contest the elections by Congress which generally doesn&rsquo;t give more than 4 terms of Rajya Sabha to any member.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


He also said that his election should not be linked to Sonia Gandhi as he is not contesting the elections as Sonia Gandhi?s secretary but as a Congress candidate

Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel, in an exclusive conversation with WION, said that BJP is using money power and central investigative agencies to win one Rajya Sabha election. “It is arrogance of power. BJP cannot digest power and for this reason, it is using everything under the sun to defeat me,” he said. He also said that his election should not be linked to Sonia Gandhi as he is not contesting the elections as Sonia Gandhi’s secretary but as a Congress candidate. Ahmed Patel told WION that his election has been made a matter of prestige but will only end up boosting the morale of the Congress. “BJP thinks that by creating pressure like this they will win Gujarat. Instead of demoralizing us, it has united the leaders in the state,” said Ahmed Patel. When WION asked that the current political instability could have been avoided by ensuring that Shanker Sinh Vaghela didn’t leave the Party, he said, ”We offered him everything except PCC seat. In fact, a day before filing the nomination, I offered him my seat. He even declined that.” When WION asked why has your election become a matter of honour for the BJP top brass, he said that this can only be answered by BJP president Amit Shah but said that he will not allow BJP to demoralize Congress before the assembly elections. Both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh are slated for polls in December of 2017. Congress is in power in Himachal Pradesh but Gujarat which once looked ripe for taking by the Congress has completely been overturned by the aggression BJP has shown during Rajya Sabha polls. From past 2 years, Hardik Patel has emerged as a new actor in the state because of Patidar agitation and mishandling of it led to removal of then chief minister Anandiben Patel. Congress has cried foul after Income Tax department conducted raids on the premises of the Congress Karnataka minister Shivkumar on whose property Gujarat MLAs have been staying after they were rushed out of the home state fearing they might get poached. Ahmed Patel is a four time Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat and he was nominated record 5th time to contest the elections by Congress which generally doesn’t give more than 4 terms of Rajya Sabha to any member.

BJP using central agencies to win one Rajya Sabha seat: Ahmed Patel to WION

<p>Congress Party on Wednesday moved Supreme Court against &#39;None of the Above&#39; (NOTA) option in Rajya Sabha elections. The court is likely to hear the matter on Thursday.</p>

<p>The Congress has been protesting since the Election Commission has notified that NOTA option will be available for the first time in upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat.</p>

<p>Rajya Sabha elections do not take place by secret ballot as the voter has to show the marked ballot to the party&#39;s polling agent before putting it in the ballot box.</p>

<p>Despite its six Gujarat MLAs joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress is leaving no stone unturned to secure Rajya Sabha berth for its leader Ahmed Patel.</p>

<p>It has also decided to issue a whip to all Congress MLAs, including Shankersinh Vaghela, who resigned last month to ensure that Ahmed Patel is voted back into the Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p>The BJP has fielded party president Amit Shah, Union Minister Smriti Irani and Balwantsinh Rajput for the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled on August 8.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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The Congress has been protesting after the Election Commission notified that NOTA option will be available for the first time in upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat

Congress Party on Wednesday moved Supreme Court against 'None of the Above' (NOTA) option in Rajya Sabha elections. The court is likely to hear the matter on Thursday. The Congress has been protesting since the Election Commission has notified that NOTA option will be available for the first time in upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat. Rajya Sabha elections do not take place by secret ballot as the voter has to show the marked ballot to the party's polling agent before putting it in the ballot box. Despite its six Gujarat MLAs joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress is leaving no stone unturned to secure Rajya Sabha berth for its leader Ahmed Patel. It has also decided to issue a whip to all Congress MLAs, including Shankersinh Vaghela, who resigned last month to ensure that Ahmed Patel is voted back into the Rajya Sabha. The BJP has fielded party president Amit Shah, Union Minister Smriti Irani and Balwantsinh Rajput for the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled on August 8.

Rajya Sabha elections: Congress moves SC against NOTA option, hearing tomorrow

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday asked the Election Commission to remove the &quot;None of the Above&quot; option (NOTA) for voters, stating that there was a lack of consensus among parties and that the option was creating &quot;confusion&quot;.</p>

<p>NOTA will be available to voters for the first time during the assembly elections in Gujarat.</p>

<p>A board of members of the BJP tried to convince Election Commission officials to remove the voting option,&nbsp;a day after the Congress party made a similar demand.</p>

<p>The Congress also moved the Supreme Court today (August 2). The top court is likely to hear the matter tomorrow.</p>

<p>In a memorandum to the Election Commission, the BJP said, &quot;It is submitted that the use of NOTA in the upcoming poll has become an issue of debate among the political parties and therefore, a proper consensus should be made before the use of NOTA in election in Rajya Sabha.&quot;</p>

<p>Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs&nbsp;Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the introduction of the voting option on the ballot paper during the Rajya Sabha elections had created a lot of confusion.</p>

<p>&quot;Rajya Sabha elections are indirect elections where the&nbsp;original feeling is that NOTA will harm the Rajya Sabha elections, and so we have demanded that NOTA tatkal should be ended and so that fair elections can take place,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The legislators who will cast vote in the August 8 Rajya Sabha election in Gujarat, will have the option of NOTA.</p>

<p>The Congress has been protesting since the Election Commission has notified the NOTA option.</p>

<p>The party will also issue a whip to all MLAs, including Shankersinh Vaghela who resigned last month, to ensure that Ahmed Patel is voted back into the Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p>Despite the fact that six of its legislators from Gujarat have joined the BJP, the Congress is leaving no stone unturned to secure Rajya Sabha berth for its lone candidate Ahmed Patel.</p>

<p>The BJP has fielded party president Amit Shah, Union Minister Smriti Irani and Balwantsinh Rajput against Ahmed Patel.</p>

<p>Rajya Sabha elections do not take place by secret ballot. The voter has to show the marked ballot to the party&#39;s polling agent before putting it in the ballot box.</p>

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A board of members of the BJP tried to convince Election Commission officials to remove the voting option

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday asked the Election Commission to remove the "None of the Above" option (NOTA) for voters, stating that there was a lack of consensus among parties and that the option was creating "confusion". NOTA will be available to voters for the first time during the assembly elections in Gujarat. A board of members of the BJP tried to convince Election Commission officials to remove the voting option, a day after the Congress party made a similar demand. The Congress also moved the Supreme Court today (August 2). The top court is likely to hear the matter tomorrow. In a memorandum to the Election Commission, the BJP said, "It is submitted that the use of NOTA in the upcoming poll has become an issue of debate among the political parties and therefore, a proper consensus should be made before the use of NOTA in election in Rajya Sabha." Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the introduction of the voting option on the ballot paper during the Rajya Sabha elections had created a lot of confusion. "Rajya Sabha elections are indirect elections where the original feeling is that NOTA will harm the Rajya Sabha elections, and so we have demanded that NOTA tatkal should be ended and so that fair elections can take place," he said. The legislators who will cast vote in the August 8 Rajya Sabha election in Gujarat, will have the option of NOTA. The Congress has been protesting since the Election Commission has notified the NOTA option. The party will also issue a whip to all MLAs, including Shankersinh Vaghela who resigned last month, to ensure that Ahmed Patel is voted back into the Rajya Sabha. Despite the fact that six of its legislators from Gujarat have joined the BJP, the Congress is leaving no stone unturned to secure Rajya Sabha berth for its lone candidate Ahmed Patel. The BJP has fielded party president Amit Shah, Union Minister Smriti Irani and Balwantsinh Rajput against Ahmed Patel. Rajya Sabha elections do not take place by secret ballot. The voter has to show the marked ballot to the party's polling agent before putting it in the ballot box.

After Congress, BJP meets Election Commission to discuss removal of NOTA

<p>In a shot in the arm for BJP after Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s demonetisation move and ahead of Gujarat elections next year, the party swept local bodies elections by capturing 107 seats out of total 123 seats which went for polls in different parts of the state.</p>

<p>Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani hailed the victory as people&#39;s endorsement of Modi&#39;s two recent steps, surgical strikes across the LoC and demonetisation.</p>

<p>&quot;This is truly a grand success of BJP, as elections took place in different parts of state representing people from different communities. Thus, we can say that every section of society accepted BJP,&quot; said Rupani.</p>

<p>The party won in two municipalities and one taluka panchayat along with majority seats of various other local bodies on which voting was held on Sunday. The result was declared today.</p>

<p>BJP captured 107 out of total 123 seats which went for polls in different parts of the state.</p>

<p>Putting a dismal performance ahead of the Assembly polls due next year, the Congress manged to capture only 16 seats in this election.</p>

<p>As per the final result declared by the Gujarat State Election Commission, BJP has registered victory in Vapi municipality of Valsad district by capturing 41 out of total 44 seats. Only three seats went to Congress. Vapi municipality was earlier held by BJP.</p>

<p>Similarly, BJP made a near clean sweep in the polls to Kanakpur-Kansad municipality of Surat, where it captured 27 out of 28 seats, leaving only one to Congress. It was also held by BJP earlier.</p>

<p>In Rajkot, BJP snatched Gondal taluka panchayat, which went for the&nbsp;mid-term poll, from Congress by winning 18 out of total 22 seats. Congress settled for only four. Earlier, Congress was ruling Gondal taluka panchayat.</p>

<p>The results of the local bodies elections assume significance for the BJP in the run-up to the state polls next year, and that they were held just after the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes by the Centre.</p>

<p>Apart from these three elections, Gujarat SEC conducted by-elections on 29 seats of various municipalities, taluka panchayats and district panchayats across the state. The by-polls were necessitated as these seats fell vacant due to various reasons.</p>

<p>Out of total 16 seats of different municipalities, BJP bagged 14 while Congress has to settle for only two. Out of the total four seats of district panchayats, both the parties bagged two each. In the taluka panchayat by-polls, BJP won on five out of total nine while Congress captured four seats.&nbsp;</p>

<p>BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said that this is a vote for demonetisation decision of the BJP and negative approach of the Congress to oppose the anti-black money move.</p>

<p>Gujarat Congress conceded its defeat and vowed to work hard for the people. The opposition party also downplayed BJP&#39;s victory, claiming that people&#39;s mood can&#39;t be judged from such local body polls.</p>

<p>&quot;We accept our defeat. But, BJP must not forget that it was only by-poll on some seats. Results of these polls cannot be taken as the litmus test of people&#39;s mood. We will introspect on these results. We will continue to raise issues concerning people,&quot; Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(PTI)</p>


Chief minister Rupani hailed the victory as people's endorsement of PM Modi's two recent steps, surgical strikes and demonetisation

In a shot in the arm for BJP after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation move and ahead of Gujarat elections next year, the party swept local bodies elections by capturing 107 seats out of total 123 seats which went for polls in different parts of the state. Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani hailed the victory as people's endorsement of Modi's two recent steps, surgical strikes across the LoC and demonetisation. "This is truly a grand success of BJP, as elections took place in different parts of state representing people from different communities. Thus, we can say that every section of society accepted BJP," said Rupani. The party won in two municipalities and one taluka panchayat along with majority seats of various other local bodies on which voting was held on Sunday. The result was declared today. BJP captured 107 out of total 123 seats which went for polls in different parts of the state. Putting a dismal performance ahead of the Assembly polls due next year, the Congress manged to capture only 16 seats in this election. As per the final result declared by the Gujarat State Election Commission, BJP has registered victory in Vapi municipality of Valsad district by capturing 41 out of total 44 seats. Only three seats went to Congress. Vapi municipality was earlier held by BJP. Similarly, BJP made a near clean sweep in the polls to Kanakpur-Kansad municipality of Surat, where it captured 27 out of 28 seats, leaving only one to Congress. It was also held by BJP earlier. In Rajkot, BJP snatched Gondal taluka panchayat, which went for the mid-term poll, from Congress by winning 18 out of total 22 seats. Congress settled for only four. Earlier, Congress was ruling Gondal taluka panchayat. The results of the local bodies elections assume significance for the BJP in the run-up to the state polls next year, and that they were held just after the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes by the Centre. Apart from these three elections, Gujarat SEC conducted by-elections on 29 seats of various municipalities, taluka panchayats and district panchayats across the state. The by-polls were necessitated as these seats fell vacant due to various reasons. Out of total 16 seats of different municipalities, BJP bagged 14 while Congress has to settle for only two. Out of the total four seats of district panchayats, both the parties bagged two each. In the taluka panchayat by-polls, BJP won on five out of total nine while Congress captured four seats. BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said that this is a vote for demonetisation decision of the BJP and negative approach of the Congress to oppose the anti-black money move. Gujarat Congress conceded its defeat and vowed to work hard for the people. The opposition party also downplayed BJP's victory, claiming that people's mood can't be judged from such local body polls. "We accept our defeat. But, BJP must not forget that it was only by-poll on some seats. Results of these polls cannot be taken as the litmus test of people's mood. We will introspect on these results. We will continue to raise issues concerning people," Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said. (PTI)

Gujarat: BJP sweeps civic polls, wins 107 out of 123 seats

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