Telangana registered 22.84 per cent polling till 11 am as polling in the first of the seven-phased general elections began on Thursday, according to an official communication.

Of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state, polling in 16 began at 7 am, the whole <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-kcrs-daughter-faces-farmers-ire-as-nizamabad-votes-in-first-phase-209466">voting process in Nizamabad</a> started an hour later.

"Polling process is going on peacefully across Telangana," state Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar said.

Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-2019-voting-underway-in-91-seats-in-first-phase-209404">Naxals trigger IED blast at polling booth in Maharashtra; no injuries reported</a>

TRS president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha, former Union Minister Renuka Chowdary and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi are among the key candidates in the fray from the state.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan, K Chandrasekhar Rao, TRS working president KT Rama Rao, Kavitha, Owaisi and film actors Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, Allu Arjun, Junior NTR and 'Baahubali' moviemaker S S Rajamouli were among those who cast their vote.

KCR, along with his wife, exercised his franchise in Chintamadaka village in Siddipet district.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/indias-general-election-begins-with-voting-in-first-of-seven-phases-209447">India's general election begins with voting in first of seven phases</a>

Over 2.97 crore voters would decide the fate of 443 candidates in the state.

In 13 Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-effected Assembly segments under five parliamentary constituencies polling would be held from 7 am to 4 pm.

In Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency, where 185 candidates, including more than 170 farmers, are in the fray, voting began from 8 am as mock polling took more time compared to other constituencies in view of a large number of candidates.

The farmers have entered the fray in large numbers to highlight their demand for the remunerative price to turmeric and red jowar. The Election Commission decided to conduct polling in Nizamabad with EVMs despite a large number of candidates and made arrangements accordingly.

As many as 145 companies of central paramilitary forces, besides over 55,000 state police have been deployed for security arrangements.&nbsp;

Telangana registered 22.84 per cent polling till 11 am as polling in the first of the seven-phased general elections began on Thursday, according to an official communication.

Telangana registered 22.84 per cent polling till 11 am as polling in the first of the seven-phased general elections began on Thursday, according to an official communication. Of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state, polling in 16 began at 7 am, the whole voting process in Nizamabad started an hour later. "Polling process is going on peacefully across Telangana," state Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar said. Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: Naxals trigger IED blast at polling booth in Maharashtra; no injuries reported TRS president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha, former Union Minister Renuka Chowdary and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi are among the key candidates in the fray from the state. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan, K Chandrasekhar Rao, TRS working president KT Rama Rao, Kavitha, Owaisi and film actors Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, Allu Arjun, Junior NTR and 'Baahubali' moviemaker S S Rajamouli were among those who cast their vote. KCR, along with his wife, exercised his franchise in Chintamadaka village in Siddipet district. Also read: India's general election begins with voting in first of seven phases Over 2.97 crore voters would decide the fate of 443 candidates in the state. In 13 Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-effected Assembly segments under five parliamentary constituencies polling would be held from 7 am to 4 pm. In Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency, where 185 candidates, including more than 170 farmers, are in the fray, voting began from 8 am as mock polling took more time compared to other constituencies in view of a large number of candidates. The farmers have entered the fray in large numbers to highlight their demand for the remunerative price to turmeric and red jowar. The Election Commission decided to conduct polling in Nizamabad with EVMs despite a large number of candidates and made arrangements accordingly. As many as 145 companies of central paramilitary forces, besides over 55,000 state police have been deployed for security arrangements.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: 22.84% polling in Telangana till 11 am

A total of 3,09,233 differently-abled voters have registered themselves for the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra which will be held in four phases beginning April 11, an election official has said.&nbsp;

The official from the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said that additional facilities will be provided to such voters for exercising their franchise.

Of the 3,09, 233 differently-abled voters, 51,605 electors are visually disabled and have low vision, while 35887 voters are hearing and speech impaired, he said, adding that 1,61,920 voters have Osteogenesis while 59,821 voters are physically disabled.

“Ramps, wheelchairs and volunteer facilities are provided for differently-abled voters at the polling booths. Visually disabled and physically handicapped voters are permitted to take a companion along with them,” the official said. He said a Braille script facility is provided on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the visually disabled and low vision voters.

The official said the Election Commission has kept the target of “Accessible Elections” with the objective of increasing differently abled voters in the voting. A large number of differently-abled voters have been registered for the Lok Sabha polls with the cooperation of the Differently-abled Welfare Commissionarate and Non-Governmental Organisations, he said.

Some of the facilities and amenities given at polling booths include an arrangement for voter assistance centres, first aid facilities, drinking water and toilets at booths, information Notice Board for the guidance of voters, free conveyance for handicapped voters at polling booths, specially assisted polling booth for differently-abled in selected schools and Identity Card for visually-disabled voters in Braille script.&nbsp;

Elections for all the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra will be held on April 11, 18, 23 and 29.

A total of 3,09,233 differently-abled voters have registered themselves for the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra which will be held in four phases beginning April 11, an election official has said.

A total of 3,09,233 differently-abled voters have registered themselves for the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra which will be held in four phases beginning April 11, an election official has said. The official from the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said that additional facilities will be provided to such voters for exercising their franchise. Of the 3,09, 233 differently-abled voters, 51,605 electors are visually disabled and have low vision, while 35887 voters are hearing and speech impaired, he said, adding that 1,61,920 voters have Osteogenesis while 59,821 voters are physically disabled. “Ramps, wheelchairs and volunteer facilities are provided for differently-abled voters at the polling booths. Visually disabled and physically handicapped voters are permitted to take a companion along with them,” the official said. He said a Braille script facility is provided on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the visually disabled and low vision voters. The official said the Election Commission has kept the target of “Accessible Elections” with the objective of increasing differently abled voters in the voting. A large number of differently-abled voters have been registered for the Lok Sabha polls with the cooperation of the Differently-abled Welfare Commissionarate and Non-Governmental Organisations, he said. Some of the facilities and amenities given at polling booths include an arrangement for voter assistance centres, first aid facilities, drinking water and toilets at booths, information Notice Board for the guidance of voters, free conveyance for handicapped voters at polling booths, specially assisted polling booth for differently-abled in selected schools and Identity Card for visually-disabled voters in Braille script. Elections for all the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra will be held on April 11, 18, 23 and 29.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Over 3 lakh differently-abled people to vote in Maharashtra

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to file his nomination papers from Lucknow on April 16.

President of BJP's Lucknow Mahanagar unit Mukesh Sharma Wednesday said, "Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the MP from Lucknow, will address party workers at UP BJP office on April 16, and then proceed to the collectorate along with ministers and MLAs to file nomination papers from Lucknow parliamentary constituency."&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to file his nomination papers from Lucknow on April 16. President of BJP's Lucknow Mahanagar unit Mukesh Sharma Wednesday said, "Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the MP from Lucknow, will address party workers at UP BJP office on April 16, and then proceed to the collectorate along with ministers and MLAs to file nomination papers from Lucknow parliamentary constituency.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to file his nomination papers from Lucknow on April 16. President of BJP's Lucknow Mahanagar unit Mukesh Sharma Wednesday said, "Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the MP from Lucknow, will address party workers at UP BJP office on April 16, and then proceed to the collectorate along with ministers and MLAs to file nomination papers from Lucknow parliamentary constituency."

Rajnath Singh likely to file nomination from Lucknow on April 16

Indore MP and outgoing Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Wednesday said politics cannot have a fixed retirement age as is the case with government jobs, days after she opted out of the poll fray amidst speculations that the BJP was not keen to field leaders above 75 years of age.&nbsp;

Mahajan, who has been winning from Indore constituency since 1989, also said she did not have any authentic information about her party’s policy about not giving tickets to those leaders who 75 plus.

As the BJP dithered on announcing the candidate for the Indore seat, Mahajan announced on April 5 that she would not contest the Lok Sabha elections. Mahajan had written to BJP chief Amit Shah stating that she has freed the party to make its choice for Indore seat. Mahajan turns 76 Friday.

“Politics cannot be compared with government jobs. Retirement age in government service is pre-determined. However, this cannot be done in politics because politicians are directly involved with happiness and sorrows of the common people and work for them beyond deadlines,” Mahajan said. The MP recalled that Morarji Desai had become prime minister of the country when he was 81.

In an interview to The Week magazine recently, Shah had stated that it was his party’s decision not to give Lok Sabha poll tickets to those above 75 years of age, leading to veteran leaders like L K Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi missing out. Though he had not named Mahajan, the outgoing Lok Sabha speaker too falls in the same age bracket.

When asked about Shah’s statement, Mahajan said as she was occupied with the responsibilities of the post of Lok Sabha Speaker, she could not attend the meetings held by BJP’s central organisation in the last five years and thus is not aware of any such age bar policy.

“I don’t have any authentic information about the party meeting in which the policy regarding not giving tickets to party leaders who crossed 75 was decided. I am not aware of this. Only Amit Shah can say anything in this regard,” she said.

Mahajan, however, said, “If there is a policy decided by BJP organisation for the leaders above 75 years of age, then the party workers have to abide by it”.

In reply to a question, Mahajan said, “I am not so old that I have to retire from politics. I have been working for the BJP and will continue to do so”. Mahajan also took potshots at proposed “Maha gathbandhan” or grand-alliance of Opposition parties over the claims of winnability in the Lok Sabha elections, slated to be held in seven phases from April 11. “Any political party must have at least 272 Lok Sabha seats to form a government at the Centre. But, the Congress and other Opposition parties involved in the so-called ‘maha gathbandhan’ are not even contesting those many seats,” she said.

Mahajan also said various factions of the proposed bloc are divided across states and there is no consensus on their prime ministerial candidate. “I feel that the ‘Maha gathbandhan’s main objective is to claim the post of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and not to form the next government,” Mahajan quipped.

She also questioned financial feasibility of the proposed “Nyay” scheme of the Congress for the poor. Congress president Rahul Gandhi had announced the scheme which he promised to implement if his party is voted to power. The scheme envisages depositing Rs 72,000 per year to the poorest people. “The poor have suffered and faced injustice during the rule of the Congress which had talked about ‘Gareebi Hatao’ (eradication of poverty). Rahul should calculate whether the government would be able to arrange so much money that it can deposit Rs 72,000 in the bank account of each poor?” she asked.

Indore MP and outgoing Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Wednesday said politics cannot have a fixed retirement age as is the case with government jobs, days after she opted out of the poll fray amidst speculations that the BJP was not keen to field leaders above 75 years of age.

Indore MP and outgoing Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Wednesday said politics cannot have a fixed retirement age as is the case with government jobs, days after she opted out of the poll fray amidst speculations that the BJP was not keen to field leaders above 75 years of age. Mahajan, who has been winning from Indore constituency since 1989, also said she did not have any authentic information about her party’s policy about not giving tickets to those leaders who 75 plus. As the BJP dithered on announcing the candidate for the Indore seat, Mahajan announced on April 5 that she would not contest the Lok Sabha elections. Mahajan had written to BJP chief Amit Shah stating that she has freed the party to make its choice for Indore seat. Mahajan turns 76 Friday. “Politics cannot be compared with government jobs. Retirement age in government service is pre-determined. However, this cannot be done in politics because politicians are directly involved with happiness and sorrows of the common people and work for them beyond deadlines,” Mahajan said. The MP recalled that Morarji Desai had become prime minister of the country when he was 81. In an interview to The Week magazine recently, Shah had stated that it was his party’s decision not to give Lok Sabha poll tickets to those above 75 years of age, leading to veteran leaders like L K Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi missing out. Though he had not named Mahajan, the outgoing Lok Sabha speaker too falls in the same age bracket. When asked about Shah’s statement, Mahajan said as she was occupied with the responsibilities of the post of Lok Sabha Speaker, she could not attend the meetings held by BJP’s central organisation in the last five years and thus is not aware of any such age bar policy. “I don’t have any authentic information about the party meeting in which the policy regarding not giving tickets to party leaders who crossed 75 was decided. I am not aware of this. Only Amit Shah can say anything in this regard,” she said. Mahajan, however, said, “If there is a policy decided by BJP organisation for the leaders above 75 years of age, then the party workers have to abide by it”. In reply to a question, Mahajan said, “I am not so old that I have to retire from politics. I have been working for the BJP and will continue to do so”. Mahajan also took potshots at proposed “Maha gathbandhan” or grand-alliance of Opposition parties over the claims of winnability in the Lok Sabha elections, slated to be held in seven phases from April 11. “Any political party must have at least 272 Lok Sabha seats to form a government at the Centre. But, the Congress and other Opposition parties involved in the so-called ‘maha gathbandhan’ are not even contesting those many seats,” she said. Mahajan also said various factions of the proposed bloc are divided across states and there is no consensus on their prime ministerial candidate. “I feel that the ‘Maha gathbandhan’s main objective is to claim the post of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and not to form the next government,” Mahajan quipped. She also questioned financial feasibility of the proposed “Nyay” scheme of the Congress for the poor. Congress president Rahul Gandhi had announced the scheme which he promised to implement if his party is voted to power. The scheme envisages depositing Rs 72,000 per year to the poorest people. “The poor have suffered and faced injustice during the rule of the Congress which had talked about ‘Gareebi Hatao’ (eradication of poverty). Rahul should calculate whether the government would be able to arrange so much money that it can deposit Rs 72,000 in the bank account of each poor?” she asked.

Politics cannot have a fixed retirement age: Sumitra Mahajan after deciding not to contest Lok Sabha elections

Ninety-one <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-led-alliance-to-win-thin-majority-in-lok-sabha-elections-2019-poll-shows-ahead-of-vote-209027">Lok Sabha</a> constituencies spread across 18 states and two Union Territories, including all in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, will go to polls on Thursday in the first phase, with Nitin Gadkari, Kiren Rijiju and VK Singh among several Union ministers in the fray.

There are 900 million Indians, including 15.9 million first-time voters, who will choose 543 MPs in the seven-phase polls, which start on April 11 and lasts nearly six weeks. The results will be announced on May 23.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a second term but faces opposition from Rahul Gandhi, the head of the Congress party, who is urging voters to look at the prime minister's economic record and turf him out.

But Congress faces a formidable opponent in Modi, with polling showing support for Modi is higher now than in 2014 when his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won an outright majority. Congress ruled India for much of its modern history but was reduced to a rump in 2014.

While Modi is contesting elections from Varanasi in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi has filed nominations from two places - Wayanad in Kerala and his home constituency of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.

Voting will take place in seven phases, beginning on Thursday. Nearly 1 million polling booths will be set up across the country.

In Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim and Odisha, assembly polls to 175, 32 and 28 seats, respectively, will be held simultaneously in the first phase. This is the first general election in Andhra Pradesh after its bifurcation in 2014.

All 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana will also go to polls in phase one.

In Uttar Pradesh, the ruling BJP will clash with the newly-formed SP-BSP-RLD alliance on eight seats in the first phase. These seats mostly lie in the western part of the state.

Seven Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will go to polls, with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari locked in a battle with Congress's Nana Patole, a former BJP MP. Union minister and BJP leader, Hansaraj Ahir is seeking a fourth term from Chandrapur.

In Bihar, four Lok Sabha seats will see polling on Thursday. LJP leader Chirag Paswan is contesting from Jamui reserved seat. He is the sitting MP and is locked in a virtual straight contest with Bhudeo Chaudhary of RLSP.

In the North East, of the two seats in Arunachal Pradesh Union Minister Kiren Rijiju is seeking re-election from Arunachal West. Four seats in Assam will go to polls, with former chief minister Tarun Gogoi's son Gaurav testing poll waters from Kaliabor.

In Chhattisgarh where one Lok Sabha seat, Bastar, is going to polls, security has been tightened following a Naxal attack in the constituency's Dantewada area on Tuesday. A BJP leader and four security personnel were killed. Nearly 80,000 troops, police and paramilitary personnel will be deployed in the state to ensure violence-free election.

Six million voters in Odisha will exercise their franchise in the first phase of polls for four Lok Sabha and 28 assembly seats on Thursday. The first phase of polls will decide the fate of 217 candidates. There are 26 hopefuls in fray for Lok Sabha seats and 191 for assembly seats.

Two seats each in West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and Meghalaya will also see polling in the first phase.

Lone Lok Sabha seats going to polls on April 11 include Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar, and Lakshadweep.

Ninety-one Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 18 states and two Union Territories, including all in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, will go to polls on Thursday in the first phase, with Nitin Gadkari, Kiren Rijiju and VK Singh among several Union ministers in the fray.

Ninety-one Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 18 states and two Union Territories, including all in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, will go to polls on Thursday in the first phase, with Nitin Gadkari, Kiren Rijiju and VK Singh among several Union ministers in the fray. There are 900 million Indians, including 15.9 million first-time voters, who will choose 543 MPs in the seven-phase polls, which start on April 11 and lasts nearly six weeks. The results will be announced on May 23. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a second term but faces opposition from Rahul Gandhi, the head of the Congress party, who is urging voters to look at the prime minister's economic record and turf him out. But Congress faces a formidable opponent in Modi, with polling showing support for Modi is higher now than in 2014 when his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won an outright majority. Congress ruled India for much of its modern history but was reduced to a rump in 2014. While Modi is contesting elections from Varanasi in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi has filed nominations from two places - Wayanad in Kerala and his home constituency of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. Voting will take place in seven phases, beginning on Thursday. Nearly 1 million polling booths will be set up across the country. In Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim and Odisha, assembly polls to 175, 32 and 28 seats, respectively, will be held simultaneously in the first phase. This is the first general election in Andhra Pradesh after its bifurcation in 2014. All 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana will also go to polls in phase one. In Uttar Pradesh, the ruling BJP will clash with the newly-formed SP-BSP-RLD alliance on eight seats in the first phase. These seats mostly lie in the western part of the state. Seven Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will go to polls, with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari locked in a battle with Congress's Nana Patole, a former BJP MP. Union minister and BJP leader, Hansaraj Ahir is seeking a fourth term from Chandrapur. In Bihar, four Lok Sabha seats will see polling on Thursday. LJP leader Chirag Paswan is contesting from Jamui reserved seat. He is the sitting MP and is locked in a virtual straight contest with Bhudeo Chaudhary of RLSP. In the North East, of the two seats in Arunachal Pradesh Union Minister Kiren Rijiju is seeking re-election from Arunachal West. Four seats in Assam will go to polls, with former chief minister Tarun Gogoi's son Gaurav testing poll waters from Kaliabor. In Chhattisgarh where one Lok Sabha seat, Bastar, is going to polls, security has been tightened following a Naxal attack in the constituency's Dantewada area on Tuesday. A BJP leader and four security personnel were killed. Nearly 80,000 troops, police and paramilitary personnel will be deployed in the state to ensure violence-free election. Six million voters in Odisha will exercise their franchise in the first phase of polls for four Lok Sabha and 28 assembly seats on Thursday. The first phase of polls will decide the fate of 217 candidates. There are 26 hopefuls in fray for Lok Sabha seats and 191 for assembly seats. Two seats each in West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and Meghalaya will also see polling in the first phase. Lone Lok Sabha seats going to polls on April 11 include Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar, and Lakshadweep.

Lok Sabha elections begin on Thursday with polling in 91 seats

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's chopper, used for a poll campaign in North Bengal, lost its way on Wednesday while she was on a campaign trail in Chopra, North Dinajpur district.

"I am sorry as you all had to wait for me. This distance is usually covered within 22 minutes, but it took us 55 minutes to find the way. The pilot could not find the way," said Banerjee without divulging any further detail.

According to officials accompanying her, the pilot of the chopper lost the way and ventured into Bihar's air space by mistake.&nbsp;

The pilot reportedly found it difficult to locate the helipad created right next to the stage of her campaign in Chopra. However, after establishing radio contact, the pilot was given a route to follow and managed to locate the helipad.&nbsp;

A colourful flare was also lit to help the pilot locate the exact location of the helipad.

The chopper had taken off from Siliguri around 1 pm. While it was supposed to land at Chopra helipad at 1:22 pm, it landed at 2 pm.

The state administration has ordered a high-level enquiry into the matter as the Chief Minister is a Z Plus category protectee.

In 2016, a Kolkata-bound flight carrying the Chief Minister from Patna was reportedly low on fuel and was hovering over the Kolkata airport for over an hour, eventually landing behind schedule. She and other TMC leaders at the time had alleged that the plot had tried to eliminate her. The incident had also sparked a debate in Parliament, raising concerns over the Chief Minister and other passengers' security.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's chopper, used for a poll campaign in North Bengal, lost its way on Wednesday while she was on a campaign trail in Chopra, North Dinajpur district.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's chopper, used for a poll campaign in North Bengal, lost its way on Wednesday while she was on a campaign trail in Chopra, North Dinajpur district. "I am sorry as you all had to wait for me. This distance is usually covered within 22 minutes, but it took us 55 minutes to find the way. The pilot could not find the way," said Banerjee without divulging any further detail. According to officials accompanying her, the pilot of the chopper lost the way and ventured into Bihar's air space by mistake. The pilot reportedly found it difficult to locate the helipad created right next to the stage of her campaign in Chopra. However, after establishing radio contact, the pilot was given a route to follow and managed to locate the helipad. A colourful flare was also lit to help the pilot locate the exact location of the helipad. The chopper had taken off from Siliguri around 1 pm. While it was supposed to land at Chopra helipad at 1:22 pm, it landed at 2 pm. The state administration has ordered a high-level enquiry into the matter as the Chief Minister is a Z Plus category protectee. In 2016, a Kolkata-bound flight carrying the Chief Minister from Patna was reportedly low on fuel and was hovering over the Kolkata airport for over an hour, eventually landing behind schedule. She and other TMC leaders at the time had alleged that the plot had tried to eliminate her. The incident had also sparked a debate in Parliament, raising concerns over the Chief Minister and other passengers' security.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Mamata Banerjee's chopper loses its way, inquiry ordered

As Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Amethi Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath repeated the BJP charge that by picking a second seat to contest the Lok Sabha polls the Congress president had “fled” from the constituency regarded as his family’s home turf. “Rahul Gandhi is very frightened. For the past four generations, the Lok Sabha seat of Amethi has been represented by his family members. He too has been the MP from Amethi.

“Since he has not done anything as per the wishes of Amethi, he is forced to flee from Amethi,” Adityanath told PTI.

“Despite losing the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, Union minister Smriti Irani has visited the place more frequently than Rahul Gandhi. The feelings of the people of the Amethi are with her,” he added. On Rahul Gandhi’s decision to contest also from the Wayanad Lok sabha seat in Kerala, Adityanath said he has the right to contest from any Lok Sabha seat. But the “green flags of the Muslim League” fluttering all around in the procession in which Rahul Gandhi went to file his nomination papers in Wayanad exposes the real face of the Congress, said Adityanath. The Congress embracing the Muslim League, which is guilty of dividing the country, sends a loud message, the UP chief minister said. The UP chief minister was equating the Indian United Muslim League (IUML), a Congress partner in Kerala, with the pre-Partition Muslim League. Asked to comment on temple visits by Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi, Adityanath said, “I consider this as an ideological victory of the BJP.”

“Their great-grandfather (Jawaharlal Nehru) used to call himself an accidental Hindu, and today such a situation has arisen in the fourth generation that they are telling their gotra (sub-castes) and showing their ‘janeu’ (sacred thread worn by Hindus),” he added. He said those who earlier considered Hindutva communal, have at least started going to temples today due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The path of pseudo Hinduism, being taken by the brother-sister duo or the ‘bua-babua’ (Mayawati-Akhilesh Yadav)” will lead them nowhere as “the people of the country know the truth”, said the chief minister. Reacting to the Samajwadi Party allegation in its “vision document” that the BJP is practising “pseudo-nationalism”, Adityanath said, “It is unfortunate that the election manifesto of the SP or the Congress is a document revealing their failures.”

“The documents also directly envisage strengthening the ‘deshdrohis’ (traitors),” he added. “The SP supporting the Congress manifesto means Congress kaa haath, deshdrohiyon ke saath (the party is with traitors). And the same is being done by the SP. Their style of working is known to everyone. They have been doing the politics of negativity, the politics of appeasement, due to which there have been serious security concerns before the country,” he said. Asked to comment on the BJP’s defeat in bypolls last year and lessons learnt, Adityanath said, “This is a general election in which national issues are discussed and debated, while in bypolls, local issues dominate. Under the leadership of Modiji, the BJP will register an overwhelming win in the elections and form the government.”

Attacking the anti-BJP alliance of the SP, BSP and RLD, he said, “An alliance is based on issues and values.” But the SP-BSP alliance is the alliance of two poles, he said, adding it is an alliance of such people who did not like to see each other’s face. “Such was the animosity and there was a race to prove each other wrong,” the chief minister said.

“Today, only for the sake of power and to hide their misdeeds, they are trying to stop Modiji from coming to power,” he added. The chief minister also said, “Today there is tsunami of Modiji, and in this tsunami, all these alliances of vested interests, politics of negativity, corruption and separatism will be blown away.” On being reminded that he had once likened the SP and BSP to ‘saanp’ (snake) and ‘chhachhoonder’ (mole), Adityanath said, “Those who indulge in politics of negativity, can be compared with such creatures.” He defended his recent remarks calling the armed forces “Modiji ki sena”.

“If I say hamaari sena (our Army) it does not mean my personal army, it refers to the nation’s Army,” he pointed out. He said the President is the supreme commander of the armed forces and works on the advise of the the Council of ministers headed the prime minister. “Naturally, under the leadership of Modiji, the country has moved forward in every sector, and hence I made such a statement,” he added.

As Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Amethi Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath repeated the BJP charge that by picking a second seat to contest the Lok Sabha polls the Congress president had “fled” from the constituency regarded as his family’s home turf.

As Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Amethi Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath repeated the BJP charge that by picking a second seat to contest the Lok Sabha polls the Congress president had “fled” from the constituency regarded as his family’s home turf. “Rahul Gandhi is very frightened. For the past four generations, the Lok Sabha seat of Amethi has been represented by his family members. He too has been the MP from Amethi. “Since he has not done anything as per the wishes of Amethi, he is forced to flee from Amethi,” Adityanath told PTI. “Despite losing the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, Union minister Smriti Irani has visited the place more frequently than Rahul Gandhi. The feelings of the people of the Amethi are with her,” he added. On Rahul Gandhi’s decision to contest also from the Wayanad Lok sabha seat in Kerala, Adityanath said he has the right to contest from any Lok Sabha seat. But the “green flags of the Muslim League” fluttering all around in the procession in which Rahul Gandhi went to file his nomination papers in Wayanad exposes the real face of the Congress, said Adityanath. The Congress embracing the Muslim League, which is guilty of dividing the country, sends a loud message, the UP chief minister said. The UP chief minister was equating the Indian United Muslim League (IUML), a Congress partner in Kerala, with the pre-Partition Muslim League. Asked to comment on temple visits by Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi, Adityanath said, “I consider this as an ideological victory of the BJP.” “Their great-grandfather (Jawaharlal Nehru) used to call himself an accidental Hindu, and today such a situation has arisen in the fourth generation that they are telling their gotra (sub-castes) and showing their ‘janeu’ (sacred thread worn by Hindus),” he added. He said those who earlier considered Hindutva communal, have at least started going to temples today due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The path of pseudo Hinduism, being taken by the brother-sister duo or the ‘bua-babua’ (Mayawati-Akhilesh Yadav)” will lead them nowhere as “the people of the country know the truth”, said the chief minister. Reacting to the Samajwadi Party allegation in its “vision document” that the BJP is practising “pseudo-nationalism”, Adityanath said, “It is unfortunate that the election manifesto of the SP or the Congress is a document revealing their failures.” “The documents also directly envisage strengthening the ‘deshdrohis’ (traitors),” he added. “The SP supporting the Congress manifesto means Congress kaa haath, deshdrohiyon ke saath (the party is with traitors). And the same is being done by the SP. Their style of working is known to everyone. They have been doing the politics of negativity, the politics of appeasement, due to which there have been serious security concerns before the country,” he said. Asked to comment on the BJP’s defeat in bypolls last year and lessons learnt, Adityanath said, “This is a general election in which national issues are discussed and debated, while in bypolls, local issues dominate. Under the leadership of Modiji, the BJP will register an overwhelming win in the elections and form the government.” Attacking the anti-BJP alliance of the SP, BSP and RLD, he said, “An alliance is based on issues and values.” But the SP-BSP alliance is the alliance of two poles, he said, adding it is an alliance of such people who did not like to see each other’s face. “Such was the animosity and there was a race to prove each other wrong,” the chief minister said. “Today, only for the sake of power and to hide their misdeeds, they are trying to stop Modiji from coming to power,” he added. The chief minister also said, “Today there is tsunami of Modiji, and in this tsunami, all these alliances of vested interests, politics of negativity, corruption and separatism will be blown away.” On being reminded that he had once likened the SP and BSP to ‘saanp’ (snake) and ‘chhachhoonder’ (mole), Adityanath said, “Those who indulge in politics of negativity, can be compared with such creatures.” He defended his recent remarks calling the armed forces “Modiji ki sena”. “If I say hamaari sena (our Army) it does not mean my personal army, it refers to the nation’s Army,” he pointed out. He said the President is the supreme commander of the armed forces and works on the advise of the the Council of ministers headed the prime minister. “Naturally, under the leadership of Modiji, the country has moved forward in every sector, and hence I made such a statement,” he added.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: ‘Frightened’ Rahul Gandhi has fled Amethi seat, says Yogi Adityanath

On a day her brother Congress president Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday said the constituency was her father’s “karmabhoomi” and its land was sacred for her family. Gandhi filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from this constituency with his entire family looking on.&nbsp;

His mother Sonia Gandhi, sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and brother-in-law Robert Vadra were with him in the Collectorate when he filed his papers.

“Some relationships are from the heart. Today, the whole family was present for my brother’s nomination. This was my father’s ‘karmabhoomi’, it is sacred land for us,” said Priyanka Gandhi, who is Congress’ general secretary in-charge Uttar Pradesh East.

Rahul Gandhi, a three-term MP, will take on Union minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani in what is seen as a direct contest with the SP-BSP-RLD alliance taking the decision to not field any candidate from the constituency, seen as a Congress bastion.

On a day her brother Congress president Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday said the constituency was her father’s “karmabhoomi” and its land was sacred for her family.

On a day her brother Congress president Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday said the constituency was her father’s “karmabhoomi” and its land was sacred for her family. Gandhi filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from this constituency with his entire family looking on. His mother Sonia Gandhi, sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and brother-in-law Robert Vadra were with him in the Collectorate when he filed his papers. “Some relationships are from the heart. Today, the whole family was present for my brother’s nomination. This was my father’s ‘karmabhoomi’, it is sacred land for us,” said Priyanka Gandhi, who is Congress’ general secretary in-charge Uttar Pradesh East. Rahul Gandhi, a three-term MP, will take on Union minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani in what is seen as a direct contest with the SP-BSP-RLD alliance taking the decision to not field any candidate from the constituency, seen as a Congress bastion.

Priyanka Gandhi hails Amethi as her father’s ‘karmabhoomi’, sacred land for family after Rahul files nomination

In a scathing criticism of the BJP's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said it was the voice of "an isolated man", besides being "short-sighted" and "arrogant".

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its manifesto for the high-stakes general election starting April 11 on Monday, promising to implement the NRC in different parts of the country to push out infiltrators and zero tolerance to terror while reiterating its pet causes -- construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and scrapping of Articles 370 and 35A, dealing with Jammu and Kashmir's special status.

"The Congress manifesto was created through discussion. The voice of over a million Indian people it is wise and powerful," Gandhi said in a tweet.

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The Congress manifesto was created through discussion. The voice of over a million Indian people it is wise and powerful. 
 
The BJP Manifesto was created in a closed room. The voice of an isolated man, it is short sighted and arrogant.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1115452958332915717?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"The BJP Manifesto was created in a closed room. The voice of an isolated man, it is short-sighted and arrogant," he added.

The Congress had dubbed the BJP's election manifesto a "Jhansa Patra" (deception document) and a "bubble of lies" on Monday and said it would have been better had the BJP had issued a "maafinama" (apology letter ) instead.

In a scathing criticism of the BJP's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said it was the voice of "an isolated man", besides being "short-sighted" and "arrogant".

In a scathing criticism of the BJP's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said it was the voice of "an isolated man", besides being "short-sighted" and "arrogant". The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its manifesto for the high-stakes general election starting April 11 on Monday, promising to implement the NRC in different parts of the country to push out infiltrators and zero tolerance to terror while reiterating its pet causes -- construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and scrapping of Articles 370 and 35A, dealing with Jammu and Kashmir's special status. "The Congress manifesto was created through discussion. The voice of over a million Indian people it is wise and powerful," Gandhi said in a tweet. The Congress manifesto was created through discussion. The voice of over a million Indian people it is wise and powerful. The BJP Manifesto was created in a closed room. The voice of an isolated man, it is short sighted and arrogant. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 9, 2019 × "The BJP Manifesto was created in a closed room. The voice of an isolated man, it is short-sighted and arrogant," he added. The Congress had dubbed the BJP's election manifesto a "Jhansa Patra" (deception document) and a "bubble of lies" on Monday and said it would have been better had the BJP had issued a "maafinama" (apology letter ) instead.

BJP's poll manifesto voice of an isolated man: Rahul Gandhi

Predictions about election results by astrologers, tarot card readers and others in media when there is a ban on broadcasting exit polls are a violation of law, the Election Commission said Monday.

The poll body's advisory comes days before the first phase of Lok Sabha elections is to be held on April 11.

The silence period, when campaigning in poll-going areas is barred, begins Tuesday evening.

"The Commission is of the view that prediction of results of elections in any form or manner by way of predictions etc by astrologers, tarot readers, political analysts or by any persons during the prohibited period is violation of the spirit of Section 126A (of the Representation of the People Act) which aims to prevent the electors of constituencies still going to polls from being influenced in their voting by such predictions about the prospects of the various political parties," the advisory read.

Electronic and print media is advised not to publish or publicise any article or programme related to the dissemination of results of exit polls during the prohibited period, it said.

The commission also reiterated its earlier advisory banning exit polls till the evening of May 19.

"Election Commission of India, in exercise of the powers under sub-section(1) of Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 has notified the period between 7.00 A.M. On 11.04.2019 (Thursday) and 6.30 P.M. On 19.05.2019 (Sunday) as the period during which conducting any exit poll and publishing or publicising the result of exit poll by means of the print or electronic media or in any other manner shall be prohibited," the advisory read.&nbsp;

Predictions about election results by astrologers, tarot card readers and others in media when there is a ban on broadcasting exit polls are a violation of law, the Election Commission said Monday.

Predictions about election results by astrologers, tarot card readers and others in media when there is a ban on broadcasting exit polls are a violation of law, the Election Commission said Monday. The poll body's advisory comes days before the first phase of Lok Sabha elections is to be held on April 11. The silence period, when campaigning in poll-going areas is barred, begins Tuesday evening. "The Commission is of the view that prediction of results of elections in any form or manner by way of predictions etc by astrologers, tarot readers, political analysts or by any persons during the prohibited period is violation of the spirit of Section 126A (of the Representation of the People Act) which aims to prevent the electors of constituencies still going to polls from being influenced in their voting by such predictions about the prospects of the various political parties," the advisory read. Electronic and print media is advised not to publish or publicise any article or programme related to the dissemination of results of exit polls during the prohibited period, it said. The commission also reiterated its earlier advisory banning exit polls till the evening of May 19. "Election Commission of India, in exercise of the powers under sub-section(1) of Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 has notified the period between 7.00 A.M. On 11.04.2019 (Thursday) and 6.30 P.M. On 19.05.2019 (Sunday) as the period during which conducting any exit poll and publishing or publicising the result of exit poll by means of the print or electronic media or in any other manner shall be prohibited," the advisory read.

Predicting results during polling period violation of law: Election Commission

Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-manifesto-pak-speak-same-language-on-kashmir-related-issues-says-pm-modi-in-latur-208954">Narendra Modi's ruling alliance</a> will win a thin majority in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/predicting-results-during-polling-period-violation-of-law-election-commission-208908">general election</a> that starts on April 11, an average of four opinion polls showed, with a focus on national security appearing to trump concerns over other issues.

The coalition led by PM Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to win 273 of the 543 parliament seats at stake, one more than the halfway mark required to rule.&nbsp;

In the last election, the alliance won more than 330 seats - the biggest mandate in three decades.

Most of the polling agencies that released surveys in the last four days said Modi got a boost from recent tension with arch-enemy Pakistan after a militant group based there killed 40 Indian paramilitary troops in Jammu and Kashmir in February.

"In today's India we have seen perhaps for the first time security issues competing with, and outdoing, a bread and butter issue like unemployment," CVoter said in a statement.

Primarily, the BJP has been unable to sufficiently distinguish itself from Congress when it comes to making people feel the difference in terms of their livelihoods and economic interests.

"However, when it comes to controlling and responding on terror the same set of respondents do feel a clear and visible difference."

CVoter's poll is the most conservative, predicting 267 seats for the ruling group, while the Times Now-VMR's poll is the most bullish, with 279 seats.

The main opposition Congress and its allies are expected to more than double their seats to about 141 on average.

Pre-election opinion polls in India, with thousands of respondents, have proved unreliable several times in the past in a vast country of about 1.3 billion people, of whom about 900 million are eligible to vote.

Congress has accused the BJP of using retaliatory air strikes on Pakistan as a political tool and has instead highlighted job creation, tackling farm distress and empowerment of women, among its top priorities.

But the BJP has doubled down on national security issues, promising in its manifesto released on Monday to strip decades-old special rights from the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Modi has said he will retain power with a bigger mandate than before, while Congress says its plan for annual handouts of Rs 72,000 to the poorest families will help fuel its comeback.

The election will be held in seven phases and votes will be counted on May 23, with results likely to be clear the same day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling alliance will win a thin majority in a general election that starts on April 11, an average of four opinion polls showed, with a focus on national security appearing to trump concerns over other issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling alliance will win a thin majority in a general election that starts on April 11, an average of four opinion polls showed, with a focus on national security appearing to trump concerns over other issues. The coalition led by PM Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to win 273 of the 543 parliament seats at stake, one more than the halfway mark required to rule. In the last election, the alliance won more than 330 seats - the biggest mandate in three decades. Most of the polling agencies that released surveys in the last four days said Modi got a boost from recent tension with arch-enemy Pakistan after a militant group based there killed 40 Indian paramilitary troops in Jammu and Kashmir in February. "In today's India we have seen perhaps for the first time security issues competing with, and outdoing, a bread and butter issue like unemployment," CVoter said in a statement. Primarily, the BJP has been unable to sufficiently distinguish itself from Congress when it comes to making people feel the difference in terms of their livelihoods and economic interests. "However, when it comes to controlling and responding on terror the same set of respondents do feel a clear and visible difference." CVoter's poll is the most conservative, predicting 267 seats for the ruling group, while the Times Now-VMR's poll is the most bullish, with 279 seats. The main opposition Congress and its allies are expected to more than double their seats to about 141 on average. Pre-election opinion polls in India, with thousands of respondents, have proved unreliable several times in the past in a vast country of about 1.3 billion people, of whom about 900 million are eligible to vote. Congress has accused the BJP of using retaliatory air strikes on Pakistan as a political tool and has instead highlighted job creation, tackling farm distress and empowerment of women, among its top priorities. But the BJP has doubled down on national security issues, promising in its manifesto released on Monday to strip decades-old special rights from the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Modi has said he will retain power with a bigger mandate than before, while Congress says its plan for annual handouts of Rs 72,000 to the poorest families will help fuel its comeback. The election will be held in seven phases and votes will be counted on May 23, with results likely to be clear the same day.

BJP-led alliance to win thin majority in Lok Sabha elections 2019, poll shows ahead of vote

The issue of Article 370 has triggered a war of words between the J&amp;K's former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and former cricketer and BJP leader Gautam Gambhir.&nbsp;

On April 8, PDP chief took a jibe at BJP, in response to a news article over a PIL seeking a ban on Farooq Abdullah, his son and Mehbooba Mufti from contesting Lok Sabha polls, as their "statements are against the Indian constitution".
<img alt="mufti" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cf36f6bc-bba4-4af4-97d2-47ddc35ebefd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1.PNG" />
Reacting to this tweet, Gautam Gambhir wrote that: "Yeh Bharat hai. Koi aap jaisa dhabba nahi jo mit jayega" (This is India. Not a stain like you &nbsp;(Mehbooba Mufti) that it would be erased”.)

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<a href="https://twitter.com/MehboobaMufti?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MehboobaMufti</a> यह भारत है, कोई आप जैसा धब्बा नहीं जो मिट जाएगा!
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) <a href="https://twitter.com/GautamGambhir/status/1115330760930623488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Mufti reacted by saying that, “hope your political innings in BJP isn’t as abysmal as your cricket career!”. She later apparently blocked Gambhir and then again unblocked him, resulting in this reply from the latter.

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Hope ur political innings in BJP isnt as abysmal as ur cricket career!
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) <a href="https://twitter.com/MehboobaMufti/status/1115482423540834304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Mufti though seems to have blocked Gambhir for good who then expressed happiness over this decision and questioned how she would block all the other Indians who are against her views.

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Oh! So you have unblocked my twitter handle! U needed 10 hours to respond to my tweet and come up with such a pedestrian analogy!!! Too slow. It shows the lack of depth in ur personality. No wonder you guys have struggled to solve the issues at hand.
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) <a href="https://twitter.com/GautamGambhir/status/1115490642778566656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Gambhir had earlier taken on Omar Abdullah over the latter’s demand for a separate President and Prime Minister in Jammu and Kashmir.

The issue of Article 370 has triggered a war of words between the J&K's former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and former cricketer and BJP leader Gautam Gambhir. On April 8, PDP chief took a jibe at BJP, in response to a news article over a PIL seeking a ban on Farooq Abdullah, his son and Mehbooba Mufti from contesting Lok Sabha polls, as their "statements are against the Indian constitution".

The issue of Article 370 has triggered a war of words between the J&K's former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and former cricketer and BJP leader Gautam Gambhir. On April 8, PDP chief took a jibe at BJP, in response to a news article over a PIL seeking a ban on Farooq Abdullah, his son and Mehbooba Mufti from contesting Lok Sabha polls, as their "statements are against the Indian constitution". Reacting to this tweet, Gautam Gambhir wrote that: "Yeh Bharat hai. Koi aap jaisa dhabba nahi jo mit jayega" (This is India. Not a stain like you (Mehbooba Mufti) that it would be erased”.) @MehboobaMufti यह भारत है, कोई आप जैसा धब्बा नहीं जो मिट जाएगा! — Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) April 8, 2019 × Mufti reacted by saying that, “hope your political innings in BJP isn’t as abysmal as your cricket career!”. She later apparently blocked Gambhir and then again unblocked him, resulting in this reply from the latter. Hope ur political innings in BJP isnt as abysmal as ur cricket career! — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 9, 2019 × Mufti though seems to have blocked Gambhir for good who then expressed happiness over this decision and questioned how she would block all the other Indians who are against her views. Oh! So you have unblocked my twitter handle! U needed 10 hours to respond to my tweet and come up with such a pedestrian analogy!!! Too slow. It shows the lack of depth in ur personality. No wonder you guys have struggled to solve the issues at hand. — Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) April 9, 2019 × Gambhir had earlier taken on Omar Abdullah over the latter’s demand for a separate President and Prime Minister in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mehbooba Mufti and Gautam Gambhir get into a Twitter fight over Article 370

Union minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani will file her nomination papers for the Lok Sabha polls on April 11, party sources said here on Tuesday.

"She was to file her nomination on April 17, but since it's a holiday, she will now file her papers on April 11," Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) district president Durgesh Tripathi said.

Irani will be accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, BJP in-charge for Amethi Mohsin Raza, state minister and MLA Jagdishpur Suresh Pasi, besides others, at the time of filing her nomination, party sources said.

The Union textile minister will perform rituals at a temple of Budhan Mai inside the BJP office at Gauriganj on the Banda-Tanda national highway, before reaching the collectorate at Gauriganj (the Amethi district headquarters) in a procession to file her papers.

The Amethi parliamentary constituency, represented in the Lok Sabha by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, has four Assembly segments -- Tiloi, Gauriganj and Jagdishpur (reserved) in Amethi district and Salon (reserved) in Raebareli.

Gandhi is all set to file his nomination on Wednesday.

The district administration has made all the arrangements for the filing of nominations, District Magistrate RM Mishra said.

Amethi goes to the polls in the fifth phase on May 6.&nbsp;

Union minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani will file her nomination papers for the Lok Sabha polls on April 11, party sources said here on Tuesday. "She was to file her nomination on April 17, but since it's a holiday, she will now file her papers on April 11," Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) district president Durgesh Tripathi said.

Union minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani will file her nomination papers for the Lok Sabha polls on April 11, party sources said here on Tuesday. "She was to file her nomination on April 17, but since it's a holiday, she will now file her papers on April 11," Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) district president Durgesh Tripathi said. Irani will be accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, BJP in-charge for Amethi Mohsin Raza, state minister and MLA Jagdishpur Suresh Pasi, besides others, at the time of filing her nomination, party sources said. The Union textile minister will perform rituals at a temple of Budhan Mai inside the BJP office at Gauriganj on the Banda-Tanda national highway, before reaching the collectorate at Gauriganj (the Amethi district headquarters) in a procession to file her papers. The Amethi parliamentary constituency, represented in the Lok Sabha by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, has four Assembly segments -- Tiloi, Gauriganj and Jagdishpur (reserved) in Amethi district and Salon (reserved) in Raebareli. Gandhi is all set to file his nomination on Wednesday. The district administration has made all the arrangements for the filing of nominations, District Magistrate RM Mishra said. Amethi goes to the polls in the fifth phase on May 6.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Smriti Irani to file nomination from Amethi on April 11

BSP chief Mayawati will address rallies in Greater Noida & Meerut today

Putting end to speculations regarding JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda’s candidature for the Prime minister’s post, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday said that the former is not going to take the post if mahagathbandhan or grand-alliance comes to power.

Speaking to media, Kumaraswamy said, "If mahagathbandhan comes to power HD Deve Gowda will not be the Prime Minister, he will be advisor to the government and will take care of the interests of the country."

He, however, refused to speculate on the name of a probable candidate and added, "The question of who will be the Prime Minister is secondary."

Earlier on February 27, Kumaraswamy had said that if the Congress and JD(S) alliance win at least 20-22 seats in Karnataka, then a Kannadiga can once again become the Prime Minister of the country.

"In 1996, a Kannadiga HD Devegowda became Prime Minister after you (Karnataka people) blessed us with 16 Lok Sabha seats. If you bless Congress and JD(S) with at least 20-22 seats in Karnataka once again, a Kannadiga can be in that place (Prime Minister),"&nbsp;Kumaraswamy had said while addressing a rally in Mandya.

Seven phase elections in the country will begin on April 11 and will go on till May 19. Counting of votes will be done on May 23.

Karnataka will go to polls on April 18 and 23.

Putting end to speculations regarding JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda’s candidature for the Prime minister’s post, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday said that the former is not going to take the post if mahagathbandhan or grand-alliance comes to power.

Putting end to speculations regarding JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda’s candidature for the Prime minister’s post, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday said that the former is not going to take the post if mahagathbandhan or grand-alliance comes to power. Speaking to media, Kumaraswamy said, "If mahagathbandhan comes to power HD Deve Gowda will not be the Prime Minister, he will be advisor to the government and will take care of the interests of the country." He, however, refused to speculate on the name of a probable candidate and added, "The question of who will be the Prime Minister is secondary." Earlier on February 27, Kumaraswamy had said that if the Congress and JD(S) alliance win at least 20-22 seats in Karnataka, then a Kannadiga can once again become the Prime Minister of the country. "In 1996, a Kannadiga HD Devegowda became Prime Minister after you (Karnataka people) blessed us with 16 Lok Sabha seats. If you bless Congress and JD(S) with at least 20-22 seats in Karnataka once again, a Kannadiga can be in that place (Prime Minister)," Kumaraswamy had said while addressing a rally in Mandya. Seven phase elections in the country will begin on April 11 and will go on till May 19. Counting of votes will be done on May 23. Karnataka will go to polls on April 18 and 23.

Deve Gowda won't be PM if grand-alliance comes to power: Kumaraswamy

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on Monday hinted at the transfer of "cash to the headquarter of a major political party" in the national capital while stating that Income Tax (I-T) Department has detected a well-organised racket of a collection of unaccounted cash of about Rs 281 crore.

"A part of the cash was also transferred to the headquarter of a major political party in Delhi including about Rs 20 crore which was moved through hawala recently to the headquarters of the political party from the residence of a senior functionary at Tughlak Road, New Delhi," said the CBDT in a statement.

"Searches in Madhya Pradesh by Delhi Directorate of Income Tax have detected widespread and well-organised racket of the collection of unaccounted cash of about Rs 281 crore through various persons in different walks of life including business, politics and public service," said the CBDT, which frames policies for the I-T Department.&nbsp;

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Searches in Delhi (group of a close relative of the senior functionary) have further led to seizure incl. cash book recording unaccounted transactions of ₹ 230cr, siphoning off money through bogus billing of more than ₹ 242 cr &amp; evidence of more than 80 companies in Tax havens.
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According to CBDT, "meticulous records of collection and disbursement of cash in the form of handwritten diaries, computer files and excel sheets found and seized corroborate the above findings. Unaccounted cash of Rs 14.6 crore has been found so far, besides 252 bottles of liquor, few arms, and hide-skins of the tiger.

"The searches in Delhi in the group of a close relative of the senior functionary have further led to the seizure of incriminating evidence including cash book recording unaccounted transactions of Rs 230 crore, syphoning off money through bogus billing of more than Rs 242 crore and evidence of more than 80 companies in tax havens," said the CBDT.&nbsp;

Several unaccounted and benami properties at posh locations in the national capital have also been detected. Instances of violations of the Model Code of Conduct are being brought to the notice of the Election Commission of India (ECI), said the Central agency.&nbsp;

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath`s officer on special duty (OSD) Praveen Kakkar`s son Salil Kakkar was picked up on Monday by the I-T sleuths for interrogation, while I-T raids continued at various locations across the country including the residence of Ashwin Sharma, an associate of Praveen Kakkar, who had got most of his companies registered in the name of his son Salil.&nbsp;

On Sunday morning, I-T officials carried out raids at the residences of Nath's private secretary, Praveen Kakkar, in Indore and former advisor R K Miglani in Delhi, on charges of alleged tax evasion. I-T officials conducted searches at several locations in Indore, Bhopal, Goa, and NCR.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on Monday hinted at the transfer of "cash to the headquarter of a major political party" in the national capital while stating that Income Tax (I-T) Department has detected a well-organised racket of a collection of unaccounted cash of about Rs 281 crore.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on Monday hinted at the transfer of "cash to the headquarter of a major political party" in the national capital while stating that Income Tax (I-T) Department has detected a well-organised racket of a collection of unaccounted cash of about Rs 281 crore. "A part of the cash was also transferred to the headquarter of a major political party in Delhi including about Rs 20 crore which was moved through hawala recently to the headquarters of the political party from the residence of a senior functionary at Tughlak Road, New Delhi," said the CBDT in a statement. "Searches in Madhya Pradesh by Delhi Directorate of Income Tax have detected widespread and well-organised racket of the collection of unaccounted cash of about Rs 281 crore through various persons in different walks of life including business, politics and public service," said the CBDT, which frames policies for the I-T Department. Searches in Delhi (group of a close relative of the senior functionary) have further led to seizure incl. cash book recording unaccounted transactions of ₹ 230cr, siphoning off money through bogus billing of more than ₹ 242 cr & evidence of more than 80 companies in Tax havens. — Income Tax India (@IncomeTaxIndia) April 8, 2019 × According to CBDT, "meticulous records of collection and disbursement of cash in the form of handwritten diaries, computer files and excel sheets found and seized corroborate the above findings. Unaccounted cash of Rs 14.6 crore has been found so far, besides 252 bottles of liquor, few arms, and hide-skins of the tiger. "The searches in Delhi in the group of a close relative of the senior functionary have further led to the seizure of incriminating evidence including cash book recording unaccounted transactions of Rs 230 crore, syphoning off money through bogus billing of more than Rs 242 crore and evidence of more than 80 companies in tax havens," said the CBDT. Several unaccounted and benami properties at posh locations in the national capital have also been detected. Instances of violations of the Model Code of Conduct are being brought to the notice of the Election Commission of India (ECI), said the Central agency. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath`s officer on special duty (OSD) Praveen Kakkar`s son Salil Kakkar was picked up on Monday by the I-T sleuths for interrogation, while I-T raids continued at various locations across the country including the residence of Ashwin Sharma, an associate of Praveen Kakkar, who had got most of his companies registered in the name of his son Salil. On Sunday morning, I-T officials carried out raids at the residences of Nath's private secretary, Praveen Kakkar, in Indore and former advisor R K Miglani in Delhi, on charges of alleged tax evasion. I-T officials conducted searches at several locations in Indore, Bhopal, Goa, and NCR.

Madhya Pradesh’s Rs 281-cr cash collection racket linked to a political party: IT department

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Yogi Adityanath on Sunday hit out at the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) stating that the former will not be able to win even a single seat, while the latter will find it difficult to retain even the five seats it won in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

"BSP is going to be on zero (seats) just like they were in 2014. SP won five seats in 2014. They will find it tough to win even those five seats this time," he told ANI.

Claiming that the Deoband rally of the grand-alliance only showed their panic, the Chief Minister said, "Deoband rally only shows the panic of the parties in the grand alliance which is there because they are finding a threat to their existence."

"Why they did not discuss the anarchic condition during their rule? Why did they not discuss the Muzaffarnagar riots? They don't have guts to reveal the truth," he added while asserting that this only showed grand-alliance leaders are not focused on real issues.

Adityanath alleged that for the sake of their survival, grand alliance leaders are resorting to lies and deception.

"In last two years, our government with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government gave around 23 lakh houses to the poor people in the state. If you look at the two years of SP government, even though the PM Modi government wanted to help yet only 83000 houses were sanctioned," he said.

"We are challenging them to compare 55 years to 55 months," he added.

Taking a dig at those fighting to be Prime Ministerial candidates, he said, "Those who are fighting the election on 36-38 seats are dreaming to become the Prime Minister. Nothing could be more laughable than this."

Reacting to the jibe from the opposition of being drunk on power, the Chief Minister said, " No we are not "high" on power. We work on "sabka sath, sabka vikas".&nbsp; "But, what did the SP, BSP government during their term?"

The Chief Minister also recalled how Akhilesh Yadav changed the name of Kanshi Ram medical college in Saharanpur.

"Dalits should see that how low they (BSP) could go to power," he said while asserting that people of the country want to see Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of the country again.

Addressing a public rally at Saharanpur district earlier in the day, BSP chief Mayawati had said, "I appeal to Muslims that the Congress is not capable of defeating the BJP."

"Only the alliance parties are capable of doing it. Congress does not want the alliance to win. I appeal to Muslims that vote for alliance only. Do not vote for the Congress," she said.

SP chief and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was also present in the rally, the first one jointly addressed by BSP-SP leaders.

The Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to be conducted in all the seven phases from April 11 to May 19.

The results will be declared on May 23.&nbsp;

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Yogi Adityanath on Sunday hit out at the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) stating that the former will not be able to win even a single seat, while the latter will find it difficult to retain even the five seats it won in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Yogi Adityanath on Sunday hit out at the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) stating that the former will not be able to win even a single seat, while the latter will find it difficult to retain even the five seats it won in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. "BSP is going to be on zero (seats) just like they were in 2014. SP won five seats in 2014. They will find it tough to win even those five seats this time," he told ANI. Claiming that the Deoband rally of the grand-alliance only showed their panic, the Chief Minister said, "Deoband rally only shows the panic of the parties in the grand alliance which is there because they are finding a threat to their existence." "Why they did not discuss the anarchic condition during their rule? Why did they not discuss the Muzaffarnagar riots? They don't have guts to reveal the truth," he added while asserting that this only showed grand-alliance leaders are not focused on real issues. Adityanath alleged that for the sake of their survival, grand alliance leaders are resorting to lies and deception. "In last two years, our government with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government gave around 23 lakh houses to the poor people in the state. If you look at the two years of SP government, even though the PM Modi government wanted to help yet only 83000 houses were sanctioned," he said. "We are challenging them to compare 55 years to 55 months," he added. Taking a dig at those fighting to be Prime Ministerial candidates, he said, "Those who are fighting the election on 36-38 seats are dreaming to become the Prime Minister. Nothing could be more laughable than this." Reacting to the jibe from the opposition of being drunk on power, the Chief Minister said, " No we are not "high" on power. We work on "sabka sath, sabka vikas". "But, what did the SP, BSP government during their term?" The Chief Minister also recalled how Akhilesh Yadav changed the name of Kanshi Ram medical college in Saharanpur. "Dalits should see that how low they (BSP) could go to power," he said while asserting that people of the country want to see Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of the country again. Addressing a public rally at Saharanpur district earlier in the day, BSP chief Mayawati had said, "I appeal to Muslims that the Congress is not capable of defeating the BJP." "Only the alliance parties are capable of doing it. Congress does not want the alliance to win. I appeal to Muslims that vote for alliance only. Do not vote for the Congress," she said. SP chief and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was also present in the rally, the first one jointly addressed by BSP-SP leaders. The Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to be conducted in all the seven phases from April 11 to May 19. The results will be declared on May 23.

BSP to remain at zero, SP will find it tough to retain even five seats: Adityanath

With Lok Sabha polls inching closer, candidates are leaving no stone unturned to woo voters in their favour.

However, there is a village in Bijnor Lok Sabha constituency that has collectively decided to not vote, citing poor condition of roads.

Large numbers of residents of Majlis Taufikpur have threatened to boycott polls if the main road connecting their village to the other part is not constructed.

Speaking to ANI, one of the villagers, Kuldeep Saini, said, "Our village comes under Bijnor Lok Sabha constituency. A lot of leaders are coming because of Lok Sabha elections but no one does anything. The main road is in very bad condition. Now the villagers have decided that vote will be given only when there is a proper road."

Another resident Veer Singh said, "We have a lot of issues but there is this road problem which affects us very adversely. The road is in very bad condition and there are big potholes. A lot of accidents have also happened in which our children have gotten injured. We have now decided that vote will be given only on the basis of work otherwise we will not give the vote. The whole village has unanimously taken the decision".

He also said that there is no inter-college for girls in the village. Village Headman Yogesh Thakur is also supporting the campaign of 'no road, no vote'&nbsp;and told ANI, "Our main road is almost non-existent. The road has broken quite ago in the year 2013 but no one is reconstructing it. We have decided that there will be no vote until we have a road. Every time we get promises but we want work done now."

Seven-phase elections in the country are slated to begin on April 11 and will go on till May 19. Counting of votes will be held on May 23. There are 80 Lok Sabha seats at stake in Uttar Pradesh, polling for which will be held in all seven phases.

Polling in Bijnor will be held in the first phase of elections on April 11.

With Lok Sabha polls inching closer, candidates are leaving no stone unturned to woo voters in their favour. However, there is a village in Bijnor Lok Sabha constituency that has collectively decided to not vote, citing poor condition of roads.

With Lok Sabha polls inching closer, candidates are leaving no stone unturned to woo voters in their favour. However, there is a village in Bijnor Lok Sabha constituency that has collectively decided to not vote, citing poor condition of roads. Large numbers of residents of Majlis Taufikpur have threatened to boycott polls if the main road connecting their village to the other part is not constructed. Speaking to ANI, one of the villagers, Kuldeep Saini, said, "Our village comes under Bijnor Lok Sabha constituency. A lot of leaders are coming because of Lok Sabha elections but no one does anything. The main road is in very bad condition. Now the villagers have decided that vote will be given only when there is a proper road." Another resident Veer Singh said, "We have a lot of issues but there is this road problem which affects us very adversely. The road is in very bad condition and there are big potholes. A lot of accidents have also happened in which our children have gotten injured. We have now decided that vote will be given only on the basis of work otherwise we will not give the vote. The whole village has unanimously taken the decision". He also said that there is no inter-college for girls in the village. Village Headman Yogesh Thakur is also supporting the campaign of 'no road, no vote' and told ANI, "Our main road is almost non-existent. The road has broken quite ago in the year 2013 but no one is reconstructing it. We have decided that there will be no vote until we have a road. Every time we get promises but we want work done now." Seven-phase elections in the country are slated to begin on April 11 and will go on till May 19. Counting of votes will be held on May 23. There are 80 Lok Sabha seats at stake in Uttar Pradesh, polling for which will be held in all seven phases. Polling in Bijnor will be held in the first phase of elections on April 11.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: People of UP village threaten to boycott elections if roads not constructed

The RJD on Monday released its manifesto, titled ‘Pratibadhta Patra’, promising reservation for SCs, STs, EBC and OBCs in the private sector and the higher judiciary, in proportion to their population. The ceiling – a 50 per cent cap – had been broken after giving 10 per cent quota to the weaker sections among the general category so the people belonging to these categories (SCs, STs, EBC and OBCs) should be given reservation on the basis of their population, party leader Tejashwi Yadav said while releasing the manifesto here.

The apex court had fixed a cap of 50 per cent on total reservation and the Centre last month justified in Supreme Court its recent law granting 10-per cent quota for Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs), saying it was brought in to promote “social equality”. Advocating extension of quota for them in higher judiciary and the private sector, the manifesto also vowed to carry out the caste-based census in 2020-21.

Pointing out that the RJD, also agrees with the Congress manifesto, it said, the party “completely endorses” the ‘Nyay’ scheme of the Congress, which would be beneficial to states like Bihar. Tejashwi Yadav was accompanied by Rajya Sabha member and party’s national spokesman Manoj Jha, Bihar RJD chief Ram Chandra Purve and others at the release of the party’s manifesto.

The RJD also demanded from the Centre to make public the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data, carried out by the UPA government. Releasing the manifesto, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, also the leader of the opposition in the state, said that “it is not the manifesto of RJD, rather it is a ‘pratibadhta patra’ (commitment document) of the party”. A helpline number would be launched and a help centre set up in major cities of the country for the people of Bihar living outside the state, the manifesto said.

The party would ensure that six per cent of the gross domestic product is spent on education and four per cent on health, he said. “If our (party’s) government is formed in Bihar, then we will remove the ‘illegal’ tag on toddy and make it ‘legal’….The move to make toddy illegal has rendered many belonging to economically weaker sections jobless.

“My father Lalu Prasad, when he was the chief minister, had abolished tax on toddy,” the RJD leader said. Replying to a query on his elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav’s recent activities, Tejashwi evaded a direct reply, saying “the press conference has been organized for releasing the manifesto today”. According to the seat-sharing formula for the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar announced by the opposition ‘Mahagathbandhan’, 20 seats will be fought by the RJD and nine by the Congress.

Of the 20 constituencies, the RJD has left the Ara seat to the CPI(ML) Liberation. Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) and Mukesh Sahni’s Vikasheel Insan Party (VIP) will field candidates on five and three seats respectively. Former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) has been given three seats. The seven-phase election in Bihar is scheduled from April 11 to May 19.

The RJD on Monday released its manifesto, titled ‘Pratibadhta Patra’, promising reservation for SCs, STs, EBC and OBCs in the private sector and the higher judiciary, in proportion to their population.

The RJD on Monday released its manifesto, titled ‘Pratibadhta Patra’, promising reservation for SCs, STs, EBC and OBCs in the private sector and the higher judiciary, in proportion to their population. The ceiling – a 50 per cent cap – had been broken after giving 10 per cent quota to the weaker sections among the general category so the people belonging to these categories (SCs, STs, EBC and OBCs) should be given reservation on the basis of their population, party leader Tejashwi Yadav said while releasing the manifesto here. The apex court had fixed a cap of 50 per cent on total reservation and the Centre last month justified in Supreme Court its recent law granting 10-per cent quota for Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs), saying it was brought in to promote “social equality”. Advocating extension of quota for them in higher judiciary and the private sector, the manifesto also vowed to carry out the caste-based census in 2020-21. Pointing out that the RJD, also agrees with the Congress manifesto, it said, the party “completely endorses” the ‘Nyay’ scheme of the Congress, which would be beneficial to states like Bihar. Tejashwi Yadav was accompanied by Rajya Sabha member and party’s national spokesman Manoj Jha, Bihar RJD chief Ram Chandra Purve and others at the release of the party’s manifesto. The RJD also demanded from the Centre to make public the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data, carried out by the UPA government. Releasing the manifesto, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, also the leader of the opposition in the state, said that “it is not the manifesto of RJD, rather it is a ‘pratibadhta patra’ (commitment document) of the party”. A helpline number would be launched and a help centre set up in major cities of the country for the people of Bihar living outside the state, the manifesto said. The party would ensure that six per cent of the gross domestic product is spent on education and four per cent on health, he said. “If our (party’s) government is formed in Bihar, then we will remove the ‘illegal’ tag on toddy and make it ‘legal’….The move to make toddy illegal has rendered many belonging to economically weaker sections jobless. “My father Lalu Prasad, when he was the chief minister, had abolished tax on toddy,” the RJD leader said. Replying to a query on his elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav’s recent activities, Tejashwi evaded a direct reply, saying “the press conference has been organized for releasing the manifesto today”. According to the seat-sharing formula for the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar announced by the opposition ‘Mahagathbandhan’, 20 seats will be fought by the RJD and nine by the Congress. Of the 20 constituencies, the RJD has left the Ara seat to the CPI(ML) Liberation. Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) and Mukesh Sahni’s Vikasheel Insan Party (VIP) will field candidates on five and three seats respectively. Former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) has been given three seats. The seven-phase election in Bihar is scheduled from April 11 to May 19.

RJD releases manifesto ‘Pratibadhta Patra’ for Lok Sabha polls, promises reservation

Days before India begins to vote in the world’s largest democratic exercise, thousands of miles away a team of experts maintain round-the-clock vigil on election-related chatter on Facebook, ready to combat the first signs of misinformation, voter manipulation tactics, poll interference and fake news. Facebook — which counts India as one of the biggest base outside the US — has put in motion an elaborate strategy at the headquarters here with ‘information warriors’ at its election war room watching out for hoax, voter supression attempt, suspicious account behaviour, hate messages, fake accounts, and spikes in spam.

Ajit Mohan, Managing Director and Vice President, Facebook India said the platform has also expanded partnerships with third-party fact-checkers to seven accredited organisations in India. “These groups cover eight of the most spoken languages — English, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Gujarati — and we’re looking to add more.

In a country largely driven by local and community news, we knew it was critical to have fact-checking partners who could review content across regions and languages,” Mohan said in a blogpost on Monday. Building on the lessons learnt over the last two years (the planning began nearly 18 months ago), this week Facebook will activate new regional operations centres, focused on election integrity, in Singapore and Dublin. These teams will work closely with staff in Menlo Park, CA headquarters as well as with local experts in Delhi. 
Once the team, manning the election operation centres, identifies attempts of platform abuse, they move in swiftly to contain them. Last week, Facebook removed 687 pages and accounts linked to the Congress and a smaller but far more influential number of what appeared to be pro-BJP accounts for “coordinated inauthentic behaviour” on the social media platform.

The election operation centre supplements the ongoing efforts of the platform to crackdown on misinformation during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Facebook has already brought in transparency initiatives for political ads, teamed up with third party fact checkers for India, and rolled out initiatives like Candidate Connect (a voter outreach feature that allows Lok Sabha candidates to record 20 second videos).

As many as 40 cross-functional teams, drawn from areas like cybersecurity, public policy, data science, legal, engineering, threat intelligence, research and others work together in sync at the command centre to coordinate, detect and respond to situations in real time. And soon, key officials from the US office will fly down to India and Singapore to oversee the functions, as seven phase general elections get underway.

The elections will begin on April 11 and continue till May 19, with counting scheduled on May 23. “…if a report comes that there is a piece that maybe violates our community standards…maybe people are giving wrong information on voting …we will report and a task gets created in the war room and the community operations person then evaluates that piece of content to see if it violates our community standards…minutes of taking a look at that, can take the content down,” says Katie Harbath, Facebook’s Public Policy Director for Global Elections. There could also be instances when these efforts require close coordination with fact checkers and the response time could be a tad longer. “You might get reports that there is violence happening at a place. There could be violence happening or it could be voter suppression tactics to make voters stay away (from an area). That is not a determination we can make, so we direct it to fact checkers to do a review and that can take a bit longer.

As soon as they mark it as false, the content reach will be reduced and we will provide additional context,” says Harbath briefing reporters during a media tour of the election operations centre here. With nearly 900 million voters eligible to cast their votes in a nation that now has over 200 million Facebook users, its election integrity strategy for India is harnessing the full potential of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in an attempt to defeat ‘bad actors’ who try to game the system through nefarious means.

For instance, these tools help it block or remove approximately one million accounts a day. They also help identify abusive or violating content, quickly locate it across the platform and remove it in bulk – reducing its ability to spread. Facebook continues to expand on this initiative, adding 24 new languages — including 16 for India — to its automatic translation system, Mohan said.

“It’s not just being ready for threats we saw in 2016 or 2018, we recognise that there is always work that is to be done…so many of the investments we have made are particularly around videos…that focused on ensuring that we are ready for next set of challenges including around tamperes videos,” says Kaushik Iyer, Engineering Manager for Civic Integrity at Facebook. While Facebook did not divulge the investments or number of employees at the election operations centre, it says the money that it has ploughed into the entire machinery – leveraged in the past for American midterms and the recent Brazilian elections – is amongst the top things in importance for the company.

“The investment in India is same size and level of importance that we have had for Brazil and the US…,” says Harbath. Mohan said the work to ensure Facebook is not used to influence elections began more than 18 months ago with a detailed planning and risk assessment across its platforms.

“The findings allowed us to concentrate our work on key areas, including blocking and removing fake accounts; fighting the spread of misinformation; stopping abuse by domestic actors; spotting attempts at foreign meddling; and taking action against inauthentic coordinated campaigns,” Mohan said.

Days before India begins to vote in the world’s largest democratic exercise, thousands of miles away a team of experts maintain round-the-clock vigil on election-related chatter on Facebook, ready to combat the first signs of misinformation, voter manipulation tactics, poll interference and fake news.

Days before India begins to vote in the world’s largest democratic exercise, thousands of miles away a team of experts maintain round-the-clock vigil on election-related chatter on Facebook, ready to combat the first signs of misinformation, voter manipulation tactics, poll interference and fake news. Facebook — which counts India as one of the biggest base outside the US — has put in motion an elaborate strategy at the headquarters here with ‘information warriors’ at its election war room watching out for hoax, voter supression attempt, suspicious account behaviour, hate messages, fake accounts, and spikes in spam. Ajit Mohan, Managing Director and Vice President, Facebook India said the platform has also expanded partnerships with third-party fact-checkers to seven accredited organisations in India. “These groups cover eight of the most spoken languages — English, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Gujarati — and we’re looking to add more. In a country largely driven by local and community news, we knew it was critical to have fact-checking partners who could review content across regions and languages,” Mohan said in a blogpost on Monday. Building on the lessons learnt over the last two years (the planning began nearly 18 months ago), this week Facebook will activate new regional operations centres, focused on election integrity, in Singapore and Dublin. These teams will work closely with staff in Menlo Park, CA headquarters as well as with local experts in Delhi. Once the team, manning the election operation centres, identifies attempts of platform abuse, they move in swiftly to contain them. Last week, Facebook removed 687 pages and accounts linked to the Congress and a smaller but far more influential number of what appeared to be pro-BJP accounts for “coordinated inauthentic behaviour” on the social media platform. The election operation centre supplements the ongoing efforts of the platform to crackdown on misinformation during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Facebook has already brought in transparency initiatives for political ads, teamed up with third party fact checkers for India, and rolled out initiatives like Candidate Connect (a voter outreach feature that allows Lok Sabha candidates to record 20 second videos). As many as 40 cross-functional teams, drawn from areas like cybersecurity, public policy, data science, legal, engineering, threat intelligence, research and others work together in sync at the command centre to coordinate, detect and respond to situations in real time. And soon, key officials from the US office will fly down to India and Singapore to oversee the functions, as seven phase general elections get underway. The elections will begin on April 11 and continue till May 19, with counting scheduled on May 23. “…if a report comes that there is a piece that maybe violates our community standards…maybe people are giving wrong information on voting …we will report and a task gets created in the war room and the community operations person then evaluates that piece of content to see if it violates our community standards…minutes of taking a look at that, can take the content down,” says Katie Harbath, Facebook’s Public Policy Director for Global Elections. There could also be instances when these efforts require close coordination with fact checkers and the response time could be a tad longer. “You might get reports that there is violence happening at a place. There could be violence happening or it could be voter suppression tactics to make voters stay away (from an area). That is not a determination we can make, so we direct it to fact checkers to do a review and that can take a bit longer. As soon as they mark it as false, the content reach will be reduced and we will provide additional context,” says Harbath briefing reporters during a media tour of the election operations centre here. With nearly 900 million voters eligible to cast their votes in a nation that now has over 200 million Facebook users, its election integrity strategy for India is harnessing the full potential of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in an attempt to defeat ‘bad actors’ who try to game the system through nefarious means. For instance, these tools help it block or remove approximately one million accounts a day. They also help identify abusive or violating content, quickly locate it across the platform and remove it in bulk – reducing its ability to spread. Facebook continues to expand on this initiative, adding 24 new languages — including 16 for India — to its automatic translation system, Mohan said. “It’s not just being ready for threats we saw in 2016 or 2018, we recognise that there is always work that is to be done…so many of the investments we have made are particularly around videos…that focused on ensuring that we are ready for next set of challenges including around tamperes videos,” says Kaushik Iyer, Engineering Manager for Civic Integrity at Facebook. While Facebook did not divulge the investments or number of employees at the election operations centre, it says the money that it has ploughed into the entire machinery – leveraged in the past for American midterms and the recent Brazilian elections – is amongst the top things in importance for the company. “The investment in India is same size and level of importance that we have had for Brazil and the US…,” says Harbath. Mohan said the work to ensure Facebook is not used to influence elections began more than 18 months ago with a detailed planning and risk assessment across its platforms. “The findings allowed us to concentrate our work on key areas, including blocking and removing fake accounts; fighting the spread of misinformation; stopping abuse by domestic actors; spotting attempts at foreign meddling; and taking action against inauthentic coordinated campaigns,” Mohan said.

Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, team of experts maintain round-the-clock vigil at Facebook’s election war room

The BJP Sunday announced SS Ahluwalia as its candidate from the Durgapur Lok Sabha seat of West Bengal.

In the current Lok Sabha, the 67-year-old represents the Darjeeling seat in the same state.

After his candidature was announced, Ahluwalia said he was grateful to the party leadership for nominating him from the seat where he "learnt most important lessons" of his life.

"I spent my student days there. I was a student activist in the Burdwan university. And my candidature is an opportunity for me to serve the people of this place," he said.

With this, the party has announced 408 candidates for the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls which will start on April 11 and continue till May 19. The counting of the votes will take place on May 23.

The BJP has already renominated Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi and fielded Amit Shah from Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

The BJP Sunday announced SS Ahluwalia as its candidate from the Durgapur Lok Sabha seat of West Bengal. In the current Lok Sabha, the 67-year-old represents the Darjeeling seat in the same state.

The BJP Sunday announced SS Ahluwalia as its candidate from the Durgapur Lok Sabha seat of West Bengal. In the current Lok Sabha, the 67-year-old represents the Darjeeling seat in the same state. After his candidature was announced, Ahluwalia said he was grateful to the party leadership for nominating him from the seat where he "learnt most important lessons" of his life. "I spent my student days there. I was a student activist in the Burdwan university. And my candidature is an opportunity for me to serve the people of this place," he said. With this, the party has announced 408 candidates for the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls which will start on April 11 and continue till May 19. The counting of the votes will take place on May 23. The BJP has already renominated Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi and fielded Amit Shah from Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

Lok Sabha elections: BJP nominates SS Ahluwalia from Durgapur

83-year old loses 32 elections but continues to contest in Odisha

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Muslims want to rise above religious identity

In a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday "speed-breaker Didi" has applied brakes on several central schemes, denying people of the benefits available in other parts of the country.

Addressing a rally at Rash Mela ground here, he alleged that Banerjee has let loose goons in the state, dashing the hopes of people.

"Didi has maligned Bengal with Saradha Scam, Rose Valley scam and Narada scam. I want to promise you all that this Chowkidar (Modi) will seek answers for each and every paisa looted," he said.

Noting that a venue with limited space was allotted for today's rally, Modi said, "Didi tried her best to stop people from attending the rally in large numbers.

How does she expect to win the elections with such childish antics."

"The way Mamata expressed her anger against Election Commission only shows how perplexed she is. Didi is fast losing her political ground in Bengal," the PM said.

Banerjee had expressed her displeasure when the Election Commission announced seven-phase Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal.

Modi also charged Banerjee with protecting illegal immigrants to secure her vote bank.

"Didi has betrayed the Centre by giving protection to the intruders. This chowkidar has brought NRC and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to drive out infiltrators. But Didi with her 'Mahamilawati' (opposition alliance) colleagues are trying to stop the government from pursuing them," he said.

Sharing his plans for the development of the country, Modi said, phone calls will soon become free in the country and the charges for the Internet will be the least in the world.

"Every poor has a bank account and a debit card. Women have easy access to gas connections. What seemed impossible a few years ago has been made possible by the Modi government," he added.

Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal will be held in seven phases between April 11 and May 19.

In a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday "speed-breaker Didi" has applied brakes on several central schemes, denying people of the benefits available in other parts of the country.

In a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday "speed-breaker Didi" has applied brakes on several central schemes, denying people of the benefits available in other parts of the country. Addressing a rally at Rash Mela ground here, he alleged that Banerjee has let loose goons in the state, dashing the hopes of people. "Didi has maligned Bengal with Saradha Scam, Rose Valley scam and Narada scam. I want to promise you all that this Chowkidar (Modi) will seek answers for each and every paisa looted," he said. Noting that a venue with limited space was allotted for today's rally, Modi said, "Didi tried her best to stop people from attending the rally in large numbers. How does she expect to win the elections with such childish antics." "The way Mamata expressed her anger against Election Commission only shows how perplexed she is. Didi is fast losing her political ground in Bengal," the PM said. Banerjee had expressed her displeasure when the Election Commission announced seven-phase Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. Modi also charged Banerjee with protecting illegal immigrants to secure her vote bank. "Didi has betrayed the Centre by giving protection to the intruders. This chowkidar has brought NRC and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to drive out infiltrators. But Didi with her 'Mahamilawati' (opposition alliance) colleagues are trying to stop the government from pursuing them," he said. Sharing his plans for the development of the country, Modi said, phone calls will soon become free in the country and the charges for the Internet will be the least in the world. "Every poor has a bank account and a debit card. Women have easy access to gas connections. What seemed impossible a few years ago has been made possible by the Modi government," he added. Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal will be held in seven phases between April 11 and May 19.

Didi maligned Bengal with scams, denied people of central Scheme benefits: PM Modi

National security and corruption have emerged as some of the main issues in the Lok Sabha elections but regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir have kept protection of the state's special status under the Constitution of India as their key poll plank.

The National Conference, its arch-rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and new entrant People's Conference led by Sajad Gani Lone have been talking about protection of Articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution in their rallies in the run-up to the polling which is scheduled to begin on April 11, latching on to BJP chief Amit Shah's remarks that Article 35A will be repealed by 2020.

"Protecting the special status of Jammu and Kashmir as guaranteed in the Constitution of the country, is one of the main cornerstones of our campaign for these elections," National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah told PTI.

The former chief minister dismissed suggestions that six Lok Sabha members from Jammu and Kashmir were numerically insignificant in case the special provision related to the state was to be scrapped through legislation in Parliament.

"It is not a numerical argument, it is an argument based on facts. Yes, we only have six seats but Jammu and Kashmir bats far above its rankings otherwise. The smallest thing in Jammu and Kashmir becomes international news, very big things in other states are often ignored. So, I think six members in Parliament can do more than 60 from another state," he said.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti is using the special status of the state and the buzz surrounding it to stage a comeback after her party's coalition government with the BJP fell last year.

She has adopted a more hardline posture than any of the regional parties on the issues related to Article 35A and Article 370.

"The relationship between our state and the country is based on our special constitutional position that legitimises it. If we remove, what legalises this relationship, it will turn into an occupation and colonisation," she said.

Mehbooba, while reacting to Shah's remarks on Article 35A, said the relation of Jammu and Kashmir with India will end if the terms and conditions of state's accession to the Union were changed.&nbsp;

"2020 will also be a deadline from Jammu and Kashmir to the nation. If you remove those terms and conditions on which Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India, our relation with the country will also finish," the former chief minister, who is contesting from Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, said.

Lone, who was a minister in the PDP-led coalition government in the state from the BJP quota, has also vowed to defend the state's special status.

"Article 35A is a matter of faith and dignity for the people of the J&amp;K through which the Constitution of India guarantees to safeguard the special identity and unique status of Jammu &amp; Kashmir. In matters of pride and identity, profit and loss are immaterial. Can a country allow a foreign country to undermine its sovereignty and national pride just for the sake of some monetary gains," Lone asked.

He said Jammu and Kashmir was not the only state with special residency laws.

"All northeastern states and even Himachal Pradesh have laws prohibiting non-locals from purchasing land. Why are politicians in New Delhi only against J&amp;K's special status? What are their views on Art 371-A to 371-K which guarantee provisions like 370 as applicable to the northeastern states," he said.

Although Congress leaders in their campaign have focussed more on issues dominating the discourse at the national level, the local leaders have made it a point to raise the issue of protecting the special status in electioneering in the valley.

"No power in the world can revoke Article 370 and Article 35-A," state Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir, who is contesting from the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, claimed.&nbsp;

National security and corruption have emerged as some of the main issues in the Lok Sabha elections but regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir have kept protection of the state's special status under the Constitution of India as their key poll plank.

National security and corruption have emerged as some of the main issues in the Lok Sabha elections but regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir have kept protection of the state's special status under the Constitution of India as their key poll plank. The National Conference, its arch-rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and new entrant People's Conference led by Sajad Gani Lone have been talking about protection of Articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution in their rallies in the run-up to the polling which is scheduled to begin on April 11, latching on to BJP chief Amit Shah's remarks that Article 35A will be repealed by 2020. "Protecting the special status of Jammu and Kashmir as guaranteed in the Constitution of the country, is one of the main cornerstones of our campaign for these elections," National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah told PTI. The former chief minister dismissed suggestions that six Lok Sabha members from Jammu and Kashmir were numerically insignificant in case the special provision related to the state was to be scrapped through legislation in Parliament. "It is not a numerical argument, it is an argument based on facts. Yes, we only have six seats but Jammu and Kashmir bats far above its rankings otherwise. The smallest thing in Jammu and Kashmir becomes international news, very big things in other states are often ignored. So, I think six members in Parliament can do more than 60 from another state," he said. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti is using the special status of the state and the buzz surrounding it to stage a comeback after her party's coalition government with the BJP fell last year. She has adopted a more hardline posture than any of the regional parties on the issues related to Article 35A and Article 370. "The relationship between our state and the country is based on our special constitutional position that legitimises it. If we remove, what legalises this relationship, it will turn into an occupation and colonisation," she said. Mehbooba, while reacting to Shah's remarks on Article 35A, said the relation of Jammu and Kashmir with India will end if the terms and conditions of state's accession to the Union were changed. "2020 will also be a deadline from Jammu and Kashmir to the nation. If you remove those terms and conditions on which Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India, our relation with the country will also finish," the former chief minister, who is contesting from Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, said. Lone, who was a minister in the PDP-led coalition government in the state from the BJP quota, has also vowed to defend the state's special status. "Article 35A is a matter of faith and dignity for the people of the J&K through which the Constitution of India guarantees to safeguard the special identity and unique status of Jammu & Kashmir. In matters of pride and identity, profit and loss are immaterial. Can a country allow a foreign country to undermine its sovereignty and national pride just for the sake of some monetary gains," Lone asked. He said Jammu and Kashmir was not the only state with special residency laws. "All northeastern states and even Himachal Pradesh have laws prohibiting non-locals from purchasing land. Why are politicians in New Delhi only against J&K's special status? What are their views on Art 371-A to 371-K which guarantee provisions like 370 as applicable to the northeastern states," he said. Although Congress leaders in their campaign have focussed more on issues dominating the discourse at the national level, the local leaders have made it a point to raise the issue of protecting the special status in electioneering in the valley. "No power in the world can revoke Article 370 and Article 35-A," state Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir, who is contesting from the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, claimed.

Lok Sabha elections: J&K parties make special status key poll issue

Senior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said on Sunday no decision had been taken yet about general secretary<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/priyanka-gandhi-vadras-political-debut-is-just-to-bail-out-her-failed-elder-brother-piyush-goyal-205250"> Priyanka Gandhi Vadra</a> contesting the election against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi.

Rajeev Shukla claimed that under the leadership of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/priyanka-gandhi-vadras-ganga-yatra-and-triumph-of-soft-hindutva-204136">Priyanka Gandhi Vadra,</a> who is the party's in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, the Congress would do well in the Lok Sabha election and sweep the 2022 assembly election.

On the recent speculation about Vadra contesting from Varanasi, Shukla told PTI: "In response to a question, she had made a comment which is unnecessarily being talked about now. No definite decision has been taken on her contesting the election.''

During campaigning at Rae Bareli a fortnight ago, Vadra had dropped a hint that she is not averse to taking on Modi in his own Lok Sabha constituency.

"Shouldn't I fight from Varanasi?" Vadra had quipped when a party worker asked her to contest from Rae Bareli, the constituency of her mother and UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi.

Shukla said Vadra was getting a very good response from the public wherever she is going for campaigning. "In the past 20 years, the Congress has become very weak in Uttar Pradesh. The party has to be strengthened under her leadership for 2022."

The former Union minister said the common people would benefit from all the promises made in the Congress manifesto. "Providing Rs 72,000 per annum under the Nyay (minimum income) scheme and increasing the agricultural budget will be the priority," he said.

The Congress leader exuded confidence that Nyay could be implemented. "I have been a planning minister, this scheme can be implemented. People who are spreading rumours did the same when our government launched the MGNREGA (rural job guarantee scheme). There will be no burden on the middle class or working class."

Shukla also hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party on the issue of nationalism. "Nationalism was displayed during the Indira Gandhi government when Pakistan was taught a lesson in 1971. Atal Bihari Vajpayee had also given a fitting reply to Pakistan. Modi has just created a ruckus through false propaganda."

The Congress leader said the party's focus was employment, farmers and women's safety.

"The BJP is only talking about Hindu-Muslim and Pakistan. We are more concerned about the common man," Shukla said. "The biggest problem India is facing is that of unemployment. Our agenda is to give jobs to the youths and look after the issues of farmers and women's safety in the country."

The former Union minister claimed that the "Modi brand" would not work this time, adding that the Opposition was fighting strongly in different states and would collectively get a majority.

Asked if the Opposition parties would accept the leadership of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi after the election, Shukla said: "The Congress president himself has mentioned that there is no dispute over the leadership and later he will accept what everyone decides.''

Senior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said on Sunday no decision had been taken yet about general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contesting the election against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi.

Senior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said on Sunday no decision had been taken yet about general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contesting the election against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi. Rajeev Shukla claimed that under the leadership of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is the party's in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, the Congress would do well in the Lok Sabha election and sweep the 2022 assembly election. On the recent speculation about Vadra contesting from Varanasi, Shukla told PTI: "In response to a question, she had made a comment which is unnecessarily being talked about now. No definite decision has been taken on her contesting the election.'' During campaigning at Rae Bareli a fortnight ago, Vadra had dropped a hint that she is not averse to taking on Modi in his own Lok Sabha constituency. "Shouldn't I fight from Varanasi?" Vadra had quipped when a party worker asked her to contest from Rae Bareli, the constituency of her mother and UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi. Shukla said Vadra was getting a very good response from the public wherever she is going for campaigning. "In the past 20 years, the Congress has become very weak in Uttar Pradesh. The party has to be strengthened under her leadership for 2022." The former Union minister said the common people would benefit from all the promises made in the Congress manifesto. "Providing Rs 72,000 per annum under the Nyay (minimum income) scheme and increasing the agricultural budget will be the priority," he said. The Congress leader exuded confidence that Nyay could be implemented. "I have been a planning minister, this scheme can be implemented. People who are spreading rumours did the same when our government launched the MGNREGA (rural job guarantee scheme). There will be no burden on the middle class or working class." Shukla also hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party on the issue of nationalism. "Nationalism was displayed during the Indira Gandhi government when Pakistan was taught a lesson in 1971. Atal Bihari Vajpayee had also given a fitting reply to Pakistan. Modi has just created a ruckus through false propaganda." The Congress leader said the party's focus was employment, farmers and women's safety. "The BJP is only talking about Hindu-Muslim and Pakistan. We are more concerned about the common man," Shukla said. "The biggest problem India is facing is that of unemployment. Our agenda is to give jobs to the youths and look after the issues of farmers and women's safety in the country." The former Union minister claimed that the "Modi brand" would not work this time, adding that the Opposition was fighting strongly in different states and would collectively get a majority. Asked if the Opposition parties would accept the leadership of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi after the election, Shukla said: "The Congress president himself has mentioned that there is no dispute over the leadership and later he will accept what everyone decides.''

No decision yet on Priyanka Gandhi contesting from Varanasi: Rajeev Shukla

With elections drawing closer, campaigning on social media platform Facebook is also picking up the pace with political parties and their supporters spending well over Rs 10 crore on advertisements in February-March this year.

According to Facebook's Ad Library Report, there were 51,810 political ads with total spending of more than Rs 10.32 crore between February and March 30 this year, with a major chunk coming in from BJP and its supporters.

Till the previous week (ending March 23), the number of such ads was 41,974, while the total spending was Rs 8.58 crore.

Facebook said these ads were related to politics and issues of national importance.&nbsp;

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its supporters continued to corner a bulk of ad spends with 'Bharat Ke Mann Ki Baat' page continuing to be the top spender with well over 3,700 ads and pumping in more than Rs 2.23 crore (under two categories).&nbsp;

The BJP had about 1,100 ads and spent over Rs 36.2 lakh, while other pages like 'My First Vote for Modi' and 'Nation with NaMo' also had large spending.&nbsp;

Compared to this, the Indian National Congress page had 410 ads and its ad spend was Rs 5.91 lakh in the February to March 30 period, as per the data.

Biju Janata Dal had the spending of Rs 8.56 lakh, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Rs 1.58 lakh and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Rs 58,355 in the said timeframe.

In February, Facebook had said political advertisements on its platform will carry a 'disclaimer' offering details about those responsible for running the ad as the social media giant looks to bring transparency into political ads ahead of elections in India. This was done to give people more information about who is responsible for the ads they see.&nbsp;

With ensuing general elections, the Indian government had warned social media platforms of strong action if any attempt was made to influence the country's electoral process through undesirable means.&nbsp;

Over the past few months, social media players like Facebook, Twitter and Google have promised to infuse more transparency into political advertisements on their platform and have since announced a slew of measures as part of election integrity efforts.&nbsp;

Facebook, which has over 200 million users in India, has stated that it is committed to creating a new standard of transparency and authenticity for political advertising on its platform and Instagram.

With elections drawing closer, campaigning on social media platform Facebook is also picking up the pace with political parties and their supporters spending well over Rs 10 crore on advertisements in February-March this year.

With elections drawing closer, campaigning on social media platform Facebook is also picking up the pace with political parties and their supporters spending well over Rs 10 crore on advertisements in February-March this year. According to Facebook's Ad Library Report, there were 51,810 political ads with total spending of more than Rs 10.32 crore between February and March 30 this year, with a major chunk coming in from BJP and its supporters. Till the previous week (ending March 23), the number of such ads was 41,974, while the total spending was Rs 8.58 crore. Facebook said these ads were related to politics and issues of national importance. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its supporters continued to corner a bulk of ad spends with 'Bharat Ke Mann Ki Baat' page continuing to be the top spender with well over 3,700 ads and pumping in more than Rs 2.23 crore (under two categories). The BJP had about 1,100 ads and spent over Rs 36.2 lakh, while other pages like 'My First Vote for Modi' and 'Nation with NaMo' also had large spending. Compared to this, the Indian National Congress page had 410 ads and its ad spend was Rs 5.91 lakh in the February to March 30 period, as per the data. Biju Janata Dal had the spending of Rs 8.56 lakh, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Rs 1.58 lakh and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Rs 58,355 in the said timeframe. In February, Facebook had said political advertisements on its platform will carry a 'disclaimer' offering details about those responsible for running the ad as the social media giant looks to bring transparency into political ads ahead of elections in India. This was done to give people more information about who is responsible for the ads they see. With ensuing general elections, the Indian government had warned social media platforms of strong action if any attempt was made to influence the country's electoral process through undesirable means. Over the past few months, social media players like Facebook, Twitter and Google have promised to infuse more transparency into political advertisements on their platform and have since announced a slew of measures as part of election integrity efforts. Facebook, which has over 200 million users in India, has stated that it is committed to creating a new standard of transparency and authenticity for political advertising on its platform and Instagram.

With elections drawing closer, political ad spend on Facebook crosses Rs 10 crore

The Election Commission has rejected allegations of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that it ordered the transfer of four police officers at the behest of the ruling BJP at the Centre, saying the decision was based on “cumulative feedback” from one of its top officials and the special police observer.&nbsp;

The Commission also told Banerjee that as per election law, it is “fully within its rights” to transfer and appoint officers during a model code. It said it won’t respond to the averment to prove its image.

Banerjee had on Saturday has written to the EC alleging that the poll panel was working at the behest of the BJP. Responding to Banerjee’s letter, the poll panel said Saturday that “It is the ECI and the governments of states/UTs who are jointly responsible to electors of the largest democracy and are bound to act strictly in the letter and spirit of the respective roles set forth by the founding fathers of the Constitution.”

The letter, written by one of the deputy election commissioners, and addressed to Banerjee, referred to Section 28A of the Representation of the People Act to drive home the point that EC can transfer and post them during the poll code period. It said the Kerala High court has also approved of the provision in one of its judgements.

“It is unfortunate that an exercise carried out by ECI only for the duration of the Model Code of Conduct is being labelled as arbitrary, motivated at the behest of ruling party at the Centre. It would not be correct and dignified to respond to such averments to prove/burnish its credentials,” the letter read.

The Commission pointed out that the transfer of four police officials was “based on the cumulative feedback from the DEC (deputy election commissioner) who oversees electoral process in West Bengal and Special Police Observer”. It said even the officers who have been posted in their place are of similar seniority and being from West Bengal cadre are expected to know about field situation in the state.

“It is understood that the Government of West Bengal has already operationalised the decision of ECI in respect of transfers. This action of the Government of West Bengal amply demonstrates the willingness of the state administration to conduct free, fair, credible and ethical elections in West Bengal and ECI is appreciative of this irrespective of the factually incorrect innuendoes …,” the letter read.

It said, after several rounds of review, including the one in mid-March, EC appointed a Special Police Observer for West Bengal. Similarly, such observers were appointed for Jharkhand, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Telangana. “Thus, it is not as if any particular state was being singled out. Special Expenditure Observers have also been appointed for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra,” it said.

The Election Commission has rejected allegations of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that it ordered the transfer of four police officers at the behest of the ruling BJP at the Centre, saying the decision was based on “cumulative feedback” from one of its top officials and the special police observer.

The Election Commission has rejected allegations of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that it ordered the transfer of four police officers at the behest of the ruling BJP at the Centre, saying the decision was based on “cumulative feedback” from one of its top officials and the special police observer. The Commission also told Banerjee that as per election law, it is “fully within its rights” to transfer and appoint officers during a model code. It said it won’t respond to the averment to prove its image. Banerjee had on Saturday has written to the EC alleging that the poll panel was working at the behest of the BJP. Responding to Banerjee’s letter, the poll panel said Saturday that “It is the ECI and the governments of states/UTs who are jointly responsible to electors of the largest democracy and are bound to act strictly in the letter and spirit of the respective roles set forth by the founding fathers of the Constitution.” The letter, written by one of the deputy election commissioners, and addressed to Banerjee, referred to Section 28A of the Representation of the People Act to drive home the point that EC can transfer and post them during the poll code period. It said the Kerala High court has also approved of the provision in one of its judgements. “It is unfortunate that an exercise carried out by ECI only for the duration of the Model Code of Conduct is being labelled as arbitrary, motivated at the behest of ruling party at the Centre. It would not be correct and dignified to respond to such averments to prove/burnish its credentials,” the letter read. The Commission pointed out that the transfer of four police officials was “based on the cumulative feedback from the DEC (deputy election commissioner) who oversees electoral process in West Bengal and Special Police Observer”. It said even the officers who have been posted in their place are of similar seniority and being from West Bengal cadre are expected to know about field situation in the state. “It is understood that the Government of West Bengal has already operationalised the decision of ECI in respect of transfers. This action of the Government of West Bengal amply demonstrates the willingness of the state administration to conduct free, fair, credible and ethical elections in West Bengal and ECI is appreciative of this irrespective of the factually incorrect innuendoes …,” the letter read. It said, after several rounds of review, including the one in mid-March, EC appointed a Special Police Observer for West Bengal. Similarly, such observers were appointed for Jharkhand, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Telangana. “Thus, it is not as if any particular state was being singled out. Special Expenditure Observers have also been appointed for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra,” it said.

Fully within rights to transfer officials during polls: Election Commission tells Mamata Banerjee

The middle class has always suffered under Congress rule, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Tripura on Sunday. Modi is on another one of his campaign blitzkriegs, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/didi-supporting-those-who-want-two-prime-ministers-pm-modi-208494">having </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/didi-supporting-those-who-want-two-prime-ministers-pm-modi-208494">spoke</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/didi-supporting-those-who-want-two-prime-ministers-pm-modi-208494">n in Bengal earlier in the day</a>, and being scheduled to speak later in Manipur.&nbsp;

"The middle-class has always suffered under the Congress government, the party has said that more taxes should be levied on the middle class," Modi said on Sunday.&nbsp;

He also referred to the Congress's recently-released election manifesto which contains a large dose of what is referred to as "welfarism". Modi called it a "dhakosla patra" (hypocricy document).&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Congress has, among other things, said in its manifesto that it will invest 6% of GDP in health and education, and that it will strengthen government hospitals and provide high-quality healthcare access to the poor if voted to power.

The party has also promised to enact the Right to Healthcare Act and guarantee every citizen free diagnostics, out-patient care, free medicines and hospitalisation, through a network of public hospitals and enlisted private hospitals.&nbsp;

Then of course there is its NYAY (Nyuntam Aay Yojana) scheme which envisages the giving of Rs 72,000 a year to 20% or 5 crore of India's poorest families.&nbsp;

"Congress released their manifesto, their 'dhakosla patra' three days ago, not even once 'dhakosla patra' mentions middle class, such hatred towards middle class," Modi said.&nbsp;

"They think middle class has made Modi win and that's why they're adamant on punishing middle class," he added.&nbsp;

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PM Modi in Udaipur, Tripura: Congress released their manifesto, their 'dhakosla patra' 3 days ago,not even once 'dhakosla patra' mentions middle class,such hatred towards middle class.They think middle class has made Modi win &amp; that's why they're adamant on punishing middle class <a href="https://t.co/TnqVg7DIp3">pic.twitter.com/TnqVg7DIp3</a>
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Modi also added Sunday that "the Congress and the Left are working to oust Modi, even if that means they have to support the interests of Pakistan".&nbsp;

"The Congress and the Left are working together to oust Modi. They have stooped too low, singing paeans to Pakistan even when the NDA government was taking on the terrorists on the soil of the neighbouring country," Modi said.&nbsp;

"Am I not doing the right thing by giving a befitting reply to the enemies of the country?" he asked.

Modi meanwhile heaped praise on Chief Minister Biplab Deb, saying the state government had improved the law and order situation and developed infrastructure in only one year.

Election to two Lok Sabha seats in Tripura will be held on April 11 and 18.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

The middle class has always suffered under Congress rule, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Tripura on Sunday. Modi is on another one of his campaign blitzkriegs, having spoken in Bengal earlier in the day, and being scheduled to speak later in Manipur.

The middle class has always suffered under Congress rule, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Tripura on Sunday. Modi is on another one of his campaign blitzkriegs, having spoken in Bengal earlier in the day, and being scheduled to speak later in Manipur. "The middle-class has always suffered under the Congress government, the party has said that more taxes should be levied on the middle class," Modi said on Sunday. He also referred to the Congress's recently-released election manifesto which contains a large dose of what is referred to as "welfarism". Modi called it a "dhakosla patra" (hypocricy document). The Congress has, among other things, said in its manifesto that it will invest 6% of GDP in health and education, and that it will strengthen government hospitals and provide high-quality healthcare access to the poor if voted to power. The party has also promised to enact the Right to Healthcare Act and guarantee every citizen free diagnostics, out-patient care, free medicines and hospitalisation, through a network of public hospitals and enlisted private hospitals. Then of course there is its NYAY (Nyuntam Aay Yojana) scheme which envisages the giving of Rs 72,000 a year to 20% or 5 crore of India's poorest families. "Congress released their manifesto, their 'dhakosla patra' three days ago, not even once 'dhakosla patra' mentions middle class, such hatred towards middle class," Modi said. "They think middle class has made Modi win and that's why they're adamant on punishing middle class," he added. PM Modi in Udaipur, Tripura: Congress released their manifesto, their 'dhakosla patra' 3 days ago,not even once 'dhakosla patra' mentions middle class,such hatred towards middle class.They think middle class has made Modi win & that's why they're adamant on punishing middle class pic.twitter.com/TnqVg7DIp3 — ANI (@ANI) April 7, 2019 × Modi also added Sunday that "the Congress and the Left are working to oust Modi, even if that means they have to support the interests of Pakistan". "The Congress and the Left are working together to oust Modi. They have stooped too low, singing paeans to Pakistan even when the NDA government was taking on the terrorists on the soil of the neighbouring country," Modi said. "Am I not doing the right thing by giving a befitting reply to the enemies of the country?" he asked. Modi meanwhile heaped praise on Chief Minister Biplab Deb, saying the state government had improved the law and order situation and developed infrastructure in only one year. Election to two Lok Sabha seats in Tripura will be held on April 11 and 18. (With inputs from PTI)

Middle class has always suffered under Congress rule: PM Modi in Tripura

Six years after fleeing Muzaffarnagar and taking refuge in camps in Kairana following the deadly riots in 2013, victims here have alleged that despite repeated requests, the government has not built houses for them and they lack basic amenities.

The victims of the 2013 riots, who have been living in refugee camps for the last six years, have said that they will vote for peace in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, slated to begin from April 11.

"We have been living here for the past six years. We still do not have a proper house despite repeated requests to the government. There is no water or electricity. We want houses to be built for us. We will vote for peace in the upcoming elections," one of the victims, Mahmood, told ANI.

The&nbsp;riots&nbsp;took place over a minor altercation between Hindu and Muslim youths at Kawal village in&nbsp;Muzaffarnagar district. As many as 62 people died, while 93 others were injured and over 50,000 were rendered homeless.

Kairana Lok Sabha constituency, which comes under western Uttar Pradesh region, hit headlines when its MP Hukum Singh released a list of Hindu families and alleged that there had been a mass exodus of Hindus from his constituency due to the law and order situation.

After the demise of Singh, the Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal jointly fielded Begum Tabassum Hasan who later won the by-elections after beating Singh’s daughter Mriganka from BJP.

Hasan has bagged the SP ticket from the constituency for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, while the BJP has fielded Pradeep Choudhary instead of Mriganka in the impending polls.

Kairana parliamentary constituency will witness voting in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls on April 11. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Six years after fleeing Muzaffarnagar and taking refuge in camps in Kairana following the deadly riots in 2013, victims here have alleged that despite repeated requests, the government has not built houses for them and they lack basic amenities.

Six years after fleeing Muzaffarnagar and taking refuge in camps in Kairana following the deadly riots in 2013, victims here have alleged that despite repeated requests, the government has not built houses for them and they lack basic amenities. The victims of the 2013 riots, who have been living in refugee camps for the last six years, have said that they will vote for peace in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, slated to begin from April 11. "We have been living here for the past six years. We still do not have a proper house despite repeated requests to the government. There is no water or electricity. We want houses to be built for us. We will vote for peace in the upcoming elections," one of the victims, Mahmood, told ANI. The riots took place over a minor altercation between Hindu and Muslim youths at Kawal village in Muzaffarnagar district. As many as 62 people died, while 93 others were injured and over 50,000 were rendered homeless. Kairana Lok Sabha constituency, which comes under western Uttar Pradesh region, hit headlines when its MP Hukum Singh released a list of Hindu families and alleged that there had been a mass exodus of Hindus from his constituency due to the law and order situation. After the demise of Singh, the Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal jointly fielded Begum Tabassum Hasan who later won the by-elections after beating Singh’s daughter Mriganka from BJP. Hasan has bagged the SP ticket from the constituency for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, while the BJP has fielded Pradeep Choudhary instead of Mriganka in the impending polls. Kairana parliamentary constituency will witness voting in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls on April 11. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Uttar Pradesh: Will vote for peace, say Muzaffarnagar riot victims

Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee Sunday accused the Centre of intervening in state matters while questioning the removal of Andhra Pradesh chief secretary by the Election Commission.

She sought to know why Prime Minister Narendra Modi isn't removing his own Cabinet secretary or the Union home secretary if he was so "fond of making last-minute changes".

"Why is the Centre intervening in state matters? Why was Andhra Pradesh chief secretary removed?" Banerjee asked at an election rally here. 
"Why don't you (Modi) remove your own cabinet secretary," she asked.

The Election Commission on Friday removed Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary Anil Chandra Punetha from the post and appointed senior-most IAS officer LV Subrahmanyam in his place.

Reacting to the poll panel's move of removing four IPS officers in West Bengal, including Kolkata and Bidhanagar police commissioners, the West Bengal chief minister Saturday wrote a letter protesting its decision.

The letter said the removals were "unfortunate, highly arbitrary, motivated and biased" and taken at the behest of BJP, and urged the poll panel to review its decision.

Retorting to PM's claim that the TMC supremo was afraid of him, Banerjee said that it was Modi who was afraid of her and not the other way round.

Without naming former political associate Mukul Roy, whom she addressed as a traitor for quitting her party to join the BJP, she accused Modi of holding a meeting with a person accused in Saradha, Narada cases.

"Have you (PM Narendra Modi) been able to clean the Ganga at Varanasi, that you are looking at Bengal?" Banerjee questioned, saying that the BJP should trying to save its seat in Delhi before turning to Bengal.

She dared the BJP to implement NRC in Bengal, saying it will never be allowed in the state.&nbsp;

Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee Sunday accused the Centre of intervening in state matters while questioning the removal of Andhra Pradesh chief secretary by the Election Commission.

Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee Sunday accused the Centre of intervening in state matters while questioning the removal of Andhra Pradesh chief secretary by the Election Commission. She sought to know why Prime Minister Narendra Modi isn't removing his own Cabinet secretary or the Union home secretary if he was so "fond of making last-minute changes". "Why is the Centre intervening in state matters? Why was Andhra Pradesh chief secretary removed?" Banerjee asked at an election rally here. "Why don't you (Modi) remove your own cabinet secretary," she asked. The Election Commission on Friday removed Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary Anil Chandra Punetha from the post and appointed senior-most IAS officer LV Subrahmanyam in his place. Reacting to the poll panel's move of removing four IPS officers in West Bengal, including Kolkata and Bidhanagar police commissioners, the West Bengal chief minister Saturday wrote a letter protesting its decision. The letter said the removals were "unfortunate, highly arbitrary, motivated and biased" and taken at the behest of BJP, and urged the poll panel to review its decision. Retorting to PM's claim that the TMC supremo was afraid of him, Banerjee said that it was Modi who was afraid of her and not the other way round. Without naming former political associate Mukul Roy, whom she addressed as a traitor for quitting her party to join the BJP, she accused Modi of holding a meeting with a person accused in Saradha, Narada cases. "Have you (PM Narendra Modi) been able to clean the Ganga at Varanasi, that you are looking at Bengal?" Banerjee questioned, saying that the BJP should trying to save its seat in Delhi before turning to Bengal. She dared the BJP to implement NRC in Bengal, saying it will never be allowed in the state.

Mamata lashes out at Modi, questions Andhra chief secretary's Removal