<p>Ahead of the first anniversary of demonetisation, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today that excessive cash in the economy has &quot;its own cost&quot; and India is gradually moving towards digital transactions.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on November 8 last year the scrapping of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes as part of the government&#39;s efforts to fight black money and corruption.</p>

<p>Following that, the Centre has been pushing for digital payments and transactions through the banking channel so as to promote a &#39;less-cash&#39; economy.</p>

<p>However, the opposition parties have criticised demonetisation and plan to observe November 8 as &quot;black day&quot; across the country.</p>

<p>Jaitley said some people have a problem with accepting the fact that transactions through the digital mode and banking instruments are going to witness a rapid growth as compared to cash dealings.</p>

<p>At the inauguration of the new building of Punjab National Bank (PNB) head office here, Jaitley said: &quot;Excessive dependence on cash has its own cost.</p>

<p>&quot;It is not just cost but there is a curse of cash. It has an impact on both society and economy.&quot;</p>

<p>He said there is a clear change taking place as to how India and Indians are spending money and the change is only in one direction.</p>

<p>It will not happen abruptly but the movement towards a less-cash economy is very clear, he said, adding that it will lead to more deposits with banks, increasing their lending ability at affordable rates.</p>

<p>Banking is the lifeline of the economy and it will gain further importance in the coming days, he said.</p>

<p>A healthy banking system will help support growth of the economy, he added.</p>

<p>Jaitley also launched two products of the PNB -- Rupay Credit Card and e-Rupaya.</p>

<p>Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla asked banks to focus on rural India and work towards improving customer experience.</p>

<p>He also said that management of banks should focus on the welfare of their employees.&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on November 8 last year the scrapping of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes as part of the government's efforts to fight black money and corruption.

Ahead of the first anniversary of demonetisation, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today that excessive cash in the economy has "its own cost" and India is gradually moving towards digital transactions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on November 8 last year the scrapping of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes as part of the government's efforts to fight black money and corruption. Following that, the Centre has been pushing for digital payments and transactions through the banking channel so as to promote a 'less-cash' economy. However, the opposition parties have criticised demonetisation and plan to observe November 8 as "black day" across the country. Jaitley said some people have a problem with accepting the fact that transactions through the digital mode and banking instruments are going to witness a rapid growth as compared to cash dealings. At the inauguration of the new building of Punjab National Bank (PNB) head office here, Jaitley said: "Excessive dependence on cash has its own cost. "It is not just cost but there is a curse of cash. It has an impact on both society and economy." He said there is a clear change taking place as to how India and Indians are spending money and the change is only in one direction. It will not happen abruptly but the movement towards a less-cash economy is very clear, he said, adding that it will lead to more deposits with banks, increasing their lending ability at affordable rates. Banking is the lifeline of the economy and it will gain further importance in the coming days, he said. A healthy banking system will help support growth of the economy, he added. Jaitley also launched two products of the PNB -- Rupay Credit Card and e-Rupaya. Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla asked banks to focus on rural India and work towards improving customer experience. He also said that management of banks should focus on the welfare of their employees.

India moving towards digital economy post-demonetisation: Arun Jaitley

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/texas-shooting-leaves-at-least-26-dead-officials-23554" target="_blank">Gunman walks into Texas church, shoots 26 people dead</a></p>

<p>A black-clad gunman armed with an assault rifle opened fire on a small-town Texas church during Sunday morning services, killing 26 people and wounding 20 in the last mass shooting to shock the United States.The victims, who ranged in age from five to 72, were gunned down at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, a rural community of about 400 people located 30 miles (50 kilometers) southeast of San Antonio.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cong-has-run-away-hp-poll-one-sided-modi-at-rally-23538" target="_blank">Indira Gandhi refused to carry out note ban: Modi</a></p>

<p>Prime minister Narendra Modi stressed that the implementation of demonetisation policy was required in 1971, but it was implemented by the BJP government.&nbsp;&quot;Former prime minister Indira Gandhi refused to carry out note ban. Had she done note ban when needed, I would not have had to carry out this big task,&#39;&#39; said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-tells-modi-to-quit-if-unable-to-control-price-rise-give-jobs-23545" target="_blank">Rahul asks Modi to quit if unable to control price rise, give jobs</a></p>

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today asked the Narendra Modi government to stop delivering &quot;hollow&quot; speeches and quit if it was unable to stop prices from rising and give jobs to the people.Gandhi, whose Twitter feed has become more active of late, posted on the micro-blogging site: &quot;Mehngi gas, mehnga ration, band karo khokhla bhashan, daam bandho, kaam do, varna khali karo singhasan.&quot;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sacked-catalan-leader-carles-puigdemont-freed-on-bail-in-belgium-23557" target="_blank">Sacked Catalan leader Puigdemont freed on bail in Belgium</a></p>

<p>Catalonia&#39;s sacked separatist leader Carles Puigdemont and four of his former ministers were released with conditions in Belgium on Sunday after turning themselves in to face a Spanish warrant for their arrest. A judge ordered the five, who fled Spain earlier this week after being accused of rebellion and sedition, not to leave Belgium until their extradition case is heard.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/queen-elizabeth-ii-has-13m-in-investments-in-offshore-tax-havens-documents-23562" target="_blank">US Commerce Secretary has ties to firm linked to Putin&#39;s inner circle</a></p>

<p>US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has business ties to a shipping firm linked to Vladimir Putin&#39;s inner circle, according to a vast leak of financial documents that also revealed Britain&#39;s Queen Elizabeth II&#39;s investments in tax havens.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Gunman walks into Texas church, shoots 26 people dead A black-clad gunman armed with an assault rifle opened fire on a small-town Texas church during Sunday morning services, killing 26 people and wounding 20 in the last mass shooting to shock the United States.The victims, who ranged in age from five to 72, were gunned down at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, a rural community of about 400 people located 30 miles (50 kilometers) southeast of San Antonio. Indira Gandhi refused to carry out note ban: Modi Prime minister Narendra Modi stressed that the implementation of demonetisation policy was required in 1971, but it was implemented by the BJP government. "Former prime minister Indira Gandhi refused to carry out note ban. Had she done note ban when needed, I would not have had to carry out this big task,'' said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rahul asks Modi to quit if unable to control price rise, give jobs Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today asked the Narendra Modi government to stop delivering "hollow" speeches and quit if it was unable to stop prices from rising and give jobs to the people.Gandhi, whose Twitter feed has become more active of late, posted on the micro-blogging site: "Mehngi gas, mehnga ration, band karo khokhla bhashan, daam bandho, kaam do, varna khali karo singhasan." Sacked Catalan leader Puigdemont freed on bail in Belgium Catalonia's sacked separatist leader Carles Puigdemont and four of his former ministers were released with conditions in Belgium on Sunday after turning themselves in to face a Spanish warrant for their arrest. A judge ordered the five, who fled Spain earlier this week after being accused of rebellion and sedition, not to leave Belgium until their extradition case is heard. US Commerce Secretary has ties to firm linked to Putin's inner circle US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has business ties to a shipping firm linked to Vladimir Putin's inner circle, according to a vast leak of financial documents that also revealed Britain's Queen Elizabeth II's investments in tax havens.

WION Morning news brief, Nov 6, 2017

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/india-beats-china-in-womens-asia-cup-hockey-2017-23548">India beat China to win Asia Cup, qualify for Hockey World Cup</a></p>

<p>The Indian women&rsquo;s hockey team qualified for next year&rsquo;s World Cup after defeating China 5-4 via a shootout in a nail-biting Asia Cup final on Sunday. It was 1-1 at full-time after China found a late equaliser by Tiantian Luo, who converted a penalty corner in the 47th minute.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cong-has-run-away-hp-poll-one-sided-modi-at-rally-23538">Indira Gandhi refused to carry out note ban: Modi</a></p>

<p>&quot;Former prime minister Indira Gandhi refused to carry out note ban. Had she done note ban when needed, I would not have had to carry out this big task,&#39;&#39; said PM&nbsp;Narendra Modi. Stressing that the implementation of demonetisation policy was required in 1971, but it was implemented by the BJP government, he added.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-tells-modi-to-quit-if-unable-to-control-price-rise-give-jobs-23545">Rahul asks Modi to quit if unable to control price rise, give jobs</a></p>

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today asked the Narendra Modi government to stop delivering &quot;hollow&quot; speeches and quit if it was unable to stop prices from rising and give jobs to the people. Gandhi tweeted: &quot;Mehngi gas, mehnga ration, band karo khokhla bhashan, daam bandho, kaam do, varna khali karo singhasan.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/securing-n-korea-nukes-would-require-us-ground-invasion-reports-23528">Securing N. Korea nukes would require US ground invasion: Reports</a></p>

<p>The only certain way to locate and secure all North Korea&#39;s nuclear weapons sites would be via a US ground invasion, the Washington Post reported Saturday, citing a letter from Pentagon officials sent to US lawmakers.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/council-to-consider-slashing-gst-on-common-use-goods-23536">Council to consider slashing GST on common use goods</a></p>

<p>The all-powerful GST Council may consider lowering tax rates on a host of goods such as handmade furniture, plastic products and daily use items like shampoo, and simplify return filing rules in its meeting this week.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


"Former prime minister Indira Gandhi refused to carry out note ban. Had she done note ban when needed, I would not have had to carry out this big task,'' said PM?Narendra Modi.

India beat China to win Asia Cup, qualify for Hockey World Cup The Indian women’s hockey team qualified for next year’s World Cup after defeating China 5-4 via a shootout in a nail-biting Asia Cup final on Sunday. It was 1-1 at full-time after China found a late equaliser by Tiantian Luo, who converted a penalty corner in the 47th minute. Indira Gandhi refused to carry out note ban: Modi "Former prime minister Indira Gandhi refused to carry out note ban. Had she done note ban when needed, I would not have had to carry out this big task,'' said PM Narendra Modi. Stressing that the implementation of demonetisation policy was required in 1971, but it was implemented by the BJP government, he added. Rahul asks Modi to quit if unable to control price rise, give jobs Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today asked the Narendra Modi government to stop delivering "hollow" speeches and quit if it was unable to stop prices from rising and give jobs to the people. Gandhi tweeted: "Mehngi gas, mehnga ration, band karo khokhla bhashan, daam bandho, kaam do, varna khali karo singhasan. Securing N. Korea nukes would require US ground invasion: Reports The only certain way to locate and secure all North Korea's nuclear weapons sites would be via a US ground invasion, the Washington Post reported Saturday, citing a letter from Pentagon officials sent to US lawmakers. Council to consider slashing GST on common use goods The all-powerful GST Council may consider lowering tax rates on a host of goods such as handmade furniture, plastic products and daily use items like shampoo, and simplify return filing rules in its meeting this week.

WION evening news brief, Nov 5, 2017

<p>&quot;Former prime minister Indira Gandhi refused to carry out note ban. Had she done note ban when needed, I would not have had to carry out this big task,&#39;&#39; said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p>

<p>Stressing that the implementation of demonetisation policy was required in 1971, but it was implemented by the BJP government, the prime minister added.</p>

<p>After Modi announced the demonetisation of high-value currency on November 8, 2016, several BJP leaders have hit out Indira Gandhi and said she lacked the courage to go ahead with the&nbsp;demonetisation, though she was advised to do so.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Fmr PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiraGandhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiraGandhi</a> refused to carry out note ban.Had she done note ban when needed, I would not have had to carry out this big task: Modi.</p>
&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/927125446646366208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Attacking the Congress on the issue of corruption, Modi accused the previous Congress-led government at the Centre of abusing subsidies worth Rs 57,000 crore. He claimed he had stopped this misuse, and the money was now being used for the welfare of the poor.</p>

<p>&quot;Over Rs 57,000 crore in subsidies were looted by middlemen. Modi has stopped all this and this money is now being spent for the welfare of the poor,&quot; he said, holding that this was the reason for the Congress&#39;s attack on him.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rs 4,000 cr fraud found in probe into 5,000 companies out of 3 lakh that have shut down after <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/demonetisation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#demonetisation</a>: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>.</p>
&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/927125779552518144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He also took a dig at former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for his statement that out of one rupee spent from Delhi, only 15 paisa reached the villages, saying that Gandhi was merely painting a picture of what the Congress did when it ran the country.</p>

<p>Gandhi, he added, was a doctor who diagnosed the problem of corruption but did nothing&nbsp;about it.</p>

<p>Modi wondered where the 85 paise went.</p>

<p>&quot;Who was that magician? Or which &#39;panja&#39; (palm) was used to steal that money,&quot; he asked, in an apparent reference to the Congress&#39;s electoral symbol, the palm.<br />
On GST, Modi said no businessman or business body had opposed the new tax regime, and the government was doing everything to resolve the problems of traders and shopkeepers after taking all states on board.</p>

<p>&quot;If there is a problem in any corner of the country, we discuss and seriously think about it and try to resolve it. The GST Council last month resolved all the problems of businessmen arising out of the one tax law,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With agency inputs)&nbsp;</em></p>


"Never has there been a one-sided election as seen in this election. The reason for this is that the country knows what the Congress government is like and what its intentions are," Modi said.

"Former prime minister Indira Gandhi refused to carry out note ban. Had she done note ban when needed, I would not have had to carry out this big task,'' said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Stressing that the implementation of demonetisation policy was required in 1971, but it was implemented by the BJP government, the prime minister added. After Modi announced the demonetisation of high-value currency on November 8, 2016, several BJP leaders have hit out Indira Gandhi and said she lacked the courage to go ahead with the demonetisation, though she was advised to do so. Fmr PM #IndiraGandhi refused to carry out note ban.Had she done note ban when needed, I would not have had to carry out this big task: Modi. — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 5, 2017 × Attacking the Congress on the issue of corruption, Modi accused the previous Congress-led government at the Centre of abusing subsidies worth Rs 57,000 crore. He claimed he had stopped this misuse, and the money was now being used for the welfare of the poor. "Over Rs 57,000 crore in subsidies were looted by middlemen. Modi has stopped all this and this money is now being spent for the welfare of the poor," he said, holding that this was the reason for the Congress's attack on him. Rs 4,000 cr fraud found in probe into 5,000 companies out of 3 lakh that have shut down after #demonetisation: PM @narendramodi. — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 5, 2017 × He also took a dig at former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for his statement that out of one rupee spent from Delhi, only 15 paisa reached the villages, saying that Gandhi was merely painting a picture of what the Congress did when it ran the country. Gandhi, he added, was a doctor who diagnosed the problem of corruption but did nothing about it. Modi wondered where the 85 paise went. "Who was that magician? Or which 'panja' (palm) was used to steal that money," he asked, in an apparent reference to the Congress's electoral symbol, the palm. On GST, Modi said no businessman or business body had opposed the new tax regime, and the government was doing everything to resolve the problems of traders and shopkeepers after taking all states on board. "If there is a problem in any corner of the country, we discuss and seriously think about it and try to resolve it. The GST Council last month resolved all the problems of businessmen arising out of the one tax law," he said. (With agency inputs)

Indira Gandhi refused to carry out note ban: Modi

<p>Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said rising unemployment in India was &quot;MMD: Modi Made Disaster&quot;.</p>

<p>Rahul used 112th Annual Session of PHD Chamber of Commerce platform here to launch a scathing attack on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government. &quot;Rising unemployment in India is a&nbsp;&#39;MMD: Modi Made Disaster&#39; and after 3 years of NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government, India&#39;s expectations are shattered,&quot; Rahul claimed, while adding:&quot;China creates 50,000 jobs per day against Indian rate of 458, but no amount of growth is good enough if it isn&#39;t accompanied by jobs.&quot;</p>

<p>The Congress vice-president further asserted that people don&#39;t trust the Modi-led central government. &quot;Business thrives on trust. Business is about creating harmony. The truth is that the trust in this government is dead. For some reasons, the PM and his government are absolutely convinced that every single person in this country is a thief,&quot; Rahul Gandhi said.</p>

<p>He also said that today no one in the government listens to the pain of people. &quot;One develops trust by listening to each other. Today there is no one in the government who is ready to listen to the pain of our people,&quot; the Congress vice president said.</p>

<p>Rahul also took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s claim of having &#39;56-inch chest&#39; and said, &quot;Prime Minister Narendra Modi has very a big chest but a small heart. Modi <em>ji</em><em> </em>and his government have given a double blow to our economy- demonetisation and GST (Goods and Services Tax).&quot;</p>

<p>As the BJP&#39;s prime ministerial candidate in January 2014, Narendra Modi declared at a rally in Uttar Pradesh that &quot;a 56-inch chest&quot; is a pre-requisite to convert India&#39;s most populous state into one as developed as Gujarat.</p>

<p>Ahead of the first anniversary of demonetisation on November 8, Rahul also targeted the prime minister over the shock move.</p>

<p>&quot;Prime Minister has forgotten that all cash is not black and all black is not bad. November 8th is the &#39;barsi&#39; (death anniversary) of note ban. GST or Gabbar Singh Tax has unleashed tax terrorism. Small businesses are crying due to the GST,&quot; Rahul Gandhi said.</p>

<p>On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the&nbsp;demonetisation of Rs 500&nbsp;and Rs 1000&nbsp;banknotes with an aim to weaken the black money or shadow economy in the country. With the shock move completing a year, the Opposition parties have announced they will observe November 8 as &#39;black day&#39;.</p>

<p>The BJP will&nbsp;observe the day as &#39;Anti-Black Money Day&#39; to counter the Opposition&#39;s plan. The GST is an indirect tax which was introduced in India on July 1, 2017, and is applicable throughout India which replaced multiple cascading taxes levied by the central and state governments.</p>

<p>On Monday, while addressing a rally in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Rahul for the first time termed GST as &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39;.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Congress vice-president also launched an attack on Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and said, &quot;Businesses are drowning, but Mr&nbsp;Jaitley has the nerve to go on TV every other day saying things are just fine. However, recent research by eminent economists has shown that economic inequality is at is at its highest in the Modi regime.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;The &#39;Startup India&#39; is good for the economy but it cannot be accompanied by &#39;Shut up India&#39;,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Jaitley on Wednesday criticised the Congress over black money by saying that he can&#39;t recollect any significant step that the grand old party had taken during its tenure to address the problem. The Finance Minister also said that the Congress and others who are making comments on note ban have not understood the whole object behind the demonetisation move.</p>

<p>Jaitley said that it is obvious that those parties which were in power couldn&#39;t take action against black money as squeezing black money is not possible through baby steps. Rahul also mocked the BJP over Taj Mahal controversy, on a day Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Taj Mahal for the first time since assuming power in the state and after BJP MLA Sangeet Som&#39;s stirred up a controversy with his statement on the iconic monument. &quot;World is laughing at us with debates that Taj Mahal was built by Indians,&quot; Rahul said.</p>

<p>The BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh raked up a controversy by saying that Taj Mahal was built by &quot;traitors&quot; who wanted to eliminate all Hindus. After the issue was picked up by the Opposition, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that it didn&#39;t matter who built Taj Mahal and for what reason. It was built by the blood and sweat of Indian labourers.&nbsp;</p>


Rahul Gandhi used 112th Annual Session of PHD Chamber of Commerce platform to launch a scathing attack on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said rising unemployment in India was "MMD: Modi Made Disaster". Rahul used 112th Annual Session of PHD Chamber of Commerce platform here to launch a scathing attack on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government. "Rising unemployment in India is a 'MMD: Modi Made Disaster' and after 3 years of NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government, India's expectations are shattered," Rahul claimed, while adding:"China creates 50,000 jobs per day against Indian rate of 458, but no amount of growth is good enough if it isn't accompanied by jobs." The Congress vice-president further asserted that people don't trust the Modi-led central government. "Business thrives on trust. Business is about creating harmony. The truth is that the trust in this government is dead. For some reasons, the PM and his government are absolutely convinced that every single person in this country is a thief," Rahul Gandhi said. He also said that today no one in the government listens to the pain of people. "One develops trust by listening to each other. Today there is no one in the government who is ready to listen to the pain of our people," the Congress vice president said. Rahul also took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claim of having '56-inch chest' and said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has very a big chest but a small heart. Modi ji and his government have given a double blow to our economy- demonetisation and GST (Goods and Services Tax)." As the BJP's prime ministerial candidate in January 2014, Narendra Modi declared at a rally in Uttar Pradesh that "a 56-inch chest" is a pre-requisite to convert India's most populous state into one as developed as Gujarat. Ahead of the first anniversary of demonetisation on November 8, Rahul also targeted the prime minister over the shock move. "Prime Minister has forgotten that all cash is not black and all black is not bad. November 8th is the 'barsi' (death anniversary) of note ban. GST or Gabbar Singh Tax has unleashed tax terrorism. Small businesses are crying due to the GST," Rahul Gandhi said. On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 banknotes with an aim to weaken the black money or shadow economy in the country. With the shock move completing a year, the Opposition parties have announced they will observe November 8 as 'black day'. The BJP will observe the day as 'Anti-Black Money Day' to counter the Opposition's plan. The GST is an indirect tax which was introduced in India on July 1, 2017, and is applicable throughout India which replaced multiple cascading taxes levied by the central and state governments. On Monday, while addressing a rally in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Rahul for the first time termed GST as 'Gabbar Singh Tax'. Meanwhile, the Congress vice-president also launched an attack on Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and said, "Businesses are drowning, but Mr Jaitley has the nerve to go on TV every other day saying things are just fine. However, recent research by eminent economists has shown that economic inequality is at is at its highest in the Modi regime." "The 'Startup India' is good for the economy but it cannot be accompanied by 'Shut up India'," he added. Jaitley on Wednesday criticised the Congress over black money by saying that he can't recollect any significant step that the grand old party had taken during its tenure to address the problem. The Finance Minister also said that the Congress and others who are making comments on note ban have not understood the whole object behind the demonetisation move. Jaitley said that it is obvious that those parties which were in power couldn't take action against black money as squeezing black money is not possible through baby steps. Rahul also mocked the BJP over Taj Mahal controversy, on a day Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Taj Mahal for the first time since assuming power in the state and after BJP MLA Sangeet Som's stirred up a controversy with his statement on the iconic monument. "World is laughing at us with debates that Taj Mahal was built by Indians," Rahul said. The BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh raked up a controversy by saying that Taj Mahal was built by "traitors" who wanted to eliminate all Hindus. After the issue was picked up by the Opposition, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that it didn't matter who built Taj Mahal and for what reason. It was built by the blood and sweat of Indian labourers.

Rising unemployment in India is 'Modi Made Disaster': Rahul Gandhi

<p>The Shiv Sena has launched another attack at ally Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) by distributing to its members a booklet titled &quot;Ghotalebaaz Bhajap&quot; (Scamster BJP) that chronicles the scams involving BJP leaders.</p>

<p>The 56-page booklet was distributed during an organisational meeting at the Sena Bhavan on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The cover of the booklet features four BJP leaders, along with a mention of the scam alleged against them.</p>

<p>A picture of Eknath Kahdse features with the mention of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) land scam, Education Minister Vinod Tawde is featured for the irregularities in supply of fire extinguishers to zilla parishad schools without inviting tenders, Food and Civil Supplies Minister of Maharashtra Girish Bapat is featured for his alleged involvement in the<em> tur dal </em>scam, and lastly, Dilip Gandhi for the loan waiver scam.</p>

<p>In addition, several senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National President Amit Shah also get a mention in the booklet.</p>

<p>Since forming the government in Maharashtra, in alliance with the BJP, the Sena has been fairly vocal about its grievances with the party.</p>

<p>Through its mouthpiece, &#39;Saamna&#39;, the party has been continually castigating the Centre as well as the Devendra Fadnavis-led state government.&nbsp;</p>


Shiv Sena has launched another attack by calling BJP 'Ghotalebaaz'

The Shiv Sena has launched another attack at ally Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) by distributing to its members a booklet titled "Ghotalebaaz Bhajap" (Scamster BJP) that chronicles the scams involving BJP leaders. The 56-page booklet was distributed during an organisational meeting at the Sena Bhavan on Wednesday. The cover of the booklet features four BJP leaders, along with a mention of the scam alleged against them. A picture of Eknath Kahdse features with the mention of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) land scam, Education Minister Vinod Tawde is featured for the irregularities in supply of fire extinguishers to zilla parishad schools without inviting tenders, Food and Civil Supplies Minister of Maharashtra Girish Bapat is featured for his alleged involvement in the tur dal scam, and lastly, Dilip Gandhi for the loan waiver scam. In addition, several senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National President Amit Shah also get a mention in the booklet. Since forming the government in Maharashtra, in alliance with the BJP, the Sena has been fairly vocal about its grievances with the party. Through its mouthpiece, 'Saamna', the party has been continually castigating the Centre as well as the Devendra Fadnavis-led state government.

Shiv Sena attacks BJP again, hands out 'Ghotalebaaz Bhajap' booklet to members

<p>After taking a potshot at the Congress on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sambit-patra-says-for-congress-ease-of-doing-corruption-was-the-core-issue-23288">&#39;&#39;ease of doing business&#39;&#39;</a>, Prime Minister Narendra Modi again attacked Rahul Gandhi on Friday by saying the Congress leader lacked&nbsp;primary understanding of diplomacy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Addressing a rally in Himachal Pradesh&#39;s Kangra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocked Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, saying, &quot;Instead of asking Indian diplomats and foreign minister, you go and ask Chinese envoy.&quot;<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
&#39;&#39;Instead of asking Indian diplomats and foreign ministry, you go and ask Chinese envoy. Sorry to say this shows lack of primary understanding,&#39;&#39; Modi said and added that the country was well aware of how the Doklam issue was resolved, but the Congress even questioned that.</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;The country is aware how the Doklam issue was dealt with, but the Congress even questioned that,&#39;&#39; the prime minister said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Turning the spotlight on the dynastic&nbsp;politics yet again, Modi said someone born in a family which has ruled for decades doesn&#39;t believe his own Army and agencies? Meet&nbsp;China&#39;s envoy and ask&nbsp;about Doklam, he said.</p>

<p>&quot;Congress had become a &#39;laughing club&#39; and they need to introspect why people were turning away from them across the country, &#39;&#39; Modi asserted.</p>

<p>Speaking of the problems faced by the state, Modi said that there were five monsters that Himachal needed&nbsp;to get rid off: Mining mafia, forest mafia, drug mafia, tender mafia and transfer mafia.</p>

<p>&quot;Himachal Pradesh is embroiled in corruption yet Congress&#39; manifesto says there will be zero tolerance for corruption. Even a child won&#39;t believe it,&#39;&#39; Modi said and added that he had worked extensively in Himachal Pradesh and was very familiar with every nook and corner of the state.</p>


Turning the spotlight on the dynasty politics yet again, Modi said someone born in a family which has ruled for decades doesn't believe his own Army and agencies? Meets China's envoy and asks about Doklam.

After taking a potshot at the Congress on ''ease of doing business'', Prime Minister Narendra Modi again attacked Rahul Gandhi on Friday by saying the Congress leader lacked primary understanding of diplomacy. Addressing a rally in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocked Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, saying, "Instead of asking Indian diplomats and foreign minister, you go and ask Chinese envoy." ''Instead of asking Indian diplomats and foreign ministry, you go and ask Chinese envoy. Sorry to say this shows lack of primary understanding,'' Modi said and added that the country was well aware of how the Doklam issue was resolved, but the Congress even questioned that. ''The country is aware how the Doklam issue was dealt with, but the Congress even questioned that,'' the prime minister said. Turning the spotlight on the dynastic politics yet again, Modi said someone born in a family which has ruled for decades doesn't believe his own Army and agencies? Meet China's envoy and ask about Doklam, he said. "Congress had become a 'laughing club' and they need to introspect why people were turning away from them across the country, '' Modi asserted. Speaking of the problems faced by the state, Modi said that there were five monsters that Himachal needed to get rid off: Mining mafia, forest mafia, drug mafia, tender mafia and transfer mafia. "Himachal Pradesh is embroiled in corruption yet Congress' manifesto says there will be zero tolerance for corruption. Even a child won't believe it,'' Modi said and added that he had worked extensively in Himachal Pradesh and was very familiar with every nook and corner of the state.

Rahul Gandhi lacks primary understanding of diplomacy: Modi

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/eight-dead-in-suspected-terrorist-truck-attack-on-manhattan-bike-path-23254">terror attack in New York</a> in which eight people have been killed.</p>

<p>&quot;Strongly condemn the terror attack in New York City. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased &amp; prayers with those injured,&quot; PM Modi tweeted.</p>

<p>A driver in a rented pickup truck mowed down pedestrians and cyclists on a bike path alongside the Hudson River in New York City on Tuesday, killing eight people and injuring about a dozen others.</p>

<p>It was the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-condemns-new-york-terrorist-attack-23255">greatest loss of life</a> from a suspected terrorist attack in New York since suicide hijackers crashed jetliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001, killing more than 2,600 people.</p>

<p>The 29-year-old suspect in Tuesday&#39;s attack was shot in the abdomen by police and taken into custody after he crashed the truck into a school bus and fled his vehicle, New York City Police Commissioner James O&#39;Neill told a news conference.</p>


"Strongly condemn the terror attack in New York City. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased & prayers with those injured," PM Modi tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the terror attack in New York in which eight people have been killed. "Strongly condemn the terror attack in New York City. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased & prayers with those injured," PM Modi tweeted. A driver in a rented pickup truck mowed down pedestrians and cyclists on a bike path alongside the Hudson River in New York City on Tuesday, killing eight people and injuring about a dozen others. It was the greatest loss of life from a suspected terrorist attack in New York since suicide hijackers crashed jetliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001, killing more than 2,600 people. The 29-year-old suspect in Tuesday's attack was shot in the abdomen by police and taken into custody after he crashed the truck into a school bus and fled his vehicle, New York City Police Commissioner James O'Neill told a news conference.

New York terror attack: My thoughts with families of deceased, tweets PM Modi

<p>Nearly a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation, the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bills returned to banks are still being &quot;processed in all earnest&quot; through a sophisticated currency verification system, the RBI has said.</p>

<p>In reply to an RTI query, the central bank said it has processed about 1,134 crore pieces of Rs 500 notes and 524.90 crore pieces of Rs 1,000 junked notes, having face value of Rs 5.67 lakh crore and Rs 5.24 lakh crore respectively, as on September 30.</p>

<p>The combined value of the processed notes is Rs 10.91 lakh crore approximately, according to the reply.</p>

<p>&quot;Specified Bank Notes are being processed in all earnest in double shift on all available machines (sophisticated counting machines),&quot; the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said in reply to the RTI query filed by a PTI correspondent.</p>

<p>The central bank was asked to provide details of demonetised notes counted so far.</p>

<p>Replying to a question on providing the deadline for completing the counting exercise, it said, &quot;The verification of notes withdrawn from the circulation is an ongoing process&quot;.</p>

<p>The RBI said at least 66 Sophisticated Currency Verification and Processing (CVPS) machines were being used for counting of junked Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes that were deposited with various banks post demonetisation.</p>

<p>The government had on November 8 last year banned the use of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes and allowed the holders of these currency bills to deposit them with banks or use them at certain notified utilities.</p>

<p>The notes deposited or collected are being verified by the central bank at its offices to establish the total number of currency bills returned and to weed out those that are fake.</p>

<p>Several opposition parties including the Congress and Mamata Banerjee&#39;s TMC have announced that they would observe November 8, the first anniversary of demonetisation, as &#39;Black Day&#39; and would hold protests across the country to highlight its &quot;ill-effects&quot; on the economy.</p>

<p>To counter the opposition protest, the ruling BJP has decided to observe the note ban anniversary as &quot;anti- blackmoney day&quot;.</p>

<p>In its annual report for 2016-17 released on August 30, the RBI had said Rs 15.28 lakh crore, or 99 per cent of the demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, have returned to the banking system.</p>

<p>In the annual report, which was for the year ended June 30, 2017, the central bank said only Rs 16,050 crore out of the Rs 15.44 lakh crore in old high-denomination notes have not returned.</p>

<p>As on November 8, 2016, there were 1,716.5 crore pieces of Rs 500 and 685.8 crore pieces of Rs 1,000 notes in circulation, totalling Rs 15.44 lakh crore, it had said.</p>

<p>&quot;Subject to future corrections based on verification process when completed, the estimated value of specified bank notes received as on June 30, 2017, is Rs 15.28 trillion,&quot; RBI had said in the report.</p>

<p>While the counterfeit currency notes made for a minuscule number, RBI post-demonetisation spent Rs 7,965 crore on printing new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 bills and notes of other denominations, more than double the Rs 3,421 crore spent in the previous year, it said.</p>


'Specified Bank Notes are being processed in all earnest in double shift on all available machines (sophisticated counting machines),' the RBI said in reply to an RTI query

Nearly a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation, the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bills returned to banks are still being "processed in all earnest" through a sophisticated currency verification system, the RBI has said. In reply to an RTI query, the central bank said it has processed about 1,134 crore pieces of Rs 500 notes and 524.90 crore pieces of Rs 1,000 junked notes, having face value of Rs 5.67 lakh crore and Rs 5.24 lakh crore respectively, as on September 30. The combined value of the processed notes is Rs 10.91 lakh crore approximately, according to the reply. "Specified Bank Notes are being processed in all earnest in double shift on all available machines (sophisticated counting machines)," the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said in reply to the RTI query filed by a PTI correspondent. The central bank was asked to provide details of demonetised notes counted so far. Replying to a question on providing the deadline for completing the counting exercise, it said, "The verification of notes withdrawn from the circulation is an ongoing process". The RBI said at least 66 Sophisticated Currency Verification and Processing (CVPS) machines were being used for counting of junked Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes that were deposited with various banks post demonetisation. The government had on November 8 last year banned the use of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes and allowed the holders of these currency bills to deposit them with banks or use them at certain notified utilities. The notes deposited or collected are being verified by the central bank at its offices to establish the total number of currency bills returned and to weed out those that are fake. Several opposition parties including the Congress and Mamata Banerjee's TMC have announced that they would observe November 8, the first anniversary of demonetisation, as 'Black Day' and would hold protests across the country to highlight its "ill-effects" on the economy. To counter the opposition protest, the ruling BJP has decided to observe the note ban anniversary as "anti- blackmoney day". In its annual report for 2016-17 released on August 30, the RBI had said Rs 15.28 lakh crore, or 99 per cent of the demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, have returned to the banking system. In the annual report, which was for the year ended June 30, 2017, the central bank said only Rs 16,050 crore out of the Rs 15.44 lakh crore in old high-denomination notes have not returned. As on November 8, 2016, there were 1,716.5 crore pieces of Rs 500 and 685.8 crore pieces of Rs 1,000 notes in circulation, totalling Rs 15.44 lakh crore, it had said. "Subject to future corrections based on verification process when completed, the estimated value of specified bank notes received as on June 30, 2017, is Rs 15.28 trillion," RBI had said in the report. While the counterfeit currency notes made for a minuscule number, RBI post-demonetisation spent Rs 7,965 crore on printing new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 bills and notes of other denominations, more than double the Rs 3,421 crore spent in the previous year, it said.

One year after demonetisation, RBI says returned notes still being counted

<p>The dynamics of bilateral relations between India, US and China are swiftly changing under a rapidly transforming global order. The last week saw two significant developments underlining this commotion and churning in the international order, and India might find itself at the helm of affairs here.</p>

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<h5>The evolving strategic collaboration between Washington and New Delhi comes after the US President Donald Trump announced his South Asia policy and sought a greater role for India in Afghanistan.</h5>
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<p>The Asia visit of US Secretary of State came against the backdrop of the recently concluded 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Strong signs of an emerging multipolarity made themselves highly evident during the last few days when both US and China pushed for a greater assertion over the international affairs.</p>

<p>Tillerson&#39;s visit to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India was an attempt by the US to mark its territory in terms of its strategic dominance and rope in India as an important ally to the US in the region. The evolving strategic collaboration between Washington and New Delhi comes after the US President Donald Trump announced his South Asia policy and sought a greater role for India in Afghanistan.</p>

<p>The visit, which is said to have sent a strong message to Pakistan on the issue of terrorism, also seeks to prop up India as a useful balancer to the developing China-Pakistan axis in South Asia. The importance of the timing of this visit is also not lost on observers, as it comes barely days after Tillerson&rsquo;s speech on &ldquo;Defining our relationship with India for the next century&rdquo; at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). In his speech, Tillerson laid great emphasis on a &ldquo;free and open Indo-Pacific&rdquo; while being highly critical of China&#39;s &ldquo;less responsible&rdquo; rise.</p>

<p>Tillerson&#39;s attempts at strengthening America&#39;s position in the subcontinent were simultaneous to the 19th National Congress of the CPC which saw the emergence of President Xi Jinping as a very strong leader in the history of the country, with a stature next only to that of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.</p>

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<h5>The consolidation of power in Xi Jinping will be critical to the Chinese foreign policy which will expectantly grow more assertive, both militarily and diplomatically.</h5>
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<p>Conscious of the world that was carefully observing the proceedings of the 19th NC, Xi laid a great emphasis on China&#39;s role as a world leader, and its endeavour to achieve a great power status. The repeated insistence on the importance of a globalised world and the significance of China&#39;s leadership clearly highlighted China&#39;s intentions to outgrow Deng Xiaoping&#39;s &ldquo;biding our time&rdquo; strategy and aggressively pursue Xi&#39;s &ldquo;China dream&rdquo;.</p>

<p>The consolidation of power in Xi Jinping will be critical to the Chinese foreign policy which will expectantly grow more assertive, both militarily and diplomatically. China, under Xi, will be looking to create and strengthen alternative global institutions, transform existing norms and push for regional supremacy. All this will happen as the US grows more isolationist in its global outlook. The daunting realisation that a more assertive China will be detrimental to the US&#39; strategic interests in Asia, was probably one of the many reasons behind Tillerson&#39;s visit to the region.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the face of the changing dynamics, however, India will find itself at the helm of affairs. The regional confrontation between India and China is set to increase as no formidable changes or major breaks could be detected in China&#39;s neighbourhood policy. In fact, the 19th NC saw the election of China&#39;s top diplomat and Special Representative for India-China border talks to the powerful 25 member politburo and is expected to rise further and become a vice premier in charge of foreign affairs.</p>

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<h5>A deepening engagement with the US at this point, along with an alternative alliance with Japan and Australia will help strengthen India&#39;s place in the global politics</h5>
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<p>The elevation of top diplomats to the powerful Central Committee and the politburo signifies the renewed commitment of President Xi in strongly pursuing China&#39;s regional dominance and countering the US influence in Asia-Pacific. India will be faced with an ever-rising China and can, therefore, expect more frequent skirmishes at the border, and at multilateral institutions.</p>

<p>This changing scenario will require India to carefully re-calibrate its relations. A deepening engagement with the US at this point, along with an alternative alliance with Japan and Australia will help strengthen India&#39;s place in the global politics. It will also provide a regional alternative to China for smaller countries in the Asia-Pacific. A robust India-US alliance will also work to offset China&#39;s dominance in the multilateral institutions. The US may be looking at a re-pivot to Asia and India might just be its best bet in the region.</p>


A deepening engagement with the US along with an alternative alliance with Japan and Australia will help strengthen India's place in the global politics

The dynamics of bilateral relations between India, US and China are swiftly changing under a rapidly transforming global order. The last week saw two significant developments underlining this commotion and churning in the international order, and India might find itself at the helm of affairs here. The evolving strategic collaboration between Washington and New Delhi comes after the US President Donald Trump announced his South Asia policy and sought a greater role for India in Afghanistan. × The Asia visit of US Secretary of State came against the backdrop of the recently concluded 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Strong signs of an emerging multipolarity made themselves highly evident during the last few days when both US and China pushed for a greater assertion over the international affairs. Tillerson's visit to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India was an attempt by the US to mark its territory in terms of its strategic dominance and rope in India as an important ally to the US in the region. The evolving strategic collaboration between Washington and New Delhi comes after the US President Donald Trump announced his South Asia policy and sought a greater role for India in Afghanistan. The visit, which is said to have sent a strong message to Pakistan on the issue of terrorism, also seeks to prop up India as a useful balancer to the developing China-Pakistan axis in South Asia. The importance of the timing of this visit is also not lost on observers, as it comes barely days after Tillerson’s speech on “Defining our relationship with India for the next century” at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). In his speech, Tillerson laid great emphasis on a “free and open Indo-Pacific” while being highly critical of China's “less responsible” rise. Tillerson's attempts at strengthening America's position in the subcontinent were simultaneous to the 19th National Congress of the CPC which saw the emergence of President Xi Jinping as a very strong leader in the history of the country, with a stature next only to that of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. The consolidation of power in Xi Jinping will be critical to the Chinese foreign policy which will expectantly grow more assertive, both militarily and diplomatically. × Conscious of the world that was carefully observing the proceedings of the 19th NC, Xi laid a great emphasis on China's role as a world leader, and its endeavour to achieve a great power status. The repeated insistence on the importance of a globalised world and the significance of China's leadership clearly highlighted China's intentions to outgrow Deng Xiaoping's “biding our time” strategy and aggressively pursue Xi's “China dream”. The consolidation of power in Xi Jinping will be critical to the Chinese foreign policy which will expectantly grow more assertive, both militarily and diplomatically. China, under Xi, will be looking to create and strengthen alternative global institutions, transform existing norms and push for regional supremacy. All this will happen as the US grows more isolationist in its global outlook. The daunting realisation that a more assertive China will be detrimental to the US' strategic interests in Asia, was probably one of the many reasons behind Tillerson's visit to the region. In the face of the changing dynamics, however, India will find itself at the helm of affairs. The regional confrontation between India and China is set to increase as no formidable changes or major breaks could be detected in China's neighbourhood policy. In fact, the 19th NC saw the election of China's top diplomat and Special Representative for India-China border talks to the powerful 25 member politburo and is expected to rise further and become a vice premier in charge of foreign affairs. A deepening engagement with the US at this point, along with an alternative alliance with Japan and Australia will help strengthen India's place in the global politics × The elevation of top diplomats to the powerful Central Committee and the politburo signifies the renewed commitment of President Xi in strongly pursuing China's regional dominance and countering the US influence in Asia-Pacific. India will be faced with an ever-rising China and can, therefore, expect more frequent skirmishes at the border, and at multilateral institutions. This changing scenario will require India to carefully re-calibrate its relations. A deepening engagement with the US at this point, along with an alternative alliance with Japan and Australia will help strengthen India's place in the global politics. It will also provide a regional alternative to China for smaller countries in the Asia-Pacific. A robust India-US alliance will also work to offset China's dominance in the multilateral institutions. The US may be looking at a re-pivot to Asia and India might just be its best bet in the region.

How India can counter China's growing influence in Asia

<p>Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is capable of leading the country and stressed that the Narendra Modi wave has faded, a statement that is not likely to go down well with the BJP.</p>

<p>The anger among people in Gujarat against the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is an indication that the BJP would face a stiff challenge in polls, scheduled to be held in December, he said.</p>

<p>Raut was addressing a discussion on a TV channel.</p>

<p>&quot;Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is capable of leading the country. It is wrong to call him &#39;Pappu&#39;,&quot; he said referring to the nickname used to mock the Congress vice-president by a section on social media.</p>

<p>State Education Minister and senior BJP leader Vinod Tawde was also present at the event.</p>

<p>&quot;The biggest political power in this country is people... the voters. &#39;<em>Woh </em><em>kisi</em><em> ko </em><em>bhi</em><em> Pappu </em><em>bana</em><em> </em><em>sakte</em><em> hai</em>&#39; (People can make anyone pappu),&quot; the Sena leader said in an apparent dig at the BJP which had secured a massive mandate in 2014 polls.</p>

<p>Sena, the oldest constituent of the NDA, shares a &#39;blow hot-blow cold&#39; relationship with its senior ally, the BJP, in the Centre and Maharashtra.</p>

<p>The Uddhav Thackeray-led party has been attacking Prime Minister Modi regularly and has often taken potshots at the BJP through editorials in the party mouthpiece &quot;Saamana&quot;.&nbsp;Raut&#39;s comments came a day after the schedule for Gujarat polls was announced.</p>

<p>Though Sena lacks any base in Gujarat, the home state of Modi, the party had extended its support to Patidar leader Hardik Patel who had met Uddhav Thackeray at the latter&#39;s residence in Mumbai earlier this year.</p>

<p>&quot;The Modi wave was there in 2014 general elections but now it seems to have faded away. The way people are marching on roads of Gujarat after GST was introduced, it seems they (BJP) are going to face a challenge,&quot; Raut added.</p>

<p>In 2015, Sena had said that even 100 Rahul Gandhis cannot match Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s &quot;mega wave&quot; and had mocked the Congress vice president for his &#39;suit-boot ki sarkar&#39; jibe.</p>


"Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is capable of leading the country. It is wrong to call him 'Pappu'," Sena MP said referring to the nickname used to mock the Congress vice-president by a section on social media.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is capable of leading the country and stressed that the Narendra Modi wave has faded, a statement that is not likely to go down well with the BJP. The anger among people in Gujarat against the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is an indication that the BJP would face a stiff challenge in polls, scheduled to be held in December, he said. Raut was addressing a discussion on a TV channel. "Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is capable of leading the country. It is wrong to call him 'Pappu'," he said referring to the nickname used to mock the Congress vice-president by a section on social media. State Education Minister and senior BJP leader Vinod Tawde was also present at the event. "The biggest political power in this country is people... the voters. 'Woh kisi ko bhi Pappu bana sakte hai' (People can make anyone pappu)," the Sena leader said in an apparent dig at the BJP which had secured a massive mandate in 2014 polls. Sena, the oldest constituent of the NDA, shares a 'blow hot-blow cold' relationship with its senior ally, the BJP, in the Centre and Maharashtra. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party has been attacking Prime Minister Modi regularly and has often taken potshots at the BJP through editorials in the party mouthpiece "Saamana". Raut's comments came a day after the schedule for Gujarat polls was announced. Though Sena lacks any base in Gujarat, the home state of Modi, the party had extended its support to Patidar leader Hardik Patel who had met Uddhav Thackeray at the latter's residence in Mumbai earlier this year. "The Modi wave was there in 2014 general elections but now it seems to have faded away. The way people are marching on roads of Gujarat after GST was introduced, it seems they (BJP) are going to face a challenge," Raut added. In 2015, Sena had said that even 100 Rahul Gandhis cannot match Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "mega wave" and had mocked the Congress vice president for his 'suit-boot ki sarkar' jibe.

Rahul Gandhi capable of leading the country: Shiv Sena

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address IAS probationers at Mussoorie&#39;s prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and give them tips on effective administration tomorrow, officials said.</p>

<p>On the second day of his Uttarakhand visit, Modi will also take part in a yoga session with the probationers and Kendriya Vidyalaya students at the academy, they said.</p>

<p>The prime minister arrived&nbsp;today at Dehradoon to leave for Mussoorie, where he is slated to attend a slew of programmes at the LBSNAA before returning to Delhi in the afternoon tomorrow.</p>

<p>Modi was accorded a warm welcome by Governor K K Paul, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and senior BJP leaders after he landed at the Jollygrant airport in an Indian Air Force&nbsp;plane.</p>

<p>About ten minutes later, he was in a chopper on way to Mussoorie&#39;s Polo Ground helipad, officials said.</p>

<p>At the Academy in Mussoorie, Modi is expected to garland a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and then participate in a tree plantation programme, they said.</p>

<p>This is Modi&#39;s second visit to the hill state in less than seven days.</p>

<p>The prime minister, who was in the state on October 20, ahead of the Kedarnath shrine&#39;s closure for the next six months, will address IAS trainees at the Academy and attend cultural programmes organised by them.</p>

<p>He will spend the night at the Kalindi guest house on the Academy campus.</p>

<p>Modi is scheduled to do yoga along with IAS trainees and students of the Kendriya Vidyalaya at the Academy tomorrow besides addressing probationers and giving them tips on effective administration, the officials said.</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address IAS probationers at Mussoorie's prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and give them tips on effective administration tomorrow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address IAS probationers at Mussoorie's prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and give them tips on effective administration tomorrow, officials said. On the second day of his Uttarakhand visit, Modi will also take part in a yoga session with the probationers and Kendriya Vidyalaya students at the academy, they said. The prime minister arrived today at Dehradoon to leave for Mussoorie, where he is slated to attend a slew of programmes at the LBSNAA before returning to Delhi in the afternoon tomorrow. Modi was accorded a warm welcome by Governor K K Paul, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and senior BJP leaders after he landed at the Jollygrant airport in an Indian Air Force plane. About ten minutes later, he was in a chopper on way to Mussoorie's Polo Ground helipad, officials said. At the Academy in Mussoorie, Modi is expected to garland a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and then participate in a tree plantation programme, they said. This is Modi's second visit to the hill state in less than seven days. The prime minister, who was in the state on October 20, ahead of the Kedarnath shrine's closure for the next six months, will address IAS trainees at the Academy and attend cultural programmes organised by them. He will spend the night at the Kalindi guest house on the Academy campus. Modi is scheduled to do yoga along with IAS trainees and students of the Kendriya Vidyalaya at the Academy tomorrow besides addressing probationers and giving them tips on effective administration, the officials said.

Modi to address IAS probationers, practice Yoga with them tomorrow

<p>A new &#39;consumer protection&#39;&nbsp;act is in the making and the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/gst-how-much-will-household-goods-cost-17468">&#39;consumer empowerment&#39;</a>&nbsp;will be a major part of it and guidelines on &#39;misleading&nbsp;ads&#39;&nbsp;will be made stricter, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi was speaking at the inauguration of International Conference on Consumer Protection for&nbsp;East, South &amp; South-East Countries in New Delhi.</p>

<p>Government&#39;s priority to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/gst-roll-out-how-does-it-affect-you-4024">consumer protection is in line with our resolve of &#39;New India&#39;</a>&nbsp;and we&#39;ll change it to consumer prosperity on our way ahead, PM added.</p>

<p>Consumer protection in an inseparable part of governance. Our Vedas have an extensive mention of consumer protection, PM Modi said.</p>

<p>Defending the GST, the prime minister said that GST was giving the country a new business culture. &quot;Consumers will be the biggest beneficiary of the new indirect tax regime,&#39;&#39; said Modi.</p>

<p>GST will boost competition among the companies, which will decrease prices of goods, in turn, benefiting poor and the middle-class consumers, Modi said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>What can be described as an ambitious project, the PM said that the government was working to make sure housing for all by 2022.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a PIB release, this is the first time an international conference on consumer protection is being organised by India for countries of the region which account for a majority of the global consumers and share common challenges and experiences. 22 countries from East, South and South-East Asia are participating in the international conference.</p>

<p>The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food &amp; Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan and Secretary-General, UNCTAD also addressed the participants. Besides the delegates, the inaugural session was attended by the dignitaries from the Centre and States including ministers, heads of consumer commissions, heads of regulatory authorities and senior officials.</p>

<p>The Conference will have six working sessions on the subjects of the United Nations guidelines for consumer protection and implementation, stakeholder participation in consumer protection, protection of online consumers, stakeholders participation, fostering consumer Inclusion in financial services, protection of vulnerable groups of consumers and consumer empowerment through education. Experts from different countries and India will be presenting their papers and views on the occasion.</p>

<p>&nbsp;The Conference will provide a platform to discuss and deliberate upon different aspects of consumer protection in the backdrop of revised UNGCP, aimed at shared learning and will explore a way forward for enhanced regional cooperation on the subject.</p>


GST will boost competition among the companies, which will decrease prices of goods, in turn, benefiting poor and the middle-class consumers, Modi said.

A new 'consumer protection' act is in the making and the 'consumer empowerment' will be a major part of it and guidelines on 'misleading ads' will be made stricter, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi was speaking at the inauguration of International Conference on Consumer Protection for East, South & South-East Countries in New Delhi. Government's priority to consumer protection is in line with our resolve of 'New India' and we'll change it to consumer prosperity on our way ahead, PM added. Consumer protection in an inseparable part of governance. Our Vedas have an extensive mention of consumer protection, PM Modi said. Defending the GST, the prime minister said that GST was giving the country a new business culture. "Consumers will be the biggest beneficiary of the new indirect tax regime,'' said Modi. GST will boost competition among the companies, which will decrease prices of goods, in turn, benefiting poor and the middle-class consumers, Modi said. What can be described as an ambitious project, the PM said that the government was working to make sure housing for all by 2022. According to a PIB release, this is the first time an international conference on consumer protection is being organised by India for countries of the region which account for a majority of the global consumers and share common challenges and experiences. 22 countries from East, South and South-East Asia are participating in the international conference. The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan and Secretary-General, UNCTAD also addressed the participants. Besides the delegates, the inaugural session was attended by the dignitaries from the Centre and States including ministers, heads of consumer commissions, heads of regulatory authorities and senior officials. The Conference will have six working sessions on the subjects of the United Nations guidelines for consumer protection and implementation, stakeholder participation in consumer protection, protection of online consumers, stakeholders participation, fostering consumer Inclusion in financial services, protection of vulnerable groups of consumers and consumer empowerment through education. Experts from different countries and India will be presenting their papers and views on the occasion. The Conference will provide a platform to discuss and deliberate upon different aspects of consumer protection in the backdrop of revised UNGCP, aimed at shared learning and will explore a way forward for enhanced regional cooperation on the subject.

Consumer protection government's priority, in line with our resolve of 'New India': Modi

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping for securing a second term as the head of the ruling Communist Party, saying he looks forward to further promote India-China ties together.</p>

<p>&quot;Congratulations to President Xi on getting re-elected as CPC General Secretary. Look forward to further promote India- China ties together,&quot; Modi said in his message on popular Chinese microblog Weibo which is akin to Twitter.</p>

<p>Modi&#39;s message was posted both in English and Mandarin.</p>

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<p>Xi was formally handed a second term in power and his doctrine was written into the party constitution, elevating him on par with modern China&#39;s founder Chairman Mao Zedong and his successor Deng Xiaoping.</p>

<p>Modi&#39;s message comes amid diplomatic efforts by the two sides to overcome the bitterness caused by the 73-day face-off between their troops in the Dokalam area of the Sikkim sector.</p>

<p>The Chinese and the Indian troops were engaged in a standoff since June 16 after the Indian side stopped the construction of a road by the Chinese Army.</p>

<p>Last month, Modi and Xi met on the sidelines of the 9th BRICS Summit in Chinese port city Xiamen and held their first substantive bilateral meeting after the Dokalam standoff and agreed to move forward in their ties.</p>


Xi was formally handed a second term in power and his doctrine was written into the party constitution, elevating him on par with modern China's founder Chairman Mao Zedong and his successor Deng Xiaoping.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping for securing a second term as the head of the ruling Communist Party, saying he looks forward to further promote India-China ties together. "Congratulations to President Xi on getting re-elected as CPC General Secretary. Look forward to further promote India- China ties together," Modi said in his message on popular Chinese microblog Weibo which is akin to Twitter. Modi's message was posted both in English and Mandarin. PM Modi congratulated Xi Jinping on CHina's popular mice-blogging website Weibo (WION) × Xi was formally handed a second term in power and his doctrine was written into the party constitution, elevating him on par with modern China's founder Chairman Mao Zedong and his successor Deng Xiaoping. Modi's message comes amid diplomatic efforts by the two sides to overcome the bitterness caused by the 73-day face-off between their troops in the Dokalam area of the Sikkim sector. The Chinese and the Indian troops were engaged in a standoff since June 16 after the Indian side stopped the construction of a road by the Chinese Army. Last month, Modi and Xi met on the sidelines of the 9th BRICS Summit in Chinese port city Xiamen and held their first substantive bilateral meeting after the Dokalam standoff and agreed to move forward in their ties.

PM Modi congratulates Xi Jinping, hopes to promote India-China ties

<p>Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has once again proved that he is a shrewd political strategist who understands Japanese politics better than his rivals. His latest controversial decision to hold snap elections to the House of Representatives one full year earlier than required raised many eyebrows in Japan and many analysts called it a risky gamble.</p>

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<h5>Mr Abe&rsquo;s ruling Liberal Democratic Party- Komeito coalition scored a dramatic victory capturing more than two-thirds majority seats in the Lower House.</h5>
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<p>Already enjoying more than two-thirds majority in the House, it was doubted whether he could even retain the existing strength leave alone the question of bettering it. When Abe took the decision to call the snap elections, he thought that it would be the usual &ldquo;rubber stamp elections&rdquo; which he could easily win as he had done in 2014. Though subsequently many developments like the rise of Ms Yuriko Koike as a challenger seemingly created some hiccups. Finally,&nbsp;Mr Abe&rsquo;s ruling Liberal Democratic Party- Komeito coalition scored a dramatic victory capturing more than two-thirds majority seats in the Lower House.</p>

<p>This victory, fifth successive win in national elections since 2012, will strengthen Mr Abe&rsquo;s position within his own party and even ensure his re-election as party president for the third term in September 2018 and his continuance as the Prime Minister until 2021. Some of his detractors within the party who could have challenged him now look very much weakened by&nbsp;Mr Abe&rsquo;s victory.</p>

<p>He is likely to be the longest-serving post-war prime minister of Japan. It is to be noted that the next major national election he will face will be in the summer of 2019 which will elect&nbsp;half the members of the House Councilors. It means that he will have ample time to initiate and implement some of his long-cherished goals like amending the Constitution, denuclearisation of North Korea, and enhancing the consumption tax from 8 per cent to 10 per cent by 2019.</p>

<p>In particular, Mr Abe will show utmost circumspection while dealing with the constitutional amendment which has posed the greatest challenge to successive governments in the past. He knows that since the issue can fuel a great deal of heat within the country, he has to move carefully to work out a national consensus before taking any hasty step. Winning 310 odd seats in the elections is not the same as winning the hearts of the people. In fact, many public opinion surveys taken after the election results conveyed the message that about 45-50 per cent of the people surveyed expressed their disagreement with Mr Abe&rsquo;s policies.</p>

<p>The Japanese Constitution lays down that any amendment to the Constitution needs to be approved by the two-thirds majority of both Houses and that it has to be endorsed by the people in a national referendum. Mr Abe knows that post-war Japanese pacifism has been centered on this Article and large segments of Japanese people strongly believe that this provision has given considerable stability to the reemergence of Japan as a strong peace-loving democratic state since 1952.</p>

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<h5>Mr Abe is likely to remain in power for four more years augurs well for the rapidly advancing India-Japan partnership.</h5>
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<p>Mr Abe will respect the strength of the people&rsquo;s sentiments and explore all possibilities to mould a national consensus on the issue. It will take time, but it would need careful handling.&nbsp;For instance, there are many elements in his own party who are not fully convinced about changing the Constitution. Further, his own political ally the Komeito Party has long expressed its reservations to the constitutional amendment. To what extent it is going to cooperate with Mr Abe will remain to be seen. In addition, while seeking to amend the Constitution, he has to give careful considerations to how other Asian neighbouring countries would respond to it.</p>

<p>Finally, the fact that Mr Abe is likely to remain in power for four more years augurs well for the rapidly advancing India-Japan partnership. He has been one of the strongest pillars of the bilateral ties since 2006. In particular, his close relations with Mr Narendra Modi have contributed to the deepening of the bilateral partnership since 2014. Mr Abe&rsquo;s recent summit meeting with Mr Modi at Ahmedabad in September 2017 marked a major milestone in their relations.</p>


With Shinzo Abe in power, India-Japan relations will prosper and that will benefit India

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has once again proved that he is a shrewd political strategist who understands Japanese politics better than his rivals. His latest controversial decision to hold snap elections to the House of Representatives one full year earlier than required raised many eyebrows in Japan and many analysts called it a risky gamble. Mr Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party- Komeito coalition scored a dramatic victory capturing more than two-thirds majority seats in the Lower House. × Already enjoying more than two-thirds majority in the House, it was doubted whether he could even retain the existing strength leave alone the question of bettering it. When Abe took the decision to call the snap elections, he thought that it would be the usual “rubber stamp elections” which he could easily win as he had done in 2014. Though subsequently many developments like the rise of Ms Yuriko Koike as a challenger seemingly created some hiccups. Finally, Mr Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party- Komeito coalition scored a dramatic victory capturing more than two-thirds majority seats in the Lower House. This victory, fifth successive win in national elections since 2012, will strengthen Mr Abe’s position within his own party and even ensure his re-election as party president for the third term in September 2018 and his continuance as the Prime Minister until 2021. Some of his detractors within the party who could have challenged him now look very much weakened by Mr Abe’s victory. He is likely to be the longest-serving post-war prime minister of Japan. It is to be noted that the next major national election he will face will be in the summer of 2019 which will elect half the members of the House Councilors. It means that he will have ample time to initiate and implement some of his long-cherished goals like amending the Constitution, denuclearisation of North Korea, and enhancing the consumption tax from 8 per cent to 10 per cent by 2019. In particular, Mr Abe will show utmost circumspection while dealing with the constitutional amendment which has posed the greatest challenge to successive governments in the past. He knows that since the issue can fuel a great deal of heat within the country, he has to move carefully to work out a national consensus before taking any hasty step. Winning 310 odd seats in the elections is not the same as winning the hearts of the people. In fact, many public opinion surveys taken after the election results conveyed the message that about 45-50 per cent of the people surveyed expressed their disagreement with Mr Abe’s policies. The Japanese Constitution lays down that any amendment to the Constitution needs to be approved by the two-thirds majority of both Houses and that it has to be endorsed by the people in a national referendum. Mr Abe knows that post-war Japanese pacifism has been centered on this Article and large segments of Japanese people strongly believe that this provision has given considerable stability to the reemergence of Japan as a strong peace-loving democratic state since 1952. Mr Abe is likely to remain in power for four more years augurs well for the rapidly advancing India-Japan partnership. × Mr Abe will respect the strength of the people’s sentiments and explore all possibilities to mould a national consensus on the issue. It will take time, but it would need careful handling. For instance, there are many elements in his own party who are not fully convinced about changing the Constitution. Further, his own political ally the Komeito Party has long expressed its reservations to the constitutional amendment. To what extent it is going to cooperate with Mr Abe will remain to be seen. In addition, while seeking to amend the Constitution, he has to give careful considerations to how other Asian neighbouring countries would respond to it. Finally, the fact that Mr Abe is likely to remain in power for four more years augurs well for the rapidly advancing India-Japan partnership. He has been one of the strongest pillars of the bilateral ties since 2006. In particular, his close relations with Mr Narendra Modi have contributed to the deepening of the bilateral partnership since 2014. Mr Abe’s recent summit meeting with Mr Modi at Ahmedabad in September 2017 marked a major milestone in their relations.

What Japan & India stand to gain from Shinzo Abe's victory

<p>13 days after announcing the dates of voting and results of Himachal Pradesh polls, the Election Commission (EC) will announce the dates for Gujarat assembly elections 2017 at 1 pm today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The term of the 182-member Gujarat assembly comes to an end on January 23, 2018.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The EC has been under attack from the opposition parties for not announcing the dates for Gujarat Assembly elections along with Himachal Pradesh. Both the states were expected to go to polls at the same time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gujarat is the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP hs bn arguing for simultaneous polls for Centre n States but the same party doesn&#39;t want that for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Himachal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Himachal</a> n <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BJPDoubleSpeak?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BJPDoubleSpeak</a></p>
&mdash; Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) <a href="https://twitter.com/ashokgehlot51/status/923046860889079809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>While declaring the Himachal election dates, the commission, however, &nbsp;announced that the counting of votes in both the states would take place on December 18.</p>

<p>The declaration of dates will immediately bring the model code of conduct into force, preventing BJP from using its status as the incumbent to woo the electorate at the exchequer&#39;s cost.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">EC will be recalled from its extended holiday after Gujarat Govt has announced all concessions and freebies.</p>
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/921194798572175360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The EC has rejected the accusation. Chief Election Commissioner A K Joti has said that several factors, including weather, flood relief work, and festivities, were considered before taking a call on election dates, adding: &ldquo;While the Gujarat and Himachal polls were announced together in 2012, their schedules were different. The two states had no similarities in geography or weather patterns.&rdquo;</p>


The EC has been under attack from the opposition parties for not announcing the dates for Gujarat Assembly elections along with Himachal Pradesh. Both the states were expected to go to polls at the same time.

13 days after announcing the dates of voting and results of Himachal Pradesh polls, the Election Commission (EC) will announce the dates for Gujarat assembly elections 2017 at 1 pm today. The term of the 182-member Gujarat assembly comes to an end on January 23, 2018. The EC has been under attack from the opposition parties for not announcing the dates for Gujarat Assembly elections along with Himachal Pradesh. Both the states were expected to go to polls at the same time. Gujarat is the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP hs bn arguing for simultaneous polls for Centre n States but the same party doesn't want that for #Himachal n #Gujarat.#BJPDoubleSpeak — Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) October 25, 2017 × While declaring the Himachal election dates, the commission, however, announced that the counting of votes in both the states would take place on December 18. The declaration of dates will immediately bring the model code of conduct into force, preventing BJP from using its status as the incumbent to woo the electorate at the exchequer's cost. EC will be recalled from its extended holiday after Gujarat Govt has announced all concessions and freebies. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 20, 2017 × The EC has rejected the accusation. Chief Election Commissioner A K Joti has said that several factors, including weather, flood relief work, and festivities, were considered before taking a call on election dates, adding: “While the Gujarat and Himachal polls were announced together in 2012, their schedules were different. The two states had no similarities in geography or weather patterns.”

Gujarat poll dates to be announced today

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on his re-election and said he looked forward to further strengthening the relations between the two countries.</p>

<p>Abe got a resounding victory in the snap polls held yesterday, with his LDF-led coalition winning a two-thirds majority in the lower house of Parliament.</p>

<p>&quot;Heartiest greetings to my dear friend @AbeShinzo on his big election win. Look forward to further strengthen India- Japan relations with him,&quot; Modi tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Heartiest greetings to my dear friend <a href="https://twitter.com/AbeShinzo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AbeShinzo</a> on his big election win. Look forward to further strengthen India-Japan relations with him.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/922300769432494081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Modi and Abe share a great relationship and have met several times over the last three years.</p>

<p>Abe was in India recently for the annual summit meeting with Modi.</p>


PM Modi said he looked forward to further strengthening the relations between the two countries

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on his re-election and said he looked forward to further strengthening the relations between the two countries. Abe got a resounding victory in the snap polls held yesterday, with his LDF-led coalition winning a two-thirds majority in the lower house of Parliament. "Heartiest greetings to my dear friend @AbeShinzo on his big election win. Look forward to further strengthen India- Japan relations with him," Modi tweeted. Heartiest greetings to my dear friend @AbeShinzo on his big election win. Look forward to further strengthen India-Japan relations with him. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 23, 2017 × Modi and Abe share a great relationship and have met several times over the last three years. Abe was in India recently for the annual summit meeting with Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates Shinzo Abe on re-election

<p>Undoubtedly, by not announcing the electoral scheme for Gujarat, Election Commission of India got derailed from its conventional path. Many doubted the fairness of this constitutional body. The reasons were located in the avoidance of model code of conduct that may have come in the way of possible announcements of policy dividends by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address at Gujarat Gaurav Mahasammelan scheduled on 16th October 2017 in Gandhinagar.</p>

<p>But against this proposition, Narendra Modi has relied more on symbolism than substance. There were forms and styles of immediate or non-mediated politics than actual dividends. Also, there was nothing exotic about his recent address in this poll-bound state. We have merely got the sense of his anxiety over the possible waning of his aura and shifting social constituencies from the fold of BJP.</p>

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<h5>BJP was highlighted more as a regional force representing Gujarati pride and Gujarati&rsquo;s sub-nationalism.</h5>
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<p>In his address, there were allegations, appeasement, glorification and realisations. The BJP&rsquo;s anti-Congress position was unduly hyped. Pasts were invoked to demean Congress, particularly in relation to its treatment of Gujarat and Gujarat&rsquo;s leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Morarji Desai, Madhavsinha Solanki and, finally, Narendra Modi himself. Indeed, there seems to be an emerging realisation of his party&rsquo;s failure in delivering economic comfort to the people through demonetisation and GST as the complicity of other parties were highlighted in GST&rsquo;s implementation.</p>

<p>In a more ironic ways, Narendra Modi has revived the memories of 2002 Gujarat riots in a subtle reference to the Congress&rsquo; conspiracies to victimise him. BJP was highlighted more as a regional force representing Gujarati pride and Gujarati&rsquo;s sub-nationalism. Most significantly, OBCs, Dalits, Tribals and farmers were appeased by highlighting their numerical representation in BJP.</p>

<p>Be that as it may, the speech of Narendra Modi lends support to the following emerging realities in Gujarat. First, unlike the assembly elections since the mid-1990s, the 2017 elections for 182 Assembly seats is not a cake walk for BJP. It has become competitive with the refashioning of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress to fight the Gujarat elections on all fronts, including social media.</p>

<p>Second, there is a growing realisation among BJP members about the possible disillusionment of a sizable number of voters with the party&rsquo;s two-decade-old regime.</p>

<p>Third, the repeated Gujarat model of development is losing appeal among the marginalised sections of Gujarat. Fourth, there is an &lsquo;invisible discontent in making&rsquo; over the poorly designed economic policies like GST and demonetisation. In view of these developments, it should perhaps hardly be surprising if BJP loses its substantial assembly seats and vote share in the forthcoming elections.</p>

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<p>The 2017 Gujarat Assembly election is different in multiple senses. First, it will act as a prelude to the BJP&rsquo;s performance in 2019 Lok Sabha elections the way 2012 did for 2014 Lok Sabha. The expansive tide of Narendra Modi&rsquo;s charisma will receive a severe jolt in 2019 if BJP performs even reasonably poor in the home state of the Prime Minister. It must be noted that Gujarat has always worked for BJP as a laboratory for the unique convergence of neo-liberal policies, Hindutva nationalism and regional sub-nationalism.</p>

<p>Second, in the absence of Narendra Modi as the chief ministerial candidate, 2017 Assembly election is going to be the first election after 2001 when Gujarat will be facing the crisis of a credible chief ministerial face. It is reminding a situation of the 1990s when Gujarat experienced the rotation of chief ministerial candidates due to high factionalism within the party, such as Keshubhai Patel (March 1995 to Oct 1995), Sureshchandra Mehta (Oct 1995 to Sept 1996) and Narendra Modi (2001-14). Similar situations prevail&nbsp;now when we noticed the rotation of CMs from Anandiben Patel (May 2014-August 2016) to Vijay Rupani (August 2016 to present). Gujarat is missing the management of Modi who became chief minister of Gujarat in 2001 and led the party to election victories in 2002, 2007 and 2012.</p>

<p>Third, there are strong oppositions to BJP from non-Congress forces like Alpesh Thakor (convenor of Kshatriya Thakor Sena), Hardik Patel (convenor of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti) and Jignesh Mewani (convenor of Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch). Third, with the exit of Shankarsinh Vaghela, Congress is no more as factionalised as it was in early days. Fourth, BJP is experiencing the loss of morale with the reporting of The Wire on Amit Shah&rsquo;s son and the entry of Sukhram in the party.</p>

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<h5>Despite all odds and the changing dynamics of Gujarat, BJP is well placed in the state in the 14th Assembly elections as well.</h5>
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<p>Despite all odds and the changing dynamics of Gujarat, BJP is well placed in the state in the 14th Assembly elections as well. BJP&rsquo;s performance steadily improved from 27 per cent of the vote in 1990 to 50 per cent in 2002. However, the party registered the marginal decline in terms of vote share from 49 per cent in 2007 to 48 per cent in 2012. It has gained Assembly seats from 121 in 1995 to 117 in 1998 and gained highest ever of 127 in 2002 but again a slight decline took place from 2007 as it got 117 seats and 116 in 2012.</p>

<p>What makes Gujarat a stronghold of BJP over the last two decades? There are many reasons. First, Gujarat has never been the subject of lower caste movements and, thus, no challenge is being offered to BJP from this section of the society. Second, Muslims strategically failed to articulate their political voice. Third, there is a near absence of Adivasi movements or struggles for demanding a share in forest resources and land rights. Fourth, farmer&rsquo;s movement has already been co-opted by the Bhartiya Kisan Sangh of RSS. Fifth, there is a minimal caste and factional division within the BJP in the state. Sixth, the political mobilisations in Gujarat have always been steered by the higher and dominant castes like Mahagujrat movement for the creation of Gujarat, Nav Nirman movement against corruption, anti-reservation protests, and, finally, Ayodhya movement.</p>

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<h5>In India and particularly Gujarat, the cultural emotions rather reason played a powerful role in directing the voting behaviour of the people.</h5>
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<p>Above all, BJP in Gujarat remained highly cohesive, centralised and ideologically committed and strongly supported by the RSS. It would be difficult to challenge the party&rsquo;s strong ties to local administrators and network of civil society organisations, including industrial groups, caste associations and religious organisations. BJP is no longer an urban-centric party rather it penetrated heavily in rural areas using RSS&rsquo;s Bhartiya Kisan Sangh. BJP has made significant gains among two large OBCs, the Kshatriyas and Kolis since 2012. But it remains to be seen whether Hardik Patel&rsquo;s claim that BJP discriminated against the Patidars become popular election issue or not.</p>

<p>Will BJP be the subject or victim of tribal anger? No ways.</p>

<p>As it appears, Congress will lose significantly the tribal votes as BJP has made a successful dent in the Adivasi areas using its affiliate organisations and their programmes like VHP&rsquo;s Ekal Vidyalayas, RSS&rsquo;s Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram as well as policy dividends like Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojna, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna and Vanvasi Kalyan Yojna. The service network of RSS is unmatched as the organisation often indulged in relief camps and distribution of food grain, medicines and clothes to tribals.</p>

<p>Whatever may be, in India and particularly Gujarat, the cultural emotions rather reason played a powerful role in directing the voting behaviour of the people. It is because cultural attachments are easily generated and profoundly felt. We have always witnessed the moments when the miseries of poor economics are forgotten while making political choices. It can be seen in the caste and communal prejudices that are endemic in our society as is the narrow forms of nationalism. It is more manifest when elections are due. Certainly, Gujarat is also going to face the old forms of stereotypes and political mobilisation that can lead to seeing the pluralism as evil in a very schizophrenic fashion and polarisation as the only game plan.</p>


Gujarat has always worked for BJP as a laboratory for the unique convergence of neo-liberal policies, Hindutva nationalism and regional sub-nationalism.

Undoubtedly, by not announcing the electoral scheme for Gujarat, Election Commission of India got derailed from its conventional path. Many doubted the fairness of this constitutional body. The reasons were located in the avoidance of model code of conduct that may have come in the way of possible announcements of policy dividends by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address at Gujarat Gaurav Mahasammelan scheduled on 16th October 2017 in Gandhinagar. But against this proposition, Narendra Modi has relied more on symbolism than substance. There were forms and styles of immediate or non-mediated politics than actual dividends. Also, there was nothing exotic about his recent address in this poll-bound state. We have merely got the sense of his anxiety over the possible waning of his aura and shifting social constituencies from the fold of BJP. BJP was highlighted more as a regional force representing Gujarati pride and Gujarati’s sub-nationalism. × In his address, there were allegations, appeasement, glorification and realisations. The BJP’s anti-Congress position was unduly hyped. Pasts were invoked to demean Congress, particularly in relation to its treatment of Gujarat and Gujarat’s leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Morarji Desai, Madhavsinha Solanki and, finally, Narendra Modi himself. Indeed, there seems to be an emerging realisation of his party’s failure in delivering economic comfort to the people through demonetisation and GST as the complicity of other parties were highlighted in GST’s implementation. In a more ironic ways, Narendra Modi has revived the memories of 2002 Gujarat riots in a subtle reference to the Congress’ conspiracies to victimise him. BJP was highlighted more as a regional force representing Gujarati pride and Gujarati’s sub-nationalism. Most significantly, OBCs, Dalits, Tribals and farmers were appeased by highlighting their numerical representation in BJP. Be that as it may, the speech of Narendra Modi lends support to the following emerging realities in Gujarat. First, unlike the assembly elections since the mid-1990s, the 2017 elections for 182 Assembly seats is not a cake walk for BJP. It has become competitive with the refashioning of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress to fight the Gujarat elections on all fronts, including social media. Second, there is a growing realisation among BJP members about the possible disillusionment of a sizable number of voters with the party’s two-decade-old regime. Third, the repeated Gujarat model of development is losing appeal among the marginalised sections of Gujarat. Fourth, there is an ‘invisible discontent in making’ over the poorly designed economic policies like GST and demonetisation. In view of these developments, it should perhaps hardly be surprising if BJP loses its substantial assembly seats and vote share in the forthcoming elections. Gujarat has always worked for BJP as a laboratory for the unique convergence of neo-liberal policies, Hindutva nationalism and regional sub-nationalism. × The 2017 Gujarat Assembly election is different in multiple senses. First, it will act as a prelude to the BJP’s performance in 2019 Lok Sabha elections the way 2012 did for 2014 Lok Sabha. The expansive tide of Narendra Modi’s charisma will receive a severe jolt in 2019 if BJP performs even reasonably poor in the home state of the Prime Minister. It must be noted that Gujarat has always worked for BJP as a laboratory for the unique convergence of neo-liberal policies, Hindutva nationalism and regional sub-nationalism. Second, in the absence of Narendra Modi as the chief ministerial candidate, 2017 Assembly election is going to be the first election after 2001 when Gujarat will be facing the crisis of a credible chief ministerial face. It is reminding a situation of the 1990s when Gujarat experienced the rotation of chief ministerial candidates due to high factionalism within the party, such as Keshubhai Patel (March 1995 to Oct 1995), Sureshchandra Mehta (Oct 1995 to Sept 1996) and Narendra Modi (2001-14). Similar situations prevail now when we noticed the rotation of CMs from Anandiben Patel (May 2014-August 2016) to Vijay Rupani (August 2016 to present). Gujarat is missing the management of Modi who became chief minister of Gujarat in 2001 and led the party to election victories in 2002, 2007 and 2012. Third, there are strong oppositions to BJP from non-Congress forces like Alpesh Thakor (convenor of Kshatriya Thakor Sena), Hardik Patel (convenor of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti) and Jignesh Mewani (convenor of Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch). Third, with the exit of Shankarsinh Vaghela, Congress is no more as factionalised as it was in early days. Fourth, BJP is experiencing the loss of morale with the reporting of The Wire on Amit Shah’s son and the entry of Sukhram in the party. Despite all odds and the changing dynamics of Gujarat, BJP is well placed in the state in the 14th Assembly elections as well. × Despite all odds and the changing dynamics of Gujarat, BJP is well placed in the state in the 14th Assembly elections as well. BJP’s performance steadily improved from 27 per cent of the vote in 1990 to 50 per cent in 2002. However, the party registered the marginal decline in terms of vote share from 49 per cent in 2007 to 48 per cent in 2012. It has gained Assembly seats from 121 in 1995 to 117 in 1998 and gained highest ever of 127 in 2002 but again a slight decline took place from 2007 as it got 117 seats and 116 in 2012. What makes Gujarat a stronghold of BJP over the last two decades? There are many reasons. First, Gujarat has never been the subject of lower caste movements and, thus, no challenge is being offered to BJP from this section of the society. Second, Muslims strategically failed to articulate their political voice. Third, there is a near absence of Adivasi movements or struggles for demanding a share in forest resources and land rights. Fourth, farmer’s movement has already been co-opted by the Bhartiya Kisan Sangh of RSS. Fifth, there is a minimal caste and factional division within the BJP in the state. Sixth, the political mobilisations in Gujarat have always been steered by the higher and dominant castes like Mahagujrat movement for the creation of Gujarat, Nav Nirman movement against corruption, anti-reservation protests, and, finally, Ayodhya movement. In India and particularly Gujarat, the cultural emotions rather reason played a powerful role in directing the voting behaviour of the people. × Above all, BJP in Gujarat remained highly cohesive, centralised and ideologically committed and strongly supported by the RSS. It would be difficult to challenge the party’s strong ties to local administrators and network of civil society organisations, including industrial groups, caste associations and religious organisations. BJP is no longer an urban-centric party rather it penetrated heavily in rural areas using RSS’s Bhartiya Kisan Sangh. BJP has made significant gains among two large OBCs, the Kshatriyas and Kolis since 2012. But it remains to be seen whether Hardik Patel’s claim that BJP discriminated against the Patidars become popular election issue or not. Will BJP be the subject or victim of tribal anger? No ways. As it appears, Congress will lose significantly the tribal votes as BJP has made a successful dent in the Adivasi areas using its affiliate organisations and their programmes like VHP’s Ekal Vidyalayas, RSS’s Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram as well as policy dividends like Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojna, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna and Vanvasi Kalyan Yojna. The service network of RSS is unmatched as the organisation often indulged in relief camps and distribution of food grain, medicines and clothes to tribals. Whatever may be, in India and particularly Gujarat, the cultural emotions rather reason played a powerful role in directing the voting behaviour of the people. It is because cultural attachments are easily generated and profoundly felt. We have always witnessed the moments when the miseries of poor economics are forgotten while making political choices. It can be seen in the caste and communal prejudices that are endemic in our society as is the narrow forms of nationalism. It is more manifest when elections are due. Certainly, Gujarat is also going to face the old forms of stereotypes and political mobilisation that can lead to seeing the pluralism as evil in a very schizophrenic fashion and polarisation as the only game plan.

Pluralism vs polarisation: BJP's plan to win Gujarat

<p>Prime Minister Modi today <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-dedicates-first-all-india-institute-of-ayurveda-to-country-22531">celebrated Diwali with Indian troops at a forward military </a>post along the Line of Control(LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Gurez sector.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/diwali-wagah-border-india-pak-troops-exchange-gifts-504">&quot;I have an </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/just-having-best-development-ideas-not-enough-prime-minister-modi-21272">opportunity to spend the festival of Diwali with you</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/diwali-wagah-border-india-pak-troops-exchange-gifts-504">.</a> The presence of brave soldiers at the border, on this festive occasion, lights the lamp of hope, and generates new energy among crores of Indians,&quot; the prime minister wrote in the visitors&#39; book.</p>

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<p>Modi arrived at Gurez on Thursday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/india-celebrates-diwali-503">morning </a>in an unannounced visit with Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, Northern Command chief Lt General Devraj Anbu and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen J S Sandhu present during the celebrations along the LoC.</p>

<p>&quot;To accomplish the dream of &#39;New India&#39;, this is a golden opportunity for all of us to work together. The Army too is a part of it,&quot; the Indian Prime Minister said.</p>

<p>PM Modi offered sweets and exchanged greetings with the BSF soldiers at Gurez.</p>

<p>The PM said each Indian citizen must cultivate a new resolve as India celebrates its 75th independence in 2022, adding that he considers the Indian Army his family.</p>

<p>Modi encouraged the soldiers to practise yoga and said after leaving the armed forces they can become excellent yoga trainers.</p>

<p>Modi said the Centre was committed to the welfare armed forces pointing towards the implementation of One Rank, One Pension.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Modi greeted the nation on Twitter as he left for the border to celebrate the occasion with the Indian troops.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">??????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?????????? ?? ??????? ??????????? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HappyDiwali?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HappyDiwali</a> to everyone!</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi PM (@Narendramodi_PM) <a href="https://twitter.com/Narendramodi_PM/status/920856845425680384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: PM Narendra Modi celebrate <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Diwali?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Diwali</a> with jawans in Gurez Valley, near LoC, in J&amp;K <a href="https://t.co/gu2HxLRtq0">pic.twitter.com/gu2HxLRtq0</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/920959324733583360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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PM Modi offered sweets and exchanged greetings with the BSF soldiers at Gurez.

Prime Minister Modi today celebrated Diwali with Indian troops at a forward military post along the Line of Control(LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Gurez sector. "I have an opportunity to spend the festival of Diwali with you. The presence of brave soldiers at the border, on this festive occasion, lights the lamp of hope, and generates new energy among crores of Indians," the prime minister wrote in the visitors' book. × Modi arrived at Gurez on Thursday morning in an unannounced visit with Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, Northern Command chief Lt General Devraj Anbu and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen J S Sandhu present during the celebrations along the LoC. "To accomplish the dream of 'New India', this is a golden opportunity for all of us to work together. The Army too is a part of it," the Indian Prime Minister said. PM Modi offered sweets and exchanged greetings with the BSF soldiers at Gurez. The PM said each Indian citizen must cultivate a new resolve as India celebrates its 75th independence in 2022, adding that he considers the Indian Army his family. Modi encouraged the soldiers to practise yoga and said after leaving the armed forces they can become excellent yoga trainers. Modi said the Centre was committed to the welfare armed forces pointing towards the implementation of One Rank, One Pension. Earlier in the day, Modi greeted the nation on Twitter as he left for the border to celebrate the occasion with the Indian troops. ??????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?????????? ?? ??????? ??????????? #HappyDiwali to everyone! — Narendra Modi PM (@Narendramodi_PM) October 19, 2017 × #WATCH: PM Narendra Modi celebrate #Diwali with jawans in Gurez Valley, near LoC, in J&K pic.twitter.com/gu2HxLRtq0 — ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2017 ×

Watch: Presence of brave soldiers at the border lights the lamp of hope, says PM Modi at LoC

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Bihar for the centenary celebrations of the Patna University, today praised chief minister Nitish Kumar for his commitment towards the progress of Bihar.</p>

<p>&quot;The commitment of Nitish Kumar <em>ji</em> towards the progress of Bihar is commendable,&quot; PM Modi said in his address at Patna University.</p>

<p>PM Modi and Nitish Kumar shared the stage for the first time in eight years.</p>

<p>&quot;When the country celebrates 75 years of independence in 2022, then Bihar should also feature in the list of leading states of the nation. This is what we are aiming and working towards. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar`s plan will help Bihar achieve its goal as seeds sown 100 years ago in Patna University are giving fruits now,&quot; PM Modi said.</p>

<p>The prime minister had high words of praise for Patna University, saying that it had given the country top civil servants.</p>

<p>&quot;In every state, the senior level of the civil services has officers who have studied in Patna University,&quot; PM Modi said.</p>

<p>He added that Bihar was blessed with both &quot;Gyaan&quot; (knowledge) and the Ganga river.</p>

<p>The university&#39;s famous alumni&nbsp;and BJP leaders Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha, however, didn&#39;t attend the event.</p>

<p>Shatrughan Sinha sarcastically wrote on Twitter that his invitation came very late and at short notice, &quot;delayed by the more loyal than the King&#39;s people&quot;. The former actor&nbsp;had earlier told a media outlet that he was &quot;pained&quot; at not being invited for the celebrations.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">....even I got an invitaion, alas very late and with a very short notice...delayed by the &quot;more loyal than the King&#39;s people&quot; involved..2&gt;3</p>
&mdash; Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShatruganSinha/status/919061023209824257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">...in the affair. So, though &quot;Muhabbat Karne waale kam na honge...Teri mehfil mein lekin hum na honge&quot;. However, my best wishes.....3&gt;4</p>
&mdash; Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShatruganSinha/status/919061269503606784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The actor tweeted his best wishes on the occasion.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">Bihar is the strength &amp; weakness of your Bihari Babu. Long live Bihar, Long live Patna Univ, Long live Hon&#39;ble PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> . Jai Bihar!</p>
&mdash; Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShatruganSinha/status/919067135174787073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi, whose BJP has an alliance with Nitish Kumar&#39;s JD-U in Bihar, said 10 private and 10 public universities will be given a fund of Rs 10,000 Crore over a period of five years to make them world-class.</p>

<p>Nitish Kumar requested the prime minister to grant central university status to Patna University.</p>

<p>The prime minister arrived in Patna today morning on a day-long visit to Bihar. He will also lay the foundation stone of several projects including four National Highways worth over 3,700 crore rupees in Mokama.&nbsp;The&nbsp;projects also include a six-lane bridge over river Ganga.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bihar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bihar</a>: PM Modi arrives in Mokama; he will lay foundation Stone of Projects under Namami Gange programme, and National Highway projects <a href="https://t.co/pCaMp5hiMg">pic.twitter.com/pCaMp5hiMg</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/919122778950746112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The prime minister addressed&nbsp;a public meeting in Mokama and took note of the large crowds that had gathered for his speech.</p>

<p>&quot;Wherever I can see, people are visible,&quot; PM Modi said.</p>

<p>He assured the people that the central and Bihar governments would do &quot;everything possible&quot; for Bihar&#39;s growth and that the projects whose foundation stones were being laid would give an impetus to the development of the state.</p>

<p>The prime minister also said that the Railway Ministry had started four special trains so that people in Bihar and north-eastern Uttar Pradesh did not have any difficulty in reaching home for Diwali and the Chhath festival.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Bihar for the centenary celebrations of the Patna University

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Bihar for the centenary celebrations of the Patna University, today praised chief minister Nitish Kumar for his commitment towards the progress of Bihar. "The commitment of Nitish Kumar ji towards the progress of Bihar is commendable," PM Modi said in his address at Patna University. PM Modi and Nitish Kumar shared the stage for the first time in eight years. "When the country celebrates 75 years of independence in 2022, then Bihar should also feature in the list of leading states of the nation. This is what we are aiming and working towards. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar`s plan will help Bihar achieve its goal as seeds sown 100 years ago in Patna University are giving fruits now," PM Modi said. The prime minister had high words of praise for Patna University, saying that it had given the country top civil servants. "In every state, the senior level of the civil services has officers who have studied in Patna University," PM Modi said. He added that Bihar was blessed with both "Gyaan" (knowledge) and the Ganga river. The university's famous alumni and BJP leaders Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha, however, didn't attend the event. Shatrughan Sinha sarcastically wrote on Twitter that his invitation came very late and at short notice, "delayed by the more loyal than the King's people". The former actor had earlier told a media outlet that he was "pained" at not being invited for the celebrations. ....even I got an invitaion, alas very late and with a very short notice...delayed by the "more loyal than the King's people" involved..2>3 — Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) October 14, 2017 × ...in the affair. So, though "Muhabbat Karne waale kam na honge...Teri mehfil mein lekin hum na honge". However, my best wishes.....3>4 — Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) October 14, 2017 × The actor tweeted his best wishes on the occasion. Bihar is the strength & weakness of your Bihari Babu. Long live Bihar, Long live Patna Univ, Long live Hon'ble PM @narendramodi . Jai Bihar! — Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) October 14, 2017 × PM Modi, whose BJP has an alliance with Nitish Kumar's JD-U in Bihar, said 10 private and 10 public universities will be given a fund of Rs 10,000 Crore over a period of five years to make them world-class. Nitish Kumar requested the prime minister to grant central university status to Patna University. The prime minister arrived in Patna today morning on a day-long visit to Bihar. He will also lay the foundation stone of several projects including four National Highways worth over 3,700 crore rupees in Mokama. The projects also include a six-lane bridge over river Ganga. #Bihar: PM Modi arrives in Mokama; he will lay foundation Stone of Projects under Namami Gange programme, and National Highway projects pic.twitter.com/pCaMp5hiMg — ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2017 × The prime minister addressed a public meeting in Mokama and took note of the large crowds that had gathered for his speech. "Wherever I can see, people are visible," PM Modi said. He assured the people that the central and Bihar governments would do "everything possible" for Bihar's growth and that the projects whose foundation stones were being laid would give an impetus to the development of the state. The prime minister also said that the Railway Ministry had started four special trains so that people in Bihar and north-eastern Uttar Pradesh did not have any difficulty in reaching home for Diwali and the Chhath festival.

Nitish Kumar's commitment towards Bihar commendable: PM Modi at Patna University

<p>PM Narendra Modi, recently announced the Saubhagya, that is, the Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana scheme, under which electricity connections will be provided to all &ldquo;willing households&rdquo; across the urban and rural areas. With an outlay of over Rs 16000 crore, the scheme is expected to cover the 40 million families which still lack an electricity connection, by December 2018.</p>

<p>The Saubhagya initiative correctly identifies two major problems plaguing India&rsquo;s power sector: Overstressed Discoms facing high supply costs and poor households facing high costs of power connection and supply.</p>

<p>To bridge the gap between supply and demand, the government has decided to provide the BPL households with free electricity connection and the APL households with an electricity connection priced at Rs 5000, payable at the rate of Rs 500 per month, to be recovered by Discoms through the electricity bills. Besides, for households located in remote and inaccessible areas, not connected to the grid, the government would provide a solar pack of 200-300 watt peak (WP), including a battery bank, five LED bulbs, one DC fan and one DC power plug.</p>

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<h5>Inefficient billing practices and electricity theft continue to plague the power sector in India.</h5>
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<p>The Saubhagya initiative aims to achieve last mile connectivity, a problem with roots in the inefficient management, billing and metering system at the level of individual households and villages in India. The lack of access to electricity stems from the fact that most households do not have the required money to pay for the electricity connections and&nbsp;for the subsequent electricity bills.</p>

<p>While the first problem is resolved by central government&rsquo;s announcement of free electricity connections to all, the second problem still remains unresolved to a certain extent. Inefficient billing practices and electricity theft continue to plague the power sector in India.</p>

<p>While the government has promised to set up prepaid and smart metering systems for the households to be covered under the Saubhagya scheme, the initiative effectively leaves out those households which are electrified but are still running on older versions of electric meters or paying flat bills for hefty power consumption.</p>

<p>The problems of electricity theft and inefficient usage also continue to stare the policymakers in the face. Besides, the idea of sustainable and clean energy access becomes redundant if the consequent increase in power demand is met through a proportionate increase in the use of coal-fired power plants.</p>

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<p>To pursue the idea of power security holistically, therefore, the government will need to rely on three key technological pillars which can prove to be a major disruption in the country&rsquo;s electricity sector. First, the government will need to promote the use of smart and pre-paid meters in rural and urban households by incentivising their use and taxing their non-use.</p>

<p>Suitable billing mechanisms must be designed which can gradually render the older version of electricity meters obsolete. Aadhar based linking of power connections and generation of e-bills for power use can go a long way in checking for power theft and pilferage. Dwellings for urban poor and slum dwellers, not covered by the existing grid infrastructure, can be provided with the aforementioned solar packs to cover for their daily use and related activities.</p>

<p>Second, the government will need to provide a major policy push for rooftop solar power panels over the next couple of years. The technology, if adopted on a mission mode basis, promises to bring down the cost of household electricity bills, reduce the overall dependency on thermal power plants and finally achieve the INDC goals that the country has set for itself by 2030.</p>

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<h5>The government will also need to discontinue the practice of providing free electricity to certain groups of agriculturists and industries.</h5>
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<p>Besides, the provision of rooftop solar plants will help improve the reliability of power supply, reduce fluctuations and minimise the AT&amp;C losses plaguing the grid-connected power infrastructure, as the point of power generation and power consumption will lie in close proximity. This will, in turn, provide a major push for the use of electric stoves and reduce overall dependency on LPG cylinders. The government will also need to discontinue the practice of providing free electricity to certain groups of agriculturists and industries.</p>

<p>This step will push up electricity bills for a short time for the given entities. However, the holistic implementation of the power policy promises to bring down tariffs and improve the affordability of electricity supplied.</p>

<p>Third, the government needs to provide a greater impetus for research on the upcoming Carbon Capture Storage/Utilisation (CCS/CCU) technologies that can help the existing thermal power plants produce clean energy, without rendering them completely obsolete in the face of increasing role for gas based and renewable power plants. While there has been a renewed focus on the use of such technologies globally, these are yet to make any substantial breakthrough in India.</p>

<p>The NDA government, to its credit, has successfully overcome the supply side barriers, such that the country has gone on to become a power surplus nation from a power deficient nation in the course of three years. The focus must now and has already begun, to shift to demand-side management. This will require a major disruption and a complete overhaul of our existing power consumption practices. Only then can the country envisage a successful 24x7 power supply for all scenario.</p>


For holistic implementation of the power policy, government needs to revamp existing power consumption practices

PM Narendra Modi, recently announced the Saubhagya, that is, the Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana scheme, under which electricity connections will be provided to all “willing households” across the urban and rural areas. With an outlay of over Rs 16000 crore, the scheme is expected to cover the 40 million families which still lack an electricity connection, by December 2018. The Saubhagya initiative correctly identifies two major problems plaguing India’s power sector: Overstressed Discoms facing high supply costs and poor households facing high costs of power connection and supply. To bridge the gap between supply and demand, the government has decided to provide the BPL households with free electricity connection and the APL households with an electricity connection priced at Rs 5000, payable at the rate of Rs 500 per month, to be recovered by Discoms through the electricity bills. Besides, for households located in remote and inaccessible areas, not connected to the grid, the government would provide a solar pack of 200-300 watt peak (WP), including a battery bank, five LED bulbs, one DC fan and one DC power plug. Inefficient billing practices and electricity theft continue to plague the power sector in India. × The Saubhagya initiative aims to achieve last mile connectivity, a problem with roots in the inefficient management, billing and metering system at the level of individual households and villages in India. The lack of access to electricity stems from the fact that most households do not have the required money to pay for the electricity connections and for the subsequent electricity bills. While the first problem is resolved by central government’s announcement of free electricity connections to all, the second problem still remains unresolved to a certain extent. Inefficient billing practices and electricity theft continue to plague the power sector in India. While the government has promised to set up prepaid and smart metering systems for the households to be covered under the Saubhagya scheme, the initiative effectively leaves out those households which are electrified but are still running on older versions of electric meters or paying flat bills for hefty power consumption. The problems of electricity theft and inefficient usage also continue to stare the policymakers in the face. Besides, the idea of sustainable and clean energy access becomes redundant if the consequent increase in power demand is met through a proportionate increase in the use of coal-fired power plants. Suitable billing mechanisms must be designed which can gradually render the older version of electricity meters obsolete. × To pursue the idea of power security holistically, therefore, the government will need to rely on three key technological pillars which can prove to be a major disruption in the country’s electricity sector. First, the government will need to promote the use of smart and pre-paid meters in rural and urban households by incentivising their use and taxing their non-use. Suitable billing mechanisms must be designed which can gradually render the older version of electricity meters obsolete. Aadhar based linking of power connections and generation of e-bills for power use can go a long way in checking for power theft and pilferage. Dwellings for urban poor and slum dwellers, not covered by the existing grid infrastructure, can be provided with the aforementioned solar packs to cover for their daily use and related activities. Second, the government will need to provide a major policy push for rooftop solar power panels over the next couple of years. The technology, if adopted on a mission mode basis, promises to bring down the cost of household electricity bills, reduce the overall dependency on thermal power plants and finally achieve the INDC goals that the country has set for itself by 2030. The government will also need to discontinue the practice of providing free electricity to certain groups of agriculturists and industries. × Besides, the provision of rooftop solar plants will help improve the reliability of power supply, reduce fluctuations and minimise the AT&C losses plaguing the grid-connected power infrastructure, as the point of power generation and power consumption will lie in close proximity. This will, in turn, provide a major push for the use of electric stoves and reduce overall dependency on LPG cylinders. The government will also need to discontinue the practice of providing free electricity to certain groups of agriculturists and industries. This step will push up electricity bills for a short time for the given entities. However, the holistic implementation of the power policy promises to bring down tariffs and improve the affordability of electricity supplied. Third, the government needs to provide a greater impetus for research on the upcoming Carbon Capture Storage/Utilisation (CCS/CCU) technologies that can help the existing thermal power plants produce clean energy, without rendering them completely obsolete in the face of increasing role for gas based and renewable power plants. While there has been a renewed focus on the use of such technologies globally, these are yet to make any substantial breakthrough in India. The NDA government, to its credit, has successfully overcome the supply side barriers, such that the country has gone on to become a power surplus nation from a power deficient nation in the course of three years. The focus must now and has already begun, to shift to demand-side management. This will require a major disruption and a complete overhaul of our existing power consumption practices. Only then can the country envisage a successful 24x7 power supply for all scenario.

Will PM Modi's 'Saubhagya' bring light to all homes?

<p>India is still not able to do away with its caste politics as demonstrated by recent attacks on members of lower caste in the south-western state of Gujarat during a festival.</p>

<p>Yet Narendra Modi&rsquo;s ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is making a dramatic effort to woo such lower castes. Three of these are especially important: reviewing social justice schemes, revisiting job reservations, and the sub-categorisation of lower castes.</p>

<p>These measures will eventually deepen India&rsquo;s caste politics and strengthen&nbsp;the caste system &ndash; the world&rsquo;s oldest surviving social hierarchy.</p>

<p>In India, society is divided among higher castes, lower castes (known as Other Backward Castes or OBCs, among the socially and &ldquo;educationally backwards&rdquo; sections of Indian society), Scheduled Castes (known as Dalits, formerly &ldquo;Untouchables&rdquo;), and Scheduled Tribes (known as Adivasis).</p>

<p>Today, the BJP is strategically working to win the heart and the vote of millions of lower castes, who make up 41% of the Indian population. However, the BJP&rsquo;s outreach initiatives are not born out of a concern for social justice; they are part of an electoral agenda.</p>

<p><strong>Changing the BJP&rsquo;s image</strong></p>

<p>The BJP&rsquo;s defeat in the 2009 general election proved a turning point for its engagement with lower castes. While still playing the Hindu nationalism card with dominant upper castes, the BJP is now deploying multiple strategies to win over lower castes too.</p>

<p>For example, Amit Shah, now the party&rsquo;s president, first highlighted Modi&rsquo;s own lower-caste background in the 2014 election in Uttar Pradesh. Later on, as prime minister, Modi was projected as the champion of lower caste groups. The party&rsquo;s support for a Dalit presidential candidate&nbsp;was internationally hyped. Similarly, a recent cabinet reshuffle brought in more lower-caste leaders to appropriate the &ldquo;numerical demographic&rdquo; of OBCs for political gain.</p>

<p>The BJP is also making lower caste-friendly gestures in assembly elections campaigns in Gujarat and Karnataka. It highlights its commitment to provide constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), a statutory body that works for the welfare of lower castes.</p>

<p>Interestingly, the BJP is also pushing the idea of revisiting the existing system of reservation, which allocates 27% of government jobs and seats in educational institutions to lower castes. This the party proposes to do by setting up a committee to sub-categorise these groups into &ldquo;backwards&rdquo;, &ldquo;extremely backward&rdquo; and &ldquo;most backward&rdquo; classes.</p>

<p><strong>Lower caste identity through history</strong></p>

<p>These are big developments. For decades, most political parties &ndash; including the Jana Sangh, which morphed into the BJP in 1980 &ndash; played their politics in the usual framework, excluding the lower-caste categories from the power structure of the state.</p>

<p>The notion of &ldquo;affirmative action through reservation&rdquo; only appeared in the mid-1970s when socialist parties led by politicians Ram Manohar Lohia and Chaudhary Charan Singh started using it to mobilise and consolidate the lower castes as a separate political identity.</p>

<p>The identity of lower castes only began to coalesce in 1955, when the first Backward Classes Commission under Kaka Kalelkar recommended various reservation quotas in technical, professional and government institutions.</p>

<p>Then in 1990, lower-caste mobilisation was galvanised when the Second Backward Classes Commission &ndash; popularly known as the Mandal Commission &ndash; recommended that 27% of positions in educational institutions and public employment be reserved for OBCs.</p>

<p>This was violently opposed by non-political bodies, including conservative student organisations. Many of these were close to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an ultra-nationalist ideological group that supports the BJP. In 2006, these student wings fiercely opposed the Congress-led government&rsquo;s decision to implement 27% lower caste job reservations in premier higher educational institutions.</p>

<p><strong>Towards a universal Hindu identity</strong></p>

<p>But now, India&rsquo;s right-wing organisations have made peace with lower-caste aspirations. This has proved electorally rewarding, with the BJP successfully winning a greater share of the OBC vote. A third of the OBCs shifted to the BJP in the 2014 election, and in subsequent state elections.</p>

<p>Strategically, the BJP has focused on dismantling the caste-based parties&rsquo; monopoly over lower-caste votes. The tactic of painting other parties as corrupt bastions of single-caste politics worked wonders, as did an effort to compress the existing 2,479 lower castes into a smaller unit of individualised caste identity to diminish their collective heft.</p>

<p>The BJP also supported the aspirations of lower castes&rsquo; leaders through either finance or political alliance, accommodating OBC leaders in the party or ministerial portfolios at local, state and national level.</p>

<p>At the same time, the party is building a network of lower castes cadres in both rural and urban areas, as well as among young people and women. To penetrate the lower castes&rsquo; social base, the BJP formed an OBC Morcha or &ldquo;special wing&rdquo; in July 2015.</p>

<p>On the one hand, right-wing Hindu organisations are engaged in the radical Hinduisation of lower castes and Dalits through programmes such as &ldquo;Ghar Wapsi&rdquo; or &ldquo;Home Coming&rdquo;, rituals of conversion to Hinduism, and running religious, spiritual and service programmes in lower caste areas.</p>

<p>On the other hand, the BJP&rsquo;s core clientele of higher castes is satisfied thanks to the works of its right-wing support organisations. They continue spreading messages they want to hear, such as tactically portraying Muslims as a common enemy.</p>

<p>With many of its much-acclaimed policies failing to deliver, the BJP knows it has to sustain the charisma of Narendra Modi long enough to fight the 2019 legislative elections.</p>

<p>The party&rsquo;s central challenge is to retain its support base while simultaneously supplementing it enough to ensure electoral victories. To do this, it must mobilise the emerging middle-class OBC vote &ndash; and it&rsquo;s clearly prepared to do almost whatever it takes.</p>

<p>This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" nofollow="" rel="">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-caste-politics-curse-that-india-just-cant-shake-off-84216" nofollow="" rel="">original article</a>.</p>


BJP concentrates on lower caste to change its political image

India is still not able to do away with its caste politics as demonstrated by recent attacks on members of lower caste in the south-western state of Gujarat during a festival. Yet Narendra Modi’s ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is making a dramatic effort to woo such lower castes. Three of these are especially important: reviewing social justice schemes, revisiting job reservations, and the sub-categorisation of lower castes. These measures will eventually deepen India’s caste politics and strengthen the caste system – the world’s oldest surviving social hierarchy. In India, society is divided among higher castes, lower castes (known as Other Backward Castes or OBCs, among the socially and “educationally backwards” sections of Indian society), Scheduled Castes (known as Dalits, formerly “Untouchables”), and Scheduled Tribes (known as Adivasis). Today, the BJP is strategically working to win the heart and the vote of millions of lower castes, who make up 41% of the Indian population. However, the BJP’s outreach initiatives are not born out of a concern for social justice; they are part of an electoral agenda. Changing the BJP’s image The BJP’s defeat in the 2009 general election proved a turning point for its engagement with lower castes. While still playing the Hindu nationalism card with dominant upper castes, the BJP is now deploying multiple strategies to win over lower castes too. For example, Amit Shah, now the party’s president, first highlighted Modi’s own lower-caste background in the 2014 election in Uttar Pradesh. Later on, as prime minister, Modi was projected as the champion of lower caste groups. The party’s support for a Dalit presidential candidate was internationally hyped. Similarly, a recent cabinet reshuffle brought in more lower-caste leaders to appropriate the “numerical demographic” of OBCs for political gain. The BJP is also making lower caste-friendly gestures in assembly elections campaigns in Gujarat and Karnataka. It highlights its commitment to provide constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), a statutory body that works for the welfare of lower castes. Interestingly, the BJP is also pushing the idea of revisiting the existing system of reservation, which allocates 27% of government jobs and seats in educational institutions to lower castes. This the party proposes to do by setting up a committee to sub-categorise these groups into “backwards”, “extremely backward” and “most backward” classes. Lower caste identity through history These are big developments. For decades, most political parties – including the Jana Sangh, which morphed into the BJP in 1980 – played their politics in the usual framework, excluding the lower-caste categories from the power structure of the state. The notion of “affirmative action through reservation” only appeared in the mid-1970s when socialist parties led by politicians Ram Manohar Lohia and Chaudhary Charan Singh started using it to mobilise and consolidate the lower castes as a separate political identity. The identity of lower castes only began to coalesce in 1955, when the first Backward Classes Commission under Kaka Kalelkar recommended various reservation quotas in technical, professional and government institutions. Then in 1990, lower-caste mobilisation was galvanised when the Second Backward Classes Commission – popularly known as the Mandal Commission – recommended that 27% of positions in educational institutions and public employment be reserved for OBCs. This was violently opposed by non-political bodies, including conservative student organisations. Many of these were close to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an ultra-nationalist ideological group that supports the BJP. In 2006, these student wings fiercely opposed the Congress-led government’s decision to implement 27% lower caste job reservations in premier higher educational institutions. Towards a universal Hindu identity But now, India’s right-wing organisations have made peace with lower-caste aspirations. This has proved electorally rewarding, with the BJP successfully winning a greater share of the OBC vote. A third of the OBCs shifted to the BJP in the 2014 election, and in subsequent state elections. Strategically, the BJP has focused on dismantling the caste-based parties’ monopoly over lower-caste votes. The tactic of painting other parties as corrupt bastions of single-caste politics worked wonders, as did an effort to compress the existing 2,479 lower castes into a smaller unit of individualised caste identity to diminish their collective heft. The BJP also supported the aspirations of lower castes’ leaders through either finance or political alliance, accommodating OBC leaders in the party or ministerial portfolios at local, state and national level. At the same time, the party is building a network of lower castes cadres in both rural and urban areas, as well as among young people and women. To penetrate the lower castes’ social base, the BJP formed an OBC Morcha or “special wing” in July 2015. On the one hand, right-wing Hindu organisations are engaged in the radical Hinduisation of lower castes and Dalits through programmes such as “Ghar Wapsi” or “Home Coming”, rituals of conversion to Hinduism, and running religious, spiritual and service programmes in lower caste areas. On the other hand, the BJP’s core clientele of higher castes is satisfied thanks to the works of its right-wing support organisations. They continue spreading messages they want to hear, such as tactically portraying Muslims as a common enemy. With many of its much-acclaimed policies failing to deliver, the BJP knows it has to sustain the charisma of Narendra Modi long enough to fight the 2019 legislative elections. The party’s central challenge is to retain its support base while simultaneously supplementing it enough to ensure electoral victories. To do this, it must mobilise the emerging middle-class OBC vote – and it’s clearly prepared to do almost whatever it takes. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

The caste politics curse that India just can't shake off

<p>It will be a tough election for BJP in Gujarat. The state is feeling Narendra Modi&rsquo;s absence acutely as it has failed to manage agitations launched by Hardik Patel and Alpesh Thakor.</p>

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<p>The situation gets further complicated for BJP because of dwindling economy as Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi continues to pillory the PM on the issue of jobs in Gujarat.</p>

<p>The question is that despite everything in place, is Congress walking the right path?</p>

<p>In my opinion, Congress has taken a big risk by churning out a campaign which will eventually end up pitting Rahul Gandhi against the Indian Prime Minister in his home state Gujarat. The believers can dismiss it as Goliath vs David adventure but assembly elections in the past have shown that investing Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s political equity in state elections is an exercise in futility. Uttar Pradesh has demonstrated it twice. Once Rahul Gandhi went alone and the second time, he went into a tie-up with the Samajwadi Party.</p>

<p>Even in 2004, when the Congress campaign was lethargic, it ended getting 12 seats out of 26 seats. The campaign was not focused on Modi and it attended to local issues. Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat has symbolically reaffirmed that neither he is an atheist not averse to participation in the religious ceremony but he has chosen to attack Narendra Modi directly.</p>

<p>After Ahmed Patel&rsquo;s re-election to Rajya Sabha, the confidence of the Congress Party has gone up but it neither has big faces nor a viable leadership in Gujarat which atrophied in the last 15 years. It is in this context, Congress must revaluate whether high pitched anti-Modi campaigns serves well in Gujarat or a more low-key campaign, using the faces of state faces which avoids polarisation on the basis of personality.</p>

<p>Many in the Congress would believe that time has come to turn the tide as GST has caused a massive economic problem to the traders and in&nbsp;organised sectors. However, it would be foolhardy to believe that it has impacted Narendra Modi&rsquo;s credibility.</p>

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<p>It is not a 1987 moment where Rajiv Gandhi was accused of taking a bribe and led to a split in the&nbsp;Congress. Amit Shah is not Narendra Modi nor Rajiv&#39;s son-in-law Robert Vadra whose public profile added fuel to the fire when reports on him started coming out. Gujarat is a golden opportunity for the Congress to beef up its support base. Even during 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Congress got 33.5 per cent of the vote, a down from 38.9 that it got in the Assembly election of 2012.</p>

<p>BJP&rsquo;s vote share has increased to 60 per cent in 2014 but it will not get this vote in the assembly. The electorate will reach an equilibrium. The only chance BJP has of reaching the numbers is if the electoral show can only reach if it doesn&rsquo;t become Rahul Gandhi vs Narendra Modi. Congress can make gains if it avoids polarisation around Narendra Modi&rsquo;s personality.</p>

<p>Even if the issue is economic, it is impinging on the prime minister. Many would argue that politics cannot be done without taking a risk. In my opinion, it is not a calculated political risk. It seems party wants to go out for a kill. It is hubris. If Congress continues to make elections a fight between Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi, it might end up in the same space where it found itself in 2012</p>


Rahul Gandhi's strategy of going against Modi won't work out for coming elections

It will be a tough election for BJP in Gujarat. The state is feeling Narendra Modi’s absence acutely as it has failed to manage agitations launched by Hardik Patel and Alpesh Thakor. Congress has taken a big risk by churning out a campaign which will eventually end up pitting Rahul Gandhi against Narendra Modi. × The situation gets further complicated for BJP because of dwindling economy as Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi continues to pillory the PM on the issue of jobs in Gujarat. The question is that despite everything in place, is Congress walking the right path? In my opinion, Congress has taken a big risk by churning out a campaign which will eventually end up pitting Rahul Gandhi against the Indian Prime Minister in his home state Gujarat. The believers can dismiss it as Goliath vs David adventure but assembly elections in the past have shown that investing Rahul Gandhi’s political equity in state elections is an exercise in futility. Uttar Pradesh has demonstrated it twice. Once Rahul Gandhi went alone and the second time, he went into a tie-up with the Samajwadi Party. Even in 2004, when the Congress campaign was lethargic, it ended getting 12 seats out of 26 seats. The campaign was not focused on Modi and it attended to local issues. Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat has symbolically reaffirmed that neither he is an atheist not averse to participation in the religious ceremony but he has chosen to attack Narendra Modi directly. After Ahmed Patel’s re-election to Rajya Sabha, the confidence of the Congress Party has gone up but it neither has big faces nor a viable leadership in Gujarat which atrophied in the last 15 years. It is in this context, Congress must revaluate whether high pitched anti-Modi campaigns serves well in Gujarat or a more low-key campaign, using the faces of state faces which avoids polarisation on the basis of personality. Many in the Congress would believe that time has come to turn the tide as GST has caused a massive economic problem to the traders and in organised sectors. However, it would be foolhardy to believe that it has impacted Narendra Modi’s credibility. The electorate will reach an equilibrium and it can only reach if it doesn’t become Rahul Gandhi vs Narendra Modi. × It is not a 1987 moment where Rajiv Gandhi was accused of taking a bribe and led to a split in the Congress. Amit Shah is not Narendra Modi nor Rajiv's son-in-law Robert Vadra whose public profile added fuel to the fire when reports on him started coming out. Gujarat is a golden opportunity for the Congress to beef up its support base. Even during 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Congress got 33.5 per cent of the vote, a down from 38.9 that it got in the Assembly election of 2012. BJP’s vote share has increased to 60 per cent in 2014 but it will not get this vote in the assembly. The electorate will reach an equilibrium. The only chance BJP has of reaching the numbers is if the electoral show can only reach if it doesn’t become Rahul Gandhi vs Narendra Modi. Congress can make gains if it avoids polarisation around Narendra Modi’s personality. Even if the issue is economic, it is impinging on the prime minister. Many would argue that politics cannot be done without taking a risk. In my opinion, it is not a calculated political risk. It seems party wants to go out for a kill. It is hubris. If Congress continues to make elections a fight between Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi, it might end up in the same space where it found itself in 2012

Modi vs Rahul Gandhi: Political harakiri for Congress in Gujarat election

<p>BJP&rsquo;s incessant attempts to check the feasibility to hold simultaneous state and general elections are worrisome. Modi has a knack of catching the opposition napping. More than the Congress and other opposition parties, it&rsquo;s the voters who should be worried about it since this is an attack on the fundamentals of our Constitution and voting rights.</p>

<p>If an Idea saves the government hundreds of thousands public exchequer and makes the process easier, save time and energy of those participating in election preparations, wouldn&rsquo;t it be a great one? Well, not really if it curtails the fundamental rights of the voters and the elected state assembly.</p>

<p>The Election commission of India&rsquo;s (ECI) assurance on Oct 5 to the Modi government that it was ready to hold simultaneous state and national polls by September 2018, may have come as a surprise to many but Prime Minister Modi and his government had given enough indications of this in last year or so. So much so, Mr Modi and BJP, along with the institutions, seems to have made up their mind to bring the idea into reality, much to the chagrin of the essential idea of democracy.</p>

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<p><strong>Modi&rsquo;s incessant pitch for simultaneous polls</strong></p>

<p>A month before ECI&rsquo;s assurance, on August 27, the NITI Ayog &mdash;India&rsquo;s planning commission released a report summarizing that all elections in India should happen in a free, fair and synchronized manner to ensure minimum &quot;campaign mode&quot; disruption to governance. Calling it in the &ldquo;National Interest,&quot; the commission had recommended forming an experts committee to work out an appropriate model and had urged Election Commission to set up the timeline for achieving this. Interestingly, within days of this report, the Vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya had resigned from the commission.</p>

<p>But NITI Ayog&rsquo;s report was totally in line with Prime minister Modi&rsquo;s pitch for holding the state and national elections together. Speaking in the Parliament in February in response to President Mukherjee&rsquo;s address, Mr Modi had spoken how the election expenditure of Rs 1,100 crore in 2009 Lok Sabha shot up four-fold to Rs 4,000 crore in 2014. While agreeing that the process may not be easy, Mr Modi had said, &ldquo;Few will lose some and others will lose more, but parties will have to come together to achieve this.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Ex-President Mr Pranab Mukherjee too, who Mr Modi fondly called a father figure, had supported the demand that the elections be held simultaneously. It appears that the Modi government has been doing extensive groundwork with various constitutional bodies to check the feasibility.</p>

<p><strong>Arguments in </strong><strong>favour</strong><strong> of the simultaneous polls</strong></p>

<p>The votaries of this idea have given two major advantages of making a &lsquo;one-time&rsquo; change in the process to synchronize the polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One, the huge cost of holding elections can be saved by holding polls together &mdash;since some of the state and national polls are just months apart. And two, there will be a continued focus on governance from the politicians than the &ldquo;disruptions of election campaigns&rdquo; and thereby reduced the time of model code of conduct that restricts the government schemes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Take for instance the Maharashtra Assembly elections that took place in September 2014 right after the General elections of May 2014. The four-month gap, it is being argued that, resulted in huge loss of state exchequer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Even former election commission Mr S. Y. Quraishi - was for this idea except that he thought the Constitutional amendment to effect this would not come easy.</p>

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<p><strong>Why joint election is a serious threat to Federalism and Voting rights</strong></p>

<p>Although the so-called benefits of simultaneous polls look extremely lucrative, a close look at the electoral process and democracy reveals that this is only a grave danger subtly served with sugar of convenience and cost saving.<br />
The election commission mentioned that six states including Gujarat are going to Poll next year. The simultaneous elections are possible only if the Loksabha Polls, due in 2019, are advanced by a year to 2018. Or Alternatively, terms of assemblies like Karnataka or Madhya Pradesh are extended by one year (The term expires in March) and also to curtail the assemblies of the states such as Maharashtra and Haryana by few months in order to have joint elections along with Loksabha polls.</p>

<p>Renowned Supreme Court lawyer Karuna Nundy cautions against the curtailment of state assembly terms. &ldquo;There are state Governments whose term will extend beyond 2019. Those cannot be dissolved to align the State and Union elections unless this government and Parliament jump through some very unlikely constitutional hoops. For this reason, I don&#39;t believe this will happen, it&#39;ll be too strong a strike against federalism.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Ms Nundy&rsquo;s fear of strong strike against federalism is not unfounded. Although the center can use Article 356 to dismiss the elected state governments and impose President&#39;s rule under rare circumstances, curtailing the term for convenience would be very difficult to get across the parliament and legal hurdles.</p>

<p><strong>But what if the amendment gets passed? Will the common voter gain anything by using his voting rights </strong><strong>fewer</strong><strong> number of times? What about his choice of two different parties for state and national level?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>In the Delhi Assembly elections of Feb 2015, it was reported that many BJP voters who voted for Modi in 2014 chose Aam Admi party to take care of Delhi. In a simultaneous election, Delhi would have seen BJP government both at the state and the center. Thus, restricting Voters changing choices based on performance.</p>

<p>Payal Gaikwad, Constitutional Expert and Supreme Court lawyer stresses on the right of voters to get multiple chances to decide best options. She says, &ldquo;Elections have always been a turning point in this country. The Constitution mentions that elections are to be held in every 5 years, in both, the centre and the state but was silent over that it should happen simultaneously. Periodical elections give chance to people, to assess the performance of the candidate as well as the party. In Bihar assembly polls in 2015, wherein people changed the mandate and voted BJP out of the state despite giving it full mandate in 2014 Loksabha elections&rdquo;</p>

<p>If it was not for separate elections, both Delhi, Bihar and Karnataka would have seen BJP governments in the state as well, given that Modi was riding on a strong wave. But the local issues, voters basic amenities would have been sidelined in presence of strong nationwide waves.</p>

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<p>Bihar and Delhi election debacles did help in giving a break to BJP&rsquo;s ambitious plan of an opposition-free country. It forced them to rethink their strategies.</p>

<p>Nitin Meshram, Supreme Court advocate strongly opposes any such move and criticisms the much-touted cost saving. He says, &ldquo;We are in a shared federalism. Expenses on state exchequer is a malicious propaganda to prevent the enrolling of democracy in the society. More mature voters who are difficult to be emotionally fooled.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Bahujan Samaj Party founder Kanshi Ram famously called for elections frequently. He maintained that he prefers majbur sarkar (weak government) and not a majboot sarkar (strong government) since he thought a weak government will do more for the people if it sees that elections are round the corner.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nitin Meshram tends to agree to this. He says &ldquo; if the elections are held at once for both &nbsp;Parliament &amp; Assemblies, the political parties, their leaders &amp; elected representatives would become absolutely arrogant, unresponsive &amp; hostile to the common public. It will also ensure widespread &amp; massive corruption by the political parties, its leaders &amp; by government agents.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Is India the only democracy where separate elections happen in general elections and state elections? The United States, often juxtaposed with Indian Democracy, have mid-term elections for Senate and Congress. The elections take place for many Senators and Congressmen two years after the Presidential elections are done. This significantly changes the majority in Senate and house halfway through the President&#39;s term. An election setback helps the President review its policies and pay more attention to the internal issues. During his first term, President Obama lost the control of Senate and House but this acted as a reality check and the President and his party worked hard to get re-elected for the second term.</p>

<p>Whether its L.K. Advani asking people to vote for only National parties (even if it meant voting Congress), Mr Vajpayee setting up Constitution review committee or the party repeatedly asking to fix the five-year term for the state assemblies and Parliament, BJP has long wanted to do away with established Constitutional norms. But BJP&rsquo;s seriousness in taking the simultaneous elections idea to significant actionable level should worry the supporters of democracy.</p>

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<p><strong>But why is BJP hell-bent on doing it this time?</strong></p>

<p>Well, the party has the majority in Loksabha and secured majority with regional parties so this is the best for it to go for any legislation. Also, after demonetisation, the BJP is best placed financially to fight elections at any time.</p>

<p>But the effects of anti-incumbency are now widely seen, with social media slowly turning against BJP and opposition trying to make a slow comeback, BJP may not want to give sufficient time for them to recover and may announce early general elections by &ldquo;sacrificing&rdquo; his coveted post for few months in the &ldquo;National Interest&rdquo;.</p>

<p>The simultaneous elections amendment will in effect mean fixing a five-year term for the governments. India&rsquo;s opposition parties must rise to this occasion and fight this inevitable attack on the fundamentals of the Constitution, Federalism and the basic rights of the voters. Their failure will lead India to a Political Autocracy in the guise of stability and maximum governance.</p>


Modi government persistent to hold General and State elections together to secure a five-year term

BJP’s incessant attempts to check the feasibility to hold simultaneous state and general elections are worrisome. Modi has a knack of catching the opposition napping. More than the Congress and other opposition parties, it’s the voters who should be worried about it since this is an attack on the fundamentals of our Constitution and voting rights. If an Idea saves the government hundreds of thousands public exchequer and makes the process easier, save time and energy of those participating in election preparations, wouldn’t it be a great one? Well, not really if it curtails the fundamental rights of the voters and the elected state assembly. The Election commission of India’s (ECI) assurance on Oct 5 to the Modi government that it was ready to hold simultaneous state and national polls by September 2018, may have come as a surprise to many but Prime Minister Modi and his government had given enough indications of this in last year or so. So much so, Mr Modi and BJP, along with the institutions, seems to have made up their mind to bring the idea into reality, much to the chagrin of the essential idea of democracy. Prime minister Modi pitch for holding the state and national elections together. × Modi’s incessant pitch for simultaneous polls A month before ECI’s assurance, on August 27, the NITI Ayog —India’s planning commission released a report summarizing that all elections in India should happen in a free, fair and synchronized manner to ensure minimum "campaign mode" disruption to governance. Calling it in the “National Interest," the commission had recommended forming an experts committee to work out an appropriate model and had urged Election Commission to set up the timeline for achieving this. Interestingly, within days of this report, the Vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya had resigned from the commission. But NITI Ayog’s report was totally in line with Prime minister Modi’s pitch for holding the state and national elections together. Speaking in the Parliament in February in response to President Mukherjee’s address, Mr Modi had spoken how the election expenditure of Rs 1,100 crore in 2009 Lok Sabha shot up four-fold to Rs 4,000 crore in 2014. While agreeing that the process may not be easy, Mr Modi had said, “Few will lose some and others will lose more, but parties will have to come together to achieve this.” Ex-President Mr Pranab Mukherjee too, who Mr Modi fondly called a father figure, had supported the demand that the elections be held simultaneously. It appears that the Modi government has been doing extensive groundwork with various constitutional bodies to check the feasibility. Arguments in favour of the simultaneous polls The votaries of this idea have given two major advantages of making a ‘one-time’ change in the process to synchronize the polls. One, the huge cost of holding elections can be saved by holding polls together —since some of the state and national polls are just months apart. And two, there will be a continued focus on governance from the politicians than the “disruptions of election campaigns” and thereby reduced the time of model code of conduct that restricts the government schemes. Take for instance the Maharashtra Assembly elections that took place in September 2014 right after the General elections of May 2014. The four-month gap, it is being argued that, resulted in huge loss of state exchequer. Even former election commission Mr S. Y. Quraishi - was for this idea except that he thought the Constitutional amendment to effect this would not come easy. The center can use Article 356 to dismiss the elected state governments and impose President's rule under rare circumstances. × Why joint election is a serious threat to Federalism and Voting rights Although the so-called benefits of simultaneous polls look extremely lucrative, a close look at the electoral process and democracy reveals that this is only a grave danger subtly served with sugar of convenience and cost saving. The election commission mentioned that six states including Gujarat are going to Poll next year. The simultaneous elections are possible only if the Loksabha Polls, due in 2019, are advanced by a year to 2018. Or Alternatively, terms of assemblies like Karnataka or Madhya Pradesh are extended by one year (The term expires in March) and also to curtail the assemblies of the states such as Maharashtra and Haryana by few months in order to have joint elections along with Loksabha polls. Renowned Supreme Court lawyer Karuna Nundy cautions against the curtailment of state assembly terms. “There are state Governments whose term will extend beyond 2019. Those cannot be dissolved to align the State and Union elections unless this government and Parliament jump through some very unlikely constitutional hoops. For this reason, I don't believe this will happen, it'll be too strong a strike against federalism.” Ms Nundy’s fear of strong strike against federalism is not unfounded. Although the center can use Article 356 to dismiss the elected state governments and impose President's rule under rare circumstances, curtailing the term for convenience would be very difficult to get across the parliament and legal hurdles. But what if the amendment gets passed? Will the common voter gain anything by using his voting rights fewer number of times? What about his choice of two different parties for state and national level? In the Delhi Assembly elections of Feb 2015, it was reported that many BJP voters who voted for Modi in 2014 chose Aam Admi party to take care of Delhi. In a simultaneous election, Delhi would have seen BJP government both at the state and the center. Thus, restricting Voters changing choices based on performance. Payal Gaikwad, Constitutional Expert and Supreme Court lawyer stresses on the right of voters to get multiple chances to decide best options. She says, “Elections have always been a turning point in this country. The Constitution mentions that elections are to be held in every 5 years, in both, the centre and the state but was silent over that it should happen simultaneously. Periodical elections give chance to people, to assess the performance of the candidate as well as the party. In Bihar assembly polls in 2015, wherein people changed the mandate and voted BJP out of the state despite giving it full mandate in 2014 Loksabha elections” If it was not for separate elections, both Delhi, Bihar and Karnataka would have seen BJP governments in the state as well, given that Modi was riding on a strong wave. But the local issues, voters basic amenities would have been sidelined in presence of strong nationwide waves. BJP’s seriousness in taking the simultaneous elections idea to significant actionable level should worry the supporters of democracy. × Bihar and Delhi election debacles did help in giving a break to BJP’s ambitious plan of an opposition-free country. It forced them to rethink their strategies. Nitin Meshram, Supreme Court advocate strongly opposes any such move and criticisms the much-touted cost saving. He says, “We are in a shared federalism. Expenses on state exchequer is a malicious propaganda to prevent the enrolling of democracy in the society. More mature voters who are difficult to be emotionally fooled.” Bahujan Samaj Party founder Kanshi Ram famously called for elections frequently. He maintained that he prefers majbur sarkar (weak government) and not a majboot sarkar (strong government) since he thought a weak government will do more for the people if it sees that elections are round the corner. Nitin Meshram tends to agree to this. He says “ if the elections are held at once for both Parliament & Assemblies, the political parties, their leaders & elected representatives would become absolutely arrogant, unresponsive & hostile to the common public. It will also ensure widespread & massive corruption by the political parties, its leaders & by government agents.” Is India the only democracy where separate elections happen in general elections and state elections? The United States, often juxtaposed with Indian Democracy, have mid-term elections for Senate and Congress. The elections take place for many Senators and Congressmen two years after the Presidential elections are done. This significantly changes the majority in Senate and house halfway through the President's term. An election setback helps the President review its policies and pay more attention to the internal issues. During his first term, President Obama lost the control of Senate and House but this acted as a reality check and the President and his party worked hard to get re-elected for the second term. Whether its L.K. Advani asking people to vote for only National parties (even if it meant voting Congress), Mr Vajpayee setting up Constitution review committee or the party repeatedly asking to fix the five-year term for the state assemblies and Parliament, BJP has long wanted to do away with established Constitutional norms. But BJP’s seriousness in taking the simultaneous elections idea to significant actionable level should worry the supporters of democracy. The simultaneous elections amendment will in effect mean fixing a five-year term for the governments. × But why is BJP hell-bent on doing it this time? Well, the party has the majority in Loksabha and secured majority with regional parties so this is the best for it to go for any legislation. Also, after demonetisation, the BJP is best placed financially to fight elections at any time. But the effects of anti-incumbency are now widely seen, with social media slowly turning against BJP and opposition trying to make a slow comeback, BJP may not want to give sufficient time for them to recover and may announce early general elections by “sacrificing” his coveted post for few months in the “National Interest”. The simultaneous elections amendment will in effect mean fixing a five-year term for the governments. India’s opposition parties must rise to this occasion and fight this inevitable attack on the fundamentals of the Constitution, Federalism and the basic rights of the voters. Their failure will lead India to a Political Autocracy in the guise of stability and maximum governance.

Simultaneous elections: New reform or an inescapable attack on the constitution and basic voting rights?

<p>BJP&rsquo;s incessant attempts to check the feasibility to hold simultaneous state and general elections are worrisome. Prime Minister Modi has a knack of catching the Opposition napping. More than the Congress and other Opposition parties, it&rsquo;s the voters who should be worried about it since this is an attack on the fundamentals of our Constitution and voting rights.</p>

<p>If an idea saves the government hundreds of thousands public exchequer and makes the process easier, save time and energy of those participating in election preparations, wouldn&rsquo;t it be a great one?</p>

<p>Well, not really if it curtails the fundamental rights of the voters and the elected state assembly.</p>

<p>The Election Commission of India&rsquo;s (ECI) assurance on October 5 to the Modi government that it was ready to hold simultaneous state and national polls by September 2018 may have come as a surprise to many. However, Prime Minister Modi and his government had given enough indications of this in last year or so. So much so, Mr Modi and BJP, along with the institutions, seems to have made up their mind to bring the idea into reality, much to the chagrin of the essential idea of democracy.Mr Modi and BJP, along with the institutions, seems to have made up their mind to bring the idea into reality, much to the chagrin of the essential idea of democracy.</p>

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</blockquote>
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<p><strong>Modi&rsquo;s incessant pitch for simultaneous polls</strong></p>

<p>A month before ECI&rsquo;s assurance, on August 27, the NITI Ayog &mdash;India&rsquo;s planning commission released a report summarising that all elections in India should happen in a free, fair and synchronised manner to ensure minimum &quot;campaign mode&quot; disruption to governance. Calling it in the &ldquo;national interest,&quot; the commission had recommended forming an experts committee to work out an appropriate model and had urged Election Commission to set up the timeline for achieving this. Interestingly, within days of this report, the Vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya had resigned from the commission.</p>

<p>But NITI Ayog&rsquo;s report was totally in line with Prime minister Modi&rsquo;s pitch for holding the state and national elections together. Speaking in the Parliament in February in response to President Mukherjee&rsquo;s address, Mr Modi had spoken how the election expenditure of Rs 1,100 crore in 2009 Lok Sabha shot up four-fold to Rs 4,000 crore in 2014. While agreeing that the process may not be easy, Mr Modi had said, &ldquo;Few will lose some and others will lose more, but parties will have to come together to achieve this.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Ex-President Mr Pranab Mukherjee too, who Mr Modi fondly called a father figure, had supported the demand that the elections be held simultaneously. It appears that the Modi government has been doing extensive groundwork with various constitutional bodies to check the feasibility.</p>

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<p><strong>Arguments in favour</strong><strong> of the simultaneous polls</strong></p>

<p>The votaries of this idea have given two major advantages of making a &lsquo;one-time&rsquo; change in the process to synchronise the polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One, the huge cost of holding elections can be saved by holding polls together &mdash;since some of the state and national polls are just months apart. And two, there will be a continued focus on governance from the politicians rather than the &ldquo;disruptions of election campaigns&rdquo;. Also, it will reduce&nbsp;the time of model code of conduct that restricts the government schemes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Take for instance the Maharashtra Assembly elections that took place in September 2014 right after the General elections of May 2014. The four-month gap, arguably, resulted in a huge loss of state exchequer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Even former Election Commissioner&nbsp;Mr S. Y. Quraishi was in support of this idea except that he thought the constitutional amendment to effect this would not come easy.</p>

<p><strong>Why joint election is a serious threat to federalism and voting rights</strong></p>

<p>Although the so-called benefits of simultaneous polls look extremely lucrative, a close look at the electoral process and democracy reveals that this is only a grave danger subtly served with sugar of convenience and cost saving.</p>

<p>The Election Commission mentioned that six states, including Gujarat are going to the poll next year. The simultaneous elections are possible only if the Loksabha polls, due in 2019, are advanced by a year to 2018. Or alternatively, terms of assemblies in states like Karnataka or Madhya Pradesh are extended by one year (The term expires in March) and also to curtail the assemblies of the states, such as Maharashtra and Haryana by few months in order to have joint elections along with Loksabha polls.</p>

<p>Renowned Supreme Court lawyer Karuna Nundy cautions against the curtailment of state assembly terms. &ldquo;There are state governments whose term will extend beyond 2019. Those cannot be dissolved to align the State and Union elections unless this government and Parliament jump through some very unlikely constitutional hoops. For this reason, I don&#39;t believe this will happen, it&#39;ll be too strong a strike against federalism.&rdquo;</p>

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<h5>If it was not for separate elections, both Delhi, Bihar and Karnataka would have seen BJP governments in the state as well, given that Modi was riding on a strong wave.</h5>
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<p>Ms Nundy&rsquo;s fear of strong strike against federalism is not unfounded. Although the center can use Article 356 to dismiss the elected state governments and impose President&#39;s rule under rare circumstances, curtailing the term for convenience would be very difficult to get across the parliament and legal hurdles.</p>

<p><strong>But what if the amendment gets passed? </strong></p>

<p>Will the common voter gain anything by using his voting rights a&nbsp;fewer number of times? What about his choice of two different parties for state and national level?&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the Delhi Assembly elections of February 2015, it was reported that many BJP voters who voted for Modi in 2014 chose Aam Admi party to take care of Delhi. In case of a simultaneous election, Delhi would have seen BJP government both at the state and the center. Thus, restricting voters changing choices based on performance.</p>

<p>Payal Gaikwad, constitutional expert and Supreme Court lawyer stresses on the right of voters to get multiple chances to decide best options. She says, &ldquo;Elections have always been a turning point in this country. The Constitution mentions that elections are to be held in every 5 years, in both, the centre and the state but was silent over that it should happen simultaneously. Periodical elections give chance to people, to assess the performance of the candidate as well as the party. In Bihar assembly polls in 2015, wherein people changed the mandate and voted BJP out of the state despite giving it full mandate in 2014 Loksabha elections&rdquo;</p>

<p>If it was not for separate elections, both Delhi, Bihar and Karnataka would have seen BJP governments in the state as well, given that Modi was riding on a strong wave. But the local issues and voters basic amenities would have been sidelined in presence of strong nationwide waves.</p>

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<h5>BJP&rsquo;s seriousness in taking the simultaneous elections idea to significant actionable level should worry the supporters of democracy.</h5>
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<p>Bihar and Delhi election debacles did help in giving a break to BJP&rsquo;s ambitious plan of an opposition-free country. It forced them to rethink their strategies.</p>

<p>Nitin Meshram, Supreme Court advocate strongly opposes any such move and criticise the much-touted cost saving. He says, &ldquo;We are in a shared federalism. Expenses on state exchequer is a malicious propaganda to prevent the enrolling of democracy in the society. More mature voters who are difficult to be emotionally fooled.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Bahujan Samaj Party founder Kanshi Ram famously called for elections frequently. He maintained that he prefers majbur sarkar (weak government) and not a majboot sarkar (strong government) since he thought a weak government will do more for the people if it sees that elections are round the corner.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nitin Meshram tends to agree to this. He says &ldquo; if the elections are held at once for both &nbsp;Parliament &amp; Assemblies, the political parties, their leaders &amp; elected representatives would become absolutely arrogant, unresponsive &amp; hostile to the common public. It will also ensure widespread and massive corruption by the political parties, its leaders and by government agents.&rdquo;</p>

<p><strong>Is India the only democracy where separate elections happen? </strong></p>

<p>The United States, often juxtaposed with Indian Democracy, have mid-term elections for Senate and Congress. The elections take place for many Senators and Congressmen two years after the Presidential elections are done. This significantly changes the majority in Senate and Congress halfway through the president&#39;s term. An election setback helps the president review its policies and pay more attention to the internal issues. During his first term, President Obama lost the control of Senate and House but this acted as a reality check and the president and his party worked hard to get re-elected for the second term.</p>

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<p>Whether its L.K. Advani asking people to vote for only national parties (even if it meant voting Congress), Mr Vajpayee setting up constitution review committee or the party repeatedly asking to fix the five-year term for the state assemblies and Parliament, BJP has long wanted to do away with established constitutional norms. But BJP&rsquo;s seriousness in taking the simultaneous elections idea to significant actionable level should worry the supporters of democracy.</p>

<p><strong>But why is BJP hell-bent on doing it this time?</strong></p>

<p>Well, the party has the majority in Loksabha, so this is the best time for it to go for any legislation. Also, after demonetisation, the BJP is best placed financially to fight elections at any time.</p>

<p>But the effects of anti-incumbency are now widely seen, with social media slowly turning against BJP and the Opposition trying to make a slow comeback. BJP may not want to give sufficient time for them to recover and may announce early general elections.</p>

<p>The simultaneous election&nbsp;amendment will in effect mean fixing a five-year term for the governments. India&rsquo;s Opposition parties must rise to this occasion and fight this inevitable attack on the fundamentals of the Constitution, Federalism and the basic rights of the voters. Their failure will lead India to a political autocracy in the guise of stability and maximum governance.</p>


Periodical elections, rather than simultaneous elections in the center and the state, give chance to people to assess the performance of the candidate as well as the party.

BJP’s incessant attempts to check the feasibility to hold simultaneous state and general elections are worrisome. Prime Minister Modi has a knack of catching the Opposition napping. More than the Congress and other Opposition parties, it’s the voters who should be worried about it since this is an attack on the fundamentals of our Constitution and voting rights. If an idea saves the government hundreds of thousands public exchequer and makes the process easier, save time and energy of those participating in election preparations, wouldn’t it be a great one? Well, not really if it curtails the fundamental rights of the voters and the elected state assembly. The Election Commission of India’s (ECI) assurance on October 5 to the Modi government that it was ready to hold simultaneous state and national polls by September 2018 may have come as a surprise to many. However, Prime Minister Modi and his government had given enough indications of this in last year or so. So much so, Mr Modi and BJP, along with the institutions, seems to have made up their mind to bring the idea into reality, much to the chagrin of the essential idea of democracy.Mr Modi and BJP, along with the institutions, seems to have made up their mind to bring the idea into reality, much to the chagrin of the essential idea of democracy. Prime minister Modi pitch for holding the state and national elections together. × Modi’s incessant pitch for simultaneous polls A month before ECI’s assurance, on August 27, the NITI Ayog —India’s planning commission released a report summarising that all elections in India should happen in a free, fair and synchronised manner to ensure minimum "campaign mode" disruption to governance. Calling it in the “national interest," the commission had recommended forming an experts committee to work out an appropriate model and had urged Election Commission to set up the timeline for achieving this. Interestingly, within days of this report, the Vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya had resigned from the commission. But NITI Ayog’s report was totally in line with Prime minister Modi’s pitch for holding the state and national elections together. Speaking in the Parliament in February in response to President Mukherjee’s address, Mr Modi had spoken how the election expenditure of Rs 1,100 crore in 2009 Lok Sabha shot up four-fold to Rs 4,000 crore in 2014. While agreeing that the process may not be easy, Mr Modi had said, “Few will lose some and others will lose more, but parties will have to come together to achieve this.” Ex-President Mr Pranab Mukherjee too, who Mr Modi fondly called a father figure, had supported the demand that the elections be held simultaneously. It appears that the Modi government has been doing extensive groundwork with various constitutional bodies to check the feasibility. The huge cost of holding elections can be saved by holding polls together × Arguments in favour of the simultaneous polls The votaries of this idea have given two major advantages of making a ‘one-time’ change in the process to synchronise the polls. One, the huge cost of holding elections can be saved by holding polls together —since some of the state and national polls are just months apart. And two, there will be a continued focus on governance from the politicians rather than the “disruptions of election campaigns”. Also, it will reduce the time of model code of conduct that restricts the government schemes. Take for instance the Maharashtra Assembly elections that took place in September 2014 right after the General elections of May 2014. The four-month gap, arguably, resulted in a huge loss of state exchequer. Even former Election Commissioner Mr S. Y. Quraishi was in support of this idea except that he thought the constitutional amendment to effect this would not come easy. Why joint election is a serious threat to federalism and voting rights Although the so-called benefits of simultaneous polls look extremely lucrative, a close look at the electoral process and democracy reveals that this is only a grave danger subtly served with sugar of convenience and cost saving. The Election Commission mentioned that six states, including Gujarat are going to the poll next year. The simultaneous elections are possible only if the Loksabha polls, due in 2019, are advanced by a year to 2018. Or alternatively, terms of assemblies in states like Karnataka or Madhya Pradesh are extended by one year (The term expires in March) and also to curtail the assemblies of the states, such as Maharashtra and Haryana by few months in order to have joint elections along with Loksabha polls. Renowned Supreme Court lawyer Karuna Nundy cautions against the curtailment of state assembly terms. “There are state governments whose term will extend beyond 2019. Those cannot be dissolved to align the State and Union elections unless this government and Parliament jump through some very unlikely constitutional hoops. For this reason, I don't believe this will happen, it'll be too strong a strike against federalism.” If it was not for separate elections, both Delhi, Bihar and Karnataka would have seen BJP governments in the state as well, given that Modi was riding on a strong wave. × Ms Nundy’s fear of strong strike against federalism is not unfounded. Although the center can use Article 356 to dismiss the elected state governments and impose President's rule under rare circumstances, curtailing the term for convenience would be very difficult to get across the parliament and legal hurdles. But what if the amendment gets passed? Will the common voter gain anything by using his voting rights a fewer number of times? What about his choice of two different parties for state and national level? In the Delhi Assembly elections of February 2015, it was reported that many BJP voters who voted for Modi in 2014 chose Aam Admi party to take care of Delhi. In case of a simultaneous election, Delhi would have seen BJP government both at the state and the center. Thus, restricting voters changing choices based on performance. Payal Gaikwad, constitutional expert and Supreme Court lawyer stresses on the right of voters to get multiple chances to decide best options. She says, “Elections have always been a turning point in this country. The Constitution mentions that elections are to be held in every 5 years, in both, the centre and the state but was silent over that it should happen simultaneously. Periodical elections give chance to people, to assess the performance of the candidate as well as the party. In Bihar assembly polls in 2015, wherein people changed the mandate and voted BJP out of the state despite giving it full mandate in 2014 Loksabha elections” If it was not for separate elections, both Delhi, Bihar and Karnataka would have seen BJP governments in the state as well, given that Modi was riding on a strong wave. But the local issues and voters basic amenities would have been sidelined in presence of strong nationwide waves. BJP’s seriousness in taking the simultaneous elections idea to significant actionable level should worry the supporters of democracy. × Bihar and Delhi election debacles did help in giving a break to BJP’s ambitious plan of an opposition-free country. It forced them to rethink their strategies. Nitin Meshram, Supreme Court advocate strongly opposes any such move and criticise the much-touted cost saving. He says, “We are in a shared federalism. Expenses on state exchequer is a malicious propaganda to prevent the enrolling of democracy in the society. More mature voters who are difficult to be emotionally fooled.” Bahujan Samaj Party founder Kanshi Ram famously called for elections frequently. He maintained that he prefers majbur sarkar (weak government) and not a majboot sarkar (strong government) since he thought a weak government will do more for the people if it sees that elections are round the corner. Nitin Meshram tends to agree to this. He says “ if the elections are held at once for both Parliament & Assemblies, the political parties, their leaders & elected representatives would become absolutely arrogant, unresponsive & hostile to the common public. It will also ensure widespread and massive corruption by the political parties, its leaders and by government agents.” Is India the only democracy where separate elections happen? The United States, often juxtaposed with Indian Democracy, have mid-term elections for Senate and Congress. The elections take place for many Senators and Congressmen two years after the Presidential elections are done. This significantly changes the majority in Senate and Congress halfway through the president's term. An election setback helps the president review its policies and pay more attention to the internal issues. During his first term, President Obama lost the control of Senate and House but this acted as a reality check and the president and his party worked hard to get re-elected for the second term. BJP’s seriousness in taking the simultaneous elections idea to significant actionable level should worry the supporters of democracy. × Whether its L.K. Advani asking people to vote for only national parties (even if it meant voting Congress), Mr Vajpayee setting up constitution review committee or the party repeatedly asking to fix the five-year term for the state assemblies and Parliament, BJP has long wanted to do away with established constitutional norms. But BJP’s seriousness in taking the simultaneous elections idea to significant actionable level should worry the supporters of democracy. But why is BJP hell-bent on doing it this time? Well, the party has the majority in Loksabha, so this is the best time for it to go for any legislation. Also, after demonetisation, the BJP is best placed financially to fight elections at any time. But the effects of anti-incumbency are now widely seen, with social media slowly turning against BJP and the Opposition trying to make a slow comeback. BJP may not want to give sufficient time for them to recover and may announce early general elections. The simultaneous election amendment will in effect mean fixing a five-year term for the governments. India’s Opposition parties must rise to this occasion and fight this inevitable attack on the fundamentals of the Constitution, Federalism and the basic rights of the voters. Their failure will lead India to a political autocracy in the guise of stability and maximum governance.

Simultaneous elections: Reform or an attack on Constitution?

<p>Spurred by the spate of recent electoral victories, the Bharatiya Janata Party has become audaciously ambitious. It has begun to not just enter enemy territory with new-found confidence and aggression but also march into enemy strongholds within that forbidden territory.</p>

<p>On October 3, party president Amit Shah launched the Jan Raksha Yatra (March for People&rsquo;s Protection) in the Marxist bastion of Kerala &mdash; and from Kannur district which has been the centre of political violence. If the BJP&rsquo;s opponents thought this was another symbolic show to remind the people of the party&rsquo;s presence in this southern state, and no more, they were soon disabused of the notion when Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived on wednesday to participate in the high-profile event.</p>

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<p>The message is clear. The BJP will play every card to enhance its footprint in Kerala. If the politics of polarisation needs to be resorted to, so be it. But polarisation does not happen in a vacuum; a context is necessary. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) rule has created a fertile ground for deep disaffection among large sections of the populace in the state and the BJP (along with the RSS which has had a strong presence for years) is set to exploit the situation.</p>

<p>Amit Shah claimed that more than 84 BJP-RSS workers had been killed in Kannur alone since 2001 by Left-supported individuals and organisations. One can quibble over the figure or the counter-claim that right-wing activists too have participated in political violence. But there cannot be a denial of the ground reality that the major victims have been the Rightists.</p>

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<h5>The Jan Raksha Yatra is arguably the BJP&rsquo;s most determined effort so far in Kerala.</h5>
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<p>The BJP believes that by ratcheting up public sentiment against such killings and other forms of violence, it can eventually create a conducive electoral environment in its favour. That is to be seen; for now, State Assembly elections are far away. But the Lok Sabha poll will be held in less than two years and the party hopes to harvest some advantage from its counter-aggression. To that end, the Jan Raksha Yatra is, arguably, the BJP&rsquo;s most determined effort so far in Kerala.</p>

<p>The Marxists have been dismissive of their opponent&rsquo;s drive, and they have been especially critical of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister&rsquo;s presence, advising him to mend governance in his home state before condemning the Left rule in Kerala. But there is no doubt that the Left is worried.</p>

<p>Unlike the BJP which is ruling most parts of the country either on its own or with the help of allies, the Left Front, and especially the CPI (M), is facing an existential crisis. It has been driven out from its one-time stronghold, West Bengal, by Mamata Banerjee&rsquo;s Trinamool Congress. This was bad enough, but worse has followed. For all practical purposes, it&rsquo;s not even the main opposition there; the BJP has occupied that spot. Given that it has been marginalised in a state which it once ruled for three uninterrupted decades, the CPI (M)&rsquo;s salvation lies in Kerala where, in any case, it cannot presume invincibility since the Congress has been breathing down its neck. But the Congress is a friendly opposition when compared to the BJP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP&rsquo;s game plan is simple enough. Exploit the anger among the people over political violence against its people and the larger Sangh family, attribute such violence to the Marxists&rsquo; ideology of intolerance, link the incidents to minority appeasement politics of the Left, and arouse passions in the name of majority-victimhood. The more it can do this the more it would push the Left into the anti-majority-community trap. Yogi Adityanath is a perfect candidate to further this strategy in the deep south. He is charismatic and a crowd-puller. It helps that he is also considered a &lsquo;Hindu mascot&rsquo;.</p>

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<h5>If the BJP manages to enhance its presence in Kerala, it will be as much due to its perseverance as it will be on account of the Marxists&rsquo; obstinacy to change with the times.&nbsp;</h5>
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<p>There is something to be said in favour of striking when the iron is hot. Not only is the CPI (M) battling for political relevance, but it has also been facing embarrassment from within. A gentleman named Ritabrata Banerjee has been doing his bit in this regard. Once the blue-eyed boy of the Marxists and a Rajya Sabha MP, the highly visible Banerjee was expelled from the CPI (M) last month for &ldquo;grave anti-party activities&rdquo;. He claimed to have fallen foul with the senior leadership after he began to speak out in party forums against the &lsquo;Kannur cabal&rsquo; comprising among others, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and senior leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.</p>

<p>In interviews to television channels, Banerjee gleefully tore into the Marxists, saying that he had been targeted by the party leaders for, among other things, saying &ldquo;Bharat Mata ki Jai&rdquo;. He added that certain party leaders whose wish prevailed had problems with his lifestyle &mdash; including the apple watch he wore and the foreign trips he undertook!</p>

<p>There is of course little need to make a martyr out of him or take all that he has said as unadulterated truth. Nonetheless, he seems to have underlined the basic problems the Marxists are confronted with, and are increasingly failing to effectively address: That the CPI (M) has lost its connection with the aspirations and demands of the new voter who not just abhors retributive politics but also frowns at dated ideological positions and defers with the party on issues of &lsquo;nationalism&rsquo;. If the BJP manages to enhance its presence in Kerala, it will be as much due to its perseverance as it will be on account of the Marxists&rsquo; obstinacy to change with the times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There are two primary reasons for the BJP&rsquo;s focus on Kerala. The first is simply that it&rsquo;s a hard nut to crack &mdash; and Amit Shah enjoys nothing better than meeting such challenges head-on &mdash; even if it entails the use of techniques in the book and outside of it. In southern India, the party has a fighting chance in Karnataka where the Assembly election is due next year. It rules in alliance in Andhra Pradesh, and is contemplating various combinations to unlock Tamil Nadu. But whereas it&rsquo;s at the mercy of regional allies, both current and potential, to be relevant elsewhere in the south, in Kerala it hopes to be a dominant player, even if it stitches deals with regional outfits.</p>

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<h5>BJP may yet have a long road to traverse in Kerala.</h5>
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<p>The second reason stems from its own electoral performance in the past few years. In the 2016 Assembly election, the BJP-led NDA received over 14 per cent of the votes; it won one seat; and finished second in six others. Compare these to the five per cent vote-share in 2001, under five per cent in 2006, six per cent in 2011 &mdash; and a little less than 11 per cent in the 2014 Lok Sabha poll, and the cause for the BJP&rsquo;s optimism becomes obvious. A CSDS-Lokniti survey done for a leading national daily soon after the last Assembly poll informed that the BJP had cut into the support base of both the Left and the Congress. Interestingly, the party also managed to win over a small segment of the Christian votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While these should cheer, and have cheered, the Rightist party and its supporters, the BJP may yet have a long road to traverse in Kerala. The moot question is: Will the party resort to dangerous social divisions to succeed electorally or moderate its stance and bank on inclusivity?</p>


Amit Shah comes up with a master plan to enhance BJP's dominance in Kerala

Spurred by the spate of recent electoral victories, the Bharatiya Janata Party has become audaciously ambitious. It has begun to not just enter enemy territory with new-found confidence and aggression but also march into enemy strongholds within that forbidden territory. On October 3, party president Amit Shah launched the Jan Raksha Yatra (March for People’s Protection) in the Marxist bastion of Kerala — and from Kannur district which has been the centre of political violence. If the BJP’s opponents thought this was another symbolic show to remind the people of the party’s presence in this southern state, and no more, they were soon disabused of the notion when Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived on wednesday to participate in the high-profile event. Amit Shah claimed that more than 84 BJP-RSS workers had been killed in Kannur alone since 2001 by Left-supported individuals and organisations. × The message is clear. The BJP will play every card to enhance its footprint in Kerala. If the politics of polarisation needs to be resorted to, so be it. But polarisation does not happen in a vacuum; a context is necessary. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) rule has created a fertile ground for deep disaffection among large sections of the populace in the state and the BJP (along with the RSS which has had a strong presence for years) is set to exploit the situation. Amit Shah claimed that more than 84 BJP-RSS workers had been killed in Kannur alone since 2001 by Left-supported individuals and organisations. One can quibble over the figure or the counter-claim that right-wing activists too have participated in political violence. But there cannot be a denial of the ground reality that the major victims have been the Rightists. The Jan Raksha Yatra is arguably the BJP’s most determined effort so far in Kerala. × The BJP believes that by ratcheting up public sentiment against such killings and other forms of violence, it can eventually create a conducive electoral environment in its favour. That is to be seen; for now, State Assembly elections are far away. But the Lok Sabha poll will be held in less than two years and the party hopes to harvest some advantage from its counter-aggression. To that end, the Jan Raksha Yatra is, arguably, the BJP’s most determined effort so far in Kerala. The Marxists have been dismissive of their opponent’s drive, and they have been especially critical of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s presence, advising him to mend governance in his home state before condemning the Left rule in Kerala. But there is no doubt that the Left is worried. Unlike the BJP which is ruling most parts of the country either on its own or with the help of allies, the Left Front, and especially the CPI (M), is facing an existential crisis. It has been driven out from its one-time stronghold, West Bengal, by Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress. This was bad enough, but worse has followed. For all practical purposes, it’s not even the main opposition there; the BJP has occupied that spot. Given that it has been marginalised in a state which it once ruled for three uninterrupted decades, the CPI (M)’s salvation lies in Kerala where, in any case, it cannot presume invincibility since the Congress has been breathing down its neck. But the Congress is a friendly opposition when compared to the BJP. The BJP’s game plan is simple enough. Exploit the anger among the people over political violence against its people and the larger Sangh family, attribute such violence to the Marxists’ ideology of intolerance, link the incidents to minority appeasement politics of the Left, and arouse passions in the name of majority-victimhood. The more it can do this the more it would push the Left into the anti-majority-community trap. Yogi Adityanath is a perfect candidate to further this strategy in the deep south. He is charismatic and a crowd-puller. It helps that he is also considered a ‘Hindu mascot’. If the BJP manages to enhance its presence in Kerala, it will be as much due to its perseverance as it will be on account of the Marxists’ obstinacy to change with the times. × There is something to be said in favour of striking when the iron is hot. Not only is the CPI (M) battling for political relevance, but it has also been facing embarrassment from within. A gentleman named Ritabrata Banerjee has been doing his bit in this regard. Once the blue-eyed boy of the Marxists and a Rajya Sabha MP, the highly visible Banerjee was expelled from the CPI (M) last month for “grave anti-party activities”. He claimed to have fallen foul with the senior leadership after he began to speak out in party forums against the ‘Kannur cabal’ comprising among others, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and senior leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. In interviews to television channels, Banerjee gleefully tore into the Marxists, saying that he had been targeted by the party leaders for, among other things, saying “Bharat Mata ki Jai”. He added that certain party leaders whose wish prevailed had problems with his lifestyle — including the apple watch he wore and the foreign trips he undertook! There is of course little need to make a martyr out of him or take all that he has said as unadulterated truth. Nonetheless, he seems to have underlined the basic problems the Marxists are confronted with, and are increasingly failing to effectively address: That the CPI (M) has lost its connection with the aspirations and demands of the new voter who not just abhors retributive politics but also frowns at dated ideological positions and defers with the party on issues of ‘nationalism’. If the BJP manages to enhance its presence in Kerala, it will be as much due to its perseverance as it will be on account of the Marxists’ obstinacy to change with the times. There are two primary reasons for the BJP’s focus on Kerala. The first is simply that it’s a hard nut to crack — and Amit Shah enjoys nothing better than meeting such challenges head-on — even if it entails the use of techniques in the book and outside of it. In southern India, the party has a fighting chance in Karnataka where the Assembly election is due next year. It rules in alliance in Andhra Pradesh, and is contemplating various combinations to unlock Tamil Nadu. But whereas it’s at the mercy of regional allies, both current and potential, to be relevant elsewhere in the south, in Kerala it hopes to be a dominant player, even if it stitches deals with regional outfits. BJP may yet have a long road to traverse in Kerala. × The second reason stems from its own electoral performance in the past few years. In the 2016 Assembly election, the BJP-led NDA received over 14 per cent of the votes; it won one seat; and finished second in six others. Compare these to the five per cent vote-share in 2001, under five per cent in 2006, six per cent in 2011 — and a little less than 11 per cent in the 2014 Lok Sabha poll, and the cause for the BJP’s optimism becomes obvious. A CSDS-Lokniti survey done for a leading national daily soon after the last Assembly poll informed that the BJP had cut into the support base of both the Left and the Congress. Interestingly, the party also managed to win over a small segment of the Christian votes. While these should cheer, and have cheered, the Rightist party and its supporters, the BJP may yet have a long road to traverse in Kerala. The moot question is: Will the party resort to dangerous social divisions to succeed electorally or moderate its stance and bank on inclusivity?

BJP ambitious to gain majority in CPIM's Kerala

<p>An aggressive campaign by BJP in Kerala against the killing of its workers is not an exercise in isolation. It is a campaign for 2019 which BJP is taking through states in which it had no historic presence. In every state, slogans have differed but the aim has been the same and that being expansion of the organisational structure of the party. The political aggression is high but it isn&rsquo;t new as the exercise started immediately after Lok Sabha elections in 2014.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
BJP after its massive win in general elections started to disrupt existing political equations in the states. Instead of having an alliance with a local party in Haryana, BJP chose to go alone and formed the government. This story was repeated in states, such as Assam, Jammu and Kashmir and West Bengal. In states like Assam, BJP tasted success and in West Bengal, it was able to expand it voters base but electorally it got trounced.</p>

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<h5>How BJP expects to gain where more than 50 percent of the population is Christian and Muslim.</h5>
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<p>In both situations, BJP did get away by gaining something. Similarly, BJP wants to push the final frontier in Kerala as it did in JK and Assam, the two states where it was thought impossible for BJP to gain a foothold. BJP broke regional leaders and tapped into anxieties which cut across caste in the states. The exception being Kashmir valley where BJP despite its best effort could not open an account but instead swept Jammu.</p>

<p>The question then arises is how BJP expects to gain where more than 50 percent of the population is Christian and Muslim. BJP has been able to evolve a working relationship with the church in Goa but it still has a substantial Hindu population to bank upon. Kerala is a laboratory and a test case for BJP. In Kerala, not only BJP will have to reset and alignment between Congress and CPM, but will have to push the communist party to the margin. In this case, it is directly competing with CPM for the affections of the Ezheva community.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The killings are not new. Kannur has been known as the killing field of Kerala. The activism for it at the national level is new. BJP has decided to lend national heft for regional gains. This has happened because BJP feels that Hindutva blended with OBC and Dalit politics will yield electoral results in the state.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
It can also be explained in the context of &lsquo;Sanskritisation&rsquo; which OBCs have undergone throughout India and have come to represent the core Hindutva politics in the North and the West. Most of these communities in 1960, 70s and 80s consolidated under socialist parties under the banner of &lsquo;Kisan&rsquo; politics, directly pitching itself against the Congress Party.</p>

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<h5>Even if campaigns in West Bengal or Kerala don&rsquo;t yield electoral numbers, BJP, at least, gets to dominate the political discourse and expand the party.</h5>
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<p>&nbsp;<br />
By end of the 1990s, the consolidated socialist front, however,&nbsp;fragmented into caste-based parties throughout India. BJP today dominates this political landscape. This development coupled with the fragmentation of Dalit votes has benefitted BJP immensely. Even in Kerala, under the rubric of Hindutva, BJP is actively pursuing backward and Dalit sections despite the antagonistic relationship it shared with these communities both at the social level and cultural level.</p>

<p>It is for this reason, Yogi Adityanath was the first person from north India to grace the yatra started by BJP President Amit Shah.</p>

<p>Similar, disruptions will continue in other states as well. BJP has already occupied the Opposition&rsquo;s space in Orissa. In Telangana, it doesn&rsquo;t want to move fast lest TRS allies with the Opposition. It is for this reason that despite political upheaval in Tamil Nadu, BJP is trying its best to stabilise the government.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The North Indian states are already saturated. BJP intends to come to power by using the states which rejected them during 2014. It is for this very reason states like West Bengal, Orissa, Assam, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have become very important. BJP knows that in 2019 the road to Delhi will need to be paved in from South and East India and not North.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
For the Opposition, the job has become tougher. BJP has the movers advantage. They never expected BJP to continue into the election mode even after the Lok Sabha elections. BJP is making every election count. It tasted royal defeats in Bihar and Delhi. It realises that it takes very little to diffuse political momentum in a country like India. So even if campaigns in West Bengal or Kerala don&rsquo;t yield electoral numbers, BJP, at least, gets to dominate the political discourse and expand the party.</p>

<p>This is what BJP intends to do in Kerala. It is making every state election count to become the dominant party in the country, replacing Congress as the biggest and largest party with completely different ideological underpinning.</p>


BJP intends to come back to power in 2019 by using the states, such as Kerala which rejected them during 2014.

An aggressive campaign by BJP in Kerala against the killing of its workers is not an exercise in isolation. It is a campaign for 2019 which BJP is taking through states in which it had no historic presence. In every state, slogans have differed but the aim has been the same and that being expansion of the organisational structure of the party. The political aggression is high but it isn’t new as the exercise started immediately after Lok Sabha elections in 2014. BJP after its massive win in general elections started to disrupt existing political equations in the states. Instead of having an alliance with a local party in Haryana, BJP chose to go alone and formed the government. This story was repeated in states, such as Assam, Jammu and Kashmir and West Bengal. In states like Assam, BJP tasted success and in West Bengal, it was able to expand it voters base but electorally it got trounced. How BJP expects to gain where more than 50 percent of the population is Christian and Muslim. × In both situations, BJP did get away by gaining something. Similarly, BJP wants to push the final frontier in Kerala as it did in JK and Assam, the two states where it was thought impossible for BJP to gain a foothold. BJP broke regional leaders and tapped into anxieties which cut across caste in the states. The exception being Kashmir valley where BJP despite its best effort could not open an account but instead swept Jammu. The question then arises is how BJP expects to gain where more than 50 percent of the population is Christian and Muslim. BJP has been able to evolve a working relationship with the church in Goa but it still has a substantial Hindu population to bank upon. Kerala is a laboratory and a test case for BJP. In Kerala, not only BJP will have to reset and alignment between Congress and CPM, but will have to push the communist party to the margin. In this case, it is directly competing with CPM for the affections of the Ezheva community. The killings are not new. Kannur has been known as the killing field of Kerala. The activism for it at the national level is new. BJP has decided to lend national heft for regional gains. This has happened because BJP feels that Hindutva blended with OBC and Dalit politics will yield electoral results in the state. It can also be explained in the context of ‘Sanskritisation’ which OBCs have undergone throughout India and have come to represent the core Hindutva politics in the North and the West. Most of these communities in 1960, 70s and 80s consolidated under socialist parties under the banner of ‘Kisan’ politics, directly pitching itself against the Congress Party. Even if campaigns in West Bengal or Kerala don’t yield electoral numbers, BJP, at least, gets to dominate the political discourse and expand the party. × By end of the 1990s, the consolidated socialist front, however, fragmented into caste-based parties throughout India. BJP today dominates this political landscape. This development coupled with the fragmentation of Dalit votes has benefitted BJP immensely. Even in Kerala, under the rubric of Hindutva, BJP is actively pursuing backward and Dalit sections despite the antagonistic relationship it shared with these communities both at the social level and cultural level. It is for this reason, Yogi Adityanath was the first person from north India to grace the yatra started by BJP President Amit Shah. Similar, disruptions will continue in other states as well. BJP has already occupied the Opposition’s space in Orissa. In Telangana, it doesn’t want to move fast lest TRS allies with the Opposition. It is for this reason that despite political upheaval in Tamil Nadu, BJP is trying its best to stabilise the government. The North Indian states are already saturated. BJP intends to come to power by using the states which rejected them during 2014. It is for this very reason states like West Bengal, Orissa, Assam, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have become very important. BJP knows that in 2019 the road to Delhi will need to be paved in from South and East India and not North. For the Opposition, the job has become tougher. BJP has the movers advantage. They never expected BJP to continue into the election mode even after the Lok Sabha elections. BJP is making every election count. It tasted royal defeats in Bihar and Delhi. It realises that it takes very little to diffuse political momentum in a country like India. So even if campaigns in West Bengal or Kerala don’t yield electoral numbers, BJP, at least, gets to dominate the political discourse and expand the party. This is what BJP intends to do in Kerala. It is making every state election count to become the dominant party in the country, replacing Congress as the biggest and largest party with completely different ideological underpinning.

Kerala violence is the pretext; 2019 election is BJP's  goal

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a tough task at hand - to get power to a school in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi. The school, in Sarnath area of Varanasi, is without power for the last 13 years. And the situation will remain the same till 2019, says a board inside the school.</p>

<p>The students in Sarnath Primary School have to brave cold wave and blistering heat to study. And they sit on the floor as there are no benches. The school has fans, but no electricity.</p>

<p>&quot;There are no doors, no table and benches, even water is missing,&quot; said Deepti Patel, one of the students. &quot;It&rsquo;s too hot here,&quot; said Neha, another student.</p>

<p>Others too echoed similar sentiments. &quot;We are studying without water and electricity. The school doesn&rsquo;t even have a toilet, which makes things worse,&quot; said Lakshmi Maurya.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The school board which shows the agonising 13-year-long wait for power (WION)</p>
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<p>The principal said the situation is a result of officials&rsquo; apathy. &quot;It&rsquo;s been a year since I came here and the situation is the same since then. Windows are broken, there are no doors. Forget students, even teachers do not have desks and chairs. I have made several efforts, approached my seniors but we are still without power,&quot; said Pratibha Pandey, the principal of the school.</p>

<p>Ironically, the school is among the&nbsp;29 institutions which are part of state government&rsquo;s model school initiative.</p>

<p>&quot;The students face a lot of problems during extreme weather. The school is in pretty bad shape. Children have to sit through classes with a leaking roof. I hope this model school initiative changes our fortunes,&quot; the principal said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Officials, meanwhile, say the situation will improve soon. &quot;We have started this scheme of announcing model schools. The building will get new tiles. The funds that we are receiving, will be put to good use,&quot; said chief development officer Sunil Kumar Verma.</p>

<p>The officer also said that the government plans to install solar-powered lights and fans in the school. The school will also have solar-powered cooler and the RO plant, he added.</p>


The students in Sarnath Primary School have to brave cold wave and blistering heat to study

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a tough task at hand - to get power to a school in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi. The school, in Sarnath area of Varanasi, is without power for the last 13 years. And the situation will remain the same till 2019, says a board inside the school. The students in Sarnath Primary School have to brave cold wave and blistering heat to study. And they sit on the floor as there are no benches. The school has fans, but no electricity. "There are no doors, no table and benches, even water is missing," said Deepti Patel, one of the students. "It’s too hot here," said Neha, another student. Others too echoed similar sentiments. "We are studying without water and electricity. The school doesn’t even have a toilet, which makes things worse," said Lakshmi Maurya. The school board which shows the agonising 13-year-long wait for power (WION) × The principal said the situation is a result of officials’ apathy. "It’s been a year since I came here and the situation is the same since then. Windows are broken, there are no doors. Forget students, even teachers do not have desks and chairs. I have made several efforts, approached my seniors but we are still without power," said Pratibha Pandey, the principal of the school. Ironically, the school is among the 29 institutions which are part of state government’s model school initiative. "The students face a lot of problems during extreme weather. The school is in pretty bad shape. Children have to sit through classes with a leaking roof. I hope this model school initiative changes our fortunes," the principal said. Officials, meanwhile, say the situation will improve soon. "We have started this scheme of announcing model schools. The building will get new tiles. The funds that we are receiving, will be put to good use," said chief development officer Sunil Kumar Verma. The officer also said that the government plans to install solar-powered lights and fans in the school. The school will also have solar-powered cooler and the RO plant, he added.

13 years on, a school in Varanasi waits for electricity

<p>Indian home minister Rajnath Singh today downplayed senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha&#39;s criticism of the finance minister Arun Jaitley, saying India&#39;s economy is the fastest growing in the world, and the country&#39;s credibility has been established in the international arena.</p>

<p>Singh, who was responding to a question on Sinha&#39;s remarks over the state of the economy, said no one should forget these facts about the country.</p>

<p>&quot;The whole world admits that India is the fastest growing economy in the world. No one should forget this fact. In the matter of economy, in the international arena, India&#39;s credibility has been established,&quot; he told reporters here.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-power-admit-the-truth-chidambaram-on-yashwant-sinhas-attack-on-arun-jaitleys-economic-mess-20728">In an opinion piece in Indian Express, </a>&#39;I need to speak up now&#39;, Sinha criticised Arun Jaitley over what he called the &quot;mess the finance minister has made of the economy&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bb22a246-e74c-4d75-baa4-f8fd289a6103}{175}" paraid="1873541938" >The senior BJP leader said he would &quot;fail in my national duty if I did not speak up even now against the mess the finance minister has made of the economy.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sinha, a former finance minister in prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government, who has been sidelined in the party, claimed a revival by the time of the next Lok Sabha election was &quot;highly unlikely&quot; and a &quot;hard landing&quot; appeared inevitable.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bb22a246-e74c-4d75-baa4-f8fd289a6103}{175}" paraid="1873541938" >Sinha pointed out that the growth rate of 5.7&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;was actually 3.7&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;or less by the old method of calculation. He attributed the misleading growth rate to the government&#39;s decision to change the methodology for calculation of the&nbsp;GDP &nbsp;in&nbsp;2015 as a result of which the growth rate recorded earlier increased statistically by over 200 basis points on an annual basis.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
In a series of Twitter posts, senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram asked the government to admit that Yashwant Sinha was speaking the truth.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bb22a246-e74c-4d75-baa4-f8fd289a6103}{179}" paraid="1229763505" >&quot;Will Power now admit the Truth that economy is sinking?&quot; the former finance minister wrote.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chidambaram asked the BJP government to respond to their senior party leader Yashwant Sinha&#39;s scathing attack on the central government&#39;s economic policies, particularly the &quot;mess&quot; that finance minister&nbsp;Arun&nbsp;Jaitley had made of the economy.&nbsp;</p>


Rajnath Singh responded to former finance minister Yashwant Sinha's comment on economy

Indian home minister Rajnath Singh today downplayed senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha's criticism of the finance minister Arun Jaitley, saying India's economy is the fastest growing in the world, and the country's credibility has been established in the international arena. Singh, who was responding to a question on Sinha's remarks over the state of the economy, said no one should forget these facts about the country. "The whole world admits that India is the fastest growing economy in the world. No one should forget this fact. In the matter of economy, in the international arena, India's credibility has been established," he told reporters here. In an opinion piece in Indian Express, 'I need to speak up now', Sinha criticised Arun Jaitley over what he called the "mess the finance minister has made of the economy". The senior BJP leader said he would "fail in my national duty if I did not speak up even now against the mess the finance minister has made of the economy." Sinha, a former finance minister in prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government, who has been sidelined in the party, claimed a revival by the time of the next Lok Sabha election was "highly unlikely" and a "hard landing" appeared inevitable. Sinha pointed out that the growth rate of 5.7 per cent was actually 3.7 per cent or less by the old method of calculation. He attributed the misleading growth rate to the government's decision to change the methodology for calculation of the GDP in 2015 as a result of which the growth rate recorded earlier increased statistically by over 200 basis points on an annual basis. In a series of Twitter posts, senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram asked the government to admit that Yashwant Sinha was speaking the truth. "Will Power now admit the Truth that economy is sinking?" the former finance minister wrote. Chidambaram asked the BJP government to respond to their senior party leader Yashwant Sinha's scathing attack on the central government's economic policies, particularly the "mess" that finance minister Arun Jaitley had made of the economy.

World knows India's economy is the fastest growing: Rajnath

<p>On the second day of his <em>Navsarjan Yatra</em> in poll-bound Gujarat, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-adds-to-long-list-of-gaffes-20108">Rahul Gandhi</a> addressed the assembly seats in&nbsp;Jamnagar, Rajkot and Morbi.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress VP Rahul Gandhi begins day 2 of Navsarjan Yatra from Jamnagar, after a successful first day. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%AA%AF%E0%AB%81%E0%AA%B5%E0%AA%BE_%E0%AA%B0%E0%AB%8B%E0%AA%9C%E0%AA%97%E0%AA%BE%E0%AA%B0_%E0%AA%96%E0%AB%87%E0%AA%A1%E0%AB%82%E0%AA%A4_%E0%AA%85%E0%AA%A7%E0%AA%BF%E0%AA%95%E0%AA%BE%E0%AA%B0?src=hash">#????_??????_?????_??????</a> <a href="https://t.co/48JhBI7vGY">pic.twitter.com/48JhBI7vGY</a></p>
&mdash; Congress (@INCIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/912531893693718528">September 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rahul&nbsp;Gandhi said the state government should run from Gujarat and not from Delhi.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">State government should run from Gujarat and not Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat&#39;s Khijadiya</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912558432502214656">September 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Taking a jibe at the central government, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/twitter-reacts-to-rahul-gandhis-artificial-intelligence-learning-19926">Rahul Gandhi </a>said the present government in Gujarat is being controlled through &quot;a remote control from Delhi&quot;.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Aajkal Gujarat ki sarkar remote control se chalti hai, Delhi se chalti hai: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat <a href="https://t.co/WSa26ydGPP">pic.twitter.com/WSa26ydGPP</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912565296921157632">September 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Referring to the &#39;Make in India&#39; initiative, the Congress vice-president said that it is &quot;shameful that&nbsp;the &#39;Statue of Unity&#39; is being &#39;made in China&#39;.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The grand statue of unity is a tribute to Vallabhbhai Patel and is under construction in Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Sardar Patel ji ki murti ban rahi hai,aur wo bhi China me ban rahi hai.Uske peechey &#39;made in China&#39; likha hua hai,sharm ki baat hai-R Gandhi <a href="https://t.co/Zbaasjza0T">pic.twitter.com/Zbaasjza0T</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912580454099718151">September 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>( Also&nbsp;Read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-takes-a-dig-at-modi-after-bhu-clash-20648">Rahul Gandhi takes a dig at Modi after BHU clash</a> )</p>

<p>The Congress vice-president is on a three-day visit to Gujarat.&nbsp;He began his first day on Monday by offering prayers at Dwarkadhish temple in Dwaraka followed by an address to the party workers and villagers in Bhatia village in Jamnagar district.</p>


Taking a jibe at the central government, Rahul Gandhi said that the present government in Gujarat runs from a remote control from Delhi

On the second day of his Navsarjan Yatra in poll-bound Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi addressed the assembly seats in Jamnagar, Rajkot and Morbi. Congress VP Rahul Gandhi begins day 2 of Navsarjan Yatra from Jamnagar, after a successful first day. #????_??????_?????_?????? pic.twitter.com/48JhBI7vGY — Congress (@INCIndia) September 26, 2017 × Rahul Gandhi said the state government should run from Gujarat and not from Delhi. State government should run from Gujarat and not Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat's Khijadiya — ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2017 × Taking a jibe at the central government, Rahul Gandhi said the present government in Gujarat is being controlled through "a remote control from Delhi". Aajkal Gujarat ki sarkar remote control se chalti hai, Delhi se chalti hai: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat pic.twitter.com/WSa26ydGPP — ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2017 × Referring to the 'Make in India' initiative, the Congress vice-president said that it is "shameful that the 'Statue of Unity' is being 'made in China'." The grand statue of unity is a tribute to Vallabhbhai Patel and is under construction in Gujarat. Sardar Patel ji ki murti ban rahi hai,aur wo bhi China me ban rahi hai.Uske peechey 'made in China' likha hua hai,sharm ki baat hai-R Gandhi pic.twitter.com/Zbaasjza0T — ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2017 × ( Also Read: Rahul Gandhi takes a dig at Modi after BHU clash ) The Congress vice-president is on a three-day visit to Gujarat. He began his first day on Monday by offering prayers at Dwarkadhish temple in Dwaraka followed by an address to the party workers and villagers in Bhatia village in Jamnagar district.

Gujarat government on remote control: Rahul Gandhi

<p>In his inaugural address to the BJP Executive Meeting, &nbsp;BJP President Amit Shah slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on dynastic politics.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that the BJP believes in the politics of performance while Congress follows &quot;politics of appeasement and dynasty&quot;.</p>

<p>During a speech at the University of California at Berkeley Rahul Gandhi defended dynastic politics. He said &ldquo;Dynastic politics is a problem in all political parties. Akhilesh Yadav, Stalin and even actor Abhishek Bachchan are dynasts... So don&rsquo;t go just after me.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Citing the examples of the current president, vice president and prime minister, the BJP chief said that they have reached to their position due of their work.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amit Shah also&nbsp;claimed that the economy is flourishing well under the present government than compared to how it was under the UPA government. He presented figures to substantiate his claims.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The party president also appreciated the government&#39;s response to the handling of Naxalism and terrorism. He said&nbsp;more terrorists were killed during the last three years than any other spell of three years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He attacked the TMC government in West Bengal and the Left in Kerala for the&nbsp;alleged political violence on BJP workers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The&nbsp;event was followed by Union Minister Piyush Goyal&#39;s address in which he said his party was relentlessly working&nbsp;in the interest of the people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Referring to the latest verbal attacks by Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Goyal said that Gandhi has been undermining the country for which he has received a befitting reply from the Amit Shah.&nbsp;He said he was confident that BJP will register a &quot;historic win&quot;&nbsp;in the upcoming Gujarat polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that the party leader Amit Shah will hold a <em>padyatra</em>&nbsp;(journey by road) &nbsp;in Kerala from October 3-17, to connect with the people.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash">#Visuals</a> from BJP National Executive Meet in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/slrL5L15gZ">pic.twitter.com/slrL5L15gZ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912182725737455616">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Govt is relentlessly working in the interests of the poor: Union Minister Piyush Goyal during BJP National Executive meet <a href="https://t.co/x4xENKwQIx">pic.twitter.com/x4xENKwQIx</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912207510890672128">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Amit Shah ji said that from October 3-17 BJP workers will do a &#39;padyatra&#39; in Kerala and connect with the people: Piyush Goyal</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912207725957832704">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rahul Gandhi ji has been undermining India these days, Amit Shah ji gave a befitting reply with facts: Piyush Goyal on BJP Natl Exec meet <a href="https://t.co/VEuFUtNKLh">pic.twitter.com/VEuFUtNKLh</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912208440197496833">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Amit Shah ji ne kaha vanshvaad Congress ki sanskriti hai: Piyush Goyal</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912209871734312960">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP will register a historic win in upcoming Gujarat polls: Union Minister Piyush Goyal <a href="https://t.co/uW6GdfLoPL">pic.twitter.com/uW6GdfLoPL</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912213671798960128">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p><br />
The two-day BJP National Executive meet in New Delhi, which will conclude&nbsp;today after PM Modi&#39;s address, is being attended by an estimated 2000 party leaders including&nbsp;1400 Members of Legislative Assembly, 337 Members of Parliament, and all Members of Legislative Council.</p>

<p>The meet will trace the political and economic development of the&nbsp;government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It&nbsp;coincides with the 100th birth centenary of independence leader Deen Dayal Upadhyaya.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Amit Shah said the BJP believes in the politics of performance while Congress follows 'politics of appeasement and dynasty'

In his inaugural address to the BJP Executive Meeting, BJP President Amit Shah slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on dynastic politics. He said that the BJP believes in the politics of performance while Congress follows "politics of appeasement and dynasty". During a speech at the University of California at Berkeley Rahul Gandhi defended dynastic politics. He said “Dynastic politics is a problem in all political parties. Akhilesh Yadav, Stalin and even actor Abhishek Bachchan are dynasts... So don’t go just after me.” Citing the examples of the current president, vice president and prime minister, the BJP chief said that they have reached to their position due of their work. Amit Shah also claimed that the economy is flourishing well under the present government than compared to how it was under the UPA government. He presented figures to substantiate his claims. The party president also appreciated the government's response to the handling of Naxalism and terrorism. He said more terrorists were killed during the last three years than any other spell of three years. He attacked the TMC government in West Bengal and the Left in Kerala for the alleged political violence on BJP workers. The event was followed by Union Minister Piyush Goyal's address in which he said his party was relentlessly working in the interest of the people. Referring to the latest verbal attacks by Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Goyal said that Gandhi has been undermining the country for which he has received a befitting reply from the Amit Shah. He said he was confident that BJP will register a "historic win" in the upcoming Gujarat polls. He added that the party leader Amit Shah will hold a padyatra (journey by road) in Kerala from October 3-17, to connect with the people. #Visuals from BJP National Executive Meet in Delhi pic.twitter.com/slrL5L15gZ — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × The Govt is relentlessly working in the interests of the poor: Union Minister Piyush Goyal during BJP National Executive meet pic.twitter.com/x4xENKwQIx — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × Amit Shah ji said that from October 3-17 BJP workers will do a 'padyatra' in Kerala and connect with the people: Piyush Goyal — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × Rahul Gandhi ji has been undermining India these days, Amit Shah ji gave a befitting reply with facts: Piyush Goyal on BJP Natl Exec meet pic.twitter.com/VEuFUtNKLh — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × Amit Shah ji ne kaha vanshvaad Congress ki sanskriti hai: Piyush Goyal — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × BJP will register a historic win in upcoming Gujarat polls: Union Minister Piyush Goyal pic.twitter.com/uW6GdfLoPL — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × The two-day BJP National Executive meet in New Delhi, which will conclude today after PM Modi's address, is being attended by an estimated 2000 party leaders including 1400 Members of Legislative Assembly, 337 Members of Parliament, and all Members of Legislative Council. The meet will trace the political and economic development of the government. It coincides with the 100th birth centenary of independence leader Deen Dayal Upadhyaya.

At BJP's executive meet, Amit Shah takes potshots at Rahul Gandhi for defending dynasty politics

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