Finance minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/in-a-first-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-to-carry-budget-documents-four-fold-red-cloth-233152">Nirmala Sitharaman presented </a>her first Budget in Lok Sabha today.

"The recent election was charged with brimming home and desire for a bright and stable 'New India'. Voter turnout was highest; every section came to stamp their approval for the performing government," the finance minister said in her speech.&nbsp;

"Reform, perform is the mantra of NDA government," the finance minister said in her opening remarks.

"India needs&nbsp;structural reforms to continue growth," she added.

'Last mile delivery of the government stood out," she said.

"It took us over 55 years to reach $1 trillion dollar economy. But when the hearts are filled with hope, trust and aspiration, we in just 5 years, added $1 trillion," she said.&nbsp;

''Schemes such as BharatMala, Sagarmala and UDAN are bridging rural-urban divide and improving our transport infrastructure,'' Sitharaman said.

''For providing an enabling ecosystem for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul, suitable policy interventions will be adopted,'' she added.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her first Budget in Lok Sabha today. "The recent election was charged with brimming home and desire for a bright and stable 'New India'.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her first Budget in Lok Sabha today. "The recent election was charged with brimming home and desire for a bright and stable 'New India'. Voter turnout was highest; every section came to stamp their approval for the performing government," the finance minister said in her speech. "Reform, perform is the mantra of NDA government," the finance minister said in her opening remarks. "India needs structural reforms to continue growth," she added. 'Last mile delivery of the government stood out," she said. "It took us over 55 years to reach $1 trillion dollar economy. But when the hearts are filled with hope, trust and aspiration, we in just 5 years, added $1 trillion," she said. ''Schemes such as BharatMala, Sagarmala and UDAN are bridging rural-urban divide and improving our transport infrastructure,'' Sitharaman said. ''For providing an enabling ecosystem for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul, suitable policy interventions will be adopted,'' she added.

Need structural reforms to continue growth, says Sitharaman in Budget speech

Another <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/fir-registered-against-azam-khan-10-others-for-making-derogatory-remarks-against-jaya-prada-232243">FIR has been registered against Samajwadi Party</a> (SP) leader Azam Khan for allegedly making derogatory remarks against BJP leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/azam-khan-fighting-polls-to-legalise-his-acts-jaya-prada-208710">Jaya Prada</a>.

On Monday, an FIR was filed against the SP leader by Akash Saxena, a supporter of Jaya Prada, at Civil Line police station. In the complaint, Saxena alleged that Azam Khan made derogatory remarks about Jaya Prada at a ceremony of a local cricket tournament on June 29.

The FIR was registered under Section 294 (obscene acts) and 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 66 in the Information Technology Act.&nbsp;

Besides Azam Khan, 10 other people were also named in the FIR. The second complaint was registered against Khan at the Civil Line police station on Tuesday by Mustafa Hussain.

Sharing details regarding the second FIR, Vidya Kishore, Circle Officer, Rampur said, "At an event on June 30, he (Azam Khan) made some remarks against Jaya Prada. Mustafa Hussain filed a complaint against around seven people including Azam Khan and ST Hasan."

"Case registered under Sections 294 (obscene acts and songs) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The second FIR has been registered over an event which took place in Moradabad on June 30.

While addressing the event, Azam Khan allegedly used foul language against Jaya Prada.

During the Lok Sabha elections too, Khan was banned from campaigning for 72 hours by the Election Commission for his remarks against Jaya Prada.

Azam Khan won from Rampur Lok Sabha seat in the recently held polls. He defeated BJP` Jaya Prada from the seat.

Another FIR has been registered against Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan for allegedly making derogatory remarks against BJP leader Jaya Prada. On Monday, an FIR was filed against the SP leader by Akash Saxena, a supporter of Jaya Prada, at Civil Line police station.

Another FIR has been registered against Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan for allegedly making derogatory remarks against BJP leader Jaya Prada. On Monday, an FIR was filed against the SP leader by Akash Saxena, a supporter of Jaya Prada, at Civil Line police station. In the complaint, Saxena alleged that Azam Khan made derogatory remarks about Jaya Prada at a ceremony of a local cricket tournament on June 29. The FIR was registered under Section 294 (obscene acts) and 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 66 in the Information Technology Act. Besides Azam Khan, 10 other people were also named in the FIR. The second complaint was registered against Khan at the Civil Line police station on Tuesday by Mustafa Hussain. Sharing details regarding the second FIR, Vidya Kishore, Circle Officer, Rampur said, "At an event on June 30, he (Azam Khan) made some remarks against Jaya Prada. Mustafa Hussain filed a complaint against around seven people including Azam Khan and ST Hasan." "Case registered under Sections 294 (obscene acts and songs) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The second FIR has been registered over an event which took place in Moradabad on June 30. While addressing the event, Azam Khan allegedly used foul language against Jaya Prada. During the Lok Sabha elections too, Khan was banned from campaigning for 72 hours by the Election Commission for his remarks against Jaya Prada. Azam Khan won from Rampur Lok Sabha seat in the recently held polls. He defeated BJP` Jaya Prada from the seat.

Second FIR against Azam Khan for derogatory remarks on Jaya Prada

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/gurdaspur-mp-sunny-deols-poll-expenditure-found-to-have-crossed-rs-70-lakh-limit-election-officer-228737">Gurdaspur BJP MP and Bollywood actor Sunny Deol</a> on Tuesday issued a statement over row on him appointing a representative for his Lok Sabha constituency.&nbsp;

"Extremely unfortunate to see a controversy being created out of nothing at all," the statement read, adding that Deol had appointed his personal assistant to represent his office in Gurdaspur and that the appointment is to ensure "smooth flow of work" whenever he is travelling.

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"The intention is to merely ensure that no work gets disrupted or delayed due to any reason whatsoever and to keep myself updated on daily basis," part of the statement read as shared by news agency ANI.&nbsp;

In the statement, Deol further said that as an elected Member of Parliament he is "genuinely committed to the cause of Gurdaspur".&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Congress on Tuesday hit out at Deol for appointing a 'representative' for Gurdaspur and said that the actor-turned-politician should resign if he is unable to address the issues of the people who voted for him.&nbsp;

"There is a provision in the Lok Sabha that an MP can appoint his or her representative who can take care of the work in the MP`absence. But that does not mean that after the election, the MP vanishes from this constituency and the representative does all the work he is only supposed to help," Congress leader Punia told ANI.

He had issued a letter stating that Gurpreet Singh Palheri will be his representative who will attend meetings and follow important matters pertaining to his constituency.

Deol defeated Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar with a margin of 82,459 votes to bag the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat in Punjab in the recently concluded general elections.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

Gurdaspur BJP MP and Bollywood actor Sunny Deol on Tuesday issued a statement over row on him appointing a representative for his Lok Sabha constituency. "Extremely unfortunate to see a controversy being created out of nothing at all," the statement read, adding that Deol had appointed his personal assistant to represent his office in Gurdaspur and that the appointment is to ensure "smooth flow of work" whenever he is travelling.

Gurdaspur BJP MP and Bollywood actor Sunny Deol on Tuesday issued a statement over row on him appointing a representative for his Lok Sabha constituency. "Extremely unfortunate to see a controversy being created out of nothing at all," the statement read, adding that Deol had appointed his personal assistant to represent his office in Gurdaspur and that the appointment is to ensure "smooth flow of work" whenever he is travelling. Gurdaspur (Punjab) BJP MP, Sunny Deol issues statement says, 'extremely unfortunate to see a controversy being created out of nothing at all.' pic.twitter.com/U0PdHJGSD3 — ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2019 × "The intention is to merely ensure that no work gets disrupted or delayed due to any reason whatsoever and to keep myself updated on daily basis," part of the statement read as shared by news agency ANI. In the statement, Deol further said that as an elected Member of Parliament he is "genuinely committed to the cause of Gurdaspur". Meanwhile, the Congress on Tuesday hit out at Deol for appointing a 'representative' for Gurdaspur and said that the actor-turned-politician should resign if he is unable to address the issues of the people who voted for him. "There is a provision in the Lok Sabha that an MP can appoint his or her representative who can take care of the work in the MP`absence. But that does not mean that after the election, the MP vanishes from this constituency and the representative does all the work he is only supposed to help," Congress leader Punia told ANI. He had issued a letter stating that Gurpreet Singh Palheri will be his representative who will attend meetings and follow important matters pertaining to his constituency. Deol defeated Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar with a margin of 82,459 votes to bag the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat in Punjab in the recently concluded general elections. (With inputs from ANI)

Controversy being created out of nothing: Sunny Deol on appointing representative for Gurdaspur constituency 

After PM Modi lashed out at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-cant-accept-defeats-not-a-healthy-sign-in-democracy-pm-narendra-modi-in-rajya-sabha-230582">Congress in Parliament</a>, Home minister Amit Shah today hit out at Congress over the Jammu and Kashmir(J&amp;K) issue in Lok Sabha.

"Congress weakened democracy in J&amp;K," India's home minister said, adding, "separatists have hurt democracy".

"Narendra Modi government has has zero tolerance for terror," he told the members in Lok Sabha.

"Congress too had <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/home-minister-amit-shah-seeks-to-extend-presidents-rule-in-jammu-and-kashmir-polls-by-end-of-year-231108">imposed President's Rule in J&amp;K</a>," he informed the House. "So far Article 356 (President's Rule) has been imposed 132 times of 
which Congress used it 93 times."

"We have never used Article 356 for political purposes to dismiss state governments but the Congress has," he said while attacking the Congress.

"How long can Congress accuse us of murdering democracy?" he asked.

"We banned pro-Pak elements and hit back at terror camps after the Pulwama attack," he said in India's lower House.

"Why wasn't Jamaat-e-Islami banned till date? Who did you want to please? It was the BJP government that banned Jamaat-e-Islami. Who put the ban on JKLF? It was BJP who did it," he said.

"The security of 919 people in J&amp;K has been withdrawn after review by the government&nbsp;as they had no security threat," he said.

Amit Shah said the Balakot strikes were "not a fluke" asserting that the government was serious about uprooting terrorism. "Our ideology is to ensure protection of borders and make the country free of terrorism."

"Surgical strike and air strikes were carried out in India's self-defence,"&nbsp;the home minister told the Lok Sabha.

"Jawahar Lal Nehru created the J&amp;K problem," he added. "India lost one-third of Kashmir due to Nehru's decision."

"Who called for ceasefire back then? It was Jawaharlal Nehru who did it and gave that portion(PoK) to Pakistan. You say we don't take people into confidence, but Nehru did it without taking the then home minister into confidence. So Manish(Tewari) don't teach us history."

The Congress bench fumed as Amit Shah attacked India's former prime minister.

"Pakistan Occupied Kashmir(POK) could have been India's part."

After PM Modi lashed out at Congress in Parliament, Home minister Amit Shah today hit out at Congress over the Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) issue in Lok Sabha. "Congress weakened democracy in J&K," India's home minister said, adding, "separatists have hurt democracy".

After PM Modi lashed out at Congress in Parliament, Home minister Amit Shah today hit out at Congress over the Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) issue in Lok Sabha. "Congress weakened democracy in J&K," India's home minister said, adding, "separatists have hurt democracy". "Narendra Modi government has has zero tolerance for terror," he told the members in Lok Sabha. "Congress too had imposed President's Rule in J&K," he informed the House. "So far Article 356 (President's Rule) has been imposed 132 times of which Congress used it 93 times." "We have never used Article 356 for political purposes to dismiss state governments but the Congress has," he said while attacking the Congress. "How long can Congress accuse us of murdering democracy?" he asked. "We banned pro-Pak elements and hit back at terror camps after the Pulwama attack," he said in India's lower House. "Why wasn't Jamaat-e-Islami banned till date? Who did you want to please? It was the BJP government that banned Jamaat-e-Islami. Who put the ban on JKLF? It was BJP who did it," he said. "The security of 919 people in J&K has been withdrawn after review by the government as they had no security threat," he said. Amit Shah said the Balakot strikes were "not a fluke" asserting that the government was serious about uprooting terrorism. "Our ideology is to ensure protection of borders and make the country free of terrorism." "Surgical strike and air strikes were carried out in India's self-defence," the home minister told the Lok Sabha. "Jawahar Lal Nehru created the J&K problem," he added. "India lost one-third of Kashmir due to Nehru's decision." "Who called for ceasefire back then? It was Jawaharlal Nehru who did it and gave that portion(PoK) to Pakistan. You say we don't take people into confidence, but Nehru did it without taking the then home minister into confidence. So Manish(Tewari) don't teach us history." The Congress bench fumed as Amit Shah attacked India's former prime minister. "Pakistan Occupied Kashmir(POK) could have been India's part."

We will target root of terrorism inside Pakistan, Balakot strikes not a fluke: Home Minister Amit Shah in Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha today approved the statutory resolution to extend <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-will-target-root-of-terrorism-inside-pakistan-balakot-strikes-not-a-fluke-home-minister-amit-shah-in-lok-sabha-231174">President's Rule in Jammu &amp; Kashmir(J&amp;K)</a> for a further period of six months with effect from July 3rd, 2019.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had moved a resolution earlier in the lower house to extend President's Rule in J&amp;K. Amit Shah had said that to hold fresh Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir later this year, it was essential to extend the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/home-minister-amit-shah-seeks-to-extend-presidents-rule-in-jammu-and-kashmir-polls-by-end-of-year-231108">President's Rule from July 3</a>.

Moving the resolution, India's home minister said since the state assembly has been dissolved and the Election Commission has decided to hold fresh elections in Jammu and Kashmir later this year.

Shah asserted&nbsp;that assembly elections in the state will be held in a democratic, free and fair manner as soon as the Election Commission announces the dates.

He also told Lok Sabha that Article 370 of the Constitution which extends special status to Jammu and Kashmir, is "temporary in nature" and "not permanent".

The Lok Sabha also cleared the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019, to replace an ordinance issued by the previous government.

People living along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir will get benefits of reservation in direct recruitment, promotion and admission in professional courses on par with those living along the Actual Line of Control (ALoC), according to the bill.

(Inputs: PTI, ANI) 
&nbsp;

Lok Sabha today approved the statutory resolution to extend President's Rule in Jammu & Kashmir(J&K) for a further period of six months with effect from July 3rd, 2019.

Lok Sabha today approved the statutory resolution to extend President's Rule in Jammu & Kashmir(J&K) for a further period of six months with effect from July 3rd, 2019. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had moved a resolution earlier in the lower house to extend President's Rule in J&K. Amit Shah had said that to hold fresh Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir later this year, it was essential to extend the President's Rule from July 3. Moving the resolution, India's home minister said since the state assembly has been dissolved and the Election Commission has decided to hold fresh elections in Jammu and Kashmir later this year. Shah asserted that assembly elections in the state will be held in a democratic, free and fair manner as soon as the Election Commission announces the dates. He also told Lok Sabha that Article 370 of the Constitution which extends special status to Jammu and Kashmir, is "temporary in nature" and "not permanent". The Lok Sabha also cleared the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019, to replace an ordinance issued by the previous government. People living along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir will get benefits of reservation in direct recruitment, promotion and admission in professional courses on par with those living along the Actual Line of Control (ALoC), according to the bill. (Inputs: PTI, ANI)

Lok Sabha approves extension of President's Rule in J&K for another six months

The BJP Tuesday accused the Mamata Banerjee government of trying to create "West Bangladesh" by allowing infiltrators from Bangladesh to settle in West Bengal.

The TMC, however, claimed that the National Register for Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Bill were aimed at deliberately targeting the minority community.

Speaking on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in the Lok Sabha, Dilip Ghosh said the law and order situation in the state is in complete shambles and democracy in the doldrums.

"The (West Bengal) chief minister is very interested to become prime minister. She is trying to combine Bengal and Bangladesh and create West Bangladesh. There is a conspiracy going on to separate Bengal from India," Ghosh said.

The first time BJP MP from West Bengal said there is nothing political about 'Jai Shri Ram' slogan of the BJP since it was Lord Rama who taught justice and law and order, which is required in the state.

"Jai Bangla is a slogan imported from Bangladesh, whereas Jai Shri Ram is our own slogan," Ghosh said.

The BJP won 18 out of the total 42 parliamentary seats in the TMC stronghold West Bengal in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll.

"West Bengal is the only state which witnessed violence during the general elections. They are saying that you have to learn Bengali to go to West Bengal. This is the 'Sonar Bangla' we are now witnessing," Ghosh said.

Speaking in the House, Mahua Moitra (TMC) accused the BJP of spreading fear across the country since 2014 and politicising the issue of 2.77 acres of land (in Ayodhya).

"The BJP is mixing religion with citizenship. Through the National Register for Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Bill, only one community is being targeted," Moitra charged, adding even school textbooks are being changed to indoctrinate students.

She said there is an erosion of electoral system and a "dangerous fascism" rising in India under the BJP. Holding that the Constitution was under threat, Mahua Moitra (TMC) said there were signs everywhere that the country was being torn apart.

Citizens were being thrown out of their homes, she claimed. The lynching of young citizens, she said, was taking place and drew the attention of members to the lynching of Tabrez Ansari in Jharkhand.

She also alleged the five large media houses in India were directly or indirectly is controlled by a single man.

BJP member Nishikant Dubey objected to Moitra's reference to 2.77-acre land and NRC in her speech, saying the two issues are pending before the Supreme Court.

To this, TMC leader Saugata Roy attacked Dubey saying his objections are "bogus".

"He has been put up by the Government to obstruct the opposition. He is using the green book (Lok Sabha rule book) without understanding to impede opposition speech," Roy said.

In his defence, Dubey said Roy has become "so blind in defending Mamata Banerjee that he cannot read Lok Sabha rules".

The BJP Tuesday accused the Mamata Banerjee government of trying to create "West Bangladesh" by allowing infiltrators from Bangladesh to settle in West Bengal. The TMC, however, claimed that the National Register for Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Bill were aimed at deliberately targeting the minority community.

The BJP Tuesday accused the Mamata Banerjee government of trying to create "West Bangladesh" by allowing infiltrators from Bangladesh to settle in West Bengal. The TMC, however, claimed that the National Register for Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Bill were aimed at deliberately targeting the minority community. Speaking on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in the Lok Sabha, Dilip Ghosh said the law and order situation in the state is in complete shambles and democracy in the doldrums. "The (West Bengal) chief minister is very interested to become prime minister. She is trying to combine Bengal and Bangladesh and create West Bangladesh. There is a conspiracy going on to separate Bengal from India," Ghosh said. The first time BJP MP from West Bengal said there is nothing political about 'Jai Shri Ram' slogan of the BJP since it was Lord Rama who taught justice and law and order, which is required in the state. "Jai Bangla is a slogan imported from Bangladesh, whereas Jai Shri Ram is our own slogan," Ghosh said. The BJP won 18 out of the total 42 parliamentary seats in the TMC stronghold West Bengal in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll. "West Bengal is the only state which witnessed violence during the general elections. They are saying that you have to learn Bengali to go to West Bengal. This is the 'Sonar Bangla' we are now witnessing," Ghosh said. Speaking in the House, Mahua Moitra (TMC) accused the BJP of spreading fear across the country since 2014 and politicising the issue of 2.77 acres of land (in Ayodhya). "The BJP is mixing religion with citizenship. Through the National Register for Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Bill, only one community is being targeted," Moitra charged, adding even school textbooks are being changed to indoctrinate students. She said there is an erosion of electoral system and a "dangerous fascism" rising in India under the BJP. Holding that the Constitution was under threat, Mahua Moitra (TMC) said there were signs everywhere that the country was being torn apart. Citizens were being thrown out of their homes, she claimed. The lynching of young citizens, she said, was taking place and drew the attention of members to the lynching of Tabrez Ansari in Jharkhand. She also alleged the five large media houses in India were directly or indirectly is controlled by a single man. BJP member Nishikant Dubey objected to Moitra's reference to 2.77-acre land and NRC in her speech, saying the two issues are pending before the Supreme Court. To this, TMC leader Saugata Roy attacked Dubey saying his objections are "bogus". "He has been put up by the Government to obstruct the opposition. He is using the green book (Lok Sabha rule book) without understanding to impede opposition speech," Roy said. In his defence, Dubey said Roy has become "so blind in defending Mamata Banerjee that he cannot read Lok Sabha rules".

'Mamata Banerjee conspiring to separate Bengal from India': BJP in Lok Sabha

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/om-birla-from-grassroots-politician-to-lok-sabha-speaker-228583">NDA candidate Om Birla</a> on Wednesday becomes the Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha after PM Narendra Modi moves the motion for his election in Parliament.

Birla's candidature was backed by all NDA allies as also by the YSR Congress Party, the Biju Janata Dal and key opposition parties, including the Congress.&nbsp;

Birla, 57, is a two-term Lok Sabha Member of Parliament. He won from Rajasthan’s Kota-Bundi seat in the just concluded general election&nbsp;where he defeated Congress' Ramnarain Meena by over 2.5 lakh votes.

<img alt="Om Birla" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="15871be6-2ddc-4d45-a26f-e97212842de1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Om-Sumitra.jpg" />

Former Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan garlands BJP MP from Kota Lok Sabha constituency Om Birla during a meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday. (ANI Photo)

Birla was also a Member of Assembly in Rajasthan for three terms and was a parliamentary secretary in the government of Vasundhara Raje between 2003-08.

Birla had the support of 10 parties including BJD and YSRCP which are not part of the NDA. The BJP on its own has 303 MPs and the NDA has 352.

NDA candidate Om Birla on Wednesday becomes the Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha after PM Narendra Modi moves the motion for his election in Parliament. Birla's candidature was backed by all NDA allies as also by the YSR Congress Party, the Biju Janata Dal and key opposition parties, including the Congress.

NDA candidate Om Birla on Wednesday becomes the Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha after PM Narendra Modi moves the motion for his election in Parliament. Birla's candidature was backed by all NDA allies as also by the YSR Congress Party, the Biju Janata Dal and key opposition parties, including the Congress. Birla, 57, is a two-term Lok Sabha Member of Parliament. He won from Rajasthan’s Kota-Bundi seat in the just concluded general election where he defeated Congress' Ramnarain Meena by over 2.5 lakh votes. Former Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan garlands BJP MP from Kota Lok Sabha constituency Om Birla during a meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday. (ANI Photo) Birla was also a Member of Assembly in Rajasthan for three terms and was a parliamentary secretary in the government of Vasundhara Raje between 2003-08. Birla had the support of 10 parties including BJD and YSRCP which are not part of the NDA. The BJP on its own has 303 MPs and the NDA has 352.

Om Birla, two-time BJP MP from Rajasthan, becomes Speaker of 17th Lok Sabha

Senior Congress leader and Member of parliament from Baharampur Lok Sabha seat of West Bengal, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, was named Congress' party chief in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The decision came after Congress top brass today morning, including Sonia Gandhi and party chief Rahul Gandhi, held a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-pm-modis-meeting-with-party-chiefs-congress-discusses-strategy-on-key-matters-228215">meeting to decide party strategy</a> on key matters such as Lok Sabha speaker's election and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to discuss the 'one nation, one election' issue, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

The meeting, chaired by Congress Parliamentary Party leader Sonia Gandhi, saw Rahul Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh in attendance along with senior leaders like AK Antony, P Chidambaram, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Jairam Ramesh, K Suresh, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. The meeting took place at Sonia Gandhi's residence 10, Janpath.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is one of the two MPs of Indian National Congress in West Bengal. He is serving as the Member of Parliament for Berhampore since 1999. He is also a former president of West Bengal Pradesh Congress.

In 2019 General Elections he defeated TMC’s Apurba Sarkar with more than 78,000 votes.

Popularly known as ‘Nawab of Murshidabad’ or ‘Robinhood of Baharampur’, Chowdhury joined the Indian National Congress party during the premiership of Rajiv Gandhi.&nbsp;

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury stronghold in the area is the sole reason behind Baharampore Lok Sabha constituency is traditionally a Congress bastion since 1999.

There are seven Assembly seats of Baharampore — Naoda, Kandi, Beldanga, Burdwan, Rejinagar, Baharampur and Bharatpur. All the seven seats were won by the Congress in the 2016 state decision.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Senior Congress leader and Member of parliament from Baharampur Lok Sabha seat of West Bengal, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, was named Congress' party chief in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Senior Congress leader and Member of parliament from Baharampur Lok Sabha seat of West Bengal, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, was named Congress' party chief in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The decision came after Congress top brass today morning, including Sonia Gandhi and party chief Rahul Gandhi, held a meeting to decide party strategy on key matters such as Lok Sabha speaker's election and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to discuss the 'one nation, one election' issue, news agency PTI reported. The meeting, chaired by Congress Parliamentary Party leader Sonia Gandhi, saw Rahul Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh in attendance along with senior leaders like AK Antony, P Chidambaram, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Jairam Ramesh, K Suresh, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. The meeting took place at Sonia Gandhi's residence 10, Janpath. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is one of the two MPs of Indian National Congress in West Bengal. He is serving as the Member of Parliament for Berhampore since 1999. He is also a former president of West Bengal Pradesh Congress. In 2019 General Elections he defeated TMC’s Apurba Sarkar with more than 78,000 votes. Popularly known as ‘Nawab of Murshidabad’ or ‘Robinhood of Baharampur’, Chowdhury joined the Indian National Congress party during the premiership of Rajiv Gandhi. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury stronghold in the area is the sole reason behind Baharampore Lok Sabha constituency is traditionally a Congress bastion since 1999. There are seven Assembly seats of Baharampore — Naoda, Kandi, Beldanga, Burdwan, Rejinagar, Baharampur and Bharatpur. All the seven seats were won by the Congress in the 2016 state decision. (With inputs from PTI)

Congress names Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury party chief in Lok Sabha 

President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday was sworn in seven-term member of Parliament <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-mp-dr-virendra-kumar-to-be-protem-speaker-of-17th-lok-sabha-226181">Virendra Kumar as the protem speaker of Lok Sabha</a>.

Kumar will oversee the oath-taking of newly elected LS members on Monday and Tuesday.

On Wednesday, as soon as a new speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha is elected, his role will cease to exist. Kumar, 65, won the Lok Sabha election from Tikamgarh in Madhya Pradesh on a BJP ticket.

He was a minister of state in the previous Modi government.

As pro-tem speaker, Kumar will preside over the first sitting of the Lok Sabha and administer the oath to the newly elected MPs. He will also oversee the election of the Lok Sabha speaker.

The first session of the newly constituted Lok Sabha will be held from June 17 to July 26.

President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday was sworn in seven-term member of Parliament Virendra Kumar as the protem speaker of Lok Sabha. Kumar will oversee the oath-taking of newly elected LS members on Monday and Tuesday.

President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday was sworn in seven-term member of Parliament Virendra Kumar as the protem speaker of Lok Sabha. Kumar will oversee the oath-taking of newly elected LS members on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, as soon as a new speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha is elected, his role will cease to exist. Kumar, 65, won the Lok Sabha election from Tikamgarh in Madhya Pradesh on a BJP ticket. He was a minister of state in the previous Modi government. As pro-tem speaker, Kumar will preside over the first sitting of the Lok Sabha and administer the oath to the newly elected MPs. He will also oversee the election of the Lok Sabha speaker. The first session of the newly constituted Lok Sabha will be held from June 17 to July 26.

BJP MP Virendra Kumar sworn in as protem speaker of Lok Sabha

It took three attempts for BJP's winning candidate Pragya Singh Thakur to complete her oath-taking ceremony as an MP in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

In her first attempt, she tried to take oath under the name 'Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur Poorn Chetnand Avdheshanand Giri,'&nbsp;which became a point of contention among the opposition.

Thakur was suffixing her name with that of her spiritual guru.

She was stopped twice, first by the Pro-tem speaker of the Lok Sabha, Virendra Singh and the second time by the shouts of the opposition MPs who stopped her midway.

Thakur took the oath in her third attempt after Singh stated that he would remove anything which was found out to be "unofficial".

She also took the oath in Sanskrit like Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, Ashwini Kumar Choubey and Pratap Chandra Sarangi and others.

Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as many as 313 newly-elected MPs on Monday took oath as members of the 17th Lok Sabha where linguistic diversity of India was on full display.

Slogans like 'Jai Shri Ram'&nbsp;greeted Pro-tem Speaker when he took the chair at 11 am to commence the proceedings.

The oath-taking ceremony will continue tomorrow with many MPs from states like Uttar Pradesh and other states taking the oath.&nbsp;

It took three attempts for BJP's winning candidate Pragya Singh Thakur to complete her oath-taking ceremony as an MP in the Lok Sabha on Monday. In her first attempt, she tried to take oath under the name 'Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur Poorn Chetnand Avdheshanand Giri,' which became a point of contention among the opposition.

It took three attempts for BJP's winning candidate Pragya Singh Thakur to complete her oath-taking ceremony as an MP in the Lok Sabha on Monday. In her first attempt, she tried to take oath under the name 'Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur Poorn Chetnand Avdheshanand Giri,' which became a point of contention among the opposition. Thakur was suffixing her name with that of her spiritual guru. She was stopped twice, first by the Pro-tem speaker of the Lok Sabha, Virendra Singh and the second time by the shouts of the opposition MPs who stopped her midway. Thakur took the oath in her third attempt after Singh stated that he would remove anything which was found out to be "unofficial". She also took the oath in Sanskrit like Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, Ashwini Kumar Choubey and Pratap Chandra Sarangi and others. Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as many as 313 newly-elected MPs on Monday took oath as members of the 17th Lok Sabha where linguistic diversity of India was on full display. Slogans like 'Jai Shri Ram' greeted Pro-tem Speaker when he took the chair at 11 am to commence the proceedings. The oath-taking ceremony will continue tomorrow with many MPs from states like Uttar Pradesh and other states taking the oath.

Pragya Thakur completes taking oath in three attempts in Lok Sabha

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday took oath as a member of the 17th Lok Sabha. Gandhi won the election from Wayanad in Kerala.

He had also contested from the Gandhi bastion of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh but was defeated by BJP leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani by a margin of over 55,000 votes.

Rahul took the oath in English.&nbsp;

Minutes before taking the oath, he tweeted that his fourth consecutive term as a member of the Lok Sabha begins on Monday.

"Representing Wayanad, Kerala, I begin my new innings in Parliament by taking my oath this afternoon, affirming that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India", he tweeted.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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My 4th consecutive term as a Member of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabha?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabha</a> begins today. Representing Wayanad, Kerala, I begin my new innings in Parliament by taking my oath this afternoon, affirming that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India 🇮🇳
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1140546699644952577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday took oath as a member of the 17th Lok Sabha. Gandhi won the election from Wayanad in Kerala. He had also contested from the Gandhi bastion of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh but was defeated by BJP leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani by a margin of over 55,000 votes.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday took oath as a member of the 17th Lok Sabha. Gandhi won the election from Wayanad in Kerala. He had also contested from the Gandhi bastion of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh but was defeated by BJP leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani by a margin of over 55,000 votes. Rahul took the oath in English. Minutes before taking the oath, he tweeted that his fourth consecutive term as a member of the Lok Sabha begins on Monday. "Representing Wayanad, Kerala, I begin my new innings in Parliament by taking my oath this afternoon, affirming that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India", he tweeted. My 4th consecutive term as a Member of the #LokSabha begins today. Representing Wayanad, Kerala, I begin my new innings in Parliament by taking my oath this afternoon, affirming that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India 🇮🇳 — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 17, 2019 ×

Rahul Gandhi takes oath as Lok Sabha member

Some familiar faces, who were not part of the previous Lok Sabha, returned to the House <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-along-with-members-take-oath-as-first-session-of-17th-lok-sabha-begins-227853">taking oath as new members on Monday</a>.

These include former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, DMK's top guns Dayanidhi Maran, A Raja and T R Balu, senior Congress leader from Goa Francisco Sardinha and former Union Minister Manish Tewari.

Union Ministers Amit Shah, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Smriti Irani and DMK leader Kanizmohi, who were members of Rajya Sabha, became Lok Sabha members for the first time and attended the session on the opening day.

Union Ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and S Jaishankar, who are not members of either House, were also present in the House.

While Akhilesh was seen sitting in one of the last rows, his father Mulayam Singh was seated in the first row.

NCP leader Supriya Sule, who was also a Rajya Sabha member till 2014, was seen giving a hug to Kanizmohi.

Before the House met for the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen greeting senior opposition leaders UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Mulayam Singh Yadav, TMC leaders Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Kalyan Banerjee besides Maran and others.

Sule was also seen introducing two other NCP MPs to some of the Union Ministers besides Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and others.&nbsp;

Some familiar faces, who were not part of the previous Lok Sabha, returned to the House taking oath as new members on Monday. These include former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, DMK's top guns Dayanidhi Maran, A Raja and T R Balu, senior Congress leader from Goa Francisco Sardinha and former Union Minister Manish Tewari.

Some familiar faces, who were not part of the previous Lok Sabha, returned to the House taking oath as new members on Monday. These include former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, DMK's top guns Dayanidhi Maran, A Raja and T R Balu, senior Congress leader from Goa Francisco Sardinha and former Union Minister Manish Tewari. Union Ministers Amit Shah, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Smriti Irani and DMK leader Kanizmohi, who were members of Rajya Sabha, became Lok Sabha members for the first time and attended the session on the opening day. Union Ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and S Jaishankar, who are not members of either House, were also present in the House. While Akhilesh was seen sitting in one of the last rows, his father Mulayam Singh was seated in the first row. NCP leader Supriya Sule, who was also a Rajya Sabha member till 2014, was seen giving a hug to Kanizmohi. Before the House met for the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen greeting senior opposition leaders UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Mulayam Singh Yadav, TMC leaders Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Kalyan Banerjee besides Maran and others. Sule was also seen introducing two other NCP MPs to some of the Union Ministers besides Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and others.

Some familiar faces return to 17th Lok Sabha

Ahead of the first session of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/17th-lok-sabhas-first-session-from-monday-budget-triple-talaq-in-focus-227758">17th Lok Sabha</a> on Monday Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that views of the Opposition are important for a healthy democracy.&nbsp;

"The opposition shouldn't worry about their numbers. We value their opinions and feelings. I hope they will speak actively and participate in house proceedings," he said while emphasising on the role of opposition in Indian democracy.&nbsp;

"The role of an Opposition and an active Opposition is important in a parliamentary democracy. The Opposition need not bother about their numbers. I hope they speak actively and participate in House proceedings," he said.

He urged all MPs to think of the country when in the House and address issues related to the larger interest of the nation.

"When we come to Parliament, we should forget Paksh (party) and Vipaksh (opposition). We should think about issues with a 'nishpaksh' (non-partition) spirit and work in the larger interest of the nation," he said.

"Today marks the start of the first session after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. I welcome all new MPs. With them come new hopes, new aspirations and new determination to serve," said PM.

Prime Minister in his address also appreciated the high number of women MPs in Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

"I am happy that this new house has a high number of women MPs. My experience also suggests that when the Parliament functions smoothly, we are able to fulfil numerous aspirations of the people of India," he said.

Yesterday, PM&nbsp;chairing an all-party meeting on the eve of the first session, invited heads of all parties to a meeting on June 19 who have an MP either in the Lower House or the Rajya Sabha to discuss the "one nation, one election" issue.

The meeting will also discuss the issue of celebrations of 75 years of India's Independence in 2022 and 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary this year, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said.

Modi also invited all MPs from both houses of Parliament for a dinner on June 20 where they will interact freely and exchange views.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ahead of the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha on Monday Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that views of the Opposition are important for a healthy democracy. "The opposition shouldn't worry about their numbers.

Ahead of the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha on Monday Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that views of the Opposition are important for a healthy democracy. "The opposition shouldn't worry about their numbers. We value their opinions and feelings. I hope they will speak actively and participate in house proceedings," he said while emphasising on the role of opposition in Indian democracy. "The role of an Opposition and an active Opposition is important in a parliamentary democracy. The Opposition need not bother about their numbers. I hope they speak actively and participate in House proceedings," he said. He urged all MPs to think of the country when in the House and address issues related to the larger interest of the nation. "When we come to Parliament, we should forget Paksh (party) and Vipaksh (opposition). We should think about issues with a 'nishpaksh' (non-partition) spirit and work in the larger interest of the nation," he said. "Today marks the start of the first session after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. I welcome all new MPs. With them come new hopes, new aspirations and new determination to serve," said PM. Prime Minister in his address also appreciated the high number of women MPs in Lok Sabha. "I am happy that this new house has a high number of women MPs. My experience also suggests that when the Parliament functions smoothly, we are able to fulfil numerous aspirations of the people of India," he said. Yesterday, PM chairing an all-party meeting on the eve of the first session, invited heads of all parties to a meeting on June 19 who have an MP either in the Lower House or the Rajya Sabha to discuss the "one nation, one election" issue. The meeting will also discuss the issue of celebrations of 75 years of India's Independence in 2022 and 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary this year, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said. Modi also invited all MPs from both houses of Parliament for a dinner on June 20 where they will interact freely and exchange views. (With inputs from agencies)

We value the opinion of Opposition: PM Modi at inaugural session of 17th Lok Sabha

The BJP Wednesday announced its parliamentary party executive committee with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its leader in Lok Sabha and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as the deputy leader.

In Rajya Sabha, Union minister Thaawarchand Gehlot, a veteran dalit face of the BJP, has been appointed as leader of the house and his cabinet colleague Piyush Goyal as the deputy leader.

Gehlot replaced senior BJP leader and former Union minister Arun Jaitley as leader of the house in Rajya Sabha. Jaitley had requested the leadership to relieve him from key positions in view of his poor health.

Union minister Smriti Irani's induction as a special invitee in the BJP's parliamentary party executive committee underscores elevation in her stature within the party after she defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from the Amethi parliamentary constituency.

The party has appointed Sanjay Jaiswal as its chief whip. It also appointed for the first time three women MPs as its whips for women parliamentarians.

Besides these three women whips, 15 other whips for Lok Sabha have also been appointed for parliamentarians from different states. In Lok Sabha, the BJP's strength has increased to 303.

Other special invitees from Lok Sabha to the BJP's parliamentary party executive are Nitin Gadkari, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Arjun Munda, Narendra Singh Tomar and Jual Oram.

The BJP has also appointed six whips for the upper house, where it is the single largest party with 70 members.

Special invitees to the committee from Rajya Sabha are J P Nadda, Om Prakash Mathur, Nirmala Sitharaman, Dharmedndra Pradhan and Prakash Javadekar.

BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya has been reappointed as in-charge of the party's parliamentary office and Balasubrahmanyam Kumarsu as secretary.

The newly constituted BJP parliamentary party executive committee marks a generational shift in the party as party veterans L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, who have been its members for a long time, are not part of it, as both are not MPs.&nbsp;

Besides them, senior leaders Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj are also not its members.

The first meeting of the executive will be held on June 16 at 3:30 pm, a day before the commencement of Parliament session. The government has also called an all-party meeting in the morning of June 16 which will be chaired by the prime minister.&nbsp;

The BJP Wednesday announced its parliamentary party executive committee with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its leader in Lok Sabha and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as the deputy leader.

The BJP Wednesday announced its parliamentary party executive committee with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its leader in Lok Sabha and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as the deputy leader. In Rajya Sabha, Union minister Thaawarchand Gehlot, a veteran dalit face of the BJP, has been appointed as leader of the house and his cabinet colleague Piyush Goyal as the deputy leader. Gehlot replaced senior BJP leader and former Union minister Arun Jaitley as leader of the house in Rajya Sabha. Jaitley had requested the leadership to relieve him from key positions in view of his poor health. Union minister Smriti Irani's induction as a special invitee in the BJP's parliamentary party executive committee underscores elevation in her stature within the party after she defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from the Amethi parliamentary constituency. The party has appointed Sanjay Jaiswal as its chief whip. It also appointed for the first time three women MPs as its whips for women parliamentarians. Besides these three women whips, 15 other whips for Lok Sabha have also been appointed for parliamentarians from different states. In Lok Sabha, the BJP's strength has increased to 303. Other special invitees from Lok Sabha to the BJP's parliamentary party executive are Nitin Gadkari, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Arjun Munda, Narendra Singh Tomar and Jual Oram. The BJP has also appointed six whips for the upper house, where it is the single largest party with 70 members. Special invitees to the committee from Rajya Sabha are J P Nadda, Om Prakash Mathur, Nirmala Sitharaman, Dharmedndra Pradhan and Prakash Javadekar. BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya has been reappointed as in-charge of the party's parliamentary office and Balasubrahmanyam Kumarsu as secretary. The newly constituted BJP parliamentary party executive committee marks a generational shift in the party as party veterans L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, who have been its members for a long time, are not part of it, as both are not MPs. Besides them, senior leaders Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj are also not its members. The first meeting of the executive will be held on June 16 at 3:30 pm, a day before the commencement of Parliament session. The government has also called an all-party meeting in the morning of June 16 which will be chaired by the prime minister.

BJP forms new parliamentary party executive; PM Modi leader in Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh his deputy 

While the Congress has always maintained that no crisis is going on within the party after facing defeat in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, the real picture is quite different from what they are claiming.

The Congress party units across the country are getting into an internal tiff instead of analysing the reasons behind losing the poll battle.

The Congress was badly defeated in the Hindi belt states in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Congress leaders in most of the states have started getting into an argument with each other over the defeat. It is worth mentioning that Congress President Rahul Gandhi has so far not opened up about the ongoing misery happening within the party.

As per reports, internal tiffs are also going on in Jammu and Kashmir after the Congress's drubbing in the state in Lok Sabha polls for which, the party has blamed the National Conference.

Congress had alleged that Farooq and Omar Abdullah did not campaign for the party in Jammu.

Two AICC meetings to analyse the reasons behind defeat went inconclusive. In fact, the meeting of Ambika Soni and Ghulam Nabi Azad with states leaders was also postponed.

According to sources, the state leaders want a change in leadership while a faction has also proposed an offer to divide state Congress into three parts.

In Punjab, state cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has always been critical against Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

Actor-turned-politician Sidhu has denied taking charges of the new post given to him in the cabinet.

Sidhu, who has been under fire from Captain Amarinder for the Congress'&nbsp;poor performance in urban areas, was given Power and Energy Sources Ministry.

The tension between the two Congressmen had also come out in the open on a few occasions in the past.

In Punjab, Congress won eight parliamentary seats out of 13 while four seats went to BJP-Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) alliance and AAP bagged a seat- Sangrur.

In Rajasthan, many leaders and MLAs have come out against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, which led to the internal conflict within the Congress unit in the state.

The Congress that had won 99 out of 200 seats in state Assembly polls last year and formed the government with the support of its pre-poll ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), failed to open its account in the recently-concluded general elections.

Chief Minister Gehlot's son Vaibhav had contested from Jodhpur Assembly seat but lost to BJP's Gajendra Singh Shekhawat by a margin of 2.74 lakh votes.

The Chief Minister had extensively campaigned for his son after which Congress President lashed out at Gehlot for ignoring the rest of the state during crucial polls. Meanwhile, supporters of Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot have demanded a change in the leadership.

Following Congress'&nbsp;crushing defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, Haryana which is going to Assembly elections in three months is also facing trouble within the party.

Many leaders are seeking the removal of the party's state chief Ashok Tanwar and renewed fighting in the ranks.

Haryana former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda convened a meeting at his residence in New Delhi.

Speaking to ANI, Hooda said, "The meeting was called to discuss the future course of action for upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. It was decided to fight the polls unitedly. But it is surprising that state party chief Ashok Tanwar was not present in the meeting nor Congress Legislative Party chief Kiran Chaudhary."

The internal bickering, which had been brewing within the party for long, came out in the open in the Congress war room when Tanwar had a verbal spat with senior leaders after MLA Jaitirath Dahiya wrote to Rahul Gandhi against him.

Trouble turned intense in the Congress's Haryana unit due to the debacle in general elections where the party failed to win a single seat out of a total of 10 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state.

Haryana, where 90-Assembly seats are at stake, is scheduled to go to polls in October this year.

In Maharashtra, a post of Congress MLA is still vacant after Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, resigned from it.

Post the Lok Sabha drubbing, Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan, too, had offered his resignation.

The development has come after the party's poor performance in the general elections and months before the Maharashtra Assembly polls.

The current developments are likely to dent the Congress's bid in the Maharashtra Assembly polls.

In Jharkhand, taking responsibility for the defeat in the polls, Congress'&nbsp;state party President Ajay Kumar also offered to resign from the party post.

Congress had fought on seven seats in alliance with the JMM, RJD and JVM-P in the polls.

Congress won the Singhbhum seat and JMM won the Rajmahal seat. The situation in the state became tenser after when Jharkhand Pradesh chief PN Singh went to the party office to discuss the reasons behind polls debacle but faced outrage by the supporters.

As exit polls predicted a thumping majority for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka, Roshan Baig hit out at the state Congress leadership and party in-charge KC Venugopal.

In a major setback to the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition government in Karnataka in the recent elections, the BJP won 25 parliamentary constituencies out of a total of 28. Congress was left with just one seat.

Rahul Gandhi, who became the party president in 2017, offered to step down from his post at the CWC meeting on May 25, taking moral responsibility for Congress'&nbsp;dismal performance in the 17th general elections.

However, his resignation offer was unanimously rejected by the CWC. So far, several top leaders have met Gandhi and urged him to continue to lead the party.

The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

While the Congress has always maintained that no crisis is going on within the party after facing defeat in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, the real picture is quite different from what they are claiming.

While the Congress has always maintained that no crisis is going on within the party after facing defeat in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, the real picture is quite different from what they are claiming. The Congress party units across the country are getting into an internal tiff instead of analysing the reasons behind losing the poll battle. The Congress was badly defeated in the Hindi belt states in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Congress leaders in most of the states have started getting into an argument with each other over the defeat. It is worth mentioning that Congress President Rahul Gandhi has so far not opened up about the ongoing misery happening within the party. As per reports, internal tiffs are also going on in Jammu and Kashmir after the Congress's drubbing in the state in Lok Sabha polls for which, the party has blamed the National Conference. Congress had alleged that Farooq and Omar Abdullah did not campaign for the party in Jammu. Two AICC meetings to analyse the reasons behind defeat went inconclusive. In fact, the meeting of Ambika Soni and Ghulam Nabi Azad with states leaders was also postponed. According to sources, the state leaders want a change in leadership while a faction has also proposed an offer to divide state Congress into three parts. In Punjab, state cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has always been critical against Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. Actor-turned-politician Sidhu has denied taking charges of the new post given to him in the cabinet. Sidhu, who has been under fire from Captain Amarinder for the Congress' poor performance in urban areas, was given Power and Energy Sources Ministry. The tension between the two Congressmen had also come out in the open on a few occasions in the past. In Punjab, Congress won eight parliamentary seats out of 13 while four seats went to BJP-Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) alliance and AAP bagged a seat- Sangrur. In Rajasthan, many leaders and MLAs have come out against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, which led to the internal conflict within the Congress unit in the state. The Congress that had won 99 out of 200 seats in state Assembly polls last year and formed the government with the support of its pre-poll ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), failed to open its account in the recently-concluded general elections. Chief Minister Gehlot's son Vaibhav had contested from Jodhpur Assembly seat but lost to BJP's Gajendra Singh Shekhawat by a margin of 2.74 lakh votes. The Chief Minister had extensively campaigned for his son after which Congress President lashed out at Gehlot for ignoring the rest of the state during crucial polls. Meanwhile, supporters of Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot have demanded a change in the leadership. Following Congress' crushing defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, Haryana which is going to Assembly elections in three months is also facing trouble within the party. Many leaders are seeking the removal of the party's state chief Ashok Tanwar and renewed fighting in the ranks. Haryana former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda convened a meeting at his residence in New Delhi. Speaking to ANI, Hooda said, "The meeting was called to discuss the future course of action for upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. It was decided to fight the polls unitedly. But it is surprising that state party chief Ashok Tanwar was not present in the meeting nor Congress Legislative Party chief Kiran Chaudhary." The internal bickering, which had been brewing within the party for long, came out in the open in the Congress war room when Tanwar had a verbal spat with senior leaders after MLA Jaitirath Dahiya wrote to Rahul Gandhi against him. Trouble turned intense in the Congress's Haryana unit due to the debacle in general elections where the party failed to win a single seat out of a total of 10 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. Haryana, where 90-Assembly seats are at stake, is scheduled to go to polls in October this year. In Maharashtra, a post of Congress MLA is still vacant after Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, resigned from it. Post the Lok Sabha drubbing, Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan, too, had offered his resignation. The development has come after the party's poor performance in the general elections and months before the Maharashtra Assembly polls. The current developments are likely to dent the Congress's bid in the Maharashtra Assembly polls. In Jharkhand, taking responsibility for the defeat in the polls, Congress' state party President Ajay Kumar also offered to resign from the party post. Congress had fought on seven seats in alliance with the JMM, RJD and JVM-P in the polls. Congress won the Singhbhum seat and JMM won the Rajmahal seat. The situation in the state became tenser after when Jharkhand Pradesh chief PN Singh went to the party office to discuss the reasons behind polls debacle but faced outrage by the supporters. As exit polls predicted a thumping majority for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka, Roshan Baig hit out at the state Congress leadership and party in-charge KC Venugopal. In a major setback to the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition government in Karnataka in the recent elections, the BJP won 25 parliamentary constituencies out of a total of 28. Congress was left with just one seat. Rahul Gandhi, who became the party president in 2017, offered to step down from his post at the CWC meeting on May 25, taking moral responsibility for Congress' dismal performance in the 17th general elections. However, his resignation offer was unanimously rejected by the CWC. So far, several top leaders have met Gandhi and urged him to continue to lead the party. The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha.

Congress turning into a divided house due to infighting among leaders

After defeating Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son from the high-stakes Jodhpur seat, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat appeared set to get his second stint in the Union ministry.

Shekhawat was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Jodhpur in 2014 and was made the minister of state for agriculture and farmers' welfare in September 2017. On Thursday, he was sworn-in as a cabinet minister.

As an MP, Shekhawat contributed to the development of the civil airport of Jodhpur city, which is also known as the 'blue city', and expansion of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

The 51-year-old had defeated Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav Gehlot in Jodhpur by over 2.7 lakh votes. The chief minister had represented the&nbsp; 
constituency five times since 1980.

"This election is about government versus workers and common people. It is an election between the CM's son and a common man's son," Shekhawat had told PTI during the election campaign.

Known for his oratory skills and popular in his constituency, Shekhawat is often fondly referred to as "Gajju banna".

The two-time MP had strained relations with former chief minister Vasundhara Raje. Shekhawat was once in the running for the post of the BJP's state president. But, amid strong opposition from Raje, he lost out to Madan Lal Saini.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, however, was appointed as the convener of the election committee for the assembly election.

Shekhawat made his debut in politics as the president of the Jai Narain Vyas University student union in 1992. He remained closely associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in the region, especially in the border areas of Barmer and Jaisalmer.&nbsp;

After defeating Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son from the high-stakes Jodhpur seat, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat appeared set to get his second stint in the Union ministry.

After defeating Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son from the high-stakes Jodhpur seat, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat appeared set to get his second stint in the Union ministry. Shekhawat was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Jodhpur in 2014 and was made the minister of state for agriculture and farmers' welfare in September 2017. On Thursday, he was sworn-in as a cabinet minister. As an MP, Shekhawat contributed to the development of the civil airport of Jodhpur city, which is also known as the 'blue city', and expansion of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The 51-year-old had defeated Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav Gehlot in Jodhpur by over 2.7 lakh votes. The chief minister had represented the constituency five times since 1980. "This election is about government versus workers and common people. It is an election between the CM's son and a common man's son," Shekhawat had told PTI during the election campaign. Known for his oratory skills and popular in his constituency, Shekhawat is often fondly referred to as "Gajju banna". The two-time MP had strained relations with former chief minister Vasundhara Raje. Shekhawat was once in the running for the post of the BJP's state president. But, amid strong opposition from Raje, he lost out to Madan Lal Saini. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, however, was appointed as the convener of the election committee for the assembly election. Shekhawat made his debut in politics as the president of the Jai Narain Vyas University student union in 1992. He remained closely associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in the region, especially in the border areas of Barmer and Jaisalmer.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Jodhpur MP who gave Gehlot the 'blues'

Hitting out at the BJP for terming his party's rule in Uttar Pradesh as "gundaraj," Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said that "let us know if a single FIR has been filed against us but show us FIR copies registered against state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath."

"They blamed us for gundaraj (hooliganism) in Uttar Pradesh. I want to say let us know if a single FIR has been filed against us. But also show us FIR copies registered against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath," Akhilesh Yadav said while addressing an election rally here.

"He has been charged under several sections. I can not even count them and you cannot even imagine what kind of sections he was charged under," he added.

The SP chief and former chief minister alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled the nomination of his party candidate Tej Bahadur Yadav from Varanasi.

"The government claims that it wants to end terrorism but it was afraid of a jawan."

Continuing his tirade against the BJP, Yadav said: "What are the BJP people bringing on roads? It is bulls. And bulls are hurting the people on roads. If a bull hurts anyone, what charges the police will impose on them? Will they register an FIR against a bull?"

Yadav wondered if a case will be filed against any bull if it hurts anyone and demanded that the FIR should be registered against Adityanath instead. He also claimed that seven people died in Lucknow because of the bulls.

Later, Akhilesh attacked Adityanath for branding him a 'tonti-chor'&nbsp;(a thief who steals water tap).

"The Chief Minister (UP CM Yogi Adityanath) and a few of his officials have taught 'chilam'&nbsp;(tobacco pipe) to PM Modi. Those who are calling us 'tonti tonti,'&nbsp;they are the one with chilam" (Mukhyamantri ji ne aur unke kuchh adhikariyo ne Pradhan Mantri ji ko bhi chilam sikha diya....Jo log humein keh rahe hain tonti-tonti, vahi hain chilam wale)."

Polling for 80 parliamentary seats in Uttar Pradesh is being held in all seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

Hitting out at the BJP for terming his party's rule in Uttar Pradesh as "gundaraj," Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said that "let us know if a single FIR has been filed against us but show us FIR copies registered against state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Hitting out at the BJP for terming his party's rule in Uttar Pradesh as "gundaraj," Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said that "let us know if a single FIR has been filed against us but show us FIR copies registered against state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath." "They blamed us for gundaraj (hooliganism) in Uttar Pradesh. I want to say let us know if a single FIR has been filed against us. But also show us FIR copies registered against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath," Akhilesh Yadav said while addressing an election rally here. "He has been charged under several sections. I can not even count them and you cannot even imagine what kind of sections he was charged under," he added. The SP chief and former chief minister alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled the nomination of his party candidate Tej Bahadur Yadav from Varanasi. "The government claims that it wants to end terrorism but it was afraid of a jawan." Continuing his tirade against the BJP, Yadav said: "What are the BJP people bringing on roads? It is bulls. And bulls are hurting the people on roads. If a bull hurts anyone, what charges the police will impose on them? Will they register an FIR against a bull?" Yadav wondered if a case will be filed against any bull if it hurts anyone and demanded that the FIR should be registered against Adityanath instead. He also claimed that seven people died in Lucknow because of the bulls. Later, Akhilesh attacked Adityanath for branding him a 'tonti-chor' (a thief who steals water tap). "The Chief Minister (UP CM Yogi Adityanath) and a few of his officials have taught 'chilam' (tobacco pipe) to PM Modi. Those who are calling us 'tonti tonti,' they are the one with chilam" (Mukhyamantri ji ne aur unke kuchh adhikariyo ne Pradhan Mantri ji ko bhi chilam sikha diya....Jo log humein keh rahe hain tonti-tonti, vahi hain chilam wale)." Polling for 80 parliamentary seats in Uttar Pradesh is being held in all seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Let us know if even a single FIR was filed against us: Akhilesh Yadav to BJP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Saturday tried to contact West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss cyclone Fani but could not do so as his calls were not returned, a top government official has said.

The prime minister then spoke to state governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, the official said.

"Two attempts were made by the prime minister's staff to connect Modi with Banerjee over the phone. On both the occasions they were told that the call would be returned. On one occasion they were told that the CM is on tour," the official said.

The statement came after the Trinamool Congress hit out at Modi for not talking to Banerjee about the ground situation in the state in wake of the cyclone.

The prime minister had tweeted about his discussion with the governor.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Saturday tried to contact West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss cyclone Fani but could not do so as his calls were not returned, a top government official has said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Saturday tried to contact West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss cyclone Fani but could not do so as his calls were not returned, a top government official has said. The prime minister then spoke to state governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, the official said. "Two attempts were made by the prime minister's staff to connect Modi with Banerjee over the phone. On both the occasions they were told that the call would be returned. On one occasion they were told that the CM is on tour," the official said. The statement came after the Trinamool Congress hit out at Modi for not talking to Banerjee about the ground situation in the state in wake of the cyclone. The prime minister had tweeted about his discussion with the governor.

PM Modi could not talk to Mamata over cyclone as his calls were not returned: Official

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/be-it-pak-terrorists-or-traitors-on-our-own-soil-chowkidar-will-not-spare-anyone-pm-modi-214470">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Tuesday slammed the opposition and said that the electors, by their overwhelming response in the four phases of Lok Sabha polls, have shattered the dreams of the opposition.&nbsp;

While addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki, the prime minister said that those who were playing the game of "who will become the prime minister with each other"&nbsp;are now playing hide and seek after the conclusion of the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

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PM Narendra Modi in Barabanki: Those people who till a few days ago were playing "Kaun Banega Pradhan Mantri" with each other, are now playing hide and seek after the 4th phase of voting concluded....Ab janta ne inke saare sapno ko chaar charan mein choor choor kar diya hai. <a href="https://t.co/PKP23dIwml">pic.twitter.com/PKP23dIwml</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1123184772878966784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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On Monday, while speaking at a rally in Koderma, Jharkhand, he said that the 'chowkidar' will not spare anyone, "be it Pakistani terrorists or traitors on our own soil".

"We have proved through the surgical and aerial strikes that if we receive a threat from anywhere, we revert with the same force," he said

The prime minister launched a scathing attack on the Congress party and said, "Congress announced that if they are voted to power, their government will remove the sedition law. It implies that this party is the supporter of the Naxalites. This would make it harder for us to launch an inquiry onto such anti-national forces. This shows the ideologies of the party."

The fourth leg of the seven-phased general elections was conducted across 9 states and for 72 constituencies on Monday. 64 per cent voter turnout was recorded as announced by the Election Commission.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed the opposition and said that the electors, by their overwhelming response in the four phases of Lok Sabha polls, have shattered the dreams of the opposition.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed the opposition and said that the electors, by their overwhelming response in the four phases of Lok Sabha polls, have shattered the dreams of the opposition. While addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki, the prime minister said that those who were playing the game of "who will become the prime minister with each other" are now playing hide and seek after the conclusion of the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha polls. PM Narendra Modi in Barabanki: Those people who till a few days ago were playing "Kaun Banega Pradhan Mantri" with each other, are now playing hide and seek after the 4th phase of voting concluded....Ab janta ne inke saare sapno ko chaar charan mein choor choor kar diya hai. pic.twitter.com/PKP23dIwml — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 30, 2019 × On Monday, while speaking at a rally in Koderma, Jharkhand, he said that the 'chowkidar' will not spare anyone, "be it Pakistani terrorists or traitors on our own soil". "We have proved through the surgical and aerial strikes that if we receive a threat from anywhere, we revert with the same force," he said The prime minister launched a scathing attack on the Congress party and said, "Congress announced that if they are voted to power, their government will remove the sedition law. It implies that this party is the supporter of the Naxalites. This would make it harder for us to launch an inquiry onto such anti-national forces. This shows the ideologies of the party." The fourth leg of the seven-phased general elections was conducted across 9 states and for 72 constituencies on Monday. 64 per cent voter turnout was recorded as announced by the Election Commission.

Opposition is playing hide and seek after fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls: PM Modi in Barabanki 

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/what-rubbish-entire-nation-knows-he-is-indian-priyanka-gandhi-vadra-on-rahuls-citizenship-row-214729">AICC general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra</a> on Tuesday reacted over reports of her nomination as a Congress candidate for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency.&nbsp;

She said that she took the advice of all senior party leaders and colleagues in Uttar Pradesh and decided that it was important for her to focus on the 41 Lok Sabha constituencies she is looking after over just giving attention to one seat (Varanasi).&nbsp;

"I took the advice of all senior leaders of our party and colleagues in UP. They firmly felt that I have a responsibility here of looking after 41 seats. I felt that they (candidates) would be disappointed if I focused on only one place," she said.&nbsp;

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Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on nomination from Varanasi seat: I took advice of all senior leaders of our party &amp; colleagues in UP.They firmly felt that I have responsibility here of looking after 41 seats. I felt that they(candidates)would be disappointed if I focused on only one place <a href="https://t.co/HC8oFLn47Y">pic.twitter.com/HC8oFLn47Y</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1123170906518499328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Rahul Gandhi-led Congress is yet to declare its candidate for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency. For Bharatiya Janata Party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will fight from his home constituency. The Samajwadi Party has fielded <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/fielded-tej-bahadur-from-varanasi-in-honour-of-forces-nationalism-samajwadi-party-214750">former BSF jawan Tej Bahadur</a> as alliance candidate.&nbsp;

Varanasi will go to polls in the seventh and the last phase of the Lok Sabha polls on May 19. The results will be declared on May 23.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

AICC general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday reacted over reports of her nomination as a Congress candidate for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency.

AICC general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday reacted over reports of her nomination as a Congress candidate for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency. She said that she took the advice of all senior party leaders and colleagues in Uttar Pradesh and decided that it was important for her to focus on the 41 Lok Sabha constituencies she is looking after over just giving attention to one seat (Varanasi). "I took the advice of all senior leaders of our party and colleagues in UP. They firmly felt that I have a responsibility here of looking after 41 seats. I felt that they (candidates) would be disappointed if I focused on only one place," she said. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on nomination from Varanasi seat: I took advice of all senior leaders of our party & colleagues in UP.They firmly felt that I have responsibility here of looking after 41 seats. I felt that they(candidates)would be disappointed if I focused on only one place pic.twitter.com/HC8oFLn47Y — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 30, 2019 × Rahul Gandhi-led Congress is yet to declare its candidate for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency. For Bharatiya Janata Party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will fight from his home constituency. The Samajwadi Party has fielded former BSF jawan Tej Bahadur as alliance candidate. Varanasi will go to polls in the seventh and the last phase of the Lok Sabha polls on May 19. The results will be declared on May 23.

Candidates will be disappointed if I focussed on only one seat: Priyanka Gandhi on nomination from Varanasi 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a veiled dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying people looking at a mirror 10 times a day and aspiring to become PM cannot even win assembly constituencies in their Lok Sabha seat.

He said the Congress-led opposition, which has been "hurling abuse" at him, was now talking ill of the EVMs after realising the "trend" of three rounds of voting in the general election, "just like a child who makes excuses to justify his underperformance in exams".

PM Modi also slammed Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy for his remarks that those who cannot make both ends meet alone join the army, and wondered over the Congress' "silence" over it.

"People who look at a mirror ten times a day and then daydream about becoming the prime minister... It's ridiculous that they cannot even win the assembly constituencies in their Lok Sabha seat," PM Modi said in an apparent attack on Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress chief is in the fray from Amethi for the fourth time and is pitted against Union minister Smriti Irani, who had lost to him in 2014. Gandhi is also contesting Wayanad seat in Kerala.

In the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, the BJP had won four of the five seats under Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, while the fifth had gone to the Samajwadi Party.

"After the trends of three phases of polling, the opposition has come to know which way the wind is blowing. They have been abusing me. Now they are abusing EVM and are angry with the machine. What can the EVM do?" PM Modi said addressing a rally here for BJP candidates for Chatra, Lohardaga and Palamau Lok Sabha seats.

He said the 'mahamilawatis' have realised they "stand no chance" after three phases of polling and are looking for excuses to defend their poor show.

At a press meet on Tuesday, leaders of several major opposition parties had questioned the credibility of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and renewed their demand that 50 per cent of the voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips be matched with the EVM results.

"Just like a child who makes excuses to justify his underperformance in exams, opposition parties have started directing their anger at the EVMs and the voting process to cover their shortcomings. The response in the first three phases of polls have left the opposition with no option but to accept defeat," he said.

"A son of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda (Kumaraswamy) demoralises the army by saying only those who cannot make both ends meet to join the army... Arre doob maro (go, drown yourself). Our valiant soldiers are fighting to secure the country. They are fighting the enemy and taking bullets," he said.

PM Modi wondered why the Congress was "silent" over the remarks of Kumaraswamy, the Karnataka chief minister and its partner in the state's ruling coalition. He also wanted to know why the media was not discussing it.

Referring to the slain CRPF jawan Vijay Soreng, a Jharkhand native who was among the 40 personnel killed in a terror attack in Pulwama on February 14, PM Modi wanted to know whether his family sent him to join the force as it did not have food.

Claiming that Naxalites and terrorists got emboldened whenever the Congress was in power, PM Modi claimed ultra-Left extremism has been quelled to a great extent in the last five years, with the youth shunning the path of violence and joining the social mainstream.

PM Modi appealed to people to once again elect a government with a full majority as only such dispensations could control the menace of Naxalism and terrorism.

The prime minister asserted his government helps all people irrespective of their religious faith.

"We did not see what (religious) affiliations the 46 daughters of Kerala had. They were freed from terrorists in Iraq. They are your daughters, they are also the daughters of this chowkidar," he said referring to the rescue of nurses from the southern state, mostly Christians, from the captivity of ISIS terrorists.

With Balakot air strikes in mind, the prime minister said, "It is this chowkidar's government which knows how to respond to Pakistan and the terrorists promoted by it in their own language. Your government gave a befitting response to the terrorists by entering into their territory and destroying their headquarters."

He asserted terror groups were now afraid that his government will smoke them out even from the netherworld.

Referring to the terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, PM Modi said before 2014, even India faced such strikes but all that changed afterwards.

Before 2014, India responded in a "feeble voice" to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. "The terrorists are now looking for new abodes," PM Modi asserted.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a veiled dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying people looking at a mirror 10 times a day and aspiring to become PM cannot even win assembly constituencies in their Lok Sabha seat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a veiled dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying people looking at a mirror 10 times a day and aspiring to become PM cannot even win assembly constituencies in their Lok Sabha seat. He said the Congress-led opposition, which has been "hurling abuse" at him, was now talking ill of the EVMs after realising the "trend" of three rounds of voting in the general election, "just like a child who makes excuses to justify his underperformance in exams". PM Modi also slammed Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy for his remarks that those who cannot make both ends meet alone join the army, and wondered over the Congress' "silence" over it. "People who look at a mirror ten times a day and then daydream about becoming the prime minister... It's ridiculous that they cannot even win the assembly constituencies in their Lok Sabha seat," PM Modi said in an apparent attack on Rahul Gandhi. The Congress chief is in the fray from Amethi for the fourth time and is pitted against Union minister Smriti Irani, who had lost to him in 2014. Gandhi is also contesting Wayanad seat in Kerala. In the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, the BJP had won four of the five seats under Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, while the fifth had gone to the Samajwadi Party. "After the trends of three phases of polling, the opposition has come to know which way the wind is blowing. They have been abusing me. Now they are abusing EVM and are angry with the machine. What can the EVM do?" PM Modi said addressing a rally here for BJP candidates for Chatra, Lohardaga and Palamau Lok Sabha seats. He said the 'mahamilawatis' have realised they "stand no chance" after three phases of polling and are looking for excuses to defend their poor show. At a press meet on Tuesday, leaders of several major opposition parties had questioned the credibility of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and renewed their demand that 50 per cent of the voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips be matched with the EVM results. "Just like a child who makes excuses to justify his underperformance in exams, opposition parties have started directing their anger at the EVMs and the voting process to cover their shortcomings. The response in the first three phases of polls have left the opposition with no option but to accept defeat," he said. "A son of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda (Kumaraswamy) demoralises the army by saying only those who cannot make both ends meet to join the army... Arre doob maro (go, drown yourself). Our valiant soldiers are fighting to secure the country. They are fighting the enemy and taking bullets," he said. PM Modi wondered why the Congress was "silent" over the remarks of Kumaraswamy, the Karnataka chief minister and its partner in the state's ruling coalition. He also wanted to know why the media was not discussing it. Referring to the slain CRPF jawan Vijay Soreng, a Jharkhand native who was among the 40 personnel killed in a terror attack in Pulwama on February 14, PM Modi wanted to know whether his family sent him to join the force as it did not have food. Claiming that Naxalites and terrorists got emboldened whenever the Congress was in power, PM Modi claimed ultra-Left extremism has been quelled to a great extent in the last five years, with the youth shunning the path of violence and joining the social mainstream. PM Modi appealed to people to once again elect a government with a full majority as only such dispensations could control the menace of Naxalism and terrorism. The prime minister asserted his government helps all people irrespective of their religious faith. "We did not see what (religious) affiliations the 46 daughters of Kerala had. They were freed from terrorists in Iraq. They are your daughters, they are also the daughters of this chowkidar," he said referring to the rescue of nurses from the southern state, mostly Christians, from the captivity of ISIS terrorists. With Balakot air strikes in mind, the prime minister said, "It is this chowkidar's government which knows how to respond to Pakistan and the terrorists promoted by it in their own language. Your government gave a befitting response to the terrorists by entering into their territory and destroying their headquarters." He asserted terror groups were now afraid that his government will smoke them out even from the netherworld. Referring to the terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, PM Modi said before 2014, even India faced such strikes but all that changed afterwards. Before 2014, India responded in a "feeble voice" to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. "The terrorists are now looking for new abodes," PM Modi asserted.

Looking in mirror 10 times and aspiring to become prime minister: PM Modi's veiled attack on Rahul Gandhi

107-year-old Padma Shri awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka set&nbsp;examples for crores of Indians today as she walked out of the polling booth at the Bangalore Rural parliamentary constituency after casting her vote.&nbsp;

Thimmakka is one of the oldest citizens in the country today to have exercised her voting rights in the fight to elect the next leader of the world's largest democracy.&nbsp;

Fondly known as Aalada Marada, Thmimakka is an Indian environmentalist who hails from Karnataka and is known to have initiated a plantation drive wherein a whopping 385 banyan trees were planted along a four-kilometre highway stretch between Hulikal and Kudur.

Thimmakka is known to have taken to planting trees almost 60 decades ago when she nearly lost heart for not being able to bear a child.&nbsp;She, along with her husband, took to serving mother earth by planting trees.&nbsp;

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Karnataka: 107-year-old Padma awardee, Saalumarada Thimmakka casts her vote for the Bangalore Rural parliamentary constituency. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/e7dJJgI2bO">pic.twitter.com/e7dJJgI2bO</a>
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She has also planted nearly 8000 other trees. The Government of India honoured her selfless work with Padma Shri this year. A video of her blessing President Ram Nath Kovind while accepting her Padma award went viral earlier this year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As many as 14 parliamentary constituencies, out of Karnataka's total 28 seats, have gone to polls today in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-karnataka-to-witness-neck-to-neck-contests-211263">second phase of the Lok Sabha polls</a>. These include Udupi, Chikmagalur, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Mandya, Mysore, Chamrajanagar, Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South, Chikkaballapur and Kolar.&nbsp;

By 5pm, Karnataka recorded 58% voter turnout.&nbsp;

107-year-old Padma Shri awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka set examples for crores of Indians today as she walked out of the polling booth at the Bangalore Rural parliamentary constituency after casting her vote.

107-year-old Padma Shri awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka set examples for crores of Indians today as she walked out of the polling booth at the Bangalore Rural parliamentary constituency after casting her vote. Thimmakka is one of the oldest citizens in the country today to have exercised her voting rights in the fight to elect the next leader of the world's largest democracy. Fondly known as Aalada Marada, Thmimakka is an Indian environmentalist who hails from Karnataka and is known to have initiated a plantation drive wherein a whopping 385 banyan trees were planted along a four-kilometre highway stretch between Hulikal and Kudur. Thimmakka is known to have taken to planting trees almost 60 decades ago when she nearly lost heart for not being able to bear a child. She, along with her husband, took to serving mother earth by planting trees. Karnataka: 107-year-old Padma awardee, Saalumarada Thimmakka casts her vote for the Bangalore Rural parliamentary constituency. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/e7dJJgI2bO — ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2019 × She has also planted nearly 8000 other trees. The Government of India honoured her selfless work with Padma Shri this year. A video of her blessing President Ram Nath Kovind while accepting her Padma award went viral earlier this year. As many as 14 parliamentary constituencies, out of Karnataka's total 28 seats, have gone to polls today in the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls. These include Udupi, Chikmagalur, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Mandya, Mysore, Chamrajanagar, Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South, Chikkaballapur and Kolar. By 5pm, Karnataka recorded 58% voter turnout.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: 107-year-old Padma Shri awardee sets example, casts vote from Bangalore Rural 

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Raj Babbar and another actor-turned-politician Hema Malini are among the 85 candidates contesting for eight Lok Sabha seats in the second phase of elections in the state on Thursday.

Polling will be held in Nagina (SC), Amroha, Bulandshahr (SC), <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-aligarh-bjp-candidate-facing-strong-anti-incumbency-residents-say-unhappy-over-amu-row-211129">Aligarh</a>, Hathras (SC), Fatehpur Sikri, Mathura and Agra (SC).

Fatehpur Sikri will see a triangular battle between Babbar, BJP's Rajkumar Chahar and BSP's Shreebhagwan Sharma, who is a two-time MLA from Debai assembly constituency of Bulandshahr.

While in the temple-town constituency of Mathura, Bollywood "dream girl" of yesteryears, Hema Malini, is seeking re-election after winning the seat in the 2014 general elections.

The other candidates in the fray are Kunwar Narendra Singh of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and Mahesh Pathak of the Congress.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/second-phase-polls-bjp-mahagathbandhan-set-to-lock-horns-in-uttar-pradeshs-amroha-210709">In Amroha, sitting BJP MP Kanwar Singh Tanwar</a> will lock horns with Bahujan Samaj Party's Kunwar Danish Ali, who recently joined the party after quitting as the general secretary of the Janata Dal-Secular.

The eight Lok Sabha seats were bagged by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014. This time it faces a tough fight from the SP-BSP-RLD alliance.

In this phase, the BSP has fielded candidates for six of the eight constituencies -- Nagina, Amroha, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. The SP and the RLD have fielded one candidate each from Hathras and Mathura respectively.

Apart from Hema Malini and Tanwar, the BJP has retained three other MPs - Yashwant Singh (Nagina), Bhola Singh (Bulandshahr) and Satish Gautam (Aligarh).

The Election Commission has set up 16,162 polling booths in 8,751 polling centres for this phase in the state.

In Agra, UP animal husbandry, minor irrigation and fisheries minister S P Singh Baghel (BJP) will take on Preeta Harit of the Congress and Manoj Kumar Soni of the BSP.

In Aligarh, the fight is between Gautam (BJP), Ajeet Baliyan (BSP) and Bijendra Singh (Congress) while in Hathras, Rajvir Diler of the BJP will take on Ramji Lal Suman of the Samajwadi Party and Triloki Ram of the Congress.&nbsp;

In Bulandshahr, the contest figures Bhola Singh (BJP), Yogesh Verma (BSP) and Banshi Singh (Congress).

The Nagina constituency will see Singh defending his turf against Omvati Devi of the Congress and Girish Chandra of the BSP.

While Singh is a former SP leader, Devi has been with all the four principal parties in the state - SP, BSP, BJP and Congress - at different times of her political career.&nbsp;

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Raj Babbar and another actor-turned-politician Hema Malini are among the 85 candidates contesting for eight Lok Sabha seats in the second phase of elections in the state on Thursday.

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Raj Babbar and another actor-turned-politician Hema Malini are among the 85 candidates contesting for eight Lok Sabha seats in the second phase of elections in the state on Thursday. Polling will be held in Nagina (SC), Amroha, Bulandshahr (SC), Aligarh, Hathras (SC), Fatehpur Sikri, Mathura and Agra (SC). Fatehpur Sikri will see a triangular battle between Babbar, BJP's Rajkumar Chahar and BSP's Shreebhagwan Sharma, who is a two-time MLA from Debai assembly constituency of Bulandshahr. While in the temple-town constituency of Mathura, Bollywood "dream girl" of yesteryears, Hema Malini, is seeking re-election after winning the seat in the 2014 general elections. The other candidates in the fray are Kunwar Narendra Singh of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and Mahesh Pathak of the Congress. In Amroha, sitting BJP MP Kanwar Singh Tanwar will lock horns with Bahujan Samaj Party's Kunwar Danish Ali, who recently joined the party after quitting as the general secretary of the Janata Dal-Secular. The eight Lok Sabha seats were bagged by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014. This time it faces a tough fight from the SP-BSP-RLD alliance. In this phase, the BSP has fielded candidates for six of the eight constituencies -- Nagina, Amroha, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. The SP and the RLD have fielded one candidate each from Hathras and Mathura respectively. Apart from Hema Malini and Tanwar, the BJP has retained three other MPs - Yashwant Singh (Nagina), Bhola Singh (Bulandshahr) and Satish Gautam (Aligarh). The Election Commission has set up 16,162 polling booths in 8,751 polling centres for this phase in the state. In Agra, UP animal husbandry, minor irrigation and fisheries minister S P Singh Baghel (BJP) will take on Preeta Harit of the Congress and Manoj Kumar Soni of the BSP. In Aligarh, the fight is between Gautam (BJP), Ajeet Baliyan (BSP) and Bijendra Singh (Congress) while in Hathras, Rajvir Diler of the BJP will take on Ramji Lal Suman of the Samajwadi Party and Triloki Ram of the Congress. In Bulandshahr, the contest figures Bhola Singh (BJP), Yogesh Verma (BSP) and Banshi Singh (Congress). The Nagina constituency will see Singh defending his turf against Omvati Devi of the Congress and Girish Chandra of the BSP. While Singh is a former SP leader, Devi has been with all the four principal parties in the state - SP, BSP, BJP and Congress - at different times of her political career.

Second phase polls in Uttar Pradesh to decide fate of Raj Babbar, Hema Malini

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