In an apparent reference to Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that one of the senior Congress leaders is not being allowed to campaign for the upcoming assembly elections in the state as the party fears that people will recall the failure of their tenure if Singh campaigns.

Earlier, Singh had said that "his party loses votes if he campaigns."

Addressing a rally in Indore on Sunday, the Prime Minister said, "One of the senior Congress leaders is not being allowed to campaign during these elections. The reason is that the Congress fears that if he campaigns, the party will lose as people will recall what the fate of Madhya Pradesh was during the time they were in power."

The Prime Minister also accused the Congress of playing divisive politics and said, "Congress neither has any policy, intention, nor a leader... its leader is confused. Let the naamdar (apparently Congress chief Rahul Gandhi) write down on a piece of paper how many zeroes are there in Rs. 23,000 crore. He will get confused."

He further asserted that these elections are not about who would win or who won`t win but about rejecting the "negative forces who have always focused on the 'divide and rule'&nbsp;approach."

Talking about the development work in Indore city, the Prime Minister announced that as part of the Smart City project, Rs. 23,000 crore will be spent on development of seven cities in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh including Indore over five years. He added, "In last two years, the foreign tourists` influx has increased."

Madhya Pradesh will go to polls on November 28 to elect 230 members of the legislative assembly. The results will be declared on December 11.

The single-phase election in the state is seen as a direct political battle between the BJP and the Congress. While Chouhan is eyeing to secure his fourth consecutive term as chief minister, the Congress is looking to regain power after 2003.

In an apparent reference to Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that one of the senior Congress leaders is not being allowed to campaign for the upcoming assembly elections in the state as the party fears that people will recall the failure of their tenure if Singh campaigns.

In an apparent reference to Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that one of the senior Congress leaders is not being allowed to campaign for the upcoming assembly elections in the state as the party fears that people will recall the failure of their tenure if Singh campaigns. Earlier, Singh had said that "his party loses votes if he campaigns." Addressing a rally in Indore on Sunday, the Prime Minister said, "One of the senior Congress leaders is not being allowed to campaign during these elections. The reason is that the Congress fears that if he campaigns, the party will lose as people will recall what the fate of Madhya Pradesh was during the time they were in power." The Prime Minister also accused the Congress of playing divisive politics and said, "Congress neither has any policy, intention, nor a leader... its leader is confused. Let the naamdar (apparently Congress chief Rahul Gandhi) write down on a piece of paper how many zeroes are there in Rs. 23,000 crore. He will get confused." He further asserted that these elections are not about who would win or who won`t win but about rejecting the "negative forces who have always focused on the 'divide and rule' approach." Talking about the development work in Indore city, the Prime Minister announced that as part of the Smart City project, Rs. 23,000 crore will be spent on development of seven cities in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh including Indore over five years. He added, "In last two years, the foreign tourists` influx has increased." Madhya Pradesh will go to polls on November 28 to elect 230 members of the legislative assembly. The results will be declared on December 11. The single-phase election in the state is seen as a direct political battle between the BJP and the Congress. While Chouhan is eyeing to secure his fourth consecutive term as chief minister, the Congress is looking to regain power after 2003.

Congress not allowing senior leader to campaign to hide failure: PM Modi

The Rajasthan Assembly election is turning out to be more than an electoral contest; at the highest level, it has become a personal fight. The Congress has shrewdly capitalised on its new entrant Manvendra Singh’s desire for revenge against the Bharatiya Janata Party for having sidelined him as well as his father since 2014.&nbsp;

After his recent arrival to the Congress, Manvendra Singh had expressed disinterest in contesting the Assembly poll, preferring to keep his ammunition dry for the 2019 Lok Sabha battle. But the party’s high command successfully played on his hurt and persuaded him to not just fight the immediate battle but also take on incumbent chief minister Vasundhara Raje in her backyard, Jhalrapatan. &nbsp;

Four years ago, Vasundhara Raje had worked hard to ensure the defeat of Manvendra Singh’s father and then veteran BJP leader Jaswant Singh, who had contested as an independent candidate after the BJP denied him a ticket. Interestingly, the ticket had gone to Col Sonaram, who had crossed over to the party from the Congress and was backed by Vasundhara Raje. And, although Manvendra Singh had continued thereafter as a BJP legislator, he was kept at an arm’s distance by Vasundhara Raje — whose clout ensured that he remained cut off from the party’s central leadership too.&nbsp;

The personal clash between Raje and Jaswant Singh’s family goes back even earlier. In 2007, Jaswant Singh’s wife had filed a case in court against the depiction of Vasundhara Raje as a goddess in one of the posters and alleged that the image had hurt her religious sentiments. In the same year, the Vasundhara Raje regime had been quick to order a probe into an unsubstantiated allegation that guests at a function hosted by Jaswant Singh had been served with opium-laced milk! &nbsp;

Whatever the outcome may be, it is a fact that for now Jhalrapatan is poised for an interesting battle. Manvendra Singh may have preferred a constituency in Barmer for his debut contest as a Congressman, but now he has acquired a pan-Rajasthan image. It cannot be that he is unaware of the pitfalls of a head-on collision with the formidable Chief Minister. If he loses, it will be seen as a grave personal setback; for the Congress, though, it will be just a constituency lost. On the other hand, a victory will strengthen his stature within the Congress. More importantly, though, he will have had his revenge. &nbsp;

But the recent developments are unlikely to bring much cheer to the Congress as far as the Rajput vote-bank in the state is concerned. The Congress has fielded just two candidates from the Marwar region, where the Rajput community has a considerable sway. According to media reports, Manvendra Singh felt that the Congress ought to have given tickets to more Rajputs in the region, though he was quick to state that he had not expressed “displeasure” with the party. In contrast, the BJP has given tickets to as many as 10 Rajput candidates from Marwar. The first list the Congress released had in all 12 Rajputs, a number which was less than even the seats that the Brahmins got. The second list of 40 odd candidates did not improve the position.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Personal rivalry is at play elsewhere too. Sitting Member of Parliament Harish Chandra Meena has joined the Congress, and one reason for his switchover is his opposition to Kirori Lal Meena, who is now in the BJP camp. The two heavyweight Meena leaders could not see eye to eye, with each working overtime to project themselves as the real leader of the community. For the Congress, it’s a welcome development since it could solidify the Meena community’s support for the Congress at a time when the former was feeling left out with the Congress making overtures to its traditional political rivals, the Gujjars and the Jats. &nbsp;

It is possible that Sachin Pilot, a Gujjar, could benefit from this Meena- Gujjar combine development (if it works out), given that he is being talked of as a chief ministerial candidate and would be contesting the Assembly poll. But there is a catch. Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, the other strong contender for chief ministership in case the Congress wins, too is fighting the election. More significantly, the first list of candidates released by the party is said to be loaded in his favour, since many of the names he recommended strongly have found favour with the party’s high command. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
For now, though, both Pilot and Gehlot have to tackle internal dissensions over ticket distribution. It may well be that, if the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP in the state manages to retain power, it would be more on account of disarray in the Congress camp and less due to the BJP’s popularity.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The Rajasthan Assembly election is turning out to be more than an electoral contest; at the highest level, it has become a personal fight. The Congress has shrewdly capitalised on its new entrant Manvendra Singh’s desire for revenge against the Bharatiya Janata Party for having sidelined him as well as his father since 2014.

The Rajasthan Assembly election is turning out to be more than an electoral contest; at the highest level, it has become a personal fight. The Congress has shrewdly capitalised on its new entrant Manvendra Singh’s desire for revenge against the Bharatiya Janata Party for having sidelined him as well as his father since 2014. After his recent arrival to the Congress, Manvendra Singh had expressed disinterest in contesting the Assembly poll, preferring to keep his ammunition dry for the 2019 Lok Sabha battle. But the party’s high command successfully played on his hurt and persuaded him to not just fight the immediate battle but also take on incumbent chief minister Vasundhara Raje in her backyard, Jhalrapatan. Four years ago, Vasundhara Raje had worked hard to ensure the defeat of Manvendra Singh’s father and then veteran BJP leader Jaswant Singh, who had contested as an independent candidate after the BJP denied him a ticket. Interestingly, the ticket had gone to Col Sonaram, who had crossed over to the party from the Congress and was backed by Vasundhara Raje. And, although Manvendra Singh had continued thereafter as a BJP legislator, he was kept at an arm’s distance by Vasundhara Raje — whose clout ensured that he remained cut off from the party’s central leadership too. The personal clash between Raje and Jaswant Singh’s family goes back even earlier. In 2007, Jaswant Singh’s wife had filed a case in court against the depiction of Vasundhara Raje as a goddess in one of the posters and alleged that the image had hurt her religious sentiments. In the same year, the Vasundhara Raje regime had been quick to order a probe into an unsubstantiated allegation that guests at a function hosted by Jaswant Singh had been served with opium-laced milk! Whatever the outcome may be, it is a fact that for now Jhalrapatan is poised for an interesting battle. Manvendra Singh may have preferred a constituency in Barmer for his debut contest as a Congressman, but now he has acquired a pan-Rajasthan image. It cannot be that he is unaware of the pitfalls of a head-on collision with the formidable Chief Minister. If he loses, it will be seen as a grave personal setback; for the Congress, though, it will be just a constituency lost. On the other hand, a victory will strengthen his stature within the Congress. More importantly, though, he will have had his revenge. But the recent developments are unlikely to bring much cheer to the Congress as far as the Rajput vote-bank in the state is concerned. The Congress has fielded just two candidates from the Marwar region, where the Rajput community has a considerable sway. According to media reports, Manvendra Singh felt that the Congress ought to have given tickets to more Rajputs in the region, though he was quick to state that he had not expressed “displeasure” with the party. In contrast, the BJP has given tickets to as many as 10 Rajput candidates from Marwar. The first list the Congress released had in all 12 Rajputs, a number which was less than even the seats that the Brahmins got. The second list of 40 odd candidates did not improve the position. Personal rivalry is at play elsewhere too. Sitting Member of Parliament Harish Chandra Meena has joined the Congress, and one reason for his switchover is his opposition to Kirori Lal Meena, who is now in the BJP camp. The two heavyweight Meena leaders could not see eye to eye, with each working overtime to project themselves as the real leader of the community. For the Congress, it’s a welcome development since it could solidify the Meena community’s support for the Congress at a time when the former was feeling left out with the Congress making overtures to its traditional political rivals, the Gujjars and the Jats. It is possible that Sachin Pilot, a Gujjar, could benefit from this Meena- Gujjar combine development (if it works out), given that he is being talked of as a chief ministerial candidate and would be contesting the Assembly poll. But there is a catch. Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, the other strong contender for chief ministership in case the Congress wins, too is fighting the election. More significantly, the first list of candidates released by the party is said to be loaded in his favour, since many of the names he recommended strongly have found favour with the party’s high command. For now, though, both Pilot and Gehlot have to tackle internal dissensions over ticket distribution. It may well be that, if the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP in the state manages to retain power, it would be more on account of disarray in the Congress camp and less due to the BJP’s popularity. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Battle in Rajasthan isn’t merely about personalities; it’s deeply personal too 

All arrangements have been made for the second and final phase of the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections to be held in 72 seats of 19 districts on Tuesday amid tight security, with the deployment of over one lakh police personnel.

The fate of nine ministers, assembly speaker and some other prominent leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as of the Congress will be decide in the polls.

In the first phase, polling was held in 18 seats of eight Naxal-affected districts on November 12.

Eyeing a fourth consecutive term, the BJP has set a target of winning 65 plus seats in the 90-member Assembly, while the Congress is seeking to end its 15-year exile from power in the tribal-dominated state.

The coalition between the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), former chief minister Ajit Jogi's Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) has added a twist to the poll battle.

Polling will be held from 8 am to 5 pm in these seats of central and north Chhattisgarh where as many as 1,079 candidates, including 72 each from the BJP and the Congress, are in fray, an election official said.

For the second phase of polls, there are 1,53,85,983 voters, including 77,46,628 men, 76,38,415 women and 940 of the third gender.

As many as 19,296 polling booths have been set up for the second phase, the official said.

The highest number of 46 contestants are in the Raipur City South constituency, while the lowest number of six contestants are in the Bindranavagarh seat.

Over one lakh security personnel have been deployed to ensure peaceful polling, a police official said.

Extra vigil is being maintained in Naxal-affected Gariaband, Dhamtari, Mahasamund, Kabirdham, Jashpur and Balrampur districts, he said.

State Assembly Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal has been retained from the Kasdol seat, which he had won against Congress's Rajkamal Singhaniya in the 2013 elections.

The Congress has this time fielded a fresh face, Shankutala Sahu, from the seat.

The BJP has this time fielded nine ministers Brijmohan Agrawal (Raipur City South), Rajesh Munat (Raipur City West), Amar Agrawal (Bilaspur), Bhaiyyalal Rajwade (Baikunthpur), Ramsevak Paikra (Pratappur), Punnulal Mohile (Mungeli), Prem Prakash Pandey (Bhilai Nagar), Dayaldas Baghel (Nawagarh) and Ajay Chandrakar (Kurud), and also state chief Dharamlal Kaushik (Bilha).

Congress state chief Bhupesh Baghel (Patan), Leader of Opposition T S Singhdeo (Ambikapur), Congress MP from Durg Lok Sabha seat Tamradhwaj Sahu (Durg rural), and former Union minister Charandas Mahant (Shakti) are among the key opposition party candidates in the fray.

A three-way fight is expected in several seats of Bilaspur division where Ajit Jogi's party and the BSP have a considerable presence.

Jogi is contesting from the Marwahi segment where the BJP and the Congress have fielded new faces Archana Porte and Gulab Singh, respectively.

The Kota seat is also likely to witness a three-cornered contest among incumbent MLA Renu Jogi (JCC-J), Vibhor Singh (Congress) and Kashi Sahu (BJP).

In the Akaltara seat, Ajit Jogi's daughter-in-law Richa Jogi (BSP) is likely to give a tough fight to Saurabh Singh (BJP) and incumbent MLA Chunnilal Sahu (Congress).

Of the 72 seats, 46 are for the general category, while nine are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 17 for Scheduled Tribes candidates.

Of these seats, the BJP had won 43 seats in the 2013 polls while the Congress had bagged 27. One seat each was won by the BSP and an independent candidate.

During the poll campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and other senior saffron party leaders targeted Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and his family and accused the opposition party of misleading people during its 50-year rule in the country.

The BJP also recalled the development works and achievements of its 15-year rule in the state.

The Congress, however, raised farmers' issues during the poll campaign and promised them loan waiver, bonus on paddy procurement and setting up food processing unit if it wins the election.

It accused the prime minister of remaining "silent" on the "corruption charges" against Chief Minister Raman Singh in the alleged Rs 36,000-crore civil supply scam and not acting against the chief minister's son Abhishek Singh in the Panama Papers case.

The chief minister and his son had earlier denied the allegations against them.

The first phase of polls in 18 seats of eight Naxal-hit districts had recorded over 76 per cent voter turnout.

The counting of votes will be held on December 11.

All arrangements have been made for the second and final phase of the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections to be held in 72 seats of 19 districts on Tuesday amid tight security, with the deployment of over one lakh police personnel.

All arrangements have been made for the second and final phase of the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections to be held in 72 seats of 19 districts on Tuesday amid tight security, with the deployment of over one lakh police personnel. The fate of nine ministers, assembly speaker and some other prominent leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as of the Congress will be decide in the polls. In the first phase, polling was held in 18 seats of eight Naxal-affected districts on November 12. Eyeing a fourth consecutive term, the BJP has set a target of winning 65 plus seats in the 90-member Assembly, while the Congress is seeking to end its 15-year exile from power in the tribal-dominated state. The coalition between the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), former chief minister Ajit Jogi's Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) has added a twist to the poll battle. Polling will be held from 8 am to 5 pm in these seats of central and north Chhattisgarh where as many as 1,079 candidates, including 72 each from the BJP and the Congress, are in fray, an election official said. For the second phase of polls, there are 1,53,85,983 voters, including 77,46,628 men, 76,38,415 women and 940 of the third gender. As many as 19,296 polling booths have been set up for the second phase, the official said. The highest number of 46 contestants are in the Raipur City South constituency, while the lowest number of six contestants are in the Bindranavagarh seat. Over one lakh security personnel have been deployed to ensure peaceful polling, a police official said. Extra vigil is being maintained in Naxal-affected Gariaband, Dhamtari, Mahasamund, Kabirdham, Jashpur and Balrampur districts, he said. State Assembly Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal has been retained from the Kasdol seat, which he had won against Congress's Rajkamal Singhaniya in the 2013 elections. The Congress has this time fielded a fresh face, Shankutala Sahu, from the seat. The BJP has this time fielded nine ministers Brijmohan Agrawal (Raipur City South), Rajesh Munat (Raipur City West), Amar Agrawal (Bilaspur), Bhaiyyalal Rajwade (Baikunthpur), Ramsevak Paikra (Pratappur), Punnulal Mohile (Mungeli), Prem Prakash Pandey (Bhilai Nagar), Dayaldas Baghel (Nawagarh) and Ajay Chandrakar (Kurud), and also state chief Dharamlal Kaushik (Bilha). Congress state chief Bhupesh Baghel (Patan), Leader of Opposition T S Singhdeo (Ambikapur), Congress MP from Durg Lok Sabha seat Tamradhwaj Sahu (Durg rural), and former Union minister Charandas Mahant (Shakti) are among the key opposition party candidates in the fray. A three-way fight is expected in several seats of Bilaspur division where Ajit Jogi's party and the BSP have a considerable presence. Jogi is contesting from the Marwahi segment where the BJP and the Congress have fielded new faces Archana Porte and Gulab Singh, respectively. The Kota seat is also likely to witness a three-cornered contest among incumbent MLA Renu Jogi (JCC-J), Vibhor Singh (Congress) and Kashi Sahu (BJP). In the Akaltara seat, Ajit Jogi's daughter-in-law Richa Jogi (BSP) is likely to give a tough fight to Saurabh Singh (BJP) and incumbent MLA Chunnilal Sahu (Congress). Of the 72 seats, 46 are for the general category, while nine are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 17 for Scheduled Tribes candidates. Of these seats, the BJP had won 43 seats in the 2013 polls while the Congress had bagged 27. One seat each was won by the BSP and an independent candidate. During the poll campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and other senior saffron party leaders targeted Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and his family and accused the opposition party of misleading people during its 50-year rule in the country. The BJP also recalled the development works and achievements of its 15-year rule in the state. The Congress, however, raised farmers' issues during the poll campaign and promised them loan waiver, bonus on paddy procurement and setting up food processing unit if it wins the election. It accused the prime minister of remaining "silent" on the "corruption charges" against Chief Minister Raman Singh in the alleged Rs 36,000-crore civil supply scam and not acting against the chief minister's son Abhishek Singh in the Panama Papers case. The chief minister and his son had earlier denied the allegations against them. The first phase of polls in 18 seats of eight Naxal-hit districts had recorded over 76 per cent voter turnout. The counting of votes will be held on December 11.

Second phase of polling in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday; 1 lakh cops deployed

Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot said on Monday that the Assembly election in the state is a fight between the ideologies of his party and the BJP.

After filing his nomination from the Tonk assembly seat, Pilot said the Congress would not only win the election in Tonk, but also the entire state with a sizeable margin.

"The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has deceived the people and its report card is in front of the people. There is resentment among the people and they are waiting to vote for the Congress," Pilot said.

It is an important election and there is a wave for the Congress across the state, said Pilot, chief of the party's Rajasthan unit.

Pilot's rival candidate, Yoonus Khan, who is the only Muslim candidate pitted in the election by the saffron party, also filed his nomination on Monday.

"I would not like to comment on caste and religion. I have seen tension on Sachin Pilot's face. We both have come to Tonk for the first time as election nominees," Khan said, adding that he had always accepted his party's decision and was ready to work for the party anywhere in the country.

Khan said he had done various developmental works in Tonk district as a public works department minister in the last five years and the development would remain the issue for him and his party in the upcoming election.

Earlier in the day, the BJP released its fifth list of six candidates, fielding Khan against Pilot in the Muslim-dominated Tonk Assembly constituency by replacing sitting MLA Ajit Singh Mehta.

After the Congress fielded Pilot in Tonk, the BJP did brainstorming and replaced Mehta, who figured in the first list issued last week.

Khan is a sitting MLA from Deedwana constituency of Nagaur district and his name was kept reserved by the party till the last moment.

The state will go to polls on December 7.

Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot said on Monday that the Assembly election in the state is a fight between the ideologies of his party and the BJP. After filing his nomination from the Tonk assembly seat, Pilot said the Congress would not only win the election in Tonk, but also the entire state with a sizeable margin.

Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot said on Monday that the Assembly election in the state is a fight between the ideologies of his party and the BJP. After filing his nomination from the Tonk assembly seat, Pilot said the Congress would not only win the election in Tonk, but also the entire state with a sizeable margin. "The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has deceived the people and its report card is in front of the people. There is resentment among the people and they are waiting to vote for the Congress," Pilot said. It is an important election and there is a wave for the Congress across the state, said Pilot, chief of the party's Rajasthan unit. Pilot's rival candidate, Yoonus Khan, who is the only Muslim candidate pitted in the election by the saffron party, also filed his nomination on Monday. "I would not like to comment on caste and religion. I have seen tension on Sachin Pilot's face. We both have come to Tonk for the first time as election nominees," Khan said, adding that he had always accepted his party's decision and was ready to work for the party anywhere in the country. Khan said he had done various developmental works in Tonk district as a public works department minister in the last five years and the development would remain the issue for him and his party in the upcoming election. Earlier in the day, the BJP released its fifth list of six candidates, fielding Khan against Pilot in the Muslim-dominated Tonk Assembly constituency by replacing sitting MLA Ajit Singh Mehta. After the Congress fielded Pilot in Tonk, the BJP did brainstorming and replaced Mehta, who figured in the first list issued last week. Khan is a sitting MLA from Deedwana constituency of Nagaur district and his name was kept reserved by the party till the last moment. The state will go to polls on December 7.

Sachin Pilot files nomination, says Rajasthan election fight between two ideologies

Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS), a partner in the "grand alliance" for the December 7 Assembly elections in Telangana, on Monday expressed confidence and said the confusion over seat adjustments among the allies will be resolved soon.

The "grand alliance" comprises the Congress, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Communist Party of India (CPI) and TJS.

The confusion arose after parties gave tickets to candidates in constituencies allotted to their alliance partners.

"About seats, it will happen. If not today, it will happen tomorrow. I don't think it is a major problem. I am confident that we will be able to resolve that by tomorrow," TJS president M Kodandaram said in a 'Meet the Press' organised by Telangana State Union of Working Journalists (TUWJ).

Monday being the last day for filing nomination, he was asked about the confusion with regard to seat adjustment among the alliance partners. There is also lack of clarity about the proposed common agenda.

Observing that firming up the alliance and reaching out to people with a common agenda has been delayed, which has hurt the coalition, he said the remaining 15 days leading up to the polling date (December seven) should be used for the purpose.

The common agenda has been prepared, he said.

When it was pointed out that any "friendly contests" among the alliance partners might hurt winning chances of their candidates, he said efforts to avoid such contests would continue.

"We have to avoid them (friendly contests). One or two may be unavoidable but they should go. Those efforts will continue," he said.

Replying to a query, Kodandaram said he is not working for becoming deputy chief minister (in the event of the alliance coming to power) or any other post.

Hitting out at the "autocratic" rule of TRS, he said the TJS and its alliance parties are seeking a "democratic rule" in Telangana.

Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS), a partner in the "grand alliance" for the December 7 Assembly elections in Telangana, on Monday expressed confidence and said the confusion over seat adjustments among the allies will be resolved soon.

Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS), a partner in the "grand alliance" for the December 7 Assembly elections in Telangana, on Monday expressed confidence and said the confusion over seat adjustments among the allies will be resolved soon. The "grand alliance" comprises the Congress, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Communist Party of India (CPI) and TJS. The confusion arose after parties gave tickets to candidates in constituencies allotted to their alliance partners. "About seats, it will happen. If not today, it will happen tomorrow. I don't think it is a major problem. I am confident that we will be able to resolve that by tomorrow," TJS president M Kodandaram said in a 'Meet the Press' organised by Telangana State Union of Working Journalists (TUWJ). Monday being the last day for filing nomination, he was asked about the confusion with regard to seat adjustment among the alliance partners. There is also lack of clarity about the proposed common agenda. Observing that firming up the alliance and reaching out to people with a common agenda has been delayed, which has hurt the coalition, he said the remaining 15 days leading up to the polling date (December seven) should be used for the purpose. The common agenda has been prepared, he said. When it was pointed out that any "friendly contests" among the alliance partners might hurt winning chances of their candidates, he said efforts to avoid such contests would continue. "We have to avoid them (friendly contests). One or two may be unavoidable but they should go. Those efforts will continue," he said. Replying to a query, Kodandaram said he is not working for becoming deputy chief minister (in the event of the alliance coming to power) or any other post. Hitting out at the "autocratic" rule of TRS, he said the TJS and its alliance parties are seeking a "democratic rule" in Telangana.

Confusion over seat adjustment will be resolved soon: TJS chief

Opposition leader Sharad Yadav said on Sunday the BJP's hope to return to power at the Centre will be buried in the same states -- Uttar Pradesh and Bihar -- which had propelled it to a big win in 2014, and asserted that the Congress will trump the saffron party in all the five poll-bound states.

The results of the assembly polls, including BJP-ruled Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, will lay the foundation for the Lok Sabha elections next year, he told PTI in an interview.

People want to get rid of the Narendra Modi-led government as it has not fulfilled a single promise made to them in 2014, Yadav claimed.

Accusing Prime Minister Modi of resorting to "sentimental" ploys like raking up his tea-seller background while his party colleagues talk of building Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Loktantrik Janta Dal patron said this shows the BJP has nothing to talk about its government's achievements.

"The Congress is in the driving seats in all the five states. People are under distress and want to defeat the BJP. The results of these (assembly) polls will lay the foundation stone for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections," he said.

Working to forge an alliance of opposition parties and win over new allies against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, Yadav said they will be united in 2019.

"The BJP had captured Delhi on the back of its win in the Gangetic plains (Uttar Pradesh and Bihar). Its hope of returning to power in 2019 will be buried in the same plains," he said.

The NDA had won 104 of the 120 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in 2014 but a likely alliance of the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samajwadi Party has made things much more challenging for the BJP in the politically most crucial state that sends 80 members to the lower house of Parliament.

The BJP has boosted its prospects in Bihar by allying with Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar, who had fought against it in 2014, but the opposition is working to shore up its support by wooing leaders in the NDA camp.

Yadav had recently met RLSP leader and BJP ally Upendra Kushwaha, and there is speculation that his Loktantrik Janata Dal and the RLSP may merge to boost the opposition alliance.

He declined to comment on the matter but Kushwaha's drift from the NDA is becoming increasingly evident as he said on Saturday that the number of seats offered to him by the BJP for the Lok Sabha polls is not "respectable", setting the deadline of November 30 to the saffron party to sort out the matter.

Attacking Modi for "chasing the Congress with a lathi day in and day out" while "not fulfilling his promises", Yadav said the prime minister rakes up sentimental issues like his tea-seller background to target the main opposition party.

The Congress was defeated in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and the subsequent assembly elections. There cannot be a bigger punishment for a party than this, he said.

"People elected you (BJP) to power and punished them (Congress). Still, you are chasing them with a lathi day in and out. You do not do your work. You attack them (the Congress) everyday but do not fulfil your promises. People have become so distressed," Yadav said.

Whether it was the BJP's promise on generating employment or boosting the economy and cleaning the Ganga river, none of it has been fulfilled, he claimed and alleged that instead, measures like demonetisation hit people hard and the GST "destroyed" small traders.

These are the real issues on the ground, besides distress of farmers and high oil prices, he said while reiterating that the assembly polls will boost the opposition and set the tone for the Lok Sabha polls.

Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram are due on November 26, and in Rajasthan and Telangana on December 7.

Chhattisgarh had gone to the polls for 18 seats on November 12 and polling for the remaining 72 seats will be held on November 20. Counting of votes for all the five states is due on December 11.

Opposition leader Sharad Yadav said on Sunday the BJP's hope to return to power at the Centre will be buried in the same states -- Uttar Pradesh and Bihar -- which had propelled it to a big win in 2014, and asserted that the Congress will trump the saffron party in all the five poll-bound states.

Opposition leader Sharad Yadav said on Sunday the BJP's hope to return to power at the Centre will be buried in the same states -- Uttar Pradesh and Bihar -- which had propelled it to a big win in 2014, and asserted that the Congress will trump the saffron party in all the five poll-bound states. The results of the assembly polls, including BJP-ruled Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, will lay the foundation for the Lok Sabha elections next year, he told PTI in an interview. People want to get rid of the Narendra Modi-led government as it has not fulfilled a single promise made to them in 2014, Yadav claimed. Accusing Prime Minister Modi of resorting to "sentimental" ploys like raking up his tea-seller background while his party colleagues talk of building Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Loktantrik Janta Dal patron said this shows the BJP has nothing to talk about its government's achievements. "The Congress is in the driving seats in all the five states. People are under distress and want to defeat the BJP. The results of these (assembly) polls will lay the foundation stone for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections," he said. Working to forge an alliance of opposition parties and win over new allies against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, Yadav said they will be united in 2019. "The BJP had captured Delhi on the back of its win in the Gangetic plains (Uttar Pradesh and Bihar). Its hope of returning to power in 2019 will be buried in the same plains," he said. The NDA had won 104 of the 120 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in 2014 but a likely alliance of the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samajwadi Party has made things much more challenging for the BJP in the politically most crucial state that sends 80 members to the lower house of Parliament. The BJP has boosted its prospects in Bihar by allying with Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar, who had fought against it in 2014, but the opposition is working to shore up its support by wooing leaders in the NDA camp. Yadav had recently met RLSP leader and BJP ally Upendra Kushwaha, and there is speculation that his Loktantrik Janata Dal and the RLSP may merge to boost the opposition alliance. He declined to comment on the matter but Kushwaha's drift from the NDA is becoming increasingly evident as he said on Saturday that the number of seats offered to him by the BJP for the Lok Sabha polls is not "respectable", setting the deadline of November 30 to the saffron party to sort out the matter. Attacking Modi for "chasing the Congress with a lathi day in and day out" while "not fulfilling his promises", Yadav said the prime minister rakes up sentimental issues like his tea-seller background to target the main opposition party. The Congress was defeated in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and the subsequent assembly elections. There cannot be a bigger punishment for a party than this, he said. "People elected you (BJP) to power and punished them (Congress). Still, you are chasing them with a lathi day in and out. You do not do your work. You attack them (the Congress) everyday but do not fulfil your promises. People have become so distressed," Yadav said. Whether it was the BJP's promise on generating employment or boosting the economy and cleaning the Ganga river, none of it has been fulfilled, he claimed and alleged that instead, measures like demonetisation hit people hard and the GST "destroyed" small traders. These are the real issues on the ground, besides distress of farmers and high oil prices, he said while reiterating that the assembly polls will boost the opposition and set the tone for the Lok Sabha polls. Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram are due on November 26, and in Rajasthan and Telangana on December 7. Chhattisgarh had gone to the polls for 18 seats on November 12 and polling for the remaining 72 seats will be held on November 20. Counting of votes for all the five states is due on December 11.

Congress in driving seats in state polls, BJP's bid to return to power in 2019 will fail: Sharad Yadav

The Congress hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for speaking about a video purportedly featuring its Madhya Pradesh unit chief, Kamal Nath, at an election rally in Chhindwara Sunday.

Nath is a nine-time Lok Sabha MP of the Congress from Chhindwara.

Targeting Nath over a video that went viral on the social media, Modi, in his speech, said the state Congress chief had said the winnability of a candidate was the most important factor for him, rather than whether he was corrupt, a goon or facing criminal cases.

The prime minister went on to ask the gathering, "Should Madhya Pradesh be saved from such people (Congress candidates) or not? Should the state go into such hands?"

Reacting to Modi's speech, the Congress said it had lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) about the "doctored and edited" video.

"Narendra Modi, who is holding the top post of prime minister, has dished out lies in Chhindwara on the basis of this doctored video," Congress spokesperson Narendra Saluja said.

Seeking an apology from the prime minister, he said the opposition party would also file also a complaint with the EC in this regard (Modi's reference to the video).

The 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly will go to the polls on November 28 and the results will be announced on December 11.&nbsp;

The Congress hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for speaking about a video purportedly featuring its Madhya Pradesh unit chief, Kamal Nath, at an election rally in Chhindwara Sunday.

The Congress hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for speaking about a video purportedly featuring its Madhya Pradesh unit chief, Kamal Nath, at an election rally in Chhindwara Sunday. Nath is a nine-time Lok Sabha MP of the Congress from Chhindwara. Targeting Nath over a video that went viral on the social media, Modi, in his speech, said the state Congress chief had said the winnability of a candidate was the most important factor for him, rather than whether he was corrupt, a goon or facing criminal cases. The prime minister went on to ask the gathering, "Should Madhya Pradesh be saved from such people (Congress candidates) or not? Should the state go into such hands?" Reacting to Modi's speech, the Congress said it had lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) about the "doctored and edited" video. "Narendra Modi, who is holding the top post of prime minister, has dished out lies in Chhindwara on the basis of this doctored video," Congress spokesperson Narendra Saluja said. Seeking an apology from the prime minister, he said the opposition party would also file also a complaint with the EC in this regard (Modi's reference to the video). The 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly will go to the polls on November 28 and the results will be announced on December 11.

Congress hits out at PM for Kamal Nath video reference at poll rally

The Election Commission Saturday asked the Chhattisgarh government to transfer one of its senior officials who was allegedly caught on tape offering money for sting operation against opposition Congress leaders in the poll-bound state.

The commission has directed that S Rajesh Toppo, secretary and commissioner of public relations in the state government, be transferred from his present post "in context of alleged statements made by him", a spokesperson said.

"The commission observed that such statements indicate partisan behaviour apart from use of uncivilised language unbecoming of a senior civil servant," the spokesperson said.

Toppo was allegedly caught on tape asking a journalist to film a video of Congress members abusing one of their senior leaders.

The official is purportedly heard saying that he is willing to spend some money for the sting video.&nbsp;

The second phase polling in 72 assembly constituencies in Chhattisgarh will be held on November 20. The first phase polling in 18 seats took place on November 12.&nbsp;

The Election Commission Saturday asked the Chhattisgarh government to transfer one of its senior officials who was allegedly caught on tape offering money for sting operation against opposition Congress leaders in the poll-bound state.

The Election Commission Saturday asked the Chhattisgarh government to transfer one of its senior officials who was allegedly caught on tape offering money for sting operation against opposition Congress leaders in the poll-bound state. The commission has directed that S Rajesh Toppo, secretary and commissioner of public relations in the state government, be transferred from his present post "in context of alleged statements made by him", a spokesperson said. "The commission observed that such statements indicate partisan behaviour apart from use of uncivilised language unbecoming of a senior civil servant," the spokesperson said. Toppo was allegedly caught on tape asking a journalist to film a video of Congress members abusing one of their senior leaders. The official is purportedly heard saying that he is willing to spend some money for the sting video. The second phase polling in 72 assembly constituencies in Chhattisgarh will be held on November 20. The first phase polling in 18 seats took place on November 12.

Election Commission orders removal of Chhattisgarh public relations department chief

BJP president Amit Shah alleged Friday that Congress governments ignored Bundelkhand, an impoverished region which is spread over Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Shah addressed campaign rallies at Tikamgarh, Damoh and Sagar in Bundelkhand ahead of the November 28 Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh.

Speaking in Tikamgarh, Shah said, "There was a time when funds received for the development of Bundelkhand disappeared. Neither roads were constructed, nor were the schemes for hospitals and water supply implemented."

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan utilised the funds well to convert Bundelkhand into a developed region, he claimed.

In Uttar Pradesh, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has also kicked off development of Bundelkhand since the BJP came to power in that state, he said.

At the behest of Union minister Uma Bharti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved Ken-Betwa river-linking project for Bundelkhand, he said.

Crediting Bharti for ousting the Congress from power in MP in 2003, Shah noted that she hails from Bundelkhand.

Addressing another rally at Damoh, Shah said Congress president Rahul Gandhi will soon need to use binoculars to look for his party which is fast vanishing from the country.

At a public meeting at Sagar in the region, he said, in apparent jibe at the roots of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, that Congress leaders wear "Italian spectacles" when talking about the surgical strikes conducted by the Army in 2016.

The GDP of Madhya Pradesh was "minus four per cent" when Digvijay Singh was chief minister, while under the BJP it has risen to ten per cent, he said.

BJP president Amit Shah alleged Friday that Congress governments ignored Bundelkhand, an impoverished region which is spread over Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

BJP president Amit Shah alleged Friday that Congress governments ignored Bundelkhand, an impoverished region which is spread over Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Shah addressed campaign rallies at Tikamgarh, Damoh and Sagar in Bundelkhand ahead of the November 28 Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh. Speaking in Tikamgarh, Shah said, "There was a time when funds received for the development of Bundelkhand disappeared. Neither roads were constructed, nor were the schemes for hospitals and water supply implemented." Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan utilised the funds well to convert Bundelkhand into a developed region, he claimed. In Uttar Pradesh, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has also kicked off development of Bundelkhand since the BJP came to power in that state, he said. At the behest of Union minister Uma Bharti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved Ken-Betwa river-linking project for Bundelkhand, he said. Crediting Bharti for ousting the Congress from power in MP in 2003, Shah noted that she hails from Bundelkhand. Addressing another rally at Damoh, Shah said Congress president Rahul Gandhi will soon need to use binoculars to look for his party which is fast vanishing from the country. At a public meeting at Sagar in the region, he said, in apparent jibe at the roots of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, that Congress leaders wear "Italian spectacles" when talking about the surgical strikes conducted by the Army in 2016. The GDP of Madhya Pradesh was "minus four per cent" when Digvijay Singh was chief minister, while under the BJP it has risen to ten per cent, he said.

Congress ignored Bundelkhand, CM Chouhan developed it: Amit Shah in Madhya Pradesh

Providing 10 lakh jobs per year to youths in Madhya Pradesh and welfare of all sections of society are among the major promises made by the Bharatiya Janata Party in its manifesto for the November 28 assembly elections, which was released here Saturday.

The BJP, which has been ruling the state since 2003, is trying to retain power amid the opposition Congress's allegations of a collapse of governance and its failure to work for agriculturists.

Madhya Pradesh last year witnessed wide-scale protests by farmers for better Minimum Support Price for their produce and other demands, forcing the government to announce a slew of measures.

The manifesto, called as "Drishti Patra" or vision document, was released by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at the state BJP headquarters here.

"We will provide 10 lakh jobs and self employment opportunities per year for the youth of the state," Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told reporters.

Chouhan, accompanied by Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Narendra Singh Tomar, promised to make a provision for free education for the poor.

"We have prepared a roadmap for the development of the state as well as the welfare of each section of the society," he said.

The BJP has promised measures to ensure welfare of farmers, women, backward classes and traders, besides the youth, in the state.

Elections for the 230-member assembly are scheduled to be held on November 28. The results will be declared on December 11. The opposition Congress had released its manifesto 'Vachan Patra' last Saturday.

The Congress promised an 'adhyatmik vibhag' (spiritual department) in the state, as well as plans to promote the Sanskrit language.

The Congress manifesto speaks of developing the 'Ram path', a mythical route taken by Lord Ram during his 14-year exile, and the commercial production of 'gaumutra' (cow urine) and 'kanda' (cowdung cakes).

Providing 10 lakh jobs per year to youths in Madhya Pradesh and welfare of all sections of society are among the major promises made by the Bharatiya Janata Party in its manifesto for the November 28 assembly elections, which was released here Saturday.

Providing 10 lakh jobs per year to youths in Madhya Pradesh and welfare of all sections of society are among the major promises made by the Bharatiya Janata Party in its manifesto for the November 28 assembly elections, which was released here Saturday. The BJP, which has been ruling the state since 2003, is trying to retain power amid the opposition Congress's allegations of a collapse of governance and its failure to work for agriculturists. Madhya Pradesh last year witnessed wide-scale protests by farmers for better Minimum Support Price for their produce and other demands, forcing the government to announce a slew of measures. The manifesto, called as "Drishti Patra" or vision document, was released by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at the state BJP headquarters here. "We will provide 10 lakh jobs and self employment opportunities per year for the youth of the state," Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told reporters. Chouhan, accompanied by Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Narendra Singh Tomar, promised to make a provision for free education for the poor. "We have prepared a roadmap for the development of the state as well as the welfare of each section of the society," he said. The BJP has promised measures to ensure welfare of farmers, women, backward classes and traders, besides the youth, in the state. Elections for the 230-member assembly are scheduled to be held on November 28. The results will be declared on December 11. The opposition Congress had released its manifesto 'Vachan Patra' last Saturday. The Congress promised an 'adhyatmik vibhag' (spiritual department) in the state, as well as plans to promote the Sanskrit language. The Congress manifesto speaks of developing the 'Ram path', a mythical route taken by Lord Ram during his 14-year exile, and the commercial production of 'gaumutra' (cow urine) and 'kanda' (cowdung cakes).

Madhya Pradesh polls: BJP releases manifesto, promises 10 lakh jobs annually

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released the fourth list of candidates for the upcoming Assembly Elections in Telangana.

The decision was announced by Union Health Minister and Secretary of BJP`s Central Election Commission, Jagat Prakash Nadda.

With the announcement of the fourth list, the party has, so far, announced the names of 93 candidates out of 119 seats in poll-bound Telangana.

On October 20, the BJP had announced its first list for Telangana polls and released the names of candidates for 38 constituencies.

The second list comprising 28 candidates was released on November 3, while the third list containing names of 20 candidates was released on November 15.

The Telangana Legislative Assembly Elections are scheduled to be held on December 7 to elect members from 119 constituencies. The counting of votes will take place on December 11.&nbsp;

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released the fourth list of candidates for the upcoming Assembly Elections in Telangana. The decision was announced by Union Health Minister and Secretary of BJP`s Central Election Commission, Jagat Prakash Nadda.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released the fourth list of candidates for the upcoming Assembly Elections in Telangana. The decision was announced by Union Health Minister and Secretary of BJP`s Central Election Commission, Jagat Prakash Nadda. With the announcement of the fourth list, the party has, so far, announced the names of 93 candidates out of 119 seats in poll-bound Telangana. On October 20, the BJP had announced its first list for Telangana polls and released the names of candidates for 38 constituencies. The second list comprising 28 candidates was released on November 3, while the third list containing names of 20 candidates was released on November 15. The Telangana Legislative Assembly Elections are scheduled to be held on December 7 to elect members from 119 constituencies. The counting of votes will take place on December 11.

BJP releases fourth list of candidates for Telangana polls

Congress Party workers gathered outside the residence of party President Rahul Gandhi to stage a protest after the list of candidates for Rajasthan Assembly Elections was released and were detained by police.

One of the disgruntled party workers said, "Instead of parachute candidates, I request him (Rahul Gandhi) to give tickets to those who gave blood and toil to the Congress.

The Congress released its first list of 152 candidates for the Rajasthan assembly elections. The list includes the names of Sachin Pilot, the leader of opposition in the state, and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot.

After detailed deliberations at the party's Central Election Committee, it was decided that Pilot, who is the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) chief, will contest from Tonk, while Gehlot will contest from his home turf - Sardarpura constituency.

Meanwhile, senior party leaders CP Joshi and Giriraj Vyas will contest from Nathdwara and Udaipur, respectively.

On Thursday, former Hyderabad Mayor and Congress leader Banda Karthika Reddy, along with her husband Chandra Reddy, sat in protest outside Gandhi's residence after she was denied a ticket to contest the forthcoming Telangana assembly elections.

The Congress leader, who was elected as the first woman Mayor of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation in 2009, said that she has given 30 years of dedicated service to the party, despite which she was overlooked.

Reddy was later detained by the police.

Single phase elections in both Telangana and Rajasthan will be held on December 7, and counting of votes will take place on December 11.

Congress Party workers gathered outside the residence of party President Rahul Gandhi to stage a protest after the list of candidates for Rajasthan Assembly Elections was released and were detained by police.

Congress Party workers gathered outside the residence of party President Rahul Gandhi to stage a protest after the list of candidates for Rajasthan Assembly Elections was released and were detained by police. One of the disgruntled party workers said, "Instead of parachute candidates, I request him (Rahul Gandhi) to give tickets to those who gave blood and toil to the Congress. The Congress released its first list of 152 candidates for the Rajasthan assembly elections. The list includes the names of Sachin Pilot, the leader of opposition in the state, and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot. After detailed deliberations at the party's Central Election Committee, it was decided that Pilot, who is the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) chief, will contest from Tonk, while Gehlot will contest from his home turf - Sardarpura constituency. Meanwhile, senior party leaders CP Joshi and Giriraj Vyas will contest from Nathdwara and Udaipur, respectively. On Thursday, former Hyderabad Mayor and Congress leader Banda Karthika Reddy, along with her husband Chandra Reddy, sat in protest outside Gandhi's residence after she was denied a ticket to contest the forthcoming Telangana assembly elections. The Congress leader, who was elected as the first woman Mayor of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation in 2009, said that she has given 30 years of dedicated service to the party, despite which she was overlooked. Reddy was later detained by the police. Single phase elections in both Telangana and Rajasthan will be held on December 7, and counting of votes will take place on December 11.

Congress workers protest against ticket distribution outside Rahul Gandhi's residence, detained

PM Modi today addressed a rally in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/assembly-elections-2018-voters-counter-maoist-threat-in-chhattisgarh-177306">Chhattisgarh's Ambikapur district </a>as he targeted the Congress in the poll-bound state.

"People disproved that it was the 'right of only one family' to speak from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi," he said at the rally.

The prime minister said BJP's popularity is a threat to the Congress.

PM Modi applauded the people of Bastar in Chhattisgarh asserting that they gave a "strong response" to the Naxals by registering record voting percentage in the first phase of assembly polls.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Prime Minister Narendra Modi plays a traditional drum during a rally in Chhattisgarh's Ambikapur. <a href="https://t.co/rh7MAplnZ7">pic.twitter.com/rh7MAplnZ7</a>
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"Shouldn't people of Bastar be appreciated for such high voting percentages, he asked the people in the rally, adding, "I will tell you a way to appreciate them, on November 20 you register even higher voting percentage than Bastar."

Chattishgarh recorded 70 per cent polling in the first phase held on November 12th.

"I want to challenge them, let some good leader of Congress outside of the family become the party president for five years, then I will say that Nehruji really created a truly democratic system there," he said in Ambikapur.

Taking another jibe at the Congress, the PM said: "These people still have not come to terms that I am the PM, it has been nearly four and a half years. They are still crying, how can a 'chaiwala'(tea seller) become PM? Now they say a 'chaiwala' became PM because of one great person," he declared.&nbsp;

The second phase of polling is due to take place on November 20th in the state. The polling in the first phase took place even as Naxals tried to disrupt the proceedings blasting multiple crude bombs ahead of election day and detonated an IED in Dantewada.

On November 12th, 18 seats went to polls, out of which 12 have been reserved for the Scheduled Tribes, while one is a Scheduled Caste-reserved seat. In the second and last phase, as many as 72 constituencies in the state will go to the polls.

BJP chief minister Raman Singh is hoping to retain power in the state although the Congress and Ajit Jogi's party&nbsp;Janta Congress Chhattisgarh(JCC) which has tied up with Mayawati's BSP is set to give a tough fight to the ruling party in the state.

The result of the assembly polls will be announced on December 11.

PM Modi today addressed a rally in Chhattisgarh's Ambikapur district as he targeted the Congress in the poll-bound state. "People disproved that it was the 'right of only one family' to speak from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi," he said at the rally.

PM Modi today addressed a rally in Chhattisgarh's Ambikapur district as he targeted the Congress in the poll-bound state. "People disproved that it was the 'right of only one family' to speak from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi," he said at the rally. The prime minister said BJP's popularity is a threat to the Congress. PM Modi applauded the people of Bastar in Chhattisgarh asserting that they gave a "strong response" to the Naxals by registering record voting percentage in the first phase of assembly polls. #WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi plays a traditional drum during a rally in Chhattisgarh's Ambikapur. pic.twitter.com/rh7MAplnZ7 — ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2018 × "Shouldn't people of Bastar be appreciated for such high voting percentages, he asked the people in the rally, adding, "I will tell you a way to appreciate them, on November 20 you register even higher voting percentage than Bastar." Chattishgarh recorded 70 per cent polling in the first phase held on November 12th. "I want to challenge them, let some good leader of Congress outside of the family become the party president for five years, then I will say that Nehruji really created a truly democratic system there," he said in Ambikapur. Taking another jibe at the Congress, the PM said: "These people still have not come to terms that I am the PM, it has been nearly four and a half years. They are still crying, how can a 'chaiwala'(tea seller) become PM? Now they say a 'chaiwala' became PM because of one great person," he declared. The second phase of polling is due to take place on November 20th in the state. The polling in the first phase took place even as Naxals tried to disrupt the proceedings blasting multiple crude bombs ahead of election day and detonated an IED in Dantewada. On November 12th, 18 seats went to polls, out of which 12 have been reserved for the Scheduled Tribes, while one is a Scheduled Caste-reserved seat. In the second and last phase, as many as 72 constituencies in the state will go to the polls. BJP chief minister Raman Singh is hoping to retain power in the state although the Congress and Ajit Jogi's party Janta Congress Chhattisgarh(JCC) which has tied up with Mayawati's BSP is set to give a tough fight to the ruling party in the state. The result of the assembly polls will be announced on December 11.

People have disapproved that only one family has right to speak from Red Fort, says PM Modi at Chhattisgarh rally

We promise to build gaushalas in all panchayats. We promise to start commercial production of gaumutra (cow urine). These are not statements culled out from a political speech of UP’s BJP chief minister Yogi Adityanath. These are not guidelines from the Sangh Pariwar elder to a BJP functionary.&nbsp;

The two statements are part and parcel of the Congress manifesto for the impending state Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh.

The Congress released the manifesto in Bhopal last Saturday. Those present on the occasion included party seniors Kamal Nath, in-charge of the Congress campaign in MP, two-time chief minister of the state Digvijaya Singh, and former Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, one of the lead campaigners and among the party’s top choices for the chief minister.

The Congress, in its manifesto, has also promised to build more cow sanctuaries and provide grants for their upkeep and maintenance. This in a state that boasts of developing the first cow sanctuary, whose foundation was laid by the RSS Kshetra sanghchalak Ashok Soni.

Expounding on the virtues of the manifesto that has strong shades of saffron and could have been mistaken for a BJP manifesto, Rajinder Singh — in charge of the party’s manifesto committee and deputy speaker in the state Assembly — made it clear the Congress wants to shed its pro-Muslim image.&nbsp;

“The BJP used to brand us as Muslim party. Earlier we did not do anything to change the perception. It’s a conscious decision to do away with that tag,” Rajinder Singh told a correspondent.

The party has been out of power in the state for 15 years and is seemingly desperate for homecoming. Surely, the Congress would like to exploit the anti-incumbency sentiments against the BJP’s Shivraj Singh Chouhan government. But the party seems unsure whether its traditional secular tag shall help it romp home and wrest the state from its arch-rival, the BJP, which has vowed for a ‘Congress-mukt’ new India it engineers to construct.

Is it the fear of getting irrelevant that Congress is out to soak up in a hue of saffron, hitherto an exclusive domain of the BJP. Going by the manifesto’s contents, party leaders’ replies and party president Rahul Gandhi’s discovery of Hinduism (he started his MP campaign with a visit to Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain) the answer certainly seems to be in the affirmative.&nbsp;

Though on the face of it, the Congress shall loathe to discard the secular tag completely, but it feels there is a symbiotic relationship in being secular and being a ‘pro-Muslim.’ It’s the latter image it wants to shed for electoral gains, though it remains to be seen how the party shall uncouple the two.

But the more important question is this: Is the Congress well on its way to becoming a BJP? Is the party square with the fact that it ignored majority sentiments all along? Is it also the admittance of a sort of guilt that it didn’t do itself any good electorally by ignoring the majority sentiments thus far? So, was there merit in BJP’s long-standing accusation that Congress politics has always been about minority appeasement?

The Congress manifesto isn’t just about the cows. The manifesto promises to build a religious tourism corridor in the state by invoking Ram and rivers, some of which are considered holy in India. While the BJP bares its teeth in preparation to reclaim Ram’s birthplace in the disputed Ayodhya site for the Hindus, the Congress has found a MP connect with Ram of Ayodhya fame. According to scriptures, Ram left his imprints in the state, a slice of mythology that has not been popularised. The party has promised to develop ‘Ram Path Gaman’, a corridor that traces the route of Ram during exile in Chitrakoot, MP.

In fact, for all its manifest appropriation of Ram and rivers (Ganga and Saryu — UP CM Yogi Adityanath has started Saryu aarti on the same lines as Ganga aarti in Varanasi, along with Saryu Mahotsav) by the BJP, the Congress wants to replicate a similar model around these two symbols of Hindu faith in MP too.

If voted to power, the party manifesto promises to come up with Ma Narmada Nyas Adhinayam and develop a Narmada parikrama (circumambulation) route dotted with resting places for pilgrims every 15 km.

Congress’ dalliance with soft Hindutva since the days of the return of Indira Gandhi to power post- Emergency is an open secret. Rajiv Gandhi pushed that envelope further by opening the gates of the disputed site at Ayodhya.

PV Narasimha Rao was prime minister when the mosque was brought down. After the humiliating 2014 Lok Sabha defeat and a series of setbacks in the Assembly polls, Rahul set out to discover himself anew and found nirvana in wearing a janeu (holy thread) and going on a temple-hopping spree.

There is no gainsaying the fact when Rahul claims “country’s temples are not the sole property of the BJP and the RSS”. But tapping into identity politics by exploiting symbols of religion and faith to appear as a contender in the battle of competing for majoritarianism has its own pitfalls, some of which have blown up in the face of the idea of India, as our constitutional forefathers had envisaged. 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-congress-and-cow-nationalism-2685737">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

 
 
&nbsp;

We promise to build gaushalas in all panchayats. We promise to start commercial production of gaumutra (cow urine). These are not statements culled out from a political speech of UP’s BJP chief minister Yogi Adityanath.

We promise to build gaushalas in all panchayats. We promise to start commercial production of gaumutra (cow urine). These are not statements culled out from a political speech of UP’s BJP chief minister Yogi Adityanath. These are not guidelines from the Sangh Pariwar elder to a BJP functionary. The two statements are part and parcel of the Congress manifesto for the impending state Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh. The Congress released the manifesto in Bhopal last Saturday. Those present on the occasion included party seniors Kamal Nath, in-charge of the Congress campaign in MP, two-time chief minister of the state Digvijaya Singh, and former Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, one of the lead campaigners and among the party’s top choices for the chief minister. The Congress, in its manifesto, has also promised to build more cow sanctuaries and provide grants for their upkeep and maintenance. This in a state that boasts of developing the first cow sanctuary, whose foundation was laid by the RSS Kshetra sanghchalak Ashok Soni. Expounding on the virtues of the manifesto that has strong shades of saffron and could have been mistaken for a BJP manifesto, Rajinder Singh — in charge of the party’s manifesto committee and deputy speaker in the state Assembly — made it clear the Congress wants to shed its pro-Muslim image. “The BJP used to brand us as Muslim party. Earlier we did not do anything to change the perception. It’s a conscious decision to do away with that tag,” Rajinder Singh told a correspondent. The party has been out of power in the state for 15 years and is seemingly desperate for homecoming. Surely, the Congress would like to exploit the anti-incumbency sentiments against the BJP’s Shivraj Singh Chouhan government. But the party seems unsure whether its traditional secular tag shall help it romp home and wrest the state from its arch-rival, the BJP, which has vowed for a ‘Congress-mukt’ new India it engineers to construct. Is it the fear of getting irrelevant that Congress is out to soak up in a hue of saffron, hitherto an exclusive domain of the BJP. Going by the manifesto’s contents, party leaders’ replies and party president Rahul Gandhi’s discovery of Hinduism (he started his MP campaign with a visit to Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain) the answer certainly seems to be in the affirmative. Though on the face of it, the Congress shall loathe to discard the secular tag completely, but it feels there is a symbiotic relationship in being secular and being a ‘pro-Muslim.’ It’s the latter image it wants to shed for electoral gains, though it remains to be seen how the party shall uncouple the two. But the more important question is this: Is the Congress well on its way to becoming a BJP? Is the party square with the fact that it ignored majority sentiments all along? Is it also the admittance of a sort of guilt that it didn’t do itself any good electorally by ignoring the majority sentiments thus far? So, was there merit in BJP’s long-standing accusation that Congress politics has always been about minority appeasement? The Congress manifesto isn’t just about the cows. The manifesto promises to build a religious tourism corridor in the state by invoking Ram and rivers, some of which are considered holy in India. While the BJP bares its teeth in preparation to reclaim Ram’s birthplace in the disputed Ayodhya site for the Hindus, the Congress has found a MP connect with Ram of Ayodhya fame. According to scriptures, Ram left his imprints in the state, a slice of mythology that has not been popularised. The party has promised to develop ‘Ram Path Gaman’, a corridor that traces the route of Ram during exile in Chitrakoot, MP. In fact, for all its manifest appropriation of Ram and rivers (Ganga and Saryu — UP CM Yogi Adityanath has started Saryu aarti on the same lines as Ganga aarti in Varanasi, along with Saryu Mahotsav) by the BJP, the Congress wants to replicate a similar model around these two symbols of Hindu faith in MP too. If voted to power, the party manifesto promises to come up with Ma Narmada Nyas Adhinayam and develop a Narmada parikrama (circumambulation) route dotted with resting places for pilgrims every 15 km. Congress’ dalliance with soft Hindutva since the days of the return of Indira Gandhi to power post- Emergency is an open secret. Rajiv Gandhi pushed that envelope further by opening the gates of the disputed site at Ayodhya. PV Narasimha Rao was prime minister when the mosque was brought down. After the humiliating 2014 Lok Sabha defeat and a series of setbacks in the Assembly polls, Rahul set out to discover himself anew and found nirvana in wearing a janeu (holy thread) and going on a temple-hopping spree. There is no gainsaying the fact when Rahul claims “country’s temples are not the sole property of the BJP and the RSS”. But tapping into identity politics by exploiting symbols of religion and faith to appear as a contender in the battle of competing for majoritarianism has its own pitfalls, some of which have blown up in the face of the idea of India, as our constitutional forefathers had envisaged. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Assembly elections 2018: Congress and cow nationalism

Pink colour which largely represents women in certain categories has become a subject of controversy in the run-up to Telangana elections as the Election Commission decided to continue to use the colour for ballot papers on EVMs in the December 7 Assembly polls.

The colour 'gives jitters' to the Congress as K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samiti uses pink as the party's official colour scheme for all its promotional material.

Leaders including KCR always wear pink scarf around their neck during party functions.

There were representations to the Election Commission from Congress not to use the colour as they feel it may influence voters towards the TRS party.

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief spokesperson Dasoju Sravan sarcastically said, "The Commission seems to have been infected with some pink disease."

Sravan alleged that the Commission represented by the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer issued orders for printing 90 lakh ballot papers in 'pink' colour.

"We openly raised red flag opposing the introduction of pink ballot papers that it would give undue electoral advantage to TRS.

However, the Election Commission in Telangana has taken no action to stop those violations rather the aforesaid illegal decision is reinforced ignoring the open plea made by us," he said.

Reacting to the development Chief Electoral officer Rajat Kumar Monday said the EC has decided to hold the elections with pink-coloured ballot papers pasted on EVMs but the voter slips would be in white colour, according to the provisions of the Representation of People's Act.

"The Representation of the People Act has to be amended for changing the colour of the ballot paper," he noted.

However, TRS has a reason for choosing Pink as its party's colour.

TRS MP Vinod Kumar said pink represents peace and love and in 2001 when separate Telangana movement was started by KCR, they decided to use it for the same reason.

"Those who object using pink ballot papers should go and ask former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Because during his time in 1952 , it was decided that white would be used for Parliament and pink for Assembly ballot papers," Vinod Kumar said.

The Election Symbol of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti, is "Car" and is usually drawn on a pink-coloured rectangular party flag.

Pink colour which largely represents women in certain categories has become a subject of controversy in the run-up to Telangana elections as the Election Commission decided to continue to use the colour for ballot papers on EVMs in the December 7 Assembly polls.

Pink colour which largely represents women in certain categories has become a subject of controversy in the run-up to Telangana elections as the Election Commission decided to continue to use the colour for ballot papers on EVMs in the December 7 Assembly polls. The colour 'gives jitters' to the Congress as K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samiti uses pink as the party's official colour scheme for all its promotional material. Leaders including KCR always wear pink scarf around their neck during party functions. There were representations to the Election Commission from Congress not to use the colour as they feel it may influence voters towards the TRS party. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief spokesperson Dasoju Sravan sarcastically said, "The Commission seems to have been infected with some pink disease." Sravan alleged that the Commission represented by the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer issued orders for printing 90 lakh ballot papers in 'pink' colour. "We openly raised red flag opposing the introduction of pink ballot papers that it would give undue electoral advantage to TRS. However, the Election Commission in Telangana has taken no action to stop those violations rather the aforesaid illegal decision is reinforced ignoring the open plea made by us," he said. Reacting to the development Chief Electoral officer Rajat Kumar Monday said the EC has decided to hold the elections with pink-coloured ballot papers pasted on EVMs but the voter slips would be in white colour, according to the provisions of the Representation of People's Act. "The Representation of the People Act has to be amended for changing the colour of the ballot paper," he noted. However, TRS has a reason for choosing Pink as its party's colour. TRS MP Vinod Kumar said pink represents peace and love and in 2001 when separate Telangana movement was started by KCR, they decided to use it for the same reason. "Those who object using pink ballot papers should go and ask former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Because during his time in 1952 , it was decided that white would be used for Parliament and pink for Assembly ballot papers," Vinod Kumar said. The Election Symbol of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti, is "Car" and is usually drawn on a pink-coloured rectangular party flag.

Telangana polls: 'Pink fight' over ballot paper colour

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday accused Congress of "encouraging corruption, naxalism, terrorism and misrule" during its rule in the country.

Addressing a campaign rally for the second phase of Assembly polls in Raigarh, Adityanath said the second phase of polling is on November 20, which is a Tuesday - a day associated with Lord Hanuman. He appealed to the people to vote on the auspicious day and targeted Congress by saying, "Congress has done nothing except divide the society on the basis of caste, region, religion and language. Those who don't worship Lord Ram are worthless."

He also accused Congress of "insulting martyrdom" of security forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations by terming Maoists as "revolutionaries".

Without naming UP Congress chief Raj Babbar, Adityanath said, "A leader of UP Congress had termed naxals as revolutionaries which is an insult to the martyrdom of security forces fighting Maoists".

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP with a slogan of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas has launched public welfare schemes for the inclusive development of people belonging to all sections of society, he said.

During the Congress rule, mining and forest mafia, cattle trafficking and naxalism were "at an all-time high" in Chhattisgarh but the BJP government contained all theses ills,he said.

"Earlier, Rs 100 released from Delhi became Rs 10 on reaching people because the remaining Rs 90 was embezzled by dalals (middlemen) of Congress. But now it has changed and Rs 100 released by the Modi government remains Rs 100 when the amount reaches people through digital payment mode," he said.

Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan were considered as Bimaru states during the Congress rule, he said. "But now these states are considered among the developed states after BJP government came to power there," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday accused Congress of "encouraging corruption, naxalism, terrorism and misrule" during its rule in the country.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday accused Congress of "encouraging corruption, naxalism, terrorism and misrule" during its rule in the country. Addressing a campaign rally for the second phase of Assembly polls in Raigarh, Adityanath said the second phase of polling is on November 20, which is a Tuesday - a day associated with Lord Hanuman. He appealed to the people to vote on the auspicious day and targeted Congress by saying, "Congress has done nothing except divide the society on the basis of caste, region, religion and language. Those who don't worship Lord Ram are worthless." He also accused Congress of "insulting martyrdom" of security forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations by terming Maoists as "revolutionaries". Without naming UP Congress chief Raj Babbar, Adityanath said, "A leader of UP Congress had termed naxals as revolutionaries which is an insult to the martyrdom of security forces fighting Maoists". Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP with a slogan of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas has launched public welfare schemes for the inclusive development of people belonging to all sections of society, he said. During the Congress rule, mining and forest mafia, cattle trafficking and naxalism were "at an all-time high" in Chhattisgarh but the BJP government contained all theses ills,he said. "Earlier, Rs 100 released from Delhi became Rs 10 on reaching people because the remaining Rs 90 was embezzled by dalals (middlemen) of Congress. But now it has changed and Rs 100 released by the Modi government remains Rs 100 when the amount reaches people through digital payment mode," he said. Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan were considered as Bimaru states during the Congress rule, he said. "But now these states are considered among the developed states after BJP government came to power there," he said. (With inputs from PTI)

Those who don't worship Lord Ram are worthless: Yogi Adityanath in Chhattisgarh

Sporadic violence notwithstanding, a 70 per cent voter turnout, in phase one of the Chhattisgarh Assembly polls, has already squared the triangular electoral contest in favour of democracy.&nbsp;

Braving Maoist threats, the young and old, men and women, students and teachers, industrialists and farmers, the traders and the unemployed queued up since early morning at poll stations across the 18 Assembly segments, including 10 extremely sensitive areas in the restive Bastar region, which witnessed polling on Monday.

While political parties were quick to react to the poll statistics and used them as proof of their victory claims, those in the know opine that the high voter turnout is a result of confidence-building measures, employed in the run-up to the elections, and reflects the aspirations of people who have long borne the brunt of the nation’s war with Maoist extremism.

Left-wing extremists have a history of disrupting polls and the ongoing election season is no exception. Not long ago, the Sal-covered forests on the southern margins of the poll-bound state echoed with Maoist diktats, threatening to chop off hands and fingers of citizens participating in the elections.

Responding to the threat, security agencies placed a one-lakh-strong contingent, including central paramilitaries, and pressed IAF and BSF choppers into service to airlift poll officials to remote areas. As a precautionary measure, voting in 10 constituencies commenced at 7 am and concluded at 3 pm.

The first phase polls saw 187 candidates vie for 18 seats, including 12 in the Bastar division. The region, with a large tribal population, is widely regarded as a citadel of the Opposition Congress, which has been counting on anti-incumbency to bounce back to power after a gap of 15 years.

The Congress currently holds 12 of these 18 seats and poll pundits say that a success in the opening phase is of paramount importance for the Opposition if it is to stop Chief Minister, &nbsp;Raman Singh, from leading the ruling BJP to a fourth consecutive victory in the state.

Singh, an Ayurveda physician by profession, was also in the poll fray from Rajnandgaon where the nomination of his main opponent, Congress candidate Karuna Shukla, had come as a surprise to many. Shukla is a BJP stalwart and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s niece.

Interestingly, Shukla had joined the Congress months before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and contested the Bilaspur parliamentary seat. Her campaign, however, failed to find resonance with voters in the BJP bastion and ended in a massive defeat.

Politics in Chhattisgarh has traditionally been centered around arch-rivals BJP and Congress and the presence of former chief minister Ajit Jogi-led Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) has added a fresh dimension to the ongoing two-phase contest.

Jogi, a former Congressman and first Chief Minister of the state, had pulled the proverbial rug from under a characteristically complacent Congress’ feet by forging a pre-poll alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party and the CPI.

The move is seen as a huge setback for the Congress not just in Chhattisgarh and neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, but is also likely to impact alliance parleys between the grand old party and the BSP in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections in 2019.

If the word on the street is to be believed, the Jogi manoeuvre is sure to add to the woes of the Congress, which is still struggling to find its feet since the bloody massacre of several of its frontline leaders, at the hands of Maoist insurgents, in the Darbha valley of Sukma district on May 25, 2013.

Salwa Judum founder, Mahendra Karma, was among those killed on that fateful day. His widow, Devti Karma is seeking a second consecutive term from Dantewada on a Congress ticket. Her son, Chhavindra, had sought the seat for himself and even filed his nomination as an SP candidate before withdrawing from the contest in favour of his mother.

Marring the polls, an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated, by Maoists, minutes before polling could commence in Dantewada. IEDs were also recovered in Bijapur and Sukma districts. Five Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) personnel sustained injuries and an equal number of Maoist rebels were killed in two separate incidents in Bijapur. &nbsp;

The fate of their candidates and challenges recorded and sealed in electronic voting machines (EVMs), political parties have returned to the campaign trail for the second phase polls for the remaining 72 seats in the 90-member state Assembly.

Security personnel will move on to new locations and challenges. Election candidates, over the next few weeks, will have little to do besides indulging in number crunching and clutching at straws.&nbsp;

Life in Chhattisgarh’s red zone, too, will return to its everyday pace and routine, but residents are bound to wonder if the brave but silent articulation of their democratic and development aspirations has been noted by those who matter and more importantly if their fragile optimism will translate into the change they deserve. Que sera sera.

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-voters-counter-maoist-threat-2685373">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

Sporadic violence notwithstanding, a 70 per cent voter turnout, in phase one of the Chhattisgarh Assembly polls, has already squared the triangular electoral contest in favour of democracy.

Sporadic violence notwithstanding, a 70 per cent voter turnout, in phase one of the Chhattisgarh Assembly polls, has already squared the triangular electoral contest in favour of democracy. Braving Maoist threats, the young and old, men and women, students and teachers, industrialists and farmers, the traders and the unemployed queued up since early morning at poll stations across the 18 Assembly segments, including 10 extremely sensitive areas in the restive Bastar region, which witnessed polling on Monday. While political parties were quick to react to the poll statistics and used them as proof of their victory claims, those in the know opine that the high voter turnout is a result of confidence-building measures, employed in the run-up to the elections, and reflects the aspirations of people who have long borne the brunt of the nation’s war with Maoist extremism. Left-wing extremists have a history of disrupting polls and the ongoing election season is no exception. Not long ago, the Sal-covered forests on the southern margins of the poll-bound state echoed with Maoist diktats, threatening to chop off hands and fingers of citizens participating in the elections. Responding to the threat, security agencies placed a one-lakh-strong contingent, including central paramilitaries, and pressed IAF and BSF choppers into service to airlift poll officials to remote areas. As a precautionary measure, voting in 10 constituencies commenced at 7 am and concluded at 3 pm. The first phase polls saw 187 candidates vie for 18 seats, including 12 in the Bastar division. The region, with a large tribal population, is widely regarded as a citadel of the Opposition Congress, which has been counting on anti-incumbency to bounce back to power after a gap of 15 years. The Congress currently holds 12 of these 18 seats and poll pundits say that a success in the opening phase is of paramount importance for the Opposition if it is to stop Chief Minister, Raman Singh, from leading the ruling BJP to a fourth consecutive victory in the state. Singh, an Ayurveda physician by profession, was also in the poll fray from Rajnandgaon where the nomination of his main opponent, Congress candidate Karuna Shukla, had come as a surprise to many. Shukla is a BJP stalwart and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s niece. Interestingly, Shukla had joined the Congress months before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and contested the Bilaspur parliamentary seat. Her campaign, however, failed to find resonance with voters in the BJP bastion and ended in a massive defeat. Politics in Chhattisgarh has traditionally been centered around arch-rivals BJP and Congress and the presence of former chief minister Ajit Jogi-led Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) has added a fresh dimension to the ongoing two-phase contest. Jogi, a former Congressman and first Chief Minister of the state, had pulled the proverbial rug from under a characteristically complacent Congress’ feet by forging a pre-poll alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party and the CPI. The move is seen as a huge setback for the Congress not just in Chhattisgarh and neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, but is also likely to impact alliance parleys between the grand old party and the BSP in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections in 2019. If the word on the street is to be believed, the Jogi manoeuvre is sure to add to the woes of the Congress, which is still struggling to find its feet since the bloody massacre of several of its frontline leaders, at the hands of Maoist insurgents, in the Darbha valley of Sukma district on May 25, 2013. Salwa Judum founder, Mahendra Karma, was among those killed on that fateful day. His widow, Devti Karma is seeking a second consecutive term from Dantewada on a Congress ticket. Her son, Chhavindra, had sought the seat for himself and even filed his nomination as an SP candidate before withdrawing from the contest in favour of his mother. Marring the polls, an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated, by Maoists, minutes before polling could commence in Dantewada. IEDs were also recovered in Bijapur and Sukma districts. Five Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) personnel sustained injuries and an equal number of Maoist rebels were killed in two separate incidents in Bijapur. The fate of their candidates and challenges recorded and sealed in electronic voting machines (EVMs), political parties have returned to the campaign trail for the second phase polls for the remaining 72 seats in the 90-member state Assembly. Security personnel will move on to new locations and challenges. Election candidates, over the next few weeks, will have little to do besides indulging in number crunching and clutching at straws. Life in Chhattisgarh’s red zone, too, will return to its everyday pace and routine, but residents are bound to wonder if the brave but silent articulation of their democratic and development aspirations has been noted by those who matter and more importantly if their fragile optimism will translate into the change they deserve. Que sera sera. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Assembly elections 2018: Voters counter Maoist threat in Chhattisgarh

The potential of a third force emerging in Madhya Pradesh as a result of the widespread anger and rage, especially among the officers, employees and the youth belonging to the unreserved category, who are feeling the brunt and suffering due to the caste-based system of reservation in jobs, educational institutions and promotion, has got frittered away by the narrow political ambitions some people who recently joined Sapaks Samaj.

Sapaks Samaj is a body of citizens crusading against the quota system since 2016, and have brazenly tried to hijack the social outfit to meet their narrow political ends by getting a political party registered by the same name as Sapaks (Sapaks has become a brand to reckon with and is the popular abbreviation for “Samanya Pichda Alpsankhyak Kalyan Samaj Sanstha”).&nbsp;

This has not only spread confusion as people are wondering whether Sapaks, the social organisation, is now doing politics. It has also split the Sapaks&nbsp;movement into two.

What’s added fuel to fire is the role played by another outfit - Samanya Pichda Alpsankhyak Varg Adhikari Karmchari Sanstha - formed about three years ago by state government officers and employees. It is also called Sapaks.&nbsp;

The network of those actively associated with this organisation, which is caught in a legal wrangle in the Supreme Court over the Madhya Pradesh provision for Reservation in promotion has worked overtime to generate resources and build the support base for Sapaks Party before its registration.&nbsp;

This was evident during the September 30 rally in Bhopal organised jointly by the two Sapaks organisations much before the registration of Sapaks Party. As a consequence of this, the momentum gained by Sapaks over the last two years will now take several years to repair the damage that has been caused to the Movement against reservation in Madhya Pradesh. The Sapaks Movement had touched its peak on September 6 when the response to the call for the nation-wide bandh against the amendment to the SC/ST Atrocities Act was total in Madhya Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the two main political rivals in MP -&nbsp;Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress, are fighting their own battles&nbsp;during the final lap of electioneering before polling on November 28. Their immediate crisis is linked to the rebel factor. &nbsp;On this count, while the Congress leaders are claiming that the problem vis-a-vis the rebels is under control, the BJP is finding the going tough. Sartaj Singh, a former Union Minister, who had once defeated Congress senior late Arjun Singh in the Hoshangabd parliamentary constituency and was recently dropped from the State Cabinet by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is now fighting on a Congress ticket.&nbsp;

Former state minister Ramkrishna Kusmaria has also turned rebel. After efforts to bring him on track by state BJP President Rakesh Singh and general secretary in-charge organisational affairs Suhas Bhagat failed, Kusmaria even refused to meet national vice president of the party Prabhat Jha on Tuesday. Raghavji, a long-term state finance minister, who was shown the door after he was booked and arrested on the charge of sexually exploiting his male servant in July 2013, has filed his papers as a Sapaks party candidate.

Senior BJP managers have been in touch with him to dissuade him from taking this course. Former Gwalior Mayor Samiksha Gupta is among so many others who have distanced themselves from the BJP and have filed their nomination papers and entered the election fray as independent candidates.&nbsp;

Besides the third force, the rebel factor, and candidates belonging to the Samajwadi Party, Aam Aadmi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, a large number of Independent candidates are hopeful of reaping a big harvest of seats in as there is also a deep undercurrent of anti-incumbency in Madhya Pradesh. The anger against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is overflowing in Budhni, which happens to be his home turf and constituency. A video showing a village woman shouting at the chief minister’s wife Sadhna Singh, for poor availability of water, when she had gone campaigning at her doorstep has gone viral.&nbsp;

Of course, enthused by this is former state Congress President Arun Yadav, who has been pitted against the chief minister in Budhni by the Congress party.

The BJP leaders are discounting all these angles. They are affirming that the RSS cadres would now work with the vengeance and play a huge role in converting votes in favour of the BJP since the Congress manifesto has raised a huge controversy by targeting the RSS and demanding that government servants be kept out of its reach. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

The potential of a third force emerging in Madhya Pradesh as a result of the widespread anger and rage, especially among the officers, employees and the youth belonging to the unreserved category, who are feeling the brunt and suffering due to the caste-based system of reservation in jobs, educational institutions and promotion, has got frittered away by the narrow political ambitions some people who recently joined Sapaks Samaj.

The potential of a third force emerging in Madhya Pradesh as a result of the widespread anger and rage, especially among the officers, employees and the youth belonging to the unreserved category, who are feeling the brunt and suffering due to the caste-based system of reservation in jobs, educational institutions and promotion, has got frittered away by the narrow political ambitions some people who recently joined Sapaks Samaj. Sapaks Samaj is a body of citizens crusading against the quota system since 2016, and have brazenly tried to hijack the social outfit to meet their narrow political ends by getting a political party registered by the same name as Sapaks (Sapaks has become a brand to reckon with and is the popular abbreviation for “Samanya Pichda Alpsankhyak Kalyan Samaj Sanstha”). This has not only spread confusion as people are wondering whether Sapaks, the social organisation, is now doing politics. It has also split the Sapaks movement into two. What’s added fuel to fire is the role played by another outfit - Samanya Pichda Alpsankhyak Varg Adhikari Karmchari Sanstha - formed about three years ago by state government officers and employees. It is also called Sapaks. The network of those actively associated with this organisation, which is caught in a legal wrangle in the Supreme Court over the Madhya Pradesh provision for Reservation in promotion has worked overtime to generate resources and build the support base for Sapaks Party before its registration. This was evident during the September 30 rally in Bhopal organised jointly by the two Sapaks organisations much before the registration of Sapaks Party. As a consequence of this, the momentum gained by Sapaks over the last two years will now take several years to repair the damage that has been caused to the Movement against reservation in Madhya Pradesh. The Sapaks Movement had touched its peak on September 6 when the response to the call for the nation-wide bandh against the amendment to the SC/ST Atrocities Act was total in Madhya Pradesh. Meanwhile, the two main political rivals in MP - Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress, are fighting their own battles during the final lap of electioneering before polling on November 28. Their immediate crisis is linked to the rebel factor. On this count, while the Congress leaders are claiming that the problem vis-a-vis the rebels is under control, the BJP is finding the going tough. Sartaj Singh, a former Union Minister, who had once defeated Congress senior late Arjun Singh in the Hoshangabd parliamentary constituency and was recently dropped from the State Cabinet by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is now fighting on a Congress ticket. Former state minister Ramkrishna Kusmaria has also turned rebel. After efforts to bring him on track by state BJP President Rakesh Singh and general secretary in-charge organisational affairs Suhas Bhagat failed, Kusmaria even refused to meet national vice president of the party Prabhat Jha on Tuesday. Raghavji, a long-term state finance minister, who was shown the door after he was booked and arrested on the charge of sexually exploiting his male servant in July 2013, has filed his papers as a Sapaks party candidate. Senior BJP managers have been in touch with him to dissuade him from taking this course. Former Gwalior Mayor Samiksha Gupta is among so many others who have distanced themselves from the BJP and have filed their nomination papers and entered the election fray as independent candidates. Besides the third force, the rebel factor, and candidates belonging to the Samajwadi Party, Aam Aadmi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, a large number of Independent candidates are hopeful of reaping a big harvest of seats in as there is also a deep undercurrent of anti-incumbency in Madhya Pradesh. The anger against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is overflowing in Budhni, which happens to be his home turf and constituency. A video showing a village woman shouting at the chief minister’s wife Sadhna Singh, for poor availability of water, when she had gone campaigning at her doorstep has gone viral. Of course, enthused by this is former state Congress President Arun Yadav, who has been pitted against the chief minister in Budhni by the Congress party. The BJP leaders are discounting all these angles. They are affirming that the RSS cadres would now work with the vengeance and play a huge role in converting votes in favour of the BJP since the Congress manifesto has raised a huge controversy by targeting the RSS and demanding that government servants be kept out of its reach. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Assembly elections: Third force remains a mirage - BJP and Congress main contenders in MP

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and minister in Rajasthan government, Surendra Goyal, submitted his resignation from the party on Monday, a day after he was denied the ticket to contest the state assembly poll.

The BJP released its first list of 131 candidates on Sunday, following a Central Election Committee meeting, wherein Goyal was confirmed to have been replaced by Avinash Gehlot for Jaitaran constituency.

Goyal, a five-time MLA from the seat, submitted his resignation letter to the state unit party president Madanlal Saini. He was the state's Water Resources Minister.

The BJP has fielded 25 new faces and 85 sitting MLAs for the ensuing assembly polls. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje will contest from Jhalrapatan assembly constituency from where she has been contesting since 2003.

The assembly polls in the state will take place on December 7 in a single phase for all 200 seats, which are at stake in the state. The counting of votes will take place on December 11. The BJP had won 163 of the 200 assembly seats in the last Assembly polls.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and minister in Rajasthan government, Surendra Goyal, submitted his resignation from the party on Monday, a day after he was denied the ticket to contest the state assembly poll.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and minister in Rajasthan government, Surendra Goyal, submitted his resignation from the party on Monday, a day after he was denied the ticket to contest the state assembly poll. The BJP released its first list of 131 candidates on Sunday, following a Central Election Committee meeting, wherein Goyal was confirmed to have been replaced by Avinash Gehlot for Jaitaran constituency. Goyal, a five-time MLA from the seat, submitted his resignation letter to the state unit party president Madanlal Saini. He was the state's Water Resources Minister. The BJP has fielded 25 new faces and 85 sitting MLAs for the ensuing assembly polls. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje will contest from Jhalrapatan assembly constituency from where she has been contesting since 2003. The assembly polls in the state will take place on December 7 in a single phase for all 200 seats, which are at stake in the state. The counting of votes will take place on December 11. The BJP had won 163 of the 200 assembly seats in the last Assembly polls.

Denied ticket, Rajasthan BJP leader Surendra Goyal quits party

With the Telangana Assembly elections less than a month away, many Congress party workers are not satisfied with the way the tickets are being distributed.

The disgruntled leaders and their supporters staged a protest at the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) headquarters at Gandhi Bhawan in Hyderabad, climbing up trees and urging the party high command to give tickets for their leaders who have worked hard for the party. They are also demanding to give tickets to some parachute candidates.

Some Congress leaders and party workers from 'Vaderula' community have been protesting in front of the party's office for the last a few days, demanding the ticket for Jai Ramulu from Patancheru constituency.

There are a few other Congress leaders from Malkajgiri constituency, who have been on a hunger strike for the last three days demanding the ticket for Sridhar. Faced with increasing pressure, the Congress has deferred the announcement of the list of candidates for the ensuing polls.

Till now, the Congress has announced 74 candidates.

The Congress has allotted 14 seats to Telugu Desam Party (TDP), eight to Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) and three to Communist Party of India (CPI). The final candidate list for 119 constituencies with alliance partners will be announced in next few days.

TPCC spokesperson Gudur Narayan said, "From one seat, only one person will get the ticket. Ability to win the election is the only criteria for giving tickets. In some cases, the party has to give seats to the alliance partners. As a result, some leaders are agitations. Many of them were called to Delhi and were counselled not to accept the party decision."

"However, each and every competent leader will get some responsibility once the government is formed. It is very sad that some people, who have really worked hard, have been deprived of a chance to contest the polls. These leaders will be taken care of in a big way," he said.

The election to the 119-member assembly of Telangana is scheduled to be held on December 7. The counting of votes will take place on December 11.

With the Telangana Assembly elections less than a month away, many Congress party workers are not satisfied with the way the tickets are being distributed. The disgruntled leaders and their supporters staged a protest at the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) headquarters at Gandhi Bhawan in Hyderabad, climbing up trees and urging the party high command to give tickets for their leaders who have worked hard for the party.

With the Telangana Assembly elections less than a month away, many Congress party workers are not satisfied with the way the tickets are being distributed. The disgruntled leaders and their supporters staged a protest at the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) headquarters at Gandhi Bhawan in Hyderabad, climbing up trees and urging the party high command to give tickets for their leaders who have worked hard for the party. They are also demanding to give tickets to some parachute candidates. Some Congress leaders and party workers from 'Vaderula' community have been protesting in front of the party's office for the last a few days, demanding the ticket for Jai Ramulu from Patancheru constituency. There are a few other Congress leaders from Malkajgiri constituency, who have been on a hunger strike for the last three days demanding the ticket for Sridhar. Faced with increasing pressure, the Congress has deferred the announcement of the list of candidates for the ensuing polls. Till now, the Congress has announced 74 candidates. The Congress has allotted 14 seats to Telugu Desam Party (TDP), eight to Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) and three to Communist Party of India (CPI). The final candidate list for 119 constituencies with alliance partners will be announced in next few days. TPCC spokesperson Gudur Narayan said, "From one seat, only one person will get the ticket. Ability to win the election is the only criteria for giving tickets. In some cases, the party has to give seats to the alliance partners. As a result, some leaders are agitations. Many of them were called to Delhi and were counselled not to accept the party decision." "However, each and every competent leader will get some responsibility once the government is formed. It is very sad that some people, who have really worked hard, have been deprived of a chance to contest the polls. These leaders will be taken care of in a big way," he said. The election to the 119-member assembly of Telangana is scheduled to be held on December 7. The counting of votes will take place on December 11.

Congress defers candidate list for Telangana polls as party workers stage protest over ticket distribution

At least 76 per cent of the licensed gun owners have deposited their arms to the police in Mizoram ahead of the November 28 Assembly elections, a senior police officer said Tuesday.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) L H Shanliana said that 10,337 licensed gun owners had deposited their firearms in various police stations across Mizoram.

The deputy commissioners of all the districts in the state had issued orders asking all registered gun owners to deposit their firearms before the Assembly elections as per a directive issued by the Election Commission of India.

Shanliana hoped that all licensed gun owners, including farmers, would deposit their firearms before the polls though the farmers need guns to protect their jhums (cultivation) from animals at this time of the year.

"We have received excellent cooperation from the village councils in the rural areas and the local councils in the capital Aizawl city," he said.

Keeping in mind the gun owners' sentiments about their guns, he said they would be able to check and clean their firearms whenever they want to do so by visiting the respective police stations and outposts.

The IGP said that DGPs of neighbouring Assam, Tripura and Manipur have been asked to ensure that no persons or materials that could disrupt the poll process in Mizoram should be allowed to enter the state.

Superintendents of police and officers-in-charge of border districts have been put on high alert.

Close circuit television cameras were in place in the border outposts at Assam border Vairengte, Saiphai and Bairabi and Tripura border Zawlnuam Police outposts, the IGP added.&nbsp;

At least 76 per cent of the licensed gun owners have deposited their arms to the police in Mizoram ahead of the November 28 Assembly elections, a senior police officer said Tuesday.

At least 76 per cent of the licensed gun owners have deposited their arms to the police in Mizoram ahead of the November 28 Assembly elections, a senior police officer said Tuesday. Inspector General of Police (IGP) L H Shanliana said that 10,337 licensed gun owners had deposited their firearms in various police stations across Mizoram. The deputy commissioners of all the districts in the state had issued orders asking all registered gun owners to deposit their firearms before the Assembly elections as per a directive issued by the Election Commission of India. Shanliana hoped that all licensed gun owners, including farmers, would deposit their firearms before the polls though the farmers need guns to protect their jhums (cultivation) from animals at this time of the year. "We have received excellent cooperation from the village councils in the rural areas and the local councils in the capital Aizawl city," he said. Keeping in mind the gun owners' sentiments about their guns, he said they would be able to check and clean their firearms whenever they want to do so by visiting the respective police stations and outposts. The IGP said that DGPs of neighbouring Assam, Tripura and Manipur have been asked to ensure that no persons or materials that could disrupt the poll process in Mizoram should be allowed to enter the state. Superintendents of police and officers-in-charge of border districts have been put on high alert. Close circuit television cameras were in place in the border outposts at Assam border Vairengte, Saiphai and Bairabi and Tripura border Zawlnuam Police outposts, the IGP added.

Mizoram Assembly Election 2018: 76% licensed gun owners deposit arms in poll-bound state

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) released its first list of nine candidates for the December 7 Legislative Assembly elections in Telangana.

The TDP is part of the "grand alliance" for the polls and the party is expected to contest 14 seats.

The "grand alliance" comprises the Congress, the TDP, the CPI and the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS).

The total number of assembly segments in the state is 119.

The candidates announced by the TDP include - Nama Nageswara Rao (Khammam assembly constituency), Revuri Prakash Reddy (Warangal West), S Venkata Veeraiah (Sattupalli), Kothakota Dayakar Reddy (Maktal), Erra Sekhar (Mahabubnagar), T Veerender Goud (Uppal), Bhavya Anand Prasad (Serilingampalli), Machha Nageswara Rao (Aswaraopet) and Muzaffar Ali Khan (Malakpet), according to a TDP media release issued Monday midnight.

The TDP announced the list after its alliance partner Congress released its first list of 65 candidates.

The process of filing nominations began Monday with the Election Commission issuing a notification in this regard.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) released its first list of nine candidates for the December 7 Legislative Assembly elections in Telangana. The TDP is part of the "grand alliance" for the polls and the party is expected to contest 14 seats.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) released its first list of nine candidates for the December 7 Legislative Assembly elections in Telangana. The TDP is part of the "grand alliance" for the polls and the party is expected to contest 14 seats. The "grand alliance" comprises the Congress, the TDP, the CPI and the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS). The total number of assembly segments in the state is 119. The candidates announced by the TDP include - Nama Nageswara Rao (Khammam assembly constituency), Revuri Prakash Reddy (Warangal West), S Venkata Veeraiah (Sattupalli), Kothakota Dayakar Reddy (Maktal), Erra Sekhar (Mahabubnagar), T Veerender Goud (Uppal), Bhavya Anand Prasad (Serilingampalli), Machha Nageswara Rao (Aswaraopet) and Muzaffar Ali Khan (Malakpet), according to a TDP media release issued Monday midnight. The TDP announced the list after its alliance partner Congress released its first list of 65 candidates. The process of filing nominations began Monday with the Election Commission issuing a notification in this regard.

TDP releases first list of 9 candidates for December 7 Telangana polls

The upcoming Mizoram elections are mired in controversies that are unprecedented for the geographically isolated northeastern state. After massive protests against the Chief Electoral Officer, B Shashank, for his alleged overreach in the deployment of 40,000 central forces and allowing Reang (Bru tribe) people living in Tripura to vote in the camps where they live instead of travelling to Mizoram to vote. &nbsp;

These moves were seen by a cross-section of community-based organisations and political parties like the Congress, Mizo National Front and the upstart National People’s Party as dangerous to the stability of Mizoram, a tiny state with just over 11 lakh population. &nbsp;

With 7.68 lakh voters, nearly 70 per cent of the state’s population is registered in electoral rolls making it the only state with such a high percentage of voters. And reflecting the still strong matriarchal tradition in the state, women voters outnumber men with 3. 93 lakh women voters as opposed to 374,496 men.&nbsp;

The 40-seat Mizoram assembly is presently dominated by the Congress with 34 MLAs. Its five-term chief minister, Lal Thanhawla has been exuding confidence and has assured his supporters that the party will retain the 34 seats in the November 28 Assembly elections. Mizoram is the only Congress-ruled state in the Northeast.&nbsp; 
 
And, if Thanhawla manages to retain power then he would successfully defeat BJP’s goal of making northeast free from Congress. After Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachala, Manipur, and Tripura, the BJP is gunning for Mizoram, and it is this saffron onslaught that has made this election the most unpredictable.

The Controversy over Brus’ voting&nbsp;

Over 32,000 Brus live in different relief camps in neighbouring Tripura. Following ethnic clashes two decades ago, these Bru refugees who are also known as Reangs, had to flee Mizoram. However, nearly 40,000 Brus continue to live in Mizoram. In the past, those Brus who fled, and, who now live in unhygienic conditions in relief camps in Tripura were allowed to cast their votes through postal ballots and in booths set up especially for them inside Mizoram.&nbsp;

What Chief Electoral Officer wanted was to have nearly 12,000 Bru voters cast their votes within the camps in Tripura itself. This led to a serious concern among Mizo groups who fear that the polling of votes in these camps could lead to malpractices like the use of money and muscle power. &nbsp;

The mistrust of Mizo groups also stems from the BJP’s changed policy towards refugee groups like the Brus. Besides this issue, the Mizo groups also fear that massive deployment of central forces may lead to intimidation of locals who still remember the bloody decades of insurgency in Mizoram in the 1960s and 1970s.&nbsp;

For the 40-seat Mizoram assembly, a total of 211 candidates have filed nominations. Besides the ruling Congress, and the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), BJP too has fielded contestants in all 40 constituencies. The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) is fighting on 35 seats, and another smaller ethnic-based party, the Zoram Thar has put up 24 candidates.&nbsp; 
 
The National People’s Party (NPP), widely expected to put up a good fight, has decided to contest nine seats while the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is contesting in five seats.&nbsp;

With just two weeks to go before polls, the largely rural state is gearing up for a high-stakes battle in which the states are highest for incumbent chief minister Lal Thanhawla of the Congress. Given the unpredictability this time it is difficult to predict if Mizoram will stay with the Congress or like other states in the northeast, it too will become ‘Congress-free’.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

 
&nbsp;

The upcoming Mizoram elections are mired in controversies that are unprecedented for the geographically isolated northeastern state. After massive protests against the Chief Electoral Officer, B Shashank, for his alleged overreach in the deployment of 40,000 central forces and allowing Reang (Bru tribe) people living in Tripura to vote in the camps where they live instead of travelling to Mizoram to vote.

The upcoming Mizoram elections are mired in controversies that are unprecedented for the geographically isolated northeastern state. After massive protests against the Chief Electoral Officer, B Shashank, for his alleged overreach in the deployment of 40,000 central forces and allowing Reang (Bru tribe) people living in Tripura to vote in the camps where they live instead of travelling to Mizoram to vote. These moves were seen by a cross-section of community-based organisations and political parties like the Congress, Mizo National Front and the upstart National People’s Party as dangerous to the stability of Mizoram, a tiny state with just over 11 lakh population. With 7.68 lakh voters, nearly 70 per cent of the state’s population is registered in electoral rolls making it the only state with such a high percentage of voters. And reflecting the still strong matriarchal tradition in the state, women voters outnumber men with 3. 93 lakh women voters as opposed to 374,496 men. The 40-seat Mizoram assembly is presently dominated by the Congress with 34 MLAs. Its five-term chief minister, Lal Thanhawla has been exuding confidence and has assured his supporters that the party will retain the 34 seats in the November 28 Assembly elections. Mizoram is the only Congress-ruled state in the Northeast. And, if Thanhawla manages to retain power then he would successfully defeat BJP’s goal of making northeast free from Congress. After Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachala, Manipur, and Tripura, the BJP is gunning for Mizoram, and it is this saffron onslaught that has made this election the most unpredictable. The Controversy over Brus’ voting Over 32,000 Brus live in different relief camps in neighbouring Tripura. Following ethnic clashes two decades ago, these Bru refugees who are also known as Reangs, had to flee Mizoram. However, nearly 40,000 Brus continue to live in Mizoram. In the past, those Brus who fled, and, who now live in unhygienic conditions in relief camps in Tripura were allowed to cast their votes through postal ballots and in booths set up especially for them inside Mizoram. What Chief Electoral Officer wanted was to have nearly 12,000 Bru voters cast their votes within the camps in Tripura itself. This led to a serious concern among Mizo groups who fear that the polling of votes in these camps could lead to malpractices like the use of money and muscle power. The mistrust of Mizo groups also stems from the BJP’s changed policy towards refugee groups like the Brus. Besides this issue, the Mizo groups also fear that massive deployment of central forces may lead to intimidation of locals who still remember the bloody decades of insurgency in Mizoram in the 1960s and 1970s. For the 40-seat Mizoram assembly, a total of 211 candidates have filed nominations. Besides the ruling Congress, and the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), BJP too has fielded contestants in all 40 constituencies. The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) is fighting on 35 seats, and another smaller ethnic-based party, the Zoram Thar has put up 24 candidates. The National People’s Party (NPP), widely expected to put up a good fight, has decided to contest nine seats while the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is contesting in five seats. With just two weeks to go before polls, the largely rural state is gearing up for a high-stakes battle in which the states are highest for incumbent chief minister Lal Thanhawla of the Congress. Given the unpredictability this time it is difficult to predict if Mizoram will stay with the Congress or like other states in the northeast, it too will become ‘Congress-free’. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Assembly elections 2018: Mizoram’s tryst with destiny

The Mizo National Front (MNF), which has been under fire from other political parties for allegedly being close to the BJP, Tuesday said it did not have any electoral alliance with the saffron party and would never go for one as the ideologies of the two parties were "completely different".

There was also no chance of a post-poll alliance between the MNF and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or a coalition in the event of a hung Assembly, MNF senior vice-president Tawnluia said during a meeting in Khawzawl town on the Mizoram-Myanmar border.

"The MNF is for protecting Christianity, but will never condone Hindutva," he said.

Tawnluia added that the Congress had formed a coalition with the BJP to be in power in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) since May last and the Zoram

People's Movement's (ZPM) chief ministerial candidate, Lalduhoma, had formed an alliance with the saffron party earlier.

The Congress had to publicly announce that it was no longer an ally of the BJP in the autonomous council for the ethnic Chakma people that exercised legislative, executive and judicial powers over the allotted departments in its territory spread over 1,500 sq. Km.

The election to the 20-member CADC on April 20 had thrown up a fractured mandate with the MNF getting eight seats, the Congress six and the BJP five. The polling for one seat was stayed by the Gauhati High Court.

The traditional national rivals -- the BJP and the Congress -- later formed a coalition to stake claim to form the executive committee of the tribal council. The coalition, however, faced a setback after some Congress members withdrew support to the BJP-led CADC.&nbsp;

The MNF has been accused of being close to the saffron party as it is a constituent of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). Other political parties, especially the ruling Congress, has alleged that the MNF has a covert understanding with the BJP.

Both the BJP and the MNF are contesting all the 40 seats in the November 28 Mizoram Assembly polls, the results of which will be announced on December 11.

The Mizo National Front (MNF), which has been under fire from other political parties for allegedly being close to the BJP, Tuesday said it did not have any electoral alliance with the saffron party and would never go for one as the ideologies of the two parties were "completely different".

The Mizo National Front (MNF), which has been under fire from other political parties for allegedly being close to the BJP, Tuesday said it did not have any electoral alliance with the saffron party and would never go for one as the ideologies of the two parties were "completely different". There was also no chance of a post-poll alliance between the MNF and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or a coalition in the event of a hung Assembly, MNF senior vice-president Tawnluia said during a meeting in Khawzawl town on the Mizoram-Myanmar border. "The MNF is for protecting Christianity, but will never condone Hindutva," he said. Tawnluia added that the Congress had formed a coalition with the BJP to be in power in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) since May last and the Zoram People's Movement's (ZPM) chief ministerial candidate, Lalduhoma, had formed an alliance with the saffron party earlier. The Congress had to publicly announce that it was no longer an ally of the BJP in the autonomous council for the ethnic Chakma people that exercised legislative, executive and judicial powers over the allotted departments in its territory spread over 1,500 sq. Km. The election to the 20-member CADC on April 20 had thrown up a fractured mandate with the MNF getting eight seats, the Congress six and the BJP five. The polling for one seat was stayed by the Gauhati High Court. The traditional national rivals -- the BJP and the Congress -- later formed a coalition to stake claim to form the executive committee of the tribal council. The coalition, however, faced a setback after some Congress members withdrew support to the BJP-led CADC. The MNF has been accused of being close to the saffron party as it is a constituent of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). Other political parties, especially the ruling Congress, has alleged that the MNF has a covert understanding with the BJP. Both the BJP and the MNF are contesting all the 40 seats in the November 28 Mizoram Assembly polls, the results of which will be announced on December 11.

No electoral understanding with BJP: Mizo National Front

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi asked Tuesday why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was silent on charges of corruption against Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and his family.

Addressing a rally in Kharsia Assembly constituency in Raigarh district in the poll-bound state, Gandhi claimed the Prime Minister did not speak about corruption anymore.

"In civil supply scam of Rs 36,000 crore, names of Raman Singh and his wife surfaced. Rs 5,000 chit fund scam took place under the protection of the Raman Singh government," he alleged.

"His (Singh's) son Abhishek Singh was named in Panama papers scandal, but no action was taken in any of these cases," the Congress chief alleged.

"Prime minister Modi used to speak about corruption in his speeches earlier, but why he does not speak about the corruption of Raman Singh and his family? Why Raman Singh too is silent over corruption," he asked.

The ruling BJP has denied the allegations of corruption against the chief minister and his family.

Gandhi campaigned for Congress candidate and incumbent MLA from Kharsia, Umesh Patel, Tuesday.

Patel's father Nandkumar Patel, then state Congress chief, was killed in a Naxal attack in Jhiram valley in Bastar's Darbha area on May 25, 2013.

Remembering Nandkumar Patel, Gandhi accused Modi of insulting the martyrdom of Congress leaders who died in the Naxal attack.

He was apparently referring to the prime minister's recent speech in Bastar where he had accused Congress leaders of supporting urban Naxals.

The Congress chief reiterated his allegation that the Modi government took away the Rafale fighter jets contract from the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and gave it to industrialist Anil Ambani.

"Modi ji handed over Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani which was your money," Gandhi claimed.

Both the government as well as Ambani have denied the allegations of grant of undue favour to Ambani's firm in the Rafale deal.

The Congress president promised loan waiver to farmers in the state.

"After the Congress government is formed in the state, we will waive the loans of farmers within ten days," he said.

Gandhi&nbsp;said farmers would get a bonus on paddy procurement, and the bonus pending for two years, which the BJP government had promised but not paid, would be disbursed.

On Monday, polling was held in eighteen constituencies of Naxal-affected districts of Chhattisgarh. Remaining 72 seats will go to polls on November 20.&nbsp;

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi asked Tuesday why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was silent on charges of corruption against Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and his family.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi asked Tuesday why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was silent on charges of corruption against Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and his family. Addressing a rally in Kharsia Assembly constituency in Raigarh district in the poll-bound state, Gandhi claimed the Prime Minister did not speak about corruption anymore. "In civil supply scam of Rs 36,000 crore, names of Raman Singh and his wife surfaced. Rs 5,000 chit fund scam took place under the protection of the Raman Singh government," he alleged. "His (Singh's) son Abhishek Singh was named in Panama papers scandal, but no action was taken in any of these cases," the Congress chief alleged. "Prime minister Modi used to speak about corruption in his speeches earlier, but why he does not speak about the corruption of Raman Singh and his family? Why Raman Singh too is silent over corruption," he asked. The ruling BJP has denied the allegations of corruption against the chief minister and his family. Gandhi campaigned for Congress candidate and incumbent MLA from Kharsia, Umesh Patel, Tuesday. Patel's father Nandkumar Patel, then state Congress chief, was killed in a Naxal attack in Jhiram valley in Bastar's Darbha area on May 25, 2013. Remembering Nandkumar Patel, Gandhi accused Modi of insulting the martyrdom of Congress leaders who died in the Naxal attack. He was apparently referring to the prime minister's recent speech in Bastar where he had accused Congress leaders of supporting urban Naxals. The Congress chief reiterated his allegation that the Modi government took away the Rafale fighter jets contract from the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and gave it to industrialist Anil Ambani. "Modi ji handed over Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani which was your money," Gandhi claimed. Both the government as well as Ambani have denied the allegations of grant of undue favour to Ambani's firm in the Rafale deal. The Congress president promised loan waiver to farmers in the state. "After the Congress government is formed in the state, we will waive the loans of farmers within ten days," he said. Gandhi said farmers would get a bonus on paddy procurement, and the bonus pending for two years, which the BJP government had promised but not paid, would be disbursed. On Monday, polling was held in eighteen constituencies of Naxal-affected districts of Chhattisgarh. Remaining 72 seats will go to polls on November 20.

Why is PM mum on corruption chages against Raman Singh: Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a diatribe against <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gulberg-massacre-supreme-court-to-hear-plea-challenging-clean-chit-given-to-pm-modi-177080">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a>, accusing him of "misleading" people on India's development.

Addressing a rally in Baloda Bazar ahead of the second phase of polling in Chhattisgarh on November 20, Gandhi said as per Modi, development of the country began only after 2014, when he became the prime minister.

"He (Modi) doesn't even know that the country is run by the people and not by a single man. He insults you by making such comments," the Congress president said.

Demonetisation and implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was aimed to break the back of small and medium businesses, Gandhi said. Congress will encourage youth to do business and get loan facility from banks, he added.

The Congress is not against big industrialists, but if government gives them benefit, small and medium business should not be neglected, he said.

"Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Vijay Mallya fled the country with thousands of crores of rupees belonging to the people of India. PM Modi does nothing to bring them back to the country and doesn't utter a word on the issue," he said.

He claimed the CBI director was removed from his post at 1am to stop a probe into the Rafale deal. "If there is an investigation, only two names will come up: Narendra Modi and Anil Ambani. Modi is scared of a probe," he said.

Gandhi claimed Anil Ambani was chosen over HAL for the Rafale deal despite HAL having 70 years experience in manufacturing fighter aircraft.

"Anil Ambani didn't have the experience. He may not have made even a paper aeroplane," he said.

Gandhi said there is an undercurrent in favour of the Congress in the 18 constituencies of Chhattisgarh which went to polls Monday.

Results from Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and other poll-bound states will go in favour of the Congress, he said.

Chhattisgarh is rich in resources, the Congress president said, adding the "dream of the state was broken due to the misrule" of the BJP government.

Promising a "people's government" in Chhattisgarh if voted to power, he said people want a government which listens to their "Mann ki Baat".

"Instead of working for a few industrialists, Congress will work for development of agriculture, education and health in the state," Gandhi said.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a diatribe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of "misleading" people on India's development. Addressing a rally in Baloda Bazar ahead of the second phase of polling in Chhattisgarh on November 20, Gandhi said as per Modi, development of the country began only after 2014, when he became the prime minister.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a diatribe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of "misleading" people on India's development. Addressing a rally in Baloda Bazar ahead of the second phase of polling in Chhattisgarh on November 20, Gandhi said as per Modi, development of the country began only after 2014, when he became the prime minister. "He (Modi) doesn't even know that the country is run by the people and not by a single man. He insults you by making such comments," the Congress president said. Demonetisation and implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was aimed to break the back of small and medium businesses, Gandhi said. Congress will encourage youth to do business and get loan facility from banks, he added. The Congress is not against big industrialists, but if government gives them benefit, small and medium business should not be neglected, he said. "Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Vijay Mallya fled the country with thousands of crores of rupees belonging to the people of India. PM Modi does nothing to bring them back to the country and doesn't utter a word on the issue," he said. He claimed the CBI director was removed from his post at 1am to stop a probe into the Rafale deal. "If there is an investigation, only two names will come up: Narendra Modi and Anil Ambani. Modi is scared of a probe," he said. Gandhi claimed Anil Ambani was chosen over HAL for the Rafale deal despite HAL having 70 years experience in manufacturing fighter aircraft. "Anil Ambani didn't have the experience. He may not have made even a paper aeroplane," he said. Gandhi said there is an undercurrent in favour of the Congress in the 18 constituencies of Chhattisgarh which went to polls Monday. Results from Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and other poll-bound states will go in favour of the Congress, he said. Chhattisgarh is rich in resources, the Congress president said, adding the "dream of the state was broken due to the misrule" of the BJP government. Promising a "people's government" in Chhattisgarh if voted to power, he said people want a government which listens to their "Mann ki Baat". "Instead of working for a few industrialists, Congress will work for development of agriculture, education and health in the state," Gandhi said.

Modi doesn't know country run by people, not by one man: Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, saying he snatched money from the poor and put it in the pockets of the likes of Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya.

Addressing a rally here ahead of the second phase of polling in the state on November 20, Gandhi said Modi helped "all the thieves of India turn their black money into white".

Gandhi also charged the Modi government with ensuring benefit to Anil Ambani's company through the Rafale aircraft deal.

The Modi-led government "snatched" Rs 30,000 crore from the poor and gave it to the industrialist, Gandhi added.

Hitting out at Rahul and Sonia Gandhi for questioning him on demonetisation, Modi had Monday said in a poll rally he did not need a "certificate of honesty" from the "mother-son duo" who are out on bail.

The Congress president claimed only the poor had to queue up outside banks to exchange notes after the prime minister announced invalidation of the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes on November 8, 2016. Gandhi said no person in "suit-boot" had queued up outside banks then.

"Narendra Modi snatched money from under the pillows of our mothers and sisters and put it in the pockets of likes of Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya, Lalit Modi and Anil Ambani," Gandhi said.

He accused the prime minister of not speaking up about demonetisation for two years till he made a "single line remark" on Monday.

The Modi government wrote off Rs 3.5 lakh crore debt of the rich, Gandhi said. "Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya, Mehul Choksi ran away. Not a single word came from Narendra Modi's mouth," he said.

On the Rafale fighter jet deal, Gandhi reiterated the NDA government "changed the contract to help Anil Ambani get it instead of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)."

"It was your (people's) money, snatched from your pockets and that Rs 30,000 crore of yours Narendra Modi gave to Anil Ambani," Gandhi said.

The Congress president also claimed that the CBI director was removed from his post at 1 am to stop a probe into the Rafale deal.

"If there is an investigation, only two names will come up: Narendra Modi and Anil Ambani. Modi is scared of a probe," he said.

He also accused the BJP-led governments of stealing people's money daily by "outsourcing works through RSS men".

"In Delhi, the 'chowkidar' (Modi) is ensuring theft. And here (in Chhattisgarh), Doctor Sahib (Chief Minister Raman Singh) is ensuring theft. We will end outsourcing once the Congress comes to power," he said.

Gandhi also launched a diatribe against the prime minister for "misleading" people on India's development.

According to Modi, development of the country began only after 2014, when he became the prime minister, Gandhi said.

"He (Modi) doesn't even know that the country is run by the people and not by a single man. He insults you by making such comments," the Congress president said.

The Congress would write off Chhattisgarh farmers' debt within 10 days of coming to power and give free medical treatment and medicines to people of the state, he said.

The prime minister made a "false" promise of generating two crore jobs a year, Gandhi said. A Congress chief minister would work "for 18 out of 24 hours" to generate employment for the state's youth, he added.

"Instead of working for a few industrialists, Congress will work for development of agriculture, education and health in the state," Gandhi said.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, saying he snatched money from the poor and put it in the pockets of the likes of Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, saying he snatched money from the poor and put it in the pockets of the likes of Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya. Addressing a rally here ahead of the second phase of polling in the state on November 20, Gandhi said Modi helped "all the thieves of India turn their black money into white". Gandhi also charged the Modi government with ensuring benefit to Anil Ambani's company through the Rafale aircraft deal. The Modi-led government "snatched" Rs 30,000 crore from the poor and gave it to the industrialist, Gandhi added. Hitting out at Rahul and Sonia Gandhi for questioning him on demonetisation, Modi had Monday said in a poll rally he did not need a "certificate of honesty" from the "mother-son duo" who are out on bail. The Congress president claimed only the poor had to queue up outside banks to exchange notes after the prime minister announced invalidation of the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes on November 8, 2016. Gandhi said no person in "suit-boot" had queued up outside banks then. "Narendra Modi snatched money from under the pillows of our mothers and sisters and put it in the pockets of likes of Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya, Lalit Modi and Anil Ambani," Gandhi said. He accused the prime minister of not speaking up about demonetisation for two years till he made a "single line remark" on Monday. The Modi government wrote off Rs 3.5 lakh crore debt of the rich, Gandhi said. "Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya, Mehul Choksi ran away. Not a single word came from Narendra Modi's mouth," he said. On the Rafale fighter jet deal, Gandhi reiterated the NDA government "changed the contract to help Anil Ambani get it instead of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)." "It was your (people's) money, snatched from your pockets and that Rs 30,000 crore of yours Narendra Modi gave to Anil Ambani," Gandhi said. The Congress president also claimed that the CBI director was removed from his post at 1 am to stop a probe into the Rafale deal. "If there is an investigation, only two names will come up: Narendra Modi and Anil Ambani. Modi is scared of a probe," he said. He also accused the BJP-led governments of stealing people's money daily by "outsourcing works through RSS men". "In Delhi, the 'chowkidar' (Modi) is ensuring theft. And here (in Chhattisgarh), Doctor Sahib (Chief Minister Raman Singh) is ensuring theft. We will end outsourcing once the Congress comes to power," he said. Gandhi also launched a diatribe against the prime minister for "misleading" people on India's development. According to Modi, development of the country began only after 2014, when he became the prime minister, Gandhi said. "He (Modi) doesn't even know that the country is run by the people and not by a single man. He insults you by making such comments," the Congress president said. The Congress would write off Chhattisgarh farmers' debt within 10 days of coming to power and give free medical treatment and medicines to people of the state, he said. The prime minister made a "false" promise of generating two crore jobs a year, Gandhi said. A Congress chief minister would work "for 18 out of 24 hours" to generate employment for the state's youth, he added. "Instead of working for a few industrialists, Congress will work for development of agriculture, education and health in the state," Gandhi said.

Note ban hurt poor, benefited rich: Rahul Gandhi in Chhattisgarh

In this small hill state of just about 10 lakh people, parties' political equations appear as treacherous as its twisting and turning roads - both the ruling BJP and main opposition MNF are trying hard to prove their 'anti-BJP' credentials and both have had their own alliances with the saffron party.

The sudden prominence attained by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) for the November 28 elections for 40 assembly seats of this christian-majority state also contradicts a basic statistics of Mizoram's three-decade-old electoral history that the saffron party has never won an assembly seat so far.

But the BJP is now the main target of poll campaigns mounted by the Congress as well as the Mizo National Front (MNF) - the two parties that have always ruled Mizoram one after another.

As the campaign gains momentum, both the Congress and the MNF are accusing each other of being the BJP's "real ally", by digging out old pictures, documents and meeting details from the past and splashing them all over before the voters.

While the Congress and the MNF are leaving no stones unturned to paint the BJP as "anti-Christian", the saffron party has launched a spirited campaign to get power in this strategically important north-eastern state sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh, with the party president Amit Shah declaring that Christmas would be celebrated in Mizoram under the BJP rule this December.

The counting of votes would take place on December 11.

Mizoram is been seen by the BJP leaders as the "final frontier" in its 'Congree-free North East' campaign, as the party has already secured power in Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, besides joining ruling coalition in Meghalaya and Nagaland.

Mizoram is significant for the Congress too, as it remains the only state under the party's rule as against as many as five just about two years ago, which included Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.

The Congress has been in power in Mizoram since 2008 and is eyeing the third consecutive term. In the 2013 elections, the Congress had won 34 seats, while the MNF got five and Mizoram People's Conference one.

The Congress improved its tally in 2013 elections, from 32 in 2008, but the BJP is making an all-out effort to snatch the power.

Earlier in two other Christian-dominated north-eastern states, Meghalaya and Nagaland, the BJP went on to become part of the government after joining hands with the runners-up, while the parties with highest number of seats (including Congress in Meghalaya) could not get the power.

While the MNF has been party of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the saffron party has decided to fight the assembly elections alone and has put up candidates on 39 seats.

The Congress is, however, accusing the MNF, its traditional rival in the state, of being silently in league with the BJP for the upcoming polls, in which about 7.68 lakh voters including 3.93 women are eligible to exercise their franchise.

The Congress has published 50,000 copies of a leaflet in Mizo language depicting the relationship between the BJP and the MNF, while putting on front a picture of the two party chiefs - Amit Shah and Zoramthanga - sitting together.

It contains various pictures and details of the former Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga of MNF attending NDA and North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) meetings with senior BJP leaders.

On its part, the MNF is vehemently denying any relationship with the BJP for the polls and points out at the alliance the two national parties had in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in Mizoram.

Congress had to publicly announce that it is no longer an ally of the BJP in the Council, an autonomous council for ethnic Chakma people that exercises legislative, executive and judicial powers over allotted departments in its territory spread over 1500 sq km.

Election to the 20-member CADC on April 20 gave a fractured mandate - the MNF got eight seats, the Congress won six, and the BJP got five. Poll to one seat was stayed by the Gauhati High Court.

Traditional national rivals - BJP and Congress - later formed a coalition to stake claim to form the executive committee of the tribal council. The coalition, however, faced a setback after some Congress members withdrew support to the BJP-led CADC.

"The Congress's allegation that the BJP is behind MNF and is a secret ally has been reversed. It is having an adverse impact on the Congress itself and has exposed the party," said Robert Romawia Royte, a senior MNF leader and the party's candidate from Aizawl East-II constituency.

He said the MNF was planning to expose the "alliance" in a big way, but the Congress itself admitted it by saying they were breaking the alliance.

A Congress leader, however, said that the people are well aware of the fact that the MNF is part of the BJP-led NDA and NEDA.

"The NEDA Convenor and the BJP leader from Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has come here several times and worked with the MNF in selection of candidates," he alleged.

The Congress leader alleged the BJP is not liked by the people here as the party is seen as being anti-Christian and therefore it was banking on the MNF.

"We want to protect the dignity of the church, which is already at stake in Meghalaya and Nagaland," he said.

In this small hill state of just about 10 lakh people, parties' political equations appear as treacherous as its twisting and turning roads - both the ruling BJP and main opposition MNF are trying hard to prove their 'anti-BJP' credentials and both have had their own alliances with the saffron party.

In this small hill state of just about 10 lakh people, parties' political equations appear as treacherous as its twisting and turning roads - both the ruling BJP and main opposition MNF are trying hard to prove their 'anti-BJP' credentials and both have had their own alliances with the saffron party. The sudden prominence attained by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) for the November 28 elections for 40 assembly seats of this christian-majority state also contradicts a basic statistics of Mizoram's three-decade-old electoral history that the saffron party has never won an assembly seat so far. But the BJP is now the main target of poll campaigns mounted by the Congress as well as the Mizo National Front (MNF) - the two parties that have always ruled Mizoram one after another. As the campaign gains momentum, both the Congress and the MNF are accusing each other of being the BJP's "real ally", by digging out old pictures, documents and meeting details from the past and splashing them all over before the voters. While the Congress and the MNF are leaving no stones unturned to paint the BJP as "anti-Christian", the saffron party has launched a spirited campaign to get power in this strategically important north-eastern state sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh, with the party president Amit Shah declaring that Christmas would be celebrated in Mizoram under the BJP rule this December. The counting of votes would take place on December 11. Mizoram is been seen by the BJP leaders as the "final frontier" in its 'Congree-free North East' campaign, as the party has already secured power in Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, besides joining ruling coalition in Meghalaya and Nagaland. Mizoram is significant for the Congress too, as it remains the only state under the party's rule as against as many as five just about two years ago, which included Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. The Congress has been in power in Mizoram since 2008 and is eyeing the third consecutive term. In the 2013 elections, the Congress had won 34 seats, while the MNF got five and Mizoram People's Conference one. The Congress improved its tally in 2013 elections, from 32 in 2008, but the BJP is making an all-out effort to snatch the power. Earlier in two other Christian-dominated north-eastern states, Meghalaya and Nagaland, the BJP went on to become part of the government after joining hands with the runners-up, while the parties with highest number of seats (including Congress in Meghalaya) could not get the power. While the MNF has been party of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the saffron party has decided to fight the assembly elections alone and has put up candidates on 39 seats. The Congress is, however, accusing the MNF, its traditional rival in the state, of being silently in league with the BJP for the upcoming polls, in which about 7.68 lakh voters including 3.93 women are eligible to exercise their franchise. The Congress has published 50,000 copies of a leaflet in Mizo language depicting the relationship between the BJP and the MNF, while putting on front a picture of the two party chiefs - Amit Shah and Zoramthanga - sitting together. It contains various pictures and details of the former Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga of MNF attending NDA and North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) meetings with senior BJP leaders. On its part, the MNF is vehemently denying any relationship with the BJP for the polls and points out at the alliance the two national parties had in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in Mizoram. Congress had to publicly announce that it is no longer an ally of the BJP in the Council, an autonomous council for ethnic Chakma people that exercises legislative, executive and judicial powers over allotted departments in its territory spread over 1500 sq km. Election to the 20-member CADC on April 20 gave a fractured mandate - the MNF got eight seats, the Congress won six, and the BJP got five. Poll to one seat was stayed by the Gauhati High Court. Traditional national rivals - BJP and Congress - later formed a coalition to stake claim to form the executive committee of the tribal council. The coalition, however, faced a setback after some Congress members withdrew support to the BJP-led CADC. "The Congress's allegation that the BJP is behind MNF and is a secret ally has been reversed. It is having an adverse impact on the Congress itself and has exposed the party," said Robert Romawia Royte, a senior MNF leader and the party's candidate from Aizawl East-II constituency. He said the MNF was planning to expose the "alliance" in a big way, but the Congress itself admitted it by saying they were breaking the alliance. A Congress leader, however, said that the people are well aware of the fact that the MNF is part of the BJP-led NDA and NEDA. "The NEDA Convenor and the BJP leader from Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has come here several times and worked with the MNF in selection of candidates," he alleged. The Congress leader alleged the BJP is not liked by the people here as the party is seen as being anti-Christian and therefore it was banking on the MNF. "We want to protect the dignity of the church, which is already at stake in Meghalaya and Nagaland," he said.

Mizoram: Where all parties have allied with BJP despite claiming to be anti-BJP

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has awarded tickets to close family members of several party leaders to contest the December 7 assembly election in Rajasthan, deviating from its stand against dynastic politics.

Party leaders said the deviation was necessitated to avoid revolt within the party.

The party was taking each step in ticket distribution cautiously to avoid revolt within the party, which otherwise could play spoilsport and affect its prospects in the crucial election.

In the BJP's first list of 131 candidates released on Sunday night, the party has given ticket to its 85 sitting MLAs and has taken care of the family members of prominent leaders who were denied ticket.

The first list comprises sons, grandsons and daughter-in-laws of several prominent leaders of the BJP.

The saffron party has given due attention to family members of leaders who died owing to health issues.

The BJP has given ticket to Ram Swaroop Lamba, the son of late MP Sanwar Lal Jat, to contest election from Nasirabad seat and to Shailesh Singh, the son of late former state minister Digamber Singh, from Deeg-Kumher seat.

The party has once again reposed faith in Lamba, who was fielded to contest the Lok Sabha bypoll from Ajmer seat earlier this year. He had lost the election to Congress's Raghu Sharma by 80,000 votes.

From Kolayat Assembly seat in Bikaner district, the party has given ticket to senior leader Devi Singh Bhati's daughter-in-law Poonam Kanwar. It has fielded Rishi Bansal's wife Ritu from Bayana seat in Bharatpur district.

The other names include former minister Nandlal Meena's son Hemant Meena from Pratapgarh, former legislator Gurjant Singh's grandson Gurveer Singh Brar, former legislator Kailash Bhansali's nephew Atul Bhansali from Jodhpur and former legislator Kunjilal's son Rajendra Meena from Bamanwas.

The leaders say that the step has been taken to avoid revolt as well as to avert results similar to the 2008 assembly election when the BJP had to lose power due to loss of more than 15 seats. The party could secure 78 seats and the Congress too could not touch the magic figure to form government.

If the party had not suffered a jolt due to revolt against then Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, the BJP could have formed the government taking along Independent candidates, they said. The Congress won 96 seats in the 2008 assembly election. The BSP won six seats and Independents 14 in the 2008 election.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has awarded tickets to close family members of several party leaders to contest the December 7 assembly election in Rajasthan, deviating from its stand against dynastic politics.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has awarded tickets to close family members of several party leaders to contest the December 7 assembly election in Rajasthan, deviating from its stand against dynastic politics. Party leaders said the deviation was necessitated to avoid revolt within the party. The party was taking each step in ticket distribution cautiously to avoid revolt within the party, which otherwise could play spoilsport and affect its prospects in the crucial election. In the BJP's first list of 131 candidates released on Sunday night, the party has given ticket to its 85 sitting MLAs and has taken care of the family members of prominent leaders who were denied ticket. The first list comprises sons, grandsons and daughter-in-laws of several prominent leaders of the BJP. The saffron party has given due attention to family members of leaders who died owing to health issues. The BJP has given ticket to Ram Swaroop Lamba, the son of late MP Sanwar Lal Jat, to contest election from Nasirabad seat and to Shailesh Singh, the son of late former state minister Digamber Singh, from Deeg-Kumher seat. The party has once again reposed faith in Lamba, who was fielded to contest the Lok Sabha bypoll from Ajmer seat earlier this year. He had lost the election to Congress's Raghu Sharma by 80,000 votes. From Kolayat Assembly seat in Bikaner district, the party has given ticket to senior leader Devi Singh Bhati's daughter-in-law Poonam Kanwar. It has fielded Rishi Bansal's wife Ritu from Bayana seat in Bharatpur district. The other names include former minister Nandlal Meena's son Hemant Meena from Pratapgarh, former legislator Gurjant Singh's grandson Gurveer Singh Brar, former legislator Kailash Bhansali's nephew Atul Bhansali from Jodhpur and former legislator Kunjilal's son Rajendra Meena from Bamanwas. The leaders say that the step has been taken to avoid revolt as well as to avert results similar to the 2008 assembly election when the BJP had to lose power due to loss of more than 15 seats. The party could secure 78 seats and the Congress too could not touch the magic figure to form government. If the party had not suffered a jolt due to revolt against then Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, the BJP could have formed the government taking along Independent candidates, they said. The Congress won 96 seats in the 2008 assembly election. The BSP won six seats and Independents 14 in the 2008 election.

Dynasty politics? BJP fields kin of several leaders in Rajasthan polls

When there is a wave in favour of or against the ruler or the main Opposition in elections, the presence of smaller parties, either in their individual capacities or as loosely-held coalitions, barely makes a difference to the end result. But these smaller outfits become important in the absence of a wave, and when there is anti-incumbency. The smaller players can alter outcomes in quite a few constituencies, either leading to gains or losses for the principal contestants. The situation in Rajasthan is that of the latter.&nbsp;

The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party are locked in a more or less direct fight across the state for the Assembly elections. While the Congress has been appealing for a broad-based alliance in the country to take on the Modi government in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, it has decided to fight the Rajasthan poll on its own strength. Half-hearted attempts had been made to align with the Bahujan Samaj Party, but after BSP supremo Mayawati announced her decision, not to partner with the Congress, the efforts came to an end. &nbsp;

Subsequent developments have thrown up two different arrangements that seek to take on both the Congress and the BJP. Six parties, comprising most of the Left, the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Samajwadi Party, have come together. They are now trying to woo the BSP and the Aam Aadmi Party into the fold since they are open to all “non-BJP and non-Congress” outfits. Meanwhile, Jat leader Hanuman Beniwal has launched the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, while veteran politician Ghanshyam Tiwari, who quit the BJP recently, has floated the Bharat Vahini Party. It is possible that the two outfits could strike a deal to contest together. So far so good. What was puzzling was the presence of leaders of the Samajwadi Party — part of the other, Left-led combine. Thus, it’s still unclear whether the Samajwadi Party will go along with the Left-led grouping or with the Beniwal-Tiwari combine.&nbsp;

But with less than a month left for the election, these parties do not have the luxury to wait to firm up alliances. The BSP and the AAP have already announced the names of their candidates for some constituencies, with both seemingly determined to contest on their own. The Aam Aadmi Party’s local unit claimed that it had sounded out various opposition leaders about a possible alliance to take on both the Congress and the BJP, but had received no encouraging response, which is why it was going alone; the party has already announced more than 60 candidates. Despite these developments, every party is still hoping for a “positive outcome” in attempts to forge an anti-BJP/anti-Congress formation.&nbsp;

The Congress believes that it is in a strong position to oust the BJP and will not need the help of smaller outfits. But it must keep in kind the 2008 situation when the Congress had fallen short of the majority mark by six seats and had to seek the support of BSP Legislators to enable the formation of a government led by Ashok Gehlot. There are more than two dozen seats where the smaller parties have considerable hold and can mar the Congress’s prospects by dividing votes and enhancing the BJP’s chances. In the 2013 Assembly election, when the BJP triumphed decisively, the BSP had still managed to muster more than seven per cent of the vote-share.&nbsp;

The indecisiveness of the new parties in striking more broad-based alliances should ordinarily have been good news for the BJP. But it is not so in the given situation. The party is actually banking on a decent enough performance of these outfits because it believes that the votes they can steal would be largely from the Congress, although it’s possible that some damage could be caused to it as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Even if the new formulations dent the Congress’s prospects, will that be enough for the BJP to pull through in Rajasthan? Nearly every poll survey so far has projected a comfortable win for the Congress. For the BJP and its Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, the one hope for a turnaround is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Even poll pundits acknowledge that the mood can change in the state once Modi gets into campaign mode there. The million dollar question is: Can even Modi save the BJP in Rajasthan this time around?&nbsp;

&nbsp;(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

When there is a wave in favour of or against the ruler or the main Opposition in elections, the presence of smaller parties, either in their individual capacities or as loosely-held coalitions, barely makes a difference to the end result.

When there is a wave in favour of or against the ruler or the main Opposition in elections, the presence of smaller parties, either in their individual capacities or as loosely-held coalitions, barely makes a difference to the end result. But these smaller outfits become important in the absence of a wave, and when there is anti-incumbency. The smaller players can alter outcomes in quite a few constituencies, either leading to gains or losses for the principal contestants. The situation in Rajasthan is that of the latter. The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party are locked in a more or less direct fight across the state for the Assembly elections. While the Congress has been appealing for a broad-based alliance in the country to take on the Modi government in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, it has decided to fight the Rajasthan poll on its own strength. Half-hearted attempts had been made to align with the Bahujan Samaj Party, but after BSP supremo Mayawati announced her decision, not to partner with the Congress, the efforts came to an end. Subsequent developments have thrown up two different arrangements that seek to take on both the Congress and the BJP. Six parties, comprising most of the Left, the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Samajwadi Party, have come together. They are now trying to woo the BSP and the Aam Aadmi Party into the fold since they are open to all “non-BJP and non-Congress” outfits. Meanwhile, Jat leader Hanuman Beniwal has launched the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, while veteran politician Ghanshyam Tiwari, who quit the BJP recently, has floated the Bharat Vahini Party. It is possible that the two outfits could strike a deal to contest together. So far so good. What was puzzling was the presence of leaders of the Samajwadi Party — part of the other, Left-led combine. Thus, it’s still unclear whether the Samajwadi Party will go along with the Left-led grouping or with the Beniwal-Tiwari combine. But with less than a month left for the election, these parties do not have the luxury to wait to firm up alliances. The BSP and the AAP have already announced the names of their candidates for some constituencies, with both seemingly determined to contest on their own. The Aam Aadmi Party’s local unit claimed that it had sounded out various opposition leaders about a possible alliance to take on both the Congress and the BJP, but had received no encouraging response, which is why it was going alone; the party has already announced more than 60 candidates. Despite these developments, every party is still hoping for a “positive outcome” in attempts to forge an anti-BJP/anti-Congress formation. The Congress believes that it is in a strong position to oust the BJP and will not need the help of smaller outfits. But it must keep in kind the 2008 situation when the Congress had fallen short of the majority mark by six seats and had to seek the support of BSP Legislators to enable the formation of a government led by Ashok Gehlot. There are more than two dozen seats where the smaller parties have considerable hold and can mar the Congress’s prospects by dividing votes and enhancing the BJP’s chances. In the 2013 Assembly election, when the BJP triumphed decisively, the BSP had still managed to muster more than seven per cent of the vote-share. The indecisiveness of the new parties in striking more broad-based alliances should ordinarily have been good news for the BJP. But it is not so in the given situation. The party is actually banking on a decent enough performance of these outfits because it believes that the votes they can steal would be largely from the Congress, although it’s possible that some damage could be caused to it as well. Even if the new formulations dent the Congress’s prospects, will that be enough for the BJP to pull through in Rajasthan? Nearly every poll survey so far has projected a comfortable win for the Congress. For the BJP and its Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, the one hope for a turnaround is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Even poll pundits acknowledge that the mood can change in the state once Modi gets into campaign mode there. The million dollar question is: Can even Modi save the BJP in Rajasthan this time around? (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Assembly elections: Will regional parties be a spoiler in Rajasthan contest?

The Election Commission Monday issued notification for the December 7 election to the Telangana LegislativeAssembly.

According to the notification, nominations would be accepted from November 12 to 19 while the date for scrutiny of papers has been fixed on November 20.

The last date for withdrawing nominations is November 22. 
Polls are scheduled to be held on December 7 and counting would be held on December 11.

According to an earlier communication from the Chief Electoral officer's office, the total number of voters in Telangana have gone down by nearly nine lakh to 2.73 crore for the Assembly polls.

There would be more than 32,574 polling stations in the state and few more may be set up depending on the number of voters.

The 119-member Assembly was dissolved on September 6 on the recommendation of the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led government, more than eight months ahead of the expiry of its term.

The Election Commission on Friday imposed a near month-long ban on holding exit polls beginning November 12 in the five poll-bound states including Telangana.

Caretaker Chief Minister and TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao handed over B-Forms to party's contesting candidates Sunday after a brainstorming session with them.

He is expected to file his nomination from Gajwel constituency in Medak district on November 14.

"Honourable KCR garu giving away the B-form to the MLAs of my parliament constituency. We seek the blessings of T-people for the success of all our mlas,"TRS MP and CM's daughter Kavitha tweeted.

The TRS has already announced its candidates for 107 segments, including 105 at one go within minutes of the Assembly dissolution, giving it a jump-start to the campaign and stunning the opposition.

The main opposition Congress forged an electoral pact with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) headed by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) founded by retired Osmania University Political Science Professor Kodandaram and the Communist Party of India.

However the "Grand Alliance" is yet to announce the list of the contesting candidates.

BJP had so far announced 66 nominees in two tranches.

The Election Commission Monday issued notification for the December 7 election to the Telangana LegislativeAssembly. According to the notification, nominations would be accepted from November 12 to 19 while the date for scrutiny of papers has been fixed on November 20.

The Election Commission Monday issued notification for the December 7 election to the Telangana LegislativeAssembly. According to the notification, nominations would be accepted from November 12 to 19 while the date for scrutiny of papers has been fixed on November 20. The last date for withdrawing nominations is November 22. Polls are scheduled to be held on December 7 and counting would be held on December 11. According to an earlier communication from the Chief Electoral officer's office, the total number of voters in Telangana have gone down by nearly nine lakh to 2.73 crore for the Assembly polls. There would be more than 32,574 polling stations in the state and few more may be set up depending on the number of voters. The 119-member Assembly was dissolved on September 6 on the recommendation of the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led government, more than eight months ahead of the expiry of its term. The Election Commission on Friday imposed a near month-long ban on holding exit polls beginning November 12 in the five poll-bound states including Telangana. Caretaker Chief Minister and TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao handed over B-Forms to party's contesting candidates Sunday after a brainstorming session with them. He is expected to file his nomination from Gajwel constituency in Medak district on November 14. "Honourable KCR garu giving away the B-form to the MLAs of my parliament constituency. We seek the blessings of T-people for the success of all our mlas,"TRS MP and CM's daughter Kavitha tweeted. The TRS has already announced its candidates for 107 segments, including 105 at one go within minutes of the Assembly dissolution, giving it a jump-start to the campaign and stunning the opposition. The main opposition Congress forged an electoral pact with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) headed by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) founded by retired Osmania University Political Science Professor Kodandaram and the Communist Party of India. However the "Grand Alliance" is yet to announce the list of the contesting candidates. BJP had so far announced 66 nominees in two tranches.

Notification issued for Telangana Assembly election