<p>As Karnataka goes to polls some interesting battles are being witnessed in some of the 14 parliamentary constituencies.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Mandya</strong></p>

<p>One constituency that has been making a lot of noise is Mandya which is witnessing a battle between two political greenhorns - Chief Minister's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy and late actor-turned-politician Ambareesh's wife Sumalatha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While Nikhil is attempting to sail on the strength of his JD(S) cadres and MLAs from the region, Sumalatha, an actor herself, is using star power to gather crowds. Not to mention the disgruntled Congress workers who have vocally supported Sumalatha over Nikhil. A loss here will be a huge loss for Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy</p>

<p><strong>Bangalore South</strong></p>

<p>Bangalore South is seeing BJP's 28-yr-old Tejasvi Surya take on veteran Congress leader BK Hariprasad. The constituency was previously held by late Union Minister Ananth Kumar.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Bangalore North&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Foreign-educated state minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/second-phase-polls-it-is-gowda-vs-gowda-in-bangalore-north-210690">Krishna Byre Gowda is using anti-incumbency to target Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda</a> in Bangalore North.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While Byre Gowda is a sitting MLA from the area, Sadananda Gowda is seeking a second term. The contest is believed to be a close one between the two leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Tumkur</strong></p>

<p>Former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch HD Devegowda is probably facing his toughest elections yet in Tumkur as he takes on BJP's Basavaraj, a Lingayat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While Deve Gowda is banking on caste equations, the leader moving to Tumkur only to let his grandson have Hassan has been a thorny issue. Gowda has also been accused of deliberately denying water from the Hemavati river to Tumkur while he was the Hassan MP.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Chikkaballapur</strong></p>

<p>Chikkaballapur sees veteran Congress leader M Veerappa Moily take on Vokkaliga leader Bachche Gowda of the BJP. In 2014 the constituency had witnessed a three-cornered contest between Moily, Kumaraswamy and Bachce Gowda that saw the Vokkaliga votes split between the JD(S) and BJP, but that is not the case this time. Can Moily sail through after having a sliver of a margin of 10,000 votes in 2014?&nbsp;</p>


As Karnataka goes to polls some interesting battles are being witnessed in some of the 14 parliamentary constituencies. Mandya One constituency that has been making a lot of noise is Mandya which is witnessing a battle between two political greenhorns - Chief Minister's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy and late actor-turned-politician Ambareesh's wife Sumalatha.

As Karnataka goes to polls some interesting battles are being witnessed in some of the 14 parliamentary constituencies. Mandya One constituency that has been making a lot of noise is Mandya which is witnessing a battle between two political greenhorns - Chief Minister's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy and late actor-turned-politician Ambareesh's wife Sumalatha. While Nikhil is attempting to sail on the strength of his JD(S) cadres and MLAs from the region, Sumalatha, an actor herself, is using star power to gather crowds. Not to mention the disgruntled Congress workers who have vocally supported Sumalatha over Nikhil. A loss here will be a huge loss for Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy Bangalore South Bangalore South is seeing BJP's 28-yr-old Tejasvi Surya take on veteran Congress leader BK Hariprasad. The constituency was previously held by late Union Minister Ananth Kumar. Bangalore North Foreign-educated state minister Krishna Byre Gowda is using anti-incumbency to target Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda in Bangalore North. While Byre Gowda is a sitting MLA from the area, Sadananda Gowda is seeking a second term. The contest is believed to be a close one between the two leaders. Tumkur Former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch HD Devegowda is probably facing his toughest elections yet in Tumkur as he takes on BJP's Basavaraj, a Lingayat. While Deve Gowda is banking on caste equations, the leader moving to Tumkur only to let his grandson have Hassan has been a thorny issue. Gowda has also been accused of deliberately denying water from the Hemavati river to Tumkur while he was the Hassan MP. Chikkaballapur Chikkaballapur sees veteran Congress leader M Veerappa Moily take on Vokkaliga leader Bachche Gowda of the BJP. In 2014 the constituency had witnessed a three-cornered contest between Moily, Kumaraswamy and Bachce Gowda that saw the Vokkaliga votes split between the JD(S) and BJP, but that is not the case this time. Can Moily sail through after having a sliver of a margin of 10,000 votes in 2014?

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Karnataka to witness neck and neck contests

<p>The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked another Bangladeshi actor Ghazi Abdul Noor to leave India immediately for taking part in a political rally in West Bengal, news agencies reported on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per reports, Noor attended a political rally in Dumdum, West Bengal. His visa had also expired.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Appropriate action is also being taken regarding his overstay in contravention of visa validity".&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">After ferdous Ahmed, another Bangladeshi actor Ghazi Abdul Noor who campaigned for TMC asked to leave; Action being taken regarding his overstay in "contravention of visa validity"</p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1118819370136944645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The development comes just a couple of days after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday cancelled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ministry-of-home-affairs-blacklists-bangladeshi-actor-ferdous-ahmed-for-his-tmc-campaign-in-west-bengal-cancels-his-business-visa-210963">Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed</a>'s business visa and issued him a 'leave India' notice. Ahmed has also been blacklisted.</p>

<p>"After receiving a report from the Bureau of Immigration regarding visa violations committed by a Bangladesh National Mr Ferdous Ahmed," the MHA statement noted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ministry had asked for a report from Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) on Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed's campaign for Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 45-year-old Bangladeshi film star was reportedly seen seeking votes for Agarwal at campaign rallies across Hemtabad and Karandighi near the Indo-Bangladesh border.</p>


The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked another Bangladeshi actor Ghazi Abdul Noor to leave India immediately for taking part in a political rally in West Bengal, news agencies reported on Thursday.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked another Bangladeshi actor Ghazi Abdul Noor to leave India immediately for taking part in a political rally in West Bengal, news agencies reported on Thursday. As per reports, Noor attended a political rally in Dumdum, West Bengal. His visa had also expired. "Appropriate action is also being taken regarding his overstay in contravention of visa validity". After ferdous Ahmed, another Bangladeshi actor Ghazi Abdul Noor who campaigned for TMC asked to leave; Action being taken regarding his overstay in "contravention of visa validity" — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 18, 2019 × The development comes just a couple of days after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday cancelled Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed's business visa and issued him a 'leave India' notice. Ahmed has also been blacklisted. "After receiving a report from the Bureau of Immigration regarding visa violations committed by a Bangladesh National Mr Ferdous Ahmed," the MHA statement noted. The ministry had asked for a report from Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) on Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed's campaign for Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. The 45-year-old Bangladeshi film star was reportedly seen seeking votes for Agarwal at campaign rallies across Hemtabad and Karandighi near the Indo-Bangladesh border.

Another Bangladeshi actor asked to leave India for participating in political rally in West Bengal: MHA  

<p>As the second phase of the Lok Sabha election started today, actor and politician Kamal Haasan was seen with daughter Shruti as they became early voters in Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The father-daughter duo was seen in a queue in the morning today outside a booth in Chennai. Shruti got up pretty early and tweeted to her fans urging them to use their constitutional right and vote today. Read her tweet here:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today is the day !! Vote because it matters !</p>
— shruti haasan (@shrutihaasan) <a href="https://twitter.com/shrutihaasan/status/1118671051720810496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Shruthi and Kamal Sir voted ..... <a href="https://t.co/PjysA4SCXB">pic.twitter.com/PjysA4SCXB</a></p>
— GOKUL BHARATH (@iamgokulbarath) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamgokulbarath/status/1118719001696145408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The two also featured in her Instagram posts after they exercised their right. In one, Shruti showed her ink stain while in another she posed a pretty picture with father.&nbsp;</p>

<p>See the photos here:</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwYUfMHhHxn/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">VOTING DAY !!! Proud of you my dear father @ikamalhaasan 🖤 I’m on my way to vote, are you ? 🔦 #bigday</a></p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwYePR2hJjI/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Vote for the change you want to see ! #everyvotecounts</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/shrutzhaasan/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> shrutzhaasan</a> on <time datetime="2019-04-18T03:49:10+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Apr 17, 2019 at 8:49pm PDT</time></p>
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<p>She wrote: "Vote for the change you want to see!"</p>

<p>Kamal Haasan has entered politics by forming a new party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) that is debuting in the election. He has put up candidates in all 39 Lok Sabha seats and the bypolls as well, hoping to make a dent in the vote share.</p>

<p>This is the first major election in Tamil Nadu after the death of towering personalities of state politics, DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi and AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa.</p>


As the second phase of the Lok Sabha election started today, actor and politician Kamal Haasan was seen with daughter Shruti as they became early voters in Tamil Nadu.

As the second phase of the Lok Sabha election started today, actor and politician Kamal Haasan was seen with daughter Shruti as they became early voters in Tamil Nadu. The father-daughter duo was seen in a queue in the morning today outside a booth in Chennai. Shruti got up pretty early and tweeted to her fans urging them to use their constitutional right and vote today. Read her tweet here: Today is the day !! Vote because it matters ! — shruti haasan (@shrutihaasan) April 18, 2019 × Shruthi and Kamal Sir voted ..... pic.twitter.com/PjysA4SCXB — GOKUL BHARATH (@iamgokulbarath) April 18, 2019 × The two also featured in her Instagram posts after they exercised their right. In one, Shruti showed her ink stain while in another she posed a pretty picture with father. See the photos here: View this post on Instagram VOTING DAY !!! Proud of you my dear father @ikamalhaasan 🖤 I’m on my way to vote, are you ? 🔦 #bigday A post shared by @ shrutzhaasan on Apr 17, 2019 at 7:23pm PDT × View this post on Instagram Vote for the change you want to see ! #everyvotecounts A post shared by @ shrutzhaasan on Apr 17, 2019 at 8:49pm PDT × She wrote: "Vote for the change you want to see!" Kamal Haasan has entered politics by forming a new party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) that is debuting in the election. He has put up candidates in all 39 Lok Sabha seats and the bypolls as well, hoping to make a dent in the vote share. This is the first major election in Tamil Nadu after the death of towering personalities of state politics, DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi and AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa.

Lok Sabha elections: Superstar Kamal Haasan, daughter Shruti pose vote selfies

<p>Formerly known as Madras Central, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/its-a-high-octane-faceoff-between-two-powerful-daughters-thoothukudi-209778">Tamil Nadu</a>'s Chennai Central is touted as one of the crucial Lok Sabha seats from the South Indian capital. Despite being one of the smallest constituencies, the seat witnesses some of the biggest bigwigs of Tamil politics wrest power in the mega electoral battle.</p>

<p>Traditionally, the fight in Chennai Central has primarily been a show between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) - both bereft of their supremos now.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trends have it, the constituency was an undisputed DMK bastion since 1996 until AIADMK's SR Vijayakumar swept the seat in 2014, beating former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran by over 50,000 votes.</p>

<p>Until 2014, Chennai Central was a typical DMK, rather Maran bastion. While Dayanidhi Maran kept the seat in 2004, 2009; his father and former union minister Murasoli Maran was elected thrice from the constituency between 1996 and 2004.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At present, all three Lok Sabha seats from Chennai - north, south and central - rest with AIADMK, which has not fielded a&nbsp;candidate from Chennai Central this time. The party swept 37 of Tamil Nadu's 39 seats in last general elections. AIADMK is fighting this year's general elections in an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK).</p>

<p>DMK's Dayanidhi Maran loss in 2014 was largely attributed to charges in the telecom scams.&nbsp;Maran is in a direct fight with PMK's Sam Paul.</p>

<p>Water crisis and bigger investments would be some of the key issues on which nearly 14 lakh electors of Chennai Central will be eligible to exercise their voting rights on April 18.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chennai Central goes to&nbsp;polls on April 18.&nbsp;</p>


Formerly known as Madras Central, Tamil Nadu's Chennai Central is touted as one of the crucial Lok Sabha seats from the South Indian capital. Despite being one of the smallest constituencies, the seat witnesses some of the biggest bigwigs of Tamil politics wrest power in the mega electoral battle.

Formerly known as Madras Central, Tamil Nadu's Chennai Central is touted as one of the crucial Lok Sabha seats from the South Indian capital. Despite being one of the smallest constituencies, the seat witnesses some of the biggest bigwigs of Tamil politics wrest power in the mega electoral battle. Traditionally, the fight in Chennai Central has primarily been a show between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) - both bereft of their supremos now. Trends have it, the constituency was an undisputed DMK bastion since 1996 until AIADMK's SR Vijayakumar swept the seat in 2014, beating former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran by over 50,000 votes. Until 2014, Chennai Central was a typical DMK, rather Maran bastion. While Dayanidhi Maran kept the seat in 2004, 2009; his father and former union minister Murasoli Maran was elected thrice from the constituency between 1996 and 2004. At present, all three Lok Sabha seats from Chennai - north, south and central - rest with AIADMK, which has not fielded a candidate from Chennai Central this time. The party swept 37 of Tamil Nadu's 39 seats in last general elections. AIADMK is fighting this year's general elections in an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK). DMK's Dayanidhi Maran loss in 2014 was largely attributed to charges in the telecom scams. Maran is in a direct fight with PMK's Sam Paul. Water crisis and bigger investments would be some of the key issues on which nearly 14 lakh electors of Chennai Central will be eligible to exercise their voting rights on April 18. Chennai Central goes to polls on April 18.

Second phase polling: In Chennai Central, challenge for Dayanidhi Maran is to regain DMK bastion

<p>Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday said the country has earned respect across the world during the last five years of the Modi government.</p>

<p>The senior BJP leader, who was speaking at an election rally here, attacked the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), saying organisations cannot get success on the basis of negative thinking.</p>

<p>"The country has earned respect at the global level during the BJP government...We made an anti-satellite missile which only Russia, China and the US had," Singh said.</p>

<p>India is on the sixth spot "as far as the economy is concerned whereas in 2014 it was ninth. We want the country to become a superpower and 'vishwa' guru," he said.</p>

<p>The home minister said after the Mumbai attack in 2008, "the then Congress government did nothing, but after the Pulwama terror attack, Indian forces went inside Pakistan and carried out its operation."</p>

<p>The Indian Air Force on February 26 carried out a strike on a terror camp in Pakistan's Balakot after 40 CRPF personnel were killed in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14.</p>

<p>"The Congress is asking how many were killed (in Balakot) to which we said the brave do not count bodies, but vultures do," Singh said.</p>

<p>He also attacked the SP and the BSP, saying they have joined hands to stop Narendra Modi from becoming prime minister, but warned that no individual or organisation can get success on the basis of negative thinking.</p>

<p>The SP, BSP and RLD have formed an alliance in Uttar Pradesh to take on the BJP in this Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Mayawati-led BSP is contesting 38 Lok Sabha seats, while the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP has fielded candidates from 37 parliamentary constituencies.</p>

<p>There are three Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) candidates in the poll fray from the state. The alliance has fielded no candidates from Rae Bareli and Amethi, which are Congress bastions in the state.&nbsp;</p>


Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday said the country has earned respect across the world during the last five years of the Modi government. The senior BJP leader, who was speaking at an election rally here, attacked the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), saying organisations cannot get success on the basis of negative thinking.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday said the country has earned respect across the world during the last five years of the Modi government. The senior BJP leader, who was speaking at an election rally here, attacked the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), saying organisations cannot get success on the basis of negative thinking. "The country has earned respect at the global level during the BJP government...We made an anti-satellite missile which only Russia, China and the US had," Singh said. India is on the sixth spot "as far as the economy is concerned whereas in 2014 it was ninth. We want the country to become a superpower and 'vishwa' guru," he said. The home minister said after the Mumbai attack in 2008, "the then Congress government did nothing, but after the Pulwama terror attack, Indian forces went inside Pakistan and carried out its operation." The Indian Air Force on February 26 carried out a strike on a terror camp in Pakistan's Balakot after 40 CRPF personnel were killed in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14. "The Congress is asking how many were killed (in Balakot) to which we said the brave do not count bodies, but vultures do," Singh said. He also attacked the SP and the BSP, saying they have joined hands to stop Narendra Modi from becoming prime minister, but warned that no individual or organisation can get success on the basis of negative thinking. The SP, BSP and RLD have formed an alliance in Uttar Pradesh to take on the BJP in this Lok Sabha elections. The Mayawati-led BSP is contesting 38 Lok Sabha seats, while the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP has fielded candidates from 37 parliamentary constituencies. There are three Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) candidates in the poll fray from the state. The alliance has fielded no candidates from Rae Bareli and Amethi, which are Congress bastions in the state.

India earned respect at global level during BJP governmentt: Rajnath Singh

<p>A massive contingent of 41,000 paramilitary personnel will be deployed in politically crucial West Bengal during the remaining six phases of Lok Sabha polls in the state which has often seen violence during elections, officials said.</p>

<p>This is the maximum number of central security forces ever deployed in the state for the general elections, they said.</p>

<p>Officials in the central security establishment said a "massive mobilisation" of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) is being made. The state sends 42 Lok Sabha MPs.</p>

<p>Elections to two constituencies was held in phase one on April 11, while three seats will go to polls on Thursday in the second phase. The state will have seven-phase polls.</p>

<p>About 41,000 personnel drawn from the central pool, as part of 400 companies, will be deployed gradually in West Bengal till the last and seventh phase of voting on May 19, they said.</p>

<p>Officials said the build up in the numbers of the central forces is evident from the first phase of polls in the state when about 84 companies (nearly 100 personnel each) were deployed to conduct polls in two seats of Coochbehar and Alipurduar. For polls in three seats of Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling and Raiganj on Thursday, a total of 194 companies are being deployed.</p>

<p>Officials said the aim is to have "85-90 per cent" of the polling booths in the state under the cover of the central forces as a number of incidents of voters intimidation, booth attack and looting of EVMs have taken place in the state during the panchayat polls held last year and the assembly polls in 2016.</p>

<p>A number of polling booths have been declared sensitive from the point of view of violence and suspicion of distribution of poll inducements like liquor and cash, they said.</p>

<p>Reports state that while about 12-13 people were killed during the panchayat polls, over a dozen were injured and wide-scale violence during the last assembly elections in the state.</p>

<p>A large of chunk of the 400 companies will be drawn from the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, Central Industrial Security Force and Indian Reserve Battalions (IRBs) of different states, officials added.</p>

<p>Huge logistics and requisitioning of railway coaches, trucks and helicopter sorties are being arranged to send these forces, they said.</p>

<p>As the phases are getting over, the troops are being moved from one state to the other and maximum numbers are being sent to West Bengal, they said.</p>

<p>The Election Commission has appointed former Bihar Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ajay V Nayak as a special observer for West Bengal, while retired IPS officer Vivek Dubey has been sent to the state as a special police observer.</p>

<p>About 2.5 lakh central police forces are being deployed across the country for the Lok Sabha polls that began on April 11 and will end on May 19. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 23.&nbsp;</p>


A massive contingent of 41,000 paramilitary personnel will be deployed in politically crucial West Bengal during the remaining six phases of Lok Sabha polls in the state which has often seen violence during elections, officials said.

A massive contingent of 41,000 paramilitary personnel will be deployed in politically crucial West Bengal during the remaining six phases of Lok Sabha polls in the state which has often seen violence during elections, officials said. This is the maximum number of central security forces ever deployed in the state for the general elections, they said. Officials in the central security establishment said a "massive mobilisation" of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) is being made. The state sends 42 Lok Sabha MPs. Elections to two constituencies was held in phase one on April 11, while three seats will go to polls on Thursday in the second phase. The state will have seven-phase polls. About 41,000 personnel drawn from the central pool, as part of 400 companies, will be deployed gradually in West Bengal till the last and seventh phase of voting on May 19, they said. Officials said the build up in the numbers of the central forces is evident from the first phase of polls in the state when about 84 companies (nearly 100 personnel each) were deployed to conduct polls in two seats of Coochbehar and Alipurduar. For polls in three seats of Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling and Raiganj on Thursday, a total of 194 companies are being deployed. Officials said the aim is to have "85-90 per cent" of the polling booths in the state under the cover of the central forces as a number of incidents of voters intimidation, booth attack and looting of EVMs have taken place in the state during the panchayat polls held last year and the assembly polls in 2016. A number of polling booths have been declared sensitive from the point of view of violence and suspicion of distribution of poll inducements like liquor and cash, they said. Reports state that while about 12-13 people were killed during the panchayat polls, over a dozen were injured and wide-scale violence during the last assembly elections in the state. A large of chunk of the 400 companies will be drawn from the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, Central Industrial Security Force and Indian Reserve Battalions (IRBs) of different states, officials added. Huge logistics and requisitioning of railway coaches, trucks and helicopter sorties are being arranged to send these forces, they said. As the phases are getting over, the troops are being moved from one state to the other and maximum numbers are being sent to West Bengal, they said. The Election Commission has appointed former Bihar Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ajay V Nayak as a special observer for West Bengal, while retired IPS officer Vivek Dubey has been sent to the state as a special police observer. About 2.5 lakh central police forces are being deployed across the country for the Lok Sabha polls that began on April 11 and will end on May 19. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 23.

Lok Sabha polls: 41,000 central forces personnel to be deployed in West Bengal over multiple phases

<p>Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, who is <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/malegaon-blast-case-sadhvi-pragya-and-lt-col-purohit-will-be-tried-under-uaps-act-along-with-other-accused-27869">facing trial in the 2008 Malegaon blast case</a>, joined the BJP on Wednesday. Later in the day her name emerged in the party's list of candidates - Thakur has been fielded from Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal Lok Sabha seat.</p>

<p>"I will contest the election from Bhopal and win. Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is with me," Thakur said, speaking after emerging out of the BJP office.</p>

<p>Thakur had recently said she was ready for a "Dharm Yudh".</p>

<p>"I am ready to take on Digvijay Singh if the sanghatan (organisation, apparently referring to the BJP) asks me to do so," Thakur had told PTI last month.</p>

<p>Born in Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh, Thakur has had a long association with the Sangh parivar.</p>

<p>A post-graduate in history, she worked with the RSS' student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Durga Vahini, women's wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.</p>

<p>Arrested in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, she was given a clean chit by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), but the trial court refused to discharge her from the case.</p>

<p>The court dropped the charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against her, and she is now being tried under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.</p>

<p>She was granted bail by the Bombay High Court in 2017.</p>

<p>Six people were killed and over 100 injured when a bomb went off near a mosque in Malegaon in north Maharashtra, on September 29, 2008. According to the prosecution, it was the handiwork of a Hindu extremist group.</p>

<p>The BJP has been holding Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, where about 4.5 lakh of the 18 lakh voters are Muslim, since 1989.</p>

<p>According to sources, BJP leaders went into a huddle after Digvijay Singh's candidature was announced.</p>

<p>In the 2018 Assembly elections, the Congress won three out of the eight assembly segments in the Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency, and in the remaining segments the BJP's victory margin decreased.&nbsp;</p>


Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, who is facing trial in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, joined the BJP on Wednesday. Later in the day her name emerged in the party's list of candidates - Thakur has been fielded from Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal Lok Sabha seat.

Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, who is facing trial in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, joined the BJP on Wednesday. Later in the day her name emerged in the party's list of candidates - Thakur has been fielded from Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal Lok Sabha seat. "I will contest the election from Bhopal and win. Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is with me," Thakur said, speaking after emerging out of the BJP office. Thakur had recently said she was ready for a "Dharm Yudh". "I am ready to take on Digvijay Singh if the sanghatan (organisation, apparently referring to the BJP) asks me to do so," Thakur had told PTI last month. Born in Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh, Thakur has had a long association with the Sangh parivar. A post-graduate in history, she worked with the RSS' student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Durga Vahini, women's wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Arrested in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, she was given a clean chit by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), but the trial court refused to discharge her from the case. The court dropped the charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against her, and she is now being tried under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. She was granted bail by the Bombay High Court in 2017. Six people were killed and over 100 injured when a bomb went off near a mosque in Malegaon in north Maharashtra, on September 29, 2008. According to the prosecution, it was the handiwork of a Hindu extremist group. The BJP has been holding Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, where about 4.5 lakh of the 18 lakh voters are Muslim, since 1989. According to sources, BJP leaders went into a huddle after Digvijay Singh's candidature was announced. In the 2018 Assembly elections, the Congress won three out of the eight assembly segments in the Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency, and in the remaining segments the BJP's victory margin decreased.

Pragya Singh joins BJP, set to take on Congress' Digvijaya Singh from Bhopal

<p>Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP candidate Kanimozhi on Wednesday reacted on I-T raids that were conducted at her house in Thoothukudi on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Targetting the Central government, she said that in the past five years, "every government agency has been exploited," news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She alleged that only "opposition leaders have been targetted repeatedly".</p>

<p>"Over the last 5 yrs, every government agency has been exploited. They've become a part of BJP. CBI, ED, RBI IT, EC all have been compromised. Only opposition leaders have been targeted repeatedly," the leader said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">DMK MP candidate Kanimozhi on I-T raids at her house in Thoothukudi: Over the last 5 yrs, every government agency has been exploited. They've become a part of BJP. CBI, ED, RBI IT, EC all have been compromised. Only opposition leaders have been targeted repeatedly. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> <a href="https://t.co/qoRlv9hXCE">pic.twitter.com/qoRlv9hXCE</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1118450820519874560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier in the day, she said that the BJP cannot prevent her from winning in the ongoing elections.</p>

<p>She also dubbed the raids as "anti-democratic, deliberately planned and tested".</p>

<p>"BJP cannot prevent my success through this income tax raid. The raid is anti-democratic, deliberately planned and tested, and no documents have been seized," Kanimozhi told reporters here after completion of raids.</p>

<p>"They want to intimidate us through this. They have come to stop elections in Thoothukudi. DMK volunteers will be working with more enthusiasm," she added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;</em></p>


Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP candidate Kanimozhi on Wednesday reacted on I-T raids that were conducted at her house in Thoothukudi on Tuesday. Targetting the Central government, she said that in the past five years, "every government agency has been exploited," news agency ANI reported.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP candidate Kanimozhi on Wednesday reacted on I-T raids that were conducted at her house in Thoothukudi on Tuesday. Targetting the Central government, she said that in the past five years, "every government agency has been exploited," news agency ANI reported. She alleged that only "opposition leaders have been targetted repeatedly". "Over the last 5 yrs, every government agency has been exploited. They've become a part of BJP. CBI, ED, RBI IT, EC all have been compromised. Only opposition leaders have been targeted repeatedly," the leader said. DMK MP candidate Kanimozhi on I-T raids at her house in Thoothukudi: Over the last 5 yrs, every government agency has been exploited. They've become a part of BJP. CBI, ED, RBI IT, EC all have been compromised. Only opposition leaders have been targeted repeatedly. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/qoRlv9hXCE — ANI (@ANI) April 17, 2019 × Earlier in the day, she said that the BJP cannot prevent her from winning in the ongoing elections. She also dubbed the raids as "anti-democratic, deliberately planned and tested". "BJP cannot prevent my success through this income tax raid. The raid is anti-democratic, deliberately planned and tested, and no documents have been seized," Kanimozhi told reporters here after completion of raids. "They want to intimidate us through this. They have come to stop elections in Thoothukudi. DMK volunteers will be working with more enthusiasm," she added. (With inputs from ANI)

Opposition leaders have been targetted repeatedly, every government agency has been exploited: Kanimozhi on I-T raids

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Wednesday hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar claiming that under their government Maharashtra lagged behind in every area and it was BJP and Shiv Sena which have restored the state's lost glory.</p>

<p>Addressing an election rally in Maharashtra's Sangli, Shah said, "The credit to bring development in Maharashtra goes to the BJP government as it lagged behind in every area under the rule of Congress and NCP. It was the BJP and Shiv Sena government who worked very hard to restore Maharashtra's lost glory."</p>

<p>"Rahul Baba is sympathising with the poor now. Sharad Pawar ruled for so many years... the Gandhi family ruled the country for five generations... But they did nothing for the upliftment of the underprivileged sections of the society," he said.</p>

<p>Comparing the funds allocated for the state under BJP and Congress government, Shah said, "Under the 13th Finance Commission, the UPA government gave only Rs 1.15 billion for the development of Maharashtra. But, when you made Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of this country, Maharashtra received Rs 4 lakh 38 thousand 760 crores under the 14th Finance Commission."</p>

<p>The BJP president also lambasted the Congress for raising questions over the country's security. He said, "For ten years, there was the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in the country; they put the security of the country at stake for vote bank. They did nothing even when our soldiers were beheaded by terrorists."</p>

<p>"There were only two countries in the world, which used to take revenge for the blood of their soldiers -- one America and the other is Israel. Now, the third is India under the Narendra Modi government. As this is a land of Shivaji Maharaj, our country's defence, security and culture are important for all of us. I can guarantee you that only Narendra Modi can secure them," Shah added.</p>

<p>Slamming the Congress for not adopting a tough approach on terror, Shah said that the most important task accomplished by the BJP government is providing security to the country. "Kashmir is an integral part of India and no one can separate it. Congress can't keep our country secure and safe. Only Prime Minister Modi is capable of doing this and we will adopt 'zero-tolerance'&nbsp;policy against terrorism."</p>

<p>"In Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah put a demand of having two prime ministers in the country, I want to ask Rahul Gandhi, what is his response to those who want to divide the country," he asked.</p>

<p>Claiming that Congress party, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, and Mayawati are supporting illegal migrants in the name of human rights, Shah said, "Why you are favouring them? Are they (illegal migrants) your '<em>chachere bhai</em>'&nbsp;(cousins)? What about the bomb blasts orchestrated by them? They are like termites on the internal security of our country and our soldiers'&nbsp;rights."</p>

<p>Shah asserted that the BJP's Sankalp Patra (manifesto) is in the favour of the country and the party will ensure development in every sector. "We will ensure development in every sector as we are committed to '<em>sabka sath sabka vikas</em>'. We have provided reservation to Savarn Samaj (community) and I have asked Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to give benefits to farmers through retrospective effect," he said.</p>

<p>The Lok Sabha polls for 48 parliamentary seats in Maharashtra began on April 11. It has been staggered in four phases till April 29. The results will be declared on May 23.&nbsp;</p>


The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Wednesday hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar claiming that under their government Maharashtra lagged behind in every area and it was BJP and Shiv Sena which have restored the state's lost glory.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Wednesday hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar claiming that under their government Maharashtra lagged behind in every area and it was BJP and Shiv Sena which have restored the state's lost glory. Addressing an election rally in Maharashtra's Sangli, Shah said, "The credit to bring development in Maharashtra goes to the BJP government as it lagged behind in every area under the rule of Congress and NCP. It was the BJP and Shiv Sena government who worked very hard to restore Maharashtra's lost glory." "Rahul Baba is sympathising with the poor now. Sharad Pawar ruled for so many years... the Gandhi family ruled the country for five generations... But they did nothing for the upliftment of the underprivileged sections of the society," he said. Comparing the funds allocated for the state under BJP and Congress government, Shah said, "Under the 13th Finance Commission, the UPA government gave only Rs 1.15 billion for the development of Maharashtra. But, when you made Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of this country, Maharashtra received Rs 4 lakh 38 thousand 760 crores under the 14th Finance Commission." The BJP president also lambasted the Congress for raising questions over the country's security. He said, "For ten years, there was the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in the country; they put the security of the country at stake for vote bank. They did nothing even when our soldiers were beheaded by terrorists." "There were only two countries in the world, which used to take revenge for the blood of their soldiers -- one America and the other is Israel. Now, the third is India under the Narendra Modi government. As this is a land of Shivaji Maharaj, our country's defence, security and culture are important for all of us. I can guarantee you that only Narendra Modi can secure them," Shah added. Slamming the Congress for not adopting a tough approach on terror, Shah said that the most important task accomplished by the BJP government is providing security to the country. "Kashmir is an integral part of India and no one can separate it. Congress can't keep our country secure and safe. Only Prime Minister Modi is capable of doing this and we will adopt 'zero-tolerance' policy against terrorism." "In Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah put a demand of having two prime ministers in the country, I want to ask Rahul Gandhi, what is his response to those who want to divide the country," he asked. Claiming that Congress party, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, and Mayawati are supporting illegal migrants in the name of human rights, Shah said, "Why you are favouring them? Are they (illegal migrants) your 'chachere bhai' (cousins)? What about the bomb blasts orchestrated by them? They are like termites on the internal security of our country and our soldiers' rights." Shah asserted that the BJP's Sankalp Patra (manifesto) is in the favour of the country and the party will ensure development in every sector. "We will ensure development in every sector as we are committed to 'sabka sath sabka vikas'. We have provided reservation to Savarn Samaj (community) and I have asked Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to give benefits to farmers through retrospective effect," he said. The Lok Sabha polls for 48 parliamentary seats in Maharashtra began on April 11. It has been staggered in four phases till April 29. The results will be declared on May 23.

BJP, Shiv Sena government restore Maharashtra's lost glory: Amit Shah

<p>The Income Tax department on Tuesday carried out raids at a house where DMK candidate Kanimozhi is staying in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi.</p>

<p>Official sources indicated that the searches were held following "some inputs," but they did not elaborate. Income Tax officials were also "assisting," the local poll officials, they told PTI. The outcome of the searches were not known immediately.</p>

<p>DMK workers and supporters protested the incident while DMK chief MK Stalin blamed the centre, crying foul.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Crores and crores of rupees are kept in Tamilisai Soundararajan's (BJP TN chief) residence, why no raids there? Modi is using IT, CBI, judiciary and now EC to interfere in elections. They are doing this as they fear losing," Stalin told media today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Madras High Court earlier in the day dismissed a plea to prevent DMK's candidates Kanimozhi and Kathir Anand from fighting the Lok Sabha polls for allegedly violating the Model Code Conduct.</p>

<p>A bench of justices S Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad dismissed the plea after the Election Commission told the court that the two have been booked for allegedly resorting to electoral malpractices, news agency PTI reported.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">MK Stalin on IT raids on Kanimozhi: Crores and crores of rupees are kept in Tamilisai Soundararajan's(BJP TN Chief) residence, why no raids there? Modi is using IT,CBI,Judiciary and now EC to interfere in elections.They are doing this as they fear losing <a href="https://t.co/31Q7Lalf5M">pic.twitter.com/31Q7Lalf5M</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1118192756734615552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>As the plea came up for hearing before the bench, the poll panel counsel Niranjan Rajagopalan told the judges that FIRs have been filed against both the candidates on complaints of violation of the code.</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu is set to go to general polls this Thursday.</p>

<p>Kanimozhi is the DMK candidate from Tuticorin, while Anand was set to contest from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/elections-commission-calls-off-polls-in-tamil-nadus-vellore-over-cash-haul-210961">Vellore</a>. However, the Election Commission has cancelled Lok Sabha polls in Vellore citing seizure of huge cash from an associate of a DMK leader recently.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Petitioner V Abdullah Sait of Ramanathapuram had urged the court to direct the EC to initiate action against Kanimozhi and Anand. He had also sought the court's directive to the poll panel to bar the duo from contesting the polls.</p>

<p>Sait alleged in his petition that Kanimozhi had been 'clandestinely' distributing cash to voters during campaigning and police have booked a case against DMK members in this regard.</p>

<p>Last month, the Income Tax department and Election Commission officials had raided DMK treasurer Durai Murugan's residence in Vellore, and reportedly seized a large amount of unaccounted cash.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from PTI)</em></p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Income Tax department on Tuesday carried out raids at a house where DMK candidate Kanimozhi is staying in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi. Official sources indicated that the searches were held following "some inputs," but they did not elaborate.

The Income Tax department on Tuesday carried out raids at a house where DMK candidate Kanimozhi is staying in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi. Official sources indicated that the searches were held following "some inputs," but they did not elaborate. Income Tax officials were also "assisting," the local poll officials, they told PTI. The outcome of the searches were not known immediately. DMK workers and supporters protested the incident while DMK chief MK Stalin blamed the centre, crying foul. "Crores and crores of rupees are kept in Tamilisai Soundararajan's (BJP TN chief) residence, why no raids there? Modi is using IT, CBI, judiciary and now EC to interfere in elections. They are doing this as they fear losing," Stalin told media today. Meanwhile, the Madras High Court earlier in the day dismissed a plea to prevent DMK's candidates Kanimozhi and Kathir Anand from fighting the Lok Sabha polls for allegedly violating the Model Code Conduct. A bench of justices S Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad dismissed the plea after the Election Commission told the court that the two have been booked for allegedly resorting to electoral malpractices, news agency PTI reported. MK Stalin on IT raids on Kanimozhi: Crores and crores of rupees are kept in Tamilisai Soundararajan's(BJP TN Chief) residence, why no raids there? Modi is using IT,CBI,Judiciary and now EC to interfere in elections.They are doing this as they fear losing pic.twitter.com/31Q7Lalf5M — ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2019 × As the plea came up for hearing before the bench, the poll panel counsel Niranjan Rajagopalan told the judges that FIRs have been filed against both the candidates on complaints of violation of the code. Tamil Nadu is set to go to general polls this Thursday. Kanimozhi is the DMK candidate from Tuticorin, while Anand was set to contest from Vellore. However, the Election Commission has cancelled Lok Sabha polls in Vellore citing seizure of huge cash from an associate of a DMK leader recently. Petitioner V Abdullah Sait of Ramanathapuram had urged the court to direct the EC to initiate action against Kanimozhi and Anand. He had also sought the court's directive to the poll panel to bar the duo from contesting the polls. Sait alleged in his petition that Kanimozhi had been 'clandestinely' distributing cash to voters during campaigning and police have booked a case against DMK members in this regard. Last month, the Income Tax department and Election Commission officials had raided DMK treasurer Durai Murugan's residence in Vellore, and reportedly seized a large amount of unaccounted cash. (With inputs from PTI)

Just 2 days before Lok Sabha polls, Income Tax department raids DMK leader Kanimozhi's house

<p>Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday reacted over Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's remark wherein he accuses Kejriwal of taking a U-turns on an alliance in Delhi.</p>

<p>"What U-turn?" tweets Kejriwal adding that talks are still going on.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/on-alliance-with-aap-rahul-gandhi-says-times-running-out-ready-to-give-4-seats-210651">Your tweet</a> exhibits that you are not interested in an alliance, I am sad that you are indulging in just giving out statements," Kejriwal's tweet read.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kejriwal went on to say that the country needs to be saved from "Modi ji and Amit Shah ji" and unfortunately, "the Congress is just helping the BJP by distributing anti-Modi votes in UP and other states too".</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi tweeted out saying that although he is ready for an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party and can give 4 Lok Sabha seats for the party, "Mr Kejriwal has done another U turn!"&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">कौन सा U-टर्न?अभी तो बातचीत चल रही थी<br />
<br />
आपका ट्वीट दिखाता है कि गठबंधन आपकी इच्छा नहीं मात्र दिखावा है।मुझे दुःख है आप बयान बाज़ी कर रहे हैं<br />
<br />
आज देश को मोदी-शाह के ख़तरे से बचाना अहं है।दुर्भाग्य कि आप UP और अन्य राज्यों में भी मोदी विरोधी वोट बाँट कर मोदी जी की मदद कर रहे हैं <a href="https://t.co/9jnYXJFA0S">https://t.co/9jnYXJFA0S</a></p>
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1117774571711500288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>"An alliance between the Congress and AAP in Delhi would mean the rout of the BJP. The Congress is willing to give up 4 Delhi seats to the AAP to ensure this," Gandhi said in a tweet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that Congress' door for an alliance with the AAP in Delhi is still open, "but the clock is running out".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Congress Delhi in-charge PC Chacko said that the AAP is suggesting an alliance on 18 seats beyond Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Let us come together in Delhi first. Rahul ji said our doors are open, it should be done... Whatever decision is reached in one state cannot be replicated in the same way in other states," Chacko said on Monday.&nbsp;</p>


Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday reacted over Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's remark wherein he accuses Kejriwal of taking a U-turns on an alliance in Delhi.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday reacted over Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's remark wherein he accuses Kejriwal of taking a U-turns on an alliance in Delhi. "What U-turn?" tweets Kejriwal adding that talks are still going on. "Your tweet exhibits that you are not interested in an alliance, I am sad that you are indulging in just giving out statements," Kejriwal's tweet read. Kejriwal went on to say that the country needs to be saved from "Modi ji and Amit Shah ji" and unfortunately, "the Congress is just helping the BJP by distributing anti-Modi votes in UP and other states too". Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi tweeted out saying that although he is ready for an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party and can give 4 Lok Sabha seats for the party, "Mr Kejriwal has done another U turn!" कौन सा U-टर्न?अभी तो बातचीत चल रही थी आपका ट्वीट दिखाता है कि गठबंधन आपकी इच्छा नहीं मात्र दिखावा है।मुझे दुःख है आप बयान बाज़ी कर रहे हैं आज देश को मोदी-शाह के ख़तरे से बचाना अहं है।दुर्भाग्य कि आप UP और अन्य राज्यों में भी मोदी विरोधी वोट बाँट कर मोदी जी की मदद कर रहे हैं https://t.co/9jnYXJFA0S — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 15, 2019 × "An alliance between the Congress and AAP in Delhi would mean the rout of the BJP. The Congress is willing to give up 4 Delhi seats to the AAP to ensure this," Gandhi said in a tweet. He added that Congress' door for an alliance with the AAP in Delhi is still open, "but the clock is running out". Meanwhile, Congress Delhi in-charge PC Chacko said that the AAP is suggesting an alliance on 18 seats beyond Delhi. "Let us come together in Delhi first. Rahul ji said our doors are open, it should be done... Whatever decision is reached in one state cannot be replicated in the same way in other states," Chacko said on Monday.

'What U-turn? Tweet suggests you're not interested in alliance': Kejriwal slams Rahul Gandhi 

<p>The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday cancelled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-seeks-report-on-bangladeshi-actor-ferdous-ahmed-campaigning-for-trinamool-congress-in-west-bengal-210909">Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed</a>'s business visa and issued him a 'leave India' notice. Ahmed has also been blacklisted.</p>

<p>"After receiving a report from the Bureau of Immigration regarding visa violations committed by a Bangladesh National Mr Ferdous Ahmed," the MHA statement noted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ministry, earlier in the day, had asked for a report from Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) on Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed's campaign for Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">MHA: After receiving report from Bureau of Immigration regarding visa violations committed by a Bangladesh National Mr Ferdous Ahmed(actor who campaigned for TMC), MHA has cancelled his business visa and issued him a leave India notice. He also has been blacklisted. <a href="https://t.co/3lbqJEboEg">pic.twitter.com/3lbqJEboEg</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1118154504015241217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The 45-year-old Bangladeshi film star was reportedly seen seeking votes for Agarwal at campaign rallies across Hemtabad and Karandighi near the Indo-Bangladesh border.</p>

<p>The FRRO is responsible for providing visa services in the area under its jurisdiction.</p>

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday took notice of the incident and had raised the issue of Model Code of Conduct violation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP moved the Election Commission and filed a complaint against the Trinamool Congress. BJP claimed that participation of a foreign national in an election campaign is a sheer violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).</p>

<p>BJP also claimed that the Trinamool Congress was trying to consolidate minority votes in the Raiganj seat by roping in a famous Bangladeshi actor - Ahmed.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday cancelled Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed's business visa and issued him a 'leave India' notice. Ahmed has also been blacklisted.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday cancelled Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed's business visa and issued him a 'leave India' notice. Ahmed has also been blacklisted. "After receiving a report from the Bureau of Immigration regarding visa violations committed by a Bangladesh National Mr Ferdous Ahmed," the MHA statement noted. The ministry, earlier in the day, had asked for a report from Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) on Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed's campaign for Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. MHA: After receiving report from Bureau of Immigration regarding visa violations committed by a Bangladesh National Mr Ferdous Ahmed(actor who campaigned for TMC), MHA has cancelled his business visa and issued him a leave India notice. He also has been blacklisted. pic.twitter.com/3lbqJEboEg — ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2019 × The 45-year-old Bangladeshi film star was reportedly seen seeking votes for Agarwal at campaign rallies across Hemtabad and Karandighi near the Indo-Bangladesh border. The FRRO is responsible for providing visa services in the area under its jurisdiction. The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday took notice of the incident and had raised the issue of Model Code of Conduct violation. The BJP moved the Election Commission and filed a complaint against the Trinamool Congress. BJP claimed that participation of a foreign national in an election campaign is a sheer violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). BJP also claimed that the Trinamool Congress was trying to consolidate minority votes in the Raiganj seat by roping in a famous Bangladeshi actor - Ahmed.

Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed, who campaigned for Trinamool Congress, blacklisted for visa violations

<p>The Congress Tuesday asserted that it has shown a "big heart" by agreeing to form <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-u-turn-tweet-suggests-youre-not-interested-in-alliance-kejriwal-slams-rahul-gandhi-210728">an alliance with the AAP in Delhi</a> and said the ball is now in the court of the Arvind Kejriwal-led party to take a decision.</p>

<p>A day after Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal indulged in a public spat over the issue, the grand old party said it has already offered AAP four seats in the national capital and now the decision has to be taken by it.</p>

<p>"Party president Rahul Gandhi has made it pretty clear that an alliance can be formed just in Delhi in a ratio of 4:3," he told reporters, in response to a question on an alliance.</p>

<p>"People have expressed their doubts to us over AAP but despite that we have shown a big heart and for a common objective we have agreed to form an alliance in Delhi.&nbsp;<br />
Senior party leader Randeep Surjewala has made it clear on the party's stand on alliance in other states," he said.</p>

<p>He accused Kejriwal of playing "hide and seek" and said Gandhi has made its stand clear.</p>

<p>Surjewala had last week said that if an alliance has to be made it can only be made in the national capital and not in other states.</p>

<p>Amid a continuing blame game over seat-sharing in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal Monday engaged in a public spat, with the Congress president accusing the AAP of making a 'U-turn' over alliance talks prompting the Delhi chief minister to hit back at him.</p>

<p>The Congress chief had said while the doors of his party are open, time is running out, but Kejriwal slammed him, questioning what U-turn was he talking about as the talks were still on.</p>

<p>The Congress has offered the AAP 4:3 seat-sharing formula - four Lok Sabha seats for the ruling party and three seats for itself while the AAP has proposed 5:2 ration keeping five seats for itself and two for the grand old party.</p>

<p>The arrangement has been arrived at on basis of the vote share of both parties in 2017 civic polls here.</p>

<p>The Congress has accused the Kejriwal-led outfit of backing out from its commitment, as it is demanding seats in Goa, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh, besides Delhi for a pre-poll understanding with the Congress.</p>

<p>AAP leader Sanjay Singh said in response to Gandhi's tweet, "The Congress is not giving even a single seat to the AAP in Punjab where it has four MPs and 20 MLAs and in Haryana."</p>

<p>"In Delhi where the Congress has zero MPs and MLAs, it is demanding three seats. Is this how an agreement happens? Why do not you want to stop the BJP in other states," he asked.</p>

<p>The AAP has already announced its candidates on the seven parliamentary constituencies in Delhi, while the Congress has finalised names of its candidates which could be announced soon.&nbsp;</p>


The Congress Tuesday asserted that it has shown a "big heart" by agreeing to form an alliance with the AAP in Delhi and said the ball is now in the court of the Arvind Kejriwal-led party to take a decision.

The Congress Tuesday asserted that it has shown a "big heart" by agreeing to form an alliance with the AAP in Delhi and said the ball is now in the court of the Arvind Kejriwal-led party to take a decision. A day after Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal indulged in a public spat over the issue, the grand old party said it has already offered AAP four seats in the national capital and now the decision has to be taken by it. "Party president Rahul Gandhi has made it pretty clear that an alliance can be formed just in Delhi in a ratio of 4:3," he told reporters, in response to a question on an alliance. "People have expressed their doubts to us over AAP but despite that we have shown a big heart and for a common objective we have agreed to form an alliance in Delhi. Senior party leader Randeep Surjewala has made it clear on the party's stand on alliance in other states," he said. He accused Kejriwal of playing "hide and seek" and said Gandhi has made its stand clear. Surjewala had last week said that if an alliance has to be made it can only be made in the national capital and not in other states. Amid a continuing blame game over seat-sharing in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal Monday engaged in a public spat, with the Congress president accusing the AAP of making a 'U-turn' over alliance talks prompting the Delhi chief minister to hit back at him. The Congress chief had said while the doors of his party are open, time is running out, but Kejriwal slammed him, questioning what U-turn was he talking about as the talks were still on. The Congress has offered the AAP 4:3 seat-sharing formula - four Lok Sabha seats for the ruling party and three seats for itself while the AAP has proposed 5:2 ration keeping five seats for itself and two for the grand old party. The arrangement has been arrived at on basis of the vote share of both parties in 2017 civic polls here. The Congress has accused the Kejriwal-led outfit of backing out from its commitment, as it is demanding seats in Goa, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh, besides Delhi for a pre-poll understanding with the Congress. AAP leader Sanjay Singh said in response to Gandhi's tweet, "The Congress is not giving even a single seat to the AAP in Punjab where it has four MPs and 20 MLAs and in Haryana." "In Delhi where the Congress has zero MPs and MLAs, it is demanding three seats. Is this how an agreement happens? Why do not you want to stop the BJP in other states," he asked. The AAP has already announced its candidates on the seven parliamentary constituencies in Delhi, while the Congress has finalised names of its candidates which could be announced soon.

Ball is in AAP's court to take a decision on alliance in Delhi: Congress

<p>Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday asked for a report from Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bangladeshi-actor-ferdous-ahmed-campaigns-for-tmc-in-west-bengal-bjp-alleges-code-violation-210619">Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed campaigning for Trinamool Congress in West Bengal</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The move comes following reports that Bangladeshi star Ferdous Ahmed, along with a few Indian actors, allegedly took part in campaigning for TMC's Raiganj candidate Kanhaiyalal Agarwal.</p>

<p>The Foreigner Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) Kolkata has been asked to send a detailed report whether Ahmed has violated visa conditions by allegedly participating in the Lok Sabha poll campaigning, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked for a report from Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) on Bangladeshi actor Ferdous campaigning for TMC in West Bengal. <a href="https://t.co/9uj22bZvEn">pic.twitter.com/9uj22bZvEn</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1118089729134608384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Ahmed is said to be visiting India on a Business Visa.</p>

<p>The Bangladeshi film star was reportedly seen seeking votes for Agarwal at campaign rallies across Hemtabad and Karandighi near the Indo-Bangladesh border.</p>

<p>The FRRO is responsible for providing visa services in the area under its jurisdiction.</p>

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday took notice of the incident and had raised the issue of Model Code of Conduct violation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP moved the Election Commission and filed a complaint against the Trinamool Congress. BJP claimed that participation of a foreign national in an election campaign is a sheer violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).</p>

<p>BJP also claimed that the Trinamool Congress was trying to consolidate minority votes in the Raiganj seat by roping in a famous Bangladeshi actor - Ahmed.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday asked for a report from Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) on Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed campaigning for Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday asked for a report from Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) on Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed campaigning for Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. The move comes following reports that Bangladeshi star Ferdous Ahmed, along with a few Indian actors, allegedly took part in campaigning for TMC's Raiganj candidate Kanhaiyalal Agarwal. The Foreigner Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) Kolkata has been asked to send a detailed report whether Ahmed has violated visa conditions by allegedly participating in the Lok Sabha poll campaigning, news agency PTI reported. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked for a report from Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) on Bangladeshi actor Ferdous campaigning for TMC in West Bengal. pic.twitter.com/9uj22bZvEn — ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2019 × Ahmed is said to be visiting India on a Business Visa. The Bangladeshi film star was reportedly seen seeking votes for Agarwal at campaign rallies across Hemtabad and Karandighi near the Indo-Bangladesh border. The FRRO is responsible for providing visa services in the area under its jurisdiction. The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday took notice of the incident and had raised the issue of Model Code of Conduct violation. The BJP moved the Election Commission and filed a complaint against the Trinamool Congress. BJP claimed that participation of a foreign national in an election campaign is a sheer violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). BJP also claimed that the Trinamool Congress was trying to consolidate minority votes in the Raiganj seat by roping in a famous Bangladeshi actor - Ahmed. (With inputs from PTI)

Centre seeks report on Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed's campaign for Trinamool Congress in West Bengal

<p>Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday announced that he will file a defamation case against Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his alleged "all thieves have Modi in their surnames" comment.</p>

<p>"I will file a defamation case against Rahul Gandhi in Patna High Court within two days," Modi told reporters here.</p>

<p>The BJP leader claimed that Gandhi has hurt the sentiments of crores of people with Modi surname. The Deputy Chief Minister said, "He (Rahul Gandhi) has referred to crores of people with 'Modi'&nbsp;surname as 'chor'&nbsp;and hurt their sentiments."</p>

<p>He asked whether it is a crime to have used the title. "Is it a crime to have `Modi` surname?" he asked. Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Maharashtra on Monday, asked how come all "thieves" have Modi as the common surname as he attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue of corruption.</p>

<p>"But tell me one thing... Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi... how come they all have Modi as a common name. How come all the thieves have Modi as the common name?" Gandhi had asked.</p>

<p>In a separate case, the Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Congress president on a petition filed against him by BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi for allegedly making contemptuous remarks in connection with its order on the admissibility of the certain document in the Rafale deal.</p>

<p>The contempt petition accused Rahul Gandhi of misquoting the order when he said the apex court had accepted that "chowkidar" (a reference to PM Narendra Modi), is a "chor (thief)".&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday announced that he will file a defamation case against Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his alleged "all thieves have Modi in their surnames" comment.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday announced that he will file a defamation case against Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his alleged "all thieves have Modi in their surnames" comment. "I will file a defamation case against Rahul Gandhi in Patna High Court within two days," Modi told reporters here. The BJP leader claimed that Gandhi has hurt the sentiments of crores of people with Modi surname. The Deputy Chief Minister said, "He (Rahul Gandhi) has referred to crores of people with 'Modi' surname as 'chor' and hurt their sentiments." He asked whether it is a crime to have used the title. "Is it a crime to have `Modi` surname?" he asked. Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Maharashtra on Monday, asked how come all "thieves" have Modi as the common surname as he attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue of corruption. "But tell me one thing... Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi... how come they all have Modi as a common name. How come all the thieves have Modi as the common name?" Gandhi had asked. In a separate case, the Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Congress president on a petition filed against him by BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi for allegedly making contemptuous remarks in connection with its order on the admissibility of the certain document in the Rafale deal. The contempt petition accused Rahul Gandhi of misquoting the order when he said the apex court had accepted that "chowkidar" (a reference to PM Narendra Modi), is a "chor (thief)".

Bihar Deputy CM to file defamation case against Rahul Gandhi for calling all Modis thieves

<p>Flanked by several party leaders and scores of supporters, <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/they-came-together-knowing-that-theyll-be-swept-away-in-modi-wave-rajnath-singh-on-sp-bsp-alliance-in-uttar-pradesh-210289">Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh</a> on Tuesday filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>Before filing the nominations, Singh offered prayers at the Hanuman Setu temple and addressed party workers at the BJP state headquarters situated at Hazrathang Chauraha.</p>

<p>He also held a 6-kilometre-long road show in the region to the collector's office for filing nomination.</p>

<p>This will be the second time that the 67-year-old leader will contest Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow.</p>

<p>In 2014, he bagged the seat by defeating the then Congress candidate Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who is now in BJP and a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government.</p>

<p>It is believed that Lucknow is a prestigious constituency for the BJP as it was once held by former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.</p>

<p>Lok Sabha elections in Lucknow will be held on May 6 and the counting of the votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;</p>


Flanked by several party leaders and scores of supporters, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.

Flanked by several party leaders and scores of supporters, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Before filing the nominations, Singh offered prayers at the Hanuman Setu temple and addressed party workers at the BJP state headquarters situated at Hazrathang Chauraha. He also held a 6-kilometre-long road show in the region to the collector's office for filing nomination. This will be the second time that the 67-year-old leader will contest Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow. In 2014, he bagged the seat by defeating the then Congress candidate Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who is now in BJP and a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government. It is believed that Lucknow is a prestigious constituency for the BJP as it was once held by former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Lok Sabha elections in Lucknow will be held on May 6 and the counting of the votes will take place on May 23.

Lok Sabha Polls 2019: Rajnath Singh files nomination from Lucknow

<p>As many as eight Lok Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh will be up for a tight contest in the second phase of general elections on April 18. One of the key constituencies which will brave the electoral battle this Thursday is Amroha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>What makes the contest in Amroha interesting is the fact that the result&nbsp;here, time and again, defies any set pattern. While the seat currently rests with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in 2009 Rashtriya Lok Dal's Devendra Nagpal had registered a victory here.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2004, the constituency went to an independent candidate, whereas Mayawati's BSP swept the polls in 1999.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Caste factor</strong></p>

<p>The caste factor turns around the tables almost every time in Amroha, making it nearly impossible to predict the verdict here. The region, although dominated by Muslims, also sees considerable numbers of Jats - a double-edged sword, strong enough to swing results. Dalits also enjoy a sizeable presence, especially in the rural areas.</p>

<p><strong>BJP versus Mahagathbandhan?</strong></p>

<p>This time around, there seems to be a direct contest between the BJP and the Mahagathbandhan. BJP's incumbent MP Kanwar Singh is set to lock horns with Danish Ali, Janata Dal (S) ex-general secretary who is fighting on a BSP ticket. Congress had earlier given a ticket to BSP-turncoat Rashid Alvi but later decided to field Sachin Chaudhary.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Congress'&nbsp;weak report card&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Interestingly, the seat has never fallen into Congress' kitty after 1984 when Ram Pal Singh won from the constituency. Since then, the electoral battle here has been largely alternating.</p>

<p><strong>What's at stake?</strong></p>

<p>Of late, the saffron party has been facing a negative sentiment from the region with the local Gujjar community expressing dissatisfaction with incumbent MP Kanwar Singh. Dalit Muslim polarization may negatively affect BJP's prospects.&nbsp;</p>

<p>BSP may suffer because of its former MP Rashid Alvi switching camps and walking over to the Congress' side. However, the party's hopes run high with the Dalits, especially the Muslim-Dalit population, of the region.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Although an INC candidate, traditionally, has been the weakest in the electoral fight in Amroha, it won't be a surprise if Sachin Chaudhary manages to snatch the constituency away for Congress this general election. He is the lone Dalit candidate and has age on his side, however, it must not be overlooked that he is set for a battle against much more experienced and established opponents.</p>

<p>Under the SP-BSP alliance, Mayawati's party will be contesting in 38 Lok Sabha seats of the total 80 seats while Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party will fight in 37 seats with three seats going to Chaudhary Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). The alliance has decided not to fight for Congress strongholds in Raebareli and Amethi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amroha will go polls in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 18. The results will be declared on May 23.&nbsp;</p>


As many as eight Lok Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh will be up for a tight contest in the second phase of general elections on April 18. One of the key constituencies which will brave the electoral battle this Thursday is Amroha.

As many as eight Lok Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh will be up for a tight contest in the second phase of general elections on April 18. One of the key constituencies which will brave the electoral battle this Thursday is Amroha. What makes the contest in Amroha interesting is the fact that the result here, time and again, defies any set pattern. While the seat currently rests with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in 2009 Rashtriya Lok Dal's Devendra Nagpal had registered a victory here. In 2004, the constituency went to an independent candidate, whereas Mayawati's BSP swept the polls in 1999. Caste factor The caste factor turns around the tables almost every time in Amroha, making it nearly impossible to predict the verdict here. The region, although dominated by Muslims, also sees considerable numbers of Jats - a double-edged sword, strong enough to swing results. Dalits also enjoy a sizeable presence, especially in the rural areas. BJP versus Mahagathbandhan? This time around, there seems to be a direct contest between the BJP and the Mahagathbandhan. BJP's incumbent MP Kanwar Singh is set to lock horns with Danish Ali, Janata Dal (S) ex-general secretary who is fighting on a BSP ticket. Congress had earlier given a ticket to BSP-turncoat Rashid Alvi but later decided to field Sachin Chaudhary. Congress' weak report card Interestingly, the seat has never fallen into Congress' kitty after 1984 when Ram Pal Singh won from the constituency. Since then, the electoral battle here has been largely alternating. What's at stake? Of late, the saffron party has been facing a negative sentiment from the region with the local Gujjar community expressing dissatisfaction with incumbent MP Kanwar Singh. Dalit Muslim polarization may negatively affect BJP's prospects. BSP may suffer because of its former MP Rashid Alvi switching camps and walking over to the Congress' side. However, the party's hopes run high with the Dalits, especially the Muslim-Dalit population, of the region. Although an INC candidate, traditionally, has been the weakest in the electoral fight in Amroha, it won't be a surprise if Sachin Chaudhary manages to snatch the constituency away for Congress this general election. He is the lone Dalit candidate and has age on his side, however, it must not be overlooked that he is set for a battle against much more experienced and established opponents. Under the SP-BSP alliance, Mayawati's party will be contesting in 38 Lok Sabha seats of the total 80 seats while Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party will fight in 37 seats with three seats going to Chaudhary Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). The alliance has decided not to fight for Congress strongholds in Raebareli and Amethi. Amroha will go polls in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 18. The results will be declared on May 23.

Second phase polls: BJP, Mahagathbandhan set to lock horns in Uttar Pradesh's Amroha

<p>The Election Commission of India on Monday barred <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/azam-khans-remarks-on-jaya-prada-shows-sps-thinking-and-culture-adityanath-210611">Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan</a> from campaigning for 72 hours for his comments against BJP candidate Jaya Prada. The Commission has also banned Union minister and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/election-commission-issues-show-cause-notice-to-maneka-gandhi-for-her-controversial-speech-210043">BJP leader Maneka Gandhi</a> from campaigning for 48 hours for her communal remarks.</p>

<p>The development comes just hours after the EC on Monday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-2019-election-commission-of-india-bans-adityanath-mayawati-for-violating-model-code-of-conduct-210566">banned Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and BSP supremo Mayawati from election campaigning</a> for 72 and 48 hours respectively. As per reports, the ban will come into effect from Tuesday 6 am.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The leaders are facing the ban for violating the Model Code of Conduct by making objectionable statements in their speeches, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Supreme Court, earlier in the day, took note of the alleged hate speeches made by BSP supremo Mayawati and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the poll campaign and sought to know from the Election Commission the action initiated against them so far.</p>

<p>A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi summoned a representative of the EC for Tuesday while agreeing to examine the poll panel's contention that it has the limited legal power to deal with hate speeches of politicians during electioneering, news agency PTI reported. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"The EC says they are toothless. They say that they first issue a notice, then advisory and then complain," the bench said, adding it would examine the aspect relating to poll panel's power to deal with hate speeches during the poll campaign.</p>

<p>"Tell us what actions you have taken against Mayawati and Yogi Adityanath," the bench asked and fixed the matter for tomorrow.</p>

<p>Mayawati was issued the notice for her speech in Deoband appealing to Muslims to not vote for a particular party. The BSP chief had prima facie violated the model code of conduct, the poll panel found.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Adityanath was served the notice for his "Ali" and "Bajrang Bali" remarks while addressing a rally in Meerut. &nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;</em></p>


The Election Commission of India on Monday barred Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan from campaigning for 72 hours for his comments against BJP candidate Jaya Prada.

The Election Commission of India on Monday barred Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan from campaigning for 72 hours for his comments against BJP candidate Jaya Prada. The Commission has also banned Union minister and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi from campaigning for 48 hours for her communal remarks. The development comes just hours after the EC on Monday banned Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and BSP supremo Mayawati from election campaigning for 72 and 48 hours respectively. As per reports, the ban will come into effect from Tuesday 6 am. The leaders are facing the ban for violating the Model Code of Conduct by making objectionable statements in their speeches, news agency ANI reported. The Supreme Court, earlier in the day, took note of the alleged hate speeches made by BSP supremo Mayawati and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the poll campaign and sought to know from the Election Commission the action initiated against them so far. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi summoned a representative of the EC for Tuesday while agreeing to examine the poll panel's contention that it has the limited legal power to deal with hate speeches of politicians during electioneering, news agency PTI reported. "The EC says they are toothless. They say that they first issue a notice, then advisory and then complain," the bench said, adding it would examine the aspect relating to poll panel's power to deal with hate speeches during the poll campaign. "Tell us what actions you have taken against Mayawati and Yogi Adityanath," the bench asked and fixed the matter for tomorrow. Mayawati was issued the notice for her speech in Deoband appealing to Muslims to not vote for a particular party. The BSP chief had prima facie violated the model code of conduct, the poll panel found. Adityanath was served the notice for his "Ali" and "Bajrang Bali" remarks while addressing a rally in Meerut. (With inputs from agencies)

Azam Khan and Maneka Gandhi also temporarily barred from election campaigning 

<p>Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday tweeted out saying that although he is ready for an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party and can give 4 Lok Sabha seats for the party, "Mr Kejriwal has done another U turn!"</p>

<p>"An alliance between the Congress and&nbsp;AAP in Delhi would mean the rout of the BJP. The Congress is willing to give up 4 Delhi seats to the AAP to ensure this," Gandhi said in a tweet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that Congress' door for an alliance with the AAP in Delhi is still open, "but the clock is running out".&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">An alliance between the Congress &amp; AAP in Delhi would mean the rout of the BJP. The Congress is willing to give up 4 Delhi seats to the AAP to ensure this.<br />
<br />
But, Mr Kejriwal has done yet another U turn!<br />
<br />
Our doors are still open, but the clock is running out. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AbAAPkiBaari?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AbAAPkiBaari</a></p>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1117764561459802112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that he is <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-do-whatever-is-needed-to-save-country-from-modi-amit-shah-arvind-kejriwal-on-alliance-with-congress-210374">ready to do anything</a> to save the country from "Modi ji and Amit Shah ji," while referring to an alliance with the Congress in Delhi.</p>

<p>"Our efforts will continue till the end," Kejriwal noted.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PC Chacko, Congress Delhi In-charge: AAP is suggesting alliance on 18 seats beyond Delhi. Let us come together in Delhi first. Rahul ji said our doors are open, it should be done.... Whatever decision is reached in one state cannot be replicated in the same way in other states. <a href="https://t.co/oXVSR9URsu">pic.twitter.com/oXVSR9URsu</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1117792086684647425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier in the month, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-refused-to-forge-alliance-with-aap-for-lok-sabha-polls-arvind-kejriwal-207181">Kejriwal had said that Rahul Gandhi has refused to forge an alliance with the AAP</a> for the Lok Sabha polls in the national capital.</p>

<p>Talking to reporters at the airport in Visakhapatnam, the AAP leader said he had met Gandhi recently and the Congress leader had refused to join hands with the AAP, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Asked about Congress' Delhi unit president Sheila Dikshit's remarks that Kejriwal never approached her for an alliance, the chief minister said, "We have met Rahul Gandhi. Dikshit is not that important leader".</p>

<p><br />
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Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday tweeted out saying that although he is ready for an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party and can give 4 Lok Sabha seats for the party, "Mr Kejriwal has done another U turn!

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday tweeted out saying that although he is ready for an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party and can give 4 Lok Sabha seats for the party, "Mr Kejriwal has done another U turn!" "An alliance between the Congress and AAP in Delhi would mean the rout of the BJP. The Congress is willing to give up 4 Delhi seats to the AAP to ensure this," Gandhi said in a tweet. He added that Congress' door for an alliance with the AAP in Delhi is still open, "but the clock is running out". An alliance between the Congress & AAP in Delhi would mean the rout of the BJP. The Congress is willing to give up 4 Delhi seats to the AAP to ensure this. But, Mr Kejriwal has done yet another U turn! Our doors are still open, but the clock is running out. #AbAAPkiBaari — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 15, 2019 × Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that he is ready to do anything to save the country from "Modi ji and Amit Shah ji," while referring to an alliance with the Congress in Delhi. "Our efforts will continue till the end," Kejriwal noted. PC Chacko, Congress Delhi In-charge: AAP is suggesting alliance on 18 seats beyond Delhi. Let us come together in Delhi first. Rahul ji said our doors are open, it should be done.... Whatever decision is reached in one state cannot be replicated in the same way in other states. pic.twitter.com/oXVSR9URsu — ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2019 × Earlier in the month, Kejriwal had said that Rahul Gandhi has refused to forge an alliance with the AAP for the Lok Sabha polls in the national capital. Talking to reporters at the airport in Visakhapatnam, the AAP leader said he had met Gandhi recently and the Congress leader had refused to join hands with the AAP, news agency PTI reported. Asked about Congress' Delhi unit president Sheila Dikshit's remarks that Kejriwal never approached her for an alliance, the chief minister said, "We have met Rahul Gandhi. Dikshit is not that important leader".

'Time's running out; ready to give 4 seats,' says Rahul Gandhi on alliance with AAP

<p>The Election Commission of India on Monday banned Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/both-ali-and-bajrang-bali-ours-says-bsp-chief-mayawati-210164">Yogi Adityanath and BSP supremo Mayawati</a> from election campaigning for 72 and 48 hours respectively. As per reports, the ban will come into effect from Tuesday 6 am.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The leaders are facing the ban for violating the Model Code of Conduct by making objectionable statements in their speeches, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2ahnGm9Yyt8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<p>The Election Commission on Monday "strongly condemned" Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and BSP supremo Mayawati for their communal remarks and barred them from campaigning for different periods.</p>

<p>The two have also been "censured".</p>

<p>The development comes after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-takes-note-of-alleged-hate-speeches-made-by-mayawati-adityanath-210525">Supreme Court, earlier in the day, took note of the alleged hate speeches</a> made by BSP supremo Mayawati and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during poll campaign and sought to know from the Election Commission the action initiated against them so far.</p>

<p>A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi summoned a representative of the EC for Tuesday while agreeing to examine the poll panel's contention that it has the limited legal power to deal with hate speeches of politicians during electioneering, news agency PTI reported. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"The EC says they are toothless. They say that they first issue a notice, then advisory and then complain," the bench said, adding it would examine the aspect relating to poll panel's power to deal with hate speeches during the poll campaign.</p>

<p>"Tell us what actions you have taken against Mayawati and Yogi Adityanath," the bench asked and fixed the matter for tomorrow. &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>The bench was hearing a PIL filed by an NRI Yoga teacher based in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), seeking a direction to the EC to take "strict action" against political parties if their spokespersons make remarks based on caste and religion in the media in the run-up to general elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mayawati was issued the notice for her speech in Deoband appealing to Muslims to not vote for a particular party. The BSP chief had prima facie violated the model code of conduct, the poll panel found.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Adityanath was served the notice for his "Ali" and "Bajrang Bali" remarks while addressing a rally in Meerut.</p>

<p>He compared the Lok Sabha elections to a contest between 'Ali', a revered figure in Islam, and Bajrang Bali, the Hindu god Hanuman.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Election Commission bans UP CM Yogi Adityanath and BSP chief Mayawati from election campaigning for 72 hours &amp; 48 hours respectively, starting from 6 am tomorrow, for violating Model Code of Conduct by making objectionable statements in their speeches. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/j1cYzMY8Mr">pic.twitter.com/j1cYzMY8Mr</a></p>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1117716836739682304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>On Saturday, giving her own twist to Yogi Adityanath's recent comment, BSP chief Mayawati said her party wanted both Ali and Bajrang Bali - particularly Bajrang Bali as the deity is "linked with my own Dalit caste".</p>

<p>Addressing a rally in Badaun, Mayawati recalled Adityanath's comment on Tuesday in which he referred to her earlier appeal to Muslims to vote for the opposition alliance in Uttar Pradesh. The chief minister had said if Ali is with the BSP-SP-RLD alliance, then Bajrang Bali is with the BJP.</p>

<p>"In this connection, I want to tell him (Adityanath) that both Ali and Bajrang Bali are ours... So we want both Ali as well as Bajrang Bali," she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


The Election Commission of India on Monday banned Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and BSP supremo Mayawati from election campaigning for 72 and 48 hours respectively.

The Election Commission of India on Monday banned Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and BSP supremo Mayawati from election campaigning for 72 and 48 hours respectively. As per reports, the ban will come into effect from Tuesday 6 am. The leaders are facing the ban for violating the Model Code of Conduct by making objectionable statements in their speeches, news agency ANI reported. The Election Commission on Monday "strongly condemned" Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and BSP supremo Mayawati for their communal remarks and barred them from campaigning for different periods. The two have also been "censured". The development comes after the Supreme Court, earlier in the day, took note of the alleged hate speeches made by BSP supremo Mayawati and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during poll campaign and sought to know from the Election Commission the action initiated against them so far. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi summoned a representative of the EC for Tuesday while agreeing to examine the poll panel's contention that it has the limited legal power to deal with hate speeches of politicians during electioneering, news agency PTI reported. "The EC says they are toothless. They say that they first issue a notice, then advisory and then complain," the bench said, adding it would examine the aspect relating to poll panel's power to deal with hate speeches during the poll campaign. "Tell us what actions you have taken against Mayawati and Yogi Adityanath," the bench asked and fixed the matter for tomorrow. The bench was hearing a PIL filed by an NRI Yoga teacher based in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), seeking a direction to the EC to take "strict action" against political parties if their spokespersons make remarks based on caste and religion in the media in the run-up to general elections. Mayawati was issued the notice for her speech in Deoband appealing to Muslims to not vote for a particular party. The BSP chief had prima facie violated the model code of conduct, the poll panel found. Adityanath was served the notice for his "Ali" and "Bajrang Bali" remarks while addressing a rally in Meerut. He compared the Lok Sabha elections to a contest between 'Ali', a revered figure in Islam, and Bajrang Bali, the Hindu god Hanuman. Election Commission bans UP CM Yogi Adityanath and BSP chief Mayawati from election campaigning for 72 hours & 48 hours respectively, starting from 6 am tomorrow, for violating Model Code of Conduct by making objectionable statements in their speeches. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/j1cYzMY8Mr — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 15, 2019 × On Saturday, giving her own twist to Yogi Adityanath's recent comment, BSP chief Mayawati said her party wanted both Ali and Bajrang Bali - particularly Bajrang Bali as the deity is "linked with my own Dalit caste". Addressing a rally in Badaun, Mayawati recalled Adityanath's comment on Tuesday in which he referred to her earlier appeal to Muslims to vote for the opposition alliance in Uttar Pradesh. The chief minister had said if Ali is with the BSP-SP-RLD alliance, then Bajrang Bali is with the BJP. "In this connection, I want to tell him (Adityanath) that both Ali and Bajrang Bali are ours... So we want both Ali as well as Bajrang Bali," she said. (With inputs from agencies)

Election Commission bars Yogi Adityanath from campaigning for 3 days, Mayawati for 2 days

<p>Reacting sharply to a scuffle between Congress workers and BJP sympathisers earlier today, actor-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar claimed that there is a threat to her life and she requires protection from the police.</p>

<p>Speaking to ANI after the scuffle that took place during her roadshow at Boriwali, Matondkar said, "It is being done to create fear. It is just beginning, it will take a violent turn. I have asked for police protection. There's a threat to my life, I have filed a complaint."</p>

<p>Talking about the scuffle that happened earlier in the day, Matondkar said, "We were peacefully addressing people and from nowhere 15-20 people came and started raising slogans in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Initially, I didn't react to it and thought these kinds of things keep happening. But they all started making vulgar actions and started dancing. They were trying to intimidate women at the back. They were moving forward towards the direction where my vehicle was standing. Because of this, our people had to intervene and asked them to stop doing this. A clash then broke out between them and they even hit some women."</p>

<p>She also said that she has filed a police complaint on today's incident. Matondkar has been fielded by Congress from Mumbai (North) constituency.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, when Matondkar was holding a roadshow near a railway station, some onlookers started raising pro-Modi slogans.</p>

<p>The sloganeering was countered by 'Chowkidar Chor hai'&nbsp;slogans by Congress supporters.</p>

<p>A scuffle subsequently broke out between the two groups. In a video of the incident, Congress supporters can be seen running towards people raising pro-Modi slogans and roughing up a few of them.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Reacting sharply to a scuffle between Congress workers and BJP sympathisers earlier today, actor-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar claimed that there is a threat to her life and she requires protection from the police.

Reacting sharply to a scuffle between Congress workers and BJP sympathisers earlier today, actor-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar claimed that there is a threat to her life and she requires protection from the police. Speaking to ANI after the scuffle that took place during her roadshow at Boriwali, Matondkar said, "It is being done to create fear. It is just beginning, it will take a violent turn. I have asked for police protection. There's a threat to my life, I have filed a complaint." Talking about the scuffle that happened earlier in the day, Matondkar said, "We were peacefully addressing people and from nowhere 15-20 people came and started raising slogans in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Initially, I didn't react to it and thought these kinds of things keep happening. But they all started making vulgar actions and started dancing. They were trying to intimidate women at the back. They were moving forward towards the direction where my vehicle was standing. Because of this, our people had to intervene and asked them to stop doing this. A clash then broke out between them and they even hit some women." She also said that she has filed a police complaint on today's incident. Matondkar has been fielded by Congress from Mumbai (North) constituency. Earlier in the day, when Matondkar was holding a roadshow near a railway station, some onlookers started raising pro-Modi slogans. The sloganeering was countered by 'Chowkidar Chor hai' slogans by Congress supporters. A scuffle subsequently broke out between the two groups. In a video of the incident, Congress supporters can be seen running towards people raising pro-Modi slogans and roughing up a few of them.

Threat to my life, have asked for protection: Urmila Matondkar

<p>The Supreme Court on Monday expressed serious displeasure after the Election Commission (EC) conveyed that it has limited power to act against leaders like <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-2019-election-commission-of-india-bans-adityanath-mayawati-for-violating-model-code-of-conduct-210566">BSP supremo Mayawati and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath</a>, who made statements along religious lines and violated the model code of conduct.</p>

<p>A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, while taking note of EC's contention that it can merely issue notice, an advisory and then lodge criminal complaint on repeated violations of model code of conduct, summoned an official of the poll panel, who is well versed with the issue, to appear before it tomorrow.</p>

<p>The apex court took into account the EC's statement that notices were issued on a speech made by Mayawati asking Muslims to vote and Yogi Adityanath on 'Ali-Bajrang Bali'.</p>

<p>The Bench, which also comprised Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, pulled up the EC for not acting against them for their statements on religion and hate speeches.</p>

<p>"We would like to examine the matter. The representative of Election Commission should appear in the court tomorrow at 10.30 am," said the Bench.</p>

<p>The court was hearing a PIL seeking strict action against political parties if their spokespersons and representatives deliver speeches and make remarks in media on religion and caste.</p>

<p>During the hearing, the EC told the top court that it had issued three notices on violation of model code of conduct and the first notice was against Adityanath, which has been closed.</p>

<p>The second notice was against Mayawati, which she was to reply by April 12 but she has not replied yet, the EC said.</p>

<p>Chief Justice Gogoi said this is something the EC is duty bound to act on and it has to get into action immediately.</p>

<p>"What have you done when she (Mayawati) has not replied? What are you impart to do in law?" asked the top court.</p>

<p>The counsel appearing for EC replied that it issued notices and then an advisory. On repeated violation of model code of conduct, a criminal complaint can be filed, the EC counsel said.</p>

<p>"We can't disqualify them (politicians). We can't even derecognise these political parties," the EC counsel said.</p>

<p>"That's it? You (Election Commission) know your power? For violating the model code of conduct, all you can do is issue advisory?" Chief Justice Gogoi observed and said the court will examine the issue relating to the power of EC in model code of conduct violations by politicians.</p>

<p>The Bench then told the counsel appearing for the petitioner that EC says "we are toothless, we are powerless, we issue notices, then advisory and on repeated violation, we file complaint, this is their power".</p>

<p>Earlier, the top court had sought the EC's reply on the PIL filed by an NRI from Sharjah, Harpreet Mansukhani.</p>

<p>The petitioner also urged the top court to constitute a bench headed by former Supreme Court judges "to keep a close watch on the entire election process and check the fairness" of the EC during the Lok Sabha polls.</p>

<p>The petitioner pointed out that the spokespersons or media representatives of political parties/politicians who are not contesting the elections use hate speeches on TV channels and social media platform based on caste or religion and easily escape action since they usually do not contest elections.</p>

<p>"The concept of secular democracy promised under the Indian Constitution for the purity of elections is mandatory in order for a Democracy to thrive and succeed. It is a must for the EC and other legislative bodies to be kept free from unhealthy corrupt practices and unhealthy appeals of influence of religion, race, caste, community or language that could have a devastating effect on a country and its Constitution," stated the plea.</p>

<p>"Elections in India are being mutilated under the evil influence of the 'divide and rule policy'&nbsp;through evil influences of caste and religion which has led to communalism of politics which is a major concern for the security of people from the forces within and from forces outside the country. The communalism and caste-based politics has crossed all barriers which can result into an unknown alarmingly dangerous situation."</p>

<p>The petitioner also sought strict actions against media houses which use caste or religious lines for the debates.&nbsp;</p>


The Supreme Court on Monday expressed serious displeasure after the Election Commission (EC) conveyed that it has limited power to act against leaders like BSP supremo Mayawati and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who made statements along religious lines and violated the model code of conduct.

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed serious displeasure after the Election Commission (EC) conveyed that it has limited power to act against leaders like BSP supremo Mayawati and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who made statements along religious lines and violated the model code of conduct. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, while taking note of EC's contention that it can merely issue notice, an advisory and then lodge criminal complaint on repeated violations of model code of conduct, summoned an official of the poll panel, who is well versed with the issue, to appear before it tomorrow. The apex court took into account the EC's statement that notices were issued on a speech made by Mayawati asking Muslims to vote and Yogi Adityanath on 'Ali-Bajrang Bali'. The Bench, which also comprised Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, pulled up the EC for not acting against them for their statements on religion and hate speeches. "We would like to examine the matter. The representative of Election Commission should appear in the court tomorrow at 10.30 am," said the Bench. The court was hearing a PIL seeking strict action against political parties if their spokespersons and representatives deliver speeches and make remarks in media on religion and caste. During the hearing, the EC told the top court that it had issued three notices on violation of model code of conduct and the first notice was against Adityanath, which has been closed. The second notice was against Mayawati, which she was to reply by April 12 but she has not replied yet, the EC said. Chief Justice Gogoi said this is something the EC is duty bound to act on and it has to get into action immediately. "What have you done when she (Mayawati) has not replied? What are you impart to do in law?" asked the top court. The counsel appearing for EC replied that it issued notices and then an advisory. On repeated violation of model code of conduct, a criminal complaint can be filed, the EC counsel said. "We can't disqualify them (politicians). We can't even derecognise these political parties," the EC counsel said. "That's it? You (Election Commission) know your power? For violating the model code of conduct, all you can do is issue advisory?" Chief Justice Gogoi observed and said the court will examine the issue relating to the power of EC in model code of conduct violations by politicians. The Bench then told the counsel appearing for the petitioner that EC says "we are toothless, we are powerless, we issue notices, then advisory and on repeated violation, we file complaint, this is their power". Earlier, the top court had sought the EC's reply on the PIL filed by an NRI from Sharjah, Harpreet Mansukhani. The petitioner also urged the top court to constitute a bench headed by former Supreme Court judges "to keep a close watch on the entire election process and check the fairness" of the EC during the Lok Sabha polls. The petitioner pointed out that the spokespersons or media representatives of political parties/politicians who are not contesting the elections use hate speeches on TV channels and social media platform based on caste or religion and easily escape action since they usually do not contest elections. "The concept of secular democracy promised under the Indian Constitution for the purity of elections is mandatory in order for a Democracy to thrive and succeed. It is a must for the EC and other legislative bodies to be kept free from unhealthy corrupt practices and unhealthy appeals of influence of religion, race, caste, community or language that could have a devastating effect on a country and its Constitution," stated the plea. "Elections in India are being mutilated under the evil influence of the 'divide and rule policy' through evil influences of caste and religion which has led to communalism of politics which is a major concern for the security of people from the forces within and from forces outside the country. The communalism and caste-based politics has crossed all barriers which can result into an unknown alarmingly dangerous situation." The petitioner also sought strict actions against media houses which use caste or religious lines for the debates.

Supreme Court summons EC official on Tuesday on its contention of 'limited power' over MCC violation

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday announced a list of seven candidates for Uttar Pradesh. Actor-turned-politician Ravi Kishan has been fielded from BJP-stronghold Gorakhpur, Praveen Nishad to contest from Sant Kabir Nagar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Sunday. the BJP released its 20th list of Lok Sabha candidates, naming six nominees from Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Bharatiya Janata Party announces list of seven candidates for Uttar Pradesh ; Ravi Kishan (in file pic) to contest from Gorakhpur and Praveen Nishad to contest from Sant Kabir Nagar (Sharad Tripathi is the sitting MP from Sant Kabir Nagar) <a href="https://t.co/myUwtpOF50">pic.twitter.com/myUwtpOF50</a></p>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1117729382259236864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Among the six candidates, Union Minister Birender Singh's son Brijendra Singh will be contesting from Hisar parliamentary constituency in Haryana.</p>

<p>The other candidates that the party fielded are - Arvind Sharma from Rohtak (Haryana), Jaskaur Meena from Dausa (Rajasthan), Bishnu Dutt Sharma from Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh), GS Damor from Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh) and Chattar Singh Darbar from Dhar (Madhya Pradesh).</p>

<p>The party also named Pratush Kumar Mondal as its nominee for the by-election to Uluberia Purba Assembly seat in West Bengal.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;</em></p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday announced a list of seven candidates for Uttar Pradesh. Actor-turned-politician Ravi Kishan has been fielded from BJP-stronghold Gorakhpur, Praveen Nishad to contest from Sant Kabir Nagar.

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday announced a list of seven candidates for Uttar Pradesh. Actor-turned-politician Ravi Kishan has been fielded from BJP-stronghold Gorakhpur, Praveen Nishad to contest from Sant Kabir Nagar. On Sunday. the BJP released its 20th list of Lok Sabha candidates, naming six nominees from Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Bharatiya Janata Party announces list of seven candidates for Uttar Pradesh ; Ravi Kishan (in file pic) to contest from Gorakhpur and Praveen Nishad to contest from Sant Kabir Nagar (Sharad Tripathi is the sitting MP from Sant Kabir Nagar) pic.twitter.com/myUwtpOF50 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 15, 2019 × Among the six candidates, Union Minister Birender Singh's son Brijendra Singh will be contesting from Hisar parliamentary constituency in Haryana. The other candidates that the party fielded are - Arvind Sharma from Rohtak (Haryana), Jaskaur Meena from Dausa (Rajasthan), Bishnu Dutt Sharma from Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh), GS Damor from Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh) and Chattar Singh Darbar from Dhar (Madhya Pradesh). The party also named Pratush Kumar Mondal as its nominee for the by-election to Uluberia Purba Assembly seat in West Bengal. (With inputs from ANI)

Lok Sabha polls: BJP releases list of 7 candidates for UP, fields Ravi Kishan from Gorakhpur

<p>Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Monday rejected the opposition's argument that elections should not be fought on national security issues, saying security and terrorism are the most important issues in the long run while all other challenges are capable of early resolution.</p>

<p>He also said that the biggest challenge before India is the issue of Jammu &amp; Kashmir and terror as it concerns the nation's sovereignty.</p>

<p>"India's opposition argues that elections have to be fought on the 'real issues' and not on the issues of national security. It is my endeavour to argue that national security and terrorism are the most important issues which concern India in the long run. All other challenges are capable of early resolution," Jaitley said in a Facebook post titled 'Why Jammu and Kashmir, and a new approach to terrorism will remain a key political issue'.</p>

<p>The opposition parties had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of politicising death of over 40 CRPF personnel in Pulwama and Indian Air Force's retaliatory attack at Balakot in Pakistan for electoral gains.</p>

<p>Several former service chiefs and military veterans have written to President Ram Nath Kovind, expressing concern over political leaders taking credit for military operations to pursue political agenda.</p>

<p>Giving reasons for making national security and terrorism subject matters of electoral debate, Jaitley said, "it relates to the country's sovereignty, integrity and security".</p>

<p>"Terror supported from across the border can't be fought either with velvet gloves or a policy of appeasement," he said, adding the two regional parties (PDP and NC) have played a disappointing role, and the current leadership of the opposition parties have hardly a roadmap except to tread on the path to disaster.</p>

<p>This challenge, Jaitley added, can be resolved with a fresh approach, which is uncompromising on terror, and determination to enforce the rule of law with a commitment to total integration.</p>

<p>He further said that during the course of the election campaign, whenever issues relating to the terror attack at Pulwama and the air strikes at Balakot are raised, India's opposition is on the back-foot.</p>

<p>"A strong Government and a leader with clarity alone is capable of resolving the Kashmir issue. This will necessarily require reversal of the historical blunders of the past," the minister said.&nbsp;</p>


Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Monday rejected the opposition's argument that elections should not be fought on national security issues, saying security and terrorism are the most important issues in the long run while all other challenges are capable of early resolution.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Monday rejected the opposition's argument that elections should not be fought on national security issues, saying security and terrorism are the most important issues in the long run while all other challenges are capable of early resolution. He also said that the biggest challenge before India is the issue of Jammu & Kashmir and terror as it concerns the nation's sovereignty. "India's opposition argues that elections have to be fought on the 'real issues' and not on the issues of national security. It is my endeavour to argue that national security and terrorism are the most important issues which concern India in the long run. All other challenges are capable of early resolution," Jaitley said in a Facebook post titled 'Why Jammu and Kashmir, and a new approach to terrorism will remain a key political issue'. The opposition parties had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of politicising death of over 40 CRPF personnel in Pulwama and Indian Air Force's retaliatory attack at Balakot in Pakistan for electoral gains. Several former service chiefs and military veterans have written to President Ram Nath Kovind, expressing concern over political leaders taking credit for military operations to pursue political agenda. Giving reasons for making national security and terrorism subject matters of electoral debate, Jaitley said, "it relates to the country's sovereignty, integrity and security". "Terror supported from across the border can't be fought either with velvet gloves or a policy of appeasement," he said, adding the two regional parties (PDP and NC) have played a disappointing role, and the current leadership of the opposition parties have hardly a roadmap except to tread on the path to disaster. This challenge, Jaitley added, can be resolved with a fresh approach, which is uncompromising on terror, and determination to enforce the rule of law with a commitment to total integration. He further said that during the course of the election campaign, whenever issues relating to the terror attack at Pulwama and the air strikes at Balakot are raised, India's opposition is on the back-foot. "A strong Government and a leader with clarity alone is capable of resolving the Kashmir issue. This will necessarily require reversal of the historical blunders of the past," the minister said.

National security, terrorism most important issues facing India: Arun Jaitley

<p>Congress not fielding candidates in all the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh is a sign of accepting defeat even before the start of the elections, said Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani on Monday and added that the voters of Amethi should, therefore, side with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to stay on the winning side.</p>

<p>"By fighting in just approximately 20 out of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in UP, Congress leaders have themselves accepted they don't have the strength to fight and win in the state. Why then should you side with the Congress, come and vote for BJP," said Irani at an election rally here.</p>

<p>"For 15 years the Amethi MP has stayed away from his constituency, neither has he spoken on behalf of Amethi in the Parliament. Had it not been necessary to file nomination papers and organise election campaigns, he would never have set foot in this area. Absent from the constituency, silent in the Parliament, of what use is such a leader," she asked.</p>

<p>The BJP leader also promised that if she wins from Amethi, she will shift base to the region to stay in touch and help the residents of her electorate, unlike Congress president Rahul Gandhi.</p>

<p>"On May 6 if you come out of your houses and vote in favour of BJP, I promise you I will be here on May 24 accepting your wishes. I will also take up a house in Amethi and stay in your midst for the years to come," she said.</p>

<p>Amethi will see polling on May 6 in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;</p>


Congress not fielding candidates in all the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh is a sign of accepting defeat even before the start of the elections, said Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani on Monday and added that the voters of Amethi should, therefore, side with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to stay on the winning side.

Congress not fielding candidates in all the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh is a sign of accepting defeat even before the start of the elections, said Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani on Monday and added that the voters of Amethi should, therefore, side with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to stay on the winning side. "By fighting in just approximately 20 out of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in UP, Congress leaders have themselves accepted they don't have the strength to fight and win in the state. Why then should you side with the Congress, come and vote for BJP," said Irani at an election rally here. "For 15 years the Amethi MP has stayed away from his constituency, neither has he spoken on behalf of Amethi in the Parliament. Had it not been necessary to file nomination papers and organise election campaigns, he would never have set foot in this area. Absent from the constituency, silent in the Parliament, of what use is such a leader," she asked. The BJP leader also promised that if she wins from Amethi, she will shift base to the region to stay in touch and help the residents of her electorate, unlike Congress president Rahul Gandhi. "On May 6 if you come out of your houses and vote in favour of BJP, I promise you I will be here on May 24 accepting your wishes. I will also take up a house in Amethi and stay in your midst for the years to come," she said. Amethi will see polling on May 6 in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Not fighting on all seats in UP sign of Congress accepting defeat: Smriti Irani

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to file nomination from Varanasi parliamentary constituency next week.</p>

<p>Sources in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who are in charge of planning his election schedule, told ANI that Prime Minister Modi may file the nomination on April 26.</p>

<p>The BJP workers and leaders are working on a plan to organise a two-day mega programme in the run-up to the filing of nomination during which Prime Minister Modi will hold two road shows in the constituency.</p>

<p>According to sources, Prime Minister Modi would reach the city on April 25 and will head for a road show from Banaras Hindu University to Dashashwamedh Ghat.</p>

<p>The later part of the day has been reserved for a visit to the Kaal Bhairav Temple following which he will participate in the Ganga Aarti on the ghats of the holy city.</p>

<p>On the same day, PM Modi would spend time with party workers and intellectuals, sources added.</p>

<p>For the next day, the Prime Minister is expected to begin his schedule with prayers at the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple.</p>

<p>BJP workers are giving final touches to the itinerary of the day, which includes another road show as Prime Minister proceeds to file his nomination. He may also hold media interaction.</p>

<p>PM Modi held similar mega road shows in 2014 - both before and after winning the constituency in the 16th Lok Sabha elections. Three years later, the Prime Minister hit the streets of Varanasi for campaigning during the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.</p>

<p>During the 2014 general elections, Prime Minister Modi contested and won from Vadodara in Gujarat as well as from Varanasi but retained the later after trouncing Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal with a massive margin of 3.37 lakh votes.</p>

<p>Varanasi will vote on May 19 - in the seventh and the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to file nomination from Varanasi parliamentary constituency next week. Sources in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who are in charge of planning his election schedule, told ANI that Prime Minister Modi may file the nomination on April 26.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to file nomination from Varanasi parliamentary constituency next week. Sources in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who are in charge of planning his election schedule, told ANI that Prime Minister Modi may file the nomination on April 26. The BJP workers and leaders are working on a plan to organise a two-day mega programme in the run-up to the filing of nomination during which Prime Minister Modi will hold two road shows in the constituency. According to sources, Prime Minister Modi would reach the city on April 25 and will head for a road show from Banaras Hindu University to Dashashwamedh Ghat. The later part of the day has been reserved for a visit to the Kaal Bhairav Temple following which he will participate in the Ganga Aarti on the ghats of the holy city. On the same day, PM Modi would spend time with party workers and intellectuals, sources added. For the next day, the Prime Minister is expected to begin his schedule with prayers at the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple. BJP workers are giving final touches to the itinerary of the day, which includes another road show as Prime Minister proceeds to file his nomination. He may also hold media interaction. PM Modi held similar mega road shows in 2014 - both before and after winning the constituency in the 16th Lok Sabha elections. Three years later, the Prime Minister hit the streets of Varanasi for campaigning during the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. During the 2014 general elections, Prime Minister Modi contested and won from Vadodara in Gujarat as well as from Varanasi but retained the later after trouncing Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal with a massive margin of 3.37 lakh votes. Varanasi will vote on May 19 - in the seventh and the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls: PM Modi likely to file nomination from Varanasi on April 26

<p>Repolling is likely in two booths of Outer Manipur constituency, where unidentified miscreants allegedly destroyed EVMs and VVPATs, an official said.</p>

<p>The miscreants had entered the polling stations posing as voters, he said.</p>

<p>"Around 1.30 pm on April 11, unidentified men ransacked two booths at Poi and Chingkhai villages, along with the India-Myanmar border, breaking some of the machines. They fled the scene even before the security guards could react," Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) PK Singh said.</p>

<p>An FIR has been registered in connection with the incidents and police are looking into it, the CEO said.</p>

<p>"The Election Commission is likely to announce a date for repolling after it receives necessary reports on the two incidents, he said.</p>

<p>Polling for the Inner Manipur constituency is slated to be held on April 18.</p>


Repolling is likely in two booths of Outer Manipur constituency, where unidentified miscreants allegedly destroyed EVMs and VVPATs, an official said. The miscreants had entered the polling stations posing as voters, he said.

Repolling is likely in two booths of Outer Manipur constituency, where unidentified miscreants allegedly destroyed EVMs and VVPATs, an official said. The miscreants had entered the polling stations posing as voters, he said. "Around 1.30 pm on April 11, unidentified men ransacked two booths at Poi and Chingkhai villages, along with the India-Myanmar border, breaking some of the machines. They fled the scene even before the security guards could react," Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) PK Singh said. An FIR has been registered in connection with the incidents and police are looking into it, the CEO said. "The Election Commission is likely to announce a date for repolling after it receives necessary reports on the two incidents, he said. Polling for the Inner Manipur constituency is slated to be held on April 18.

Repolling likely in two booths of Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat

<p>Once a Congress stronghold, the Raiganj Lok Sabha seat is set to witness a four-cornered contest this time with the candidates of major political parties in the state pitted against each other in a neck-and-neck battle.</p>

<p>Since 1952, Congress candidates have won the seat 13 times including the two terms for party stalwart Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi in 1999 and 2004. His wife Deepa Dasmunsi also represented the constituency in Parliament for a term.</p>

<p>The former Congress bastion in Uttar Dinajpur district has also sent CPI(M) candidates to Parliament four times including the outgoing one.</p>

<p>CPI(M)'s Mohammed Salim, who had won the seat in Uttar Dinajpur district in 2014 by a razor thin margin of 1,634 votes, seems to have an uphill task this time to retain the seat.</p>

<p>In the 2014 general election, the CPI(M) candidate got 3,17,515 votes and the Congress secured 3,15,881 votes. The BJP and the TMC came third and fourth bagging 2,03,131 and 1,92,698 votes respectively.</p>

<p>Congress leaders later said the fight between the party and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) had helped the CPI(M) candidate win the seat in the last Lok Sabha election.</p>

<p>Besides the Murshidabad seat, Raiganj had been the bone of contention between the Congress and the CPI(M) in the seat-sharing talks in the state that did not materialise. The CPI(M) had won only Raiganj and Murshidabad in 2014.</p>

<p>Between 2014 and 2019, the BJP has gained strength in the state eating into the vote share of the Left Front and the Congress, as evident from the 2018 rural election results.</p>

<p>In the three-tier panchayat polls, the TMC had won hands down. The BJP had come a distant second relegating the Congress to the third spot. The LF nominees won only few seats.</p>

<p>The TMC has also poached many opposition leaders into its fold over the years. The Congress MLA from Islampur, 64-year-old Kanaialal Agarwal, is one such.</p>

<p>The TMC has fielded Agarwal, who was once a follower of Dasmunsi, in the Lok Sabha seat. Raiganj Lok Sabha seat is one of the few seats in the state from where the party has never won.</p>

<p>Agarwal said he is confident of winning the seat for two reasons- opposition parties do not have support base in the constituency and the development work done by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.</p>

<p>However, shifting of the proposed AIIMS from Raiganj to Kalyani in south Bengal at the insistence of Banerjee is an issue, Congress candidate Deepa Dasmunsi is banking on.</p>

<p>It was Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi's dream to set up the AIIMS to ensure better healthcare for local people, she said.</p>

<p>Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi had suffered a stroke in 2008 when he was a Union minister, and gone into a vegetative state. He died in 2017. Deepa had won from the seat in 2009.</p>

<p>At a recent rally, AICC president Rahul Gandhi had promised to set up one AIIMS at Raiganj if voted to power.</p>

<p>Agarwal, however, claimed that the AIIMS is no longer an issue here after the chief minister set up the Raiganj Medical College and Hospital.</p>

<p>CPI(M) nominee Mohammed Salim has quite an outstanding performance in the 16th Lok Sabha with 85 per cent attendance. He has also spent Rs 20.50 crore out of the Rs 21.51 crore sanctioned in MPLAD fund for Raiganj during his tenure.</p>

<p>But, he has been accused of being absent in his constituency for long periods of time.</p>

<p>"We have not seen much of our MP in the last five years," says Tapan Das, a resident of Raiganj.</p>

<p>The senior CPI(M) leader, however, denied the charge.</p>

<p>"Probably I am one of the most accessible MPs in the country. People have always got me during their need," he said.</p>

<p>He said he is hopeful of retaining the seat as he has worked hard for the constituency during the past five years.</p>

<p>BJP candidate Debasree Chaudhuri, a familiar face at the BJP state headquarter in Kolkata, asserted that it is imperative that central forces are deployed in each of the 1,623 booths in the seat to ensure a peaceful election.</p>

<p>Coochbehar, where polling was held in the first phase on April 11, witnessed widespread manipulations and strong-arm tactics by the ruling TMC, she told PTI.</p>

<p>"People have seen the Congress and the Left becoming irrelevant. They have also suffered TMC atrocities. So the natural choice for them will be the BJP," Chaudhuri claimed.</p>

<p>The death of two youths at Daribhit School in Islampur in September 2018 in alleged police firing while protesting appointment of an Urdu teacher has found a prominent place in the saffron party's campaign in the constituency, which has a sizeable minority population.</p>

<p>BJP president Amit Shah at a rally had raked up the issue to allege minority appeasement by the TMC government.</p>

<p>There are 14 candidates including five Independents in the fray in the constituency, which will go to vote on April 18 in the second phase.<br />
There are a total 15.99 lakh voters in the constituency.&nbsp;</p>


Once a Congress stronghold, the Raiganj Lok Sabha seat is set to witness a four-cornered contest this time with the candidates of major political parties in the state pitted against each other in a neck-and-neck battle.

Once a Congress stronghold, the Raiganj Lok Sabha seat is set to witness a four-cornered contest this time with the candidates of major political parties in the state pitted against each other in a neck-and-neck battle. Since 1952, Congress candidates have won the seat 13 times including the two terms for party stalwart Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi in 1999 and 2004. His wife Deepa Dasmunsi also represented the constituency in Parliament for a term. The former Congress bastion in Uttar Dinajpur district has also sent CPI(M) candidates to Parliament four times including the outgoing one. CPI(M)'s Mohammed Salim, who had won the seat in Uttar Dinajpur district in 2014 by a razor thin margin of 1,634 votes, seems to have an uphill task this time to retain the seat. In the 2014 general election, the CPI(M) candidate got 3,17,515 votes and the Congress secured 3,15,881 votes. The BJP and the TMC came third and fourth bagging 2,03,131 and 1,92,698 votes respectively. Congress leaders later said the fight between the party and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) had helped the CPI(M) candidate win the seat in the last Lok Sabha election. Besides the Murshidabad seat, Raiganj had been the bone of contention between the Congress and the CPI(M) in the seat-sharing talks in the state that did not materialise. The CPI(M) had won only Raiganj and Murshidabad in 2014. Between 2014 and 2019, the BJP has gained strength in the state eating into the vote share of the Left Front and the Congress, as evident from the 2018 rural election results. In the three-tier panchayat polls, the TMC had won hands down. The BJP had come a distant second relegating the Congress to the third spot. The LF nominees won only few seats. The TMC has also poached many opposition leaders into its fold over the years. The Congress MLA from Islampur, 64-year-old Kanaialal Agarwal, is one such. The TMC has fielded Agarwal, who was once a follower of Dasmunsi, in the Lok Sabha seat. Raiganj Lok Sabha seat is one of the few seats in the state from where the party has never won. Agarwal said he is confident of winning the seat for two reasons- opposition parties do not have support base in the constituency and the development work done by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. However, shifting of the proposed AIIMS from Raiganj to Kalyani in south Bengal at the insistence of Banerjee is an issue, Congress candidate Deepa Dasmunsi is banking on. It was Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi's dream to set up the AIIMS to ensure better healthcare for local people, she said. Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi had suffered a stroke in 2008 when he was a Union minister, and gone into a vegetative state. He died in 2017. Deepa had won from the seat in 2009. At a recent rally, AICC president Rahul Gandhi had promised to set up one AIIMS at Raiganj if voted to power. Agarwal, however, claimed that the AIIMS is no longer an issue here after the chief minister set up the Raiganj Medical College and Hospital. CPI(M) nominee Mohammed Salim has quite an outstanding performance in the 16th Lok Sabha with 85 per cent attendance. He has also spent Rs 20.50 crore out of the Rs 21.51 crore sanctioned in MPLAD fund for Raiganj during his tenure. But, he has been accused of being absent in his constituency for long periods of time. "We have not seen much of our MP in the last five years," says Tapan Das, a resident of Raiganj. The senior CPI(M) leader, however, denied the charge. "Probably I am one of the most accessible MPs in the country. People have always got me during their need," he said. He said he is hopeful of retaining the seat as he has worked hard for the constituency during the past five years. BJP candidate Debasree Chaudhuri, a familiar face at the BJP state headquarter in Kolkata, asserted that it is imperative that central forces are deployed in each of the 1,623 booths in the seat to ensure a peaceful election. Coochbehar, where polling was held in the first phase on April 11, witnessed widespread manipulations and strong-arm tactics by the ruling TMC, she told PTI. "People have seen the Congress and the Left becoming irrelevant. They have also suffered TMC atrocities. So the natural choice for them will be the BJP," Chaudhuri claimed. The death of two youths at Daribhit School in Islampur in September 2018 in alleged police firing while protesting appointment of an Urdu teacher has found a prominent place in the saffron party's campaign in the constituency, which has a sizeable minority population. BJP president Amit Shah at a rally had raked up the issue to allege minority appeasement by the TMC government. There are 14 candidates including five Independents in the fray in the constituency, which will go to vote on April 18 in the second phase. There are a total 15.99 lakh voters in the constituency.

In West Bengal, 4-cornered contest in cards for Raiganj Lok Sabha seat

<p>Three months after the surprise political debut of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/attempt-being-made-to-destroy-the-constitution-priyanka-gandhi-210337">Priyanka Gandhi Vadra</a>, does the Congress have another surprise in store for its supporters?</p>

<p>She debuted as the AICC general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh East and now speculations are rife that she might be pitted against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-govt-lamented-after-terror-attacks-we-killed-terrorists-in-their-home-pm-modi-210390">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> from his home constituency, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-decision-yet-on-priyanka-gandhi-contesting-from-varanasi-rajeev-shukla-208559">Varanasi</a>, this Lok Sabha polls.</p>

<p>In fact, the Congress itself is indirectly fuelling the rumours by refraining from announcing its candidate for Varanasi. The constituency failed to feature in the list of seats in Uttar Pradesh for which the party declared its nominees on Saturday.</p>

<p>As for Priyanka, she too hasn't denied contesting polls - not yet.</p>

<p>Reports of the Congress cadre requesting Priyanka to contest from the state have been doing the rounds for weeks now but the Congress leadership has remained tight-lipped about any speculation over Priyanka’s candidature.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Remember, apart from Varanasi, the Congress is yet to name its candidate from Lucknow, from where the BJP has fielded its incumbent MP Rajnath Singh</p>

<p>Will Priyanka Gandhi Vadra be pitted against PM Modi this Lok Sabha polls? According to reports, Priyanka has agreed to contest from Varanasi with the final decision pending with the party high command. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/varanasi-constituency-to-watch-out-for-this-election-207981">Varanasi goes to polls on May 19</a>.&nbsp;</p>


Three months after the surprise political debut of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, does the Congress have another surprise in store for its supporters? She debuted as the AICC general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh East and now speculations are rife that she might be pitted against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from his home constituency, Varanasi, this Lok Sabha polls.

Three months after the surprise political debut of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, does the Congress have another surprise in store for its supporters? She debuted as the AICC general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh East and now speculations are rife that she might be pitted against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from his home constituency, Varanasi, this Lok Sabha polls. In fact, the Congress itself is indirectly fuelling the rumours by refraining from announcing its candidate for Varanasi. The constituency failed to feature in the list of seats in Uttar Pradesh for which the party declared its nominees on Saturday. As for Priyanka, she too hasn't denied contesting polls - not yet. Reports of the Congress cadre requesting Priyanka to contest from the state have been doing the rounds for weeks now but the Congress leadership has remained tight-lipped about any speculation over Priyanka’s candidature. Remember, apart from Varanasi, the Congress is yet to name its candidate from Lucknow, from where the BJP has fielded its incumbent MP Rajnath Singh Will Priyanka Gandhi Vadra be pitted against PM Modi this Lok Sabha polls? According to reports, Priyanka has agreed to contest from Varanasi with the final decision pending with the party high command. Varanasi goes to polls on May 19.

Lok Sabha polls: With Congress tight-lipped about Varanasi candidate, speculations pit Priyanka Gandhi against PM Modi in his home constituency

<p>Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that his party is ready to do "whatever is needed to save the country from Modi ji and Amit Shah ji". Kejriwal was reacting on a query relating to AAP's decision on an alliance with Congress.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Our efforts will continue till the end," Kejriwal noted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Delhi CM also alleged that every political party other than Modi-led BJP is pressing for verification of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/opposition-parties-to-approach-supreme-court-again-to-demand-verification-of-50-votes-by-paper-trails-210298">50 per cent of the votes through paper trails</a>, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"If BJP does not want Voter Verifies Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) to be counted, then why did they spend 9,000 crores on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)? They do not want VVPAT to be counted since they are benefiting from the laxity," CM Kejriwal told media persons on Sunday.</p>

<p>The Delhi chief minister also alleged that the Election Commission (EC) only listens to concerns of the BJP.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on if discussions on Congress-AAP alliance are still underway: The country is in danger. To save the country from Modi Ji &amp; Amit Shah Ji's 'jodi', we are ready to do whatever is needed. Our efforts will continue till the end. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/ryvtACTrQj">pic.twitter.com/ryvtACTrQj</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1117369598674972674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Just a day ago, Andhra CM and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu demanded the Election Commission of India (ECI) revert to the ballot system.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Naidu raised questions over the efficacy of the electronic voting machines (EVM) and said that going back to the paper system should be done immediately to "preserve the sanctity and protect the spirit of the electoral process and democracy."</p>

<p>The TDP supremo met officials of the ECI on Saturday over the issue of EVM malfunctioning in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that his party is ready to do "whatever is needed to save the country from Modi ji and Amit Shah ji". Kejriwal was reacting on a query relating to AAP's decision on an alliance with Congress.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that his party is ready to do "whatever is needed to save the country from Modi ji and Amit Shah ji". Kejriwal was reacting on a query relating to AAP's decision on an alliance with Congress. "Our efforts will continue till the end," Kejriwal noted. The Delhi CM also alleged that every political party other than Modi-led BJP is pressing for verification of 50 per cent of the votes through paper trails, news agency ANI reported. "If BJP does not want Voter Verifies Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) to be counted, then why did they spend 9,000 crores on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)? They do not want VVPAT to be counted since they are benefiting from the laxity," CM Kejriwal told media persons on Sunday. The Delhi chief minister also alleged that the Election Commission (EC) only listens to concerns of the BJP. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on if discussions on Congress-AAP alliance are still underway: The country is in danger. To save the country from Modi Ji & Amit Shah Ji's 'jodi', we are ready to do whatever is needed. Our efforts will continue till the end. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/ryvtACTrQj — ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2019 × Just a day ago, Andhra CM and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu demanded the Election Commission of India (ECI) revert to the ballot system. Naidu raised questions over the efficacy of the electronic voting machines (EVM) and said that going back to the paper system should be done immediately to "preserve the sanctity and protect the spirit of the electoral process and democracy." The TDP supremo met officials of the ECI on Saturday over the issue of EVM malfunctioning in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Will do whatever is needed to save country from Modi, Amit Shah: Arvind Kejriwal on alliance with Congress

<p>Union <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-will-make-sedition-law-even-more-stringent-rajnath-singh-209977">Home Minister Rajnath Singh</a> on Sunday slammed the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj&nbsp;Party for forging an alliance in Uttar Pradesh for Lok Sabha polls. Singh noted that the alliance has been "formed to stop Narendra Modi".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Singh, while addressing a gathering in Nagina, Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, said that "it could have never been imagined that these two parties will come together in UP".</p>

<p>"They came together knowing that they all will be swept away in the Modi wave," Singh added.&nbsp;</p>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">HM Rajnath Singh in Nagina, Bijnor: SP-BSP have formed an alliance to stop Narendra Modi ji. It could have never been imagined that these two parties will come together in UP. They knew 'Modi ki aandhi mein hum (SP and BSP) akele tinke ki tarah beh jaenge', so they came together. <a href="https://t.co/Lez0oGQX5D">pic.twitter.com/Lez0oGQX5D</a></p>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1117348364247543808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, the Home Minister on Friday slammed Congress for its stand on sedition law as mentioned in party's manifesto and asserted that BJP will make it even more stringent after forming a government for a second term.</p>

<p>Addressing an election rally, Singh said, "If someone tries to break India, should they be forgiven? They say they will end the sedition law, to whom are they giving a signal? If our government comes to power we will make the sedition law even more stringent."</p>


Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday slammed the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party for forging an alliance in Uttar Pradesh for Lok Sabha polls. Singh noted that the alliance has been "formed to stop Narendra Modi".

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday slammed the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party for forging an alliance in Uttar Pradesh for Lok Sabha polls. Singh noted that the alliance has been "formed to stop Narendra Modi". Singh, while addressing a gathering in Nagina, Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, said that "it could have never been imagined that these two parties will come together in UP". "They came together knowing that they all will be swept away in the Modi wave," Singh added. HM Rajnath Singh in Nagina, Bijnor: SP-BSP have formed an alliance to stop Narendra Modi ji. It could have never been imagined that these two parties will come together in UP. They knew 'Modi ki aandhi mein hum (SP and BSP) akele tinke ki tarah beh jaenge', so they came together. pic.twitter.com/Lez0oGQX5D — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 14, 2019 × Meanwhile, the Home Minister on Friday slammed Congress for its stand on sedition law as mentioned in party's manifesto and asserted that BJP will make it even more stringent after forming a government for a second term. Addressing an election rally, Singh said, "If someone tries to break India, should they be forgiven? They say they will end the sedition law, to whom are they giving a signal? If our government comes to power we will make the sedition law even more stringent."

They came together knowing that they'll be swept away in Modi wave: Rajnath Singh on SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh 

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