The Lok Sabha Election Results 2019 that were announced on Thursday evening declared the BJP-led NDA as the winner. As per Election Commission, BJP won 303 seats out of 542, witnessing a landslide win. Congress was contained at 52 seats.

Gravitas: Unprecedented mandate for BJP; wins over 300 seats

Elections in India has been summed up now, PM Modi led BJP+ gets massive mandate and surely done a serious damage to opposition. People choose 'chowkidaar'over 'Naamdaar' again for the next 5 years.

Gravitas: PM Modi's swearing-in likely on May 30th

Elections in India has been summed up now, PM Modi led BJP+ gets massive mandate and surely done a serious damage to opposition. People choose 'chowkidaar' over 'Naamdaar' again for the next 5 years.

IEW: PM Modi: India's unifier in Chief

Narendra Modi relected as India's PM with a heavy mandate. The stats are very huge and sweeps away each and every opposition party in India. Looks like today India shows that they had choose development over the 'Dynasty' rule.

IEW: BJP scripts history, wins over 300 seats

Elections in India has been summed up now, PM Modi led BJP+ gets massive mandate and surely done a serious damage to opposition. People choose 'chowkidaar'over 'Naamdaar' again for the next 5 years, but have a look on how Pakistani Media covered PM Modi's win.

Lok Sabha Elections 2019: How Pakistani Newspapers covered Modi's Victory

The BJP and its ally Apna Dal(S) have won 63&nbsp;of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats, demolishing the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-up-numbers-show-mahagathbandhan-a-failed-experiment-221047">challenge posed by the SP-BSP alliance</a>, which has managed to get 15&nbsp;seats between them.

The counting of votes is still underway in the state, which sends the highest number of MPs in the Lower House, and the Election Commission has declared results of 77 seats as of 6:20 AM Friday.

Of these, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-modi-wave-sweeps-india-again-nda-poised-to-win-lok-sabha-elections-221034">BJP</a> has won 60 seats and its NDA ally Apna Dal (S) two. The BJP is also leading on two seats.

The party's most remarkable victory came in Amethi where Union minister Smriti Irani unseated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from his party's bastion.

The NDA tally was just 11 short of the 73, the number of seats the two parties won in the Hindi heartland state in 2014. This gap is set to come down to nine.

The opposition SP-BSP alliance bagged 14 seats, with nine going to Mayawati's BSP.

The party is also leading in one seat.

The Congress just managed to open its account in the state as UPA chairperson and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi won the Rae Bareli seat.

Also read: 'There is no place for dynasty rulers, corrupt leaders in this nation' says Yogi Adityanath

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The BJP and its ally Apna Dal(S) have won 63 of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats, demolishing the challenge posed by the SP-BSP alliance, which has managed to get 15 seats between them.

The BJP and its ally Apna Dal(S) have won 63 of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats, demolishing the challenge posed by the SP-BSP alliance, which has managed to get 15 seats between them. The counting of votes is still underway in the state, which sends the highest number of MPs in the Lower House, and the Election Commission has declared results of 77 seats as of 6:20 AM Friday. Of these, the BJP has won 60 seats and its NDA ally Apna Dal (S) two. The BJP is also leading on two seats. The party's most remarkable victory came in Amethi where Union minister Smriti Irani unseated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from his party's bastion. The NDA tally was just 11 short of the 73, the number of seats the two parties won in the Hindi heartland state in 2014. This gap is set to come down to nine. The opposition SP-BSP alliance bagged 14 seats, with nine going to Mayawati's BSP. The party is also leading in one seat. The Congress just managed to open its account in the state as UPA chairperson and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi won the Rae Bareli seat. Also read: 'There is no place for dynasty rulers, corrupt leaders in this nation' says Yogi Adityanath ×

In UP, BJP+ gets 63 and counting, SP-BSP struggles to touch 15

Narendra Modi re-elected as India's PM with a heavy mandate. The stats are very huge and sweeps away each and every opposition party in India. Looks like today India shows that they had choose development over the 'Dynasty' rule.

India says no to entitlement politics; Choose development ideology

The 2019 Lok Sabha election is the worst possible memory oppostion will ever remember. It broked dreams of many MP's to become Prime MInister but one thing more what these results broked are the records. The Modi-wave this time maybe inaudible but hits harder than 2014 elections.

PM Modi led BJP breaks 2014 election records; Silent wave turns crisis for oppostion this time

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

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

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

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

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is on course to win the 2019 Lok Sabha handsomely. The NDA is so far leading on 348 seats out of 542 on which the polls were held; the BJP's tally stood at 286. This is four more than the party's 2014 tally.

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Thank you India! The faith placed in our alliance is humbling and gives us strength to work even harder to fulfil people's aspirations. 
 
I salute every BJP Karyakarta for their determination, perseverance &amp; hardwork. They went home to home, elaborating on our development agenda.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1131527111804477440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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BJP's victory was evident from the moment counting began at 8am on Thursday. The BJP's graph kept climbing leaps and bounds and by 9.30am, had crossed the halfway mark of 272 making it clear that the party is again going to form the government at the Centre under the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-thank-you-india-faith-placed-in-our-alliance-is-humbling-pm-modi-221011">leadership of Narendra Modi</a>.

The BJP grabbed the pole position riding on the back of massive gains it made in north Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Delhi - the Hindi heartland of India. Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state and one with the highest number of Lok Sabha seats - 80 - is ready to hand over 59 seats to NDA. Though it is less than its 2014 tally of 71, the party has still managed to emerge as the single largest party in the state against the combined challenge of Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The 'Mahagathbandhan' is so far leading on 20 seats in UP.

Among the most shocking upset of this election came from Amethi, where <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/in-a-neck-and-neck-battle-smriti-irani-defeats-rahul-gandhi-in-amethi-221025">Congress president Rahul Gandhi</a> lost against BJP's Smriti Irani by 35,000 votes. In 2014, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/has-rahul-gandhi-become-a-liability-for-congress-221005">Rahul Gandhi</a> had defeated Irani but by a narrow margin of over a lakh votes. Gandhi, who also contested from Wayanad in Kerala, won the seat by more than eight lakh votes.

The regional satraps, meanwhile, were able holding on to their forts. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is ahead of Bhojpuri singer Nirahua in Azamgarh seat, his father and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav is leading from Mainpuri. Another SP heavyweight Azam Khan is fighting a close battle against actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada from Rampur.

In Bihar, the BJP-led NDA is leading in 38 of the state's 40 seats. The party is in alliance with Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) and Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in Bihar. As per the seat-sharing agreement between the three parties, the BJP and JD(U) fought on 17 seats each and LJP on six. In the opposition Mahagathbandhan, the RJD has contested 19 seats giving up Arrah from its quota for the CPI (ML), followed by Congress (09), RLSP (05), HAM (03) and VIP (03).

In the high-stakes battle between Union minister Giriraj Singh and former JNU president Kanhaiya Kumar, Singh emerged victorious.

Watch: BJP party workers celebrate in West Bengal and Mumbai

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The most-watched state in the election clearly was West Bengal where the BJP was pitted against Trinamool Congress. What made the electoral battle interesting was the skirmishes reported from different parts of the state between TMC and BJP workers. The workers of both parties accused each other of electoral malpractices and violence. Most of the exit polls had predicted an unprecedented surge of the BJP in Bengal this election, BJP president Amit Shah had even said that the party will win 23 seats in Bengal. The predictions seem to be very close to the current tally on the BJP - it is leading in 18 of the state's 42 Lok Sabha seats. In 2014, last time it had just won two. The TMC, meanwhile, won 24.

Celebrations began at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi shortly after trends indicated that the party has already crossed the halfway mark of 272. BJP workers danced and distributed sweets among themselves.

Most of the exit polls on Sunday had predicted a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-2019-look-forward-to-working-for-peace-progress-and-prosperity-in-south-asia-imran-khan-congratulates-pm-modi-220992">win for Narendra Modi</a>-led NDA - some had even said that the victory margin will be a record.

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is on course to win the 2019 Lok Sabha handsomely. The NDA is so far leading on 348 seats out of 542 on which the polls were held; the BJP's tally stood at 286.

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is on course to win the 2019 Lok Sabha handsomely. The NDA is so far leading on 348 seats out of 542 on which the polls were held; the BJP's tally stood at 286. This is four more than the party's 2014 tally. Thank you India! The faith placed in our alliance is humbling and gives us strength to work even harder to fulfil people's aspirations. I salute every BJP Karyakarta for their determination, perseverance & hardwork. They went home to home, elaborating on our development agenda. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 23, 2019 × BJP's victory was evident from the moment counting began at 8am on Thursday. The BJP's graph kept climbing leaps and bounds and by 9.30am, had crossed the halfway mark of 272 making it clear that the party is again going to form the government at the Centre under the leadership of Narendra Modi. The BJP grabbed the pole position riding on the back of massive gains it made in north Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Delhi - the Hindi heartland of India. Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state and one with the highest number of Lok Sabha seats - 80 - is ready to hand over 59 seats to NDA. Though it is less than its 2014 tally of 71, the party has still managed to emerge as the single largest party in the state against the combined challenge of Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The 'Mahagathbandhan' is so far leading on 20 seats in UP. Among the most shocking upset of this election came from Amethi, where Congress president Rahul Gandhi lost against BJP's Smriti Irani by 35,000 votes. In 2014, Rahul Gandhi had defeated Irani but by a narrow margin of over a lakh votes. Gandhi, who also contested from Wayanad in Kerala, won the seat by more than eight lakh votes. The regional satraps, meanwhile, were able holding on to their forts. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is ahead of Bhojpuri singer Nirahua in Azamgarh seat, his father and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav is leading from Mainpuri. Another SP heavyweight Azam Khan is fighting a close battle against actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada from Rampur. In Bihar, the BJP-led NDA is leading in 38 of the state's 40 seats. The party is in alliance with Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) and Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in Bihar. As per the seat-sharing agreement between the three parties, the BJP and JD(U) fought on 17 seats each and LJP on six. In the opposition Mahagathbandhan, the RJD has contested 19 seats giving up Arrah from its quota for the CPI (ML), followed by Congress (09), RLSP (05), HAM (03) and VIP (03). In the high-stakes battle between Union minister Giriraj Singh and former JNU president Kanhaiya Kumar, Singh emerged victorious. Watch: BJP party workers celebrate in West Bengal and Mumbai The most-watched state in the election clearly was West Bengal where the BJP was pitted against Trinamool Congress. What made the electoral battle interesting was the skirmishes reported from different parts of the state between TMC and BJP workers. The workers of both parties accused each other of electoral malpractices and violence. Most of the exit polls had predicted an unprecedented surge of the BJP in Bengal this election, BJP president Amit Shah had even said that the party will win 23 seats in Bengal. The predictions seem to be very close to the current tally on the BJP - it is leading in 18 of the state's 42 Lok Sabha seats. In 2014, last time it had just won two. The TMC, meanwhile, won 24. Celebrations began at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi shortly after trends indicated that the party has already crossed the halfway mark of 272. BJP workers danced and distributed sweets among themselves. Most of the exit polls on Sunday had predicted a win for Narendra Modi-led NDA - some had even said that the victory margin will be a record.

Lok Sabha election results 2019: Modi wave sweeps India again, NDA poised to win Lok Sabha elections

Get set, count! EC has begun with the process that would ultimately decide which party and alliance could form the next government in the country. BJP+ achieves massive mandate hits Congress+ more than of 2014

Lok Sabha Election 2019: BJP+ achieves massive mandate; Hits Congress+ more than of 2014

BJP President Amit Shah will host a dinner for NDA allies tomorrow, ahead of results for the national election on Thursday. The dinner-cum-meet comes after exit polls predictions of a comfortable win for the NDA. Mr Shah will host the NDA leaders at Delhi's 'The Ashok' hotel, where the BJP chief is expected to discuss alliance's strategy with them.

BJP President Amit Shah hosts dinner for NDA allies ahead of LS polls results

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-amit-shah-meet-union-ministers-thank-them-for-service-to-nation-220445">At the BJP-led ruling alliance meeting</a>, which was attended by 36 parties, a resolution was passed, terming the 2019 general election decisive for the country and pledging to make India "strong, developed, prosperous and inclusive" by 2022 when India completes 75 years of its independence, party leader and Union minister Rajnath Singh told reporters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday expressed concern over the "needless controversy" created by the Opposition over EVMs at a meeting of NDA leaders, even as the ruling alliance laid out its agenda for the next five years if it is elected to power again.

In his address, Modi stressed on the need to change the narrative from caste lines and orient it for the poor, Singh said.

The prime minister expressed concern over the Opposition making "needless controversy" over electronic voting machines, the home minister said.

The resolution was proposed by BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E K Palaniswami were among the BJP allies who attended the dinner-meeting hosted by BJP president Amit Shah.&nbsp;

At the BJP-led ruling alliance meeting, which was attended by 36 parties, a resolution was passed, terming the 2019 general election decisive for the country and pledging to make India "strong, developed, prosperous and inclusive" by 2022 when India completes 75 years of its independence, party leader and Union minister Rajnath Singh told reporters.

At the BJP-led ruling alliance meeting, which was attended by 36 parties, a resolution was passed, terming the 2019 general election decisive for the country and pledging to make India "strong, developed, prosperous and inclusive" by 2022 when India completes 75 years of its independence, party leader and Union minister Rajnath Singh told reporters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday expressed concern over the "needless controversy" created by the Opposition over EVMs at a meeting of NDA leaders, even as the ruling alliance laid out its agenda for the next five years if it is elected to power again. In his address, Modi stressed on the need to change the narrative from caste lines and orient it for the poor, Singh said. The prime minister expressed concern over the Opposition making "needless controversy" over electronic voting machines, the home minister said. The resolution was proposed by BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E K Palaniswami were among the BJP allies who attended the dinner-meeting hosted by BJP president Amit Shah.

NDA pledges to make India 'strong and developed' by 2022

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Tuesday hailed the exit polls favouring a second term for the BJP-led NDA at the Centre, saying it indicated a "good verdict" to be given by the voters.

Responding to Chief Minister K Palaniswami's remarks that the exit polls were "imposing of opinions", his deputy said such views were based on the respective individuals' "frame or mind", but did not elaborate.

Palaniswami had on Monday dismissed the exit polls suggesting a bad show by the AIADMK in the just-concluded Lok Sabha election in Tamil Nadu as "imposing of opinions" and exuded confidence that they would be proved wrong.

Panneerselvam, the AIADMK coordinator, also expressed confidence that the ruling coalition would secure a grand victory in Tamil Nadu, despite the exit polls projecting otherwise.

He was speaking to reporters here before leaving for Delhi to attend a dinner for NDA leaders to be hosted by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Tuesday evening, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to be present.

"The exit polls show that all people residing in India are going to give a good verdict that the BJP should come back to power," Panneerselvam said.

Asked about the same exit polls painting a bleak picture for the BJP-led NDA in Tamil Nadu, he said, "The AIADMK alliance will secure a grand victory in all the 38 Lok Sabha seats and the 22 Assembly segments where by-polls were held."

On the AIADMK joining a possible NDA cabinet after the poll results are declared on Thursday, Panneerselvam said the matter would be discussed by the party high-command after the electoral outcome was known and that it would take a "good decision".

To a query on the former minister and the MLA from Perundurai in Erode, Thoppu ND Venkatachalam, quitting a party post and whether it would be a setback, he said an explanation would be sought from the legislator.

Venkatachalam resigned as the AIADMK Amma Peravai deputy secretary on Monday, citing "personal reasons".

Palaniswami, Panneerselvam, state Electricity Minister P Thangamani and PMK MP Anbumani Ramadoss left for Delhi to attend the NDA dinner.&nbsp;

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Tuesday hailed the exit polls favouring a second term for the BJP-led NDA at the Centre, saying it indicated a "good verdict" to be given by the voters.

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Tuesday hailed the exit polls favouring a second term for the BJP-led NDA at the Centre, saying it indicated a "good verdict" to be given by the voters. Responding to Chief Minister K Palaniswami's remarks that the exit polls were "imposing of opinions", his deputy said such views were based on the respective individuals' "frame or mind", but did not elaborate. Palaniswami had on Monday dismissed the exit polls suggesting a bad show by the AIADMK in the just-concluded Lok Sabha election in Tamil Nadu as "imposing of opinions" and exuded confidence that they would be proved wrong. Panneerselvam, the AIADMK coordinator, also expressed confidence that the ruling coalition would secure a grand victory in Tamil Nadu, despite the exit polls projecting otherwise. He was speaking to reporters here before leaving for Delhi to attend a dinner for NDA leaders to be hosted by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Tuesday evening, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to be present. "The exit polls show that all people residing in India are going to give a good verdict that the BJP should come back to power," Panneerselvam said. Asked about the same exit polls painting a bleak picture for the BJP-led NDA in Tamil Nadu, he said, "The AIADMK alliance will secure a grand victory in all the 38 Lok Sabha seats and the 22 Assembly segments where by-polls were held." On the AIADMK joining a possible NDA cabinet after the poll results are declared on Thursday, Panneerselvam said the matter would be discussed by the party high-command after the electoral outcome was known and that it would take a "good decision". To a query on the former minister and the MLA from Perundurai in Erode, Thoppu ND Venkatachalam, quitting a party post and whether it would be a setback, he said an explanation would be sought from the legislator. Venkatachalam resigned as the AIADMK Amma Peravai deputy secretary on Monday, citing "personal reasons". Palaniswami, Panneerselvam, state Electricity Minister P Thangamani and PMK MP Anbumani Ramadoss left for Delhi to attend the NDA dinner.

O Panneerselvam hails exit polls favouring NDA

NDA Meeting has been started at BJP Headquarters in New Delhi. Watch this video for more information.

NDA meeting underway at BJP Headquarters, News Delhi

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will be attending the dinner hosted by Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah for NDA leaders on Tuesday. Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar will also be attending the dinner today.&nbsp;

Other leaders who are likely to be present at the dinner tonight include Lok Jan Shakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan and AIADMK leaders EK Palaniswamy and O Pannerselvam.&nbsp;

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The dinner is being hosted by the BJP chief for NDA allies in the national capital as a strategy session before the official results are declared on May 23.&nbsp;

The development comes just a couple of days after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/exit-polls-2019-pm-modi-returning-to-power-with-300-plus-seats-say-pollsters-219927">exit polls predicted</a> a landslide victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Lok Sabha polls 2019. &nbsp;

Pollsters predicted the BJP and its allies to get a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

The opposition parties dubbed the exit polls as wrong.&nbsp;

The seven-phased Lok Sabha polls were conducted from Aprill 11 to May 19. As many as 542 seats went to polls.

The counting of votes will be held on May 23, the result will be declared subsequently on the same day.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will be attending the dinner hosted by Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah for NDA leaders on Tuesday. Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar will also be attending the dinner today.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will be attending the dinner hosted by Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah for NDA leaders on Tuesday. Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar will also be attending the dinner today. Other leaders who are likely to be present at the dinner tonight include Lok Jan Shakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan and AIADMK leaders EK Palaniswamy and O Pannerselvam. Delhi: Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray to attend dinner hosted by Amit Shah for NDA leaders today (file pics) pic.twitter.com/Kj3zzrbPJp — ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 × The dinner is being hosted by the BJP chief for NDA allies in the national capital as a strategy session before the official results are declared on May 23. The development comes just a couple of days after the exit polls predicted a landslide victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Lok Sabha polls 2019. Pollsters predicted the BJP and its allies to get a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha elections. The opposition parties dubbed the exit polls as wrong. The seven-phased Lok Sabha polls were conducted from Aprill 11 to May 19. As many as 542 seats went to polls. The counting of votes will be held on May 23, the result will be declared subsequently on the same day.

Amit Shah to hold dinner for NDA allies today; Uddhav Thackeray, Nitish Kumar, Paswan to attend

Domestic stock markets soared on Monday, with the Sensex gaining more than 1,000 points in late afternoon deals, a day after exit polls predicted that the Bharatiya Janata Party will win almost as many seats as it did in 2014 and form a government comfortably.

Sensex Jumps Over 1,000 Points After Exit Polls Predict NDA Win

The Maha Exit poll 2019 of Zee Media Network predicts National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to win more than 300 seats in Lok Sabha election 2019, and that wil be a massive victory. Watch out some of the political reactions over the exit-polls.

Lok Sabha election 2019: Political reactions over landslide win to NDA in exit-polls

The Maha Exit poll 2019 of Zee Media Network predicts National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to win more than 300 seats in Lok Sabha election 2019, and that is a massive victory. Indian market react to Exit-Polls; Sensex jumps more than 890 points on opening

Indian market react to Exit-Polls; Sensex jumps more than 890 points on opening

The Maha Exit poll 2019 of Zee Media Network predicts National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to win more than 300 seats in Lok Sabha election 2019, and that is a massive victory. Just after the Exit-Poles COngress President Rahul Gandhi tweets over the role and responsibilty of EC. Tweet expresses his worry over results.

Exit-poll results: Rahul Gandhi's tweet shows an expression of worry

The Maha Exit poll 2019 of Zee Media Network predicts National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to win more than 300 seats in Lok Sabha election 2019, and that is a massive victory. So will PM Modi is getting a 2nd term for sure? or there is something more to witness on the judgement day on 23rd May?

Maha Exit Poll 2019: Over 300 seats for NDA; Modi set for 2nd term

The Maha Exit poll 2019 of Zee Media Network predicts National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to win more than 300 seats in Lok Sabha election 2019, and that wil be a massive victory. Watch out how the Indian market reacts over exit-poll.

LS polls exit-poll: Indian rupee also opens higher against US Dollar

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/exit-polls-2019-pm-modi-returning-to-power-with-300-plus-seats-say-pollsters-219927">Going by the exit polls</a>, Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress will retain her hold in West Bengal but at the cost of loss of seat share. The BJP, on the other hand, is predicted to make significant inroads into the state bagging seats in double-digits.&nbsp;

While 'Poll of polls'&nbsp;predicted 15 seats for the NDA and 25 for the TMC, Times Now-VMR showed 11 seats going to the NDA and 28 to the TMC.&nbsp;

ABP Neilsen survey said that the TMC will keep 24 Lok Sabha seats in the state while 16 will go to the BJP. Of the total 42 seats in West Bengal, the NDA is likely to win 11 and TMC would settle with 29 seats, Republic C-Voter predicted.

<img alt="exit polls GFX" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="41f80082-cc24-466d-9922-6eae95464e8c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Exit%20poll%20GFX_0.jpg" />

The predictions pronounce a significant shift in voting trend in West Bengal as the TMC is shown to bear a loss of as many as 10 seats this Lok Sabha polls while the NDA is likely to benefit on around 14 seats.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
It must be remembered that during the last Lok Sabha polls, Banerjee's TMC registered&nbsp;a massive victory on over 34 seats. The Congress kept 4 seats while the CPI(M) and the BJP settled with two seats each. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This year's Lok Sabha polls witnessed a dramatic political play in West Bengal with many incidents of violence and unrest reported in almost phases of the seven-phased general elections. West Bengal also topped the turnout tally in almost all phases of the general elections. TMC and BJP workers sparred at many incidents and time and again the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged Centre's interference in the state.&nbsp;

The Modi-wave however, seemed to have a significant drive in the state. The exit polls predict that BJP's strengthened image and Modi's increased popularity may affect the electoral outcome in the state.&nbsp;

While the exit polls predict the electoral battle in West Bengal to result in a dramatic swing of seats from TMC's kitty to BJP's bag, final results are awaited and will be announced on May 23.&nbsp;

Watch: Exit Polls show BJP emerges as second largest party in West Bengal

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Meanwhile, Banerjee has dubbed exit polls as "gossip" and has said that she doesn't trust such surveys as the "game plan" is to use them for "manipulation" of EVMs.

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I don’t trust Exit Poll gossip. The game plan is to manipulate or replace thousands of EVMs through this gossip. I appeal to all Opposition parties to be united, strong and bold. We will fight this battle together
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/MamataOfficial/status/1130112216202526720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"I don't trust Exit Poll gossip. The game plan is to manipulate or replace thousands of EVMs through this gossip. I appeal to all Opposition parties to be united, strong and bold. We will fight this battle together," Banerjee said in a tweet.

 
&nbsp;

Going by the exit polls, Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress will retain her hold in West Bengal but at the cost of loss of seat share. The BJP, on the other hand, is predicted to make significant inroads into the state bagging seats in double-digits.

Going by the exit polls, Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress will retain her hold in West Bengal but at the cost of loss of seat share. The BJP, on the other hand, is predicted to make significant inroads into the state bagging seats in double-digits. While 'Poll of polls' predicted 15 seats for the NDA and 25 for the TMC, Times Now-VMR showed 11 seats going to the NDA and 28 to the TMC. ABP Neilsen survey said that the TMC will keep 24 Lok Sabha seats in the state while 16 will go to the BJP. Of the total 42 seats in West Bengal, the NDA is likely to win 11 and TMC would settle with 29 seats, Republic C-Voter predicted. The predictions pronounce a significant shift in voting trend in West Bengal as the TMC is shown to bear a loss of as many as 10 seats this Lok Sabha polls while the NDA is likely to benefit on around 14 seats. It must be remembered that during the last Lok Sabha polls, Banerjee's TMC registered a massive victory on over 34 seats. The Congress kept 4 seats while the CPI(M) and the BJP settled with two seats each. This year's Lok Sabha polls witnessed a dramatic political play in West Bengal with many incidents of violence and unrest reported in almost phases of the seven-phased general elections. West Bengal also topped the turnout tally in almost all phases of the general elections. TMC and BJP workers sparred at many incidents and time and again the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged Centre's interference in the state. The Modi-wave however, seemed to have a significant drive in the state. The exit polls predict that BJP's strengthened image and Modi's increased popularity may affect the electoral outcome in the state. While the exit polls predict the electoral battle in West Bengal to result in a dramatic swing of seats from TMC's kitty to BJP's bag, final results are awaited and will be announced on May 23. Watch: Exit Polls show BJP emerges as second largest party in West Bengal × Meanwhile, Banerjee has dubbed exit polls as "gossip" and has said that she doesn't trust such surveys as the "game plan" is to use them for "manipulation" of EVMs. I don’t trust Exit Poll gossip. The game plan is to manipulate or replace thousands of EVMs through this gossip. I appeal to all Opposition parties to be united, strong and bold. We will fight this battle together — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 19, 2019 × "I don't trust Exit Poll gossip. The game plan is to manipulate or replace thousands of EVMs through this gossip. I appeal to all Opposition parties to be united, strong and bold. We will fight this battle together," Banerjee said in a tweet.

In West Bengal, pollsters predict considerable loss to Mamata; NDA to make significant inroads

For Bihar, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/exit-polls-2019-pm-modi-returning-to-power-with-300-plus-seats-say-pollsters-219927">the exit polls predict</a> that out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state the NDA will claim around over 30 seats while the Congress-RJD alliance will settle with around 4-6.&nbsp;

The News18-IPSOS survey gives 34-36 seats to the NDA in Bihar while Congress-RJD is likely to bag 4 to 6 seats. Today's Chanakya projected NDA to win 32 seats and Congress to claim 8. &nbsp;

Two other pollsters - Jan ki Baat and C-Voter also showed the Modi-Nitish duo to stump the Mahagathbandhan. While the former estimated 28 to 33 seats to go to the NDA in the state and 8 to 11 seats for Congress, the latter said the NDA should be able to comfortably bag 33 seats leaving 7 for the Congress.&nbsp;

In 2014, the result threw the electoral victory in BJP's favour which registered a win on 22 seats. Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) won on 6 seats, Lalu Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) settled with 4.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TCPoll?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TCPoll</a> 
Bihar LS Seat Projection 
BJP+ 32 ± 4 Seats 
Congress+ 8 ± 4 Seats 
Others 0 ± 1 Seats<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/News24TodaysChanakya?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#News24TodaysChanakya</a>
— Today's Chanakya (@TodaysChanakya) <a href="https://twitter.com/TodaysChanakya/status/1130125751859073024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The exit polls seem to predict the electoral result in BJP's favour, suggesting that the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party won't be impacted by the coming together of regional alliances and is likely to retain the throne at the Centre.

While the Times Now-VMR exit poll says the BJP-led NDA will win 306 of the 542 seats and the UPA will settle at 132, Republic C-Voter says the NDA will win 287 seats and UPA 128. Others, which include regional parties, will get 120 seats according to Times Now-VMR and 87 according to Republic C-Voter survey.

The News18-IPSOS survey predicts Prime Minister Narendra Modi's return with 336 seats for the NDA.

In 2014, the BJP, along with its NDA constituents had won 336 out of 543 seats and formed the government at the Centre - the first time in about three decades that a party had won such a huge number of seats.

&nbsp;

For Bihar, the exit polls predict that out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state the NDA will claim around over 30 seats while the Congress-RJD alliance will settle with around 4-6.

For Bihar, the exit polls predict that out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state the NDA will claim around over 30 seats while the Congress-RJD alliance will settle with around 4-6. The News18-IPSOS survey gives 34-36 seats to the NDA in Bihar while Congress-RJD is likely to bag 4 to 6 seats. Today's Chanakya projected NDA to win 32 seats and Congress to claim 8. Two other pollsters - Jan ki Baat and C-Voter also showed the Modi-Nitish duo to stump the Mahagathbandhan. While the former estimated 28 to 33 seats to go to the NDA in the state and 8 to 11 seats for Congress, the latter said the NDA should be able to comfortably bag 33 seats leaving 7 for the Congress. In 2014, the result threw the electoral victory in BJP's favour which registered a win on 22 seats. Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) won on 6 seats, Lalu Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) settled with 4. #TCPoll Bihar LS Seat Projection BJP+ 32 ± 4 Seats Congress+ 8 ± 4 Seats Others 0 ± 1 Seats#News24TodaysChanakya — Today's Chanakya (@TodaysChanakya) May 19, 2019 × The exit polls seem to predict the electoral result in BJP's favour, suggesting that the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party won't be impacted by the coming together of regional alliances and is likely to retain the throne at the Centre. While the Times Now-VMR exit poll says the BJP-led NDA will win 306 of the 542 seats and the UPA will settle at 132, Republic C-Voter says the NDA will win 287 seats and UPA 128. Others, which include regional parties, will get 120 seats according to Times Now-VMR and 87 according to Republic C-Voter survey. The News18-IPSOS survey predicts Prime Minister Narendra Modi's return with 336 seats for the NDA. In 2014, the BJP, along with its NDA constituents had won 336 out of 543 seats and formed the government at the Centre - the first time in about three decades that a party had won such a huge number of seats.

Flop show for Congress-RJD in Bihar, says pollsters; NDA to win big 

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar says that 'NDA will come to power, JDU will definitely be a part of it'. The 7th phase of lok Sabha election is underway

'NDA will come to power, JDU will definitely be a part of it': Nitish Kumar

In his last election rally on Friday, PM Narendra Modi gave an indication as to what his priority will be in his second term if his party is elected back to power.

In his second term, his prime focus will be water management. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/would-never-be-able-to-forgive-pragya-for-godse-remark-pm-modi-219397">In Madhya Pradesh's Khargone yesterday, PM Modi said</a>, "Fifty years ago, Lohia told Jawaharlal Nehru that the most important issues facing women were water and sanitation... I am fulfilling Lohia's wish. After constructing toilets and giving dignity to women, I will focus my next term on ensuring clean drinking water."

BJP's manifesto has promised the setting up of a unified Ministry of Water to end the water woes of the country.

The Centre issued a drought advisory to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, asking them to use water judiciously in the coming weeks as water storage in dams dropped to a critical level.

With almost all of rural India depending on monsoon rain for agriculture and domestic purpose, there is a desperate need for water management.

If Modi gets a second term and manages to achieve&nbsp;this, in addition to augmenting Swachh Bharat, Ujwala Yojana and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, he would have secured the confidence of at least 50 per cent of the electorate - women voters.

Currently, management of water resources is fragmented between six or seven ministries, a centralised system would plug loopholes and even put the river clean up missions in the country on track.

Ganga clean up action was Modi's commitment to his constituency and electorate but in the past five years, things have not moved in the pace that he had envisioned.

Hundreds of crores of rupees set-aside for the Namami Gange plan lie unspent. Almost 400 million people's lives depend on Ganga water. If Modi can actually get a team to focus on cleaning up the river, manage it in such a manner that the water is piped into every home in the region in the next two to three years, it would mean a sure shot electoral victory as well as a huge improvement in the lives of millions.

It is estimated that 200,000 Indians die every year due to inadequate access to safe water.&nbsp;

In his last election rally on Friday, PM Narendra Modi gave an indication as to what his priority will be in his second term if his party is elected back to power.

In his last election rally on Friday, PM Narendra Modi gave an indication as to what his priority will be in his second term if his party is elected back to power. In his second term, his prime focus will be water management. In Madhya Pradesh's Khargone yesterday, PM Modi said, "Fifty years ago, Lohia told Jawaharlal Nehru that the most important issues facing women were water and sanitation... I am fulfilling Lohia's wish. After constructing toilets and giving dignity to women, I will focus my next term on ensuring clean drinking water." BJP's manifesto has promised the setting up of a unified Ministry of Water to end the water woes of the country. The Centre issued a drought advisory to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, asking them to use water judiciously in the coming weeks as water storage in dams dropped to a critical level. With almost all of rural India depending on monsoon rain for agriculture and domestic purpose, there is a desperate need for water management. If Modi gets a second term and manages to achieve this, in addition to augmenting Swachh Bharat, Ujwala Yojana and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, he would have secured the confidence of at least 50 per cent of the electorate - women voters. Currently, management of water resources is fragmented between six or seven ministries, a centralised system would plug loopholes and even put the river clean up missions in the country on track. Ganga clean up action was Modi's commitment to his constituency and electorate but in the past five years, things have not moved in the pace that he had envisioned. Hundreds of crores of rupees set-aside for the Namami Gange plan lie unspent. Almost 400 million people's lives depend on Ganga water. If Modi can actually get a team to focus on cleaning up the river, manage it in such a manner that the water is piped into every home in the region in the next two to three years, it would mean a sure shot electoral victory as well as a huge improvement in the lives of millions. It is estimated that 200,000 Indians die every year due to inadequate access to safe water.

Water management to be prime focus if NDA is re-elected: PM Modi

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/congress-has-no-problem-if-it-did-not-get-pms-post-ghulam-nabi-azad-219122/amp">Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad </a>on Friday appeared to have made a U-turn saying his party must be given a chance if a stable government is needed at the Centre, in remarks that came a day after he had said that Congress was only keen on defeating NDA and the prime minister`s post was not its primary concern.

"No, it is not true that Congress will not claim the Prime Minister`s post. We are the biggest and oldest political party. If the government is to run for five years, the biggest political party should be given a chance. But what I have been saying is that while we are in the midst of elections we should not fight among ourselves. It (PM`s post) should be decided by consensus," Azad told ANI here.

On Thursday, Azad had asserted that his party was only interested in defeating NDA and getting the Prime Minister`s post was not its primary concerns.

"We have already made our stand clear. If a consensus is made in the favour of Congress, then the party will take the lead but our aim has always been that NDA government should not come."

"We will go with the unanimous decision. We are not going to make an issue that we (Congress) will not let anyone else become the Prime Minister if it is not offered to us (Congress)," Azad told reporters on Thursday.

On Friday, Azad said his party was going to become the largest party post-elections aiming for 273-plus seats on their own.

"Congress is going to have the maximum number of members in Parliament. We are looking to secure 273-plus seats this time, which is easily achievable for us. We have done it in the past, we will do it again," he said.

He also expressed hope that the Congress government under Rahul Gandhi would give the country a stable government for the next five years.

"Rahul Gandhi is competent enough to become the Prime Minister of the country. Manmohan Singhji, Atalji`s government lasted for the full term because they had the largest number of MPs, so if you want a stable government this time Congress is the only choice," he said.

Azad`s statements came after parties in the NDA alliance, especially BJP, urged the mahagathbandhan to declare its prime ministerial candidate. NDA claimed there was a lack of unanimity between the opposition in the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday appeared to have made a U-turn saying his party must be given a chance if a stable government is needed at the Centre, in remarks that came a day after he had said that Congress was only keen on defeating NDA and the prime minister`s post was not its primary concern.

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday appeared to have made a U-turn saying his party must be given a chance if a stable government is needed at the Centre, in remarks that came a day after he had said that Congress was only keen on defeating NDA and the prime minister`s post was not its primary concern. "No, it is not true that Congress will not claim the Prime Minister`s post. We are the biggest and oldest political party. If the government is to run for five years, the biggest political party should be given a chance. But what I have been saying is that while we are in the midst of elections we should not fight among ourselves. It (PM`s post) should be decided by consensus," Azad told ANI here. On Thursday, Azad had asserted that his party was only interested in defeating NDA and getting the Prime Minister`s post was not its primary concerns. "We have already made our stand clear. If a consensus is made in the favour of Congress, then the party will take the lead but our aim has always been that NDA government should not come." "We will go with the unanimous decision. We are not going to make an issue that we (Congress) will not let anyone else become the Prime Minister if it is not offered to us (Congress)," Azad told reporters on Thursday. On Friday, Azad said his party was going to become the largest party post-elections aiming for 273-plus seats on their own. "Congress is going to have the maximum number of members in Parliament. We are looking to secure 273-plus seats this time, which is easily achievable for us. We have done it in the past, we will do it again," he said. He also expressed hope that the Congress government under Rahul Gandhi would give the country a stable government for the next five years. "Rahul Gandhi is competent enough to become the Prime Minister of the country. Manmohan Singhji, Atalji`s government lasted for the full term because they had the largest number of MPs, so if you want a stable government this time Congress is the only choice," he said. Azad`s statements came after parties in the NDA alliance, especially BJP, urged the mahagathbandhan to declare its prime ministerial candidate. NDA claimed there was a lack of unanimity between the opposition in the Lok Sabha elections.

Ghulam Nabi Azad takes U-turn after stating PM post was not Congress party's primary concern

Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily Wednesday said there was nothing wrong in TRS President and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's efforts to forge a federal front of regional parties.

Claiming that the&nbsp;Congress would get around 200 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, emerging as the leading party among the opposition he further said that the&nbsp;federal front of regional parties was a move against the&nbsp;BJP-led NDA.

"Make state-by-state (poll) analysis and you will definitely come to conclusion that the NDA government will fall", the former Union Minister said, adding a conglomeration of opposition parties would form the government.

On some parties speculating about the possibility of a United Front-type of Government of 1996-1998 with outside support from the Congress, Moily said, "There is no such thing now. It's too early and premature to say that".

"Among all members of the opposition, the Congress figure (tally of seats) would be the highest", the former Karnataka chief minister said.

"Common enemy is (Narendra) Modi and NDA. That is why, they (regional parties) can't join NDA; there shall be a combination of opposition parties who will definitely form the coalition (government)," Moily said.

He defended the Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's decision not to stand against Modi in Varanasi, saying it was not necessary as contesting there would have confined her to that constituency.

"But now her services are available, she is going everywhere (for campaigning), that has given us more advantage", Moily told PTI.

On whether the Congress would position its President Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate, he said ultimately there should be unanimity among the opposition put together.

"Congress as a largest party in Parliament, particularly more so among the opposition, we definitely have the advantage of leading the opposition front," Moily said.

On Rao's push to forge a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front of regional parties, he said there was nothing wrong about that.

"That means he (Rao) is also against NDA. That is more than enough for us. That means to say there are no takers for the NDA, except Shiv Sena and some fringe parties like Ram Vilas Paswan's party", Moily said.

The TRS had been pitching the idea of a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front of regional parties for several months now.

Asked if some of the regional parties who are not on board with UPA would be "friends" post-poll, he said, "Correct. It's always like that. There may be combination prior to elections, and combination, permutations after elections".

"This has happened even in 2004. For example, UDF is fighting against LDF in Kerala. So, there cannot be prior (pre-poll) understanding between these two parties. Even then, we joined together in 2004 in forming government," he said.

Moily claimed that majority of regional parties would join the opposition combination to defeat the NDA. "Opposition will join together and form government", he said.

Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily Wednesday said there was nothing wrong in TRS President and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's efforts to forge a federal front of regional parties.

Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily Wednesday said there was nothing wrong in TRS President and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's efforts to forge a federal front of regional parties. Claiming that the Congress would get around 200 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, emerging as the leading party among the opposition he further said that the federal front of regional parties was a move against the BJP-led NDA. "Make state-by-state (poll) analysis and you will definitely come to conclusion that the NDA government will fall", the former Union Minister said, adding a conglomeration of opposition parties would form the government. On some parties speculating about the possibility of a United Front-type of Government of 1996-1998 with outside support from the Congress, Moily said, "There is no such thing now. It's too early and premature to say that". "Among all members of the opposition, the Congress figure (tally of seats) would be the highest", the former Karnataka chief minister said. "Common enemy is (Narendra) Modi and NDA. That is why, they (regional parties) can't join NDA; there shall be a combination of opposition parties who will definitely form the coalition (government)," Moily said. He defended the Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's decision not to stand against Modi in Varanasi, saying it was not necessary as contesting there would have confined her to that constituency. "But now her services are available, she is going everywhere (for campaigning), that has given us more advantage", Moily told PTI. On whether the Congress would position its President Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate, he said ultimately there should be unanimity among the opposition put together. "Congress as a largest party in Parliament, particularly more so among the opposition, we definitely have the advantage of leading the opposition front," Moily said. On Rao's push to forge a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front of regional parties, he said there was nothing wrong about that. "That means he (Rao) is also against NDA. That is more than enough for us. That means to say there are no takers for the NDA, except Shiv Sena and some fringe parties like Ram Vilas Paswan's party", Moily said. The TRS had been pitching the idea of a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front of regional parties for several months now. Asked if some of the regional parties who are not on board with UPA would be "friends" post-poll, he said, "Correct. It's always like that. There may be combination prior to elections, and combination, permutations after elections". "This has happened even in 2004. For example, UDF is fighting against LDF in Kerala. So, there cannot be prior (pre-poll) understanding between these two parties. Even then, we joined together in 2004 in forming government," he said. Moily claimed that majority of regional parties would join the opposition combination to defeat the NDA. "Opposition will join together and form government", he said.

Federal front push of TRS is against NDA: Veerappa Moily

BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan asserted on Sunday that the ruling NDA is on track to retain power at the Centre, helped by the "Modi factor" and the appeal of the issue of nationalism, while the Opposition has become a picture of "disunity" in a key state like Bihar.

The Lok Janshakti Party leader said the 2019 general election stands out from many elections he has seen in his over five-decade long career for the centrality of the issue of nationalism in this poll with people supporting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for development as well as national security.

In an interview to PTI, the Dalit leader said the momentum in the NDA's favour is increasing in every phase of polling and that the "wave has now become a tsunami".

Three phases of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections have been held so far, with the Hindi-heartland states being the key battleground in the remaining phases.

Paswan claimed there has been no contest so far in Bihar, seen as a key state to the NDA's fortunes. Giving seat-wise figures to support his claim, Paswan said opposition parties like the Congress and the RJD have been working at cross-purposes while "united" NDA partners -- BJP, JD(U) and LJP -- have got better of them in most seats.

"Our vote is increasing in every phase. The Modi factor was recently at work in the prime minister's massive road shows in Varanasi and Jharkhand. More people are joining us. On the other hand, opposition parties have not been able to unite either in Delhi or here in Bihar. People wonder what is the point of even voting for them as they don't know what these parties will do," he said.

The NDA may win over 35 seats of the total 40 in Bihar, he said. It had won 31 in 2014.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi and RJD's Tejashwai Yadav have often avoided campaigning for candidates of the other party, Paswan said and added that they held their first joint rally in Samastipur only this Friday.

"I am confident that the NDA will repeat the scale of victory it had achieved the last time. It will form the government under Modi's leadership," he said. 
The NDA had won 336 seats in 543-member Lok Sabha in 2014, with the BJP getting its maiden majority by winning 282 seats on its own.

Paswan said issues like terrorism and nationalism may have emerged as central issues in the poll but Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has also received people's support on the plank of development.

From subsidised food to LPG cylinders, toilets, homes and health insurance, the government is working to provide the masses with all essentials of life, he said, adding that people have been backing the NDA for these measures as well.

But it is the emotive issue of nationalism and action against Pakistan-based terrorists that has been a central theme of the NDA's campaign, something that the opposition has criticised, accusing the ruling dispensation of using them to divert people's attention from issues like jobs and economy.

The LJP leader dismissed the opposition criticism, saying "all is fair in love and war". He also hit back at the opposition parties and alleged a "sinister campaign" over the issue among Muslims.

"The big issue here is that we target terrorists, we say terrorism should be finished, but they (Opposition) whisper in Muslims' ears that we want to finish them. As if, Muslims are terrorists," he said.

Paswan referred to the response from people when NDA leaders in their campaign speeches invoke the issue of nationalism, saying all such references have received wide support from the masses.

The Modi factor and the nationalism issue have helped the NDA cover up localised factors like choice of candidates among others, he said.

Paswan claimed that a section of even Yadavs, seen as a solid vote bank of Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have supported NDA nominees in seats where opposition candidates enjoyed little connect with them.

Yadavs have long been part of "power politics" and they are in no mood to give votes to candidates of parties Vikassheel Insaan Party or Hindustani Awam Morcha as they have little resonance on the ground, he said. Both these parties are also part of the opposition alliance.

The 72-year-old leader is not fighting the poll this time with his younger brother Pashupati Kumar Paras contesting from Hajipur, a seat Paswan has traditionally represented in Lok Sabha. The senior leader's son Chirag and another brother Ramchandra Paswan, both MPs, are also in the fray. The LJP had won six seats in 2014.&nbsp;

BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan asserted on Sunday that the ruling NDA is on track to retain power at the Centre, helped by the "Modi factor" and the appeal of the issue of nationalism, while the Opposition has become a picture of "disunity" in a key state like Bihar.

BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan asserted on Sunday that the ruling NDA is on track to retain power at the Centre, helped by the "Modi factor" and the appeal of the issue of nationalism, while the Opposition has become a picture of "disunity" in a key state like Bihar. The Lok Janshakti Party leader said the 2019 general election stands out from many elections he has seen in his over five-decade long career for the centrality of the issue of nationalism in this poll with people supporting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for development as well as national security. In an interview to PTI, the Dalit leader said the momentum in the NDA's favour is increasing in every phase of polling and that the "wave has now become a tsunami". Three phases of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections have been held so far, with the Hindi-heartland states being the key battleground in the remaining phases. Paswan claimed there has been no contest so far in Bihar, seen as a key state to the NDA's fortunes. Giving seat-wise figures to support his claim, Paswan said opposition parties like the Congress and the RJD have been working at cross-purposes while "united" NDA partners -- BJP, JD(U) and LJP -- have got better of them in most seats. "Our vote is increasing in every phase. The Modi factor was recently at work in the prime minister's massive road shows in Varanasi and Jharkhand. More people are joining us. On the other hand, opposition parties have not been able to unite either in Delhi or here in Bihar. People wonder what is the point of even voting for them as they don't know what these parties will do," he said. The NDA may win over 35 seats of the total 40 in Bihar, he said. It had won 31 in 2014. Congress president Rahul Gandhi and RJD's Tejashwai Yadav have often avoided campaigning for candidates of the other party, Paswan said and added that they held their first joint rally in Samastipur only this Friday. "I am confident that the NDA will repeat the scale of victory it had achieved the last time. It will form the government under Modi's leadership," he said. The NDA had won 336 seats in 543-member Lok Sabha in 2014, with the BJP getting its maiden majority by winning 282 seats on its own. Paswan said issues like terrorism and nationalism may have emerged as central issues in the poll but Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has also received people's support on the plank of development. From subsidised food to LPG cylinders, toilets, homes and health insurance, the government is working to provide the masses with all essentials of life, he said, adding that people have been backing the NDA for these measures as well. But it is the emotive issue of nationalism and action against Pakistan-based terrorists that has been a central theme of the NDA's campaign, something that the opposition has criticised, accusing the ruling dispensation of using them to divert people's attention from issues like jobs and economy. The LJP leader dismissed the opposition criticism, saying "all is fair in love and war". He also hit back at the opposition parties and alleged a "sinister campaign" over the issue among Muslims. "The big issue here is that we target terrorists, we say terrorism should be finished, but they (Opposition) whisper in Muslims' ears that we want to finish them. As if, Muslims are terrorists," he said. Paswan referred to the response from people when NDA leaders in their campaign speeches invoke the issue of nationalism, saying all such references have received wide support from the masses. The Modi factor and the nationalism issue have helped the NDA cover up localised factors like choice of candidates among others, he said. Paswan claimed that a section of even Yadavs, seen as a solid vote bank of Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have supported NDA nominees in seats where opposition candidates enjoyed little connect with them. Yadavs have long been part of "power politics" and they are in no mood to give votes to candidates of parties Vikassheel Insaan Party or Hindustani Awam Morcha as they have little resonance on the ground, he said. Both these parties are also part of the opposition alliance. The 72-year-old leader is not fighting the poll this time with his younger brother Pashupati Kumar Paras contesting from Hajipur, a seat Paswan has traditionally represented in Lok Sabha. The senior leader's son Chirag and another brother Ramchandra Paswan, both MPs, are also in the fray. The LJP had won six seats in 2014.

NDA is gaining momentum in every phase, set to repeat its 2014 win: Ram Vilas Paswan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination papers for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat on Friday, accompanied by a galaxy of top BJP and NDA leaders in a massive show of strength for the country's ruling alliance. Watch this video to know more.

India Election Watch: PM Modi files nomination paper from Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has filed his nomination from Varanasi for Lok Sabha constituency on Friday. All senior leaders of the BJP, NDA and North East Democratic Alliance were present to mark the occasion.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: PM Modi files nomination from Varanasi

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