BJP president Amit Shah took oath at the much awaited swearing-in ceremony as a minster in Modi government's cabinet on Thursday. Watch this video to know more.

BJP chief Amit Shah joins Modi's cabinet 2.0

Putting all speculations to rest, BJP president Amit Shah took oath at the much awaited swearing-in ceremony as a minster in Modi government's cabinet on Thursday. However, the biggest surprise that PM Modi threw up was the inclusion of former foreign secretary S Jaishankar Prasad in cabinet. Watch this video to know more.

Amit Shah, S Jaishankar PM Narendra Modi's surprise pick

43-year-old Smriti Irani, newly elected MP from Amethi, defeated Rahul Gandhi, for the second time took oath as Union minister . After which, he became the youngest minister in the new cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Watch this video to know more.

Smriti Irani takes oath as cabinet minister

Narendra Modi took oath of office and secrecy as Prime Minister for the second consecutive term, administered by President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday. Watch this video to know more.

Watch: Highlights of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony

BJP president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-pm-modis-right-hand-man-is-indias-new-home-minister-223085">Amit Shah </a>and former Foreign Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/s-jaishankar-is-the-new-foreign-minister-will-replace-sushma-swaraj-223083">S. Jaishankar </a>are the most prominent faces in the considerable number of first-timers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s Cabinet.

While Shah got hold of the Home Ministry, Jaishankar will helm External Affairs.

Modi`s Cabinet has six new Cabinet ministers and close to 15 new Ministers of State.

Here`s how the new faces have fared -Former Uttrakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal will be handling the HRD ministry.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-20-rajnath-singh-is-defence-minister-amit-shah-home-nirmala-sitharaman-gets-finace-223084">Modi 2.0: Rajnath Singh is Defence Minister, Amit Shah Home; Nirmala Sitharaman gets Finance</a>

Popular tribal leader and former chief minister of Jharkhand, Arjun Munda, made it to the big league and will take care of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Shiv Sena`s Arvind Ganpat Sawant, the MP from Mumbai-South, will now be the in-charge of Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.

A lawmaker from Karnataka, Pralhad Joshi, who won with one of the highest margins in Karnataka, will head the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs along with the charge of Coal and Mines.

BJP MP from Chandauli, Mahendra Nath Pandey has been given the post of Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the 17th Lok Sabha.

Under the category of Ministers of State, new-inductee Anurag Thakur will be part of the Finance Ministry.

Debasree Chaudhuri from West Bengal will be the MoS in Women and Child Development Ministry.

Talked about for his austere lifestyle, BJP MP from Odisha Pratap Chandra Sarangi will look after MSMEs and Ministry of Animal Husbandry.

Other new Ministers of State are - Prahalad Singh Patel G Kishan Reddy, Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre, Debasree Chaudhuri, Kailash Choudhary, Rameswar Teli Nityanand Rai, Rattan Lal Kataria, V Muraleedharan, Renuka Singh Saruta, Som Parkash and Angadi Suresh Channabasappa.&nbsp;

BJP president Amit Shah and former Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar are the most prominent faces in the considerable number of first-timers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s Cabinet.

BJP president Amit Shah and former Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar are the most prominent faces in the considerable number of first-timers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s Cabinet. While Shah got hold of the Home Ministry, Jaishankar will helm External Affairs. Modi`s Cabinet has six new Cabinet ministers and close to 15 new Ministers of State. Here`s how the new faces have fared -Former Uttrakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal will be handling the HRD ministry. Also read: Modi 2.0: Rajnath Singh is Defence Minister, Amit Shah Home; Nirmala Sitharaman gets Finance Popular tribal leader and former chief minister of Jharkhand, Arjun Munda, made it to the big league and will take care of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Shiv Sena`s Arvind Ganpat Sawant, the MP from Mumbai-South, will now be the in-charge of Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. A lawmaker from Karnataka, Pralhad Joshi, who won with one of the highest margins in Karnataka, will head the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs along with the charge of Coal and Mines. BJP MP from Chandauli, Mahendra Nath Pandey has been given the post of Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the 17th Lok Sabha. Under the category of Ministers of State, new-inductee Anurag Thakur will be part of the Finance Ministry. Debasree Chaudhuri from West Bengal will be the MoS in Women and Child Development Ministry. Talked about for his austere lifestyle, BJP MP from Odisha Pratap Chandra Sarangi will look after MSMEs and Ministry of Animal Husbandry. Other new Ministers of State are - Prahalad Singh Patel G Kishan Reddy, Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre, Debasree Chaudhuri, Kailash Choudhary, Rameswar Teli Nityanand Rai, Rattan Lal Kataria, V Muraleedharan, Renuka Singh Saruta, Som Parkash and Angadi Suresh Channabasappa.

Modi Cabinet 2.0: First-timers and their portfolios

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday named <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/nirmala-sitharaman-the-first-full-time-woman-defence-minister-retained-as-union-minister-222866">Nirmala Sitharaman</a> as the next finance minister of the country.

She will replace Arun Jaitley, who had expressed his unwillingness to join the new Modi government owing to his health, in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-20-rajnath-singh-is-defence-minister-amit-shah-home-nirmala-sitharaman-gets-finace-223084">portfolios announced by the government today</a>.

Sitharaman was the defence minister in the previous NDA dispensation. Before being elevated as the Defence minister, Sitharaman served as the Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs in the Modi government. She was also Minister for Commerce and Industry with independent charge.

At 59, she is the senior most woman minister in Modi's cabinet and the second woman to head the finance department after late former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

"I have a neutral view. We will have to wait for her to speak to get her thoughts and ideas on reforms for the markets and the economy, but it will be in line with what the BJP-led government would overall target anyway," said Bekxy Kuriakose, head of fixed income, principal asset management in Mumbai.

"Nirmala Sitharaman is a relatively unknown entity despite holding a key portfolio in the previous government. Expectations as such will be low. From the markets' perspective, it's neutral at this stage," said Sandeep Sabharwal, a domestic fund manager.

Watch: Sitharaman takes oath as Union minister

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Sitharaman will take over the finance ministry when there is pressure from industry for the government to provide some stimulus to halt a worrying slowdown in India's $2.7 trillion economy.

India probably lost its spot as the fastest growing major economy to China in the January-March quarter as a chill in domestic and global consumer demand hit manufacturers and service providers. Data for the quarter is set to be released later on Friday.

The government is already considering rolling out a slew of 'big-bang' economic reforms in the first 100 days of Modi's second term, with a focus on privatisation of state assets and relaxation of labour and land rules for businesses, a top official at the government's main think tank said.

A post-graduate in Economics, Sitharaman earlier served as a national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is still remembered as one of its most articulate spokespersons, who fiercely attacked the Congress government over its various policies.

Now a seasoned politician, Sitharaman counts travel, trekking, music and cooking among her hobbies.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday named Nirmala Sitharaman as the next finance minister of the country. She will replace Arun Jaitley, who had expressed his unwillingness to join the new Modi government owing to his health, in the portfolios announced by the government today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday named Nirmala Sitharaman as the next finance minister of the country. She will replace Arun Jaitley, who had expressed his unwillingness to join the new Modi government owing to his health, in the portfolios announced by the government today. Sitharaman was the defence minister in the previous NDA dispensation. Before being elevated as the Defence minister, Sitharaman served as the Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs in the Modi government. She was also Minister for Commerce and Industry with independent charge. At 59, she is the senior most woman minister in Modi's cabinet and the second woman to head the finance department after late former prime minister Indira Gandhi. "I have a neutral view. We will have to wait for her to speak to get her thoughts and ideas on reforms for the markets and the economy, but it will be in line with what the BJP-led government would overall target anyway," said Bekxy Kuriakose, head of fixed income, principal asset management in Mumbai. "Nirmala Sitharaman is a relatively unknown entity despite holding a key portfolio in the previous government. Expectations as such will be low. From the markets' perspective, it's neutral at this stage," said Sandeep Sabharwal, a domestic fund manager. Watch: Sitharaman takes oath as Union minister Sitharaman will take over the finance ministry when there is pressure from industry for the government to provide some stimulus to halt a worrying slowdown in India's $2.7 trillion economy. India probably lost its spot as the fastest growing major economy to China in the January-March quarter as a chill in domestic and global consumer demand hit manufacturers and service providers. Data for the quarter is set to be released later on Friday. The government is already considering rolling out a slew of 'big-bang' economic reforms in the first 100 days of Modi's second term, with a focus on privatisation of state assets and relaxation of labour and land rules for businesses, a top official at the government's main think tank said. A post-graduate in Economics, Sitharaman earlier served as a national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is still remembered as one of its most articulate spokespersons, who fiercely attacked the Congress government over its various policies. Now a seasoned politician, Sitharaman counts travel, trekking, music and cooking among her hobbies. (With inputs from agencies)

Nirmala Sitharaman replaces Arun Jaitley as India's Finance Minister

BJP president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-bjps-chanakya-now-enters-government-222850">Amit Shah</a>, who took oath as a minister on Thursday, has been made the new Home Minister of the country. The portfolio was earlier handled by Rajnath Singh, who has been moved to Defence.

Shah won the Lok Sabha polls from Gandhinagar in Gujarat defeating Congress's J Chavda by a record margin of more than five lakh votes. He is the most notable inclusion in the government and will serve at the Centre for the first time as a minister.

"Thankful to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for reposing faith in me. Your leadership and continued support is a great source of inspiration. I assure you that I will put my best efforts to serve our people and country," he tweeted after taking oath on Thursday.

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Thankful to Prime Minister Shri <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ji for reposing faith in me. Your leadership and continued support is a great source of inspiration. I assure you that I will put my best efforts to serve our people and country. <a href="https://t.co/ZDLgv5w4Fw">pic.twitter.com/ZDLgv5w4Fw</a>
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As Prime Minister Narendra Modi's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/narendra-modi-takes-oath-as-prime-minister-for-second-time-222847">right-hand man</a> and long-time strategist, Shah would be in a powerful position as the country's home minister. He masterminded the BJP's landslide victory in the April-May general election in which the party won 303 of the 542 seats and is able to make the government on its own.

Shah has worked as Minister of State for Home Affairs in Gujarat when Modi was the chief minister of the state.

The first meeting of the new Union Cabinet will take place on Friday at 5:30 pm, a government official said.

The Union Cabinet for the 17th Lok Sabha includes 24 Cabinet ministers, nine Ministers of State with independent charge and 24 Ministers of State (MoS).

Top leaders who were sworn in as Cabinet ministers include Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, DV Sadananda Gowda, Nirmala Sitharaman, Ram Vilas Paswan and former foreign secretary S Jaishankar, a surprise pick.

Rajnath Singh, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/nirmala-sitharaman-the-first-full-time-woman-defence-minister-retained-as-union-minister-222866">Nirmala Sitharaman</a>, Nitin Gadkari, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Sadanand Gowda and representatives of BJP allies - Ram Vilas Paswan (LJSP), Harsimrat Kaur (Akali Dal), Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena) and Ramdas Athawale (RPI-A) who will be a Minister of State (MoS) also took oath.

Some of the key ministers in the previous Modi government, including Sushma Swaraj, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Maneka Gandhi, are not a part of the new Council of Ministers, while former finance minister Arun Jaitley opted out of the new Cabinet citing health reasons.

BJP president Amit Shah, who took oath as a minister on Thursday, has been made the new Home Minister of the country. The portfolio was earlier handled by Rajnath Singh, who has been moved to Defence.

BJP president Amit Shah, who took oath as a minister on Thursday, has been made the new Home Minister of the country. The portfolio was earlier handled by Rajnath Singh, who has been moved to Defence. Shah won the Lok Sabha polls from Gandhinagar in Gujarat defeating Congress's J Chavda by a record margin of more than five lakh votes. He is the most notable inclusion in the government and will serve at the Centre for the first time as a minister. "Thankful to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for reposing faith in me. Your leadership and continued support is a great source of inspiration. I assure you that I will put my best efforts to serve our people and country," he tweeted after taking oath on Thursday. Thankful to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji for reposing faith in me. Your leadership and continued support is a great source of inspiration. I assure you that I will put my best efforts to serve our people and country. pic.twitter.com/ZDLgv5w4Fw — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 30, 2019 × As Prime Minister Narendra Modi's right-hand man and long-time strategist, Shah would be in a powerful position as the country's home minister. He masterminded the BJP's landslide victory in the April-May general election in which the party won 303 of the 542 seats and is able to make the government on its own. Shah has worked as Minister of State for Home Affairs in Gujarat when Modi was the chief minister of the state. The first meeting of the new Union Cabinet will take place on Friday at 5:30 pm, a government official said. The Union Cabinet for the 17th Lok Sabha includes 24 Cabinet ministers, nine Ministers of State with independent charge and 24 Ministers of State (MoS). Top leaders who were sworn in as Cabinet ministers include Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, DV Sadananda Gowda, Nirmala Sitharaman, Ram Vilas Paswan and former foreign secretary S Jaishankar, a surprise pick. Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, Nitin Gadkari, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Sadanand Gowda and representatives of BJP allies - Ram Vilas Paswan (LJSP), Harsimrat Kaur (Akali Dal), Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena) and Ramdas Athawale (RPI-A) who will be a Minister of State (MoS) also took oath. Some of the key ministers in the previous Modi government, including Sushma Swaraj, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Maneka Gandhi, are not a part of the new Council of Ministers, while former finance minister Arun Jaitley opted out of the new Cabinet citing health reasons.

Amit Shah, PM Modi's right-hand man, is India's new Home Minister

The newly inducted Narendra Modi government will hold its first Cabinet meeting on Friday. According to reports, the cabinet meeting will be held around 5 PM on Friday. Watch this video to know more.

All-new Narendra Modi govt to hold its first Cabinet meet

Sushma Swaraj, Rajyavardhan Rathore and Mahesh Sharma are among the notable omissions in the BJP-led NDA's second innings. Despite winning their seats, eight-time MP Maneka Gandhi, six-time MP Radhamohan Singh, Sharma, Jayant Sinha, Anupriya Patel, Jual Oram, Ram Kripal Yadav and Rathore lost their ministerial berths.

Another key BJP leader, who did not make it to the Cabinet his time, is J P Nadda, the health minister in the first Modi dispensation. He could be the next BJP president as incumbent Amit Shah has joined the government. There were many from Modi's previous Cabinet who either did not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections or suffered defeat.

Swaraj had opted out of fighting the polls due to health reasons. Others who decided not to contest were Suresh Prabhu, who held the civil aviation portfolio, Uma Bharati, the minister of drinking water and sanitation and Birender Singh, who was the minister of steel.

Manoj Sinha, the minister of state for railways, Alphons Kannanthanam, the minister of tourism with independent charge, and Hansraj Ahir, the minister of state for home, were among those who tasted defeat in the elections. Former bureaucrat and minister of state for urban affairs (independent charge) Hardeep Singh Puri, however, retained his berth despite losing his seat.

Vijay Sampla, who was the minister of state, social justice and empowerment, was dropped. He had been denied a ticket by the BJP after it accused the party of "cow slaughter". Known for his controversial statements, Anantkumar Hegde, who held the skill development portfolio, has also been dropped.

Arun Jaitley, who was the finance minister, had opted out of being in the government for health reasons.

Sushma Swaraj, Rajyavardhan Rathore and Mahesh Sharma are among the notable omissions in the BJP-led NDA's second innings. Despite winning their seats, eight-time MP Maneka Gandhi, six-time MP Radhamohan Singh, Sharma, Jayant Sinha, Anupriya Patel, Jual Oram, Ram Kripal Yadav and Rathore lost their ministerial berths.

Sushma Swaraj, Rajyavardhan Rathore and Mahesh Sharma are among the notable omissions in the BJP-led NDA's second innings. Despite winning their seats, eight-time MP Maneka Gandhi, six-time MP Radhamohan Singh, Sharma, Jayant Sinha, Anupriya Patel, Jual Oram, Ram Kripal Yadav and Rathore lost their ministerial berths. Another key BJP leader, who did not make it to the Cabinet his time, is J P Nadda, the health minister in the first Modi dispensation. He could be the next BJP president as incumbent Amit Shah has joined the government. There were many from Modi's previous Cabinet who either did not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections or suffered defeat. Swaraj had opted out of fighting the polls due to health reasons. Others who decided not to contest were Suresh Prabhu, who held the civil aviation portfolio, Uma Bharati, the minister of drinking water and sanitation and Birender Singh, who was the minister of steel. Manoj Sinha, the minister of state for railways, Alphons Kannanthanam, the minister of tourism with independent charge, and Hansraj Ahir, the minister of state for home, were among those who tasted defeat in the elections. Former bureaucrat and minister of state for urban affairs (independent charge) Hardeep Singh Puri, however, retained his berth despite losing his seat. Vijay Sampla, who was the minister of state, social justice and empowerment, was dropped. He had been denied a ticket by the BJP after it accused the party of "cow slaughter". Known for his controversial statements, Anantkumar Hegde, who held the skill development portfolio, has also been dropped. Arun Jaitley, who was the finance minister, had opted out of being in the government for health reasons.

Sushma Swaraj, Maneka Gandhi, Rajyavardhan Rathore among notable omissions in Modi govt

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is not going to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief announced her decision in a tweet on Wednesday, accusing the BJP of making false claims about political violence in Bengal.

"It was my plan to accept the constitutional invitation and attend the oath-taking ceremony. However, in the last one hour, I am seeing media reports that the BJP are claiming 54 people have been murdered in political violence in Bengal. This is completely untrue," Banerjee said in her statement posted on Twitter. The tweet accompanying the statement reads, "The oath-taking ceremony is an august occasion to celebrate democracy, not one that should be devalued by any political party."

These deaths may have occurred due to personal enmity, family quarrels and other disputes; nothing related to politics. There is no such record with us. So, I am sorry Narendra Modi ji, this has compelled me not to attend the ceremony, Banerjee further said in her statement.

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The BJP lost many workers in panchayat, local body and parliamentary elections in West Bengal during election-related violence. Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah repeatedly highlighted the issue at the rallies they addressed.

Fifty four special guests, besides leaders from BIMSTEC countries and a host of celebrities and politicians, would be attending the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers on Thursday. The Prime Minister has specially invited family members of BJP workers who were killed in incidents of political violence in West Bengal over the past few years, a senior BJP leader said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Banerjee had said that she has accepted the invite to attend the ceremony. "I have spoken to other Chief Ministers also. Since it is a ceremonial program, we thought of attending it. Yes, I will go," she told media in Kolkata on Tuesday.

Banerjee had indulged in a war of words with Modi during the campaign period in the run-up to the elections, in which the BJP has made deep inroads into the Trinamool territory in West Bengal by winning 18 Lok Sabha seats out of 42. The TMC's victory was reduced from 34 in 2014 to 22 in 2019.

Modi will be sworn in for a second term as the prime minister on Thursday at 7pm in Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, along with members of the Union Council of Ministers.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is not going to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief announced her decision in a tweet on Wednesday, accusing the BJP of making false claims about political violence in Bengal.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is not going to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief announced her decision in a tweet on Wednesday, accusing the BJP of making false claims about political violence in Bengal. "It was my plan to accept the constitutional invitation and attend the oath-taking ceremony. However, in the last one hour, I am seeing media reports that the BJP are claiming 54 people have been murdered in political violence in Bengal. This is completely untrue," Banerjee said in her statement posted on Twitter. The tweet accompanying the statement reads, "The oath-taking ceremony is an august occasion to celebrate democracy, not one that should be devalued by any political party." These deaths may have occurred due to personal enmity, family quarrels and other disputes; nothing related to politics. There is no such record with us. So, I am sorry Narendra Modi ji, this has compelled me not to attend the ceremony, Banerjee further said in her statement. The oath-taking ceremony is an august occasion to celebrate democracy, not one that should be devalued by any political party pic.twitter.com/Mznq0xN11Q — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 29, 2019 × The BJP lost many workers in panchayat, local body and parliamentary elections in West Bengal during election-related violence. Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah repeatedly highlighted the issue at the rallies they addressed. Fifty four special guests, besides leaders from BIMSTEC countries and a host of celebrities and politicians, would be attending the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers on Thursday. The Prime Minister has specially invited family members of BJP workers who were killed in incidents of political violence in West Bengal over the past few years, a senior BJP leader said. Earlier on Tuesday, Banerjee had said that she has accepted the invite to attend the ceremony. "I have spoken to other Chief Ministers also. Since it is a ceremonial program, we thought of attending it. Yes, I will go," she told media in Kolkata on Tuesday. Banerjee had indulged in a war of words with Modi during the campaign period in the run-up to the elections, in which the BJP has made deep inroads into the Trinamool territory in West Bengal by winning 18 Lok Sabha seats out of 42. The TMC's victory was reduced from 34 in 2014 to 22 in 2019. Modi will be sworn in for a second term as the prime minister on Thursday at 7pm in Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, along with members of the Union Council of Ministers.

Mamata Banerjee won't attend Modi's swearing-in, says BJP using occasion to score political points

YSR Congress Party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister designate Y S Jaganmohan Reddy is likely to discuss offering outside or issue-based support to the Modi government when he meets the prime minister on Sunday, sources said Saturday.

Reddy, whose party stormed to power with a landslide victory in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, is scheduled to meet Modi in Delhi.

The meeting assumes significance as the YSRCP chief during the election campaign had repeatedly said that his party would support whoever promises Andhra Pradesh the Special Category Status.

According to an official source, the YSRCP chief will arrive in the national capital tomorrow morning and will meet the prime minister at noon.&nbsp;

After meeting Modi, he is expected to interact with Andhra Bhawan officials in the capital, the source added.&nbsp;

Reddy will take oath as new Chief Minister of the state on May 30 in Vijayawada.

Earlier Saturday he was unanimously elected as the leader of the YSRC legislature party.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

YSR Congress Party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister designate Y S Jaganmohan Reddy is likely to discuss offering outside or issue-based support to the Modi government when he meets the prime minister on Sunday, sources said Saturday.

YSR Congress Party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister designate Y S Jaganmohan Reddy is likely to discuss offering outside or issue-based support to the Modi government when he meets the prime minister on Sunday, sources said Saturday. Reddy, whose party stormed to power with a landslide victory in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, is scheduled to meet Modi in Delhi. The meeting assumes significance as the YSRCP chief during the election campaign had repeatedly said that his party would support whoever promises Andhra Pradesh the Special Category Status. According to an official source, the YSRCP chief will arrive in the national capital tomorrow morning and will meet the prime minister at noon. After meeting Modi, he is expected to interact with Andhra Bhawan officials in the capital, the source added. Reddy will take oath as new Chief Minister of the state on May 30 in Vijayawada. Earlier Saturday he was unanimously elected as the leader of the YSRC legislature party. (With inputs from PTI)

Jaganmohan to meet Modi, likely discuss outside or issue-based support to NDA govt

The Modi government will present the last budget of the current tenure on Friday. With the election around the corner, the budget is expected to be an interim one and present the outline for the next financial year beginning April 1.

In an election year, the incumbent government usually presents vote-on-account in Parliament which enables the government machinery to meet important expenses of administration, like salaries etc. The vote-on-account is usually for a period of three-four months and is meant to provide a smooth transition for the next government; it gives time to Parliament when it reconstitutes after the elections to discuss and pass the full Budget and allocate money accordingly.

The Modi government has indicated that this year's budget will not be a vote-on-account but an interim one. While the vote-on-account deals only with the expenditure side of the budget, an interim budget has both expenditure and receipts and gives the complete financial statement, much like a full budget.

India had been following a practice of presenting the budget on last working day of February. The Modi government changed that practice in 2017 and started presenting the budget on February 1. The move was challenged in the Supreme Court, but the court refused to intervene.

The budget session of Parliament began on January 31 and will go on till February 13. President Ram Nath Kovind delivered the joint sitting of the two Houses on January 31.&nbsp;

This year's interim Budget is going to be significant, according to a Zee Business channel report. Modi-led government could change the financial year cycle from April-March to January-December, thereby changing the 152-year long tradition that commenced in 1867. The report, citing sources, said that from 2020, the fiscal year will begin on January 1 and end on December 31, adding that the date for budget session of Parliament will also be changed.

The Modi government will present the last budget of the current tenure on Friday. With the election around the corner, the budget is expected to be an interim one and present the outline for the next financial year beginning April 1.

The Modi government will present the last budget of the current tenure on Friday. With the election around the corner, the budget is expected to be an interim one and present the outline for the next financial year beginning April 1. In an election year, the incumbent government usually presents vote-on-account in Parliament which enables the government machinery to meet important expenses of administration, like salaries etc. The vote-on-account is usually for a period of three-four months and is meant to provide a smooth transition for the next government; it gives time to Parliament when it reconstitutes after the elections to discuss and pass the full Budget and allocate money accordingly. The Modi government has indicated that this year's budget will not be a vote-on-account but an interim one. While the vote-on-account deals only with the expenditure side of the budget, an interim budget has both expenditure and receipts and gives the complete financial statement, much like a full budget. India had been following a practice of presenting the budget on last working day of February. The Modi government changed that practice in 2017 and started presenting the budget on February 1. The move was challenged in the Supreme Court, but the court refused to intervene. The budget session of Parliament began on January 31 and will go on till February 13. President Ram Nath Kovind delivered the joint sitting of the two Houses on January 31. This year's interim Budget is going to be significant, according to a Zee Business channel report. Modi-led government could change the financial year cycle from April-March to January-December, thereby changing the 152-year long tradition that commenced in 1867. The report, citing sources, said that from 2020, the fiscal year will begin on January 1 and end on December 31, adding that the date for budget session of Parliament will also be changed.

Budget 2019: What is interim Budget and how is it different from the regular one?

Summoning of an Ambassador or a high commissioner of a country by the foreign secretary is considered the strongest "diplomatic" protest a country does.&nbsp;

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-summons-pak-high-commissioner-over-foreign-minister-qureshis-phone-call-to-hurriyat-leader-mirwaiz-umar-farooq-193958">Pakistan high commissioner</a> Sohail Mahmood was summoned at 10.30 pm on Wednesday night shows New Delhi has taken the Foreign Minister Qureshi's call to Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq very seriously and is miffed with Islamabad.

In all, including the summoning on Wednesday, a Pakistani high commissioner has been summoned six times under the Narendra Modi govt since it took charge in 2014.

While 2018 saw no summoning, the last time New Delhi Summoned a Pakistan high commissioner was on April 10 2017. Back then, the then, high commissioner Abdul Basit was summoned and handed over a demarche following Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistan Army media wing press release on awarding death sentence to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav.

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 500px;">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Date</td>
			<td>Reason</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>December 24, 2014</td>
			<td>The release of Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, a prime accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>August 16, 2015</td>
			<td>Unprovoked firing by Pakistan troops in Poonch</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>August 9, 2015</td>
			<td>Arrest of Pakistan national with LeT links in J&amp;K&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>September 21, 2016</td>
			<td>Uri attack: Pak envoy summoned, told about evidence recovered</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>April 10, 2017</td>
			<td>Pakistan army court sentences Kulbhushan Jadhav to death</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>January 30, 2018</td>
			<td>Pakistan Foreign Minister Qureshi dials Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

Pakistan high commissioner Basit was summoned two times in 2016, once in September following the Uri Attack and once in August following the arrest of Pakistani national Bahadur Ali in J&amp;K who had confessed with linkages with Lashkar-e-Taiba.&nbsp;

According to a ministry of external affairs release back then, "Bahadur Ali has confessed to our authorities that after training in Lashkar-e-Taiba camps, he was infiltrated into India"

In 2015, the Pakistan high commissioner was summoned once in August to the following firing from Pakistani side in Poonch in which Indian civil population was being targeted when the situation LoC had rapidly deteriorated.&nbsp;

The first time a Pakistan high commissioner was summoned under Modi govt was on December 29, 2014, following the release of Zakir Ur Rehman Lakhvi, one of the key planner behind the 26/11 attacks.

Summoning of an Ambassador or a high commissioner of a country by the foreign secretary is considered the strongest "diplomatic" protest a country does. The Pakistan high commissioner Sohail Mahmood was summoned at 10.

Summoning of an Ambassador or a high commissioner of a country by the foreign secretary is considered the strongest "diplomatic" protest a country does. The Pakistan high commissioner Sohail Mahmood was summoned at 10.30 pm on Wednesday night shows New Delhi has taken the Foreign Minister Qureshi's call to Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq very seriously and is miffed with Islamabad. In all, including the summoning on Wednesday, a Pakistani high commissioner has been summoned six times under the Narendra Modi govt since it took charge in 2014. While 2018 saw no summoning, the last time New Delhi Summoned a Pakistan high commissioner was on April 10 2017. Back then, the then, high commissioner Abdul Basit was summoned and handed over a demarche following Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistan Army media wing press release on awarding death sentence to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav. Date Reason December 24, 2014 The release of Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, a prime accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. August 16, 2015 Unprovoked firing by Pakistan troops in Poonch August 9, 2015 Arrest of Pakistan national with LeT links in J&K September 21, 2016 Uri attack: Pak envoy summoned, told about evidence recovered April 10, 2017 Pakistan army court sentences Kulbhushan Jadhav to death January 30, 2018 Pakistan Foreign Minister Qureshi dials Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Pakistan high commissioner Basit was summoned two times in 2016, once in September following the Uri Attack and once in August following the arrest of Pakistani national Bahadur Ali in J&K who had confessed with linkages with Lashkar-e-Taiba. According to a ministry of external affairs release back then, "Bahadur Ali has confessed to our authorities that after training in Lashkar-e-Taiba camps, he was infiltrated into India" In 2015, the Pakistan high commissioner was summoned once in August to the following firing from Pakistani side in Poonch in which Indian civil population was being targeted when the situation LoC had rapidly deteriorated. The first time a Pakistan high commissioner was summoned under Modi govt was on December 29, 2014, following the release of Zakir Ur Rehman Lakhvi, one of the key planner behind the 26/11 attacks.

6 times since 2014: Timeline of summoning of Pak high commissioner by Modi government

The Hugo Chavez model of politics pivoting around the concept of neopatrimonialism was followed with determined zeal by the previous Manmohan Singh-led UPA government at the Centre, presided over by the then Congress party president Sonia Gandhi.

The drawback of the model that was carved and implemented to the hilt by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez between 2002 and 2013, a period that almost coincided with the Manmohan Singh's rule in India, was more tuned to addressing social inequalities rather than structural inequalities.

The present job crisis in India can be attributed and described as a direct fallout of the politics of populism practiced by the Congress party when it was in power between 2004 and 2014 since equity distribution was lopsided and the growth on economic infrastructure front also was compromised with maximum focus on direct cash transfer to the deprived sections through acts passed by the Indian Parliament to guarantee jobs, food, and education. While doing this, they typically aped the cash transfer policy that was being followed in Brazil and Mexico without bothering about the impact it would leave on the middle class wage earners and the economic growth of the country.

Following on the same footsteps, present Congress president Rahul Gandhi announced at a "Kisan Abhaar Sammelan" at Raipur this Monday that his party would implement a minimum income guarantee scheme for every poor if his party comes to power at the Centre this year.

Former finance minister P Chidambaram has laced the Congress decision regarding "minimum income guarantee" with the assertion that it would "wipe out poverty" and uplift about one-fifth of India's population that lacks the purchasing power to provide itself food, clothing and shelter.

Chidambaram has defended the decision by pointing out that India owes itself the responsibility of mobilising resources to rescue the deprived sections caught in the trap of poverty. For this purpose only 1.5 per cent of the GDP would be required and there should be no difficulty in meeting the target, he adds.

Before the nation goes to polls, the Congress party, through the sop of "minimum income guarantee", has tried to address that section of the Indian population which is suffering the most due to joblessness and poverty. According to basic estimates their number is huge - about 200 million. Obviously, the Congress party would like to use them as a vote bank in the coming parliamentary election.

Scarcity of jobs is a burning problem that is haunting the NDA government led by Narendra Modi at the Centre in a big way as its five year term is nearing completion.

Joblessness in India is an issue that has caught the attention of analysts in neighbouring China. Global Times, published under China's official People's Daily, also points to growing discontent, being faced by Prime Minister Modi. Hu Weijia, a reporter with the Global Times says: "If New Delhi restricts Chinese investment, the move will unavoidably cut job opportunities for young people (In India)."

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) also has expressed concerns about financing and the lending environment in India "due to the collapse of Indian infrastructure development and high rate of non-performing assets among Indian banks" in its inaugural Asian Infrastructure Finance report released in Beijing on Tuesday.

The AIIB report talks of the downward trajectory when it comes to India's infrastructure transaction activity in terms of total completed and ongoing transactions each year from 2014 to 2016.

Economists and analysts of the long-term South Asian scenario, especially in the backdrop of the China-US trade disputes that have got aggravated by the US President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese imports, have started talking of the advantages of Chinese companies investing in India's labour intensive industries. The Global Times has underscored that the Modi administration needs good news in terms of job growth ahead of the upcoming general election.

The projection by commentators exploring the prospects of mutual gain by both India and China under the current global scenario notwithstanding, what cannot be ignored is that the clock is ticking for Modi. Come elections and the top bulb of the sandglass will soon be empty.

Instead of populism, it is important at this juncture to address the issue of highly unequal levels of development, human development index and lopsided distribution of equity. Seeking investments and channelising resources for the purpose of building the economic infrastructure, so essential for improving the quality of life of the people across the board, should be the priority. Ahead of elections, the Modi government will have to take the Congress head on. Without wasting time, it will have to place on the table a policy design for evolving and creating a vibrant job market in India.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The Hugo Chavez model of politics pivoting around the concept of neopatrimonialism was followed with determined zeal by the previous Manmohan Singh-led UPA government at the Centre, presided over by the then Congress party president Sonia Gandhi.

The Hugo Chavez model of politics pivoting around the concept of neopatrimonialism was followed with determined zeal by the previous Manmohan Singh-led UPA government at the Centre, presided over by the then Congress party president Sonia Gandhi. The drawback of the model that was carved and implemented to the hilt by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez between 2002 and 2013, a period that almost coincided with the Manmohan Singh's rule in India, was more tuned to addressing social inequalities rather than structural inequalities. The present job crisis in India can be attributed and described as a direct fallout of the politics of populism practiced by the Congress party when it was in power between 2004 and 2014 since equity distribution was lopsided and the growth on economic infrastructure front also was compromised with maximum focus on direct cash transfer to the deprived sections through acts passed by the Indian Parliament to guarantee jobs, food, and education. While doing this, they typically aped the cash transfer policy that was being followed in Brazil and Mexico without bothering about the impact it would leave on the middle class wage earners and the economic growth of the country. Following on the same footsteps, present Congress president Rahul Gandhi announced at a "Kisan Abhaar Sammelan" at Raipur this Monday that his party would implement a minimum income guarantee scheme for every poor if his party comes to power at the Centre this year. Former finance minister P Chidambaram has laced the Congress decision regarding "minimum income guarantee" with the assertion that it would "wipe out poverty" and uplift about one-fifth of India's population that lacks the purchasing power to provide itself food, clothing and shelter. Chidambaram has defended the decision by pointing out that India owes itself the responsibility of mobilising resources to rescue the deprived sections caught in the trap of poverty. For this purpose only 1.5 per cent of the GDP would be required and there should be no difficulty in meeting the target, he adds. Before the nation goes to polls, the Congress party, through the sop of "minimum income guarantee", has tried to address that section of the Indian population which is suffering the most due to joblessness and poverty. According to basic estimates their number is huge - about 200 million. Obviously, the Congress party would like to use them as a vote bank in the coming parliamentary election. Scarcity of jobs is a burning problem that is haunting the NDA government led by Narendra Modi at the Centre in a big way as its five year term is nearing completion. Joblessness in India is an issue that has caught the attention of analysts in neighbouring China. Global Times, published under China's official People's Daily, also points to growing discontent, being faced by Prime Minister Modi. Hu Weijia, a reporter with the Global Times says: "If New Delhi restricts Chinese investment, the move will unavoidably cut job opportunities for young people (In India)." Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) also has expressed concerns about financing and the lending environment in India "due to the collapse of Indian infrastructure development and high rate of non-performing assets among Indian banks" in its inaugural Asian Infrastructure Finance report released in Beijing on Tuesday. The AIIB report talks of the downward trajectory when it comes to India's infrastructure transaction activity in terms of total completed and ongoing transactions each year from 2014 to 2016. Economists and analysts of the long-term South Asian scenario, especially in the backdrop of the China-US trade disputes that have got aggravated by the US President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese imports, have started talking of the advantages of Chinese companies investing in India's labour intensive industries. The Global Times has underscored that the Modi administration needs good news in terms of job growth ahead of the upcoming general election. The projection by commentators exploring the prospects of mutual gain by both India and China under the current global scenario notwithstanding, what cannot be ignored is that the clock is ticking for Modi. Come elections and the top bulb of the sandglass will soon be empty. Instead of populism, it is important at this juncture to address the issue of highly unequal levels of development, human development index and lopsided distribution of equity. Seeking investments and channelising resources for the purpose of building the economic infrastructure, so essential for improving the quality of life of the people across the board, should be the priority. Ahead of elections, the Modi government will have to take the Congress head on. Without wasting time, it will have to place on the table a policy design for evolving and creating a vibrant job market in India. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Minimum income guarantee: Populism versus long-term policy for a vibrant job market

The Modi government has so far succeeded in ensuring that India is least affected by challenges like immigration and working visas unveiled in the US under President Donald Trump, BJP leader Ram Madhav said Saturday, stressing that foreign policies cannot be guided by emotions or romanticism. 
 
Congress leader Anand Sharma said that foreign policy should uphold, secure and promote a country's national interest, but not be an extension of or reflect domestic narrative. 
 
They made these remarks during a discussion at the release of a book titled "Open Embrace: India-US Ties in the Age of Modi and Trump", by journalist Varghese K George. 
 
They were joined by academic C Rajamohan in the discussion moderated by journalist Suhasini Haider. 
 
"We are conscious of the challenges, whether it is his (Trump's) emphasis on domestic production, visa issues...We are negotiating, trying to ensure that India gets the best deal out of it. You cannot dictate Trump's policies. You can only try and ensure that India is least affected if there is anything adverse happening. We have more or less succeeded in ensuring that India is not affected," Madhav said. 
 
The BJP national general secretary said it could be easy to criticise the government but one must take note of the increment in trade and exports. 
"I am not saying that it has happened only in four years (of BJP), but we must acknowledge it," he said. 
 
Noting that the Indian diaspora played a role in the Indo-US nuclear agreement in 2005 during the Congress-led UPA regime, he said the current government had felt that it should leverage that not just in the US but other countries also. 
 
"We felt why not make it (diaspora) an important dimension in the foreign policy and with that objective in mind we started engaging with different diaspora in different countries," he said. 
 
On a continuum in the foreign policy, Sharma, who had served as a Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs from 2006 to 2009 in the UPA government, said there cannot be abrupt changes in strategic engagements of a country as big as India. 
 
"But I would also like to say that the foreign policy of this country has evolved over a long period of time, not written in one day or one government. 
 
"Foreign policy is meant to uphold, secure and promote your supreme national interest. It is not de-linked to your national ambitions but you have to be careful not to allow the domestic narrative to reflect in the foreign policy," he said. 
 
"It cannot be personalised, it cannot be an extension of domestic politics particularly in our neighbourhood vis-a-vis Bangladesh, Pakistan or Sri Lanka. We have to be careful there. It is easy to say that we have moved or walked away from non-alignment movement...," Sharma said. 
 
BJP's Madhav said a lot of changes in the foreign policy were made by the Congress and held that the direction should be guided by national interest. 
"Congress has changed many things in our foreign policy. Who changed the foreign policy's focus from SAARC to BIMSTEC? Congress! Did we oppose it? We said no India needs BIMSTEC to engage with the extended neighbourhood because these are things that happen as per your requirement. 
 
"Foreign policy is not guided by emotions or romanticism, it is guided by national interest. Today your national interest demands, that you look for better platforms, look for reviving Commonwealth, which was also a Nehruvian-era creation, and we did it. 
 
"Where is the relevance of the NAM when there are no two poles in the world at all, it is a multi-polar world and who do we remain non-aligned with?" he asked. 
 
On the personal level relationship between PM Modi and President Trump, Madhav said, "The best relationship that we could have with the present leadership in the US we tried to establish it while maintaining strategic autonomy on many issues." 
 
On voting against the US on the Jerusalem issue in the UN, he said India is not influenced by any ideology except for the "nation-first" ideology and that is what happened. 
 
He said PM Modi is doing a stand-alone visit to Israel, then visiting Palestine also separately even as the country has the best of partners in the Middle East also. 
 
"We have strengthened the relationship with Israel but today our strongest relations are with the countries in the middle east, with the UAE, Saudi. We have a lasting strong legacy. We have strong ties with Iran also where we have not buckled under the pressure of any other power. 
 
"So, we are guided by the interest of our country. At that level it may be a continuum, but again it (BJP) is a new government, it has new ideas, it will implement them in a different way, that difference should be appreciated and the continuum should also be acknowledged," he said.&nbsp;

The Modi government has so far succeeded in ensuring that India is least affected by challenges like immigration and working visas unveiled in the US under President Donald Trump, BJP leader Ram Madhav said Saturday, stressing that foreign policies cannot be guided by emotions or romanticism.

The Modi government has so far succeeded in ensuring that India is least affected by challenges like immigration and working visas unveiled in the US under President Donald Trump, BJP leader Ram Madhav said Saturday, stressing that foreign policies cannot be guided by emotions or romanticism. Congress leader Anand Sharma said that foreign policy should uphold, secure and promote a country's national interest, but not be an extension of or reflect domestic narrative. They made these remarks during a discussion at the release of a book titled "Open Embrace: India-US Ties in the Age of Modi and Trump", by journalist Varghese K George. They were joined by academic C Rajamohan in the discussion moderated by journalist Suhasini Haider. "We are conscious of the challenges, whether it is his (Trump's) emphasis on domestic production, visa issues...We are negotiating, trying to ensure that India gets the best deal out of it. You cannot dictate Trump's policies. You can only try and ensure that India is least affected if there is anything adverse happening. We have more or less succeeded in ensuring that India is not affected," Madhav said. The BJP national general secretary said it could be easy to criticise the government but one must take note of the increment in trade and exports. "I am not saying that it has happened only in four years (of BJP), but we must acknowledge it," he said. Noting that the Indian diaspora played a role in the Indo-US nuclear agreement in 2005 during the Congress-led UPA regime, he said the current government had felt that it should leverage that not just in the US but other countries also. "We felt why not make it (diaspora) an important dimension in the foreign policy and with that objective in mind we started engaging with different diaspora in different countries," he said. On a continuum in the foreign policy, Sharma, who had served as a Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs from 2006 to 2009 in the UPA government, said there cannot be abrupt changes in strategic engagements of a country as big as India. "But I would also like to say that the foreign policy of this country has evolved over a long period of time, not written in one day or one government. "Foreign policy is meant to uphold, secure and promote your supreme national interest. It is not de-linked to your national ambitions but you have to be careful not to allow the domestic narrative to reflect in the foreign policy," he said. "It cannot be personalised, it cannot be an extension of domestic politics particularly in our neighbourhood vis-a-vis Bangladesh, Pakistan or Sri Lanka. We have to be careful there. It is easy to say that we have moved or walked away from non-alignment movement...," Sharma said. BJP's Madhav said a lot of changes in the foreign policy were made by the Congress and held that the direction should be guided by national interest. "Congress has changed many things in our foreign policy. Who changed the foreign policy's focus from SAARC to BIMSTEC? Congress! Did we oppose it? We said no India needs BIMSTEC to engage with the extended neighbourhood because these are things that happen as per your requirement. "Foreign policy is not guided by emotions or romanticism, it is guided by national interest. Today your national interest demands, that you look for better platforms, look for reviving Commonwealth, which was also a Nehruvian-era creation, and we did it. "Where is the relevance of the NAM when there are no two poles in the world at all, it is a multi-polar world and who do we remain non-aligned with?" he asked. On the personal level relationship between PM Modi and President Trump, Madhav said, "The best relationship that we could have with the present leadership in the US we tried to establish it while maintaining strategic autonomy on many issues." On voting against the US on the Jerusalem issue in the UN, he said India is not influenced by any ideology except for the "nation-first" ideology and that is what happened. He said PM Modi is doing a stand-alone visit to Israel, then visiting Palestine also separately even as the country has the best of partners in the Middle East also. "We have strengthened the relationship with Israel but today our strongest relations are with the countries in the middle east, with the UAE, Saudi. We have a lasting strong legacy. We have strong ties with Iran also where we have not buckled under the pressure of any other power. "So, we are guided by the interest of our country. At that level it may be a continuum, but again it (BJP) is a new government, it has new ideas, it will implement them in a different way, that difference should be appreciated and the continuum should also be acknowledged," he said.

Government ensured India least affected by challenges like immigration, US working visa issue: Ram Madhav

India's relations with the Arab world as well as other Muslim-majority nations has improved under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday.

Addressing the Indian community in the UAE, she said that ahead of the 2014 general elections, political analysts were of the view that if Modi becomes the Prime Minister then he won't be able to take along the West Asian countries.

Swaraj arrived here on Monday on a two-day visit to attend the UAE-India Joint Commission Meeting here.&nbsp;

India and the UAE Tuesday signed two agreements, including one on currency swap, as Swaraj held exhaustive discussions with her counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed to step up bilateral cooperation in areas like security, defence, counter-terrorism, trade and energy.

"India's relations with the Arab world as well as other Muslim-majority nations has improved under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government," she said.

Today, India is also having good relations with those countries who are traditional rivals, like the US and Russia, Israel and Palestine, Saudi Arabia and Iran, she said, adding this is possible due to the government's foreign policy, which is based on "nation's interest first".

Swaraj said that in the last four years the government has rescued around 2.33 lakh Indians, from around the world, stuck at various places including the Gulf countries or war-torn Yemen.

"It was due to our relations with Muslim-majority nations, like Saudi Arabia and Yemen that we were able to evacuate around 5,000 Indians and around 2,000 nationals of other countries, including three Pakistanis," she said.&nbsp; 
She also appreciated their contribution in enhancing relations with the UAE, which hosts a 33 lakh-strong Indian community - the largest number of Indians outside India.

About the India-UAE relations, the External Affairs Minister said the relations between the two countries from buyer and seller (of oil for energy) is changing.

"And with the signing of today's agreement, the cooperation between the two countries will achieve a new height. This is only a beginning," she said. 
She also praised an Emirati singer Yasir Habib who sang Mahathma Gandhi's favourite bhajan.&nbsp;

India's relations with the Arab world as well as other Muslim-majority nations has improved under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday.

India's relations with the Arab world as well as other Muslim-majority nations has improved under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday. Addressing the Indian community in the UAE, she said that ahead of the 2014 general elections, political analysts were of the view that if Modi becomes the Prime Minister then he won't be able to take along the West Asian countries. Swaraj arrived here on Monday on a two-day visit to attend the UAE-India Joint Commission Meeting here. India and the UAE Tuesday signed two agreements, including one on currency swap, as Swaraj held exhaustive discussions with her counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed to step up bilateral cooperation in areas like security, defence, counter-terrorism, trade and energy. "India's relations with the Arab world as well as other Muslim-majority nations has improved under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government," she said. Today, India is also having good relations with those countries who are traditional rivals, like the US and Russia, Israel and Palestine, Saudi Arabia and Iran, she said, adding this is possible due to the government's foreign policy, which is based on "nation's interest first". Swaraj said that in the last four years the government has rescued around 2.33 lakh Indians, from around the world, stuck at various places including the Gulf countries or war-torn Yemen. "It was due to our relations with Muslim-majority nations, like Saudi Arabia and Yemen that we were able to evacuate around 5,000 Indians and around 2,000 nationals of other countries, including three Pakistanis," she said. She also appreciated their contribution in enhancing relations with the UAE, which hosts a 33 lakh-strong Indian community - the largest number of Indians outside India. About the India-UAE relations, the External Affairs Minister said the relations between the two countries from buyer and seller (of oil for energy) is changing. "And with the signing of today's agreement, the cooperation between the two countries will achieve a new height. This is only a beginning," she said. She also praised an Emirati singer Yasir Habib who sang Mahathma Gandhi's favourite bhajan.

India's relations with Arab world, other Muslim nations has improved under Modi: Sushma Swaraj

A speech by a top Reserve Bank of India (RBI) official last Friday blew the lid off an increasingly toxic dispute between the central bank and the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over monetary policy and who controls the institution's reserves.

While historically there have been differences between the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-very-upset-with-rbi-for-making-rift-public-sources-174359">RBI and the nation's governments</a>, the extent of the rift and its public nature are unprecedented.

By Wednesday morning, there were Indian media reports saying that RBI Governor Urjit Patel was about to resign. The RBI declined comment.

This followed three letters to the RBI from the finance ministry <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-invokes-never-used-before-powers-to-issue-directions-to-rbi-report-174517">threatening to invoke Section 7</a> of the RBI Act that would allow the government to dictate policy to the central bank, according to a senior source with direct knowledge of developments.

But faced with declines in the rupee and government bond prices as investors got unnerved, the government issued a statement supporting the RBI's autonomy while indicating it would still be pressing very hard to have its own way.

In his speech, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/a-govt-that-does-not-respect-rbis-independence-will-incur-wrath-of-markets-rbi-deputy-governor-173752">RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya</a> said that undermining central bank independence could be "potentially catastrophic", and he even cited meddling by the Argentine government in the affairs of its central bank in 2010 - prompting big drops in that nation's financial markets - as a sign of how bad things can get.

The remarks were widely seen as a sign that the&nbsp; RBI was pushing back hard against government pressure to relax its policies and reduce its powers ahead of a general election due by May.

Finance ministry and RBI spokespersons declined comment.

The RBI is not statutorily independent, as the governor is appointed by the government, but it has enjoyed broad autonomy in regulating the banking sector. It is mandated to control inflation within a 2 to 6 percent range while keeping in mind India's economic growth objective.

HERE ARE SIX CRITICAL AREAS OF CONFLICT:

CASH GRAB

The government has made repeated calls for the RBI to hand over more money from the RBI's reserves to help fund its fiscal deficit. The RBI currently hands over its profits earned from various activities in the form of a dividend. But the government also wants to tap a share of the RBI's 3.6 trillion rupees ($48.73 billion) of capital reserves. The RBI has consistently pushed back against the demand.

OUT OF THE SHADOWS

The government wants the RBI to provide more liquidity to the shadow banking sector, which has been hurt by the defaults of major financing company, Infrastructure Leasing &amp; Financial Services (IL&amp;FS). Those defaults triggered sell-off in bonds and stocks of non-banking financial companies. The government has been asking the RBI for a dedicated liquidity window for these lenders similar to one allowed during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis.

JUST RELAX

The government has also been urging the RBI to relax its lending restrictions on 11 state-run banks. The curbs were imposed because the banks had a low capital base and major bad debt problems. The 11 are barred from lending unless they reduce their bad debt levels, improve their capital ratios and become profitable. The government says the restrictions have gone too far and have reduced the availability of loans for small- and medium sized businesses.

ENCROACHING

The RBI is also irked by the government's efforts to trim the central bank's regulatory powers by proposing to set up an independent payments regulator. Currently the RBI regulates all payments and settlements in the economy. The government says it wants a separate payment regulator which will be able to adapt to rapid changes in technology.

BOARD INFLUENCE

The government appointed S Gurumurthy, a prominent BJP supporter and an affiliate of the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), to the RBI board earlier this year along with Satish Marathe, a former banker with ties to the RSS. Such political appointments have been unusual in the past as the RBI board's external members have mostly been economists and industrialists. Traditionally, the RBI's board has approved decisions related to internal functions of the central bank and it has not interfered in its supervisory and monetary policy functions.

KEEPING MUM

Senior government officials, as well as BJP and RSS officials, are angry that the RBI decided to go public over the quarrels. Acharya made it clear he had been asked to address the independence question by Patel and in a show of unity the three other deputy governors attended his speech. In its statement concerning autonomy on Wednesday, the government stressed that it will keep discussions confidential.

WHY IT MATTERS

FOR GOVERNMENT

The central government has been under pressure ahead of regional polls due at the end of 2018 because of weak farm prices and surging fuel costs, which have been hurting rural incomes. The government recently cut excise duty on gasoline and diesel, adding to pressure on its deficit.

The Budget is also being undermined by muted revenue collection from recently introduced Goods and Service Tax (GST).

Added to this, the IL&amp;FS woes have led to a liquidity crunch across much of the shadow banking sector and throttled off some lending.

All of this could slow a $2.6 trillion economy, the world's sixth largest, only months before the general election. To prevent that from happening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to spend more on populist programmes, including boosts to rural wages, fuel subsidies and buying crops at a guaranteed minimum price.

FOR INVESTORS

The rift has created political and economic uncertainty. Investors want policy continuity from both the RBI and the government to ensure inflation is kept in check and economic stability is maintained.

A persistent fall in the inflation rate since 2014 in a country that was used to volatile price pressures instilled confidence in the central bank and attracted investors. However, investors fear such hard-earned economic gains could be at risk if the government can pull the RBI’s strings.

A speech by a top Reserve Bank of India (RBI) official last Friday blew the lid off an increasingly toxic dispute between the central bank and the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over monetary policy and who controls the institution's reserves.

A speech by a top Reserve Bank of India (RBI) official last Friday blew the lid off an increasingly toxic dispute between the central bank and the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over monetary policy and who controls the institution's reserves. While historically there have been differences between the RBI and the nation's governments, the extent of the rift and its public nature are unprecedented. By Wednesday morning, there were Indian media reports saying that RBI Governor Urjit Patel was about to resign. The RBI declined comment. This followed three letters to the RBI from the finance ministry threatening to invoke Section 7 of the RBI Act that would allow the government to dictate policy to the central bank, according to a senior source with direct knowledge of developments. But faced with declines in the rupee and government bond prices as investors got unnerved, the government issued a statement supporting the RBI's autonomy while indicating it would still be pressing very hard to have its own way. In his speech, RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya said that undermining central bank independence could be "potentially catastrophic", and he even cited meddling by the Argentine government in the affairs of its central bank in 2010 - prompting big drops in that nation's financial markets - as a sign of how bad things can get. The remarks were widely seen as a sign that the RBI was pushing back hard against government pressure to relax its policies and reduce its powers ahead of a general election due by May. Finance ministry and RBI spokespersons declined comment. The RBI is not statutorily independent, as the governor is appointed by the government, but it has enjoyed broad autonomy in regulating the banking sector. It is mandated to control inflation within a 2 to 6 percent range while keeping in mind India's economic growth objective. HERE ARE SIX CRITICAL AREAS OF CONFLICT: CASH GRAB The government has made repeated calls for the RBI to hand over more money from the RBI's reserves to help fund its fiscal deficit. The RBI currently hands over its profits earned from various activities in the form of a dividend. But the government also wants to tap a share of the RBI's 3.6 trillion rupees ($48.73 billion) of capital reserves. The RBI has consistently pushed back against the demand. OUT OF THE SHADOWS The government wants the RBI to provide more liquidity to the shadow banking sector, which has been hurt by the defaults of major financing company, Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS). Those defaults triggered sell-off in bonds and stocks of non-banking financial companies. The government has been asking the RBI for a dedicated liquidity window for these lenders similar to one allowed during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. JUST RELAX The government has also been urging the RBI to relax its lending restrictions on 11 state-run banks. The curbs were imposed because the banks had a low capital base and major bad debt problems. The 11 are barred from lending unless they reduce their bad debt levels, improve their capital ratios and become profitable. The government says the restrictions have gone too far and have reduced the availability of loans for small- and medium sized businesses. ENCROACHING The RBI is also irked by the government's efforts to trim the central bank's regulatory powers by proposing to set up an independent payments regulator. Currently the RBI regulates all payments and settlements in the economy. The government says it wants a separate payment regulator which will be able to adapt to rapid changes in technology. BOARD INFLUENCE The government appointed S Gurumurthy, a prominent BJP supporter and an affiliate of the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), to the RBI board earlier this year along with Satish Marathe, a former banker with ties to the RSS. Such political appointments have been unusual in the past as the RBI board's external members have mostly been economists and industrialists. Traditionally, the RBI's board has approved decisions related to internal functions of the central bank and it has not interfered in its supervisory and monetary policy functions. KEEPING MUM Senior government officials, as well as BJP and RSS officials, are angry that the RBI decided to go public over the quarrels. Acharya made it clear he had been asked to address the independence question by Patel and in a show of unity the three other deputy governors attended his speech. In its statement concerning autonomy on Wednesday, the government stressed that it will keep discussions confidential. WHY IT MATTERS FOR GOVERNMENT The central government has been under pressure ahead of regional polls due at the end of 2018 because of weak farm prices and surging fuel costs, which have been hurting rural incomes. The government recently cut excise duty on gasoline and diesel, adding to pressure on its deficit. The Budget is also being undermined by muted revenue collection from recently introduced Goods and Service Tax (GST). Added to this, the IL&FS woes have led to a liquidity crunch across much of the shadow banking sector and throttled off some lending. All of this could slow a $2.6 trillion economy, the world's sixth largest, only months before the general election. To prevent that from happening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to spend more on populist programmes, including boosts to rural wages, fuel subsidies and buying crops at a guaranteed minimum price. FOR INVESTORS The rift has created political and economic uncertainty. Investors want policy continuity from both the RBI and the government to ensure inflation is kept in check and economic stability is maintained. A persistent fall in the inflation rate since 2014 in a country that was used to volatile price pressures instilled confidence in the central bank and attracted investors. However, investors fear such hard-earned economic gains could be at risk if the government can pull the RBI’s strings.

Why Modi government wants to increase control over the RBI

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday said the government is at war with its own people as it wants to impose "one imagination" on 1.3 billion Indians.

He also said aspiration is turning into anger and hatred due to unfulfilled promises.

Speaking at the HT Leadership Summit, Gandhi said, India has been imagined and re-imagined for centuries and those courageous men and women who fought for country's liberty imagined a nation where all its children would be free, and where none would be discriminated on the basis of their caste, gender, religion or creed.&nbsp;

They imagined a tolerant and fair India, who would force no agenda on any of its friends or neighbours but guide them along the path that we had travelled: one of unity and brotherhood, Gandhi said.&nbsp;

"The Indian government has gone to war with its own people because it wants to impose one imagination on 1.3 billion of us. It wants to impose one singular, suffocating memory on our 1.3 billion memories," he said at the event.&nbsp;

Noting that the work of imagination is never over as it is always in constant flow and flux, he lamented that what one sees today is not a re-imagining."It is a defaming, a maligning of the Indian imagination."&nbsp;

He alleged that farmers are committing suicide by the thousands, the economy is decimated, the rupee "is on its knees", petrol prices at all-time high, the stock market has imploded and with Rs 12 lakh crore NPAs, the banking system is "jammed shut".&nbsp;

The informal sector, he said, was decimated as a result of demonetisation and an extremely complex multi-layered GST has led to small and medium businesses wiped out.

"Public confidence is in tatters. This my friends is the price of hatred. Aspiration is turning into anger," he noted.&nbsp;

Gandhi said Dalits and tribals are agitating across the country and minorities are under vicious attack, while those who criticised the prime minister are sacked.

"Fresh thinking is unwelcome," he said, adding that those in power hate thinkers like Raghuram Rajan, Amartya Sen, while institutions are being "destroyed".

"Today in India the fear is palpable. And while India burns, all they do is talk but their slogans. But their slogans have a shelf life: Make in India. Startup India. Clean India. What exactly have they translated into? Nothing.&nbsp;

"Because the people in charge are convinced that they have a monopoly on knowledge. They are convinced that only they understand. That no one in this country understands anything about India or the dreams of its people except them," he said.&nbsp;

The Congress chief said his career in politics has been about fighting for and alongside India's most vulnerable and told the gathering that he wants to be a mirror for their aspirations and voices. "I want to fight for you too", he said, adding that he has a record of delivering in the past.

"Everyone in India is a stakeholder - all of us, rich or poor, weak or strong, north or south, east or west, every voice is a part of the harmony that makes India. We don't subscribe to black or white ideologies, we don't believe in binaries. India is a partnership between all its people," he said.

Noting that "We must re-imagine that old India", he ended his brief speech at the summit with Rabindranath Tagore's poem, "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high. Where knowledge is free. Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls."

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday said the government is at war with its own people as it wants to impose "one imagination" on 1.3 billion Indians. He also said aspiration is turning into anger and hatred due to unfulfilled promises.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday said the government is at war with its own people as it wants to impose "one imagination" on 1.3 billion Indians. He also said aspiration is turning into anger and hatred due to unfulfilled promises. Speaking at the HT Leadership Summit, Gandhi said, India has been imagined and re-imagined for centuries and those courageous men and women who fought for country's liberty imagined a nation where all its children would be free, and where none would be discriminated on the basis of their caste, gender, religion or creed. They imagined a tolerant and fair India, who would force no agenda on any of its friends or neighbours but guide them along the path that we had travelled: one of unity and brotherhood, Gandhi said. "The Indian government has gone to war with its own people because it wants to impose one imagination on 1.3 billion of us. It wants to impose one singular, suffocating memory on our 1.3 billion memories," he said at the event. Noting that the work of imagination is never over as it is always in constant flow and flux, he lamented that what one sees today is not a re-imagining."It is a defaming, a maligning of the Indian imagination." He alleged that farmers are committing suicide by the thousands, the economy is decimated, the rupee "is on its knees", petrol prices at all-time high, the stock market has imploded and with Rs 12 lakh crore NPAs, the banking system is "jammed shut". The informal sector, he said, was decimated as a result of demonetisation and an extremely complex multi-layered GST has led to small and medium businesses wiped out. "Public confidence is in tatters. This my friends is the price of hatred. Aspiration is turning into anger," he noted. Gandhi said Dalits and tribals are agitating across the country and minorities are under vicious attack, while those who criticised the prime minister are sacked. "Fresh thinking is unwelcome," he said, adding that those in power hate thinkers like Raghuram Rajan, Amartya Sen, while institutions are being "destroyed". "Today in India the fear is palpable. And while India burns, all they do is talk but their slogans. But their slogans have a shelf life: Make in India. Startup India. Clean India. What exactly have they translated into? Nothing. "Because the people in charge are convinced that they have a monopoly on knowledge. They are convinced that only they understand. That no one in this country understands anything about India or the dreams of its people except them," he said. The Congress chief said his career in politics has been about fighting for and alongside India's most vulnerable and told the gathering that he wants to be a mirror for their aspirations and voices. "I want to fight for you too", he said, adding that he has a record of delivering in the past. "Everyone in India is a stakeholder - all of us, rich or poor, weak or strong, north or south, east or west, every voice is a part of the harmony that makes India. We don't subscribe to black or white ideologies, we don't believe in binaries. India is a partnership between all its people," he said. Noting that "We must re-imagine that old India", he ended his brief speech at the summit with Rabindranath Tagore's poem, "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high. Where knowledge is free. Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls."

Government is at war with its own people: Rahul Gandhi

The Indian government said it did not receive any expressions of interest in its planned Air India stake sale. The deadline for submission of expression of interest ended today.

"As informed by the Transaction Adviser, no response has been received for the Expression of Interest floated for the strategic disinvestment of Air India," the Civil Aviation Ministry said in a tweet.

"Further course of action will be decided appropriately," it added.

Ernst & Young is the transaction advisor for the process.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, keen to sell the loss-making, debt-ridden airline, finalised plans in late March to divest a 76 per cent stake and offload about $5.1 billion (3.8 billion pounds) of its debt.

Air India, known for its Maharaja mascot, has some of India's most lucrative international and domestic landing and parking slots that are key for airlines.

While a buyer would have got management control and gained access to more than 2,500 international slots and over 3,700 domestic slots, it would also have been required to take on Air India's 27,000 employees, 40 per cent of whom are permanent staff.

The terms had also stipulated that the government would have continued to hold a 24 per cent stake, with the need for the bidder to abide by conditions, not yet detailed, designed to safeguard employee interests.

The government had also restricted merging the airline with the buyer's existing businesses, but later relaxed the rule to allow some integration for business efficiency.

Jet Airways and rival IndiGo, owned by InterGlobe Aviation, have already opted out of the race.

(With inputs from agencies)

The government is planning to divest a 76 per cent stake in the loss-making state-owned carrier.

The Indian government said it did not receive any expressions of interest in its planned Air India stake sale. The deadline for submission of expression of interest ended today. "As informed by the Transaction Adviser, no response has been received for the Expression of Interest floated for the strategic disinvestment of Air India," the Civil Aviation Ministry said in a tweet. "Further course of action will be decided appropriately," it added. Ernst & Young is the transaction advisor for the process. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, keen to sell the loss-making, debt-ridden airline, finalised plans in late March to divest a 76 per cent stake and offload about $5.1 billion (3.8 billion pounds) of its debt. Air India, known for its Maharaja mascot, has some of India's most lucrative international and domestic landing and parking slots that are key for airlines. While a buyer would have got management control and gained access to more than 2,500 international slots and over 3,700 domestic slots, it would also have been required to take on Air India's 27,000 employees, 40 per cent of whom are permanent staff. The terms had also stipulated that the government would have continued to hold a 24 per cent stake, with the need for the bidder to abide by conditions, not yet detailed, designed to safeguard employee interests. The government had also restricted merging the airline with the buyer's existing businesses, but later relaxed the rule to allow some integration for business efficiency. Jet Airways and rival IndiGo, owned by InterGlobe Aviation, have already opted out of the race. (With inputs from agencies)

No bids received for Air India stake sale, says government

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in last four years did politics which was in spirit different from his predecessors. He made every state important and ensured that his campaign makes a difference to the fortune of the party. 
&nbsp; 
Modi in a way became a factor in politics where he divided and united the electorate at the same time. The undivided Hindu vote will remain biggest of his legacy. His appeal brought different segments of Dalits, OBCs and upper castes into BJP's fold but at the same time his politics has ended up creating great anxiety in the minority and people with Left liberal ideology. He has united a diverse population under the new rubric of cultural nationalism but sidelined views who believe in constitutional nationalism. This debate has united and divided the country like never before. 
&nbsp; 
Modi's politics ended minority exceptionalism in Indian politics but at the same time allowed crude majoritarianism to dominate political discourse. It allowed people to write and talk about violence perpetrated by minorities too. But it also created viciousness where a small child's rape in Jammu was being seen from the prism of community. Same happened on the nationalism debate. This time BJP turned the table on Congress. Congress, which used to call BJP anti-national for not participating in freedom struggle, was tagged as anti-national by BJP when it lent its support to a protest in JNU. It became part of a larger debate on nationalism. For the first time in history, Congress was being called anti-national. It united and divided India at the same time. It disallowed any intellectual discussion on the issue of patriotism and nationalism in mainstream but allowed coarse majority's view of the world to prevail. 
&nbsp; 
Modi's politics allowed communities more say and share in the political discourse. Whether it was cow protection or conservative stand on films like Padmavat, Modi's politics allowed these individual voices to dominate. Individual voices were labelled as detached from the ethos of the Indian society. This led to violation of the spirit of the Constitution. Indian Constitution acknowledges individual rights. Communities are protected but do not enjoy right over an individual. But in case of Padmavat, community's honour became more important than individual right. BJP on this sided with community pride. It made liberals look undemocratic in world view as if they are not sensitive to the subaltern world view. It again created a divide. 
&nbsp; 
Modi's politics ended Congress arrogance by attacking the principle of dynasty. Modi made dynasty into an issue which he continues to use during every state elections. It divided and united lot of people at the same time. His attack on the Gandhi family was a first of its kind. He broke the political Omerta code. It also unnerved lot of people in his party.

Modi's politics also tried to make up for the bankruptcy of RSS as a major figure during independence. His politics successfully stole couple of Congress icons like Netaji and Sardar Patel. It again created a political divide. BJP was accused of using historical figures to serve contemporary political interest. The case in point is Netaji papers appearing a year before Bengal elections. 
&nbsp; 
The only place perhaps where Modi failed was to bridge the gap between industry and farming community through his personality. For this reason the land acquisition bill continues to languish. Modi had to over commit himself to the farming sector lest suit boot ki sarkar jumla extract its pound of flesh. 
&nbsp; 
Narendra Modi like Indira Gandhi has become a central pole of discussion. His party rules 20 states. He has become undisputed national leader uniting the cadre in his praise. But like Indira Gandhi, from strong he has started to look authoritarian. It has united the whole Opposition which feels that BJP under Modi will derail democracy by making one party hegemonic. 
&nbsp; 
His campaigns like demonetisation and Swachh Bharat have united and divided India at the same time. Both policies became political issues. Demonetisation went a step further an became an electoral issue. Modi, like Indira Gandhi, is loved and hated at the same time. He is a demon and God to many at the same time.

Bottomline is that Modi's strength does not flow from accommodation but by drawing strong political lines. He politically appropriates surgical strike. He criticises domestic Opposition abroad. He remains cold to the Opposition. His supports stems more from social media than mainstream and international media.

There is a reason too. The Lutyen's consensus never accommodated him so he ended up breaking the very consensus. His desire to conquer Delhi is married to his aversion to its durbar politics. For this reason he remains an eternal outsider to Delhi's politics. He continues to divide and unite India and this remains the crux of Modi's four year in Delhi's politics.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The only place perhaps where Modi failed was to bridge the gap between industry and farming community through his personality.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in last four years did politics which was in spirit different from his predecessors. He made every state important and ensured that his campaign makes a difference to the fortune of the party. Modi in a way became a factor in politics where he divided and united the electorate at the same time. The undivided Hindu vote will remain biggest of his legacy. His appeal brought different segments of Dalits, OBCs and upper castes into BJP's fold but at the same time his politics has ended up creating great anxiety in the minority and people with Left liberal ideology. He has united a diverse population under the new rubric of cultural nationalism but sidelined views who believe in constitutional nationalism. This debate has united and divided the country like never before. Modi's politics ended minority exceptionalism in Indian politics but at the same time allowed crude majoritarianism to dominate political discourse. It allowed people to write and talk about violence perpetrated by minorities too. But it also created viciousness where a small child's rape in Jammu was being seen from the prism of community. Same happened on the nationalism debate. This time BJP turned the table on Congress. Congress, which used to call BJP anti-national for not participating in freedom struggle, was tagged as anti-national by BJP when it lent its support to a protest in JNU. It became part of a larger debate on nationalism. For the first time in history, Congress was being called anti-national. It united and divided India at the same time. It disallowed any intellectual discussion on the issue of patriotism and nationalism in mainstream but allowed coarse majority's view of the world to prevail. Modi's politics allowed communities more say and share in the political discourse. Whether it was cow protection or conservative stand on films like Padmavat, Modi's politics allowed these individual voices to dominate. Individual voices were labelled as detached from the ethos of the Indian society. This led to violation of the spirit of the Constitution. Indian Constitution acknowledges individual rights. Communities are protected but do not enjoy right over an individual. But in case of Padmavat, community's honour became more important than individual right. BJP on this sided with community pride. It made liberals look undemocratic in world view as if they are not sensitive to the subaltern world view. It again created a divide. Modi's politics ended Congress arrogance by attacking the principle of dynasty. Modi made dynasty into an issue which he continues to use during every state elections. It divided and united lot of people at the same time. His attack on the Gandhi family was a first of its kind. He broke the political Omerta code. It also unnerved lot of people in his party. Modi's politics also tried to make up for the bankruptcy of RSS as a major figure during independence. His politics successfully stole couple of Congress icons like Netaji and Sardar Patel. It again created a political divide. BJP was accused of using historical figures to serve contemporary political interest. The case in point is Netaji papers appearing a year before Bengal elections. The only place perhaps where Modi failed was to bridge the gap between industry and farming community through his personality. For this reason the land acquisition bill continues to languish. Modi had to over commit himself to the farming sector lest suit boot ki sarkar jumla extract its pound of flesh. Narendra Modi like Indira Gandhi has become a central pole of discussion. His party rules 20 states. He has become undisputed national leader uniting the cadre in his praise. But like Indira Gandhi, from strong he has started to look authoritarian. It has united the whole Opposition which feels that BJP under Modi will derail democracy by making one party hegemonic. His campaigns like demonetisation and Swachh Bharat have united and divided India at the same time. Both policies became political issues. Demonetisation went a step further an became an electoral issue. Modi, like Indira Gandhi, is loved and hated at the same time. He is a demon and God to many at the same time. Bottomline is that Modi's strength does not flow from accommodation but by drawing strong political lines. He politically appropriates surgical strike. He criticises domestic Opposition abroad. He remains cold to the Opposition. His supports stems more from social media than mainstream and international media. There is a reason too. The Lutyen's consensus never accommodated him so he ended up breaking the very consensus. His desire to conquer Delhi is married to his aversion to its durbar politics. For this reason he remains an eternal outsider to Delhi's politics. He continues to divide and unite India and this remains the crux of Modi's four year in Delhi's politics. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Modi, a unifier and divider, rolled into one

BSP chief Mayawati on Saturday termed the four years of the Narendra Modi-led government as "disappointing" and said the parting of ways by some of the NDA partners was its clear indication.

The Modi government completed four years in power today.

"NDA alliance partners are parting ways one by one and this proves that the four years of the BJP-led government have been most unsuccessful and disappointing at all levels," Mayawati said.

"This kind of exploitation of the poor, labourers, common people and women under the central government has never been seen before...Their 'chori aur seena jori' has also been unheard of in the past," the BSP chief said.

She had convened a meeting of her party office bearers later in the day.

"The BJP and PM's unfulfilled promises undermined the faith and effectiveness of this government," she said.

Their own people were not listening to the leaders and it was an indication that the countdown of the BJP government had started, Mayawati said.

The BSP chief claimed that the government had bowed down before the capitalists as a result of which the country's economy had suffered and the people were concerned whether their money was safe in banks or not.

She alleged that there was anarchy in all walks of life, which proved that the BJP's rule meant "jungle raj".

"It seems that they have given permission to their people to level all kind of unfounded allegations and indulge in illegal acts," she alleged.

"There had also been an unsuccessful attempt to hush up rape cases in Kathua and Unnao by the BJP, showing the reality of the party," Mayawati alleged.&nbsp;

The Modi government completed four years in power today.

BSP chief Mayawati on Saturday termed the four years of the Narendra Modi-led government as "disappointing" and said the parting of ways by some of the NDA partners was its clear indication. The Modi government completed four years in power today. "NDA alliance partners are parting ways one by one and this proves that the four years of the BJP-led government have been most unsuccessful and disappointing at all levels," Mayawati said. "This kind of exploitation of the poor, labourers, common people and women under the central government has never been seen before...Their 'chori aur seena jori' has also been unheard of in the past," the BSP chief said. She had convened a meeting of her party office bearers later in the day. "The BJP and PM's unfulfilled promises undermined the faith and effectiveness of this government," she said. Their own people were not listening to the leaders and it was an indication that the countdown of the BJP government had started, Mayawati said. The BSP chief claimed that the government had bowed down before the capitalists as a result of which the country's economy had suffered and the people were concerned whether their money was safe in banks or not. She alleged that there was anarchy in all walks of life, which proved that the BJP's rule meant "jungle raj". "It seems that they have given permission to their people to level all kind of unfounded allegations and indulge in illegal acts," she alleged. "There had also been an unsuccessful attempt to hush up rape cases in Kathua and Unnao by the BJP, showing the reality of the party," Mayawati alleged.

Four years of Modi government disappointing: Mayawati

PM Modi is known for his signature shots - grand gestures which have the ‘Modi hallmark’. The day May 26th, 2014 was no different.

The red carpet was laid out on this day 4 years ago – the day of Modi’s coronation as prime minister.

It was also a moment to play diplomacy and engage in the Great Game, after all a party had come to power with one of the biggest majorities in Indian parliamentary history and it was the time to set the agenda.

Modi, still a PM-designate made a diplomatic coup of sorts by inviting Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif to his inauguration which was widely seen as a political masterstroke and hopes of peace once again echoed in the sub-continent.

Modi and Pakistan

As PM Modi took over the reins of power at New Delhi, equations in Islamabad was changing too – as was always the case with the Army playing a key role.

During Manmohan’s Singh’s tenure, India and Pakistan had an off-again and on-again relationship.

In the initial years, Pervez Musharraf had travelled to New Delhi engaging in “cricket diplomacy” however as Musharraf was forced to give up power and a civilian government came to power, India’s equation with Pakistan began to undergo subtle changes.

Then came 26/11 and attacks on Mumbai by Pakistan’s “non-state” actors and things went downhill from there.

India stopped talking with Pakistan and during Manmohan’s second term Pakistan was almost always kept out of the picture.

As a grand foreign policy initiative, PM Modi played “stopover diplomacy” at Lahore in December 2015 to meet PM Nawaz Sharif while on his way back from Kabul.

The move is seen as the first attempt to kick-start India-Pak dialogue stalled since 26/11 created a media frenzy as both prime ministers did some chai pe charcha.

Then just days later came the Pathankot terror attack at India’s Air Force base on January 2nd, 2016 and relations nose-dived once again.

The final nail in the coffin was the Uri terror attack in J&K a few months later in September 2016 and India went ahead and refused to take part in the SAARC summit to be held in Kathmandu that year.

PM Modi’s government has been engaging in a war of words with Pakistan in what seems to be an unending game of one-upmanship in the sub-continental power game with no end in sight.

With just months for his tenure to get over and Pakistan elections near, PM Modi could be looking at another diplomatic coup to bring back Pakistan on the national agenda, although it may look a distant dream right now but for a prime minister who is used to think out of the box another trademark Modi miracle cannot be far away.

As PM Modi took over the reins of power at New Delhi, equations in Islamabad was changing too – as was always the case with the Army playing a key role.

PM Modi is known for his signature shots - grand gestures which have the ‘Modi hallmark’. The day May 26th, 2014 was no different. The red carpet was laid out on this day 4 years ago – the day of Modi’s coronation as prime minister. It was also a moment to play diplomacy and engage in the Great Game, after all a party had come to power with one of the biggest majorities in Indian parliamentary history and it was the time to set the agenda. Modi, still a PM-designate made a diplomatic coup of sorts by inviting Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif to his inauguration which was widely seen as a political masterstroke and hopes of peace once again echoed in the sub-continent. Modi and Pakistan As PM Modi took over the reins of power at New Delhi, equations in Islamabad was changing too – as was always the case with the Army playing a key role. During Manmohan’s Singh’s tenure, India and Pakistan had an off-again and on-again relationship. In the initial years, Pervez Musharraf had travelled to New Delhi engaging in “cricket diplomacy” however as Musharraf was forced to give up power and a civilian government came to power, India’s equation with Pakistan began to undergo subtle changes. Then came 26/11 and attacks on Mumbai by Pakistan’s “non-state” actors and things went downhill from there. India stopped talking with Pakistan and during Manmohan’s second term Pakistan was almost always kept out of the picture. As a grand foreign policy initiative, PM Modi played “stopover diplomacy” at Lahore in December 2015 to meet PM Nawaz Sharif while on his way back from Kabul. The move is seen as the first attempt to kick-start India-Pak dialogue stalled since 26/11 created a media frenzy as both prime ministers did some chai pe charcha. Then just days later came the Pathankot terror attack at India’s Air Force base on January 2nd, 2016 and relations nose-dived once again. The final nail in the coffin was the Uri terror attack in J&K a few months later in September 2016 and India went ahead and refused to take part in the SAARC summit to be held in Kathmandu that year. PM Modi’s government has been engaging in a war of words with Pakistan in what seems to be an unending game of one-upmanship in the sub-continental power game with no end in sight. With just months for his tenure to get over and Pakistan elections near, PM Modi could be looking at another diplomatic coup to bring back Pakistan on the national agenda, although it may look a distant dream right now but for a prime minister who is used to think out of the box another trademark Modi miracle cannot be far away.

PM Modi's ‘Lahore stopover’ and the Pakistan question

The BJP will launch a fortnight-long programme to mark the fourth anniversary of the Modi government, with its president Amit Shah leading an exercise to reach out to one lakh personalities from different walks of life to highlight its achievements.

The programme will start on May 27, in which all ministers -- both from the Centre and BJP-ruled states, MPs, MLAs, mayors and all other office-bearers of the party will reach out to personalities or experts or influential people across the country, BJP general secretary Arun Singh said in a letter.

It will also include a special contact drive in SC and ST localities and also with senior citizens, he said.

"As part of the programme, each BJP leader will interact with at least 25 renowned people from various fields such as retired judges of the Supreme Court and high courts, retired bureaucrats, retired army personnel, sports stars, writers among others and will inform them about the achievements of the Modi government in last four years," Singh said.

Singh further said all party leaders have also been instructed to organise various events such as a conference of beneficiaries of various welfare schemes, get-together of intellectuals, press conference and gram sabhas.

Besides, the leaders have been asked by the party to meet at least 50 polling booth workers of the BJP and brief them about the Modi government's works.

Singh also asked the party leaders to promote the use of Narendra Modi App during their interactions with the people.

The programme will start on May 27, in which all ministers -- both from the Centre and BJP-ruled states, MPs, MLAs, mayors and all other office-bearers of the party will reach out to personalities or experts or influential people across the country

The BJP will launch a fortnight-long programme to mark the fourth anniversary of the Modi government, with its president Amit Shah leading an exercise to reach out to one lakh personalities from different walks of life to highlight its achievements. The programme will start on May 27, in which all ministers -- both from the Centre and BJP-ruled states, MPs, MLAs, mayors and all other office-bearers of the party will reach out to personalities or experts or influential people across the country, BJP general secretary Arun Singh said in a letter. It will also include a special contact drive in SC and ST localities and also with senior citizens, he said. "As part of the programme, each BJP leader will interact with at least 25 renowned people from various fields such as retired judges of the Supreme Court and high courts, retired bureaucrats, retired army personnel, sports stars, writers among others and will inform them about the achievements of the Modi government in last four years," Singh said. Singh further said all party leaders have also been instructed to organise various events such as a conference of beneficiaries of various welfare schemes, get-together of intellectuals, press conference and gram sabhas. Besides, the leaders have been asked by the party to meet at least 50 polling booth workers of the BJP and brief them about the Modi government's works. Singh also asked the party leaders to promote the use of Narendra Modi App during their interactions with the people.

BJP to launch 15-day programme to mark fourth anniversary of Modi government

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has completed four years. During this time, his government launched several initiatives which garnered laurels as well as created a lot of buzz across the country.

As his party gears up for elections next year, here is a look at his pet schemes and how they have performed in these four years:

Goods and Services Tax

This was one of the most crucial reform introduced by the Modi government. Though the plan was in the works for more than a decade, the GST (as it is popularly called) was finally implemented in July, 2017. The GST replaced many indirect taxes (as many as 14) that previously existed and streamlined tax rates across the country under one umbrella. The implementation of GST altered the country's indirect tax regime for good.

The GST was meant to introduce single tax slab across the country, but after numerous discussions and political compulsions, there are now four slabs. However, it has reduced the number of taxes while moving goods within the country, or availing services at different locations. Initially, it resulted in drop in tax collection, but after nearly a year of GST, the numbers have gone up.

Demonetisation

On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the nation by surprise when he announced the discontinuation of existing high-values currency notes - Rs 500 and 1000 - which was termed as demonetisation. THe decision was taken essentially to wipe out all the black money, curb fake currency and terror financing.

This prompted people to embrace digital payment channels and reduced their dependence on cash. Post-demonetisation, the number of tax returns filed by individuals increased 25.3 per cent and 9.1 million taxpayers have been added to the tax net.

Demonetisation, like GST, was put to challenge both by opposition parties and people who were shocked at huge amounts of cash disappearing from the system. Many assembly elections and bypolls were fought solely on these two economic decisions of the BJP, and the party paid by losing some of these polls. The main criticism was ATM machines going dry and long queues outside, but the upheaval was contained a few months later. Government announced a slew of measures to make people's lives easier.

Demonetisation, the gamble which government played, directly hit sectors like real estate where presence of black money was highest. The growth rate, which had plunged initially, is back now and compliance among the business community has increased.

Make in India

Just a few months into his term, PM Modi launched the "Make in India" scheme to facilitate domestic investment, boost in-house research & development (R&D) and create skill-based jobs by developing manufacturing in the country and to make India a global manufacturing power.

A "Start-up India" programme was also launched with the objective of making India the start-up capital of the world. Modi promised an increase in manufacturing's share of the country's GDP from 16 per cent to 25 per cent by 2022 and to create 100 million additional jobs by that year.

Aadhaar linking

The Modi government introduced a policy to link PAN card, voter ID, LPG connection card, ration card and mobile number to a 12-digit unique number, known as Aadhaar. It was introduced on March 26, 2016.

Modi government projected and Parliament enacted the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act. Today, Aadhaar has become India's most credible identity currency, and is used while filing taxes, and buying financial products like mutual funds.

PM Modi said that the unique identification number will work as a "big weapon" in the fight against benami property. "Aadhaar has a played a big role in ensuring that ration at proper rates, scholarships, pension and government subsidies reached the poor," he said.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign)

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched on October 2, 2014, by PM Modi with hopes to increase the reach of sanitation facilities to every family. Under the scheme, toilets, solid and liquid waste disposal systems, cleanliness, and safe and adequate drinking water supply will be ensured in every village of the country so that they can become open-defecation free by October 2, 2019. Modi nominated notable personalities from film industry, sports, media, business and other celebrities to promote the initiative.

The mission's biggest component, the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin or SBM-G, which has the vital mission of constructing 10 crore toilets in India's villages, has been underfunded since 2014, research report shows. The gap between money the SBM-G needs and what it actually gets has extended from Rs 3,500 crore in 2016-17 to an astounding Rs 15,000 crore in the coming financial year.

Since the Modi government came to power there have been significant economic changes in the country. His government has taken the rightful steps towards a stable political and macroeconomic environment, redefining the tax system, as well as battled corruption by introducing demonetisation. These policies have helped India’s economy outperform most emerging markets in per capita GDP growth, and improved the country's business environment, as inflation has dropped.

India's economic growth collapsed in the quarters following demonetisation. However, it turned around with the December quarter clocking 7.2 per cent growth In the country's GDP. India's ranking in the World Bank's "Ease of doing business report" also moved from 130 to 100 this year.

Another noteworthy accomplishment of the Indian economy over the past few years has been the extraordinary growth in foreign flows, in particular the foreign direct investment (FDI).

But then it also led to some downfalls. Bad debts - now at more than Rs 9 trillion - linger profoundly not just on government-controlled banks but also on its economic well-being (e.g. the 13,000 crore PNB fraud). The oil prices have been steadily increasing over the last couple of months.

The agriculture sector has taken a hit with farmers' income dropping in real terms, primarily on account of food price deflation and the breakdown in the cash-based rural economy after demonetisation. In fact, if one compares India's real GDP growth to expansion of its farm sector, the latter has steadily lagged the former since 2012.

GDP growth is still above five per cent, but it has slowed down sharply from past rates of eight and nine per cent. And even the above-five per cent GDP growth is not creating jobs fast enough. In 2014, during its election campaign, the government had promised to create 10 million jobs a year. However, only less than a million jobs were created in the four years it has been in power.

GDP growth is still above five per cent, but it has slowed down sharply from past rates of eight and nine per cent.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has completed four years. During this time, his government launched several initiatives which garnered laurels as well as created a lot of buzz across the country. As his party gears up for elections next year, here is a look at his pet schemes and how they have performed in these four years: Goods and Services Tax This was one of the most crucial reform introduced by the Modi government. Though the plan was in the works for more than a decade, the GST (as it is popularly called) was finally implemented in July, 2017. The GST replaced many indirect taxes (as many as 14) that previously existed and streamlined tax rates across the country under one umbrella. The implementation of GST altered the country's indirect tax regime for good. The GST was meant to introduce single tax slab across the country, but after numerous discussions and political compulsions, there are now four slabs. However, it has reduced the number of taxes while moving goods within the country, or availing services at different locations. Initially, it resulted in drop in tax collection, but after nearly a year of GST, the numbers have gone up. Demonetisation On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the nation by surprise when he announced the discontinuation of existing high-values currency notes - Rs 500 and 1000 - which was termed as demonetisation. THe decision was taken essentially to wipe out all the black money, curb fake currency and terror financing. This prompted people to embrace digital payment channels and reduced their dependence on cash. Post-demonetisation, the number of tax returns filed by individuals increased 25.3 per cent and 9.1 million taxpayers have been added to the tax net. Demonetisation, like GST, was put to challenge both by opposition parties and people who were shocked at huge amounts of cash disappearing from the system. Many assembly elections and bypolls were fought solely on these two economic decisions of the BJP, and the party paid by losing some of these polls. The main criticism was ATM machines going dry and long queues outside, but the upheaval was contained a few months later. Government announced a slew of measures to make people's lives easier. Demonetisation, the gamble which government played, directly hit sectors like real estate where presence of black money was highest. The growth rate, which had plunged initially, is back now and compliance among the business community has increased. Make in India Just a few months into his term, PM Modi launched the "Make in India" scheme to facilitate domestic investment, boost in-house research & development (R&D) and create skill-based jobs by developing manufacturing in the country and to make India a global manufacturing power. A "Start-up India" programme was also launched with the objective of making India the start-up capital of the world. Modi promised an increase in manufacturing's share of the country's GDP from 16 per cent to 25 per cent by 2022 and to create 100 million additional jobs by that year. Aadhaar linking The Modi government introduced a policy to link PAN card, voter ID, LPG connection card, ration card and mobile number to a 12-digit unique number, known as Aadhaar. It was introduced on March 26, 2016. Modi government projected and Parliament enacted the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act. Today, Aadhaar has become India's most credible identity currency, and is used while filing taxes, and buying financial products like mutual funds. PM Modi said that the unique identification number will work as a "big weapon" in the fight against benami property. "Aadhaar has a played a big role in ensuring that ration at proper rates, scholarships, pension and government subsidies reached the poor," he said. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched on October 2, 2014, by PM Modi with hopes to increase the reach of sanitation facilities to every family. Under the scheme, toilets, solid and liquid waste disposal systems, cleanliness, and safe and adequate drinking water supply will be ensured in every village of the country so that they can become open-defecation free by October 2, 2019. Modi nominated notable personalities from film industry, sports, media, business and other celebrities to promote the initiative. The mission's biggest component, the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin or SBM-G, which has the vital mission of constructing 10 crore toilets in India's villages, has been underfunded since 2014, research report shows. The gap between money the SBM-G needs and what it actually gets has extended from Rs 3,500 crore in 2016-17 to an astounding Rs 15,000 crore in the coming financial year. Since the Modi government came to power there have been significant economic changes in the country. His government has taken the rightful steps towards a stable political and macroeconomic environment, redefining the tax system, as well as battled corruption by introducing demonetisation. These policies have helped India’s economy outperform most emerging markets in per capita GDP growth, and improved the country's business environment, as inflation has dropped. India's economic growth collapsed in the quarters following demonetisation. However, it turned around with the December quarter clocking 7.2 per cent growth In the country's GDP. India's ranking in the World Bank's "Ease of doing business report" also moved from 130 to 100 this year. Another noteworthy accomplishment of the Indian economy over the past few years has been the extraordinary growth in foreign flows, in particular the foreign direct investment (FDI). But then it also led to some downfalls. Bad debts - now at more than Rs 9 trillion - linger profoundly not just on government-controlled banks but also on its economic well-being (e.g. the 13,000 crore PNB fraud). The oil prices have been steadily increasing over the last couple of months. The agriculture sector has taken a hit with farmers' income dropping in real terms, primarily on account of food price deflation and the breakdown in the cash-based rural economy after demonetisation. In fact, if one compares India's real GDP growth to expansion of its farm sector, the latter has steadily lagged the former since 2012. GDP growth is still above five per cent, but it has slowed down sharply from past rates of eight and nine per cent. And even the above-five per cent GDP growth is not creating jobs fast enough. In 2014, during its election campaign, the government had promised to create 10 million jobs a year. However, only less than a million jobs were created in the four years it has been in power.

Four years of Modi government: 5 schemes and how they performed

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