Former TRS leader and Chevella MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy Sunday hinted at the possibility of a "tacit understanding" between the ruling party in Telangana and the BJP behind Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's move to dissolve the assembly before completion of its full term.

The dissolution of the Assembly in September this year had paved the way for early polls in the southern state.

The elections to the 119-member Assembly are scheduled on December 7.

Reddy, who recently crossed over to the Congress, said the decision to hold early elections came as a "shock" to the people.

Addressing reporters, he claimed that factors like the chief minister's "tacit understanding with the Bhartiya Janata Party" or "falling popularity of the ruling

Telangana Rashtra Samiti" might be behind the chief minister's move to dissolve the House.

"It was a matter of shock for all the people as to why the TRS government didn't complete the five years mandate given to them. Why would any government voluntarily dissolve the House and take the risk of being put under President's rule by the Central government?

"There was either a tacit understanding with the BJP or this step was taken out of fear due to the fast declining graph of the TRS in the state," he said. 
Reddy, who had won Chevella seat as a TRS candidate, joined the Congress on November 23 in the presence of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in a public meeting at Medchal.

The chief minister had already dismissed reports that his move to dissolve the House was motivated politically.

His daughter and Nizamabad MP MP K Kavitha has denied that her party had a "covert" understanding with the BJP. She has accused the Congress of spreading such rumours to get minority votes.

Meanwhile, referring to his previous stint in the TRS, Reddy said some of his initiatives were appreciated by the national international bodies such as Unicef, but were not recognised by the KCR-led party.

"I was constantly insulted by various means including removal of my flex boards in the constituency (Chevella)," he said. 
Reddy said the state government is yet to formally apply to the Centre seeking a national status for the Kaleshwaram project though it has been raising the demand.

The CM had laid the foundation stone for the Kaleshwaram irrigation project, taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 80,500 crore, on May 2, 2016. The project aims to take water to the state's drought-hit regions.

Reddy further said the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, which ensures that no state government goes about spending its budget indiscriminately, has been completely neglected by the state.

"The state government debt is to the tune of Rs 2.20 lakh crore. It works out at around Rs 61,000 per person if apportioned to individual citizens in the state," he said.

Responding to a query, Reddy said the TRS took an ambiguous stand on the Triple Talaq Bill that was passed by Parliament recently.

The Congress had last month forged 'Prajakutami' (People's Alliance) with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of Chandrababu Naidu, the Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) to take on the TRS in upcoming polls.

Former TRS leader and Chevella MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy Sunday hinted at the possibility of a "tacit understanding" between the ruling party in Telangana and the BJP behind Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's move to dissolve the assembly before completion of its full term.

Former TRS leader and Chevella MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy Sunday hinted at the possibility of a "tacit understanding" between the ruling party in Telangana and the BJP behind Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's move to dissolve the assembly before completion of its full term. The dissolution of the Assembly in September this year had paved the way for early polls in the southern state. The elections to the 119-member Assembly are scheduled on December 7. Reddy, who recently crossed over to the Congress, said the decision to hold early elections came as a "shock" to the people. Addressing reporters, he claimed that factors like the chief minister's "tacit understanding with the Bhartiya Janata Party" or "falling popularity of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti" might be behind the chief minister's move to dissolve the House. "It was a matter of shock for all the people as to why the TRS government didn't complete the five years mandate given to them. Why would any government voluntarily dissolve the House and take the risk of being put under President's rule by the Central government? "There was either a tacit understanding with the BJP or this step was taken out of fear due to the fast declining graph of the TRS in the state," he said. Reddy, who had won Chevella seat as a TRS candidate, joined the Congress on November 23 in the presence of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in a public meeting at Medchal. The chief minister had already dismissed reports that his move to dissolve the House was motivated politically. His daughter and Nizamabad MP MP K Kavitha has denied that her party had a "covert" understanding with the BJP. She has accused the Congress of spreading such rumours to get minority votes. Meanwhile, referring to his previous stint in the TRS, Reddy said some of his initiatives were appreciated by the national international bodies such as Unicef, but were not recognised by the KCR-led party. "I was constantly insulted by various means including removal of my flex boards in the constituency (Chevella)," he said. Reddy said the state government is yet to formally apply to the Centre seeking a national status for the Kaleshwaram project though it has been raising the demand. The CM had laid the foundation stone for the Kaleshwaram irrigation project, taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 80,500 crore, on May 2, 2016. The project aims to take water to the state's drought-hit regions. Reddy further said the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, which ensures that no state government goes about spending its budget indiscriminately, has been completely neglected by the state. "The state government debt is to the tune of Rs 2.20 lakh crore. It works out at around Rs 61,000 per person if apportioned to individual citizens in the state," he said. Responding to a query, Reddy said the TRS took an ambiguous stand on the Triple Talaq Bill that was passed by Parliament recently. The Congress had last month forged 'Prajakutami' (People's Alliance) with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of Chandrababu Naidu, the Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) to take on the TRS in upcoming polls.

Covert understanding with BJP might be behind KCR's move to dissolve House: TRS leader Reddy

BJP president Amit Shah Sunday alleged that the Congress had "neglected" the "son of Telangana" and former prime minister PV Narasimha Rao after his death and sought the response of Rahul Gandhi, the chief of the opposition party, in the matter.

He also alleged that the Congress had not paid appropriate last respects to Rao, who died in 2004, when the party was in power at the Centre.

Addressing a public meeting here in Siddipet district ahead of the December 7 Telangana Assembly polls, Shah asked Gandhi to explain the "kind of treatment" meted out to Rao after his demise.

"Now Rahul Gandhiji is saying everyone should live with love. I want to ask him, when the son of Telangana and our former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao had died, (why) no 'salami' was given to his mortal remains and why were they sent to Hyderabad.

"I want to ask him (Gandhi), why such a treatment was meted out to the son of Telangana," he said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had accused the Congress in the past also of ignoring the legacy of Rao and humiliating him, which was denied by the opposition party.

During his speech, Shah listed out various welfare schemes launched by the Narendra Modi government in the last four-and-a-half years.

He said the Centre was working for various sections of the society, including the poor, farmers, women, Dalits and tribals.

Crores of toilets and houses were built for the people under the watch of the BJP government, Shah said.

"Our government provided LPG connections to poor women and also ensured electricity. These development works improved the standard of living of over 22 crore families," he added.

Improving the country's security was the biggest work of Prime Minister Modi, the BJP chief said.

"Under the previous UPA government, infiltrators from Pakistan used to enter India but no proper reply was given to them in those 10 years. However, after the Uri terror attack (in 2016), India under Modiji carried out surgical strikes in Pakistan and avenged the killing of our soldiers," he added.

Shah said the respect for India had increased manifold in the world under Modi.

Turning to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government in the southern state, he claimed that the ruling party had failed to implement several welfare programmes of the Centre, including its ambitious health insurance scheme, because it was "scared" that the prime minister might become more popular in Telangana.

Shah accused TRS chief and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) of not extending any help to the farmers in the state, due to which, he said over 4,000 of them committed suicide in the last four-and-a-half years.

Shah said KCR had failed to fulfil the promises made to the people of Telangana, including the three-acre land parcel scheme for Dalits.

He appealed to the people to vote the saffron party to power in the upcoming polls as the Congress, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the TRS had been elected earlier.

"Give one chance to Modiji and we will transform Telangana into a model state in five years," Shah said.

The 119-member Telangana Assembly will go to the polls on December 7 and the results will be announced on December 11.&nbsp;

BJP president Amit Shah Sunday alleged that the Congress had "neglected" the "son of Telangana" and former prime minister PV Narasimha Rao after his death and sought the response of Rahul Gandhi, the chief of the opposition party, in the matter.

BJP president Amit Shah Sunday alleged that the Congress had "neglected" the "son of Telangana" and former prime minister PV Narasimha Rao after his death and sought the response of Rahul Gandhi, the chief of the opposition party, in the matter. He also alleged that the Congress had not paid appropriate last respects to Rao, who died in 2004, when the party was in power at the Centre. Addressing a public meeting here in Siddipet district ahead of the December 7 Telangana Assembly polls, Shah asked Gandhi to explain the "kind of treatment" meted out to Rao after his demise. "Now Rahul Gandhiji is saying everyone should live with love. I want to ask him, when the son of Telangana and our former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao had died, (why) no 'salami' was given to his mortal remains and why were they sent to Hyderabad. "I want to ask him (Gandhi), why such a treatment was meted out to the son of Telangana," he said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had accused the Congress in the past also of ignoring the legacy of Rao and humiliating him, which was denied by the opposition party. During his speech, Shah listed out various welfare schemes launched by the Narendra Modi government in the last four-and-a-half years. He said the Centre was working for various sections of the society, including the poor, farmers, women, Dalits and tribals. Crores of toilets and houses were built for the people under the watch of the BJP government, Shah said. "Our government provided LPG connections to poor women and also ensured electricity. These development works improved the standard of living of over 22 crore families," he added. Improving the country's security was the biggest work of Prime Minister Modi, the BJP chief said. "Under the previous UPA government, infiltrators from Pakistan used to enter India but no proper reply was given to them in those 10 years. However, after the Uri terror attack (in 2016), India under Modiji carried out surgical strikes in Pakistan and avenged the killing of our soldiers," he added. Shah said the respect for India had increased manifold in the world under Modi. Turning to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government in the southern state, he claimed that the ruling party had failed to implement several welfare programmes of the Centre, including its ambitious health insurance scheme, because it was "scared" that the prime minister might become more popular in Telangana. Shah accused TRS chief and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) of not extending any help to the farmers in the state, due to which, he said over 4,000 of them committed suicide in the last four-and-a-half years. Shah said KCR had failed to fulfil the promises made to the people of Telangana, including the three-acre land parcel scheme for Dalits. He appealed to the people to vote the saffron party to power in the upcoming polls as the Congress, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the TRS had been elected earlier. "Give one chance to Modiji and we will transform Telangana into a model state in five years," Shah said. The 119-member Telangana Assembly will go to the polls on December 7 and the results will be announced on December 11.

Congress neglected ex-PM and 'son of Telangana' Rao post his death: Amit Shah

The verbal attacks during the ongoing election campaign in Telangana hit a new low Sunday when Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao called his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu "a mental".

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief was speaking at a public meeting at Pargi in Vikarabad district ahead of the December 7 state Assembly polls.

"I say Chandrababu is a mental. Why? Because he had once said goats should be banned in order to save the forests (by preventing grazing). When was the goat born (the species came into existence) and when was he born? Who are you to ban the goat, a creation of nature?" Rao asked.

"He (Naidu) claims that he was instrumental in putting Hyderabad on the world map. What should we do with this man," he said, hitting out at the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo.

"If he is that capable, why did he fail in building Amaravati (the upcoming capital of Andhra Pradesh)? Except graphic representations, no real building has come up there.

"This kind of cheats are coming to you, seeking votes. If we are not careful, we will be cheated," Rao said in a scathing attack on the People's Front alliance of the Congress, TDP, Telangana Jana Samithi and CPI.

He claimed that the power situation in Telangana had improved drastically since 2014, but it would worsen again if his party lost in the upcoming polls. 
The TRS was going to form the government by winning 103 to 106 of the 119 seats in the state, Rao claimed, citing a survey.

At a public meeting at Devarkadra, Rao alleged that Naidu had filed 35 court cases and "written 40 letters", opposing the irrigating projects in Telangana, and now, he was seeking votes in the state.

Hitting out at the Congress, the TRS chief said, "Don't you see the development here? Are you giving a Rs 1,000 pension to people in the states where your party is in power (as in Telangana)?"

Speaking at Narayanpet, the chief minister said democracy in the country had not reached "enough maturity levels" and that people should not vote carelessly.

"Many parties will come and say many things. Please listen to them and think once again before casting the vote, which is going to change our fate," he said.

Rao also addressed public meetings at Tandur, Shadnagar and Ibrahimpatnam Sunday.

The 119-member Telangana Assembly will go to the polls on December 7 and the results will be announced on December 11.&nbsp;

The verbal attacks during the ongoing election campaign in Telangana hit a new low Sunday when Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao called his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu "a mental".

The verbal attacks during the ongoing election campaign in Telangana hit a new low Sunday when Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao called his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu "a mental". The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief was speaking at a public meeting at Pargi in Vikarabad district ahead of the December 7 state Assembly polls. "I say Chandrababu is a mental. Why? Because he had once said goats should be banned in order to save the forests (by preventing grazing). When was the goat born (the species came into existence) and when was he born? Who are you to ban the goat, a creation of nature?" Rao asked. "He (Naidu) claims that he was instrumental in putting Hyderabad on the world map. What should we do with this man," he said, hitting out at the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo. "If he is that capable, why did he fail in building Amaravati (the upcoming capital of Andhra Pradesh)? Except graphic representations, no real building has come up there. "This kind of cheats are coming to you, seeking votes. If we are not careful, we will be cheated," Rao said in a scathing attack on the People's Front alliance of the Congress, TDP, Telangana Jana Samithi and CPI. He claimed that the power situation in Telangana had improved drastically since 2014, but it would worsen again if his party lost in the upcoming polls. The TRS was going to form the government by winning 103 to 106 of the 119 seats in the state, Rao claimed, citing a survey. At a public meeting at Devarkadra, Rao alleged that Naidu had filed 35 court cases and "written 40 letters", opposing the irrigating projects in Telangana, and now, he was seeking votes in the state. Hitting out at the Congress, the TRS chief said, "Don't you see the development here? Are you giving a Rs 1,000 pension to people in the states where your party is in power (as in Telangana)?" Speaking at Narayanpet, the chief minister said democracy in the country had not reached "enough maturity levels" and that people should not vote carelessly. "Many parties will come and say many things. Please listen to them and think once again before casting the vote, which is going to change our fate," he said. Rao also addressed public meetings at Tandur, Shadnagar and Ibrahimpatnam Sunday. The 119-member Telangana Assembly will go to the polls on December 7 and the results will be announced on December 11.

KCR calls Chandrababu 'mental', questions his development claims

In a bid to check the flow of excess money in electioneering, the Election Commission has lowered the limit of cash transactions by candidates for campaigning purposes from Rs 20,000 to Rs 10,000 per day.

In an instruction sent to all chief electoral officers, the poll panel said that for transactions beyond Rs 10,000, the candidates and parties will have to make payment using cross cheques, drafts or electronic means, including NEFT/RTGS, through the account of the candidate opened for electioneering.

In April, 2011, the EC had set the daily cash limit to Rs 20,000. But now it has been revised keeping in mind the amendments in section 40A(3) of the Income Tax Act in 2017.

The new changes came into being from November 12 and would have a bearing on assembly polls in Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Now, a candidate cannot receive a donation or loan in cash, in excess of Rs 10,000 from a single person or entity during campaigning.

The election watchdog has been pushing for greater transparency in election-related expenditure by parties and candidates.

Like individuals, there should be a ceiling on expenditure made by political parties during polls, according to a 2015 Election Commission draft document based on the 'general agreement' among participants.

At present, while there is a ceiling on campaigning fund for individual candidates in electoral fray, there is no such cap on the money which political parties can spend for electioneering.&nbsp;

In a bid to check the flow of excess money in electioneering, the Election Commission has lowered the limit of cash transactions by candidates for campaigning purposes from Rs 20,000 to Rs 10,000 per day.

In a bid to check the flow of excess money in electioneering, the Election Commission has lowered the limit of cash transactions by candidates for campaigning purposes from Rs 20,000 to Rs 10,000 per day. In an instruction sent to all chief electoral officers, the poll panel said that for transactions beyond Rs 10,000, the candidates and parties will have to make payment using cross cheques, drafts or electronic means, including NEFT/RTGS, through the account of the candidate opened for electioneering. In April, 2011, the EC had set the daily cash limit to Rs 20,000. But now it has been revised keeping in mind the amendments in section 40A(3) of the Income Tax Act in 2017. The new changes came into being from November 12 and would have a bearing on assembly polls in Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Now, a candidate cannot receive a donation or loan in cash, in excess of Rs 10,000 from a single person or entity during campaigning. The election watchdog has been pushing for greater transparency in election-related expenditure by parties and candidates. Like individuals, there should be a ceiling on expenditure made by political parties during polls, according to a 2015 Election Commission draft document based on the 'general agreement' among participants. At present, while there is a ceiling on campaigning fund for individual candidates in electoral fray, there is no such cap on the money which political parties can spend for electioneering.

Election Commission lowers daily cash transaction limit of candidates for campaigning purposes

With just three days left for the Mizoram Assembly elections, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla Sunday said the Congress is open to form a post-poll alliance with like-minded parties, excluding the BJP and MNF, if the ruling party falls short of a majority.

He, however, claimed that such a situation will not arise as the Congress will get a full majority on its own.

In Mizoram, support of 21 MLAs is needed to form a government in the 40-member Assembly, which is going to polls on November 28 and the counting will take place on December 11."If like-minded parties come to me and want to support my leadership, then they may (be) welcomed," Thanhawla told PTI during an interview when asked if the Congress is willing to form a post-poll alliance if it does not get a simple majority.

Asked with whom the Congress is comfortable to form an alliance, he said, "I don't know at this moment. But certainly not the BJP, certainly not the MNF. Let the time come."

Refusing to predict a number, the senior Congress leader said his party will get a comfortable majority.

"I am quite confident that I will continue to be in power and I will hold the fort for the Congress (in North East). All indications are there," he added.

Mizoram is significant for the Congress as it remains the only state under the party's rule in the region compared to as many as five just about two years ago, which included Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.

Thanhawla said there is no difference in the campaign this time compared to that in previous two terms as big crowds can be seen in party meetings and "large number" of people are joining the Congress.

When pointed out that senior ministers and political leaders have left the party in the last two months, he said, "I don't see any worker leaving my party at this stage. But unwanted and corrupt people have left. Congress workers are very grateful and they are much inspired because these corrupt people have left the party."

At least five Congress MLAs have resigned from the Assembly and the party in the run-up to the polls and joined either the BJP or the Mizo National Front (MNF).

Those who have resigned include state's Home Minister R Lalzirliana, former Health Minister Lalrinliana Sailo, former Fisheries Minister Buddha Dhan Chakma and MLA Hmingdailova Khiangte. Besides, Mizoram Assembly Speaker Hiphei resigned earlier this month.

&nbsp;Asked about anti-incumbency factor as alleged by the opposition MNF, Thanhawla said, "Not all. Only MNF is feeling anti-incumbency factor. They don't have anything to point fingers at me -- no scandal, no misuse (of funds). How can they say anti-incumbency wind is blowing in Mizoram? It's only their wishful thinking."

On MNF President Zoramthanga's comment that all roads of Mizoram are in "ICU", the chief minister said: "He is a good speaker. His mouth speaks a lot. He has a big mouth. I have seen my roads. I have travelled my roads. So, who is telling lie and who is telling the truth, you can easily differentiate and know. Lies do not have legs. They fall on the waste side."

The Congress has been in power in Mizoram since 2008 and is eyeing a third consecutive term. In the 2013 elections, the Congress had won 34 seats, while the MNF got five and the Mizoram People's Conference one.

The ruling party had improved its tally in 2013 elections from 32 in 2008. This time, both Congress and MNF are contesting all the 40 constituencies this time, while BJP is fighting in 39 seats.

With just three days left for the Mizoram Assembly elections, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla Sunday said the Congress is open to form a post-poll alliance with like-minded parties, excluding the BJP and MNF, if the ruling party falls short of a majority.

With just three days left for the Mizoram Assembly elections, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla Sunday said the Congress is open to form a post-poll alliance with like-minded parties, excluding the BJP and MNF, if the ruling party falls short of a majority. He, however, claimed that such a situation will not arise as the Congress will get a full majority on its own. In Mizoram, support of 21 MLAs is needed to form a government in the 40-member Assembly, which is going to polls on November 28 and the counting will take place on December 11."If like-minded parties come to me and want to support my leadership, then they may (be) welcomed," Thanhawla told PTI during an interview when asked if the Congress is willing to form a post-poll alliance if it does not get a simple majority. Asked with whom the Congress is comfortable to form an alliance, he said, "I don't know at this moment. But certainly not the BJP, certainly not the MNF. Let the time come." Refusing to predict a number, the senior Congress leader said his party will get a comfortable majority. "I am quite confident that I will continue to be in power and I will hold the fort for the Congress (in North East). All indications are there," he added. Mizoram is significant for the Congress as it remains the only state under the party's rule in the region compared to as many as five just about two years ago, which included Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Thanhawla said there is no difference in the campaign this time compared to that in previous two terms as big crowds can be seen in party meetings and "large number" of people are joining the Congress. When pointed out that senior ministers and political leaders have left the party in the last two months, he said, "I don't see any worker leaving my party at this stage. But unwanted and corrupt people have left. Congress workers are very grateful and they are much inspired because these corrupt people have left the party." At least five Congress MLAs have resigned from the Assembly and the party in the run-up to the polls and joined either the BJP or the Mizo National Front (MNF). Those who have resigned include state's Home Minister R Lalzirliana, former Health Minister Lalrinliana Sailo, former Fisheries Minister Buddha Dhan Chakma and MLA Hmingdailova Khiangte. Besides, Mizoram Assembly Speaker Hiphei resigned earlier this month. Asked about anti-incumbency factor as alleged by the opposition MNF, Thanhawla said, "Not all. Only MNF is feeling anti-incumbency factor. They don't have anything to point fingers at me -- no scandal, no misuse (of funds). How can they say anti-incumbency wind is blowing in Mizoram? It's only their wishful thinking." On MNF President Zoramthanga's comment that all roads of Mizoram are in "ICU", the chief minister said: "He is a good speaker. His mouth speaks a lot. He has a big mouth. I have seen my roads. I have travelled my roads. So, who is telling lie and who is telling the truth, you can easily differentiate and know. Lies do not have legs. They fall on the waste side." The Congress has been in power in Mizoram since 2008 and is eyeing a third consecutive term. In the 2013 elections, the Congress had won 34 seats, while the MNF got five and the Mizoram People's Conference one. The ruling party had improved its tally in 2013 elections from 32 in 2008. This time, both Congress and MNF are contesting all the 40 constituencies this time, while BJP is fighting in 39 seats.

Congress may form post-poll alliance with like-minded parties in Mizoram: CM Lal Thanhawla

Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao did not implement several schemes of the Central government because they believed it will make PM Narendra Modi more popular in the state, said BJP President Amit Shah in public rally at Siddipet in Telangana.&nbsp;

Telangana goes to polls on December 7.

KCR government hasn’t been able to fulfil any of its election promises, Shah said.&nbsp;

''Instead of giving employment to 1.60 lakh people, more than 2 lakh seats are lying vacant,'' the BJP leader said.&nbsp;

Earlier addressing a rally in Warangal, the BJP chief said Telangana CM has proposed 12 per cent reservation for the minorities which isn't possible without taking away reservation quotas of SCs, STs or OBCs. BJP is against any reservation on the basis of religion and will not allow anyone else to make this happen, Shah further said.

Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao did not implement several schemes of the Central government because they believed it will make PM Narendra Modi more popular in the state, said BJP President Amit Shah in public rally at Siddipet in Telangana.

Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao did not implement several schemes of the Central government because they believed it will make PM Narendra Modi more popular in the state, said BJP President Amit Shah in public rally at Siddipet in Telangana. Telangana goes to polls on December 7. KCR government hasn’t been able to fulfil any of its election promises, Shah said. ''Instead of giving employment to 1.60 lakh people, more than 2 lakh seats are lying vacant,'' the BJP leader said. Earlier addressing a rally in Warangal, the BJP chief said Telangana CM has proposed 12 per cent reservation for the minorities which isn't possible without taking away reservation quotas of SCs, STs or OBCs. BJP is against any reservation on the basis of religion and will not allow anyone else to make this happen, Shah further said.

Telangana govt didn't implement Centre's schemes lest it make Modi popular: Amit Shah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Congress Sunday for dragging his parents into a political slugfest, alleging that it was being done at the behest of party chief Rahul Gandhi.

He also justified his own tirade against the Nehru-Gandhi family, pointing out that unlike his parents, they occupied top positions in politics and the government.

Congress leaders have kicked up a controversy recently by first comparing the falling value of the rupee to the advanced age of Modi's mother and then claiming that the father of the prime minister was not someone illustrious.

"What has happened to the Congress party? Naamdar (referring to Rahul Gandhi) is tacitly supporting it, and therefore, its leaders are dragging the name of my father, who passed away 30 years ago," Modi said, addressing a rally here in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.

"The Congress is running out of steam in this election, so they have started dragging my parents into politics,'' Modi said.

"No Congressman would make such a statement against me or my family without the consent of the party president (Rahul Gandhi). It is the 'naamdar' (dynast) who is making his leaders speak against me," he added.

"My mother sits in her house, performing religious rites, confining herself to a room, and has never visited Madhya Pradesh. She does not even know the 'R' of 'rajneeti' (politics)," Modi said.

"Yesterday, they took the name of my mother and now my father. The Congress chief is behind this....Naamdar alleges that the prime minister takes the names of his family members. Yes, I have to take their names as they were in politics, unlike my family members who sit quietly in their home and do their job," he added.

"Had my parents held any public post, they should also have been criticised," the prime minister said.

"Your family has occupied top positions at the national level. The more you ask me about my performance, the onus is more on your family as well," he added.

The opposition party was left with no issues and was, therefore, indulging in this kind of an abusive rhetoric, Modi said.

"The Congress should compare its 55 years of rule with my four years (at the Centre) and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's 15 years (in the state).

"The Congress is lying so much to people that the people of Madhya Pradesh should wake up and ensure that not a single Congress candidate wins," he added.

The previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had introduced a crop loan waiver scheme in 2008, but of the Rs 6-lakh crore agricultural debt in the country, loans of only Rs 60,000 crore were waived, the prime minister claimed.

Former Union minister Vilas Muttemwar made a controversial statement at a Congress meeting in Rajasthan Saturday.

"Who knew you (Modi) before you became the prime minister? Even now, nobody knows the name of your father, but everyone knows the name of Rahul Gandhi's father," Muttemwar was purportedly heard saying in a video that went viral.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar had compared the falling value of the rupee to the advanced age of Modi's mother.

In his speech in Vidisha Sunday, Modi also mentioned his cabinet colleague and local MP Sushma Swaraj.

Despite health issues, Swaraj had ensured the development of the constituency, the prime minister said.

The 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly will go to the polls on November 28 and the results will be announced on December 11. &nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Congress Sunday for dragging his parents into a political slugfest, alleging that it was being done at the behest of party chief Rahul Gandhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Congress Sunday for dragging his parents into a political slugfest, alleging that it was being done at the behest of party chief Rahul Gandhi. He also justified his own tirade against the Nehru-Gandhi family, pointing out that unlike his parents, they occupied top positions in politics and the government. Congress leaders have kicked up a controversy recently by first comparing the falling value of the rupee to the advanced age of Modi's mother and then claiming that the father of the prime minister was not someone illustrious. "What has happened to the Congress party? Naamdar (referring to Rahul Gandhi) is tacitly supporting it, and therefore, its leaders are dragging the name of my father, who passed away 30 years ago," Modi said, addressing a rally here in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. "The Congress is running out of steam in this election, so they have started dragging my parents into politics,'' Modi said. "No Congressman would make such a statement against me or my family without the consent of the party president (Rahul Gandhi). It is the 'naamdar' (dynast) who is making his leaders speak against me," he added. "My mother sits in her house, performing religious rites, confining herself to a room, and has never visited Madhya Pradesh. She does not even know the 'R' of 'rajneeti' (politics)," Modi said. "Yesterday, they took the name of my mother and now my father. The Congress chief is behind this....Naamdar alleges that the prime minister takes the names of his family members. Yes, I have to take their names as they were in politics, unlike my family members who sit quietly in their home and do their job," he added. "Had my parents held any public post, they should also have been criticised," the prime minister said. "Your family has occupied top positions at the national level. The more you ask me about my performance, the onus is more on your family as well," he added. The opposition party was left with no issues and was, therefore, indulging in this kind of an abusive rhetoric, Modi said. "The Congress should compare its 55 years of rule with my four years (at the Centre) and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's 15 years (in the state). "The Congress is lying so much to people that the people of Madhya Pradesh should wake up and ensure that not a single Congress candidate wins," he added. The previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had introduced a crop loan waiver scheme in 2008, but of the Rs 6-lakh crore agricultural debt in the country, loans of only Rs 60,000 crore were waived, the prime minister claimed. Former Union minister Vilas Muttemwar made a controversial statement at a Congress meeting in Rajasthan Saturday. "Who knew you (Modi) before you became the prime minister? Even now, nobody knows the name of your father, but everyone knows the name of Rahul Gandhi's father," Muttemwar was purportedly heard saying in a video that went viral. Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar had compared the falling value of the rupee to the advanced age of Modi's mother. In his speech in Vidisha Sunday, Modi also mentioned his cabinet colleague and local MP Sushma Swaraj. Despite health issues, Swaraj had ensured the development of the constituency, the prime minister said. The 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly will go to the polls on November 28 and the results will be announced on December 11.

Congress dragging my parents into politics at Rahul's behest: PM Modi

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-confused-by-who-will-be-cm-party-will-fuse-modi-in-rajasthan-179312">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> alleged Sunday that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-dragging-my-parents-into-politics-at-rahuls-behest-pm-modi-179367">Congress threatened Supreme Court</a> judges with impeachment when they tried to hear the Ayodhya dispute cases earlier this year.

Without naming anyone, Modi claimed that Congress party's Rajya Sabha members, who are also lawyers, had tried to scare away the apex court judges to ensure the hearing in the cases is delayed until after the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

In an unprecedented move, seven opposition parties led by the Congress had moved a notice for the impeachment of then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra in April this year, accusing him of "misbehaviour" and "misuse" of authority.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu rejected the notice, saying the case against the then CJI was based on "suspicion and conjectures".

At the political rally in Rajasthan's Alwar district, Modi said the Congress has no faith in democracy and judiciary. "It does not hold dialogue and stall proceedings in Parliament, but the new game they are playing now is dangerous and this must be debated for a bright future of the country."

"If a Supreme Court judge does not prepare the timetable (for hearing cases) as per their (Congress's) political intentions and wants to hear all to deliver justice on a serious and sensitive issue, such as Ayodhya, then the party's lawyers, who are Rajya Sabha members, start the game of scaring the judges in the name of impeachment," Modi said.

He urged intellectuals to analyse this "dangerous game" of the Congress in the interest of the country.

"They are working to scare judiciary on the ground of their numbers in Rajya Sabha. But we will not let this 'kaala kaarnama' happen in the temple of democracy," he said.

The prime minister said the opposition party has "no courage" to talk about development and hence "they ask about the caste of Modi."

"Will you vote on the basis of the caste of Modi? Will the future of Rajasthan be decided on basis of birthplace of Modi," he asked the crowd gathered at his rally.

Modi's remarks were a reaction to former Union minister CP Joshi's statement when he had questioned the caste of Modi and others during a speech in Rajsamand district's Nathdwara.

Joshi is the Congress candidate from Nathdwara assembly constituency.

"They are deep neck involved in casteism. Casteism and feeling of hate against poor, deprived, underprivileged is in their veins and such statements reflect the basic behaviour and conduct of the Congress. It does not matter who spoke that (Joshi's renmarks) because everyone knows about the 'naamdaar' who make them speak," he said, apparently referring to the Gandhi family.

Modi also targeted the Congress over issues and discrimination faced by Dalits, saying the party "forgot" to give the Bharat Ratna to B R Ambedkar.

Ambedkar was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1990, 34 years after his death.

"Congress has only divided the country. For them, Dalits are a vote bank while our values and traditions are different," Modi claimed, trying to contrast his party's attitude to the community, of whose members have been assaulted and beaten by right-wing activists for allegedly indulging in cow trade, with that of the Congress.

In Rajasthan, Modi praised the BJP's Vasundhara Raje government, saying it has done lot of work.

He also attacked Congress over a recent video in which a Congress candidate is seen stopping a party supporter shouting "Bharat Mata ki jai" and then the supporter starts shouting: "Sonia Gandhi ki jai".

"For us, the country is bigger than the party but Sonia Gandhi is bigger than Bharat Mata for them," he said.

Modi recalled BJP leaders like former vice president the late Bhairo Singh Shkhawat and said he had started election campaign during the 2013 assembly elections in Rajasthan from Alwar.

Chief minister Raje and the party's candidates on all 11 constituencies of Alwar district were present at the rally.

In Lok Sabha bypolls earlier this year, the BJP had faced defeat in Alwar.

In the 2013 assembly election, the BJP won nine out of the 11 seats in Alwar but one of its sitting MLAs, Dharmpal Chaudhary, died in April this year; the party has given ticket to his son Manjit Chaudhary from Mundawar seat.

Located in eastern part of the desert state, Alwar shares border with Haryana and forms a part of Mewat region having a sizable population of Mev (Muslim) community people.

It also touches Jaipur, Bharatpur and Dausa districts.

Alwar's Ramgarh, a constituency represented by Gyan Dev Ahuja, who has been dropped by the BJP this time, was in bad light following the mob lynching of Akbar Khan on suspicion of cow smuggling in July this year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged Sunday that the Congress threatened Supreme Court judges with impeachment when they tried to hear the Ayodhya dispute cases earlier this year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged Sunday that the Congress threatened Supreme Court judges with impeachment when they tried to hear the Ayodhya dispute cases earlier this year. Without naming anyone, Modi claimed that Congress party's Rajya Sabha members, who are also lawyers, had tried to scare away the apex court judges to ensure the hearing in the cases is delayed until after the 2019 Lok Sabha election. In an unprecedented move, seven opposition parties led by the Congress had moved a notice for the impeachment of then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra in April this year, accusing him of "misbehaviour" and "misuse" of authority. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu rejected the notice, saying the case against the then CJI was based on "suspicion and conjectures". At the political rally in Rajasthan's Alwar district, Modi said the Congress has no faith in democracy and judiciary. "It does not hold dialogue and stall proceedings in Parliament, but the new game they are playing now is dangerous and this must be debated for a bright future of the country." "If a Supreme Court judge does not prepare the timetable (for hearing cases) as per their (Congress's) political intentions and wants to hear all to deliver justice on a serious and sensitive issue, such as Ayodhya, then the party's lawyers, who are Rajya Sabha members, start the game of scaring the judges in the name of impeachment," Modi said. He urged intellectuals to analyse this "dangerous game" of the Congress in the interest of the country. "They are working to scare judiciary on the ground of their numbers in Rajya Sabha. But we will not let this 'kaala kaarnama' happen in the temple of democracy," he said. The prime minister said the opposition party has "no courage" to talk about development and hence "they ask about the caste of Modi." "Will you vote on the basis of the caste of Modi? Will the future of Rajasthan be decided on basis of birthplace of Modi," he asked the crowd gathered at his rally. Modi's remarks were a reaction to former Union minister CP Joshi's statement when he had questioned the caste of Modi and others during a speech in Rajsamand district's Nathdwara. Joshi is the Congress candidate from Nathdwara assembly constituency. "They are deep neck involved in casteism. Casteism and feeling of hate against poor, deprived, underprivileged is in their veins and such statements reflect the basic behaviour and conduct of the Congress. It does not matter who spoke that (Joshi's renmarks) because everyone knows about the 'naamdaar' who make them speak," he said, apparently referring to the Gandhi family. Modi also targeted the Congress over issues and discrimination faced by Dalits, saying the party "forgot" to give the Bharat Ratna to B R Ambedkar. Ambedkar was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1990, 34 years after his death. "Congress has only divided the country. For them, Dalits are a vote bank while our values and traditions are different," Modi claimed, trying to contrast his party's attitude to the community, of whose members have been assaulted and beaten by right-wing activists for allegedly indulging in cow trade, with that of the Congress. In Rajasthan, Modi praised the BJP's Vasundhara Raje government, saying it has done lot of work. He also attacked Congress over a recent video in which a Congress candidate is seen stopping a party supporter shouting "Bharat Mata ki jai" and then the supporter starts shouting: "Sonia Gandhi ki jai". "For us, the country is bigger than the party but Sonia Gandhi is bigger than Bharat Mata for them," he said. Modi recalled BJP leaders like former vice president the late Bhairo Singh Shkhawat and said he had started election campaign during the 2013 assembly elections in Rajasthan from Alwar. Chief minister Raje and the party's candidates on all 11 constituencies of Alwar district were present at the rally. In Lok Sabha bypolls earlier this year, the BJP had faced defeat in Alwar. In the 2013 assembly election, the BJP won nine out of the 11 seats in Alwar but one of its sitting MLAs, Dharmpal Chaudhary, died in April this year; the party has given ticket to his son Manjit Chaudhary from Mundawar seat. Located in eastern part of the desert state, Alwar shares border with Haryana and forms a part of Mewat region having a sizable population of Mev (Muslim) community people. It also touches Jaipur, Bharatpur and Dausa districts. Alwar's Ramgarh, a constituency represented by Gyan Dev Ahuja, who has been dropped by the BJP this time, was in bad light following the mob lynching of Akbar Khan on suspicion of cow smuggling in July this year.

Congress threatened SC judges, who tried to hear Ayodhya cases, with impeachment: PM Modi

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is eyeing "friends" in the Congress, Mizo National Front (MNF) and Zoram People`s Movement (ZPM) for an alliance, if it gets respectable number of seats in the upcoming assembly elections in Mizoram.

Assam Finance Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party`s strategist in the North East Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday told ANI: "If we get a respectable number of seats then we have friends in Congress, Mizo National Front (MNF) and Zoram People`s Movement (ZPM). But first, our aim is to get the respectable number of seats in the upcoming elections."

Mizoram goes to polls on November 28 and counting will be on December 11.

Underling that BJP will be a major factor in forming the government in the state, the leader asserted: "Once the result is announced, any political formation to form a government, they will need BJP."

The leader, who played a crucial role in the Assam Assembly elections in 2016 and Manipur Assembly polls in 2017 in installing the BJP governments there and ousting the Congress regimes, explained that communication and education will be BJP`s top agenda in Mizoram.

He said, "I believe that the first thing which is imperative for Mizoram to develop is the communication network. The railways have not been expanded in the region. If one looks at the national highways, all of them are under construction and state highways do not even exist. It is a sorry state of affairs in the region."

Responding to the allegation that the BJP is practising communal politics, he said: "There is no evidence that BJP is playing religious politics. We vowed for the Indian civilisation, we talk for Indian civilisation."

Sarma who was with the Congress for many years before shifting loyalty to the BJP before the Assam assembly polls, and helped the BJP make inroads in the North East, hit out at the Congress saying, "As far as Congress president Rahul Gandhi is concerned, today he is promoting leaders like Shashi Tharoor, Kamal Nath, CP Joshi. These leaders are blatantly doing religious politics. Whenever Shashi Tharoor attends public events, he abuses the Hindu religion. Kamal Nath has joined the same rhetoric. CP Joshi too had stated that people belonging to OBC and SC/ST do not know anything about Hinduism. These leaders have the support of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi."&nbsp;

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is eyeing "friends" in the Congress, Mizo National Front (MNF) and Zoram People`s Movement (ZPM) for an alliance, if it gets respectable number of seats in the upcoming assembly elections in Mizoram.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is eyeing "friends" in the Congress, Mizo National Front (MNF) and Zoram People`s Movement (ZPM) for an alliance, if it gets respectable number of seats in the upcoming assembly elections in Mizoram. Assam Finance Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party`s strategist in the North East Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday told ANI: "If we get a respectable number of seats then we have friends in Congress, Mizo National Front (MNF) and Zoram People`s Movement (ZPM). But first, our aim is to get the respectable number of seats in the upcoming elections." Mizoram goes to polls on November 28 and counting will be on December 11. Underling that BJP will be a major factor in forming the government in the state, the leader asserted: "Once the result is announced, any political formation to form a government, they will need BJP." The leader, who played a crucial role in the Assam Assembly elections in 2016 and Manipur Assembly polls in 2017 in installing the BJP governments there and ousting the Congress regimes, explained that communication and education will be BJP`s top agenda in Mizoram. He said, "I believe that the first thing which is imperative for Mizoram to develop is the communication network. The railways have not been expanded in the region. If one looks at the national highways, all of them are under construction and state highways do not even exist. It is a sorry state of affairs in the region." Responding to the allegation that the BJP is practising communal politics, he said: "There is no evidence that BJP is playing religious politics. We vowed for the Indian civilisation, we talk for Indian civilisation." Sarma who was with the Congress for many years before shifting loyalty to the BJP before the Assam assembly polls, and helped the BJP make inroads in the North East, hit out at the Congress saying, "As far as Congress president Rahul Gandhi is concerned, today he is promoting leaders like Shashi Tharoor, Kamal Nath, CP Joshi. These leaders are blatantly doing religious politics. Whenever Shashi Tharoor attends public events, he abuses the Hindu religion. Kamal Nath has joined the same rhetoric. CP Joshi too had stated that people belonging to OBC and SC/ST do not know anything about Hinduism. These leaders have the support of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi."

Will reach out to friends in Congress, MNF for alliance: Himanta Biswa Sarma on Mizoram polls

Senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma Saturday said that the party had worked together with the ruling Congress, the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) in Mizoram and there was nothing to hide in those alliances.

BJP and traditional rival Congress had formed a coalition in the Chakma Autonomous District Council in the state and had formed its executive committee.

The party is working with MNF as constituents of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), which is led by it and he is the convener, and also in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), Sarma told newsmen here.

About ZPM, he said BJP had forged electoral alliance with the party earlier too in the Aizawl Municipal Corporation.

"There was nothing to hide in the alliances with those parties and everything was transparent," he said adding that if there is any alliance in the post-assembly poll scenario that too would be transparent.

The propaganda by certain parties calling BJP an anti-Christian party is "baseless and lies" as is seen in the neighbouring states of Nagaland and Meghalaya, he added.

The election to the 20-member CADC on April 20 had thrown up a fractured mandate with the MNF getting eight seats, the Congress six and the BJP five. The polling for one seat was stayed by the Gauhati High Court.

The coalition formed by BJP and Congress had faced a setback after some Congress members withdrew support to the BJP-led CADC.

Senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma Saturday said that the party had worked together with the ruling Congress, the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) in Mizoram and there was nothing to hide in those alliances.

Senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma Saturday said that the party had worked together with the ruling Congress, the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) in Mizoram and there was nothing to hide in those alliances. BJP and traditional rival Congress had formed a coalition in the Chakma Autonomous District Council in the state and had formed its executive committee. The party is working with MNF as constituents of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), which is led by it and he is the convener, and also in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), Sarma told newsmen here. About ZPM, he said BJP had forged electoral alliance with the party earlier too in the Aizawl Municipal Corporation. "There was nothing to hide in the alliances with those parties and everything was transparent," he said adding that if there is any alliance in the post-assembly poll scenario that too would be transparent. The propaganda by certain parties calling BJP an anti-Christian party is "baseless and lies" as is seen in the neighbouring states of Nagaland and Meghalaya, he added. The election to the 20-member CADC on April 20 had thrown up a fractured mandate with the MNF getting eight seats, the Congress six and the BJP five. The polling for one seat was stayed by the Gauhati High Court. The coalition formed by BJP and Congress had faced a setback after some Congress members withdrew support to the BJP-led CADC.

BJP had worked with Congress, MNF, ZPM in the past in Mizoram: Himanta Biswa Sarma

The Election Commission has set up over 11,000 new polling booths in Madhya Pradesh, the maximum among the five states having assembly polls, as part of its efforts to ensure a high voter turnout during the elections slated next week, the state's chief electoral officer said on Thursday.

CEO V L Kantha Rao also said the state has witnessed more than double the seizure of suspect cash, drugs and other illegal inducements used to lure voters, as compared to the last polls of 2013.

"A total of 11,421 new polling booths have been opened in Madhya Pradesh this time. This is about 21 per cent more than the last time and with these new ones we will have around 65,000 booths in all.

"In 2013, the total polling booths in the state were about 53,000," Rao said in an interview.

"I can assure you that with this increase in the number of polling booths, no voter in Madhya Pradesh will have to travel more than 2 kms to vote," Rao said.

The number of polling booths has increased by 14 per cent in Rajasthan, by 11 per cent in Telangana and 3 per cent in Mizoram -- the other three states were voting will take place in coming days. In Chhattisgarh, where voting took place in two phases on November 12 and November 20, the number of polling booth rose by 10 per cent this time.

Counting of votes for all five state assemblies would take place on December 11.

While Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram will vote on November 28, Rajasthan and Telangana are scheduled for polling on December 7.

Taking about the poll panel's action against illegal inducements being used to lure voters in Madhya Pradesh, Rao said suspect cash, drugs and other items worth over Rs 63.45 crore have been seized in the state till now as compared to more than Rs 27.61 crore of such seizures during the entire poll period in 2013.

Madhya Pradesh will vote for its 230-member assembly on November 28 in a single phase and the seizure figures may rise further in the next few days.

These seizures are from the period beginning October 6, when the Election Commission (EC) in Delhi announced the polls for the five states.

The seizures made by the EC-appointed surveillance teams this time include over Rs 28.25 crore suspect cash, more than Rs 8.89 crore worth of gold and jewellery, over 5.22 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 12.39 crore and over 63-kgs of drugs worth Rs 5.49 crore, the CEO said.

As many as 1,847 FIRs have been registered for various poll-related offences in the state till now, out of which 1,288 criminal complaints are regarding defacement of property, he added.

The Election Commission has set up over 11,000 new polling booths in Madhya Pradesh, the maximum among the five states having assembly polls, as part of its efforts to ensure a high voter turnout during the elections slated next week, the state's chief electoral officer said on Thursday.

The Election Commission has set up over 11,000 new polling booths in Madhya Pradesh, the maximum among the five states having assembly polls, as part of its efforts to ensure a high voter turnout during the elections slated next week, the state's chief electoral officer said on Thursday. CEO V L Kantha Rao also said the state has witnessed more than double the seizure of suspect cash, drugs and other illegal inducements used to lure voters, as compared to the last polls of 2013. "A total of 11,421 new polling booths have been opened in Madhya Pradesh this time. This is about 21 per cent more than the last time and with these new ones we will have around 65,000 booths in all. "In 2013, the total polling booths in the state were about 53,000," Rao said in an interview. "I can assure you that with this increase in the number of polling booths, no voter in Madhya Pradesh will have to travel more than 2 kms to vote," Rao said. The number of polling booths has increased by 14 per cent in Rajasthan, by 11 per cent in Telangana and 3 per cent in Mizoram -- the other three states were voting will take place in coming days. In Chhattisgarh, where voting took place in two phases on November 12 and November 20, the number of polling booth rose by 10 per cent this time. Counting of votes for all five state assemblies would take place on December 11. While Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram will vote on November 28, Rajasthan and Telangana are scheduled for polling on December 7. Taking about the poll panel's action against illegal inducements being used to lure voters in Madhya Pradesh, Rao said suspect cash, drugs and other items worth over Rs 63.45 crore have been seized in the state till now as compared to more than Rs 27.61 crore of such seizures during the entire poll period in 2013. Madhya Pradesh will vote for its 230-member assembly on November 28 in a single phase and the seizure figures may rise further in the next few days. These seizures are from the period beginning October 6, when the Election Commission (EC) in Delhi announced the polls for the five states. The seizures made by the EC-appointed surveillance teams this time include over Rs 28.25 crore suspect cash, more than Rs 8.89 crore worth of gold and jewellery, over 5.22 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 12.39 crore and over 63-kgs of drugs worth Rs 5.49 crore, the CEO said. As many as 1,847 FIRs have been registered for various poll-related offences in the state till now, out of which 1,288 criminal complaints are regarding defacement of property, he added.

MP to have over 11,000 fresh polling booths; max among poll-bound states

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said the Ram temple issue is raked up before every election and wondered for how long will people be 'fooled' with the 'mandir wahi banayenge' slogan.

Thackeray said that during his visit to Ayodhya on November 25, he would "seek an answer" as to how many more elections will people be fooled with the slogan.

The Sena chief collected soil from Shivneri fort in Junnar tehsil of Pune district, where Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born.&nbsp; 
He told reporters that he will carry the soil to Ayodhya during his visit on Sunday.

Thackeray had announced during the Shiv Sena's Dussehra rally in Mumbai that he will visit Ayodhya on 25 November and "question" Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of the construction of the Ram temple.

"The soil where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born carries with its sentiments of all Hindus and collecting these sentiments will speed up the process of the construction of Ram temple," he said.

"The issue of Ram temple is raked up before every election. I will seek an answer as to for how many more elections will the people be fooled with the slogan Mandir wahi banayenge," he said.

The slogan is used by Hindutva groups, who aim to build a Ram temple on the site of the demolished Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.

Asked if permissions were granted for his public rally in Ayodhya, Thackeray said his original programme includes visit to the site to seek Lord Ram's blessings, as announced in the rally.

"Seers there had expressed their desire that I should visit the site, so I will take their blessings and also take part in the evening aarti on the banks of the Sarayu river," he said.

In a bid to intensify his party's campaign for the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Thackeray has given a new slogan-- 'Pehle mandir, fir sarkaar' (first the temple, then the government).

A Sena functionary said a special train has been booked to ferry Shiv Sena members to Ayodhya for Thackeray's visit.

Women party workers and Yuva Sena cadres have been asked not to come to Ayodhya for want of accommodation, he said.&nbsp;

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said the Ram temple issue is raked up before every election and wondered for how long will people be 'fooled' with the 'mandir wahi banayenge' slogan.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said the Ram temple issue is raked up before every election and wondered for how long will people be 'fooled' with the 'mandir wahi banayenge' slogan. Thackeray said that during his visit to Ayodhya on November 25, he would "seek an answer" as to how many more elections will people be fooled with the slogan. The Sena chief collected soil from Shivneri fort in Junnar tehsil of Pune district, where Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born. He told reporters that he will carry the soil to Ayodhya during his visit on Sunday. Thackeray had announced during the Shiv Sena's Dussehra rally in Mumbai that he will visit Ayodhya on 25 November and "question" Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of the construction of the Ram temple. "The soil where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born carries with its sentiments of all Hindus and collecting these sentiments will speed up the process of the construction of Ram temple," he said. "The issue of Ram temple is raked up before every election. I will seek an answer as to for how many more elections will the people be fooled with the slogan Mandir wahi banayenge," he said. The slogan is used by Hindutva groups, who aim to build a Ram temple on the site of the demolished Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. Asked if permissions were granted for his public rally in Ayodhya, Thackeray said his original programme includes visit to the site to seek Lord Ram's blessings, as announced in the rally. "Seers there had expressed their desire that I should visit the site, so I will take their blessings and also take part in the evening aarti on the banks of the Sarayu river," he said. In a bid to intensify his party's campaign for the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Thackeray has given a new slogan-- 'Pehle mandir, fir sarkaar' (first the temple, then the government). A Sena functionary said a special train has been booked to ferry Shiv Sena members to Ayodhya for Thackeray's visit. Women party workers and Yuva Sena cadres have been asked not to come to Ayodhya for want of accommodation, he said.

Ram temple issue raked up before every election: Thackeray

The Election Commission has decided to hold polling for Bru refugees in Mizoram's Mamit district, even as the leaders of the tribal community maintained that they fear for their safety in their home state.

The place of voting for 11,232 Bru voters, who are residing in neighbouring Tripura, has been a bone of contention, leading to the replacement of the then chief electoral officer, S B Shashank, less than two weeks ahead of the election to the 40-member House.

Shashank had been accused of facilitating voting by Bru voters in the relief camps of Tripura.

"We have been informed by the Election Commission that the polling for the Brus must be arranged at Kanhmun village inside Mizoram territory. We have started our preparations for that," an official in the CEO office told PTI.

Kanhmun is an interstate border village between Mizoram and Tripura.

A written order to this effect is likely to be received by Mizoram CEO Ashish Kundra in a day or two, the official said.

"In the last three years, there was no revision of electoral rolls. This time we did it. The Bru refugees are registered in nine Assembly seats and we'll place different voting machines accordingly at the special booth in the village," he said.

Kundra had on Tuesday visited Naisingpara -- the largest Bru camp in Tripura -- to meet the refugees and inform them about the EC's decision.

An election official, who accompanied the CEO to Tripura, said the Bru leaders claimed that the voter turnout from the community might be zero if the EC did not change its decision to hold polling in Kahnmun.

"Kundra tried explaining to them that the decision was taken by the Election Commission, but the Bru refugees said they fear for their lives in Mizoram.

They also cited various reasons, including bad-road condition, to justify their demand for polling-booth arrangement in the relief camps," he added.

The six camps of the Bru refugees are located between 2-10 km from the interstate border between Tripura and Mizoram.

The highest number of Brus has been registered in Mamit district, which has Hachhek, Dampa and Mamit seats, with 14 per cent of the total voters being refugees.

It is followed by Kolasib district, with 3.5 per cent of its total voters being Brus. The district has Tuirial, Kolasib and Serlui Assembly seats. In Lunglei district, less than one per cent of the total voters are Bru refugees.

Earlier this month, the Election Commission had removed Shashank as the state chief electoral officer, accepting the demands of civil society groups, NGOs, student organisations and political parties.

The agitators organised dharnas in front of the CEO's office against Shashank's reported move to facilitate voting by Bru voters in the relief camps of Tripura.

They demanded that the Brus, who had fled Mizoram following ethnic clashes in 1997, would have to come to the state to cast their votes as committed by the ECI in 2014.

Meanwhile, the NGO Coordination Committee -- an apex body of civil societies and students' organisations -- has urged the political parties to refrain from arranging transport for Bru voters on the polling day on November 28.

The Election Commission has decided to hold polling for Bru refugees in Mizoram's Mamit district, even as the leaders of the tribal community maintained that they fear for their safety in their home state.

The Election Commission has decided to hold polling for Bru refugees in Mizoram's Mamit district, even as the leaders of the tribal community maintained that they fear for their safety in their home state. The place of voting for 11,232 Bru voters, who are residing in neighbouring Tripura, has been a bone of contention, leading to the replacement of the then chief electoral officer, S B Shashank, less than two weeks ahead of the election to the 40-member House. Shashank had been accused of facilitating voting by Bru voters in the relief camps of Tripura. "We have been informed by the Election Commission that the polling for the Brus must be arranged at Kanhmun village inside Mizoram territory. We have started our preparations for that," an official in the CEO office told PTI. Kanhmun is an interstate border village between Mizoram and Tripura. A written order to this effect is likely to be received by Mizoram CEO Ashish Kundra in a day or two, the official said. "In the last three years, there was no revision of electoral rolls. This time we did it. The Bru refugees are registered in nine Assembly seats and we'll place different voting machines accordingly at the special booth in the village," he said. Kundra had on Tuesday visited Naisingpara -- the largest Bru camp in Tripura -- to meet the refugees and inform them about the EC's decision. An election official, who accompanied the CEO to Tripura, said the Bru leaders claimed that the voter turnout from the community might be zero if the EC did not change its decision to hold polling in Kahnmun. "Kundra tried explaining to them that the decision was taken by the Election Commission, but the Bru refugees said they fear for their lives in Mizoram. They also cited various reasons, including bad-road condition, to justify their demand for polling-booth arrangement in the relief camps," he added. The six camps of the Bru refugees are located between 2-10 km from the interstate border between Tripura and Mizoram. The highest number of Brus has been registered in Mamit district, which has Hachhek, Dampa and Mamit seats, with 14 per cent of the total voters being refugees. It is followed by Kolasib district, with 3.5 per cent of its total voters being Brus. The district has Tuirial, Kolasib and Serlui Assembly seats. In Lunglei district, less than one per cent of the total voters are Bru refugees. Earlier this month, the Election Commission had removed Shashank as the state chief electoral officer, accepting the demands of civil society groups, NGOs, student organisations and political parties. The agitators organised dharnas in front of the CEO's office against Shashank's reported move to facilitate voting by Bru voters in the relief camps of Tripura. They demanded that the Brus, who had fled Mizoram following ethnic clashes in 1997, would have to come to the state to cast their votes as committed by the ECI in 2014. Meanwhile, the NGO Coordination Committee -- an apex body of civil societies and students' organisations -- has urged the political parties to refrain from arranging transport for Bru voters on the polling day on November 28.

Bru refugees to vote in Mizoram's Mamit district: Official

The BJP has fielded 23 women out of its 200 candidates, while the Congress has given tickets to 27 out of its 195 candidates for the Rajasthan Assembly election.

The number of Bharatiya Janata Party women candidates are two less compared to the 2013 Assembly election, while the Congress had fielded four more this time.

The Congress has given tickets to three Muslim women, and the BJP chose four women from the erstwhile royal families.

The women from the erstwhile royal families include Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, sitting MLAs Siddhi Kumari, Krishnendra Kaur Deepa and Kalpna Devi, who is the wife of former Congress MP Ijyaraj Singh.&nbsp;

Among the Congress' women candidates, Divya Maderna is the daughter of former minister Mahipal Maderna, who is facing trial in the Bhanwari Devi murder case, while the husbands of Safia and Gulnaz had contested the 2013 assembly election as Congress candidates.&nbsp;

The BJP has fielded 23 women out of its 200 candidates, while the Congress has given tickets to 27 out of its 195 candidates for the Rajasthan Assembly election.

The BJP has fielded 23 women out of its 200 candidates, while the Congress has given tickets to 27 out of its 195 candidates for the Rajasthan Assembly election. The number of Bharatiya Janata Party women candidates are two less compared to the 2013 Assembly election, while the Congress had fielded four more this time. The Congress has given tickets to three Muslim women, and the BJP chose four women from the erstwhile royal families. The women from the erstwhile royal families include Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, sitting MLAs Siddhi Kumari, Krishnendra Kaur Deepa and Kalpna Devi, who is the wife of former Congress MP Ijyaraj Singh. Among the Congress' women candidates, Divya Maderna is the daughter of former minister Mahipal Maderna, who is facing trial in the Bhanwari Devi murder case, while the husbands of Safia and Gulnaz had contested the 2013 assembly election as Congress candidates.

Women candidates in Rajasthan polls: Congress 27, BJP 23

As much as 45.2 per cent voting was recorded till 2:55 pm in the ongoing second phase of polling in Chhattisgrh on Tuesday.&nbsp;

According to the Election Commission of India, the overall polling percentage stood at 23.71 per cent at 12:30 pm. Pathalgaon was on the top of the list with 34.70 per cent turnout followed by Kunkuri and Jashpur with 34.7 per cent and 34.5 per cent voter turnout respectively.

The others seats, namely, Baikunthupur, Mannendragarh and Bharatpur-Sonhat recorded 32.3 per cent, 24 per cent and 25.10 per cent polling respectively till 12.30 pm. 
 
The polling is taking place in 72 constituencies spread over 19 districts. The voting which commenced at 8 am is scheduled to end at 5 pm.

As many as 19,300 polling booths have been set up for the second phase of polling. 1,079 candidates including 119 women are in the fray. More than 1,54,00,000 voters are eligible to exercise their voting right in the poll.&nbsp;

As much as 45.2 per cent voting was recorded till 2:55 pm in the ongoing second phase of polling in Chhattisgrh on Tuesday. According to the Election Commission of India, the overall polling percentage stood at 23.

As much as 45.2 per cent voting was recorded till 2:55 pm in the ongoing second phase of polling in Chhattisgrh on Tuesday. According to the Election Commission of India, the overall polling percentage stood at 23.71 per cent at 12:30 pm. Pathalgaon was on the top of the list with 34.70 per cent turnout followed by Kunkuri and Jashpur with 34.7 per cent and 34.5 per cent voter turnout respectively. The others seats, namely, Baikunthupur, Mannendragarh and Bharatpur-Sonhat recorded 32.3 per cent, 24 per cent and 25.10 per cent polling respectively till 12.30 pm. The polling is taking place in 72 constituencies spread over 19 districts. The voting which commenced at 8 am is scheduled to end at 5 pm. As many as 19,300 polling booths have been set up for the second phase of polling. 1,079 candidates including 119 women are in the fray. More than 1,54,00,000 voters are eligible to exercise their voting right in the poll.

Chhattisgarh polls: 45.2% polling recorded till 3 pm

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday accused the Narendra Modi-led government of interfering in the functioning of important institutions like the Election Commission and the CBI.

Addressing an election rally in poll-bound Mizoram's capital Aizawl, Gandhi said being an RSS man is sufficient qualification to be governor or vice chancellor.&nbsp;

He also reiterated his allegations of corruption in the Rafale deal and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has robbed public money and used it to buy publicity.

The government has denied the opposition party's allegations on the fighter jet deal with France.

"The Modi government is interfering in the functioning of the Planning Commission, RBI, CBI and Election Commission. Four judges of the Supreme Court said they could not do their jobs due to government interference," Gandhi said.

In January, four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court -- Justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, M B Lokur and Kurian Joseph -- called a press conference to say the situation in the top court was "not in order". Gogoi is now chief justice.

"To be governor or VC of a university, being an RSS man is sufficient qualification," Gandhi, who had addressed a rally in Champhai in the state earlier in the day, said while hitting out at the ruling BJP's ideological mentor.&nbsp;

The Congress president also attacked the opposition MNF for allegedly working with the BJP in the Mizoram elections.

Lauding his party government in the state for the past 10 years, he said the per capita income of Mizoram is higher than the national average.

"This happened due to united efforts of the people, churches and civil societies," he added. 
Elections to the 40-member Mizoram assembly will be held on November 28.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday accused the Narendra Modi-led government of interfering in the functioning of important institutions like the Election Commission and the CBI.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday accused the Narendra Modi-led government of interfering in the functioning of important institutions like the Election Commission and the CBI. Addressing an election rally in poll-bound Mizoram's capital Aizawl, Gandhi said being an RSS man is sufficient qualification to be governor or vice chancellor. He also reiterated his allegations of corruption in the Rafale deal and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has robbed public money and used it to buy publicity. The government has denied the opposition party's allegations on the fighter jet deal with France. "The Modi government is interfering in the functioning of the Planning Commission, RBI, CBI and Election Commission. Four judges of the Supreme Court said they could not do their jobs due to government interference," Gandhi said. In January, four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court -- Justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, M B Lokur and Kurian Joseph -- called a press conference to say the situation in the top court was "not in order". Gogoi is now chief justice. "To be governor or VC of a university, being an RSS man is sufficient qualification," Gandhi, who had addressed a rally in Champhai in the state earlier in the day, said while hitting out at the ruling BJP's ideological mentor. The Congress president also attacked the opposition MNF for allegedly working with the BJP in the Mizoram elections. Lauding his party government in the state for the past 10 years, he said the per capita income of Mizoram is higher than the national average. "This happened due to united efforts of the people, churches and civil societies," he added. Elections to the 40-member Mizoram assembly will be held on November 28.

Government interfering in functioning of important institutions like EC, CBI: Rahul Gandhi

AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi has alleged that the Congress candidate in Nirmal constituency in poll-bound Telangana attempted to bribe him by offering Rs 25 lakh to cancel his rally in support of the TRS in the town, a charge denied by the latter.

Addressing a public meeting organised by his party in Nirmal on Monday night, Owaisi alleged that A Maheshwar Reddy called a MIM leader on phone and offered to pay Rs 25 lakh as bribe to stop him from holding the meeting. He also claimed to have recorded the conversation.

Rejecting the charge, Reddy termed it as baseless and false and said he would quit politics if Owaisi proved it.

MIM, which is on friendly terms with the TRS, has not fielded its candidate in Nirmal Assembly seat, and organised the meeting in support of the ruling party candidate though there was no formal electoral tie-up between the two parties for the December 7 Assembly elections.

The MIM is contesting eight seats -- all in Hyderabad -- while the TRS is going it alone in the polls to the 119-member assembly. Congress heading a 'grand alliance' of TDP, CPI and TJS has announced candidates for 94 segments.

"Now when this jalsa (meeting) is happening the Congress people tried to buy Asaduddin Owaisi. Maheshwar (Reddy) phoned a MIM leader telling him to stop Owaisi Saheb, (and) will give Rs 25 lakh party fund. I have the recording (of that phone conversation)," Owaisi said at the meeting.

This Congress candidate wants to buy my party for Rs 25 lakh. "Ye log samajthe hain ham apni jamat ka sauda karenge" (these people think we do deal for our party) Rs 25 lakh that is the sign of their arrogance," the Hyderabad MP alleged.&nbsp;

Strongly refuting Owaisis allegations, Reddy dared Owaisi to prove the charge with evidence.

"Why should somebody stop someone's rally. Owaisi has already started campaigning for TRS party and now this man says that he is being stopped with an offer of Rs 25 lakh. Why somebody will offer him Rs 25 lakh and why he will stop," he told PTI.

"I want to make it very clear if really somebody had called him or met him or if he has any evidence let him show the evidences. I am ready to take it as a challenge and I am ready to quit politics if it is proved. Is he ready to quit politics, if it is untrue? he asked.

They were talking of something which was "baseless and false", he added.&nbsp;

AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi has alleged that the Congress candidate in Nirmal constituency in poll-bound Telangana attempted to bribe him by offering Rs 25 lakh to cancel his rally in support of the TRS in the town, a charge denied by the latter.

AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi has alleged that the Congress candidate in Nirmal constituency in poll-bound Telangana attempted to bribe him by offering Rs 25 lakh to cancel his rally in support of the TRS in the town, a charge denied by the latter. Addressing a public meeting organised by his party in Nirmal on Monday night, Owaisi alleged that A Maheshwar Reddy called a MIM leader on phone and offered to pay Rs 25 lakh as bribe to stop him from holding the meeting. He also claimed to have recorded the conversation. Rejecting the charge, Reddy termed it as baseless and false and said he would quit politics if Owaisi proved it. MIM, which is on friendly terms with the TRS, has not fielded its candidate in Nirmal Assembly seat, and organised the meeting in support of the ruling party candidate though there was no formal electoral tie-up between the two parties for the December 7 Assembly elections. The MIM is contesting eight seats -- all in Hyderabad -- while the TRS is going it alone in the polls to the 119-member assembly. Congress heading a 'grand alliance' of TDP, CPI and TJS has announced candidates for 94 segments. "Now when this jalsa (meeting) is happening the Congress people tried to buy Asaduddin Owaisi. Maheshwar (Reddy) phoned a MIM leader telling him to stop Owaisi Saheb, (and) will give Rs 25 lakh party fund. I have the recording (of that phone conversation)," Owaisi said at the meeting. This Congress candidate wants to buy my party for Rs 25 lakh. "Ye log samajthe hain ham apni jamat ka sauda karenge" (these people think we do deal for our party) Rs 25 lakh that is the sign of their arrogance," the Hyderabad MP alleged. Strongly refuting Owaisis allegations, Reddy dared Owaisi to prove the charge with evidence. "Why should somebody stop someone's rally. Owaisi has already started campaigning for TRS party and now this man says that he is being stopped with an offer of Rs 25 lakh. Why somebody will offer him Rs 25 lakh and why he will stop," he told PTI. "I want to make it very clear if really somebody had called him or met him or if he has any evidence let him show the evidences. I am ready to take it as a challenge and I am ready to quit politics if it is proved. Is he ready to quit politics, if it is untrue? he asked. They were talking of something which was "baseless and false", he added.

Owaisi hurls bribe charge, Congress candidate rejects allegation

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Monday ensured that Ram Mandir would be built, will also throw a jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

While addressing the crowd he said: "Just like Rs 15 lakh in everyone’s account, is Ram Mandir also a jumla? When we're taking up this issue, we aim to ensure that Ram Mandir is actually built. This issue comes up only during the elections and once elections are over it is forgotten," as quoted by news agency ANI.&nbsp;

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Just like Rs 15 lakh in everyone’s account,is Ram Mandir also a jumla? When we're taking up this issue, we aim to ensure that Ram Mandir is actually built.This issue comes up only during the elections &amp;once elections are over it is forgotten: Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena in Mumbai <a href="https://t.co/XFlMCTDMUU">pic.twitter.com/XFlMCTDMUU</a>
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Thackeray is set to visit Ayodhya on November 24 and 25 to pay obeisance to the Ram Lalla at Ram Janmabhoomi.&nbsp;

He also came up with a new slogan "pehle mandir, fir sarkaar" (First temple, then government).&nbsp;

The Shiv Sena, which is the part of the BJP-led governments in both Maharashtra and the Centre, has been aggressively pushing for the construction of the temple since the party's annual Dussehra rally last month.

The party has often taunted its ally BJP over the saffron party's "failure" to construct the temple in the last four years despite coming to power.

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Monday ensured that Ram Mandir would be built, will also throw a jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While addressing the crowd he said: "Just like Rs 15 lakh in everyone’s account, is Ram Mandir also a jumla?

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Monday ensured that Ram Mandir would be built, will also throw a jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While addressing the crowd he said: "Just like Rs 15 lakh in everyone’s account, is Ram Mandir also a jumla? When we're taking up this issue, we aim to ensure that Ram Mandir is actually built. This issue comes up only during the elections and once elections are over it is forgotten," as quoted by news agency ANI. Just like Rs 15 lakh in everyone’s account,is Ram Mandir also a jumla? When we're taking up this issue, we aim to ensure that Ram Mandir is actually built.This issue comes up only during the elections &once elections are over it is forgotten: Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/XFlMCTDMUU — ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2018 × Thackeray is set to visit Ayodhya on November 24 and 25 to pay obeisance to the Ram Lalla at Ram Janmabhoomi. He also came up with a new slogan "pehle mandir, fir sarkaar" (First temple, then government). The Shiv Sena, which is the part of the BJP-led governments in both Maharashtra and the Centre, has been aggressively pushing for the construction of the temple since the party's annual Dussehra rally last month. The party has often taunted its ally BJP over the saffron party's "failure" to construct the temple in the last four years despite coming to power.

'Is Ram Mandir also a jumla?' asks Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray

The opposition is suffering from the "Narendra Modi-phobia", BJP president Amit Shah said today. Addressing a rally in Madhya Pradesh's&nbsp;Narsinghpur ahead of the November 28 assembly election, Shah asked the Congress to give an account of what the four generations of the Nehru-Gandhi family did when they ruled the country.

"The opposition is suffering from Narendra Modi-phobia. They just want to get rid of (PM) Modi from the prime minister's post while we want to get rid of poverty, insecurity and air pollution among others," Shah said.

The BJP chief&nbsp;said the Narendra Modi government launched 129 developmental schemes in four years. "Give an account of what the four generations (of Nehru-Gandhi family) did when they ruled the country," he said.

"In a recent rally, Rahul Gandhi uttered (PM) Modi's name 44 times in his 22-minute speech. I am wondering whether he is campaigning for the BJP or the Congress," Shah said, in remarks laced with sarcasm.

He also lauded the centre for the army's surgical strike on terror launchpads across the border post the Uri attack in 2016.

"When the Uri terror attack took place, the entire country was angry. (PM) Modi ordered surgical strikes and made India the third country in the world after the US and Israel who have avenged killings of its soldiers," he said.

Shah alleged that former prime minister Manmohan Singh had left the Indian economy at ninth position in the world in 2014, which, he said, the BJP raised to sixth position.

"By the time counting of these polls is done, India would have surpassed the UK to become the fifth-largest economy in the world," he added.

The opposition is suffering from the "Narendra Modi-phobia", BJP president Amit Shah said today. Addressing a rally in Madhya Pradesh's Narsinghpur ahead of the November 28 assembly election, Shah asked the Congress to give an account of what the four generations of the Nehru-Gandhi family did when they ruled the country.

The opposition is suffering from the "Narendra Modi-phobia", BJP president Amit Shah said today. Addressing a rally in Madhya Pradesh's Narsinghpur ahead of the November 28 assembly election, Shah asked the Congress to give an account of what the four generations of the Nehru-Gandhi family did when they ruled the country. "The opposition is suffering from Narendra Modi-phobia. They just want to get rid of (PM) Modi from the prime minister's post while we want to get rid of poverty, insecurity and air pollution among others," Shah said. The BJP chief said the Narendra Modi government launched 129 developmental schemes in four years. "Give an account of what the four generations (of Nehru-Gandhi family) did when they ruled the country," he said. "In a recent rally, Rahul Gandhi uttered (PM) Modi's name 44 times in his 22-minute speech. I am wondering whether he is campaigning for the BJP or the Congress," Shah said, in remarks laced with sarcasm. He also lauded the centre for the army's surgical strike on terror launchpads across the border post the Uri attack in 2016. "When the Uri terror attack took place, the entire country was angry. (PM) Modi ordered surgical strikes and made India the third country in the world after the US and Israel who have avenged killings of its soldiers," he said. Shah alleged that former prime minister Manmohan Singh had left the Indian economy at ninth position in the world in 2014, which, he said, the BJP raised to sixth position. "By the time counting of these polls is done, India would have surpassed the UK to become the fifth-largest economy in the world," he added.

Rahul Gandhi has 'Modi-Phobia', named him 44 times in speech: Amit Shah

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje along with Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Prakash Javadekar on Monday flagged off the election campaign of the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the state elections.

"From today onwards the election campaign has finally begun in the state of Rajasthan. It has now initiated legally and formally for the coming general assembly polls. BJP is connected with the people from grass root level. The people of Rajasthan have always favoured development. I am fully assured that BJP will come to power again in the state," Raje told media here.

Raje further stated that the BJP will also bag the Tonk legislative constituency, from where Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) chief Sachin Pilot is contesting.

The assembly elections will take place in a single phase for all 200 seats on December 7. The counting of votes will take place on December 11.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje along with Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Prakash Javadekar on Monday flagged off the election campaign of the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the state elections.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje along with Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Prakash Javadekar on Monday flagged off the election campaign of the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the state elections. "From today onwards the election campaign has finally begun in the state of Rajasthan. It has now initiated legally and formally for the coming general assembly polls. BJP is connected with the people from grass root level. The people of Rajasthan have always favoured development. I am fully assured that BJP will come to power again in the state," Raje told media here. Raje further stated that the BJP will also bag the Tonk legislative constituency, from where Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) chief Sachin Pilot is contesting. The assembly elections will take place in a single phase for all 200 seats on December 7. The counting of votes will take place on December 11.

Rajasthan: CM Raje flags off BJP's election campaign

There are promises that are made in a poll season and most of them remain promises, but in the election season of this small hill state, all major political parties say they are serious when it comes to liquor -- whether to ban it or not, and whether to ban it fully or partially.

Mizoram will vote on November 28 for 40 assembly seats to decide who will form the next government in this highly-literate and Christian-majority state.

The state has a total population of about 10 lakh people only, but elections here are being seen as very important for the Congress and and Mizoram National Party (MNF), who have ruled Mizoram ever since it became a full-fledged state in 1987, as also for the BJP that sees it as the 'final frontier' in the North-East.

While the ruling Congress is against total prohibition, the main opposition MNF wants a complete ban. The BJP has taken a middle path by proposing to ban the liquor coming from outside the state and encourage only locally produced ones.

"It (liquor) is an epidemic, a big plague in Mizoram. We are going to solve the drug and alcohol problem by a total prohibition of liquor. We will fight totally against the drugs," MNF President and former Chief Minister Zoramthanga told PTI in an interview.

When the state Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla was in office for his third term, he introduced the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act banning sale and consumption of alcohol effective from February 20, 1997.

In 2007, the Act was amended during the MNF chief minister Zoramthanga's rule to allow wine to be made from guavas and grapes, but with restrictions on the alcohol content and the volume possessed.

During Thanhawla's fifth term, Mizoram repealed prohibition on July 10, 2014.

The powerful Presbyterian Church had organised mass prayers in all member churches across the state twice that year against repeal of the prohibition. 
The MLPC Act came into force from January 15, 2015, while the first wine shop under the new law was opened on March 16, 2015.

Congress Spokesperson Lallian Chhunga said: "We had a socio-economic survey in September and it found that liquor is a minor issue. MNF wants to make it a big issue. But I don't know how far they have succeeded in it. I am not sure if they are really convinced to swing votes on their favour over the liquor issue."

Some local entrepreneurs favour alcoholic beverages being allowed here.

"Youths do not like total prohibition. MNF and ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) are for total prohibition. Congress can gain from this," Aizawl-based journalist-turned-entrepreneur Joseph Lalhriatpuia said.

Restaurant owner Lalremruata said liquor is not an issue and parties talk about it only in elections.

Zoramthanga, however, claimed around 500 policemen and 6,500-7000 others have died at a young age since 2015 due to excessive drinking.

"It is a thing that matters most. It has become a headache of every parent, every wife. Not only the church, it is practically the headache of every family because they have a problem as liquor is not only easily available, but also of fourth-grade quality," he added.

According to the Mizoram Excise &amp; Narcotics Department website, deaths due to liquor consumption have been on a rise from 9 in 2015 to 22 in 2016 and to 59 in 2017.

Mizoram BJP President J V Hluna said, "We will not import IMFL to Mizoram. Liquor consumption will not be banned, but locally produced liquor (will be allowed). We will legalise local products and export them too."

People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM), a new party contesting polls for the first time, said total prohibition is not a solution.

"We have had total prohibition two times in Mizoram. During the MNF insurgency, they prohibited liquor from the jungle. They killed so many local liquor vendors, but liquor was there. After that, the government's total prohibition came, but liquor was there. So, the issue is not prohibition," PRISM President Vanlalruata said.

Favouring control than prohibition, PRISM leader said people need to be made aware about ill affects of liquor and some changes can be made in the MLPC Act.

"Liquor is an election issue. Most of the church leaders and church activists are anti-liquor. But, most youths don't like prohibition," Vanlalruata said. 
Zoramthanga, Hluna and Vanlalruata also pitched for home-made rice beer or locally produced liquor.

MNF leader and candidate from Aizawl East-II constituency Robert Romawia Royte said gains for the state government from allowing liquor is less than the loss it causes.

Stating that liquor consumption is against the Bible, Royte further said: "Men are dying in Mizoram. Number of widows is increasing. We have a peculiar situation, where male voters are less than the women voters."

Mizoram has total 7.68 lakh registered voters -- 3.74 lakh are men and 3.93 lakh are women.

Except Mamit district, rest all seven districts -- Kolasib, Aizawl, Champhai, Serchhip, Lunglei, Lawngtlai and Siaha -- have higher number of female voters.

The Congress has been in power in Mizoram since 2008 and is eyeing the third consecutive term. In 2013 Assembly elections, the Congress won 34 seats, while the MNF had five and Mizoram People's Conference bagged one.

While Congress and MNF are contesting in all the 40 constituencies this time, BJP is fighting in 39 seats and PRISM has put up candidates in 15 seats.

There are promises that are made in a poll season and most of them remain promises, but in the election season of this small hill state, all major political parties say they are serious when it comes to liquor -- whether to ban it or not, and whether to ban it fully or partially.

There are promises that are made in a poll season and most of them remain promises, but in the election season of this small hill state, all major political parties say they are serious when it comes to liquor -- whether to ban it or not, and whether to ban it fully or partially. Mizoram will vote on November 28 for 40 assembly seats to decide who will form the next government in this highly-literate and Christian-majority state. The state has a total population of about 10 lakh people only, but elections here are being seen as very important for the Congress and and Mizoram National Party (MNF), who have ruled Mizoram ever since it became a full-fledged state in 1987, as also for the BJP that sees it as the 'final frontier' in the North-East. While the ruling Congress is against total prohibition, the main opposition MNF wants a complete ban. The BJP has taken a middle path by proposing to ban the liquor coming from outside the state and encourage only locally produced ones. "It (liquor) is an epidemic, a big plague in Mizoram. We are going to solve the drug and alcohol problem by a total prohibition of liquor. We will fight totally against the drugs," MNF President and former Chief Minister Zoramthanga told PTI in an interview. When the state Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla was in office for his third term, he introduced the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act banning sale and consumption of alcohol effective from February 20, 1997. In 2007, the Act was amended during the MNF chief minister Zoramthanga's rule to allow wine to be made from guavas and grapes, but with restrictions on the alcohol content and the volume possessed. During Thanhawla's fifth term, Mizoram repealed prohibition on July 10, 2014. The powerful Presbyterian Church had organised mass prayers in all member churches across the state twice that year against repeal of the prohibition. The MLPC Act came into force from January 15, 2015, while the first wine shop under the new law was opened on March 16, 2015. Congress Spokesperson Lallian Chhunga said: "We had a socio-economic survey in September and it found that liquor is a minor issue. MNF wants to make it a big issue. But I don't know how far they have succeeded in it. I am not sure if they are really convinced to swing votes on their favour over the liquor issue." Some local entrepreneurs favour alcoholic beverages being allowed here. "Youths do not like total prohibition. MNF and ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) are for total prohibition. Congress can gain from this," Aizawl-based journalist-turned-entrepreneur Joseph Lalhriatpuia said. Restaurant owner Lalremruata said liquor is not an issue and parties talk about it only in elections. Zoramthanga, however, claimed around 500 policemen and 6,500-7000 others have died at a young age since 2015 due to excessive drinking. "It is a thing that matters most. It has become a headache of every parent, every wife. Not only the church, it is practically the headache of every family because they have a problem as liquor is not only easily available, but also of fourth-grade quality," he added. According to the Mizoram Excise & Narcotics Department website, deaths due to liquor consumption have been on a rise from 9 in 2015 to 22 in 2016 and to 59 in 2017. Mizoram BJP President J V Hluna said, "We will not import IMFL to Mizoram. Liquor consumption will not be banned, but locally produced liquor (will be allowed). We will legalise local products and export them too." People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM), a new party contesting polls for the first time, said total prohibition is not a solution. "We have had total prohibition two times in Mizoram. During the MNF insurgency, they prohibited liquor from the jungle. They killed so many local liquor vendors, but liquor was there. After that, the government's total prohibition came, but liquor was there. So, the issue is not prohibition," PRISM President Vanlalruata said. Favouring control than prohibition, PRISM leader said people need to be made aware about ill affects of liquor and some changes can be made in the MLPC Act. "Liquor is an election issue. Most of the church leaders and church activists are anti-liquor. But, most youths don't like prohibition," Vanlalruata said. Zoramthanga, Hluna and Vanlalruata also pitched for home-made rice beer or locally produced liquor. MNF leader and candidate from Aizawl East-II constituency Robert Romawia Royte said gains for the state government from allowing liquor is less than the loss it causes. Stating that liquor consumption is against the Bible, Royte further said: "Men are dying in Mizoram. Number of widows is increasing. We have a peculiar situation, where male voters are less than the women voters." Mizoram has total 7.68 lakh registered voters -- 3.74 lakh are men and 3.93 lakh are women. Except Mamit district, rest all seven districts -- Kolasib, Aizawl, Champhai, Serchhip, Lunglei, Lawngtlai and Siaha -- have higher number of female voters. The Congress has been in power in Mizoram since 2008 and is eyeing the third consecutive term. In 2013 Assembly elections, the Congress won 34 seats, while the MNF had five and Mizoram People's Conference bagged one. While Congress and MNF are contesting in all the 40 constituencies this time, BJP is fighting in 39 seats and PRISM has put up candidates in 15 seats.

To raise a toast or not: Liquor a poll issue on platter of all Mizoram parties

Amid rising election campaign heat in Mizoram, the state's BJP unit chief J V Hulna has claimed that Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla of Congress wanted to join the saffron party along with some other party MLAs before the poll process started, a claim dismissed by the ruling party leaders as a "joke".

The Mizoram BJP president also claimed that most of the elected Congress MLAs will join his party after the poll results for the state are out on December 11. The elections are scheduled to be held on November 28 for 40 assembly states of the state, where the Congress has been in power since 2008.

The BJP has never won an assembly election in this small hill state with a population of just about 10 lakh people, including nearly 7.68 lakh voters, but it is seen by the saffron party as the "final frontier" in the North-East as it is in power in all other states of the region -- either by winning polls or joining ruling alliances.

The BJP president Amit Shah recently declared that Mizoram, a Christian-majority state, will celebrate Christmas this December under the BJP rule. 
"Lal Thanhawla himself, before this election, and his followers contacted the central leadership (of BJP) to merge the whole Congress in the state, just like the Arunachal Pradesh. They were in contact with them," Hluna told PTI.

"They did not contact me, they contacted our leaders in Delhi. From them, I learnt that Lal Thanhawla was willing to join BJP," he added.

In September 2016, the Congress lost its government in Arunachal Pradesh when 43 of its MLAs led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu defected wholesale and merged with the People's Party of Arunachal, just two months after it had regained power following the Supreme Court's judgement.

A senior leader of the principal opposition party in Mizoram, Mizo National Front (MNF), also made similar allegations against the chief minister and said that the deal fell through as the Congress leader's "demands" were rejected by the BJP's central leaders.

Thanhawla, a nine-time MLA, could not be contacted for his reactions despite repeated attempts, but a senior minister of his Cabinet termed the allegations as the "funniest jokes ever known".

On condition of anonymity, an MNF leader, who is also contesting the Mizoram Assembly elections from a constituency in the capital city, claimed that Thanhawla had contacted a senior central leader of the BJP and had sought the Chief Minister's post for his daughter and the Governor's post for himself in return of joining the BJP with party MLAs.

"But these demands were rejected outright," he said.

When asked about these claims, Hluna said: "These points, I don't know. But I know that he (Thanhawla) had contacted (Home Minister) Rajnath Singh. And from them, I learnt Lal Thanhawla did not mind joining BJP. That's the thing. But his demands, I do not know."

Going a step further, the state BJP president asserted that most of the elected Congress MLAs after the results are declared will join the BJP as Thanhawla's "ideology is to join central ruling party, whether Congress or BJP".

"So after elections, all elected MLAs of Congress will join our party. They will merge with our party, if they really follow Lal Thanhawla's teaching," he said.

Asked further how can he be so sure about all the Congress MLAs joining the BJP, Hluna said: "May not all, but most of them... (will join) within this year." 
The former MLA said that for the benefit of the Mizo people, the ideology of any chief minister, whether he from the Congress or the MNF or the BJP, is to be with the ruling party at the Centre as Mizoram is a very poor and interior state.

While Thanhawla could not be contacted despite repeated attempts for his reaction on these allegations, the state's Finance Minister Lalsawta vehemently dismissed these claims.

"Don't make me laugh. Many inventions are there, but that wild allegation -- that is the funniest allegation I have ever known," he said.

On claims about Congress MLAs joining BJP post-result, the senior ruling party leader said: "I have confidence in my colleagues, my Congress candidates. That is the second funniest joke you have given me this afternoon. You will be digging your own political grave if you join BJP once you get elected as a Congress MLA."

Lalsawta, however, said Mizoram would wants to have cordial and good relationships with the Centre like any other state.

Asked about a series of resignations by senior Congress leaders from the assembly and party in the last two months, the minister said there have been various reasons.

"They did not find a promising constituency for themselves. They had to migrate," he said.

At least five Congress MLAs have resigned from the assembly and the party in the run-up to the polls and joined other parties.

Those having resigned include state's home minister R Lalzirliana, former health minister Lalrinliana Sailo, former fisheries minister Buddha Dhan Chakma and MLA Hmingdailova Khiangte. Besides, Mizoram assembly speaker Hiphei resigned earlier this month to join the BJP.

With days left for the elections, Congress and the MNF are leaving no stones unturned to woo the voters, while BJP has launched a spirited campaign to get power in this strategically important North Eastern state sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Amid rising election campaign heat in Mizoram, the state's BJP unit chief J V Hulna has claimed that Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla of Congress wanted to join the saffron party along with some other party MLAs before the poll process started, a claim dismissed by the ruling party leaders as a "joke".

Amid rising election campaign heat in Mizoram, the state's BJP unit chief J V Hulna has claimed that Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla of Congress wanted to join the saffron party along with some other party MLAs before the poll process started, a claim dismissed by the ruling party leaders as a "joke". The Mizoram BJP president also claimed that most of the elected Congress MLAs will join his party after the poll results for the state are out on December 11. The elections are scheduled to be held on November 28 for 40 assembly states of the state, where the Congress has been in power since 2008. The BJP has never won an assembly election in this small hill state with a population of just about 10 lakh people, including nearly 7.68 lakh voters, but it is seen by the saffron party as the "final frontier" in the North-East as it is in power in all other states of the region -- either by winning polls or joining ruling alliances. The BJP president Amit Shah recently declared that Mizoram, a Christian-majority state, will celebrate Christmas this December under the BJP rule. "Lal Thanhawla himself, before this election, and his followers contacted the central leadership (of BJP) to merge the whole Congress in the state, just like the Arunachal Pradesh. They were in contact with them," Hluna told PTI. "They did not contact me, they contacted our leaders in Delhi. From them, I learnt that Lal Thanhawla was willing to join BJP," he added. In September 2016, the Congress lost its government in Arunachal Pradesh when 43 of its MLAs led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu defected wholesale and merged with the People's Party of Arunachal, just two months after it had regained power following the Supreme Court's judgement. A senior leader of the principal opposition party in Mizoram, Mizo National Front (MNF), also made similar allegations against the chief minister and said that the deal fell through as the Congress leader's "demands" were rejected by the BJP's central leaders. Thanhawla, a nine-time MLA, could not be contacted for his reactions despite repeated attempts, but a senior minister of his Cabinet termed the allegations as the "funniest jokes ever known". On condition of anonymity, an MNF leader, who is also contesting the Mizoram Assembly elections from a constituency in the capital city, claimed that Thanhawla had contacted a senior central leader of the BJP and had sought the Chief Minister's post for his daughter and the Governor's post for himself in return of joining the BJP with party MLAs. "But these demands were rejected outright," he said. When asked about these claims, Hluna said: "These points, I don't know. But I know that he (Thanhawla) had contacted (Home Minister) Rajnath Singh. And from them, I learnt Lal Thanhawla did not mind joining BJP. That's the thing. But his demands, I do not know." Going a step further, the state BJP president asserted that most of the elected Congress MLAs after the results are declared will join the BJP as Thanhawla's "ideology is to join central ruling party, whether Congress or BJP". "So after elections, all elected MLAs of Congress will join our party. They will merge with our party, if they really follow Lal Thanhawla's teaching," he said. Asked further how can he be so sure about all the Congress MLAs joining the BJP, Hluna said: "May not all, but most of them... (will join) within this year." The former MLA said that for the benefit of the Mizo people, the ideology of any chief minister, whether he from the Congress or the MNF or the BJP, is to be with the ruling party at the Centre as Mizoram is a very poor and interior state. While Thanhawla could not be contacted despite repeated attempts for his reaction on these allegations, the state's Finance Minister Lalsawta vehemently dismissed these claims. "Don't make me laugh. Many inventions are there, but that wild allegation -- that is the funniest allegation I have ever known," he said. On claims about Congress MLAs joining BJP post-result, the senior ruling party leader said: "I have confidence in my colleagues, my Congress candidates. That is the second funniest joke you have given me this afternoon. You will be digging your own political grave if you join BJP once you get elected as a Congress MLA." Lalsawta, however, said Mizoram would wants to have cordial and good relationships with the Centre like any other state. Asked about a series of resignations by senior Congress leaders from the assembly and party in the last two months, the minister said there have been various reasons. "They did not find a promising constituency for themselves. They had to migrate," he said. At least five Congress MLAs have resigned from the assembly and the party in the run-up to the polls and joined other parties. Those having resigned include state's home minister R Lalzirliana, former health minister Lalrinliana Sailo, former fisheries minister Buddha Dhan Chakma and MLA Hmingdailova Khiangte. Besides, Mizoram assembly speaker Hiphei resigned earlier this month to join the BJP. With days left for the elections, Congress and the MNF are leaving no stones unturned to woo the voters, while BJP has launched a spirited campaign to get power in this strategically important North Eastern state sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Mizoram BJP chief alleges CM Thanhawla wanted to join saffron party, Congress calls it 'joke'

The BJP in Telangana Sunday released the fifth list of 19 candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

With the release of the fifth list, the party has so far announced the names of 112 candidates out of 119 seats member assembly.

Telangana is going to polls on December 7.

Party chief Amit Shah had launched the election campaign on September 15 at Mahabubnagar and addressed another rally at Karimnagar last month.

He had also addressed a Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha national convention last month.

The BJP had five MLAs in the recently dissolved state assembly and all of them have been renominated.

Telangana Assembly was dissolved on September six, more than eight months ahead of the expiry of its term, on the recommendation of (now) Caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who opted to go for early elections.&nbsp;

The BJP in Telangana Sunday released the fifth list of 19 candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. With the release of the fifth list, the party has so far announced the names of 112 candidates out of 119 seats member assembly.

The BJP in Telangana Sunday released the fifth list of 19 candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. With the release of the fifth list, the party has so far announced the names of 112 candidates out of 119 seats member assembly. Telangana is going to polls on December 7. Party chief Amit Shah had launched the election campaign on September 15 at Mahabubnagar and addressed another rally at Karimnagar last month. He had also addressed a Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha national convention last month. The BJP had five MLAs in the recently dissolved state assembly and all of them have been renominated. Telangana Assembly was dissolved on September six, more than eight months ahead of the expiry of its term, on the recommendation of (now) Caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who opted to go for early elections.

BJP releases fifth list of candidates for Telangana polls

A 42-year-old man, said to be TRS worker, allegedly committed suicide here leaving behind a purported suicide note, urging voters to re-elect TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao as Telangana Chief Minister.

He also urged them to re-elect MLA Vivekananda, police said Sunday.

The man had earlier made a vain attempt to commit suicide during the separate Telangana agitation.

The body of T Guruvappa was found hanging Saturday in a small room in Nizampet area, police said. 
&nbsp;

A 42-year-old man, said to be TRS worker, allegedly committed suicide here leaving behind a purported suicide note, urging voters to re-elect TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao as Telangana Chief Minister.

A 42-year-old man, said to be TRS worker, allegedly committed suicide here leaving behind a purported suicide note, urging voters to re-elect TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao as Telangana Chief Minister. He also urged them to re-elect MLA Vivekananda, police said Sunday. The man had earlier made a vain attempt to commit suicide during the separate Telangana agitation. The body of T Guruvappa was found hanging Saturday in a small room in Nizampet area, police said.

Man found hanging; note asks public to make TRS chief as CM