<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/collegium-agrees-unanimously-to-send-justice-km-josephs-name-for-elevation-to-sc-back-to-centre-136144">Collegium agrees unanimously to send Justice KM Joseph's name for elevation to SC back to Centre</a>

The Supreme Court collegium has unanimously agreed to send its nomination of Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice KM Joseph for elevation to the Supreme Court back to the Centre.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/without-nepal-indias-history-is-incomplete-pm-modi-at-janakpur-136068">Without Nepal India's history is incomplete: PM Modi at Janakpur</a>

The Prime Minister opened his address in Nepalese dialect and went on to express happiness over visiting the Himalayan nation. He stated that he wanted to visit Janakpur for long.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/former-maharashtra-ats-chief-himanshu-roy-commits-suicide-136091">Former Maharashtra ATS chief Himanshu Roy shoots himself</a>

Former Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Chief Himanshu Roy committed suicide in Mumbai today by shooting himself with his service revolver. Himanshu Roy allegedly shot himself at his home in Mumbai. He was rushed to the Mumbai Hospital where he was declared dead.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-announces-restrictions-on-us-diplomats-says-they-will-not-be-allowed-to-roam-freely-136125">Pakistan announces restrictions on US diplomats, says they will not be allowed to roam freely</a>

Pakistan's Foreign Office has announced that all the United States diplomats in the country would face restrictions as part of which they will not be able to roam around freely from now.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-syria-has-every-right-to-defend-itself-against-israel-136132">Iran says Syria has every right to defend itself against Israel</a>

Iran on Friday supported Syria's right to defend itself against aggression from Israel, state TV reported, accusing others of remaining silent over the attacks on Tehran's key regional ally.

Collegium agrees unanimously to send Justice KM Joseph's name for elevation to SC back to Centre The Supreme Court collegium has unanimously agreed to send its nomination of Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice KM Joseph for elevation to the Supreme Court back to the Centre. Without Nepal India's history is incomplete: PM Modi at Janakpur The Prime Minister opened his address in Nepalese dialect and went on to express happiness over visiting the Himalayan nation. He stated that he wanted to visit Janakpur for long. Former Maharashtra ATS chief Himanshu Roy shoots himself Former Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Chief Himanshu Roy committed suicide in Mumbai today by shooting himself with his service revolver. Himanshu Roy allegedly shot himself at his home in Mumbai. He was rushed to the Mumbai Hospital where he was declared dead. Pakistan announces restrictions on US diplomats, says they will not be allowed to roam freely Pakistan's Foreign Office has announced that all the United States diplomats in the country would face restrictions as part of which they will not be able to roam around freely from now. Iran says Syria has every right to defend itself against Israel Iran on Friday supported Syria's right to defend itself against aggression from Israel, state TV reported, accusing others of remaining silent over the attacks on Tehran's key regional ally.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Several posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi were taken down in Delhi Thursday night.&nbsp

The posters — showing Modi smiling and with his hands folded — were headlined "The Lie Lama".&nbsp

News reports said Friday the posters were taken down around 10.15 pm after a number of BJP leaders and members complained.&nbsp

The posters were found yesterday pasted on walls in &nbspMandir Marg's J-Block area, NDMC area, Central Delhi's Patel Nagar and Shanker Road areas.

The reports quoted police as saying there was no mention on the posters of where they might have been printed or by whom.&nbsp

The reports added that a case was registered against unidentified persons under the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property (DPDP) Act.

Police added that locals would be questioned to try and ascertain who put have put up the posters. The reports added that police were likely to scan any available CCTV footage.

A case was registered against unidentified persons under the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property (DPDP) Act

Several posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi were taken down in Delhi Thursday night. The posters — showing Modi smiling and with his hands folded — were headlined "The Lie Lama". News reports said Friday the posters were taken down around 10.15 pm after a number of BJP leaders and members complained. The posters were found yesterday pasted on walls in &nbspMandir Marg's J-Block area, NDMC area, Central Delhi's Patel Nagar and Shanker Road areas. The reports quoted police as saying there was no mention on the posters of where they might have been printed or by whom. The reports added that a case was registered against unidentified persons under the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property (DPDP) Act. Police added that locals would be questioned to try and ascertain who put have put up the posters. The reports added that police were likely to scan any available CCTV footage.

Delhi: Posters calling PM Modi 'The Lie Lama' removed, case registered

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/my-mother-more-indian-than-many-rahul-gandhi-135937">vitriol-filled campaign</a> for the Karnataka Assembly elections ended today with top leaders of the BJP and Congress, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, making a last-gasp effort to sway the voters in a likely cliffhanger.

From corruption to communalism, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's Rs 70 lakh Hublot watch, to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin, the electoral potboiler had it all.

Like all state polls since he assumed the reins of power in New Delhi, Modi helmed the BJP's adrenaline-charged campaign despite the party having declared B S Yeddyurappa its chief ministerial candidate, while Rahul Gandhi helmed that of the Congress.

Though Modi remained out of the electoral scene for a long time after addressing a public meeting in February, he launched a blitzkrieg on May 1, addressing over a score of rallies in his bid to wrest the key southern state, which BJP chief Amit Shah dubbed as the party's "gateway to south", from the Congress.

Always high on energy during elections, he adddressed at least three rallies every day when he was in Karnataka, or else interacted with workers of the BJP's different frontal organisations through the 'Namo App'.

Though development remained part of the political discourse, it was overtaken by a slanging match between the two parties over corruption.

The prime minister and Amit Shah raised the issue of the killing of RSS and BJP workers by SDPI, a radical Islamist political party floated by the Popular Front of India, which Modi said was the "abc of communalism".

Shah claimed two of the candidates fielded by the Congress were, in fact, members of the SDPI.

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On day one of his campaign, Modi raked up the issue of Sonia's foreign origin at an election rally where he dared the Congress chief to speak for 15 minutes about the achievements of the Karnataka government in any language, including his "mother's mother tongue".

An emotional Rahul Gandhi hit back today at a press conference where he said,"My mother is an Italian. She has lived the larger part of her life in India. She is more Indian than many, many Indians I have seen."

Modi repeatedly addressed the Siddaramaiah ministry as "seedha rupaiah government (a government that takes bribes for work) and "10 per cent commission government".

Provoked, Siddaramaiah first called the Modi dispensation a "90 per cent commission government" and then served legal notices to Modi and Shah, demanding an apology and threatening to file Rs 100 crore civil and criminal defamation suit if they did not tender it.

Rally after election rally, Rahul Gandhi targeted BJP's chief ministerial candidate Yeddyurappa over corruption when he helmed the state while BJP was in power between 2008 and 2013.

"Will Modi ji tell the people of Karnataka why a man who spent time in jail for corruption is the BJP's CM candidate? Why the BJP has given 8 tickets to Reddy brothers and their associates who looted Rs 35,000 crore from the people of Karnataka?" he asked, as he sought to paint the saffron party into a corner.

The Congress president frequently referred to fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi in his speeches, alleging the government allowed him to flee the country after defrauding the Punjab National Bank fraud.

Modi, who has powered the BJP to victory after victory in Assembly polls in states in the last four years, also invoked nationalism and B R Ambedkar, after he was in the Congress president's firing line over a string of attacks on Dalits. He slammed the Congress for raising questions about the Army's surgical strikes in PoK.

Though Modi did not campaign in Karnataka today, he addressed BJP's SC/ST/OBC and Slum Morcha workers through his Namo App and said, "There is no place for dalits and backward classes in the heart of the Congress." He accused the Congress of "insulting" Ambedkar, a Dalit icon.

Sonia Gandhi, who avoided the rough and tumble of elections for two years after she was taken ill during a roadshow in Varanasi ahead of the Uttar Pradesh polls, also addressed a rally in the Lingayat stronghold of

Vijayapura where she said "Modi is possessed by the devil of 'Congress mukt Bharat' (bhoot lag gaya hai)".

Apart from Shah, who vigourously campaigned across the state over the last two months, the BJP fielded its Hindutva mascot Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who toured the communally sensitive coastal belt of Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada district.

Adityanath exhorted electors to elect a government that can protect people from "jihadi" forces.

After Rahul Gandhi publicly declared he was ready to become the prime minister if Congress emerged as the single largest party, Modi mocked him, calling him a "dynast" and wondering whether the nation will accept him as its leader.

The campaign was hit by a "fake" voter ID card scandal in it dying moments, but election officials said those appeared to be genuine.

Nearly 10,000 cards were recovered from a flat in Rajarajeshwari Nagar constituency on Tuesday, setting off a war of words between the Congress and BJP, with each alleging the owner of the apartment owed allegiance to the rival party.

The contentious issue of the Siddaramaiah government recommending religious minority status for the numerically strong Lingayat community took a back seat as the two parties appeared unsure about its electoral fallout.

Opinion polls and surveys have projected a thriller of a contest, with neither BJP nor the Congress getting a majority on its own and the JD(S) of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda playing the kingmaker.

Polling for 223 seats of the 224-member Assembly will be held on May 12. Election for the Jayanagar seat was countermanded after the death of the sitting BJP MLA and its candidate B N Jayakumar. Results will be declared on May 15.&nbsp;

Like Gujarat before it, the campaign for Karnataka has been rough and ugly with a number of personal attacks from either side. The results will be out on May 15

The vitriol-filled campaign for the Karnataka Assembly elections ended today with top leaders of the BJP and Congress, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, making a last-gasp effort to sway the voters in a likely cliffhanger. From corruption to communalism, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's Rs 70 lakh Hublot watch, to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin, the electoral potboiler had it all. Like all state polls since he assumed the reins of power in New Delhi, Modi helmed the BJP's adrenaline-charged campaign despite the party having declared B S Yeddyurappa its chief ministerial candidate, while Rahul Gandhi helmed that of the Congress. Though Modi remained out of the electoral scene for a long time after addressing a public meeting in February, he launched a blitzkrieg on May 1, addressing over a score of rallies in his bid to wrest the key southern state, which BJP chief Amit Shah dubbed as the party's "gateway to south", from the Congress. Always high on energy during elections, he adddressed at least three rallies every day when he was in Karnataka, or else interacted with workers of the BJP's different frontal organisations through the 'Namo App'. Though development remained part of the political discourse, it was overtaken by a slanging match between the two parties over corruption. The prime minister and Amit Shah raised the issue of the killing of RSS and BJP workers by SDPI, a radical Islamist political party floated by the Popular Front of India, which Modi said was the "abc of communalism". Shah claimed two of the candidates fielded by the Congress were, in fact, members of the SDPI. Opinion polls and surveys have projected a thriller of a contest, with neither BJP nor the Congress getting a majority on its own and the JD(S) of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda playing the kingmaker × On day one of his campaign, Modi raked up the issue of Sonia's foreign origin at an election rally where he dared the Congress chief to speak for 15 minutes about the achievements of the Karnataka government in any language, including his "mother's mother tongue". An emotional Rahul Gandhi hit back today at a press conference where he said,"My mother is an Italian. She has lived the larger part of her life in India. She is more Indian than many, many Indians I have seen." Modi repeatedly addressed the Siddaramaiah ministry as "seedha rupaiah government (a government that takes bribes for work) and "10 per cent commission government". Provoked, Siddaramaiah first called the Modi dispensation a "90 per cent commission government" and then served legal notices to Modi and Shah, demanding an apology and threatening to file Rs 100 crore civil and criminal defamation suit if they did not tender it. Rally after election rally, Rahul Gandhi targeted BJP's chief ministerial candidate Yeddyurappa over corruption when he helmed the state while BJP was in power between 2008 and 2013. "Will Modi ji tell the people of Karnataka why a man who spent time in jail for corruption is the BJP's CM candidate? Why the BJP has given 8 tickets to Reddy brothers and their associates who looted Rs 35,000 crore from the people of Karnataka?" he asked, as he sought to paint the saffron party into a corner. The Congress president frequently referred to fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi in his speeches, alleging the government allowed him to flee the country after defrauding the Punjab National Bank fraud. Modi, who has powered the BJP to victory after victory in Assembly polls in states in the last four years, also invoked nationalism and B R Ambedkar, after he was in the Congress president's firing line over a string of attacks on Dalits. He slammed the Congress for raising questions about the Army's surgical strikes in PoK. Though Modi did not campaign in Karnataka today, he addressed BJP's SC/ST/OBC and Slum Morcha workers through his Namo App and said, "There is no place for dalits and backward classes in the heart of the Congress." He accused the Congress of "insulting" Ambedkar, a Dalit icon. Sonia Gandhi, who avoided the rough and tumble of elections for two years after she was taken ill during a roadshow in Varanasi ahead of the Uttar Pradesh polls, also addressed a rally in the Lingayat stronghold of Vijayapura where she said "Modi is possessed by the devil of 'Congress mukt Bharat' (bhoot lag gaya hai)". Apart from Shah, who vigourously campaigned across the state over the last two months, the BJP fielded its Hindutva mascot Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who toured the communally sensitive coastal belt of Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada district. Adityanath exhorted electors to elect a government that can protect people from "jihadi" forces. After Rahul Gandhi publicly declared he was ready to become the prime minister if Congress emerged as the single largest party, Modi mocked him, calling him a "dynast" and wondering whether the nation will accept him as its leader. The campaign was hit by a "fake" voter ID card scandal in it dying moments, but election officials said those appeared to be genuine. Nearly 10,000 cards were recovered from a flat in Rajarajeshwari Nagar constituency on Tuesday, setting off a war of words between the Congress and BJP, with each alleging the owner of the apartment owed allegiance to the rival party. The contentious issue of the Siddaramaiah government recommending religious minority status for the numerically strong Lingayat community took a back seat as the two parties appeared unsure about its electoral fallout. Opinion polls and surveys have projected a thriller of a contest, with neither BJP nor the Congress getting a majority on its own and the JD(S) of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda playing the kingmaker. Polling for 223 seats of the 224-member Assembly will be held on May 12. Election for the Jayanagar seat was countermanded after the death of the sitting BJP MLA and its candidate B N Jayakumar. Results will be declared on May 15.

Vitriol-filled campaign for Karnataka ends, elections on May 12

Nepal is all set to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi will begin his official trip from May 11 and will visit three cities - Kathmandu, Muktinath and Janakpur - in two days.

Speedy implementation of key India-assisted projects and building trust will be among the focus areas of the visit. Government sources said that during Modi's two-day visit, India will seek to consolidate relationship with the new Nepalese government of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli who has returned to power riding on a spectacular electoral victory and now leads a stable dispensation after years of political instability.

PM Modi will arrive in Janakpur's Baarhabigha on Friday by a chopper from Patna in Bihar. The Prime Minister will address a public rally and visit the historic Janakpur temple where he will be accompanied by his Nepalese counterpart. Modi will be given a civic reception at Janakpur. In the afternoon, he will travel to Kathmandu where he will meet the Nepalese President, Vice President and hold wide-ranging talks with Oli.

Modi and Oli are likely to sign a number of pacts and lay the foundation for Rs 6,000-crore Arun 3 project, the biggest hydel power project being built in Nepal. It is expected to generate around 900 MW of power.

In Kathmandu, Modi will also meet former Nepalse prime ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, popularly known as Prachanda, besides the leaders of two Madhesi parties.

The remote Mustang region is also a part of PM Modi's itinerary. In Mustang, the Indian PM will visit pilgrimage site of Muktinath which is a sacred place for both Hindusand Buddhists. Within Hinduism, it is called Mukti Kshetra, which literally means the "place of liberation or moksh". This temple is considered to be 106th among the available 108 Divya Desam considered sacred by the Sri Vaishnava sect.

The leaders of the two countries will also take this opportunity to deliberate on implementation of the ambitious rail project to link Kathmandu with Raxaul in Bihar and connecting landlocked Nepal with river transport system with India, apart from several other key connectivity projects, sources said.

Modi's visit to Nepal comes a little more than a month after Prime Minister Oli visited India. Oli had invited Modi to his country. During Oli's visit, both sides had vowed to step up the overall engagement and take the relationship to newer heights on the basis of "equality, mutual trust and respect".

The intention is to build on PM Oli's visit and and carry forward pending proposals.

India is Nepal's largest trade partner and the largest source of foreign investment, besides providing transit for Nepal's traders. India accounts for over two-third of Nepal's merchandise trade, about one-third of trade in services, 46 per cent of foreign direct investment, almost 100 per cent of petroleum supplies and a significant share of inward remittance on account of pensioners and workers.

This will be Modi's third to Nepal after taking over as PM in 2014. After talks with Oli last month, Modi had said India would always stand by Nepal in its quest for all-round growth, asserting that deeper cooperation between the two neighbours would strengthen democracy in that country.

(With inputs from agencies)

Modi's visit to Nepal comes a little more than a month after Prime Minister Oli visited India.

Nepal is all set to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi will begin his official trip from May 11 and will visit three cities - Kathmandu, Muktinath and Janakpur - in two days. Speedy implementation of key India-assisted projects and building trust will be among the focus areas of the visit. Government sources said that during Modi's two-day visit, India will seek to consolidate relationship with the new Nepalese government of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli who has returned to power riding on a spectacular electoral victory and now leads a stable dispensation after years of political instability. PM Modi will arrive in Janakpur's Baarhabigha on Friday by a chopper from Patna in Bihar. The Prime Minister will address a public rally and visit the historic Janakpur temple where he will be accompanied by his Nepalese counterpart. Modi will be given a civic reception at Janakpur. In the afternoon, he will travel to Kathmandu where he will meet the Nepalese President, Vice President and hold wide-ranging talks with Oli. Modi and Oli are likely to sign a number of pacts and lay the foundation for Rs 6,000-crore Arun 3 project, the biggest hydel power project being built in Nepal. It is expected to generate around 900 MW of power. In Kathmandu, Modi will also meet former Nepalse prime ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, popularly known as Prachanda, besides the leaders of two Madhesi parties. The remote Mustang region is also a part of PM Modi's itinerary. In Mustang, the Indian PM will visit pilgrimage site of Muktinath which is a sacred place for both Hindusand Buddhists. Within Hinduism, it is called Mukti Kshetra, which literally means the "place of liberation or moksh". This temple is considered to be 106th among the available 108 Divya Desam considered sacred by the Sri Vaishnava sect. The leaders of the two countries will also take this opportunity to deliberate on implementation of the ambitious rail project to link Kathmandu with Raxaul in Bihar and connecting landlocked Nepal with river transport system with India, apart from several other key connectivity projects, sources said. Modi's visit to Nepal comes a little more than a month after Prime Minister Oli visited India. Oli had invited Modi to his country. During Oli's visit, both sides had vowed to step up the overall engagement and take the relationship to newer heights on the basis of "equality, mutual trust and respect". The intention is to build on PM Oli's visit and and carry forward pending proposals. India is Nepal's largest trade partner and the largest source of foreign investment, besides providing transit for Nepal's traders. India accounts for over two-third of Nepal's merchandise trade, about one-third of trade in services, 46 per cent of foreign direct investment, almost 100 per cent of petroleum supplies and a significant share of inward remittance on account of pensioners and workers. This will be Modi's third to Nepal after taking over as PM in 2014. After talks with Oli last month, Modi had said India would always stand by Nepal in its quest for all-round growth, asserting that deeper cooperation between the two neighbours would strengthen democracy in that country. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi begins his Nepal visit on Friday, to focus on building trust

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been ranked among the top 10 most powerful people in the world by Forbes in a list that has been topped for the first time ever by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who dethroned Russian President Vladimir Putin as the most influential person on the planet.&nbsp;

Modi ranks 9th on the Forbes 2018 list of 75 of the World's Most Powerful People who make the world turn.

"There are nearly 7.5 billion humans on planet Earth, but these 75 men and women make the world turn. Forbes' annual ranking of The World's Most Powerful People identifies one person out of every 100 million whose actions mean the most," Forbes said.

Modi, 67, is ahead of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (ranked 13), United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May (14), Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (15) and Apple CEO Tim Cook (24).&nbsp; 
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, with a net worth of 41.2 billion dollars, is the only other Indian on the power list, ranking 32nd. Microsoft's India-born CEO Satya Nadella is on the 40th spot.&nbsp;

Forbes said Modi "remains hugely popular" in the second most populous country on earth. It cited Modi government's November 2016 decision to eliminate India's two largest banknotes in a bid to reduce money laundering and corruption.

"Modi has raised his profile as a global leader in recent years during official visits with US President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. He has also emerged as a key figure in the international effort to tackle climate change, as warming affects millions of his country's rural citizens," Forbes said.

On Ambani, Forbes said the billionaire industrialist's Reliance sparked a price war in India's hyper-competitive telecom market with the launch of 4G phone service Jio in 2016.&nbsp;

"Jio has signed on 160 million customers by offering free domestic voice calls, dirt-cheap data services and virtually free smartphones," Forbes said.

After being named the most powerful person in the world for four consecutive years, Putin drops to the second spot, dethroned by Xi, who seizes the top spot for the first time ever after China's congress amended its constitution in March, broadening his influence and eliminating term limits.&nbsp; 
Forbes said the Chinese leader "enjoys a cult of personality" not seen since Chairman Mao Zedong, China's founding father.&nbsp;

Putin has ruled Russia since May of 2000, and this year he was re-elected to a fourth term with nearly 77 percent of the vote. ?That's the largest margin of victory for any candidate for the office since the fall of the Soviet Union,? Forbes said.

"This year's list highlights the consolidation of power in the hands of an elite few," Forbes said. 
Rounding up the top five on the list are Trump on the third spot, followed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel (4) and Amazon chief Jeff Bezos (5).&nbsp;

On Trump, Forbes said he has seen limited success pushing his agenda through a Congress controlled by his own party, is under investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies, and can't shake off scandals arising from his personal and business life --but he's still Commander in Chief of the world's greatest economic and military power.

There are 17 new names on the list this year, including Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud (8), the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. His father remains king, but he has consolidated power beyond any doubt and taken control of the country, Forbes said.&nbsp;

Other new members include U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell (11), Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods (34), President of South Korea Moon Jae-in (54) and Special Counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice Robert Mueller (72).&nbsp;

On Nadella, Forbes said the Microsoft CEO has steered the company away from a failing mobile strategy and focused on other segments, including cloud computing and augmented reality.&nbsp;

"Since taking over as a CEO, Microsoft's stock has increased by more than 150 per cent," it said.&nbsp;

The list also includes Pope Francis (6), Cofounder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates (7), French President Emmanuel Macron (12), Alibaba Chief Jack Ma (21), CEO and Chairman of Tesla Elon Musk (25), UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (31), North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (36), Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (57), Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad (62), Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte (69) and Islamic State's self-proclaimed caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (73).

In compiling the list, Forbes said it considered hundreds of candidates from various walks of life all around the globe, and measured their power along four dimensions of whether the person has power over lots of people, financial resources controlled by each person, whether the candidate is powerful in multiple spheres and that the candidates actively used their power. PTI

Xi dethroned Russia's Putin. Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, with a net worth of 41.2 billion dollars, is the only other Indian on the power list; he was ranked 32nd

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been ranked among the top 10 most powerful people in the world by Forbes in a list that has been topped for the first time ever by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who dethroned Russian President Vladimir Putin as the most influential person on the planet. Modi ranks 9th on the Forbes 2018 list of 75 of the World's Most Powerful People who make the world turn. "There are nearly 7.5 billion humans on planet Earth, but these 75 men and women make the world turn. Forbes' annual ranking of The World's Most Powerful People identifies one person out of every 100 million whose actions mean the most," Forbes said. Modi, 67, is ahead of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (ranked 13), United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May (14), Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (15) and Apple CEO Tim Cook (24). Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, with a net worth of 41.2 billion dollars, is the only other Indian on the power list, ranking 32nd. Microsoft's India-born CEO Satya Nadella is on the 40th spot. Forbes said Modi "remains hugely popular" in the second most populous country on earth. It cited Modi government's November 2016 decision to eliminate India's two largest banknotes in a bid to reduce money laundering and corruption. "Modi has raised his profile as a global leader in recent years during official visits with US President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. He has also emerged as a key figure in the international effort to tackle climate change, as warming affects millions of his country's rural citizens," Forbes said. On Ambani, Forbes said the billionaire industrialist's Reliance sparked a price war in India's hyper-competitive telecom market with the launch of 4G phone service Jio in 2016. "Jio has signed on 160 million customers by offering free domestic voice calls, dirt-cheap data services and virtually free smartphones," Forbes said. After being named the most powerful person in the world for four consecutive years, Putin drops to the second spot, dethroned by Xi, who seizes the top spot for the first time ever after China's congress amended its constitution in March, broadening his influence and eliminating term limits. Forbes said the Chinese leader "enjoys a cult of personality" not seen since Chairman Mao Zedong, China's founding father. Putin has ruled Russia since May of 2000, and this year he was re-elected to a fourth term with nearly 77 percent of the vote. ?That's the largest margin of victory for any candidate for the office since the fall of the Soviet Union,? Forbes said. "This year's list highlights the consolidation of power in the hands of an elite few," Forbes said. Rounding up the top five on the list are Trump on the third spot, followed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel (4) and Amazon chief Jeff Bezos (5). On Trump, Forbes said he has seen limited success pushing his agenda through a Congress controlled by his own party, is under investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies, and can't shake off scandals arising from his personal and business life --but he's still Commander in Chief of the world's greatest economic and military power. There are 17 new names on the list this year, including Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud (8), the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. His father remains king, but he has consolidated power beyond any doubt and taken control of the country, Forbes said. Other new members include U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell (11), Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods (34), President of South Korea Moon Jae-in (54) and Special Counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice Robert Mueller (72). On Nadella, Forbes said the Microsoft CEO has steered the company away from a failing mobile strategy and focused on other segments, including cloud computing and augmented reality. "Since taking over as a CEO, Microsoft's stock has increased by more than 150 per cent," it said. The list also includes Pope Francis (6), Cofounder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates (7), French President Emmanuel Macron (12), Alibaba Chief Jack Ma (21), CEO and Chairman of Tesla Elon Musk (25), UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (31), North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (36), Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (57), Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad (62), Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte (69) and Islamic State's self-proclaimed caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (73). In compiling the list, Forbes said it considered hundreds of candidates from various walks of life all around the globe, and measured their power along four dimensions of whether the person has power over lots of people, financial resources controlled by each person, whether the candidate is powerful in multiple spheres and that the candidates actively used their power. PTI

China's Xi is world's most powerful person, Modi is 9th: Forbes

PM Modi addressed a rally in poll-bound Karnataka's Chitradurga district today.

Launching an attack on the Congress, the prime minister said the party had played with the sentiments of the people of Chitradurga.

"Look at the Congress leaders, they do not know, whom they should remember and celebrate. They are at the forefront of celebrating jayantis of sultans," PM Modi said referring to the celebration of Tipu Jayanti in the state.

PM Modi claimed that the Congress did not care about the Dalits and was only concerned with deals.

"Congress does not care about 'Dil' (people's hearts and feelings) or Dalits. They only care about deals. If they cannot do welfare, then they should be bid farewell," PM Modi said.

"Congress is obviously uncomfortable today because the highest offices of the land are occupied by people from poor and humble backgrounds. That is why now Congress prefers to mislead in the name of the Dalit community," the prime minister said.

"Nijalingappa ji, the proud son of this land was insulted by one family who cannot tolerate independent leaders emerging in the Party. Nijalingappa ji committed the crime of questioning some of the policies from the time of Pandit Nehru." 
 
Hailing Chitradurga as a land of bravehearts and scientists, PM Modi said the district's farmers had turned problems into opportunities and had always fought against drought.

"This place is synonymous with Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan and is a living example of this mantra," PM Modi said.

"Your farmers have created history," PM Modi said. "This land always battles drought."

"Chitradurga will soon become the hotspot of science and technology. It is a matter of pride that the mission Chandrayaan 2 is taking place on this soil by the ISRO unit of Chitradurga," PM Modi said.

The prime minister earlier thanked the people of Chitradurga and said he was humbled by their massive response.

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Launching an attack on the Congress, the prime minister said the party had played with the sentiments of the people of Chitradurga

PM Modi addressed a rally in poll-bound Karnataka's Chitradurga district today. Launching an attack on the Congress, the prime minister said the party had played with the sentiments of the people of Chitradurga. "Look at the Congress leaders, they do not know, whom they should remember and celebrate. They are at the forefront of celebrating jayantis of sultans," PM Modi said referring to the celebration of Tipu Jayanti in the state. PM Modi claimed that the Congress did not care about the Dalits and was only concerned with deals. "Congress does not care about 'Dil' (people's hearts and feelings) or Dalits. They only care about deals. If they cannot do welfare, then they should be bid farewell," PM Modi said. "Congress is obviously uncomfortable today because the highest offices of the land are occupied by people from poor and humble backgrounds. That is why now Congress prefers to mislead in the name of the Dalit community," the prime minister said. "Nijalingappa ji, the proud son of this land was insulted by one family who cannot tolerate independent leaders emerging in the Party. Nijalingappa ji committed the crime of questioning some of the policies from the time of Pandit Nehru." Hailing Chitradurga as a land of bravehearts and scientists, PM Modi said the district's farmers had turned problems into opportunities and had always fought against drought. "This place is synonymous with Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan and is a living example of this mantra," PM Modi said. "Your farmers have created history," PM Modi said. "This land always battles drought." "Chitradurga will soon become the hotspot of science and technology. It is a matter of pride that the mission Chandrayaan 2 is taking place on this soil by the ISRO unit of Chitradurga," PM Modi said. The prime minister earlier thanked the people of Chitradurga and said he was humbled by their massive response. #WATCH PM Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting in Karnataka's Chitradurga https://t.co/nXq33LmyOx — ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2018 ×

Congress at forefront of celebrating jayantis of sultans: PM Modi at Karnataka rally

Firing a barrage of barbs at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today labelled it as a "deal party" that was being uprooted from all over the country and said no one can save it now.

Taking the BJP's campaign in poll-bound Karnataka to full throttle, he also accused the Congress of "distorting history" as part of a conspiracy to divide the society.

At poll rallies in Chitradurga and Raichur, he flayed the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah for celebrating the "jayantis of sultans" (birth anniversaries of Muslim rulers) for the sake of "vote bank politics".

He was apparently referring to the Siddaramaiah government's controversial decision of celebrating "Tipu Jayanti" every year on November 10, commemorating Tipu Sultan, the legendary 18th-century ruler of Mysore.

Modi accused the Congress of protecting the corrupt, adopting a divide-and-rule policy, making false promises and having no agenda other than "abusing Modi."

Listing out a string of electoral defeats of the Congress, including those in Maharashtra and Tripura, he said, "From every corner of the country, the Congress has gone".

"...And in Karnataka?" he asked the crowd, which said the Congress will be ousted from power in the southern state as well.

"Now they cannot survive. No one can save the Congress now. For 70 years they have misled and befooled the people," Modi said, as he continued his campaign blitz across Karnataka where the party is heavily banking on him.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The state goes to polls on May 12. The counting of votes will take place on May 15.

At his rally in Chitradurga, Modi, while referring to corruption charges against a minister without naming him, said, "The Congress is a party that neither has dil (heart) nor is it pro-Dalit. It is a deal party."

Targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the prime minister said he always keeps character certificates ready in his suitcase. "Whenever an allegation of corruption against a minister is made, he immediately takes out a character certificate, writes the name and tells the people he is honest.

"The time has come to bid farewell to the Congress party that is not interested in your welfare. Make it a clean sweep for the BJP and send this chief minister home as he only goes around giving clean chits," Modi told the crowd.

Accusing the Congress of sidelining stalwarts like B R Ambedkar and undivided Congress president and former Karnataka chief minister S Nijalingappa, he said the party was interested in promoting only one family and naming "thousands of schemes" after them.

At Raichur, he said the Congress' "new mantra is spreading lies".

The Congress has realised its "vote bank politics is shaken" and, therefore, it has started a campaign for "misleading and spreading lies" among Dalits, and asked them to be aware, Modi said.

The prime minister accused the Congress of not allowing parliament to function because it feared he was "gaining the trust of the people by completing his works successfully one after the other".

He said the Karnataka elections were a contest between the Congress' "misdeeds and people's aspirations".

"On one side is the BJP with the mantra of 'sab ka saath sab ka vikaas (together with all development for all). On the other side is the Congress party that believes in doing everything for one family," he said.

While the BJP was fighting against the corrupt system, the Congress protects the corrupt, he alleged. The BJP was progressing in politics with the"blessings of people", while the Congress was dividing people, creating rift between brothers and following a divide-and-rule policy, Modi said.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The prime minister asked the Congress to give an account of its work in Karnataka in the last five years.

"From morning till evening they just say Modi, Modi, Modi. Other than abusing Modi in this election is there any agenda for the Congress? The time has come to see off such a Congress party," he said.

Taking the BJP's campaign in poll-bound Karnataka to full throttle, he also accused the Congress of "distorting history" as part of a conspiracy to divide the society.

Firing a barrage of barbs at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today labelled it as a "deal party" that was being uprooted from all over the country and said no one can save it now. Taking the BJP's campaign in poll-bound Karnataka to full throttle, he also accused the Congress of "distorting history" as part of a conspiracy to divide the society. At poll rallies in Chitradurga and Raichur, he flayed the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah for celebrating the "jayantis of sultans" (birth anniversaries of Muslim rulers) for the sake of "vote bank politics". He was apparently referring to the Siddaramaiah government's controversial decision of celebrating "Tipu Jayanti" every year on November 10, commemorating Tipu Sultan, the legendary 18th-century ruler of Mysore. Modi accused the Congress of protecting the corrupt, adopting a divide-and-rule policy, making false promises and having no agenda other than "abusing Modi." Listing out a string of electoral defeats of the Congress, including those in Maharashtra and Tripura, he said, "From every corner of the country, the Congress has gone". "...And in Karnataka?" he asked the crowd, which said the Congress will be ousted from power in the southern state as well. "Now they cannot survive. No one can save the Congress now. For 70 years they have misled and befooled the people," Modi said, as he continued his campaign blitz across Karnataka where the party is heavily banking on him. The state goes to polls on May 12. The counting of votes will take place on May 15. At his rally in Chitradurga, Modi, while referring to corruption charges against a minister without naming him, said, "The Congress is a party that neither has dil (heart) nor is it pro-Dalit. It is a deal party." Targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the prime minister said he always keeps character certificates ready in his suitcase. "Whenever an allegation of corruption against a minister is made, he immediately takes out a character certificate, writes the name and tells the people he is honest. "The time has come to bid farewell to the Congress party that is not interested in your welfare. Make it a clean sweep for the BJP and send this chief minister home as he only goes around giving clean chits," Modi told the crowd. Accusing the Congress of sidelining stalwarts like B R Ambedkar and undivided Congress president and former Karnataka chief minister S Nijalingappa, he said the party was interested in promoting only one family and naming "thousands of schemes" after them. At Raichur, he said the Congress' "new mantra is spreading lies". The Congress has realised its "vote bank politics is shaken" and, therefore, it has started a campaign for "misleading and spreading lies" among Dalits, and asked them to be aware, Modi said. The prime minister accused the Congress of not allowing parliament to function because it feared he was "gaining the trust of the people by completing his works successfully one after the other". He said the Karnataka elections were a contest between the Congress' "misdeeds and people's aspirations". "On one side is the BJP with the mantra of 'sab ka saath sab ka vikaas (together with all development for all). On the other side is the Congress party that believes in doing everything for one family," he said. While the BJP was fighting against the corrupt system, the Congress protects the corrupt, he alleged. The BJP was progressing in politics with the"blessings of people", while the Congress was dividing people, creating rift between brothers and following a divide-and-rule policy, Modi said. The prime minister asked the Congress to give an account of its work in Karnataka in the last five years. "From morning till evening they just say Modi, Modi, Modi. Other than abusing Modi in this election is there any agenda for the Congress? The time has come to see off such a Congress party," he said.

Karnataka polls: Modi dubs Congress a 'deal party', says no one can save it

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed a rally in poll-bound Karnataka.

Launching an attack on the Congress in Tumakuru, PM Modi said the people of Karnataka were tired of the Congress which had "cheated" the poor.

"From Indira Gandhi's time, Congress has only fooled poor people of society to win elections. They're a party of lies, they lie time and again for votes. They do not care about farmers nor are they concerned about poor. People are now tired of Congress," said the prime minister.&nbsp;

The prime minister also alleged a "tacit alliance" between the Congress and the JD(S) in the state.

"People of Karnataka need to know the tacit alliance between Congress and the JD(S). They pretend to fight but in Bengaluru, the JD(S) supported a Congress mayor," PM Modi said.

The prime minister said the enthusiasm of the people was evident in Tumakuru which was a land of great men.

"Feel blessed to be in Tumakuru...People of Tumakuru want change...This land of Tumakuru is home to several greats. After becoming PM I had come here to Tumakuru and sought the blessings of Sivakumar Swami Ji at the Siddaganga Mutt," PM Modi said.

"For years, Congress spoke of poverty over and over again but is mum about it ever since the son of a poor mother became prime minister," he said.

The prime minister said the election was about women's security, farmers' development and would decide the future of Karnataka.

"Vote for the BJP and Karnataka will flourish," he said.

"Congress ignored farmers for 70 years," he said, adding,&nbsp;"Farmers' plight today is because of Congress' policies, we are trying to wash away their sins."

The prime minister blamed the Congress for depriving the people of Tumakuru of the water from the Hemavati river.

"Why have the people of Tumakuru not got water from Hemavati river as yet? Our Government has worked on irrigation projects on which no work was done for 30 years. Congress is only interested in filling their safes with black money," PM Modi said. 
 
Karnataka goes to polls on May 12. Counting of votes will take place on May 15.

Launching an attack on the Congress in Tumakuru, PM Modi said the people of Karnataka were tired of the Congress which had 'cheated' the poor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed a rally in poll-bound Karnataka. Launching an attack on the Congress in Tumakuru, PM Modi said the people of Karnataka were tired of the Congress which had "cheated" the poor. "From Indira Gandhi's time, Congress has only fooled poor people of society to win elections. They're a party of lies, they lie time and again for votes. They do not care about farmers nor are they concerned about poor. People are now tired of Congress," said the prime minister. The prime minister also alleged a "tacit alliance" between the Congress and the JD(S) in the state. "People of Karnataka need to know the tacit alliance between Congress and the JD(S). They pretend to fight but in Bengaluru, the JD(S) supported a Congress mayor," PM Modi said. The prime minister said the enthusiasm of the people was evident in Tumakuru which was a land of great men. "Feel blessed to be in Tumakuru...People of Tumakuru want change...This land of Tumakuru is home to several greats. After becoming PM I had come here to Tumakuru and sought the blessings of Sivakumar Swami Ji at the Siddaganga Mutt," PM Modi said. "For years, Congress spoke of poverty over and over again but is mum about it ever since the son of a poor mother became prime minister," he said. The prime minister said the election was about women's security, farmers' development and would decide the future of Karnataka. "Vote for the BJP and Karnataka will flourish," he said. "Congress ignored farmers for 70 years," he said, adding, "Farmers' plight today is because of Congress' policies, we are trying to wash away their sins." The prime minister blamed the Congress for depriving the people of Tumakuru of the water from the Hemavati river. "Why have the people of Tumakuru not got water from Hemavati river as yet? Our Government has worked on irrigation projects on which no work was done for 30 years. Congress is only interested in filling their safes with black money," PM Modi said. Karnataka goes to polls on May 12. Counting of votes will take place on May 15.

Tacit alliance between Congress, JD(S): PM Modi at Karnataka rally

Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "Punjab, Puducherry, Parivar- Congress" jibe against his party, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today called BJP a "prison, price rise and pakoda" party. 
"Dear Modiji, Heard you spun a new abbreviation 'PPP' today.

Sir, we have always championed the 3 Ps of democracy --- 'Of the People, By the People, For the People'," Siddaramaiah said in a tweet shortly after Modi's attack.

"While your party is a 'Prison', 'Price Rise' & 'Pakoda' party. Am I right, Sir? #NijaHeliModi," he said.

"Nijaheli" in Kannada means tell the truth.

Also read:<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/post-karnataka-polls-congress-will-become-ppp-congress-pm-modi-134784">&nbsp;Post Karnataka polls, Congress will become PPP Congress: PM Modi</a>

All guns blazing, Modi today mounted a scathing attack on the Congress over corruption, and asserted it will become "Punjab, Puducherry, Parivar" Congress after its defeat in the Karnataka Assembly polls.

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Dear Modi ಅವರೇ, 
 
Heard you spun a new abbreviation ‘PPP’ today. 
 
Sir, we have always championed the 3 Ps of democracy - ‘Of the People, By the People, For the People’. 
 
While your party is a ‘Prison’, ‘Price Rise’ & ‘Pakoda’ party. 
 
Am I right, Sir?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NijaHeliModi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NijaHeliModi</a>
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) <a href="https://twitter.com/siddaramaiah/status/992733277063593990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"After May 15 (when poll results will be declared), Indian National Congress will be reduced to 'PPP Congress'-- P for Punjab, P for Puducherry, and P for Parivar (family)," Modi told an election rally in Gadag, where he predicted the state's ruling party would be decimated in the elections.

The Chief Minister also hit out at Modi's attack regarding the increase in assets belonging to some Congress legislator/Minister.

"Sir, Your CM candidate took bribe in a cheque. One of your Reddy friends G Janardhana Reddy conducted Rs 500 Cr wedding for his daughter at the height of demonetisation....," Siddaramaiah tweeted.

Modi today addressed four rallies in Tumakuru, Gadag, Shivamogga and Mangaluru in poll-bound Karnataka, where assembly election is scheduled for May 12.

Siddaramaiah asked Modi to talk about "something relevant" to the people of Karnataka and suggested topics such as expensive diesel and petrol besides job creation. &nbsp;

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PM: What is the way to Karnataka Assembly? 
Chanakya: Go straight on BSY Road. Drop BSY at Varuna. Turn Right at Deve Gowda circle. Then make a U Turn & drop Deve Gowda. Rest at Cariappa circle. No it Is Thimmaiah circle. Then make another U Turn .. 
PM: Karnatak is very confusing! <a href="https://t.co/0BZYBOnnjR">https://t.co/0BZYBOnnjR</a>
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) <a href="https://twitter.com/siddaramaiah/status/992795613472292864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

All guns blazing, Modi today mounted a scathing attack on the Congress over corruption, and asserted it will become "Punjab, Puducherry, Parivar" Congress after its defeat in the Karnataka Assembly polls

Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "Punjab, Puducherry, Parivar- Congress" jibe against his party, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today called BJP a "prison, price rise and pakoda" party. "Dear Modiji, Heard you spun a new abbreviation 'PPP' today. Sir, we have always championed the 3 Ps of democracy --- 'Of the People, By the People, For the People'," Siddaramaiah said in a tweet shortly after Modi's attack. "While your party is a 'Prison', 'Price Rise' & 'Pakoda' party. Am I right, Sir? #NijaHeliModi," he said. "Nijaheli" in Kannada means tell the truth. Also read: Post Karnataka polls, Congress will become PPP Congress: PM Modi All guns blazing, Modi today mounted a scathing attack on the Congress over corruption, and asserted it will become "Punjab, Puducherry, Parivar" Congress after its defeat in the Karnataka Assembly polls. Dear Modi ಅವರೇ, Heard you spun a new abbreviation ‘PPP’ today. Sir, we have always championed the 3 Ps of democracy - ‘Of the People, By the People, For the People’. While your party is a ‘Prison’, ‘Price Rise’ & ‘Pakoda’ party. Am I right, Sir?#NijaHeliModi — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 5, 2018 × "After May 15 (when poll results will be declared), Indian National Congress will be reduced to 'PPP Congress'-- P for Punjab, P for Puducherry, and P for Parivar (family)," Modi told an election rally in Gadag, where he predicted the state's ruling party would be decimated in the elections. The Chief Minister also hit out at Modi's attack regarding the increase in assets belonging to some Congress legislator/Minister. "Sir, Your CM candidate took bribe in a cheque. One of your Reddy friends G Janardhana Reddy conducted Rs 500 Cr wedding for his daughter at the height of demonetisation....," Siddaramaiah tweeted. Modi today addressed four rallies in Tumakuru, Gadag, Shivamogga and Mangaluru in poll-bound Karnataka, where assembly election is scheduled for May 12. Siddaramaiah asked Modi to talk about "something relevant" to the people of Karnataka and suggested topics such as expensive diesel and petrol besides job creation. PM: What is the way to Karnataka Assembly? Chanakya: Go straight on BSY Road. Drop BSY at Varuna. Turn Right at Deve Gowda circle. Then make a U Turn & drop Deve Gowda. Rest at Cariappa circle. No it Is Thimmaiah circle. Then make another U Turn .. PM: Karnatak is very confusing! https://t.co/0BZYBOnnjR — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 5, 2018 ×

BJP is 'prison, price rise and pakoda' party: Siddaramaiah

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Saturday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre for "letting down farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry by deliberately delaying the formation of Cauvery Management Board (CMB)."

"The delay by the prime minister and the Centre in constituting the board exposes the NDA government's intention to let down farmers of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry dependent on the Cauvery system for irrigation," he told reporters here.

He said the Centre was also "adopting all means to ensure the CMB was not formed in spite of a clear order from the Supreme Court to set up the board."

The Chief Minister charged that the prime minister had time to fly abroad and take up electioneering in poll-bound Karnataka but "has no time to concentrate on forming the Board as a solution to address the hardships of farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry."

Referring to the "continued blocking of implementation of vital schemes including free rice scheme by Lt Governor Kiran Bedi," he said the free rice scheme is a programme of the State government and its expenditure is being met by the territorial administration.

She later withdrew the order on the free rice scheme after her decision came in for criticism from various quarters.

The Lt Governor had no authority to block implementation of schemes in rural areas by imposing "amusing conditions", he alleged.

He said the territorial government had earmarked Rs 140 crore for implementing the free rice scheme to benefit the poorer sections, members of scheduled castes and backward classes for a period of six months from April this year.

Bedi, however, intervened and blocked the implementation of the scheme by imposing a condition that unless the villages were open defecation-free and garbage-free it would be kept on hold, he alleged.

He announced that financial assistance of Rs 1,500 would be provided to each student from Puducherry allotted NEET centres outside the Union Territory besides travelling allowance.

Narayanasamy asked the candidates to contact his office for assistance even after appearing for the examination for admission to medical courses, which is scheduled to be held tomorrow.&nbsp

He said the Centre was also "adopting all means to ensure the CMB was not formed in spite of a clear order from the Supreme Court to set up the board."

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Saturday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre for "letting down farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry by deliberately delaying the formation of Cauvery Management Board (CMB)." "The delay by the prime minister and the Centre in constituting the board exposes the NDA government's intention to let down farmers of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry dependent on the Cauvery system for irrigation," he told reporters here. He said the Centre was also "adopting all means to ensure the CMB was not formed in spite of a clear order from the Supreme Court to set up the board." The Chief Minister charged that the prime minister had time to fly abroad and take up electioneering in poll-bound Karnataka but "has no time to concentrate on forming the Board as a solution to address the hardships of farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry." Referring to the "continued blocking of implementation of vital schemes including free rice scheme by Lt Governor Kiran Bedi," he said the free rice scheme is a programme of the State government and its expenditure is being met by the territorial administration. She later withdrew the order on the free rice scheme after her decision came in for criticism from various quarters. The Lt Governor had no authority to block implementation of schemes in rural areas by imposing "amusing conditions", he alleged. He said the territorial government had earmarked Rs 140 crore for implementing the free rice scheme to benefit the poorer sections, members of scheduled castes and backward classes for a period of six months from April this year. Bedi, however, intervened and blocked the implementation of the scheme by imposing a condition that unless the villages were open defecation-free and garbage-free it would be kept on hold, he alleged. He announced that financial assistance of Rs 1,500 would be provided to each student from Puducherry allotted NEET centres outside the Union Territory besides travelling allowance. Narayanasamy asked the candidates to contact his office for assistance even after appearing for the examination for admission to medical courses, which is scheduled to be held tomorrow.

Puducherry CM lashes out at PM for delay in forming CMB

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) pretend to fight each other but are actually in "tacit alliance".

Addressing his first of the four rallies of the day here, Prime Minister Modi said the H.D. Deve Gowda-led party is working towards saving the Congress in Karnataka.

"People of Karnataka need to know the tacit alliance between Congress and JD(S)...they pretend to fight as opponents in Karnataka, but, in Bengaluru, the JD(S) supported a Congress mayor, who is sitting in the office. What is the deal between these two parties," the Prime Minister said here.

Further intensifying his attack on the ruling party in the state, the prime minister said for years the Congress kept on reiterating "Gareeb, Gareeb, Gareeb" but nothing came out of their 'rhetoric'.

He said the Congress has only made empty promises to the farmers, however, in reality, their "negligence towards the agriculture sector is very well known".

"I wish they were serious about the welfare of the farmers," he added.

Questioning the Rahul Gandhi-led party, Prime Minister said the former never did anything to solve the problem of water in Tumakuru.

"Why are the people of Tumakuru not getting water from the Hemavati River? The Congress government lacks concern for the farmers," Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Modi said his government has worked on irrigation projects on which no work had happened for 30 years.

He said the Centre is also mulling on ways to increase coconut exports, which was never thought about by the Congress.

"Resources have been allocated for Tumakuru's development under Smart Cities project. These resources are aimed at transforming Tumakuru but the state government prefers to loot money rather than work for people's welfare," Prime Minister Modi.

Prime Minister Modi added that he has initiated a full-fledged battle against corruption and black money and will not tolerate any corrupt practices.

Questioning the Rahul Gandhi-led party, Prime Minister said the former never did anything to solve the problem of water in Tumakuru

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) pretend to fight each other but are actually in "tacit alliance". Addressing his first of the four rallies of the day here, Prime Minister Modi said the H.D. Deve Gowda-led party is working towards saving the Congress in Karnataka. "People of Karnataka need to know the tacit alliance between Congress and JD(S)...they pretend to fight as opponents in Karnataka, but, in Bengaluru, the JD(S) supported a Congress mayor, who is sitting in the office. What is the deal between these two parties," the Prime Minister said here. Further intensifying his attack on the ruling party in the state, the prime minister said for years the Congress kept on reiterating "Gareeb, Gareeb, Gareeb" but nothing came out of their 'rhetoric'. He said the Congress has only made empty promises to the farmers, however, in reality, their "negligence towards the agriculture sector is very well known". "I wish they were serious about the welfare of the farmers," he added. Questioning the Rahul Gandhi-led party, Prime Minister said the former never did anything to solve the problem of water in Tumakuru. "Why are the people of Tumakuru not getting water from the Hemavati River? The Congress government lacks concern for the farmers," Prime Minister said. Prime Minister Modi said his government has worked on irrigation projects on which no work had happened for 30 years. He said the Centre is also mulling on ways to increase coconut exports, which was never thought about by the Congress. "Resources have been allocated for Tumakuru's development under Smart Cities project. These resources are aimed at transforming Tumakuru but the state government prefers to loot money rather than work for people's welfare," Prime Minister Modi. Prime Minister Modi added that he has initiated a full-fledged battle against corruption and black money and will not tolerate any corrupt practices.

Congress, JD(S) pretend to fight each other but are in 'tacit alliance': PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed the Karnataka BJP's Mahila Morcha Karyakartas (workers) through the Narendra Modi (NaMo) app.

The prime minister stressed on the fact that the country was moving from women's development to women-led development and gave examples to prove his point.

Here are the highlights from his speech:

Our country is moving from women's development to women-led development and this is what our party strongly believes in 
 
Able women have been given important portfolios in our Cabinet 
 
For us whether it is organisation or government or framing of programmes it is women first 
 
We have increased maternity leave to six months 
 
BJP working for women's rights 
 
Started Ujjwala Yojana for women 
 
BJP gives women equal opportunity 
 
We have to win state election. We will win, we will have to win assembly constituency, but as always I urge karyakartas and for me the most important thing is winning polling booths 
 
Where is victory, it is in polling booths, rest is all its effects. We have to win polling boothsWhen we have to win polling booths we will have to bring out Karnataka Congress government's false promises and misdeeds. We will have to appeal every one to join in India's journey towards progress. In doing this our Mahila Morcha karyakartas are most influential as they do it by building trust 
 
Must end violence against women 
 
Beti Bachao, Jan Dhan empower women 
 
Women leading India's vikas&nbsp;(development) 
 
Excited to know that there was a dedicated women team that worked behind ISRO's Mars Mission 'Mangalyan 
 
Congress only wants to spread lies

PM Modi has held discussions with party workers through the NaMo app several times.

On May 2, the Prime Minister directly interacted with members of BJP's Kisan Morcha through the medium of Namo App. Prior to that on April 26, he directly interacted with Karnataka's BJP candidate, office bearers and party's elected public representatives.

He also held an interaction with the BJP MPs, MLAs and public representatives on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, on April 22.

Karnataka goes to polls on May 12. 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed the Karnataka BJP's Mahila Morcha workers through the Narendra Modi (NaMo) app

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed the Karnataka BJP's Mahila Morcha Karyakartas (workers) through the Narendra Modi (NaMo) app. The prime minister stressed on the fact that the country was moving from women's development to women-led development and gave examples to prove his point. Here are the highlights from his speech: Our country is moving from women's development to women-led development and this is what our party strongly believes in Able women have been given important portfolios in our Cabinet For us whether it is organisation or government or framing of programmes it is women first We have increased maternity leave to six months BJP working for women's rights Started Ujjwala Yojana for women BJP gives women equal opportunity We have to win state election. We will win, we will have to win assembly constituency, but as always I urge karyakartas and for me the most important thing is winning polling booths Where is victory, it is in polling booths, rest is all its effects. We have to win polling boothsWhen we have to win polling booths we will have to bring out Karnataka Congress government's false promises and misdeeds. We will have to appeal every one to join in India's journey towards progress. In doing this our Mahila Morcha karyakartas are most influential as they do it by building trust Must end violence against women Beti Bachao, Jan Dhan empower women Women leading India's vikas (development) Excited to know that there was a dedicated women team that worked behind ISRO's Mars Mission 'Mangalyan Congress only wants to spread lies PM Modi has held discussions with party workers through the NaMo app several times. On May 2, the Prime Minister directly interacted with members of BJP's Kisan Morcha through the medium of Namo App. Prior to that on April 26, he directly interacted with Karnataka's BJP candidate, office bearers and party's elected public representatives. He also held an interaction with the BJP MPs, MLAs and public representatives on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, on April 22. Karnataka goes to polls on May 12.

BJP gives women equal opportunity: Highlights from PM Modi's address to Karnataka BJP's women workers

Afghanistan on Friday said it welcomed joint development ventures by India and China in the country which were announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week.

Shaida Abdali, the Afghan envoy to India, also said the Chabahar port in Iran "is open for everyone".&nbsp

In March, Iran had invited Pakistan to participate in the Chabahar project.&nbsp

India has played a crucial role in building of the port which is being used by India to transport goods to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. It has also been envisaged as an alternate route to reach the Central Asian market.&nbsp

"We fully welcome and support the joint ventures in Afghanistan by India and China to ensure that we have regional support for stability, peace and development. We look forward to it," Abdali said.

This, he said, would lead all neighbours of Afghanistan to support regional economic projects in the war-torn country.

In an informal summit between Modi and Xi held at Wuhan last week, the two countries agreed to work jointly on an economic project in Afghanistan, a development that can be expected to discomfit Pakistan that has worked strenuously to exclude India from a region it considers its strategic backyard.&nbsp

"Unfortunatley, Afghanistan is affected by issues that are in the region between neighbours. We really want tensions to be finished. We hope all, including Pakistan, will support such initiatives because the resolve of this initiative would be peace and stability," he said.

Abdali was responding to a question at an event organised by the Foreign Correspondent's Club.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif had invited Pakistan to participate in Chabahar seaport project and development of its link with Gwadar Port.

When asked about Iran's move, Abdali said, "That is what we look at regional initiatives. That means Chabahar port is open for everyone but with sincerity to come and invest in Chabahar and look at it as a regional hub and not as a threat to anything else."&nbsp

He noted that the Chabahar project had helped Afghanistan diversify its trade links with India.&nbsp

India and Afghanistan started an air-corridor last year that gave better Kabul a better access to Indian markets.&nbsp

Abdali said the air corridor was doing very well and after Mumbai and Delhi, there were plans to have direct air-connectivity to Amritsar and Hyderabad.

The trade volume between India and Afghanistan is nearly USD 2 billion.

The major thrust of the event was a terror strike in Kabul that killed 11 journalists.&nbsp

Abdali described it as the "bloodiest year for journalists" and the message behind the attack was to "shut down voice of justice, equality".

The Ministry of External Affairs also sent its representative to the event, as a mark of solidarity.

Shaida Abdali, the Afghan envoy to India, also said the Chabahar port in Iran 'is open for everyone'

Afghanistan on Friday said it welcomed joint development ventures by India and China in the country which were announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week. Shaida Abdali, the Afghan envoy to India, also said the Chabahar port in Iran "is open for everyone". In March, Iran had invited Pakistan to participate in the Chabahar project. India has played a crucial role in building of the port which is being used by India to transport goods to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. It has also been envisaged as an alternate route to reach the Central Asian market. "We fully welcome and support the joint ventures in Afghanistan by India and China to ensure that we have regional support for stability, peace and development. We look forward to it," Abdali said. This, he said, would lead all neighbours of Afghanistan to support regional economic projects in the war-torn country. In an informal summit between Modi and Xi held at Wuhan last week, the two countries agreed to work jointly on an economic project in Afghanistan, a development that can be expected to discomfit Pakistan that has worked strenuously to exclude India from a region it considers its strategic backyard. "Unfortunatley, Afghanistan is affected by issues that are in the region between neighbours. We really want tensions to be finished. We hope all, including Pakistan, will support such initiatives because the resolve of this initiative would be peace and stability," he said. Abdali was responding to a question at an event organised by the Foreign Correspondent's Club. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif had invited Pakistan to participate in Chabahar seaport project and development of its link with Gwadar Port. When asked about Iran's move, Abdali said, "That is what we look at regional initiatives. That means Chabahar port is open for everyone but with sincerity to come and invest in Chabahar and look at it as a regional hub and not as a threat to anything else." He noted that the Chabahar project had helped Afghanistan diversify its trade links with India. India and Afghanistan started an air-corridor last year that gave better Kabul a better access to Indian markets. Abdali said the air corridor was doing very well and after Mumbai and Delhi, there were plans to have direct air-connectivity to Amritsar and Hyderabad. The trade volume between India and Afghanistan is nearly USD 2 billion. The major thrust of the event was a terror strike in Kabul that killed 11 journalists. Abdali described it as the "bloodiest year for journalists" and the message behind the attack was to "shut down voice of justice, equality". The Ministry of External Affairs also sent its representative to the event, as a mark of solidarity.

Afghanistan welcomes joint development ventures by India, China

Dubbing as 'tokenism' Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interaction with BJP women workers on women power today, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked him to learn from Karnataka on the subject and to "cut bhashan (speech) and promote action."

The Chief Minister, in a series of tweets, listed out various initiatives of his government for women.

"Tokenism Modi ji. Real empowerment comes from real policies. Yesterday you ridiculed a candlelight march to protest against defenders of child rapists in Kathua & today you pretend to care for Mahila Shakti," he said in a tweet in response to Modi's comments about important portfolios to women in his cabinet.

Reaching out to women ahead of the May 12 assembly polls through his address to Karnataka BJP Mahila Morcha workers via 'Narendra Modi App', earlier in the day said capable women had been given important portfolios in his cabinet.

He also pointed at two group photos of foreign ministers and Defence Ministers at SCO summit held in China, where Sushma Swaraj and Nirmala Sitharaman representing India, were the only women.

Siddaramaiah, who asked Modi to learn from Karnataka how it is done, in another tweet, said his government has made education free for girls from class 1 to Post Graduation.

"Bengaluru, the city you ridiculed yesterday, leads the nation with 25 per cent women's participation in the workforce. In Delhi, the city you live in, the rate is 10 per cent. We must be doing something right," he said.

In a full-scale attack on the Siddaramaiah government city-related issues, Modi had yesterday said that within five years it had turned Bengaluru, which was known as the country's 'Silicon Valley', into "a valley of sin", and the 'garden city' to "garbage city".

Claiming that his government's 'Matrupoorna' programme gives mid-day meal to 10 lakh pregnant and lactating mothers so that motherhood is safe and the child is healthy,the Chief Minister said the government amended the law to make child marriage void ab initio it also gives free bus passes to all students, half of whom are girls.

Siddaramaiah said the government was giving loans to women entrepreneurs at four per cent interest, set up industrial parks exclusively for women and also received an international award for being the best state for women entrepreneurs.

"We give a revolving fund of Rs 25,000 per group to women SHG (self-help group)," he said.

Also pointing to economic empowerment programs for sex workers, HIV+ women, transgenders and introduction ofPink Hoysala Vehicles for emergency response in Bengaluru city, Siddaramaiah said "There are many more. Dear@narendramodi ji let us cut Bhashan & promote Action."&nbsp

The Chief Minister, in a series of tweets, listed out various initiatives of his government for women.

Dubbing as 'tokenism' Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interaction with BJP women workers on women power today, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked him to learn from Karnataka on the subject and to "cut bhashan (speech) and promote action." The Chief Minister, in a series of tweets, listed out various initiatives of his government for women. "Tokenism Modi ji. Real empowerment comes from real policies. Yesterday you ridiculed a candlelight march to protest against defenders of child rapists in Kathua & today you pretend to care for Mahila Shakti," he said in a tweet in response to Modi's comments about important portfolios to women in his cabinet. Reaching out to women ahead of the May 12 assembly polls through his address to Karnataka BJP Mahila Morcha workers via 'Narendra Modi App', earlier in the day said capable women had been given important portfolios in his cabinet. He also pointed at two group photos of foreign ministers and Defence Ministers at SCO summit held in China, where Sushma Swaraj and Nirmala Sitharaman representing India, were the only women. Siddaramaiah, who asked Modi to learn from Karnataka how it is done, in another tweet, said his government has made education free for girls from class 1 to Post Graduation. "Bengaluru, the city you ridiculed yesterday, leads the nation with 25 per cent women's participation in the workforce. In Delhi, the city you live in, the rate is 10 per cent. We must be doing something right," he said. In a full-scale attack on the Siddaramaiah government city-related issues, Modi had yesterday said that within five years it had turned Bengaluru, which was known as the country's 'Silicon Valley', into "a valley of sin", and the 'garden city' to "garbage city". Claiming that his government's 'Matrupoorna' programme gives mid-day meal to 10 lakh pregnant and lactating mothers so that motherhood is safe and the child is healthy,the Chief Minister said the government amended the law to make child marriage void ab initio it also gives free bus passes to all students, half of whom are girls. Siddaramaiah said the government was giving loans to women entrepreneurs at four per cent interest, set up industrial parks exclusively for women and also received an international award for being the best state for women entrepreneurs. "We give a revolving fund of Rs 25,000 per group to women SHG (self-help group)," he said. Also pointing to economic empowerment programs for sex workers, HIV+ women, transgenders and introduction ofPink Hoysala Vehicles for emergency response in Bengaluru city, Siddaramaiah said "There are many more. Dear@narendramodi ji let us cut Bhashan & promote Action."

Cut speech and promote action; Siddaramaiah to Modi on Women's issues

Hitting out at the BJP`s Karnataka manifesto, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that it had nothing unique to offer voters.

"New Book Review! The BJP Karnataka Manifesto, inspired by Narendra Modi, is a poorly crafted fantasy built around a weak plot, that has nothing unique to offer voters.

"If you`ve read the Congress Manifesto, don`t waste your time on this one," he tweeted.

With an eye on returning to power in Karnataka, the BJP on Friday released its manifesto for the Assembly elections, promising free smartphones to poor women, free laptops to students entering college and visits to China and Israel by farmers.

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New Book Review! 
 
The BJP Karnataka Manifesto, inspired by Narendra Modi, is a poorly crafted fantasy built around a weak plot, that has nothing unique to offer voters. If you've read the Congress Manifesto, don't waste your time on this one. 
 
Rating: 1/5 ⭐ 
Recommendation:Avoid
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/992354462017703936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

"If you`ve read the Congress Manifesto, don`t waste your time on this one," he tweeted.

Hitting out at the BJP`s Karnataka manifesto, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that it had nothing unique to offer voters. "New Book Review! The BJP Karnataka Manifesto, inspired by Narendra Modi, is a poorly crafted fantasy built around a weak plot, that has nothing unique to offer voters. "If you`ve read the Congress Manifesto, don`t waste your time on this one," he tweeted. With an eye on returning to power in Karnataka, the BJP on Friday released its manifesto for the Assembly elections, promising free smartphones to poor women, free laptops to students entering college and visits to China and Israel by farmers. New Book Review! The BJP Karnataka Manifesto, inspired by Narendra Modi, is a poorly crafted fantasy built around a weak plot, that has nothing unique to offer voters. If you've read the Congress Manifesto, don't waste your time on this one. Rating: 1/5 ⭐ Recommendation:Avoid — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 4, 2018 ×

BJP's manifesto is poorly crafted fantasy: Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that the language that the Prime Minister use against him does not befit the office he holds.

''The language you use against me does not befit the office you hold,'' news agency PTI reported quoting Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/can-rahul-gandhi-speak-for-15-minutes-pm-modi-at-karnataka-rally-133953">'Can Rahul Gandhi speak for 15 minutes?' Modi asks at Karnataka rally</a>

Addressing his first rally since February to build BJP momentum for the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections, Modi challenged Rahul to speak for 15 minutes in any language including his “mother’s mother tongue”.

Referring to Congress president Rahul Gandhi as “naamdaar” (dynast) and himself a “kaamdaar” (worker) Prime Minister Narendra Modi also accused the Congress of being anti-worker and pro-dynasty in its policies.&nbsp;

Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/now-siddaramaiah-challenges-modi-to-speak-for-15-minutes-on-bsys-achievements--with-the-aid-of-notes-134268?first_load=no">&nbsp;Now, Siddaramaiah challenges Modi to speak for 15 minutes on BSY's 'achievements' — with the aid of notes</a>

Modi's challenge to Rahul Gandhi to speak for 15 minutes in any language including his “mother’s mother tongue, drew widespread criticism from several political leaders who also expressed a similar&nbsp;opinion.&nbsp;

Watch video below:&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: While addressing a rally in Bidar, Rahul Gandhi says, 'No matter what he (PM Modi) says about me, I will never make a personal attack on him as he is the PM of the country, but I can ask him questions.' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ke8gr1Zedj">pic.twitter.com/Ke8gr1Zedj</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/991960561775726593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Addressing his first rally since February to build BJP momentum for the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections, Modi challenged Rahul to speak for 15 minutes in any language including his “mother’s mother tongue”.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that the language that the Prime Minister use against him does not befit the office he holds. ''The language you use against me does not befit the office you hold,'' news agency PTI reported quoting Rahul Gandhi. Also read: 'Can Rahul Gandhi speak for 15 minutes?' Modi asks at Karnataka rally Addressing his first rally since February to build BJP momentum for the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections, Modi challenged Rahul to speak for 15 minutes in any language including his “mother’s mother tongue”. Referring to Congress president Rahul Gandhi as “naamdaar” (dynast) and himself a “kaamdaar” (worker) Prime Minister Narendra Modi also accused the Congress of being anti-worker and pro-dynasty in its policies. Also read: Now, Siddaramaiah challenges Modi to speak for 15 minutes on BSY's 'achievements' — with the aid of notes Modi's challenge to Rahul Gandhi to speak for 15 minutes in any language including his “mother’s mother tongue, drew widespread criticism from several political leaders who also expressed a similar opinion. Watch video below: #WATCH: While addressing a rally in Bidar, Rahul Gandhi says, 'No matter what he (PM Modi) says about me, I will never make a personal attack on him as he is the PM of the country, but I can ask him questions.' #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/Ke8gr1Zedj — ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2018 ×

Watch: Language you use against me does not befit office you hold, Rahul Gandhi tells Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is undertaking his third round of campaigning in poll-bound Karnataka on Thursday.

The BJP has also lined up a galaxy of leaders, including Union home minister Rajnath Singh, to address public meetings in the next few days, BJP sources said.&nbsp;

On the second day of Karnataka poll campaign, PM Modi is on visit of Ballari and Bengaluru. India's prime minister stepped into the poll campaign on May 1 in a heated last leg burst addressing rallies in Mysuru, Udupi and Belagavi.&nbsp;PM Modi had addressed the farmers in Karnataka through the Namo App on Wednesday which was live-streamed across the poll-bound state.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-siddaramaiahs-pride-of-kannadigas-plank-a-master-ploy-or-flawed-parochial-approach-134369">Opinion — Siddaramaiah's 'pride of Kannadigas' plank a master ploy or 'flawed' parochial approach?</a>

PM Modi's&nbsp;speech at Ballari:&nbsp;

16:09 PM: PM Modi attacks Congress over illegal mining in Karnataka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Look at the rising illegal mining in the state. The Congress government here couldn't even frame a strong mining policy. Karnataka has a 'Sidda-Rupaiah Sarkar'. It has created a debt-burden for the state."

16:06 PM:&nbsp;Congress government in Karnataka is in 'sleep mode.' They did not spend the funds Centre allocated for development of the state, said PM.

16:00 PM: We wanted OBC Commission to get constitutional status but the Congress did not let it happen, the Prime Minister added.

16:00 PM: Congress indulges in vote-bank politics. They divide people on the grounds of caste. They are insensitive towards the tribal communities and the OBCs said PM.

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When we had got the opportunity to serve people of Karnataka earlier, so many development initiatives were undertaken. But sadly, Congress couldn't even ensure proper water supply despite the state being rich in water resources: PM Narendra Modi in Ballari <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/CzFlF6nfc8">pic.twitter.com/CzFlF6nfc8</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/991979519560114176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Look at the rising illegal mining in state. Congress govt here couldn't even frame a strong mining policy. Karnataka has a 'Sidda-Rupaiah Sarkar'. It has created a debt-burden for the state: PM Modi in Ballari <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/bGi0paXYrx">pic.twitter.com/bGi0paXYrx</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/991977884419018753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Congress has ruined the rich history & legacy of Ballari. By defaming Ballari, they have disrespected the people of this district. Your enthusiasm & zeal shows that the Congress is going to lose Karnataka: PM Narendra Modi in Ballari <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/crhyK3KvlY">pic.twitter.com/crhyK3KvlY</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/991976738233159681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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15:16 PM:&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had promised Rs 3,000 crore packages for development of Ballari when she fought from here but once the Congress came to power, she forgot about it.&nbsp;

15:10&nbsp;PM: Congress has ruined the rich history and legacy of Ballari. By defaming Ballari, they have disrespected the people of this district, he said.

15:06 PM: "Looking at the number of people who have arrived at this rally in Ballari I can already see that Congress is going to lose its last bastion soon,"&nbsp;Modi said.

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Prime minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi are in Karnataka on Thursday as a part of their election campaigns in the state ahead of the May 12 assembly election.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is undertaking his third round of campaigning in poll-bound Karnataka on Thursday. The BJP has also lined up a galaxy of leaders, including Union home minister Rajnath Singh, to address public meetings in the next few days, BJP sources said. On the second day of Karnataka poll campaign, PM Modi is on visit of Ballari and Bengaluru. India's prime minister stepped into the poll campaign on May 1 in a heated last leg burst addressing rallies in Mysuru, Udupi and Belagavi. PM Modi had addressed the farmers in Karnataka through the Namo App on Wednesday which was live-streamed across the poll-bound state. Also read: Opinion — Siddaramaiah's 'pride of Kannadigas' plank a master ploy or 'flawed' parochial approach? PM Modi's speech at Ballari: 16:09 PM: PM Modi attacks Congress over illegal mining in Karnataka Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Look at the rising illegal mining in the state. The Congress government here couldn't even frame a strong mining policy. Karnataka has a 'Sidda-Rupaiah Sarkar'. It has created a debt-burden for the state." 16:06 PM: Congress government in Karnataka is in 'sleep mode.' They did not spend the funds Centre allocated for development of the state, said PM. 16:00 PM: We wanted OBC Commission to get constitutional status but the Congress did not let it happen, the Prime Minister added. 16:00 PM: Congress indulges in vote-bank politics. They divide people on the grounds of caste. They are insensitive towards the tribal communities and the OBCs said PM. When we had got the opportunity to serve people of Karnataka earlier, so many development initiatives were undertaken. But sadly, Congress couldn't even ensure proper water supply despite the state being rich in water resources: PM Narendra Modi in Ballari #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/CzFlF6nfc8 — ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2018 × Look at the rising illegal mining in state. Congress govt here couldn't even frame a strong mining policy. Karnataka has a 'Sidda-Rupaiah Sarkar'. It has created a debt-burden for the state: PM Modi in Ballari #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/bGi0paXYrx — ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2018 × Congress has ruined the rich history & legacy of Ballari. By defaming Ballari, they have disrespected the people of this district. Your enthusiasm & zeal shows that the Congress is going to lose Karnataka: PM Narendra Modi in Ballari #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/crhyK3KvlY — ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2018 × 15:16 PM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had promised Rs 3,000 crore packages for development of Ballari when she fought from here but once the Congress came to power, she forgot about it. 15:10 PM: Congress has ruined the rich history and legacy of Ballari. By defaming Ballari, they have disrespected the people of this district, he said. 15:06 PM: "Looking at the number of people who have arrived at this rally in Ballari I can already see that Congress is going to lose its last bastion soon," Modi said.

Karnataka elections 2018: 'Sidda-rupaiya' government expert at corruption, says Modi

The WHO on Wednesday lauded the BJP-led NDA government’s Ujjwala Yojana to provide free LPG connections to rural households as an effort to reduce household pollution by helping families switch to cleaner energy sources.&nbsp;

PM’s initiative to provide a shield to women and children from smoke has been much admired in the new WHO pollution report.

Importantly, the South-East Asia region of the WHO, which comprises 11 countries, including India is the second largest contributor to the global mortality due to household and ambient air pollution.

About Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)&nbsp;

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) or the Ujjwala Scheme was launched by PM Modi on May 1, 2016, in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh. The scheme aims to protect women and children from the smoke emitted from households using firewood for cooking purposes. Under the scheme, families below the poverty line are to be provided with LPG connections with a support of Rs. 1,600 per connection in the next three years.

Ensuring women’s empowerment, especially in rural India, the connections will be issued in the name of women of the households. Rs 8000 crore has been allocated towards the implementation of the scheme. Identification of the BPL families will be done through Socio-Economic Caste Census Data.&nbsp;

PM’s initiative to provide a shield to women and children from smoke has been much admired in the new WHO pollution report.

The WHO on Wednesday lauded the BJP-led NDA government’s Ujjwala Yojana to provide free LPG connections to rural households as an effort to reduce household pollution by helping families switch to cleaner energy sources. PM’s initiative to provide a shield to women and children from smoke has been much admired in the new WHO pollution report. Importantly, the South-East Asia region of the WHO, which comprises 11 countries, including India is the second largest contributor to the global mortality due to household and ambient air pollution. About Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) or the Ujjwala Scheme was launched by PM Modi on May 1, 2016, in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh. The scheme aims to protect women and children from the smoke emitted from households using firewood for cooking purposes. Under the scheme, families below the poverty line are to be provided with LPG connections with a support of Rs. 1,600 per connection in the next three years. Ensuring women’s empowerment, especially in rural India, the connections will be issued in the name of women of the households. Rs 8000 crore has been allocated towards the implementation of the scheme. Identification of the BPL families will be done through Socio-Economic Caste Census Data.

WHO praises India's Ujjwala Yojana: All about the PM's initiative

First thing first. Rahul Gandhi is not a true politician. He simply is a mascot of the Congress party and all his actions and words are directed and scripted by his advisers and the party's few prominent veterans.

Notwithstanding above, whatever he says, reflects the stand of the party at the end of the day. Rahul's team decides his punch lines and issues, which he needs to raise and then he starts harping on them, rather mindlessly.

The latest of his persistent attack is that democracy is in serious danger under Modi and that Modi is subverting all democratic institution. Then he goes on and blames Modi and BJP for not letting Parliament function, which is such a barefaced propaganda as it is Congress who has been blocking Parliament right since 2014 when Modi assumed power.

Now coming back to Rahul's claim that democracy is being subverted by Modi. His audacity needs to be saluted. It is hilarious to say the least.

Rahul needs to peep into history and see how his father and grandmother handled the democratic values in this country in past.

Jawaharlal Nehru deserves an unequivocal credit for upholding the democracy in India and in the Congress. After the death of Patel in 1950, Nehru was the undisputed leader but he never took advantage of the situation. If democracy has been deep-rooted in India, then Nehru as the first premier (for good 17 years) is one of the biggest reasons.

But once Indira took over in 1966, situation veered in a different direction. Indira first subverted - rather curbed - internal democracy within Congress and converted party into a sort of family venture. She shunted all old Congress stalwarts ruthlessly.

If you believe that the moment when Indira imposed Emergency in 1975 was the only moment Congress tried to supress democracy in India, you are mistaken.

The decade of the 80s (1980-89) was the last time when the family member of Gandhi/Nehru family ruled the country. Indira from 1980 till 1984 (till her assassination) and Rajiv from 1984 till 1989, when VP Singh-led Janta Dal dethroned Congress.

During this period, Indira and Rajiv became undisputed power centres and democratic values took a complete back seat. Congress-led central government misused Article 356 of the Constitution in a brazen manner to topple non-Congress state governments, through Governors of states. All the Governors were basically picked by Indira/Rajiv on the sole criteria of their loyalty towards the family.

In 1984, Governor of Andhra Pradesh Thakur Ram Lal (a mediocre Congressman from Himachal but a big-time Indira loyalist) removed N T Rama Rao when the latter was in the US for a surgery. Thakur Ram Lal appointed a former Congressman Bhaskara Rao as chief minister. NTR hit hard after he came back from the US. After a month-long drama, Indira realised that this plan to thwart NTR would not work. She made Ram Lal a scapegoat and sacked him NTR forced his way to the power.

In April 1989, S R Bommai-led government in Karnataka was dismissed and President's Rule was imposed on frivolous and unjustified reasons. The matter went to court and the court decreed restrictions on the Centre's power to dismiss a state government under Article 356.

Not only Governor's office but the office of chief minister was also grossly undermined, particularly by Rajiv Gandhi. During 1984-89, Rajiv was appointing and replacing CMs in Congress-ruled states solely on his whims. His picks were not based on how strong connect the incumbent had with the ground and the state politics and again the sole criterion was his loyalty to Rajiv Gandhi. In Bihar alone, Congress had four chief ministers in five years during 1985-1990. Congress paid a heavy price of this immaturity of Rajiv Gandhi as the party lost people's connect in two largest states of UP and Bihar and never came to power after 1990 and today Congress is at the brink of extinction in these two states.

Coming to the institutions now. During 1984-89, state-run broadcaster Doordarshan (DD) virtually became a Congress-owned channel. During those days, DD used to air a 20 minutes news capsule and 10-15 minutes were covered for a recap of what Rajiv did during the day. As an ultimate epitome of politics of appeasement, Rajiv Gandhi enacted a law in Parliament after Supreme Court's ruling in regard to famous Shah Bano case. The law diluted or rather nullified ruling of India's highest court.

Rahul Gandhi needs to realise that there is no point making such statements. Given the past Congress has, Rahul can never create a narrative by raising this issue. In case BJP hits back with Congress's misadventures with democracy in the past (which PM does often, particularly in Parliament), Rahul will have no answer. Rahul Gandhi needs to ponder over what his father and grandmother did to the democracy in this country before he points the finger at others.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Rahul needs to peep into history and see how his father and grandmother handled the democratic values in this country in past.

First thing first. Rahul Gandhi is not a true politician. He simply is a mascot of the Congress party and all his actions and words are directed and scripted by his advisers and the party's few prominent veterans. Notwithstanding above, whatever he says, reflects the stand of the party at the end of the day. Rahul's team decides his punch lines and issues, which he needs to raise and then he starts harping on them, rather mindlessly. The latest of his persistent attack is that democracy is in serious danger under Modi and that Modi is subverting all democratic institution. Then he goes on and blames Modi and BJP for not letting Parliament function, which is such a barefaced propaganda as it is Congress who has been blocking Parliament right since 2014 when Modi assumed power. Now coming back to Rahul's claim that democracy is being subverted by Modi. His audacity needs to be saluted. It is hilarious to say the least. Rahul needs to peep into history and see how his father and grandmother handled the democratic values in this country in past. Jawaharlal Nehru deserves an unequivocal credit for upholding the democracy in India and in the Congress. After the death of Patel in 1950, Nehru was the undisputed leader but he never took advantage of the situation. If democracy has been deep-rooted in India, then Nehru as the first premier (for good 17 years) is one of the biggest reasons. But once Indira took over in 1966, situation veered in a different direction. Indira first subverted - rather curbed - internal democracy within Congress and converted party into a sort of family venture. She shunted all old Congress stalwarts ruthlessly. If you believe that the moment when Indira imposed Emergency in 1975 was the only moment Congress tried to supress democracy in India, you are mistaken. The decade of the 80s (1980-89) was the last time when the family member of Gandhi/Nehru family ruled the country. Indira from 1980 till 1984 (till her assassination) and Rajiv from 1984 till 1989, when VP Singh-led Janta Dal dethroned Congress. During this period, Indira and Rajiv became undisputed power centres and democratic values took a complete back seat. Congress-led central government misused Article 356 of the Constitution in a brazen manner to topple non-Congress state governments, through Governors of states. All the Governors were basically picked by Indira/Rajiv on the sole criteria of their loyalty towards the family. In 1984, Governor of Andhra Pradesh Thakur Ram Lal (a mediocre Congressman from Himachal but a big-time Indira loyalist) removed N T Rama Rao when the latter was in the US for a surgery. Thakur Ram Lal appointed a former Congressman Bhaskara Rao as chief minister. NTR hit hard after he came back from the US. After a month-long drama, Indira realised that this plan to thwart NTR would not work. She made Ram Lal a scapegoat and sacked him NTR forced his way to the power. In April 1989, S R Bommai-led government in Karnataka was dismissed and President's Rule was imposed on frivolous and unjustified reasons. The matter went to court and the court decreed restrictions on the Centre's power to dismiss a state government under Article 356. Not only Governor's office but the office of chief minister was also grossly undermined, particularly by Rajiv Gandhi. During 1984-89, Rajiv was appointing and replacing CMs in Congress-ruled states solely on his whims. His picks were not based on how strong connect the incumbent had with the ground and the state politics and again the sole criterion was his loyalty to Rajiv Gandhi. In Bihar alone, Congress had four chief ministers in five years during 1985-1990. Congress paid a heavy price of this immaturity of Rajiv Gandhi as the party lost people's connect in two largest states of UP and Bihar and never came to power after 1990 and today Congress is at the brink of extinction in these two states. Coming to the institutions now. During 1984-89, state-run broadcaster Doordarshan (DD) virtually became a Congress-owned channel. During those days, DD used to air a 20 minutes news capsule and 10-15 minutes were covered for a recap of what Rajiv did during the day. As an ultimate epitome of politics of appeasement, Rajiv Gandhi enacted a law in Parliament after Supreme Court's ruling in regard to famous Shah Bano case. The law diluted or rather nullified ruling of India's highest court. Rahul Gandhi needs to realise that there is no point making such statements. Given the past Congress has, Rahul can never create a narrative by raising this issue. In case BJP hits back with Congress's misadventures with democracy in the past (which PM does often, particularly in Parliament), Rahul will have no answer. Rahul Gandhi needs to ponder over what his father and grandmother did to the democracy in this country before he points the finger at others. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: What Rahul Gandhi needs to realise before pointing fingers at BJP

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/govt-talks-of-ease-of-doing-business-congress-believes-in-ease-of-doing-murder-modi-in-karnataka-134040">Govt talks of 'ease of doing business', Congress believes in 'ease of doing murder': Modi in Karnataka's Udupi</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing his second rally of the day in Karnataka, once again went on the offensive against the Congress.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pakistan-revive-track-ii-diplomacy-delegation-visits-islamabad-for-talks-134019">India-Pakistan revive Track-II diplomacy, delegation visits Islamabad for talks</a>

India has restarted its Track-II diplomacy — the Neemrana Dialogue — with Pakistan. News reports said Tuesday than an Indian delegation visited Pakistan from April 28 to 30.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/watch-syrian-man-stuck-at-malaysia-airport-for-54-days--134025">Video: Syrian man stuck at Kuala Lumpur airport for 54 days, dubs plight 'The Terminal Part 2'</a>

A Syrian man has been stranded inside Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia for over a month and has nowhere to go.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pok-activists-demand-abolition-of-1949-karachi-agreement-134012">Activists demand </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pok-activists-demand-abolition-of-1949-karachi-agreement-134012">abolition</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pok-activists-demand-abolition-of-1949-karachi-agreement-134012"> of 1949 Karachi Agreement which gives Pakistan control over PoK</a>

Political activists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) carried out a protest rally in Rawalpindi city against the Karachi Agreement.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-netanyahu-an-infamous-liar-comments-aimed-to-influence-trump---134057">Iran: Netanyahu an 'infamous liar,' comments aimed to influence Trump</a>

Iran on Tuesday called Israel Prime Minister an "infamous liar" after his comments over Iran having secret nuclear weapons program that could increase pressure on the United States to pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Govt talks of 'ease of doing business', Congress believes in 'ease of doing murder': Modi in Karnataka's Udupi Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing his second rally of the day in Karnataka, once again went on the offensive against the Congress. India-Pakistan revive Track-II diplomacy, delegation visits Islamabad for talks India has restarted its Track-II diplomacy — the Neemrana Dialogue — with Pakistan. News reports said Tuesday than an Indian delegation visited Pakistan from April 28 to 30. Video: Syrian man stuck at Kuala Lumpur airport for 54 days, dubs plight 'The Terminal Part 2' A Syrian man has been stranded inside Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia for over a month and has nowhere to go. Activists demand abolition of 1949 Karachi Agreement which gives Pakistan control over PoK Political activists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) carried out a protest rally in Rawalpindi city against the Karachi Agreement. Iran: Netanyahu an 'infamous liar,' comments aimed to influence Trump Iran on Tuesday called Israel Prime Minister an "infamous liar" after his comments over Iran having secret nuclear weapons program that could increase pressure on the United States to pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing his second rally of the day in Karnataka, once again went on the offensive against the Congress.&nbsp;

"We are talking about enhancing 'ease of doing business' in the country, but Congress believes in 'ease of doing murder'," he said.&nbsp;

"This is the culture they have developed," he added.&nbsp;

"Violence cannot exist in a democracy. It is shameful how BJP karyakartas were murdered in Karnataka. The Congress must answer on increasing crimes," Modi said.&nbsp;

Modi was speaking at Udupi. He had earlier in the day addressed a rally at Mysuru. He will after his address another rally in Chikkodi.

Modi's campaign blitzkrieg will include 12 more rallies in Karnataka until May 8.

The state goes to the polls on May 12, with the results out on May 15.&nbsp;

In Udupi, Modi promised the people of Karnataka&nbsp;"development" in return for their "love".&nbsp;

"Your enthusiasm is proof that you've made up your mind to punish the Congress party," he said.&nbsp;

"Your love is such that language cannot act as a barrier between us. I will not let your hard work go in vain. I will return this love in the form of development," he added.&nbsp;

Siddaramaiah: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/siddaramaiah-janata-parivar-veteran-and-congresss-best-bet-in-karnataka-polls-133957">Janata Parivar veteran and Congress's best bet in Karnataka polls</a>

BS Yeddyurappa: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/b-s-yeddyurappa-karnatakas-lingayat-strongman-bjp-is-pinning-its-hope-on-133936">Karnataka's Lingayat strongman BJP is pinning its hope on</a>

The Congress, Modi said, promotes violence and intolerance. "There can be nothing worse than the&nbsp;attack on the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-lokayukta-justice-vishwanath-shetty-stabbed-attacker-arrested-34982">Lokayukta</a>," he said.&nbsp;

Modi accused Karnataka's Congress government of shielding the sand mafia. "Those who loot cannot be allowed to remain in power. They must go," he said.&nbsp;

Adding that "atkana, latkana and bhatkana&nbsp;has become the habit of the Congress".&nbsp;

"Government opened bank accounts for the poor. Over 31 crores accounts have been opened under Jan Dhan Yojana. If Congress had ensured their bank accounts, the poor would have contributed so much to the economy," Modi said.&nbsp;

Hitting a softer note, he said: "There might be political differences between parties but civility and respect should be maintained. Whenever former PM Deve Gowda Ji visits me in Delhi I always welcome him with respect and always give him time."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Before going on the offensive again and saying, "The way Rahul Gandhi talked about him recently is shameful."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Modi had attacked Rahul in the morning too, in his address in Mysuru.&nbsp;

"Can <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/can-rahul-gandhi-speak-for-15-minutes-pm-modi-at-karnataka-rally-133953">Rahul speak for 15 minutes</a> without the help of a paper?"&nbsp;Modi had asked then. The comment was a riposte to the Congress President challenging Modi to a 15-minute debate.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

'Violence cannot exist in a democracy. It is shameful how BJP karyakartas were murdered in Karnataka. The Congress must answer on increasing crimes,' Modi said

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing his second rally of the day in Karnataka, once again went on the offensive against the Congress. "We are talking about enhancing 'ease of doing business' in the country, but Congress believes in 'ease of doing murder'," he said. "This is the culture they have developed," he added. "Violence cannot exist in a democracy. It is shameful how BJP karyakartas were murdered in Karnataka. The Congress must answer on increasing crimes," Modi said. Modi was speaking at Udupi. He had earlier in the day addressed a rally at Mysuru. He will after his address another rally in Chikkodi. Modi's campaign blitzkrieg will include 12 more rallies in Karnataka until May 8. The state goes to the polls on May 12, with the results out on May 15. In Udupi, Modi promised the people of Karnataka "development" in return for their "love". "Your enthusiasm is proof that you've made up your mind to punish the Congress party," he said. "Your love is such that language cannot act as a barrier between us. I will not let your hard work go in vain. I will return this love in the form of development," he added. Siddaramaiah: Janata Parivar veteran and Congress's best bet in Karnataka polls BS Yeddyurappa: Karnataka's Lingayat strongman BJP is pinning its hope on The Congress, Modi said, promotes violence and intolerance. "There can be nothing worse than the attack on the Lokayukta," he said. Modi accused Karnataka's Congress government of shielding the sand mafia. "Those who loot cannot be allowed to remain in power. They must go," he said. Adding that "atkana, latkana and bhatkana has become the habit of the Congress". "Government opened bank accounts for the poor. Over 31 crores accounts have been opened under Jan Dhan Yojana. If Congress had ensured their bank accounts, the poor would have contributed so much to the economy," Modi said. Hitting a softer note, he said: "There might be political differences between parties but civility and respect should be maintained. Whenever former PM Deve Gowda Ji visits me in Delhi I always welcome him with respect and always give him time." Before going on the offensive again and saying, "The way Rahul Gandhi talked about him recently is shameful." Modi had attacked Rahul in the morning too, in his address in Mysuru. "Can Rahul speak for 15 minutes without the help of a paper?" Modi had asked then. The comment was a riposte to the Congress President challenging Modi to a 15-minute debate.

Govt talks of 'ease of doing business', Congress believes in 'ease of doing murder': Modi in Karnataka's Udupi

Newly-elected Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb's statements are getting stranger by the minute.&nbsp;

He has before this said the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/internet-and-satellite-existed-since-mahabharata-era-claims-tripura-cm-131112">internet and satellite communication existed in the times of the&nbsp;Mahabharata.&nbsp;</a>

Before that he had said <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/aishwarya-rai-represents-indian-women-not-diana-hayden-tripura-cm-biplab-deb-133113">Diana Hayden, </a>who was crowned Miss World in 1997, did not represent Indian&nbsp;women. But that Aishwarya Rai did.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-a-string-of-bizarre-remarks-pm-modi-calls-tripura-cm-to-new-delhi-133665?first_load=no">Deb has been summoned to Delhi tomorrow by Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> because of his many strange utterings. BJP President Amit Shah will also be present.&nbsp;

Deb is expected to get an earful.&nbsp;

But that has not stopped him for a second.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Deb offered up yet another gem.

This time, he used the analogy of a farmer bringing a vegetable to the market.

At 8 am, said Deb, the vegetable is okay. But so many people poke their nails into it, he then added, that by 9 am it is not fit to eat.&nbsp;

Then, hittting a much more strident note, he added that nothing of the sort will be allowed to happen with his government.&nbsp;

And that anyone "fingering" his government should have their nails chopped off.&nbsp;

"Mere sarkaar mein aisa nahin hona chahiye ki koi bhi usme ungli maar de, nakhoon laga de. Jinhone nakhoon lagaya, uska nakhoon kaat lena chahiye," said Deb.&nbsp;

Watch video below:&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb says, "Mere sarkaar mein aisa nahin hona chahiye ki koi bhi usme ungli maar de, nakhoon laga de. Jinhone nakhoon lagaya, uska nakhoon kaat lena chahiye" <a href="https://t.co/bht51upsmX">pic.twitter.com/bht51upsmX</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/991266646873518080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Deb's last blooper had come as recently as Sunday when he said Tripura's youth should <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/biplab-deb-advocates--every-house-should-have-cow-133585">rear cows or open paan shops</a> instead of running after government jobs and wasting their time.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Biplab Deb's comments have been getting stranger by the minute. He has been summoned to Delhi on Wednesday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from whom he is expected to get an earful

Newly-elected Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb's statements are getting stranger by the minute. He has before this said the internet and satellite communication existed in the times of the Mahabharata. Before that he had said Diana Hayden, who was crowned Miss World in 1997, did not represent Indian women. But that Aishwarya Rai did. Deb has been summoned to Delhi tomorrow by Prime Minister Narendra Modi because of his many strange utterings. BJP President Amit Shah will also be present. Deb is expected to get an earful. But that has not stopped him for a second. On Tuesday, Deb offered up yet another gem. This time, he used the analogy of a farmer bringing a vegetable to the market. At 8 am, said Deb, the vegetable is okay. But so many people poke their nails into it, he then added, that by 9 am it is not fit to eat. Then, hittting a much more strident note, he added that nothing of the sort will be allowed to happen with his government. And that anyone "fingering" his government should have their nails chopped off. "Mere sarkaar mein aisa nahin hona chahiye ki koi bhi usme ungli maar de, nakhoon laga de. Jinhone nakhoon lagaya, uska nakhoon kaat lena chahiye," said Deb. Watch video below: #WATCH Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb says, "Mere sarkaar mein aisa nahin hona chahiye ki koi bhi usme ungli maar de, nakhoon laga de. Jinhone nakhoon lagaya, uska nakhoon kaat lena chahiye" pic.twitter.com/bht51upsmX — ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2018 × Deb's last blooper had come as recently as Sunday when he said Tripura's youth should rear cows or open paan shops instead of running after government jobs and wasting their time.

Watch: Tripura CM now says, 'Anyone fingering my govt, his nails should be chopped off'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met and felicitated the medal winners of recently concluded Commonwealth Games. India finished the Games with 66 medals, including 26 gold medals, 20 silver and 20 bronze medals.

Indian contingent met the expectations of the nation and bettered their tally of medals from 2014 Glasgow Games.&nbsp;

On Monday, PM Modi congratulated the medal winners and also complimented those who could not win medals but had performed creditably.

The felicitation ceremony was held at PM's residence and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Rathore was present at the event.

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Delhi: PM Narendra Modi interacted with medal winners of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CommonwealthGames2018</a> at Lok Kalyan Marg. PM said that accomplishments in the sporting arena inspire everyone. <a href="https://t.co/plSGzKqv6Q">pic.twitter.com/plSGzKqv6Q</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/990882201553309696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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While interacting with the players, PM Modi said, "Accomplishments in the sporting arena inspire everyone. Their sporting feats have raised India`s stature. Whenever an Indian sportsperson wins on the global sporting stage, it is the Indian flag that rises."

PM Modi gave the example of Mary Kom, five-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist who clinched her first CWG gold medal in 45-48 kg boxing event.

He mentioned Pullela Gopichand, who is mentoring many badminton players after an immensely successful career as a player.

Modi said that besides talent, training, concentration and hard work, mental toughness was also important for sportspersons. In this context, he mentioned the benefits of yoga.

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Thank u so much for felicitating us sir .. <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> ...<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CommonwealthGames2018</a> ..<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indianbadmintonteam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Indianbadmintonteam</a> ?? <a href="https://t.co/Je4aXrO7CP">pic.twitter.com/Je4aXrO7CP</a>
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) <a href="https://twitter.com/NSaina/status/990893002150170625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met and congratulated the medal winners of recently concluded Commonwealth Games

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met and felicitated the medal winners of recently concluded Commonwealth Games. India finished the Games with 66 medals, including 26 gold medals, 20 silver and 20 bronze medals. Indian contingent met the expectations of the nation and bettered their tally of medals from 2014 Glasgow Games. On Monday, PM Modi congratulated the medal winners and also complimented those who could not win medals but had performed creditably. The felicitation ceremony was held at PM's residence and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Rathore was present at the event. Delhi: PM Narendra Modi interacted with medal winners of #CommonwealthGames2018 at Lok Kalyan Marg. PM said that accomplishments in the sporting arena inspire everyone. pic.twitter.com/plSGzKqv6Q — ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2018 × While interacting with the players, PM Modi said, "Accomplishments in the sporting arena inspire everyone. Their sporting feats have raised India`s stature. Whenever an Indian sportsperson wins on the global sporting stage, it is the Indian flag that rises." PM Modi gave the example of Mary Kom, five-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist who clinched her first CWG gold medal in 45-48 kg boxing event. He mentioned Pullela Gopichand, who is mentoring many badminton players after an immensely successful career as a player. Modi said that besides talent, training, concentration and hard work, mental toughness was also important for sportspersons. In this context, he mentioned the benefits of yoga. Thank u so much for felicitating us sir .. @narendramodi @PMOIndia ...#CommonwealthGames2018 ..#Indianbadmintonteam ?? pic.twitter.com/Je4aXrO7CP — Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) April 30, 2018 ×

PM Modi felicitates CWG medal winners, tells them benefits of yoga

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India made no distinction between religions and had no history of attacking other countries or schools of thought.

Speaking at an event in New Delhi on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, PM Modi said the teachings of the Buddha were based on humanity and the country was proud that the philosophy had originated here.

"India has never had a history or tradition of attacking others' ideology or country. We have also never tried to create a distinction between religions," PM Modi said while speaking at an event organized by the Ministry of Culture.

"In today's world, humanity and compassion had become even more relevant," PM Modi added.

The Prime Minister offered "Sangh Dana" (donation) to Buddhist monks from countries such as Japan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam who were present at the event.

He also presented the "Vaishakh Sammaan Prashasti Patra" to the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, and the All India Bhikshu Sangha, Bodh Gaya.

'India has never had a history or tradition of attacking others' ideology or country. We have also never tried to create a distinction between religions,' Modi added

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India made no distinction between religions and had no history of attacking other countries or schools of thought. Speaking at an event in New Delhi on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, PM Modi said the teachings of the Buddha were based on humanity and the country was proud that the philosophy had originated here. "India has never had a history or tradition of attacking others' ideology or country. We have also never tried to create a distinction between religions," PM Modi said while speaking at an event organized by the Ministry of Culture. "In today's world, humanity and compassion had become even more relevant," PM Modi added. The Prime Minister offered "Sangh Dana" (donation) to Buddhist monks from countries such as Japan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam who were present at the event. He also presented the "Vaishakh Sammaan Prashasti Patra" to the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, and the All India Bhikshu Sangha, Bodh Gaya.

'India makes no distinctions between religions,' says PM Modi

Ties between Nepal and India will be further strengthened when Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertakes a two-day visit in the second week of May, Nepal's Ambassador to India said.

"We are very happy and looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Modi. Agendas of the meet are being prepared and will be out soon. Nepal and India are working in close cooperation to make this visit successful. This visit will create better understanding and help strengthen the relations between the two countries," Ambassador Bharat Kumar Regmi told ANI.

PM Modi will visit Janakpur, near Kathmandu, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. This is going to be his third visit to Nepal in the last four years.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi is slated to inaugurate a hydroelectricity project in Nepal. The 900 MW run-of-the-river project that is scheduled to become operational by 2020.

On Sunday, an explosion took place at the office of the Arun III project in Nepal, which has been developed by India. The blast damaged a wall of the building.

"The office was targeted by unidentified assailants earlier on Sunday, "Shiva Raj Joshi, Chief District Officer of the Sankhuwasabha said.

"It was a minor blast and the government of Nepal is investigating, but I don't think it will have any impact on the overall security of the project. The government of Nepal is fully serious and committed to the security of the project," Ambassador Regmi said.

This was the second blast within a month that targeted Indian properties in Nepal.

On April 17, a pressure cooker bomb exploded, damaging the walls of the premises, near the Indian Embassy field office in Biratnagar. The police have launched a probe in both the incidents.

Talking about the blasts Regmi said both of the blasts were minor and an investigation is on.

PM Modi will visit Janakpur, near Kathmandu, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. This is going to be his third visit to Nepal in the last four years

Ties between Nepal and India will be further strengthened when Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertakes a two-day visit in the second week of May, Nepal's Ambassador to India said. "We are very happy and looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Modi. Agendas of the meet are being prepared and will be out soon. Nepal and India are working in close cooperation to make this visit successful. This visit will create better understanding and help strengthen the relations between the two countries," Ambassador Bharat Kumar Regmi told ANI. PM Modi will visit Janakpur, near Kathmandu, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. This is going to be his third visit to Nepal in the last four years. During his visit, Prime Minister Modi is slated to inaugurate a hydroelectricity project in Nepal. The 900 MW run-of-the-river project that is scheduled to become operational by 2020. On Sunday, an explosion took place at the office of the Arun III project in Nepal, which has been developed by India. The blast damaged a wall of the building. "The office was targeted by unidentified assailants earlier on Sunday, "Shiva Raj Joshi, Chief District Officer of the Sankhuwasabha said. "It was a minor blast and the government of Nepal is investigating, but I don't think it will have any impact on the overall security of the project. The government of Nepal is fully serious and committed to the security of the project," Ambassador Regmi said. This was the second blast within a month that targeted Indian properties in Nepal. On April 17, a pressure cooker bomb exploded, damaging the walls of the premises, near the Indian Embassy field office in Biratnagar. The police have launched a probe in both the incidents. Talking about the blasts Regmi said both of the blasts were minor and an investigation is on.

Nepal, India ties will strengthen with PM Modi's visit: Envoy

Recently re-elected Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani made a strange analogy on Monday during a gathering in Ahmedabad. He compared&nbsp;search engine giant Google to mythological Indian sage Narada.

Rupani said Narada had information, all of it, just like Google, which has information about all the world.&nbsp;

Rupani made his comments at a Devrshi Narada Jayanti&nbsp;event organised by the Vishwa Samvad Kendra at Ahmedabad.

The Vishwa Samvad Kendra is a media wing of Rashtra Swayam Sevak organisation. Rupani was addressing journalists at the event.

News reports quoted Rupani as saying, "Narada had information of the whole world and can be compared with Google in today's time. However, he only shared the information which was beneficial, and not harmful, to mankind."

Rupani called Narada a "true journalist", advising the journalists there to be like Narada and show news that is good for mankind.

Meanwhile, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb — who has also been making a number of, well, strange remarks — has been summoned to Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

On Sunday, Deb told Tripura's youth that instead of running after government jobs and wasting their time, they could rear cows or open paan shops for a livelihood.

Deb had earlier said Diana Hayden, who was crowned Miss World in 1997, did not represent Indian women. But that Aishwarya Rai did.

And before that, he had said the&nbsp;internet and satellite communication existed during the Mahabharata.&nbsp;

Modi has before this told BJP leaders to not make comments that give the media "masala".&nbsp;

'Narada had information of the whole world and can be compared with Google in today's time. However, he only shared the information which was beneficial, and not harmful, to mankind,' said Rupani

Recently re-elected Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani made a strange analogy on Monday during a gathering in Ahmedabad. He compared search engine giant Google to mythological Indian sage Narada. Rupani said Narada had information, all of it, just like Google, which has information about all the world. Rupani made his comments at a Devrshi Narada Jayanti event organised by the Vishwa Samvad Kendra at Ahmedabad. The Vishwa Samvad Kendra is a media wing of Rashtra Swayam Sevak organisation. Rupani was addressing journalists at the event. News reports quoted Rupani as saying, "Narada had information of the whole world and can be compared with Google in today's time. However, he only shared the information which was beneficial, and not harmful, to mankind." Rupani called Narada a "true journalist", advising the journalists there to be like Narada and show news that is good for mankind. Meanwhile, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb — who has also been making a number of, well, strange remarks — has been summoned to Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Sunday, Deb told Tripura's youth that instead of running after government jobs and wasting their time, they could rear cows or open paan shops for a livelihood. Deb had earlier said Diana Hayden, who was crowned Miss World in 1997, did not represent Indian women. But that Aishwarya Rai did. And before that, he had said the internet and satellite communication existed during the Mahabharata. Modi has before this told BJP leaders to not make comments that give the media "masala".

Narada was today's Google: Gujarat Chief Minister Rupani

Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his 43rd edition of Mann ki Baat radio programme by congratulating Indian athletes and winners at the Commonwealth Games 2018.

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हमारे खिलाडियों ने भी देशवासियों की उम्मीदों पर खरा उतरते हुए बेहतरीन प्रदर्शन किया और एक-के-बाद एक medal जीतते ही चले गए: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MannKiBaat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MannKiBaat</a>
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He lauded the athletes for their "fantastic"&nbsp;performance and shared that women athletes at the CWG brought pride and laurels to the country.&nbsp;

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Our athletes lived up to the expectations of the country & won medal after medal. It was a fantastic performance in 2018 Commonwealth Games: PM Modi in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MannKiBaat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MannKiBaat</a>. (File Pic) <a href="https://t.co/t9rK19KACg">pic.twitter.com/t9rK19KACg</a>
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&nbsp;

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I congratulate our shooters for making us proud during the Commonwealth Games 2018: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MannKiBaat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MannKiBaat</a>
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The Prime Minister went on speaking about the significance of health and fitness. He shared that his vision of a better India is manifested in a fitter India and mentioned his government's Fit India campaign.

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Last month I urged people to take part in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FitIndia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FitIndia</a> movement. I am glad with the overwhelming support for the movement: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MannKiBaat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MannKiBaat</a>
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"Yoga is a wonderful way to remain fit. I urge people to take part in the Fit India movement," PM Modi noted.

He also lauded and hailed Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar for his contribution to the Fit India movement.&nbsp;

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PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> appreciates noted film personality <a href="https://twitter.com/akshaykumar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@akshaykumar</a> for his contribution to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FitIndia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FitIndia</a> movement. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MannKiBaat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MannKiBaat</a> <a href="https://t.co/urTkH2yL1V">https://t.co/urTkH2yL1V</a>
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The Prime Minister then underlined the significance of a clean environment. "Let us contribute towards a clean India," he added.

PM Modi talked about the government's new internship programme under the Swachh Bharat campaign wherein youngsters can participate and learn.&nbsp;

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Are you ready to take part in the Swachh Bharat Summer internship? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MannKiBaat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MannKiBaat</a> <a href="https://t.co/ckomCJ1H5t">pic.twitter.com/ckomCJ1H5t</a>
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PM Modi stressed on the importance of water conservation stating that the country should learn from the ancestors to conserve water.&nbsp;

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Let us work towards water conservation. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MannKiBaat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MannKiBaat</a> <a href="https://t.co/YzCS3xwFmm">pic.twitter.com/YzCS3xwFmm</a>
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/990467517037662208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Saving water should be our priority," PM Modi added.&nbsp;

The previous edition of Mann ki Baat saw PM Modi speaking volumes about preventive health care awareness, identifying the need to initiate more work to set up Health Wellness Centres across the country.

&nbsp;

The prime minister said his vision of a better India is a fitter India. He also asked people to conserve water

Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his 43rd edition of Mann ki Baat radio programme by congratulating Indian athletes and winners at the Commonwealth Games 2018. हमारे खिलाडियों ने भी देशवासियों की उम्मीदों पर खरा उतरते हुए बेहतरीन प्रदर्शन किया और एक-के-बाद एक medal जीतते ही चले गए: PM @narendramodi during #MannKiBaat — PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 29, 2018 × He lauded the athletes for their "fantastic" performance and shared that women athletes at the CWG brought pride and laurels to the country. Our athletes lived up to the expectations of the country & won medal after medal. It was a fantastic performance in 2018 Commonwealth Games: PM Modi in #MannKiBaat. (File Pic) pic.twitter.com/t9rK19KACg — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2018 × I congratulate our shooters for making us proud during the Commonwealth Games 2018: PM @narendramodi during #MannKiBaat — PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 29, 2018 × The Prime Minister went on speaking about the significance of health and fitness. He shared that his vision of a better India is manifested in a fitter India and mentioned his government's Fit India campaign. Last month I urged people to take part in the #FitIndia movement. I am glad with the overwhelming support for the movement: PM @narendramodi during #MannKiBaat — PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 29, 2018 × "Yoga is a wonderful way to remain fit. I urge people to take part in the Fit India movement," PM Modi noted. He also lauded and hailed Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar for his contribution to the Fit India movement. PM @narendramodi appreciates noted film personality @akshaykumar for his contribution to the #FitIndia movement. #MannKiBaat https://t.co/urTkH2yL1V — PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 29, 2018 × The Prime Minister then underlined the significance of a clean environment. "Let us contribute towards a clean India," he added. PM Modi talked about the government's new internship programme under the Swachh Bharat campaign wherein youngsters can participate and learn. Are you ready to take part in the Swachh Bharat Summer internship? #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/ckomCJ1H5t — PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 29, 2018 × PM Modi stressed on the importance of water conservation stating that the country should learn from the ancestors to conserve water. Let us work towards water conservation. #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/YzCS3xwFmm — PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 29, 2018 × "Saving water should be our priority," PM Modi added. The previous edition of Mann ki Baat saw PM Modi speaking volumes about preventive health care awareness, identifying the need to initiate more work to set up Health Wellness Centres across the country.

'Fantastic performance,' Modi tells CWG winners on Mann ki Baat, urges Indians to stay fit

After a series of bizarre remarks, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has been called to New Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Deb, who took charge of Tripura last month, will meet PM Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah on May 2.&nbsp

In last two weeks, Deb made a string of random remarks which left his party colleagues workers redfaced.

Today, while addressing a gathering, CM Deb advised the Tripura youth to not to waste their crucial time by running after the government jobs and instead, milk cows or open paan shops for livelihood.

"There should be a cow in every house. Why run after netas for government jobs? Milk is being sold at Rs 50 per litre. Graduates should get cows and milk it to earn Rs 10 lakh in 10 years. Instead of running after political parties," the Chief Minister said.

Earlier, he had stated that the Internet and satellite communication existed during the Mahabharata era.&nbsp

He even questioned the crowning of Diana Hayden as Miss World in 1997.

While addressing another rally in Tripura, the chief minister also stated that mechanical engineers should not opt for civil services, but civil engineers should.&nbsp

According to Deb, any unemployed youth with a minimum amount of Rs 75,000 borrowed from the bank and with a little self-effort, can easily earn at least Rs 25,000 every month, but the hurdle in this is the culture that has grown in the state during the last 25 years.

After a series of bizarre remarks, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has been called to New Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Deb, who took charge of Tripura last month, will meet PM Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah on May 2. In last two weeks, Deb made a string of random remarks which left his party colleagues workers redfaced. Today, while addressing a gathering, CM Deb advised the Tripura youth to not to waste their crucial time by running after the government jobs and instead, milk cows or open paan shops for livelihood. "There should be a cow in every house. Why run after netas for government jobs? Milk is being sold at Rs 50 per litre. Graduates should get cows and milk it to earn Rs 10 lakh in 10 years. Instead of running after political parties," the Chief Minister said. Earlier, he had stated that the Internet and satellite communication existed during the Mahabharata era. He even questioned the crowning of Diana Hayden as Miss World in 1997. While addressing another rally in Tripura, the chief minister also stated that mechanical engineers should not opt for civil services, but civil engineers should. According to Deb, any unemployed youth with a minimum amount of Rs 75,000 borrowed from the bank and with a little self-effort, can easily earn at least Rs 25,000 every month, but the hurdle in this is the culture that has grown in the state during the last 25 years.

After a string of bizarre remarks, PM Modi calls Tripura CM to New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation and the global Indian community through his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme later in the day.

The 43rd edition of the Mann Ki Baat programme will be joined by Union Minister Vijay Goel along with the people of Village Bharthal, at the residence of former Nigam Parishad, Ramniwas, in Sector 26, Dwarka, Delhi.

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Do join <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MannKiBaat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MannKiBaat</a> at 11 AM tomorrow. <a href="https://t.co/iyZtspBBPN">pic.twitter.com/iyZtspBBPN</a>
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The programme will broadcast on All India Radio (AIR), Doordarshan, the NaMo mobile application and will be live-streamed on the YouTube channels of the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and DD News.

The previous edition of Mann ki Baat saw PM Modi speaking volumes about preventive health care awareness, identifying the need to initiate more work to set up Health Wellness Centres across the country.

(With inputs from ANI)

The programme will broadcast on All India Radio (AIR), Doordarshan, the NaMo mobile application and will be live-streamed on the YouTube channels

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation and the global Indian community through his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme later in the day. The 43rd edition of the Mann Ki Baat programme will be joined by Union Minister Vijay Goel along with the people of Village Bharthal, at the residence of former Nigam Parishad, Ramniwas, in Sector 26, Dwarka, Delhi. Do join #MannKiBaat at 11 AM tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/iyZtspBBPN — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 28, 2018 × The programme will broadcast on All India Radio (AIR), Doordarshan, the NaMo mobile application and will be live-streamed on the YouTube channels of the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and DD News. The previous edition of Mann ki Baat saw PM Modi speaking volumes about preventive health care awareness, identifying the need to initiate more work to set up Health Wellness Centres across the country. (With inputs from ANI)

PM Modi to address nation, global Indian community in 43rd edition of 'Mann ki Baat' today

In the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mann-ki-baat-during-43rd-edition-pm-modi-hails-cwg-winners-urges-indian-to-stay-fit-and-conserve-water--133545">43rd edition of his monthly radio programme Mann ki Baat</a>, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered teachings of Lord Buddha and shared the fact that the Pokhran-II nuclear tests were carried out 20 years ago on Lord Buddha's birth anniversary.

Identifying Pokhran as the accelerating factor in India's nuclear prowess in the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the tests "demonstrated India's might in the field of science and technology".

"On May 11, 1998, at India's western end a nuclear test was conducted in Pokhran, Rajasthan. It has been 20 years since Pokhran and this test was done on Buddha Purnima with the blessings of Lord Buddha. India's test was not only successful but in a way, India had demonstrated its might in the field of science and technology. We can also say the date has been engraved in the history of India as a demonstration of its military power," Modi said in his monthly radio address "Mann Ki Baat".

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We remember the historic Pokhran Tests in May 1998. We salute the efforts of our scientists and recall the leadership of Atal Ji. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MannKiBaat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MannKiBaat</a> <a href="https://t.co/EUHhfVOz5a">pic.twitter.com/EUHhfVOz5a</a>
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The Prime Minister pointed out that Lord Buddha had said that inner strength was necessary to live in peace and India, too, acquired nuclear strength to live in peace.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his 43rd edition of Mann ki Baat radio programme by congratulating Indian athletes and winners at the Commonwealth Games 2018.

He lauded the athletes for their "fantastic" performance and shared that women athletes at the CWG brought pride and laurels to the country.&nbsp;

In his address, the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of water conservation, clean environment and physical fitness.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister pointed out that Pokhran tests were successfully carried out two decades ago on the day of Buddha Purnima

In the 43rd edition of his monthly radio programme Mann ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered teachings of Lord Buddha and shared the fact that the Pokhran-II nuclear tests were carried out 20 years ago on Lord Buddha's birth anniversary. Identifying Pokhran as the accelerating factor in India's nuclear prowess in the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the tests "demonstrated India's might in the field of science and technology". "On May 11, 1998, at India's western end a nuclear test was conducted in Pokhran, Rajasthan. It has been 20 years since Pokhran and this test was done on Buddha Purnima with the blessings of Lord Buddha. India's test was not only successful but in a way, India had demonstrated its might in the field of science and technology. We can also say the date has been engraved in the history of India as a demonstration of its military power," Modi said in his monthly radio address "Mann Ki Baat". We remember the historic Pokhran Tests in May 1998. We salute the efforts of our scientists and recall the leadership of Atal Ji. #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/EUHhfVOz5a — PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 29, 2018 × The Prime Minister pointed out that Lord Buddha had said that inner strength was necessary to live in peace and India, too, acquired nuclear strength to live in peace. Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his 43rd edition of Mann ki Baat radio programme by congratulating Indian athletes and winners at the Commonwealth Games 2018. He lauded the athletes for their "fantastic" performance and shared that women athletes at the CWG brought pride and laurels to the country. In his address, the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of water conservation, clean environment and physical fitness.

Pokhran demonstrated India's nuclear prowess to the world: PM Modi on Mann ki Baat

A bomb exploded on Sunday at the office of a hydroelectricity project being developed with Indian assistance in eastern Nepal, weeks before its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an official said.

The compound wall of the 900 MW Arun III Hydroelectric Power Plant's office in Khandbari-9, Tumlingtar, nearly 500 km from here, was damaged in the explosion, said Siva Raj Joshi, Chief District Officer of the Sankhuwasabha district.

The project is slated to come into operation by 2020.

The blast comes at a time when preparations are going on for laying foundation stone of the project by Modi during his official visit to Nepal on May 11.

No one was injured in the blast and an investigation has been launched, he said.

However, no one has claimed responsibility of the blast, he added.

A Project Development Agreement (PDA) for Arun III was signed with India's state-owned Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) on November 25, 2014 in the presence of the then Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and visiting Indian Prime Minister Modi.

This is the second blast within a month in Indian properties in Nepal.

On April 17, a pressure cooker bomb went off near the Indian Embassy field office in Biratnagar damaging the walls of the premises.

The project is slated to come into operation by 2020

A bomb exploded on Sunday at the office of a hydroelectricity project being developed with Indian assistance in eastern Nepal, weeks before its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an official said. The compound wall of the 900 MW Arun III Hydroelectric Power Plant's office in Khandbari-9, Tumlingtar, nearly 500 km from here, was damaged in the explosion, said Siva Raj Joshi, Chief District Officer of the Sankhuwasabha district. The project is slated to come into operation by 2020. The blast comes at a time when preparations are going on for laying foundation stone of the project by Modi during his official visit to Nepal on May 11. No one was injured in the blast and an investigation has been launched, he said. However, no one has claimed responsibility of the blast, he added. A Project Development Agreement (PDA) for Arun III was signed with India's state-owned Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) on November 25, 2014 in the presence of the then Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and visiting Indian Prime Minister Modi. This is the second blast within a month in Indian properties in Nepal. On April 17, a pressure cooker bomb went off near the Indian Embassy field office in Biratnagar damaging the walls of the premises.

Blast at India-developed hydroelectricity project in Nepal weeks before inauguration by Modi

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