Fresh protests over the rising cost of bread broke out in Sudan on Friday, witnesses said, as troops deployed after two days of deadly clashes that left eight protestors dead.

A government decision to raise the price of a loaf of bread this week from one Sudanese pound to three (from about two to six US cents) sparked protests across the country on Wednesday.

In the capital's twin city Omdurman, a witness — who declined to be named — said demonstrations erupted as worshippers emerged from a mosque frequented by followers of the Al-Ansar sect, which is linked to the Umma Party, Sudan's main opposition group.

Protestors chanted "the people want the fall of the regime" and "freedom, freedom," said the witness.

"Riot police fired tear gas at the demonstrators," the witness added.

The Umma Party overnight Thursday issued a statement calling on its members to join the protest movement.

Dozens also demonstrated on Road 60, the main artery in eastern Khartoum that links the city centre to the south of the capital, another witness said.

They demanded the government's ouster, the witness said on condition of anonymity, adding that the protesters were dispersed by riot police.

Protests were reported in other cities, including in El Obeid, southwest of Khartoum, and in Rabak, south of the capital.

In Rabak, the capital of Sudan's White Nile state, protesters torched the local headquarters of President Omar al-Bashir's National Congress Party (NCP) and a government charity, witnesses told AFP.

White Nile authorities on Friday declared a state of emergency and announced a curfew until the following morning.

The protests first erupted in the eastern city of Atbara before spreading to Al-Qadarif, also in eastern Sudan, and then to the capital.

Two demonstrators were killed in Atbara and six others in Al-Qadarif, officials said on Thursday, as protesters torched NCP offices.

Government spokesman Bashar Jumaa warned that the government "will not be lenient" with those who set state buildings on fire or caused other damage to public property.

Schools ordered to close&nbsp;

The state-run SUNA news agency said the protest had initially been "peaceful", but later drifted off course.

Sudan's education ministry on Friday announced in a statement that schools across Khartoum would be closed and classes suspended "indefinitely from Sunday".

Rights group Amnesty International called on the government to stop firing on protesters and open up a probe into the deaths.

"These killings must stop," Amnesty's Deputy Director for East Africa Seif Magango said.&nbsp;

"Opening fire on unarmed protesters cannot be justified and what is clearly needed now is an independent, efficient investigation," he added.

Friday, the weekly day of rest, had started with calm returning to Khartoum, Al-Qadarif and Atbara, witnesses said.

While traffic returned to normal, police patrolled some streets in Khartoum, and soldiers deployed around petrol stations and banks in the north of the capital.

Police in patrol cars was seen carrying clubs and tear gas canisters while the troops held Kalashnikov assault rifles, the witnesses said.

An AFP reporter said lines formed outside bakeries in north Khartoum as residents waited to buy bread.

Residents in Al-Qadarif and Atbara also reported that security forces had deployed to secure government buildings and banks.

"Today the city is calm and most of the shops in the main market have reopened," Mohammed Sharif Omar said in a telephone interview from Al-Qadarif.

Fresh protests over the rising cost of bread broke out in Sudan on Friday, witnesses said, as troops deployed after two days of deadly clashes that left eight protestors dead.

Fresh protests over the rising cost of bread broke out in Sudan on Friday, witnesses said, as troops deployed after two days of deadly clashes that left eight protestors dead. A government decision to raise the price of a loaf of bread this week from one Sudanese pound to three (from about two to six US cents) sparked protests across the country on Wednesday. In the capital's twin city Omdurman, a witness — who declined to be named — said demonstrations erupted as worshippers emerged from a mosque frequented by followers of the Al-Ansar sect, which is linked to the Umma Party, Sudan's main opposition group. Protestors chanted "the people want the fall of the regime" and "freedom, freedom," said the witness. "Riot police fired tear gas at the demonstrators," the witness added. The Umma Party overnight Thursday issued a statement calling on its members to join the protest movement. Dozens also demonstrated on Road 60, the main artery in eastern Khartoum that links the city centre to the south of the capital, another witness said. They demanded the government's ouster, the witness said on condition of anonymity, adding that the protesters were dispersed by riot police. Protests were reported in other cities, including in El Obeid, southwest of Khartoum, and in Rabak, south of the capital. In Rabak, the capital of Sudan's White Nile state, protesters torched the local headquarters of President Omar al-Bashir's National Congress Party (NCP) and a government charity, witnesses told AFP. White Nile authorities on Friday declared a state of emergency and announced a curfew until the following morning. The protests first erupted in the eastern city of Atbara before spreading to Al-Qadarif, also in eastern Sudan, and then to the capital. Two demonstrators were killed in Atbara and six others in Al-Qadarif, officials said on Thursday, as protesters torched NCP offices. Government spokesman Bashar Jumaa warned that the government "will not be lenient" with those who set state buildings on fire or caused other damage to public property. Schools ordered to close The state-run SUNA news agency said the protest had initially been "peaceful", but later drifted off course. Sudan's education ministry on Friday announced in a statement that schools across Khartoum would be closed and classes suspended "indefinitely from Sunday". Rights group Amnesty International called on the government to stop firing on protesters and open up a probe into the deaths. "These killings must stop," Amnesty's Deputy Director for East Africa Seif Magango said. "Opening fire on unarmed protesters cannot be justified and what is clearly needed now is an independent, efficient investigation," he added. Friday, the weekly day of rest, had started with calm returning to Khartoum, Al-Qadarif and Atbara, witnesses said. While traffic returned to normal, police patrolled some streets in Khartoum, and soldiers deployed around petrol stations and banks in the north of the capital. Police in patrol cars was seen carrying clubs and tear gas canisters while the troops held Kalashnikov assault rifles, the witnesses said. An AFP reporter said lines formed outside bakeries in north Khartoum as residents waited to buy bread. Residents in Al-Qadarif and Atbara also reported that security forces had deployed to secure government buildings and banks. "Today the city is calm and most of the shops in the main market have reopened," Mohammed Sharif Omar said in a telephone interview from Al-Qadarif.

Fresh protests in Sudan after deadly bread clashes

Former union&nbsp;minister and NCP leader Tariq Anwar quit NCP over Sharad Pawar’s proximity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking with WION Anwar said that Sharad Pawar’s statement in support of the Prime Minister on Rafale is not acceptable.

“Lot of mixed signals were coming from the party. People had started to say that NCP can go with BJP anytime. We also initially supported BJP in Maharashtra,” said Tariq Anwar. He also said that he respects NCP President Sharad Pawar but ideology cannot be diluted before the elections when a united Opposition is trying to mount a challenge against Narendra Modi.

When asked about his future, he said, "All options are open.”

Tariq Anwar also said that party was giving out mixed signals to the electorate on the side which it might take and that was not acceptable to him. 
&nbsp; 
Tariq Anwar started his career with the Congress Party. He quit Congress Party with Sharad Pawar and PA Sangama on Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin in 1999.

All three of them to found NCP which subsequently aligned with Congress to defeat BJP in 2004. &nbsp;Tariq Anwar remained associated with Sharad Pawar for more than 2 decades.

He in his career been elected to both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Congress has been very aggressive on the Rafale deal and using it as a principle plank to target and attack BJP on the issue of corruption.

The issue personally has been addressed in public domain number of times by Congress President Rahul Gandhi himself. Tariq Anwar was elected to Lok Sabha from Katihar in Bihar in 1980 on a Congress ticket.

Former union minister and NCP leader Tariq Anwar quit NCP over Sharad Pawar’s proximity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking with WION Anwar said that Sharad Pawar’s statement in support of the Prime Minister on Rafale is not acceptable.

Former union minister and NCP leader Tariq Anwar quit NCP over Sharad Pawar’s proximity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking with WION Anwar said that Sharad Pawar’s statement in support of the Prime Minister on Rafale is not acceptable. “Lot of mixed signals were coming from the party. People had started to say that NCP can go with BJP anytime. We also initially supported BJP in Maharashtra,” said Tariq Anwar. He also said that he respects NCP President Sharad Pawar but ideology cannot be diluted before the elections when a united Opposition is trying to mount a challenge against Narendra Modi. When asked about his future, he said, "All options are open.” Tariq Anwar also said that party was giving out mixed signals to the electorate on the side which it might take and that was not acceptable to him. Tariq Anwar started his career with the Congress Party. He quit Congress Party with Sharad Pawar and PA Sangama on Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin in 1999. All three of them to found NCP which subsequently aligned with Congress to defeat BJP in 2004. Tariq Anwar remained associated with Sharad Pawar for more than 2 decades. He in his career been elected to both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Congress has been very aggressive on the Rafale deal and using it as a principle plank to target and attack BJP on the issue of corruption. The issue personally has been addressed in public domain number of times by Congress President Rahul Gandhi himself. Tariq Anwar was elected to Lok Sabha from Katihar in Bihar in 1980 on a Congress ticket.

Tariq Anwar quits NCP over Pawar’s dalliance with BJP 

Counting of votes in&nbsp;4 Lok Sabha bypoll seats began on Thursday morning. The bypolls were held on Monday in Kairana in Uttar Pradesh, Palghar and Bhandara-Gondiya in Maharashtra and in a single seat in Nagaland.

After taking an early lead through postal ballots,&nbsp;BJP's&nbsp;Mriganka Singh is now trailing against&nbsp;RLD's&nbsp;Tabassum Hasan&nbsp;by over 8,000 votes.

After leading in Bhandara-Gondiya, BJP is now trailing against NCP in Maharashtra's Bhandara-Gondiya by 3,000 votes.&nbsp;

In Palghar, BJP's Gavit Rajendra Dhedya is leading by over 10,000 votes against&nbsp;Shiv Sena.

The high profile Kairana seat has all political pandits transfixed with BJP's Mriganka Singh, daughter of late BJP MP Hukum Singh pitted against Rashtriya Lok Dal's (RLD) Tabassum Hasan with the Opposition Congress, Samajwadi Party and BSP providing support on the ground.

A victory for RLD would be seen as strengthing of the federal front after its victory in Karnataka&nbsp;Assembly elections recently and in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats in Uttar Pradesh earlier.

The voter turnout in Kairana was 54 per cent amid complaints of Electronic Voting Machine(EVM) Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail(VVPAT) malfunction which led the Election Commission to order repoll in 73 booths.

Malfunctioning of EVMs was also reported in Palghar and Bhandara-Gondia Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. The BJP and NCP are locked in a bitter battle in the crucial Maharashtra seats.

The lone seat in Nagaland had reported 70 per cent polling with the People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) battling the NDPP and the BJP.

Malfunctioning of EVMs was also reported in Palghar and Bhandara-Gondia Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.

Counting of votes in 4 Lok Sabha bypoll seats began on Thursday morning. The bypolls were held on Monday in Kairana in Uttar Pradesh, Palghar and Bhandara-Gondiya in Maharashtra and in a single seat in Nagaland. After taking an early lead through postal ballots, BJP's Mriganka Singh is now trailing against RLD's Tabassum Hasan by over 8,000 votes. After leading in Bhandara-Gondiya, BJP is now trailing against NCP in Maharashtra's Bhandara-Gondiya by 3,000 votes. In Palghar, BJP's Gavit Rajendra Dhedya is leading by over 10,000 votes against Shiv Sena. The high profile Kairana seat has all political pandits transfixed with BJP's Mriganka Singh, daughter of late BJP MP Hukum Singh pitted against Rashtriya Lok Dal's (RLD) Tabassum Hasan with the Opposition Congress, Samajwadi Party and BSP providing support on the ground. A victory for RLD would be seen as strengthing of the federal front after its victory in Karnataka Assembly elections recently and in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats in Uttar Pradesh earlier. The voter turnout in Kairana was 54 per cent amid complaints of Electronic Voting Machine(EVM) Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail(VVPAT) malfunction which led the Election Commission to order repoll in 73 booths. Malfunctioning of EVMs was also reported in Palghar and Bhandara-Gondia Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. The BJP and NCP are locked in a bitter battle in the crucial Maharashtra seats. The lone seat in Nagaland had reported 70 per cent polling with the People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) battling the NDPP and the BJP.

Live Lok Sabha bypolls: BJP's Mriganka Singh trails in Kairana; NCP leads in Bhandara-Gondiya

The income of seven national parties from "unknown sources" during 2016-17 was Rs 710.80 crore, while total donations (above Rs 20,000) declared by them stood at Rs 589.38 crore, with BJP receiving Rs 532.27 crore from 1,194 entities, says a report.

Donations declared by BJP is more than nine times the aggregate declared by Indian National Congress (INC), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) and All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) for the same period, the report by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said today.

"The total donations (above Rs 20,000) declared by the national parties was Rs 589.38 crore, from 2,123 donations. A total of Rs 532.27 crore was declared by BJP from 1,194 donations while INC declared receiving Rs 41.90 crore from 599 donations," it said.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) declared that it did not receive any donations above Rs 20,000 during 2016-17, as it has been declaring for the past 11 years.

Total donations of national parties during 2016-17 increased by Rs 487.36 crore from Rs 102.02 crore during the previous financial year 2015-16, the report jointly prepared by ADR and National Election Watch (NEW) said.

Donations to BJP increased from Rs 76.85 crore during 2015-16 to Rs 532.27 crore in 2016-17, while that of NCP increased from Rs 71 lakh in 2015-16 to Rs 6.34 crore in 2016-17, the Delhi-based think-tank said.

Also, donations to AITC increased by 231 per cent, CPM and INC have declared an increase of 190 per cent and 105 per cent, respectively, as per their donation reports for 2015-16 and 2016-17, while that of CPI decreased by 9 per cent, it said.

The total income of national parties for 2016-17 was Rs 1,559.17 crore. Total income of national parties from known donors (details of donors as available from contribution report submitted by the parties to Election Commission) was Rs 589.38 crore, which is 37.8 per cent of the total income of the seven national parties in 2016-17, the report said.

Total income of the parties from other known sources ( sale of assets, membership fees, bank interest, sale of publications and party levy) was Rs 258.99 crore, or 16.61 per cent of the total income.

As per ADR, total income of seven national parties from unknown sources (income specified in IT Returns whose sources are unknown), for 2016-17 was Rs 710.80 crore, which is 45.59 per cent of the total income of the parties from all over India.

BJP's total income from unknown sources, including voluntary contributions, miscellaneous income, was Rs 464.94 crore during 2016-17, while that of Congress' total income from unknown sources stood at Rs 126.124 crore.

Among unknown sources of funding, maximum funds were collected under "voluntary contributions" by the BJP during 2016-17. A total of Rs 464.84 crore was collected under this head, which formed 99.98 per cent of the total income from unknown sources.

The most preferred unknown source of funding for INC was "sale of coupons" under which the party collected a total of Rs 115.64 crore which formed 91.69 per cent of its total income from unknown sources during 2016-17, it said.

The report further said that 708 donations to national parties were made by corporate/business sectors amounting to Rs 563.24 crore (95.56 per cent of total donations), while 1,354 individual donors donated Rs 25.07 crore (4.25 per cent of total donations) to the parties during 2016-17.

ADR said that 531 donations from corporate/business sectors were made to BJP (Rs 515.43 crore) while 663 individual donors donated Rs 16.82 crore to the party during 2016-17.

INC received a total of Rs 36.06 crore via 98 donations from corporate/business sectors and Rs 5.84 crore through 501 individual donors during 2016-17. 
Satya Electoral Trust donated a total of Rs 265.12 crore to BJP and INC and is one of the top two donors to the two parties. The Trust donated Rs 251.22 crore to BJP and Rs 13.90 crore to INC, the report said. 
Among state-wise donations to national parties, a total of Rs 290.90 crore was donated from Delhi, followed by Rs 112.31 crore from Maharashtra and Rs 20.22 crore from Uttar Pradesh, it added.&nbsp

Donations declared by BJP is more than nine times the aggregate declared by INC, NCP, CPI, Marxist CPM and AITC for the same period, the report by ADR said today

The income of seven national parties from "unknown sources" during 2016-17 was Rs 710.80 crore, while total donations (above Rs 20,000) declared by them stood at Rs 589.38 crore, with BJP receiving Rs 532.27 crore from 1,194 entities, says a report. Donations declared by BJP is more than nine times the aggregate declared by Indian National Congress (INC), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) and All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) for the same period, the report by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said today. "The total donations (above Rs 20,000) declared by the national parties was Rs 589.38 crore, from 2,123 donations. A total of Rs 532.27 crore was declared by BJP from 1,194 donations while INC declared receiving Rs 41.90 crore from 599 donations," it said. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) declared that it did not receive any donations above Rs 20,000 during 2016-17, as it has been declaring for the past 11 years. Total donations of national parties during 2016-17 increased by Rs 487.36 crore from Rs 102.02 crore during the previous financial year 2015-16, the report jointly prepared by ADR and National Election Watch (NEW) said. Donations to BJP increased from Rs 76.85 crore during 2015-16 to Rs 532.27 crore in 2016-17, while that of NCP increased from Rs 71 lakh in 2015-16 to Rs 6.34 crore in 2016-17, the Delhi-based think-tank said. Also, donations to AITC increased by 231 per cent, CPM and INC have declared an increase of 190 per cent and 105 per cent, respectively, as per their donation reports for 2015-16 and 2016-17, while that of CPI decreased by 9 per cent, it said. The total income of national parties for 2016-17 was Rs 1,559.17 crore. Total income of national parties from known donors (details of donors as available from contribution report submitted by the parties to Election Commission) was Rs 589.38 crore, which is 37.8 per cent of the total income of the seven national parties in 2016-17, the report said. Total income of the parties from other known sources ( sale of assets, membership fees, bank interest, sale of publications and party levy) was Rs 258.99 crore, or 16.61 per cent of the total income. As per ADR, total income of seven national parties from unknown sources (income specified in IT Returns whose sources are unknown), for 2016-17 was Rs 710.80 crore, which is 45.59 per cent of the total income of the parties from all over India. BJP's total income from unknown sources, including voluntary contributions, miscellaneous income, was Rs 464.94 crore during 2016-17, while that of Congress' total income from unknown sources stood at Rs 126.124 crore. Among unknown sources of funding, maximum funds were collected under "voluntary contributions" by the BJP during 2016-17. A total of Rs 464.84 crore was collected under this head, which formed 99.98 per cent of the total income from unknown sources. The most preferred unknown source of funding for INC was "sale of coupons" under which the party collected a total of Rs 115.64 crore which formed 91.69 per cent of its total income from unknown sources during 2016-17, it said. The report further said that 708 donations to national parties were made by corporate/business sectors amounting to Rs 563.24 crore (95.56 per cent of total donations), while 1,354 individual donors donated Rs 25.07 crore (4.25 per cent of total donations) to the parties during 2016-17. ADR said that 531 donations from corporate/business sectors were made to BJP (Rs 515.43 crore) while 663 individual donors donated Rs 16.82 crore to the party during 2016-17. INC received a total of Rs 36.06 crore via 98 donations from corporate/business sectors and Rs 5.84 crore through 501 individual donors during 2016-17. Satya Electoral Trust donated a total of Rs 265.12 crore to BJP and INC and is one of the top two donors to the two parties. The Trust donated Rs 251.22 crore to BJP and Rs 13.90 crore to INC, the report said. Among state-wise donations to national parties, a total of Rs 290.90 crore was donated from Delhi, followed by Rs 112.31 crore from Maharashtra and Rs 20.22 crore from Uttar Pradesh, it added.

National parties receive Rs 711 cr donation from 'unknown sources' in 2016-17: ADR

The NCP cadre in Mumbai is rife with talks of NCP chief Sharad Pawar joining hands with MNS leader Raj Thackeray following a meeting between the two leaders at Pawar&#39;s Nepean Sea Road residence in Mumbai on Saturday.

A report in DNA quoted NCP leaders as saying that Sharad Pawar and Raj Thackeray are joining forces to pose a challenge to the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.

An NCP leader requesting anonymity told DNA that Sharad Pawar met Congress president Rahul Gandhi and the two decided that the NCP supremo would handle the Congress-NCP alliance and other small parties who wish to give a joint fight to the BJP in Maharashtra. He said Sharad Pawar was thinking on the lines of the MNS being a part of the Congress-NCP alliance.

&quot;Sharad Pawar saheb had a meeting with Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Delhi where it was decided that Pawar Saheb will solely handle the Congress and NCP alliance and other smaller parties who wish to give a joint fight to the BJP in Maharashtra. As a part of a larger plan, Pawar saheb is toying with the idea of MNS being a part of the Congress-NCP alliance. He also wants MNS to do well so it will have a role to play in state politics,&quot; the senior NCP leader told DNA. Also read - <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opposition-should-unite-to-achieve-modi-mukt-india-raj-thackeray-36293">Opposition should unite to achieve &#39;Modi-Mukt&#39; India: Raj Thackeray</a>

&quot;Congress is also struggling to put the numbers together. If some seats are given to the MNS and the rest are with Congress and the NCP, then this formidable alliance will be in a better position to snatch the reign from the BJP. We have the support of Marathas, Dalits and Muslims, but this won&#39;t help win more seats in Mumbai and Thane. If Raj Thackeray joins, using the Marathi manoos plank, other communities will also vote. This will help get more seats and come in power in 2019,&quot; he added.

Raj Thackeray&#39;s MNS has a significant presence in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Nasik and Pune in Maharashtra.

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said dismissed talks of a future alliance as speculation. &quot;A meeting between two party leaders does not mean there is talk of a future alliance. The Thackeray family and Pawar saheb share a good rapport. We should not read too much between the lines at this moment,&quot; Nawab Malik said.

Maharashtra Congress leaders, however said that it would be difficult to take Raj Thackeray as an alliance partner since the two parties had &quot;very different ideologies&quot; and were against North Indians which formed the Congress&#39;s voters base in Mumbai.

&nbsp;&quot;We have very different ideologies. Our voters are not homogeneous. Thackeray and his party workers have assaulted North Indian hawkers and taxi drivers frequently. And North Indians are our voter base in Mumbai. So we cannot hurt our traditional vote bank in any case,&quot; the Congress leader told DNA requesting anonymity.

Another NCP leader, however, said that the Shiv Sena might in the end ally with the BJP because of a common Hindutva agenda.

&quot;Their actions do not hold any truth because of Sena president Uddhav Thackeray&#39;s fickle stand. In the end, they may go with the BJP in the name of their Hindutva agenda. They also want to enjoy power and hence they will not leave the government despite tall talk that has been going on for the past several months. Therefore, Congress and the NCP need to go the extra mile to stitch the larger umbrella alliance with all vote catchers and smaller parties and social groups. No one is untouchable in politics and politics is the art of all possibilities. Pawar saheb is astute enough to use these skills at the right time,&quot; the NCP leader told DNA on the condition of anonymity.

 
&nbsp;

The NCP cadre in Mumbai is rife with talks of the NCP chief joining hands with the MNS leader following a meeting between them at Sharad Pawar's Nepean Sea Road residence in Mumbai on Saturday

The NCP cadre in Mumbai is rife with talks of NCP chief Sharad Pawar joining hands with MNS leader Raj Thackeray following a meeting between the two leaders at Pawar's Nepean Sea Road residence in Mumbai on Saturday. A report in DNA quoted NCP leaders as saying that Sharad Pawar and Raj Thackeray are joining forces to pose a challenge to the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. An NCP leader requesting anonymity told DNA that Sharad Pawar met Congress president Rahul Gandhi and the two decided that the NCP supremo would handle the Congress-NCP alliance and other small parties who wish to give a joint fight to the BJP in Maharashtra. He said Sharad Pawar was thinking on the lines of the MNS being a part of the Congress-NCP alliance. "Sharad Pawar saheb had a meeting with Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Delhi where it was decided that Pawar Saheb will solely handle the Congress and NCP alliance and other smaller parties who wish to give a joint fight to the BJP in Maharashtra. As a part of a larger plan, Pawar saheb is toying with the idea of MNS being a part of the Congress-NCP alliance. He also wants MNS to do well so it will have a role to play in state politics," the senior NCP leader told DNA. Also read - Opposition should unite to achieve 'Modi-Mukt' India: Raj Thackeray "Congress is also struggling to put the numbers together. If some seats are given to the MNS and the rest are with Congress and the NCP, then this formidable alliance will be in a better position to snatch the reign from the BJP. We have the support of Marathas, Dalits and Muslims, but this won't help win more seats in Mumbai and Thane. If Raj Thackeray joins, using the Marathi manoos plank, other communities will also vote. This will help get more seats and come in power in 2019," he added. Raj Thackeray's MNS has a significant presence in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Nasik and Pune in Maharashtra. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said dismissed talks of a future alliance as speculation. "A meeting between two party leaders does not mean there is talk of a future alliance. The Thackeray family and Pawar saheb share a good rapport. We should not read too much between the lines at this moment," Nawab Malik said. Maharashtra Congress leaders, however said that it would be difficult to take Raj Thackeray as an alliance partner since the two parties had "very different ideologies" and were against North Indians which formed the Congress's voters base in Mumbai. "We have very different ideologies. Our voters are not homogeneous. Thackeray and his party workers have assaulted North Indian hawkers and taxi drivers frequently. And North Indians are our voter base in Mumbai. So we cannot hurt our traditional vote bank in any case," the Congress leader told DNA requesting anonymity. Another NCP leader, however, said that the Shiv Sena might in the end ally with the BJP because of a common Hindutva agenda. "Their actions do not hold any truth because of Sena president Uddhav Thackeray's fickle stand. In the end, they may go with the BJP in the name of their Hindutva agenda. They also want to enjoy power and hence they will not leave the government despite tall talk that has been going on for the past several months. Therefore, Congress and the NCP need to go the extra mile to stitch the larger umbrella alliance with all vote catchers and smaller parties and social groups. No one is untouchable in politics and politics is the art of all possibilities. Pawar saheb is astute enough to use these skills at the right time," the NCP leader told DNA on the condition of anonymity.

Raj Thackeray, Sharad Pawar meeting fuels talk of alliance

Congress president Rahul Gandhi&#39;s meeting with NCP chief Sharad Pawar hours after the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar Lok Sabha bypoll results were announced, shows that the Congress leadership is serious on forging a bigger alliance of opposition parties, the NCP said today.

In a major blow to the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the saffron party was trounced in the bypolls to three Lok Sabha seats, including the citadel of Yogi Adityanath&#39;s Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.

&quot;Rahul Gandhi has started meeting various party leaders and began this practice by meeting Pawar saheb. The Congress president is meeting party presidents who are senior to him,&quot; NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said.

&quot;Despite the Congress being the bigger party, Rahul Gandhi has started meeting leaders of other parties. This shows they (Congress) are serious on making a bigger alliance,&quot; Malik, a former Maharashtra minister, told PTI here.

The NCP leader said, &quot;Rahul Gandhi wants that Pawar saheb should bring in more people (parties) in the country under the UPA fold.&quot;

Adityanath, who termed the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samajwadi Party alliance as one of &quot;snake and mongoose&quot;, had said over-confidence and inability to understand the electoral understanding between the SP and the BSP led to the defeat in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats.

In Bihar, the Rashtriya Janata Dal retained Araria Lok Sabha seat and Jehanabad Assembly constituency, while the BJP held on to Bhabua.

Rahul Gandhi had received some praise from Pawar last month, who said the Congress party chief was showing an inclination to &quot;learn and understand&quot; the issues facing the nation.

Asked if the Shiv Sena, the BJP&#39;s bickering alliance partner, will withdraw support to the Narendra Modi government, like the TDP did, Malik said, the &quot;Sena won&#39;t part ways with the BJP-led government.&quot;

&quot;They (Sena) are just bargaining. They don&#39;t have the courage to go solo,&quot; the NCP leader said.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today ended its four-year-old alliance with the BJP and walked out of the NDA, eight days after two of its Union ministers resigned over the Centre&#39;s refusal to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh.&nbsp;

'Rahul Gandhi has started meeting various party leaders and began this practice by meeting Pawar saheb. The Congress president is meeting party presidents who are senior to him,' NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said

Congress president Rahul Gandhi's meeting with NCP chief Sharad Pawar hours after the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar Lok Sabha bypoll results were announced, shows that the Congress leadership is serious on forging a bigger alliance of opposition parties, the NCP said today. In a major blow to the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the saffron party was trounced in the bypolls to three Lok Sabha seats, including the citadel of Yogi Adityanath's Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. "Rahul Gandhi has started meeting various party leaders and began this practice by meeting Pawar saheb. The Congress president is meeting party presidents who are senior to him," NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said. "Despite the Congress being the bigger party, Rahul Gandhi has started meeting leaders of other parties. This shows they (Congress) are serious on making a bigger alliance," Malik, a former Maharashtra minister, told PTI here. The NCP leader said, "Rahul Gandhi wants that Pawar saheb should bring in more people (parties) in the country under the UPA fold." Adityanath, who termed the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samajwadi Party alliance as one of "snake and mongoose", had said over-confidence and inability to understand the electoral understanding between the SP and the BSP led to the defeat in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats. In Bihar, the Rashtriya Janata Dal retained Araria Lok Sabha seat and Jehanabad Assembly constituency, while the BJP held on to Bhabua. Rahul Gandhi had received some praise from Pawar last month, who said the Congress party chief was showing an inclination to "learn and understand" the issues facing the nation. Asked if the Shiv Sena, the BJP's bickering alliance partner, will withdraw support to the Narendra Modi government, like the TDP did, Malik said, the "Sena won't part ways with the BJP-led government." "They (Sena) are just bargaining. They don't have the courage to go solo," the NCP leader said. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today ended its four-year-old alliance with the BJP and walked out of the NDA, eight days after two of its Union ministers resigned over the Centre's refusal to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh.

Rahul meeting Pawar shows Congress serious about forming bigger alliance: NCP

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday proposed a panel of senior members of the Maharashtra Legislature to probe the audio clip that allegedly featured the name of Leader of Opposition in the Council, Dhananjay Munde.

Fadnavis said in the Legislative Assembly that it was a serious issue as the audio clip purportedly casts aspersions on the functioning of the Legislature and lowers its dignity.

A Marathi news channel had last week allegedly aired an audio clip in which it was purportedly claimed that Munde, a senior NCP leader, had stalled a Calling Attention Motion in the Legislative Council for a bribe.

Munde had rubbished the accusations against him and alleged it was a tactic adopted by the government to divert peoples&#39;&nbsp;attention from &quot;core issues&quot; plaguing the state.

Fadnavis on Monday said, &quot;We need to protect the dignity of the Legislature.&quot;

&quot;I suggest that a committee comprising the Assembly speaker, the Legislative Council Chairman and the leaders of opposition in the Upper and the Lower House should probe the issue so that the dignity of the legislature is protected&quot;, he said.

He added that the police case in the matter will be probed separately.

NCP leader Ajit Pawar said he agreed with the suggestion and asked the Chair to tell the members from the treasury benches to get back to their seats so that the day&#39;s proceedings could be conducted.

The leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil then raised the issue of the revocation of suspension of BJP-backed independent MLC Prashant Paricharak.

To this, Fadnavis said there was no need to politicise all issues.

&quot;In this (Munde) case, even we can bring politics. But I am suggesting a way out to uphold the dignity of the Legislature,&quot; Fadnavis said.

As members from the treasury benches came into the well demanding suspension of Dhananjay Munde, Speaker Haribhau Bagde took up the motion to thank Governor C&nbsp;Vidyasagar Rao for his address to the joint sitting of the state Legislature on the first day of the budget session.

Amid the din, the motion was passed without a discussion on it and sans a reply from the Chief Minister.

The speaker then adjourned the House for the day.

Paricharak was suspended from the state Legislative Council in March last year after he joked during an election campaign about the wives of soldiers.

The legislator had later apologized for his statement.

The state government had last week revoked his suspension.

A Marathi news channel had last week allegedly aired an audio clip in which it was purportedly claimed that Munde, a senior NCP leader, had stalled a Calling Attention Motion in the Legislative Council for a bribe

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday proposed a panel of senior members of the Maharashtra Legislature to probe the audio clip that allegedly featured the name of Leader of Opposition in the Council, Dhananjay Munde. Fadnavis said in the Legislative Assembly that it was a serious issue as the audio clip purportedly casts aspersions on the functioning of the Legislature and lowers its dignity. A Marathi news channel had last week allegedly aired an audio clip in which it was purportedly claimed that Munde, a senior NCP leader, had stalled a Calling Attention Motion in the Legislative Council for a bribe. Munde had rubbished the accusations against him and alleged it was a tactic adopted by the government to divert peoples' attention from "core issues" plaguing the state. Fadnavis on Monday said, "We need to protect the dignity of the Legislature." "I suggest that a committee comprising the Assembly speaker, the Legislative Council Chairman and the leaders of opposition in the Upper and the Lower House should probe the issue so that the dignity of the legislature is protected", he said. He added that the police case in the matter will be probed separately. NCP leader Ajit Pawar said he agreed with the suggestion and asked the Chair to tell the members from the treasury benches to get back to their seats so that the day's proceedings could be conducted. The leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil then raised the issue of the revocation of suspension of BJP-backed independent MLC Prashant Paricharak. To this, Fadnavis said there was no need to politicise all issues. "In this (Munde) case, even we can bring politics. But I am suggesting a way out to uphold the dignity of the Legislature," Fadnavis said. As members from the treasury benches came into the well demanding suspension of Dhananjay Munde, Speaker Haribhau Bagde took up the motion to thank Governor C Vidyasagar Rao for his address to the joint sitting of the state Legislature on the first day of the budget session. Amid the din, the motion was passed without a discussion on it and sans a reply from the Chief Minister. The speaker then adjourned the House for the day. Paricharak was suspended from the state Legislative Council in March last year after he joked during an election campaign about the wives of soldiers. The legislator had later apologized for his statement. The state government had last week revoked his suspension.

Munde audio clip: Chief Minister suggests probe by House Panel

On February 18 this year, the candidate from Williamnagar Constituency of Garo Hills Meghalaya, Jonathone N Sangma and three of his supporters were killed in an IED blast allegedly triggered by the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), a militant outfit active in Garo Hills. The GNLA, led by its elusive commander-in-chief Sohan D Shira, has been unleashing a reign of terror in areas where it dominates which are mainly East and South Garo Hills.

Jonathone and some of his supporters had gone to Sawilgre village under Samanda block for an election campaign that Sunday afternoon. He was called there by the villagers who said they wanted to discuss certain issues with him. But perhaps the villagers were used as decoys by the GNLA. The villagers never turned up at that village. Only the chairs and tables were kept there. After waiting for a while,&nbsp;Jonathone decided to return to Williamnagar. Just then the IED blast was triggered and Jonathone and three others died on the spot. They included a young volunteer, a security guard and one more supporter. The other three injured persons were taken to a Williamnagar Civil Hospital but one more had succumbed to his injuries recently.

And then, barely a week after the dreadful incident, on February 24, Sohan D Shira the GNLA supremo who had repeatedly given the slip to the Meghalaya Police, including its Special Force, was shot dead. What raises doubts about this killing is that there were no casualties on the police side or on the side of the rebel outfit. There were no signs of an encounter. It looked like a clean, well-planned operation.

After Jonathone&rsquo;s death, several troubling questions were raised. Posters had been put up in the constituency, asking people not to vote for him. The posters had pictures of blood and bullets, and warned the villagers of serious consequences if they vote for him. But this is not the first time such posters were out up. In 2013, too, Jonathone faced similar threats. He lodged an FIR even then but the case has progressed at snail pace and is lying unsolved at the lower courts.

Since Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has made peace, security and political stability his election plank, Jonathone&rsquo;s political assassination have given a lie to that claim. And then the equally sudden elimination of Sohan D Shira who has evaded arrest for a very long time has raised doubts about the whole chain of events. Following Jonathone&rsquo;s killing, political parties, especially the National People&rsquo;s Party, the main rival of the ruling Congress in Garo Hills, had demanded an independent probe by the National Investigating Agency (NIA).

Was it the fear that the Agency might get to the root of the militant-politician nexus, the reason why Sohan Shira was eliminated because with his death all the well-kept secrets about who his handlers were have died with him. &nbsp;Meanwhile, it is learned that the Deputy Commander of the dreaded ULFA (Independent) based in Myanmar, Drishti Rajkhowa will be taking Sohan Shira&rsquo;s place soon. That should spell more trouble for the land of clouds unless swift action is taken by the next government to be formed post-March 3, next. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, on the election front, Jonathone Sangma&rsquo;s death could make things a bit more difficult for the Congress Party to return to power in Meghalaya. The Party is now seen as being capable of killing a dreaded militant if it wants to and to allow things to simmer if it chooses to. The NPP and BJP (which hitherto had very little leeway in Garo Hills) might both be able to capitalise from this new turn of events.

At last, campaigning for the February 27 elections ended on Saturday 24 last. In Garo Hills, the mood was sombre following the death of Sohan Shira. In the rest of the state, people heaved a sigh of relief, especially students preparing for their respective Board examinations. It has been a raucous election in Meghalaya with political parties and candidate using music to score political points above their rivals. For music composers and singers this has been a very lucrative season.

The BJP commissioned the legendary singer, 70-year-old Lou Majaw, to compose their theme song. Other parties just took off from there. On Saturday there were huge motor rallies which brought traffic in Shillong and its suburbs to a standstill. The amount spent on these rallies and on feeding the candidates daily for a month, and if supporters are to be believed, then even money was actively distributed by candidates on Saturday to ensure they remain loyal, must far exceed the upper limit set by the ECI. But who cares?

Most sitting MLAs use the MLA (Local Area Development Scheme) funds of Rs 2 crore per year to meet their private election expenses. The loopholes are yet to be plugged to prevent siphoning of public money through the Scheme. And so we are all good!

With a heavy sense of despair and futility even as the much touted &ldquo;Change&rdquo; which every political party promises appear like a mirage, the people of Meghalaya goes to vote tomorrow. A total of 370 candidates are in the fray of which 32 are women. The Congress has fielded candidates in 59 seats (election in Williamnagar is countermanded due to the death of Jonathone Sangma, the NCP candidate); the BJP in 47, NPP in 52 seats and the regional parties between them are contesting 42 seats. Most of the faces are tried and tested; hence the pessimism!

This time the prediction is that Meghalaya is headed for a hung assembly with no party getting the absolute majority. The fight really is between the NPP and Congress. That Meghalaya&rsquo;s next government will be a coalition of parties, goes without saying and whether this will result in another period of political chaos is also a moot point.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Jonathone Sangma’s death could make things a bit more difficult for the Congress Party to return to power in Meghalaya.

On February 18 this year, the candidate from Williamnagar Constituency of Garo Hills Meghalaya, Jonathone N Sangma and three of his supporters were killed in an IED blast allegedly triggered by the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), a militant outfit active in Garo Hills. The GNLA, led by its elusive commander-in-chief Sohan D Shira, has been unleashing a reign of terror in areas where it dominates which are mainly East and South Garo Hills. Jonathone and some of his supporters had gone to Sawilgre village under Samanda block for an election campaign that Sunday afternoon. He was called there by the villagers who said they wanted to discuss certain issues with him. But perhaps the villagers were used as decoys by the GNLA. The villagers never turned up at that village. Only the chairs and tables were kept there. After waiting for a while, Jonathone decided to return to Williamnagar. Just then the IED blast was triggered and Jonathone and three others died on the spot. They included a young volunteer, a security guard and one more supporter. The other three injured persons were taken to a Williamnagar Civil Hospital but one more had succumbed to his injuries recently. And then, barely a week after the dreadful incident, on February 24, Sohan D Shira the GNLA supremo who had repeatedly given the slip to the Meghalaya Police, including its Special Force, was shot dead. What raises doubts about this killing is that there were no casualties on the police side or on the side of the rebel outfit. There were no signs of an encounter. It looked like a clean, well-planned operation. After Jonathone’s death, several troubling questions were raised. Posters had been put up in the constituency, asking people not to vote for him. The posters had pictures of blood and bullets, and warned the villagers of serious consequences if they vote for him. But this is not the first time such posters were out up. In 2013, too, Jonathone faced similar threats. He lodged an FIR even then but the case has progressed at snail pace and is lying unsolved at the lower courts. Since Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has made peace, security and political stability his election plank, Jonathone’s political assassination have given a lie to that claim. And then the equally sudden elimination of Sohan D Shira who has evaded arrest for a very long time has raised doubts about the whole chain of events. Following Jonathone’s killing, political parties, especially the National People’s Party, the main rival of the ruling Congress in Garo Hills, had demanded an independent probe by the National Investigating Agency (NIA). Was it the fear that the Agency might get to the root of the militant-politician nexus, the reason why Sohan Shira was eliminated because with his death all the well-kept secrets about who his handlers were have died with him. Meanwhile, it is learned that the Deputy Commander of the dreaded ULFA (Independent) based in Myanmar, Drishti Rajkhowa will be taking Sohan Shira’s place soon. That should spell more trouble for the land of clouds unless swift action is taken by the next government to be formed post-March 3, next. Meanwhile, on the election front, Jonathone Sangma’s death could make things a bit more difficult for the Congress Party to return to power in Meghalaya. The Party is now seen as being capable of killing a dreaded militant if it wants to and to allow things to simmer if it chooses to. The NPP and BJP (which hitherto had very little leeway in Garo Hills) might both be able to capitalise from this new turn of events. At last, campaigning for the February 27 elections ended on Saturday 24 last. In Garo Hills, the mood was sombre following the death of Sohan Shira. In the rest of the state, people heaved a sigh of relief, especially students preparing for their respective Board examinations. It has been a raucous election in Meghalaya with political parties and candidate using music to score political points above their rivals. For music composers and singers this has been a very lucrative season. The BJP commissioned the legendary singer, 70-year-old Lou Majaw, to compose their theme song. Other parties just took off from there. On Saturday there were huge motor rallies which brought traffic in Shillong and its suburbs to a standstill. The amount spent on these rallies and on feeding the candidates daily for a month, and if supporters are to be believed, then even money was actively distributed by candidates on Saturday to ensure they remain loyal, must far exceed the upper limit set by the ECI. But who cares? Most sitting MLAs use the MLA (Local Area Development Scheme) funds of Rs 2 crore per year to meet their private election expenses. The loopholes are yet to be plugged to prevent siphoning of public money through the Scheme. And so we are all good! With a heavy sense of despair and futility even as the much touted “Change” which every political party promises appear like a mirage, the people of Meghalaya goes to vote tomorrow. A total of 370 candidates are in the fray of which 32 are women. The Congress has fielded candidates in 59 seats (election in Williamnagar is countermanded due to the death of Jonathone Sangma, the NCP candidate); the BJP in 47, NPP in 52 seats and the regional parties between them are contesting 42 seats. Most of the faces are tried and tested; hence the pessimism! This time the prediction is that Meghalaya is headed for a hung assembly with no party getting the absolute majority. The fight really is between the NPP and Congress. That Meghalaya’s next government will be a coalition of parties, goes without saying and whether this will result in another period of political chaos is also a moot point. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Will BJP be able to capitalise on Jonathone Sangma's death in Meghalaya?

Just a week before Meghalaya goes to polls, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate Jonathone Nengminza Sangma was killed in a terrorist attack on Sunday.

The 43-year-old Sangma was killed along with his two security guards after he was returning from poll campaigning.

He was the NCP candidate from Williamnagar constituency in East Garo Hills district in Meghalaya.

Jonathone had contested from the same seat in 2013 as an independent candidate.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Deeply saddened to hear about the unexpected loss of Jonathone N Sangma. My heartfelt condolences to his near and dear ones. The blood of innocents spilled by the enemies of the State will not disturb the peace in Meghalaya.
&mdash; Mukul Sangma (@mukulsangma) <a href="https://twitter.com/mukulsangma/status/965269140847190016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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This desperate act will not be tolerated. The perpetrators of the crime will be apprehended expeditiously and brought to book.
&mdash; Mukul Sangma (@mukulsangma) <a href="https://twitter.com/mukulsangma/status/965269194475532288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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As per media reports, Garo National Liberation Army, a rebel outfit fighting for a sovereign Garoland, had put up posters in Williamnagar threatening voters with dire consequences if they vote Sangma

It is learnt that Sangma had been facing similar threats since 2013 and he had even faced attacks by unknown miscreants earlier.&nbsp;

During the last state election in 2013, he had filed a case against Congress leader Deborah C Marak for instigating militants of the Garo National Liberation Army against him during the elections.

Deborah had won the seat in 2013 securing 8,402 votes while Jonathone had come second with 5,525 votes.

Meghalaya goes to polls on 27 February. 
&nbsp;

Jonathone Sangma's two security guards were also killed in the attack

Just a week before Meghalaya goes to polls, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate Jonathone Nengminza Sangma was killed in a terrorist attack on Sunday. The 43-year-old Sangma was killed along with his two security guards after he was returning from poll campaigning. He was the NCP candidate from Williamnagar constituency in East Garo Hills district in Meghalaya. Jonathone had contested from the same seat in 2013 as an independent candidate. Deeply saddened to hear about the unexpected loss of Jonathone N Sangma. My heartfelt condolences to his near and dear ones. The blood of innocents spilled by the enemies of the State will not disturb the peace in Meghalaya. — Mukul Sangma (@mukulsangma) February 18, 2018 × This desperate act will not be tolerated. The perpetrators of the crime will be apprehended expeditiously and brought to book. — Mukul Sangma (@mukulsangma) February 18, 2018 × As per media reports, Garo National Liberation Army, a rebel outfit fighting for a sovereign Garoland, had put up posters in Williamnagar threatening voters with dire consequences if they vote Sangma It is learnt that Sangma had been facing similar threats since 2013 and he had even faced attacks by unknown miscreants earlier. During the last state election in 2013, he had filed a case against Congress leader Deborah C Marak for instigating militants of the Garo National Liberation Army against him during the elections. Deborah had won the seat in 2013 securing 8,402 votes while Jonathone had come second with 5,525 votes. Meghalaya goes to polls on 27 February.

Meghalaya elections: NCP candidate killed in terror attack

Opposition leaders came together in Mumbai for a march on Friday which began from B R Ambedkar&#39;s statue near the state secretariat in the afternoon.

Leaders like Sharad Pawar, Sharad Yadav, D Raja, Hardik Patel, Omar Abdullah, Dinesh Trivedi and Sushilkumar Shinde took part in the &#39;Save Constitution&#39; march.

&quot;Since 1947, we have been deriving our identity from the Indian Constitution. We all have come here to send across a message that to save the country, the constitution should be protected,&quot; former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said after the march.

Earlier, the leaders met at the official residence of Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil in south Mumbai.

Sharad Pawar (NCP), Sharad Yadav (rebel JD-U leader), D Raja (CPI), Hardik Patel (Gujarat&#39;s Patidar leader), Dinesh Trivedi (Trinamool Congress) and Sushilkumar Shinde (Congress) attended the meeting.

The &#39;Save Constitution&#39; march is being seen as an attempt to consolidate anti-BJP parties ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Independent MP from Maharashtra Raju Shetti, the convener of the &#39;Save Constitution&#39; march, who was also present at the meeting, said participants gathered near the Ambedkar statue and began walking towards Shivaji Maharaj statue at the Gateway of India.

Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan and Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam also joined the march.

The Maharashtra unit of the BJP has, meanwhile, organised &#39;Tiranga Yatra&#39; in the city on Friday to counter the opposition event.

Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar said that several ministers, MPs and MLAs will participate in the Yatra.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will address the gathering when it converges at Kamgar Maidan, he said.

The procession will start from Chaityabhumi, the memorial of B R Ambedkar in Dadar, before reaching Kamgar Maidan in central Mumbai.

Earlier, the leaders met at the official residence of Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil in south Mumbai.

Opposition leaders came together in Mumbai for a march on Friday which began from B R Ambedkar's statue near the state secretariat in the afternoon. Leaders like Sharad Pawar, Sharad Yadav, D Raja, Hardik Patel, Omar Abdullah, Dinesh Trivedi and Sushilkumar Shinde took part in the 'Save Constitution' march. "Since 1947, we have been deriving our identity from the Indian Constitution. We all have come here to send across a message that to save the country, the constitution should be protected," former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said after the march. Earlier, the leaders met at the official residence of Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil in south Mumbai. Sharad Pawar (NCP), Sharad Yadav (rebel JD-U leader), D Raja (CPI), Hardik Patel (Gujarat's Patidar leader), Dinesh Trivedi (Trinamool Congress) and Sushilkumar Shinde (Congress) attended the meeting. The 'Save Constitution' march is being seen as an attempt to consolidate anti-BJP parties ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Independent MP from Maharashtra Raju Shetti, the convener of the 'Save Constitution' march, who was also present at the meeting, said participants gathered near the Ambedkar statue and began walking towards Shivaji Maharaj statue at the Gateway of India. Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan and Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam also joined the march. The Maharashtra unit of the BJP has, meanwhile, organised 'Tiranga Yatra' in the city on Friday to counter the opposition event. Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar said that several ministers, MPs and MLAs will participate in the Yatra. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will address the gathering when it converges at Kamgar Maidan, he said. The procession will start from Chaityabhumi, the memorial of B R Ambedkar in Dadar, before reaching Kamgar Maidan in central Mumbai.

Opposition leaders march together in Mumbai, setting tone for 2019 polls

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and state party unit chief Ashok Chavan noted that the Congress will join hands with &quot;like-minded&quot; parties in Maharashtra to take on the ruling BJP.

Chavan spoke at a party meeting which was attended by senior Congress leaders of the state.

&quot;The prevailing social situation in Maharashtra, the political situation and the fight against the government in future was discussed at the meeting,&quot; Chavan said.

&quot;The problems currently plaguing the state, the prevailing political situation and the upcoming Budget session of the Maharashtra Legislature were discussed at the meeting,&quot; Chavan added.

Chavan noted that the Congress and the National Congress Party (NCP) have decided to put up a fight on issues like &quot;deteriorating condition of farmers in the state, issues being faced by middle class and rising dictatorship like the attitude of the BJP-led government&quot;.&nbsp;

In a separate meeting, Congress and NCP leaders met at the official residence of Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil in South Mumbai.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Chavan spoke at a party meeting which was attended by senior Congress leaders of the state

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and state party unit chief Ashok Chavan noted that the Congress will join hands with "like-minded" parties in Maharashtra to take on the ruling BJP. Chavan spoke at a party meeting which was attended by senior Congress leaders of the state. "The prevailing social situation in Maharashtra, the political situation and the fight against the government in future was discussed at the meeting," Chavan said. "The problems currently plaguing the state, the prevailing political situation and the upcoming Budget session of the Maharashtra Legislature were discussed at the meeting," Chavan added. Chavan noted that the Congress and the National Congress Party (NCP) have decided to put up a fight on issues like "deteriorating condition of farmers in the state, issues being faced by middle class and rising dictatorship like the attitude of the BJP-led government". In a separate meeting, Congress and NCP leaders met at the official residence of Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil in South Mumbai. (With inputs from agencies)

Congress to join hands with 'like-minded' parties to fight BJP in Maharashtra: Ashok Chavan

Sharad Pawar-led <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-unhappy-over-ticket-distribution-paas-workers-vandalise-congress-office-in-surat-24609">Nationalist Congress Party(NCP)</a> has decided to fight the Gujarat Assembly elections without the Congress.

NCP leader Praful Patel said: &quot;Congress did not seem serious and kept on delaying, so we will fight alone,&quot; adding,&quot;We wanted to contest in Gujarat in alliance with Congress and had talks with them too.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;We are confident of doing even better alone,&quot; he added.

The Congress has been trying to stitch a coalition against the ruling BJP in the Gujarat elections due to be held next month.&nbsp;

On Sunday, Congress and the Hardik Patel&#39;s Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti(PAAS) had reached a seat-sharing agreement after protracted talks, however, last night clashes erupted between PAAS workers and Gujarat Congress party cadres in Ahmedabad and Surat over ticket distribution.

The clashes came even as the Congress released its first list of 77 candidates for the Gujarat polls. The list included three Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) contestants.

The BJP has been in power in Gujarat since 1998, India&#39;s prime minister Narendra Modi became chief minister of the state for the first time in 2002. This will be the first time the BJP will be fighting the elections without Modi at the helm in his home state. &nbsp;

Despite several attempts, the Congress has been unable to dislodge the ruling party.

Last week, taking a jibe at the &#39;&#39;Gujarat model&#39;, senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram in a series of tweets slammed PM Modi over &#39;extravagant promises&#39; made by him&nbsp;in Gujarat, asserting that &quot;in reality, had worsened since BJP came to power.&quot;&nbsp;

Chidambaram compared Gujarat&#39;s development figures with Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra, and said it continues to &quot;lag behind even after all the &#39;boasting&#39;.&quot;&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Congress has been trying to stitch a coalition against the ruling BJP in Gujarat elections due to be held next month.?

Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party(NCP) has decided to fight the Gujarat Assembly elections without the Congress. NCP leader Praful Patel said: "Congress did not seem serious and kept on delaying, so we will fight alone," adding,"We wanted to contest in Gujarat in alliance with Congress and had talks with them too." "We are confident of doing even better alone," he added. The Congress has been trying to stitch a coalition against the ruling BJP in the Gujarat elections due to be held next month. On Sunday, Congress and the Hardik Patel's Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti(PAAS) had reached a seat-sharing agreement after protracted talks, however, last night clashes erupted between PAAS workers and Gujarat Congress party cadres in Ahmedabad and Surat over ticket distribution. The clashes came even as the Congress released its first list of 77 candidates for the Gujarat polls. The list included three Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) contestants. The BJP has been in power in Gujarat since 1998, India's prime minister Narendra Modi became chief minister of the state for the first time in 2002. This will be the first time the BJP will be fighting the elections without Modi at the helm in his home state. Despite several attempts, the Congress has been unable to dislodge the ruling party. Last week, taking a jibe at the ''Gujarat model', senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram in a series of tweets slammed PM Modi over 'extravagant promises' made by him in Gujarat, asserting that "in reality, had worsened since BJP came to power." Chidambaram compared Gujarat's development figures with Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra, and said it continues to "lag behind even after all the 'boasting'."

NCP won't fight Gujarat elections with Congress: Praful Patel

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