Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's father Nand Kumar Baghel on Monday expressed his willingness to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Nand Kumar Baghel is not a member of any political party. Addressing reporters outside the Congress headquarters here, he said, "I want to contest election against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. If Congress gives me a ticket, I will contest to defeat him and make Rahul Gandhi the next Prime Minister of India."

Terming Prime Minister as "dictator", he said, "He (Modi) has made false promises to the country. Congress should field me against him."

"Congress party should not ally with regional parties and if the alliance happens, it should happen only on condition that Rahul Gandhi will be the next Prime Minister," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is once again set to contest general elections from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, the seat from which he won in 2014 polls.

The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be conducted in seven phases. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.&nbsp;

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's father Nand Kumar Baghel on Monday expressed his willingness to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's father Nand Kumar Baghel on Monday expressed his willingness to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nand Kumar Baghel is not a member of any political party. Addressing reporters outside the Congress headquarters here, he said, "I want to contest election against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. If Congress gives me a ticket, I will contest to defeat him and make Rahul Gandhi the next Prime Minister of India." Terming Prime Minister as "dictator", he said, "He (Modi) has made false promises to the country. Congress should field me against him." "Congress party should not ally with regional parties and if the alliance happens, it should happen only on condition that Rahul Gandhi will be the next Prime Minister," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is once again set to contest general elections from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, the seat from which he won in 2014 polls. The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be conducted in seven phases. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls: Chhattisgarh CM's father wishes to contest against PM Modi

Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party on Tuesday released its list of star campaigners ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The list includes party president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.&nbsp;

Some of the other prominent leaders in the list are Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ashok Chavan, Mallikarjun Kharge, Prithviraj Chavan, KC Venugopal, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Milind Deora and cricketer-turned-politician Mohammad Azharuddin, among others. &nbsp;

The Bharatiya Janata Party also released its list of star campaigners and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-bjps-list-of-star-campaigners-skips-advani-murli-manohar-joshi-205654">skipped some of its veteran leaders</a>. The BJP, for this year's Lok Sabha polls, has decided not to field <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-2019-bjp-snubs-veteran-leaders-murli-manohar-joshi-asked-not-to-contest-205698">veteran leaders ageing above 75 years</a> in its move to promote younger candidates.&nbsp;

Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party, last week, in its 'star campaigners' list left out party patriarch and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav who was hastily added back to the list a day later.&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party on Tuesday released its list of star campaigners ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The list includes party president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party on Tuesday released its list of star campaigners ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The list includes party president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Some of the other prominent leaders in the list are Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ashok Chavan, Mallikarjun Kharge, Prithviraj Chavan, KC Venugopal, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Milind Deora and cricketer-turned-politician Mohammad Azharuddin, among others. The Bharatiya Janata Party also released its list of star campaigners and skipped some of its veteran leaders. The BJP, for this year's Lok Sabha polls, has decided not to field veteran leaders ageing above 75 years in its move to promote younger candidates. Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party, last week, in its 'star campaigners' list left out party patriarch and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav who was hastily added back to the list a day later.

Lok Sabha polls: Congress' list of star campaigners includes Gandhi clan, former CM, party bigwigs and Mohammad Azharuddin

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday stated that he is pretty sure of another term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Singh, in middle of his statement, got caught in a poetic frenzy and said, "Chowkidar is not a chor, he is pure and another term for him is sure".&nbsp;

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed his Twitter handle to '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-changes-name-on-twitter-to-chowkidar-narendra-modi-amit-shah-piyush-goyal-follow-suit-203811">Chowkidar' Narendra Modi</a>. Scores of BJP bigwigs, including party president Amit Shah and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, followed suit.&nbsp;

"Your Chowkidar is standing firm &amp; serving the nation," Modi had tweeted on.&nbsp;

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Union Minister &amp; BJP leader Rajnath Singh at a public rally in Delhi: Chowkidar chorr nahi, Chowkidar pure hai. Chowkidar ka dobara PM banana sure hai, desh ki samasyaon ka woh hi cure hai. <a href="https://t.co/5hcvCV6M96">pic.twitter.com/5hcvCV6M96</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1110433156560310274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"But, I am not alone," he said. "Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar."&nbsp;

"Today, every Indian is saying-#MainBhiChowkidar," he added.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister had first referred to himself as the chowkidar (watchman) of the nation in the run-up to the 2014 general elections. "Na khaoonga, na khaane doonga (I will not be corrupt, I will not let others be corrupt)," he had said then. &nbsp;

On March 16, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged his supporters to take the 'main bhai chowkidar' (I too am watchman) pledge, saying he is not alone in the fight against graft and social evils.

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Your Chowkidar is standing firm &amp; serving the nation. 
 
But, I am not alone. 
 
Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. 
 
Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar. 
 
Today, every Indian is saying-<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MainBhiChowkidar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MainBhiChowkidar</a>
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1106759555315314689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Your Chowkidar is standing firm and serving the nation. But, I am not alone. Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar. Today, every Indian is saying-#MainBhiChowkidar," he wrote on Twitter.

He also posted a three-minute long video to drive home his message.

PM Modi has often described himself as a "chowkidar" by the opposition.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been repeatedly hurling the "chowkidar chor hai" (watchman is the thief) jibe at the Prime Minister to claim irregularities and favouritism in the Rafale fighter jet deal, a charge the BJP-led government has rejected.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday stated that he is pretty sure of another term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Singh, in middle of his statement, got caught in a poetic frenzy and said, "Chowkidar is not a chor, he is pure and another term for him is sure".

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday stated that he is pretty sure of another term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Singh, in middle of his statement, got caught in a poetic frenzy and said, "Chowkidar is not a chor, he is pure and another term for him is sure". Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed his Twitter handle to 'Chowkidar' Narendra Modi. Scores of BJP bigwigs, including party president Amit Shah and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, followed suit. "Your Chowkidar is standing firm & serving the nation," Modi had tweeted on. Union Minister & BJP leader Rajnath Singh at a public rally in Delhi: Chowkidar chorr nahi, Chowkidar pure hai. Chowkidar ka dobara PM banana sure hai, desh ki samasyaon ka woh hi cure hai. pic.twitter.com/5hcvCV6M96 — ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2019 × "But, I am not alone," he said. "Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar." "Today, every Indian is saying-#MainBhiChowkidar," he added. The Prime Minister had first referred to himself as the chowkidar (watchman) of the nation in the run-up to the 2014 general elections. "Na khaoonga, na khaane doonga (I will not be corrupt, I will not let others be corrupt)," he had said then. On March 16, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged his supporters to take the 'main bhai chowkidar' (I too am watchman) pledge, saying he is not alone in the fight against graft and social evils. Your Chowkidar is standing firm & serving the nation. But, I am not alone. Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar. Today, every Indian is saying-#MainBhiChowkidar — Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 16, 2019 × "Your Chowkidar is standing firm and serving the nation. But, I am not alone. Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar. Today, every Indian is saying-#MainBhiChowkidar," he wrote on Twitter. He also posted a three-minute long video to drive home his message. PM Modi has often described himself as a "chowkidar" by the opposition. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been repeatedly hurling the "chowkidar chor hai" (watchman is the thief) jibe at the Prime Minister to claim irregularities and favouritism in the Rafale fighter jet deal, a charge the BJP-led government has rejected.

Chowkidar is pure, another term for him is sure: Rajnath Singh goes poetic on Modi

Veteran actor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaya-prada-says-azam-khan-reminds-her-of-padmaavats-khilji-35299">Jaya Prada</a> has joined the BJP.

The announcement was made in Delhi.&nbsp;The news agency PTI meanwhile reported that the BJP is expected to field Jaya Prada from Uttar Pradesh's Rampur constituency.&nbsp;

Jaya Prada has won twice from Rampur, but on a Samajwadi Party ticket.&nbsp;

Jaya Prada was a close associate of the former Samajwadi Party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh.&nbsp;

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Delhi: Veteran actor and former MP Jaya Prada joins Bharatiya Janata Party. <a href="https://t.co/vmZD3H1PSL">pic.twitter.com/vmZD3H1PSL</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1110447108933459968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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If fielded from Rampur, Jaya Prada will take on senior SP leader Azam Khan.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

Veteran actor Jaya Prada has joined the BJP. The announcement was made in Delhi. The news agency PTI meanwhile reported that the BJP is expected to field Jaya Prada from Uttar Pradesh's Rampur constituency.

Veteran actor Jaya Prada has joined the BJP. The announcement was made in Delhi. The news agency PTI meanwhile reported that the BJP is expected to field Jaya Prada from Uttar Pradesh's Rampur constituency. Jaya Prada has won twice from Rampur, but on a Samajwadi Party ticket. Jaya Prada was a close associate of the former Samajwadi Party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh. Delhi: Veteran actor and former MP Jaya Prada joins Bharatiya Janata Party. pic.twitter.com/vmZD3H1PSL — ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2019 × If fielded from Rampur, Jaya Prada will take on senior SP leader Azam Khan. (With inputs from PTI)

Veteran actor, former MP Jaya Prada joins the BJP

The BJP said Sunday that there had been a "huge jump" in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/is-it-going-to-be-rahul-gandhi-vs-narendra-modi-in-2019-185056">Congress President Rahul Gandhi</a>'s income and asked where the money was coming from.&nbsp;

The BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said at a press conference on Sunday that Rahul's income, according to his election affidavits, had risen from over Rs 55 lakh in 2004 to Rs 9 crore in 2014.&nbsp;

"How can an MP, who is not a professional, witness such a jump in his income?" Patra asked.&nbsp;

Patra also challenged Gandhi to file a defamation case against him, saying he was stating facts with evidence.&nbsp;

Patra went on to allege that Rahul's income "by and large, is profiteering from scams, dubious deals". He also alleged that Rahul had lied on his election affidavits. He did not however provide any evidence or document to substantiate his claim.

Patra said Sunday that the BJP will hold a series of press conferences in the coming days to expose the "corruption of Rahul Gandhi".

The Congress has rubbished the charges, calling them a "desperate attempt by BJP" to "divert attention" from the real issues.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Saturday, union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said, "In his (Rahul Gandhi) election affidavit in 2004, his income was Rs 55,38,123 while in 2009, it rose to Rs 2 crore and in 2014 it rose to Rs 9 crore.&nbsp;

"We know how much an MP earns. We want to ask what is this Rahul Gandhi model of development without an ostensible source of income?" he had added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

The BJP said Sunday that there had been a "huge jump" in Congress President Rahul Gandhi's income and asked where the money was coming from. The BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said at a press conference on Sunday that Rahul's income, according to his election affidavits, had risen from over Rs 55 lakh in 2004 to Rs 9 crore in 2014.

The BJP said Sunday that there had been a "huge jump" in Congress President Rahul Gandhi's income and asked where the money was coming from. The BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said at a press conference on Sunday that Rahul's income, according to his election affidavits, had risen from over Rs 55 lakh in 2004 to Rs 9 crore in 2014. "How can an MP, who is not a professional, witness such a jump in his income?" Patra asked. Patra also challenged Gandhi to file a defamation case against him, saying he was stating facts with evidence. Patra went on to allege that Rahul's income "by and large, is profiteering from scams, dubious deals". He also alleged that Rahul had lied on his election affidavits. He did not however provide any evidence or document to substantiate his claim. Patra said Sunday that the BJP will hold a series of press conferences in the coming days to expose the "corruption of Rahul Gandhi". The Congress has rubbished the charges, calling them a "desperate attempt by BJP" to "divert attention" from the real issues. On Saturday, union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said, "In his (Rahul Gandhi) election affidavit in 2004, his income was Rs 55,38,123 while in 2009, it rose to Rs 2 crore and in 2014 it rose to Rs 9 crore. "We know how much an MP earns. We want to ask what is this Rahul Gandhi model of development without an ostensible source of income?" he had added. (With inputs from PTI)

'Huge jump' in Rahul Gandhi's income, says BJP, asks where it's coming from

As many as 111 farmers from Tamil Nadu are set to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the upcoming general elections from his home constituency, Varanasi.&nbsp;

Tamil Nadu farmers leader P Ayyakannu said on Saturday that 111 farmers from the state will contest against the Prime Minister from Varanasi.

Ayyakannu said the move is to urge the BJP to include their demands, including "profitable prices for farm produce," in its manifesto with a promise of fulfiling the same, adding that the "moment they assure in their manifesto that our demands will be fulfilled, we will drop our decision to contest against Modi."

In the event of that not happening, he said they would go ahead and contest against the Prime Minister.

"We are not against the BJP or our PM Modi. Before assuming power, Modi ji promised to fulfil our demands and assured to double our income. 
Even today he is our Prime Minister and the BJP is the ruling party and that is why we are making this demand to them," he told PTI.&nbsp;

Already, he said, he has booked train tickets for 300 farmers to go to Varanasi. Farmers from districts, including Tiruvannamalai and Tiruchirappalli, will reach Varanasi, he added.

In November 2018, farmers led by Ayyakannu had gone to Delhi with two "skulls," to take part in a kisan rally, saying it belonged to their colleagues who had allegedly committed suicide over debt.&nbsp;

Parties like the DMK and the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam have assured full loan waiver, which is also one of the farmers' demands, in their manifestos, he said.

(With inputs from PTI)

 
&nbsp;

As many as 111 farmers from Tamil Nadu are set to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the upcoming general elections from his home constituency, Varanasi. Tamil Nadu farmers leader P Ayyakannu said on Saturday that 111 farmers from the state will contest against the Prime Minister from Varanasi.

As many as 111 farmers from Tamil Nadu are set to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the upcoming general elections from his home constituency, Varanasi. Tamil Nadu farmers leader P Ayyakannu said on Saturday that 111 farmers from the state will contest against the Prime Minister from Varanasi. Ayyakannu said the move is to urge the BJP to include their demands, including "profitable prices for farm produce," in its manifesto with a promise of fulfiling the same, adding that the "moment they assure in their manifesto that our demands will be fulfilled, we will drop our decision to contest against Modi." In the event of that not happening, he said they would go ahead and contest against the Prime Minister. "We are not against the BJP or our PM Modi. Before assuming power, Modi ji promised to fulfil our demands and assured to double our income. Even today he is our Prime Minister and the BJP is the ruling party and that is why we are making this demand to them," he told PTI. Already, he said, he has booked train tickets for 300 farmers to go to Varanasi. Farmers from districts, including Tiruvannamalai and Tiruchirappalli, will reach Varanasi, he added. In November 2018, farmers led by Ayyakannu had gone to Delhi with two "skulls," to take part in a kisan rally, saying it belonged to their colleagues who had allegedly committed suicide over debt. Parties like the DMK and the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam have assured full loan waiver, which is also one of the farmers' demands, in their manifestos, he said. (With inputs from PTI)

Lok Sabha 2019: Over 100 farmers from Tamil Nadu set to challenge PM Modi in Varanasi

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tmc-removes-congresss-name-from-its-logo-205015">All India Trinamool Congress on Saturday clarified</a> that the party has not dropped 'Congress' from its name.&nbsp;

The clarification came after reports suggested that the party has removed 'Congress' from its party name, logo, posters.

Several media reports suggested AITC had dropped ‘Congress’ from its logo, banners and posters, and would hereby be referred to as 'Trinamool', just weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

“Name of the party, as registered with Election Commission is 'All India Trinamool Congress'. Name and symbol (flowers and grass) were approved by EC on January 1, 1998,” read a statement issued by the party.

Mamata Banerjee-led TMC officially parted ways with the Congress almost over a couple of decades ago.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress on Saturday clarified that the party has not dropped 'Congress' from its name. The clarification came after reports suggested that the party has removed 'Congress' from its party name, logo, posters.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress on Saturday clarified that the party has not dropped 'Congress' from its name. The clarification came after reports suggested that the party has removed 'Congress' from its party name, logo, posters. Several media reports suggested AITC had dropped ‘Congress’ from its logo, banners and posters, and would hereby be referred to as 'Trinamool', just weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. “Name of the party, as registered with Election Commission is 'All India Trinamool Congress'. Name and symbol (flowers and grass) were approved by EC on January 1, 1998,” read a statement issued by the party. Mamata Banerjee-led TMC officially parted ways with the Congress almost over a couple of decades ago. (With inputs from ANI)

Mamata Banerjee-led AITC denies dropping 'Congress' from party name

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday expressed confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party's performance in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, stating that the Congress "will not get more than 60 seats" in the general elections.&nbsp;

Goyal said that he is confident of the BJP making a clean sweep, bagging more than 300 Lok Sabha seats. He targetted Congress' Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, criticising her political debut that happened just 60 days ahead of the general polls.&nbsp;

Goyal said Priyanka induction into politics at this juncture is just to "bail out her failed elder brother", news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

"Nation needs more serious politicians than the fly-by-night ones," he said.&nbsp;

Slamming Congress leader Sam Pitroda over his remarks on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/if-only-a-similar-deterrent-action-was-taken-after-mumbai-attack-sitharaman-on-balakot-airstrikes-205237">aggressive action against Pakistan</a>, Goyal said the BJP would give a befitting reply to terror attacks and not be 'apologetic' as the opposition party leaders, news agency PTI reported. &nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter on Friday, and in a series of tweets, lashed out at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-slams-rahul-gandhi-over-pitrodas-remarks-asks-do-you-consider-pulwama-attack-a-routine-incident-205033">Pitroda</a>. &nbsp;

"The most trusted advisor and guide of the Congress President has kick-started the Pakistan National Day celebrations on behalf of the Congress, ironically by demeaning India’s armed forces," PM Modi tweeted out.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday expressed confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party's performance in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, stating that the Congress "will not get more than 60 seats" in the general elections.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday expressed confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party's performance in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, stating that the Congress "will not get more than 60 seats" in the general elections. Goyal said that he is confident of the BJP making a clean sweep, bagging more than 300 Lok Sabha seats. He targetted Congress' Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, criticising her political debut that happened just 60 days ahead of the general polls. Goyal said Priyanka induction into politics at this juncture is just to "bail out her failed elder brother", news agency ANI reported. "Nation needs more serious politicians than the fly-by-night ones," he said. Slamming Congress leader Sam Pitroda over his remarks on aggressive action against Pakistan, Goyal said the BJP would give a befitting reply to terror attacks and not be 'apologetic' as the opposition party leaders, news agency PTI reported. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter on Friday, and in a series of tweets, lashed out at Pitroda. "The most trusted advisor and guide of the Congress President has kick-started the Pakistan National Day celebrations on behalf of the Congress, ironically by demeaning India’s armed forces," PM Modi tweeted out. (With inputs from agencies)

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's political debut is just to 'bail out her failed elder brother': Piyush Goyal

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister and BJP leader Dr Raman Singh on Saturday said that a meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party's central election committee will be held later in the day today, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

Singh said that the leaders are likely to take a final call on 6 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, following which the names of the candidates will be declared.

Singh's remarks came a day after the party released a list of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-bjp-releases-list-of-36-candidates-sambit-patra-to-contest-from-puri-204967">36 candidates for Lok Sabha polls</a> in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra and Odisha ahead of the general elections on Friday.&nbsp;

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Former Chhattisgarh CM Dr Raman Singh: A meeting of BJP Central Election Committee will be held today &amp; I think final decision on 6 Lok Sabha seats (in Chhattisgarh) will be taken &amp; candidates for these seats will be declared. <a href="https://t.co/3yqhM5pGp9">pic.twitter.com/3yqhM5pGp9</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1109300999716524032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The party has fielded Girish Bapat from Pune (Maharashtra), its national spokesperson Sambit Patra from Puri (Odisha), Dilip Kumar Kilaru from Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), Bharati Pawar from Dindori (Maharashtra) and Sanbor Shullai from Shillong (Meghalaya).

The decision was taken after a meeting of the Central Election Committee of the BJP in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj among others.

The BJP on Thursday released its first list of candidates for the upcoming polls comprising 184 candidates including some of the biggest names in the party such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah and Union ministers like Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to contest from Varanasi again. BJP president Amit Shah replaced L K Advani in Gandhinagar constituency. Home Minister Rajnath Singh will contest from Lucknow.&nbsp;

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister and BJP leader Dr Raman Singh on Saturday said that a meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party's central election committee will be held later in the day today, news agency ANI reported.

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister and BJP leader Dr Raman Singh on Saturday said that a meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party's central election committee will be held later in the day today, news agency ANI reported. Singh said that the leaders are likely to take a final call on 6 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, following which the names of the candidates will be declared. Singh's remarks came a day after the party released a list of 36 candidates for Lok Sabha polls in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra and Odisha ahead of the general elections on Friday. Former Chhattisgarh CM Dr Raman Singh: A meeting of BJP Central Election Committee will be held today & I think final decision on 6 Lok Sabha seats (in Chhattisgarh) will be taken & candidates for these seats will be declared. pic.twitter.com/3yqhM5pGp9 — ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2019 × The party has fielded Girish Bapat from Pune (Maharashtra), its national spokesperson Sambit Patra from Puri (Odisha), Dilip Kumar Kilaru from Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), Bharati Pawar from Dindori (Maharashtra) and Sanbor Shullai from Shillong (Meghalaya). The decision was taken after a meeting of the Central Election Committee of the BJP in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj among others. The BJP on Thursday released its first list of candidates for the upcoming polls comprising 184 candidates including some of the biggest names in the party such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah and Union ministers like Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani. Prime Minister Narendra Modi to contest from Varanasi again. BJP president Amit Shah replaced L K Advani in Gandhinagar constituency. Home Minister Rajnath Singh will contest from Lucknow.

Final call on 6 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh likely to be taken today: Raman Singh

The National Democratic Alliance on Saturday released its list for 39 out of the total 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which will contest the general polls in Bihar in alliance with Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and Ram Vilas Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), will contest 17 seats.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to reports, the JD(U) will also fight on 17 seats while 6 seats go to the LPJ.&nbsp;

Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will contest from Shatrughan Sinha's Patna Sahib seat.

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BJP in-charge for Bihar, Bhupendra Yadav: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to be BJP’s candidate from Patna Sahib.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/LIVPmAFOLA">pic.twitter.com/LIVPmAFOLA</a>
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BJP's party in-charge for Bihar, Bhupendra Yadav announced that Lok Janshakti Party's Chandan Kumar will contest from Nawada. LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan's son, Chirag Paswan, is fielded from Jamui seat while his brother&nbsp;Ram Vilas Paswan's brother Pashupati Kumar Paras to contest from Hajipur

Besides this, Ramkirpal Yadav will contest from Patliputra, RK Singh from Arrah, Aswani Choubey from Buxar, Radha Mohan Singh from East Champaran, Rajiv Pratap Rudy from Saran, Yadav stated.

Meanwhile, former Chhattisgarh chief minister and BJP leader Dr Raman Singh on Saturday said that a meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party's central election committee will be held later in the day today, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

Singh said that the leaders are likely to take a final call on 6 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, following which the names of the candidates will be declared.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday released a list of 36 candidates for Lok Sabha polls in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra and Odisha ahead of the general elections.

The party has fielded Girish Bapat from Pune (Maharashtra), its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-bjp-releases-list-of-36-candidates-sambit-patra-to-contest-from-puri-204967">national spokesperson Sambit Patra from Puri (Odisha)</a>, Dilip Kumar Kilaru from Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), Bharati Pawar from Dindori (Maharashtra) and Sanbor Shullai from Shillong (Meghalaya).

The decision was taken after a meeting of the Central Election Committee of the BJP in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj among others.

The National Democratic Alliance on Saturday released its list for 39 out of the total 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which will contest the general polls in Bihar in alliance with Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and Ram Vilas Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), will contest 17 seats.

The National Democratic Alliance on Saturday released its list for 39 out of the total 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which will contest the general polls in Bihar in alliance with Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and Ram Vilas Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), will contest 17 seats. According to reports, the JD(U) will also fight on 17 seats while 6 seats go to the LPJ. Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will contest from Shatrughan Sinha's Patna Sahib seat. BJP in-charge for Bihar, Bhupendra Yadav: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to be BJP’s candidate from Patna Sahib.#LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/LIVPmAFOLA — ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2019 × BJP's party in-charge for Bihar, Bhupendra Yadav announced that Lok Janshakti Party's Chandan Kumar will contest from Nawada. LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan's son, Chirag Paswan, is fielded from Jamui seat while his brother Ram Vilas Paswan's brother Pashupati Kumar Paras to contest from Hajipur Besides this, Ramkirpal Yadav will contest from Patliputra, RK Singh from Arrah, Aswani Choubey from Buxar, Radha Mohan Singh from East Champaran, Rajiv Pratap Rudy from Saran, Yadav stated. Meanwhile, former Chhattisgarh chief minister and BJP leader Dr Raman Singh on Saturday said that a meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party's central election committee will be held later in the day today, news agency ANI reported. Singh said that the leaders are likely to take a final call on 6 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, following which the names of the candidates will be declared. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday released a list of 36 candidates for Lok Sabha polls in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra and Odisha ahead of the general elections. The party has fielded Girish Bapat from Pune (Maharashtra), its national spokesperson Sambit Patra from Puri (Odisha), Dilip Kumar Kilaru from Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), Bharati Pawar from Dindori (Maharashtra) and Sanbor Shullai from Shillong (Meghalaya). The decision was taken after a meeting of the Central Election Committee of the BJP in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj among others.

Lok Sabha polls: NDA releases list of candidates for Bihar, Ravi Shankar Prasad replaces Shatrughan Sinha in Patna Sahib seat

K. Chandrashekar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on Thursday announced its candidates for all the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana.

The party has again fielded KCR's daughter K Kavitha from the Nizamabad Lok Sabha seat.

Besides her, Vemireddy Narasimha Reddy will contest from Nalgonda, Pasunuri Dayaker from Warangal, G Nagesh from Adilabad, Talasani Saikiran Yadav from Secunderabad, Manne Srinivas Reddy from Mahabubnagar and Puste Srikanth from Hyderabad, among others.

The party has also announced two names for the Legislative Council positions out of the four legislative council seats that are going to be vacated shortly.

The Telangana Chief Minister has picked Nalgonda MP Gutha Sukhender Reddy and Kukatpally TRS leader Kurmaiah Gari Naveen Rao for the two seats.

Telangana will go to polls in a single phase for all 17 Lok Sabha seats at stake on April 11.&nbsp;

K. Chandrashekar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on Thursday announced its candidates for all the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana. The party has again fielded KCR's daughter K Kavitha from the Nizamabad Lok Sabha seat.

K. Chandrashekar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on Thursday announced its candidates for all the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana. The party has again fielded KCR's daughter K Kavitha from the Nizamabad Lok Sabha seat. Besides her, Vemireddy Narasimha Reddy will contest from Nalgonda, Pasunuri Dayaker from Warangal, G Nagesh from Adilabad, Talasani Saikiran Yadav from Secunderabad, Manne Srinivas Reddy from Mahabubnagar and Puste Srikanth from Hyderabad, among others. The party has also announced two names for the Legislative Council positions out of the four legislative council seats that are going to be vacated shortly. The Telangana Chief Minister has picked Nalgonda MP Gutha Sukhender Reddy and Kukatpally TRS leader Kurmaiah Gari Naveen Rao for the two seats. Telangana will go to polls in a single phase for all 17 Lok Sabha seats at stake on April 11.

Lok Sabha elections: TRS announces candidates for 17 seats in Telangana

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-releases-first-list-of-182-candidates-for-lok-sabha-polls-modi-to-contest-from-varanasi-again-204704">Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday released</a> another list for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls wherein Lalubhai Patel, a two-time MP from Daman and Diu, has been fielded from the Lok Sabha constituency. Patel won the Daman and Diu Lok Sabha constituency for BJP in 2009 and 2014 elections. Voting for the constituency will be held on April 23 during the third phase of polling, and counting of votes will take place on May 23.

In the meanwhile, the party also released a list of 100 candidates who will contest the assembly polls in Odisha.&nbsp;

Damodar Rout, Kusum Tete, Prakash Behera, and K Narayan Rao, who recently joined BJP after quitting BJD, have been given tickets to contest polls in the state. Rout has been fielded from Balikuda-Ersama assembly constituency, Prakash Behera from Salepur, Kusum Tete from Sundergarh and K Narayan Rao from Paralakhemundi, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

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BJP releases 2nd list of candidate for upcoming Lok Sabha elections - Lalubhai Patel to contest from Daman &amp; Diu Parliamentary constituency. The voting for the constituency will be held on 23rd April in the 3rd phase of polling. <a href="https://t.co/GsT37uknlm">pic.twitter.com/GsT37uknlm</a>
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In the 2014 Assembly elections, BJP had won 10 out of 147 seats in Odisha. Odisha will be going to polls in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29. The state will be voting simultaneously for parliamentary and assembly constituencies. There are 21 Lok Sabha and 147 Assembly seats in Odisha.&nbsp;

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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) releases list of 100 candidates for the upcoming Odisha assembly elections. <a href="https://t.co/U3ywkecTxV">pic.twitter.com/U3ywkecTxV</a>
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Besides this, the BJP also announced the names of 10 candidates in Telangana for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Former Congress leader and ex-Minister DK Aruna, who joined BJP in the presence of party president Amit Shah in Delhi on Tuesday, has been fielded from Mahbubnagar Lok Sabha constituency.&nbsp;

The party is yet to announce seven more candidates in Telangana. Hyderabad is touted to be the main Lok Sabha constituency for the BJP from where AIMIM party president Asaduddin Owaisi is contesting. Telangana will go to polls in a single phase for all 17 Lok Sabha seats on April 11.&nbsp;

The BJP released the first list of candidates for the upcoming polls comprising 184 candidates including some of the biggest names in the party such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah and Union ministers like Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to contest from Varanasi again. BJP president Amit Shah replaced L K Advani in Gandhinagar constituency. Home Minister Rajnath Singh will contest from Lucknow.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday released another list for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls wherein Lalubhai Patel, a two-time MP from Daman and Diu, has been fielded from the Lok Sabha constituency.

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday released another list for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls wherein Lalubhai Patel, a two-time MP from Daman and Diu, has been fielded from the Lok Sabha constituency. Patel won the Daman and Diu Lok Sabha constituency for BJP in 2009 and 2014 elections. Voting for the constituency will be held on April 23 during the third phase of polling, and counting of votes will take place on May 23. In the meanwhile, the party also released a list of 100 candidates who will contest the assembly polls in Odisha. Damodar Rout, Kusum Tete, Prakash Behera, and K Narayan Rao, who recently joined BJP after quitting BJD, have been given tickets to contest polls in the state. Rout has been fielded from Balikuda-Ersama assembly constituency, Prakash Behera from Salepur, Kusum Tete from Sundergarh and K Narayan Rao from Paralakhemundi, news agency ANI reported. BJP releases 2nd list of candidate for upcoming Lok Sabha elections - Lalubhai Patel to contest from Daman & Diu Parliamentary constituency. The voting for the constituency will be held on 23rd April in the 3rd phase of polling. pic.twitter.com/GsT37uknlm — ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2019 × In the 2014 Assembly elections, BJP had won 10 out of 147 seats in Odisha. Odisha will be going to polls in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29. The state will be voting simultaneously for parliamentary and assembly constituencies. There are 21 Lok Sabha and 147 Assembly seats in Odisha. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) releases list of 100 candidates for the upcoming Odisha assembly elections. pic.twitter.com/U3ywkecTxV — ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2019 × Besides this, the BJP also announced the names of 10 candidates in Telangana for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Former Congress leader and ex-Minister DK Aruna, who joined BJP in the presence of party president Amit Shah in Delhi on Tuesday, has been fielded from Mahbubnagar Lok Sabha constituency. The party is yet to announce seven more candidates in Telangana. Hyderabad is touted to be the main Lok Sabha constituency for the BJP from where AIMIM party president Asaduddin Owaisi is contesting. Telangana will go to polls in a single phase for all 17 Lok Sabha seats on April 11. The BJP released the first list of candidates for the upcoming polls comprising 184 candidates including some of the biggest names in the party such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah and Union ministers like Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani. Prime Minister Narendra Modi to contest from Varanasi again. BJP president Amit Shah replaced L K Advani in Gandhinagar constituency. Home Minister Rajnath Singh will contest from Lucknow. (With inputs from ANI)

BJP announces list of 100 candidates for Odisha assembly polls 

NCP chief Sharad Pawar and BSP president Mayawati's opting out of the Lok Sabha polls is a clear indication of a certain victory for the NDA, the Shiv Sena said Friday.

It also claimed Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would spoil the game for the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh, reasoning the vote bank of the Congress and Mayawati is similar.

In an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', the NDA constituent said Pawar and Mayawati not contesting was a sign that the road was clear for Narendra Modi to return victorious as Prime Minister.

"Along with Sharad Pawar, Mayawati too has decided not to contest Lok Sabha polls, the importance of which is that they are out of the prime ministerial race," the Sena editorial said.

Quoting Mayawati, it said she wants to campaign for her party's candidates across the country, hence she chose not to contest herself.

However, the editorial reasoned, the BSP has presence only in Uttar Pradesh, and, therefore, the decision to opt out meant she was running way from a fight.

Pawar has sought a similar escape route from Madha Lok Sabha constituency, it claimed.

Taking a dig at the NCP chief, the Sena said Pawar is trying to unite the entire Opposition but couldn't bring his own family and party members on the same page and therefore had to opt out.

"Ranjitsinh Mohite Patil's decision to leave the NCP and join the BJP is a big blow for Pawar. It will stop the second hand of the NCP's clock, which is anyway running slow," the Sena said sarcastically.

On Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, it said, "In 2014, Dalits and Yadavs had voted heavily for Modi and not a single candidate of Mayawati could win. This scare haunts her even today. Priyanka's 'tourism' visits are getting a good response and there is a fear in Mayawati that the Congress leader will spoil her prospects from wherever she decides to contest," it said.

The editorial went on to claim that Mayawati's prime fear is the Congress and not BJP and one of the reasons for her not contesting is Priyanka's foray in active politics.

"Neither Sharad Pawar nor Mayawati is contesting. Therefore, two people who dreamt of being Prime Minister are no more contenders. This proves the mettle of the NDA," it said.

Pawar and Mayawati's decision is a clear indication that the road for Modi to become PM against is clear and the NDA's win is certain, the Sena said.&nbsp;

NCP chief Sharad Pawar and BSP president Mayawati's opting out of the Lok Sabha polls is a clear indication of a certain victory for the NDA, the Shiv Sena said Friday.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar and BSP president Mayawati's opting out of the Lok Sabha polls is a clear indication of a certain victory for the NDA, the Shiv Sena said Friday. It also claimed Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would spoil the game for the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh, reasoning the vote bank of the Congress and Mayawati is similar. In an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', the NDA constituent said Pawar and Mayawati not contesting was a sign that the road was clear for Narendra Modi to return victorious as Prime Minister. "Along with Sharad Pawar, Mayawati too has decided not to contest Lok Sabha polls, the importance of which is that they are out of the prime ministerial race," the Sena editorial said. Quoting Mayawati, it said she wants to campaign for her party's candidates across the country, hence she chose not to contest herself. However, the editorial reasoned, the BSP has presence only in Uttar Pradesh, and, therefore, the decision to opt out meant she was running way from a fight. Pawar has sought a similar escape route from Madha Lok Sabha constituency, it claimed. Taking a dig at the NCP chief, the Sena said Pawar is trying to unite the entire Opposition but couldn't bring his own family and party members on the same page and therefore had to opt out. "Ranjitsinh Mohite Patil's decision to leave the NCP and join the BJP is a big blow for Pawar. It will stop the second hand of the NCP's clock, which is anyway running slow," the Sena said sarcastically. On Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, it said, "In 2014, Dalits and Yadavs had voted heavily for Modi and not a single candidate of Mayawati could win. This scare haunts her even today. Priyanka's 'tourism' visits are getting a good response and there is a fear in Mayawati that the Congress leader will spoil her prospects from wherever she decides to contest," it said. The editorial went on to claim that Mayawati's prime fear is the Congress and not BJP and one of the reasons for her not contesting is Priyanka's foray in active politics. "Neither Sharad Pawar nor Mayawati is contesting. Therefore, two people who dreamt of being Prime Minister are no more contenders. This proves the mettle of the NDA," it said. Pawar and Mayawati's decision is a clear indication that the road for Modi to become PM against is clear and the NDA's win is certain, the Sena said.

Sharad Pawar, Mayawati not contesting indication of NDA's win: Shiv Sena

Lok Sabha elections 2019: A look at young chief ministers of India

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam released its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on Tuesday. Among scores of announcements, the party made public that Sethusamudram project will be started again.

The project entails opening up of the ecologically fragile Gulf of Mannar for dredging. Hindus believe that Ram Sethu was used by Lord Rama to crossover to Lanka to rescue goddess Sita. Rationalists, on the other hand, believe that the inundated bund is not man-made but a creation of tidal waves over a period of time.

Such was the furore in 2007 that the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had to withdraw the affidavit filed in the Supreme Court where the project was stated as a mythological feature.&nbsp;

With cultural sentiments flying very high and the BJP also in the fray in Tamil Nadu for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, both Congress and the BJP will stay away from such controversial projects.&nbsp;

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AIADMK in its election manifesto: AIADMK will urge Government of India and the President to give due direction to the Governor of Tamil Nadu for release of the seven Tamil convicts as ordered by Supreme Court and approved by 
cabinet of Tamil Nadu govt. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/22UtSl55s4">https://t.co/22UtSl55s4</a>
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The Sethusamudram project will involve shipping routes to traverse from the Gulf of Mannar rather than circumnavigating around Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

Key highlights of DMK manifesto

Another controversial point in the manifesto is where the party says it will free former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi’s killers if they come to power.

DMK chief MK Stalin also stated that National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance Test (NEET) would be abolished in Tamil Nadu and central offices in the state would function using Tamil as a co-official language.&nbsp;

"The NEET for medical admissions will be scrapped," DMK chief M K Stalin said while unveiling the salient features of his party's manifesto. Opposition to NEET in Tamil Nadu from major political parties and students had taken emotive overtones in the past.

The party also assured steps for waiver of all educational loans taken by students.

"We will bring back the old pension scheme for both the central and state government employees," Stalin said.

The DMK president said the party would revert to the administered-price mechanism to regulate the prices of petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Another key feature of the manifesto is doing away with the direct cash transfer of subsidy for the LPG and bringing down the prices of cylinders.

The DMK is contesting 20 seats in the state, allotting the remaining 19 to its allies. The state goes to polls in a single phase on April 18.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam released its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on Tuesday. Among scores of announcements, the party made public that Sethusamudram project will be started again.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam released its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on Tuesday. Among scores of announcements, the party made public that Sethusamudram project will be started again. The project entails opening up of the ecologically fragile Gulf of Mannar for dredging. Hindus believe that Ram Sethu was used by Lord Rama to crossover to Lanka to rescue goddess Sita. Rationalists, on the other hand, believe that the inundated bund is not man-made but a creation of tidal waves over a period of time. Such was the furore in 2007 that the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had to withdraw the affidavit filed in the Supreme Court where the project was stated as a mythological feature. With cultural sentiments flying very high and the BJP also in the fray in Tamil Nadu for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, both Congress and the BJP will stay away from such controversial projects. AIADMK in its election manifesto: AIADMK will urge Government of India and the President to give due direction to the Governor of Tamil Nadu for release of the seven Tamil convicts as ordered by Supreme Court and approved by cabinet of Tamil Nadu govt. #LokSabhaElections2019 https://t.co/22UtSl55s4 — ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2019 × The Sethusamudram project will involve shipping routes to traverse from the Gulf of Mannar rather than circumnavigating around Sri Lanka. Key highlights of DMK manifesto Another controversial point in the manifesto is where the party says it will free former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi’s killers if they come to power. DMK chief MK Stalin also stated that National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance Test (NEET) would be abolished in Tamil Nadu and central offices in the state would function using Tamil as a co-official language. "The NEET for medical admissions will be scrapped," DMK chief M K Stalin said while unveiling the salient features of his party's manifesto. Opposition to NEET in Tamil Nadu from major political parties and students had taken emotive overtones in the past. The party also assured steps for waiver of all educational loans taken by students. "We will bring back the old pension scheme for both the central and state government employees," Stalin said. The DMK president said the party would revert to the administered-price mechanism to regulate the prices of petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Another key feature of the manifesto is doing away with the direct cash transfer of subsidy for the LPG and bringing down the prices of cylinders. The DMK is contesting 20 seats in the state, allotting the remaining 19 to its allies. The state goes to polls in a single phase on April 18.

Lok Sabha polls: DMK releases manifesto, promises to restart Sethusamudram project; abolish NEET

After an alliance with the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Rashtriya Lok Dal is looking to regain its base in western UP and win the three seats it will be contesting in the coming Lok Sabha election.

In 2014, the defeat of the then Union minister and Rashtriya Lok Dal president Ajit Singh in Baghpat to BJP's Satyapal Singh, who had resigned as Mumbai Police commissioner just before the election, was "unexpected" for many as he had never lost the seat since 1999.

"The defeat was seen as a big sign of how the BJP was consolidating the dominant Jat vote in its favour. This time, RLD has an opportunity to take a sweet revenge by improving its performance with the help of SP and BSP and get back the Jat vote in its fold," said political analyst Manjula Upadhyay.

RLD leaders are confident of repeating their performance of Kairana LS bypoll last year when they succeeded in getting back Jat votes they had lost to the BJP in 2014.

"During Kairana byelection, RLD leader Jayant Chowdhury's slogan to Jats was 'BJP Ki Poonch Nahi, RLD Ki Mooch Bano'. The call was a hit and he succeeded in invoking the name of his grandfather Chowdhury Charan Singh and reminding the Jats of his legacy," a senior RLD leader said.

During the Kairana bypoll, RLD candidate Tabassum Hasan succeeded in defeating the BJP in the high-profile battle necessitated following the death of BJP MP Hukum Singh.

RLD candidate Tabassum was supported by the Congress, SP and BSP.

Kairana was seen as a testing ground for the new-found opposition unity against the rising BJP then, and the win gave a boost to opposition's efforts to stitch a grand alliance against the saffron party.

Statistically, RLD's performance showed a downward trend after the death of former prime minister Chowdhury Charan Singh.

When Charan Singh died in 1987, Bharatiya Lok Dal had the maximum 83 legislators in Uttar Pradesh. The number dwindled over the years and came down to just one in 2017 assembly polls.

The best performance of RLD under Ajit Singh was in 2002 when it won 14 assembly seats in alliance with the BJP.

The party won five seats in 2009 Lok Sabha polls, again in alliance with the BJP, but during 2012 assembly polls, it forged an alliance with Congress and won nine assembly seats.

In 2014 general election and 2017 assembly polls, the party's performance was worst as it failed to turn voters in its favour and the BJP succeeded in making a dent in its vote bank.

Of the seven seats contested in 2014, the party lost all of them.

Even party chief Ajit Singh slipped to the third spot in his traditional Baghpat seat while his son Jayant Chowdhury lost to Bollywood actor-politician Hema Malini, who contested on a BJP ticket from Mathura.

Other candidates including Amar Singh, Jaya Prada and Rakesh Tikait also could not perform well and all of them lost.

In 2017 UP assembly polls, the RLD had contested 277 of the total 403 seats but won only one, Chhaprauli seat.

After entering an alliance with SP-BSP, the RLD will be contesting Baghpat, Muzaffarnagar and Mathura seats.

While party chief Ajit Singh is likely to contest from Muzaffarnagar, his son Jayant will be contesting from party's traditional seat Baghpat.

Asked about RLD's Lok Sabha prospects, a senior RLD leader said, "This time equations are in our favour. Be it Muslim, backwards, Dalits, Jats or any other community, all are in our favour. Farmers are angry due to non-payment of cane dues."

SP MLC Rajpal Kashyap, when asked about the alliance partner, said, "This is an alliance of ideologies and it will succeed in defeating the communal BJP. We are all committed to ensuring the victory of the alliance candidates.

After an alliance with the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Rashtriya Lok Dal is looking to regain its base in western UP and win the three seats it will be contesting in the coming Lok Sabha election.

After an alliance with the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Rashtriya Lok Dal is looking to regain its base in western UP and win the three seats it will be contesting in the coming Lok Sabha election. In 2014, the defeat of the then Union minister and Rashtriya Lok Dal president Ajit Singh in Baghpat to BJP's Satyapal Singh, who had resigned as Mumbai Police commissioner just before the election, was "unexpected" for many as he had never lost the seat since 1999. "The defeat was seen as a big sign of how the BJP was consolidating the dominant Jat vote in its favour. This time, RLD has an opportunity to take a sweet revenge by improving its performance with the help of SP and BSP and get back the Jat vote in its fold," said political analyst Manjula Upadhyay. RLD leaders are confident of repeating their performance of Kairana LS bypoll last year when they succeeded in getting back Jat votes they had lost to the BJP in 2014. "During Kairana byelection, RLD leader Jayant Chowdhury's slogan to Jats was 'BJP Ki Poonch Nahi, RLD Ki Mooch Bano'. The call was a hit and he succeeded in invoking the name of his grandfather Chowdhury Charan Singh and reminding the Jats of his legacy," a senior RLD leader said. During the Kairana bypoll, RLD candidate Tabassum Hasan succeeded in defeating the BJP in the high-profile battle necessitated following the death of BJP MP Hukum Singh. RLD candidate Tabassum was supported by the Congress, SP and BSP. Kairana was seen as a testing ground for the new-found opposition unity against the rising BJP then, and the win gave a boost to opposition's efforts to stitch a grand alliance against the saffron party. Statistically, RLD's performance showed a downward trend after the death of former prime minister Chowdhury Charan Singh. When Charan Singh died in 1987, Bharatiya Lok Dal had the maximum 83 legislators in Uttar Pradesh. The number dwindled over the years and came down to just one in 2017 assembly polls. The best performance of RLD under Ajit Singh was in 2002 when it won 14 assembly seats in alliance with the BJP. The party won five seats in 2009 Lok Sabha polls, again in alliance with the BJP, but during 2012 assembly polls, it forged an alliance with Congress and won nine assembly seats. In 2014 general election and 2017 assembly polls, the party's performance was worst as it failed to turn voters in its favour and the BJP succeeded in making a dent in its vote bank. Of the seven seats contested in 2014, the party lost all of them. Even party chief Ajit Singh slipped to the third spot in his traditional Baghpat seat while his son Jayant Chowdhury lost to Bollywood actor-politician Hema Malini, who contested on a BJP ticket from Mathura. Other candidates including Amar Singh, Jaya Prada and Rakesh Tikait also could not perform well and all of them lost. In 2017 UP assembly polls, the RLD had contested 277 of the total 403 seats but won only one, Chhaprauli seat. After entering an alliance with SP-BSP, the RLD will be contesting Baghpat, Muzaffarnagar and Mathura seats. While party chief Ajit Singh is likely to contest from Muzaffarnagar, his son Jayant will be contesting from party's traditional seat Baghpat. Asked about RLD's Lok Sabha prospects, a senior RLD leader said, "This time equations are in our favour. Be it Muslim, backwards, Dalits, Jats or any other community, all are in our favour. Farmers are angry due to non-payment of cane dues." SP MLC Rajpal Kashyap, when asked about the alliance partner, said, "This is an alliance of ideologies and it will succeed in defeating the communal BJP. We are all committed to ensuring the victory of the alliance candidates.

After alliance with SP-BSP, RLD looks to revive itself in west Uttar Pradesh

The Congress Party on Monday released its fifth list of 56 candidates including former President Pranab Mukherjee's son and sitting MP Abhijeet Mukherjee from West Bengal's Jangipur Lok Sabha seat, and former Union Minister MM Pallam Raju from Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada seat.

Out of 56 candidates, 22 are from Andhra Pradesh, five from Assam, six from Odisha, eight from Telangana, two from Uttar Pradesh, 11 from West Bengal and 1 from Lakshadweep.

So far, the Congress has declared 137 candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, which will be held in seven phases beginning April 11.

The last phase of polling is scheduled for May 19 and the counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Other than Raju, the 21 other candidates who will contest from Andhra Pradesh include, Shruti V. Devi (Araku), Dola Jaganmohan Rao (Srikakulam), Yedla Adiraju (Vizianagaram), Sreeram Murthy (Anakapalle), Janga Gowtham (Amalapuram), Nalluri Vijaya Srinivasa Rao (Rajahmundry), Kanumuri Bapurajau (Narsapuram), Jetti Gurunadho Rao (Eluru), Gollu Krishna (Machilipatnam), Shaik Mastan Valu (Guntur), Pakkala Suribabu (Narasdaraopet), Jesudasu Seelam (Bapatla), SDJM Prasad (Ongole), Ahmed Ali Khan (Kurnool), Kuncham Rajeev Reddy (Anantapur), KT Sreedhar (Hindpur), Gundlakunta Sreeramulu (Kadapa), Chevuru Devakumar Reddy (Nellore), Chinta Mohan (Tirupati) and Mohd Shahjahan Basha (Rajampet).

Voting for all 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh shall take place on April 11 in a single phase along with the Assembly polls.

Among those contesting from Telangana include Madhu Yashki Goud from Telangana's Nizamabad, M. Anjan Kumar Yadav from Secunderabad, Firoz Khan from Hyderabad, Dr CH Vamshichand Reddy from Mahbubnagar, Dr Mallu Ravi from Nagarkurnool, N Uttam Kumar Reddy from Nalgonda, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy from Bhongir, and Dommati Sambaiah from Warangal.

All 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana will go to polls in a single phase on April 11, which is also the first phase of Lok Sabha elections.

In Assam, the Congress has fielded Dr Cheemala Rangappa (Autonomous), Bhubaneswar Kalita (Mangaldoi), MGVK Bhanu (Tezpur), Pradyut Bordoloi (Nowgong) and Anil Borgohain (Lakhimpur).

Pradeep Kumar Devta (Bargarh), George Tirkey (Sundargarh), Bhakta Charan Das (Kalahandi), Pradeep Majhi (Nabarangpur), Manoj Kumar Acharya (Kandhamal) and V Chandrasekhar Naidu (Berhampur) are the six candidates who will contest on Parliamentary constituency from Odisha.

The Lok Sabha and Assembly polls will be held simultaneously in Odisha in four phases, beginning from April 11.

The last phase of polling in Odisha, which has 21 Lok Sabha seats and 147 Assembly seats at stake, will take place on April 29.

Congress'&nbsp;Harendra Agarwal, Dolly Sharma and Bansi Lal Pahadia will contest from the three major seats Meerut, Ghaziabad and Bulandshahr, respectively, in Uttar Pradesh where 80 Lok Sabha are seats are at stake.

Voting will take place in this state during all seven phases - from April 11 to May 19.

The 10 candidates for West Bengal, other than Abhijit Mukherjee, include Priya Roy Chowdhury from Coochbehar, Mohan Lal Basumata from Alipurduars, Mani Kumar Sarnal from Jalpaiguri, Shankar Malakar from Darjeeling, Deepa Dashmunshi from Raiganj, Sadik Sarkar from Balurghat, Isha Khan Chowdhary from Maldaha Uttar, Abu Hasem Khan Chowdhury from Maldaha Dakshin, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from Baharampur and Abhu Neha from Murshidabad.

M. Hamdullah Sayeed will contest from Lakshadweep which has only one Lok Sabha constituency. Voters in Lakshadweep will cast their vote on April 11.

The fifth list was declared after a meeting of the Congress Central Election Committee (CCE) chaired by party chief Rahul Gandhi on Monday.

The Congress party released its first list on March 7, declaring the candidature of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli and Congress president Rahul Gandhi from Amethi. The list of 15 candidates included 11 from Uttar Pradesh and four from Gujarat.&nbsp;

The Congress Party on Monday released its fifth list of 56 candidates including former President Pranab Mukherjee's son and sitting MP Abhijeet Mukherjee from West Bengal's Jangipur Lok Sabha seat, and former Union Minister MM Pallam Raju from Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada seat.

The Congress Party on Monday released its fifth list of 56 candidates including former President Pranab Mukherjee's son and sitting MP Abhijeet Mukherjee from West Bengal's Jangipur Lok Sabha seat, and former Union Minister MM Pallam Raju from Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada seat. Out of 56 candidates, 22 are from Andhra Pradesh, five from Assam, six from Odisha, eight from Telangana, two from Uttar Pradesh, 11 from West Bengal and 1 from Lakshadweep. So far, the Congress has declared 137 candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, which will be held in seven phases beginning April 11. The last phase of polling is scheduled for May 19 and the counting of votes will take place on May 23. Other than Raju, the 21 other candidates who will contest from Andhra Pradesh include, Shruti V. Devi (Araku), Dola Jaganmohan Rao (Srikakulam), Yedla Adiraju (Vizianagaram), Sreeram Murthy (Anakapalle), Janga Gowtham (Amalapuram), Nalluri Vijaya Srinivasa Rao (Rajahmundry), Kanumuri Bapurajau (Narsapuram), Jetti Gurunadho Rao (Eluru), Gollu Krishna (Machilipatnam), Shaik Mastan Valu (Guntur), Pakkala Suribabu (Narasdaraopet), Jesudasu Seelam (Bapatla), SDJM Prasad (Ongole), Ahmed Ali Khan (Kurnool), Kuncham Rajeev Reddy (Anantapur), KT Sreedhar (Hindpur), Gundlakunta Sreeramulu (Kadapa), Chevuru Devakumar Reddy (Nellore), Chinta Mohan (Tirupati) and Mohd Shahjahan Basha (Rajampet). Voting for all 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh shall take place on April 11 in a single phase along with the Assembly polls. Among those contesting from Telangana include Madhu Yashki Goud from Telangana's Nizamabad, M. Anjan Kumar Yadav from Secunderabad, Firoz Khan from Hyderabad, Dr CH Vamshichand Reddy from Mahbubnagar, Dr Mallu Ravi from Nagarkurnool, N Uttam Kumar Reddy from Nalgonda, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy from Bhongir, and Dommati Sambaiah from Warangal. All 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana will go to polls in a single phase on April 11, which is also the first phase of Lok Sabha elections. In Assam, the Congress has fielded Dr Cheemala Rangappa (Autonomous), Bhubaneswar Kalita (Mangaldoi), MGVK Bhanu (Tezpur), Pradyut Bordoloi (Nowgong) and Anil Borgohain (Lakhimpur). Pradeep Kumar Devta (Bargarh), George Tirkey (Sundargarh), Bhakta Charan Das (Kalahandi), Pradeep Majhi (Nabarangpur), Manoj Kumar Acharya (Kandhamal) and V Chandrasekhar Naidu (Berhampur) are the six candidates who will contest on Parliamentary constituency from Odisha. The Lok Sabha and Assembly polls will be held simultaneously in Odisha in four phases, beginning from April 11. The last phase of polling in Odisha, which has 21 Lok Sabha seats and 147 Assembly seats at stake, will take place on April 29. Congress' Harendra Agarwal, Dolly Sharma and Bansi Lal Pahadia will contest from the three major seats Meerut, Ghaziabad and Bulandshahr, respectively, in Uttar Pradesh where 80 Lok Sabha are seats are at stake. Voting will take place in this state during all seven phases - from April 11 to May 19. The 10 candidates for West Bengal, other than Abhijit Mukherjee, include Priya Roy Chowdhury from Coochbehar, Mohan Lal Basumata from Alipurduars, Mani Kumar Sarnal from Jalpaiguri, Shankar Malakar from Darjeeling, Deepa Dashmunshi from Raiganj, Sadik Sarkar from Balurghat, Isha Khan Chowdhary from Maldaha Uttar, Abu Hasem Khan Chowdhury from Maldaha Dakshin, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from Baharampur and Abhu Neha from Murshidabad. M. Hamdullah Sayeed will contest from Lakshadweep which has only one Lok Sabha constituency. Voters in Lakshadweep will cast their vote on April 11. The fifth list was declared after a meeting of the Congress Central Election Committee (CCE) chaired by party chief Rahul Gandhi on Monday. The Congress party released its first list on March 7, declaring the candidature of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli and Congress president Rahul Gandhi from Amethi. The list of 15 candidates included 11 from Uttar Pradesh and four from Gujarat.

Lok Sabha polls: Congress releases 5th list; fields Pranab Mukherjee's son from Jangipur

N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telegu Desam party on Tuesday released a list of 25 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections along with its third list of 36 candidates for the state assembly elections.&nbsp;

According to reports, Ashok Gajapathi Raju will contest from Vizianagaram Lok Sabha seat, Kesineni Srinivas from Vijayawada, Galla Jayadev from Guntur and N Sivaprasad from Chittoor.

This comes just a few days after the party released a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tdp-announces-126-candidates-for-assembly-polls-naidu-son-nara-lokesh-to-contest-203399">list of 126 candidates for the April 11 assembly elections</a> last Thursday.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is slated to contest from Kuppam assembly constituency while his son, IT Minister Nara Lokesh will fight from Mangalagiri.

Andhra Pradesh will conduct state assembly elections on April 11.&nbsp;

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora had announced the elections for the 175 Assembly seats and the 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh will take place on April 11 in a single phase.

The results of the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls will be announced on May 23.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telegu Desam party on Tuesday released a list of 25 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections along with its third list of 36 candidates for the state assembly elections.

N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telegu Desam party on Tuesday released a list of 25 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections along with its third list of 36 candidates for the state assembly elections. According to reports, Ashok Gajapathi Raju will contest from Vizianagaram Lok Sabha seat, Kesineni Srinivas from Vijayawada, Galla Jayadev from Guntur and N Sivaprasad from Chittoor. This comes just a few days after the party released a list of 126 candidates for the April 11 assembly elections last Thursday. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is slated to contest from Kuppam assembly constituency while his son, IT Minister Nara Lokesh will fight from Mangalagiri. Andhra Pradesh will conduct state assembly elections on April 11. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora had announced the elections for the 175 Assembly seats and the 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh will take place on April 11 in a single phase. The results of the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls will be announced on May 23. (With inputs from ANI)

TDP releases names of 25 candidates for Lok Sabha polls, third list for assembly elections 

WION India Election Watch, 18th March, 2019

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Lok Sabha polls: A closer look at the key constituents of the National Democratic Alliance

A month after declaring an alliance with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress on Friday said it will field 11 candidates in Bihar for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, where 40 parliamentary seats are at stake.

"The decision was taken at a meeting of Congress Election Committee. There is no meaning of sending names of more than 11 candidates as we were offered only 11 seats. Rahul Gandhi will take a final call on the names of candidates and soon he will declare the names," Congress leader Akhilesh Singh told ANI after the meeting.

The grand alliance formed by the Opposition in Bihar includes the Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD), Congress, Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP), Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), Lok Jantrantrik Dal (LJD) and Vikas Sheel Insaan Party (VIP).

Earlier, the Congress had put forward a demand of 12 seats, including a seat for senior leader and former Union Minister Tariq Anwar who recently returned to the party after leaving NCP.

The RJD is adamant in contesting at least 20 seats. On March 13, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had claimed that there is no confusion among the leaders of Bihar Mahagathbandhan regarding "seat-sharing".Congress leader Ranjeet Ranjan on Friday said that the &nbsp;Bihar 'Mahagathbandhan'&nbsp;(grand alliance) candidate list will be announced on March 17 and her husband Pappu Yadav is likely to be a part of it.

Addressing media persons, Ranjan said, "Mahagathbandhan in Bihar will announce its list of candidates on March 17. I think Pappu Yadav will become a part of the gathbandhan."

Pappu Yadav is currently the leader of Jan Adhikar Party-Loktantrik (JAP-L) and had defeated Sharad Yadav in 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Madhepura constituency.

There are 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. Bihar will go to polls in all the seven phases on April 11, 18, 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. The results would be announced on May 23.

A month after declaring an alliance with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress on Friday said it will field 11 candidates in Bihar for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, where 40 parliamentary seats are at stake.

A month after declaring an alliance with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress on Friday said it will field 11 candidates in Bihar for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, where 40 parliamentary seats are at stake. "The decision was taken at a meeting of Congress Election Committee. There is no meaning of sending names of more than 11 candidates as we were offered only 11 seats. Rahul Gandhi will take a final call on the names of candidates and soon he will declare the names," Congress leader Akhilesh Singh told ANI after the meeting. The grand alliance formed by the Opposition in Bihar includes the Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD), Congress, Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP), Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), Lok Jantrantrik Dal (LJD) and Vikas Sheel Insaan Party (VIP). Earlier, the Congress had put forward a demand of 12 seats, including a seat for senior leader and former Union Minister Tariq Anwar who recently returned to the party after leaving NCP. The RJD is adamant in contesting at least 20 seats. On March 13, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had claimed that there is no confusion among the leaders of Bihar Mahagathbandhan regarding "seat-sharing".Congress leader Ranjeet Ranjan on Friday said that the Bihar 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) candidate list will be announced on March 17 and her husband Pappu Yadav is likely to be a part of it. Addressing media persons, Ranjan said, "Mahagathbandhan in Bihar will announce its list of candidates on March 17. I think Pappu Yadav will become a part of the gathbandhan." Pappu Yadav is currently the leader of Jan Adhikar Party-Loktantrik (JAP-L) and had defeated Sharad Yadav in 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Madhepura constituency. There are 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. Bihar will go to polls in all the seven phases on April 11, 18, 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. The results would be announced on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls: Congress to fight 11 seats in Bihar

Telugu Desam Party late on Thursday night released a list of 126 candidates for the April 11 assembly elections, which includes Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu who will contest from Kuppam constituency while his son, IT Minister Nara Lokesh will fight from Mangalagiri constituency.

At a late night press conference, the AP chief minister announced the list of candidates for the assembly election, which will be held simultaneously with the 17th Lok Sabha elections on April 11 this year.

With the release of the list, the CM said TDP has launched its "Mission 150 Plus" to secure 150 seats in the 175-member Assembly.

The party will also announce its list for the Lok Sabha polls on Friday.

Naidu will contest from the Kuppam constituency in his native Chittoor district for the seventh time.

Nara Lokesh will contest from Mangalagiri constituency in Amaravati while Tollywood actor and Lokesh's father-in-law, MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna, will once again contest from his constituency Hindupur.

Before commencing full swing campaign mode, Naidu will visit Chittoor and take the blessings of Lord Venkateswara atop the Tirumala Hills on Friday.

"I'll go to Chittoor for Tirupati darshan tomorrow. I'll go to all the other districts to meet with party cadres. From March 20, we'll go in full swing campaign mode," Naidu told media persons.

Naidu said he conducted surveys and took public opinion into consideration before selecting the candidates. "Most of the candidates got 86 per cent satisfaction feedback from the public," he said.

Naidu said he had given the slogan "Your future our responsibility" and requested them to take responsibility and "vote for the TDP and give us clear mandate of 150 seats."18 of the 24 ministers in the Chandrababu's cabinet got tickets.

Cabinet ministers who found place in the first 16 candidates are -- Bendalam Ashok (Ichapuram), Gouthu Sireesha (Palasa), Kinjarapu Atchem Naidu (Tekkali), Kalamata Venkataramana (Pathapatnam), Gunda Lakshmi Devi (Srikakulam), Kuna Ravi Kumar (Amudalavalasa), Kimidi Kala Venkata Rao (Etcherla), Baggu Ramanamurthy (Narsannapeta), Kondru Murali Mohan (Rajam), Janardhan Dhatraj (Kurupam), Bobbili Chiranjeevulu (Parvathipuram), R.P Banjdev (Salur), Sujayakrishna Rangarao (Bobbili), Kimidi Nagarjuna (Cheepurupalle), K.A Naidu (Gajapathinagaram) and Kolla Lalitha Kumari (S.Kota).

The names of HRD minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Forests minister Sidda Raghavarao were not mentioned in the first list. However, it is being reported that&nbsp;Naidu has kept their names aside for the general elections.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora on Sunday in New Delhi announced the elections for the 175 Assembly seats and the 25 Lok Sabha seats&nbsp;in&nbsp;Andhra Pradesh will take place on April 11 in a single phase.

The results of the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls will be announced on May 23.&nbsp;

Telugu Desam Party late on Thursday night released a list of 126 candidates for the April 11 assembly elections, which includes Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu who will contest from Kuppam constituency while his son, IT Minister Nara Lokesh will fight from Mangalagiri constituency.

Telugu Desam Party late on Thursday night released a list of 126 candidates for the April 11 assembly elections, which includes Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu who will contest from Kuppam constituency while his son, IT Minister Nara Lokesh will fight from Mangalagiri constituency. At a late night press conference, the AP chief minister announced the list of candidates for the assembly election, which will be held simultaneously with the 17th Lok Sabha elections on April 11 this year. With the release of the list, the CM said TDP has launched its "Mission 150 Plus" to secure 150 seats in the 175-member Assembly. The party will also announce its list for the Lok Sabha polls on Friday. Naidu will contest from the Kuppam constituency in his native Chittoor district for the seventh time. Nara Lokesh will contest from Mangalagiri constituency in Amaravati while Tollywood actor and Lokesh's father-in-law, MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna, will once again contest from his constituency Hindupur. Before commencing full swing campaign mode, Naidu will visit Chittoor and take the blessings of Lord Venkateswara atop the Tirumala Hills on Friday. "I'll go to Chittoor for Tirupati darshan tomorrow. I'll go to all the other districts to meet with party cadres. From March 20, we'll go in full swing campaign mode," Naidu told media persons. Naidu said he conducted surveys and took public opinion into consideration before selecting the candidates. "Most of the candidates got 86 per cent satisfaction feedback from the public," he said. Naidu said he had given the slogan "Your future our responsibility" and requested them to take responsibility and "vote for the TDP and give us clear mandate of 150 seats."18 of the 24 ministers in the Chandrababu's cabinet got tickets. Cabinet ministers who found place in the first 16 candidates are -- Bendalam Ashok (Ichapuram), Gouthu Sireesha (Palasa), Kinjarapu Atchem Naidu (Tekkali), Kalamata Venkataramana (Pathapatnam), Gunda Lakshmi Devi (Srikakulam), Kuna Ravi Kumar (Amudalavalasa), Kimidi Kala Venkata Rao (Etcherla), Baggu Ramanamurthy (Narsannapeta), Kondru Murali Mohan (Rajam), Janardhan Dhatraj (Kurupam), Bobbili Chiranjeevulu (Parvathipuram), R.P Banjdev (Salur), Sujayakrishna Rangarao (Bobbili), Kimidi Nagarjuna (Cheepurupalle), K.A Naidu (Gajapathinagaram) and Kolla Lalitha Kumari (S.Kota). The names of HRD minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Forests minister Sidda Raghavarao were not mentioned in the first list. However, it is being reported that Naidu has kept their names aside for the general elections. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora on Sunday in New Delhi announced the elections for the 175 Assembly seats and the 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh will take place on April 11 in a single phase. The results of the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls will be announced on May 23.

TDP announces 126 candidates for Assembly polls; Naidu, son Nara Lokesh to contest

Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are set to jointly kick-start their election campaign for ensuing Lok Sabha elections with a joint rally in Kolhapur on March 24, a &nbsp;joint statement released by both parties confirmed.

“The first joint rally of Shiv Sena-BJP will be held on March 24. There will be joint rally/ meetings of their party workers before that,” the statement said.

“The joint meetings with both parties’ workers are scheduled to take place on March 15, March 17 and March 18 at different locations.

These meetings will be addressed by the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray,” it said.

According to the information out, after the meetings with party workers, a big joint rally of senior leaders from both parties would be held in Kolhapur on March 24.

“A joint manifesto will be released soon. Dates for the grand joint meeting of Mumbai workers from both parties will be announced later,” the statement further said.

BJP-Shiv Sena had last month finalised a plan to contest the upcoming elections jointly. While BJP will contest on 25 seats, Shiv Sena will contest on 23 seats.

Although both the parties have been in alliance for past several decades, they broke up in 2014 for a brief time just before the legislative elections in Maharashtra.

BJP demanded a higher share of seats which Shiv Sena was not willing to concede.

Out of 288 legislative seats, BJP won 122 while Shiv Sena managed to win only 63 seats.

Shiv Sena later joined the government headed by BJP Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Even while being a part of the alliance, it repeatedly criticised the central and state government of which it was a part.

The two parties contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections jointly and won a landslide victory.

Out of 48 seats, the BJP-Shiv Sena combined managed to win 41 seats.

Swabhimani Shetkari Saghtana (then in NDA) headed by Raju Shetti also won one seat.

This year, Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra are slated to take place in four phases. The results will be announced on May 23.

Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are set to jointly kick-start their election campaign for ensuing Lok Sabha elections with a joint rally in Kolhapur on March 24, a joint statement released by both parties confirmed.

Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are set to jointly kick-start their election campaign for ensuing Lok Sabha elections with a joint rally in Kolhapur on March 24, a joint statement released by both parties confirmed. “The first joint rally of Shiv Sena-BJP will be held on March 24. There will be joint rally/ meetings of their party workers before that,” the statement said. “The joint meetings with both parties’ workers are scheduled to take place on March 15, March 17 and March 18 at different locations. These meetings will be addressed by the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray,” it said. According to the information out, after the meetings with party workers, a big joint rally of senior leaders from both parties would be held in Kolhapur on March 24. “A joint manifesto will be released soon. Dates for the grand joint meeting of Mumbai workers from both parties will be announced later,” the statement further said. BJP-Shiv Sena had last month finalised a plan to contest the upcoming elections jointly. While BJP will contest on 25 seats, Shiv Sena will contest on 23 seats. Although both the parties have been in alliance for past several decades, they broke up in 2014 for a brief time just before the legislative elections in Maharashtra. BJP demanded a higher share of seats which Shiv Sena was not willing to concede. Out of 288 legislative seats, BJP won 122 while Shiv Sena managed to win only 63 seats. Shiv Sena later joined the government headed by BJP Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Even while being a part of the alliance, it repeatedly criticised the central and state government of which it was a part. The two parties contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections jointly and won a landslide victory. Out of 48 seats, the BJP-Shiv Sena combined managed to win 41 seats. Swabhimani Shetkari Saghtana (then in NDA) headed by Raju Shetti also won one seat. This year, Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra are slated to take place in four phases. The results will be announced on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls: BJP-Shiv Sena to begin joint poll campaign from March 24

The BSE Sensex climbed 481.56 points to close at 37, 535 on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The Nifty meanwhile climbed 133.15 points to close at 11,301.&nbsp;

The Sensex closed at a six-month high on Monday, after the announcement of the dates for the general elections a day earlier on Sunday. &nbsp;

New reports Tuesday said strong global cues and uninterrupted buying by foreign investors were helping prop up the surge.&nbsp;

And that a stronger rupee was contributing to the positive market sentiments.&nbsp;

The BSE Sensex climbed 481.56 points to close at 37, 535 on Tuesday. The Nifty meanwhile climbed 133.15 points to close at 11,301. The Sensex closed at a six-month high on Monday, after the announcement of the dates for the general elections a day earlier on Sunday.

The BSE Sensex climbed 481.56 points to close at 37, 535 on Tuesday. The Nifty meanwhile climbed 133.15 points to close at 11,301. The Sensex closed at a six-month high on Monday, after the announcement of the dates for the general elections a day earlier on Sunday. New reports Tuesday said strong global cues and uninterrupted buying by foreign investors were helping prop up the surge. And that a stronger rupee was contributing to the positive market sentiments.

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