Raja Singh, a Bharatiya Janata Party legislator representing the Goshamahal assembly constituency, here has claimed that the party will rename Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar, if voted to power in the state.

The BJP MLA on Thursday also added that the party will change the names of Secunderabad and Karimnagar. "Earlier, Hyderabad was Bhagyanagar and in 1590 Quli Qutub Shah came to Hyderabad, he changed Bhagyanagar to Hyderabad. At that time many Hindus were attacked, many temples destroyed. We are planning to rename Hyderabad. In Telangana, BJP will win in the majority and then our first aim will be developing the state and the second objective will be renaming Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar. We will also change the names of Secunderabad and Karimnagar," he told ANI.

Singh further stated that the areas named after Mughals and Nizams will be changed and kept after the persons who fought for Telangana and for the country. His statement comes a day after Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said that his government is considering renaming Ahmedabad as Karnavati if the BJP manages to muster support from the people.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today said that the state government will take concrete steps on the name change of Ahmedabad to Karnavati after assessing "legal and all other angles."

Continuing the name changing spree, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced that the city of Faizabad would be renamed to Ayodhya.

Names of a number of Indian cities and railway stations have been changed in the recent past. Apart from renaming Faizabad as Ayodhya, the Uttar Pradesh government also changed the name of Allahabad to Prayagraj saying the name holds great significance to India.

In addition, the Mughalsarai Railway Station was renamed as Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Junction earlier this year.&nbsp;

Raja Singh, a Bharatiya Janata Party legislator representing the Goshamahal assembly constituency, here has claimed that the party will rename Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar, if voted to power in the state.

Raja Singh, a Bharatiya Janata Party legislator representing the Goshamahal assembly constituency, here has claimed that the party will rename Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar, if voted to power in the state. The BJP MLA on Thursday also added that the party will change the names of Secunderabad and Karimnagar. "Earlier, Hyderabad was Bhagyanagar and in 1590 Quli Qutub Shah came to Hyderabad, he changed Bhagyanagar to Hyderabad. At that time many Hindus were attacked, many temples destroyed. We are planning to rename Hyderabad. In Telangana, BJP will win in the majority and then our first aim will be developing the state and the second objective will be renaming Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar. We will also change the names of Secunderabad and Karimnagar," he told ANI. Singh further stated that the areas named after Mughals and Nizams will be changed and kept after the persons who fought for Telangana and for the country. His statement comes a day after Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said that his government is considering renaming Ahmedabad as Karnavati if the BJP manages to muster support from the people. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today said that the state government will take concrete steps on the name change of Ahmedabad to Karnavati after assessing "legal and all other angles." Continuing the name changing spree, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced that the city of Faizabad would be renamed to Ayodhya. Names of a number of Indian cities and railway stations have been changed in the recent past. Apart from renaming Faizabad as Ayodhya, the Uttar Pradesh government also changed the name of Allahabad to Prayagraj saying the name holds great significance to India. In addition, the Mughalsarai Railway Station was renamed as Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Junction earlier this year.

Telangana: If voted to power, Hyderabad will be renamed as Bhagyanagar, says BJP MLA

The BJP's Telangana unit has sent proposals to its high command for organising three public meeting to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the forthcoming Assembly elections, the party's state president K Laxman said Thursday.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the partys national president Amit Shah is also expected to address a few more public meetings before the elections.

Polls will be held on December 7 for the Telangana Assembly.

"Arrangements are underway for three public meetings of Modi. Amit Shah is also expected once again. We requested the Prime Minister to participate at least in four meetings. Proposals have been sent for three meetings," Laxman said.

He claimed that the Congress-led grand alliance is marching towards "grand defeat" and the Amit Shah-led party is the only alternative to the people of Telangana for betterment.

"The grand alliance under the leadership of Congress is marching towards grand defeat. Parties with opposite ideologies are coming together and forging alliances. Congress and Kodandaram-led Telangana Jana Samithi are joining hands with Telugu Desam Party which is known as a betrayer of Telangana," Laxman told reporters.

Meanwhile, Yuva Telangana party leaders have met senior leaders of the BJP.

YTP president Jitta Balakrishna Reddy said his party had decided to work with the BJP for the Assembly polls.

When contacted, BJP Telangana's chief spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao said Shah is expected to address five public meetings before the polls.

He, however, said the details are yet to be finalised and the proposals are yet to be approved.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The BJP's Telangana unit has sent proposals to its high command for organising three public meeting to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the forthcoming Assembly elections, the party's state president K Laxman said Thursday.

The BJP's Telangana unit has sent proposals to its high command for organising three public meeting to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the forthcoming Assembly elections, the party's state president K Laxman said Thursday. Speaking to reporters here, he said the partys national president Amit Shah is also expected to address a few more public meetings before the elections. Polls will be held on December 7 for the Telangana Assembly. "Arrangements are underway for three public meetings of Modi. Amit Shah is also expected once again. We requested the Prime Minister to participate at least in four meetings. Proposals have been sent for three meetings," Laxman said. He claimed that the Congress-led grand alliance is marching towards "grand defeat" and the Amit Shah-led party is the only alternative to the people of Telangana for betterment. "The grand alliance under the leadership of Congress is marching towards grand defeat. Parties with opposite ideologies are coming together and forging alliances. Congress and Kodandaram-led Telangana Jana Samithi are joining hands with Telugu Desam Party which is known as a betrayer of Telangana," Laxman told reporters. Meanwhile, Yuva Telangana party leaders have met senior leaders of the BJP. YTP president Jitta Balakrishna Reddy said his party had decided to work with the BJP for the Assembly polls. When contacted, BJP Telangana's chief spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao said Shah is expected to address five public meetings before the polls. He, however, said the details are yet to be finalised and the proposals are yet to be approved.

Telangana polls: BJP sends proposals for PM Modi's public meetings

TDP supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is trying to unite opposition parties to take on BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year, will meet former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy here on Thursday.

Naidu will meet Gowda at his residence at Padmanabha Nagar and Kumaraswamy would also bepresent during the meeting, JD(S) said on Wednesday.

Interestingly, Naidu's meeting with the JD(S) supremo comes in the backdrop of Congress-JD(S) coalition resolving to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections together against the BJP, buoyed by the victory in the bypolls.

The Congress-JD(S)coalition in Karnataka on Tuesday won two of the three Lok Sabha seats and both assembly constituencies in the fiercely fought by-polls, giving a shot in the arm to the ruling combine that faces frequent questions about its longevity.

BJP had managed to hold on to the Shivamogga Lok Sabha seat.

The electoral sweep by the ruling coalition comes as a boost to it as the by-polls were seen as a barometer of the public mood ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Naidu had called his Karnataka counterpart over phone on Tuesday and congratulated the latter on the JD(S)-Congress combine's "spectacular victory" in the by-elections.

JD(S) MLC Sharavana said Naidu's meeting with Gowda is in continuation of the discussions the Andhra Chief Minister was holding with "secular" party leaders across the country.

"The bypolls results that have come is a good development as people of state have understood the need for secular forces. He (Naidu) is expected to seek Deve Gowda's cooperation," he added.

Naidu had also recently met NCP chief Sharad Pawar and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, among others.&nbsp;

TDP supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is trying to unite opposition parties to take on BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year, will meet former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy here on Thursday.

TDP supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is trying to unite opposition parties to take on BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year, will meet former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy here on Thursday. Naidu will meet Gowda at his residence at Padmanabha Nagar and Kumaraswamy would also bepresent during the meeting, JD(S) said on Wednesday. Interestingly, Naidu's meeting with the JD(S) supremo comes in the backdrop of Congress-JD(S) coalition resolving to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections together against the BJP, buoyed by the victory in the bypolls. The Congress-JD(S)coalition in Karnataka on Tuesday won two of the three Lok Sabha seats and both assembly constituencies in the fiercely fought by-polls, giving a shot in the arm to the ruling combine that faces frequent questions about its longevity. BJP had managed to hold on to the Shivamogga Lok Sabha seat. The electoral sweep by the ruling coalition comes as a boost to it as the by-polls were seen as a barometer of the public mood ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Naidu had called his Karnataka counterpart over phone on Tuesday and congratulated the latter on the JD(S)-Congress combine's "spectacular victory" in the by-elections. JD(S) MLC Sharavana said Naidu's meeting with Gowda is in continuation of the discussions the Andhra Chief Minister was holding with "secular" party leaders across the country. "The bypolls results that have come is a good development as people of state have understood the need for secular forces. He (Naidu) is expected to seek Deve Gowda's cooperation," he added. Naidu had also recently met NCP chief Sharad Pawar and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, among others.

Chandrababu Naidu to meet Deve Gowda today

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released the third list of 32 candidates for the ensuing Madhya Pradesh assembly elections.

The party has fielded national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya's son Akash Vijayvargiya from the Indore-3 constituency and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Babulal Gaur's daughter-in-law Krishna Gour from Govindpura constituency.

The list includes six Scheduled Castes, two Scheduled Tribes and five women. Among others are Shivmangal Singh Tomar, Rakesh Choudhary, Rajni Prajapati, Anil Jain, Lakhan Patel, Shiv Bahadur Chandel, Moti Kashyap, Babulal Verma, and Malini Gour.

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Earlier, the party released the first list of 177 candidates on November 2.

Current Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is contesting from his home constituency, Budhni. The BJP later released the second list of 17 candidates on November 5.

Madhya Pradesh is slated to go to polls on November 28 for 230 constituencies.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released the third list of 32 candidates for the ensuing Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. The party has fielded national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya's son Akash Vijayvargiya from the Indore-3 constituency and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Babulal Gaur's daughter-in-law Krishna Gour from Govindpura constituency.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released the third list of 32 candidates for the ensuing Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. The party has fielded national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya's son Akash Vijayvargiya from the Indore-3 constituency and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Babulal Gaur's daughter-in-law Krishna Gour from Govindpura constituency. The list includes six Scheduled Castes, two Scheduled Tribes and five women. Among others are Shivmangal Singh Tomar, Rakesh Choudhary, Rajni Prajapati, Anil Jain, Lakhan Patel, Shiv Bahadur Chandel, Moti Kashyap, Babulal Verma, and Malini Gour. BJP releases the third list of candidates for #MadhyaPradeshElections2018 pic.twitter.com/ZLN6IayfUz — ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2018 × Earlier, the party released the first list of 177 candidates on November 2. Current Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is contesting from his home constituency, Budhni. The BJP later released the second list of 17 candidates on November 5. Madhya Pradesh is slated to go to polls on November 28 for 230 constituencies.

MP assembly polls: BJP releases third list of 32 candidates

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's brother-in-law Sanjay Singh Masani who deserted the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and joined the Congress the other day was declared the party candidate for the Waraseoni constituency on Wednesday.

During his maiden visit to the state Congress headquarters in his new avatar on Sunday, Masani had heaped praises on Madhya Pradesh Congress unit President Kamal Nath and said that Chouhan's 13-year rule is coming to an end.&nbsp;

With barely two days left for the filing of nominations, BJP was struggling with the ticket distribution exercise. Till Thursday morning, the ruling party was still to announce it's nominees for 38 of the total 230 constituencies in Madhya Pradesh.

The state BJP unit has been rocked by a fierce battle for tickets. The prestigious Govindpura constituency in the state capital, which has been represented by former chief minister Babulal Gaur for a record ten terms, is under sharp focus this time. Initially, Gaur was not ready to digest the party's idea of dropping him but with some advice from the 'right quarters', he has agreed to settle for the status of a star campaigner in this election. Gaur's daughter-in-law and former Bhopal Mayor Krishna Gaur also has been pitching for this seat but she has encountered roadblocks as the grassroot party workers began demanding their piece of the cake.&nbsp;

Even the main opposition Congress party has been coping with endless pulls and pressures on the ticket distribution front. The rivalry among the top state Congress leaders had spilled into the open the other day when party seniors Digvijaya Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia were engaged in a heated argument over the choice of candidates.

Till now the Congress has declared 212 of the 230 candidates in Madhya Pradesh. On Thursday, the penultimate day for filing nomination papers, the Congress party is expected to clear the names for the remaining constituencies.&nbsp;

In the final run-up for elections, what came as a shot in the arm for the newly floated Sapaks Party, was the letter from the Election Commission announcing it's registration on 6 November. Only two days before this, without registration and election symbol, this party had entered into an alliance with another lesser known outfit - Sampurn Samaj Party. This alliance lasted only for a day and even before the EC issued its order, Sapaks Party released its first list of candidates and declared that they would be contesting on a common symbol. Eyebrows are being raised in knowledgeable circles and it is being asked whether or not Sapaks Party had been tipped by some EC insider to walk out of the alliance as its registration had been okayed.&nbsp;

Sapaks Party has been formed by a group of retired officers, mainly led by promotee IAS officers. This party is entering the election on the anti-reservation and the Atrocities Act issue with the tacit support of state government employees, who are also working under the banner of SAPAK to oppose the government provision for reservation in promotion for SCs and STs.&nbsp;

Sapaks Party is projecting itself as a third force in MP's electoral politics. Its claim notwithstanding, the Samajwadi Party, and Bahujan Samaj Party are also in the fray. 
 
Then there are many other untested parties - all shouting from rooftops against reservation and the Atrocities Act. The Sarv Samaj Kalyan Party that has the blessings of renowned kathavachak Devkinandan Thakur completes the full circle. These parties will make the elections in the state rather interesting. 
 
The million dollar question is: Will this election go on caste lines and once more underscore the primacy of vote bank politics or whether the anti-reservation plank would be driving the voters in hordes.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
 
&nbsp;

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's brother-in-law Sanjay Singh Masani who deserted the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and joined the Congress the other day was declared the party candidate for the Waraseoni constituency on Wednesday.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's brother-in-law Sanjay Singh Masani who deserted the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and joined the Congress the other day was declared the party candidate for the Waraseoni constituency on Wednesday. During his maiden visit to the state Congress headquarters in his new avatar on Sunday, Masani had heaped praises on Madhya Pradesh Congress unit President Kamal Nath and said that Chouhan's 13-year rule is coming to an end. With barely two days left for the filing of nominations, BJP was struggling with the ticket distribution exercise. Till Thursday morning, the ruling party was still to announce it's nominees for 38 of the total 230 constituencies in Madhya Pradesh. The state BJP unit has been rocked by a fierce battle for tickets. The prestigious Govindpura constituency in the state capital, which has been represented by former chief minister Babulal Gaur for a record ten terms, is under sharp focus this time. Initially, Gaur was not ready to digest the party's idea of dropping him but with some advice from the 'right quarters', he has agreed to settle for the status of a star campaigner in this election. Gaur's daughter-in-law and former Bhopal Mayor Krishna Gaur also has been pitching for this seat but she has encountered roadblocks as the grassroot party workers began demanding their piece of the cake. Even the main opposition Congress party has been coping with endless pulls and pressures on the ticket distribution front. The rivalry among the top state Congress leaders had spilled into the open the other day when party seniors Digvijaya Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia were engaged in a heated argument over the choice of candidates. Till now the Congress has declared 212 of the 230 candidates in Madhya Pradesh. On Thursday, the penultimate day for filing nomination papers, the Congress party is expected to clear the names for the remaining constituencies. In the final run-up for elections, what came as a shot in the arm for the newly floated Sapaks Party, was the letter from the Election Commission announcing it's registration on 6 November. Only two days before this, without registration and election symbol, this party had entered into an alliance with another lesser known outfit - Sampurn Samaj Party. This alliance lasted only for a day and even before the EC issued its order, Sapaks Party released its first list of candidates and declared that they would be contesting on a common symbol. Eyebrows are being raised in knowledgeable circles and it is being asked whether or not Sapaks Party had been tipped by some EC insider to walk out of the alliance as its registration had been okayed. Sapaks Party has been formed by a group of retired officers, mainly led by promotee IAS officers. This party is entering the election on the anti-reservation and the Atrocities Act issue with the tacit support of state government employees, who are also working under the banner of SAPAK to oppose the government provision for reservation in promotion for SCs and STs. Sapaks Party is projecting itself as a third force in MP's electoral politics. Its claim notwithstanding, the Samajwadi Party, and Bahujan Samaj Party are also in the fray. Then there are many other untested parties - all shouting from rooftops against reservation and the Atrocities Act. The Sarv Samaj Kalyan Party that has the blessings of renowned kathavachak Devkinandan Thakur completes the full circle. These parties will make the elections in the state rather interesting. The million dollar question is: Will this election go on caste lines and once more underscore the primacy of vote bank politics or whether the anti-reservation plank would be driving the voters in hordes. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Assembly elections 2018: Ticket tangle and third force in Madhya Pradesh

Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank, whose removal has been demanded by the chief minister and several NGOs, said he would leave for New Delhi on Wednesday after being summoned by the Election Commission.

Shashank said he would meet the poll panel on Thursday in the national capital.

Meanwhile, hundreds of members of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) continued their picketing in front of the CEO's office from 8am.

The chairman of the NGO Coordination Committee, Vanlalruata, said the picketing would be called off only after the departure of Shashank.

The meeting of a visiting Election Commission team, state government officials and leaders of the NGO Coordination Committee on the current standoff on Tuesday night remained inconclusive as the team sent by Election Commission said that the final call would be made by the poll panel.

The team members said that they would submit their findings to the commission.

Vanlalruata said that Shashank should be transferred from Mizoram and the Bru voters in the Tripura relief camps should exercise their franchise in their respective polling stations in Mizoram.

Thousands of people from the Bru community fled Mizoram in the late 1990s following ethnic clashes. They have been lodged in relief camps in Tripura.

The protesters are also protesting the removal of the state's principal secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, a native of the state and Gujarat-cadre IAS officer.

The state observed a bandh on Tuesday in response to a call by the Mizoram Merchants' Association (MiMA) to extend support to the agitation.

Earlier on Monday, Chief Minister Lal thanhawla had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that "as people have lost faith in him, the only solution for smooth conduct of the Assembly elections 2018 would be removal of CEO S B Shashank from office forthwith."

Election to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly is scheduled for November 28.

Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank, whose removal has been demanded by the chief minister and several NGOs, said he would leave for New Delhi on Wednesday after being summoned by the Election Commission.

Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank, whose removal has been demanded by the chief minister and several NGOs, said he would leave for New Delhi on Wednesday after being summoned by the Election Commission. Shashank said he would meet the poll panel on Thursday in the national capital. Meanwhile, hundreds of members of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) continued their picketing in front of the CEO's office from 8am. The chairman of the NGO Coordination Committee, Vanlalruata, said the picketing would be called off only after the departure of Shashank. The meeting of a visiting Election Commission team, state government officials and leaders of the NGO Coordination Committee on the current standoff on Tuesday night remained inconclusive as the team sent by Election Commission said that the final call would be made by the poll panel. The team members said that they would submit their findings to the commission. Vanlalruata said that Shashank should be transferred from Mizoram and the Bru voters in the Tripura relief camps should exercise their franchise in their respective polling stations in Mizoram. Thousands of people from the Bru community fled Mizoram in the late 1990s following ethnic clashes. They have been lodged in relief camps in Tripura. The protesters are also protesting the removal of the state's principal secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, a native of the state and Gujarat-cadre IAS officer. The state observed a bandh on Tuesday in response to a call by the Mizoram Merchants' Association (MiMA) to extend support to the agitation. Earlier on Monday, Chief Minister Lal thanhawla had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that "as people have lost faith in him, the only solution for smooth conduct of the Assembly elections 2018 would be removal of CEO S B Shashank from office forthwith." Election to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly is scheduled for November 28.

Mizoram CEO to leave for Delhi on summons by Election Commission

The Mizoram government employees on Tuesday told a visiting Election Commission team that they would not cooperate with the commission unless the chief electoral officer (CEO) S B Shashank was transferred before November 9.

In a letter submitted to the visiting three-member Election Commission team headed by Jharkhand CEO L Khiangte, the Federation of Mizoram Government Employees and Workers (FMGE and W) leaders said that the quantum of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) sought by Shashank was "illogical" as the state has the reputation of being the most peaceful in the country.

Moreover, the state also has a long history of holding peaceful and free elections as witnessed by the poll panel for years, they said.

Elections to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly are scheduled to be held on November 28 and the counting of votes on December 11.

"The scale of requisition of CAPF personnel for the coming election to the state Assembly sends a signal that the Commission and the CEO may not have faith in the employees of the state government in various processes of the election," the letter said.

It added that the Election Commission and the state CEO might consider bringing all sets of officials to handle various processes of the election if they do not have faith in the employees of the state government.

The FMGE and W also condemned the transfer of then Principal Secretary for Home Lalnunmawia Chuaungo outside the state due to the "false and unwarranted allegations" of Shashank.

The Mizoram government employees on Tuesday told a visiting Election Commission team that they would not cooperate with the commission unless the chief electoral officer (CEO) S B Shashank was transferred before November 9.

The Mizoram government employees on Tuesday told a visiting Election Commission team that they would not cooperate with the commission unless the chief electoral officer (CEO) S B Shashank was transferred before November 9. In a letter submitted to the visiting three-member Election Commission team headed by Jharkhand CEO L Khiangte, the Federation of Mizoram Government Employees and Workers (FMGE and W) leaders said that the quantum of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) sought by Shashank was "illogical" as the state has the reputation of being the most peaceful in the country. Moreover, the state also has a long history of holding peaceful and free elections as witnessed by the poll panel for years, they said. Elections to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly are scheduled to be held on November 28 and the counting of votes on December 11. "The scale of requisition of CAPF personnel for the coming election to the state Assembly sends a signal that the Commission and the CEO may not have faith in the employees of the state government in various processes of the election," the letter said. It added that the Election Commission and the state CEO might consider bringing all sets of officials to handle various processes of the election if they do not have faith in the employees of the state government. The FMGE and W also condemned the transfer of then Principal Secretary for Home Lalnunmawia Chuaungo outside the state due to the "false and unwarranted allegations" of Shashank.

Won't cooperate unless CEO is removed: Mizoram government staff

A member of the transgender community filed nomination papers as an independent candidate from Indore 2 Assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday.

"Social and economic condition of street vendors, labourers and domestic servants in this constituency is worrisome. I am going to raise their voice," 29-year-old Bala Veshwar told reporters after filing her papers.

Veshwar, popularly known as Bala Didi, is testing the electoral waters for the first time.

Asked how she will take on experienced candidates of political parties in the November 28 Assembly polls, she said, "I am fully confident of winning as this constituency has a huge population of labourers.

"I want every poor person to be able to eke out living with dignity," Bala said.

BJP's Ramesh Mendola had won from Indore 2 in 2013 by defeating his nearest rival by 91,017 votes.

Meanwhile, MP Congress working president and MLA Jitu Patwari has filed nomination from his existing constituency Rau in Indore district.

Eleven others also filed nominations Tuesday in the district which has nine assembly seats, an election official said.

A member of the transgender community filed nomination papers as an independent candidate from Indore 2 Assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. "Social and economic condition of street vendors, labourers and domestic servants in this constituency is worrisome.

A member of the transgender community filed nomination papers as an independent candidate from Indore 2 Assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. "Social and economic condition of street vendors, labourers and domestic servants in this constituency is worrisome. I am going to raise their voice," 29-year-old Bala Veshwar told reporters after filing her papers. Veshwar, popularly known as Bala Didi, is testing the electoral waters for the first time. Asked how she will take on experienced candidates of political parties in the November 28 Assembly polls, she said, "I am fully confident of winning as this constituency has a huge population of labourers. "I want every poor person to be able to eke out living with dignity," Bala said. BJP's Ramesh Mendola had won from Indore 2 in 2013 by defeating his nearest rival by 91,017 votes. Meanwhile, MP Congress working president and MLA Jitu Patwari has filed nomination from his existing constituency Rau in Indore district. Eleven others also filed nominations Tuesday in the district which has nine assembly seats, an election official said.

Madhya Pradesh polls: Transgender candidate files nomination from Indore

Ahead of ticket distribution in poll-bound Rajasthan, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday accused the Congress of selling election tickets for money.

"Naam bade kaam khote, ticket ke liye lete hai daam mote (Big names involved in lowly deeds. They charge hefty sums for election tickets)," Shekhawat said at a press conference in Jaipur.

The Congress, however, rubbished the allegations, with its state unit in-charge Sachin Pilot blaming opponents for conspiring against the party.

"The allegations of discrimination in adding the names of candidates are baseless. All office bearers are working actively and doing hard work. The allegations related to ticket distribution in the media are baseless," he told reporters.

Briefing about the BJP's door-to-door campaign, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shekhawat said party workers had communicated the BJP's views at 42,688 out of the total 51,844 booths during its "Booth Mahasampark Abhiyan" and reached out to nearly 70 lakh families.

He said that the party would hold direct talks with the people across the state from November 8 to 11.

Ahead of ticket distribution in poll-bound Rajasthan, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday accused the Congress of selling election tickets for money.

Ahead of ticket distribution in poll-bound Rajasthan, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday accused the Congress of selling election tickets for money. "Naam bade kaam khote, ticket ke liye lete hai daam mote (Big names involved in lowly deeds. They charge hefty sums for election tickets)," Shekhawat said at a press conference in Jaipur. The Congress, however, rubbished the allegations, with its state unit in-charge Sachin Pilot blaming opponents for conspiring against the party. "The allegations of discrimination in adding the names of candidates are baseless. All office bearers are working actively and doing hard work. The allegations related to ticket distribution in the media are baseless," he told reporters. Briefing about the BJP's door-to-door campaign, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shekhawat said party workers had communicated the BJP's views at 42,688 out of the total 51,844 booths during its "Booth Mahasampark Abhiyan" and reached out to nearly 70 lakh families. He said that the party would hold direct talks with the people across the state from November 8 to 11.

Rajasthan elections: Union minister Shekhawat accuses Congress of selling election tickets

The Election commission of India Wednesday set up a high-level committee headed by a deputy election commissioner to hold talks with protestors seeking ouster of the Mizoram poll panel chief.

In a statement, the ECI said it has accepted the broad contours of the resolution passed by the Mizoram's NGOs coordination committee, spearheading the protest, after its delegation's deliberations with the EC.

"The Election Commission has also decided to depute a high-level team led by Mizoram Deputy election Commissioner Sudeep Jain to hold further deliberations on their resolution," the statement said.

Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer Lalbiaktluanga Khiangte, who is also a Mizo, has been included in the EC panel.&nbsp;

The ECI set up the panel hours after the protests demanding the ouster of Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank were called off in Aizawl by the NGO Coordination Committee Wednesday.

The protests were called off at 1 pm after the state election officials, including the Mizoram CEO, summoned by the ECI, left for New Delhi, state NGOs coordination committee chairman Vanlalruata said.

The CEO left for New Delhi by an evening flight. Earlier in the day, Shashank said he has been summoned by the Election Commission and would meet the poll panel in the national capital Thursday.

The agitation demanding his removal was launched Tuesday. It was resumed Wednesday morning by a large number of Young Mizo Association members demonstrating in front of the CEO's office from 8 am. The protestors later dispersed.

The Mizoram is slated to go to polls November 28 to elect its new assembly.

Vanlalruata said the NGOs' coordination committee would wait and watch the decision taken by the Election Commission of India on the state CEO.

"If Shashank comes back, the agitation will be relaunched," Vanlalruata said.

The state NGOs coordination committee, the apex body of civil societies and students' organisations of the north-eastern state, has been demanding that Shashank be replaced and transferred outside the state.

It has also demanded that 11,232 Bru voters lodged in six Tripura relief camps be allowed to exercise their franchise at their respective polling stations in

Mizoram and not in Tripura as committed by the poll panel in 2014.

The committee had called for Shashank's exit from the state shortly after the Election Commission (EC) removed the state's Principal Secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo.

He had allegedly sought deployment of additional central armed police forces (CAPF) in the state which did not go down well with the committee.

On Monday, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that "as people have lost faith in him (Shashank), the only solution for the smooth conduct of the 2008 assembly elections would be removal of CEO S B Shashank from office forthwith."

The meeting of a visiting three-member EC team, state government officials and the leaders of the NGOs coordination committee on the current standoff here Tuesday night had remained inconclusive as the team said the final call would be made by the commission.

The team members said they would submit their findings to the commission.

The agitators are also protesting against the removal of Chuaungo, a Mizoram native and Gujarat-cadre IAS officer.

Thousands of people from Bru community had fled Mizoram in 1997 following ethnic clashes. They have since been lodged in six relief camps in Tripura.

In the past too, the civil society organisations had opposed the Election Commission's decision to conduct electoral revision of Bru voters in Tripura relief camps.

They urged the EC to defranchise all Bru voters who chose to stay back in Tripura and did not return to Mizoram.

A 12-hour bandh was observed at Mamit town on Tuesday along the Mizoram-Tripura-Bangladesh border to support the agitation against the Mizoram CEO. Rallies and pickets were organised by the NGO Coordination Committee across the state.&nbsp;

The Election commission of India Wednesday set up a high-level committee headed by a deputy election commissioner to hold talks with protestors seeking ouster of the Mizoram poll panel chief.

The Election commission of India Wednesday set up a high-level committee headed by a deputy election commissioner to hold talks with protestors seeking ouster of the Mizoram poll panel chief. In a statement, the ECI said it has accepted the broad contours of the resolution passed by the Mizoram's NGOs coordination committee, spearheading the protest, after its delegation's deliberations with the EC. "The Election Commission has also decided to depute a high-level team led by Mizoram Deputy election Commissioner Sudeep Jain to hold further deliberations on their resolution," the statement said. Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer Lalbiaktluanga Khiangte, who is also a Mizo, has been included in the EC panel. The ECI set up the panel hours after the protests demanding the ouster of Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank were called off in Aizawl by the NGO Coordination Committee Wednesday. The protests were called off at 1 pm after the state election officials, including the Mizoram CEO, summoned by the ECI, left for New Delhi, state NGOs coordination committee chairman Vanlalruata said. The CEO left for New Delhi by an evening flight. Earlier in the day, Shashank said he has been summoned by the Election Commission and would meet the poll panel in the national capital Thursday. The agitation demanding his removal was launched Tuesday. It was resumed Wednesday morning by a large number of Young Mizo Association members demonstrating in front of the CEO's office from 8 am. The protestors later dispersed. The Mizoram is slated to go to polls November 28 to elect its new assembly. Vanlalruata said the NGOs' coordination committee would wait and watch the decision taken by the Election Commission of India on the state CEO. "If Shashank comes back, the agitation will be relaunched," Vanlalruata said. The state NGOs coordination committee, the apex body of civil societies and students' organisations of the north-eastern state, has been demanding that Shashank be replaced and transferred outside the state. It has also demanded that 11,232 Bru voters lodged in six Tripura relief camps be allowed to exercise their franchise at their respective polling stations in Mizoram and not in Tripura as committed by the poll panel in 2014. The committee had called for Shashank's exit from the state shortly after the Election Commission (EC) removed the state's Principal Secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo. He had allegedly sought deployment of additional central armed police forces (CAPF) in the state which did not go down well with the committee. On Monday, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that "as people have lost faith in him (Shashank), the only solution for the smooth conduct of the 2008 assembly elections would be removal of CEO S B Shashank from office forthwith." The meeting of a visiting three-member EC team, state government officials and the leaders of the NGOs coordination committee on the current standoff here Tuesday night had remained inconclusive as the team said the final call would be made by the commission. The team members said they would submit their findings to the commission. The agitators are also protesting against the removal of Chuaungo, a Mizoram native and Gujarat-cadre IAS officer. Thousands of people from Bru community had fled Mizoram in 1997 following ethnic clashes. They have since been lodged in six relief camps in Tripura. In the past too, the civil society organisations had opposed the Election Commission's decision to conduct electoral revision of Bru voters in Tripura relief camps. They urged the EC to defranchise all Bru voters who chose to stay back in Tripura and did not return to Mizoram. A 12-hour bandh was observed at Mamit town on Tuesday along the Mizoram-Tripura-Bangladesh border to support the agitation against the Mizoram CEO. Rallies and pickets were organised by the NGO Coordination Committee across the state.

EC sets up panel to look into Mizos' demand for ouster of state poll panel chief

Congress on Wednesday released its fourth list of candidates for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's brother-in-law Sanjay Singh, who recently joined hands with the Rahul Gandhi-led party, has been given a ticket from Waraseoni, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

Congress, earlier in the day, released its third of candidates for poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. The list included a flurry of new faces and included 13 candidates.&nbsp;

The party has dropped Pandhurna Member of Legislative Assembly or MLA Jatan Uikey and replaced him with Neelesh Uikey, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

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Loyalists of Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath and Guna Member of Parliament or MP Jyotiraditya Scindia also found place on the list.

Both Scindia and Nath, the sitting lawmaker from Chhindwara seat, are believed to be the top contenders for the chief minister's post from the Congress.

With the latest list issued Monday night, the Congress has so far announced 184 nominees for the total 230 assembly constituencies.

The announcement for the remaining 46 candidates is awaited, only three days are left for filing nominations.

The BJP-ruled state has a total of 230 assembly seats, the Congress has 57 MLAs in Madhya Pradesh.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Congress on Wednesday released its fourth list of candidates for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's brother-in-law Sanjay Singh, who recently joined hands with the Rahul Gandhi-led party, has been given a ticket from Waraseoni, news agency ANI reported.

Congress on Wednesday released its fourth list of candidates for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's brother-in-law Sanjay Singh, who recently joined hands with the Rahul Gandhi-led party, has been given a ticket from Waraseoni, news agency ANI reported. Congress, earlier in the day, released its third of candidates for poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. The list included a flurry of new faces and included 13 candidates. The party has dropped Pandhurna Member of Legislative Assembly or MLA Jatan Uikey and replaced him with Neelesh Uikey, news agency PTI reported. Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan's brother in law Sanjay Singh to contest from Waraseoni on a Congress ticket #assemblyelections2018 https://t.co/Z5ZgKLelHx — ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018 × Loyalists of Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath and Guna Member of Parliament or MP Jyotiraditya Scindia also found place on the list. Both Scindia and Nath, the sitting lawmaker from Chhindwara seat, are believed to be the top contenders for the chief minister's post from the Congress. With the latest list issued Monday night, the Congress has so far announced 184 nominees for the total 230 assembly constituencies. The announcement for the remaining 46 candidates is awaited, only three days are left for filing nominations. The BJP-ruled state has a total of 230 assembly seats, the Congress has 57 MLAs in Madhya Pradesh. (With inputs from agencies)

Madhya Pradesh polls: Congress releases fourth list, CM Chouhan's brother-in-law to contest from Waraseoni

BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya Tuesday dismissed allegations of nepotism in his party even as he asserted the "right" of the deserving kin of politicians to demand ticket for contesting elections.

Vijayvargiya's remarks came against the backdrop of reports that his son Akash is staking claim for a ticket from Indore for the November 28 assembly elections.

The senior BJP leader is an MLA from Mhow assembly constituency in Indore district.

"Is it a crime to be born in a political family? Kin of politicians can also enter politics. If a member of a political family proves himself and demands ticket on the basis of his credentials, it is his right to do so," he told reporters.

Responding to a query,Vijayvargiya said he had not sought ticket for his son Akash.

However, he claimed that an internal survey conducted by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has found Akash eligible as a prospective nominee from four constituencies in Indore.

"If my party finds it is right, it would make my son a nominee," he said.

Vijayvargiya also said the BJP didn't endorse dynastic politics unlike in the Congress "where only a member of the Gandhi family runs the party irrespective of his political eligibility".

When asked about Rahul Gandhi dubbing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "thief" in public rallies, the BJP leader said the Congress chief was "polluting" the political atmosphere of the country by using "unparliamentary language".

"Usage of such language is the hallmark of the Congress," he said.

Gandhi has been firing barbs at the prime minister in election rallies in Madhya Pradesh over Rafale deal, where he had said the "Chowkidar Chor Hai" (the watchman is a thief)".

Meanwhile, BJP sources said the ticket distribution for nine seats in Indore district is getting delayed due to a reported tussle between local MP and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Vijayvargiya.

BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya Tuesday dismissed allegations of nepotism in his party even as he asserted the "right" of the deserving kin of politicians to demand ticket for contesting elections.

BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya Tuesday dismissed allegations of nepotism in his party even as he asserted the "right" of the deserving kin of politicians to demand ticket for contesting elections. Vijayvargiya's remarks came against the backdrop of reports that his son Akash is staking claim for a ticket from Indore for the November 28 assembly elections. The senior BJP leader is an MLA from Mhow assembly constituency in Indore district. "Is it a crime to be born in a political family? Kin of politicians can also enter politics. If a member of a political family proves himself and demands ticket on the basis of his credentials, it is his right to do so," he told reporters. Responding to a query,Vijayvargiya said he had not sought ticket for his son Akash. However, he claimed that an internal survey conducted by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has found Akash eligible as a prospective nominee from four constituencies in Indore. "If my party finds it is right, it would make my son a nominee," he said. Vijayvargiya also said the BJP didn't endorse dynastic politics unlike in the Congress "where only a member of the Gandhi family runs the party irrespective of his political eligibility". When asked about Rahul Gandhi dubbing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "thief" in public rallies, the BJP leader said the Congress chief was "polluting" the political atmosphere of the country by using "unparliamentary language". "Usage of such language is the hallmark of the Congress," he said. Gandhi has been firing barbs at the prime minister in election rallies in Madhya Pradesh over Rafale deal, where he had said the "Chowkidar Chor Hai" (the watchman is a thief)". Meanwhile, BJP sources said the ticket distribution for nine seats in Indore district is getting delayed due to a reported tussle between local MP and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Vijayvargiya.

Deserving kin of politicians have right to seek poll ticket: BJP general secretary

As part of its vigil against the illegal supply of money and other valuables ahead of elections, unaccounted cash worth Rs 50 lakh, two kilograms of gold and two quintals of silver were seized by Rajasthan Police's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).

The consignment was seized on Saturday night from Delhi-Ahmedabad Ashram Express at Ajmer, Jaipur and Beawar stations.

Following a tip-off about the presence of hawala money in the parcels being loaded in trains, a team of the ATS in coordination with the Government Railway Police (GRP) searched the luggage coaches and seized the consignment.

A GRP officer Ramavatar said, "We were monitoring the luggage loaded in the trains since few times. We received inputs from the ATS about the unaccounted cash and valuables items in Delhi-Ahmedabad Ashram Express. Hence, along with the ATS, we conducted a raid in the train."

Rajasthan is slated to go for polls on December 7, and counting of votes will be done on December 11.&nbsp;

As part of its vigil against the illegal supply of money and other valuables ahead of elections, unaccounted cash worth Rs 50 lakh, two kilograms of gold and two quintals of silver were seized by Rajasthan Police's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).

As part of its vigil against the illegal supply of money and other valuables ahead of elections, unaccounted cash worth Rs 50 lakh, two kilograms of gold and two quintals of silver were seized by Rajasthan Police's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). The consignment was seized on Saturday night from Delhi-Ahmedabad Ashram Express at Ajmer, Jaipur and Beawar stations. Following a tip-off about the presence of hawala money in the parcels being loaded in trains, a team of the ATS in coordination with the Government Railway Police (GRP) searched the luggage coaches and seized the consignment. A GRP officer Ramavatar said, "We were monitoring the luggage loaded in the trains since few times. We received inputs from the ATS about the unaccounted cash and valuables items in Delhi-Ahmedabad Ashram Express. Hence, along with the ATS, we conducted a raid in the train." Rajasthan is slated to go for polls on December 7, and counting of votes will be done on December 11.

Unaccounted cash worth Rs 50 lakh seized in poll-bound Rajasthan

With just over a week for the first phase of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-lacks-leadership-strategy-and-principle-amit-shah-in-chhattisgarh-rally-175481">Chhattisgarh assembly elections</a>, the battlefield has been set and the political parties have also blown the election bugle.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-polls-amit-shah-asks-rahul-gandhi-to-clear-stand-on-raj-babbars-naxalism-remark-175450">incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party</a> (BJP), which is ruling the state for the last 15 years, is seeking to win its fourth electoral term, while the Congress will aim to dethrone the Chief Minister Raman Singh-led government and win the polls.

In the Chhattisgarh assembly polls, there are two phases of voting.

In the first phase, voting will be held in 18 constituencies in the southern part of the state.

On a closer look, 18 out of 12 seats are located in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-polls-naxals-will-shun-violence-if-bsp-regains-power-says-mayawati-175427">Naxal-affected </a>Bastar division and six are located in Rajnandgaon district.

As many as 192 candidates are in the fray in the first phase of the state assembly elections.

The first phase of the assembly elections assumes plenty of significance as both the arch-rival parties, BJP and Congress, are going all out to woo the people for votes while engaging in a political mudslinging amongst each other.

Let us now chronicle the journey as to why the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections is so special.

It is well known that the Bastar division, on the one hand, is very popular in Chhattisgarh due to its beauty, while on the other hand, the region has suffered from decades-long Naxal violence.

In the previous assembly elections held in 2013, the BJP, although retained power in the state, it, however, lost its mark in the Bastar division and the Congress gained the upper hand in the region.

Out of a total of 12 seats, the Congress grabbed eight seats while the BJP mustered only four seats in its account.

In the past five years, the Raman Singh-led government has stated that it has undertaken plenty of development work in Bastar.

In fact, there are many assembly constituencies in Bastar division, where tickets have been given to the old faces of the party.

The same situation also persists in Rajanandgaon district. The BJP has decided to field new faces in the region, which has six constituencies.But the most anticipated electoral battle will be witnessed in Rajnandgaon seat where incumbent state chief minister Raman Singh is pitted against former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s niece Karuna Shukla, who was also a part of the BJP for over 30 years, before switching to Congress in 2014. While Singh has won thrice from Rajnandgaon, it is to be seen whether the three-time chief minister will continue his winning spree or whether Shukla will play party pooper, if she emerges victorious.

The BJP government has claimed to take strict steps in tackling Naxalism. However, local residents of Bastar are still struggling with the decades-long problem. This factor could harm BJP`s prospects in winning a record fourth term in the assembly polls.

There is a saying in Chhattisgarhi language that if a niece or nephew wins, celebrations will happen in the same house. In Dantewada seat of Bastar division, seven candidates from different parties are not only from the same family but are each other`s relatives, who will be contesting against each other in the first phase of the assembly polls.

BJP candidate Bhima Mandavi is the brother-in-law of Congress candidate Devti Karma.

Also, Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate Nandaram Sori and Devti share a brother-sister relationship. Devti also shares an interesting connection, as she is the aunt of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Ballu Bhawani. Independent candidate Jaya Kashyap is Devti`s niece.

Lastly, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Keshav Netam and Sundaru Kunjam share a nephew-uncle relationship with Bhawani.

Amid constant threats by Naxalites to boycott polls, there is an atmosphere of fear in Bastar Division. For instance, in Konta seat, many candidates have refrained from filing their nomination forms. In 2008 assembly elections, only four candidates were in the fray.

In this year`s and 2013 polls, six candidates each will contest from this seat.

In Chitrakoot, where the number of candidates was 22 in 2013 polls, the number has fallen down to just 10 in this year`s assembly elections. In Jagdalpur seat, where 38 candidates had tried their luck in the previous elections, this time only 26 of them are in the fray.

Other constituencies such as Kanker, Kesh Kal, Bastar and Narayanpur will also see less participation of candidates in the upcoming polls.

The Antagarh seat is a bright spot in the Naxal-affected Bastar division, where the number of candidates has seen an increase.

In the 2008 assembly elections, only six candidates were in the fray and the number increased to eight in 2013.

Now, 15 candidates will try their luck in this year`s assembly elections.

The second phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections is slated to be held on November 20. Counting of votes for both the phases will take place on December 11.&nbsp;

With just over a week for the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections, the battlefield has been set and the political parties have also blown the election bugle.

With just over a week for the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections, the battlefield has been set and the political parties have also blown the election bugle. The incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is ruling the state for the last 15 years, is seeking to win its fourth electoral term, while the Congress will aim to dethrone the Chief Minister Raman Singh-led government and win the polls. In the Chhattisgarh assembly polls, there are two phases of voting. In the first phase, voting will be held in 18 constituencies in the southern part of the state. On a closer look, 18 out of 12 seats are located in Naxal-affected Bastar division and six are located in Rajnandgaon district. As many as 192 candidates are in the fray in the first phase of the state assembly elections. The first phase of the assembly elections assumes plenty of significance as both the arch-rival parties, BJP and Congress, are going all out to woo the people for votes while engaging in a political mudslinging amongst each other. Let us now chronicle the journey as to why the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections is so special. It is well known that the Bastar division, on the one hand, is very popular in Chhattisgarh due to its beauty, while on the other hand, the region has suffered from decades-long Naxal violence. In the previous assembly elections held in 2013, the BJP, although retained power in the state, it, however, lost its mark in the Bastar division and the Congress gained the upper hand in the region. Out of a total of 12 seats, the Congress grabbed eight seats while the BJP mustered only four seats in its account. In the past five years, the Raman Singh-led government has stated that it has undertaken plenty of development work in Bastar. In fact, there are many assembly constituencies in Bastar division, where tickets have been given to the old faces of the party. The same situation also persists in Rajanandgaon district. The BJP has decided to field new faces in the region, which has six constituencies.But the most anticipated electoral battle will be witnessed in Rajnandgaon seat where incumbent state chief minister Raman Singh is pitted against former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s niece Karuna Shukla, who was also a part of the BJP for over 30 years, before switching to Congress in 2014. While Singh has won thrice from Rajnandgaon, it is to be seen whether the three-time chief minister will continue his winning spree or whether Shukla will play party pooper, if she emerges victorious. The BJP government has claimed to take strict steps in tackling Naxalism. However, local residents of Bastar are still struggling with the decades-long problem. This factor could harm BJP`s prospects in winning a record fourth term in the assembly polls. There is a saying in Chhattisgarhi language that if a niece or nephew wins, celebrations will happen in the same house. In Dantewada seat of Bastar division, seven candidates from different parties are not only from the same family but are each other`s relatives, who will be contesting against each other in the first phase of the assembly polls. BJP candidate Bhima Mandavi is the brother-in-law of Congress candidate Devti Karma. Also, Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate Nandaram Sori and Devti share a brother-sister relationship. Devti also shares an interesting connection, as she is the aunt of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Ballu Bhawani. Independent candidate Jaya Kashyap is Devti`s niece. Lastly, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Keshav Netam and Sundaru Kunjam share a nephew-uncle relationship with Bhawani. Amid constant threats by Naxalites to boycott polls, there is an atmosphere of fear in Bastar Division. For instance, in Konta seat, many candidates have refrained from filing their nomination forms. In 2008 assembly elections, only four candidates were in the fray. In this year`s and 2013 polls, six candidates each will contest from this seat. In Chitrakoot, where the number of candidates was 22 in 2013 polls, the number has fallen down to just 10 in this year`s assembly elections. In Jagdalpur seat, where 38 candidates had tried their luck in the previous elections, this time only 26 of them are in the fray. Other constituencies such as Kanker, Kesh Kal, Bastar and Narayanpur will also see less participation of candidates in the upcoming polls. The Antagarh seat is a bright spot in the Naxal-affected Bastar division, where the number of candidates has seen an increase. In the 2008 assembly elections, only six candidates were in the fray and the number increased to eight in 2013. Now, 15 candidates will try their luck in this year`s assembly elections. The second phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections is slated to be held on November 20. Counting of votes for both the phases will take place on December 11.

Know why first phase of Chhattisgarh polls is special

Mizoram Assembly Speaker Hiphei would resign from the Congress and join the BJP Monday, a senior leader of the saffron party claimed Sunday.

Hiphei, a veteran leader, was elected to the Assembly from the Palak constituency.

"He (Hiphei) would first tender his resignation as the speaker and then from the primary membership of the Congress. He will then join our party," the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said on the condition of anonymity.

He added that Hiphei had recently met the central leaders of the saffron party.

Mizoram, the only state in the north-east under Congress rule, will go to the polls on November 28.

Several senior Congress leaders recently left the party and joined the opposition Mizo National Front.

Mizoram Assembly Speaker Hiphei would resign from the Congress and join the BJP Monday, a senior leader of the saffron party claimed Sunday. Hiphei, a veteran leader, was elected to the Assembly from the Palak constituency.

Mizoram Assembly Speaker Hiphei would resign from the Congress and join the BJP Monday, a senior leader of the saffron party claimed Sunday. Hiphei, a veteran leader, was elected to the Assembly from the Palak constituency. "He (Hiphei) would first tender his resignation as the speaker and then from the primary membership of the Congress. He will then join our party," the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said on the condition of anonymity. He added that Hiphei had recently met the central leaders of the saffron party. Mizoram, the only state in the north-east under Congress rule, will go to the polls on November 28. Several senior Congress leaders recently left the party and joined the opposition Mizo National Front.

BJP leader claims Mizoram speaker will quit Congress and join saffron party

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, saying that it lacks leadership, strategy and principle.

While addressing a public rally days before the first phase of the Assembly election in the state Shah said, "On one side, there is Congress with no leader, no strategy and no principle and on the other hand, there is the BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Raman Singh. The Congress always opposed the Chhattisgarh and it was only after Atal Bihari Vajpayee became prime minister that the state was formed."

He also drew a comparison between former Congress government at the Centre and the incumbent BJP government at the Centre.

"Five years back, when there was the Congress government; it gave Chhattisgarh Rs 48,000 crore during the 13th Finance Commission. When the BJP government came in the 14th pay commission, Rs 1, 37,947 crores was given to Chhattisgarh. So, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government increased the amount by as much as Rs 90,000 crore," Shah said.

Outlining the people-oriented policies of the central and state government, Shah further talked about Ujjawala Yojana among other schemes and urged people to vote for the BJP candidates.

"Under the Ujjawala Scheme, 36 lakh poor women of the state were provided with gas cylinder and stove. Under Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana, over 2.5 lakh poor people have been provided with a house. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh government was the first one to start giving rice to poor at the rate of Rs 2/kg," Shah said.

He urged the people of Chhattisgarh to re-elect Raman Singh in 2018 before once again electing Narendra Modi as Prime Minister in 2019.

He also emphasised that both the state and central governments through their combined effort wish to make Chhattisgarh as the most developed state in India in the next five years.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, saying that it lacks leadership, strategy and principle. While addressing a public rally days before the first phase of the Assembly election in the state Shah said, "On one side, there is Congress with no leader, no strategy and no principle and on the other hand, there is the BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Raman Singh.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, saying that it lacks leadership, strategy and principle. While addressing a public rally days before the first phase of the Assembly election in the state Shah said, "On one side, there is Congress with no leader, no strategy and no principle and on the other hand, there is the BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Raman Singh. The Congress always opposed the Chhattisgarh and it was only after Atal Bihari Vajpayee became prime minister that the state was formed." He also drew a comparison between former Congress government at the Centre and the incumbent BJP government at the Centre. "Five years back, when there was the Congress government; it gave Chhattisgarh Rs 48,000 crore during the 13th Finance Commission. When the BJP government came in the 14th pay commission, Rs 1, 37,947 crores was given to Chhattisgarh. So, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government increased the amount by as much as Rs 90,000 crore," Shah said. Outlining the people-oriented policies of the central and state government, Shah further talked about Ujjawala Yojana among other schemes and urged people to vote for the BJP candidates. "Under the Ujjawala Scheme, 36 lakh poor women of the state were provided with gas cylinder and stove. Under Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana, over 2.5 lakh poor people have been provided with a house. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh government was the first one to start giving rice to poor at the rate of Rs 2/kg," Shah said. He urged the people of Chhattisgarh to re-elect Raman Singh in 2018 before once again electing Narendra Modi as Prime Minister in 2019. He also emphasised that both the state and central governments through their combined effort wish to make Chhattisgarh as the most developed state in India in the next five years.

Congress lacks leadership, strategy and principle: Amit Shah in Chhattisgarh rally

Charging caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao with running a dictatorial and one-family rule in Telangana, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan Sunday exuded confidence that the Congress-led alliance would win the December 7 assembly polls and form the next government.

Speaking to reporters here, he alleged that the promises made to the people in the run-up to the 2014 elections were just to garner votes and added that the coming polls would be fought over the 'misrule' of KCR (as Rao is popularly known) government.

"The last four-and-half-years of KCR government was nothing but a tragedy for the people of Telangana...It has been a complete dictatorial and one-family rule, where all the promises made before 2014 elections were not fulfilled," Chavan, who was also a former Union Minister, said.

Chavan claimed that the present mood in Telangana was that the TRS government would go (lose), Congress would come to power and with that misery of people will end.

"This hidden alliance between TRS-MIM and also BJP will be exposed by the people," the former Maharashtra Chief Minister said.

"We will expose the BJP at the national level and the hidden alliance of KCR and BJP in Telangana, Chavan said.

He claimed that the previous Congress government had taken up several developmental, infrastructure works and created jobs in united Andhra Pradesh (before creation of Telangana).

Chavan alleged that none of the promises made by KCR, like making a Dalit the Chief Minister, grant of three-acre agriculture land to Dalit families, 12 per cent reservation to minorities, tribals and resolving the unemployment issue were not fulfilled.

"Similarly, health and education system is in a shambles and there is a shortage of medicines, doctors and nurses.. free education from KG to PG as promised by KCR remains unfulfilled," he alleged and added that there was also no transparency in governance.

"Promises were made to get votes, but when it came to delivery, it has been a complete failure. The coming election is going to be based on the promises made by TRS and KCR to the people of Telangana," Chavan added.

Charging caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao with running a dictatorial and one-family rule in Telangana, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan Sunday exuded confidence that the Congress-led alliance would win the December 7 assembly polls and form the next government.

Charging caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao with running a dictatorial and one-family rule in Telangana, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan Sunday exuded confidence that the Congress-led alliance would win the December 7 assembly polls and form the next government. Speaking to reporters here, he alleged that the promises made to the people in the run-up to the 2014 elections were just to garner votes and added that the coming polls would be fought over the 'misrule' of KCR (as Rao is popularly known) government. "The last four-and-half-years of KCR government was nothing but a tragedy for the people of Telangana...It has been a complete dictatorial and one-family rule, where all the promises made before 2014 elections were not fulfilled," Chavan, who was also a former Union Minister, said. Chavan claimed that the present mood in Telangana was that the TRS government would go (lose), Congress would come to power and with that misery of people will end. "This hidden alliance between TRS-MIM and also BJP will be exposed by the people," the former Maharashtra Chief Minister said. "We will expose the BJP at the national level and the hidden alliance of KCR and BJP in Telangana, Chavan said. He claimed that the previous Congress government had taken up several developmental, infrastructure works and created jobs in united Andhra Pradesh (before creation of Telangana). Chavan alleged that none of the promises made by KCR, like making a Dalit the Chief Minister, grant of three-acre agriculture land to Dalit families, 12 per cent reservation to minorities, tribals and resolving the unemployment issue were not fulfilled. "Similarly, health and education system is in a shambles and there is a shortage of medicines, doctors and nurses.. free education from KG to PG as promised by KCR remains unfulfilled," he alleged and added that there was also no transparency in governance. "Promises were made to get votes, but when it came to delivery, it has been a complete failure. The coming election is going to be based on the promises made by TRS and KCR to the people of Telangana," Chavan added.

K Chandrasekhar Rao running dictatorial, one family rule in Telangana: Congress

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad Sunday said school education in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh was worse than that in his native Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that NITI Aayog had ranked school education in MP as the poorest among all states.

"School education in Madhya Pradesh is worse than Kashmir which has been plagued by terrorism for the last 30 years. Education in MP is the poorest according to the NITI Aayog," Azad said at a press conference here.

Elaborating on his claim, Azad said, "In MP, 72,000 schools do not have electricity connections, 18,000 schools have only a teacher each and 58,000 school buildings have collapsed."

Hitting out at MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Azad questioned, "What education department is being run? This is jungle raj. Is there any law and order? Is there anything called education (in MP)?"

He added that the maximum number of rapes took place in MP.

Commenting on malnourishment among children in MP, Azad claimed that 80 such children die in the state daily.

Referring to the press conference by four Supreme Court judges (in January this year) as well as recent developments in the CBI and Reserve Bank of India, Azad claimed that democracy was in "danger" in the country.

He alleged that the Narendra Modi government at the Centre had failed on all fronts and claimed that 56,000 IT professionals had lost their jobs in the last one year.

He said the Centre's implementation of GST and demonetisation had fuelled unemployment.

MP goes to polls on November 28 and counting of votes will be taken up on December 11.

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad Sunday said school education in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh was worse than that in his native Jammu and Kashmir. He said that NITI Aayog had ranked school education in MP as the poorest among all states.

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad Sunday said school education in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh was worse than that in his native Jammu and Kashmir. He said that NITI Aayog had ranked school education in MP as the poorest among all states. "School education in Madhya Pradesh is worse than Kashmir which has been plagued by terrorism for the last 30 years. Education in MP is the poorest according to the NITI Aayog," Azad said at a press conference here. Elaborating on his claim, Azad said, "In MP, 72,000 schools do not have electricity connections, 18,000 schools have only a teacher each and 58,000 school buildings have collapsed." Hitting out at MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Azad questioned, "What education department is being run? This is jungle raj. Is there any law and order? Is there anything called education (in MP)?" He added that the maximum number of rapes took place in MP. Commenting on malnourishment among children in MP, Azad claimed that 80 such children die in the state daily. Referring to the press conference by four Supreme Court judges (in January this year) as well as recent developments in the CBI and Reserve Bank of India, Azad claimed that democracy was in "danger" in the country. He alleged that the Narendra Modi government at the Centre had failed on all fronts and claimed that 56,000 IT professionals had lost their jobs in the last one year. He said the Centre's implementation of GST and demonetisation had fuelled unemployment. MP goes to polls on November 28 and counting of votes will be taken up on December 11.

Assembly elections: Madhya Pradesh school education worse than that in J&K, says Ghulam Nabi Azad

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has said it will play a key role in the formation of the next government in Madhya Pradesh as it expects a fractured verdict in the November 28 assembly polls.

Madhya Pradesh BSP president Pradeep Ahirwar said the party will vastly improve its tally and win 32 seats, and can even think of heading the next government. 
The state has a 230-member assembly.

"Neither the BJP nor the Congress is going to get a majority. In this case, the Congress would support us to form the government in Madhya Pradesh," he said without elaborating.

The Dalit party, which refused to enter into a pre- poll alliance with the Congress, is going it alone in the central state, where the BJP is in power since 2003. 
"We are going to win 32 assembly seats and create a record in our history of 34 years in Madhya Pradesh due to strong anti-incumbency wave against the BJP and Dalit unity," he told PTI in an interview.

"The key to next government formation will be with Behenji Mayawatiji (the BSP president)," he said.

"Our first priority is to form government in MP. We want Behanji to call the political shots in the state," Ahirwar said.

The BSP leader ruled out backing the BJP post-poll.

Ahirwar said Mayawati will address rallies in the state between November 18 and November 26.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister will address three public meetings each in Rewa and Chambal divisions and one each in Bhopal and the Mahakoshal region, he said.

Asked about Congress leader Digvijay Singh's remark that the BSP could not enter into an alliance with his party in MP due to the Centre's pressure on Mayawati, he dismissed the statement as a "total lie".

"Whatever the former state chief minister (Singh) had stated was totally wrong. The BSP's history in MP is that it fights elections on its own strength. The Congress is going to pay a price in the polls due to Digvijay's comment," he said.

Ahirwar said his party has pockets of influence in MP, where it won 11 assembly seats each in 1993, 1998 and two in 2003, seven in 2008 and four in 2013.

According to estimates, Dalits account for 15 per cent of the population in Madhya Pradesh.

"We are sitting pretty on 32 seats and in 75 other assembly segments our position is very strong," he said.

"The BSP emerged strong in Morena, Rewa, Satna, Datia and Gwalior districts in the last assembly polls," he said.

"We are going to open our accounts in Chhatarpur, Panna, Shivpuri, Sheopur, Damoh, Katni, Balaghat and Singrauli districts," Ahirwar claimed.

The party's vote share was 8.97 per cent in 2008 which dipped to 6.29 per cent in the 2013 polls.

He said the people in MP, especially farmers, are unhappy with the BJP government following the police firing on cultivators at Pipaliya Mandi in Mandsaur district that left six farmers dead last year.

"The youth are peeved at lack of job avenues in MP. Vyapam, a massive admission and recruitment racket, had shattered their dream of getting government jobs," he added.

In the last assembly polls, the BJP had won 165 seats, while the Congress bagged 58. Their vote share was 44.48 per cent and 36.38 per cent, respectively.&nbsp;

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has said it will play a key role in the formation of the next government in Madhya Pradesh as it expects a fractured verdict in the November 28 assembly polls.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has said it will play a key role in the formation of the next government in Madhya Pradesh as it expects a fractured verdict in the November 28 assembly polls. Madhya Pradesh BSP president Pradeep Ahirwar said the party will vastly improve its tally and win 32 seats, and can even think of heading the next government. The state has a 230-member assembly. "Neither the BJP nor the Congress is going to get a majority. In this case, the Congress would support us to form the government in Madhya Pradesh," he said without elaborating. The Dalit party, which refused to enter into a pre- poll alliance with the Congress, is going it alone in the central state, where the BJP is in power since 2003. "We are going to win 32 assembly seats and create a record in our history of 34 years in Madhya Pradesh due to strong anti-incumbency wave against the BJP and Dalit unity," he told PTI in an interview. "The key to next government formation will be with Behenji Mayawatiji (the BSP president)," he said. "Our first priority is to form government in MP. We want Behanji to call the political shots in the state," Ahirwar said. The BSP leader ruled out backing the BJP post-poll. Ahirwar said Mayawati will address rallies in the state between November 18 and November 26. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister will address three public meetings each in Rewa and Chambal divisions and one each in Bhopal and the Mahakoshal region, he said. Asked about Congress leader Digvijay Singh's remark that the BSP could not enter into an alliance with his party in MP due to the Centre's pressure on Mayawati, he dismissed the statement as a "total lie". "Whatever the former state chief minister (Singh) had stated was totally wrong. The BSP's history in MP is that it fights elections on its own strength. The Congress is going to pay a price in the polls due to Digvijay's comment," he said. Ahirwar said his party has pockets of influence in MP, where it won 11 assembly seats each in 1993, 1998 and two in 2003, seven in 2008 and four in 2013. According to estimates, Dalits account for 15 per cent of the population in Madhya Pradesh. "We are sitting pretty on 32 seats and in 75 other assembly segments our position is very strong," he said. "The BSP emerged strong in Morena, Rewa, Satna, Datia and Gwalior districts in the last assembly polls," he said. "We are going to open our accounts in Chhatarpur, Panna, Shivpuri, Sheopur, Damoh, Katni, Balaghat and Singrauli districts," Ahirwar claimed. The party's vote share was 8.97 per cent in 2008 which dipped to 6.29 per cent in the 2013 polls. He said the people in MP, especially farmers, are unhappy with the BJP government following the police firing on cultivators at Pipaliya Mandi in Mandsaur district that left six farmers dead last year. "The youth are peeved at lack of job avenues in MP. Vyapam, a massive admission and recruitment racket, had shattered their dream of getting government jobs," he added. In the last assembly polls, the BJP had won 165 seats, while the Congress bagged 58. Their vote share was 44.48 per cent and 36.38 per cent, respectively.

Mayawati's BSP says it holds 'key' to next government in Madhya Pradesh

The Madhya Pradesh Congress Sunday announced its second list of 17 candidates for the polls to the 230-member state assembly slated for November 28.

The party since Saturday has declared the names of 172 candidates for the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections.

Of the 17, four candidates are for reserved seats.&nbsp;

The names of Congress state unit chief Kamal Nath and poll campaign committee in-charge Jyotiradtiya Scindia are not on the list. They are touted to be frontrunners for the chief minister's post if the party wins.

The first list of 155 names was released late Saturday night and it includes that of 21 women and 24 fresh faces.&nbsp;

It has struck a fine balance between supporters of Scindia and former chief minister Digvijay Singh, sources said.

The party, on expected lines, renominated 46 MLAs while dropping Govardhan Upadhyay, Shakuntala Khatik and Manoj Kumar, sitting MLAs from Sironj, Kerera and Kotma respectively.

They have been replaced by Ashok Tyagi, Jaswant Jatav and Sunil Saraf.

Interestingly, the Congress has nominated Dr Hiralal Alawa, convener of the tribal political outfit Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti (JAYS), from the Manawar seat in Dhar district.

Alawa, a former assistant professor at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences, was unable for comment.

The Congress-JAYS were in talks for an alliance, especially in the Nimar-Malwa region where the BJP has a formidable following.

Former chief minister Digvijay Singh's son Jaivardhan, a sitting MLA, brother Lakshman Singh and nephew Priyavrat Singh have been given tickets from Raghogarh, Chachoda and Khilchipur seats respectively.

Similarly, Scindia loyalists Hemant Katare and KK Singh have been nominated from Ater and Jaora seats respectively.

Four former MPs, comprising former Union minister Suresh Pachouri, Vijaylaxmi Sadho, Sajjan Singh Verma and Surendra Singh Thakur have been nominated from Bhojpur, Maheshwar, Sonkuth and Sehore respectively.

Leader of opposition in the state and son of former chief minister late Arjun Singh, Ajay Singh will fight from Chruhat.

Sanjay Sharma, Padma Shukla and Abhay Mishra, who recently joined the Congress after leaving the ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh, have been given tickets as well.

The party has fielded Chandra Prakash Ahirwar from Guna (reserved)assembly seat and Ram Niwas Rawat from Vijaypur.

The Congress is expected to announce the remaining candidates shortly, a party leader said.

The BJP stole a march on the Congress Friday by releasing its first list of 177 candidates for the assembly polls, fielding Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan from Budhni seat.

The counting of votes will be taken up on December 11.

The Madhya Pradesh Congress Sunday announced its second list of 17 candidates for the polls to the 230-member state assembly slated for November 28. The party since Saturday has declared the names of 172 candidates for the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections.

The Madhya Pradesh Congress Sunday announced its second list of 17 candidates for the polls to the 230-member state assembly slated for November 28. The party since Saturday has declared the names of 172 candidates for the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. Of the 17, four candidates are for reserved seats. The names of Congress state unit chief Kamal Nath and poll campaign committee in-charge Jyotiradtiya Scindia are not on the list. They are touted to be frontrunners for the chief minister's post if the party wins. The first list of 155 names was released late Saturday night and it includes that of 21 women and 24 fresh faces. It has struck a fine balance between supporters of Scindia and former chief minister Digvijay Singh, sources said. The party, on expected lines, renominated 46 MLAs while dropping Govardhan Upadhyay, Shakuntala Khatik and Manoj Kumar, sitting MLAs from Sironj, Kerera and Kotma respectively. They have been replaced by Ashok Tyagi, Jaswant Jatav and Sunil Saraf. Interestingly, the Congress has nominated Dr Hiralal Alawa, convener of the tribal political outfit Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti (JAYS), from the Manawar seat in Dhar district. Alawa, a former assistant professor at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences, was unable for comment. The Congress-JAYS were in talks for an alliance, especially in the Nimar-Malwa region where the BJP has a formidable following. Former chief minister Digvijay Singh's son Jaivardhan, a sitting MLA, brother Lakshman Singh and nephew Priyavrat Singh have been given tickets from Raghogarh, Chachoda and Khilchipur seats respectively. Similarly, Scindia loyalists Hemant Katare and KK Singh have been nominated from Ater and Jaora seats respectively. Four former MPs, comprising former Union minister Suresh Pachouri, Vijaylaxmi Sadho, Sajjan Singh Verma and Surendra Singh Thakur have been nominated from Bhojpur, Maheshwar, Sonkuth and Sehore respectively. Leader of opposition in the state and son of former chief minister late Arjun Singh, Ajay Singh will fight from Chruhat. Sanjay Sharma, Padma Shukla and Abhay Mishra, who recently joined the Congress after leaving the ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh, have been given tickets as well. The party has fielded Chandra Prakash Ahirwar from Guna (reserved)assembly seat and Ram Niwas Rawat from Vijaypur. The Congress is expected to announce the remaining candidates shortly, a party leader said. The BJP stole a march on the Congress Friday by releasing its first list of 177 candidates for the assembly polls, fielding Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan from Budhni seat. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 11.

Madhya Pradesh elections: Congress releases second list of 17 candidates

In the run-up to the polls in Chhattisgarh, Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Sunday asserted that if her party emerges victorious, minority communities, the poor and Muslims residing in the state will be uplifted.

The BSP supremo further asserted that the Naxals in the area will leave the path of violence to shun the path of violence and will work towards their development.

"Till now, several governments belonging to different political parties have ruled Chhattisgarh. But none of them have done enough for the development of poor, backward and Dalits. If my party will get the majority of votes, all the people, especially Dalits, Muslims, backward classes and the poor will be benefitted and their status will be uplifted in the society. Naxals will also leave the path of violence and will start working in the right direction," she said.

"By electing BJP as the single winner in the elections, all the dreams of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar will soon be fulfilled as my party will work day and night to provide support and relief to Dalits, Muslims, and other groups," she added.

While addressing the rally in Akaltara, Mayawati also touched upon the issue of reservation and alleged that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led-government at the Centre has diluted many acts pertaining to reservations for downtrodden sections of the country.

She also stated that both Congress and BJP, while in power, are not in favour of implementing the recommendations of the Mandal Commission.

"When Congress was in power they also didn't take any initiative to implement the Mandal Commission. Now that BJP is in power, they are not interested in the implementation and betterment of the Dalits and other backward classes. They both want to put an end to the reservation," she said.

Further training guns at the BJP, Mayawati said that increased prices of fuel, CNG and other products have made it difficult for people to make their ends meet.

"By implementing weak policies, the present government has created unemployment, inflation in the country. Not only that by increasing the prices of the cylinder, people not only in Chhattisgarh but also across India are facing issues," she added.

The 62-year-old claimed that while her party was in power in Uttar Pradesh, the demands of every community were fulfilled sans discrimination. "A compensation was also given to people who faced unemployment and basic facilities were provided to all especially farmers, women, poor, small businessmen," she added.

Elections to the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held in the two phases this month. The first Phase for 18 seats in South Chhattisgarh will be held on November 12 and second for remaining 72 seats of North Chhattisgarh will be held on November 20.

The counting of votes will take place on December 11.&nbsp;

In the run-up to the polls in Chhattisgarh, Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Sunday asserted that if her party emerges victorious, minority communities, the poor and Muslims residing in the state will be uplifted.

In the run-up to the polls in Chhattisgarh, Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Sunday asserted that if her party emerges victorious, minority communities, the poor and Muslims residing in the state will be uplifted. The BSP supremo further asserted that the Naxals in the area will leave the path of violence to shun the path of violence and will work towards their development. "Till now, several governments belonging to different political parties have ruled Chhattisgarh. But none of them have done enough for the development of poor, backward and Dalits. If my party will get the majority of votes, all the people, especially Dalits, Muslims, backward classes and the poor will be benefitted and their status will be uplifted in the society. Naxals will also leave the path of violence and will start working in the right direction," she said. "By electing BJP as the single winner in the elections, all the dreams of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar will soon be fulfilled as my party will work day and night to provide support and relief to Dalits, Muslims, and other groups," she added. While addressing the rally in Akaltara, Mayawati also touched upon the issue of reservation and alleged that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led-government at the Centre has diluted many acts pertaining to reservations for downtrodden sections of the country. She also stated that both Congress and BJP, while in power, are not in favour of implementing the recommendations of the Mandal Commission. "When Congress was in power they also didn't take any initiative to implement the Mandal Commission. Now that BJP is in power, they are not interested in the implementation and betterment of the Dalits and other backward classes. They both want to put an end to the reservation," she said. Further training guns at the BJP, Mayawati said that increased prices of fuel, CNG and other products have made it difficult for people to make their ends meet. "By implementing weak policies, the present government has created unemployment, inflation in the country. Not only that by increasing the prices of the cylinder, people not only in Chhattisgarh but also across India are facing issues," she added. The 62-year-old claimed that while her party was in power in Uttar Pradesh, the demands of every community were fulfilled sans discrimination. "A compensation was also given to people who faced unemployment and basic facilities were provided to all especially farmers, women, poor, small businessmen," she added. Elections to the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held in the two phases this month. The first Phase for 18 seats in South Chhattisgarh will be held on November 12 and second for remaining 72 seats of North Chhattisgarh will be held on November 20. The counting of votes will take place on December 11.

Chhattisgarh polls: Naxals will shun violence if BSP regains power, says Mayawati

The Congress party on Saturday released the first list of candidates for 155 seats for the upcoming assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh.

21 women and 21 SC&nbsp;candidates in the list also feature in the list.&nbsp;

Digvijay Singh's brother Lakshman Singh will contest from Chachoura constituency.&nbsp;

Digvijay`s son Jaivardhan Singh, who is a sitting Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), secured a ticket from Raghogarh constituency.

Veteran leader Satyavrat Chaturvedi`s brother Alok Chaturvedi will contest the assembly elections from Chhatarpur constituency.&nbsp;

Another prominent Member of Parliament (MP), Kantilal Bhuria will contest from Jhabua constituency. KK Kalukheda, brother of former Congress minister Mahendra Singh Kalukheda, will also contest the assembly polls from Jaora constituency.

Other senior leaders such as Suresh Pachouri and Govind Singh will contest the elections from Bhojpur and Lahar constituencies respectively.

Former MP Vijaylaxmi Sadho will be contesting the polls from Maheshwar constituency.

While expressing her optimism about the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Congress leader Shobha Oza said&nbsp;"It is a very good list and a lot of thought has been put into it. The candidates are very strong, and we are confident that we will win the elections with full majority."&nbsp;

The Congress party on Saturday released the first list of candidates for 155 seats for the upcoming assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh. 21 women and 21 SC candidates in the list also feature in the list.

The Congress party on Saturday released the first list of candidates for 155 seats for the upcoming assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh. 21 women and 21 SC candidates in the list also feature in the list. Digvijay Singh's brother Lakshman Singh will contest from Chachoura constituency. Digvijay`s son Jaivardhan Singh, who is a sitting Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), secured a ticket from Raghogarh constituency. Veteran leader Satyavrat Chaturvedi`s brother Alok Chaturvedi will contest the assembly elections from Chhatarpur constituency. Another prominent Member of Parliament (MP), Kantilal Bhuria will contest from Jhabua constituency. KK Kalukheda, brother of former Congress minister Mahendra Singh Kalukheda, will also contest the assembly polls from Jaora constituency. Other senior leaders such as Suresh Pachouri and Govind Singh will contest the elections from Bhojpur and Lahar constituencies respectively. Former MP Vijaylaxmi Sadho will be contesting the polls from Maheshwar constituency. While expressing her optimism about the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Congress leader Shobha Oza said "It is a very good list and a lot of thought has been put into it. The candidates are very strong, and we are confident that we will win the elections with full majority."

Madhya Pradesh elections: Congress releases first list of 155 candidates

The BJP Friday launched its "Booth Mahasampark" campaign with the slogan "har booth, BJP majboot" ahead of the Assembly election in Rajasthan due on December 7.

During the three-day campaign, party leaders and workers will establish door-to-door contact with the people, a party statement said.

As a part of the drive, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje met people in Jhalawar, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in Bikaner and state Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria in Udaipur, it added.

In Jaipur, BJP state election in-charge Prakash Javadekar spoke to people on the public welfare schemes of the Centre and the state in the Hawa Mahal Assembly area and urged the people to vote for the party.

On the other hand, BJP spokesperson Satish Punia slammed the Congress for copying BJP for seeking online suggestion for its election manifesto.

The BJP Friday launched its "Booth Mahasampark" campaign with the slogan "har booth, BJP majboot" ahead of the Assembly election in Rajasthan due on December 7. During the three-day campaign, party leaders and workers will establish door-to-door contact with the people, a party statement said.

The BJP Friday launched its "Booth Mahasampark" campaign with the slogan "har booth, BJP majboot" ahead of the Assembly election in Rajasthan due on December 7. During the three-day campaign, party leaders and workers will establish door-to-door contact with the people, a party statement said. As a part of the drive, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje met people in Jhalawar, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in Bikaner and state Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria in Udaipur, it added. In Jaipur, BJP state election in-charge Prakash Javadekar spoke to people on the public welfare schemes of the Centre and the state in the Hawa Mahal Assembly area and urged the people to vote for the party. On the other hand, BJP spokesperson Satish Punia slammed the Congress for copying BJP for seeking online suggestion for its election manifesto.

Ahead of Rajasthan polls, BJP launches 'Booth Mahasampark' campaign

The Congress on Saturday released its first list of candidates, a total of 155, for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly polls, news agency PTI reported.

According to reports, the nominees include Ajay Singh, the leader of opposition in the state, and former Union minister Suresh Pachouri.

Former chief minister Digvijay Singh's son Jaivardhan Singh and brother Lakshman Singh have also been fielded from Raghogarh and Chachoura seats respectively.

Son of former chief minister late Arjun Singh, Ajay Singh, will fight from Chruhat seat.

Madhya Pradesh assembly has a total of 230 assembly seats, the state will go to polls on November 28. BJP, the ruling party since 2003, had released its first list of 177 candidates on Friday.

(With inputs from PTI)

The Congress on Saturday released its first list of candidates, a total of 155, for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly polls, news agency PTI reported. According to reports, the nominees include Ajay Singh, the leader of opposition in the state, and former Union minister Suresh Pachouri.

The Congress on Saturday released its first list of candidates, a total of 155, for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly polls, news agency PTI reported. According to reports, the nominees include Ajay Singh, the leader of opposition in the state, and former Union minister Suresh Pachouri. Former chief minister Digvijay Singh's son Jaivardhan Singh and brother Lakshman Singh have also been fielded from Raghogarh and Chachoura seats respectively. Son of former chief minister late Arjun Singh, Ajay Singh, will fight from Chruhat seat. Madhya Pradesh assembly has a total of 230 assembly seats, the state will go to polls on November 28. BJP, the ruling party since 2003, had released its first list of 177 candidates on Friday. (With inputs from PTI)

Madhya Pradesh polls: Congress releases first list of candidates 

BJP Friday released its second list of 28 candidates for the coming Telangana assembly elections.

Baddam Bal Reddy and Endala Lakshminarayana, MLAs in the undivided Andhra Pradesh assembly, are among the prominent in the list.

Bal Reddy, who had earlier represented Karwan in Hyderabad, would contest from Rajendranagar. The assembly segment mainly comprises areas on the periphery of Hyderabad.

Lakshminarayana would test his fortunes from Nizamabad Urban constituency, which he had represented earlier.

BJP, which is going it alone in the December 7 elections to the 119-member assembly, has earlier released its first list of 38 nominees on October 20.

The latest list was finalised by the Central Election Committee of the BJP which met Thursday under the presidentship of party chief Amit Shah in Delhi.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior leaders and members of the committee, a BJP release said.

The announcement of candidates triggered protests by supporters of aspirants who failed to get the party ticket.

While the party named G Yoganand, who is into construction business, as the nominee from Serilingampalli assembly segment in Hyderabad, the supporters of an aspirant for the ticket held protest at the BJP office here.

In Nizamabad, a group of people, stated to be the supporters of an aspirant, damaged furniture at the party office after their leader was denied the ticket. 
Shah had kicked off the party's campaign for the Telangana polls on September 15 at Mahabubnagar and addressed another rally at Karimnagar lat month.

BJP had five MLAs in the recently dissolved state assembly.

BJP Friday released its second list of 28 candidates for the coming Telangana assembly elections. Baddam Bal Reddy and Endala Lakshminarayana, MLAs in the undivided Andhra Pradesh assembly, are among the prominent in the list.

BJP Friday released its second list of 28 candidates for the coming Telangana assembly elections. Baddam Bal Reddy and Endala Lakshminarayana, MLAs in the undivided Andhra Pradesh assembly, are among the prominent in the list. Bal Reddy, who had earlier represented Karwan in Hyderabad, would contest from Rajendranagar. The assembly segment mainly comprises areas on the periphery of Hyderabad. Lakshminarayana would test his fortunes from Nizamabad Urban constituency, which he had represented earlier. BJP, which is going it alone in the December 7 elections to the 119-member assembly, has earlier released its first list of 38 nominees on October 20. The latest list was finalised by the Central Election Committee of the BJP which met Thursday under the presidentship of party chief Amit Shah in Delhi. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior leaders and members of the committee, a BJP release said. The announcement of candidates triggered protests by supporters of aspirants who failed to get the party ticket. While the party named G Yoganand, who is into construction business, as the nominee from Serilingampalli assembly segment in Hyderabad, the supporters of an aspirant for the ticket held protest at the BJP office here. In Nizamabad, a group of people, stated to be the supporters of an aspirant, damaged furniture at the party office after their leader was denied the ticket. Shah had kicked off the party's campaign for the Telangana polls on September 15 at Mahabubnagar and addressed another rally at Karimnagar lat month. BJP had five MLAs in the recently dissolved state assembly.

BJP releases second list of candidates for Telangana polls

BJP MP Anurag Thakur Saturday alleged Congress chief Rahul Gandhi was "pretending to be a religious person to deceive voters", adding that the Congress' "pretence" for "Hindu interests" made it clear that only those who talked of Hindus would rule the country.&nbsp;

The ongoing campaign for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls, slated for November 28, has seen the Congress projecting Gandhi as a 'Shiv bhakt' with the party chief offering prayers at several temples, including the revered Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain.

"Rahul is pretending to be a religious person. The Congress did not remember 'janeu' (sacred thread worn by Hindus) in the last 70 years. But the Congress chief is now showing his thread to deceive voters," the Himachal MP, also the BJP's chief whip in Lok Sabha, said.

"Congress used to talk about Hindu terrorism and saffron terrorism earlier. But Rahul is repeatedly visiting temples now. This has made one thing clear that those who talk about interests of Hindus would rule the country. But the Congress is only pretending to be bothered about Hindu interests," Thakur said.&nbsp;

In reply to a question, the BJP MP from Hamirpur said, "Rahul alleges (liquor baron) Vijay Mallya, (diamantaires) Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi fled the country after taking loans worth thousands of crore rupees from Indian banks. But these businessmen were close to the Congress during the UPA regime".&nbsp;

Speaking about alleged differences between senior Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia on ticket distribution, Thakur said the "battle" within the opposition party had led to its failure in projecting a CM face for the state.&nbsp;

"The state Congress has been engaged in the battle of raja (Digvijaya) and maharaja (Scindia). It has even failed to decide about a chief ministerial face," the BJP leader said.

The counting of votes for the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls will be held on December 11.&nbsp;

BJP MP Anurag Thakur Saturday alleged Congress chief Rahul Gandhi was "pretending to be a religious person to deceive voters", adding that the Congress' "pretence" for "Hindu interests" made it clear that only those who talked of Hindus would rule the country.

BJP MP Anurag Thakur Saturday alleged Congress chief Rahul Gandhi was "pretending to be a religious person to deceive voters", adding that the Congress' "pretence" for "Hindu interests" made it clear that only those who talked of Hindus would rule the country. The ongoing campaign for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls, slated for November 28, has seen the Congress projecting Gandhi as a 'Shiv bhakt' with the party chief offering prayers at several temples, including the revered Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. "Rahul is pretending to be a religious person. The Congress did not remember 'janeu' (sacred thread worn by Hindus) in the last 70 years. But the Congress chief is now showing his thread to deceive voters," the Himachal MP, also the BJP's chief whip in Lok Sabha, said. "Congress used to talk about Hindu terrorism and saffron terrorism earlier. But Rahul is repeatedly visiting temples now. This has made one thing clear that those who talk about interests of Hindus would rule the country. But the Congress is only pretending to be bothered about Hindu interests," Thakur said. In reply to a question, the BJP MP from Hamirpur said, "Rahul alleges (liquor baron) Vijay Mallya, (diamantaires) Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi fled the country after taking loans worth thousands of crore rupees from Indian banks. But these businessmen were close to the Congress during the UPA regime". Speaking about alleged differences between senior Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia on ticket distribution, Thakur said the "battle" within the opposition party had led to its failure in projecting a CM face for the state. "The state Congress has been engaged in the battle of raja (Digvijaya) and maharaja (Scindia). It has even failed to decide about a chief ministerial face," the BJP leader said. The counting of votes for the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls will be held on December 11.

Rahul 'pretending' to be religious to 'deceive' voters: BJP MP

Senior BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Saturday said the feedback of party workers would play a crucial role in selection of candidates for the assembly elections in Rajasthan.

Shekhawat, who is heading the party's election management committee in the state, said the party's parliamentary committee will decide the final candidates. He said his committee was tasked to prepare a feedback report on winnable candidates.

"The party workers' opinion and feedback will be considered before finalising the tickets," the union minister of state for agriculture told reporters here.

He said the party has stated that the elections will be fought under the leadership of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

When asked whether sitting MPs would contest the elections, Shekhawat said if the party directed so he or any other MP would contest the polls.

Speaking on the Ram temple issue, Shekhawat said the issue was related to public sentiment and that the party was committed to construct the temple but the Supreme Court's decision would be most important.

Senior BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Saturday said the feedback of party workers would play a crucial role in selection of candidates for the assembly elections in Rajasthan.

Senior BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Saturday said the feedback of party workers would play a crucial role in selection of candidates for the assembly elections in Rajasthan. Shekhawat, who is heading the party's election management committee in the state, said the party's parliamentary committee will decide the final candidates. He said his committee was tasked to prepare a feedback report on winnable candidates. "The party workers' opinion and feedback will be considered before finalising the tickets," the union minister of state for agriculture told reporters here. He said the party has stated that the elections will be fought under the leadership of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. When asked whether sitting MPs would contest the elections, Shekhawat said if the party directed so he or any other MP would contest the polls. Speaking on the Ram temple issue, Shekhawat said the issue was related to public sentiment and that the party was committed to construct the temple but the Supreme Court's decision would be most important.

Party workers' feedback crucial in selection of candidates for Rajasthan polls: Senior BJP leader

BJP has fielded Syed Shahezadi, a young Muslim woman, as its candidate from Chandrayangutta constituency in Hyderabad, to take on AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi in the December 7 state assembly election.

A novice in electoral politics, Shahezadi, who was a leader of ABVP, student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, hails from Adilabad in Telangana.

Shahezadi, who completed post-graduation in political science from Osmania University in Hyderabad, alleged there has been no improvement in the condition of common people in Chandrayangutta and other parts of old city of Hyderabad though All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has been elected for the past two decades.

She said she can work for people's welfare by implementing central government schemes.

"I am asking what did he (Owaisi) do for you (people)? What change has come in your lives? What about your children's education and how many of them are employed? How many have become engineers and doctors," she told PTI.

A communal atmosphere prevailed in the old city of Hyderabad, AIMIM's stronghold, and there has been no change in the lives of common people, including ordinary Muslims, with AIMIM at the helm, she alleged.

Owaisi has been elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014.

Dismissing allegations that BJP is a communal party, she said such a mindset has been established that the organisation was opposed to Muslims.

It is the BJP which made the late APJ Abdul Kalam President of India and BJP's Muslim leaders like Sikandar Bhakt, Najma Heptulla and M J Akbar held important positions, she said.

Budget has been increased for Maulana Azad Urdu University in Hyderabad and for madrassas in Uttar Pradesh under a BJP government, she claimed.

Having studied in government schools and colleges, Shahezadi said, she understands poverty, public issues and the issues concerning Muslim women.

She thanked BJP's leadership for making her the candidate though she does not have money power.

"If there is any party which encourages youth, it is BJP. It is BJP which encourages Muslims also. Because, I am the example," she said.

BJP's Telangana unit president K Laxman said Shahezadi can expose the "misdeeds of AIMIM and how they are exploiting poor Muslims."

Shahezadi hailed Modi government's decision on triple talaq issue and she wants to work for empowerment of the Muslim women, he said.

Laxman said she was keen on contesting from Chandrayangutta which the party considered and decided to field her from the segment.

BJP has fielded Syed Shahezadi, a young Muslim woman, as its candidate from Chandrayangutta constituency in Hyderabad, to take on AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi in the December 7 state assembly election.

BJP has fielded Syed Shahezadi, a young Muslim woman, as its candidate from Chandrayangutta constituency in Hyderabad, to take on AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi in the December 7 state assembly election. A novice in electoral politics, Shahezadi, who was a leader of ABVP, student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, hails from Adilabad in Telangana. Shahezadi, who completed post-graduation in political science from Osmania University in Hyderabad, alleged there has been no improvement in the condition of common people in Chandrayangutta and other parts of old city of Hyderabad though All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has been elected for the past two decades. She said she can work for people's welfare by implementing central government schemes. "I am asking what did he (Owaisi) do for you (people)? What change has come in your lives? What about your children's education and how many of them are employed? How many have become engineers and doctors," she told PTI. A communal atmosphere prevailed in the old city of Hyderabad, AIMIM's stronghold, and there has been no change in the lives of common people, including ordinary Muslims, with AIMIM at the helm, she alleged. Owaisi has been elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014. Dismissing allegations that BJP is a communal party, she said such a mindset has been established that the organisation was opposed to Muslims. It is the BJP which made the late APJ Abdul Kalam President of India and BJP's Muslim leaders like Sikandar Bhakt, Najma Heptulla and M J Akbar held important positions, she said. Budget has been increased for Maulana Azad Urdu University in Hyderabad and for madrassas in Uttar Pradesh under a BJP government, she claimed. Having studied in government schools and colleges, Shahezadi said, she understands poverty, public issues and the issues concerning Muslim women. She thanked BJP's leadership for making her the candidate though she does not have money power. "If there is any party which encourages youth, it is BJP. It is BJP which encourages Muslims also. Because, I am the example," she said. BJP's Telangana unit president K Laxman said Shahezadi can expose the "misdeeds of AIMIM and how they are exploiting poor Muslims." Shahezadi hailed Modi government's decision on triple talaq issue and she wants to work for empowerment of the Muslim women, he said. Laxman said she was keen on contesting from Chandrayangutta which the party considered and decided to field her from the segment.

Telangana polls: BJP fields Muslim woman candidate against Akbaruddin Owaisi

Ordinarily speaking, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati’s decision to not ally with the Congress for the upcoming Assembly elections in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, should not have caused a ripple, much less led to a raucous debate it did in the media. 
 
The BSP is not considered a major force in either of the two States. In the 2013 poll, the party secured just a little over six per cent of the votes in Madhya Pradesh, while in Rajasthan it had fared even more miserably — getting less than three-and-a-half per cent. In both these instances, the BSP had done worse than it did in 2008. This, despite the fact that the Scheduled Caste population in both the States is good enough to have made Mayawati a force to reckon with; over 15 per cent Madhya Pradesh and 18 per cent in Rajasthan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mayawati’s flexing of muscles has alarmed the Congress for reasons that go beyond these two States. The first is that she has made a mockery of efforts to cobble together a larger anti-BJP alliance in time for the 2019 Lok Sabha election. 
 
Though she has not categorically ruled out a coalition with a Congress-led opposition for the general election, the tirade she launched against the country’s oldest national party could be relevant for 2019 as well. She called the Congress casteist and corrupt. Senior members of her party, taking a cue, added their bit, accusing the Congress of being arrogant and detached from ground realities.

Part of this outburst can be attributed to the Congress’s disinclination to entertain the high number of seats the BSP had been demanding in both the States — a number that, according to Congress leaders, was simply out of proportion to the BSP’s winnability factor. But the part reason is also about the discomfort in the BSP over ceding prime space to Congress president Rahul Gandhi in national calculations.&nbsp;

It’s an uneasiness which the BSP alone does not have. Prominent regional satraps, including Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, share her opinion. Samajwadi party spokespersons virtually backed Mayawati’s decision to go it alone in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and instead advised the Congress to show flexibility The Samajwadi Party and the BSP have already formed an alliance in Uttar Pradesh, and neither is in dire need of the Congress in the State. This bodes ill for the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, a State which sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha. The Congress is especially vulnerable here and simply cannot do much without riding piggyback on either the BSP or the Samajwadi Party or both.&nbsp;

The Congress interprets Mayawati’s decision as a snub because she pulled the rung from under its feet even as negotiations were on between the two. Besides, it felt upset that in the midst of talks earlier on, the BSP chief had unilaterally announced her candidates for two dozen seats in Madhya Pradesh. But announcing a clutch of her candidates for Madhya Pradesh was not the only indication Mayawati gave; she tied up with Ajit Jogi’s Chhattisgarh Janata Congress, the Congress’s bitter rival in Chhattisgarh, the other State which votes for a new Assembly. It didn’t help that Jogi had been a prominent Congress leader in the State once upon a time and was now determined to finish off his former party.&nbsp;

Mayawati does command more attention and consideration than what electoral statistics would suggest. Her party could not win a single Lok Sabha seat in the 2014 election. It came a distant third in the 2017 Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh, failing to outperform even the Samajwadi Party which had been deeply fractured as a result of a family feud. In the given situation, many expected her to gratefully accept whatever she got out of alliances. But she has surprised them all. Her confidence stems from the fact that she remains a mass leader and can tilt the scales in contests that matter — definitely so in Uttar Pradesh and also in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, though only in a few pockets. But, most importantly, the larger opposition unity project will be in doldrums minus her participation.&nbsp;

&nbsp; 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Ordinarily speaking, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati’s decision to not ally with the Congress for the upcoming Assembly elections in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, should not have caused a ripple, much less led to a raucous debate it did in the media.

Ordinarily speaking, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati’s decision to not ally with the Congress for the upcoming Assembly elections in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, should not have caused a ripple, much less led to a raucous debate it did in the media. The BSP is not considered a major force in either of the two States. In the 2013 poll, the party secured just a little over six per cent of the votes in Madhya Pradesh, while in Rajasthan it had fared even more miserably — getting less than three-and-a-half per cent. In both these instances, the BSP had done worse than it did in 2008. This, despite the fact that the Scheduled Caste population in both the States is good enough to have made Mayawati a force to reckon with; over 15 per cent Madhya Pradesh and 18 per cent in Rajasthan. Mayawati’s flexing of muscles has alarmed the Congress for reasons that go beyond these two States. The first is that she has made a mockery of efforts to cobble together a larger anti-BJP alliance in time for the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Though she has not categorically ruled out a coalition with a Congress-led opposition for the general election, the tirade she launched against the country’s oldest national party could be relevant for 2019 as well. She called the Congress casteist and corrupt. Senior members of her party, taking a cue, added their bit, accusing the Congress of being arrogant and detached from ground realities. Part of this outburst can be attributed to the Congress’s disinclination to entertain the high number of seats the BSP had been demanding in both the States — a number that, according to Congress leaders, was simply out of proportion to the BSP’s winnability factor. But the part reason is also about the discomfort in the BSP over ceding prime space to Congress president Rahul Gandhi in national calculations. It’s an uneasiness which the BSP alone does not have. Prominent regional satraps, including Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, share her opinion. Samajwadi party spokespersons virtually backed Mayawati’s decision to go it alone in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and instead advised the Congress to show flexibility The Samajwadi Party and the BSP have already formed an alliance in Uttar Pradesh, and neither is in dire need of the Congress in the State. This bodes ill for the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, a State which sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha. The Congress is especially vulnerable here and simply cannot do much without riding piggyback on either the BSP or the Samajwadi Party or both. The Congress interprets Mayawati’s decision as a snub because she pulled the rung from under its feet even as negotiations were on between the two. Besides, it felt upset that in the midst of talks earlier on, the BSP chief had unilaterally announced her candidates for two dozen seats in Madhya Pradesh. But announcing a clutch of her candidates for Madhya Pradesh was not the only indication Mayawati gave; she tied up with Ajit Jogi’s Chhattisgarh Janata Congress, the Congress’s bitter rival in Chhattisgarh, the other State which votes for a new Assembly. It didn’t help that Jogi had been a prominent Congress leader in the State once upon a time and was now determined to finish off his former party. Mayawati does command more attention and consideration than what electoral statistics would suggest. Her party could not win a single Lok Sabha seat in the 2014 election. It came a distant third in the 2017 Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh, failing to outperform even the Samajwadi Party which had been deeply fractured as a result of a family feud. In the given situation, many expected her to gratefully accept whatever she got out of alliances. But she has surprised them all. Her confidence stems from the fact that she remains a mass leader and can tilt the scales in contests that matter — definitely so in Uttar Pradesh and also in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, though only in a few pockets. But, most importantly, the larger opposition unity project will be in doldrums minus her participation. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Mayawati upsets Congress calculations;  will this impact 2019 scenario?

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, a self-professed "Shiv-bhakt", is on a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar, the mythical meditation-abode of Shiva and his consort, Parvati. A pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar is considered to be the most sacred according to many Hindus, but only a few are able to go on it, as it is both arduous and expensive.&nbsp;

Located at a height of more than 6,000 metres, the mountain and the lakes that are spread around it are revered by Buddhists and Jains as well. This is hardly surprising as the origin, history and development of these three religions is intimately intertwined. &nbsp;

With elections in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram just months away the Congress scion’s trek to the holy site is being seen as yet another ‘temple-run’ by his opponents in the BJP. &nbsp;

The BJP’s charge is simple and a repeat of their attack on the Congress during the Gujarat and Karnataka assembly elections where Rahul had visited a string of important monasteries and temples ahead of elections in the two states. BJP charges Rahul with opportunism, saying that Gandhi goes to temples only for votes and not because he is actually a devout Hindu. Rahul’s critics among left-liberals decry his visits such as the latest as appeasement of &nbsp;BJP’s politics of Hindutva, labelling it ‘soft Hindutva’.&nbsp;

More recently, Congress’s spokesperson Randeep Surjewala proclaimed that his party’s DNA consists of ‘Brahmins’. He was speaking at a rally organised to reach out to the influential Brahmin community in Haryana’s Kurukshetra. It seems the grand old party has decided to adopt the BJP’s strategy of espousing religion to woo the Indian voter in the upcoming state elections and the general elections in 2019. &nbsp;

It is also clear now that the top leadership in the Congress has finally decided to counter the BJP’s successful campaign to label it as a party mainly for Muslims and minorities. In this the BJP has effectively made use of past statements and comments made by a slew of Congress leaders like Digvijay Singh, Salman Khurshid, and Sushil Kumar Shinde. For the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage too, Rahul has been pilloried by BJP leaders who call it nothing but a ‘gimmick’ and its spokesperson Sambit Patra even suggests a ‘secret love for China’ being behind the visit. &nbsp;

Congress’s playing of the Hindu card is as critics say, a specious and cynical move, but at the same time it gives credence to the view that party is now out of the morass that engulfed it in the wake of 2014. It is adopting different strategies to woo different communities while retaining its image as a secular party that fought for and won independence from the British. &nbsp;As far as Rahul’s latest pilgrimage is concerned he had announced it after his aircraft had to make an emergency landing after a sudden mid-air snag while campaigning during Karnataka elections. &nbsp;

Whether or not Rahul’s apparently new-found religious devotion is politically motivated, one thing is clear, his so-called temple-runs are giving the BJP sleepless nights. However, it remains to be seen if Rahul’s "Shiv-bhakti" will get him the political boons he hopes for in order to save the Congress, which is facing an existential crisis.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

With elections in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram just months away the Congress scion’s trek to the holy site is being seen as yet another ‘temple-run’ by his opponents in the BJP.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, a self-professed "Shiv-bhakt", is on a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar, the mythical meditation-abode of Shiva and his consort, Parvati. A pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar is considered to be the most sacred according to many Hindus, but only a few are able to go on it, as it is both arduous and expensive. Located at a height of more than 6,000 metres, the mountain and the lakes that are spread around it are revered by Buddhists and Jains as well. This is hardly surprising as the origin, history and development of these three religions is intimately intertwined. With elections in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram just months away the Congress scion’s trek to the holy site is being seen as yet another ‘temple-run’ by his opponents in the BJP. The BJP’s charge is simple and a repeat of their attack on the Congress during the Gujarat and Karnataka assembly elections where Rahul had visited a string of important monasteries and temples ahead of elections in the two states. BJP charges Rahul with opportunism, saying that Gandhi goes to temples only for votes and not because he is actually a devout Hindu. Rahul’s critics among left-liberals decry his visits such as the latest as appeasement of BJP’s politics of Hindutva, labelling it ‘soft Hindutva’. More recently, Congress’s spokesperson Randeep Surjewala proclaimed that his party’s DNA consists of ‘Brahmins’. He was speaking at a rally organised to reach out to the influential Brahmin community in Haryana’s Kurukshetra. It seems the grand old party has decided to adopt the BJP’s strategy of espousing religion to woo the Indian voter in the upcoming state elections and the general elections in 2019. It is also clear now that the top leadership in the Congress has finally decided to counter the BJP’s successful campaign to label it as a party mainly for Muslims and minorities. In this the BJP has effectively made use of past statements and comments made by a slew of Congress leaders like Digvijay Singh, Salman Khurshid, and Sushil Kumar Shinde. For the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage too, Rahul has been pilloried by BJP leaders who call it nothing but a ‘gimmick’ and its spokesperson Sambit Patra even suggests a ‘secret love for China’ being behind the visit. Congress’s playing of the Hindu card is as critics say, a specious and cynical move, but at the same time it gives credence to the view that party is now out of the morass that engulfed it in the wake of 2014. It is adopting different strategies to woo different communities while retaining its image as a secular party that fought for and won independence from the British. As far as Rahul’s latest pilgrimage is concerned he had announced it after his aircraft had to make an emergency landing after a sudden mid-air snag while campaigning during Karnataka elections. Whether or not Rahul’s apparently new-found religious devotion is politically motivated, one thing is clear, his so-called temple-runs are giving the BJP sleepless nights. However, it remains to be seen if Rahul’s "Shiv-bhakti" will get him the political boons he hopes for in order to save the Congress, which is facing an existential crisis. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Will 'Shiv-bhakti' save the Congress?

With assembly and general elections a few months away, politics and politicking are taking a centre stage in India. The past few days have been significant in subtle ways. &nbsp;

First of all, a staunch supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, Yoga guru and FMCG tycoon Ramdev has said that he is not going to support any political party in the coming elections.&nbsp;

Ramdev’s statement reflects the growing public resentment against the central government for rising fuel prices and inflation. Petrol and diesel prices are at more than Rs 80 and Rs 70 in most states in India and it is having a cascading effect on the prices of essential commodities, which in turn is causing severe hardship to people who are already reeling under an economic slump. &nbsp;

Secondly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat both appear to be operating in tandem in softening the hard Hindutva edges that people associate with the present government. Bhagwat emphasised that RSS doesn't support a ‘mukt’ Bharat, referring obliquely to BJP’s promise of a ‘Congress-mukt Bharat’. Bhagwat, in fact, said that the RSS welcomes even those who oppose the outfit. 
 
PM Modi too did his own outreach towards minorities by meeting the spiritual head of the influential Bohra Muslims in Indore. &nbsp;At this meeting, Modi praised the Bohras for their patriotism subtly indicating that all are welcome in the BJP irrespective of religion.&nbsp;

Finally, as elections draw nearer in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Congress and BJP are gearing up and fine-tuning election campaign strategies.

In Madhya Pradesh, traditional infighting between Congress factions is yet to cease and the public, though, wanting a change from the BJP, remains wary of this factionalism. Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched the Congress’s election campaign from capital Bhopal.

The Kailash Mansarovar-returned Gandhi scion led a roadshow of thousands of supporters through the winding streets of old Bhopal and even stopped at a famous tea shop. But most noteworthy was the positioning of Gandhi and Congress&nbsp;posters and cutouts in the city showed Rahul in a Janeu&nbsp;offering holy water on a Shivling against the backdrop of Kailash mountain, considered sacred for millions of Hindus.

Projecting Rahul Gandhi as a devout 'Shiv-bhakt' might be expedient for the Congress but it is also alienating some of its supporters who are neither Hindu nor supporters of overt religiosity in politics.&nbsp;

However it seems the Congress has made up its mind- it would do anything, even emulate the BJP to win back its former stronghold.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

As elections draw nearer in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Congress and BJP are gearing up and fine-tuning election campaign strategies.

With assembly and general elections a few months away, politics and politicking are taking a centre stage in India. The past few days have been significant in subtle ways. First of all, a staunch supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, Yoga guru and FMCG tycoon Ramdev has said that he is not going to support any political party in the coming elections. Ramdev’s statement reflects the growing public resentment against the central government for rising fuel prices and inflation. Petrol and diesel prices are at more than Rs 80 and Rs 70 in most states in India and it is having a cascading effect on the prices of essential commodities, which in turn is causing severe hardship to people who are already reeling under an economic slump. Secondly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat both appear to be operating in tandem in softening the hard Hindutva edges that people associate with the present government. Bhagwat emphasised that RSS doesn't support a ‘mukt’ Bharat, referring obliquely to BJP’s promise of a ‘Congress-mukt Bharat’. Bhagwat, in fact, said that the RSS welcomes even those who oppose the outfit. PM Modi too did his own outreach towards minorities by meeting the spiritual head of the influential Bohra Muslims in Indore. At this meeting, Modi praised the Bohras for their patriotism subtly indicating that all are welcome in the BJP irrespective of religion. Finally, as elections draw nearer in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Congress and BJP are gearing up and fine-tuning election campaign strategies. In Madhya Pradesh, traditional infighting between Congress factions is yet to cease and the public, though, wanting a change from the BJP, remains wary of this factionalism. Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched the Congress’s election campaign from capital Bhopal. The Kailash Mansarovar-returned Gandhi scion led a roadshow of thousands of supporters through the winding streets of old Bhopal and even stopped at a famous tea shop. But most noteworthy was the positioning of Gandhi and Congress posters and cutouts in the city showed Rahul in a Janeu offering holy water on a Shivling against the backdrop of Kailash mountain, considered sacred for millions of Hindus. Projecting Rahul Gandhi as a devout 'Shiv-bhakt' might be expedient for the Congress but it is also alienating some of its supporters who are neither Hindu nor supporters of overt religiosity in politics. However it seems the Congress has made up its mind- it would do anything, even emulate the BJP to win back its former stronghold. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Politicking begins in full earnest ahead of elections