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<p>A United States intelligence report has warned terror attacks in India and Afghanistan due to "safe havens" provided to militants by Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The "worldwide threat assessment of US intelligence community" report released by "The office of the director of national intelligence" said, "militant groups supported by Pakistan will continue to take advantage of their "safe haven"&nbsp;in Pakistan to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan, including against US interests."</p>

<p>Coming out strongly against "Islamabad’s narrow approach to counterterrorism cooperation" by "using some groups as policy tools and confronting only the militant groups that directly threaten Pakistan", the report said, will certainly "frustrate US counterterrorism efforts against the Taliban."</p>

<p>The report comes even as the US has been engaged with Taliban for a pact that will see <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-peace-talks-arab-divide-shadows-the-talks-as-us-says-negotiations-will-continue-193946">American troops leave Afghanistan </a>after 17 years. On the situation in Afghanistan, the report assesses a stalemate between the Afghan government and the Taliban in the coming year in terms of making any gains "if coalition support remains at current levels."</p>

<p>Lauding the Afghan forces, it said it has been able to "secure cities and other government strongholds" but the Taliban has "increased large-scale attacks".</p>

<p><strong>Indo-Pak ties</strong></p>

<p>The 42-page report doesn't see a major breakthrough in India-Pakistan ties. It listed "cross-border terrorism, firing across the Line of Control (LoC), divisive national elections in India, and Islamabad’s perception of its position with the United States relative to India" as the main factors that is contributing to "strained" Indo-Pak ties at least till May, 2019 when India's elections get over.</p>

<p>It further adds,"continued terrorist attacks and cross-border firing in Kashmir" has hardened "each country’s position" and "reduced their political will to seek rapprochement".</p>

<p>In November last year, both countries agreed to build Kartarpur corridor so that Indian pilgrims can visit the holy Gurudwara at Kartarpur, where the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak stayed for 18 years. It is expected to be opened this year to celebrate the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji.</p>

<p><strong>India-China ties</strong></p>

<p>On India-China ties the report was gloomy saying that relations will remain tense despite "efforts on both sides to manage tensions." It said "misperceptions of military movements or construction" might result in tensions "escalating into armed conflict."</p>

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met four times in 2018 starting with the famous Wuhan Summit in April. In 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit India for the second informal summit. 2017 was a tense year for Sino India ties as the Chinese army sought to build a road in the Doklam area of Bhutan which was repelled by the Indian Army leading to a 73-day standoff.</p>

<p><strong>Indian elections</strong></p>

<p>The report also spoke on the Indian general elections saying that if the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) stresses on "Hindu nationalist themes" it might result in "the possibility of communal violence". It added, communal clashes "could alienate Indian Muslims and allow Islamist terrorist groups in India to expand their influence."</p>


A United States intelligence report has warned terror attacks in India and Afghanistan due to "safe havens" provided to militants by Pakistan. The "worldwide threat assessment of US intelligence community" report released by "The office of the director of national intelligence" said, "militant groups supported by Pakistan will continue to take advantage of their "safe haven" in Pakistan to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan, including against US interests.

A United States intelligence report has warned terror attacks in India and Afghanistan due to "safe havens" provided to militants by Pakistan. The "worldwide threat assessment of US intelligence community" report released by "The office of the director of national intelligence" said, "militant groups supported by Pakistan will continue to take advantage of their "safe haven" in Pakistan to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan, including against US interests." Coming out strongly against "Islamabad’s narrow approach to counterterrorism cooperation" by "using some groups as policy tools and confronting only the militant groups that directly threaten Pakistan", the report said, will certainly "frustrate US counterterrorism efforts against the Taliban." The report comes even as the US has been engaged with Taliban for a pact that will see American troops leave Afghanistan after 17 years. On the situation in Afghanistan, the report assesses a stalemate between the Afghan government and the Taliban in the coming year in terms of making any gains "if coalition support remains at current levels." Lauding the Afghan forces, it said it has been able to "secure cities and other government strongholds" but the Taliban has "increased large-scale attacks". Indo-Pak ties The 42-page report doesn't see a major breakthrough in India-Pakistan ties. It listed "cross-border terrorism, firing across the Line of Control (LoC), divisive national elections in India, and Islamabad’s perception of its position with the United States relative to India" as the main factors that is contributing to "strained" Indo-Pak ties at least till May, 2019 when India's elections get over. It further adds,"continued terrorist attacks and cross-border firing in Kashmir" has hardened "each country’s position" and "reduced their political will to seek rapprochement". In November last year, both countries agreed to build Kartarpur corridor so that Indian pilgrims can visit the holy Gurudwara at Kartarpur, where the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak stayed for 18 years. It is expected to be opened this year to celebrate the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji. India-China ties On India-China ties the report was gloomy saying that relations will remain tense despite "efforts on both sides to manage tensions." It said "misperceptions of military movements or construction" might result in tensions "escalating into armed conflict." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met four times in 2018 starting with the famous Wuhan Summit in April. In 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit India for the second informal summit. 2017 was a tense year for Sino India ties as the Chinese army sought to build a road in the Doklam area of Bhutan which was repelled by the Indian Army leading to a 73-day standoff. Indian elections The report also spoke on the Indian general elections saying that if the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) stresses on "Hindu nationalist themes" it might result in "the possibility of communal violence". It added, communal clashes "could alienate Indian Muslims and allow Islamist terrorist groups in India to expand their influence."

Militant groups supported by Pak will continue to conduct attacks on India, Afghanistan: US intelligence report

<p>The drama in Karnataka will continue on Wednesday with both the JD(S)-Congress combine and the BJP meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala today to stake their claims to forming a government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy had met Governor Vala Tuesday evening, and staked his claim to forming a government in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kumaraswamy was accompanied by the Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge, and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress told Vala that it was giving the JD(S) its "unconditional support".&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the BJP's chief ministerial candidate got to Vala before Kumaraswamy, and he too staked his claim to forming the government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-does-a-goa-in-karnataka-137130">Congress does to BJP in Karnataka what latter did to it in Goa</a></p>

<p>The Karnataka vote, which was counted yesterday, ended with the BJP emerging as the single largest party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The party won 104 seats, the Congress won 78, the JD(S) won 37, its pre-poll ally the BSP won 1, and Others 2.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Karnataka has 224 assembly seats but voting was held for 222. The halfway mark then is 111, with a party needing 112 seats for a simple majority.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP is short by 8 seats, while the JD(S)-Congress combine (including the BSP) has 116 seats.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But Yeddyurappa told Governor Vala yesterday that he should be the one invited to try and form a government since the BJP has emerged as the single-largest party in Karnataka.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah meanwhile quoted the Supreme Court as saying after the Goa election that "group having more seats than required are invited".&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Have called for a meeting tomorrow. Newly elected Congress & JD(S) MLAs will be there. We are supporting JD(S) to form govt & have sent this resolution to the Governor. SC said after Goa election that group having more seats than reqd. are invited, we have 117 seats: Siddarmaiah <a href="https://t.co/YT5IEaHO9H">pic.twitter.com/YT5IEaHO9H</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996468249381429248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Remember, in Goa and Manipur, which went to the polls last year, the Congress had emerged as the single-largest party. But the BJP ended up forming coalition governments in both states because the Congress was not able to muster up the needed numbers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All eyes, in Karnataka and the country, then are on Governor Vala and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jdss-kumaraswamy-bjps-yeddyurappa-stake-claim-to-form-karnataka-govt-all-eyes-now-on-governor-137164">what he does next</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Constitutional experts have said the decision is his but that he will have to be guided by the principle of inviting the combine/ party that he thinks will provide the state with a stable government. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">HD Deve Gowda reaches Ashoka Hotel for meeting with senior Congress leaders in Bengaluru. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/GIDbPgSPpZ">pic.twitter.com/GIDbPgSPpZ</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996418655872139264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">JD(S)' HD Deve Gowda & HD Kumaraswamy are in meeting with Congress leaders including Siddaramaiah, Ghulam Nabi Azad, DK Shivakumar and Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/rJxE5mXrrM">https://t.co/rJxE5mXrrM</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996419812120145920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tomorrow at 10:30 am in BJP legislative party meeting, I am going to be elected as party leader. After that all MLAs are going to meet the Governor to request him to allow BJP to form govt. Now the ball is in the court of the Governor. We will do as he decides: BS Yeddyurappa <a href="https://t.co/6QbhizTr6z">pic.twitter.com/6QbhizTr6z</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996422285945749505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The JD(S) meanwhile has said they will be sticking with the Congress, but that the BJP has been trying to get in touch with them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We have already decided to go with Congress. That's the reason we called Janta Dal (Secular) Legislature Party meeting. There is no question of taking any other decision," the JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy told ANI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I don't know what they (BJP) are offering but they are trying to call our people, but they are not responding. We are all together, no one can touch our party. Our party MLAs are loyal to the party: Saravana, JD(S) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/3q0OAehwWq">pic.twitter.com/3q0OAehwWq</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996604732855803904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I got a call from the BJP leaders. They said come to us & we'll give a ministry to you. We'll make you a minister. But, I'm going to stay here. HD Kumaraswamy is our Chief Minister: Amaregouda Linganagouda Patil Bayyapur, Congress. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/BIJYZHV7P7">pic.twitter.com/BIJYZHV7P7</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996593046014734336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">JD(S) & Congress have the numbers. I hope, the governor will discharge his constitutional duties & invite HD Kumaraswamy to talk. If BJP puts pressure on the governor, it will be the death of Democracy: Danish Ali, JD(S). <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/vNV3EBRAME">pic.twitter.com/vNV3EBRAME</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996600279976955905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The JD(S)'s Kumaraswamy and the BJP's Yeddyurappa had both met Governor Vajubhai Vala on Tuesday. Both staked their claims to forming a government in Karnataka

The drama in Karnataka will continue on Wednesday with both the JD(S)-Congress combine and the BJP meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala today to stake their claims to forming a government. The JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy had met Governor Vala Tuesday evening, and staked his claim to forming a government in the state. Kumaraswamy was accompanied by the Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge, and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah. The Congress told Vala that it was giving the JD(S) its "unconditional support". But the BJP's chief ministerial candidate got to Vala before Kumaraswamy, and he too staked his claim to forming the government. Also read: Congress does to BJP in Karnataka what latter did to it in Goa The Karnataka vote, which was counted yesterday, ended with the BJP emerging as the single largest party. The party won 104 seats, the Congress won 78, the JD(S) won 37, its pre-poll ally the BSP won 1, and Others 2. Karnataka has 224 assembly seats but voting was held for 222. The halfway mark then is 111, with a party needing 112 seats for a simple majority. The BJP is short by 8 seats, while the JD(S)-Congress combine (including the BSP) has 116 seats. But Yeddyurappa told Governor Vala yesterday that he should be the one invited to try and form a government since the BJP has emerged as the single-largest party in Karnataka. Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah meanwhile quoted the Supreme Court as saying after the Goa election that "group having more seats than required are invited". Have called for a meeting tomorrow. Newly elected Congress & JD(S) MLAs will be there. We are supporting JD(S) to form govt & have sent this resolution to the Governor. SC said after Goa election that group having more seats than reqd. are invited, we have 117 seats: Siddarmaiah pic.twitter.com/YT5IEaHO9H — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 × Remember, in Goa and Manipur, which went to the polls last year, the Congress had emerged as the single-largest party. But the BJP ended up forming coalition governments in both states because the Congress was not able to muster up the needed numbers. All eyes, in Karnataka and the country, then are on Governor Vala and what he does next. Constitutional experts have said the decision is his but that he will have to be guided by the principle of inviting the combine/ party that he thinks will provide the state with a stable government. HD Deve Gowda reaches Ashoka Hotel for meeting with senior Congress leaders in Bengaluru. #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/GIDbPgSPpZ — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 × JD(S)' HD Deve Gowda & HD Kumaraswamy are in meeting with Congress leaders including Siddaramaiah, Ghulam Nabi Azad, DK Shivakumar and Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru. #KarnatakaElections2018 https://t.co/rJxE5mXrrM — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 × Tomorrow at 10:30 am in BJP legislative party meeting, I am going to be elected as party leader. After that all MLAs are going to meet the Governor to request him to allow BJP to form govt. Now the ball is in the court of the Governor. We will do as he decides: BS Yeddyurappa pic.twitter.com/6QbhizTr6z — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 × The JD(S) meanwhile has said they will be sticking with the Congress, but that the BJP has been trying to get in touch with them. "We have already decided to go with Congress. That's the reason we called Janta Dal (Secular) Legislature Party meeting. There is no question of taking any other decision," the JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy told ANI. I don't know what they (BJP) are offering but they are trying to call our people, but they are not responding. We are all together, no one can touch our party. Our party MLAs are loyal to the party: Saravana, JD(S) #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/3q0OAehwWq — ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2018 × I got a call from the BJP leaders. They said come to us & we'll give a ministry to you. We'll make you a minister. But, I'm going to stay here. HD Kumaraswamy is our Chief Minister: Amaregouda Linganagouda Patil Bayyapur, Congress. #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/BIJYZHV7P7 — ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2018 × JD(S) & Congress have the numbers. I hope, the governor will discharge his constitutional duties & invite HD Kumaraswamy to talk. If BJP puts pressure on the governor, it will be the death of Democracy: Danish Ali, JD(S). #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/vNV3EBRAME — ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2018 ×

Natak in Karnataka continues: JD(S)-Congress combine, and BJP to meet Governor again today

<p>In the annals of India's political history, twice it has happened that all non-ruling parties came under one umbrella for the sole objective of dethroning the ruling dispensation and usurp the power. Both the times the ruling party was Congress. It was in the decade of seventy against Indira Gandhi and during the late eighties against Rajiv Gandhi.</p>

<p>The coincidence is that during both occasions, coalescing of parties was preceded by a very strong hegemonic run of Congress. Indira became a very strong and undisputed leader in seventies, particularly after India's thumping victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war and liberation of Bangladesh. Congress under Rajiv Gandhi won more than 80 per cent seats in the 1984 general elections (highest ever) and swept state polls as well across the nation, barring just a handful number of states.</p>

<p>In 1977, all non-Congress parties coalesced behind Jai Prakash Narayan (JP) and Indira lost. Twelve years later, it was VP Singh who became the symbol of the anti-establishment crusade. In 1989, VP Singh could even bring BJP and Left parties on the same platform as both supported VP Singh's government post-1989 general elections.</p>

<p>The current situation is somewhat reminiscent of 1975-77 and 1987-89, in a sense that ruling party is enjoying the unparalleled power and unending electoral run. Opposition parties are wondering that how will they survive in days to come.</p>

<p>Mamata Banerjee is toiling hard. A few days back, she was in Delhi to meet all the opposition leaders. She even met BJP rebels like Yashwant Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha and Arun Shourie. She is trying hard to create a mega anti-Modi alliance and in the process, she believes that she will become the epitome of anti-establishment crusaders like JP and VP Singh and her political career would be elevated to an upper level.</p>

<p>But make no mistake. Mamata's efforts are only only saddled with her own personal political ambitions but also with her personal disliking for Narendra Modi and BJP. Her endeavour is bound to be nothing but a damp squib in the days to come because barring the only similarity from the past the one party (BJP) is in strong command, the situation is entirely different than 1977 and 1989.</p>

<p>First of all, let's see that what happened in 1977 and 1989 after the ruling party was toppled. Janta government under Morarji Desai in 1977 and VP Singh's government in 1989 were disasters, right from the word go. The root cause was common. All those leaders who were vouching for unity before coming to power, turned in to the different lot once they were in power. Ego clashes started and everybody started pursuing his own interests and agenda. None of those governments survived beyond a period of two years.</p>

<p>But in the first place, can Mamata and united opposition pull it off this time like JP or VP Singh did? The answer would a resounding and firm 'NO'. In 1977 and 1989, Indira and Rajiv themselves gave loose points to opposition, on which JP and VP Singh built the massive narrative. But now Modi is sitting firmly with tight control on the overall proceedings. He is giving any loose balls to the opposition.</p>

<p>Moreover, JP and VP Singh were mass leaders, vastly experienced with proven probity in public life and had that natural knack for connecting with voters. Currently, there is only one politician in that class and it is Narendra Modi himself. So Modi can only be rattled if there is someone as big in stature among opposition leaders as Modi is, which actually not the case.</p>

<p>The third thing is media's stand. I remember that how media, particularly Indian Express group of Ramnath Goenka, played a massive role in building an anti-Congress atmosphere. On the contrary, in an extremely unparalleled situation, despite being in power for 46 months, Modi has the support of a larger section of media and rightly so. This fact will play a pivotal role in days to come.</p>

<p>Ultimately everything boils down to the narrative. Unless united opposition has a story to sell among voters, they can't achieve anything.</p>

<p>So what united opposition is trying to achieve is far from achievable in the first place. However if they can do it, it would only be counter-productive for the nation, as history suggests us.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


The current situation is somewhat reminiscent of 1975-77 and 1987-89, in a sense that ruling party is enjoying the unparalleled power and unending electoral run.

In the annals of India's political history, twice it has happened that all non-ruling parties came under one umbrella for the sole objective of dethroning the ruling dispensation and usurp the power. Both the times the ruling party was Congress. It was in the decade of seventy against Indira Gandhi and during the late eighties against Rajiv Gandhi. The coincidence is that during both occasions, coalescing of parties was preceded by a very strong hegemonic run of Congress. Indira became a very strong and undisputed leader in seventies, particularly after India's thumping victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war and liberation of Bangladesh. Congress under Rajiv Gandhi won more than 80 per cent seats in the 1984 general elections (highest ever) and swept state polls as well across the nation, barring just a handful number of states. In 1977, all non-Congress parties coalesced behind Jai Prakash Narayan (JP) and Indira lost. Twelve years later, it was VP Singh who became the symbol of the anti-establishment crusade. In 1989, VP Singh could even bring BJP and Left parties on the same platform as both supported VP Singh's government post-1989 general elections. The current situation is somewhat reminiscent of 1975-77 and 1987-89, in a sense that ruling party is enjoying the unparalleled power and unending electoral run. Opposition parties are wondering that how will they survive in days to come. Mamata Banerjee is toiling hard. A few days back, she was in Delhi to meet all the opposition leaders. She even met BJP rebels like Yashwant Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha and Arun Shourie. She is trying hard to create a mega anti-Modi alliance and in the process, she believes that she will become the epitome of anti-establishment crusaders like JP and VP Singh and her political career would be elevated to an upper level. But make no mistake. Mamata's efforts are only only saddled with her own personal political ambitions but also with her personal disliking for Narendra Modi and BJP. Her endeavour is bound to be nothing but a damp squib in the days to come because barring the only similarity from the past the one party (BJP) is in strong command, the situation is entirely different than 1977 and 1989. First of all, let's see that what happened in 1977 and 1989 after the ruling party was toppled. Janta government under Morarji Desai in 1977 and VP Singh's government in 1989 were disasters, right from the word go. The root cause was common. All those leaders who were vouching for unity before coming to power, turned in to the different lot once they were in power. Ego clashes started and everybody started pursuing his own interests and agenda. None of those governments survived beyond a period of two years. But in the first place, can Mamata and united opposition pull it off this time like JP or VP Singh did? The answer would a resounding and firm 'NO'. In 1977 and 1989, Indira and Rajiv themselves gave loose points to opposition, on which JP and VP Singh built the massive narrative. But now Modi is sitting firmly with tight control on the overall proceedings. He is giving any loose balls to the opposition. Moreover, JP and VP Singh were mass leaders, vastly experienced with proven probity in public life and had that natural knack for connecting with voters. Currently, there is only one politician in that class and it is Narendra Modi himself. So Modi can only be rattled if there is someone as big in stature among opposition leaders as Modi is, which actually not the case. The third thing is media's stand. I remember that how media, particularly Indian Express group of Ramnath Goenka, played a massive role in building an anti-Congress atmosphere. On the contrary, in an extremely unparalleled situation, despite being in power for 46 months, Modi has the support of a larger section of media and rightly so. This fact will play a pivotal role in days to come. Ultimately everything boils down to the narrative. Unless united opposition has a story to sell among voters, they can't achieve anything. So what united opposition is trying to achieve is far from achievable in the first place. However if they can do it, it would only be counter-productive for the nation, as history suggests us. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Why Mamata's bid is not only unwarranted but also futile

<p>With President Pranab Mukherjee&#39;s term in office coming to a closure on July 24, India will go on polls to elect their new President on July 17.</p>

<p>The counting of the votes will be done on July 20.</p>

<p>Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi announced today that the last date of notification is June 14, while the last date of filing the nominations is June 28.</p>

<p>The scrutiny of nomination will be held on June 29 and the last date of withdrawal of candidature is July 1.</p>

<p>The election will be held by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both the Houses of the Parliament --the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha elected members of all the state legislative assemblies and with the elected members of the legislative assembly of the Union Territories including Delhi and Puducherry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(ANI)</p>


Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi announced today that the last date of notification is June 14, while the last date of filing the nominations is June 28

With President Pranab Mukherjee's term in office coming to a closure on July 24, India will go on polls to elect their new President on July 17. The counting of the votes will be done on July 20. Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi announced today that the last date of notification is June 14, while the last date of filing the nominations is June 28. The scrutiny of nomination will be held on June 29 and the last date of withdrawal of candidature is July 1. The election will be held by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both the Houses of the Parliament --the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha elected members of all the state legislative assemblies and with the elected members of the legislative assembly of the Union Territories including Delhi and Puducherry. (ANI)

India to elect new president on July 17, counting on July 20

<p>The Bharatiya&nbsp;Janata Party&nbsp;(BJP) has won bypolls in five assembly seats out of the ten for which counting started Thursday morning.</p>

<p>BJP candidate Ranoj Pegu won the Dhemaji assembly by-election in Assam defeating his nearest Congress rival Babul Sonowal by 9,285 votes.&nbsp;While the BJP candidate polled 75,217 votes, his Congress rival garnered 65,932 votes.&nbsp;BJP candidate Shobha Rani Kushwah won Rajasthan&#39;s Dholpur&nbsp;assembly bypoll, defeating Congress&#39;s Banwari Lal Sharma by around 39,000 votes.</p>

<p>In New Delhi, BJP-SAD candidate, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, registered a huge victory over his opponents in the Rajouri Garden&nbsp;bypoll. He polled&nbsp;40,602 votes, over 50% of the total votes polled. The AAP candidate came a distant third polling 10,243 votes and lost the deposit, DNA reported. Congress candidate Meenakshi Chandela finished second with 25,950 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Impressive performance by <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4India">@BJP4India</a> and NDA in the by-polls in different parts of the country. Congratulations to Karyakartas.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/852471876005707776">April 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The contest was being closely watched as the AAP had won 67 of the 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly in the 2015 elections.</p>

<p>Bharatiya Janata Party&#39;s Anil Dhiman has won the Bhoranj assembly seat in Himachal Pradesh by more than 8,000 votes, ANI reported.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Congress won both seats in Karnataka much to the relief of party cadres and the Congress high command which has been facing a string of defeats since the Lok Sabha polls in 2014.</p>

<p>Congress party&rsquo;s Kalale Keshavamurthy defeated BJP&rsquo;s V Srinivas Prasad by a margin of 21,334 votes while Geetha Mahadev Prasad won the Gundlupet seat beating her BJP rival Niranjan Kumar by 10,887 votes.</p>

<p>In Madhya Pradesh, bypolls were held in two assembly constituencies of&nbsp;Ater and Bandhavgarh,&nbsp;BJP&#39;s Shivnarayan Singh won from Bandhavgarh.</p>

<p>Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress candidate, Chandrima Bhattacharya, won from West Bengal&#39;s Kanthi Dakshin seat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bypolls were held in the states of Rajasthan, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Delhi, and Assam. By-election was also held in Srinagar Parliamentary constituency on Sunday but due to widespread violence which led to the killing of eight people, the Election Commission ordered repolling in 38 polling stations on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The bypolls were held on April 9 for ten assembly constituencies spread across eight states

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won bypolls in five assembly seats out of the ten for which counting started Thursday morning. BJP candidate Ranoj Pegu won the Dhemaji assembly by-election in Assam defeating his nearest Congress rival Babul Sonowal by 9,285 votes. While the BJP candidate polled 75,217 votes, his Congress rival garnered 65,932 votes. BJP candidate Shobha Rani Kushwah won Rajasthan's Dholpur assembly bypoll, defeating Congress's Banwari Lal Sharma by around 39,000 votes. In New Delhi, BJP-SAD candidate, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, registered a huge victory over his opponents in the Rajouri Garden bypoll. He polled 40,602 votes, over 50% of the total votes polled. The AAP candidate came a distant third polling 10,243 votes and lost the deposit, DNA reported. Congress candidate Meenakshi Chandela finished second with 25,950 votes. Impressive performance by @BJP4India and NDA in the by-polls in different parts of the country. Congratulations to Karyakartas. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 13, 2017 × The contest was being closely watched as the AAP had won 67 of the 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly in the 2015 elections. Bharatiya Janata Party's Anil Dhiman has won the Bhoranj assembly seat in Himachal Pradesh by more than 8,000 votes, ANI reported. Meanwhile, Congress won both seats in Karnataka much to the relief of party cadres and the Congress high command which has been facing a string of defeats since the Lok Sabha polls in 2014. Congress party’s Kalale Keshavamurthy defeated BJP’s V Srinivas Prasad by a margin of 21,334 votes while Geetha Mahadev Prasad won the Gundlupet seat beating her BJP rival Niranjan Kumar by 10,887 votes. In Madhya Pradesh, bypolls were held in two assembly constituencies of Ater and Bandhavgarh, BJP's Shivnarayan Singh won from Bandhavgarh. Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress candidate, Chandrima Bhattacharya, won from West Bengal's Kanthi Dakshin seat. Bypolls were held in the states of Rajasthan, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Delhi, and Assam. By-election was also held in Srinagar Parliamentary constituency on Sunday but due to widespread violence which led to the killing of eight people, the Election Commission ordered repolling in 38 polling stations on Thursday. (WION)

India byelection results: BJP wins bypolls in five assembly seats, Congress wins two seats in Karnataka

<p>India&#39;s Election Commission -- the agency responsible for poll processes in the country -- is set to acquire new electronic voting machines that can become &quot;inoperable&quot; if they are tampered with.</p>

<p>This comes amid doubts over the credibility of existing EVMs.</p>

<p>The agency will need around Rs 1,940 crore (about $299 million) to procure the next-generation machines called &quot;M3&quot;-type machines.</p>

<p>Such EVMs will only recognise genuine voting machines in the field, and thereby eliminate claims of discrepancies.</p>

<p>The commission plans to purchase them as the 9,30,430 existing EVMs in the country near its 15-year life cycle, Asian Age reported.</p>

<p>Last year, India&#39;s federal government released a tranche of Rs 1,009 crore (roughly $155 million) for the commission to replenish the existing voting machines before the country&#39;s next general elections in 2019.</p>

<p>The exisiting machines have come under severe scrutiny in recent days following the regional elections in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Several political parties in India have asked the Election Commission to replace the machines as fresh doubts surfaced in during local elections in central India last week.</p>

<p>In Bhind, a town in central India&#39;s Madhya Pradesh state, there were reports of an EVM dispensing slips of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s Bharatiya Janata Party only, much to the consternation of a host of opposition parties.</p>

<p>Electronic voting machines have been used by India for the last 15 years, but there remain doubts about ist credibility.</p>

<p>Several countries like Ireland, Germany and The Netherlands have done away with such machines over worries about them being prone to hacking.</p>

<p>(WION)</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The agency will need about $299 million to procure the next-generation machines that will eliminate tampering of votes

India's Election Commission -- the agency responsible for poll processes in the country -- is set to acquire new electronic voting machines that can become "inoperable" if they are tampered with. This comes amid doubts over the credibility of existing EVMs. The agency will need around Rs 1,940 crore (about $299 million) to procure the next-generation machines called "M3"-type machines. Such EVMs will only recognise genuine voting machines in the field, and thereby eliminate claims of discrepancies. The commission plans to purchase them as the 9,30,430 existing EVMs in the country near its 15-year life cycle, Asian Age reported. Last year, India's federal government released a tranche of Rs 1,009 crore (roughly $155 million) for the commission to replenish the existing voting machines before the country's next general elections in 2019. The exisiting machines have come under severe scrutiny in recent days following the regional elections in India. Several political parties in India have asked the Election Commission to replace the machines as fresh doubts surfaced in during local elections in central India last week. In Bhind, a town in central India's Madhya Pradesh state, there were reports of an EVM dispensing slips of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party only, much to the consternation of a host of opposition parties. Electronic voting machines have been used by India for the last 15 years, but there remain doubts about ist credibility. Several countries like Ireland, Germany and The Netherlands have done away with such machines over worries about them being prone to hacking. (WION)

India's Election Commission to buy new voting machines amid fresh doubts

<p>Congress&#39; Priyanka Gandhi will not be campaigning in Uttar Pradesh anymore, a senior party member told NDTV.</p>

<p>Ghulam Nabi Azad said she will spend her time overseeing the party&#39;s election campaign in India&#39;s most populous state.</p>

<p>Priyanka has largely remained absent from this year&#39;s campaigning in India&#39;s northern state of UP.</p>

<p>She briefly visited the Gandhis&#39; borough of Raebareli earlier following&nbsp;incessant demands made by party workers. Party workers were vexed about their pre-poll partners Samajwadi Party&#39;s decision to campaign in the Gandhi stronghold.</p>

<p>The party&#39;s decision to keep Priyanka away from the limelight might also be due to the party&#39;s apprehension of over-exposing her, like they did in 2012.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It (over-exposure in the previous elections) was an excess from our part. We don&rsquo;t want Priyanka Gandhi to do an aggressive campaign in the constituency. She is our senior leader,&rdquo; Kishori Lal, a close aide of the Gandhi family, had told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking to NDTV, Azad also downplayed suggestions that their party leader Rahul Gandhi was playing second fiddle to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.</p>

<p>&quot;No-one is second fiddle. Everywhere they (Rahul and Akhilesh) go, they go together,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>If Uttar Pradesh -- a state in North India -- was a country, it would be the largest elections conducted across the world this year. The state is home to 204.2 million people and is nearly twice the size of England.</p>

<p>The state has been in the throes of a long, heated election campaign.</p>

<p>Polling in the state started on February 11 and will be conducted on seven different dates until March 8. The election result will be announced on March 11.</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


Senior leader Ghulab Nabi Azad said she would spend more time in managing the party's poll strategy in India's most populous state

Congress' Priyanka Gandhi will not be campaigning in Uttar Pradesh anymore, a senior party member told NDTV. Ghulam Nabi Azad said she will spend her time overseeing the party's election campaign in India's most populous state. Priyanka has largely remained absent from this year's campaigning in India's northern state of UP. She briefly visited the Gandhis' borough of Raebareli earlier following incessant demands made by party workers. Party workers were vexed about their pre-poll partners Samajwadi Party's decision to campaign in the Gandhi stronghold. The party's decision to keep Priyanka away from the limelight might also be due to the party's apprehension of over-exposing her, like they did in 2012. “It (over-exposure in the previous elections) was an excess from our part. We don’t want Priyanka Gandhi to do an aggressive campaign in the constituency. She is our senior leader,” Kishori Lal, a close aide of the Gandhi family, had told WION. Speaking to NDTV, Azad also downplayed suggestions that their party leader Rahul Gandhi was playing second fiddle to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. "No-one is second fiddle. Everywhere they (Rahul and Akhilesh) go, they go together," he said. If Uttar Pradesh -- a state in North India -- was a country, it would be the largest elections conducted across the world this year. The state is home to 204.2 million people and is nearly twice the size of England. The state has been in the throes of a long, heated election campaign. Polling in the state started on February 11 and will be conducted on seven different dates until March 8. The election result will be announced on March 11. (WION)

UP elections: Priyanka Gandhi will not campaign further, says Congress

<p>With the Assembly Election polling for 40 seats underway in Goa, India&#39;s defence minister Manohar Parrikar cast his vote early on Saturday morning here and expressed his confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will sweep the polls with two-third majority.</p>

<p>Speaking to the media in Panaji after casting his vote, Parrikar said that initial reports indicate a very good turnout by the electorate. &quot;I expect like the last time in 2012, where there was an 84% voting, it may even exceed that this time. Goa votes very heavily and this is one of the specialities what the BJP has inducted into the politics of Goa to increase voting. BJP expects mandate with two-third majority,&quot; the defence minister said.</p>

<p>More than 1600 polling stations have been set up for the smooth conduct of elections. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the electorate to turn out in record numbers and cast their votes without fail. &quot;Urging people of Punjab &amp; Goa to turn out in record numbers &amp; vote in the Assembly elections. I particularly urge my young friends to vote,&quot; he said in a tweet.</p>

<p>In Goa, about 11.10 lakh voters are going to decide, the fate of 251 candidates including 19 women. About 32 thousand young voters will be exercising their franchise for the first time and women voters outnumber men this time.</p>

<p>40 &#39;all-women&#39;&nbsp;managed polling stations have been set up to motivate women`s participation in the electoral process. The commission has made a directory of about 2700 Persons with Disabilities who will be given pick up facility from home.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, about 1.7 crore rupees and more than 70 thousand litres of liquor have been seized, till date by the Election Commission appointed police and excise teams.</p>

<p>(ANI)&nbsp;</p>


In Goa, about 11.10 lakh voters are going to decide, the fate of 251 candidates including 19 women

With the Assembly Election polling for 40 seats underway in Goa, India's defence minister Manohar Parrikar cast his vote early on Saturday morning here and expressed his confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will sweep the polls with two-third majority. Speaking to the media in Panaji after casting his vote, Parrikar said that initial reports indicate a very good turnout by the electorate. "I expect like the last time in 2012, where there was an 84% voting, it may even exceed that this time. Goa votes very heavily and this is one of the specialities what the BJP has inducted into the politics of Goa to increase voting. BJP expects mandate with two-third majority," the defence minister said. More than 1600 polling stations have been set up for the smooth conduct of elections. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the electorate to turn out in record numbers and cast their votes without fail. "Urging people of Punjab & Goa to turn out in record numbers & vote in the Assembly elections. I particularly urge my young friends to vote," he said in a tweet. In Goa, about 11.10 lakh voters are going to decide, the fate of 251 candidates including 19 women. About 32 thousand young voters will be exercising their franchise for the first time and women voters outnumber men this time. 40 'all-women' managed polling stations have been set up to motivate women`s participation in the electoral process. The commission has made a directory of about 2700 Persons with Disabilities who will be given pick up facility from home. Meanwhile, about 1.7 crore rupees and more than 70 thousand litres of liquor have been seized, till date by the Election Commission appointed police and excise teams. (ANI)

Goa elections: Parrikar casts his vote, says BJP will win with two-third majority

<p>Despite the lip service paid by political parties to curbing black money in the&nbsp;economy, all political parties continue to show that 70 per cent of the donations they receive are of amounts lower than Rs 20,000. According to the rules, it is not mandatory to furnish the source of donations below Rs 20,000.</p>

<p>As per Association for Democratic Reforms&#39; (ADR) data from 2004 to 2014, all political parties put together received Rs 11,367 crores -- and 70 per cent of that money was received from unknown sources.</p>

<p>The income political parties got from known donors added up to about 16 per cent, or Rs 1,835 crore, of their total income, while income from other known sources including memberships added up to about 14&nbsp;per cent or Rs 1,698 crore.</p>

<p>The most shocking part of the ADR report was that of 51 regional parties, 45 have not submitted donation statements to the Election Commission of India (ECI) for at least one financial year, while 12 regional parties have never filed a donation statement.</p>

<p>The NCP for example, the ADR report says, did not submit a donation report to the Election Commission&nbsp;between 2004-5 and 2006-7.</p>

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<p>An Association for Democratic Reforms report says political parties got Rs 7,832.98 crore from unknown donors between 2004-05 and 2014-15. (DNA)</p>
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<p>Total income of national political parties between 2004 and 2014. (Image source: ADR Report) (Others)</p>
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<p>Sources of income of national parties between 2004 and 2014. (Image source: ADR Report) (Others)</p>
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<p>Total declared income of regional parties. (Image source: ADR Report) (Others)</p>
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<p>Regional parties with maximum declared income. (Image source: ADR Report) (Others)</p>
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<p>As per the ADR&rsquo;s analysis, Congress received 83 per cent of funds from anonymous sources. For Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) it stood at 65 per cent and for Samajwadi Party (SP) at 94 per cent. The biggest surge was noticed in the war chest of former UP chief minister Mayawati&#39;s Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP). In ten years BSP&rsquo;s war chest surged from Rs 5.9 crores to Rs 111.9 crores, which is a jump of 2057 per cent. BSP also remains the only political party which maintains that it has never received any political funding above&nbsp;20,000 rupees.</p>

<p>The data accessed by ADR also shows that money from anonymous sources also surged in last 10 years. As per the data, the income of national parties from unknown sources increased by 313 per cent and for the regional parties, it increased by 652 per cent. In this category, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) remains the only regional party to have the&nbsp;highest income from known sources which is absent in most of the other regional parties.</p>

<p>As per the data accessed by ADR, Samajwadi Party had the highest income at Rs 819 crores followed by DMK with Rs 203 crores and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK) with Rs 165 crores.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has committed himself to root out black money from the electoral system. A similar position was taken during the UPA regime and the then government of the day also toyed with the idea of state funding of elections but not much happened. For now, BJP has positioned demonetisation as an anti-black money drive but political parties had the exemption to deposit unlimited money in old currency in their bank accounts.</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


The income political parties got from known donors added up to about 16%, the remaining 14% came from known sources like memberships

Despite the lip service paid by political parties to curbing black money in the economy, all political parties continue to show that 70 per cent of the donations they receive are of amounts lower than Rs 20,000. According to the rules, it is not mandatory to furnish the source of donations below Rs 20,000. As per Association for Democratic Reforms' (ADR) data from 2004 to 2014, all political parties put together received Rs 11,367 crores -- and 70 per cent of that money was received from unknown sources. The income political parties got from known donors added up to about 16 per cent, or Rs 1,835 crore, of their total income, while income from other known sources including memberships added up to about 14 per cent or Rs 1,698 crore. The most shocking part of the ADR report was that of 51 regional parties, 45 have not submitted donation statements to the Election Commission of India (ECI) for at least one financial year, while 12 regional parties have never filed a donation statement. The NCP for example, the ADR report says, did not submit a donation report to the Election Commission between 2004-5 and 2006-7. An Association for Democratic Reforms report says political parties got Rs 7,832.98 crore from unknown donors between 2004-05 and 2014-15. (DNA) × Total income of national political parties between 2004 and 2014. (Image source: ADR Report) (Others) × Sources of income of national parties between 2004 and 2014. (Image source: ADR Report) (Others) × Total declared income of regional parties. (Image source: ADR Report) (Others) × Regional parties with maximum declared income. (Image source: ADR Report) (Others) × As per the ADR’s analysis, Congress received 83 per cent of funds from anonymous sources. For Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) it stood at 65 per cent and for Samajwadi Party (SP) at 94 per cent. The biggest surge was noticed in the war chest of former UP chief minister Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP). In ten years BSP’s war chest surged from Rs 5.9 crores to Rs 111.9 crores, which is a jump of 2057 per cent. BSP also remains the only political party which maintains that it has never received any political funding above 20,000 rupees. The data accessed by ADR also shows that money from anonymous sources also surged in last 10 years. As per the data, the income of national parties from unknown sources increased by 313 per cent and for the regional parties, it increased by 652 per cent. In this category, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) remains the only regional party to have the highest income from known sources which is absent in most of the other regional parties. As per the data accessed by ADR, Samajwadi Party had the highest income at Rs 819 crores followed by DMK with Rs 203 crores and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK) with Rs 165 crores. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has committed himself to root out black money from the electoral system. A similar position was taken during the UPA regime and the then government of the day also toyed with the idea of state funding of elections but not much happened. For now, BJP has positioned demonetisation as an anti-black money drive but political parties had the exemption to deposit unlimited money in old currency in their bank accounts. (WION)

Is black money funding elections? Parties got 70% cash from unknown sources

<p>Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to defer presentation of the Union Budget till the completion of the poll process in five states.</p>

<p>The letter sent to the prime minister earlier this week cited the Election Commission directive on January 23 asking the Central government not to announce any specific scheme for the five states going to polls in keeping with the model code of conduct.</p>

<p>The chief minister said that this may deprive Uttar Pradesh, having the maximum population in the country, of special schemes in the Union Budget which would have a direct impact on state&#39;s development and interest of 20 crore people.</p>

<p>Yadav recalled that in February-March 2012, the then government had taken a decision to defer the budget on its own till the completion of the poll process at that time.</p>

<p>&quot;In my capacity as the representative of the people of the state I request you think about deferring the Budget till after the elections so that the development of the state and schemes in the interests of the people could be announced,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>The Supreme Court had ruled recently that the government does not need to move the budget from February 1 to a date after elections are held in five states.</p>

<p>Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur will be held between February 4 and March 8.</p>

<p>(PTI)</p>


The chief minister said doing so may deprive UP of special schemes in the Union Budget, which would have a direct impact on state's interest

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to defer presentation of the Union Budget till the completion of the poll process in five states. The letter sent to the prime minister earlier this week cited the Election Commission directive on January 23 asking the Central government not to announce any specific scheme for the five states going to polls in keeping with the model code of conduct. The chief minister said that this may deprive Uttar Pradesh, having the maximum population in the country, of special schemes in the Union Budget which would have a direct impact on state's development and interest of 20 crore people. Yadav recalled that in February-March 2012, the then government had taken a decision to defer the budget on its own till the completion of the poll process at that time. "In my capacity as the representative of the people of the state I request you think about deferring the Budget till after the elections so that the development of the state and schemes in the interests of the people could be announced," he added. The Supreme Court had ruled recently that the government does not need to move the budget from February 1 to a date after elections are held in five states. Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur will be held between February 4 and March 8. (PTI)

India: Akhilesh writes to PM Modi, wants Budget presentation after polls

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