<p>As the nation braces itself for the announcement of Lok Sabha election results on June 4, leaders from the opposition INDIA bloc visited the Election Commission of India (ECI) with a flurry of demands. At the same time, adding to the charged political atmosphere, Union Ministers and prominent BJP figures, Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman, also made their presence felt at the ECI.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Union Minister Piyush Goyal criticised what BJP perceived as attempts by INDIA bloc to tarnish the sanctity of India's democratic processes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We had to call upon ECI today, in light of the repeated attempts by a section of the political parties led by the Indian National Congress and their INDI alliance partners and certain motivated civil society groups and NGOs who are trying their level best to undermine the integrity of India's electoral process. Their efforts against India's robust electoral process are a direct attack on our democratic institutions," Goyal said post-meeting with the full bench of Election Commission members.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-polls-2024-sikkims-ruling-skm-registers-thumping-victory-wins-31-out-of-32-seats-728054">Assembly Polls 2024: Sikkim's ruling SKM registers thumping victory, wins 31 out of 32 seats</a></p>

<p>Goyal elaborated on the BJP's four demands made during their meeting.&nbsp;Goyal said, "We have requested EC every official engaged in the counting process be fully conversant with the minutest details of the prescribed process and engage diligently with all EC protocols...second, to ensure safety and security of the electoral process during the counting and announcement of results...third, to take cognisance of the systematic attempts to undermine the electoral process and take stringent action against those responsible."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>INDIA bloc meets EC officials&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>INDIA bloc's delegation also met with the Election Commission, with Sitaram Yechury of the CPI(M) calling for adhering to their demands, including that the postal ballots&nbsp;be counted first and announced and after that, the EVM counting should begin. "We are saying that it should be followed."</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-polls-2024-bjp-returns-to-power-in-arunachal-pradesh-secures-46-out-of-60-seats-728034">Assembly Polls 2024: BJP storms back to power in Arunachal Pradesh, secures 46 out of 60 seats</a></p>

<p>D Raja of the CPI underscored the importance of upholding the Conduct of Election rules 1961.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pune-porsche-horror-wion-exclusive-teen-mother-evasive-on-probe-crime-branch-interrogates-minor-728022">Pune Porsche horror | WION Exclusive: Teen, mother evasive on probe; crime branch interrogates minor</a></strong></p>

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<p>Congress leader Salman Khurshid expressed optimism saying, "We requested for very strict vigilance during the counting process and they gave us a satisfactory reply... We didn't question any rules but made sure they are adhered to and followed faithfully. The meeting has been very promising."</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Congress, outlined a specific concern regarding the counting order of postal ballots and EVMs.</p>

<p>"Our complaint is that this statutory rule of this 2019 guideline has been given goodbye. The Election Commission has repealed this 2019 practice. The net result is that by method of practice, EVMs can be counted and if EVMs counting gets over before the postal ballot, it will still be completed," Singhvi said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


As the nation braces itself for the announcement of Lok Sabha election results on June 4, leaders from the opposition INDIA bloc visited the Election Commission of India (ECI) with a flurry of demands.

As the nation braces itself for the announcement of Lok Sabha election results on June 4, leaders from the opposition INDIA bloc visited the Election Commission of India (ECI) with a flurry of demands. At the same time, adding to the charged political atmosphere, Union Ministers and prominent BJP figures, Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman, also made their presence felt at the ECI. Union Minister Piyush Goyal criticised what BJP perceived as attempts by INDIA bloc to tarnish the sanctity of India's democratic processes. "We had to call upon ECI today, in light of the repeated attempts by a section of the political parties led by the Indian National Congress and their INDI alliance partners and certain motivated civil society groups and NGOs who are trying their level best to undermine the integrity of India's electoral process. Their efforts against India's robust electoral process are a direct attack on our democratic institutions," Goyal said post-meeting with the full bench of Election Commission members. Also Read | Assembly Polls 2024: Sikkim's ruling SKM registers thumping victory, wins 31 out of 32 seats Goyal elaborated on the BJP's four demands made during their meeting. Goyal said, "We have requested EC every official engaged in the counting process be fully conversant with the minutest details of the prescribed process and engage diligently with all EC protocols...second, to ensure safety and security of the electoral process during the counting and announcement of results...third, to take cognisance of the systematic attempts to undermine the electoral process and take stringent action against those responsible." INDIA bloc meets EC officials INDIA bloc's delegation also met with the Election Commission, with Sitaram Yechury of the CPI(M) calling for adhering to their demands, including that the postal ballots be counted first and announced and after that, the EVM counting should begin. "We are saying that it should be followed." Also Read | Assembly Polls 2024: BJP storms back to power in Arunachal Pradesh, secures 46 out of 60 seats D Raja of the CPI underscored the importance of upholding the Conduct of Election rules 1961. Watch | Pune Porsche horror | WION Exclusive: Teen, mother evasive on probe; crime branch interrogates minor × Congress leader Salman Khurshid expressed optimism saying, "We requested for very strict vigilance during the counting process and they gave us a satisfactory reply... We didn't question any rules but made sure they are adhered to and followed faithfully. The meeting has been very promising." Meanwhile, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Congress, outlined a specific concern regarding the counting order of postal ballots and EVMs. "Our complaint is that this statutory rule of this 2019 guideline has been given goodbye. The Election Commission has repealed this 2019 practice. The net result is that by method of practice, EVMs can be counted and if EVMs counting gets over before the postal ballot, it will still be completed," Singhvi said. (With inputs from agencies)

INDIA bloc urges ECI to count postal ballots first; BJP alleges opposition undermining process

Narendra Modi addressed an election rally in a city in Karnataka and he accused the I.N.D.I.A bloc of trying to destroy the strength of the Hindu religion. He was referring to Congress's boycott of Ram Temple's consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.

Lok Sabha elections 2024: PM Modi says opposition destroying Sanatan Dharma

<p>The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi on Tuesday (Apr 9)&nbsp;announced its seat-sharing formula for the Lok Sabha polls with the Shiv Sena (UBT) getting the major chunk of 21 seats, while the Congress will contest 17 seats and the NCP (SP) 10.</p>

<p>The Congress gave up its claim on the contentious Sangli and Bhiwandi seats, which will now be contested by the Sena (UBT) and the NCP (SP), respectively.</p>

<p>While the Sena (UBT) said the goal of the alliance was to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress said it has decided to be “large-hearted” to achieve this objective.</p>

<p>NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and state Congress president Nana Patole announced the poll pact for the 48 parliamentary seats in the state after weeks of hectic negotiations.</p>

<p>Addressing a press conference at ‘Shivalaya’, the Shiv Sena (UBT) office in south Mumbai, party head and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said the seat-sharing deal has been reached and in an alliance, winning is important and defeating the BJP is the goal.</p>

<p>“When victory against the BJP is the larger goal, we have to set aside certain differences,” he said when asked about the Shiv Sena (UBT) refusing to give Sangli seat to the Congress.</p>

<p>Thackeray said there was a strange coincidence of “surya grahan” (solar eclipse), “amavasya” (new moon) and the BJP rally on the same day (Monday).</p>

<p>“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech yesterday was not that of a prime minister. When we respond, please don’t take it as an insult of the prime minister. Our criticism will be about a leader of a corrupt party,” Thackeray said to a query on Modi referring to his party as “fake Shiv Sena”.</p>

<p>“It is not right for a leader of the party of extortionists to call us fake,” he said.</p>

<p>The BJP is a “party of extortionists” and this was seen after the electoral bonds “scam” was exposed, Thackeray claimed.</p>

<p>Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said his party has decided to be “large-hearted” to achieve the final goal of defeating PM Modi and the BJP.</p>

<p>The Congress workers will fight the BJP and ensure victory of the MVA candidates in Sangli and Bhiwandi, he said.</p>

<p>“Our workers will never forget how the BJP ill-treated our leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi,” he said.</p>

<p>Patole said the parties of Thackeray and Sharad Pawar were “hijacked” by rebels. “Leaders of both the original parties are with us and Modi calls the Uddhav Thackeray-led party as fake Shiv Sena,” he said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjp0YD5obWFAxV9-jgGHWv0CXoQxfQBKAB6BAgLEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-kangana-ranaut-quashes-rumours-of-consuming-beef-calls-herself-proud-hindu-708884" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-kangana-ranaut-quashes-rumours-of-consuming-beef-calls-herself-proud-hindu-708884&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjp0YD5obWFAxV9-jgGHWv0CXoQxfQBKAB6BAgLEAE">Lok Sabha elections 2024: Kangana Ranaut quashes rumours of `consuming beef`, calls herself `proud Hindu`</a></strong></p>

<p>As part of the deal, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has got Jalgaon, Parbhani, Nashik, Palghar, Kalyan, Thane, Raigad, Maval, Osmanabad, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, Buldhana, Hathkanangkale, Aurangabad, Shirdi, Sangli, Hingoli, Yavatmal-Washim, Mumbai South, Mumbai South Central, Mumbai North West and Mumbai North East seats.</p>

<p>The Congress has got Nandurbar, Dhule, Akola, Amravati, Nagpur, Bhandara-Gondia, Gadchiroli-Chimur, Chandrapur, Nanded, Jalna, Mumbai North Central, Mumbai North, Pune, Latur, Solapur, Kolhapur and Ramtek seats.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjp0YD5obWFAxV9-jgGHWv0CXoQxfQBKAB6BAgNEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-heres-what-the-stars-have-in-store-for-leaders-this-political-season-708799" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-heres-what-the-stars-have-in-store-for-leaders-this-political-season-708799&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjp0YD5obWFAxV9-jgGHWv0CXoQxfQBKAB6BAgNEAE">Lok Sabha elections 2024: Here`s what the stars have in store for leaders this political season</a></strong></p>

<p>The NCP(SP) will contest Baramati, Shirur, Satara, Bhiwandi, Dindori, Madha, Raver, Wardhan, Ahmednagar South and Beed seats.</p>

<p>The Lok Sabha polls will be held in the state in five phases from April 19 to May 20.</p>


The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi on Tuesday (Apr 9) announced its seat-sharing formula for the Lok Sabha polls with the Shiv Sena (UBT) getting the major chunk of 21 seats, while the Congress will contest 17 seats and the NCP (SP) 10.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi on Tuesday (Apr 9) announced its seat-sharing formula for the Lok Sabha polls with the Shiv Sena (UBT) getting the major chunk of 21 seats, while the Congress will contest 17 seats and the NCP (SP) 10. The Congress gave up its claim on the contentious Sangli and Bhiwandi seats, which will now be contested by the Sena (UBT) and the NCP (SP), respectively. While the Sena (UBT) said the goal of the alliance was to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress said it has decided to be “large-hearted” to achieve this objective. NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and state Congress president Nana Patole announced the poll pact for the 48 parliamentary seats in the state after weeks of hectic negotiations. Addressing a press conference at ‘Shivalaya’, the Shiv Sena (UBT) office in south Mumbai, party head and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said the seat-sharing deal has been reached and in an alliance, winning is important and defeating the BJP is the goal. “When victory against the BJP is the larger goal, we have to set aside certain differences,” he said when asked about the Shiv Sena (UBT) refusing to give Sangli seat to the Congress. Thackeray said there was a strange coincidence of “surya grahan” (solar eclipse), “amavasya” (new moon) and the BJP rally on the same day (Monday). “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech yesterday was not that of a prime minister. When we respond, please don’t take it as an insult of the prime minister. Our criticism will be about a leader of a corrupt party,” Thackeray said to a query on Modi referring to his party as “fake Shiv Sena”. “It is not right for a leader of the party of extortionists to call us fake,” he said. The BJP is a “party of extortionists” and this was seen after the electoral bonds “scam” was exposed, Thackeray claimed. Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said his party has decided to be “large-hearted” to achieve the final goal of defeating PM Modi and the BJP. The Congress workers will fight the BJP and ensure victory of the MVA candidates in Sangli and Bhiwandi, he said. “Our workers will never forget how the BJP ill-treated our leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi,” he said. Patole said the parties of Thackeray and Sharad Pawar were “hijacked” by rebels. “Leaders of both the original parties are with us and Modi calls the Uddhav Thackeray-led party as fake Shiv Sena,” he said. Also read: Lok Sabha elections 2024: Kangana Ranaut quashes rumours of `consuming beef`, calls herself `proud Hindu` As part of the deal, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has got Jalgaon, Parbhani, Nashik, Palghar, Kalyan, Thane, Raigad, Maval, Osmanabad, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, Buldhana, Hathkanangkale, Aurangabad, Shirdi, Sangli, Hingoli, Yavatmal-Washim, Mumbai South, Mumbai South Central, Mumbai North West and Mumbai North East seats. The Congress has got Nandurbar, Dhule, Akola, Amravati, Nagpur, Bhandara-Gondia, Gadchiroli-Chimur, Chandrapur, Nanded, Jalna, Mumbai North Central, Mumbai North, Pune, Latur, Solapur, Kolhapur and Ramtek seats. Also read: Lok Sabha elections 2024: Here`s what the stars have in store for leaders this political season The NCP(SP) will contest Baramati, Shirur, Satara, Bhiwandi, Dindori, Madha, Raver, Wardhan, Ahmednagar South and Beed seats. The Lok Sabha polls will be held in the state in five phases from April 19 to May 20.

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Opposition INDIA bloc seals pre-poll pact in Maharashtra

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidcnkIBFf5lHBE" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approach, political parties mocking each other is not new but India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh got creative and used the viral 'moye moye' meme to take a jab at the opposition INDIA bloc.</p>

<p>Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday (April 3) said that the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance doesn't stand a chance against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance in the Lok Sabha elections as&nbsp;<em>"desh ki janata moye moye kar degi"&nbsp;</em>(the people will make the Opposition come a cropper in the elections).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Union Cabinet Minister called the INDIA bloc “an alliance of convenience of some self-seeking Opposition leaders” while campaigning for upcoming general elections in Ghaziabad for sitting MP Atul Garg.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">. <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rajnathsingh</a> ji’s dig on Congress with 'Moye moye' is the best thing to watch 😂 <a href="https://t.co/t0Ti1pAv6h">pic.twitter.com/t0Ti1pAv6h</a></p>
— Political Kida (@PoliticalKida) <a href="https://twitter.com/PoliticalKida/status/1775564288696160370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Several Opposition parties came together to fight and defeat the BJP. However, you can all see that this is an alliance of convenience of some self-seeking Opposition leaders. However, they can’t even face the NDA even if they are united. Is desh ki janata iska bhi moye moye kar degi (the people will make the Opposition come a cropper in the elections),” he said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/rajnath-singh-mentions-chinese-article-says-indias-rising-global-standing-can-no-longer-be-ignored-679201" hreflang="en">Rajnath Singh cites Chinese article, says India's rising global standing 'can no longer be ignored'</a></strong></p>

<p>Speaking on how Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed India's standing globally after assuming power in 2014, Rajnath Singh said, "India of today is a powerful country. The world didn't take us seriously before, but PM Modi performed a miracle to bring us where we are now. Today, when India talks on a global stage, the whole world listens."</p>

<h2><strong>What is 'moye moye' trend?</strong></h2>

<p>It all started with a Serbian song that went viral on TikTok and from there reached other social media platforms. The song titled 'Dzanum' by Serbian singer-songwriter Teya Dora is about nightmares, anguish, and despair. The trend includes people performing 'tragedy to comedy' acts while the hook of this song plays in the background.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approach, political parties mocking each other is not new but India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh got creative and used the viral 'moye moye' meme to take a jab at the opposition INDIA bloc.

As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approach, political parties mocking each other is not new but India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh got creative and used the viral 'moye moye' meme to take a jab at the opposition INDIA bloc. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday (April 3) said that the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance doesn't stand a chance against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance in the Lok Sabha elections as "desh ki janata moye moye kar degi" (the people will make the Opposition come a cropper in the elections). The Union Cabinet Minister called the INDIA bloc “an alliance of convenience of some self-seeking Opposition leaders” while campaigning for upcoming general elections in Ghaziabad for sitting MP Atul Garg. . @rajnathsingh ji’s dig on Congress with 'Moye moye' is the best thing to watch 😂 pic.twitter.com/t0Ti1pAv6h — Political Kida (@PoliticalKida) April 3, 2024 × “Several Opposition parties came together to fight and defeat the BJP. However, you can all see that this is an alliance of convenience of some self-seeking Opposition leaders. However, they can’t even face the NDA even if they are united. Is desh ki janata iska bhi moye moye kar degi (the people will make the Opposition come a cropper in the elections),” he said. Also read | Rajnath Singh cites Chinese article, says India's rising global standing 'can no longer be ignored' Speaking on how Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed India's standing globally after assuming power in 2014, Rajnath Singh said, "India of today is a powerful country. The world didn't take us seriously before, but PM Modi performed a miracle to bring us where we are now. Today, when India talks on a global stage, the whole world listens." What is 'moye moye' trend? It all started with a Serbian song that went viral on TikTok and from there reached other social media platforms. The song titled 'Dzanum' by Serbian singer-songwriter Teya Dora is about nightmares, anguish, and despair. The trend includes people performing 'tragedy to comedy' acts while the hook of this song plays in the background. (With inputs from agencies)

Rajnath Singh takes swipe at INDIA bloc through viral ‘moye moye’ trend

<p>With Lok Sabha elections drawing closer, the opposition INDIA alliance listed out its five demands at the ‘Loktantra Bachao Rally’ in New Delhi on Sunday (Mar 31) stating that the Election Commission of India should ensure fair&nbsp;play during the polls for all parties.</p>

<p>The bloc exuded confidence while asserting that despite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) creating “undemocratic obstacles”, the alliance will keep making dedicated efforts to win the polls and save the country’s democracy.</p>

<p>Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra read out the demands and called for the poll panel to bar the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax department’s actions against opposition parties, which she claimed were deliberately taken to impact the elections negatively.</p>

<p>She further demanded the immediate release of former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">INDIA गठबंधन की 5 सूत्रीय मांग<br />
<br />
1. चुनाव आयोग को लोकसभा चुनावों में समान अवसर सुनिश्चित करना चाहिए<br />
<br />
2. चुनाव आयोग को चुनाव में हेराफेरी करने के उद्देश्य से विपक्षी दलों के खिलाफ जांच एजेंसियों द्वारा की जानी वाली कार्रवाई रोकी जानी चाहिए<br />
<br />
3. हेमंत सोरेन जी और अरविन्द केजरीवाल जी… <a href="https://t.co/QntVuwhGWF">pic.twitter.com/QntVuwhGWF</a></p>
— Congress (@INCIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/1774382780115238953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/arvind-kejriwals-arrest-unites-indian-opposition-at-the-site-of-his-political-birthplace-706214">Opposition unites at INDIA bloc rally over Kejriwal’s arrest to take on BJP</a></p>

<h2><strong>5 demands of INDIA alliance</strong></h2>

<p>1. The Election Commission should ensure a level playing field in Lok Sabha elections</p>

<p>2. The Election Commission should stop action taken by investigative agencies against opposition parties with the aim of rigging elections</p>

<p>3. Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal should be released immediately</p>

<p>4. The coercive action of financially strangling opposition political parties during elections must stop immediately</p>

<p>5. A Supreme Court-monitored SIT must be formed to investigate allegations of vendetta, extortion and money laundering by the BJP using election funds</p>

<p>In her remarks before reading out the INDIA bloc’s demands, she said, “I have been coming to Ramlila Maidan since childhood. Every year Ravan’s effigy is set on fire.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>“When I was a kid, I used to come (here) with my grandmother Indira Ji and she used to narrate the Ramayana to me. Those in power today call themselves Ram Bhakts. When I was sitting here I thought that I should say something to them. I want to remind them of the 1,000-year-old tale and its message,” she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“When Lord Ram fought for truth, he did not have power, resources or even a chariot. Ravan had chariots, resources, army and gold but Lord Ram had truth, hope, belief, love, kindness, modesty, patience, courage and truth. I want to tell those in power and PM Narendra Modi that the message of Lord Ram’s life is that power is not permanent… and arrogance gets shattered,” she&nbsp;added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


With Lok Sabha elections drawing closer, the opposition INDIA alliance listed out its five demands at the ‘Loktantra Bachao Rally’ in New Delhi on Sunday (Mar 31) stating that the Election Commission of India should ensure fair play during the polls for all parties.

With Lok Sabha elections drawing closer, the opposition INDIA alliance listed out its five demands at the ‘Loktantra Bachao Rally’ in New Delhi on Sunday (Mar 31) stating that the Election Commission of India should ensure fair play during the polls for all parties. The bloc exuded confidence while asserting that despite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) creating “undemocratic obstacles”, the alliance will keep making dedicated efforts to win the polls and save the country’s democracy. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra read out the demands and called for the poll panel to bar the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax department’s actions against opposition parties, which she claimed were deliberately taken to impact the elections negatively. She further demanded the immediate release of former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. INDIA गठबंधन की 5 सूत्रीय मांग 1. चुनाव आयोग को लोकसभा चुनावों में समान अवसर सुनिश्चित करना चाहिए 2. चुनाव आयोग को चुनाव में हेराफेरी करने के उद्देश्य से विपक्षी दलों के खिलाफ जांच एजेंसियों द्वारा की जानी वाली कार्रवाई रोकी जानी चाहिए 3. हेमंत सोरेन जी और अरविन्द केजरीवाल जी… pic.twitter.com/QntVuwhGWF — Congress (@INCIndia) March 31, 2024 × Also read: Opposition unites at INDIA bloc rally over Kejriwal’s arrest to take on BJP 5 demands of INDIA alliance 1. The Election Commission should ensure a level playing field in Lok Sabha elections 2. The Election Commission should stop action taken by investigative agencies against opposition parties with the aim of rigging elections 3. Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal should be released immediately 4. The coercive action of financially strangling opposition political parties during elections must stop immediately 5. A Supreme Court-monitored SIT must be formed to investigate allegations of vendetta, extortion and money laundering by the BJP using election funds In her remarks before reading out the INDIA bloc’s demands, she said, “I have been coming to Ramlila Maidan since childhood. Every year Ravan’s effigy is set on fire.” “When I was a kid, I used to come (here) with my grandmother Indira Ji and she used to narrate the Ramayana to me. Those in power today call themselves Ram Bhakts. When I was sitting here I thought that I should say something to them. I want to remind them of the 1,000-year-old tale and its message,” she said. “When Lord Ram fought for truth, he did not have power, resources or even a chariot. Ravan had chariots, resources, army and gold but Lord Ram had truth, hope, belief, love, kindness, modesty, patience, courage and truth. I want to tell those in power and PM Narendra Modi that the message of Lord Ram’s life is that power is not permanent… and arrogance gets shattered,” she added. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha polls: Priyanka Gandhi reads out INDIA bloc’s five demands to Election Commission at mega rally

<p><strong>Lok Sabha Elections 2024</strong>: Over a dozen opposition leaders came together at New Delhi's historic Ramlila Maidan on Sunday (March 31) over the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kejriwal-arrest-delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-arrested-last-night-703318">arrest</a> of&nbsp;Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party co-founder Arvind Kejriwal's by Enforcement Directorate in the liquor policy scam case. The leaders of Aam Aadmi Party managed to keep the mega rally's focus on Arvind Kejriwal amid the rallying calls by all opposition leaders to 'save the constitution and constitutional values'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Over a decade ago, it was at Ramlila Maidan where Arvind Kejriwal took oath as Delhi Chief Minister after organising massive protests against corruption at the same grounds. As&nbsp;Kejriwal himself is in jail now, on corruption charges, his&nbsp;Aam Aadmi Party deployed his wife Sunita Kejriwal for political messaging at the INDI Alliance rally on Sunday.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/they-wont-keep-kejriwal-in-jail-for-long-delhi-cms-wife-lists-six-guarantees-on-behalf-of-india-bloc-706201">They won't keep Kejriwal in jail for long: Delhi CM's wife lists six guarantees on behalf of INDIA bloc</a></strong></p>

<p>Quoting Arvind Kejriwal, Sunita Kejriwal said, "I am not asking for votes today... I invite 140 crore Indians to make a new India... India is a great nation with thousands of years old civilisation... I think about Mother India from inside the jail and she is in pain... Let's make a new India... If INDIA Alliance is given an opportunity, we will build a new India... I present 6 guarantees on behalf of INDIA Alliance. First, there will be no power cuts in the whole country. Second, electricity would be free for the poor people. Third, we will make government schools in every village. Fourth, we will make Mohalla Clinics in every village. We will make a multi-speciality government hospital in every district. Everyone would get free treatment. Fifth, farmers would be given the correct price for the crops. Sixth, the people of Delhi have faced injustice for 75 years... We will give statehood to Delhi... We will complete these 6 guarantees in 5 years. I have made all the planning from where the money for these guarantees will come..."</p>

<p>Sunita was seen sharing a moment of bonhomie with senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi as she reached the stage&nbsp;at Ramlila Maidan about two hours after the event began.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the contradictions within the Opposition — which has banded as Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to purportedly&nbsp;de-seat Prime Minister Narendra Modi from power&nbsp;— were visible in the Indian capital at the cusp of election summer.</p>

<p>"It is time that one party and one person's government have to go," Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) said, a sentiment repeated by his alliance colleagues such as former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Farooq Abdullah.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Indian elections 2024 | PM Modi's rally in Meerut, I.N.D.I.A bloc rally in Delhi</strong></p>

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<p>The Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee was conspicuously absent from the rally, and the West Bengal chief minister's party was represented by Rajya Sabha MPs Derek O'Brien and Sagarika Ghose. Given the photographic symbolism of the event, O'Brien chose to move away from CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechuri, the arch rival of TMC, besides whom he was initially seated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that the BJP won't be able to win more than 180 seats if it chooses to give up what he described as 'high-handedness through ED, CBI, and Income Tax departments' against the Opposition leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi's sister and Congress General-Secretary Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra called for the release of arrested leaders of 'INDIA' bloc including Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Over a dozen opposition leaders came together at New Delhi's historic Ramlila Maidan on Sunday (March 31) over the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party co-founder Arvind Kejriwal's by Enforcement Directorate in the liquor policy scam case.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Over a dozen opposition leaders came together at New Delhi's historic Ramlila Maidan on Sunday (March 31) over the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party co-founder Arvind Kejriwal's by Enforcement Directorate in the liquor policy scam case. The leaders of Aam Aadmi Party managed to keep the mega rally's focus on Arvind Kejriwal amid the rallying calls by all opposition leaders to 'save the constitution and constitutional values'. Over a decade ago, it was at Ramlila Maidan where Arvind Kejriwal took oath as Delhi Chief Minister after organising massive protests against corruption at the same grounds. As Kejriwal himself is in jail now, on corruption charges, his Aam Aadmi Party deployed his wife Sunita Kejriwal for political messaging at the INDI Alliance rally on Sunday. Also read | They won't keep Kejriwal in jail for long: Delhi CM's wife lists six guarantees on behalf of INDIA bloc Quoting Arvind Kejriwal, Sunita Kejriwal said, "I am not asking for votes today... I invite 140 crore Indians to make a new India... India is a great nation with thousands of years old civilisation... I think about Mother India from inside the jail and she is in pain... Let's make a new India... If INDIA Alliance is given an opportunity, we will build a new India... I present 6 guarantees on behalf of INDIA Alliance. First, there will be no power cuts in the whole country. Second, electricity would be free for the poor people. Third, we will make government schools in every village. Fourth, we will make Mohalla Clinics in every village. We will make a multi-speciality government hospital in every district. Everyone would get free treatment. Fifth, farmers would be given the correct price for the crops. Sixth, the people of Delhi have faced injustice for 75 years... We will give statehood to Delhi... We will complete these 6 guarantees in 5 years. I have made all the planning from where the money for these guarantees will come..." Sunita was seen sharing a moment of bonhomie with senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi as she reached the stage at Ramlila Maidan about two hours after the event began. But the contradictions within the Opposition — which has banded as Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to purportedly de-seat Prime Minister Narendra Modi from power — were visible in the Indian capital at the cusp of election summer. "It is time that one party and one person's government have to go," Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) said, a sentiment repeated by his alliance colleagues such as former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Farooq Abdullah. Also watch | Indian elections 2024 | PM Modi's rally in Meerut, I.N.D.I.A bloc rally in Delhi × The Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee was conspicuously absent from the rally, and the West Bengal chief minister's party was represented by Rajya Sabha MPs Derek O'Brien and Sagarika Ghose. Given the photographic symbolism of the event, O'Brien chose to move away from CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechuri, the arch rival of TMC, besides whom he was initially seated. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that the BJP won't be able to win more than 180 seats if it chooses to give up what he described as 'high-handedness through ED, CBI, and Income Tax departments' against the Opposition leaders. Rahul Gandhi's sister and Congress General-Secretary Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra called for the release of arrested leaders of 'INDIA' bloc including Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren. (With inputs from agencies)

Opposition unites at INDIA bloc rally over Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest to take on BJP in polls

<p>The INDIA bloc received consent from the Election Commission (EC) and police to hold a rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday (March 31) against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.</p>

<p>It may be noted here, Arvind Kejriwal was arrested last week in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor policy scam.</p>

<p>The Sources in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) named some of the leaders who are likely to attend the rally.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/exclusive-india-slams-us-over-remarks-on-arvind-kejriwals-arrest-704744">India summons US diplomat over Washington's statement on Kejriwal's arrest</a></p>

<p>Leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Trichy Shiva, Derek O'Brian, Tejaswi Yadav, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Sitaram Yechury, D Raja, Farooq Abdullah, Dipankar Bhattarcharya, Champai Soren, G Devaraja, Kalpana Soren and Bhagwant Maan are expected to participate in the protests.</p>

<p>AAP has received nod from the concerned authorities for holding rally for an attendance of more than 20,000 people, Gopal Rai said.</p>

<p>The Delhi Police stated in their notice of permission that the event will happen on Sunday from 9.30 am&nbsp;to 2 pm.</p>

<h2><strong>Arvind Kejriwal arrested</strong></h2>

<p>Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED for his alleged involvement in the liquor policy scam. This was the first case where a sitting Chief Minister was arrested.&nbsp;The Delhi high court on Wednesday (March 27) denied interim relief to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who is in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate as the court only issued notices regarding the CM's plea and posted the matter for further hearing on April 3.</p>

<h2><strong>Allegations and legal actions</strong></h2>

<p>Previously, Kejriwal had approached the high court to annul all proceedings, including several summons, issued against him. He faces accusations of corruption and money laundering related to the formulation and implementation of Delhi's excise policy for 2021-22, subsequently revoked. Notably, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are already under judicial custody in the same case.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-interim-relief-for-arvind-kejriwal-from-delhi-high-court-next-hearing-on-april-3-704885">No interim relief for Arvind Kejriwal from Delhi High Court, next hearing on April 3</a></p>

<p>The ED's allegations assert that the accused collaborated with Kejriwal in devising the excise policy, which allegedly provided undue advantages to them in exchange for kickbacks to the AAP.</p>

<p>The arrest sparked political turmoil, with AAP leaders and supporters attempting to march towards the Prime Minister's residence. Meanwhile, the BJP staged counter-protests demanding Kejriwal's resignation.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/conman-sukesh-threatens-to-expose-arvind-kejriwal-says-will-become-approver-against-delhi-cm-703505">‘Conman’ Sukesh threatens to expose Arvind Kejriwal, says ‘will become approver against Delhi CM’</a></p>

<p>Despite being in ED custody, Kejriwal issued directives to Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj to address medicine and diagnostic test shortages at mohalla clinics and hospitals in the city. This was the second directive issued by the chief minister while in ED custody.</p>

<p>Security measures have been intensified across the national capital, with police deployments around key locations. Approximately 100 people, including AAP leaders and Punjab minister Harjot Singh Bains, were detained during the protests, only to be later released.</p>

<p>The BJP also staged protests near Delhi Secretariat, resulting in detentions and the use of water cannons by police to disperse the crowd.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


The INDIA bloc received consent from the Election Commission (EC) and police to hold a rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday (March 31) against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The INDIA bloc received consent from the Election Commission (EC) and police to hold a rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday (March 31) against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. It may be noted here, Arvind Kejriwal was arrested last week in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor policy scam. The Sources in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) named some of the leaders who are likely to attend the rally. Also read: India summons US diplomat over Washington's statement on Kejriwal's arrest Leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Trichy Shiva, Derek O'Brian, Tejaswi Yadav, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Sitaram Yechury, D Raja, Farooq Abdullah, Dipankar Bhattarcharya, Champai Soren, G Devaraja, Kalpana Soren and Bhagwant Maan are expected to participate in the protests. AAP has received nod from the concerned authorities for holding rally for an attendance of more than 20,000 people, Gopal Rai said. The Delhi Police stated in their notice of permission that the event will happen on Sunday from 9.30 am to 2 pm. Arvind Kejriwal arrested Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED for his alleged involvement in the liquor policy scam. This was the first case where a sitting Chief Minister was arrested. The Delhi high court on Wednesday (March 27) denied interim relief to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who is in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate as the court only issued notices regarding the CM's plea and posted the matter for further hearing on April 3. Allegations and legal actions Previously, Kejriwal had approached the high court to annul all proceedings, including several summons, issued against him. He faces accusations of corruption and money laundering related to the formulation and implementation of Delhi's excise policy for 2021-22, subsequently revoked. Notably, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are already under judicial custody in the same case. Also read: No interim relief for Arvind Kejriwal from Delhi High Court, next hearing on April 3 The ED's allegations assert that the accused collaborated with Kejriwal in devising the excise policy, which allegedly provided undue advantages to them in exchange for kickbacks to the AAP. The arrest sparked political turmoil, with AAP leaders and supporters attempting to march towards the Prime Minister's residence. Meanwhile, the BJP staged counter-protests demanding Kejriwal's resignation. Also read: ‘Conman’ Sukesh threatens to expose Arvind Kejriwal, says ‘will become approver against Delhi CM’ Despite being in ED custody, Kejriwal issued directives to Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj to address medicine and diagnostic test shortages at mohalla clinics and hospitals in the city. This was the second directive issued by the chief minister while in ED custody. Security measures have been intensified across the national capital, with police deployments around key locations. Approximately 100 people, including AAP leaders and Punjab minister Harjot Singh Bains, were detained during the protests, only to be later released. The BJP also staged protests near Delhi Secretariat, resulting in detentions and the use of water cannons by police to disperse the crowd. (With inputs from agencies)

INDIA bloc gets permission to hold rally to protest against Kejriwal's arrest

In a major show of strength and unity opposition parties held a 'Jan Vishvas' or people's confidence rally in Patna the Capital of Bihar State. Bihar party Rashtriya Janata Dal led by leader Lalu Prasad Yadav spearheaded the event. Other opposition leaders present included congress party leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge along with Samajwadi party leaders and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Watch to know more!

India: Opposition parties hold 'Jan Vishvas' rally in Bihar | Lok Sabha Elections 2024

Ahead of the big general elections that are slated to take place in the next 2 months there are hectic negotiations which are presently underway on the political front. There's been some progress on the seat sharing discussions amongst the opposition parties. The Indian National Congress which is the main opposition party has now managed to clinch a seat sharing deal with the Aam Aadmi Party, both the parties have announced the seat sharing pact in the state of Haryana, Gujarat and Goa and also in the union territories of New Delhi and Chandigarh. Watch to know more!

India General Elections 2024: Opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc announces seat deal in Delhi, Gujarat

After weeks of negotiations and hard bargaining, the opposition India national development inclusive alliance, sealed a few seat-sharing pacts with its coalition partners. Three alliance partners, the Samajwadi party, Aam admi party and The Indian national congress have reached a consensus on the seat sharing. Watch to know more!

India bloc finalised seat sharing pact in Uttar Pradesh | General Elections 2024

<p>Samajwadi Party (SP), a major opposition party in India’s Uttar Pradesh state, dealt a big blow to Congress as it declared not to participate in Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (Unite India Justice March).</p>

<p>SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav said his party will endorse and join the march only after a seat-sharing agreement is finalised with India’s biggest opposition party. Both SP and Congress are part of the opposition INDIA bloc, launched last year to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming general elections.</p>

<p>"Discussions are ongoing. Lists are coming from both sides. Once the seat allocation is finalised, the Samajwadi Party will join the Congress' Nyay Yatra," Akhilesh Yadav said.</p>

<h2><strong>Friction emerges between SP and Congress</strong></h2>

<p>India Today reported that de-facto Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is adamant about keeping certain seats, which has annoyed the SP chief.</p>

<p>Gandhi’s march is set to enter UP’s Rae Bareli, where Yadav had earlier said he would join.</p>

<p>"The number of seats and the names of the seats had already been decided, but Rahul Gandhi is adamant on certain seats, causing a delay in finalising the alliance," a source was quoted as saying by India Today.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India: Uttar Pradesh Police recruitment faces surge</strong></p>

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<p>As per reports, negotiations are underway between top leaders of Congress, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge, and SP but no final deal has been hammered out yet.</p>

<h2><strong>SP releases second list of candidates</strong></h2>

<p>Hours after shunning Gandhi’s march, the SP went on to release the second list of its 11 candidates for parliamentary elections.</p>

<p>Earlier, the party released its first list of 16 candidates on January 30.</p>

<p>The ongoing friction between SP and Congress further lays bare the challenges faced by the INDIA bloc, which is already grappling with a lack of consensus over seat sharing in states like Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, Delhi and Punjab.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw2P8zEqiyQTT4a0LNik4JyA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjcsLLYxbeEAxW2klYBHfH4BjkQxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/from-red-tape-to-red-carpet-indian-pm-blasts-opposition-while-inaugurating-14000-projects-691666" jsname="YKoRaf">'From red tape to red carpet,' Indian PM blasts opposition while inaugurating 14000 projects</a></strong></p>

<p>West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee earlier said she won’t fight elections under the INDIA umbrella. Days later, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann also declared to contest 13 seats alone and not partner with Congress.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Samajwadi Party (SP), a major opposition party in India’s Uttar Pradesh state, dealt a big blow to Congress as it declared not to participate in Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (Unite India Justice March).

Samajwadi Party (SP), a major opposition party in India’s Uttar Pradesh state, dealt a big blow to Congress as it declared not to participate in Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (Unite India Justice March). SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav said his party will endorse and join the march only after a seat-sharing agreement is finalised with India’s biggest opposition party. Both SP and Congress are part of the opposition INDIA bloc, launched last year to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming general elections. "Discussions are ongoing. Lists are coming from both sides. Once the seat allocation is finalised, the Samajwadi Party will join the Congress' Nyay Yatra," Akhilesh Yadav said. Friction emerges between SP and Congress India Today reported that de-facto Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is adamant about keeping certain seats, which has annoyed the SP chief. Gandhi’s march is set to enter UP’s Rae Bareli, where Yadav had earlier said he would join. "The number of seats and the names of the seats had already been decided, but Rahul Gandhi is adamant on certain seats, causing a delay in finalising the alliance," a source was quoted as saying by India Today. Watch: India: Uttar Pradesh Police recruitment faces surge × As per reports, negotiations are underway between top leaders of Congress, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge, and SP but no final deal has been hammered out yet. SP releases second list of candidates Hours after shunning Gandhi’s march, the SP went on to release the second list of its 11 candidates for parliamentary elections. Earlier, the party released its first list of 16 candidates on January 30. The ongoing friction between SP and Congress further lays bare the challenges faced by the INDIA bloc, which is already grappling with a lack of consensus over seat sharing in states like Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, Delhi and Punjab. Also read: 'From red tape to red carpet,' Indian PM blasts opposition while inaugurating 14000 projects West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee earlier said she won’t fight elections under the INDIA umbrella. Days later, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann also declared to contest 13 seats alone and not partner with Congress. (With inputs from agencies)

SP’s Akhilesh Yadav shuns Rahul Gandhi’s march as deeper cracks appear in oppn INDIA bloc

Another name has been added to the list of I.N.D.I.A bloc deserters. Vibhakar Shastri, the grandson of former Indian prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, quit Indian national congress.

Ex-PM Lal Bahadur Shastri's grandson Vibhakar Shashtri quits Congress

<p>In a major victory for India’s ruling party BJP-led NDA alliance, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar won the trust vote in the state assembly with the support of 129 lawmakers. The Bihar assembly boasts 243 members and the majority mark is 122. As per media reports, at least three MLAs from the opposition RJD defected and joined the ruling side before the vote took place. Prahlad Yadav, Neelam Devi and Chetan Anand switched over to NDA, taking the tally to 129.</p>

<p>As the vote took place, the opposition, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Tejashwi Yadav, staged a walkout.</p>

<p>Ahead of the crucial voting, a no-confidence motion against Speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary was taken up and passed by the Assembly, with 125 members voting in favour of the ouster.</p>

<h2><strong>Nitish Kumar’s attack on RJD</strong></h2>

<p>Ahead of the vote, Bihar CM Kumar claimed that the opposition RJD was trying to take credit for the initiatives he had started. He also accused the Lalu Prasad-Rabri Devi governments of not doing anything for Bihar’s development during the 15 years of their rule.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Nitish Kumar-led new Bihar government to face floor test today</strong></p>

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<p>“They say that Muslims are with them. But what did they do? So many fights happened between Hindus and Muslims during their rule. It all stopped once I came (as CM),” Nitish Kumar said in the assembly.</p>

<p>“When they came again, they just continued my policies and initiatives, and are now trying to take credit,” he added.</p>

<h2><strong>How opposition prepared for the vote?</strong></h2>

<p>The opposition Congress party flew its MLAs to Hyderabad last week amid concerns of “poaching” by the ruling side. On the other hand, all MLAs of RJD stayed at Tejashwi Yadav’s house.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw1kUGqBYflRZ0L_RKTOlkzL" data-ved="2ahUKEwiN0M2G2qWEAxUnS2wGHScBD-cQxfQBKAB6BAgKEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/all-india-pregnant-job-service-scam-bihar-police-arrest-eight-for-luring-men-to-impregnate-women-675638" jsname="YKoRaf">All India Pregnant Job Service scam: Bihar police arrest 8 for luring men to impregnate women</a></strong></p>

<p>The BJP also took steps to ensure none of its MLAs gets poached and said all of its lawmakers were at a hotel in Patna city. The JD(U) of Nitish Kumar also got 40 of its MLAs to stay at another hotel in the state capital.</p>

<p>Monday’s floor test came two weeks after Nitish broke allegiance with the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) — a JD(U), RJD and Congress alliance — and moved to the NDA bloc.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a major victory for India’s ruling party BJP-led NDA alliance, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar won the trust vote in the state assembly with the support of 129 lawmakers.

In a major victory for India’s ruling party BJP-led NDA alliance, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar won the trust vote in the state assembly with the support of 129 lawmakers. The Bihar assembly boasts 243 members and the majority mark is 122. As per media reports, at least three MLAs from the opposition RJD defected and joined the ruling side before the vote took place. Prahlad Yadav, Neelam Devi and Chetan Anand switched over to NDA, taking the tally to 129. As the vote took place, the opposition, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Tejashwi Yadav, staged a walkout. Ahead of the crucial voting, a no-confidence motion against Speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary was taken up and passed by the Assembly, with 125 members voting in favour of the ouster. Nitish Kumar’s attack on RJD Ahead of the vote, Bihar CM Kumar claimed that the opposition RJD was trying to take credit for the initiatives he had started. He also accused the Lalu Prasad-Rabri Devi governments of not doing anything for Bihar’s development during the 15 years of their rule. Watch: Nitish Kumar-led new Bihar government to face floor test today × “They say that Muslims are with them. But what did they do? So many fights happened between Hindus and Muslims during their rule. It all stopped once I came (as CM),” Nitish Kumar said in the assembly. “When they came again, they just continued my policies and initiatives, and are now trying to take credit,” he added. How opposition prepared for the vote? The opposition Congress party flew its MLAs to Hyderabad last week amid concerns of “poaching” by the ruling side. On the other hand, all MLAs of RJD stayed at Tejashwi Yadav’s house. Also read: All India Pregnant Job Service scam: Bihar police arrest 8 for luring men to impregnate women The BJP also took steps to ensure none of its MLAs gets poached and said all of its lawmakers were at a hotel in Patna city. The JD(U) of Nitish Kumar also got 40 of its MLAs to stay at another hotel in the state capital. Monday’s floor test came two weeks after Nitish broke allegiance with the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) — a JD(U), RJD and Congress alliance — and moved to the NDA bloc. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar wins trust vote in a major setback for opposition INDIA bloc

<p>Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal, in a significant blow to the opposition INDIA bloc, on Saturday (Feb 10) made an announcement stating that his party will contest all 14 Lok Sabha seats alone in Punjab as well as Chandigarh.</p>

<p>Further indicating that there will be no alliance with the Congress in the state, the Delhi chief minister said that his party will announce candidates for all 14 seats in the coming 10-15 days.</p>

<p>"I would like to seek your blessings on one more thing. In the next two months, the Lok Sabha elections are scheduled. In this election, Punjab has 13 seats and one in Chandigarh. In total, there are 14 seats. In the next 10-15 days, the Aam Aadmi Party will announce candidates for all the 14 seats. Just like you had supported us two years back, I would like to seek your blessings to let Aam Aadmi Party win in all 14 seats by pressing on the 'broom'," Kejriwal said urging the people to vote for his party in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.</p>

<p>He then while launching the Ghar Ghar Ration Scheme in Punjab's Amloh, said that, "Two years back, you gave us blessings. You gave 92 out of 117 seats to us (in Assembly elections), you created history in Punjab."&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
While drawing people's attention to AAP's election symbol, Kejriwal said that the voters must "sweep Punjab" with full force.</p>

<p>"We have to sweep all the 14 seats with an overwhelming majority and let Aam Aadmi Party secure victory. All of us need to sweep with full force," the Delhi CM said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-begins-discussion-on-construction-of-ram-temple-bjp-mp-says-ram-is-everywhere-688891">India: Lok Sabha discusses Ram Temple, BJP MP says 'Ram is everywhere'</a></p>

<p>Kejriwal's announcement comes days after Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said that his party would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections solo.</p>

<p>Mann in January had said that there would be no alliance with the Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.</p>

<p>"In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, AAP will get 13 seats (in Punjab)," Mann had said during a presser.</p>

<p>Earlier, AAP had also announced to go solo in Haryana in the Lok Sabha elections.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal, in a significant blow to the opposition INDIA bloc, on Saturday (Feb 10) made an announcement stating that his party will contest all 14 Lok Sabha seats alone in Punjab as well as Chandigarh.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal, in a significant blow to the opposition INDIA bloc, on Saturday (Feb 10) made an announcement stating that his party will contest all 14 Lok Sabha seats alone in Punjab as well as Chandigarh. Further indicating that there will be no alliance with the Congress in the state, the Delhi chief minister said that his party will announce candidates for all 14 seats in the coming 10-15 days. "I would like to seek your blessings on one more thing. In the next two months, the Lok Sabha elections are scheduled. In this election, Punjab has 13 seats and one in Chandigarh. In total, there are 14 seats. In the next 10-15 days, the Aam Aadmi Party will announce candidates for all the 14 seats. Just like you had supported us two years back, I would like to seek your blessings to let Aam Aadmi Party win in all 14 seats by pressing on the 'broom'," Kejriwal said urging the people to vote for his party in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. He then while launching the Ghar Ghar Ration Scheme in Punjab's Amloh, said that, "Two years back, you gave us blessings. You gave 92 out of 117 seats to us (in Assembly elections), you created history in Punjab." While drawing people's attention to AAP's election symbol, Kejriwal said that the voters must "sweep Punjab" with full force. "We have to sweep all the 14 seats with an overwhelming majority and let Aam Aadmi Party secure victory. All of us need to sweep with full force," the Delhi CM said. Also read: India: Lok Sabha discusses Ram Temple, BJP MP says 'Ram is everywhere' Kejriwal's announcement comes days after Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said that his party would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections solo. Mann in January had said that there would be no alliance with the Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. "In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, AAP will get 13 seats (in Punjab)," Mann had said during a presser. Earlier, AAP had also announced to go solo in Haryana in the Lok Sabha elections. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha polls 2024: AAP ditches INDIA bloc in Punjab and Chandigarh

<p>Rahul Gandhi, the leader of India’s biggest opposition Congress party, on Monday (Feb 5) promised a nationwide caste census and removal of 50 per cent cap on reservations if the INDIA bloc comes to power in the upcoming general elections. India’s major opposition parties have formed the bloc in an attempt to challenge incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking a third time in office.</p>

<h2><strong>Gandhi’s big promise</strong></h2>

<p>Gandhi made the promise while addressing a rally in Jharkhand's Ranchi. He said Dalits, tribals, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) were made “bonded labourers” and they were not fairly represented in major corporations, big companies, schools and hospitals.</p>

<p>"This is the biggest question before India. Our first step would be to get a caste census in the country,” Gandhi said. He added that the current regime doesn’t allow the total reservation to go beyond the 50 per cent mark, before going on to make the radical promise to remove the cap altogether.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India: 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' led by Congress' Rahul Gandhi to begin from Manipur</strong></p>

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<p>“If INDIA bloc comes to power, it will throw away the 50 per cent cap on reservation, ensure Dalits, tribals, OBCs get their rights,” the ex-Congress chief said.</p>

<p>He added: "There will be no reduction in reservation of Dalits and Adivasis. I am giving you a guarantee that the backward sections of society will get their rights. This is the biggest issue - social and economic injustice"</p>

<h2><strong>Gandhi takes on PM Modi</strong></h2>

<p>Rahul Gandhi also accused the Indian PM of opposing the idea of a caste census. He added that Modi used to say he was an OBC leader but now says there are only two castes- the rich and the poor.</p>

<p>"When the time came to give rights to OBCs, Dalits, tribals, Modi ji says there are no castes and when it is time to get votes, he says he is an OBC," Gandhi claimed.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw0H742oWhctIUJnXpHuo8VI" data-ved="2ahUKEwjx2MXY55SEAxUm3TgGHWVEADEQxfQBKAB6BAgKEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ram-mandir-inauguration-modis-function-congress-leader-rahul-gandhi-takes-a-dig-at-indian-pm-680512" jsname="YKoRaf">Ram Mandir inauguration ‘Modi’s function’: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi takes a dig at Indian PM</a></strong></p>

<p>He also blamed PM Modi for “killing” the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and handing them over to big industrialists.</p>

<p>“Narendra Modi and his government are slowly killing the PSUs…The central government wants the HEC (Heavy Engineering Corporation) to not function, and in the coming days, they will replace the name HEC with an Adani nameplate. They want to privatise it,” Gandhi said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Rahul Gandhi, the leader of India’s biggest opposition Congress party, on Monday (Feb 5) promised a nationwide caste census and removal of 50 per cent cap on reservations if the INDIA bloc comes to power in the upcoming general elections.

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of India’s biggest opposition Congress party, on Monday (Feb 5) promised a nationwide caste census and removal of 50 per cent cap on reservations if the INDIA bloc comes to power in the upcoming general elections. India’s major opposition parties have formed the bloc in an attempt to challenge incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking a third time in office. Gandhi’s big promise Gandhi made the promise while addressing a rally in Jharkhand's Ranchi. He said Dalits, tribals, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) were made “bonded labourers” and they were not fairly represented in major corporations, big companies, schools and hospitals. "This is the biggest question before India. Our first step would be to get a caste census in the country,” Gandhi said. He added that the current regime doesn’t allow the total reservation to go beyond the 50 per cent mark, before going on to make the radical promise to remove the cap altogether. Watch: India: 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' led by Congress' Rahul Gandhi to begin from Manipur × “If INDIA bloc comes to power, it will throw away the 50 per cent cap on reservation, ensure Dalits, tribals, OBCs get their rights,” the ex-Congress chief said. He added: "There will be no reduction in reservation of Dalits and Adivasis. I am giving you a guarantee that the backward sections of society will get their rights. This is the biggest issue - social and economic injustice" Gandhi takes on PM Modi Rahul Gandhi also accused the Indian PM of opposing the idea of a caste census. He added that Modi used to say he was an OBC leader but now says there are only two castes- the rich and the poor. "When the time came to give rights to OBCs, Dalits, tribals, Modi ji says there are no castes and when it is time to get votes, he says he is an OBC," Gandhi claimed. Also read: Ram Mandir inauguration ‘Modi’s function’: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi takes a dig at Indian PM He also blamed PM Modi for “killing” the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and handing them over to big industrialists. “Narendra Modi and his government are slowly killing the PSUs…The central government wants the HEC (Heavy Engineering Corporation) to not function, and in the coming days, they will replace the name HEC with an Adani nameplate. They want to privatise it,” Gandhi said. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Congress’ Rahul Gandhi promises to remove 50% reservation cap if INDIA bloc wins polls

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<p>Janata Dal United (JDU) chief Nitish Kumar took oath as the chief minister of the eastern state of Bihar for the ninth time on Sunday (Jan 28), hours after tendering his resignation after dumping the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) formed about 18 months ago, while returning to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) thereby inflicting a crushing blow to the Opposition's INDIA alliance that he had himself actively shaped. While Nitish sat in the chair at the governor's house and signed the official document after taking the oath, he seemingly, in a metaphoric way, also signed the death warrant of the INDIA bloc.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Upon being quizzed by the reporters about why he was leaving the coalition, Nitish, before the ceremony, reasoned that it was due to the lethargy shown by the coalition parties and their leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"You all know how I came to this alliance and also how I worked to bring together so many parties. But of late, things were not working well. It was not going down well with those in my party as well,"&nbsp;said Nitish.</p>

<p>"Nobody was doing anything after the alliance was formed. INDIA bloc failed my expectations," he added.</p>

<p>While Nitish did not give the outright reason, the political corridors are rife with speculations that it all came down to the seat-sharing formula in the state. Nitish was not willing to give up on his party's seats which eventually became the undoing of the coalition.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, Nitish returning to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) fold is not a new phenomenon and certainly not the first time the JP movement leader has taken a U-turn on his political allegiances.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2013, before Narendra Modi was announced as the PM candidate, an angry Kumar left the alliance, only to return in 2017 before breaking up again in 2022.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-bihars-nitish-kumar-teams-up-with-bjp-jdu-exit-threatens-india-alliance-684623" target="_blank"><strong>Watch | India: Bihar's Nitish Kumar teams up with BJP | JDU exit threatens 'I.N.D.I.A' alliance</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>INDIA bloc shaking</strong></h2>

<p>Bihar has 40 Lok Sabha seats and it was the only state in the Hindi heartland where the INDIA bloc had its party in power. However, with Nitish gone, there is a great probability that the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) will sweep the region and further add to its riches.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last week, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC), a key player in the national alliance against the BJP, declared its intent to go solo in Bengal and fight on all the 42 Lok Sabha seats alone in the 2024 elections.</p>

<p>"I had no discussions with the Congress. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone. I gave them (the Congress) many proposals... but they rejected them. I am not concerned about what will be done in the (rest of the) country... but we are a secular party and, in Bengal, we alone will defeat BJP."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/can-tmcs-solo-act-in-bengal-shake-india-alliance-mamata-says-will-fight-on-all-42-seats-alone-683142" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | Can TMC's solo act in Bengal shake INDIA alliance? Mamata says will fight on all 42 seats 'alone'</strong></a></p>

<p>Seat-sharing talks have also hit a roadblock in Punjab, where Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is gearing up for a solo fight. With the bloc divided in north and east India, the result is all but a certainty for the saffron party.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>BJP as an alternative and Congress' credibility&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Ever since the INDIA bloc was engineered, BJP has pushed the narrative that a coalition of different political ideologies will only lead to squabbling amongst partners if it comes to power. And it appears that BJP has been proven right. With the election canvassing trail set to kick in full motion in the coming weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hit this nerve repeatedly.&nbsp;</p>

<p>BJP claims that it provides stability and the pre-requisite conditions necessary for the country to move ahead in the development race.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-assembly-in-numbers-nda-now-backed-by-127-mlas-as-mahagathbandhan-collapses-684576" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | Bihar Assembly in numbers: NDA now backed by 127 MLAs as ‘Mahagathbandhan’ collapses</strong></a>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additionally, Congress' credibility had taken another hit with this experiment. The fact that the oldest party in the country could not keep regional parties together, at least until the election, suggests that the top brass was caught napping yet again.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shortly after severing the ties, JDU leader KC Tyagi launched a scathing attack on Congress, accusing the dynastic party of attempting to hijack the INDIA bloc.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Congress is fighting for its survival. And it now wants to finish off regional forces," Tyagi said, adding that Congress continuously pushed for more seats in states dominated by other Opposition parties.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>INDIA bloc - a failure from start?</strong></h2>

<p>The alliance, cobbled together after much trouble in a bid to keep the BJP-led NDA at bay, falling flat at the first hurdle of 'seat sharing', effectively depicted that the bloc was set up for failure from the beginning.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Stitching a coalition that could brave the myriad faultlines of regional parties and egos of the different political vanguards was always going to be a stern challenge. However, not many could have predicted that the still-infant alliance would collapse so spectacularly, so soon.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Janata Dal United (JDU) chief Nitish Kumar took oath as the chief minister of the eastern state of Bihar for the ninth time on Sunday (Jan 28), hours after tendering his resignation after dumping the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) formed about 18 months ago, while returning to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) thereby inflicting a crushing blow to the Opposition's INDIA alliance that he had himself actively shaped.

Janata Dal United (JDU) chief Nitish Kumar took oath as the chief minister of the eastern state of Bihar for the ninth time on Sunday (Jan 28), hours after tendering his resignation after dumping the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) formed about 18 months ago, while returning to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) thereby inflicting a crushing blow to the Opposition's INDIA alliance that he had himself actively shaped. While Nitish sat in the chair at the governor's house and signed the official document after taking the oath, he seemingly, in a metaphoric way, also signed the death warrant of the INDIA bloc. Upon being quizzed by the reporters about why he was leaving the coalition, Nitish, before the ceremony, reasoned that it was due to the lethargy shown by the coalition parties and their leaders. "You all know how I came to this alliance and also how I worked to bring together so many parties. But of late, things were not working well. It was not going down well with those in my party as well," said Nitish. "Nobody was doing anything after the alliance was formed. INDIA bloc failed my expectations," he added. While Nitish did not give the outright reason, the political corridors are rife with speculations that it all came down to the seat-sharing formula in the state. Nitish was not willing to give up on his party's seats which eventually became the undoing of the coalition. Notably, Nitish returning to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) fold is not a new phenomenon and certainly not the first time the JP movement leader has taken a U-turn on his political allegiances. In 2013, before Narendra Modi was announced as the PM candidate, an angry Kumar left the alliance, only to return in 2017 before breaking up again in 2022. Watch | India: Bihar's Nitish Kumar teams up with BJP | JDU exit threatens 'I.N.D.I.A' alliance × INDIA bloc shaking Bihar has 40 Lok Sabha seats and it was the only state in the Hindi heartland where the INDIA bloc had its party in power. However, with Nitish gone, there is a great probability that the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) will sweep the region and further add to its riches. Last week, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC), a key player in the national alliance against the BJP, declared its intent to go solo in Bengal and fight on all the 42 Lok Sabha seats alone in the 2024 elections. "I had no discussions with the Congress. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone. I gave them (the Congress) many proposals... but they rejected them. I am not concerned about what will be done in the (rest of the) country... but we are a secular party and, in Bengal, we alone will defeat BJP." Also read | Can TMC's solo act in Bengal shake INDIA alliance? Mamata says will fight on all 42 seats 'alone' Seat-sharing talks have also hit a roadblock in Punjab, where Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is gearing up for a solo fight. With the bloc divided in north and east India, the result is all but a certainty for the saffron party. BJP as an alternative and Congress' credibility Ever since the INDIA bloc was engineered, BJP has pushed the narrative that a coalition of different political ideologies will only lead to squabbling amongst partners if it comes to power. And it appears that BJP has been proven right. With the election canvassing trail set to kick in full motion in the coming weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hit this nerve repeatedly. BJP claims that it provides stability and the pre-requisite conditions necessary for the country to move ahead in the development race. Also read | Bihar Assembly in numbers: NDA now backed by 127 MLAs as ‘Mahagathbandhan’ collapses Additionally, Congress' credibility had taken another hit with this experiment. The fact that the oldest party in the country could not keep regional parties together, at least until the election, suggests that the top brass was caught napping yet again. Shortly after severing the ties, JDU leader KC Tyagi launched a scathing attack on Congress, accusing the dynastic party of attempting to hijack the INDIA bloc. "Congress is fighting for its survival. And it now wants to finish off regional forces," Tyagi said, adding that Congress continuously pushed for more seats in states dominated by other Opposition parties. INDIA bloc - a failure from start? The alliance, cobbled together after much trouble in a bid to keep the BJP-led NDA at bay, falling flat at the first hurdle of 'seat sharing', effectively depicted that the bloc was set up for failure from the beginning. Stitching a coalition that could brave the myriad faultlines of regional parties and egos of the different political vanguards was always going to be a stern challenge. However, not many could have predicted that the still-infant alliance would collapse so spectacularly, so soon. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | India elections -  How Nitish Kumar’s betrayal spells doom for INDIA bloc

Janata Dal (United) President Nitish Kumar quit the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar on Sunday (Jan 28) and submitted his resignation as chief minister to Governor Rajendra Arlekar at the Raj Bhavan. Watch to know more!

India: Bihar's Nitish Kumar sworn-in as Bihar CM for 9th time amid series of alliance switches

<p>Samajwadi Party head Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday (Jan 27) claimed that his alliance with the grand old party Congress had commenced on a very "good start" with 11 Lok Sabha seats in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Yadav took to his official X account and wrote, "Our cordial alliance with the Congress is off to a good start with 11 strong seats. This trend will move forward with the winning equation. 'INDIA' team and 'PDA' strategy will change history."</p>

<p>The state sends 80 members to the Lower House of Parliament and the Lok Sabha elections are set to take place in April-May this year.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">कांग्रेस के साथ 11 मज़बूत सीटों से हमारे सौहार्दपूर्ण गठबंधन की अच्छी शुरुआत हो रही है… ये सिलसिला जीत के समीकरण के साथ और भी आगे बढ़ेगा।<br />
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‘इंडिया’ की टीम और ‘पीडीए’ की रणनीति इतिहास बदल देगी।</p>
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) <a href="https://twitter.com/yadavakhilesh/status/1751150323379708043?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier in January, Yadav held a meeting with party leaders including former MPs, former MLAs, and former MLCs in Lucknow. He stated that the capacity to win was the most crucial criterion that would be taken into consideration for deciding on seats.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-set-to-lose-nitish-kumar-bihar-cm-likely-to-switch-side-to-bjp-very-soon-684199">'INDIA' set to lose Nitish Kumar? Bihar CM to join hands with BJP very soon, say reports</a></p>

<p>"We and RLD's Jayant Choudhary had a good conversation. We had a discussion regarding seven seats. We are also in conversation with the Congress. Several meetings have taken place in Delhi. Very soon, more meetings will be held, and a way will be found. The INDIA alliance should be strong; the question is not of (number of) seats but of winning. On the basis of winnability, we all will take a decision together," he said.</p>

<p>The Samajwadi Party chief's announcement also comes amid speculations of Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar's return to the BJP-led NDA.</p>

<p>Kumar had joined forces with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), founded by his staunch foe, Lalu Prasad in August 2022, after he cut ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).</p>

<p>The longest-serving CM of Bihar subsequently brought together all parties across the country with an aim to take on the BJP which further led to the formation of the opposition bloc INDIA.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Samajwadi Party head Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday (Jan 27) claimed that his alliance with the grand old party Congress had commenced on a very "good start" with 11 Lok Sabha seats in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Samajwadi Party head Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday (Jan 27) claimed that his alliance with the grand old party Congress had commenced on a very "good start" with 11 Lok Sabha seats in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Yadav took to his official X account and wrote, "Our cordial alliance with the Congress is off to a good start with 11 strong seats. This trend will move forward with the winning equation. 'INDIA' team and 'PDA' strategy will change history." The state sends 80 members to the Lower House of Parliament and the Lok Sabha elections are set to take place in April-May this year. कांग्रेस के साथ 11 मज़बूत सीटों से हमारे सौहार्दपूर्ण गठबंधन की अच्छी शुरुआत हो रही है… ये सिलसिला जीत के समीकरण के साथ और भी आगे बढ़ेगा। ‘इंडिया’ की टीम और ‘पीडीए’ की रणनीति इतिहास बदल देगी। — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) January 27, 2024 × Earlier in January, Yadav held a meeting with party leaders including former MPs, former MLAs, and former MLCs in Lucknow. He stated that the capacity to win was the most crucial criterion that would be taken into consideration for deciding on seats. Also read: 'INDIA' set to lose Nitish Kumar? Bihar CM to join hands with BJP very soon, say reports "We and RLD's Jayant Choudhary had a good conversation. We had a discussion regarding seven seats. We are also in conversation with the Congress. Several meetings have taken place in Delhi. Very soon, more meetings will be held, and a way will be found. The INDIA alliance should be strong; the question is not of (number of) seats but of winning. On the basis of winnability, we all will take a decision together," he said. The Samajwadi Party chief's announcement also comes amid speculations of Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar's return to the BJP-led NDA. Kumar had joined forces with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), founded by his staunch foe, Lalu Prasad in August 2022, after he cut ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The longest-serving CM of Bihar subsequently brought together all parties across the country with an aim to take on the BJP which further led to the formation of the opposition bloc INDIA. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Akhilesh Yadav says poll alliance with Congress ‘off to a good start’

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has been selected as the chairperson of the opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A, according to sources. An official announcement is yet to be made by the I.N.D.I.A. bloc.

Congress President Kharge appointed chairperson of opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A: Sources

<p>As India gears up for its national elections scheduled between April and May 2024, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has been designated as the chairperson of the Opposition's INDIA alliance. The appointment was finalised during a virtual summit attended by the leaders of 14 Opposition parties constituting the alliance. The primary agenda of the meeting revolved around discussions on seat allocation for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.</p>

<p>Notably, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was given the role of the convener but he refused it. He reportedly said that he would want someone from the Congress party to take up the convener's post. Also, Kumar was quoted as saying that he would only accept the role once all the parties were in consensus on the decision.</p>

<p>This comes as Janata Dal (United) had been exerting pressure within the coalition for Nitish Kumar's appointment as the convener. Interestingly, the TMC chief, Mamata Banerjee, opted to abstain from the meeting.</p>

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<p>INDIA, an acronym for 'Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance,' comprises various opposition parties, with the Congress being a prominent member.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-guwahati-bound-indigo-flight-ends-up-in-dhaka-after-emergency-landing-heres-why-679545">India: Guwahati-bound Indigo flight ends up in Dhaka after emergency landing. Here's why</a></p>

<p>The coalition was formed by the opposition parties to challenge the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the helm at&nbsp;the centre. The INDIA alliance wants to thwart NDA's bid for a third consecutive term in the 2024 elections where in 543 members of the lower house of Parliament will be elected by the people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections this year, media reports citing sources have revealed that the INDIA bloc will not present a common manifesto and instead, each party within the alliance will articulate its own manifesto.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, the said sources also revealed that the bloc will collaborate on a shared agenda.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-tech-sector-outlook-for-2024-679567">Indian Tech sector outlook for 2024</a></strong></p>

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<p>Seat-sharing talks earlier saw a deadlock. TMC did not join the latest INDIA&nbsp;alliance meeting. A leader of the party previously stated that the reason for not indulging in seat-sharing is the "Congress' impractical demand for eight to 10 seats in West Bengal, considering that the vote share of the country's oldest national party had dwindled to just three per cent in the 2021 state Assembly polls."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


As India gears up for its national elections scheduled between April and May 2024, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has been designated as the chairperson of the Opposition's INDIA alliance.

As India gears up for its national elections scheduled between April and May 2024, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has been designated as the chairperson of the Opposition's INDIA alliance. The appointment was finalised during a virtual summit attended by the leaders of 14 Opposition parties constituting the alliance. The primary agenda of the meeting revolved around discussions on seat allocation for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. Notably, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was given the role of the convener but he refused it. He reportedly said that he would want someone from the Congress party to take up the convener's post. Also, Kumar was quoted as saying that he would only accept the role once all the parties were in consensus on the decision. This comes as Janata Dal (United) had been exerting pressure within the coalition for Nitish Kumar's appointment as the convener. Interestingly, the TMC chief, Mamata Banerjee, opted to abstain from the meeting. Also Read | ‘Ram temple consecration ceremony is momentous occasion,’ top Mauritius minister tells WION INDIA, an acronym for 'Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance,' comprises various opposition parties, with the Congress being a prominent member. Also Read | India: Guwahati-bound Indigo flight ends up in Dhaka after emergency landing. Here's why The coalition was formed by the opposition parties to challenge the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the helm at the centre. The INDIA alliance wants to thwart NDA's bid for a third consecutive term in the 2024 elections where in 543 members of the lower house of Parliament will be elected by the people. In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections this year, media reports citing sources have revealed that the INDIA bloc will not present a common manifesto and instead, each party within the alliance will articulate its own manifesto. Nevertheless, the said sources also revealed that the bloc will collaborate on a shared agenda. Watch | Indian Tech sector outlook for 2024 × Seat-sharing talks earlier saw a deadlock. TMC did not join the latest INDIA alliance meeting. A leader of the party previously stated that the reason for not indulging in seat-sharing is the "Congress' impractical demand for eight to 10 seats in West Bengal, considering that the vote share of the country's oldest national party had dwindled to just three per cent in the 2021 state Assembly polls." (With inputs from agencies)

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge appointed INDIA bloc chairperson, Nitish rejects convener’s post

<p>The Trinamool Congress is no longer interested in initiating fresh talks with the Congress regarding the seat sharing arrangement for the Lok Sabha polls this year as part of the INDIA bloc.</p>

<p>A veteran leader of the party and also a senior member of the West Bengal Cabinet said that the party supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was of the opinion that further talks with the Congress were useless on two grounds.</p>

<p>“The first reason is that the Congress' demand for eight to ten seats in West Bengal is totally absurd considering that the vote share of the country's oldest national party had come down to just three per cent in the 2021 state Assembly polls.</p>

<p>“Without a single member in the state Assembly and just two MPs in the Lok Sabha, the demand for eight to ten seats is nothing but overreach,” said a state Cabinet member.</p>

<p>He added, “It seems that the Congress leadership is more interested in a seat-sharing agreement with the CPI(M)-led Left Front rather than with the Trinamool Congress and hence the leadership of the state's ruling party does not find the necessity of initiating any further discussions on seat sharing with the Congress.”</p>

<p>Party insiders said that Mamata Banerjee was specially irked on receiving the information that the Congress along with the CPI(M) had taken an in-principle decision to back the lone All-India Secular Front (AISF)- candidate Naushad Siddique in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls from Diamond Harbour constituency in South 24 Parganas district from where the sitting MP is Trinamool Congress' General Secretary and the Chief Minister's nephew Abhishek Banerjee.</p>

<p>Recently Mamata Banerjee herself gave hints on this count as she said that while the Opposition INDIA bloc will continue in the national perspective, in West Bengal the Trinamool Congress will fight alone.</p>

<p>Soon after that State Congress President and veteran Lok Sabha member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury challenged the Chief Minister to contest against him from Baharampur Lok Sabha constituency in Murshidabad district from where he is a five-time MP.</p>


The Trinamool Congress is no longer interested in initiating fresh talks with the Congress regarding the seat sharing arrangement for the Lok Sabha polls this year as part of the INDIA bloc.

The Trinamool Congress is no longer interested in initiating fresh talks with the Congress regarding the seat sharing arrangement for the Lok Sabha polls this year as part of the INDIA bloc. A veteran leader of the party and also a senior member of the West Bengal Cabinet said that the party supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was of the opinion that further talks with the Congress were useless on two grounds. “The first reason is that the Congress' demand for eight to ten seats in West Bengal is totally absurd considering that the vote share of the country's oldest national party had come down to just three per cent in the 2021 state Assembly polls. “Without a single member in the state Assembly and just two MPs in the Lok Sabha, the demand for eight to ten seats is nothing but overreach,” said a state Cabinet member. He added, “It seems that the Congress leadership is more interested in a seat-sharing agreement with the CPI(M)-led Left Front rather than with the Trinamool Congress and hence the leadership of the state's ruling party does not find the necessity of initiating any further discussions on seat sharing with the Congress.” Party insiders said that Mamata Banerjee was specially irked on receiving the information that the Congress along with the CPI(M) had taken an in-principle decision to back the lone All-India Secular Front (AISF)- candidate Naushad Siddique in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls from Diamond Harbour constituency in South 24 Parganas district from where the sitting MP is Trinamool Congress' General Secretary and the Chief Minister's nephew Abhishek Banerjee. Recently Mamata Banerjee herself gave hints on this count as she said that while the Opposition INDIA bloc will continue in the national perspective, in West Bengal the Trinamool Congress will fight alone. Soon after that State Congress President and veteran Lok Sabha member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury challenged the Chief Minister to contest against him from Baharampur Lok Sabha constituency in Murshidabad district from where he is a five-time MP.

India: TMC not interested in seat-sharing talks with Congress as part of the INDIA bloc

<p>Multiple media reports have said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee suggested that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge should be projected as prime ministerial candidate from the INDIA alliance for Lok Sabha elections next year. Kharge turned down the suggestion saying the first priority should be working together for winning majority in the elections.</p>

<p>News agency ANI quoted VCM parliamentarian Thol. Thirumavalavan who said that Banerjee, along with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made the proposal favouring Kharge to be the PM face and co-ordinator of the INDIA bloc. Thirumavalan said that Kharge rejected the proposal.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Record number of Opposition MPs suspended from Indian Parliament</strong></p>

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<p>Kharge clarified his stance on this in media interaction after the meeting.</p>

<p>"First, all of us have to win, we should think about what needs to be done for victory. Who will be PM, this will be decided later. If there are less MPs, what is the point of talking about PM. First, to increase our numbers, (by) coming together, we will try to bring majority. First we will try to win," he said as quoted by ANI.</p>

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<p>Kerala Congress leader PJ Joseph however has said that Banerjee Didi not take any names and pressed for a 'Dalit PM'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"She did not suggest so. While she spoke, Mamata Banerjee said that it would be good if we could project a Dalit PM. She did not say the name of any person. The matter was not discussed much because she spoke last," Joseph told ANI.</p>

<p>Kharge, who is former Union minister, is from the Dalit community.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Leaders from 28 parties attended the fourth meeting of the 'Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance' (INDIA) bloc in New Delhi.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-maharashtra-greenlights-new-city-called-third-mumbai-671386">Maharashtra greenlights new city called 'Third Mumbai': Report</a></strong></p>

<p>The bloc is attempting to cobble together a united front of opposition parties to topple BJP in upcoming general elections. Dislodging PM Narendra Modi-led BJP and its allies from central government is still being considered to be a tough task.</p>

<p>The BJP is currently riding high on good performance in recently concluded elections in several Indian states.</p>

<p>The latest meeting of the INDIA bloc was held as the political temperature is on the rise due suspension of 141 MPs from the Indian Parliament. The unprecedented development has taken place just as parliament is holding the winter session.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Multiple media reports have said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee suggested that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge should be projected as prime ministerial candidate from the INDIA alliance for Lok Sabha elections next year.

Multiple media reports have said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee suggested that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge should be projected as prime ministerial candidate from the INDIA alliance for Lok Sabha elections next year. Kharge turned down the suggestion saying the first priority should be working together for winning majority in the elections. News agency ANI quoted VCM parliamentarian Thol. Thirumavalavan who said that Banerjee, along with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made the proposal favouring Kharge to be the PM face and co-ordinator of the INDIA bloc. Thirumavalan said that Kharge rejected the proposal. Watch | Record number of Opposition MPs suspended from Indian Parliament × Kharge clarified his stance on this in media interaction after the meeting. "First, all of us have to win, we should think about what needs to be done for victory. Who will be PM, this will be decided later. If there are less MPs, what is the point of talking about PM. First, to increase our numbers, (by) coming together, we will try to bring majority. First we will try to win," he said as quoted by ANI. Also Read | Mumbai resident ordered food worth over $50,000 on food aggregator app Kerala Congress leader PJ Joseph however has said that Banerjee Didi not take any names and pressed for a 'Dalit PM'. "She did not suggest so. While she spoke, Mamata Banerjee said that it would be good if we could project a Dalit PM. She did not say the name of any person. The matter was not discussed much because she spoke last," Joseph told ANI. Kharge, who is former Union minister, is from the Dalit community. Leaders from 28 parties attended the fourth meeting of the 'Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance' (INDIA) bloc in New Delhi. Also Read | Maharashtra greenlights new city called 'Third Mumbai': Report The bloc is attempting to cobble together a united front of opposition parties to topple BJP in upcoming general elections. Dislodging PM Narendra Modi-led BJP and its allies from central government is still being considered to be a tough task. The BJP is currently riding high on good performance in recently concluded elections in several Indian states. The latest meeting of the INDIA bloc was held as the political temperature is on the rise due suspension of 141 MPs from the Indian Parliament. The unprecedented development has taken place just as parliament is holding the winter session. (With inputs from agencies)

INDIA alliance meet: Mamata Banerjee proposes Cong president Kharge’s name for PM, he refuses

Following a significant defeat in the most recent assembly elections in three states, the Congress party will get together with its coalition partners to decide on next steps while keeping the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in mind.

India Opposition 2023: Key meet in Delhi | "We, not me" unity theme

<p>India’s key opposition ‘INDIA’ bloc will hold a strategic meeting today in New Delhi to formulate the election strategy ahead of the 2024 general polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to media reports, discussions are expected around seat-sharing arrangement, joint campaign in the Lok Sabha elections and recent suspension of 78 Members of Parliament (MPs) by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p>

<p>On Monday (Dec 18), a whopping 78 MPs, all from opposition parties, were suspended amidst protests regarding the shocking parliament security breach last week.</p>

<p>The MPs, both from Lok Sabha (lower house) and Rajya Sabha (Upper house), were demanding Union Home Minister Amit Shah issue a statement over the issue.</p>

<p>The suspension of 78 MPs came days after 14 other opposition MPs were suspended from the parliament last week.</p>

<p>The unprecedented action against opposition MPs in the parliament prompted sharp reactions from top ‘INDIA’ bloc leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Telecommunications Bill 2023: Mordernising India's telecom sector, know all about the bill</strong></p>

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<p>Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who was also suspended, said, “This government has reached the apex of dictatorship. They have the majority, and they are wielding the stick of power.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>“They want to run Parliament like a party office. But that cannot happen. We were eager for a discussion. The productivity of Parliament before December 13 is for all to see. It seems they find it easier to talk to the media, but are scared to speak in Parliament," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>West Bengal CM sets the stage</strong></h2>

<p>Setting the stage for the INDIA bloc meeting, West Bengal CM and a fierce opponent of the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), Mamata Banerjee said their joint PM candidate will only be announced after polls.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, highlighting rifts in the bloc, Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) party called on the chief opposition Congress party to abandon its so-called "Zamindari culture."&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-what-is-in-indias-draft-telecom-bil-2023-what-are-the-proposed-provisions-670965"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Explained | What is in India`s draft Telecom Bill 2023? What are the proposed provisions?</strong></a></p>

<p>TMC urged Congress to work towards presenting senior leaders like Mamata Banerjee as the face of the alliance.</p>

<h2><strong>BJP fires shot</strong></h2>

<p>The BJP unit of West Bengal state on Monday meanwhile took a shot at CM Banerjee for “realising the inadequacy of fighting alone against the BJP.”</p>

<p>"The CM (Mamata Banerjee) has understood that they aren't enough to fight alone with the BJP... That's why they're all trying to come together..." said Sukanta Majumdar, West Bengal BJP president.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


India’s key opposition ‘INDIA’ bloc will hold a strategic meeting today in New Delhi to formulate the election strategy ahead of the 2024 general polls. According to media reports, discussions are expected around seat-sharing arrangement, joint campaign in the Lok Sabha elections and recent suspension of 78 Members of Parliament (MPs) by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India’s key opposition ‘INDIA’ bloc will hold a strategic meeting today in New Delhi to formulate the election strategy ahead of the 2024 general polls. According to media reports, discussions are expected around seat-sharing arrangement, joint campaign in the Lok Sabha elections and recent suspension of 78 Members of Parliament (MPs) by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Monday (Dec 18), a whopping 78 MPs, all from opposition parties, were suspended amidst protests regarding the shocking parliament security breach last week. The MPs, both from Lok Sabha (lower house) and Rajya Sabha (Upper house), were demanding Union Home Minister Amit Shah issue a statement over the issue. The suspension of 78 MPs came days after 14 other opposition MPs were suspended from the parliament last week. The unprecedented action against opposition MPs in the parliament prompted sharp reactions from top ‘INDIA’ bloc leaders. Watch: Telecommunications Bill 2023: Mordernising India's telecom sector, know all about the bill × Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who was also suspended, said, “This government has reached the apex of dictatorship. They have the majority, and they are wielding the stick of power.” “They want to run Parliament like a party office. But that cannot happen. We were eager for a discussion. The productivity of Parliament before December 13 is for all to see. It seems they find it easier to talk to the media, but are scared to speak in Parliament," he added. West Bengal CM sets the stage Setting the stage for the INDIA bloc meeting, West Bengal CM and a fierce opponent of the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), Mamata Banerjee said their joint PM candidate will only be announced after polls. Meanwhile, highlighting rifts in the bloc, Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) party called on the chief opposition Congress party to abandon its so-called "Zamindari culture." Also read: Explained | What is in India`s draft Telecom Bill 2023? What are the proposed provisions? TMC urged Congress to work towards presenting senior leaders like Mamata Banerjee as the face of the alliance. BJP fires shot The BJP unit of West Bengal state on Monday meanwhile took a shot at CM Banerjee for “realising the inadequacy of fighting alone against the BJP.” "The CM (Mamata Banerjee) has understood that they aren't enough to fight alone with the BJP... That's why they're all trying to come together..." said Sukanta Majumdar, West Bengal BJP president. (With inputs from agencies)

INDIA bloc meeting: India’s key opposition parties gather to discuss 2024 roadmap

<p>In six states, voting for by-elections are underway amid tight security arrangements.&nbsp;The polling is being held in&nbsp;Dhupguri in West Bengal, Bageshwar in Uttarakhand, Puthupally in Kerala, Ghosi in Uttar Pradesh, Dhanpur and Boxanagar in Tripura and Dumri in Jharkhand.</p>

<p>The voting began at 7 am&nbsp;(Indian Standard Time), and the counting of votes will take place on September 8. All eyes are on the performance of the newly formed alliance of 26&nbsp;opposition parties, the INDIA bloc, as they take on the mighty Bharatiya Janata Party.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Uttar Pradesh</strong></h2>

<p>Voting for the Ghosi assembly bypoll, the first electoral showdown in Uttar Pradesh after the formation of the opposition INDIA bloc, is being held at 455 polling stations and will conclude at 6 pm, the office of the State chief electoral officer said.</p>

<p>The Ghosi bypoll was necessitated by the resignation of Dara Singh Chauhan, who had won the seat in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, from the Samajwadi Party (SP) in July. The OBC leader returned to the BJP and was picked by the party to contest the Ghosi bypoll.</p>

<p>In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Chauhan had defeated BJP candidate Vijay Kumar Rajbhar by a margin of 22,216 votes. Ghosi had recorded a polling percentage of 58.59. This time, Chauhan is pitted against the SP’s Sudhakar Singh.</p>

<p>The bypoll will have no bearing on the BJP government, which enjoys a comfortable majority in the 403-member state assembly. However, its outcome is important as it could be an indicator of what is in store for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.</p>

<h2><strong>West Bengal</strong></h2>

<p>In Dhupguri assembly constituency in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, over 2.6 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the bypoll. Polling is taking place in 260 booths, of which 71 have been identified as sensitive, the official said. The bypoll to the seat was necessitated by the death of its sitting BJP MLA, Bishu Pada Ray, earlier this year.</p>

<p>CPI (M)‘s Ishwar Chandra Roy is contesting as the candidate of the Congress-Left alliance, while the ruling TMC has fielded Nirmal Chandra Roy, a teacher by profession. The BJP has nominated Tapasi Roy, the widow of a CRPF jawan who died fighting terrorists in Kashmir a few years back.</p>

<h2><strong>Uttarakhand</strong></h2>

<p>The bypoll to the Bageshwar assembly seat in Uttarakhand was necessitated by the death of sitting BJP MLA and cabinet minister Chandan Ram Das in April. He had won the seat in four consecutive polls since 2007.</p>

<p>The bypoll is important as its verdict will reflect the mood of voters in Uttarakhand ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP won all the five Lok Sabha seats in the State in the 2014 and 2019 general elections.</p>

<p>The BJP has fielded Das’ widow Parvati in the bypoll and is hoping to capitalise on sympathy votes to retain the seat. There are four other candidates in the fray — Congress’ Basant Kumar, Samajwadi Party’s Bhagvati Prasad, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal’s Arjun Dev and Uttarakhand Parivartan Party’s Bhagwat Kohli. However, the direct contest is likely to be between the BJP and the Congress.</p>

<h2><strong>Tripura</strong></h2>

<p>In Tripura, BJP's Tafajjal Hussain, who unsuccessfully contested the last assembly election from Boxanagar, is contesting against CPI(M) nominee Mizan Hussain. The Boxanagar assembly segment has 66% minority voters of a total of 43,087 electors. In the last assembly elections in February, the CPI(M) managed to retain the seat. The by-election to the Boxanagar constituency was necessitated by the death of CPI(M) MLA Samsul Haque.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-india-to-showcase-its-democratic-evolution-culture-digital-payments-revolution-says-muktesh-pardeshi-632268">G20: India to showcase its democratic evolution, culture &amp; digital payments revolution, says Muktesh Pardeshi</a></p>

<p>The Dhanpur assembly constituency, once considered a stronghold of the Left, will witness a fight between BJP's Bindu Debnath and Kaushik Debnath of CPI(M). There are 50,346 eligible voters. The BJP won the seat for the first time in the assembly poll held seven months ago. Union Minister Pratima Bhoumik’s resignation as the MLA of Dhanpur necessitated the by-election to that seat.</p>

<h2>Kerala</h2>

<p>In the Puthuppally assembly constituency in Kottayam district, the ruling CPI (M) and the opposition Congress are locked in a fierce battle as the seat fell vacant after the demise of Congress stalwart and former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Chandy represented the constituency in Kottayam district for more than five decades without any break until his demise on July 18 this year.</p>

<p>The Congress-led opposition UDF has fielded Oommen Chandy’s son, Chandy Oommen, which analysts view as an apparent strategy to capitalise on the sympathy wave following the former CM’s death. The ruling Left Front once again decided to go with DYFI leader Jaick C. Thomas who had unsuccessfully contested the segment in 2016 and 2021 against the late Chandy.</p>

<h2>Jharkhand</h2>

<p>Voting for the by-election to Dumri assembly&nbsp;is under way in 373 polling stations, of which around 200 have been identified as Maoist-affected booths. Over 2.98 lakh voters, including 1.44 lakh women, are eligible to exercise their franchise in the by-election and will decide the electoral fate of six candidates, including three independents.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/udhayanidhi-stalin-accuses-bjp-of-twisting-his-statement-after-sparking-row-over-sanatana-dharma-remark-632030">Udhayanidhi Stalin accuses BJP of ‘twisting’ his statement after sparking row over 'Sanatana Dharma' remark</a></p>

<p>The bypoll was necessitated by the death of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MLA and former education minister Jagarnath Mahto. He had been representing the seat since 2004.</p>

<p>The JMM has fielded Mahto’s wife Bebi Devi as the nominee of the opposition bloc INDIA, while the AJSU party has nominated Yashoda Devi as the NDA candidate. The AIMIM has also fielded Md Abdul Mobin Rizvi.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em></p>

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In six states, voting for by-elections are underway amid tight security arrangements. The polling is being held in Dhupguri in West Bengal, Bageshwar in Uttarakhand, Puthupally in Kerala, Ghosi in Uttar Pradesh, Dhanpur and Boxanagar in Tripura and Dumri in Jharkhand.

In six states, voting for by-elections are underway amid tight security arrangements. The polling is being held in Dhupguri in West Bengal, Bageshwar in Uttarakhand, Puthupally in Kerala, Ghosi in Uttar Pradesh, Dhanpur and Boxanagar in Tripura and Dumri in Jharkhand. The voting began at 7 am (Indian Standard Time), and the counting of votes will take place on September 8. All eyes are on the performance of the newly formed alliance of 26 opposition parties, the INDIA bloc, as they take on the mighty Bharatiya Janata Party. Uttar Pradesh Voting for the Ghosi assembly bypoll, the first electoral showdown in Uttar Pradesh after the formation of the opposition INDIA bloc, is being held at 455 polling stations and will conclude at 6 pm, the office of the State chief electoral officer said. The Ghosi bypoll was necessitated by the resignation of Dara Singh Chauhan, who had won the seat in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, from the Samajwadi Party (SP) in July. The OBC leader returned to the BJP and was picked by the party to contest the Ghosi bypoll. In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Chauhan had defeated BJP candidate Vijay Kumar Rajbhar by a margin of 22,216 votes. Ghosi had recorded a polling percentage of 58.59. This time, Chauhan is pitted against the SP’s Sudhakar Singh. The bypoll will have no bearing on the BJP government, which enjoys a comfortable majority in the 403-member state assembly. However, its outcome is important as it could be an indicator of what is in store for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. West Bengal In Dhupguri assembly constituency in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, over 2.6 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the bypoll. Polling is taking place in 260 booths, of which 71 have been identified as sensitive, the official said. The bypoll to the seat was necessitated by the death of its sitting BJP MLA, Bishu Pada Ray, earlier this year. CPI (M)‘s Ishwar Chandra Roy is contesting as the candidate of the Congress-Left alliance, while the ruling TMC has fielded Nirmal Chandra Roy, a teacher by profession. The BJP has nominated Tapasi Roy, the widow of a CRPF jawan who died fighting terrorists in Kashmir a few years back. Uttarakhand The bypoll to the Bageshwar assembly seat in Uttarakhand was necessitated by the death of sitting BJP MLA and cabinet minister Chandan Ram Das in April. He had won the seat in four consecutive polls since 2007. The bypoll is important as its verdict will reflect the mood of voters in Uttarakhand ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP won all the five Lok Sabha seats in the State in the 2014 and 2019 general elections. The BJP has fielded Das’ widow Parvati in the bypoll and is hoping to capitalise on sympathy votes to retain the seat. There are four other candidates in the fray — Congress’ Basant Kumar, Samajwadi Party’s Bhagvati Prasad, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal’s Arjun Dev and Uttarakhand Parivartan Party’s Bhagwat Kohli. However, the direct contest is likely to be between the BJP and the Congress. Tripura In Tripura, BJP's Tafajjal Hussain, who unsuccessfully contested the last assembly election from Boxanagar, is contesting against CPI(M) nominee Mizan Hussain. The Boxanagar assembly segment has 66% minority voters of a total of 43,087 electors. In the last assembly elections in February, the CPI(M) managed to retain the seat. The by-election to the Boxanagar constituency was necessitated by the death of CPI(M) MLA Samsul Haque. Also read | G20: India to showcase its democratic evolution, culture & digital payments revolution, says Muktesh Pardeshi The Dhanpur assembly constituency, once considered a stronghold of the Left, will witness a fight between BJP's Bindu Debnath and Kaushik Debnath of CPI(M). There are 50,346 eligible voters. The BJP won the seat for the first time in the assembly poll held seven months ago. Union Minister Pratima Bhoumik’s resignation as the MLA of Dhanpur necessitated the by-election to that seat. Kerala In the Puthuppally assembly constituency in Kottayam district, the ruling CPI (M) and the opposition Congress are locked in a fierce battle as the seat fell vacant after the demise of Congress stalwart and former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Chandy represented the constituency in Kottayam district for more than five decades without any break until his demise on July 18 this year. The Congress-led opposition UDF has fielded Oommen Chandy’s son, Chandy Oommen, which analysts view as an apparent strategy to capitalise on the sympathy wave following the former CM’s death. The ruling Left Front once again decided to go with DYFI leader Jaick C. Thomas who had unsuccessfully contested the segment in 2016 and 2021 against the late Chandy. Jharkhand Voting for the by-election to Dumri assembly is under way in 373 polling stations, of which around 200 have been identified as Maoist-affected booths. Over 2.98 lakh voters, including 1.44 lakh women, are eligible to exercise their franchise in the by-election and will decide the electoral fate of six candidates, including three independents. Also read | Udhayanidhi Stalin accuses BJP of ‘twisting’ his statement after sparking row over 'Sanatana Dharma' remark The bypoll was necessitated by the death of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MLA and former education minister Jagarnath Mahto. He had been representing the seat since 2004. The JMM has fielded Mahto’s wife Bebi Devi as the nominee of the opposition bloc INDIA, while the AJSU party has nominated Yashoda Devi as the NDA candidate. The AIMIM has also fielded Md Abdul Mobin Rizvi. (With inputs from PTI) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Litmus test for INDIA alliance: Voting under way for bypolls to 7 assembly seats across 6 states

The opposition's 'INDIA' bloc has managed to garner the support of 28 parties. However, there still are three big opposition players, who have stayed away from the bloc.

Three big opposition leaders who don't want to join INDIA bloc

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