In this segment WION Is In Conversation with Mr. Lord Meghnad Desai over last phase of Lok Sabha Polls tomorrow.

In Conversation with Mr. Lord Meghnad Desai over last phase of Lok Sabha Polls tomorrow

59 Seats, 7 States & 918 Candidates; Countdown starts for last Phase. The Final leg of Lok Sabha Polls to kickstarts. Watch this video to know more.

59 Seats, 7 States & 918 Candidates; Countdown starts for last Phase

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has called a meeting of senior Congress leaders on May 22, a day ahead of the counting of votes in the Lok Sabha elections.

All senior leaders, General Secretaries and 'in-charge'&nbsp;of the party have been called by Gandhi to prepare for the meeting of UPA allies and some other parties she has convened on May 23 in a bid to keep the BJP out of power if the ruling party is short of a majority in a hung house.

The possibility of roping in new non-NDA parties into the UPA coalition to buttress the opposition numbers may be discussed in the May 22 meeting, sources said.

After the feedback session, tasks will be assigned to various leaders as per their expertise. A team of four leaders has already been put in place to reach out to potential allies and is working hard to make the alliance meeting successful.

Gandhi is understood to have invited leaders of secular parties including NCP chief Sharad Pawar, DMK chief MK Stalin, RJD and TMC for the meeting on a day the results will be out.

Everybody is working hard to sway fence sitters and the Congress was also seeing a change in the tone of leaders like Telangana Chief Minister K.

Chandrashekar Rao. Rao has recently met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and DMK chief M K Stalin as part of his efforts to form a third front government.

There were reports that Rao and the chief of YSRCP Congress Jaganmohan Reddy have also been invited but there was no confirmation.

The sources said Congress was confident that BJP was not going to get a majority and that was why it wanted to put in place a front to outsmart the rival BJP in case of a hung Parliament.&nbsp;

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has called a meeting of senior Congress leaders on May 22, a day ahead of the counting of votes in the Lok Sabha elections. All senior leaders, General Secretaries and 'in-charge' of the party have been called by Gandhi to prepare for the meeting of UPA allies and some other parties she has convened on May 23 in a bid to keep the BJP out of power if the ruling party is short of a majority in a hung house.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has called a meeting of senior Congress leaders on May 22, a day ahead of the counting of votes in the Lok Sabha elections. All senior leaders, General Secretaries and 'in-charge' of the party have been called by Gandhi to prepare for the meeting of UPA allies and some other parties she has convened on May 23 in a bid to keep the BJP out of power if the ruling party is short of a majority in a hung house. The possibility of roping in new non-NDA parties into the UPA coalition to buttress the opposition numbers may be discussed in the May 22 meeting, sources said. After the feedback session, tasks will be assigned to various leaders as per their expertise. A team of four leaders has already been put in place to reach out to potential allies and is working hard to make the alliance meeting successful. Gandhi is understood to have invited leaders of secular parties including NCP chief Sharad Pawar, DMK chief MK Stalin, RJD and TMC for the meeting on a day the results will be out. Everybody is working hard to sway fence sitters and the Congress was also seeing a change in the tone of leaders like Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. Rao has recently met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and DMK chief M K Stalin as part of his efforts to form a third front government. There were reports that Rao and the chief of YSRCP Congress Jaganmohan Reddy have also been invited but there was no confirmation. The sources said Congress was confident that BJP was not going to get a majority and that was why it wanted to put in place a front to outsmart the rival BJP in case of a hung Parliament.

Sonia Gandhi calls meeting of senior Congress leaders on May 22 to muster strategies

Today marks the last day of campaigning (except West Bengal) for the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha election 2019, political parties across the country will leave no stone unturned in their attempts to woo the voters. Watch this video to know more.

India Votes: Final push by star campaigners

In this segment of India Election Watch, Know Which are the Key Battles in Phase 7 in Lok Sabha Polls 2019. #LokSabhaElection2019 #GeneralElections2019 #PMModi

India Election Watch: Key Battles In Phase 7

In this segment of India Election Watch, Know What is The Battle For Punjab in Lok Sabha Polls 2019. #LokSabhaElection2019 #GeneralElections2019 #PMModi

India Election Watch: The Battle For Punjab

In this segment of 'India Election Watch' We Decodes Congress' U-Turn On PM Choice with Mr. Arun Anand, Senior Journalist; Mr. K. Dakshinamurty, Senior Journalist & Mr. Lord Meghnad Desai, Author & Professor Emeritus at LSE. #LokSabhaElection2019 #GeneralElections2019 #PMModi

India Election Watch: Decodes Congress' U-Turn On PM Choice

In this segment of India Election watch, Watch Congress'U-Turn On PM Choice. Watch this video to know more. #GeneralElections2019 #LokSabhaElection2019 #PMModi

India Election watch: Congress' U-Turn On PM Choice

In this segment of 'India Election Watch' We Decodes Pragya Thakur's ''Godse is Patriot'' statement with Mr. Arun Anand, Senior Journalist; Mr. K. Dakshinamurty, Senior Journalist & Mr. Lord Meghnad Desai, Author & Professor Emeritus at LSE. #LokSabhaElection2019 #GeneralElections2019 #PMModi

India Election Watch: Decodes Pragya Thakur's ''Godse is Patriot'' statement With Some Experts

Watch Prime Minister Narendra Modi's exclusive talk to Zee Media. PM Modi speaks on West Bengal violence. He said, Obstacles were posed for every BJP rally in Bengal. Watch video to know more.

PM Modi: Obstacles posed for every BJP rally

In this segment of India Election Watch, Know Why Gorakhpur Matters For BJP. #LokSabhaElection2019 #GeneralElections2019 #PMModi

India Election Watch: Why Gorakhpur Matters For BJP

In this segment of 'India Election Watch' We Decodes Decodes BJP's Confidence Of Comeback with Mr. Arun Anand, Senior Journalist; Mr. K. Dakshinamurty, Senior Journalist & Mr. Lord Meghnad Desai, Author & Professor Emeritus at LSE. #LokSabhaElection2019 #GeneralElections2019 #PMModi

India Election Watch: Decodes BJP's Confidence of Comeback With Some Experts

In this segment of 'India Election Watch' We Decodes Gorakhpur; Yogi's Prestige Battle with Mr. Arun Anand, Senior Journalist; Mr. K. Dakshinamurty, Senior Journalist & Mr. Lord Meghnad Desai, Author & Professor Emeritus at LSE. #LokSabhaElection2019 #GeneralElections2019 #PMModi

India Election Watch: Decodes Gorakhpur; Yogi's Prestige Battle

Today Priyanka Gandhi said that World's biggest actor is Prime Minister. Priyanka Gandhi campaigns in Uttar Pradesh today. BJP leaders also assured to return with greater margins. Watch this video to know more. #LokSabhaElection2019 #GeneralElections2019 #PMModi

India Election Watch: Final Day of Campaign

In this segment of India Election Watch, Know how BJP's Pragya Thakur sparks trouble for her own party. #LokSabhaElection2019 #GeneralElections2019 #PMModi

India Election Watch: BJP's Pragya Thakur Sparks Trouble For Party

Complete press conference of BJP & Congress: Rahul Gandhi slammed PM Modi where PM Modi said people have decided BJP is winning. Watch this video to know more.

BJP, Congress PC: Rahul Slams PM Modi; PM Modi Says People Have Decided BJP Is Winning

"The people of the country have decided that our government will be formed. I hope that the new government will start functioning at the earliest," PM Narendra Modi said.

BJP Press Conference: PM Modi Speaks On Election Campaign

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attending first press conference accompanied by BJP president Amit Shah just days before polling for Lok Sabha election 2019 ended.

Congress Press Conference: Rahul Gandhi Slams PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi exclusively talks to Zee Media. During the interview PM Modi said that he have special connection with the people of West Bengal. Watch video to know more.

Exclusive: PM Modi speaks on Bengal Violence

Friday marks the last day of campaigning for the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha election 2019. Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh. Watch this video to know more.

PM Modi addresses mega rally in Madhya Pradesh

West Bengal has become the final battleground in the showdown between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the opposition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an election rally on Friday promised to rebuild Vidyasagar statue which was vandalized during BJP President Amit Shah’s roadshow in Kolkata. Watch this video to know more.

PM Narendra Modi promises to rebuild Vidyasagar statue

Watch this segment to know latest updates of Lok Sabha elections 2019.

Lok Sabha elections 2019: Watch latest election news

BJP president Amit Shah on Thursday appealed to voters to vote for BJP candidate Rampati Ram Tripathi not only for the work done by BJP in the past but also for the security provided to the nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking at an election rally here, Shah said, "You may vote for our candidate for the development work done in the past but you should also vote for him because, under the leadership Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has become secured from terrorism."

The BJP president accused the UPA government of being soft on the issue of terrorism.

Shah said, "Rahul Gandhi's Guru Sam Pitroda said that attacks like Pulwama happen all the time, why were air strikes required? We said that if you want to appease terrorists, you do it but we would never forgive those who disrupt peace within our borders."

Shah spoke about the development initiatives of the BJP government and praised the former MP Kalraj Mishra for developing "Purvanchal corridor, fertilizers industry in Gorakhpur, research centre in Gorakhpur to fight against Japanese Influenza, Purvanchal expressway, and loan waiver of sugarcane farmers."

After Mishra left the Deoria seat and decided not to participate in the Lok Sabha Polls, the BJP decided to field Ramapati Ram Tripathi from Deoria against Binod Kumar Jaiswal of the BSP and Congress'&nbsp;Niyaz Ahmad Khan.

The remaining 59 seats would go to poll on May 19 in the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

BJP president Amit Shah on Thursday appealed to voters to vote for BJP candidate Rampati Ram Tripathi not only for the work done by BJP in the past but also for the security provided to the nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

BJP president Amit Shah on Thursday appealed to voters to vote for BJP candidate Rampati Ram Tripathi not only for the work done by BJP in the past but also for the security provided to the nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at an election rally here, Shah said, "You may vote for our candidate for the development work done in the past but you should also vote for him because, under the leadership Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has become secured from terrorism." The BJP president accused the UPA government of being soft on the issue of terrorism. Shah said, "Rahul Gandhi's Guru Sam Pitroda said that attacks like Pulwama happen all the time, why were air strikes required? We said that if you want to appease terrorists, you do it but we would never forgive those who disrupt peace within our borders." Shah spoke about the development initiatives of the BJP government and praised the former MP Kalraj Mishra for developing "Purvanchal corridor, fertilizers industry in Gorakhpur, research centre in Gorakhpur to fight against Japanese Influenza, Purvanchal expressway, and loan waiver of sugarcane farmers." After Mishra left the Deoria seat and decided not to participate in the Lok Sabha Polls, the BJP decided to field Ramapati Ram Tripathi from Deoria against Binod Kumar Jaiswal of the BSP and Congress' Niyaz Ahmad Khan. The remaining 59 seats would go to poll on May 19 in the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Vote for national security, appeals Amit Shah at election rally in Deoria

In this segment of India Election Watch, Know The story of Vidyasagar. Watch this video to know more.

India Election Watch: The story of Vidyasagar

In this segment of India Election Watch, Know will soft Hindutva help Congress? Watch this video to know more.

India Election Watch: Will soft Hindutva help Congress?

In this segment of India Election Watch, Know what Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his campaigns. Watch this video to know more. 'India Election Watch' is the show that brings you the latest on world's biggest electoral exercise, Verified updates & Unbiased analysis.

India Election Watch: A confident Modi campaigns in 3 states

India's famed political family - the Gandhis cast their vote in capital New Delhi in the penultimate phase of the mammoth Indian elections on Sunday (May 12).

India's Gandhi family members vote in New Delhi

Just when we are nearing the close of this gruelling election season, Time magazine Asia’s cover story for May 20 has been receiving wide publicity. It shows a grim-looking Narendra Modi, in an Indian style black bandgala jacket, now popularly known as a Modi jacket, and a saffron shawl draped around his neck. So far so good. Why shouldn’t an Indian serving Prime Minister and most visible candidate, besides most likely to be re-elected incumbent, not grace the cover of an international newsmagazine, especially towards the end of the world’s largest and greatest parliamentary elections? Nearly a billion voters are eligible to cast their secret ballots in the mother of all election battles. Surely, this deserves the attention of the world.&nbsp;

But, wait a minute. What’s the caption next to the photo? “India’s Divider in Chief.” The cover story so titled is by gifted writer and novelist, Aatish Taseer. As if to offer a slightly balancing backup, also blazoned on the cover, is “Modi the Reformer” by Ian Bremmer. After reading both, one cannot but be disappointed. Bremmer makes an attempt to paint Modi in contradictory more than contrasting colours as both economic reformer and failure. There is little approbation for the huge slew of reforms and improvements carried out by the government. Hardly a word in favour of the palpable reduction in corruption, swacch bharat, ujjwala, infrastructure development, reduction in inflation, and blistering growth rate, many of which are seen as incomplete or inadequate. Bremmer’s scathing scepticism may be dismissed as typical of the fading vestiges of the white man’s burden, now more evident in envious disbelief of India’s economic miracle than in any mandate to rule the world.&nbsp;

But it is Taseer’s spleen-driven surliness, almost childishly querulous at times, that is galling. How can the cover-story on Indian elections be such a malevolent diatribe against a single man? There is not the least semblance of neutrality or objectivity here, nor attempt to present a sensible or balanced appraisal. It is an out-and-out hatchet job, full of selectively vicious quotes and incidents, often taken out of context and strung together to amount to a damning indictment. Repeatedly highlighting the plight of the frightened and disenfranchised minorities, mostly Muslims, under assault from the Hindu majority that Taseer portrays as invariably callous, even murderous, his article is nothing short of a doomsday dismissal of both Modi and India.&nbsp;

How to understand Taseer’s fustian fulminations? A good word for his kind of discourse would be re-Orientalism. Coined some ten years back by Lisa Lau, re-Orientalism refers to the continuation of narrative colonialism in post-colonial times. The major difference, however, is that its purveyors and perpetrators are no longer (mostly) white men, but “Orientals” such as ourselves. Mostly diasporic and highly privileged, these re-Orientalists, distort “the representation of the Orient, seizing voice and platform, and once again consigning the Oriental within the Orient to a position of ‘The Other.’” Taseer, with his last book on — what else but Varanasi — surely fits the bill. There is little room for the common Indian or the “real” India in his works, most of which are manufactured and intended for a Western audience.&nbsp;

There are ironies and contradictions galore in Taseer’s piece. “The Great Divider” was a moniker invented for none other than Barack Hussain Obama, the darling of Left Liberals the world over. If Donald Trump inherited it, it was by its sheer currency as an established political descriptor. The big contradiction, when it comes to Modi, is that Modi is actually India’s great Unifier-in-Chief. Modi has not only united Hindus as never before, but also integrated the great Indian middle class into a powerful political formation. He has given them a voice in addition to a vote. He has also unified the opposition, as Taseer acknowledges, “with no agenda other than to defeat him.”&nbsp;

Luckily, there is a silver lining to Taseer’s febrile lamentations. The more Modi is berated in the Western—or for that matter the Indian — media, the more popular he becomes with the Indian masses. Time Asia’s cover story, negative though it certainly is, will strengthen the resolve of the educated classes to vote for him. Especially given of the contempt poured out on their choice of him his their PM, they will take such denunciations as an additional reason make good on the promise, phir ek baar Modi Sarkar (one more time, Modi in power). In the end, of course, what Time says, or does not, matters little to us. We have moved on. To that extent, Taseer’s cover story may end up, if not as a last minute free fillip to campaign Modi, then little more than a blip, a momentary flicker or irritated swipe on a smartphone screen.&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-prime-minister-narendra-modi-great-unifier-or-divider-2748002">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

Just when we are nearing the close of this gruelling election season, Time magazine Asia’s cover story for May 20 has been receiving wide publicity. It shows a grim-looking Narendra Modi, in an Indian style black bandgala jacket, now popularly known as a Modi jacket, and a saffron shawl draped around his neck.

Just when we are nearing the close of this gruelling election season, Time magazine Asia’s cover story for May 20 has been receiving wide publicity. It shows a grim-looking Narendra Modi, in an Indian style black bandgala jacket, now popularly known as a Modi jacket, and a saffron shawl draped around his neck. So far so good. Why shouldn’t an Indian serving Prime Minister and most visible candidate, besides most likely to be re-elected incumbent, not grace the cover of an international newsmagazine, especially towards the end of the world’s largest and greatest parliamentary elections? Nearly a billion voters are eligible to cast their secret ballots in the mother of all election battles. Surely, this deserves the attention of the world. But, wait a minute. What’s the caption next to the photo? “India’s Divider in Chief.” The cover story so titled is by gifted writer and novelist, Aatish Taseer. As if to offer a slightly balancing backup, also blazoned on the cover, is “Modi the Reformer” by Ian Bremmer. After reading both, one cannot but be disappointed. Bremmer makes an attempt to paint Modi in contradictory more than contrasting colours as both economic reformer and failure. There is little approbation for the huge slew of reforms and improvements carried out by the government. Hardly a word in favour of the palpable reduction in corruption, swacch bharat, ujjwala, infrastructure development, reduction in inflation, and blistering growth rate, many of which are seen as incomplete or inadequate. Bremmer’s scathing scepticism may be dismissed as typical of the fading vestiges of the white man’s burden, now more evident in envious disbelief of India’s economic miracle than in any mandate to rule the world. But it is Taseer’s spleen-driven surliness, almost childishly querulous at times, that is galling. How can the cover-story on Indian elections be such a malevolent diatribe against a single man? There is not the least semblance of neutrality or objectivity here, nor attempt to present a sensible or balanced appraisal. It is an out-and-out hatchet job, full of selectively vicious quotes and incidents, often taken out of context and strung together to amount to a damning indictment. Repeatedly highlighting the plight of the frightened and disenfranchised minorities, mostly Muslims, under assault from the Hindu majority that Taseer portrays as invariably callous, even murderous, his article is nothing short of a doomsday dismissal of both Modi and India. How to understand Taseer’s fustian fulminations? A good word for his kind of discourse would be re-Orientalism. Coined some ten years back by Lisa Lau, re-Orientalism refers to the continuation of narrative colonialism in post-colonial times. The major difference, however, is that its purveyors and perpetrators are no longer (mostly) white men, but “Orientals” such as ourselves. Mostly diasporic and highly privileged, these re-Orientalists, distort “the representation of the Orient, seizing voice and platform, and once again consigning the Oriental within the Orient to a position of ‘The Other.’” Taseer, with his last book on — what else but Varanasi — surely fits the bill. There is little room for the common Indian or the “real” India in his works, most of which are manufactured and intended for a Western audience. There are ironies and contradictions galore in Taseer’s piece. “The Great Divider” was a moniker invented for none other than Barack Hussain Obama, the darling of Left Liberals the world over. If Donald Trump inherited it, it was by its sheer currency as an established political descriptor. The big contradiction, when it comes to Modi, is that Modi is actually India’s great Unifier-in-Chief. Modi has not only united Hindus as never before, but also integrated the great Indian middle class into a powerful political formation. He has given them a voice in addition to a vote. He has also unified the opposition, as Taseer acknowledges, “with no agenda other than to defeat him.” Luckily, there is a silver lining to Taseer’s febrile lamentations. The more Modi is berated in the Western—or for that matter the Indian — media, the more popular he becomes with the Indian masses. Time Asia’s cover story, negative though it certainly is, will strengthen the resolve of the educated classes to vote for him. Especially given of the contempt poured out on their choice of him his their PM, they will take such denunciations as an additional reason make good on the promise, phir ek baar Modi Sarkar (one more time, Modi in power). In the end, of course, what Time says, or does not, matters little to us. We have moved on. To that extent, Taseer’s cover story may end up, if not as a last minute free fillip to campaign Modi, then little more than a blip, a momentary flicker or irritated swipe on a smartphone screen. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Narendra Modi has integrated the middle class into a powerful political formation

Bharatiya Janata Party's East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir on Saturday said he really hopes that the best candidate ends up winning the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi.

Gambhir visited Bangla Sahib gurudwara a day before Delhi is scheduled to go on polling.

"I wished that who so ever is the best candidate from the East Delhi constituency should win the election. I believe in god, and I really hope that the best candidate ends up winning the election. I am not here to boost my candidature, I really hope the best candidate wins," Gambhir told ANI.

"The type of response we have received, I really think the hard work will pay for us. I am new in politics, so I am not aware of the support one gets. The type of hard work we have put in, I think it has paid off for us, rest depends on the people. There`s one message that winning or losing will go on, but one should not stoop so low that you fail to recognise your conscience," he added.

Gambhir has been surrounded by controversy as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused him of distributing defamatory pamphlets targeting his opponent Atishi Marlena.

The AAP leader broke down while addressing a press conference on Thursday, where she along with a party colleague and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia lashed out at Gambhir.

Soon, Gambhir rubbished the allegations saying if proven guilty, he would quit politics.

He also sent a defamation notice to Atishi, Kejriwal, and Sisodia, demanding an unconditional apology for making "defamatory" comments against him.

AAP, responding to Gambhir`s notice, sent a legal notice to him and the BJP over the derogatory pamphlet.

Bharatiya Janata Party's East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir on Saturday said he really hopes that the best candidate ends up winning the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi.

Bharatiya Janata Party's East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir on Saturday said he really hopes that the best candidate ends up winning the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi. Gambhir visited Bangla Sahib gurudwara a day before Delhi is scheduled to go on polling. "I wished that who so ever is the best candidate from the East Delhi constituency should win the election. I believe in god, and I really hope that the best candidate ends up winning the election. I am not here to boost my candidature, I really hope the best candidate wins," Gambhir told ANI. "The type of response we have received, I really think the hard work will pay for us. I am new in politics, so I am not aware of the support one gets. The type of hard work we have put in, I think it has paid off for us, rest depends on the people. There`s one message that winning or losing will go on, but one should not stoop so low that you fail to recognise your conscience," he added. Gambhir has been surrounded by controversy as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused him of distributing defamatory pamphlets targeting his opponent Atishi Marlena. The AAP leader broke down while addressing a press conference on Thursday, where she along with a party colleague and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia lashed out at Gambhir. Soon, Gambhir rubbished the allegations saying if proven guilty, he would quit politics. He also sent a defamation notice to Atishi, Kejriwal, and Sisodia, demanding an unconditional apology for making "defamatory" comments against him. AAP, responding to Gambhir`s notice, sent a legal notice to him and the BJP over the derogatory pamphlet.

Really hope the best candidate wins Lok Sabha polls: Gautam Gambhir

Watch this segment to know Lok Sabha elections related latest news.

Around 5000 women in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu made a unique record by dancing in synchronisation with their voter ID cards. They created the record of ‘largest folk dance with voter cards’ which has been listed in India Book of Records. Their feat was also aimed at creating awareness about the ongoing general elections. Watch this video.

5000 women create record of ‘largest folk dance with voter cards'

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