YSRCP chief Jaganmohan Reddy meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi

Pakistan is ready to hold talks with the new Indian government to resolve all outstanding issues, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said. 
Addressing an Iftar dinner in Multan on Saturday, Qureshi said both India and Pakistan should sit on negotiation table to solve issues for the sake ofprosperity and peace of the region, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

His remarks came two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday led his Bharatiya Janata Party towards a super-sized victory for a second term in office.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday congratulated Modi on his electoral triumph and expressed a desire to work with him for peace and prosperity in the region.

"I congratulate Prime Minister Modi on the electoral victory of BJP and allies. Look forward to working with him for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia," Khan tweeted in both English and Urdu.

In April, Khan said he believed there may be a better chance of peace talks with India and settle the Kashmir issue if Modi's party wins the general elections.

The results of India's general elections are very significant for Pakistan as the new government in New Delhi will determine the course of Indo-Pakistan ties, which were pushed to a new low after the Pulwama terror attack.

Just a day before the announcement of results, Qureshi and his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday exchanged pleasantries on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Foreign Ministers' meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. He conveyed to her Pakistan's desire to resolve all issues through dialogue.

Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14.

Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting the biggest JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside

Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in aerial combat and captured an IAF pilot, who was handed over to India.&nbsp;

Pakistan is ready to hold talks with the new Indian government to resolve all outstanding issues, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said. Addressing an Iftar dinner in Multan on Saturday, Qureshi said both India and Pakistan should sit on negotiation table to solve issues for the sake ofprosperity and peace of the region, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

Pakistan is ready to hold talks with the new Indian government to resolve all outstanding issues, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said. Addressing an Iftar dinner in Multan on Saturday, Qureshi said both India and Pakistan should sit on negotiation table to solve issues for the sake ofprosperity and peace of the region, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. His remarks came two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday led his Bharatiya Janata Party towards a super-sized victory for a second term in office. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday congratulated Modi on his electoral triumph and expressed a desire to work with him for peace and prosperity in the region. "I congratulate Prime Minister Modi on the electoral victory of BJP and allies. Look forward to working with him for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia," Khan tweeted in both English and Urdu. In April, Khan said he believed there may be a better chance of peace talks with India and settle the Kashmir issue if Modi's party wins the general elections. The results of India's general elections are very significant for Pakistan as the new government in New Delhi will determine the course of Indo-Pakistan ties, which were pushed to a new low after the Pulwama terror attack. Just a day before the announcement of results, Qureshi and his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday exchanged pleasantries on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Foreign Ministers' meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. He conveyed to her Pakistan's desire to resolve all issues through dialogue. Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14. Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting the biggest JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in aerial combat and captured an IAF pilot, who was handed over to India.

Pakistan ready to hold talks with new Indian government: Shah Mahmood Qureshi

Amit Shah's journey to becoming BJP's most successful president

All set for a second term as prime minister, Narendra Modi said Saturday his government will now begin "a new journey to build a new India with new energy" and reached out to minorities, saying the ruling alliance has to win their trust and work without any discrimination.

In his over 75-minute address after being elected the leader of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, Modi said the massive mandate has multiplied responsibilities, and advised lawmakers on their public conduct, saying they should avoid speaking to the media for publicity and shun the "VIP culture".

However, it was his suggestion to the MPs in his maiden speech to them that they work without any discrimination and win the trust of minorities that stood out as the alliance, especially the BJP, is often criticised for being indifferent to their concerns and not pursuing inclusive politics.

"Our mantra should be 'sabka saath, sabka vikas and sabka vishwas' (with all, for everybody's development and having everyone's trust)," he said in the speech which he began by bowing to the Constitution.

"They (minorities) cannot be handed over to them (Opposition), who benefit because we keep quiet," Modi said at Parliament's Central Hall, accusing his rivals of making minorities live in fear and exploiting them during elections as part of their vote-bank politics.

He said the poor were deceived all these years but his government managed to break through this "deception" and improved their lot and asked NDA MPs to similarly smash through the deception around minorities.

"Minorities were deceived, like the poor. Minorities were made to live in fear," the prime minister said.

It would be good if their education, social and economic standards are lifted up, he said, lamenting the minorities were instead made to live in an "imaginary fear".

"We have to break through this deception. We have to win their trust... It is a big responsibility that we have to fulfil. Those who vote us are ours and even our most trenchant opponents are ours. We cannot believe in any discrimination," he said.

Invoking the 1857 war against the British rule, he said all communities worked shoulder-to-shoulder for self-rule then and called for replicating a similar unifying spirit for good governance now as India readies to celebrate the 75 years of independence in 2022.

"The Constitution is supreme for us. Whatever form of worship we follow at home but outside there cannot be a bigger God for us than Bharat Mata (Mother India)," he said, likening the country's 130 crore citizens to 130 crore 'Gods' who should be served by the ruling alliance with a similar spirit.

The BJP-led NDA that won 353 of the 542 Lok Sabha seats for which elections were held, made huge inroads in different sections of society. 
However, minorities mostly voted for the opposition due to their wariness over BJP's Hindutva politics, political watchers believe.

"We stand for those who trusted us and also for those whose trust we have to win... We have to take everyone along to take India to new heights in the 21st century," Modi said.

With speculation rife over who will join his Council of Ministers, Modi said he was yet to go through the details of all the NDA MPs and asked them to not trust media reports in this regard, adding they are aimed at creating confusion and often put out with "bad intentions".

Many "Narendra Modis" have cropped up in the country, giving out ministerial positions to MPs, he said wryly and added that newspaper reports do not make ministers.

Responsibilities will be given as per norms, he stressed.

Modi said elections often divide and create gulf but 2019 polls united the people and society.

There was a pro-incumbency sentiment in this election and its result was a positive mandate, he said, adding that there is no better path than serving people when in power.

"We ran the government for poor people between 2014-19 and I can say the poor elected the government this time," he said.

He also called for the NDA to work with cohesion for the country's development and said his "naara" (slogan) for the alliance is "national ambition and regional aspirations".

Asking MPs to work together with him, he said they should shun arrogance as it is people not their personality, any caste or Modi who elected them.

The vote share of BJP and its allies rose over 25 percentage points in this general election, he said, adding in a lighter vein that in absolute terms the rise is as much as the votes polled by US President Donald Trump.

"Wave" is a light word to describe the mandate the NDA has received, he said, noting that the NDA won more than 50 per cent votes in 17 states.

He said the NDA will work to meet national ambition with regional aspirations and invoked BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee to underscore his party's commitment to the National Democratic Alliance, first stitched during Vajpayee's time.

There should be energy and synergy in the alliance, he said.

The BJP has had uneasy relations with some of its allies in the last five years before it worked to repair them ahead of the 2019 election.

All of its allies, including JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray and Akali Dal's Parkash Singh Badal, were on the dais when Modi spoke to the lawmakers.&nbsp;

All set for a second term as prime minister, Narendra Modi said Saturday his government will now begin "a new journey to build a new India with new energy" and reached out to minorities, saying the ruling alliance has to win their trust and work without any discrimination.

All set for a second term as prime minister, Narendra Modi said Saturday his government will now begin "a new journey to build a new India with new energy" and reached out to minorities, saying the ruling alliance has to win their trust and work without any discrimination. In his over 75-minute address after being elected the leader of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, Modi said the massive mandate has multiplied responsibilities, and advised lawmakers on their public conduct, saying they should avoid speaking to the media for publicity and shun the "VIP culture". However, it was his suggestion to the MPs in his maiden speech to them that they work without any discrimination and win the trust of minorities that stood out as the alliance, especially the BJP, is often criticised for being indifferent to their concerns and not pursuing inclusive politics. "Our mantra should be 'sabka saath, sabka vikas and sabka vishwas' (with all, for everybody's development and having everyone's trust)," he said in the speech which he began by bowing to the Constitution. "They (minorities) cannot be handed over to them (Opposition), who benefit because we keep quiet," Modi said at Parliament's Central Hall, accusing his rivals of making minorities live in fear and exploiting them during elections as part of their vote-bank politics. He said the poor were deceived all these years but his government managed to break through this "deception" and improved their lot and asked NDA MPs to similarly smash through the deception around minorities. "Minorities were deceived, like the poor. Minorities were made to live in fear," the prime minister said. It would be good if their education, social and economic standards are lifted up, he said, lamenting the minorities were instead made to live in an "imaginary fear". "We have to break through this deception. We have to win their trust... It is a big responsibility that we have to fulfil. Those who vote us are ours and even our most trenchant opponents are ours. We cannot believe in any discrimination," he said. Invoking the 1857 war against the British rule, he said all communities worked shoulder-to-shoulder for self-rule then and called for replicating a similar unifying spirit for good governance now as India readies to celebrate the 75 years of independence in 2022. "The Constitution is supreme for us. Whatever form of worship we follow at home but outside there cannot be a bigger God for us than Bharat Mata (Mother India)," he said, likening the country's 130 crore citizens to 130 crore 'Gods' who should be served by the ruling alliance with a similar spirit. The BJP-led NDA that won 353 of the 542 Lok Sabha seats for which elections were held, made huge inroads in different sections of society. However, minorities mostly voted for the opposition due to their wariness over BJP's Hindutva politics, political watchers believe. "We stand for those who trusted us and also for those whose trust we have to win... We have to take everyone along to take India to new heights in the 21st century," Modi said. With speculation rife over who will join his Council of Ministers, Modi said he was yet to go through the details of all the NDA MPs and asked them to not trust media reports in this regard, adding they are aimed at creating confusion and often put out with "bad intentions". Many "Narendra Modis" have cropped up in the country, giving out ministerial positions to MPs, he said wryly and added that newspaper reports do not make ministers. Responsibilities will be given as per norms, he stressed. Modi said elections often divide and create gulf but 2019 polls united the people and society. There was a pro-incumbency sentiment in this election and its result was a positive mandate, he said, adding that there is no better path than serving people when in power. "We ran the government for poor people between 2014-19 and I can say the poor elected the government this time," he said. He also called for the NDA to work with cohesion for the country's development and said his "naara" (slogan) for the alliance is "national ambition and regional aspirations". Asking MPs to work together with him, he said they should shun arrogance as it is people not their personality, any caste or Modi who elected them. The vote share of BJP and its allies rose over 25 percentage points in this general election, he said, adding in a lighter vein that in absolute terms the rise is as much as the votes polled by US President Donald Trump. "Wave" is a light word to describe the mandate the NDA has received, he said, noting that the NDA won more than 50 per cent votes in 17 states. He said the NDA will work to meet national ambition with regional aspirations and invoked BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee to underscore his party's commitment to the National Democratic Alliance, first stitched during Vajpayee's time. There should be energy and synergy in the alliance, he said. The BJP has had uneasy relations with some of its allies in the last five years before it worked to repair them ahead of the 2019 election. All of its allies, including JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray and Akali Dal's Parkash Singh Badal, were on the dais when Modi spoke to the lawmakers.

Modi asks NDA MPs to work without discrimination, reach out to minorities

Impressed with the prime minister, a Muslim woman has decided to name her newborn 'Narendra Damodardas Modi'.

After failing to convince the mother Mainaz Begum against it, the family in Parsapur Mahraur village has filed an affidavit seeking the registration of the name.

Mainaz Begum came up with the idea while names for the boy were being discussed on May 23, the day the Lok Sabha results came in and Narendra Modi won a massive mandate.

People around her tried to make her change her mind, but she was adamant, her father-in-law Idrees told PTI.

When her husband Mushtaq Ahmed, who works in Dubai, was informed, he too tried to make her drop the idea. But he ended up agreeing to his wife's wish.

The family then filed an affidavit addressed to the district magistrate and submitted it to Assistant Development Officer (panchayat) Ghanshyam Pandey.

When contacted, Pandey said he received the affidavit on Friday.

He said the application has been forwarded to the village panchayat secretary, who deals with the registration of births and deaths.

"Action will be taken as per the law," he said.

In the affidavit, Mainaz Begum lavished praise on Modi and his government's welfare schemes, including free cooking gas connection to the poor and financial help to construct toilets.

"He is doing very good work for the country,"&nbsp;it said.

The affidavit also praised Modi for the initiative to end triple talaq.

Her father-in-law Idrees said naming the child was the family's private affair and "no one should interfere in this."

Impressed with the prime minister, a Muslim woman has decided to name her newborn 'Narendra Damodardas Modi'. After failing to convince the mother Mainaz Begum against it, the family in Parsapur Mahraur village has filed an affidavit seeking the registration of the name.

Impressed with the prime minister, a Muslim woman has decided to name her newborn 'Narendra Damodardas Modi'. After failing to convince the mother Mainaz Begum against it, the family in Parsapur Mahraur village has filed an affidavit seeking the registration of the name. Mainaz Begum came up with the idea while names for the boy were being discussed on May 23, the day the Lok Sabha results came in and Narendra Modi won a massive mandate. People around her tried to make her change her mind, but she was adamant, her father-in-law Idrees told PTI. When her husband Mushtaq Ahmed, who works in Dubai, was informed, he too tried to make her drop the idea. But he ended up agreeing to his wife's wish. The family then filed an affidavit addressed to the district magistrate and submitted it to Assistant Development Officer (panchayat) Ghanshyam Pandey. When contacted, Pandey said he received the affidavit on Friday. He said the application has been forwarded to the village panchayat secretary, who deals with the registration of births and deaths. "Action will be taken as per the law," he said. In the affidavit, Mainaz Begum lavished praise on Modi and his government's welfare schemes, including free cooking gas connection to the poor and financial help to construct toilets. "He is doing very good work for the country," it said. The affidavit also praised Modi for the initiative to end triple talaq. Her father-in-law Idrees said naming the child was the family's private affair and "no one should interfere in this."

UP: Muslim woman names newborn 'Narendra Modi'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/defying-congress-trump-sets-8-billion-plus-in-weapons-sales-to-saudi-arabia-uae-221419">Defying Congress, Trump sets $8 billion-plus in weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE</a>

US President Donald Trump, declaring a national emergency because of tensions with Iran, swept aside objections from Congress on Friday to complete the sale of over $8 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/arun-jaitley-unlikely-to-remain-finance-minister-in-modis-new-term-report-221424">Arun Jaitley unlikely to remain Finance Minister in PM Modi's new term: Report</a>

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is unlikely to continue in his current role due to poor health as Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his second term, according to four sources with knowledge of the matter.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-plans-cryptocurrency-launch-next-year-report-221431">Facebook plans to launch its own 'GlobalCoin' cryptocurrency next year: Report</a>

Facebook has been in contact with US and British financial regulators with a view to launching its own cryptocurrency next year, the BBC reported on Friday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-orders-intelligence-community-to-cooperate-with-review-on-russia-probe-origins-221435">Trump orders intelligence community to cooperate with review on Russia probe origins</a>

US President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the intelligence community to cooperate with Attorney General William Barr's review of the events that prompted an investigation into links between the Trump campaign and Russia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-retweets-doctored-video-of-pelosi-to-portray-her-as-having-lost-it-221418">Trump retweets doctored video of Pelosi to portray her as having 'lost it'</a>

US President Donald Trump, engaged in personal attacks on House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, retweeted a heavily edited video that falsely claimed the Democratic leader had difficulty speaking to reporters.

&nbsp;

Defying Congress, Trump sets $8 billion-plus in weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE US President Donald Trump, declaring a national emergency because of tensions with Iran, swept aside objections from Congress on Friday to complete the sale of over $8 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

Defying Congress, Trump sets $8 billion-plus in weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE US President Donald Trump, declaring a national emergency because of tensions with Iran, swept aside objections from Congress on Friday to complete the sale of over $8 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. Arun Jaitley unlikely to remain Finance Minister in PM Modi's new term: Report Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is unlikely to continue in his current role due to poor health as Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his second term, according to four sources with knowledge of the matter. Facebook plans to launch its own 'GlobalCoin' cryptocurrency next year: Report Facebook has been in contact with US and British financial regulators with a view to launching its own cryptocurrency next year, the BBC reported on Friday. Trump orders intelligence community to cooperate with review on Russia probe origins US President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the intelligence community to cooperate with Attorney General William Barr's review of the events that prompted an investigation into links between the Trump campaign and Russia. Trump retweets doctored video of Pelosi to portray her as having 'lost it' US President Donald Trump, engaged in personal attacks on House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, retweeted a heavily edited video that falsely claimed the Democratic leader had difficulty speaking to reporters.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The parliamentary board of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/focus-is-now-on-the-next-five-years-team-will-deliver-better-pm-modi-221500">BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA)</a>&nbsp;unanimously elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi as leader of NDA coalition&nbsp;at a meeting in Parliament's Central Hall in New Delhi&nbsp;on Saturday.

Amit shah proposed Narendra Modi's&nbsp;name as the leader of BJP Parliamentary Party while Rajnath singh and Nitin Gadkari seconded the proposal which was endorsed by all BJP MPs.&nbsp;

"Modi is elected the leader of the parliamentary party of 353 MPs unanimously," BJP president Amit Shah announced after the election as Modi acknowledged the support and cheers from MPs.

Top alliance leaders, including JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray and Akali Dal's Parkash Singh Badal, extended their party's support after Modi was elected as the leader of the BJP parliamentary party at first.

Modi's election was a mere formality as the NDA had already declared him the alliance's prime ministerial candidate.

Modi sought the blessings of senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi immediately after he was elected as the leader of BJP &amp; NDA at the NDA meeting.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/arun-jaitley-unlikely-to-remain-finance-minister-in-modis-new-term-report-221424">NDA leaders </a>will meet President Ram Nath Kovind at 7pm. After the meeting, Modi will meet the President at 8pm and stake claim to form the government.

The 16th Lok Sabha was dissolved on Saturday following the general elections and the new House has been constituted. The President signed the order accepting the advice of the Cabinet which met on Friday and made a recommendation to this effect.

The NDA returned to power with a massive majority in the Lok Sabha elections with the BJP alone bagging 303 of total 542 seats contested, 21 more than it had got in the 2014 elections. Elections were held in 542 of the 543 seats. The election in Vellore Lok Sabha seat was cancelled by the Election Commission citing abuse of money power.

Watch: PM Modi interacts with entire PMO staff in New Delhi

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Modi's swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place on May 30. India has started sending out invites to neighbouring countries and ASEAN nations for the ceremony.

WION has learnt that Sri Lankan President's office has confirmed to media that President Maithripala Sirisena will be attending the oath-taking ceremony. This is in line with the Modi government's "Neighbourhood First" policy and "Act East" policy as well as its growing focus on the BIMSTEC grouping.

&nbsp;

The parliamentary board of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) unanimously elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi as leader of NDA coalition at a meeting in Parliament's Central Hall in New Delhi on Saturday.

The parliamentary board of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) unanimously elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi as leader of NDA coalition at a meeting in Parliament's Central Hall in New Delhi on Saturday. Amit shah proposed Narendra Modi's name as the leader of BJP Parliamentary Party while Rajnath singh and Nitin Gadkari seconded the proposal which was endorsed by all BJP MPs. "Modi is elected the leader of the parliamentary party of 353 MPs unanimously," BJP president Amit Shah announced after the election as Modi acknowledged the support and cheers from MPs. Top alliance leaders, including JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray and Akali Dal's Parkash Singh Badal, extended their party's support after Modi was elected as the leader of the BJP parliamentary party at first. Modi's election was a mere formality as the NDA had already declared him the alliance's prime ministerial candidate. Modi sought the blessings of senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi immediately after he was elected as the leader of BJP & NDA at the NDA meeting. The NDA leaders will meet President Ram Nath Kovind at 7pm. After the meeting, Modi will meet the President at 8pm and stake claim to form the government. The 16th Lok Sabha was dissolved on Saturday following the general elections and the new House has been constituted. The President signed the order accepting the advice of the Cabinet which met on Friday and made a recommendation to this effect. The NDA returned to power with a massive majority in the Lok Sabha elections with the BJP alone bagging 303 of total 542 seats contested, 21 more than it had got in the 2014 elections. Elections were held in 542 of the 543 seats. The election in Vellore Lok Sabha seat was cancelled by the Election Commission citing abuse of money power. Watch: PM Modi interacts with entire PMO staff in New Delhi × Modi's swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place on May 30. India has started sending out invites to neighbouring countries and ASEAN nations for the ceremony. WION has learnt that Sri Lankan President's office has confirmed to media that President Maithripala Sirisena will be attending the oath-taking ceremony. This is in line with the Modi government's "Neighbourhood First" policy and "Act East" policy as well as its growing focus on the BIMSTEC grouping.

Modi unanimously elected leader of NDA coalition, to stake claim to form government today

The results for 2019 Lok Sabha elections are out. BJP is back with a thumping majority and Modi wave 2.0 has gripped the country.&nbsp;

Results have panned out as per the exit polls. What Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha Rao and Atal Bihari Vajpayee could not achieve, has been accomplished by Narendra Modi. In 2014, development had trumped caste and BJP swept the Hindi heartland.

Similarly, caste-based opportunistic alliances in 2019 have failed to pin down the BJP and the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo. &nbsp;The development agenda, Modi’s persona and Shah’s organisational skills have beat caste again. As of early evening, the BJP has crossed the halfway mark on a standalone basis, leading in 298 seats. The Congress is struggling to score a half-century again, leading in just 51 seats.

The Modi-Shah duo scripted this victory well in advance. Minor losses in UP (-14) were made up with gains in Bengal (+17) and Odisha (+5).&nbsp;

After winning largely on the support of the middle and rich class, the duo made serious inroads into the poor and lower classes through schemes like Jan Dhan, PMAY, Ujjwala, Ayushman and Swachch Bharat, among others. &nbsp;

The duo knew that the Mahagathbandhan would pose a threat in UP. Hence, they further broadened NDA’s social base in UP by bringing in the Nishad Party. To compensate for losses in UP, the party drew a comprehensive strategy to win seats in Bengal and Odisha.&nbsp;

In Bengal, they saw an opening due to the minority appeasement politics of Mamata. In Odisha, the 19-year anti-incumbency of Naveen Patnaik was targeted. Modi and Shah’s rallies were also planned accordingly. About 40 per cent of Modi’s rallies and roadshows were planned in UP, Bengal and Odisha.&nbsp;

Disgruntled leaders from BJD (Jay Panda) and TMC (Mukul Roy) were brought on board.&nbsp;

Modi continues to be the trump card for NDA. As per CSDS survey, the preference for Modi over Rahul has increased to 46 per cent as compared to 45 per cent in 2014. This, despite the much-vaunted, so-called increase in Rahul Gandhi’s appeal.&nbsp;

The Modi factor has increased from 27 per cent to 32 per cent in 2019, as per this survey. Nearly 32 per cent of BJP voters would not have backed the party if Modi was not their PM candidate. That is why BJP centered the campaign around him #ModiHaiToMumkinHai (it is possible if there is Modi) and #PhirEkBaarModiSarkar (another time, Modi government).

The two states that were key to BJP’s fortunes — Maharashtra and Bihar — where NDA won 73 out of 88 seats in 2014, were also tackled by Shah with maturity. BJP was facing the ire of disgruntled allies and trouble in seat-sharing with Nitish and Uddhav. For Shah, it is only about winning — at any cost.

He showed amazing accommodation skills, giving equal seats to these partners and keeping their egos in good humour. Result: NDA has swept Maharashtra and Bihar. (78,+5).

It’s not only about Modi and Shah. Party workers, 10 crore at last count, are the eyes and ears of the organisation. They provide feedback on government schemes, probable candidates as well as play a key role in reaching out to the voters with achievements of the government.&nbsp;

Added to this is the RSS workforce, which works relentlessly for the party due to ideological leanings. The party devised a strategy for the Hindi heartland, which it had swept in 2014.

In UP in 2014, Mahagathbandhan had 43 per cent vote share as against NDA’s 43.6 per cent. NDA had won 73 out of 80 seats in 2014. Mahagathbandhan partners could not seamlessly transfer votes to each other.&nbsp;

Congress, too, played the role of spoiler. BJP managed to bring into its fold the Nishad party. Early evening indications suggest that NDA is leading in 59 and Mahagathbandhan in 20 seats.&nbsp;

The biggest news is the upset of Rahul Gandhi, who conceded defeat in Amethi to Smriti Irani.

In Bihar, the Mahagathbandhan consisting of RJD, Congress, Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP), Jitan Manjhi’s Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM), Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP), CPI-ML and Sharad Yadav’s party have been routed.&nbsp;

People voted for Modi as well as Nitish Kumar or the Sushashan babu. Until last reports, NDA was leading in 37 and the Mahagathbandhan in three seats. In Madhya Pradesh, as evident from state election results of 2018, SC-STs moved away from the party to the Congress.&nbsp;

The BJP also had to bear the brunt of upper caste anger against amendment to SC-ST Atrocities Act. Through 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS), BJP managed to assuage the feelings of the upper castes. As per last reports, BJP was leading in 28 and the Congress in just one seat.

In Rajasthan, BJP got a boost with Beniwal, a prominent Jat leader joining the party ahead of the polls. This consolidated Jats and Rajputs vote in favour of the BJP and the party swept all 25 seats again.&nbsp;

In Jharkhand, too, the Magathbandhan failed to make a dent in the NDA’s vote bank despite a good social base of minorities and tribal. BJP was leading in 12 and Mahagathbandhan in two seats, the same as last time in 2014.&nbsp;

The surprise pack is Chhattisgarh, when everybody had written off BJP. It is likely to repeat its performance, sweeping 10 out of 11 seats. It is leading in all ST reserved seats, except Bastar. The OBCs have returned back to the party-fold.

To sum up, BJP’s development agenda trumped caste again! Modi magic, coupled with better management of contradictions in vote bank politics, and stress on nationalism has helped the NDA to return to power comprehensively.&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-the-narendra-modi-amit-shah-victory-script-2753020">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The results for 2019 Lok Sabha elections are out. BJP is back with a thumping majority and Modi wave 2.0 has gripped the country. Results have panned out as per the exit polls.

The results for 2019 Lok Sabha elections are out. BJP is back with a thumping majority and Modi wave 2.0 has gripped the country. Results have panned out as per the exit polls. What Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha Rao and Atal Bihari Vajpayee could not achieve, has been accomplished by Narendra Modi. In 2014, development had trumped caste and BJP swept the Hindi heartland. Similarly, caste-based opportunistic alliances in 2019 have failed to pin down the BJP and the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo. The development agenda, Modi’s persona and Shah’s organisational skills have beat caste again. As of early evening, the BJP has crossed the halfway mark on a standalone basis, leading in 298 seats. The Congress is struggling to score a half-century again, leading in just 51 seats. The Modi-Shah duo scripted this victory well in advance. Minor losses in UP (-14) were made up with gains in Bengal (+17) and Odisha (+5). After winning largely on the support of the middle and rich class, the duo made serious inroads into the poor and lower classes through schemes like Jan Dhan, PMAY, Ujjwala, Ayushman and Swachch Bharat, among others. The duo knew that the Mahagathbandhan would pose a threat in UP. Hence, they further broadened NDA’s social base in UP by bringing in the Nishad Party. To compensate for losses in UP, the party drew a comprehensive strategy to win seats in Bengal and Odisha. In Bengal, they saw an opening due to the minority appeasement politics of Mamata. In Odisha, the 19-year anti-incumbency of Naveen Patnaik was targeted. Modi and Shah’s rallies were also planned accordingly. About 40 per cent of Modi’s rallies and roadshows were planned in UP, Bengal and Odisha. Disgruntled leaders from BJD (Jay Panda) and TMC (Mukul Roy) were brought on board. Modi continues to be the trump card for NDA. As per CSDS survey, the preference for Modi over Rahul has increased to 46 per cent as compared to 45 per cent in 2014. This, despite the much-vaunted, so-called increase in Rahul Gandhi’s appeal. The Modi factor has increased from 27 per cent to 32 per cent in 2019, as per this survey. Nearly 32 per cent of BJP voters would not have backed the party if Modi was not their PM candidate. That is why BJP centered the campaign around him #ModiHaiToMumkinHai (it is possible if there is Modi) and #PhirEkBaarModiSarkar (another time, Modi government). The two states that were key to BJP’s fortunes — Maharashtra and Bihar — where NDA won 73 out of 88 seats in 2014, were also tackled by Shah with maturity. BJP was facing the ire of disgruntled allies and trouble in seat-sharing with Nitish and Uddhav. For Shah, it is only about winning — at any cost. He showed amazing accommodation skills, giving equal seats to these partners and keeping their egos in good humour. Result: NDA has swept Maharashtra and Bihar. (78,+5). It’s not only about Modi and Shah. Party workers, 10 crore at last count, are the eyes and ears of the organisation. They provide feedback on government schemes, probable candidates as well as play a key role in reaching out to the voters with achievements of the government. Added to this is the RSS workforce, which works relentlessly for the party due to ideological leanings. The party devised a strategy for the Hindi heartland, which it had swept in 2014. In UP in 2014, Mahagathbandhan had 43 per cent vote share as against NDA’s 43.6 per cent. NDA had won 73 out of 80 seats in 2014. Mahagathbandhan partners could not seamlessly transfer votes to each other. Congress, too, played the role of spoiler. BJP managed to bring into its fold the Nishad party. Early evening indications suggest that NDA is leading in 59 and Mahagathbandhan in 20 seats. The biggest news is the upset of Rahul Gandhi, who conceded defeat in Amethi to Smriti Irani. In Bihar, the Mahagathbandhan consisting of RJD, Congress, Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP), Jitan Manjhi’s Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM), Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP), CPI-ML and Sharad Yadav’s party have been routed. People voted for Modi as well as Nitish Kumar or the Sushashan babu. Until last reports, NDA was leading in 37 and the Mahagathbandhan in three seats. In Madhya Pradesh, as evident from state election results of 2018, SC-STs moved away from the party to the Congress. The BJP also had to bear the brunt of upper caste anger against amendment to SC-ST Atrocities Act. Through 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS), BJP managed to assuage the feelings of the upper castes. As per last reports, BJP was leading in 28 and the Congress in just one seat. In Rajasthan, BJP got a boost with Beniwal, a prominent Jat leader joining the party ahead of the polls. This consolidated Jats and Rajputs vote in favour of the BJP and the party swept all 25 seats again. In Jharkhand, too, the Magathbandhan failed to make a dent in the NDA’s vote bank despite a good social base of minorities and tribal. BJP was leading in 12 and Mahagathbandhan in two seats, the same as last time in 2014. The surprise pack is Chhattisgarh, when everybody had written off BJP. It is likely to repeat its performance, sweeping 10 out of 11 seats. It is leading in all ST reserved seats, except Bastar. The OBCs have returned back to the party-fold. To sum up, BJP’s development agenda trumped caste again! Modi magic, coupled with better management of contradictions in vote bank politics, and stress on nationalism has helped the NDA to return to power comprehensively. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Lok Sabha election results 2019: Better management of vote bank contradictions and development were BJP’s keys

After <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/elections-in-india-an-inspiration-around-the-world-us-221140">making a comeback with a massive majority</a>&nbsp;in Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-proves-sceptics-wrong-with-stunning-performance-in-hindi-heartland-221136">Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)</a> president Amit Shah visited veteran leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi on Friday morning to seek blessings.

''Called on respected Advani Ji. The BJP’s successes today are possible because greats like him spent decades building the party and providing a fresh ideological narrative to the people,'' Modi tweeted.

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Called on respected Advani Ji. The BJP’s successes today are possible because greats like him spent decades building the party and providing a fresh ideological narrative to the people. <a href="https://t.co/liXK8cfsrI">pic.twitter.com/liXK8cfsrI</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1131791055295307776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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In another tweet Modi wrote, ''Dr Murli Manohar Joshi is a scholar and intellectual par excellence. His contribution towards improving Indian education is remarkable. He has always worked to strengthen the BJP and mentor several Karyakartas, including me. Met him this morning and sought his blessings.''

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Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi is a scholar and intellectual par excellence. His contribution towards improving Indian education is remarkable. He has always worked to strengthen the BJP and mentor several Karyakartas, including me. 
 
Met him this morning and sought his blessings. <a href="https://t.co/gppfDt7KiB">pic.twitter.com/gppfDt7KiB</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1131795566495772672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Both Advani and Joshi congratulated Modi for his remarkable victory.

''Heartiest congratulations to Narendrabhai Modi for steering the BJP towards this unprecedented victory in the elections," Advani said in a statement.

Advani also praised Amit Shah and the party workers. "Amitbhai Shah as the BJP President and all the dedicated workers of the party have put in enormous effort in making sure that the message of BJP reaches every voter of the country," he said.

The BJP has won 299 seats and leading on four others while the Congress has won 52 seats, as per latest Election trends.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;PM Modi, Amit Shah visits senior BJP leaders

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-votes-pm-modi-amit-shah-visits-senior-bjp-leaders-221205/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Modi on Thursday gave his first address after the party seemed poised to register a landslide win.</div>

The prime minister promised to devote "every moment" of his life and "every fibre" of his being for the people of India.&nbsp;

"This is a mandate to form new India," PM Modi said in his victory speech.

After making a comeback with a massive majority in Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah visited veteran leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi on Friday morning to seek blessings.

After making a comeback with a massive majority in Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah visited veteran leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi on Friday morning to seek blessings. ''Called on respected Advani Ji. The BJP’s successes today are possible because greats like him spent decades building the party and providing a fresh ideological narrative to the people,'' Modi tweeted. Called on respected Advani Ji. The BJP’s successes today are possible because greats like him spent decades building the party and providing a fresh ideological narrative to the people. pic.twitter.com/liXK8cfsrI — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 24, 2019 × In another tweet Modi wrote, ''Dr Murli Manohar Joshi is a scholar and intellectual par excellence. His contribution towards improving Indian education is remarkable. He has always worked to strengthen the BJP and mentor several Karyakartas, including me. Met him this morning and sought his blessings.'' Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi is a scholar and intellectual par excellence. His contribution towards improving Indian education is remarkable. He has always worked to strengthen the BJP and mentor several Karyakartas, including me. Met him this morning and sought his blessings. pic.twitter.com/gppfDt7KiB — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 24, 2019 × Both Advani and Joshi congratulated Modi for his remarkable victory. ''Heartiest congratulations to Narendrabhai Modi for steering the BJP towards this unprecedented victory in the elections," Advani said in a statement. Advani also praised Amit Shah and the party workers. "Amitbhai Shah as the BJP President and all the dedicated workers of the party have put in enormous effort in making sure that the message of BJP reaches every voter of the country," he said. The BJP has won 299 seats and leading on four others while the Congress has won 52 seats, as per latest Election trends. Watch: PM Modi, Amit Shah visits senior BJP leaders Modi on Thursday gave his first address after the party seemed poised to register a landslide win. The prime minister promised to devote "every moment" of his life and "every fibre" of his being for the people of India. "This is a mandate to form new India," PM Modi said in his victory speech.

Lok Sabha election 2019: PM Modi, Amit Shah visit LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi after landslide victory

India has ended all imports of oil from Iran, its ambassador in Washington said Thursday, becoming the latest country to grudgingly comply with threatened US sanctions.

India had already sharply decreased its imports from Iran and bought one million tonnes (tons) of crude in April, the last month before <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-warns-of-painful-consequences-if-us-escalates-tensions-220517">Washington stepped up its pressure campaign against Tehran</a> and ended all exemptions to sanctions, Ambassador Harsh Vardhan Shringla said.

"That's it. After that we haven't imported any," Shringla told reporters during a briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election victory.

Shringla said that energy-hungry India has also ended all imports from Venezuela because it considered itself a partner of the United States -- but said the shift had caused pain at home, with Iran formerly supplying 10 per cent of India's oil needs.

Calling Iran "an extended neighbour" of India with longstanding cultural links, Shringla declined to say if New Delhi shared President Donald Trump's concerns about Tehran.

"This is an issue that has to be dealt with, really, between the United States and Iran. We are only, in many senses, looking at it as a third party," Shringla said.

But he added: "We would not like to see a move towards any escalation in any way in that area, for the simple reason that we depend very heavily on stability in that part of the world."

Trump last year pulled out of a multinational pact under which Iran drastically scaled back its nuclear work in return for promises of sanctions relief.

The Trump administration has instead ramped up economic pressure on Iran and recently deployed military assets including an aircraft carrier strike group to the area.

The United States as of May 2 ended exemptions it had given to eight governments from its unilateral order to stop buying Iranian oil.

Turkey, which enjoyed a waiver and vocally disagreed with the US policy, has also stopped importing oil from Iran, a Turkish official said Wednesday.

State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus welcomed the news from Turkey.

"We want the whole world to comply with these sanctions, and we're grateful for our partners and allies that are respecting them," she told reporters.

The Indian ambassador, however, voiced confidence that US sanctions would not affect its partnership in developing Iran's Chabahar port.&nbsp;

India wants to use the port to ship supplies into Afghanistan in a detour from its arch-rival Pakistan, which historically backed the Taliban.&nbsp;

"I think it is in the interest of both our countries and all others concerned to ensure that that lifeline continues for the people of Afghanistan," Shringla said.

India has ended all imports of oil from Iran, its ambassador in Washington said Thursday, becoming the latest country to grudgingly comply with threatened US sanctions.

India has ended all imports of oil from Iran, its ambassador in Washington said Thursday, becoming the latest country to grudgingly comply with threatened US sanctions. India had already sharply decreased its imports from Iran and bought one million tonnes (tons) of crude in April, the last month before Washington stepped up its pressure campaign against Tehran and ended all exemptions to sanctions, Ambassador Harsh Vardhan Shringla said. "That's it. After that we haven't imported any," Shringla told reporters during a briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election victory. Shringla said that energy-hungry India has also ended all imports from Venezuela because it considered itself a partner of the United States -- but said the shift had caused pain at home, with Iran formerly supplying 10 per cent of India's oil needs. Calling Iran "an extended neighbour" of India with longstanding cultural links, Shringla declined to say if New Delhi shared President Donald Trump's concerns about Tehran. "This is an issue that has to be dealt with, really, between the United States and Iran. We are only, in many senses, looking at it as a third party," Shringla said. But he added: "We would not like to see a move towards any escalation in any way in that area, for the simple reason that we depend very heavily on stability in that part of the world." Trump last year pulled out of a multinational pact under which Iran drastically scaled back its nuclear work in return for promises of sanctions relief. The Trump administration has instead ramped up economic pressure on Iran and recently deployed military assets including an aircraft carrier strike group to the area. The United States as of May 2 ended exemptions it had given to eight governments from its unilateral order to stop buying Iranian oil. Turkey, which enjoyed a waiver and vocally disagreed with the US policy, has also stopped importing oil from Iran, a Turkish official said Wednesday. State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus welcomed the news from Turkey. "We want the whole world to comply with these sanctions, and we're grateful for our partners and allies that are respecting them," she told reporters. The Indian ambassador, however, voiced confidence that US sanctions would not affect its partnership in developing Iran's Chabahar port. India wants to use the port to ship supplies into Afghanistan in a detour from its arch-rival Pakistan, which historically backed the Taliban. "I think it is in the interest of both our countries and all others concerned to ensure that that lifeline continues for the people of Afghanistan," Shringla said.

Amid Washington-Tehran tension, India ends Iranian oil imports: Envoy

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/elections-in-india-an-inspiration-around-the-world-us-221140">Elections in India an inspiration around the world: US</a>

Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his re-election, the United States has said that the just-concluded elections in India, the largest democratic exercise in human history, is an inspiration for people around the world.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/nothing-is-impossible-giantslayer-smriti-irani-topples-rahul-gandhi-in-amethi-221132">Nothing is impossible: 'Giantslayer' Smriti Irani topples Rahul Gandhi in Amethi</a>

Putting an end to Amethi's decades-long-relationship with Congress, Smriti Irani has emerged as the star of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by giving Rahul Gandhi a run for his money in a constituency which was considered a bastion of the Gandhi family for decades.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-proves-sceptics-wrong-with-stunning-performance-in-hindi-heartland-221136">BJP proves sceptics wrong with stunning performance in Hindi heartland</a>

The BJP repeated it superlative performance in five key Hindi-speaking states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, as the party along with its allies not only bagged or was leading in 165 out of 185 Lok Sabha seats, but also enjoyed a massive vote swing in its favour.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-announces-17-new-espionage-charges-against-wikileaks-julian-assange-221127">US announces 17 new espionage charges against Wikileaks' Julian Assange</a>

The US Justice Department unveiled 17 new criminal charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Thursday, saying he unlawfully published the names of classified sources and conspired with and assisted ex-Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning in obtaining access to classified information.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-holds-first-gay-marriages-in-historic-day-for-asia-221142">Taiwan holds first gay marriages in historic day for Asia</a>

Taiwan's first official same-sex weddings kicked off Friday in a landmark moment for LGBT rights in Asia as gay couples took the historic step of registering as married, the culmination of a three-decade fight for equality.

Elections in India an inspiration around the world: US Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his re-election, the United States has said that the just-concluded elections in India, the largest democratic exercise in human history, is an inspiration for people around the world.

Elections in India an inspiration around the world: US Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his re-election, the United States has said that the just-concluded elections in India, the largest democratic exercise in human history, is an inspiration for people around the world. Nothing is impossible: 'Giantslayer' Smriti Irani topples Rahul Gandhi in Amethi Putting an end to Amethi's decades-long-relationship with Congress, Smriti Irani has emerged as the star of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by giving Rahul Gandhi a run for his money in a constituency which was considered a bastion of the Gandhi family for decades. BJP proves sceptics wrong with stunning performance in Hindi heartland The BJP repeated it superlative performance in five key Hindi-speaking states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, as the party along with its allies not only bagged or was leading in 165 out of 185 Lok Sabha seats, but also enjoyed a massive vote swing in its favour. US announces 17 new espionage charges against Wikileaks' Julian Assange The US Justice Department unveiled 17 new criminal charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Thursday, saying he unlawfully published the names of classified sources and conspired with and assisted ex-Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning in obtaining access to classified information. Taiwan holds first gay marriages in historic day for Asia Taiwan's first official same-sex weddings kicked off Friday in a landmark moment for LGBT rights in Asia as gay couples took the historic step of registering as married, the culmination of a three-decade fight for equality.

How does a father deal with an Instagram user celebrating the BJP's election win with a rape threat to his daughter, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi while congratulating him on his party's massive Lok Sabha victory.

The troll, whose Instagram handle has 'chowkidar' before his name, sent a vitriol-filled message to Kashyap's daughter on Instagram while also abusing the director.&nbsp;

Tagging the prime minister's official Twitter handle, Kashyap wrote on Thursday, "Dear @narendramodi sir. Congratulations on your victory and thank you for the message of inclusiveness."

"Sir please also tell us how do we deal with these followers of yours who celebrate your victory by threatening my daughter with messages like this for me being your dissenter," Kashyap said, sharing a screenshot of the offensive post.

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Dear <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> sir. Congratulations on your victory and thank you for the message of inclusiveness. Sir please also tell us how do we deal with these followers of yours who celebrate your victory by threatening my daughter with messages like this for me being your dissenter. <a href="https://t.co/jC7jYVBCi8">pic.twitter.com/jC7jYVBCi8</a>
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) <a href="https://twitter.com/anuragkashyap72/status/1131581611986771968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The issue snowballed with producer Ashoke Pandit jumping into the conversation.

"This twitter handle seems to be photoshopped because it doesn't exist. Seems to be created by an #UrbanNaxal to give an opportunity to somebody to abuse #Modi when the entire World is happy," Pandit tweeted.&nbsp;

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Mind your language Mr. Kashyap. Read my very next tweet on the thread - <a href="https://t.co/Okac8DS4gx">https://t.co/Okac8DS4gx</a> 
 
Let’s file a complaint with the police and get him arrested than asking the PM what to do. I am sure you know that law enforcing agencies exist in this country of ours. <a href="https://t.co/RoexaCGPcY">https://t.co/RoexaCGPcY</a>
— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) <a href="https://twitter.com/ashokepandit/status/1131632149000536069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Pandit also advised Kashyap to report the message to the police.

An angry Kashyap told Pandit that the profile existed on Instagram and not on Twitter.

"Search for it on Instagram not on twitter you moron .. This is my daughter getting a threat...," Kashyap said.&nbsp;

Pandit then posted a screenshot of a "drunken text" that Kashyap sent him.&nbsp;

"Clearly you are under shock after today's election results. Drunk texting me abuses, tagging the wrong person on Twitter... Please pass the joint quicker. 
"Also tagging @MumbaiPolice @CPMumbaiPolice so they can track chowkidar_ramsanghi_' and take action," Pandit wrote.

While Kashyap is the man behind acclaimed films such as 'Dev D'&nbsp;and 'Manmarziyaan', Pandit is president of the Indian Films and Television Directors Association and a producer.

He has co-produced the 'The Accidental Prime Minister'&nbsp;based on the memoirs of former prime minister Manmohan Singh's media advisor Sanjaya Baru.

How does a father deal with an Instagram user celebrating the BJP's election win with a rape threat to his daughter, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi while congratulating him on his party's massive Lok Sabha victory.

How does a father deal with an Instagram user celebrating the BJP's election win with a rape threat to his daughter, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi while congratulating him on his party's massive Lok Sabha victory. The troll, whose Instagram handle has 'chowkidar' before his name, sent a vitriol-filled message to Kashyap's daughter on Instagram while also abusing the director. Tagging the prime minister's official Twitter handle, Kashyap wrote on Thursday, "Dear @narendramodi sir. Congratulations on your victory and thank you for the message of inclusiveness." "Sir please also tell us how do we deal with these followers of yours who celebrate your victory by threatening my daughter with messages like this for me being your dissenter," Kashyap said, sharing a screenshot of the offensive post. Dear @narendramodi sir. Congratulations on your victory and thank you for the message of inclusiveness. Sir please also tell us how do we deal with these followers of yours who celebrate your victory by threatening my daughter with messages like this for me being your dissenter. pic.twitter.com/jC7jYVBCi8 — Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) May 23, 2019 × The issue snowballed with producer Ashoke Pandit jumping into the conversation. "This twitter handle seems to be photoshopped because it doesn't exist. Seems to be created by an #UrbanNaxal to give an opportunity to somebody to abuse #Modi when the entire World is happy," Pandit tweeted. Mind your language Mr. Kashyap. Read my very next tweet on the thread - https://t.co/Okac8DS4gx Let’s file a complaint with the police and get him arrested than asking the PM what to do. I am sure you know that law enforcing agencies exist in this country of ours. https://t.co/RoexaCGPcY — Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) May 23, 2019 × Pandit also advised Kashyap to report the message to the police. An angry Kashyap told Pandit that the profile existed on Instagram and not on Twitter. "Search for it on Instagram not on twitter you moron .. This is my daughter getting a threat...," Kashyap said. Pandit then posted a screenshot of a "drunken text" that Kashyap sent him. "Clearly you are under shock after today's election results. Drunk texting me abuses, tagging the wrong person on Twitter... Please pass the joint quicker. "Also tagging @MumbaiPolice @CPMumbaiPolice so they can track chowkidar_ramsanghi_' and take action," Pandit wrote. While Kashyap is the man behind acclaimed films such as 'Dev D' and 'Manmarziyaan', Pandit is president of the Indian Films and Television Directors Association and a producer. He has co-produced the 'The Accidental Prime Minister' based on the memoirs of former prime minister Manmohan Singh's media advisor Sanjaya Baru.

Anurag Kashyap congratulates PM, asks him what to do about trolls abusing his daughter

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday congratulated PM Narendra Modi on his landslide election victory.

In a statement, Hasina said that the resounding victory of BJP-led NDA in the polls is a reflection of the trust and confidence reposed on PM Modi by the people of the world's largest democracy.&nbsp;

Bangladesh attaches highest importance to its multi-faceted relations with India which is driven by genuine goodwill, mutual trust and respect, the statement said and called India's critical role in support of Bangladesh's war of Independence in 1971 as ''watershed moment'' in the relations between the two countries.

''I strongly believe that with the renewed mandate given to both of us by our respective peoples, Bangladesh-India ties, which have already been termed as a role model of good neighbourliness will be consolidated and our relations will scale newer heights,'' the statement added.&nbsp;

Hasina also extended an invitation to Modi to visit her country.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday congratulated PM Narendra Modi on his landslide election victory. In a statement, Hasina said that the resounding victory of BJP-led NDA in the polls is a reflection of the trust and confidence reposed on PM Modi by the people of the world's largest democracy.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday congratulated PM Narendra Modi on his landslide election victory. In a statement, Hasina said that the resounding victory of BJP-led NDA in the polls is a reflection of the trust and confidence reposed on PM Modi by the people of the world's largest democracy. Bangladesh attaches highest importance to its multi-faceted relations with India which is driven by genuine goodwill, mutual trust and respect, the statement said and called India's critical role in support of Bangladesh's war of Independence in 1971 as ''watershed moment'' in the relations between the two countries. ''I strongly believe that with the renewed mandate given to both of us by our respective peoples, Bangladesh-India ties, which have already been termed as a role model of good neighbourliness will be consolidated and our relations will scale newer heights,'' the statement added. Hasina also extended an invitation to Modi to visit her country.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina congratulates PM Modi on election victory 

The neighbourhood will be a priority and the focus will be on India's ties with the United States and China in the backdrop of Beijing-Washington standoff over trade issue, former envoys said after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-2019-narendra-modi-likely-to-take-oath-as-prime-minister-on-may-30-221221">historic victory of Narendra Modi</a> led-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in country's 17 Lok Sabha elections. Other than this, ties with Iran on the energy front and Russia which is a long-standing ally of India will also be in focus.&nbsp;

Our principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal spoke to 11 former Indian envoys on focus areas for the new government and the challenges ahead.

"The new government will have its hands full. And one of the many priorities would be the immediate neighbourhood- Sri Lanka Afghanistan and Pakistan should be higher on the list- need to work with Sri Lanka, work on Pakistan and with and for Afghanistan &nbsp;as it stands on a critical crossroad.US Taliban talks seem to have hit the wall of Taliban's intransigence andIR inflexibility. India has to be mindful of the danger of Afghanistan being pushed back to dark ages and thus needs a proactive role with all stakeholders to ensure gains of last 18 years are not sacrificed," said Amar Sinha, former Ambassador of India to Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

Ashok Sajjanhar, former Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan, Sweden and Latvia said, "Relations with the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/imf-warns-us-china-trade-war-will-jeopardize-2019-global-growth-221117"> US and China</a> will be the most challenging. India will have to deftly and skillfully deal with China's ascendancy and assertiveness through both cooperation and competition to safeguard and promote its strategic and economic interests. With Washington, India will need to ensure that America's growing capriciousness and unpredictability on trade matters does not adversely impact on the rapidly advancing bilateral strategic partnership. Energy security and prices, Pakistan, Afghanistan and West Asia are other challenges looming on the horizon which will need to be attended to urgently."

Kanwal Sibal, former Foreign Secretary said, "Standing up to the US &nbsp;on issues where it’s policies hurt our interests while maintaining the forward momentum of our ties. Keeping China engaged while boosting the Indo-Pacific concept. Preserving close ties with Russia as we become closer to the US and participate in hedging policies towards China."

Sharat Sabharwal, former High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ambassador to Uzbekistan, said, "Managing the relationship with a fast-rising and increasingly assertive China will remain the major foreign policy challenge of the new government. But an immediate crisis that the government may have to deal with is the mounting tension between the US and Iran, with the potential of a military conflict and its impact on India's energy supplies from West Asia and the large Indian diaspora there."

Anil Trigunayat, former Ambassador to Jordan Libya and Malta, said, "The biggest challenge in my view will be in managing the US especially with regard to our engagement with Russia and Iran as blatant unilateralism has the potential to undermine our strategic autonomy. &nbsp;If the US-Iran confrontation crosses the threshold it will have the worst repercussions for our energy security and diaspora welfare in the Gulf region."

Vijay K Nambiar, India’s former Permanent Representative to United Nations and former envoy to Pak, China, Afghanistan, said, "We are increasingly presenting an image to the outside world of an angry "underdog" power wanting to disrupt the status quo. Our biggest challenge, in the coming period, therefore, will be to preserve our traditional soft power image of an open, inclusive and introspective society that, while confident and unselfconscious about its own particularities, is willing to adopt a humane and harmonious attitude towards the outside world and to learn from others."

Deepa Wadhwa, a former envoy to Qatar, Japan, Sweden, Latvia and the Marshall Islands, said, "Sidhant, I believe the first issue the new government will have to confront, will be the fallout of the US-Iran standoff and its effect on our interests in the Middle East. The other priority will be our relationship with the US and in particular, deteriorating trade ties."

"There are perennials of our relations with China and the new government will soon have an opportunity to convey our sensitivities and concerns while batting for improved relations at the second informal summit to be held between the leaders of the two countries in the latter half of the year," Wadhwa added.

Anil Wadhwa, former Indian envoy to Italy, Poland, Oman and Thailand said, "The biggest challenge facing the new government will be the management of its complex web of relationships with the United States, Russia and China, and adapting and keeping pace with the new technological revolution which is changing the way countries operate and move forward in their domestic and external policies."

Bhaswati Mukherjee, a former Indian envoy to the Netherlands, said, "Managing the contradictions in the US-China relationship and its impact on India if a full-fledged trade war breaks out. Balancing out the relationship with Russia in the context of our strategic partnership with the US. Preparing for a meltdown in Afghanistan with the withdrawal of US troops."

Rajiv Dogra, former Indian envoy to Italy and consul general to Karachi "The biggest foreign policy challenge of the new government will be it, itself. If it flips -flops and changes direction whimsically it hands over the policy advantage to others. All said and done the coming months will test the new government repeatedly on the foreign policy front."

Neelam Deo, former Indian Ambassador to Denmark and Ivory Coast said, "With Prime Minister Modi’s return to the office, India will have continuity in foreign policy direction. We can expect an enhancement in the initiatives started in PM Modi’s first term. For example. a strong outreach to members of the Quad – Japan, USA and Australia in defence, especially on maritime matters. There will be an increased focus on building infrastructure, for example in partnership with Japan in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as well as Africa under the Asia Africa Growth Corridor. In its second term, the Modi government will move rapidly to put more content into its relationship with the West, especially the US, while the Gulf countries will be the focus of energy diplomacy."

The neighbourhood will be a priority and the focus will be on India's ties with the United States and China in the backdrop of Beijing-Washington standoff over trade issue, former envoys said after the historic victory of Narendra Modi led-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in country's 17 Lok Sabha elections.

The neighbourhood will be a priority and the focus will be on India's ties with the United States and China in the backdrop of Beijing-Washington standoff over trade issue, former envoys said after the historic victory of Narendra Modi led-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in country's 17 Lok Sabha elections. Other than this, ties with Iran on the energy front and Russia which is a long-standing ally of India will also be in focus. Our principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal spoke to 11 former Indian envoys on focus areas for the new government and the challenges ahead. "The new government will have its hands full. And one of the many priorities would be the immediate neighbourhood- Sri Lanka Afghanistan and Pakistan should be higher on the list- need to work with Sri Lanka, work on Pakistan and with and for Afghanistan as it stands on a critical crossroad.US Taliban talks seem to have hit the wall of Taliban's intransigence andIR inflexibility. India has to be mindful of the danger of Afghanistan being pushed back to dark ages and thus needs a proactive role with all stakeholders to ensure gains of last 18 years are not sacrificed," said Amar Sinha, former Ambassador of India to Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Ashok Sajjanhar, former Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan, Sweden and Latvia said, "Relations with the US and China will be the most challenging. India will have to deftly and skillfully deal with China's ascendancy and assertiveness through both cooperation and competition to safeguard and promote its strategic and economic interests. With Washington, India will need to ensure that America's growing capriciousness and unpredictability on trade matters does not adversely impact on the rapidly advancing bilateral strategic partnership. Energy security and prices, Pakistan, Afghanistan and West Asia are other challenges looming on the horizon which will need to be attended to urgently." Kanwal Sibal, former Foreign Secretary said, "Standing up to the US on issues where it’s policies hurt our interests while maintaining the forward momentum of our ties. Keeping China engaged while boosting the Indo-Pacific concept. Preserving close ties with Russia as we become closer to the US and participate in hedging policies towards China." Sharat Sabharwal, former High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ambassador to Uzbekistan, said, "Managing the relationship with a fast-rising and increasingly assertive China will remain the major foreign policy challenge of the new government. But an immediate crisis that the government may have to deal with is the mounting tension between the US and Iran, with the potential of a military conflict and its impact on India's energy supplies from West Asia and the large Indian diaspora there." Anil Trigunayat, former Ambassador to Jordan Libya and Malta, said, "The biggest challenge in my view will be in managing the US especially with regard to our engagement with Russia and Iran as blatant unilateralism has the potential to undermine our strategic autonomy. If the US-Iran confrontation crosses the threshold it will have the worst repercussions for our energy security and diaspora welfare in the Gulf region." Vijay K Nambiar, India’s former Permanent Representative to United Nations and former envoy to Pak, China, Afghanistan, said, "We are increasingly presenting an image to the outside world of an angry "underdog" power wanting to disrupt the status quo. Our biggest challenge, in the coming period, therefore, will be to preserve our traditional soft power image of an open, inclusive and introspective society that, while confident and unselfconscious about its own particularities, is willing to adopt a humane and harmonious attitude towards the outside world and to learn from others." Deepa Wadhwa, a former envoy to Qatar, Japan, Sweden, Latvia and the Marshall Islands, said, "Sidhant, I believe the first issue the new government will have to confront, will be the fallout of the US-Iran standoff and its effect on our interests in the Middle East. The other priority will be our relationship with the US and in particular, deteriorating trade ties." "There are perennials of our relations with China and the new government will soon have an opportunity to convey our sensitivities and concerns while batting for improved relations at the second informal summit to be held between the leaders of the two countries in the latter half of the year," Wadhwa added. Anil Wadhwa, former Indian envoy to Italy, Poland, Oman and Thailand said, "The biggest challenge facing the new government will be the management of its complex web of relationships with the United States, Russia and China, and adapting and keeping pace with the new technological revolution which is changing the way countries operate and move forward in their domestic and external policies." Bhaswati Mukherjee, a former Indian envoy to the Netherlands, said, "Managing the contradictions in the US-China relationship and its impact on India if a full-fledged trade war breaks out. Balancing out the relationship with Russia in the context of our strategic partnership with the US. Preparing for a meltdown in Afghanistan with the withdrawal of US troops." Rajiv Dogra, former Indian envoy to Italy and consul general to Karachi "The biggest foreign policy challenge of the new government will be it, itself. If it flips -flops and changes direction whimsically it hands over the policy advantage to others. All said and done the coming months will test the new government repeatedly on the foreign policy front." Neelam Deo, former Indian Ambassador to Denmark and Ivory Coast said, "With Prime Minister Modi’s return to the office, India will have continuity in foreign policy direction. We can expect an enhancement in the initiatives started in PM Modi’s first term. For example. a strong outreach to members of the Quad – Japan, USA and Australia in defence, especially on maritime matters. There will be an increased focus on building infrastructure, for example in partnership with Japan in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as well as Africa under the Asia Africa Growth Corridor. In its second term, the Modi government will move rapidly to put more content into its relationship with the West, especially the US, while the Gulf countries will be the focus of energy diplomacy."

Lok Sabha election 2019: US, China and neighbouring countries to be focus areas of new government, say former envoys

After taking over as the prime minister in his second term, Narendra Modi's first visit will be a country in the neighbourhood but it will not be in Bhutan. The visit will take place in early June.

During Modi's first tenure as the prime minister, his first visit was to Bhutan in June 2014.&nbsp;

PM Modi will have seven foreign visits scheduled in the next seven months, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, France, Russia, Thailand, Brazil and a country in the neighbourhood.&nbsp;

The visits will see him interact with global leaders and see a consolidation of his foreign policy actions and gains from his first term.

June: Kyrgyzstan, Japan

Other than a visit to a South Asian country, June will see two more major visits. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO summit from June 13 to 15 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan which will begin from June 28 to 29.

The SCO includes Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan as well as India and Pakistan. The SCO summit will be the first time PM Modi and his Pakistani counterpart &nbsp;Imran Khan will be under the same roof and the big question will be if they will meet.&nbsp;

There hasn't been any formal dialogue between India and Pakistan since years now. The last time India took initiative was on December 25 in 2015 when PM Modi landed in Lahore. But, days after India's initiative, Pathankot attack happened which resulted in the breakdown of Indo-Pak ties.&nbsp;

The SCO summit could also see the first meet between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping since the listing of Masood Azhar, chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terrorist organisation.

In 2018, Modi-Xi met four times, starting with the famous informal summit in Wuhan, China. The Chinese president will be visiting India this year for the second informal summit.&nbsp;

G20 summit in Japan will also serve as the first major platform for PM Modi to meet global leaders including a likely meet with US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

In 2018, during the G20 meet in Argentina, PM Modi met Donald Trump as part of a trilateral, Japan, America and India (JAI), in which Japanese PM Shinzo Abe was also present.&nbsp;

Another trilateral, Russia, India, China (RIC) saw the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping along with PM Modi.&nbsp;

Both the trilaterals&nbsp;are expected to meet this time as well.

August: France

This will be followed by participation of Indian PM at the G7 summit in Biarritz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France from August 25 to 27.&nbsp;

India has been invited by France, which is the chair this time, to participate at the G7 summit. During his congratulatory call to PM Modi on Thursday, French President Macron reiterated his invitation to visit France in August for a bilateral meeting and also to attend the G7 Summit at Biarritz.

In 2005, India was present at the G7 summit with participation of the then Indian PM Manmohan Singh. &nbsp;The G7 group consists of US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Japan &amp; Italy.

September: Russia

In September, PM Modi is going to Russia to participate in the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in the far eastern city of Vladivostok from September 4 to 6.&nbsp;

PM Modi has spoken to Putin three times in 2019, the first time on January 1 and the second time on January 28 during which the latter extended the invitation for the EEF. On Thursday Putin called Modi third time to congratulate him for his landslide victory in country's 17 Lok Sabha polls. 
&nbsp; 
On January 1, a Russian government official readout the first phone conversation between Putin and Modi in which it was stated, "The President of Russia invited the Prime Minister of India to take part in the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in September 2019 as the main guest."

During PM Modi's second term he might also go for the United Nations General Assembly in New York that starts on September 17 and ends on September 30.&nbsp;

November: Thailand, Brazil

November will see PM Modi going to Bangkok for the East Asia Summit which takes place on third of that month followed by BRICS summit in Brazil from 11-13 November.

Four leaders, Japan's PM Shinzo Abe, Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel, Putin and &nbsp;Xi Jinping are scheduled to visit India.

After taking over as the prime minister in his second term, Narendra Modi's first visit will be a country in the neighbourhood but it will not be in Bhutan. The visit will take place in early June.

After taking over as the prime minister in his second term, Narendra Modi's first visit will be a country in the neighbourhood but it will not be in Bhutan. The visit will take place in early June. During Modi's first tenure as the prime minister, his first visit was to Bhutan in June 2014. PM Modi will have seven foreign visits scheduled in the next seven months, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, France, Russia, Thailand, Brazil and a country in the neighbourhood. The visits will see him interact with global leaders and see a consolidation of his foreign policy actions and gains from his first term. June: Kyrgyzstan, Japan Other than a visit to a South Asian country, June will see two more major visits. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO summit from June 13 to 15 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan which will begin from June 28 to 29. The SCO includes Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan as well as India and Pakistan. The SCO summit will be the first time PM Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan will be under the same roof and the big question will be if they will meet. There hasn't been any formal dialogue between India and Pakistan since years now. The last time India took initiative was on December 25 in 2015 when PM Modi landed in Lahore. But, days after India's initiative, Pathankot attack happened which resulted in the breakdown of Indo-Pak ties. The SCO summit could also see the first meet between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping since the listing of Masood Azhar, chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terrorist organisation. In 2018, Modi-Xi met four times, starting with the famous informal summit in Wuhan, China. The Chinese president will be visiting India this year for the second informal summit. G20 summit in Japan will also serve as the first major platform for PM Modi to meet global leaders including a likely meet with US President Donald Trump. In 2018, during the G20 meet in Argentina, PM Modi met Donald Trump as part of a trilateral, Japan, America and India (JAI), in which Japanese PM Shinzo Abe was also present. Another trilateral, Russia, India, China (RIC) saw the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping along with PM Modi. Both the trilaterals are expected to meet this time as well. August: France This will be followed by participation of Indian PM at the G7 summit in Biarritz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France from August 25 to 27. India has been invited by France, which is the chair this time, to participate at the G7 summit. During his congratulatory call to PM Modi on Thursday, French President Macron reiterated his invitation to visit France in August for a bilateral meeting and also to attend the G7 Summit at Biarritz. In 2005, India was present at the G7 summit with participation of the then Indian PM Manmohan Singh. The G7 group consists of US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Japan & Italy. September: Russia In September, PM Modi is going to Russia to participate in the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in the far eastern city of Vladivostok from September 4 to 6. PM Modi has spoken to Putin three times in 2019, the first time on January 1 and the second time on January 28 during which the latter extended the invitation for the EEF. On Thursday Putin called Modi third time to congratulate him for his landslide victory in country's 17 Lok Sabha polls. On January 1, a Russian government official readout the first phone conversation between Putin and Modi in which it was stated, "The President of Russia invited the Prime Minister of India to take part in the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in September 2019 as the main guest." During PM Modi's second term he might also go for the United Nations General Assembly in New York that starts on September 17 and ends on September 30. November: Thailand, Brazil November will see PM Modi going to Bangkok for the East Asia Summit which takes place on third of that month followed by BRICS summit in Brazil from 11-13 November. Four leaders, Japan's PM Shinzo Abe, Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel, Putin and Xi Jinping are scheduled to visit India.

Narendra Modi to visit a South Asian country in his first foreign tour in second term

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday thanked world leaders and personalities as their congratulatory messages kept pouring in after he led his Bharatiya Janata Party to a super-sized victory for a second term in office.

Thanking American vice president Mike Pence, who congratulated him saying he <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/elections-in-india-an-inspiration-around-the-world-us-221140">looked forward to working with India</a>, Modi said it was a victory of democracy which the India and US cherish.

"Thank You @VP. This is a victory of democracy, which India and the US cherish. I will continue to promote our partnership with the US for peace and shared prosperity for our two countries and the world," Modi tweeted Friday.

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Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a>. 
 
This is a victory of democracy, which India and the US cherish. I will continue to promote our partnership with the US for peace and shared prosperity for our two countries and the world <a href="https://t.co/6zazX9Wmh8">https://t.co/6zazX9Wmh8</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1131797612061908992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Russian President Vladmir Putin too sent his wishes to the PM from his official Twitter handle, to which he responded, "Thank you @KremlinRussia, and my dear friend, for your warm greetings. Your support for taking our special and privileged strategic partnership to new heights is invaluable. I look forward to our meeting soon."

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Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/KremlinRussia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KremlinRussia</a>, and my dear friend, for your warm greetings. Your support for taking our special and privileged strategic partnership to new heights is invaluable. I look forward to our meeting soon. <a href="https://t.co/4JG3OPvZNe">https://t.co/4JG3OPvZNe</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1131809862311075841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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In a series of tweets, Modi thanked world leaders such as Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, France President Emmanuel Macron, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, King Salman of Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and several others who wished him on his party's landslide victory.

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Thank you, Your Majesty <a href="https://twitter.com/KingSalman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KingSalman</a> and Your Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for heartfelt greetings. India cherishes deep-rooted and multi-faceted ties with the Kingdom. Look forward to further enhancing our relations for the benefit our citizens. <a href="https://t.co/nXqVCUVom7">https://t.co/nXqVCUVom7</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1131804506591703042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinTrudeau</a>. People of India have reposed their faith in democracy and development. India will work with our valued partner Canada for benefit of our citizens, and for world peace and prosperity. <a href="https://t.co/iyy8SpzKeR">https://t.co/iyy8SpzKeR</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1131801950935080960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Thank you my friend, President <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EmmanuelMacron</a> for your good wishes. I reaffirm my commitment to further strengthen the Strategic Partnership between India and France. I look forward to our meeting soon. <a href="https://t.co/xPVPPRKjdy">https://t.co/xPVPPRKjdy</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1131800464691875840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Thank you President <a href="https://twitter.com/jokowi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jokowi</a> for your warm wishes. Both our countries share a longstanding relationship of goodwill and mutual trust. We will keep working closely on common priorities and challenges. <a href="https://t.co/M5VD4z2Gyq">https://t.co/M5VD4z2Gyq</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1131798811414634496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Thank you President <a href="https://twitter.com/MBuhari?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MBuhari</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NGRPresident?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NGRPresident</a> for your wishes. India-Nigeria relations have grown from strength to strength in the last few years. And, I am committed to continue working with you to further enhance our bilateral ties. <a href="https://t.co/4o4I6wonnK">https://t.co/4o4I6wonnK</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1131798052472180736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Thank you President <a href="https://twitter.com/edmnangagwa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@edmnangagwa</a>. I am committed to continue working with you to strengthen the special relationship between India and Zimbabwe. <a href="https://t.co/jMn220QjPL">https://t.co/jMn220QjPL</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1131802950492286976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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In his messages to the world leaders, the PM said he looked forward to strengthening close strategic partnership with these countries. 
Modi took to Twitter to also thank Bollywood celebrities and sportspersons who congratulated him.

He thanked actors Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Raveena Tandon, R Madhavan, music composer A R Rahman and Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan saying he cherished the good wishes from them.

He thanked boxer Mary Kom, athlete and Commonwealth Games gold winner Neeraj Chopra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday thanked world leaders and personalities as their congratulatory messages kept pouring in after he led his Bharatiya Janata Party to a super-sized victory for a second term in office.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday thanked world leaders and personalities as their congratulatory messages kept pouring in after he led his Bharatiya Janata Party to a super-sized victory for a second term in office. Thanking American vice president Mike Pence, who congratulated him saying he looked forward to working with India, Modi said it was a victory of democracy which the India and US cherish. "Thank You @VP. This is a victory of democracy, which India and the US cherish. I will continue to promote our partnership with the US for peace and shared prosperity for our two countries and the world," Modi tweeted Friday. Thank you @VP. This is a victory of democracy, which India and the US cherish. I will continue to promote our partnership with the US for peace and shared prosperity for our two countries and the world https://t.co/6zazX9Wmh8 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 24, 2019 × Russian President Vladmir Putin too sent his wishes to the PM from his official Twitter handle, to which he responded, "Thank you @KremlinRussia, and my dear friend, for your warm greetings. Your support for taking our special and privileged strategic partnership to new heights is invaluable. I look forward to our meeting soon." Thank you @KremlinRussia, and my dear friend, for your warm greetings. Your support for taking our special and privileged strategic partnership to new heights is invaluable. I look forward to our meeting soon. https://t.co/4JG3OPvZNe — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 24, 2019 × In a series of tweets, Modi thanked world leaders such as Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, France President Emmanuel Macron, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, King Salman of Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and several others who wished him on his party's landslide victory. Thank you, Your Majesty @KingSalman and Your Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for heartfelt greetings. India cherishes deep-rooted and multi-faceted ties with the Kingdom. Look forward to further enhancing our relations for the benefit our citizens. https://t.co/nXqVCUVom7 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 24, 2019 × Thank you @JustinTrudeau. People of India have reposed their faith in democracy and development. India will work with our valued partner Canada for benefit of our citizens, and for world peace and prosperity. https://t.co/iyy8SpzKeR — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 24, 2019 × Thank you my friend, President @EmmanuelMacron for your good wishes. I reaffirm my commitment to further strengthen the Strategic Partnership between India and France. I look forward to our meeting soon. https://t.co/xPVPPRKjdy — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 24, 2019 × Thank you President @jokowi for your warm wishes. Both our countries share a longstanding relationship of goodwill and mutual trust. We will keep working closely on common priorities and challenges. https://t.co/M5VD4z2Gyq — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 24, 2019 × Thank you President @MBuhari @NGRPresident for your wishes. India-Nigeria relations have grown from strength to strength in the last few years. And, I am committed to continue working with you to further enhance our bilateral ties. https://t.co/4o4I6wonnK — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 24, 2019 × Thank you President @edmnangagwa. I am committed to continue working with you to strengthen the special relationship between India and Zimbabwe. https://t.co/jMn220QjPL — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 24, 2019 × In his messages to the world leaders, the PM said he looked forward to strengthening close strategic partnership with these countries. Modi took to Twitter to also thank Bollywood celebrities and sportspersons who congratulated him. He thanked actors Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Raveena Tandon, R Madhavan, music composer A R Rahman and Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan saying he cherished the good wishes from them. He thanked boxer Mary Kom, athlete and Commonwealth Games gold winner Neeraj Chopra.

Lok Sabha election result 2019: PM Modi thanks world leaders, sportspersons and celebrities for their wishes on Twitter

The BJP and its ally Apna Dal (S) surged ahead of their rivals in 58 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading in Varanasi by a margin of 1.22 lakh votes, according to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/">Election Commission trends</a>.&nbsp;

The BJP was ahead in 57 seats and Apna Dal (S) in one seat. The opposition alliance of the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party appeared to be performing well in 20 seats.&nbsp;

Modi was leading by more than 1.22 lakh votes in Varanasi over his nearest SP rival Shalini Yadav.&nbsp;

Congress president Rahul Gandhi was trailing in Amethi seat where Union minister and BJP's strong contender Smriti Irani marched ahead by over 5,000 votes.&nbsp;

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-election-result-2019-foreign-media-reacts-as-vote-count-shows-an-outright-majority-for-bjp-220859">Foreign media reacts to vote count as results point to big victory for PM Modi</a>

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav was leading by over 13,000 votes in Azamgarh, while his father and SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav was ahead by nearly 12,000 votes.&nbsp;

While Mayawati's BSP was ahead in 12 seats, Akhilesh's SP was leading in eight seats.&nbsp;

The Congress, on the other hand, was leading on only one seat - Rae Bareli, where UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was ahead of Dinesh Pratap Singh of the BJP by over 20,000 votes.&nbsp;

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-sunny-deol-hema-malini-leading-in-gurdaspur-mathura-220860">Lok Sabha election results 2019: Sunny Deol, Hema Malini leading</a>

SP stalwart Azam Khan was leading in Rampur by over 18,000 votes over BJP contender Jaya Prada, who switched sides from the SP to join the saffron party just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

Kunwar Danish Ali, who joined the BSP after leaving the JD(S) was leading by a handsome margin of over 22,000 votes in Amroha. 
BJP state unit chief Mahendra Nath Pandey was leading by more than 12,000 votes in Chadauli from where he is seeking re-election.&nbsp;

On the other hand, state Congress chief Raj Babbar was trailing behind his nearest BJP rival Rajkumar Chahar in Fatehpur Sikri.&nbsp;

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While Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Santosh Gangwar were leading in their respective seats Lucknow and Bareily, another Union minister Manoj Sinha was trailing in Ghazipur where mafia-turned-politician Afzal Ansari of the BSP was leading by over 3,000 votes.&nbsp;

After leading initially in Sultanpur, Union minister Maneka Gandhi suffered reverses and was trailing by 900 votes as counting progressed.&nbsp;

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In Gorakhpur and Phulpur, where the opposition had unseated the BJP in bypolls, the saffron party appeared to be taking a sweet revenge by leading at both the places.&nbsp;

Kairana was, however, an exception where sitting Samajwadi Party MP Tabassum Begum was maintaining a lead over the BJP, which had lost in a bypoll to Begum, who was then fielded jointly by the opposition.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sitting MP and BJP candidate Hema Malini leading by 22,893 votes against nearest rival and SP-BSP-RLD alliance candidate Kunwar Narendra Singh in Mathura.

The BJP and its ally Apna Dal (S) surged ahead of their rivals in 58 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading in Varanasi by a margin of 1.

The BJP and its ally Apna Dal (S) surged ahead of their rivals in 58 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading in Varanasi by a margin of 1.22 lakh votes, according to Election Commission trends. The BJP was ahead in 57 seats and Apna Dal (S) in one seat. The opposition alliance of the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party appeared to be performing well in 20 seats. Modi was leading by more than 1.22 lakh votes in Varanasi over his nearest SP rival Shalini Yadav. Congress president Rahul Gandhi was trailing in Amethi seat where Union minister and BJP's strong contender Smriti Irani marched ahead by over 5,000 votes. Also Read: Foreign media reacts to vote count as results point to big victory for PM Modi SP chief Akhilesh Yadav was leading by over 13,000 votes in Azamgarh, while his father and SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav was ahead by nearly 12,000 votes. While Mayawati's BSP was ahead in 12 seats, Akhilesh's SP was leading in eight seats. The Congress, on the other hand, was leading on only one seat - Rae Bareli, where UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was ahead of Dinesh Pratap Singh of the BJP by over 20,000 votes. Also Read: Lok Sabha election results 2019: Sunny Deol, Hema Malini leading SP stalwart Azam Khan was leading in Rampur by over 18,000 votes over BJP contender Jaya Prada, who switched sides from the SP to join the saffron party just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Kunwar Danish Ali, who joined the BSP after leaving the JD(S) was leading by a handsome margin of over 22,000 votes in Amroha. BJP state unit chief Mahendra Nath Pandey was leading by more than 12,000 votes in Chadauli from where he is seeking re-election. On the other hand, state Congress chief Raj Babbar was trailing behind his nearest BJP rival Rajkumar Chahar in Fatehpur Sikri. × While Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Santosh Gangwar were leading in their respective seats Lucknow and Bareily, another Union minister Manoj Sinha was trailing in Ghazipur where mafia-turned-politician Afzal Ansari of the BSP was leading by over 3,000 votes. After leading initially in Sultanpur, Union minister Maneka Gandhi suffered reverses and was trailing by 900 votes as counting progressed. × In Gorakhpur and Phulpur, where the opposition had unseated the BJP in bypolls, the saffron party appeared to be taking a sweet revenge by leading at both the places. Kairana was, however, an exception where sitting Samajwadi Party MP Tabassum Begum was maintaining a lead over the BJP, which had lost in a bypoll to Begum, who was then fielded jointly by the opposition. Sitting MP and BJP candidate Hema Malini leading by 22,893 votes against nearest rival and SP-BSP-RLD alliance candidate Kunwar Narendra Singh in Mathura.

BJP ahead in 57 seats in UP; Modi leading in Varanasi, Rahul trails in Amethi

The Union Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Friday to pass a resolution on the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha. Also, the Parliamentary Board of BJP will meet today in the evening while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address the party workers here at 5.30 pm.

Council of Ministers meeting will also be held on&nbsp;Friday. The ruling BJP is set to storm back to power with a comfortable majority on its own for the second consecutive time and is <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-live-updates-220687">set to cross the 300-mark along with its allies in the Lok Sabha</a>.

Their campaign was spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on muscular nationalism and a strident anti-Congress plank.

On the other side, the main challenger Congress is way behind, leading in only 50 seats. Prime Minister Modi is leading comfortably in Varanasi where he is seeking a second term while UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi leading in Raebareli.&nbsp;

Congress president Rahul Gandhi was trailing behind Union Minister Smriti Irani in Amethi while leading in Wayanad in Kerala.

Watch:&nbsp;'There is no place for dynasty rulers, corrupt leaders in this nation' says Yogi Adityanath

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&nbsp;

The Union Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Friday to pass a resolution on the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha. Also, the Parliamentary Board of BJP will meet today in the evening while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address the party workers here at 5.

The Union Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Friday to pass a resolution on the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha. Also, the Parliamentary Board of BJP will meet today in the evening while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address the party workers here at 5.30 pm. Council of Ministers meeting will also be held on Friday. The ruling BJP is set to storm back to power with a comfortable majority on its own for the second consecutive time and is set to cross the 300-mark along with its allies in the Lok Sabha. Their campaign was spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on muscular nationalism and a strident anti-Congress plank. On the other side, the main challenger Congress is way behind, leading in only 50 seats. Prime Minister Modi is leading comfortably in Varanasi where he is seeking a second term while UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi leading in Raebareli. Congress president Rahul Gandhi was trailing behind Union Minister Smriti Irani in Amethi while leading in Wayanad in Kerala. Watch: 'There is no place for dynasty rulers, corrupt leaders in this nation' says Yogi Adityanath ×

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Union Cabinet to meet on Friday

By the time you read this, early trends of the results in the 2019 Lok Sabha election will have already started trickling in.&nbsp;

But, because of the Supreme Court’s direction to the Election Commission to increase the number of Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips from one Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) per assembly constituency to five, a full picture of the winners and losers in the most fiercely fought general election since Independence will be clear only later tonight or by early tomorrow morning.&nbsp;

What can, however, be ruled out is the dire pre-election prediction by the Opposition that the BJP will fall below 200 seats, shedding nearly 100 seats from its tally in 2014. That clearly is not going to happen even if the exit polls are off the mark.&nbsp;

If the BJP-led NDA forms the next government once all the results have been declared, it will point to a grim conclusion: the clear consolidation of the Hindu vote.&nbsp;

For that, the Opposition has only itself to blame. Over the years, the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and several others have positioned themselves as minority-leaning parties, pushing even moderate Hindu voters inexorably towards the BJP. As strategy, it has proved to be electorally disastrous.&nbsp;

The 2014 Lok Sabha election provided the first glimpse of this electoral polarisation. The BJP increased its vote share from 18.80 per cent in 2009 to 31 per cent in 2014 and more than doubled its seats from 116 to 282.

The 2019 Lok Sabha election, if the results are in the same range as the exit polls, could quicken this trend. The Congress realised far too late how minorityism was hurting its electoral prospects. Minorities need empowerment. The Congress, over the decades, has confused appeasement with empowerment. Muslims remain the poorest community in the country despite receiving patronising attention from Congress. Instead of communal fear-mongering, they need and deserve jobs, education and respect.

Rahul Gandhi belatedly recognised the dangers of this strategy before the December 2017 Gujarat Assembly election. He publicly embraced his Brahmin identity and did the rounds of temples. Yet, in the febrile campaign for the 2019 general election, Rahul made several tactical errors. He continued to focus on the Rafale fighter jet deal despite not providing a shred of evidence for his allegation of cronyism and corruption against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

Proposing the NYAY minimum income guarantee scheme so late in the campaign ensured it made little impact at the grassroots. In comparison, the BJP’s handout of Rs 4,000 in two installments to small farmers during the campaign had an immediate effect.&nbsp;

The issues Rahul should have highlighted relentlessly during the campaign were rural distress and jobs. He did so at almost all rallies, but he was so obsessed with repeating his “chowkidar chor hai” taunt against Modi that genuine criticism of the BJP’s economic policies was lost in the din. The charge against Modi of being a “chor” found no resonance with voters. It simply showed Rahul as petulant rather than a serious contender for national leadership.&nbsp;

There will be questions asked about Rahul Gandhi’s leadership — but they will not emanate from the Congress. Its dynastic hierarchy is set in stone. Rahul will be shielded from blame. So will Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. That would compound the Congress’ litany of errors. &nbsp;

Dynastic parties across the country seem to have fared badly in these elections: the RJD’s Yadav family in Bihar, as well as the NCP’s Pawar clan in Maharashtra, have suffered setbacks. Only regional dynasties in states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have maintained their hierarchical grip on the electorate due largely to provincial loyalties. But warning signs are flashing: political dynasties are an endangered species.

For the BJP, too, there are learnings from the 2019 general election. It ran a deliberately polarising campaign. There was no attempt to give an account of its economic performance and governance over the last five years. Voters did not vote for individual BJP candidates. They voted for Modi.&nbsp;

This, of course, was a calibrated ploy. Modi is aware that his bench strength is weak. Two of his top ministers — Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj — are too unwell to campaign effectively. A majority of the BJP’s Lok Sabha MPs have contributed little to the party’s performance over the past five years.&nbsp;

Readers would be hard-pressed to name more than a few dozen of those 282 faceless MPs. Thirteen have since 2014 lost their seats in bypolls or have passed away. Several others were denied tickets in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.&nbsp;

In his second term as prime minister, Modi must build the party’s bench strength. The new BJP MPs in the seventeenth Lok Sabha that will be constituted later this month must be encouraged to contribute more both in Parliament and outside. The BJP has mastered the art of winning elections. It must now master the science of ideas and apply them to structural economic reforms in land, labour, tax, farm technology and PSU privatisation.&nbsp;

Remember, too, that the results of assembly elections in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha poll, will be declared later today as well. We could be in for interesting times in both states. 
 
(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-lessons-from-the-2019-election-2752313">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

By the time you read this, early trends of the results in the 2019 Lok Sabha election will have already started trickling in. But, because of the Supreme Court’s direction to the Election Commission to increase the number of Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips from one Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) per assembly constituency to five, a full picture of the winners and losers in the most fiercely fought general election since Independence will be clear only later tonight or by early tomorrow morning.

By the time you read this, early trends of the results in the 2019 Lok Sabha election will have already started trickling in. But, because of the Supreme Court’s direction to the Election Commission to increase the number of Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips from one Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) per assembly constituency to five, a full picture of the winners and losers in the most fiercely fought general election since Independence will be clear only later tonight or by early tomorrow morning. What can, however, be ruled out is the dire pre-election prediction by the Opposition that the BJP will fall below 200 seats, shedding nearly 100 seats from its tally in 2014. That clearly is not going to happen even if the exit polls are off the mark. If the BJP-led NDA forms the next government once all the results have been declared, it will point to a grim conclusion: the clear consolidation of the Hindu vote. For that, the Opposition has only itself to blame. Over the years, the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and several others have positioned themselves as minority-leaning parties, pushing even moderate Hindu voters inexorably towards the BJP. As strategy, it has proved to be electorally disastrous. The 2014 Lok Sabha election provided the first glimpse of this electoral polarisation. The BJP increased its vote share from 18.80 per cent in 2009 to 31 per cent in 2014 and more than doubled its seats from 116 to 282. The 2019 Lok Sabha election, if the results are in the same range as the exit polls, could quicken this trend. The Congress realised far too late how minorityism was hurting its electoral prospects. Minorities need empowerment. The Congress, over the decades, has confused appeasement with empowerment. Muslims remain the poorest community in the country despite receiving patronising attention from Congress. Instead of communal fear-mongering, they need and deserve jobs, education and respect. Rahul Gandhi belatedly recognised the dangers of this strategy before the December 2017 Gujarat Assembly election. He publicly embraced his Brahmin identity and did the rounds of temples. Yet, in the febrile campaign for the 2019 general election, Rahul made several tactical errors. He continued to focus on the Rafale fighter jet deal despite not providing a shred of evidence for his allegation of cronyism and corruption against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Proposing the NYAY minimum income guarantee scheme so late in the campaign ensured it made little impact at the grassroots. In comparison, the BJP’s handout of Rs 4,000 in two installments to small farmers during the campaign had an immediate effect. The issues Rahul should have highlighted relentlessly during the campaign were rural distress and jobs. He did so at almost all rallies, but he was so obsessed with repeating his “chowkidar chor hai” taunt against Modi that genuine criticism of the BJP’s economic policies was lost in the din. The charge against Modi of being a “chor” found no resonance with voters. It simply showed Rahul as petulant rather than a serious contender for national leadership. There will be questions asked about Rahul Gandhi’s leadership — but they will not emanate from the Congress. Its dynastic hierarchy is set in stone. Rahul will be shielded from blame. So will Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. That would compound the Congress’ litany of errors. Dynastic parties across the country seem to have fared badly in these elections: the RJD’s Yadav family in Bihar, as well as the NCP’s Pawar clan in Maharashtra, have suffered setbacks. Only regional dynasties in states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have maintained their hierarchical grip on the electorate due largely to provincial loyalties. But warning signs are flashing: political dynasties are an endangered species. For the BJP, too, there are learnings from the 2019 general election. It ran a deliberately polarising campaign. There was no attempt to give an account of its economic performance and governance over the last five years. Voters did not vote for individual BJP candidates. They voted for Modi. This, of course, was a calibrated ploy. Modi is aware that his bench strength is weak. Two of his top ministers — Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj — are too unwell to campaign effectively. A majority of the BJP’s Lok Sabha MPs have contributed little to the party’s performance over the past five years. Readers would be hard-pressed to name more than a few dozen of those 282 faceless MPs. Thirteen have since 2014 lost their seats in bypolls or have passed away. Several others were denied tickets in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. In his second term as prime minister, Modi must build the party’s bench strength. The new BJP MPs in the seventeenth Lok Sabha that will be constituted later this month must be encouraged to contribute more both in Parliament and outside. The BJP has mastered the art of winning elections. It must now master the science of ideas and apply them to structural economic reforms in land, labour, tax, farm technology and PSU privatisation. Remember, too, that the results of assembly elections in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha poll, will be declared later today as well. We could be in for interesting times in both states. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

In his second term as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi must build the party’s bench strength

India began&nbsp;counting hundreds of millions of votes in its general election today at 8:00 am, with a coalition led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party already preparing to form the next government.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Modi's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/exit-polls-2019-pm-modi-returning-to-power-with-300-plus-seats-say-pollsters-219927">Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is expected to surpass the 272 seats</a> needed to command a majority in the lower house of parliament, six of seven exit polls showed on Sunday.&nbsp;

Their predicted margin of victory is larger than surveys indicated in the run-up to the vote when most polls showed the NDA would be the largest alliance but would fall short of an overall majority.&nbsp;

Counting of votes begins at 08:00 am and&nbsp;trends are expected to be known by noon because of the use of computerised voting machines. Final results in the polls, in which around 900 million Indians were eligible to vote, are due by the evening.&nbsp;

The voting was held in seven phases with first phase&nbsp;beginning from&nbsp;April 11.

The last phase of voting was held on May&nbsp;19. Over 67.11 crore voters exercised their right to vote.&nbsp;

Victory preparation

The NDA held a meeting on Tuesday, at which Modi was garlanded with flowers by members of the alliance, to discuss its policy agenda for its second term in power. It has promised to double farmers'&nbsp;income and boost infrastructure spending over the next five years.

Several opposition leaders attempting to unseat Modi have <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/time-to-switch-off-tv-how-politicians-reacted-to-exit-polls-2019-219956">urged voters to wait for the final results</a>, calling the exit polls "gossip".

"Do not get demoralised by the fake exit polls doing the rounds," Congress president Rahul Gandhi said in a message to party workers posted on social media on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The opposition alliance has also protested to India's Election Commission over the electronic voting machines (EVMs) used in the count, that they <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/evms-are-completely-tamper-proof-cannot-be-hacked-former-chief-election-commissioner-op-rawat-220663">alleged can be tampered with</a>, and requested a delay to counting while votes are tallied with a backup paper audit trail.

The commission rejected the opposition's demands on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Around 500 masked people carrying guns and machetes attacked a polling team and forcibly took away EVMs in the remote northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, Reuters reported on Wednesday, though elections in the country as a whole are widely considered to be free and fair by international observers.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/sensex-surges-over-1000-points-may-cross-40000-as-exit-poll-predict-nda-win-220058">Indian stocks posted their biggest gain</a> since September 2013 on Monday after the exit polls and could rally further on Thursday if the trend is confirmed, according to a Reuters poll.&nbsp;

"Markets will have a big sigh of relief as it favours continuity and familiarity in terms of roll-out of policies," said Ajay Bodke, CEO at financial services firm Prabhudas Lilladher.

India began counting hundreds of millions of votes in its general election today at 8:00 am, with a coalition led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party already preparing to form the next government.

India began counting hundreds of millions of votes in its general election today at 8:00 am, with a coalition led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party already preparing to form the next government. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is expected to surpass the 272 seats needed to command a majority in the lower house of parliament, six of seven exit polls showed on Sunday. Their predicted margin of victory is larger than surveys indicated in the run-up to the vote when most polls showed the NDA would be the largest alliance but would fall short of an overall majority. Counting of votes begins at 08:00 am and trends are expected to be known by noon because of the use of computerised voting machines. Final results in the polls, in which around 900 million Indians were eligible to vote, are due by the evening. The voting was held in seven phases with first phase beginning from April 11. The last phase of voting was held on May 19. Over 67.11 crore voters exercised their right to vote. Victory preparation The NDA held a meeting on Tuesday, at which Modi was garlanded with flowers by members of the alliance, to discuss its policy agenda for its second term in power. It has promised to double farmers' income and boost infrastructure spending over the next five years. Several opposition leaders attempting to unseat Modi have urged voters to wait for the final results, calling the exit polls "gossip". "Do not get demoralised by the fake exit polls doing the rounds," Congress president Rahul Gandhi said in a message to party workers posted on social media on Wednesday. The opposition alliance has also protested to India's Election Commission over the electronic voting machines (EVMs) used in the count, that they alleged can be tampered with, and requested a delay to counting while votes are tallied with a backup paper audit trail. The commission rejected the opposition's demands on Wednesday. Around 500 masked people carrying guns and machetes attacked a polling team and forcibly took away EVMs in the remote northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, Reuters reported on Wednesday, though elections in the country as a whole are widely considered to be free and fair by international observers. Indian stocks posted their biggest gain since September 2013 on Monday after the exit polls and could rally further on Thursday if the trend is confirmed, according to a Reuters poll. "Markets will have a big sigh of relief as it favours continuity and familiarity in terms of roll-out of policies," said Ajay Bodke, CEO at financial services firm Prabhudas Lilladher.

Lok Sabha Election Result 2019: Counting of votes begins with BJP looking at second term

From just two seats in Lok Sabha in 1984 to win two back-to-back majority in general elections, the BJP with its right-wing Hindutva ideology has firmly taken the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-live-updates-220687">centre-stage of India's political landscape</a>, displacing the Congress.&nbsp;

With the Ram temple movement in 1990s, its graph started rising but its influence remained largely restricted to Hindi heartland and the party emerged as the single largest party in 1996 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.&nbsp;

The party for the first time formed government in 1996 for 13 days and then for 13 months in 1998 when its government lost by a single vote in Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

It was Vajpayee's pragmatic leadership which helped the party shed its "untouchable" tag as it forged new alliances and led the first non-Congress government which completed its five-year tenure.&nbsp;

It tasted stratospheric success with the emergence of Narendra Modi on national scene and the party won majority on its own for the first time in 2014 while expanding its footprint beyond Hindi heartland, especially in the Northeast region.&nbsp;

Few had imagined the BJP would be able to travel this far when it was founded on April 6, 1980. The party originated from Jan Sangh, which had merged with the Janata Party 1n 1977 but three years later splintered.&nbsp;

When the saffron party contested its first election in 1984, it won only two Lok Sabha seats. Following which, then party president L K Advani made Hindutva as the core ideology of the party and used the rhetoric of "pseudo-secularism" and "Muslim appeasement" to great effect in winning popular support among the Hindus.&nbsp;

The hardline Hindutva politics, which was in line with its ideological parent RSS's ideology, paid rich electoral dividends in the next general elections in 1989 when the BJP won 85 Lok Sabha seats. Following Advani's 'Ram Rath Yatra' in 1990, the party grew in strength and in the 1991 general elections, it increased its strength to 120.

The party's vote share went up to 20.1 per cent in 1991 from 11.4 per cent in 1989 and 7.4 per cent in 1984.

In the 1996 general elections, the BJP for the first time became the single largest party in Lok Sabha by winning 161 seats and staked claim to form the government.

The first ever BJP-led government, formed under the leadership of Vajpayee, lasted for only 13 days as it failed to attract allies to muster a majority.

In the next general polls in 1998, the BJP's tally increased and it got 182 seats in the Lok Sabha and formed a coalition government called the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which lasted 13 months when it lost a no-confidence motion by a single vote.

A year later, the BJP came back to power as the NDA won 270 seats in the general elections on its own, with the party again getting 182 seats. And Vajpayee became prime minister for the third time.

This time BJP's government lasted the full term until the next general polls in 2004, from where the BJP's decline started as it lost two back-to-back general elections.

A change of fortunes happened in 2014 with the emergence of Narendra Modi on the national scene as the face of the saffron party and under his leadership the BJP won 282 seats on its own. And this was perhaps the first party in three decade when any party had got majority on its own.

Following the BJP's massive victory and splendid performance in Uttar Pradesh, Amit Shah, who was in charge of the state, was rewarded with party's top post.

With this change of ranks in the party's leadership, a new era of Modi-Shah duo started which led to the party's victory in various state assembly elections and the BJP was ruling the 18 states at one point of time.

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The party, which is again all set to win, now occupies the centre-stage of Indian political landscape. With it being the strongest political entity in the country, the BJP has become the central focal point of Indian politics and become the common enemy of all the opposition parties.&nbsp;

From just two seats in Lok Sabha in 1984 to win two back-to-back majority in general elections, the BJP with its right-wing Hindutva ideology has firmly taken the centre-stage of India's political landscape, displacing the Congress.

From just two seats in Lok Sabha in 1984 to win two back-to-back majority in general elections, the BJP with its right-wing Hindutva ideology has firmly taken the centre-stage of India's political landscape, displacing the Congress. With the Ram temple movement in 1990s, its graph started rising but its influence remained largely restricted to Hindi heartland and the party emerged as the single largest party in 1996 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The party for the first time formed government in 1996 for 13 days and then for 13 months in 1998 when its government lost by a single vote in Lok Sabha. It was Vajpayee's pragmatic leadership which helped the party shed its "untouchable" tag as it forged new alliances and led the first non-Congress government which completed its five-year tenure. It tasted stratospheric success with the emergence of Narendra Modi on national scene and the party won majority on its own for the first time in 2014 while expanding its footprint beyond Hindi heartland, especially in the Northeast region. Few had imagined the BJP would be able to travel this far when it was founded on April 6, 1980. The party originated from Jan Sangh, which had merged with the Janata Party 1n 1977 but three years later splintered. When the saffron party contested its first election in 1984, it won only two Lok Sabha seats. Following which, then party president L K Advani made Hindutva as the core ideology of the party and used the rhetoric of "pseudo-secularism" and "Muslim appeasement" to great effect in winning popular support among the Hindus. The hardline Hindutva politics, which was in line with its ideological parent RSS's ideology, paid rich electoral dividends in the next general elections in 1989 when the BJP won 85 Lok Sabha seats. Following Advani's 'Ram Rath Yatra' in 1990, the party grew in strength and in the 1991 general elections, it increased its strength to 120. The party's vote share went up to 20.1 per cent in 1991 from 11.4 per cent in 1989 and 7.4 per cent in 1984. In the 1996 general elections, the BJP for the first time became the single largest party in Lok Sabha by winning 161 seats and staked claim to form the government. The first ever BJP-led government, formed under the leadership of Vajpayee, lasted for only 13 days as it failed to attract allies to muster a majority. In the next general polls in 1998, the BJP's tally increased and it got 182 seats in the Lok Sabha and formed a coalition government called the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which lasted 13 months when it lost a no-confidence motion by a single vote. A year later, the BJP came back to power as the NDA won 270 seats in the general elections on its own, with the party again getting 182 seats. And Vajpayee became prime minister for the third time. This time BJP's government lasted the full term until the next general polls in 2004, from where the BJP's decline started as it lost two back-to-back general elections. A change of fortunes happened in 2014 with the emergence of Narendra Modi on the national scene as the face of the saffron party and under his leadership the BJP won 282 seats on its own. And this was perhaps the first party in three decade when any party had got majority on its own. Following the BJP's massive victory and splendid performance in Uttar Pradesh, Amit Shah, who was in charge of the state, was rewarded with party's top post. With this change of ranks in the party's leadership, a new era of Modi-Shah duo started which led to the party's victory in various state assembly elections and the BJP was ruling the 18 states at one point of time. × The party, which is again all set to win, now occupies the centre-stage of Indian political landscape. With it being the strongest political entity in the country, the BJP has become the central focal point of Indian politics and become the common enemy of all the opposition parties.

BJP's journey from just two seats in Lok Sabha in 1984 to winning two back-to-back majority

Pakistan has signaled a willingness to open peace talks with India as<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/in-his-second-term-as-prime-minister-narendra-modi-must-build-the-partys-bench-strength-220744"> Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> appears set to return to power in New Delhi after an election fought in the shadow of renewed confrontation between the nuclear-armed enemies.

But in a possible warning to India, Pakistan also announced that it has conducted a training launch of a Shaheen II, surface-to-surface ballistic missile, which it said is capable of delivering conventional and nuclear weapons at a range of up to 1,500 miles.

"Shaheen II is a highly capable missile which fully meets Pakistan`s strategic needs towards maintenance of deterrence stability in the region," Pakistan`s military said in a statement that made no direct mention of its neighbour.

On Wednesday, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmud Qureshi spoke briefly with his Indian counterpart at the sidelines of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek.

"We never speak bitterly, we want to live like good neighbours and settle our outstanding issues through talks," he said following the meeting.

The remark follows months of tension between the long-time rivals, which came close to war in February over the disputed region of Kashmir, which both sides have claimed since independence from Britain in 1947.

Following a suicide attack in Kashmir that killed 40 members of an Indian paramilitary police force in February, Indian jets launched a raid inside Pakistan, striking what New Delhi said was a training camp of Jaish-e Mohammed, the radical group that claimed the Kashmir attack.

In response, Pakistan conducted a retaliatory strike of its own and jets from the two countries fought a dogfight in the skies over Kashmir during which an Indian pilot was shot down and captured.

Amid international pressure to end the conflict, Pakistan returned the pilot and there were no further strikes but tensions remained high, with regular exchanges of artillery fire from both sides in Kashmir.

Pakistan has also kept part of its airspace closed to international air traffic, disrupting flights to India and other parts of the region.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has repeatedly offered to start talks with India to resolve the Kashmir issue, and officials have said that they hoped the process could start once the election is concluded.

Khan himself said last month he believed there was more prospect of peace talks with Indian if Modi`s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the election.

Pakistan has signaled a willingness to open peace talks with India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears set to return to power in New Delhi after an election fought in the shadow of renewed confrontation between the nuclear-armed enemies.

Pakistan has signaled a willingness to open peace talks with India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears set to return to power in New Delhi after an election fought in the shadow of renewed confrontation between the nuclear-armed enemies. But in a possible warning to India, Pakistan also announced that it has conducted a training launch of a Shaheen II, surface-to-surface ballistic missile, which it said is capable of delivering conventional and nuclear weapons at a range of up to 1,500 miles. "Shaheen II is a highly capable missile which fully meets Pakistan`s strategic needs towards maintenance of deterrence stability in the region," Pakistan`s military said in a statement that made no direct mention of its neighbour. On Wednesday, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmud Qureshi spoke briefly with his Indian counterpart at the sidelines of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. "We never speak bitterly, we want to live like good neighbours and settle our outstanding issues through talks," he said following the meeting. The remark follows months of tension between the long-time rivals, which came close to war in February over the disputed region of Kashmir, which both sides have claimed since independence from Britain in 1947. Following a suicide attack in Kashmir that killed 40 members of an Indian paramilitary police force in February, Indian jets launched a raid inside Pakistan, striking what New Delhi said was a training camp of Jaish-e Mohammed, the radical group that claimed the Kashmir attack. In response, Pakistan conducted a retaliatory strike of its own and jets from the two countries fought a dogfight in the skies over Kashmir during which an Indian pilot was shot down and captured. Amid international pressure to end the conflict, Pakistan returned the pilot and there were no further strikes but tensions remained high, with regular exchanges of artillery fire from both sides in Kashmir. Pakistan has also kept part of its airspace closed to international air traffic, disrupting flights to India and other parts of the region. Prime Minister Imran Khan has repeatedly offered to start talks with India to resolve the Kashmir issue, and officials have said that they hoped the process could start once the election is concluded. Khan himself said last month he believed there was more prospect of peace talks with Indian if Modi`s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the election.

Pakistan says it wants peace with India, conducts missile test

Buoyed by exit polls predicting a sweeping victory for the BJP in Delhi, the party's unit here has already ordered delicacies like 'motichoor cakes' and 'kamal barfis', a day before counting of votes for the Lok Sabha polls on Thursday.

BJP president Manoj Tiwari, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/exit-polls-2019-pollsters-predict-bjp-to-make-a-clean-sweep-in-delhi-on-all-7-seats-219933">asserting the party's victory on all seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital</a>, said 350-kg of fine quality "ladoos" have been ordered for celebrations at the central office on DDU Marg and the Delhi unit's office on Pant Marg.

The party has also placed orders for a 7-kg special 'motichoor cake' and nine similar cakes, each weighing between 4-5 kgs, at the Bengali Pastry shop, BJP's social media team's co-convener Neelkant Bakshi said.&nbsp;

The cakes will be cut at the BJP's central office, Bakshi said.&nbsp;

BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor has ordered a 50-kg lotus shaped 'kamal barfi'. The price per kg is Rs 2,000.

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The Congress, which hopes for a "good show" in the polls, maintained a cautious note, with its leaders saying celebrations will be held after the declaration of results.

Most of the exit polls have predicted that the BJP may win 5-7 seats and have put the Congress in second place.&nbsp;

They have predicted victory for the Congress on 1-2 seats, while most of them have forecast that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) here will be in third place on most of the seats.

Former Delhi Congress president and the party's candidate from the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat Ajay Maken said he was confident of a victory.

"The Congress will put up a good show. We have the support of all sections of society, especially minorities and government employees. Of course, celebrations will be held with the distribution of sweets and bursting of crackers," Maken said.

Congress working president Rajesh Lilothia, who is contesting from the North West Delhi Lok Sabha seat, said the party will win on all seven seats.

"We will celebrate after the results are declared and it will be a grand one," Rajesh Lilothia said.

The parties have also made special arrangements like installing large LED screens for party workers and other visitors to watch progression of counting of votes.

The candidates in the fray will visit the counting centres and take updates on trends from their agents and party leaders. The counting of votes will begin at 8 am on Thursday.

A total of 164 candidates contested the Lok Sabha elections from the seven seats in Delhi.

Over 1.43 crore people were eligible to vote in the polls in Delhi, out of which 60.21 per cent exercised their franchise.

The elections for the seven parliamentary seats were largely a triangular contest among the incumbent BJP, a spirited Congress and the AAP.&nbsp;

In 2004, the BJP managed a clean sweep winning all seven seats.

Buoyed by exit polls predicting a sweeping victory for the BJP in Delhi, the party's unit here has already ordered delicacies like 'motichoor cakes' and 'kamal barfis', a day before counting of votes for the Lok Sabha polls on Thursday.

Buoyed by exit polls predicting a sweeping victory for the BJP in Delhi, the party's unit here has already ordered delicacies like 'motichoor cakes' and 'kamal barfis', a day before counting of votes for the Lok Sabha polls on Thursday. BJP president Manoj Tiwari, asserting the party's victory on all seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital, said 350-kg of fine quality "ladoos" have been ordered for celebrations at the central office on DDU Marg and the Delhi unit's office on Pant Marg. The party has also placed orders for a 7-kg special 'motichoor cake' and nine similar cakes, each weighing between 4-5 kgs, at the Bengali Pastry shop, BJP's social media team's co-convener Neelkant Bakshi said. The cakes will be cut at the BJP's central office, Bakshi said. BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor has ordered a 50-kg lotus shaped 'kamal barfi'. The price per kg is Rs 2,000. The Congress, which hopes for a "good show" in the polls, maintained a cautious note, with its leaders saying celebrations will be held after the declaration of results. Most of the exit polls have predicted that the BJP may win 5-7 seats and have put the Congress in second place. They have predicted victory for the Congress on 1-2 seats, while most of them have forecast that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) here will be in third place on most of the seats. Former Delhi Congress president and the party's candidate from the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat Ajay Maken said he was confident of a victory. "The Congress will put up a good show. We have the support of all sections of society, especially minorities and government employees. Of course, celebrations will be held with the distribution of sweets and bursting of crackers," Maken said. Congress working president Rajesh Lilothia, who is contesting from the North West Delhi Lok Sabha seat, said the party will win on all seven seats. "We will celebrate after the results are declared and it will be a grand one," Rajesh Lilothia said. The parties have also made special arrangements like installing large LED screens for party workers and other visitors to watch progression of counting of votes. The candidates in the fray will visit the counting centres and take updates on trends from their agents and party leaders. The counting of votes will begin at 8 am on Thursday. A total of 164 candidates contested the Lok Sabha elections from the seven seats in Delhi. Over 1.43 crore people were eligible to vote in the polls in Delhi, out of which 60.21 per cent exercised their franchise. The elections for the seven parliamentary seats were largely a triangular contest among the incumbent BJP, a spirited Congress and the AAP. In 2004, the BJP managed a clean sweep winning all seven seats.

Buoyed by exit poll projections, BJP leaders order ladoos, motichoor cakes to celebrate win

Even though the Bharatiya Janta Party is yet to declare its win, it can be safe to say that the party has got a clean sweep in 2019 general elections. And while BJP leaders are yet to make an official announcement, congratulatory messages for PM Narendra Modi have already started pouring in- including one from superstar Rajinikanth.

The superstar took to Twitter on Thursday afternoon to tweet a congratulatory message to the PM. "Respected dear @narendramodi ji hearty congratulations ... You made it !!! God bless.(sic)"&nbsp;

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Respected dear <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ji 
hearty congratulations ... You made it !!! God bless.
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajinikanth/status/1131479602000408576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The actor had in 2018 expressed his desire to join politics but he did not contest elections this time around. Unlike his contemporary, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth is yet to announce his political party. The superstar is likely to contest during Assembly elections in 2020.&nbsp;

Even though the Bharatiya Janta Party is yet to declare its win, it can be safe to say that the party has got a clean sweep in 2019 general elections. And while BJP leaders are yet to make an official announcement, congratulatory messages for PM Narendra Modi have already started pouring in- including one from superstar Rajinikanth.

Even though the Bharatiya Janta Party is yet to declare its win, it can be safe to say that the party has got a clean sweep in 2019 general elections. And while BJP leaders are yet to make an official announcement, congratulatory messages for PM Narendra Modi have already started pouring in- including one from superstar Rajinikanth. The superstar took to Twitter on Thursday afternoon to tweet a congratulatory message to the PM. "Respected dear @narendramodi ji hearty congratulations ... You made it !!! God bless.(sic)" Respected dear @narendramodi ji hearty congratulations ... You made it !!! God bless. — Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) May 23, 2019 × The actor had in 2018 expressed his desire to join politics but he did not contest elections this time around. Unlike his contemporary, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth is yet to announce his political party. The superstar is likely to contest during Assembly elections in 2020.

Lok Sabha election results 2019: Rajinikanth congratulates PM Narendra Modi, says 'You made it'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led-BJP appeared set for a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-surges-ahead-with-319-seats-in-early-trends-congress-trails-far-behind-with-105-220814">resounding comeback</a> on Thursday with leads in 345 seats while the Congress trailed far behind with 90, as the counting of the votes polled in India's 17 Lok Sabha election was underway.

BJP president Amit Shah tweeted that "the result is India's mandate against propaganda, lies, personal insinuations and baseless politics by the opposition".

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यह परिणाम विपक्ष द्वारा किये गये दुष्प्रचार, झूठ, व्यक्तिगत आक्षेप और आधारहीन राजनीति के विरुद्ध भारत का जनादेश है। 
 
आज का जनादेश यह भी दिखाता है कि भारत की जनता ने देश से जातिवाद, परिवारवाद और तुष्टिकरण को पूरी तरह से उखाड़ फेंककर विकासवाद और राष्ट्रवाद को चुना है। 
 
भारत को नमन।
— Chowkidar Amit Shah (@AmitShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah/status/1131487589276368896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Today's mandate also shows that the people of India have chosen evolution and nationalism by completely uprooting casteism, familyism and appeasing from the country," his tweet read.

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प्रधान मंत्री जी <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> - भारतीय जनता पार्टी को इतनी बड़ी विजय दिलाने के लिए आपका बहुत बहुत अभिनन्दन. मैं देशवासियों के प्रति हृदय से कृज्ञता व्यक्त करती हूँ.
— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1131429757831135232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted out saying, "Thank you very much for giving the prime minister, Bharatiya Janata Party such a great victory. &nbsp;I convey my heartfelt gratitude to the countrymen".&nbsp;

Senior leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh termed the early trends "historic" and credited it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "astute" leadership and party chief Amit Shah's "dynamism".

In a series of tweets, Singh said the people of India have once again given a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-ahead-in-57-seats-in-up-modi-leading-in-varanasi-rahul-trails-in-amethi-220871">decisive mandate to the BJP-led NDA</a> and reposed their faith in Modi's leadership and vision of New India.

Party's spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain described the party's excellent performance as "the victory of the developmental work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the defeat of negative politics."

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UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath: I want to congratulate Prime Minister Modi for this victory. BJP is touching 300 mark for the first time &amp; NDA is touching 350. I also congratulate the party President Amit Shah. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElectionresults2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElectionresults2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/0JxtURwjLL">pic.twitter.com/0JxtURwjLL</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1131497577994760198?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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He further said those who thought that by forming a coalition based on caste politics they can defeat development, "this is a new era...Modi era...An era of development politics. Whoever will bring development, will win."

Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj extended her gratitude to PM Modi for helping Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to lead in the Lok Sabha elections.

"Congratulations @narendramodi for helping BJP win big. On behalf of people, I extend my gratitude," she tweeted.

Commerce and Industry minister Suresh Prabhu said,&nbsp;"People wanted Modi for the future of the nation".

"We did a great job in West Bengal where we didn’t have the strength... The impact of the BJP has increased in UP".

"People are with Modi and opposition was on the other side," Suresh Prabhu added.

While attacking opposition Suresh Prabhu said, "When BJP wins they blame EVMs and when they win they accept the results".

"You can blame anyone for their work, their policies are responsible for their defeat," Prabhu added.

BJP's Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat candidate, Sunny Deol in an upbeat tone said that he is very "happy with the fact that Modiji is winning."

"I am very happy and want Modiji to come back. Let the counting complete. I am happy with the fact that Modiji is winning. &nbsp;I want to work with him to make our constituency better."

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, BJP's Jaipur Lok Sabha seat candidate, said that PM Modi has "made the country strong". 
&nbsp; 
"Now when India has seen the work done by Prime Minister Modi, the country would not see back. This is for the country's development. The captain of the team deserves all the praises. He is the leader. He has made the country strong," Rathore said.

Watch:&nbsp;Vivek Oberoi speaks to WION about Modi biopic and general elections

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&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led-BJP appeared set for a resounding comeback on Thursday with leads in 345 seats while the Congress trailed far behind with 90, as the counting of the votes polled in India's 17 Lok Sabha election was underway.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led-BJP appeared set for a resounding comeback on Thursday with leads in 345 seats while the Congress trailed far behind with 90, as the counting of the votes polled in India's 17 Lok Sabha election was underway. BJP president Amit Shah tweeted that "the result is India's mandate against propaganda, lies, personal insinuations and baseless politics by the opposition". यह परिणाम विपक्ष द्वारा किये गये दुष्प्रचार, झूठ, व्यक्तिगत आक्षेप और आधारहीन राजनीति के विरुद्ध भारत का जनादेश है। आज का जनादेश यह भी दिखाता है कि भारत की जनता ने देश से जातिवाद, परिवारवाद और तुष्टिकरण को पूरी तरह से उखाड़ फेंककर विकासवाद और राष्ट्रवाद को चुना है। भारत को नमन। — Chowkidar Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 23, 2019 × "Today's mandate also shows that the people of India have chosen evolution and nationalism by completely uprooting casteism, familyism and appeasing from the country," his tweet read. प्रधान मंत्री जी @narendramodi - भारतीय जनता पार्टी को इतनी बड़ी विजय दिलाने के लिए आपका बहुत बहुत अभिनन्दन. मैं देशवासियों के प्रति हृदय से कृज्ञता व्यक्त करती हूँ. — Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 23, 2019 × External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted out saying, "Thank you very much for giving the prime minister, Bharatiya Janata Party such a great victory. I convey my heartfelt gratitude to the countrymen". Senior leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh termed the early trends "historic" and credited it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "astute" leadership and party chief Amit Shah's "dynamism". In a series of tweets, Singh said the people of India have once again given a decisive mandate to the BJP-led NDA and reposed their faith in Modi's leadership and vision of New India. Party's spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain described the party's excellent performance as "the victory of the developmental work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the defeat of negative politics." UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath: I want to congratulate Prime Minister Modi for this victory. BJP is touching 300 mark for the first time & NDA is touching 350. I also congratulate the party President Amit Shah. #LokSabhaElectionresults2019 pic.twitter.com/0JxtURwjLL — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 23, 2019 × He further said those who thought that by forming a coalition based on caste politics they can defeat development, "this is a new era...Modi era...An era of development politics. Whoever will bring development, will win." Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj extended her gratitude to PM Modi for helping Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to lead in the Lok Sabha elections. "Congratulations @narendramodi for helping BJP win big. On behalf of people, I extend my gratitude," she tweeted. Commerce and Industry minister Suresh Prabhu said, "People wanted Modi for the future of the nation". "We did a great job in West Bengal where we didn’t have the strength... The impact of the BJP has increased in UP". "People are with Modi and opposition was on the other side," Suresh Prabhu added. While attacking opposition Suresh Prabhu said, "When BJP wins they blame EVMs and when they win they accept the results". "You can blame anyone for their work, their policies are responsible for their defeat," Prabhu added. BJP's Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat candidate, Sunny Deol in an upbeat tone said that he is very "happy with the fact that Modiji is winning." "I am very happy and want Modiji to come back. Let the counting complete. I am happy with the fact that Modiji is winning. I want to work with him to make our constituency better." Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, BJP's Jaipur Lok Sabha seat candidate, said that PM Modi has "made the country strong". "Now when India has seen the work done by Prime Minister Modi, the country would not see back. This is for the country's development. The captain of the team deserves all the praises. He is the leader. He has made the country strong," Rathore said. Watch: Vivek Oberoi speaks to WION about Modi biopic and general elections ×

People of India have chosen evolution and nationalism: Amit Shah tweets, BJP leaders react to landslide win

With Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) set for a resounding comeback, its parliamentary board will reportedly meet on May 26&nbsp;at the party headquarters.

Top party leaders, including BJP president Amit Shah and some senior Union ministers besides Modi, are members of the parliamentary board, its highest decision-making body.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-live-updates-220687">Get LIVE updates here.</a>

&nbsp;Modi is also expected to address party workers today at 5:30 pm.

Watch:&nbsp;BJP repeats 2014 stellar performance; Sweeps away all parties in nation

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According to trends released by the Election Commission for all 542 seats that went to polls BJP was set to return to power as it led in 292 seats while the Congress trailed far behind with 51.

If the trends stay until final results, the BJP would have improved on its 2014 performance when it had won 282 seats on its own in the 543-member Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

Adding the seats won by its allies, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance could win 343 seats, up from 336 in 2014.&nbsp;

With Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) set for a resounding comeback, its parliamentary board will reportedly meet on May 26 at the party headquarters. Top party leaders, including BJP president Amit Shah and some senior Union ministers besides Modi, are members of the parliamentary board, its highest decision-making body.

With Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) set for a resounding comeback, its parliamentary board will reportedly meet on May 26 at the party headquarters. Top party leaders, including BJP president Amit Shah and some senior Union ministers besides Modi, are members of the parliamentary board, its highest decision-making body. Get LIVE updates here. Modi is also expected to address party workers today at 5:30 pm. Watch: BJP repeats 2014 stellar performance; Sweeps away all parties in nation According to trends released by the Election Commission for all 542 seats that went to polls BJP was set to return to power as it led in 292 seats while the Congress trailed far behind with 51. If the trends stay until final results, the BJP would have improved on its 2014 performance when it had won 282 seats on its own in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Adding the seats won by its allies, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance could win 343 seats, up from 336 in 2014.

With Modi set for comeback, BJP parliamentary board to meet on May 26

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/isro-successfully-launches-earth-observation-satellite-risat-2b-220516">ISRO successfully launches earth observation satellite RISAT-2B</a>

In a pre-dawn launch on Wednesday, Indian space agency ISRO scripted history by successfully launching earth observation satellite RISAT-2B that would enhance the country's surveillance capabilities among others.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-warns-of-painful-consequences-if-us-escalates-tensions-220517">Iran warns of 'painful consequences' if US escalates tensions</a>

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned the United States of "painful consequences for everybody" if there is an escalation in tensions with the Islamic republic.

Zarif also accused the US of "playing a very, very dangerous game" in an interview with CNN aired on Tuesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/at-nda-meeting-pm-modi-expresses-concern-over-needless-controversy-over-evms-by-opposition-220526">At NDA meeting, PM Modi expresses concern over 'needless controversy' over EVMs by opposition</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday expressed concern over the "needless controversy" created by the Opposition over EVMs at a meeting of NDA leaders, even as the ruling alliance laid out its agenda for the next five years if it is elected to power again.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-forecasts-global-economy-to-grow-27-in-2019-29-in-2020-220522">UN forecasts global economy to grow 2.7% in 2019, 2.9% in 2020</a>

The United Nations on Tuesday downgraded its forecast for world economic growth, announcing that it expects overall growth of 2.7 per cent this year and 2.9 per cent in 2020.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mcdonalds-faces-25-new-sexual-harassment-complaints-from-workers-220518">McDonald's faces 25 new sexual harassment complaints from workers</a>

McDonald's Corp was accused on Tuesday in 25 new lawsuits and regulatory charges of condoning sexual harassment in the workplace and retaliating against employees who speak up.

ISRO successfully launches earth observation satellite RISAT-2B In a pre-dawn launch on Wednesday, Indian space agency ISRO scripted history by successfully launching earth observation satellite RISAT-2B that would enhance the country's surveillance capabilities among others.

ISRO successfully launches earth observation satellite RISAT-2B In a pre-dawn launch on Wednesday, Indian space agency ISRO scripted history by successfully launching earth observation satellite RISAT-2B that would enhance the country's surveillance capabilities among others. Iran warns of 'painful consequences' if US escalates tensions Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned the United States of "painful consequences for everybody" if there is an escalation in tensions with the Islamic republic. Zarif also accused the US of "playing a very, very dangerous game" in an interview with CNN aired on Tuesday. At NDA meeting, PM Modi expresses concern over 'needless controversy' over EVMs by opposition Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday expressed concern over the "needless controversy" created by the Opposition over EVMs at a meeting of NDA leaders, even as the ruling alliance laid out its agenda for the next five years if it is elected to power again. UN forecasts global economy to grow 2.7% in 2019, 2.9% in 2020 The United Nations on Tuesday downgraded its forecast for world economic growth, announcing that it expects overall growth of 2.7 per cent this year and 2.9 per cent in 2020. McDonald's faces 25 new sexual harassment complaints from workers McDonald's Corp was accused on Tuesday in 25 new lawsuits and regulatory charges of condoning sexual harassment in the workplace and retaliating against employees who speak up.

As part of 100 million Maldivian rufiyaa grant aid announced during External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's visit to the Maldives in March 2019, India will be building two projects in the country.&nbsp;

The projects include Police Academy in Dhaalu Atoll and Convention Centre in Ukulhas, Alif Alif Atoll. The total cost of both the projects will be $960,000.

Maldivian foreign ministry said, "The purpose of Police Academy is to provide modern training to police officers, and the necessary skills and knowledge required to perform their duties efficiently and effectively."

"The aim of the grant assistance is to conduct socio-economic development projects across the country which are of high impact,'' Ministry added.

The development comes even as reports emerged that India and Japan are planning to build part of Colombo port in Sri Lanka even as Chinese attempts to make inroads in the region, especially through its belt and road initiative.

During Sushma Swaraj's&nbsp;visit in March, Maldives requested Indian assistance for the construction of a cricket stadium which New Delhi is currently looking into.

Interestingly, Maldivian Foreign minister Abdulla Shahid met with a delegation from Board of Control For Cricket in India (BCCI) led by General Manager, Cricket Operations Saba Karim on Tuesday.

There has been a number of high-level visits between the two countries since the new government came.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present during the swearing-in ceremony of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in November, 2018 followed by visits of Maldivian Foreign minister Abdulla Shahid and President Solih had that year itself.

As part of 100 million Maldivian rufiyaa grant aid announced during External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's visit to the Maldives in March 2019, India will be building two projects in the country.

As part of 100 million Maldivian rufiyaa grant aid announced during External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's visit to the Maldives in March 2019, India will be building two projects in the country. The projects include Police Academy in Dhaalu Atoll and Convention Centre in Ukulhas, Alif Alif Atoll. The total cost of both the projects will be $960,000. Maldivian foreign ministry said, "The purpose of Police Academy is to provide modern training to police officers, and the necessary skills and knowledge required to perform their duties efficiently and effectively." "The aim of the grant assistance is to conduct socio-economic development projects across the country which are of high impact,'' Ministry added. The development comes even as reports emerged that India and Japan are planning to build part of Colombo port in Sri Lanka even as Chinese attempts to make inroads in the region, especially through its belt and road initiative. During Sushma Swaraj's visit in March, Maldives requested Indian assistance for the construction of a cricket stadium which New Delhi is currently looking into. Interestingly, Maldivian Foreign minister Abdulla Shahid met with a delegation from Board of Control For Cricket in India (BCCI) led by General Manager, Cricket Operations Saba Karim on Tuesday. There has been a number of high-level visits between the two countries since the new government came. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present during the swearing-in ceremony of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in November, 2018 followed by visits of Maldivian Foreign minister Abdulla Shahid and President Solih had that year itself.

India to build police academy, convention centres for Maldives

European stocks slipped on Monday as concerns about an escalating fallout from a US&nbsp;crackdown on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/huawei-founder-says-growth-may-slow-but-only-slightly-after-us-restrictions-219759">China's Huawei Technologies</a> offset a slightly more positive tone on trade.

Asian shares managed to reverse some of last week's heavy losses on Monday after the United States said it would lift tariffs in North America, as investors cheered apparent wins by Conservative incumbent parties in elections in Australia and India.

But the mood did not carry over to European markets. The pan-European Euro STOXX 600 fell 0.1%, the German DAX slipped 0.17%, while France's CAC 40 weakened 0.21%.

US President Donald Trump's government added Huawei to a trade blacklist last week, imposing restrictions that will make it difficult to do business with US&nbsp;companies.

The repercussions of that move became evident as Google suspended some business with Huawei.

In Europe, chipmakers Infineon Technologies, AMS and STMicroelectronics dropped sharply after Nikkei Asian Review reported that German chipmaker Infineon had halted shipments to Huawei. The company had no immediate comment.

"Market volatility continues to stem from announcements and interpretations of what is going on in trade disputes between the US&nbsp;and its trading partners, but principally China," said Jasper Lawler, head of research at London Capital Group.

"Whilst the latest headlines over Canada are supportive of sentiment, a news bite which increases risk aversion could be just around the corner. Investors know this and are on edge right now. That won’t change overnight. China is unlikely to take Google's suspension of business with Huawei lying down."

On the positive side, a US&nbsp;decision on Friday to remove tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium prompted Canada's foreign minister to vow the quick ratification of a new North American trade agreement.

The MSCI index of world shares, which tracks shares in 47 countries, rose 0.08%. It remains some 3.6% below its 2019 highs as the sudden return of trade war jitters sent the stock market's strong rally into reverse.

The US&nbsp;S&amp;P 500 e-mini futures turned higher, rising 0.23% following losses on Wall Street on Friday.

Prominent investor Jim Rogers, who co-founded the Quantum Fund with George Soros, told the Reuters Global Markets Forum that he believed Washington and Beijing would soon announce a trade deal, although the current spat would not be the last time Trump tried to exploit the prospect of a trade war.

"These are negotiating tactics from Mr Trump at the moment. What will happen is we will have some good news, the market will have a rally. It will probably be the last rally," he said.

Oil jumps

Oil prices jumped after Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said that there was the consensus among the members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to maintain production cuts to "gently" reduce inventories.

Both US&nbsp;crude and Brent crude jumped more than 1.1% on Monday, with West Texas Intermediate fetching $63.5 a barrel and Brent crude at $73.04 per barrel.

Rising tensions in the Middle East, which have supported oil prices, ratcheted up another notch on the weekend as Trump issued new threats, tweeting that a conflict with Iran would be the "official end" of that country.

In currency markets, the Australian dollar jumped nearly 1% after the centre-right Liberal-National Coalition pulled off a shock win in a federal election, beating the centre-left Labor party.

The Indian rupee also rallied after exit polls pointed to a majority for Prime Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/modi-checkmated-oppositions-attempt-to-turn-advanis-statement-against-current-bjp-leadership-208323"> Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party</a> and allies. The rupee was last up 1.1%.

China's offshore yuan rebounded after touching its weakest against the dollar since November on Friday. It last traded up 0.1% at 6.9441 per dollar.

Sources told Reuters China's central bank is expected to use foreign exchange intervention and monetary policy tools to stop it weakening past the 7-per-dollar level in the near term.

The dollar slipped slightly against the euro to $1.1161.

Sterling recovered 0.3% to $1.2751 after suffering its biggest weekly loss since 2017 after an apparent collapse in Brexit talks in London.

German government bond yields moved slightly higher. That followed a fall towards new 2-1/2 year lows last week after investors flocked to safe-haven debt.

Austrian yields held firm after a scandal prompted Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to pull the plug on his coalition with the far right at the weekend, raising the chances of a snap election.

European stocks slipped on Monday as concerns about an escalating fallout from a US crackdown on China's Huawei Technologies offset a slightly more positive tone on trade.

European stocks slipped on Monday as concerns about an escalating fallout from a US crackdown on China's Huawei Technologies offset a slightly more positive tone on trade. Asian shares managed to reverse some of last week's heavy losses on Monday after the United States said it would lift tariffs in North America, as investors cheered apparent wins by Conservative incumbent parties in elections in Australia and India. But the mood did not carry over to European markets. The pan-European Euro STOXX 600 fell 0.1%, the German DAX slipped 0.17%, while France's CAC 40 weakened 0.21%. US President Donald Trump's government added Huawei to a trade blacklist last week, imposing restrictions that will make it difficult to do business with US companies. The repercussions of that move became evident as Google suspended some business with Huawei. In Europe, chipmakers Infineon Technologies, AMS and STMicroelectronics dropped sharply after Nikkei Asian Review reported that German chipmaker Infineon had halted shipments to Huawei. The company had no immediate comment. "Market volatility continues to stem from announcements and interpretations of what is going on in trade disputes between the US and its trading partners, but principally China," said Jasper Lawler, head of research at London Capital Group. "Whilst the latest headlines over Canada are supportive of sentiment, a news bite which increases risk aversion could be just around the corner. Investors know this and are on edge right now. That won’t change overnight. China is unlikely to take Google's suspension of business with Huawei lying down." On the positive side, a US decision on Friday to remove tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium prompted Canada's foreign minister to vow the quick ratification of a new North American trade agreement. The MSCI index of world shares, which tracks shares in 47 countries, rose 0.08%. It remains some 3.6% below its 2019 highs as the sudden return of trade war jitters sent the stock market's strong rally into reverse. The US S&P 500 e-mini futures turned higher, rising 0.23% following losses on Wall Street on Friday. Prominent investor Jim Rogers, who co-founded the Quantum Fund with George Soros, told the Reuters Global Markets Forum that he believed Washington and Beijing would soon announce a trade deal, although the current spat would not be the last time Trump tried to exploit the prospect of a trade war. "These are negotiating tactics from Mr Trump at the moment. What will happen is we will have some good news, the market will have a rally. It will probably be the last rally," he said. Oil jumps Oil prices jumped after Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said that there was the consensus among the members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to maintain production cuts to "gently" reduce inventories. Both US crude and Brent crude jumped more than 1.1% on Monday, with West Texas Intermediate fetching $63.5 a barrel and Brent crude at $73.04 per barrel. Rising tensions in the Middle East, which have supported oil prices, ratcheted up another notch on the weekend as Trump issued new threats, tweeting that a conflict with Iran would be the "official end" of that country. In currency markets, the Australian dollar jumped nearly 1% after the centre-right Liberal-National Coalition pulled off a shock win in a federal election, beating the centre-left Labor party. The Indian rupee also rallied after exit polls pointed to a majority for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party and allies. The rupee was last up 1.1%. China's offshore yuan rebounded after touching its weakest against the dollar since November on Friday. It last traded up 0.1% at 6.9441 per dollar. Sources told Reuters China's central bank is expected to use foreign exchange intervention and monetary policy tools to stop it weakening past the 7-per-dollar level in the near term. The dollar slipped slightly against the euro to $1.1161. Sterling recovered 0.3% to $1.2751 after suffering its biggest weekly loss since 2017 after an apparent collapse in Brexit talks in London. German government bond yields moved slightly higher. That followed a fall towards new 2-1/2 year lows last week after investors flocked to safe-haven debt. Austrian yields held firm after a scandal prompted Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to pull the plug on his coalition with the far right at the weekend, raising the chances of a snap election.

Global Markets: European shares hobbled as worries about Huawei fallout mount

As the polling booths closed on Sunday marking an end to the seven-phased general elections, exit polls predicted Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/exit-polls-2019-pm-modi-returning-to-power-with-300-plus-seats-say-pollsters-219927">Narendra Modi-led NDA is coming back to power with a landslide victory</a>.

While the Times Now-VMR exit poll said the BJP-led NDA will win 306 of the 542 seats and the UPA will settle at 132, Republic C-Voter said the NDA will win 287 seats and UPA 128. Others, which include regional parties, will get 120 seats according to Times Now-VMR and 87 according to Republic C-Voter survey.

Global media, which closely followed the mega electoral battle, was abuzz with the pollsters' prediction of PM Narendra Modi getting a second term.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The New York Times, in a piece, stated that "the first batch of exit polls predicted that Narendra Modi, the prime minister, would return to power," adding that "many Indians credit him with programs that have helped the poor and cut through red tape and corruption".&nbsp;

"The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lions-share-of-uttar-pradeshs-seats-going-to-bjp-predict-exit-polls-219936">BJP would maintain its strong grip on Uttar Pradesh</a>, the most valuable state with 80 seats on offer, an average of seven polls showed," The Guardian stated in its report.

"The BJP has been trying to make inroads in the eastern state to counteract expected losses in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of north India’s 'Hindi heartland' that the party swept in 2014," the report added.

UK-based BBC reported said, "A number of exit polls are suggesting that Narendra Modi... is on course to win the general election. The BJP dominated the campaign but analysts warn that exit polls have often been wrong in the past," the BBC stated.&nbsp;

News agency Reuters reported citing analysts, "a clear win would mean Modi can carry out reforms investors expect to make India an easier place for doing business".

The exit poll is an exercise where psephologists follow a systematic and scientific manner in putting out a possible number of seats that a political party or alliance could muster up at the end of voting.

Exit polls have been used for years to provide the pulse of India's political climate once voting is over. They try to give a sense of how voters may have exercised their franchise and which political party or alliance of parties stand the best chance of forming the next government.

The counting of votes will take place on May 23, final results of the mega electoral exercise will be announced the same day.&nbsp;

Watch: Know ten big take-aways emerged from 'exit polls 2019'

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As the polling booths closed on Sunday marking an end to the seven-phased general elections, exit polls predicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA is coming back to power with a landslide victory.

As the polling booths closed on Sunday marking an end to the seven-phased general elections, exit polls predicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA is coming back to power with a landslide victory. While the Times Now-VMR exit poll said the BJP-led NDA will win 306 of the 542 seats and the UPA will settle at 132, Republic C-Voter said the NDA will win 287 seats and UPA 128. Others, which include regional parties, will get 120 seats according to Times Now-VMR and 87 according to Republic C-Voter survey. Global media, which closely followed the mega electoral battle, was abuzz with the pollsters' prediction of PM Narendra Modi getting a second term. The New York Times, in a piece, stated that "the first batch of exit polls predicted that Narendra Modi, the prime minister, would return to power," adding that "many Indians credit him with programs that have helped the poor and cut through red tape and corruption". "The BJP would maintain its strong grip on Uttar Pradesh, the most valuable state with 80 seats on offer, an average of seven polls showed," The Guardian stated in its report. "The BJP has been trying to make inroads in the eastern state to counteract expected losses in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of north India’s 'Hindi heartland' that the party swept in 2014," the report added. UK-based BBC reported said, "A number of exit polls are suggesting that Narendra Modi... is on course to win the general election. The BJP dominated the campaign but analysts warn that exit polls have often been wrong in the past," the BBC stated. News agency Reuters reported citing analysts, "a clear win would mean Modi can carry out reforms investors expect to make India an easier place for doing business". The exit poll is an exercise where psephologists follow a systematic and scientific manner in putting out a possible number of seats that a political party or alliance could muster up at the end of voting. Exit polls have been used for years to provide the pulse of India's political climate once voting is over. They try to give a sense of how voters may have exercised their franchise and which political party or alliance of parties stand the best chance of forming the next government. The counting of votes will take place on May 23, final results of the mega electoral exercise will be announced the same day. Watch: Know ten big take-aways emerged from 'exit polls 2019' ×

Foreign media on exit polls predicting second term for BJP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that he has a ''special'' relationship with Kedarnath shrine and added that he had made a master-plan for the re-development of the region after the 2013 floods.

Modi interacted with media persons after offering prayers at Kedarnath and said his mission was to carry out developmental work in the region.

"My mission here is that we should look into `prakriti, pariyavaran` and `pariyatan` (nature, environment, and tourism). Fortunately, I have a hard-working team. I thank the media also for covering this region as it will help to boost tourism here. I usually take a stock of progress made in this area via video conferencing," Modi said.

When asked if he prayed for his victory in the Lok Sabha elections, the Prime Minister said, "I did not ask for anything from Baba Kedarnath. God has made us self-sufficient beings who are able to give rather than ask."

Modi urged citizens to travel within India and see the country.&nbsp;

He said he did not have any objection to people travelling to foreign countries but they should also travel to see the different places in India.&nbsp;

Modi`s constituency Varanasi is voting today in the last phase of election along with 58 other seats. He is seeking re-election from the seat, which saw him emerge victorious in 2014 with a margin of over 3 lakh votes.&nbsp;

PM ended his 18-hour meditation session inside a holy cave of Kedarnath and is headed for Badrinath temple.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that he has a ''special'' relationship with Kedarnath shrine and added that he had made a master-plan for the re-development of the region after the 2013 floods.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that he has a ''special'' relationship with Kedarnath shrine and added that he had made a master-plan for the re-development of the region after the 2013 floods. Modi interacted with media persons after offering prayers at Kedarnath and said his mission was to carry out developmental work in the region. "My mission here is that we should look into `prakriti, pariyavaran` and `pariyatan` (nature, environment, and tourism). Fortunately, I have a hard-working team. I thank the media also for covering this region as it will help to boost tourism here. I usually take a stock of progress made in this area via video conferencing," Modi said. When asked if he prayed for his victory in the Lok Sabha elections, the Prime Minister said, "I did not ask for anything from Baba Kedarnath. God has made us self-sufficient beings who are able to give rather than ask." Modi urged citizens to travel within India and see the country. He said he did not have any objection to people travelling to foreign countries but they should also travel to see the different places in India. Modi`s constituency Varanasi is voting today in the last phase of election along with 58 other seats. He is seeking re-election from the seat, which saw him emerge victorious in 2014 with a margin of over 3 lakh votes. PM ended his 18-hour meditation session inside a holy cave of Kedarnath and is headed for Badrinath temple.

Have 'special' relationship with Kedarnath, says PM Modi

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Pakistan ready to hold talks with new Indian government: Shah Mahmood Qureshi

Amit Shah's journey to becoming BJP's most successful president

Modi asks NDA MPs to work without discrimination, reach out to minorities

UP: Muslim woman names newborn 'Narendra Modi'

News brief: Big stories of the day

Modi unanimously elected leader of NDA coalition, to stake claim to form government today

Lok Sabha election results 2019: Better management of vote bank contradictions and development were BJP’s keys

Lok Sabha election 2019: PM Modi, Amit Shah visit LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi after landslide victory

Amid Washington-Tehran tension, India ends Iranian oil imports: Envoy

News brief: Big stories of the day

Anurag Kashyap congratulates PM, asks him what to do about trolls abusing his daughter

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina congratulates PM Modi on election victory

Lok Sabha election 2019: US, China and neighbouring countries to be focus areas of new government, say former envoys

Narendra Modi to visit a South Asian country in his first foreign tour in second term

Lok Sabha election result 2019: PM Modi thanks world leaders, sportspersons and celebrities for their wishes on Twitter

BJP ahead in 57 seats in UP; Modi leading in Varanasi, Rahul trails in Amethi

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Union Cabinet to meet on Friday

In his second term as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi must build the party’s bench strength

Lok Sabha Election Result 2019: Counting of votes begins with BJP looking at second term

BJP's journey from just two seats in Lok Sabha in 1984 to winning two back-to-back majority

Pakistan says it wants peace with India, conducts missile test

Buoyed by exit poll projections, BJP leaders order ladoos, motichoor cakes to celebrate win

Lok Sabha election results 2019: Rajinikanth congratulates PM Narendra Modi, says 'You made it'

People of India have chosen evolution and nationalism: Amit Shah tweets, BJP leaders react to landslide win

With Modi set for comeback, BJP parliamentary board to meet on May 26