The Indian-Ocean Rim Association (IORA) will be discussing the Indo-Pacific concept this week in a meet in Mauritius to understand the scope and impact of the concept on the grouping.

IORA, a group of 22 countries who share their shores with Indian ocean, are keen to understand the geopolitical construct that has the backing of New Delhi and Washington and is increasingly gaining currency in the region.&nbsp;

Speaking to WION in Pretoria, Antoinette Rademan, director of IORA at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) of South African foreign ministry said, "There was a request...for members to discuss it. This is taking place this week in a geostrategic workshop."

Adding, "We have to take cognisance of developments such as the Indo-pacific concept for which we have a workshop."

Delhi and Washington consider themselves as the bookends of the Indo-Pacific region. The US last year even changed the name of its largest naval command, US Pacific command, to 'Indo-Pacific Command'&nbsp;to give a boost to the growing concept.

China is deeply suspicious of the concept and sees it as its encirclement and refuses to recognise it.

Describing India's vision for Indo-Pacific, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore last year said, for New Delhi, the concept stands for "Inclusiveness, openness and ASEAN centrality."

ASEAN is also discussing the concept.&nbsp;Thailand which assumed the chairmanship of ASEAN this year said that the grouping is working on a common approach for the Indo-Pacific concept.&nbsp;

"ASEAN is working on a common approach on an Indo-Pacific concept that complements existing frameworks such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association or IORA," Thai foreign minister Don Pramudwinai.

The Indian-Ocean Rim Association (IORA) will be discussing the Indo-Pacific concept this week in a meet in Mauritius to understand the scope and impact of the concept on the grouping.

The Indian-Ocean Rim Association (IORA) will be discussing the Indo-Pacific concept this week in a meet in Mauritius to understand the scope and impact of the concept on the grouping. IORA, a group of 22 countries who share their shores with Indian ocean, are keen to understand the geopolitical construct that has the backing of New Delhi and Washington and is increasingly gaining currency in the region. Speaking to WION in Pretoria, Antoinette Rademan, director of IORA at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) of South African foreign ministry said, "There was a request...for members to discuss it. This is taking place this week in a geostrategic workshop." Adding, "We have to take cognisance of developments such as the Indo-pacific concept for which we have a workshop." Delhi and Washington consider themselves as the bookends of the Indo-Pacific region. The US last year even changed the name of its largest naval command, US Pacific command, to 'Indo-Pacific Command' to give a boost to the growing concept. China is deeply suspicious of the concept and sees it as its encirclement and refuses to recognise it. Describing India's vision for Indo-Pacific, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore last year said, for New Delhi, the concept stands for "Inclusiveness, openness and ASEAN centrality." ASEAN is also discussing the concept. Thailand which assumed the chairmanship of ASEAN this year said that the grouping is working on a common approach for the Indo-Pacific concept. "ASEAN is working on a common approach on an Indo-Pacific concept that complements existing frameworks such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association or IORA," Thai foreign minister Don Pramudwinai.

Indian-Ocean Rim Association to discuss Indo-Pacific concept in Mauritius meet

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-bjp-convoy-attacked-by-naxals-policemen-mla-killed-209063">Dantewada: BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi, 5 policemen killed in Naxal attack</a>

A BJP leader and five policemen were killed on Tuesday when the Naxals attacked a convoy in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada.

The incident occurred at Shyamgiri hills when the BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi's convoy was heading towards Kuwakonda from Bacheli area.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-led-alliance-to-win-thin-majority-in-lok-sabha-elections-2019-poll-shows-ahead-of-vote-209027">BJP-led alliance to win thin majority in Lok Sabha elections 2019, poll shows ahead of vote</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling alliance will win a thin majority in a general election that starts on April 11, an average of four opinion polls showed, with a focus on national security appearing to trump concerns over other issues.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/german-is-woman-accused-of-letting-yazidi-slave-girl-die-of-thirst-209045">German Islamic State woman accused of letting Yazidi 'slave' girl die of thirst</a>

A German woman who joined the Islamic State jihadist group went on trial Tuesday accused of the war crime of letting a five-year-old Yazidi "slave" girl die of thirst in the sun.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/if-nda-wins-they-should-first-implement-river-linking-project-rajinikanth-209026">If NDA wins they should first implement river-linking project: Rajinikanth</a>

Superstar Rajinikanth on Tuesday clarified his stance over Bharatiya Janata Party's election manifesto that was released yesterday.

Speaking to reporters outside his Chennai residence, Rajinikanth termed the mention of linking rivers in the manifesto as a "welcome move".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mehbooba-mufti-and-gautam-gambhir-get-into-a-twitter-fight-over-article-370-209020">Mehbooba Mufti and Gautam Gambhir get into a Twitter fight over Article 370</a>

The issue of Article 370 has triggered a war of words between the J&amp;K's former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and former cricketer and BJP leader Gautam Gambhir.&nbsp;

Dantewada: BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi, 5 policemen killed in Naxal attack A BJP leader and five policemen were killed on Tuesday when the Naxals attacked a convoy in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada.

Dantewada: BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi, 5 policemen killed in Naxal attack A BJP leader and five policemen were killed on Tuesday when the Naxals attacked a convoy in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada. The incident occurred at Shyamgiri hills when the BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi's convoy was heading towards Kuwakonda from Bacheli area. BJP-led alliance to win thin majority in Lok Sabha elections 2019, poll shows ahead of vote Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling alliance will win a thin majority in a general election that starts on April 11, an average of four opinion polls showed, with a focus on national security appearing to trump concerns over other issues. German Islamic State woman accused of letting Yazidi 'slave' girl die of thirst A German woman who joined the Islamic State jihadist group went on trial Tuesday accused of the war crime of letting a five-year-old Yazidi "slave" girl die of thirst in the sun. If NDA wins they should first implement river-linking project: Rajinikanth Superstar Rajinikanth on Tuesday clarified his stance over Bharatiya Janata Party's election manifesto that was released yesterday. Speaking to reporters outside his Chennai residence, Rajinikanth termed the mention of linking rivers in the manifesto as a "welcome move". Mehbooba Mufti and Gautam Gambhir get into a Twitter fight over Article 370 The issue of Article 370 has triggered a war of words between the J&K's former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and former cricketer and BJP leader Gautam Gambhir.

News brief: Big stories of the day

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

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

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

Rahul levelling corruption allegations against Modi for political gains: Gadkari

BJP’s manifesto was nationalism unplugged. The manifesto reflected the core agenda of RSS, which has been promoting cultural nationalism since its inception. The coming of age could only happen during Narendra Modi’s tenure as he allowed the vision to be incorporated and propagated unapologetically during his tenure as the Prime Minister.

At the launch ceremony, speaker after speaker spoke about national unity and how BJP was committed to the idea of national renewal, tough security response and enhanced prestige abroad. This theme was visible after 2014 but very few understood the intent of BJP that it wanted to contest 2019 Lok Sabha elections on it.&nbsp;

If it would not have been the failure of BJP in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, BJP would not have introduced direct subsidy to distressed farmers and neither state BJP governments would have waived electricity bills and loans taken by the farmer nor taken such a populist turn.

This particular event brought both BJP and Congress together barring the issue of nationalism. Both parties have committed themselves to a large welfare architecture which is going to trouble middle class even more. Both have become very loud in their commitment towards popular politics. For the PM to say Antyodaya is the philosophy reflects strong pro-poor sentiments. NYAY is also one such arrow from the quiver of populist politics. The only difference is that Congress manifesto is restrained when it comes to national security and nationalism-based politics and that of BJP is very aggressive and does not refrain from taking on strong regional sentiments of North East and Kashmir. It helps BJP in rest of India.

BJP’s manifesto looks more in tune with the India of 1970 under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. A famous leader who taught a lesson to Pakistan but held the promise of keeping the nation together. She ran the country with an iron hand and the party was subservient to her. Her strength bordered on being dictatorial and ran a left-leaning economy. Congress, on the other hand, barring the model of a strong leader is also committing itself to running a left-leaning economy which would be high on welfare schemes.

Both BJP and Congress of today are a strong departure from the turn India took in 1991. Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh were reformers and committed to economic liberalisation. All three Prime Ministers fought the populist narrative that business is a bad word and capitalism cannot do good for the poor. Even if they failed in parts, they did not create a subsidy monster.

It was Sonia Gandhi who forced Manmohan Singh’s hand after 2008 that Congress started to reflect party sensibilities of the 1970s. Even Modi who started with a promise of reform and minimum governance gave in to the populism which continues to wreak Indian politics. Till today, there exists no consensus on land acquisition bill which continues to lie in cold storage after suit boot kee sarkar jibe.

The only differentiator which BJP has with Congress is on national security and aggressive politics against internal insurgencies and Pakistan. It is for this reason, BJP has made nationalism a pivotal issue against Congress.

Not only it blunts the charge of Congress that RSS never participated in the freedom struggle, but it also helps BJP bridge the caste politics. It is for this reason that Ram Temple, Article 370, 35 A, Pakistan and internal insurgencies have all come together as one issue.&nbsp;

Both manifestos claim that they have presented a competing vision of India but remain similar when it comes to promoting statism. The lines have also blurred on Hinduism. Both parties compete for the same space. BJP’s vision is hard nationalism laced with Hindutva married to a welfare state whereas Congress vision is that of soft Hindutva married to a vigorous welfare state. We will know only on May 23 as to which brand sold well.

&nbsp;(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

BJP’s manifesto was nationalism unplugged. The manifesto reflected the core agenda of RSS, which has been promoting cultural nationalism since its inception. The coming of age could only happen during Narendra Modi’s tenure as he allowed the vision to be incorporated and propagated unapologetically during his tenure as the Prime Minister.

BJP’s manifesto was nationalism unplugged. The manifesto reflected the core agenda of RSS, which has been promoting cultural nationalism since its inception. The coming of age could only happen during Narendra Modi’s tenure as he allowed the vision to be incorporated and propagated unapologetically during his tenure as the Prime Minister. At the launch ceremony, speaker after speaker spoke about national unity and how BJP was committed to the idea of national renewal, tough security response and enhanced prestige abroad. This theme was visible after 2014 but very few understood the intent of BJP that it wanted to contest 2019 Lok Sabha elections on it. If it would not have been the failure of BJP in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, BJP would not have introduced direct subsidy to distressed farmers and neither state BJP governments would have waived electricity bills and loans taken by the farmer nor taken such a populist turn. This particular event brought both BJP and Congress together barring the issue of nationalism. Both parties have committed themselves to a large welfare architecture which is going to trouble middle class even more. Both have become very loud in their commitment towards popular politics. For the PM to say Antyodaya is the philosophy reflects strong pro-poor sentiments. NYAY is also one such arrow from the quiver of populist politics. The only difference is that Congress manifesto is restrained when it comes to national security and nationalism-based politics and that of BJP is very aggressive and does not refrain from taking on strong regional sentiments of North East and Kashmir. It helps BJP in rest of India. BJP’s manifesto looks more in tune with the India of 1970 under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. A famous leader who taught a lesson to Pakistan but held the promise of keeping the nation together. She ran the country with an iron hand and the party was subservient to her. Her strength bordered on being dictatorial and ran a left-leaning economy. Congress, on the other hand, barring the model of a strong leader is also committing itself to running a left-leaning economy which would be high on welfare schemes. Both BJP and Congress of today are a strong departure from the turn India took in 1991. Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh were reformers and committed to economic liberalisation. All three Prime Ministers fought the populist narrative that business is a bad word and capitalism cannot do good for the poor. Even if they failed in parts, they did not create a subsidy monster. It was Sonia Gandhi who forced Manmohan Singh’s hand after 2008 that Congress started to reflect party sensibilities of the 1970s. Even Modi who started with a promise of reform and minimum governance gave in to the populism which continues to wreak Indian politics. Till today, there exists no consensus on land acquisition bill which continues to lie in cold storage after suit boot kee sarkar jibe. The only differentiator which BJP has with Congress is on national security and aggressive politics against internal insurgencies and Pakistan. It is for this reason, BJP has made nationalism a pivotal issue against Congress. Not only it blunts the charge of Congress that RSS never participated in the freedom struggle, but it also helps BJP bridge the caste politics. It is for this reason that Ram Temple, Article 370, 35 A, Pakistan and internal insurgencies have all come together as one issue. Both manifestos claim that they have presented a competing vision of India but remain similar when it comes to promoting statism. The lines have also blurred on Hinduism. Both parties compete for the same space. BJP’s vision is hard nationalism laced with Hindutva married to a welfare state whereas Congress vision is that of soft Hindutva married to a vigorous welfare state. We will know only on May 23 as to which brand sold well. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Lok Sabha polls 2019: High on populism, both BJP and Congress manifestos compete for same space

A&nbsp;great revolution is never the fault of the people, but of the government, the famous German writer JW von Goethe had said. Gurcharan&nbsp;Das, noted Indian author and former head of Proctor and Gamble India, recently pointed out a problem that voters across India may face during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Disillusioned by a string of factors that form a major chunk of the entire election process, the voter in 2019 might be finally left with only a limited choice. While the NOTA&nbsp;will be an option, the bigger mathematics is who shall rise to power after standard tenets of the median voter theorem are taken care of. As April 11 nears, the question that haunts many citizens is whether the political entrepreneurship stymied and muted in our country.

To start with, the Election Commission of India (ECI) data suggests that currently there are 7 national parties in India. The eligibility to become one is to win at least 2 per cent seats in the Lok Sabha (LS), the upper house of the Indian Parliament. In addition, they have to win at least win four Lok Sabha seats. The national parties also have to get the recognition as a state party in at least four states. While one can debate whether these cut-offs need a revisiting or if these restrictions are prohibitive, seven national parties for a country of 1.33 billion seem less. It immediately suggests that a market power is being exercised by the dominant ones rather than the ones on the fringes. What heightens the curiosity is that 1999, and also the last LS polls, saw the classification of a national party, namely the Nationalist Congress&nbsp;&nbsp;Party.&nbsp;

Since then, we have had 5 national elections and the story gradually turned to state parties. The ECI data suggests that there are&nbsp;55 such parties today, with 14 new entrants from 2010 to 2019. Eight state parties entering in the 2000s, 10 in the 1990s, 7 in the 1980s, 5&nbsp;&nbsp;in the 1970s, 3 in the 1960s, and 3 more post-Independence, the rest&nbsp;&nbsp;pre-1947.&nbsp;

And even without going into their survival probabilities,&nbsp;one can see competition from even the less-recognised bunch of regional parties. Clearly, as we get familiar with the Indian politics which is now highly decentralised, we see the national competition is being substituted by a sub-national flavour.&nbsp;

Another point to take away from here is the potentially average conversion ratio of a state party to a national party, which is declining over the years.

So what explains the trend? The micro-foundations of entrepreneurship and pathways related to politics as a career could provide a starting answer. There are no estimates, but one wonders if it has become costlier to pursue active politics as a&nbsp;&nbsp;career opportunity. In addition, the controversial and fuzzy electoral bonds are perfect instruments as entry barriers for incumbents. Also, with the 1991 liberalisation, India has seen the advent of market forces, such that the role of the state as a social planner has become more corrective in nature (when there are market distortions), rather than being directive.&nbsp;

Yet, since puzzlingly&nbsp;&nbsp;India’s crony capitalism and chaebol point to an unsteady system in existence where marginal returns to becoming a politician, potentially&nbsp;exists within one’s ethical compass on the edge. That may explain entry&nbsp;of criminals and contentious religious leaders, but the successful entry from the average middle class remains a far cry. In fact, India’s growing middle class, predominantly young and aspirations, may no longer be beholden to a behavioural mind set of thinking of the state as the go-to secure fallback for livelihood and even as an influencer of life. They want to move on, and over the years, Infosys or the current&nbsp;&nbsp;Flipkart-generation may prioritise the value of bazaars in guiding life’s satisfaction.&nbsp;

Normatively this may be fine, but one wonders if this comes at the cost of turning the oblivious to inequalities that market forces are bringing forth and the negative externalities created tomorrow even in their private lives with their short-term thinking.&nbsp;&nbsp;For those who are sensitive to these trade-offs, the way to solve India’s ills seem to be becoming agrarian entrepreneurs, embedding oneself in rural India, blending in innovation, technology and new business models to solve the ills afflicting life beyond metros.

One wishes that many of them, indeed, endogenously or exogenous, turn into political entrepreneurs and would advance governance and public policy in India. A final point can be drawn from Imran Khan, the current&nbsp;&nbsp;Pakistani Prime Minister, interviewed last year on the Australian TV&nbsp;&nbsp;programme for 60 minutes.&nbsp;&nbsp;His was an observation that could be equally true for much of South Asia when he noted that maybe Pakistan needs a revolution. Today, with smart phones in their hand and aspirations in their mind, India’s youth may prioritize WhatsApp, malls,&nbsp;&nbsp;Instagram. But if they have the foresight (even selfish ones for that matter are fine), they should also ponder taking their future in their hands.&nbsp;&nbsp;From being amnesiac here, to the death anniversary of Bhagat&nbsp;&nbsp;Singh last week was not exactly a great sign to this regard, but one would like to remain hopeful that tomorrow young India will still be inspired by him and that will spur political competition.

Speaking in recent months to prominent healthcare leaders and entrepreneurs in&nbsp;&nbsp;India, former North American diplomats and faculty colleagues, this idea, as to whether India needs a revolution intriguingly keeps coming back in conversations. But to be substantive about it, it would be wiser to create conditions and incentives guiding Indian youth towards a&nbsp;&nbsp;systematic approach here to foster revolution with national political rivalry. The emergence of a Jignesh Mevani, Alpesh Thakor, Hardik Patel,&nbsp;&nbsp;Kanhaiya Kumar, Sheila Rashid or Shah Faesal is good regionally, but maybe India’s national parties need the animal spirits of competition to stay rooted to their broader social welfare mission. That could give&nbsp;&nbsp;India its newest revolution (with political entrepreneurship), beyond its digital or fin-tech revolution.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-a-stymied-political-career-2736699">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;

A great revolution is never the fault of the people, but of the government, the famous German writer JW von Goethe had said. Gurcharan Das, noted Indian author and former head of Proctor and Gamble India, recently pointed out a problem that voters across India may face during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

A great revolution is never the fault of the people, but of the government, the famous German writer JW von Goethe had said. Gurcharan Das, noted Indian author and former head of Proctor and Gamble India, recently pointed out a problem that voters across India may face during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Disillusioned by a string of factors that form a major chunk of the entire election process, the voter in 2019 might be finally left with only a limited choice. While the NOTA will be an option, the bigger mathematics is who shall rise to power after standard tenets of the median voter theorem are taken care of. As April 11 nears, the question that haunts many citizens is whether the political entrepreneurship stymied and muted in our country. To start with, the Election Commission of India (ECI) data suggests that currently there are 7 national parties in India. The eligibility to become one is to win at least 2 per cent seats in the Lok Sabha (LS), the upper house of the Indian Parliament. In addition, they have to win at least win four Lok Sabha seats. The national parties also have to get the recognition as a state party in at least four states. While one can debate whether these cut-offs need a revisiting or if these restrictions are prohibitive, seven national parties for a country of 1.33 billion seem less. It immediately suggests that a market power is being exercised by the dominant ones rather than the ones on the fringes. What heightens the curiosity is that 1999, and also the last LS polls, saw the classification of a national party, namely the Nationalist Congress Party. Since then, we have had 5 national elections and the story gradually turned to state parties. The ECI data suggests that there are 55 such parties today, with 14 new entrants from 2010 to 2019. Eight state parties entering in the 2000s, 10 in the 1990s, 7 in the 1980s, 5 in the 1970s, 3 in the 1960s, and 3 more post-Independence, the rest pre-1947. And even without going into their survival probabilities, one can see competition from even the less-recognised bunch of regional parties. Clearly, as we get familiar with the Indian politics which is now highly decentralised, we see the national competition is being substituted by a sub-national flavour. Another point to take away from here is the potentially average conversion ratio of a state party to a national party, which is declining over the years. So what explains the trend? The micro-foundations of entrepreneurship and pathways related to politics as a career could provide a starting answer. There are no estimates, but one wonders if it has become costlier to pursue active politics as a career opportunity. In addition, the controversial and fuzzy electoral bonds are perfect instruments as entry barriers for incumbents. Also, with the 1991 liberalisation, India has seen the advent of market forces, such that the role of the state as a social planner has become more corrective in nature (when there are market distortions), rather than being directive. Yet, since puzzlingly India’s crony capitalism and chaebol point to an unsteady system in existence where marginal returns to becoming a politician, potentially exists within one’s ethical compass on the edge. That may explain entry of criminals and contentious religious leaders, but the successful entry from the average middle class remains a far cry. In fact, India’s growing middle class, predominantly young and aspirations, may no longer be beholden to a behavioural mind set of thinking of the state as the go-to secure fallback for livelihood and even as an influencer of life. They want to move on, and over the years, Infosys or the current Flipkart-generation may prioritise the value of bazaars in guiding life’s satisfaction. Normatively this may be fine, but one wonders if this comes at the cost of turning the oblivious to inequalities that market forces are bringing forth and the negative externalities created tomorrow even in their private lives with their short-term thinking. For those who are sensitive to these trade-offs, the way to solve India’s ills seem to be becoming agrarian entrepreneurs, embedding oneself in rural India, blending in innovation, technology and new business models to solve the ills afflicting life beyond metros. One wishes that many of them, indeed, endogenously or exogenous, turn into political entrepreneurs and would advance governance and public policy in India. A final point can be drawn from Imran Khan, the current Pakistani Prime Minister, interviewed last year on the Australian TV programme for 60 minutes. His was an observation that could be equally true for much of South Asia when he noted that maybe Pakistan needs a revolution. Today, with smart phones in their hand and aspirations in their mind, India’s youth may prioritize WhatsApp, malls, Instagram. But if they have the foresight (even selfish ones for that matter are fine), they should also ponder taking their future in their hands. From being amnesiac here, to the death anniversary of Bhagat Singh last week was not exactly a great sign to this regard, but one would like to remain hopeful that tomorrow young India will still be inspired by him and that will spur political competition. Speaking in recent months to prominent healthcare leaders and entrepreneurs in India, former North American diplomats and faculty colleagues, this idea, as to whether India needs a revolution intriguingly keeps coming back in conversations. But to be substantive about it, it would be wiser to create conditions and incentives guiding Indian youth towards a systematic approach here to foster revolution with national political rivalry. The emergence of a Jignesh Mevani, Alpesh Thakor, Hardik Patel, Kanhaiya Kumar, Sheila Rashid or Shah Faesal is good regionally, but maybe India’s national parties need the animal spirits of competition to stay rooted to their broader social welfare mission. That could give India its newest revolution (with political entrepreneurship), beyond its digital or fin-tech revolution. (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 polls 2019: Voters might be left with only limited choice

BJP Manifesto 2019: BJP brings 'Sankalp Patra' not 'Ghoshna Patra', says Sushma Swaraj

BJP Manifesto 2019: Huge support from people of India in last 5 years, says PM Modi

A look at PM Narendra Modi's general election campaign

From doubling farmers' income to Make in India in Defence: Key points of BJP manifesto

The Supreme Court of India will hear a plea challenging the release of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biopic on Tuesday.

Senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the top court that the release of biopic on Prime Minister Modi right before elections violated the moral code of conduct, while certification award is still awaited from the CBFC. The movie was meant to release on April 5 but the date was pushed back to April 11 due to the case.

The petition has been filed by Congress spokesperson and lawyer Aman Panwar. Appearing for the petitioner, lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that, "This movie is a direct assault on our basic structure. The trailer and publicity are being done by the members of BJP. You don't add to the expenses of the film. It will be shown for free for 40 days."

The bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi asked the petitioners what their objection to the film was. Singhvi requested to get a copy of the film in order to make elaborate submissions, but the CJI dismissed the demand.

Speaking about the petition, the film's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/vivek-oberoi-didnt-think-that-a-simple-humble-movie-would-intimidate-powerful-and-important-people-208705">lead actor Vivek Oberoi</a> said that to be labelled, targetted, attacked is painful. "It's a passion project, something that’s taken an entire team to put this together at this scale. But then to meet this resistance, to be labelled, targetted, attacked - its painful. I didn’t think that a simple, humble movie would intimidate powerful and important people that they would go all out to get it to shut down. When the High Court supported us on this, they took it to it the honourable Supreme Court," he told WION.

Meanwhile, the Censor Board has told the top court that it has yet not issued certificate to the film.

Directed by Omung Kumar and on Narendra Modi's life, the film has been co-produced by Suresh Oberoi and Sunil Ssingh.

The Supreme Court of India will hear a plea challenging the release of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biopic on Tuesday. Senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the top court that the release of biopic on Prime Minister Modi right before elections violated the moral code of conduct, while certification award is still awaited from the CBFC.

The Supreme Court of India will hear a plea challenging the release of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biopic on Tuesday. Senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the top court that the release of biopic on Prime Minister Modi right before elections violated the moral code of conduct, while certification award is still awaited from the CBFC. The movie was meant to release on April 5 but the date was pushed back to April 11 due to the case. The petition has been filed by Congress spokesperson and lawyer Aman Panwar. Appearing for the petitioner, lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that, "This movie is a direct assault on our basic structure. The trailer and publicity are being done by the members of BJP. You don't add to the expenses of the film. It will be shown for free for 40 days." The bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi asked the petitioners what their objection to the film was. Singhvi requested to get a copy of the film in order to make elaborate submissions, but the CJI dismissed the demand. Speaking about the petition, the film's lead actor Vivek Oberoi said that to be labelled, targetted, attacked is painful. "It's a passion project, something that’s taken an entire team to put this together at this scale. But then to meet this resistance, to be labelled, targetted, attacked - its painful. I didn’t think that a simple, humble movie would intimidate powerful and important people that they would go all out to get it to shut down. When the High Court supported us on this, they took it to it the honourable Supreme Court," he told WION. Meanwhile, the Censor Board has told the top court that it has yet not issued certificate to the film. Directed by Omung Kumar and on Narendra Modi's life, the film has been co-produced by Suresh Oberoi and Sunil Ssingh.

PM Modi biopic: Supreme Court to hear plea against its release on Tuesday

In a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday "speed-breaker Didi" has applied brakes on several central schemes, denying people of the benefits available in other parts of the country.

Addressing a rally at Rash Mela ground here, he alleged that Banerjee has let loose goons in the state, dashing the hopes of people.

"Didi has maligned Bengal with Saradha Scam, Rose Valley scam and Narada scam. I want to promise you all that this Chowkidar (Modi) will seek answers for each and every paisa looted," he said.

Noting that a venue with limited space was allotted for today's rally, Modi said, "Didi tried her best to stop people from attending the rally in large numbers.

How does she expect to win the elections with such childish antics."

"The way Mamata expressed her anger against Election Commission only shows how perplexed she is. Didi is fast losing her political ground in Bengal," the PM said.

Banerjee had expressed her displeasure when the Election Commission announced seven-phase Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal.

Modi also charged Banerjee with protecting illegal immigrants to secure her vote bank.

"Didi has betrayed the Centre by giving protection to the intruders. This chowkidar has brought NRC and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to drive out infiltrators. But Didi with her 'Mahamilawati' (opposition alliance) colleagues are trying to stop the government from pursuing them," he said.

Sharing his plans for the development of the country, Modi said, phone calls will soon become free in the country and the charges for the Internet will be the least in the world.

"Every poor has a bank account and a debit card. Women have easy access to gas connections. What seemed impossible a few years ago has been made possible by the Modi government," he added.

Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal will be held in seven phases between April 11 and May 19.

In a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday "speed-breaker Didi" has applied brakes on several central schemes, denying people of the benefits available in other parts of the country.

In a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday "speed-breaker Didi" has applied brakes on several central schemes, denying people of the benefits available in other parts of the country. Addressing a rally at Rash Mela ground here, he alleged that Banerjee has let loose goons in the state, dashing the hopes of people. "Didi has maligned Bengal with Saradha Scam, Rose Valley scam and Narada scam. I want to promise you all that this Chowkidar (Modi) will seek answers for each and every paisa looted," he said. Noting that a venue with limited space was allotted for today's rally, Modi said, "Didi tried her best to stop people from attending the rally in large numbers. How does she expect to win the elections with such childish antics." "The way Mamata expressed her anger against Election Commission only shows how perplexed she is. Didi is fast losing her political ground in Bengal," the PM said. Banerjee had expressed her displeasure when the Election Commission announced seven-phase Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. Modi also charged Banerjee with protecting illegal immigrants to secure her vote bank. "Didi has betrayed the Centre by giving protection to the intruders. This chowkidar has brought NRC and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to drive out infiltrators. But Didi with her 'Mahamilawati' (opposition alliance) colleagues are trying to stop the government from pursuing them," he said. Sharing his plans for the development of the country, Modi said, phone calls will soon become free in the country and the charges for the Internet will be the least in the world. "Every poor has a bank account and a debit card. Women have easy access to gas connections. What seemed impossible a few years ago has been made possible by the Modi government," he added. Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal will be held in seven phases between April 11 and May 19.

Didi maligned Bengal with scams, denied people of central Scheme benefits: PM Modi

Senior BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman Saturday urged people to assess the Congress' five years in the opposition, claiming it was creating chaos to stop the government from doing good work.

She said the amount of 72,000 per year, promised by the Congress to the poor under its NYAY scheme, was half of what the Narendra Modi government is giving away currently to poor citizens through direct subsidy transfers.

While addressing professionals and intellectuals of the city here as part of BJP's Lok Sabha campaign, she said, though PM Modi was ready to reply to the Congress' questions in Parliament, leaders in the opposition created chaos and did not allow him to do so.

"Before 2014, the BJP was in opposition and it campaigned to uproot a corrupt government. Now, we are in power while Congress is in opposition. You should compare our performance as opposition and that of the Congress," she said.

"As an opposition party, we used to raise questions in the Parliament. But, we never made any baseless allegations. Now, though Modi ji was ready to give answers, he was not allowed by the opposition leaders who created chaos in the Parliament. This is today's opposition. They are trying to stop us from doing good work," she claimed.

"This is what the opposition has become. You have to think about this too," Sitharaman told the gathering.

On the minimum income guarantee scheme promised by the Congress, Sitharaman said "The Rs 72,000, which Congress is promising to give, is less than what Modiji is giving right now to the needy citizens through direct subsidy transfers."

She said because of the efforts of Modi, no country had criticised India for its February 26 Balakot air strike.

"Pakistan is already in the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force for not taking sufficient action against terror outfits. Now, it may be added in the black list of FATF," she said.

"Even Pakistan has admitted that they are on the verge of being blacklisted because of India's campaign. Why did such things not happen earlier? Because Modi hai to mumkin hai (With Modi, it is possible)," said the BJP leader.

When queried on National Conference president Farooq Abdullah's allegation that the Modi government was lying about the shooting down of a Pakistani F-16 in the aerial engagement on February 27, she said the Indian Air Force had already presented proof to establish it.

"There are many who are spreading such misinformation. Those who are questioning our army are part of the bhajan mandli of the Congress. What more I can say when some Indians are saying such things. It is painful" she said.

Responding to a question about Rahul Gandhi's allegations of irregularities in the Rafale deal and the involvement of Anil Ambani, Sitharaman dared the Congress chief to provide proof.

"Just show a simple proof to validate your allegation that Rs 30,000 crore was given to him (Ambani). If you can't show that proof, you do not have any right to say that the PM is a thief. I challenge you to show proof. If you cannot, you must stop levelling false and baseless allegations," she said.

The Congress allegations have been refuted routinely by the Centre as well as Ambani.

She was here to campaign for BJP national president Amit Shah who is contesting from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat.

Senior BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman Saturday urged people to assess the Congress' five years in the opposition, claiming it was creating chaos to stop the government from doing good work.

Senior BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman Saturday urged people to assess the Congress' five years in the opposition, claiming it was creating chaos to stop the government from doing good work. She said the amount of 72,000 per year, promised by the Congress to the poor under its NYAY scheme, was half of what the Narendra Modi government is giving away currently to poor citizens through direct subsidy transfers. While addressing professionals and intellectuals of the city here as part of BJP's Lok Sabha campaign, she said, though PM Modi was ready to reply to the Congress' questions in Parliament, leaders in the opposition created chaos and did not allow him to do so. "Before 2014, the BJP was in opposition and it campaigned to uproot a corrupt government. Now, we are in power while Congress is in opposition. You should compare our performance as opposition and that of the Congress," she said. "As an opposition party, we used to raise questions in the Parliament. But, we never made any baseless allegations. Now, though Modi ji was ready to give answers, he was not allowed by the opposition leaders who created chaos in the Parliament. This is today's opposition. They are trying to stop us from doing good work," she claimed. "This is what the opposition has become. You have to think about this too," Sitharaman told the gathering. On the minimum income guarantee scheme promised by the Congress, Sitharaman said "The Rs 72,000, which Congress is promising to give, is less than what Modiji is giving right now to the needy citizens through direct subsidy transfers." She said because of the efforts of Modi, no country had criticised India for its February 26 Balakot air strike. "Pakistan is already in the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force for not taking sufficient action against terror outfits. Now, it may be added in the black list of FATF," she said. "Even Pakistan has admitted that they are on the verge of being blacklisted because of India's campaign. Why did such things not happen earlier? Because Modi hai to mumkin hai (With Modi, it is possible)," said the BJP leader. When queried on National Conference president Farooq Abdullah's allegation that the Modi government was lying about the shooting down of a Pakistani F-16 in the aerial engagement on February 27, she said the Indian Air Force had already presented proof to establish it. "There are many who are spreading such misinformation. Those who are questioning our army are part of the bhajan mandli of the Congress. What more I can say when some Indians are saying such things. It is painful" she said. Responding to a question about Rahul Gandhi's allegations of irregularities in the Rafale deal and the involvement of Anil Ambani, Sitharaman dared the Congress chief to provide proof. "Just show a simple proof to validate your allegation that Rs 30,000 crore was given to him (Ambani). If you can't show that proof, you do not have any right to say that the PM is a thief. I challenge you to show proof. If you cannot, you must stop levelling false and baseless allegations," she said. The Congress allegations have been refuted routinely by the Centre as well as Ambani. She was here to campaign for BJP national president Amit Shah who is contesting from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat.

Defence minister Sitharaman slams Congress' role as opposition party

India charges America over 100 per cent tariffs on a large number of products while the US imposes nothing on the similar or same items, President Donald

Trump has said, urging his administration to work on the "stupid trade".

His statement came days after he criticised India, saying it is one of the world's "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/want-reciprocal-tax-on-india-to-match-tariffs-on-us-exports-says-donald-trump-200816">highest taxing nations</a>".

The US President has repeatedly claimed that India is a "tariff king" and imposes "tremendously high" tariffs on American products.

Addressing the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas on Saturday, Trump said: "We have a case where a certain country, India, is charging us... What great country, a great friend, Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi -- charging us over 100 per cent for many things".

The United States, he said, is charging India "nothing for similar or same" products.

In his speech, Trump indicated that he is receiving resistance from Senators for imposing a reciprocal tariff on India.

He cited India as a country other than China which imposes high tariffs on American products.

India, he alleged, continues to wage "stupid trade" and unfair trade practices, and called out Prime Minister Modi for the trade imbalance with the US.

"I have Senators who say, you can't do that. It's not free trade. When did they come from? Where did they come from? It's not free trade," he said, ramping up his rhetoric against India's trade and tariff policies.

He asked his senior administration officials to work on this.

"Will you please work on them? It's the craziest thing. It's stupid trade. We have so much stupid trade," Trump said.

He said that as a result of such trades, the US has lost for many years now -- $800 billion a year on trade.

"Who the hell makes these deals? Those are not good negotiators. Actually, Democrats made a lot of them though. But Republicans met a lot of up too, that's the amazing thing. They made $800 billion. But we're getting it back. We'll get to give back. We're going to be getting a lot of it.

"I have to be a little bit politically correct by saying it's ok if we lose $20 billion with a country because we want to be nice. We want to be nice with everyone," Trump said, asserting that his administration is cracking down on countries that cheat.

Early this year at a White House event to announce his support for the reciprocal tax, Trump said he was satisfied with the Indian decision to reduce the import tariff on high-end Harley-Davidson motorcycles from 100 per cent to 50 per cent.

Trump has said that his administration is fixing broken trade deals to protect the American workers. 
&nbsp;

India charges America over 100 per cent tariffs on a large number of products while the US imposes nothing on the similar or same items, President Donald Trump has said, urging his administration to work on the "stupid trade".

India charges America over 100 per cent tariffs on a large number of products while the US imposes nothing on the similar or same items, President Donald Trump has said, urging his administration to work on the "stupid trade". His statement came days after he criticised India, saying it is one of the world's "highest taxing nations". The US President has repeatedly claimed that India is a "tariff king" and imposes "tremendously high" tariffs on American products. Addressing the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas on Saturday, Trump said: "We have a case where a certain country, India, is charging us... What great country, a great friend, Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi -- charging us over 100 per cent for many things". The United States, he said, is charging India "nothing for similar or same" products. In his speech, Trump indicated that he is receiving resistance from Senators for imposing a reciprocal tariff on India. He cited India as a country other than China which imposes high tariffs on American products. India, he alleged, continues to wage "stupid trade" and unfair trade practices, and called out Prime Minister Modi for the trade imbalance with the US. "I have Senators who say, you can't do that. It's not free trade. When did they come from? Where did they come from? It's not free trade," he said, ramping up his rhetoric against India's trade and tariff policies. He asked his senior administration officials to work on this. "Will you please work on them? It's the craziest thing. It's stupid trade. We have so much stupid trade," Trump said. He said that as a result of such trades, the US has lost for many years now -- $800 billion a year on trade. "Who the hell makes these deals? Those are not good negotiators. Actually, Democrats made a lot of them though. But Republicans met a lot of up too, that's the amazing thing. They made $800 billion. But we're getting it back. We'll get to give back. We're going to be getting a lot of it. "I have to be a little bit politically correct by saying it's ok if we lose $20 billion with a country because we want to be nice. We want to be nice with everyone," Trump said, asserting that his administration is cracking down on countries that cheat. Early this year at a White House event to announce his support for the reciprocal tax, Trump said he was satisfied with the Indian decision to reduce the import tariff on high-end Harley-Davidson motorcycles from 100 per cent to 50 per cent. Trump has said that his administration is fixing broken trade deals to protect the American workers.

India charging US over 100 per cent tariffs on many products: Donald Trump

The Election Commission is unlikely to take before Monday a final decision on whether to restrain the release of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/pm-modi-biopic-strong-willed-vivek-oberoi-says-undeterred-by-moves-of-opponents-208276">biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi </a>till the Lok Sabha polls are over, as the Supreme Court is slated to hear the issue that day.

The EC has been made a party in a plea filed by a Congress worker who wants the top court to delay the film's release claiming it "disturbs" level-playing field for candidates in the Lok Sabha polls.

Sources said, now any decision will be taken after evaluating the developments in the top court.

However, there is a strong view in the EC that it should not restrain the release of the biopic -- "PM Narendra Modi" -- and should leave it to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to take a call on the issue, sources said.

Opposition parties including the Congress have alleged the film will give undue advantage to the BJP in electioneering and its release should be delayed until the elections are over.

The seven-phased Lok Sabha polls begin on April 11 and end on May 19.&nbsp;

The model code of conduct, which among other things, calls for an even playing field for all parties and candidates, came into force on March 10 when the elections were announced.

"PM Narendra Modi" is now scheduled to be released on April 11, the day the first phase of polling takes place.

A functionary pointed? to at least two Supreme Court rulings about movies.

In one of the rulings, the SC had directed the West Bengal government to ensure satirical film 'Bhobishyoter Bhoot' is screened without obstruction. The movie was critical of the then state chief minister.

"We also have to see the latest Delhi High court ruling which said the biopic screening should be decided by the EC," he said, adding that the model code is silent on films and thus it remains a "grey area".

He said the EC has to keep the court verdicts in mind.

The Commission had earlier sent a notice to the makers of the film following a meeting with a Congress delegation, which sought a ban on its release ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

On Monday, the Bombay High Court disposed a plea against the release of the biopic. The court had said that the Election Commission will deal with the issue.&nbsp;

The Election Commission is unlikely to take before Monday a final decision on whether to restrain the release of a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi till the Lok Sabha polls are over, as the Supreme Court is slated to hear the issue that day.

The Election Commission is unlikely to take before Monday a final decision on whether to restrain the release of a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi till the Lok Sabha polls are over, as the Supreme Court is slated to hear the issue that day. The EC has been made a party in a plea filed by a Congress worker who wants the top court to delay the film's release claiming it "disturbs" level-playing field for candidates in the Lok Sabha polls. Sources said, now any decision will be taken after evaluating the developments in the top court. However, there is a strong view in the EC that it should not restrain the release of the biopic -- "PM Narendra Modi" -- and should leave it to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to take a call on the issue, sources said. Opposition parties including the Congress have alleged the film will give undue advantage to the BJP in electioneering and its release should be delayed until the elections are over. The seven-phased Lok Sabha polls begin on April 11 and end on May 19. The model code of conduct, which among other things, calls for an even playing field for all parties and candidates, came into force on March 10 when the elections were announced. "PM Narendra Modi" is now scheduled to be released on April 11, the day the first phase of polling takes place. A functionary pointed? to at least two Supreme Court rulings about movies. In one of the rulings, the SC had directed the West Bengal government to ensure satirical film 'Bhobishyoter Bhoot' is screened without obstruction. The movie was critical of the then state chief minister. "We also have to see the latest Delhi High court ruling which said the biopic screening should be decided by the EC," he said, adding that the model code is silent on films and thus it remains a "grey area". He said the EC has to keep the court verdicts in mind. The Commission had earlier sent a notice to the makers of the film following a meeting with a Congress delegation, which sought a ban on its release ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. On Monday, the Bombay High Court disposed a plea against the release of the biopic. The court had said that the Election Commission will deal with the issue.

Election Commission decision on Modi biopic unlikely before Monday

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was formed on April 6, 1980. Today, with a vaunted membership of 100 million people, it is the world’s largest political organisation. What is more, from a dismal tally of just two seats in 1984, the first general elections after it was founded, in 2014 it notched up an impressive 282 of the National Democratic Alliance’s total of 336 seats in the 543-seat Lok Sabha. What an incredible success story, even its harshest critics would admit.&nbsp;

Actually, the climb of the BJP to its current summit is even more remarkable than it might first appear. In its earlier avatar, it was known as the Akhil Bharatiya Jana Sangh or Jana Sangh, for short.

The Jana Sangh was started on 21 October 1951. Unfortunately, its founder and first president, Syama Prasad Mukherjee, died in Srinagar less than two years later, on June 23, 1953. Mukherjee entered Kashmir on May 21, 1953, to protest against Article 370 granting special status to the state.&nbsp;

His slogan, “Ek desh me do nishan, do pradhan, nahin chalega, nahin chalega,” had become popular all over India at that time. Mukherjee was arrested at Lakhenpur soon after he had crossed the “border,” then transferred to Srinagar Central Jail. When his health deteriorated, he was placed under house arrest. There, diagnosed as suffering from “dry pleurisy,” he had a severe reaction to streptomycin administered by Dr Ali Mohammad. On June 22, Mukherjee was transferred to the hospital after suffering a heart attack. The very next day, he died in circumstances which many regard as “suspicious.” No post-mortem was conducted, nor did Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru seek to an inquiry.

If Mukherjee was its founder, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya was Jana Sangh’s most influential ideologue. His “Integral Humanism” remains the guiding philosophy of the BJP.

Upadhyaya became the president of Jana Sangh in December 1967. Just a couple of months afterwards, he was murdered on February 11, 1968. Around 2:00 am, he was pushed out of a moving train nearing Mughalsarai Junction. His body was found some 700 metres from the platform. A one-man inquiry commission by Justice YV&nbsp;Chandrachud, then of Bombay High Court, concluded that “nothing that has come before me can support the accusation that there was any politics in Shri Upadhyaya’s murder.” Last August, Mughalsarai was renamed PT. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction.

During the anti- and post-Emergency period of 1977-1980, the Jana Sangh merged into the Janata Party. This conglomeration of ideologically diverse pollical forces, which had come together to oust Indira Gandhi from power, fell apart, giving rise to most of the non-Congress political formations that are present till today in our complex electoral arrangements. The issue flagged by the opponents of the Jana Sangh faction within the Janata Party was the former’s “dual membership” or link with the other “Sangh,” their parent organisation, the RSS. Indeed, it is this umbilical cord that actually defines the BJP’s distinctive identity in our political spectrum.

That is why the two “real” progenitors of the BJP must not be overlooked. “Guruji” Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar became the Sarsanghachalak or head of the RSS in 1940. He inspired Mukherjee and other right-leaning leaders, giving them several RSS workers to start a political party. Before him, “Doctorji” Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founder and first Sarsaghachalak of the RSS, had already recognized the need for a political party to safeguard the interests of the Hindus. That is why the Jana Sangh was established close to his birthday, Gudi Padva, the start of the new year for Maharashtrians, Telugus, and Kannadigas. A former Congressman, Hedgewar founded the RSS in 1925 and was a prominent member of the Hindu Mahasabha. The latter, however, failed to take off. After independence, Golwalkar decided to support another political organisation, which is how the Jana Sangh came into being.

Given this background, when one of the founders of the BJP, nonagenarian LK Advani, writes a blog, the nation sits up and takes note. Especially on the eve of the 39th anniversary of the foundation of the party and just before the general elections. Who can disagree with the view that “in our conception of Indian nationalism, we have never regarded those who disagree with us politically as ‘anti-national’”? Or that “Nation First, Party Next, Self Last” and “the triad of Satya (truth), Rashtra Nishtha (dedication to the Nation) and Loktantra (democracy, both within and outside the party)” should guide the party? PM Narendra Modi, the BJP’s star campaigner, was quick to take advantage of Advani’s admonitions. He tweeted, “Proud That Greats Like LK Advani Strengthened BJP” and “Perfectly sums up true essence of BJP” thus check-mating the opposition’s and media’s attempt to turn Advani’s statement against the current BJP leadership.&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-advani-modi-the-saffron-party-s-foundation-day-2736694">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 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was formed on April 6, 1980. Today, with a vaunted membership of 100 million people, it is the world’s largest political organisation.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was formed on April 6, 1980. Today, with a vaunted membership of 100 million people, it is the world’s largest political organisation. What is more, from a dismal tally of just two seats in 1984, the first general elections after it was founded, in 2014 it notched up an impressive 282 of the National Democratic Alliance’s total of 336 seats in the 543-seat Lok Sabha. What an incredible success story, even its harshest critics would admit. Actually, the climb of the BJP to its current summit is even more remarkable than it might first appear. In its earlier avatar, it was known as the Akhil Bharatiya Jana Sangh or Jana Sangh, for short. The Jana Sangh was started on 21 October 1951. Unfortunately, its founder and first president, Syama Prasad Mukherjee, died in Srinagar less than two years later, on June 23, 1953. Mukherjee entered Kashmir on May 21, 1953, to protest against Article 370 granting special status to the state. His slogan, “Ek desh me do nishan, do pradhan, nahin chalega, nahin chalega,” had become popular all over India at that time. Mukherjee was arrested at Lakhenpur soon after he had crossed the “border,” then transferred to Srinagar Central Jail. When his health deteriorated, he was placed under house arrest. There, diagnosed as suffering from “dry pleurisy,” he had a severe reaction to streptomycin administered by Dr Ali Mohammad. On June 22, Mukherjee was transferred to the hospital after suffering a heart attack. The very next day, he died in circumstances which many regard as “suspicious.” No post-mortem was conducted, nor did Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru seek to an inquiry. If Mukherjee was its founder, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya was Jana Sangh’s most influential ideologue. His “Integral Humanism” remains the guiding philosophy of the BJP. Upadhyaya became the president of Jana Sangh in December 1967. Just a couple of months afterwards, he was murdered on February 11, 1968. Around 2:00 am, he was pushed out of a moving train nearing Mughalsarai Junction. His body was found some 700 metres from the platform. A one-man inquiry commission by Justice YV Chandrachud, then of Bombay High Court, concluded that “nothing that has come before me can support the accusation that there was any politics in Shri Upadhyaya’s murder.” Last August, Mughalsarai was renamed PT. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction. During the anti- and post-Emergency period of 1977-1980, the Jana Sangh merged into the Janata Party. This conglomeration of ideologically diverse pollical forces, which had come together to oust Indira Gandhi from power, fell apart, giving rise to most of the non-Congress political formations that are present till today in our complex electoral arrangements. The issue flagged by the opponents of the Jana Sangh faction within the Janata Party was the former’s “dual membership” or link with the other “Sangh,” their parent organisation, the RSS. Indeed, it is this umbilical cord that actually defines the BJP’s distinctive identity in our political spectrum. That is why the two “real” progenitors of the BJP must not be overlooked. “Guruji” Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar became the Sarsanghachalak or head of the RSS in 1940. He inspired Mukherjee and other right-leaning leaders, giving them several RSS workers to start a political party. Before him, “Doctorji” Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founder and first Sarsaghachalak of the RSS, had already recognized the need for a political party to safeguard the interests of the Hindus. That is why the Jana Sangh was established close to his birthday, Gudi Padva, the start of the new year for Maharashtrians, Telugus, and Kannadigas. A former Congressman, Hedgewar founded the RSS in 1925 and was a prominent member of the Hindu Mahasabha. The latter, however, failed to take off. After independence, Golwalkar decided to support another political organisation, which is how the Jana Sangh came into being. Given this background, when one of the founders of the BJP, nonagenarian LK Advani, writes a blog, the nation sits up and takes note. Especially on the eve of the 39th anniversary of the foundation of the party and just before the general elections. Who can disagree with the view that “in our conception of Indian nationalism, we have never regarded those who disagree with us politically as ‘anti-national’”? Or that “Nation First, Party Next, Self Last” and “the triad of Satya (truth), Rashtra Nishtha (dedication to the Nation) and Loktantra (democracy, both within and outside the party)” should guide the party? PM Narendra Modi, the BJP’s star campaigner, was quick to take advantage of Advani’s admonitions. He tweeted, “Proud That Greats Like LK Advani Strengthened BJP” and “Perfectly sums up true essence of BJP” thus check-mating the opposition’s and media’s attempt to turn Advani’s statement against the current BJP leadership. (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.)

Modi checkmated opposition's attempt to turn Advani’s statement against current BJP leadership

Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee Sunday accused the Centre of intervening in state matters while questioning the removal of Andhra Pradesh chief secretary by the Election Commission.

She sought to know why Prime Minister Narendra Modi isn't removing his own Cabinet secretary or the Union home secretary if he was so "fond of making last-minute changes".

"Why is the Centre intervening in state matters? Why was Andhra Pradesh chief secretary removed?" Banerjee asked at an election rally here. 
"Why don't you (Modi) remove your own cabinet secretary," she asked.

The Election Commission on Friday removed Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary Anil Chandra Punetha from the post and appointed senior-most IAS officer LV Subrahmanyam in his place.

Reacting to the poll panel's move of removing four IPS officers in West Bengal, including Kolkata and Bidhanagar police commissioners, the West Bengal chief minister Saturday wrote a letter protesting its decision.

The letter said the removals were "unfortunate, highly arbitrary, motivated and biased" and taken at the behest of BJP, and urged the poll panel to review its decision.

Retorting to PM's claim that the TMC supremo was afraid of him, Banerjee said that it was Modi who was afraid of her and not the other way round.

Without naming former political associate Mukul Roy, whom she addressed as a traitor for quitting her party to join the BJP, she accused Modi of holding a meeting with a person accused in Saradha, Narada cases.

"Have you (PM Narendra Modi) been able to clean the Ganga at Varanasi, that you are looking at Bengal?" Banerjee questioned, saying that the BJP should trying to save its seat in Delhi before turning to Bengal.

She dared the BJP to implement NRC in Bengal, saying it will never be allowed in the state.&nbsp;

Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee Sunday accused the Centre of intervening in state matters while questioning the removal of Andhra Pradesh chief secretary by the Election Commission.

Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee Sunday accused the Centre of intervening in state matters while questioning the removal of Andhra Pradesh chief secretary by the Election Commission. She sought to know why Prime Minister Narendra Modi isn't removing his own Cabinet secretary or the Union home secretary if he was so "fond of making last-minute changes". "Why is the Centre intervening in state matters? Why was Andhra Pradesh chief secretary removed?" Banerjee asked at an election rally here. "Why don't you (Modi) remove your own cabinet secretary," she asked. The Election Commission on Friday removed Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary Anil Chandra Punetha from the post and appointed senior-most IAS officer LV Subrahmanyam in his place. Reacting to the poll panel's move of removing four IPS officers in West Bengal, including Kolkata and Bidhanagar police commissioners, the West Bengal chief minister Saturday wrote a letter protesting its decision. The letter said the removals were "unfortunate, highly arbitrary, motivated and biased" and taken at the behest of BJP, and urged the poll panel to review its decision. Retorting to PM's claim that the TMC supremo was afraid of him, Banerjee said that it was Modi who was afraid of her and not the other way round. Without naming former political associate Mukul Roy, whom she addressed as a traitor for quitting her party to join the BJP, she accused Modi of holding a meeting with a person accused in Saradha, Narada cases. "Have you (PM Narendra Modi) been able to clean the Ganga at Varanasi, that you are looking at Bengal?" Banerjee questioned, saying that the BJP should trying to save its seat in Delhi before turning to Bengal. She dared the BJP to implement NRC in Bengal, saying it will never be allowed in the state.

Mamata lashes out at Modi, questions Andhra chief secretary's Removal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will share the stage at a rally in Maharashtra on Tuesday for the first time after the tie-up of their parties for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The two leaders will address a public gathering at Ausa in Latur in support of the alliance candidates in that district and Osmanabad, where polling will be held on April 18, BJP spokesman Keshav Upadhyay said on Sunday.

Modi and Thackeray last shared the dais in Mumbai in December 2016 at a function to lay the foundation stone of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial off the Arabian Sea.

On Saturday, Modi addressed a rally in Nanded, where state Congress president and former chief minister Ashok Chavan is contesting against BJP's Pratap Chikhalikar.

The Sena, which has often been critical of the BJP and policies of the NDA government, entered into a seat-sharing pact with it recently after the ruling party's president, Amit Shah, visited Thackeray at his residence here.

The BJP and Sena announced to contest 25 and 23 seats, respectively, in Maharashtra which has 48 Lok Sabha constituencies.

Earlier, the two parties went separate ways after the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and contested the Maharashtra Assembly elections held later that year on their own.

The BJP-led government under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis took charge in the state in October 2014 and the Shiv Sena joined it in December that year.

Polling for the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will be held in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29, and the results will be declared on May 23.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will share the stage at a rally in Maharashtra on Tuesday for the first time after the tie-up of their parties for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will share the stage at a rally in Maharashtra on Tuesday for the first time after the tie-up of their parties for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The two leaders will address a public gathering at Ausa in Latur in support of the alliance candidates in that district and Osmanabad, where polling will be held on April 18, BJP spokesman Keshav Upadhyay said on Sunday. Modi and Thackeray last shared the dais in Mumbai in December 2016 at a function to lay the foundation stone of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial off the Arabian Sea. On Saturday, Modi addressed a rally in Nanded, where state Congress president and former chief minister Ashok Chavan is contesting against BJP's Pratap Chikhalikar. The Sena, which has often been critical of the BJP and policies of the NDA government, entered into a seat-sharing pact with it recently after the ruling party's president, Amit Shah, visited Thackeray at his residence here. The BJP and Sena announced to contest 25 and 23 seats, respectively, in Maharashtra which has 48 Lok Sabha constituencies. Earlier, the two parties went separate ways after the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and contested the Maharashtra Assembly elections held later that year on their own. The BJP-led government under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis took charge in the state in October 2014 and the Shiv Sena joined it in December that year. Polling for the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will be held in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29, and the results will be declared on May 23.

Modi, Thackeray to share dais at Lok Sabha poll rally in Maharashtra's Latur

Hours after the Election Commission ordered the transfer of state Chief Secretary Anil Chandra Punetha, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the EC should work in an "unbiased manner."

Punetha was on Friday shifted to a non-election post, while LV Subramanyam, a 1983-batch IAS officer, was appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh.

"For what mistake did EC transfer the Chief Secretary? How can you transfer without telling the mistake he did? Election Commission should work in an unbiased manner," Naidu said.

"I am condemning the transfer of Chief Secretary. I am condemning Centre's conspiracies against Andhra. I will see if they will arrest me tomorrow or day after," he added.

While speaking at a roadshow in Visakhapatnam, Naidu demanded an explanation from the poll body on Punetha's transfer.

He said, "Election commission should be impartial. When the election code came into force, our collector was changed. Two SPs and intelligence are also appointed similarly. Today they changed our Chief Secretary. What does that mean?"

Meanwhile, Naidu, while addressing a rally in Aluru in Kurnool district, assured Muslims that he will give the Deputy Chief Minister post to Muslims if he is voted to power again in Andhra Pradesh.

He even promised to set up an Islamic bank for minorities.

"Vote for Jaganmohan Reddy means vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. If Modi comes to power again, minorities will have to face many troubles. If Modi wins again, he will see Muslims in the country will have no votes at all. Jagan became a slave to KCR (Telangana Chief Minister K&nbsp;Chandrashekar Rao) and Modi," Naidu said.

Andhra Pradesh will go to polls on April 11 for Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies in the state. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Hours after the Election Commission ordered the transfer of state Chief Secretary Anil Chandra Punetha, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the EC should work in an "unbiased manner.

Hours after the Election Commission ordered the transfer of state Chief Secretary Anil Chandra Punetha, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the EC should work in an "unbiased manner." Punetha was on Friday shifted to a non-election post, while LV Subramanyam, a 1983-batch IAS officer, was appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh. "For what mistake did EC transfer the Chief Secretary? How can you transfer without telling the mistake he did? Election Commission should work in an unbiased manner," Naidu said. "I am condemning the transfer of Chief Secretary. I am condemning Centre's conspiracies against Andhra. I will see if they will arrest me tomorrow or day after," he added. While speaking at a roadshow in Visakhapatnam, Naidu demanded an explanation from the poll body on Punetha's transfer. He said, "Election commission should be impartial. When the election code came into force, our collector was changed. Two SPs and intelligence are also appointed similarly. Today they changed our Chief Secretary. What does that mean?" Meanwhile, Naidu, while addressing a rally in Aluru in Kurnool district, assured Muslims that he will give the Deputy Chief Minister post to Muslims if he is voted to power again in Andhra Pradesh. He even promised to set up an Islamic bank for minorities. "Vote for Jaganmohan Reddy means vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. If Modi comes to power again, minorities will have to face many troubles. If Modi wins again, he will see Muslims in the country will have no votes at all. Jagan became a slave to KCR (Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao) and Modi," Naidu said. Andhra Pradesh will go to polls on April 11 for Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies in the state. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Election Commission should work in unbiased manner: Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu on transfer of state chief secretary

On the 39th foundation day of the Bharatiya Janata Party Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that its workers would be working day and night to ensure that the party and its allies are "blessed" by people in the Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

In his tweets, he said the BJP was born with an unwavering commitment to serve society and take the nation to new heights, and that it has become India's preferred party.&nbsp;

"The BJP stands tall due to its democratic ethos and patriotic zeal. This is a party that is always on the ground, at the forefront of helping fellow Indians. Our development work has endeared the party to all sections of society, across the length and breadth of India," Modi said.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4India</a> stands tall due to it’s democratic ethos and patriotic zeal. This is a Party that is always on the ground, at the forefront of helping fellow Indians. Our development work has endeared the Party to all sections of society, across the length and breadth of India.
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1114361434165645313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"I am confident that the entire family of BJP Karyakartas would be working day and night to ensure that our party and our allies are blessed yet again by the people of India. In the last 5 years, lots have been done and we want to do much more for the country," he added.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I am confident that the entire family of <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4India</a> Karyakartas would be working day and night to ensure that our Party and our allies are blessed yet again by the people of India. In the last 5 years lots has been done and we want to do much more for the country.
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1114361695781183489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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On the occasion, BJP president Amit Shah called upon party workers to put in an "untiring effort" to build a new India under Modi.

Modi also put out a short video featuring speeches of party's founders, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani, besides those of him and Shah.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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39 years ago on this day, <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4India</a> was born with an unwavering commitment to serve society and take the nation to new heights. Thanks to the efforts of our Karyakartas, BJP has become India’s preferred party. Greetings to the BJP family on the Party’s Foundation Day. <a href="https://t.co/fBHp3fBQ2a">pic.twitter.com/fBHp3fBQ2a</a>
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1114361086139088896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The BJP was founded in 1980 by leaders of the erstwhile Jana Sangh, which had merged in 1977 with Janata Party - an amalgam of several anti-Congress parties.

In the first Lok Sabha polls it fought in 1984, the BJP won only two seats but has since gone from strength to strength, winning a majority of seats for the first time in 2014.

On the 39th foundation day of the Bharatiya Janata Party Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that its workers would be working day and night to ensure that the party and its allies are "blessed" by people in the Lok Sabha polls.

On the 39th foundation day of the Bharatiya Janata Party Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that its workers would be working day and night to ensure that the party and its allies are "blessed" by people in the Lok Sabha polls. In his tweets, he said the BJP was born with an unwavering commitment to serve society and take the nation to new heights, and that it has become India's preferred party. "The BJP stands tall due to its democratic ethos and patriotic zeal. This is a party that is always on the ground, at the forefront of helping fellow Indians. Our development work has endeared the party to all sections of society, across the length and breadth of India," Modi said. The @BJP4India stands tall due to it’s democratic ethos and patriotic zeal. This is a Party that is always on the ground, at the forefront of helping fellow Indians. Our development work has endeared the Party to all sections of society, across the length and breadth of India. — Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 6, 2019 × "I am confident that the entire family of BJP Karyakartas would be working day and night to ensure that our party and our allies are blessed yet again by the people of India. In the last 5 years, lots have been done and we want to do much more for the country," he added. I am confident that the entire family of @BJP4India Karyakartas would be working day and night to ensure that our Party and our allies are blessed yet again by the people of India. In the last 5 years lots has been done and we want to do much more for the country. — Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 6, 2019 × On the occasion, BJP president Amit Shah called upon party workers to put in an "untiring effort" to build a new India under Modi. Modi also put out a short video featuring speeches of party's founders, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani, besides those of him and Shah. 39 years ago on this day, @BJP4India was born with an unwavering commitment to serve society and take the nation to new heights. Thanks to the efforts of our Karyakartas, BJP has become India’s preferred party. Greetings to the BJP family on the Party’s Foundation Day. pic.twitter.com/fBHp3fBQ2a — Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 6, 2019 × The BJP was founded in 1980 by leaders of the erstwhile Jana Sangh, which had merged in 1977 with Janata Party - an amalgam of several anti-Congress parties. In the first Lok Sabha polls it fought in 1984, the BJP won only two seats but has since gone from strength to strength, winning a majority of seats for the first time in 2014.

In last 5 years, lots have been done, want to do much more for the country: Modi

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission of India has issued a censure to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his 'Modi ki Sena'&nbsp;remark.

Censure is to express disapproval of someone/something in a formal statement.

The EC has advised Adityanath to be more careful in the future as a "senior political leader."

While addressing a public rally in Ghaziabad on April 1, Adityanath had referred to the Indian Army as "Modi ji ki sena" while drawing a comparison between the steps taken by the BJP-led central government against terrorism and the previous Congress government.

"Things which were impossible for SP-BSP, are now possible; it is possible since Modi is here. Congress used to feed biryani to terrorists but Modi ji ki sena (Prime Minister Narendra Modi's army) gives them only golis and golas (bullets and bombs). This is the difference," the Chief Minister had said.&nbsp;

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission of India has issued a censure to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his 'Modi ki Sena' remark.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission of India has issued a censure to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his 'Modi ki Sena' remark. Censure is to express disapproval of someone/something in a formal statement. The EC has advised Adityanath to be more careful in the future as a "senior political leader." While addressing a public rally in Ghaziabad on April 1, Adityanath had referred to the Indian Army as "Modi ji ki sena" while drawing a comparison between the steps taken by the BJP-led central government against terrorism and the previous Congress government. "Things which were impossible for SP-BSP, are now possible; it is possible since Modi is here. Congress used to feed biryani to terrorists but Modi ji ki sena (Prime Minister Narendra Modi's army) gives them only golis and golas (bullets and bombs). This is the difference," the Chief Minister had said.

Election Commission issues censure to Yogi Adityanath over 'Modi ki Sena' remark

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/this-time-lotus-will-bloom-in-odisha-modi-at-a-rally-in-sundargarh-208307">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> will arrive here on April 13 to campaign for the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, party sources said.

He will address an election rally at Nehru Maidan in the city at 3.30 pm in which more than a lakh people will take part, the sources said.

Meanwhile, election officer and Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil held a meeting here to finalise the security arrangements to be made for the visit.

District superintendent of police B M Laxmi Prasad, city police commissioner Sandeep Patil and zilla panchayat chief executive officer R Selvamani attended the meeting.

The Lok Sabha elections will be held in two phases in Karnataka on April 18 and 23.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive here on April 13 to campaign for the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, party sources said. He will address an election rally at Nehru Maidan in the city at 3.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive here on April 13 to campaign for the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, party sources said. He will address an election rally at Nehru Maidan in the city at 3.30 pm in which more than a lakh people will take part, the sources said. Meanwhile, election officer and Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil held a meeting here to finalise the security arrangements to be made for the visit. District superintendent of police B M Laxmi Prasad, city police commissioner Sandeep Patil and zilla panchayat chief executive officer R Selvamani attended the meeting. The Lok Sabha elections will be held in two phases in Karnataka on April 18 and 23.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: PM Modi to campaign in Mangaluru on April 13

India Election Watch: Latest election news

Sonia Gandhi hits out at Modi government

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said people have to decide whether they want to choose an honest and principled government committed to the development of all or a corrupt and unprincipled one.

"This time lotus will bloom in Odisha. The BJP will taste victory. I can say with certainty that a maximum number of lotuses will bloom in the state," Modi said at a rally in tribal-dominated Sundargarh.

Similarly, the BJP will again come to power at the Centre as the country needs a strong and decisive government to ensure national security as well as speedy development, the prime minister said.

Hitting out at the BJD government in Odisha, the prime minister said its intentions are not good and the 2019 polls are significant for the future of Odisha as well as the country.

On the 39th foundation day of the BJP, Modi said, "The party was born out of the sweat of its workers, not dynasty or money. It came into being and grew manifold with the sweat and labour of its workers."

Asserting that the BJP all along fought to safeguard democracy, he said lakhs of party workers and leaders were jailed while protesting the Emergency.

"Now the BJP has emerged as the world's largest democratic organisations. It fought to protect democracy during Emergency," he said.

Assembly election in Odisha will be held along with Lok Sabha polls in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said people have to decide whether they want to choose an honest and principled government committed to the development of all or a corrupt and unprincipled one.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said people have to decide whether they want to choose an honest and principled government committed to the development of all or a corrupt and unprincipled one. "This time lotus will bloom in Odisha. The BJP will taste victory. I can say with certainty that a maximum number of lotuses will bloom in the state," Modi said at a rally in tribal-dominated Sundargarh. Similarly, the BJP will again come to power at the Centre as the country needs a strong and decisive government to ensure national security as well as speedy development, the prime minister said. Hitting out at the BJD government in Odisha, the prime minister said its intentions are not good and the 2019 polls are significant for the future of Odisha as well as the country. On the 39th foundation day of the BJP, Modi said, "The party was born out of the sweat of its workers, not dynasty or money. It came into being and grew manifold with the sweat and labour of its workers." Asserting that the BJP all along fought to safeguard democracy, he said lakhs of party workers and leaders were jailed while protesting the Emergency. "Now the BJP has emerged as the world's largest democratic organisations. It fought to protect democracy during Emergency," he said. Assembly election in Odisha will be held along with Lok Sabha polls in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29.

This time lotus will bloom in Odisha: Modi at a rally in Sundargarh

At a time when BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has completed its five-year term, it is time to evaluate the government’s performance in the last five years.&nbsp;

Foreign policy has been one of the most talked about aspects of Modi’s tenure. There is no denying the fact that this government has appeared determined to go beyond established foreign policy norms. &nbsp;

The first sign of this was the Modi government’s announcement of its “Neighbourhood First” policy. So, while the Prime Minister visited all other South Asian countries, India settled its long-standing border problem with Bangladesh and ties with Sri Lanka and Nepal marked an encouraging upward trajectory.&nbsp;

The relationship between Bhutan and Afghanistan also touched new heights.&nbsp;

Though India faced a tough time in dealing with Maldives during the tenure of President Mohammed Waheed Hassan, Modi’s calibrated efforts have helped New Delhi in reconnecting historical ties with Male after the coming of the President Ibrahim Solih last year.&nbsp;

As about Pakistan, the Modi government initially adopted the conventional method of fostering working ties. Thus, he invited Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his government’s swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi in 2014, and later dropped by Lahore for Sharif’s birthday.&nbsp;

Pakistan, however, reciprocated with terrorist attacks against India. But unlike in the past, India under Modi showed the determination to hit back Pakistan proportionately.&nbsp;

It was in this context text that India carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan territory along the border after the Uri terrorist attack. Later, the IAF went deep inside Pakistan hitting a LeT training ground at Balakot in response to the deadly Pulwama attack.&nbsp;

Terming its air strikes as “non-military pre-emptive” action, the Indian government succeeded in garnering global support. Even China could not openly support Pakistan against India’s action.&nbsp;

India’s successive military and air strikes have called Pakistan’s nuclear bluff. They have shifted India’s Pakistan policy in two ways: first, New Delhi can in future exercise similar options against Pakistan if Islamabad fails to reign-in terrorist organisations operating from its soil against India.&nbsp;

Second, the world community increasingly shares India’s concerns about Pakistan having emerged as the epicentre of terrorism. This is why efforts led by the US have been intensified to designate Hafiz Saeed as a global terrorist.&nbsp;

At a time when ASEAN countries want India to play an active role in the region, the Modi government has brought about a new energy in India’s orientation towards Southeast Asian countries.&nbsp;

India’s Middle East policy under Modi has also undergone a defining shift, with New Delhi finally removing the veil over its ties with Israel. Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit that country.&nbsp;

At the same time, he has left no stone unturned in strengthening ties with the other countries of the region. The success of Modi’s Middle East policy can be gauged from the fact that India was invited to address the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). &nbsp;

The Modi government has been successful in dealing with all the major powers –the US, Russia, China, France, Japan and others.&nbsp;

Displaying astute pragmatism, the Prime Minister has shown his determination to elevate ties with the US by signing several important agreements, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and the Communications, Compatibility, Security Agreement (COMCASA). This has helped in removing long-standing obstacles in realising the potential of defence ties with the US.&nbsp;

Signing the S-400 missile agreement with Russia simultaneously, underscored the Modi government’s effort to maintain India’s strategic autonomy vis-a-vis the US and to effectively checkmate Islamabad’s desire to foster defence ties with Moscow.&nbsp;

With regard to China, while the Modi government continued to promote friendly ties, its strong response to Beijing on the Doklam issue showed India’s readiness to rise to the occasion, when needed. &nbsp; India under Modi has come out of its timid approach to assert its rightful place in international politics.

 
(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-modi-years-represent-a-paradigm-shift-in-foreign-policy-2736395">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

At a time when BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has completed its five-year term, it is time to evaluate the government’s performance in the last five years.

At a time when BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has completed its five-year term, it is time to evaluate the government’s performance in the last five years. Foreign policy has been one of the most talked about aspects of Modi’s tenure. There is no denying the fact that this government has appeared determined to go beyond established foreign policy norms. The first sign of this was the Modi government’s announcement of its “Neighbourhood First” policy. So, while the Prime Minister visited all other South Asian countries, India settled its long-standing border problem with Bangladesh and ties with Sri Lanka and Nepal marked an encouraging upward trajectory. The relationship between Bhutan and Afghanistan also touched new heights. Though India faced a tough time in dealing with Maldives during the tenure of President Mohammed Waheed Hassan, Modi’s calibrated efforts have helped New Delhi in reconnecting historical ties with Male after the coming of the President Ibrahim Solih last year. As about Pakistan, the Modi government initially adopted the conventional method of fostering working ties. Thus, he invited Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his government’s swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi in 2014, and later dropped by Lahore for Sharif’s birthday. Pakistan, however, reciprocated with terrorist attacks against India. But unlike in the past, India under Modi showed the determination to hit back Pakistan proportionately. It was in this context text that India carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan territory along the border after the Uri terrorist attack. Later, the IAF went deep inside Pakistan hitting a LeT training ground at Balakot in response to the deadly Pulwama attack. Terming its air strikes as “non-military pre-emptive” action, the Indian government succeeded in garnering global support. Even China could not openly support Pakistan against India’s action. India’s successive military and air strikes have called Pakistan’s nuclear bluff. They have shifted India’s Pakistan policy in two ways: first, New Delhi can in future exercise similar options against Pakistan if Islamabad fails to reign-in terrorist organisations operating from its soil against India. Second, the world community increasingly shares India’s concerns about Pakistan having emerged as the epicentre of terrorism. This is why efforts led by the US have been intensified to designate Hafiz Saeed as a global terrorist. At a time when ASEAN countries want India to play an active role in the region, the Modi government has brought about a new energy in India’s orientation towards Southeast Asian countries. India’s Middle East policy under Modi has also undergone a defining shift, with New Delhi finally removing the veil over its ties with Israel. Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit that country. At the same time, he has left no stone unturned in strengthening ties with the other countries of the region. The success of Modi’s Middle East policy can be gauged from the fact that India was invited to address the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The Modi government has been successful in dealing with all the major powers –the US, Russia, China, France, Japan and others. Displaying astute pragmatism, the Prime Minister has shown his determination to elevate ties with the US by signing several important agreements, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and the Communications, Compatibility, Security Agreement (COMCASA). This has helped in removing long-standing obstacles in realising the potential of defence ties with the US. Signing the S-400 missile agreement with Russia simultaneously, underscored the Modi government’s effort to maintain India’s strategic autonomy vis-a-vis the US and to effectively checkmate Islamabad’s desire to foster defence ties with Moscow. With regard to China, while the Modi government continued to promote friendly ties, its strong response to Beijing on the Doklam issue showed India’s readiness to rise to the occasion, when needed. India under Modi has come out of its timid approach to assert its rightful place in international politics. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Narendra Modi government has been successful in dealing with major world powers

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mahagathbandhan-is-political-circus-recipe-for-chaos-arun-jaitley-206527">Finance Minister Arun Jaitley</a> on Friday hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for keeping silent over the charge sheet in AgustaWestland deal case.

At a press conference here, Jaitley said, "Rahul Gandhi talks on several subjects. He makes wild and unsubstantiated allegations against all and sundry. Now, who are 'RG', 'AP'&nbsp;and 'FAM'&nbsp;mentioned in the charge sheet in the AgustaWestland case."

Commenting on the diary recovered by Enforcement Directorate (ED) from the accused in the deal, Sushen Mohan Gupta, who is under arrest now, Jaitly said, "There is an erroneous belief among Indian politicians that a diary is never admissible as evidence. A diary constitutes an admission in writing and is admissible against the maker of that admission. It is admissible against the other co-conspirators as well.

"Are 'RG', 'AP'&nbsp;and 'FAM' fictional characters or were they in a position to influence the deal?", questioned Jaitley.

Hitting out at the Congress President, Jaitley said, "How come every time there is a controversial defence deal and evidence is collected, names close to the Congress Party’s first family start appearing?"

Slamming Rahul Gandhi for his silence over the deal, Jaitley said, "The Right to Silence is available to an accused, not to a Prime Ministerial aspirant."

Citing the example of Bofors case, Jaitley said, "Alphabet 'Q'&nbsp;appeared in Martin Ardbo's diary in the Bofors Case, with a comment that 'Q'&nbsp;must be protected at all cost, the Congress party was in denial even then."

"It is only when the Swiss authorities in 1993 disclosed the names of one of the beneficiaries of the kickbacks of Bofors being paid as Ottavio Quattrocchi, the Narasimha Rao Government facilitated his escape from India in less than 24 hours. This did not wash away the ghost of ‘Q’ which had scarred the face of the Congress Party nor will 'RG', 'AP'&nbsp;and 'FAM'," he added.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for keeping silent over the charge sheet in AgustaWestland deal case. At a press conference here, Jaitley said, "Rahul Gandhi talks on several subjects.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for keeping silent over the charge sheet in AgustaWestland deal case. At a press conference here, Jaitley said, "Rahul Gandhi talks on several subjects. He makes wild and unsubstantiated allegations against all and sundry. Now, who are 'RG', 'AP' and 'FAM' mentioned in the charge sheet in the AgustaWestland case." Commenting on the diary recovered by Enforcement Directorate (ED) from the accused in the deal, Sushen Mohan Gupta, who is under arrest now, Jaitly said, "There is an erroneous belief among Indian politicians that a diary is never admissible as evidence. A diary constitutes an admission in writing and is admissible against the maker of that admission. It is admissible against the other co-conspirators as well. "Are 'RG', 'AP' and 'FAM' fictional characters or were they in a position to influence the deal?", questioned Jaitley. Hitting out at the Congress President, Jaitley said, "How come every time there is a controversial defence deal and evidence is collected, names close to the Congress Party’s first family start appearing?" Slamming Rahul Gandhi for his silence over the deal, Jaitley said, "The Right to Silence is available to an accused, not to a Prime Ministerial aspirant." Citing the example of Bofors case, Jaitley said, "Alphabet 'Q' appeared in Martin Ardbo's diary in the Bofors Case, with a comment that 'Q' must be protected at all cost, the Congress party was in denial even then." "It is only when the Swiss authorities in 1993 disclosed the names of one of the beneficiaries of the kickbacks of Bofors being paid as Ottavio Quattrocchi, the Narasimha Rao Government facilitated his escape from India in less than 24 hours. This did not wash away the ghost of ‘Q’ which had scarred the face of the Congress Party nor will 'RG', 'AP' and 'FAM'," he added.

Who are 'AP', 'FAM' mentioned in charge sheet?: Arun Jaitley questions Rahul's silence on chopper case

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in an interaction with students in Pune, said that he loves Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he has no anger against him.

"I love Narendra Modi and I have no anger for him (at this point )," Rahul Gandhi said amid chants of 'Modi Modi'.

During the interaction, some students asked Rahul for his comments about his sister Priyanka Gandhi calling him courageous. "I deal with what I'm faced with and I am persistent. If I decide to do something I'll do it. I like to stand for people. And I got the courage through experience," said Rahul.

He also talked about the much-talked-about minimum income scheme NYAY introduced in Congress manifesto and said it will be implemented without raising income tax or burdening the middle class. "Money won't be taken from the middle class and income tax won't be raised," he said adding that all calculations have been done to fund the scheme.

He said the Congress manifesto was prepared after taking inputs from all sections of the society, including farmers and the poor.

"The Congress poll manifesto was prepared after speaking to all stakeholders. We spoke to farmers, students and all the stakeholders of the country," Rahul said.

Asked about employment scenario in the country, he said around 27,000 jobs are being lost per hour in India.

The Congress chief promised to reserve 33 per cent seats in Parliament, assemblies for women if his party is voted to power.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in an interaction with students in Pune, said that he loves Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he has no anger against him. "I love Narendra Modi and I have no anger for him (at this point )," Rahul Gandhi said amid chants of 'Modi Modi'.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in an interaction with students in Pune, said that he loves Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he has no anger against him. "I love Narendra Modi and I have no anger for him (at this point )," Rahul Gandhi said amid chants of 'Modi Modi'. During the interaction, some students asked Rahul for his comments about his sister Priyanka Gandhi calling him courageous. "I deal with what I'm faced with and I am persistent. If I decide to do something I'll do it. I like to stand for people. And I got the courage through experience," said Rahul. He also talked about the much-talked-about minimum income scheme NYAY introduced in Congress manifesto and said it will be implemented without raising income tax or burdening the middle class. "Money won't be taken from the middle class and income tax won't be raised," he said adding that all calculations have been done to fund the scheme. He said the Congress manifesto was prepared after taking inputs from all sections of the society, including farmers and the poor. "The Congress poll manifesto was prepared after speaking to all stakeholders. We spoke to farmers, students and all the stakeholders of the country," Rahul said. Asked about employment scenario in the country, he said around 27,000 jobs are being lost per hour in India. The Congress chief promised to reserve 33 per cent seats in Parliament, assemblies for women if his party is voted to power.

I love Narendra Modi, no anger against him: Rahul Gandhi

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition against the release of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biopic on April 8. The petition has been filed by Congress spokesperson and lawyer Aman Panwar. 
&nbsp; 
Appearing for the petitioner, lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the bench headed by Justice Bobde that two high courts have refused to interfere with the release of the movie starring Vivek Oberoi. He submitted that the release of the movie may affect free and fair election as mandated in the Constitution. 
&nbsp; 
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biopic violates the model code of conduct. Release of this film which has been produced by people connected to the ruling party would affect free and fair polls," Singhvi said. 
&nbsp; 
The petition also alleged that Censor Board Chairman Prasoon Joshi has acted as a judge in its own cause. "It is also pertinent to mention herein that this petition is not an attempt to censor the movie, but is only an attempt to ensure that the Moral Code of Conduct and other electoral laws are not violated during the General Elections 2019, through this movie," the petition added. 
&nbsp; 
'PM Narendra Modi' featuring Vivek Oberoi was scheduled to release April 5 but its makers have decided to push the release by a week, to April 12. 
&nbsp; 
The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court had on Wednesday rejected a plea seeking ban on the release of the movie. 
&nbsp; 
The Bombay High Court had also on Monday disposed of a plea seeking deferment of the release of the biopic, saying the Election Commission will deal with the issue. 
&nbsp; 
Directed by Omung Kumar and on Narendra Modi's life, the film has been co-produced by Suresh Oberoi and Sunil Ssingh.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition against the release of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biopic on April 8. The petition has been filed by Congress spokesperson and lawyer Aman Panwar.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition against the release of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biopic on April 8. The petition has been filed by Congress spokesperson and lawyer Aman Panwar. Appearing for the petitioner, lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the bench headed by Justice Bobde that two high courts have refused to interfere with the release of the movie starring Vivek Oberoi. He submitted that the release of the movie may affect free and fair election as mandated in the Constitution. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biopic violates the model code of conduct. Release of this film which has been produced by people connected to the ruling party would affect free and fair polls," Singhvi said. The petition also alleged that Censor Board Chairman Prasoon Joshi has acted as a judge in its own cause. "It is also pertinent to mention herein that this petition is not an attempt to censor the movie, but is only an attempt to ensure that the Moral Code of Conduct and other electoral laws are not violated during the General Elections 2019, through this movie," the petition added. 'PM Narendra Modi' featuring Vivek Oberoi was scheduled to release April 5 but its makers have decided to push the release by a week, to April 12. The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court had on Wednesday rejected a plea seeking ban on the release of the movie. The Bombay High Court had also on Monday disposed of a plea seeking deferment of the release of the biopic, saying the Election Commission will deal with the issue. Directed by Omung Kumar and on Narendra Modi's life, the film has been co-produced by Suresh Oberoi and Sunil Ssingh.

Supreme Court agrees to hear petition seeking stay on release of Modi biopic

India Election Watch: Rally roster for top leaders for April 4, 2019

BJP leader LK Advani breaks silence says, those who disagree with BJP are not enemies

Development work and a strong connection with people will help him retain the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat for the fourth time, believes<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/aimim-confident-of-winning-all-contested-seats-owaisi-182226&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjOnpGhs7bhAhUWXisKHe2rCsYQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0q2kngPVDha170B77KgPqY"> AIMIM</a> chief Asaduddin Owaisi, even as the BJP and the Congress claim he will lose for his divisive politics and “goondaism”. The constituency, which is traditionally an All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) stronghold and won by <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-fields-muslim-woman-candidate-against-akbaruddin-owaisi-175290&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj30aLPs7bhAhVp7nMBHUi7A4MQFggIMAE&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0NCzpv3-O-Or0pbmrQj1am">Owaisi</a> since 2004, has six assembly segments, and five of these were won by the party in the 2018 <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-polls-aimim-workers-booked-for-violating-model-code-of-conduct-177680&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjL04e6s7bhAhWr7nMBHaciCxEQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw2i8orymMSl05X1VcbsxqjV">Telangana polls</a>. The BJP has again fielded J Bhagwant Rao, who had lost to Owaisi by over two lakh votes in the 2014 polls, from the seat, while Congress’s Feroz Khan, who unsuccessfully contested the 2018 assembly elections, is trying his luck from the constituency.

The <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-rashtra-samiti-supports-bjp-on-issue-of-simultaneous-lok-sabha-assembly-polls-31322&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjQytTks7bhAhXkmeYKHQLxAxQQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw10sXLLQ5ptSRQC8gxzEYmx">Telangana Rashtra Samiti </a>(TRS) has fielded Puste Srikanth. But, Chief Minister and TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao have kept it no secret that the party is backing Owaisi, whose support it is counting on in the remaining 16 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

In total, there are 15 candidates in the fray from the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat. Meeting people at their homes, padayatras and organising interactions and meetings, especially with young voters and students, are the backbone of Owaisi’s campaign in the parliamentary constituency. The party is seeking votes on ‘hamare kaam ki buniyaad par’ (on the basis of their work) and is confident of a win from the seat, said Asaduddin, who is being accompanied by his brother and AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi on his campaign trail.

“Paidal dauras (campaigning on foot) has been the AIMIM’s way through which we communicate our performance as representatives, and learn from our constituents on what more can be done,” he said “With my MPLAD expenditure, my focus has always been on investing in our children’s future, their health, education and well-being,” Asaduddin said, adding, “I am contesting this election on my record, and a lot more needs to be done and Inshallah I’ll work towards it”.

Both the Owaisi brothers are targeting the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a number of issues, including the February 14 Pulwama terror attack and the ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ (I, too, am watchman) campaign. The AIMIM, whose election symbol is ‘kite’, has maintained a firm grip on the minority voters-dominated constituency by winning the seat since 1984. The party’s former chief and Asaduddin’s father Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi got elected six times consecutively from Hyderabad. BJP candidate Bhagwant Rao, who secured over three lakh votes in 2014 general elections, alleged that the AIMIM is not a secular party and accused it of being a “destructive” force. People will support the BJP as they want to see Modi as prime minister again, he asserted.

“Last time there was booth capturing in minority-dominated areas,” Bhagwant Rao said, adding that poll and police officials should be alert, and take necessary measures to ensure free and fair elections. “The Majlis (AIMIM) does not even have a manifesto. Their manifesto is only instigating people in the name of religion. The BJP will carry out comprehensive development of the Old City if it wins. The Hyderabadi voters are keen to support the strong leadership of PM Modi”, he said.

The Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency lacks civic amenities and dispensaries, and hospitals in the parliamentary seat do not have proper facilities, Bhagwant Rao said. “AIMIM leaders divide people and instigate minorities and take their votes. They have acquired huge wealth,” he alleged. But, Asaduddin, who is supporting Chandrasekhar Rao’s idea of promoting a non-BJP and non-Congress front, said the public wants the TRS to win in the 16 Lok Sabha seats in the state and the AIMIM to be victorious on the Hyderabad seat. Congress’s Feroz Khan said the competition for the seat is between his party and the AIMIM as the BJP has fielded a “dummy” candidate. He claimed that the people want to bring about change and said the Congress is the alternative.

“For 40 years the AIMIM spread only darkness and ‘god willing’, the Congress will bring the sun to drive away this darkness,” he said, alleging that the AIMIM wins elections by indulging in “goondaism, rowdyism and through bogus votes”. “Our effort is to stop it and to take up an agenda of development among the people,” said Khan, who is hopeful that people will bless him with a win on the Hyderabad seat. Only the Congress can ensure BJP’s and Modi defeat, he said. However, a section of voters said Asaduddin’s victory is certain and it will be a one-sided election again in Hyderabad.

Development work and a strong connection with people will help him retain the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat for the fourth time, believes AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, even as the BJP and the Congress claim he will lose for his divisive politics and “goondaism”.

Development work and a strong connection with people will help him retain the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat for the fourth time, believes AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, even as the BJP and the Congress claim he will lose for his divisive politics and “goondaism”. The constituency, which is traditionally an All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) stronghold and won by Owaisi since 2004, has six assembly segments, and five of these were won by the party in the 2018 Telangana polls. The BJP has again fielded J Bhagwant Rao, who had lost to Owaisi by over two lakh votes in the 2014 polls, from the seat, while Congress’s Feroz Khan, who unsuccessfully contested the 2018 assembly elections, is trying his luck from the constituency. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) has fielded Puste Srikanth. But, Chief Minister and TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao have kept it no secret that the party is backing Owaisi, whose support it is counting on in the remaining 16 Lok Sabha seats in the state. In total, there are 15 candidates in the fray from the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat. Meeting people at their homes, padayatras and organising interactions and meetings, especially with young voters and students, are the backbone of Owaisi’s campaign in the parliamentary constituency. The party is seeking votes on ‘hamare kaam ki buniyaad par’ (on the basis of their work) and is confident of a win from the seat, said Asaduddin, who is being accompanied by his brother and AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi on his campaign trail. “Paidal dauras (campaigning on foot) has been the AIMIM’s way through which we communicate our performance as representatives, and learn from our constituents on what more can be done,” he said “With my MPLAD expenditure, my focus has always been on investing in our children’s future, their health, education and well-being,” Asaduddin said, adding, “I am contesting this election on my record, and a lot more needs to be done and Inshallah I’ll work towards it”. Both the Owaisi brothers are targeting the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a number of issues, including the February 14 Pulwama terror attack and the ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ (I, too, am watchman) campaign. The AIMIM, whose election symbol is ‘kite’, has maintained a firm grip on the minority voters-dominated constituency by winning the seat since 1984. The party’s former chief and Asaduddin’s father Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi got elected six times consecutively from Hyderabad. BJP candidate Bhagwant Rao, who secured over three lakh votes in 2014 general elections, alleged that the AIMIM is not a secular party and accused it of being a “destructive” force. People will support the BJP as they want to see Modi as prime minister again, he asserted. “Last time there was booth capturing in minority-dominated areas,” Bhagwant Rao said, adding that poll and police officials should be alert, and take necessary measures to ensure free and fair elections. “The Majlis (AIMIM) does not even have a manifesto. Their manifesto is only instigating people in the name of religion. The BJP will carry out comprehensive development of the Old City if it wins. The Hyderabadi voters are keen to support the strong leadership of PM Modi”, he said. The Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency lacks civic amenities and dispensaries, and hospitals in the parliamentary seat do not have proper facilities, Bhagwant Rao said. “AIMIM leaders divide people and instigate minorities and take their votes. They have acquired huge wealth,” he alleged. But, Asaduddin, who is supporting Chandrasekhar Rao’s idea of promoting a non-BJP and non-Congress front, said the public wants the TRS to win in the 16 Lok Sabha seats in the state and the AIMIM to be victorious on the Hyderabad seat. Congress’s Feroz Khan said the competition for the seat is between his party and the AIMIM as the BJP has fielded a “dummy” candidate. He claimed that the people want to bring about change and said the Congress is the alternative. “For 40 years the AIMIM spread only darkness and ‘god willing’, the Congress will bring the sun to drive away this darkness,” he said, alleging that the AIMIM wins elections by indulging in “goondaism, rowdyism and through bogus votes”. “Our effort is to stop it and to take up an agenda of development among the people,” said Khan, who is hopeful that people will bless him with a win on the Hyderabad seat. Only the Congress can ensure BJP’s and Modi defeat, he said. However, a section of voters said Asaduddin’s victory is certain and it will be a one-sided election again in Hyderabad.

Asaduddin Owaisi dismisses allegations of goondaism, confident of the fourth term from Hyderabad

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