Braving all odds, Election Commission (EC) officials in Arunachal Pradesh trekked 13,583 feet in Luguthang village to elections for Mukto Assembly Constituency.

Polling for 60 Assembly constituencies and two Lok Sabha seats in Arunachal Pradesh was held simultaneously on April 11. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

"Polling parties in Arunachal Pradesh. 13583 feet altitude Luguthang - Mukto Assembly Constituency. Whatever the challenges - they do cross them all to reach the Voters afterall!" EC spokesperson Sheyphali Sharan tweeted on Saturday.

As 17th Lok Sabha elections are being conducted in seven phases from April 11 to May 19, officials and security personnel are trekking to remote areas of the country to set up poll booths.

In Arunachal, it took two days to reach several polling stations situated at inaccessible areas. Also, some of the polling officials were airlifted since they were deployed in isolated places.

There were 2,202 polling stations in the state for 7,98,249 voters. This year, the EC has taken several steps to add more service voters in the election process. Awareness campaigns through electronic, social, print and other media were given due attention.

According to EC officials, an estimated 66 per cent voters of the total of 7.98 lakh electorate cast their votes in the simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday. However, the exact figures are yet to be revealed by the EC. 
&nbsp;

Braving all odds, Election Commission (EC) officials in Arunachal Pradesh trekked 13,583 feet in Luguthang village to elections for Mukto Assembly Constituency. Polling for 60 Assembly constituencies and two Lok Sabha seats in Arunachal Pradesh was held simultaneously on April 11.

Braving all odds, Election Commission (EC) officials in Arunachal Pradesh trekked 13,583 feet in Luguthang village to elections for Mukto Assembly Constituency. Polling for 60 Assembly constituencies and two Lok Sabha seats in Arunachal Pradesh was held simultaneously on April 11. Counting of votes will take place on May 23. "Polling parties in Arunachal Pradesh. 13583 feet altitude Luguthang - Mukto Assembly Constituency. Whatever the challenges - they do cross them all to reach the Voters afterall!" EC spokesperson Sheyphali Sharan tweeted on Saturday. As 17th Lok Sabha elections are being conducted in seven phases from April 11 to May 19, officials and security personnel are trekking to remote areas of the country to set up poll booths. In Arunachal, it took two days to reach several polling stations situated at inaccessible areas. Also, some of the polling officials were airlifted since they were deployed in isolated places. There were 2,202 polling stations in the state for 7,98,249 voters. This year, the EC has taken several steps to add more service voters in the election process. Awareness campaigns through electronic, social, print and other media were given due attention. According to EC officials, an estimated 66 per cent voters of the total of 7.98 lakh electorate cast their votes in the simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday. However, the exact figures are yet to be revealed by the EC.

Election Commission officials trek 13,583 feet to conduct polls in Arunachal

Karnataka Chief Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-applies-make-up-everyday-to-get-shine-on-face-hd-kumaraswamy-209104">HD Kumaraswamy </a>on Friday stressed the importance of the regional parties in Lok Sabha elections and claimed that these parties will play an important role in the formation of the next government at the Centre.

In an exclusive interview to WION, Kumaraswamy said that 2019 is an election of regional parties and that the Congress-JD(S) alliance will beat BJP.

"Local leaders must cooperate to achieve the full potential of the alliance," Kumaraswamy said.

The Karnataka Chief Minister strongly criticised BJP and said that it has an unofficial alliance with ED, CBI and Income Tax department.

"Modi government is misusing the institutions. The raids on Opposition is part of political agenda and not good for democracy," he said.

He also said that Pulwama was an intelligence failure and that Modi should be asked that how is he running the intelligence department of the country?

"Modi is not going to come back to power. The nationalist rhetoric is not going to work in this election," said Kumaraswamy, adding that Congress president Rahul Gandhi has evolved into a mature politician.

In a controversial remark, Kumaraswamy said, "Modi is not a humane person and vengeance in politics does not work well. I urge the young community in the country not to get swayed by speeches of the Prime Minister."

He also admitted that he has received full cooperation from the Congress leaders, but the alliance needs to work well on the ground. He also said that he has a comfortable working relationship with former chief minister Siddaramaiah.

The chief minister said that Hindutva will not work in the current elections as the job is the main issue on which the ruling government has failed miserably.

Karnataka will vote in the second and third phases of Lok Sabha election, scheduled on April 18 and 23, respectively.

(You can watch the full interview at 8.30 AM and 4.30 PM on Saturday, 9.30 and 1.30 PM on Sunday and 2.30 PM on Monday)

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday stressed the importance of the regional parties in Lok Sabha elections and claimed that these parties will play an important role in the formation of the next government at the Centre.

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday stressed the importance of the regional parties in Lok Sabha elections and claimed that these parties will play an important role in the formation of the next government at the Centre. In an exclusive interview to WION, Kumaraswamy said that 2019 is an election of regional parties and that the Congress-JD(S) alliance will beat BJP. "Local leaders must cooperate to achieve the full potential of the alliance," Kumaraswamy said. The Karnataka Chief Minister strongly criticised BJP and said that it has an unofficial alliance with ED, CBI and Income Tax department. "Modi government is misusing the institutions. The raids on Opposition is part of political agenda and not good for democracy," he said. He also said that Pulwama was an intelligence failure and that Modi should be asked that how is he running the intelligence department of the country? "Modi is not going to come back to power. The nationalist rhetoric is not going to work in this election," said Kumaraswamy, adding that Congress president Rahul Gandhi has evolved into a mature politician. In a controversial remark, Kumaraswamy said, "Modi is not a humane person and vengeance in politics does not work well. I urge the young community in the country not to get swayed by speeches of the Prime Minister." He also admitted that he has received full cooperation from the Congress leaders, but the alliance needs to work well on the ground. He also said that he has a comfortable working relationship with former chief minister Siddaramaiah. The chief minister said that Hindutva will not work in the current elections as the job is the main issue on which the ruling government has failed miserably. Karnataka will vote in the second and third phases of Lok Sabha election, scheduled on April 18 and 23, respectively. (You can watch the full interview at 8.30 AM and 4.30 PM on Saturday, 9.30 and 1.30 PM on Sunday and 2.30 PM on Monday)

Narendra Modi is not going to come back to power: HD Kumaraswamy to WION

Hitting out at the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in Odisha, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-will-scrap-article-370-introduce-nrc-across-country-amit-shah-209607">Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah</a> said Friday the state is rich in natural resources, but its people continue to remain poor under the Naveen Patnaik-led dispensation.

Addressing a rally here, Shah said the BJD rule in the state was marked by misrule and corruption.

Taking a jibe at the chief minister, Shah said, "Even after 19 years of rule in Odisha, Naveen (Patnaik) babu cannot talk to his people in Odia."

He asserted that people across the country are raising slogans in favour of the BJP.

"From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Odisha to Gujarat, people are raising slogans in favour of Narendra Modi. We can hear Modi... Modi... Chants everywhere," Shah said.

Slamming the opposition Congress, Shah said: "Rahul Baba's party ruled the country for 70 years, but could not eradicate poverty."

"The BJP-led government, on the other hand, launched an era of development in the country, marked by speedy and concrete steps to eradicate poverty," he insisted.

Sharing his plans for the tribal-dominated district, the BJP chief said a steel plant will be set up here if the saffron party is re-elected to power at the Centre.

"Under District Mineral Fund, Rs 1600 crore has been allocated to this district. If the BJP is voted to power again, all forest produces will be procured from the tribals at Minimum Support Price (MSP) and no GST will be levied on tendu leaves," Shah added.

Hitting out at the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in Odisha, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah said Friday the state is rich in natural resources, but its people continue to remain poor under the Naveen Patnaik-led dispensation.

Hitting out at the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in Odisha, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah said Friday the state is rich in natural resources, but its people continue to remain poor under the Naveen Patnaik-led dispensation. Addressing a rally here, Shah said the BJD rule in the state was marked by misrule and corruption. Taking a jibe at the chief minister, Shah said, "Even after 19 years of rule in Odisha, Naveen (Patnaik) babu cannot talk to his people in Odia." He asserted that people across the country are raising slogans in favour of the BJP. "From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Odisha to Gujarat, people are raising slogans in favour of Narendra Modi. We can hear Modi... Modi... Chants everywhere," Shah said. Slamming the opposition Congress, Shah said: "Rahul Baba's party ruled the country for 70 years, but could not eradicate poverty." "The BJP-led government, on the other hand, launched an era of development in the country, marked by speedy and concrete steps to eradicate poverty," he insisted. Sharing his plans for the tribal-dominated district, the BJP chief said a steel plant will be set up here if the saffron party is re-elected to power at the Centre. "Under District Mineral Fund, Rs 1600 crore has been allocated to this district. If the BJP is voted to power again, all forest produces will be procured from the tribals at Minimum Support Price (MSP) and no GST will be levied on tendu leaves," Shah added.

Even after 19 years of rule in Odisha, Naveen Patnaik can't talk in Odia: Amit Shah

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-moves-election-commission-for-action-against-rahul-gandhi-for-making-baseless-allegations-against-pm-modi-209819">Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)</a> has successfully implemented all its promises made in its 2014 election manifesto, except those that needed constitutional amendments for which the party required a majority in the Rajya Sabha, BJP national vice-president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe claimed Friday.

Unveiling 'This is how BJP Walks the Talk' -- a report card of the ruling party in the social and science and technology sectors prepared by the Public Policy Research Centre (PPRC), Sahasrabuddhe said, "We believe in empowerment and not an entitlement. The focus is now on deliverance."

According to the report, Rs 17 crore loans have been provided under Mudra Scheme, 35 crore bank accounts have been opened under Jan Dhan Yojana and three crore houses have been electrified under Saubhagya scheme.&nbsp;

"Only goal perhaps which BJP has not been able to meet was Article 370, basically those which need constitutional interventions which we cannot do without a majority in the Rajya Sabha. Other than that I think we have robustly managed to achieve all our goals," said the BJP leader who is also a Rajya Sabha MP and Director of PPRC.&nbsp;

He also said that the "Leftist mentality" of having a law for everything needs to change.

"This is why RTE came, Food Security Act came...So this rights-based narrative has played a significant role in our country since the beginning. It is very attractive as well as populist. But on the ground it is different. For example, RTE which was formed after so much discussion had to be improved in merely five years...The informality of education has been almost finished off. Under RTE they are illegal...They made the Act in a hurry, it didn't seem well thought-out," he said.&nbsp;

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has successfully implemented all its promises made in its 2014 election manifesto, except those that needed constitutional amendments for which the party required a majority in the Rajya Sabha, BJP national vice-president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe claimed Friday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has successfully implemented all its promises made in its 2014 election manifesto, except those that needed constitutional amendments for which the party required a majority in the Rajya Sabha, BJP national vice-president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe claimed Friday. Unveiling 'This is how BJP Walks the Talk' -- a report card of the ruling party in the social and science and technology sectors prepared by the Public Policy Research Centre (PPRC), Sahasrabuddhe said, "We believe in empowerment and not an entitlement. The focus is now on deliverance." According to the report, Rs 17 crore loans have been provided under Mudra Scheme, 35 crore bank accounts have been opened under Jan Dhan Yojana and three crore houses have been electrified under Saubhagya scheme. "Only goal perhaps which BJP has not been able to meet was Article 370, basically those which need constitutional interventions which we cannot do without a majority in the Rajya Sabha. Other than that I think we have robustly managed to achieve all our goals," said the BJP leader who is also a Rajya Sabha MP and Director of PPRC. He also said that the "Leftist mentality" of having a law for everything needs to change. "This is why RTE came, Food Security Act came...So this rights-based narrative has played a significant role in our country since the beginning. It is very attractive as well as populist. But on the ground it is different. For example, RTE which was formed after so much discussion had to be improved in merely five years...The informality of education has been almost finished off. Under RTE they are illegal...They made the Act in a hurry, it didn't seem well thought-out," he said.

BJP successfully implemented almost all its 2014 poll promises: Vinay Sahasrabuddhe

Several senior armed forces veterans on Friday denied writing a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind over alleged politicisation of the services with former Army Chief General Sunith Francis Rodrigues calling it "a classic manifestation of fake news".

Meanwhile, a Rashtrapati Bhavan source said that the President has not received any letter purportedly written by a group of former officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

"I do not know what it is all about. All my life, we have been apolitical. After 42 years as an officer, it is a little late to change. We have always put India first. I do not know who these people are and it (the letter with names of officers) is a classic manifestation of fake news," General Rodrigues said.

The purported letter, which went viral on social media, named eight former services chiefs including General Rodrigues and Ex-Air Chief Nirmal Chandra Suri.

Air Chief Marshal Suri said, "This is not Admiral Ramdas' letter and it has been done by some Major Chaudhary. He has written this letter and this was coming on WhatsApp and emails. To put an end to it, I wrote that armed forces are apolitical and support the politically elected government."

"My consent has not been taken for any such letter. And I do not agree with whatever has been written in that letter... We have been misquoted by this Major Chaudhary," he added.

Former Army Vice Chief Lt General ML Naidu, who figured in the purported letter, said, "No, my consent has not been taken for any such letter and neither have I written any such letter."

However, when reached out by ANI, Major General Harsha Kakkar, an ex-officer who was also named, said, "Yes, I had given my consent for being a signatory to the letter. I had given my consent only after knowing the contents of it."

Several senior armed forces veterans on Friday denied writing a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind over alleged politicisation of the services with former Army Chief General Sunith Francis Rodrigues calling it "a classic manifestation of fake news".

Several senior armed forces veterans on Friday denied writing a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind over alleged politicisation of the services with former Army Chief General Sunith Francis Rodrigues calling it "a classic manifestation of fake news". Meanwhile, a Rashtrapati Bhavan source said that the President has not received any letter purportedly written by a group of former officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force. "I do not know what it is all about. All my life, we have been apolitical. After 42 years as an officer, it is a little late to change. We have always put India first. I do not know who these people are and it (the letter with names of officers) is a classic manifestation of fake news," General Rodrigues said. The purported letter, which went viral on social media, named eight former services chiefs including General Rodrigues and Ex-Air Chief Nirmal Chandra Suri. Air Chief Marshal Suri said, "This is not Admiral Ramdas' letter and it has been done by some Major Chaudhary. He has written this letter and this was coming on WhatsApp and emails. To put an end to it, I wrote that armed forces are apolitical and support the politically elected government." "My consent has not been taken for any such letter. And I do not agree with whatever has been written in that letter... We have been misquoted by this Major Chaudhary," he added. Former Army Vice Chief Lt General ML Naidu, who figured in the purported letter, said, "No, my consent has not been taken for any such letter and neither have I written any such letter." However, when reached out by ANI, Major General Harsha Kakkar, an ex-officer who was also named, said, "Yes, I had given my consent for being a signatory to the letter. I had given my consent only after knowing the contents of it."

'Classic manifestation of fake news': Several ex-army officers deny writing letter to President over alleged politicisation of services

"If Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is ready for an alliance in Delhi, we are ready even today," the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-claims-laser-pointed-at-rahul-gandhis-head-mha-says-it-was-mobiles-green-light-209537">Congress said</a> on Friday.

"AAP wanted to have an alliance in other states also which is not practical. Every state is different. We will announce the seats tomorrow or day after tomorrow. If they are ready for an alliance in Delhi with Congress, we are ready even today," Congress leader PC Chacko said during a press conference here.

He added that the Congress is ready to do ally with parties who are willing to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party.

"We (Congress and AAP) are fighting face to face in Delhi, we fought municipality, assembly, and parliamentary elections, so naturally we both have political bitterness between us but we both understand that the political necessity is that we should come together and defeat BJP in Delhi," said Chacko

"Sanjay Singh met me and we discussed our corresponding strength in the last election in Delhi (in 2017). Congress got 31 seats and AAP got 49 seats and together we had 80 seats. Our vote share was INC got 21 per cent votes, AAP got 26 per cent votes and in total, we got 47 per cent. There are 7 Lok Sabha seats, we are eligible to get approximately 3 seats while AAP is entitled to 4 seats," Chacko said.

With regards to the recent decision by the Supreme Court over the electoral bonds issue, Congress leader and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the Electoral Bonds have become "electoral corruption."

"Modi Ji will now have to explain in writing what is the source of the money, he will also need to explain that whether this money is black or white," said Singhvi while taking a jibe at the Prime Minister.

The apex court passed an interim order asking political parties to submit in a sealed cover to the Election Commission of India (ECI) details of the donations received through electoral bonds.

In an interim order, the apex court directed the parties to furnish details of donors and amounts received through the bonds to the poll watchdog by May 30.

The order was passed by a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi on public interest litigation (PIL) filed by NGO Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) and CPI(M).

"If Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is ready for an alliance in Delhi, we are ready even today," the Congress said on Friday. "AAP wanted to have an alliance in other states also which is not practical.

"If Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is ready for an alliance in Delhi, we are ready even today," the Congress said on Friday. "AAP wanted to have an alliance in other states also which is not practical. Every state is different. We will announce the seats tomorrow or day after tomorrow. If they are ready for an alliance in Delhi with Congress, we are ready even today," Congress leader PC Chacko said during a press conference here. He added that the Congress is ready to do ally with parties who are willing to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party. "We (Congress and AAP) are fighting face to face in Delhi, we fought municipality, assembly, and parliamentary elections, so naturally we both have political bitterness between us but we both understand that the political necessity is that we should come together and defeat BJP in Delhi," said Chacko "Sanjay Singh met me and we discussed our corresponding strength in the last election in Delhi (in 2017). Congress got 31 seats and AAP got 49 seats and together we had 80 seats. Our vote share was INC got 21 per cent votes, AAP got 26 per cent votes and in total, we got 47 per cent. There are 7 Lok Sabha seats, we are eligible to get approximately 3 seats while AAP is entitled to 4 seats," Chacko said. With regards to the recent decision by the Supreme Court over the electoral bonds issue, Congress leader and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the Electoral Bonds have become "electoral corruption." "Modi Ji will now have to explain in writing what is the source of the money, he will also need to explain that whether this money is black or white," said Singhvi while taking a jibe at the Prime Minister. The apex court passed an interim order asking political parties to submit in a sealed cover to the Election Commission of India (ECI) details of the donations received through electoral bonds. In an interim order, the apex court directed the parties to furnish details of donors and amounts received through the bonds to the poll watchdog by May 30. The order was passed by a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi on public interest litigation (PIL) filed by NGO Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) and CPI(M).

If AAP ready for alliance in Delhi, we are ready even today: Congress

Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha Election 2019 began at 7 am on Thursday, April 11.Ninety-one constituencies spread across 18 states and two union territories will vote in this initial phase. BJP president Amit Shah to hold rallies in Darjeeling and Raiganj today. Watch video to know more.

Lok Sabha election 2019: BJP President Amit Shah to hold rallies in Darjeeling & Raiganj today

Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha Election 2019 began at 7 am on Thursday, April 11. In a gesture to promote Women empowerment, 7 pink polling booths has been set up across Bihar's Gaya. Watch video to know more.

Lok Sabha election 2019: 7 pink polling booths set up across Bihar's Gaya

Lok Sabha polls got underway today with voters excercising their franchise in 91 constituencies nationwide.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Voting underway in 91 constituencies

West Bengal Thursday recorded a polling percentage of 81 per cent, while Bihar recorded 50 per cent voter turnout in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/interesting-facts-about-phase-i-of-lok-sabah-polls-209574">phase one of Lok Sabha </a>elections.

Two seats in Bihar — Cooch Behar and Alipurduars — went to poll in the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vajpayee-was-invincible-but-we-won-sonia-after-filing-nomination-from-rae-bareli-209541"> first phase</a>. The state will have polling in all seven phases.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-2019-voting-underway-in-91-seats-in-first-phase-209404">Lok Sabha polls 2019 Phase 1 voting: As it happened</a>

Bihar recorded voter turnout of 50 per cent, the lowest among the 20 states which went to polls Thursday, the Election Commission said.

This time, however, the poll panel did not share the overall polling percentage at its briefing, saying the data was being collated and would be available later.
<img alt="Phase 1" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5aed0f35-911d-4c07-93fe-a5ae459077ca" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_8.jpg" />
Women show their voter identity cards as they wait to cast their votes at a polling station, during the first phase of general elections, at Khalapaar in Muzaffarnagar, Thursday, April 11, 2019. (PTI Photo) 
 
The two seats in Jammu and Kashmir — Jammu and Baramulla — recorded an overall percentage of 54.49 as compared to 57.19 in the 2014 general elections.

In Baramulla, the turnout was 35.01 per cent as compared to 38.5 per cent last time.

In Jammu, 72.16 per cent of voters turned up at the polling stations, as compared to 69.17 per cent last time.

Andhra Pradesh, where all seats went to polls in the first phase, recorded a turnout of 66 per cent as compared to 74.64 per cent in the last LS polls. 
In Mizoram, where the entire state went to polls in a single phase, recorded a dip in turnout. While last time the turnout was 61.95 per cent, this time it was 60 per cent.

The turnout in all constituencies is likely to go up as final reports were yet to come in, EC officials told reporters.

Similarly in Lakshadweep, the percentage this time was 66 as compared to 86 in 2014.

In Arunachal Pradesh, where both the constituencies went to polls, the turnout stood at 66 per cent as compared to 86 per cent in 2014.

West Bengal Thursday recorded a polling percentage of 81 per cent, while Bihar recorded 50 per cent voter turnout in phase one of Lok Sabha elections. Two seats in Bihar — Cooch Behar and Alipurduars — went to poll in the first phase.

West Bengal Thursday recorded a polling percentage of 81 per cent, while Bihar recorded 50 per cent voter turnout in phase one of Lok Sabha elections. Two seats in Bihar — Cooch Behar and Alipurduars — went to poll in the first phase. The state will have polling in all seven phases. Lok Sabha polls 2019 Phase 1 voting: As it happened Bihar recorded voter turnout of 50 per cent, the lowest among the 20 states which went to polls Thursday, the Election Commission said. This time, however, the poll panel did not share the overall polling percentage at its briefing, saying the data was being collated and would be available later. Women show their voter identity cards as they wait to cast their votes at a polling station, during the first phase of general elections, at Khalapaar in Muzaffarnagar, Thursday, April 11, 2019. (PTI Photo) The two seats in Jammu and Kashmir — Jammu and Baramulla — recorded an overall percentage of 54.49 as compared to 57.19 in the 2014 general elections. In Baramulla, the turnout was 35.01 per cent as compared to 38.5 per cent last time. In Jammu, 72.16 per cent of voters turned up at the polling stations, as compared to 69.17 per cent last time. Andhra Pradesh, where all seats went to polls in the first phase, recorded a turnout of 66 per cent as compared to 74.64 per cent in the last LS polls. In Mizoram, where the entire state went to polls in a single phase, recorded a dip in turnout. While last time the turnout was 61.95 per cent, this time it was 60 per cent. The turnout in all constituencies is likely to go up as final reports were yet to come in, EC officials told reporters. Similarly in Lakshadweep, the percentage this time was 66 as compared to 86 in 2014. In Arunachal Pradesh, where both the constituencies went to polls, the turnout stood at 66 per cent as compared to 86 per cent in 2014.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Bihar sees lowest voter turnout with 50%, West Bengal tops with 81% in phase 1

Domestic equity benchmarks opened on a cautious note Thursday as<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-2019-voting-underway-in-91-seats-in-first-phase-209404"> voting began in 91 constituencies</a> across the country in the first phase of Lok Sabha election.

The BSE Sensex was trading 33.29 points or 0.09 per cent higher at 38,618.64. The gauge had ended 353.87 points or 0.91 per cent, lower to close at 38,585.35 in its previous session.

The NSE Nifty was trading 10.20 points, or 0.09 per cent, higher at 11,594.50 in early session.

Top gainers in the Sensex pack include Bharti Airtel, Asian Paints, M&amp;M, HUL, Bajaj Auto, HDFC, Coal India, L&amp;T, ITC and HDFC Bank, rising up to 1.85 per cent.

While Vedanta, Kotak Bank, Sun Pharma Infosys, Yes Bank, IndusInd Bank, SBI and Axis Bank were the top losers, shedding up to 1.75 per cent.

Market mood was cautious as polling began in 91 constituencies spread across 18 states and two union territories in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, traders said.

However, according to Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services, "Election-led consolidation may be short-lived and the key trigger will be the earnings growth which is expected to start revive from fourth quarter onwards," said&nbsp;

Meanwhile, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) purchased equity worth Rs 1,429.92 crore on Tuesday, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) sold equities to the tune of Rs 461.29 crore, provisional data available with stock exchanges showed.

The rupee depreciated 4 paise to 69.15 against the US dollar in early trade.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, was quoting lower at $71.44 per barrel.

Elsewhere in Asia, benchmark equity indices in Shanghai, Tokyo and Seoul were trading in the negative terrain in early trade. Indices on Wall Street ended flat on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Domestic equity benchmarks opened on a cautious note Thursday as voting began in 91 constituencies across the country in the first phase of Lok Sabha election. The BSE Sensex was trading 33.

Domestic equity benchmarks opened on a cautious note Thursday as voting began in 91 constituencies across the country in the first phase of Lok Sabha election. The BSE Sensex was trading 33.29 points or 0.09 per cent higher at 38,618.64. The gauge had ended 353.87 points or 0.91 per cent, lower to close at 38,585.35 in its previous session. The NSE Nifty was trading 10.20 points, or 0.09 per cent, higher at 11,594.50 in early session. Top gainers in the Sensex pack include Bharti Airtel, Asian Paints, M&M, HUL, Bajaj Auto, HDFC, Coal India, L&T, ITC and HDFC Bank, rising up to 1.85 per cent. While Vedanta, Kotak Bank, Sun Pharma Infosys, Yes Bank, IndusInd Bank, SBI and Axis Bank were the top losers, shedding up to 1.75 per cent. Market mood was cautious as polling began in 91 constituencies spread across 18 states and two union territories in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, traders said. However, according to Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services, "Election-led consolidation may be short-lived and the key trigger will be the earnings growth which is expected to start revive from fourth quarter onwards," said Meanwhile, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) purchased equity worth Rs 1,429.92 crore on Tuesday, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) sold equities to the tune of Rs 461.29 crore, provisional data available with stock exchanges showed. The rupee depreciated 4 paise to 69.15 against the US dollar in early trade. Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, was quoting lower at $71.44 per barrel. Elsewhere in Asia, benchmark equity indices in Shanghai, Tokyo and Seoul were trading in the negative terrain in early trade. Indices on Wall Street ended flat on Wednesday.

Market opens on a cautious note as Lok Sabha poll begins

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-2019-voting-underway-in-91-seats-in-first-phase-209404">Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: Mohan Bhagwat, Chandrababu Naidu cast their votes</a>

The first phase polls get underway today with as many as 91 constituencies whose fate will be decided by voters nationwide. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will be hosting the largest number of constituencies - 25 and 17 respectively.

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European leaders agreed with Britain on Thursday to delay Brexit by up to six months, saving the continent from what could have been a chaotic no-deal departure at the end of the week.

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India's population grew at an average annual rate of 1.2 per cent between 2010 and 2019 to 1.36 billion, more than double the annual growth rate of China, according to a report by the United Nations Population Fund.

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Cuban Communist Party leader Raul Castro said on Wednesday said Cuba would never abandon its leftist ally Venezuela despite US "blackmail," even as the Trump administration threatened more sanctions over its support.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said his country needs to deliver a "telling blow" to those imposing sanctions by ensuring its economy is more self-reliant, state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Thursday.

&nbsp;

Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: Mohan Bhagwat, Chandrababu Naidu cast their votes The first phase polls get underway today with as many as 91 constituencies whose fate will be decided by voters nationwide.

Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: Mohan Bhagwat, Chandrababu Naidu cast their votes The first phase polls get underway today with as many as 91 constituencies whose fate will be decided by voters nationwide. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will be hosting the largest number of constituencies - 25 and 17 respectively. European Union gives Britain six-month delay to Brexit date European leaders agreed with Britain on Thursday to delay Brexit by up to six months, saving the continent from what could have been a chaotic no-deal departure at the end of the week. India's population grew at 1.2% average between 2010 and 2019: UN India's population grew at an average annual rate of 1.2 per cent between 2010 and 2019 to 1.36 billion, more than double the annual growth rate of China, according to a report by the United Nations Population Fund. Will support Venezuela despite US 'blackmail': Cuban leader Raul Castro Cuban Communist Party leader Raul Castro said on Wednesday said Cuba would never abandon its leftist ally Venezuela despite US "blackmail," even as the Trump administration threatened more sanctions over its support. North Korea's Kim says must deliver 'blow' to those imposing sanctions: Report North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said his country needs to deliver a "telling blow" to those imposing sanctions by ensuring its economy is more self-reliant, state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Thursday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Voting in the first of seven rounds is being held in 91 parliament constituencies across 20 states and federally administered regions. There are 543 seats at stake. The election is spread over 39 days, with the final phase on May 19 and the result announced four days later.

Big numbers turn out for first day of India's general election

As polling got underway in Telangana for the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies on Thursday, Nizamabad has become a cynosure of all eyes with a large number of candidates in the fray necessitating the deployment of as many as 12 EVMs in each booth.

"This is the first time in the world where elections are conducted with such a large number of candidates using (such a large number of) EVMs," said Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-2019-voting-underway-in-91-seats-in-first-phase-209404">Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: West Bengal sees 71.01% voter turnout till 3pm; Mizoram at 55.20%</a>

In the field are 185 candidates, including 178 farmers who jumped into the fray to support their demand for the remunerative price for turmeric and red sorghum and setting up of a Turmeric Board based in Nizamabad.

Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) President and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha is seeking re-election from here. Blaming the BJP, she had said it was the Centre which should take initiative for setting up the Turmeric Board.

While voting began at 7 a.M in other constituencies, it commenced in Nizamabad an hour later as planned due to mock polling in view of a large number of candidates in the fray and as also deployment of EVMs.

The sitting MP Kavitha along with her husband Anil cast her vote in Potangal village in Bodhan Assembly constituency.

The contesting farmers have alleged that the TRS government failed to ensure minimum support price for turmeric and red sorghum produce and in getting Turmeric Board established.

TRS Rajya Sabha member D Srinivas's son D Arvind is contesting as a BJP candidate while AICC Secretary Madhu Yashki Goud is in fray from Congress in Nizamabad. Elaborate arrangements have been made for the polling.

In view of a large number of contestants, 12 ballot units are coupled in series and attached to a control unit in inverted 'L' shape. The Election Commission is using M3 type EVMs which can support up to 24 BUs. Each BU will have 24 names.

In a normal situation, the EC drafts 15 to 16 engineers in a constituency, for troubleshooting, whereas for Nizamabad it has kept as many as 600 engineers, Rajat Kumar had earlier said adding one helicopter would be kept ready in case any large number of machines had to be airlifted.

Over 26,000 ballot Units, 2,200 control units and about 26,000 VVPATs are being used for Nizamabad constituency.&nbsp;

As polling got underway in Telangana for the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies on Thursday, Nizamabad has become a cynosure of all eyes with a large number of candidates in the fray necessitating the deployment of as many as 12 EVMs in each booth.

As polling got underway in Telangana for the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies on Thursday, Nizamabad has become a cynosure of all eyes with a large number of candidates in the fray necessitating the deployment of as many as 12 EVMs in each booth. "This is the first time in the world where elections are conducted with such a large number of candidates using (such a large number of) EVMs," said Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar. Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: West Bengal sees 71.01% voter turnout till 3pm; Mizoram at 55.20% In the field are 185 candidates, including 178 farmers who jumped into the fray to support their demand for the remunerative price for turmeric and red sorghum and setting up of a Turmeric Board based in Nizamabad. Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) President and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha is seeking re-election from here. Blaming the BJP, she had said it was the Centre which should take initiative for setting up the Turmeric Board. While voting began at 7 a.M in other constituencies, it commenced in Nizamabad an hour later as planned due to mock polling in view of a large number of candidates in the fray and as also deployment of EVMs. The sitting MP Kavitha along with her husband Anil cast her vote in Potangal village in Bodhan Assembly constituency. The contesting farmers have alleged that the TRS government failed to ensure minimum support price for turmeric and red sorghum produce and in getting Turmeric Board established. TRS Rajya Sabha member D Srinivas's son D Arvind is contesting as a BJP candidate while AICC Secretary Madhu Yashki Goud is in fray from Congress in Nizamabad. Elaborate arrangements have been made for the polling. In view of a large number of contestants, 12 ballot units are coupled in series and attached to a control unit in inverted 'L' shape. The Election Commission is using M3 type EVMs which can support up to 24 BUs. Each BU will have 24 names. In a normal situation, the EC drafts 15 to 16 engineers in a constituency, for troubleshooting, whereas for Nizamabad it has kept as many as 600 engineers, Rajat Kumar had earlier said adding one helicopter would be kept ready in case any large number of machines had to be airlifted. Over 26,000 ballot Units, 2,200 control units and about 26,000 VVPATs are being used for Nizamabad constituency.

With long list of 185 candidates, Nizamabad in Telangana is cynosure of all eyes

Naxals triggered an IED blast near a polling booth in Maharashtra's Gadchroli district Thursday while voting was underway, police said.

The IED (improvised explosive device) blast took place around 10.30 am in Waghezari area, around 150 metres from the polling booth where people were standing in queues to cast their votes for the Lok Sabha election, an official said.

Live Lok Sabha polls 2019:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-2019-voting-underway-in-91-seats-in-first-phase-209404"> Naxals trigger IED blast near polling booth in Maharashtra; no injuries reported</a>

No casualty was reported in the incident, he said.

On Wednesday, Naxals denoted an IED at Gatta Jambia village in Etapalli tehsil of the district when a polling party was moving towards polling stations under the protection of a police party and CRPF personnel.

A CRPF jawan was injured in the incident.

The official said Naxals were trying to disrupt the poll process and create panic among villagers, who came out in large numbers to vote on Thursday.

Gadchiroli is among the seven seats where polling is underway during the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra.&nbsp;

Naxals triggered an IED blast near a polling booth in Maharashtra's Gadchroli district Thursday while voting was underway, police said. The IED (improvised explosive device) blast took place around 10.

Naxals triggered an IED blast near a polling booth in Maharashtra's Gadchroli district Thursday while voting was underway, police said. The IED (improvised explosive device) blast took place around 10.30 am in Waghezari area, around 150 metres from the polling booth where people were standing in queues to cast their votes for the Lok Sabha election, an official said. Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: Naxals trigger IED blast near polling booth in Maharashtra; no injuries reported No casualty was reported in the incident, he said. On Wednesday, Naxals denoted an IED at Gatta Jambia village in Etapalli tehsil of the district when a polling party was moving towards polling stations under the protection of a police party and CRPF personnel. A CRPF jawan was injured in the incident. The official said Naxals were trying to disrupt the poll process and create panic among villagers, who came out in large numbers to vote on Thursday. Gadchiroli is among the seven seats where polling is underway during the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Naxals trigger IED blast near polling booth in Maharashtra

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

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

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

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

Congress president Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination papers for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat on Wednesday.

Gandhi was accompanied by his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka Gandhi.

Gandhi embarked on a roadshow ahead of filing the nomination papers.

He was accompanied by sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, her husband Robert Vadra and their two children.

Rahul Gandhi, who is also contesting from Wayanad in Kerala, had filed his nomination papers there on April 4.&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi, who has been representing the constituency for the past 15 years, will this time again face BJP's Smriti Irani who is likely to file her nomination papers a day later on Thursday.

In the 2014 general elections, Irani was defeated by Rahul Gandhi by over one lakh votes.

This time, the Congress president is contesting from two Lok sabha constituencies.

Last Thursday, Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Wayanad in Kerala and said he was contesting from a seat in South India as well to send a message of unity.

Amethi goes to polls in the fifth phase on May 6.&nbsp;

Congress president Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination papers for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat on Wednesday. Gandhi was accompanied by his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka Gandhi.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination papers for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat on Wednesday. Gandhi was accompanied by his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka Gandhi. Gandhi embarked on a roadshow ahead of filing the nomination papers. He was accompanied by sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, her husband Robert Vadra and their two children. Rahul Gandhi, who is also contesting from Wayanad in Kerala, had filed his nomination papers there on April 4. Rahul Gandhi, who has been representing the constituency for the past 15 years, will this time again face BJP's Smriti Irani who is likely to file her nomination papers a day later on Thursday. In the 2014 general elections, Irani was defeated by Rahul Gandhi by over one lakh votes. This time, the Congress president is contesting from two Lok sabha constituencies. Last Thursday, Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Wayanad in Kerala and said he was contesting from a seat in South India as well to send a message of unity. Amethi goes to polls in the fifth phase on May 6.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Rahul Gandhi files nomination from Amethi 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rajnath Singh likely to file nomination from Lucknow on April 16

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lok Sabha elections begin on Thursday with polling in 91 seats

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In a bid to reach out to voters, especially the young one, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition BJP in West Bengal have extended their fight to the social media with innovative ideas and catchy jingles.

Dedicated teams comprising hundreds of volunteers are slogging away to ensure that the "Jumla metre" and "Pradhan mantri hisab do" campaign of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the "Main Bhi Chowkidar" music video of the BJP reach their target audience.

From coming out with Web series to catchy online songs to campaigns, both the parties are looking at making optimal use of social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, besides traditional emails and SMS.

Attacking the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the TMC has launched a Web series "Pradhan Mantri Hisab Do" (Prime Minister, answer this).

In this campaign, the party is releasing a short video everyday on Twitter and Facebook comparing the "failure" of Modi government and "success" of Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government in West Bengal in a particular field.

The TMC have also come out with a "Jumla meter" on its website showing whether or not claims made by the BJP especially on governance issues in West Bengal, are true.

"Both Pradhan Mantri Hisab Do and Jumla meter have become hugely popular among netizens. We have also taken steps so that each episode of Pradhan Mantri Hisab Do goes viral. We are trying reach out to our target audience - youths and first time voters," a senior TMC leader said.

According to the Election Commission, West Bengal has 20.1 lakh first time voters, the maximum among the states in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP, on the other hand, has made the music video of "Main Bhi Chowkidar" campaign viral on social media.

The Facebook page of the saffron party's West Bengal unit live streams all the public meetings of Modi and party president Amit Shah.

"We have a trained cadre base with presence down to the booth level to use the social media. We also have a huge network of volunteers. We are highlighting the failures of the TMC government and the pro-people policies of the BJP," senior BJP leader Sayantan Basu said.

The TMC has trained over 40,000 youths on the use of social media under the stewardship of Abhishek Banerjee, the party's youth wing president and nephew of Mamata Banerjee.

"We have one social media team for each constituency and its job is to air speeches of our party candidates via Facebook Live. We also organise Facebook chats," Col (retd) Dipatanshu Chowdhury, who is a joint convenor of the TMC's Media cell, said.

The party has also set up a team to monitor media content, fake news and trolls from district level to booth level, said a member of the TMC's Social Media IT cell.

The party has also created more than 10,000 WhatsApp groups to spread its message to the people.

The BJP West Bengal unit has also set up a core team of around 100 professionals, who have revamped social media presence of the party in the state.

The BJP has also created WhatsApp groups at various levels to create public opinion on local issues, Basu said.

The top leaders of both the TMC and the BJP are regular users of social media.

Mamata Banerjee, TMC's national spokesperson Derek O' Brien and Abhishek Banerjee are quite active on Twitter and Facebook.

The chief minister has around 2.9 million followers on Facebook and 3.25 million followers on Twitter.

Besides Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah, Union minister Babul Supriyo who is BJP candidate from Asansol, is one of the most popular faces of the party on social media.

In a bid to reach out to voters, especially the young one, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition BJP in West Bengal have extended their fight to the social media with innovative ideas and catchy jingles.

In a bid to reach out to voters, especially the young one, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition BJP in West Bengal have extended their fight to the social media with innovative ideas and catchy jingles. Dedicated teams comprising hundreds of volunteers are slogging away to ensure that the "Jumla metre" and "Pradhan mantri hisab do" campaign of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the "Main Bhi Chowkidar" music video of the BJP reach their target audience. From coming out with Web series to catchy online songs to campaigns, both the parties are looking at making optimal use of social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, besides traditional emails and SMS. Attacking the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the TMC has launched a Web series "Pradhan Mantri Hisab Do" (Prime Minister, answer this). In this campaign, the party is releasing a short video everyday on Twitter and Facebook comparing the "failure" of Modi government and "success" of Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government in West Bengal in a particular field. The TMC have also come out with a "Jumla meter" on its website showing whether or not claims made by the BJP especially on governance issues in West Bengal, are true. "Both Pradhan Mantri Hisab Do and Jumla meter have become hugely popular among netizens. We have also taken steps so that each episode of Pradhan Mantri Hisab Do goes viral. We are trying reach out to our target audience - youths and first time voters," a senior TMC leader said. According to the Election Commission, West Bengal has 20.1 lakh first time voters, the maximum among the states in the coming Lok Sabha elections. The BJP, on the other hand, has made the music video of "Main Bhi Chowkidar" campaign viral on social media. The Facebook page of the saffron party's West Bengal unit live streams all the public meetings of Modi and party president Amit Shah. "We have a trained cadre base with presence down to the booth level to use the social media. We also have a huge network of volunteers. We are highlighting the failures of the TMC government and the pro-people policies of the BJP," senior BJP leader Sayantan Basu said. The TMC has trained over 40,000 youths on the use of social media under the stewardship of Abhishek Banerjee, the party's youth wing president and nephew of Mamata Banerjee. "We have one social media team for each constituency and its job is to air speeches of our party candidates via Facebook Live. We also organise Facebook chats," Col (retd) Dipatanshu Chowdhury, who is a joint convenor of the TMC's Media cell, said. The party has also set up a team to monitor media content, fake news and trolls from district level to booth level, said a member of the TMC's Social Media IT cell. The party has also created more than 10,000 WhatsApp groups to spread its message to the people. The BJP West Bengal unit has also set up a core team of around 100 professionals, who have revamped social media presence of the party in the state. The BJP has also created WhatsApp groups at various levels to create public opinion on local issues, Basu said. The top leaders of both the TMC and the BJP are regular users of social media. Mamata Banerjee, TMC's national spokesperson Derek O' Brien and Abhishek Banerjee are quite active on Twitter and Facebook. The chief minister has around 2.9 million followers on Facebook and 3.25 million followers on Twitter. Besides Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah, Union minister Babul Supriyo who is BJP candidate from Asansol, is one of the most popular faces of the party on social media.

Web series vs music video: Trinamool Congress, BJP fight it out on social media

Union minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari has hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying he is levelling corruption allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for political gains, and asserted that Modi should be respected for the position he holds.

In an interview to PTI, he also slammed Gandhi's proposed minimum income scheme to give Rs 72,000 per year to 20 per cent of the poor in the country, dubbing it a "populist slogan" and a "political strategy" to seek votes from the poor.

Dismissing the opposition's charge that the BJP sidelined veteran leaders like L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, he said the party held them in high regard and drew guidance and inspiration from them.

He said any views of Advani were the words of the BJP and that "misquoting" him, by saying the saffron party terms the opposition as anti-national, was not correct.

"The way in which he speaks about the prime minister is not good. A prime minister does not belong to a party but the country and it is the duty of every citizen to respect and recognise the prime minister as a prime minister. Rahul Gandhi unfortunately uses very bad terminology," he said.

Criticising Gandhi's 'Nyunatam Aay Yojana' (Nyay), he said Rs 3,50,000 crore are required to implement it.

"Where will they get the money from? And, if they are using this money, how will they make budgetary provisions for other sectors like agriculture?" Gadkari said.

He said the need of the hour was to create good policies for better employment potential and increase in growth rate and per capita income.

"However, if populist slogans are made for political purpose, they may affect the economy. The credibility of Congress is not good," he said.

Gadkari said since 1947, the Congress has been raising the slogan of 'garibi hatao' (remove poverty).

"Then the 40-point programme, the 20-point programme, the 5-point programme, but nothing worked. This is only a political strategy and a political declaration to take votes from the poor," the road, transport and highways minister said.

Asked about the opposition's criticism that the BJP was sidelining its senior leaders like Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, the minister they were the party's motivation.

"In every party, by law of nature, after some age, everyone has to retire. We have respect, regard and recognition for Advaniji and Joshiji. They are still our guide, philosopher, inspiration and motivation," he said.

"Everywhere - in media, corporates, film industry - there is an age limit for everybody, on the basis of that the party has taken a decision," he added.

Advani in a blog post last week said his party has never regarded those who disagreed with it politically as "anti-nationals" or "enemies" but only as adversaries.

Speaking about Advani's blog, Gadkari said the party holds the same view about anything spoken or written by him.

"We are all with Advaniji over the blog written by him. Even Modiji is with him. However, using some statement and misquoting him that we term the opposition parties as anti-national is totally wrong," he said.

"I feel in the spirit of whatever Advaniji has written in his blog, we are all of the same opinion and have no problem, but a section of media misquoted him to create confusion. The fact is that whatever Advaniji speaks or writes in his blog, we are all of same opinion," the minister said.

Gadkari said the Modi government's policies are aimed at creating more employment potential.

However, like there is a cycle in every business, the present agricultural crisis is a big issue but the government is trying to create more employment by creating irrigation facilities, agro-processing industries and diversification of agriculture towards energy and power sector and making plastic from ethanol, he said.

"These are the new innovations and research taken by our government which will create new jobs. Ultimately there is a cycle everywhere in the world. Some industries are in a good position, some bad," he noted.

"Today, real estate is facing a problem. The steel industry was in the past facing problems, but now is in a good position because we erased duty on import of steel," he said.

Strong policies have been put in place to generate employment, he said, adding that though it may take time, there will be strong positive results.

Union minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari has hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying he is levelling corruption allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for political gains, and asserted that Modi should be respected for the position he holds.

Union minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari has hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying he is levelling corruption allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for political gains, and asserted that Modi should be respected for the position he holds. In an interview to PTI, he also slammed Gandhi's proposed minimum income scheme to give Rs 72,000 per year to 20 per cent of the poor in the country, dubbing it a "populist slogan" and a "political strategy" to seek votes from the poor. Dismissing the opposition's charge that the BJP sidelined veteran leaders like L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, he said the party held them in high regard and drew guidance and inspiration from them. He said any views of Advani were the words of the BJP and that "misquoting" him, by saying the saffron party terms the opposition as anti-national, was not correct. "The way in which he speaks about the prime minister is not good. A prime minister does not belong to a party but the country and it is the duty of every citizen to respect and recognise the prime minister as a prime minister. Rahul Gandhi unfortunately uses very bad terminology," he said. Criticising Gandhi's 'Nyunatam Aay Yojana' (Nyay), he said Rs 3,50,000 crore are required to implement it. "Where will they get the money from? And, if they are using this money, how will they make budgetary provisions for other sectors like agriculture?" Gadkari said. He said the need of the hour was to create good policies for better employment potential and increase in growth rate and per capita income. "However, if populist slogans are made for political purpose, they may affect the economy. The credibility of Congress is not good," he said. Gadkari said since 1947, the Congress has been raising the slogan of 'garibi hatao' (remove poverty). "Then the 40-point programme, the 20-point programme, the 5-point programme, but nothing worked. This is only a political strategy and a political declaration to take votes from the poor," the road, transport and highways minister said. Asked about the opposition's criticism that the BJP was sidelining its senior leaders like Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, the minister they were the party's motivation. "In every party, by law of nature, after some age, everyone has to retire. We have respect, regard and recognition for Advaniji and Joshiji. They are still our guide, philosopher, inspiration and motivation," he said. "Everywhere - in media, corporates, film industry - there is an age limit for everybody, on the basis of that the party has taken a decision," he added. Advani in a blog post last week said his party has never regarded those who disagreed with it politically as "anti-nationals" or "enemies" but only as adversaries. Speaking about Advani's blog, Gadkari said the party holds the same view about anything spoken or written by him. "We are all with Advaniji over the blog written by him. Even Modiji is with him. However, using some statement and misquoting him that we term the opposition parties as anti-national is totally wrong," he said. "I feel in the spirit of whatever Advaniji has written in his blog, we are all of the same opinion and have no problem, but a section of media misquoted him to create confusion. The fact is that whatever Advaniji speaks or writes in his blog, we are all of same opinion," the minister said. Gadkari said the Modi government's policies are aimed at creating more employment potential. However, like there is a cycle in every business, the present agricultural crisis is a big issue but the government is trying to create more employment by creating irrigation facilities, agro-processing industries and diversification of agriculture towards energy and power sector and making plastic from ethanol, he said. "These are the new innovations and research taken by our government which will create new jobs. Ultimately there is a cycle everywhere in the world. Some industries are in a good position, some bad," he noted. "Today, real estate is facing a problem. The steel industry was in the past facing problems, but now is in a good position because we erased duty on import of steel," he said. Strong policies have been put in place to generate employment, he said, adding that though it may take time, there will be strong positive results.

Rahul levelling corruption allegations against Modi for political gains: Gadkari

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