With just 9 days to go for the final face-off in France, both Emmanuel macron and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen have hit the campaign trail hard this time.

French Elections: Macron, Le Pen on fierce campaign trail

The voter turnout in the first phase of French Presidential Elections was 25.5 per cent by Midday which is below the 28.5 per cent rate during the 2017 polls. Political Analyst Morgane Fert-Malka in conversation with WION said low voter turnout will benefit Marine Le Penn.

French Election 2022: Emmanuel Macron & Marine Le Pen emerge as top candidates

Anti-Semitism debate takes centerstage in the upcoming French Elections. President Emmanuel Macron's political rivals say that he is simply not doing enough to combat Anti-Semitism and the crimes against Jews have increased during his tenure

France Elections 2022: Is Anti-Semitism on the rise in France?

France is all set to go to polls. French President Emmanuel Macron is aiming for a second term. There are 12 presidential candidates with six main contenders. But how does the electoral process work in France? Will Macron secure a second term? What are the big issues in the French Presidential poll?

France's electoral system explained: Will Emmanuel Macron win 2nd term?

Ahead of Presidential polls in France, Opposition leader Marine Le Pen criticizes President Emmanuel Macron for using private consultants

Presidential polls in France: Opposition rakes up President Macron's consultant scandal

South Korea’s presidential race went virtual for the votes. The Al Yoon avatar is reportedly hugely popular with young South Koreans. Is deepfake technology going to be the future of election campaigns?

Deepfake of South Korea’s presidential candidate Al Yoon ahead of election

Syrian Parliament has announced that the nation will go to the polls on 26 of May. These elections will be the second presidential polls under the shadow of a civil war announcing the polls on Sunday, parliament speaker has said the window for nomination will be open for 10 days.

Syrian parliament speaker announces presidential polls

<p>As the vote count continues in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/us-election-2020-how-facebook-twitter-differ-on-labelling-trumps-election-posts-340642">US elections 2020</a>, exit poll results indicated Democrat presidential hopeful Joe Biden has won the battleground state of Michigan. |&nbsp;US elections<a href="US elections LIVE updates: As vote count continues, Biden, Trump supporters conduct march"> LIVE updates: As vote count continues, Biden, Trump supporters conduct march</a></p>

<p><strong>Watch:</strong>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/count-every-vote-protest-erupts-in-us-as-poll-results-remains-undecided-340649/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The state was earlier won by President Trump during the 2016 elections.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-can-united-states-supreme-court-be-the-final-arbiter-340619">Also Read:&nbsp;Can United States Supreme Court be the final arbiter?</a></p>

<p>US news networks - CNN and NBC News had projected a win for Biden taking his total electoral college to 264 which is now six short of the magic 270 needed to declare victory. However, the numbers are still exit poll figures even as election officers continue to count the votes after the November 3<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-ritchie-torres-first-openly-gay-afro-latino-member-of-congress-340525"> elections </a>held on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Michigan accounts for 16 electoral votes.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Trump campaign team has filed a lawsuit in Georgia asking officials to pause counting of the votes of the states for the US Presidential election.</p>

<p>"President Trump and his team are fighting for the good of the nation to uphold the rule of law, and Georgia’s law is very clear: to legally count, mail ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day," deputy campaign manager Justin Clark said in a statement.</p>

<p>Reports said Trump's team is also seeking to file similar lawsuits in Michigan and Pennsylvania even as election <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-registers-highest-covid-19-cases-in-24-hours-amid-elections-340645">vote</a> count continues in the United States.</p>


As the vote count continues in US elections 2020, exit poll results indicated Democrat presidential hopeful Joe Biden has won the battleground state of Michigan.

As the vote count continues in US elections 2020, exit poll results indicated Democrat presidential hopeful Joe Biden has won the battleground state of Michigan. | US elections LIVE updates: As vote count continues, Biden, Trump supporters conduct march Watch: The state was earlier won by President Trump during the 2016 elections. Also Read: Can United States Supreme Court be the final arbiter? US news networks - CNN and NBC News had projected a win for Biden taking his total electoral college to 264 which is now six short of the magic 270 needed to declare victory. However, the numbers are still exit poll figures even as election officers continue to count the votes after the November 3 elections held on Wednesday. Michigan accounts for 16 electoral votes. Meanwhile, the Trump campaign team has filed a lawsuit in Georgia asking officials to pause counting of the votes of the states for the US Presidential election. "President Trump and his team are fighting for the good of the nation to uphold the rule of law, and Georgia’s law is very clear: to legally count, mail ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day," deputy campaign manager Justin Clark said in a statement. Reports said Trump's team is also seeking to file similar lawsuits in Michigan and Pennsylvania even as election vote count continues in the United States.

Biden set to win Michigan battleground state: Exit poll

<p>As polling came to a close in six US states including the key battleground state in Georgia, Edison Research projected a win for US President <strong>Donald Trump</strong> in Indiana in the US elections. According to newswire AP, the <strong>US president</strong> is also set to win in Kentucky.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-live-update-donald-trump-joe-biden-votes-tally-president-predictions-pennsylvania-county-begins-vote-count-how-to-follow-the-2020-us-election-results-from-india-340293">| Live update:&nbsp;Polls close in first six US states</a></p>

<p><strong>Watch:</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/agencies-donald-trump-wins-indiana-kentucky-us-election-2020-340319/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>According to US network CBS, <strong>Trump</strong> is leading in West Virginia.&nbsp;Trump is also projected to win in Oklahoma, Tennessee which he had won in 2016 as well.</p>

<p>Trump is also leading in Georgia, CBS poll said. According to AP, President Trump is set to take&nbsp;Arkansas. According to US media, the US president is also set to win&nbsp;<strong>South Carolina</strong>,<strong>&nbsp;Idaho </strong>including<strong> Ohio</strong>.</p>

<p>The US networks have also projected Trump to win in&nbsp;<strong>Montana</strong> and&nbsp;<strong>Texas</strong>.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-2020-country-entitled-to-know-who-won-on-november-3-says-trump-340238">Also Read:&nbsp;Country entitled to know who won on November 3, says Trump</a></p>

<p>According to US networks, the US president is also&nbsp;set to take&nbsp;Missouri, Nebraska and Utah.</p>

<p>President Trump tweeted minutes earlier as the first six states closed their polling saying the Republicans were "looking really good all over the country".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">WE ARE LOOKING REALLY GOOD ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. THANK YOU!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1323765884268224514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The US President had said earlier that Americans "should know who won on November 3" referring to early results and clear vote count.</p>

<p>"You have to have a date, and the date happens to be November 3," the US President said during his visit to Republican National Committee offices in Arlington, Virginia.</p>


As polling came to a close in six US states including the key battleground state in Georgia, Edison Research projected a win for US President Donald Trump in Indiana in the US elections.

As polling came to a close in six US states including the key battleground state in Georgia, Edison Research projected a win for US President Donald Trump in Indiana in the US elections. According to newswire AP, the US president is also set to win in Kentucky.| Live update: Polls close in first six US states Watch: According to US network CBS, Trump is leading in West Virginia. Trump is also projected to win in Oklahoma, Tennessee which he had won in 2016 as well. Trump is also leading in Georgia, CBS poll said. According to AP, President Trump is set to take Arkansas. According to US media, the US president is also set to win South Carolina, Idaho including Ohio. The US networks have also projected Trump to win in Montana and Texas. Also Read: Country entitled to know who won on November 3, says Trump According to US networks, the US president is also set to take Missouri, Nebraska and Utah. President Trump tweeted minutes earlier as the first six states closed their polling saying the Republicans were "looking really good all over the country". WE ARE LOOKING REALLY GOOD ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. THANK YOU! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 3, 2020 × The US President had said earlier that Americans "should know who won on November 3" referring to early results and clear vote count. "You have to have a date, and the date happens to be November 3," the US President said during his visit to Republican National Committee offices in Arlington, Virginia.

US Election Result 2020: Trump set to win in Ohio, Texas, Kentucky: Exit poll

<p>As counting for the US election 2020 begins, Sarah McBride became the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/us-election">United States' </a>first openly transgender state senator after claiming a seat in Delaware on Tuesday night.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We did it," McBride wrote on Twitter on Tuesday night. after her victory.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We did it. We won the general election.<br />
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Thank you, thank you, thank you.</p>
— Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) <a href="https://twitter.com/SarahEMcBride/status/1323805041820602371?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-result-live-update-donald-trump-joe-biden-votes-tally-president-predictions-begins-vote-count-how-to-follow-the-2020-us-election-results-from-india-Trump-wins-Kentucky-joe-Biden-Vermont-340293">US election 2020 result LIVE updates: US media projects Biden at 131 electoral votes, Trump at 95</a></strong></p>

<p>In 2016, she made history after she became the first openly transgender person to speak at any major-party convention in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-result-2020-biden-set-to-win-in-new-york-colorado-vermont-delaware-say-exit-polls-340307">US Election Result 2020: Biden set to win in New York, Colorado, Vermont &amp; Delaware, say exit polls</a></strong></p>

<p>Currently, there are four openly transgender state legislators: Virginia state Del. Danica Roem; Colorado state Rep. Brianna Titone; and New Hampshire state Reps. Lisa Bunker and Gerri Cannon and McBride will be the first Senator.&nbsp;</p>

<p>McBride's campaign this time focussed around affordable health care, improving minimum wage and school funding, among other issues.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"From the start, I knew I wanted to be the healthcare and paid leave candidate," said McBride to The News Journal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Even before COVID, people were feeling that need. This has just reinforced and deepened that need. For Delawareans, for those in poverty, those struggling through the pandemic, the issues we're talking about aren't abstract."&nbsp;</p>


As counting for the US election 2020 begins, Sarah McBride became the United States' first openly transgender state senator after claiming a seat in Delaware on Tuesday night.

As counting for the US election 2020 begins, Sarah McBride became the United States' first openly transgender state senator after claiming a seat in Delaware on Tuesday night. "We did it," McBride wrote on Twitter on Tuesday night. after her victory. We did it. We won the general election. Thank you, thank you, thank you. — Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) November 4, 2020 × Also read | US election 2020 result LIVE updates: US media projects Biden at 131 electoral votes, Trump at 95 In 2016, she made history after she became the first openly transgender person to speak at any major-party convention in the country. Also read | US Election Result 2020: Biden set to win in New York, Colorado, Vermont & Delaware, say exit polls Currently, there are four openly transgender state legislators: Virginia state Del. Danica Roem; Colorado state Rep. Brianna Titone; and New Hampshire state Reps. Lisa Bunker and Gerri Cannon and McBride will be the first Senator. McBride's campaign this time focussed around affordable health care, improving minimum wage and school funding, among other issues. "From the start, I knew I wanted to be the healthcare and paid leave candidate," said McBride to The News Journal. "Even before COVID, people were feeling that need. This has just reinforced and deepened that need. For Delawareans, for those in poverty, those struggling through the pandemic, the issues we're talking about aren't abstract."

US election 2020: Sarah McBride creates history, becomes nation's first transgender senator

<p>As counting began in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-result-2020-key-battleground-tracker-trump-set-to-win-in-florida-340321">US elections 2020</a> today, Democratic presidential hopeful <strong>Joe Biden</strong> spoke from his home state Delaware calling for patience as election officials count the votes.<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-result-live-update-donald-trump-joe-biden-votes-tally-president-predictions-begins-vote-count-how-to-follow-the-2020-us-election-results-from-india-Trump-wins-Kentucky-joe-Biden-Vermont-340293">| Live Update -&nbsp;Trump predicts 'big WIN'</a>.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-election-2020-which-presidential-candidate-will-be-ideal-for-india-340389/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Biden who leads in the exit polls with over 200 electoral votes said that he believed he is "on track" to win the US elections 2020.</p>

<p>"I believe we are on track to win the elections," he said, adding, "I'm optimistic about this outcome."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-donald-trump-cuts-guest-list-of-white-house-party-says-he-may-address-the-nation-340332">Also Read:&nbsp;Donald Trump cuts guest list of White House party</a></p>

<p>"We are feeling good about where we are," the Democratic presidential hopeful said.</p>

<p>"We knew because of unprecedented early mail-in votes, we will know till every vote, every ballot is counted."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-result-2020-they-are-trying-to-steal-the-elections-alleges-trump-340404">Also Read:&nbsp;They are trying to steal the elections, alleges Trump</a></p>

<p>"We are feeling confident about Arizona, Minnesota and we are still in the game in Georgia, although we didn't expect it," Biden stated, adding, "we are feeling confident about Wisconsin."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We are going to win in Pennsylvania."</p>

<p>"We will know the results by tomorrow morning," he said.</p>

<p>US President <strong>Trump</strong> is set to make a statement later tonight.</p>

<p>According to exit polls by US networks, <strong>Biden</strong> is set to take Vermont. If the projections come true then, then Trump would win 24 electoral votes with Biden winning 16.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-long-is-this-going-to-take-americans-settle-in-to-wait-340363">Also Read:&nbsp;How long is this going to take? Americans settle in to wait</a></p>

<p>Biden is also set to win in his home state of Delaware, according to US networks. According to CNN projects, Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden is also set to take New Jersey. Biden is also set to take New York.</p>

<p>US media also projected Joe Biden to win&nbsp;from New Mexico. Biden is also projected to win New Hamshire.</p>

<p>According to US media's electoral college projections, Joe Biden is leading with 209 to Trump's 116 votes.</p>


As counting began in the US elections 2020 today, Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden spoke from his home state Delaware calling for patience as election officials count the votes.

As counting began in the US elections 2020 today, Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden spoke from his home state Delaware calling for patience as election officials count the votes. | Live Update - Trump predicts 'big WIN'. Watch: Biden who leads in the exit polls with over 200 electoral votes said that he believed he is "on track" to win the US elections 2020. "I believe we are on track to win the elections," he said, adding, "I'm optimistic about this outcome." Also Read: Donald Trump cuts guest list of White House party "We are feeling good about where we are," the Democratic presidential hopeful said. "We knew because of unprecedented early mail-in votes, we will know till every vote, every ballot is counted." Also Read: They are trying to steal the elections, alleges Trump "We are feeling confident about Arizona, Minnesota and we are still in the game in Georgia, although we didn't expect it," Biden stated, adding, "we are feeling confident about Wisconsin." "We are going to win in Pennsylvania." "We will know the results by tomorrow morning," he said. US President Trump is set to make a statement later tonight. According to exit polls by US networks, Biden is set to take Vermont. If the projections come true then, then Trump would win 24 electoral votes with Biden winning 16. Also Read: How long is this going to take? Americans settle in to wait Biden is also set to win in his home state of Delaware, according to US networks. According to CNN projects, Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden is also set to take New Jersey. Biden is also set to take New York. US media also projected Joe Biden to win from New Mexico. Biden is also projected to win New Hamshire. According to US media's electoral college projections, Joe Biden is leading with 209 to Trump's 116 votes.

US Election Result 2020: We are on track to win the elections, says Joe Biden

<p>According to US media exit poll results, President Donald Trump has won Florida beating his Democratic rival <strong>Joe Biden</strong> in the vital battleground state of Florida.</p>

<p>The key<strong> battleground</strong> states will finally answer the question on whether President Trump wins a second term or Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden makes it to the White House. |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-result-live-update-donald-trump-joe-biden-votes-tally-president-predictions-begins-vote-count-how-to-follow-the-2020-us-election-results-from-india-Trump-wins-Kentucky-joe-Biden-Vermont-340293"> Live Updates-&nbsp;Trump and Biden pick up several states as polls begin to close</a></p>

<p>Both contenders need to win the major figure of 270 electoral votes to win the <strong>US Elections</strong> 2020.</p>

<p>The key battleground states&nbsp;include <strong>North Carolina</strong>, Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Arizona,&nbsp;<strong>Texas </strong>and&nbsp;Wisconsin.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-result-2020-trump-set-to-win-in-indiana-kentucky-oklahoma-tennessee-exit-poll-340300">Also Read |&nbsp;Trump set to win in Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee: Exit Poll</a></p>

<p>According to CBS projection, Trump and Biden are neck-and-neck in North Carolina.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In <strong>Pennsylvania</strong>, Trump is leading with 53 per cent votes and Biden is behind with 45 per cent votes.</p>

<p>In <strong>Georgia</strong> which is a major battleground state, Trump again leads Biden leading with 55 per cent votes against 43 per cent by the Democratic presidential hopeful. In Arizona, however, Biden is ahead with 53 per cent votes with Trump getting 45 per cent votes so far.</p>


According to US media exit poll results, President Donald Trump has won Florida beating his Democratic rival Joe Biden in the vital battleground state of Florida.

According to US media exit poll results, President Donald Trump has won Florida beating his Democratic rival Joe Biden in the vital battleground state of Florida. The key battleground states will finally answer the question on whether President Trump wins a second term or Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden makes it to the White House. | Live Updates- Trump and Biden pick up several states as polls begin to close Both contenders need to win the major figure of 270 electoral votes to win the US Elections 2020. The key battleground states include North Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Arizona, Texas and Wisconsin. Also Read | Trump set to win in Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee: Exit Poll According to CBS projection, Trump and Biden are neck-and-neck in North Carolina. In Pennsylvania, Trump is leading with 53 per cent votes and Biden is behind with 45 per cent votes. In Georgia which is a major battleground state, Trump again leads Biden leading with 55 per cent votes against 43 per cent by the Democratic presidential hopeful. In Arizona, however, Biden is ahead with 53 per cent votes with Trump getting 45 per cent votes so far.

US Election Result 2020: Key battleground tracker - Trump set to win in Florida

<p>As polls closed in US states, exit polls showed Democratic presidential hopeful <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-2020-trump-biden-eye-florida-as-battleground-states-hold-sway-340285">Joe Biden</a> is set to win in Virginia even as US President <strong>Donald Trump</strong> is set to clinch West Virginia.&nbsp; | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-live-update-donald-trump-joe-biden-votes-tally-president-predictions-pennsylvania-county-begins-vote-count-how-to-follow-the-2020-us-election-results-from-india-340293">US elections 2020 Live Updates</a></p>

<p><strong>Watch:</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/agencies-joe-biden-wins-new-jersey-delaware-us-election-2020-340331/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>According to exit polls by US networks, <strong>Biden</strong> is set to take Vermont. If the projections come true then, then Trump would win 24 electoral votes with Biden winning 16.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-set-to-win-in-indiana-kentucky-exit-poll-340300">Also Read |&nbsp;Trump set to win in Indiana, Kentucky: Exit Poll</a>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Biden is also set to win in his&nbsp;home state of <strong>Delaware</strong>, according to US networks.&nbsp;According to CNN projects, Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden is also set to take New Jersey. Biden is also set to take <strong>New York</strong>.</p>

<p>US media also projected Joe Biden winning from <strong>New Mexico</strong>. Biden is also projected to win <strong>New Hamshire</strong>.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-elections-2020-on-election-day-wall-street-ends-on-a-high-dow-up-over-2-340279">Also Read:&nbsp;On election day, Wall Street ends on a high; Dow up over 2%</a></p>

<p>According to US media's&nbsp;<strong>electoral college</strong> projections, Joe Biden is leading with 209&nbsp;to Trump's 116&nbsp;votes.</p>

<p>The polling numbers have been strong for the past month with over 100 million votes already cast as Americans came out to vote amid the coronavirus pandemic.</p>


As polls closed in US states, exit polls showed Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden is set to win in Virginia even as US President Donald Trump is set to clinch West Virginia.

As polls closed in US states, exit polls showed Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden is set to win in Virginia even as US President Donald Trump is set to clinch West Virginia. | US elections 2020 Live Updates Watch: According to exit polls by US networks, Biden is set to take Vermont. If the projections come true then, then Trump would win 24 electoral votes with Biden winning 16. Also Read | Trump set to win in Indiana, Kentucky: Exit Poll Biden is also set to win in his home state of Delaware, according to US networks. According to CNN projects, Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden is also set to take New Jersey. Biden is also set to take New York. US media also projected Joe Biden winning from New Mexico. Biden is also projected to win New Hamshire. Also Read: On election day, Wall Street ends on a high; Dow up over 2% According to US media's electoral college projections, Joe Biden is leading with 209 to Trump's 116 votes. The polling numbers have been strong for the past month with over 100 million votes already cast as Americans came out to vote amid the coronavirus pandemic.

US Election Result 2020: Biden set to win in New York, Colorado, Vermont & Delaware, say exit polls

<p>The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/us-election">2020 US election </a>is one of the most important in the history of the United States and a 99-year-old man from Mississippi is becoming an inspiration for reminding many how crucial it is to vote.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dr Robert H. Smith Sr, of Jackson, Mississippi, was seen with an "I Voted" sticker after he cast an absentee ballot while wearing a face mask.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-result-live-update-donald-trump-joe-biden-votes-tally-president-predictions-begins-vote-count-how-to-follow-the-2020-us-election-results-from-india-Trump-wins-Kentucky-joe-Biden-Vermont-340293">US election 2020 result LIVE updates: US media projects Biden at 126 electoral votes, Trump at 89</a></strong></p>

<p>"I remember when I couldn't vote," said Smith as quoted by ABC News, referring to complications involved with regards to Black Americans voting.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-donald-trump-cuts-guest-list-of-white-house-party-says-he-may-address-the-nation-340332">Donald Trump cuts guest list of White House party, says he may address the nation</a></strong></p>

<p>Although the Black men were given the right to vote in 1870 with the 15th Amendment, it took decades for exercising this right and Smith, who was born as the son of a sharecropper also faced the same hurdles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite coming from a humble background, Smith is one of the first from his family who finished high school and got a PhD degree.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also served the US Army during the Second World War and was and was later promoted to the chief warrant officer's rank in the European Theater of Operations.</p>

<p>Smith, who waited for about 20 minutes with his son to cast his ballot last month, said he proud of overcoming the challenges he encountered throughout his lifetime.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Voting is an experience that every American citizen should have," Smith said, adding, "we the people decide who's going to be our leader."<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The 2020 US election is one of the most important in the history of the United States and a 99-year-old man from Mississippi is becoming an inspiration for reminding many how crucial it is to vote.

The 2020 US election is one of the most important in the history of the United States and a 99-year-old man from Mississippi is becoming an inspiration for reminding many how crucial it is to vote. Dr Robert H. Smith Sr, of Jackson, Mississippi, was seen with an "I Voted" sticker after he cast an absentee ballot while wearing a face mask. Also read | US election 2020 result LIVE updates: US media projects Biden at 126 electoral votes, Trump at 89 "I remember when I couldn't vote," said Smith as quoted by ABC News, referring to complications involved with regards to Black Americans voting. Also read | Donald Trump cuts guest list of White House party, says he may address the nation Although the Black men were given the right to vote in 1870 with the 15th Amendment, it took decades for exercising this right and Smith, who was born as the son of a sharecropper also faced the same hurdles. Despite coming from a humble background, Smith is one of the first from his family who finished high school and got a PhD degree. He also served the US Army during the Second World War and was and was later promoted to the chief warrant officer's rank in the European Theater of Operations. Smith, who waited for about 20 minutes with his son to cast his ballot last month, said he proud of overcoming the challenges he encountered throughout his lifetime. "Voting is an experience that every American citizen should have," Smith said, adding, "we the people decide who's going to be our leader."

99-year-old votes in US election 2020, remembers time when he couldn't vote

<p>As the <strong>US elections results</strong> turn into a cliffhanger, President Trump addressed his supporters with First Lady Melania by his side&nbsp;as he thanked the American people for their support.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-result-live-update-donald-trump-joe-biden-votes-tally-president-predictions-begins-vote-count-how-to-follow-the-2020-us-election-results-from-india-Trump-wins-Kentucky-joe-Biden-Vermont-340293">| Live Blog: Biden predicts victory in knife-edge presidential race</a></p>

<p>"This is a major fraud on our country so we are going to Supreme Court&nbsp;as far as I&nbsp;am concerned we have already won it," Trump said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-election-2020-results-update-trump-wins-ohio-again-biden-leads-in-arizona-by-a-huge-margin-340415/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"I want to thank the First Lady, my entire family, VP Pence and his wife. The results tonight have been phenomenal such a vote, such a success, this is a record," the US president said.</p>

<p>"We won Ohio, we won Texas by 700,000 votes, they don't even include tabulations," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-jr-tweets-image-showing-jammu-and-kashmir-in-pakistan-340416">Trump</a>&nbsp;said. "It is also clear that we won Georgia. They will never be able to catch us.&nbsp;We won North Carolina. They can't catch us," the US president said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-result-2020-we-are-on-track-to-win-the-elections-says-joe-biden-340407">Also Read:&nbsp;We are on track to win the elections, says Joe Biden</a></p>

<p>According to <strong>US media exit poll results</strong>, President Donald Trump has won Florida beating his Democratic rival Joe Biden in the vital battleground state.</p>

<p>"In Arizona, we have a lot of light in that. Certainly, there are a lot of votes. We don't need that, there is a possibility, a good possibility. Most importantly we are winning Pennsylvania," Trump asserted.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-result-2020-they-are-trying-to-steal-the-elections-alleges-trump-340404">Also Read | US Election Result 2020: They are trying to steal the elections, alleges Trump</a></p>

<p>"We are up 690,000. It is impossible to catch us. We are winning Michigan, I looked at the numbers and I was like, wow that's a lot."</p>

<p>"We are winning Wisconsin. We don't need all of that. The Governor called me to congratulate me for winning Texas, he said, by the way, what is going on, I have not seen anything like this," he said.</p>


As the US elections results turn into a cliffhanger, President Trump addressed his supporters with First Lady Melania by his side as he thanked the American people for their support.

As the US elections results turn into a cliffhanger, President Trump addressed his supporters with First Lady Melania by his side as he thanked the American people for their support. | Live Blog: Biden predicts victory in knife-edge presidential race "This is a major fraud on our country so we are going to Supreme Court as far as I am concerned we have already won it," Trump said. Watch: "I want to thank the First Lady, my entire family, VP Pence and his wife. The results tonight have been phenomenal such a vote, such a success, this is a record," the US president said. "We won Ohio, we won Texas by 700,000 votes, they don't even include tabulations," Trump said. "It is also clear that we won Georgia. They will never be able to catch us. We won North Carolina. They can't catch us," the US president said. Also Read: We are on track to win the elections, says Joe Biden According to US media exit poll results, President Donald Trump has won Florida beating his Democratic rival Joe Biden in the vital battleground state. "In Arizona, we have a lot of light in that. Certainly, there are a lot of votes. We don't need that, there is a possibility, a good possibility. Most importantly we are winning Pennsylvania," Trump asserted. Also Read | US Election Result 2020: They are trying to steal the elections, alleges Trump "We are up 690,000. It is impossible to catch us. We are winning Michigan, I looked at the numbers and I was like, wow that's a lot." "We are winning Wisconsin. We don't need all of that. The Governor called me to congratulate me for winning Texas, he said, by the way, what is going on, I have not seen anything like this," he said.

US Election Result 2020: They will never be able to catch us, we have already won, says Trump

Belarus has been ruled by an autocrat for the last 25 years. The transparency of polls has been threatened now and then. This report highlights the polling situation in Belarus.

Belarus Presidential polls: Govt criticized pandemic situation

<p>Sri Lanka's economy was slowly recovering from the impact of the Easter Sunday suicide bombings that killed hundreds and crippled the booming tourism sector, the International Monetary Fund said Saturday.</p>

<p>Growth was likely to hit 3.5 percent next year from this year's forecast of 2.7 percent, the Washington-based lender said, compared to 3.2 percent in 2018.</p>

<p>The country estimates it will lose about $1.5 billion in tourism revenue this year as a result of a sharp dip in arrivals following the jihadist attacks on churches and hotels, which killed at least 269 people.</p>

<p>"The authorities are taking actions to mitigate the revenue shortfalls caused by the terrorist attacks and preserve the hard-won gains made under the program," said IMF deputy managing director Mitsuhiro Furusawa in a statement.</p>

<p>Furusawa's comments coincided with the latest tranche of a $1.5 billion IMF bailout package for Sri Lanka first approved in 2016.</p>

<p>He warned that Sri Lanka would need to maintain fiscal discipline in order to rein in public debt, while acknowledging the need for urgent social and investment spending.</p>

<p>Sri Lanka votes in presidential polls on November 16 and parliamentary elections next year, raising fears of welfare spending at the cost of a budget black hole.</p>

<p>Official figures show that Sri Lanka will have to repay a record $5.9 billion in foreign loans this year.</p>


Sri Lanka's economy was slowly recovering from the impact of the Easter Sunday suicide bombings that killed hundreds and crippled the booming tourism sector, the International Monetary Fund said Saturday.

Sri Lanka's economy was slowly recovering from the impact of the Easter Sunday suicide bombings that killed hundreds and crippled the booming tourism sector, the International Monetary Fund said Saturday. Growth was likely to hit 3.5 percent next year from this year's forecast of 2.7 percent, the Washington-based lender said, compared to 3.2 percent in 2018. The country estimates it will lose about $1.5 billion in tourism revenue this year as a result of a sharp dip in arrivals following the jihadist attacks on churches and hotels, which killed at least 269 people. "The authorities are taking actions to mitigate the revenue shortfalls caused by the terrorist attacks and preserve the hard-won gains made under the program," said IMF deputy managing director Mitsuhiro Furusawa in a statement. Furusawa's comments coincided with the latest tranche of a $1.5 billion IMF bailout package for Sri Lanka first approved in 2016. He warned that Sri Lanka would need to maintain fiscal discipline in order to rein in public debt, while acknowledging the need for urgent social and investment spending. Sri Lanka votes in presidential polls on November 16 and parliamentary elections next year, raising fears of welfare spending at the cost of a budget black hole. Official figures show that Sri Lanka will have to repay a record $5.9 billion in foreign loans this year.

Sri Lanka economy slowly recovering from Easter attacks: International Monetary Fund

Comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy leads presidential polls

<p>US&nbsp;Senator Elizabeth Warren, struggling to move past criticism over her claims of Native American heritage, aimed for a fresh start on Saturday with the formal launch of her 2020 presidential campaign, saying that she is fighting for all Americans.</p>

<p>The Massachusetts Democrat, a leader of the party's progressive wing, made her announcement from a historic site in Lawrence, northwest of Boston, that launched the US&nbsp;organized labour movement. Warren, 69, has made worker rights, fair wages and access to health care central to her campaign.</p>

<p>"This is the fight of our lives. The fight to build an America where dreams are possible, an America that works for everyone," Warren said. "And that is why I stand here today: to declare that I am a candidate for President of the United States of America."</p>

<p>Warren is part of an increasingly crowded and diverse field of Democrats vying for the chance to challenge President Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee. A year before any ballots are cast in a Democratic primary, many of those candidates are spending this weekend talking to voters in the early nominating states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.</p>

<p>Warren's announcement will be followed on Sunday by US&nbsp;Senator Amy Klobuchar, who has said she will reveal her presidential plans in her home state of Minnesota.</p>

<p>Warren's heritage claims have dogged her since her first campaign for the Senate in 2012, and Trump mockingly refers to her as "Pocahontas." Her ancestry drew fresh scrutiny earlier this week with the discovery that she described her race as American Indian on a form to join the Texas legal bar in the 1980s.</p>

<p>Warren has repeatedly apologized, saying the claim was based on "family lore" and she now understands tribal sovereignty dictates membership.</p>

<p>In addition to being a fierce Trump critic, Warren is an outspoken critic of Wall Street who gained national notoriety for her efforts to create the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to regulate large banks.</p>

<p>Warren is one of four women so far seeking the Democratic nomination, an unprecedented number of female candidates vying to lead a country that has never had a woman chief executive.</p>

<p>Warren and the other women running so far, among whom are Senators Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand, are hoping to build on the success of women candidates who played a significant role in Democrats regaining control of the US&nbsp;House of Representatives in November's congressional elections.</p>


US Senator Elizabeth Warren, struggling to move past criticism over her claims of Native American heritage, aimed for a fresh start on Saturday with the formal launch of her 2020 presidential campaign, saying that she is fighting for all Americans.

US Senator Elizabeth Warren, struggling to move past criticism over her claims of Native American heritage, aimed for a fresh start on Saturday with the formal launch of her 2020 presidential campaign, saying that she is fighting for all Americans. The Massachusetts Democrat, a leader of the party's progressive wing, made her announcement from a historic site in Lawrence, northwest of Boston, that launched the US organized labour movement. Warren, 69, has made worker rights, fair wages and access to health care central to her campaign. "This is the fight of our lives. The fight to build an America where dreams are possible, an America that works for everyone," Warren said. "And that is why I stand here today: to declare that I am a candidate for President of the United States of America." Warren is part of an increasingly crowded and diverse field of Democrats vying for the chance to challenge President Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee. A year before any ballots are cast in a Democratic primary, many of those candidates are spending this weekend talking to voters in the early nominating states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Warren's announcement will be followed on Sunday by US Senator Amy Klobuchar, who has said she will reveal her presidential plans in her home state of Minnesota. Warren's heritage claims have dogged her since her first campaign for the Senate in 2012, and Trump mockingly refers to her as "Pocahontas." Her ancestry drew fresh scrutiny earlier this week with the discovery that she described her race as American Indian on a form to join the Texas legal bar in the 1980s. Warren has repeatedly apologized, saying the claim was based on "family lore" and she now understands tribal sovereignty dictates membership. In addition to being a fierce Trump critic, Warren is an outspoken critic of Wall Street who gained national notoriety for her efforts to create the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to regulate large banks. Warren is one of four women so far seeking the Democratic nomination, an unprecedented number of female candidates vying to lead a country that has never had a woman chief executive. Warren and the other women running so far, among whom are Senators Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand, are hoping to build on the success of women candidates who played a significant role in Democrats regaining control of the US House of Representatives in November's congressional elections.

US Senator Warren formally launches 2020 campaign, sounds note of economic equality

<p>Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will seek re-election in 2019, his office announced Saturday, as potential rivals begin jockeying for the country's top job ahead of the ballot.</p>

<p>Ghani, who was elected in a fraud-tainted poll in 2014 that was only resolved in a US-brokered power-sharing deal, is expected to present himself to war-weary voters as the candidate who can end the 17-year conflict.</p>

<p>The acerbic academic, who has a reputation for shouting at subordinates and micromanaging the unity government, will try to capitalise on renewed US-led efforts to engage the Taliban in peace talks, which are showing tentative signs of bearing fruit.</p>

<p>"I can confirm that President Ghani is seeking re-election next year," presidential palace spokesman Shah Hussain Murtazawi told AFP.</p>

<p>Ghani, who chose the widely feared ethnic Uzbek leader Abdul Rashid Dostum as his first running mate in the 2014 election, has not yet announced who he will pick this time round.</p>

<p>It also is not certain who will challenge Ghani in the April 20 ballot.</p>

<p>Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan's equivalent of prime minister, and former national security adviser Mohammad Haneef Atmar, who quit in August, are among potential contenders.</p>

<p>Former Balkh provincial governor Atta Mohammad Noor, whose refusal to stand down from his position sparked a months-long political crisis for Ghani, has previously expressed interest in the job.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nominations open on November 10, the same day that the embattled Independent Election Commission is scheduled to release the results of last month's shambolic parliamentary poll.</p>

<p>Ghani, an ethnic Pashtun, will need more than the support of Afghanistan's largest ethnic group if he is to succeed at the ballot box and he has already started trying to win over rival ethnicities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Vice President Dostum's controversial return from exile in July was interpreted as an attempt by Ghani to secure votes from the minority group.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ghani's presidency has been marred by growing militant violence, record-high civilian casualties, political infighting and deepening ethnic divisions.</p>

<p>He took office in 2014 as US-led NATO combat troops withdrew from the country, sparking a resurgence in the Taliban which also coincided with the emergence of the Islamic State group in the region.</p>

<p>In February, under growing pressure from the international community which provides critical financial and military backing to the government, Ghani made a peace offer to the Taliban.</p>

<p>That was followed in June by an unprecedented ceasefire between Afghan troops and Taliban fighters that lasted three days and spurred hopes that peace was possible. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Taliban representatives have met with US officials at least twice in Qatar in recent months, most recently on October 12 with newly appointed US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.</p>


Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will seek re-election in 2019, his office announced Saturday, as potential rivals begin jockeying for the country's top job ahead of the ballot.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will seek re-election in 2019, his office announced Saturday, as potential rivals begin jockeying for the country's top job ahead of the ballot. Ghani, who was elected in a fraud-tainted poll in 2014 that was only resolved in a US-brokered power-sharing deal, is expected to present himself to war-weary voters as the candidate who can end the 17-year conflict. The acerbic academic, who has a reputation for shouting at subordinates and micromanaging the unity government, will try to capitalise on renewed US-led efforts to engage the Taliban in peace talks, which are showing tentative signs of bearing fruit. "I can confirm that President Ghani is seeking re-election next year," presidential palace spokesman Shah Hussain Murtazawi told AFP. Ghani, who chose the widely feared ethnic Uzbek leader Abdul Rashid Dostum as his first running mate in the 2014 election, has not yet announced who he will pick this time round. It also is not certain who will challenge Ghani in the April 20 ballot. Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan's equivalent of prime minister, and former national security adviser Mohammad Haneef Atmar, who quit in August, are among potential contenders. Former Balkh provincial governor Atta Mohammad Noor, whose refusal to stand down from his position sparked a months-long political crisis for Ghani, has previously expressed interest in the job. Nominations open on November 10, the same day that the embattled Independent Election Commission is scheduled to release the results of last month's shambolic parliamentary poll. Ghani, an ethnic Pashtun, will need more than the support of Afghanistan's largest ethnic group if he is to succeed at the ballot box and he has already started trying to win over rival ethnicities. Vice President Dostum's controversial return from exile in July was interpreted as an attempt by Ghani to secure votes from the minority group. Ghani's presidency has been marred by growing militant violence, record-high civilian casualties, political infighting and deepening ethnic divisions. He took office in 2014 as US-led NATO combat troops withdrew from the country, sparking a resurgence in the Taliban which also coincided with the emergence of the Islamic State group in the region. In February, under growing pressure from the international community which provides critical financial and military backing to the government, Ghani made a peace offer to the Taliban. That was followed in June by an unprecedented ceasefire between Afghan troops and Taliban fighters that lasted three days and spurred hopes that peace was possible. Taliban representatives have met with US officials at least twice in Qatar in recent months, most recently on October 12 with newly appointed US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.

Ghani to seek re-election in Afghan presidential poll: Official

<p>Yaound, Oct 7 (AFP) Cameroonians are voting in crunch presidential polls on Sunday, with octogenarian leader Paul Biya seeking a seventh term against a backdrop of unprecedented violence in the country's English-speaking regions.</p>

<p>The vote follows a last-minute opposition unity bid to dislodge the 85-year-old incumbent, one of Africa's longest-serving rulers.</p>

<p>Two leading opponents have formed the first electoral union since 1992, but talks between the array of other opposition parties to create a "super-coalition" to deny Biya another seven years were apparently fruitless.</p>

<p>In the Bastos public school in the capital Yaounde, where Biya will later cast his vote, voting was brisk throughout the morning.</p>

<p>"I feel proud," said Patrick, 38, an airport worker after voting. "I want the next president to consolidate what we have achieved in Cameroon. I want the elections to pass off peacefully, that's my only hope for the polls."</p>

<p>Voters in the queue were surrounded by a heavy security presence including members of the presidential guard, deployed ahead of Biya's arrival.</p>

<p>Cameroon's 6.5 million eligible voters are casting their ballots as violence rages in the anglophone southwest and northwest, which have been rocked by a separatist insurgency launched a year ago against the mainly francophone state.</p>

<p>The violence has claimed the lives of at least 420 civilians, 175 members of the security forces and an unknown number of separatists, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG) think-tank.</p>

<p>After voting got underway on Sunday, security forces shot dead three suspected separatists who had allegedly been firing at passersby from a motorcycle in Bamenda, the main city in the northwest region, a local official said.</p>

<p>And in Buea, capital of the southwest, three separatists of the so-called Ambazonia Republic were gunned down on Friday while a priest was executed by soldiers on Thursday, according to witnesses.</p>

<p>The far north is also mired in insecurity, as Nigeria-based Boko Haram fighters mount attacks despite efforts by the US to equip and train Cameroon's military to battle the jihadists.</p>

<p>In a rare coordinated political manoeuvre, a key opposition frontrunner, Maurice Kamto, agreed late Friday to a unity deal between his Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) and the People's Development Front (FDP), meaning he will stand for both parties.</p>

<p>It is the first tactical tie-up since John Fru Ndi stood as the sole opposition candidate in 1992 in polls that his supporters say he won, but allege were manipulated to hand victory to Biya.</p>

<p>However, it is unclear whether the eleventh-hour deal will sway the vote, which runs until 1700 GMT Sunday.</p>

<p>"This alliance, though interesting for the vitality of Cameroonian democracy, may have arrived too late," said Hans de Marie Heungoup, an ICG researcher.</p>

<p>Kamto's MRC has warned that a "massive fraud" is underway to secure a Biya win.</p>

<p>"We're not preparing for war, but wherever there is fraud, there will be a firm response," said MRC spokesman Paul-Eric Kingue.</p>

<p>But the government hit back, apparently in response to the MRC, saying that it would "not tolerate any disorder before, during or after the presidential vote".</p>

<p>The opposition has long accused the authorities of supporting Biya. But despite the ubiquity of Biya's posters, he has been virtually invisible during the campaign, except for a single event last weekend.</p>

<p>It is unclear if polling will proceed normally across Cameroon's English-speaking regions, where separatists hold a "significant" amount of territory, according to the ICG, and have threatened to disrupt the vote.</p>

<p>A team of election officials received a military escort as they travelled to the outskirts of Buea on Sunday, according to AFP journalists.</p>

<p>The government said it was possible there were "troublemakers" in the anglophone regions.</p>

<p>"But the vast majority of residents are ready and willing to vote," said Communication Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary.</p>

<p>Authorities have imposed a raft of security measured including a ban on inter-regional and sealing the borders.</p>

<p>A total of 246,000 people have fled their homes in the southwest and 25,000 have left the country altogether for Nigeria, according to UN figures.</p>

<p>It is thought that the displaced will struggle to cast ballots, which could favour Biya as anglophones have traditionally backed the Social Democratic Front (SDF) party of candidate Joshua Osih.</p>

<p>Results must be posted within 15 calendar days of the poll.&nbsp;</p>


Yaound, Oct 7 (AFP) Cameroonians are voting in crunch presidential polls on Sunday, with octogenarian leader Paul Biya seeking a seventh term against a backdrop of unprecedented violence in the country's English-speaking regions.

Yaound, Oct 7 (AFP) Cameroonians are voting in crunch presidential polls on Sunday, with octogenarian leader Paul Biya seeking a seventh term against a backdrop of unprecedented violence in the country's English-speaking regions. The vote follows a last-minute opposition unity bid to dislodge the 85-year-old incumbent, one of Africa's longest-serving rulers. Two leading opponents have formed the first electoral union since 1992, but talks between the array of other opposition parties to create a "super-coalition" to deny Biya another seven years were apparently fruitless. In the Bastos public school in the capital Yaounde, where Biya will later cast his vote, voting was brisk throughout the morning. "I feel proud," said Patrick, 38, an airport worker after voting. "I want the next president to consolidate what we have achieved in Cameroon. I want the elections to pass off peacefully, that's my only hope for the polls." Voters in the queue were surrounded by a heavy security presence including members of the presidential guard, deployed ahead of Biya's arrival. Cameroon's 6.5 million eligible voters are casting their ballots as violence rages in the anglophone southwest and northwest, which have been rocked by a separatist insurgency launched a year ago against the mainly francophone state. The violence has claimed the lives of at least 420 civilians, 175 members of the security forces and an unknown number of separatists, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG) think-tank. After voting got underway on Sunday, security forces shot dead three suspected separatists who had allegedly been firing at passersby from a motorcycle in Bamenda, the main city in the northwest region, a local official said. And in Buea, capital of the southwest, three separatists of the so-called Ambazonia Republic were gunned down on Friday while a priest was executed by soldiers on Thursday, according to witnesses. The far north is also mired in insecurity, as Nigeria-based Boko Haram fighters mount attacks despite efforts by the US to equip and train Cameroon's military to battle the jihadists. In a rare coordinated political manoeuvre, a key opposition frontrunner, Maurice Kamto, agreed late Friday to a unity deal between his Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) and the People's Development Front (FDP), meaning he will stand for both parties. It is the first tactical tie-up since John Fru Ndi stood as the sole opposition candidate in 1992 in polls that his supporters say he won, but allege were manipulated to hand victory to Biya. However, it is unclear whether the eleventh-hour deal will sway the vote, which runs until 1700 GMT Sunday. "This alliance, though interesting for the vitality of Cameroonian democracy, may have arrived too late," said Hans de Marie Heungoup, an ICG researcher. Kamto's MRC has warned that a "massive fraud" is underway to secure a Biya win. "We're not preparing for war, but wherever there is fraud, there will be a firm response," said MRC spokesman Paul-Eric Kingue. But the government hit back, apparently in response to the MRC, saying that it would "not tolerate any disorder before, during or after the presidential vote". The opposition has long accused the authorities of supporting Biya. But despite the ubiquity of Biya's posters, he has been virtually invisible during the campaign, except for a single event last weekend. It is unclear if polling will proceed normally across Cameroon's English-speaking regions, where separatists hold a "significant" amount of territory, according to the ICG, and have threatened to disrupt the vote. A team of election officials received a military escort as they travelled to the outskirts of Buea on Sunday, according to AFP journalists. The government said it was possible there were "troublemakers" in the anglophone regions. "But the vast majority of residents are ready and willing to vote," said Communication Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary. Authorities have imposed a raft of security measured including a ban on inter-regional and sealing the borders. A total of 246,000 people have fled their homes in the southwest and 25,000 have left the country altogether for Nigeria, according to UN figures. It is thought that the displaced will struggle to cast ballots, which could favour Biya as anglophones have traditionally backed the Social Democratic Front (SDF) party of candidate Joshua Osih. Results must be posted within 15 calendar days of the poll.

Cameroon votes in presidential polls as conflict rages

<p>Russia seems to have gone too far in its efforts to encourage Russians to vote in the upcoming Presidential elections. A picture of Russia regional deputy wife is doing the rounds on the internet. Yulia Dyatlova poses with a &quot;We&#39;re going to the polls&quot; banner along with eight other &#39;suggestively&#39;&nbsp;nude women.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The image has sparked media attention as well as condemnation from all across. In the picture, Yulia Dyatlova, the wife of Aleksandr Dyatlov -- who is a deputy with the United Russia party in a local assembly -- is seen surrounded by eight long-legged young women, apparently nude.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The image was posted online by an image-making agency owned by Dyatlova.</p>

<p>In a press release, Dyatlova shared that her husband is neither embarrassed nor jealous of her photoshoot. According to Dyatlova, the image represents Russian women and their diversity. The motto was to suggest that women from all walks of life will go out to poll this Sunday, others should follow in large numbers. &nbsp;</p>


The image was posted online by an image-making agency owned by Dyatlova.

Russia seems to have gone too far in its efforts to encourage Russians to vote in the upcoming Presidential elections. A picture of Russia regional deputy wife is doing the rounds on the internet. Yulia Dyatlova poses with a "We're going to the polls" banner along with eight other 'suggestively' nude women. The image has sparked media attention as well as condemnation from all across. In the picture, Yulia Dyatlova, the wife of Aleksandr Dyatlov -- who is a deputy with the United Russia party in a local assembly -- is seen surrounded by eight long-legged young women, apparently nude. × The image was posted online by an image-making agency owned by Dyatlova. In a press release, Dyatlova shared that her husband is neither embarrassed nor jealous of her photoshoot. According to Dyatlova, the image represents Russian women and their diversity. The motto was to suggest that women from all walks of life will go out to poll this Sunday, others should follow in large numbers.

Presidential polls: Russian deputy's wife 'suggestively' poses naked on banner

<p>Since the time Donald Trump started campaigning for presidential polls in the US in 2015, his diatribes have been in the news. And the most potent weapon at his disposal has been Twitter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trump&#39;s tweets have created controversies and sometimes led to worldwide trends. His critics and the US media has often accused Trump of lowering the stature of the President&#39;s office and often behaving in a manner which is unbecoming of a head of the state.</p>

<p>Though the list is long, here we pick up the top 10 controversial tweets from Donald Trump:</p>

<p>Through this Tweet on March 4, 2017, Trump accused his predecessor Obama of politically motivated surveillance of the Trump Tower, his business centre.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my &quot;wires tapped&quot; in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!</p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/837989835818287106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Through this much-criticised Tweet of February 17, 2017, the American President accused America&#39;s leading media houses of being the &quot;&euml;nemy of American people&quot;. All these media houses have been critical of the American President and his style of functioning.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The FAKE NEWS media (failing <a href="https://twitter.com/nytimes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nytimes</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBCNews</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ABC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ABC</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CBS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBS</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CNN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CNN</a>) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People!</p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/832708293516632065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>On May 31, 2017, midnight, the US president tweeted, &quot;Despite the constant negative press covfefe&quot; and nothing more. A few hours later the Tweet was deleted and followed with another, &quot;Who can figure out the true meaning of &#39;covfefe&#39; ??? Enjoy!&quot;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Who can figure out the true meaning of &quot;covfefe&quot; ??? Enjoy!</p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/869858333477523458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trump spokesman Sean Spicer later insisted that the president &quot;knew exactly what he meant.&quot;</p>

<p>This tweet came on February 4, 2017, hours after a federal judge in Washington state temporarily blocked enforcement of Trump&rsquo;s ban on entry to the United States for citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries and refugees from around the world.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">When a country is no longer able to say who can, and who cannot , come in &amp; out, especially for reasons of safety &amp;.security - big trouble!</p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/827864176043376640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>In this Tweet, Trump said illegal border crossings are &#39;way down&#39; and praised Homeland Security chief after February numbers dropped by 40%.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">General Kelly is doing a great job at the border. Numbers are way down. Many are not even trying to come in anymore.</p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/846166053663191040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In this Tweet dated, February 10, 2017, he threatened lawyers with taking them to court.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">SEE YOU IN COURT, THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE!</p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/829836231802515457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>On February 3, 2017, he threatened Iran while accusing his predecessor Obam of being too soft to the Islamic republic.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Iran is playing with fire - they don&#39;t appreciate how &quot;kind&quot; President Obama was to them. Not me!</p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/827478751931924480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>On February 1, 2017, he Tweeted this statement after the US administration members argued that the travel ban was not a ban.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Everybody is arguing whether or not it is a BAN. Call it what you want, it is about keeping bad people (with bad intentions) out of country!</p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/826774668245946368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>On November 12, 2017, in the above Tweet, Trump called the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un &quot;Short and fat&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me &quot;old,&quot; when I would NEVER call him &quot;short and fat?&quot; Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen!</p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/929511061954297857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p><br />
President Donald Trump told The Wall Street Journal that Mexico could end up paying for his proposed border wall &quot;indirectly.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mexico will pay for the wall!</p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/771294347501461504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
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US media has often accused Trump of lowering the stature of the President's office

Since the time Donald Trump started campaigning for presidential polls in the US in 2015, his diatribes have been in the news. And the most potent weapon at his disposal has been Twitter. Trump's tweets have created controversies and sometimes led to worldwide trends. His critics and the US media has often accused Trump of lowering the stature of the President's office and often behaving in a manner which is unbecoming of a head of the state. Though the list is long, here we pick up the top 10 controversial tweets from Donald Trump: Through this Tweet on March 4, 2017, Trump accused his predecessor Obama of politically motivated surveillance of the Trump Tower, his business centre. Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my "wires tapped" in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017 × Through this much-criticised Tweet of February 17, 2017, the American President accused America's leading media houses of being the "ënemy of American people". All these media houses have been critical of the American President and his style of functioning. The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 17, 2017 × On May 31, 2017, midnight, the US president tweeted, "Despite the constant negative press covfefe" and nothing more. A few hours later the Tweet was deleted and followed with another, "Who can figure out the true meaning of 'covfefe' ??? Enjoy!" Who can figure out the true meaning of "covfefe" ??? Enjoy! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2017 × Trump spokesman Sean Spicer later insisted that the president "knew exactly what he meant." This tweet came on February 4, 2017, hours after a federal judge in Washington state temporarily blocked enforcement of Trump’s ban on entry to the United States for citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries and refugees from around the world. When a country is no longer able to say who can, and who cannot , come in & out, especially for reasons of safety &.security - big trouble! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2017 × In this Tweet, Trump said illegal border crossings are 'way down' and praised Homeland Security chief after February numbers dropped by 40%. General Kelly is doing a great job at the border. Numbers are way down. Many are not even trying to come in anymore. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 27, 2017 × In this Tweet dated, February 10, 2017, he threatened lawyers with taking them to court. SEE YOU IN COURT, THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2017 × On February 3, 2017, he threatened Iran while accusing his predecessor Obam of being too soft to the Islamic republic. Iran is playing with fire - they don't appreciate how "kind" President Obama was to them. Not me! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2017 × On February 1, 2017, he Tweeted this statement after the US administration members argued that the travel ban was not a ban. Everybody is arguing whether or not it is a BAN. Call it what you want, it is about keeping bad people (with bad intentions) out of country! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 1, 2017 × On November 12, 2017, in the above Tweet, Trump called the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un "Short and fat". Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me "old," when I would NEVER call him "short and fat?" Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2017 × President Donald Trump told The Wall Street Journal that Mexico could end up paying for his proposed border wall "indirectly." Mexico will pay for the wall! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2016 ×

Top-10 Trump tweets which shook the world

<p>Describing the presidential elections as the opposition&#39;s fight against a &quot;narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision&quot;, Congress president Sonia Gandhi Sunday said the polls election tomorrow demand a &quot;vote of conscience&quot;.</p>

<p>The Congress president was addressing a gathering of opposition parties in the Indian capital New Delhi where its presidential and vice presidential nominees, Meira Kumar and Gopal Krishna Gandhi were formally introduced.</p>

<p>&quot;We know Meira Kumar as the former speaker. But many had not met Gopal Gandhi. It was a sort of formal introduction with them,&quot; said CPI-M&#39;s Sitaram Yechury.</p>

<p>The vice presidential poll will be held on August 5.</p>

<p>&quot;We must have confidence in the values we believe in. This election represents a clash of ideas, a conflict of disparate values. The election demands a vote of conscience to preserve the India that the Mahatma and the illustrious generation of freedom fighters, joined by thousands upon the numbers of ordinary men and women, fought for,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>&quot;We cannot and must not let India be hostage to those who wish to impose upon it a narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision,&quot; Sonia Gandhi said.</p>

<p>The UPA chairperson said the numbers may be stacked against them, but &quot;the battle must be fought and fought hard&quot;.</p>

<p>She said that the presence of representatives from various political parties to support Meira Kumar and Gopal Gandhi&#39;s candidature showed that the fight for &quot;an inclusive, tolerant and pluralistic India is being truly waged&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;We must stand more aware than ever of who we are, what we fought for in our Independence struggle and what future we want for ourselves.&quot; She said the presence of representatives from different parties to support Kumar and Gopal Gandhi confirms that &quot;the fight for an inclusive, tolerant and pluralistic India is being truly waged,&quot; said the Congress president.</p>

<p>Sonia Gandhi said Meira Kumar and Gopal Gandhi had distinguished themselves throughout their long careers with tremendous dignity and commitment.</p>

<p>&quot;Through their work and their lives they have also advocated those very values and principles that have defined and guided India for the last 70 years,&quot; she told the gathering.</p>

<p>Bihar&#39;s ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U), which has broken ranks with its ally Congress and is supporting the BJP-led NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind, stayed away from the Opposition meeting.</p>

<p>&quot;I don&#39;t think it is correct for our party to attend the meeting. I myself met Gopal Krishna Gandhi, the Opposition&#39;s vice-Presidential candidate and conveyed to him that, in the wake of the current situation it won&#39;t be good for us to attend a meeting called by Opposition. Our relation with Meira Kumar is very old and she will also be there. It won`t look good on our part to go there,&quot; JD(U) leader Sharad Kumar said.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Sonia Gandhi was addressing a gathering of opposition parties in New Delhi

Describing the presidential elections as the opposition's fight against a "narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision", Congress president Sonia Gandhi Sunday said the polls election tomorrow demand a "vote of conscience". The Congress president was addressing a gathering of opposition parties in the Indian capital New Delhi where its presidential and vice presidential nominees, Meira Kumar and Gopal Krishna Gandhi were formally introduced. "We know Meira Kumar as the former speaker. But many had not met Gopal Gandhi. It was a sort of formal introduction with them," said CPI-M's Sitaram Yechury. The vice presidential poll will be held on August 5. "We must have confidence in the values we believe in. This election represents a clash of ideas, a conflict of disparate values. The election demands a vote of conscience to preserve the India that the Mahatma and the illustrious generation of freedom fighters, joined by thousands upon the numbers of ordinary men and women, fought for," she said. "We cannot and must not let India be hostage to those who wish to impose upon it a narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision," Sonia Gandhi said. The UPA chairperson said the numbers may be stacked against them, but "the battle must be fought and fought hard". She said that the presence of representatives from various political parties to support Meira Kumar and Gopal Gandhi's candidature showed that the fight for "an inclusive, tolerant and pluralistic India is being truly waged". "We must stand more aware than ever of who we are, what we fought for in our Independence struggle and what future we want for ourselves." She said the presence of representatives from different parties to support Kumar and Gopal Gandhi confirms that "the fight for an inclusive, tolerant and pluralistic India is being truly waged," said the Congress president. Sonia Gandhi said Meira Kumar and Gopal Gandhi had distinguished themselves throughout their long careers with tremendous dignity and commitment. "Through their work and their lives they have also advocated those very values and principles that have defined and guided India for the last 70 years," she told the gathering. Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U), which has broken ranks with its ally Congress and is supporting the BJP-led NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind, stayed away from the Opposition meeting. "I don't think it is correct for our party to attend the meeting. I myself met Gopal Krishna Gandhi, the Opposition's vice-Presidential candidate and conveyed to him that, in the wake of the current situation it won't be good for us to attend a meeting called by Opposition. Our relation with Meira Kumar is very old and she will also be there. It won`t look good on our part to go there," JD(U) leader Sharad Kumar said.

Presidential polls fight against narrow minded, communal vision: Sonia Gandhi

<p>The Indian Parliament&#39;s Monsoon Session commences&nbsp;today (July 17),&nbsp;the same day that Members of Parliament cast their vote to elect&nbsp;the President.</p>

<p>Both Houses of Parliament, the&nbsp;Lok Sabha and&nbsp;the Rajya Sabha will be adjourned today because of the death of sitting members.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 19-day Session is expected to be stormy with the Opposition likely to corner the government over key issues including the stand-off with China in Doklam, the killing of Hindu pilgrims in the terrorist attack in Amarnath, farmer suicides in Madhya Pradesh, the roll-out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and the communal violence in West Bengal.</p>

<p>On Sunday the Speaker held an all-party meet to iron out differences between government and opposition parties.</p>

<p>She said all political parties had assured a peaceful and constructive Session and said they would discuss several issues.</p>

<p>&quot;I want this Parliament session to be fruitful. All political parties have assured me that they will help in conducting a peaceful parliament session. All political parties have urged that they want to hold fruitful discussions on various issues including the issues of the farmers,&quot; the Speaker said.</p>

<p>In an address to party leaders of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked all political parties to support the government in conducting business in both Houses of the Parliament without disruption and in constructive discussion on issues of national importance.</p>

<p>The prime minister also said it would have been good had a consensus been reached on the presidential candidate ahead of the presidential poll.</p>

<p>On July 14 and July 15, the government briefed leaders of Opposition parties about the month-old stand-off with China and the situation in Kashmir in the aftermath of the killing of the seven Amarnath pilgrims.</p>

<p>The Opposition was informed about the situation on the ground in Doklam and what the government intended to do to de-escalate the tension in the disputed area. It assured them the issue will be resolved diplomatically.</p>

<p>The Opposition, that includes the Congress, CPI-M, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Nationalist Congress Psarty, BSP, Janata Dal-United, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and DMK, is likely to ask for a debate on the matter but may not be very aggressive.</p>

<p>Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said in advance that GST roll-out will be raised during the session since the law in its present form is not the law that was originally drafted by his party, the Congress said on Sunday.</p>

<p>CPI-M leader Mohammad Salim said on Sunday that his party will raise the issues of cross border tensions with India and Pakistan, mob lynching by cow vigilantes, and the agrarian crisis.</p>

<p>The Trinamool Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal are likely to highlight the alleged targetting of Opposition leaders by central agencies like the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate.</p>

<p>The Monsoon Session concludes on August 11.</p>


The 19-day Session is expected to be stormy with the Opposition likely to corner the government over the stand-off with China in Doklam, the killing of Hindu pilgrims in the terrorist attack in Amarnath, farmer suicides in Madhya Pradesh, and the roll-out of the GST

The Indian Parliament's Monsoon Session commences today (July 17), the same day that Members of Parliament cast their vote to elect the President. Both Houses of Parliament, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha will be adjourned today because of the death of sitting members. The 19-day Session is expected to be stormy with the Opposition likely to corner the government over key issues including the stand-off with China in Doklam, the killing of Hindu pilgrims in the terrorist attack in Amarnath, farmer suicides in Madhya Pradesh, the roll-out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and the communal violence in West Bengal. On Sunday the Speaker held an all-party meet to iron out differences between government and opposition parties. She said all political parties had assured a peaceful and constructive Session and said they would discuss several issues. "I want this Parliament session to be fruitful. All political parties have assured me that they will help in conducting a peaceful parliament session. All political parties have urged that they want to hold fruitful discussions on various issues including the issues of the farmers," the Speaker said. In an address to party leaders of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked all political parties to support the government in conducting business in both Houses of the Parliament without disruption and in constructive discussion on issues of national importance. The prime minister also said it would have been good had a consensus been reached on the presidential candidate ahead of the presidential poll. On July 14 and July 15, the government briefed leaders of Opposition parties about the month-old stand-off with China and the situation in Kashmir in the aftermath of the killing of the seven Amarnath pilgrims. The Opposition was informed about the situation on the ground in Doklam and what the government intended to do to de-escalate the tension in the disputed area. It assured them the issue will be resolved diplomatically. The Opposition, that includes the Congress, CPI-M, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Nationalist Congress Psarty, BSP, Janata Dal-United, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and DMK, is likely to ask for a debate on the matter but may not be very aggressive. Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said in advance that GST roll-out will be raised during the session since the law in its present form is not the law that was originally drafted by his party, the Congress said on Sunday. CPI-M leader Mohammad Salim said on Sunday that his party will raise the issues of cross border tensions with India and Pakistan, mob lynching by cow vigilantes, and the agrarian crisis. The Trinamool Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal are likely to highlight the alleged targetting of Opposition leaders by central agencies like the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate. The Monsoon Session concludes on August 11.

Parliament's Monsoon Session begins today: What to expect

<p>Ram Nath Kovind has filed his nomination papers for the Presidential polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He did so in the presence of Prime Minister Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, and a phalanx of other leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I am thankful to all those who have supported me, will try to maintain the dignity of the post,&quot; Kovind said after filing his nomination papers.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="et"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a>:Visuals of NDA&#39;s presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, PM Modi,Venkaiah Naidu,LK Advani,Amit Shah,Murli Manohar Joshi at Parliament <a href="https://t.co/W7gMuNnTq3">pic.twitter.com/W7gMuNnTq3</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/878144034304163840">June 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PresidentialPoll?src=hash">#PresidentialPoll</a> polls: NDA&#39;s presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind files his nomination papers in presence of PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/GdVigAEHdk">pic.twitter.com/GdVigAEHdk</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/878143128099725312">June 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Media reports said the prime minister was first proposer on Mr Kovind&#39;s nomination and union&nbsp;home minister Rajnath Singh second. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has broken ranks with the Opposition, pledging support to Mr Kovind.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The picking of Mr Kovind as NDA candidate had stunned the Opposition, with a number of them saying it would be difficult to oppose a Dali. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress and Opposition have picked former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar, who is also a Dalit, to contest against Mr Kovind.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am happy that I was unanimously selected as Opposition&#39;s Presidential nominee by 17 political parties: Meira Kumar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PresidentialPolls?src=hash">#PresidentialPolls</a> <a href="https://t.co/euOjuXENuG">pic.twitter.com/euOjuXENuG</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/878147414787358720">June 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>This then becomes a Dalit vs Dalit battle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the National Democratic Alliance now has over 60 per cent of the vote and Mr Kovind is expected to sail through.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ms Kumar is expected to file her nomination papers in a few days.&nbsp;</p>


Reports said the prime minister was first proposer on Mr Kovind's nomination and home minister Rajnath Singh second

Ram Nath Kovind has filed his nomination papers for the Presidential polls. He did so in the presence of Prime Minister Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, and a phalanx of other leaders. "I am thankful to all those who have supported me, will try to maintain the dignity of the post," Kovind said after filing his nomination papers. #WATCH:Visuals of NDA's presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, PM Modi,Venkaiah Naidu,LK Advani,Amit Shah,Murli Manohar Joshi at Parliament pic.twitter.com/W7gMuNnTq3 — ANI (@ANI_news) June 23, 2017 × #PresidentialPoll polls: NDA's presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind files his nomination papers in presence of PM Modi pic.twitter.com/GdVigAEHdk — ANI (@ANI_news) June 23, 2017 × Media reports said the prime minister was first proposer on Mr Kovind's nomination and union home minister Rajnath Singh second. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has broken ranks with the Opposition, pledging support to Mr Kovind. The picking of Mr Kovind as NDA candidate had stunned the Opposition, with a number of them saying it would be difficult to oppose a Dali. The Congress and Opposition have picked former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar, who is also a Dalit, to contest against Mr Kovind. I am happy that I was unanimously selected as Opposition's Presidential nominee by 17 political parties: Meira Kumar #PresidentialPolls pic.twitter.com/euOjuXENuG — ANI (@ANI_news) June 23, 2017 × This then becomes a Dalit vs Dalit battle. But the National Democratic Alliance now has over 60 per cent of the vote and Mr Kovind is expected to sail through. Ms Kumar is expected to file her nomination papers in a few days.

Presidential polls: Ram Nath Kovind files nomination papers, in presence of PM

<p>By <strong>Ankit Saproo</strong></p>

<p>The opposition has picked former Lok Sabha Speaker and Congress party leader Meira Kumar as its presidential nominee to take on the NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind in next month&#39;s presidential polls.</p>

<p>Rejecting the likes of Gopalkrishna Gandhi and Prakash Ambedkar, the opposition rallied behind Meira Kumar to take on Kovind dealing a blow to the ruling party&#39;s efforts to create a consensus around its presidential nominee. But the cracks in the opposition camp were visible even before the meeting began as one of the key members, Nitish Kumar of the JD(U), sided with the BJP on the choice of presidential candidate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Another key opposition figure, BSP&#39;s Mayawati, has decided to back Meira Kumar in what should be a relief for the opposition camp as she had expressed that in the event the opposition does not come &nbsp;up with a better Dalit candidate, she would go with the BJP&#39;s choice Kovind, a Dalit.</p>

<p>By putting up Meira Kumar as a joint opposition figure, the opposition wants to give the ruling party a tough fight even if the numbers are stacked against them.</p>

<p>Meira Kumar, who is the daughter of former deputy Prime Minister and senior Dalit leader Jagjivan Ram, served as the Lok Sabha Speaker in the second UPA regime. She was elected as Speaker by the entire House unanimously. She was famous for her polite interventions during the tumultuous proceedings and was known for her poise.</p>

<p>She quit Indian Foreign Service to join politics and contested for the first time against political heavyweights like Mayawati and Ram Vilas Paswan in 1985. She won the elections and became a member of parliament from Uttar Pradesh&#39;s Bijnore.</p>

<p>By nominating Meira Kumar, the opposition has made the presidential fight next month a matter of competitive Dalit politics.</p>

<p>Apart from JD(U), other regional parties like the BJD and YSR Congress have also extended support to Kovind. Political observers are saying that Kovind&#39;s victory is not a question of &#39;if he will win&#39; but &#39;by what margin&nbsp;will he win?&#39;</p>

<p>Whether more opposition parties will switch loyalities is someting to watch out for but by pitting Meira Kumar against Ram Nath Kovind, the Presidential polls will be a battle between two Dalit candidates in a larger fight to win the Dalit vote bank which holds the key to 2019 Lok Sabha polls.<br />
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The opposition camp received its biggest blow in the form of Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) deciding to support the NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind

By Ankit Saproo The opposition has picked former Lok Sabha Speaker and Congress party leader Meira Kumar as its presidential nominee to take on the NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind in next month's presidential polls. Rejecting the likes of Gopalkrishna Gandhi and Prakash Ambedkar, the opposition rallied behind Meira Kumar to take on Kovind dealing a blow to the ruling party's efforts to create a consensus around its presidential nominee. But the cracks in the opposition camp were visible even before the meeting began as one of the key members, Nitish Kumar of the JD(U), sided with the BJP on the choice of presidential candidate. Another key opposition figure, BSP's Mayawati, has decided to back Meira Kumar in what should be a relief for the opposition camp as she had expressed that in the event the opposition does not come up with a better Dalit candidate, she would go with the BJP's choice Kovind, a Dalit. By putting up Meira Kumar as a joint opposition figure, the opposition wants to give the ruling party a tough fight even if the numbers are stacked against them. Meira Kumar, who is the daughter of former deputy Prime Minister and senior Dalit leader Jagjivan Ram, served as the Lok Sabha Speaker in the second UPA regime. She was elected as Speaker by the entire House unanimously. She was famous for her polite interventions during the tumultuous proceedings and was known for her poise. She quit Indian Foreign Service to join politics and contested for the first time against political heavyweights like Mayawati and Ram Vilas Paswan in 1985. She won the elections and became a member of parliament from Uttar Pradesh's Bijnore. By nominating Meira Kumar, the opposition has made the presidential fight next month a matter of competitive Dalit politics. Apart from JD(U), other regional parties like the BJD and YSR Congress have also extended support to Kovind. Political observers are saying that Kovind's victory is not a question of 'if he will win' but 'by what margin will he win?' Whether more opposition parties will switch loyalities is someting to watch out for but by pitting Meira Kumar against Ram Nath Kovind, the Presidential polls will be a battle between two Dalit candidates in a larger fight to win the Dalit vote bank which holds the key to 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Presidential Polls: Meira Kumar is opposition's answer to NDA's Ram Nath Kovind

<p>The Shiv Sena, a key constituent of the BJP-led coalition, on Tuesday said it would back the BJP&#39;s presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind, saying he is a &quot;simple and decent human being.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;After holding discussions with our party leaders, we have decided to back the NDA presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind. After our support, I do not think it will be difficult for the BJP to get him elected,&quot; Thackeray told reporters at his residence &#39;Matoshree&#39; in suburban Bandra this evening.</p>

<p>When asked what made him agree to back Kovind, the Sena chief said, &quot;We have studied his personality and found him to be a very simple and a decent human being. Thus, we decided to go ahead with his name.&quot;</p>

<p>Questioning the BJP&#39;s motive behind Kovind&#39;s nomination, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had yesterday said his party would not back the former Bihar Governor in case&nbsp;his candidature was aimed at garnering Dalit votes.</p>

<p>Uddhav Thackeray had said that &quot;there are attempts being made to play politics over a Dalit presidential candidate.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
If that is so, we are not interested in backing him.&quot;</p>

<p>The Sena&#39;s verbal support for Kovind is a departure from its previous practice of supported UPA nominees in presidential elections after ditching the BJP.</p>

<p>The party had supported the UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee in the 2012 presidential polls against the NDA&#39;s PA Sangma. In 2007, it backed Pratibha Patil instead of NDA candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.</p>

<p>BJP president Amit Shah had visited Uddhav Thackeray at his residence on Sunday. The Shiv Sena president revealed that Amit Shah had sought the party&#39;s support for their candidate, though his name was not declared then.</p>

<p>&quot;In turn, I suggested him two names which he said the BJP will consider. After the BJP announced the presidential candidate, Shah once again called me and told me that the names which I had suggested were considered, but that they (BJP) had their reasons for not making them the BJP candidate,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Sena had earlier proposed the names of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and veteran agriculturist M S Swaminathan.</p>

<p>Asked if the Shiv Sena would support the opposition parties if they fielded a Dalit candidate, Uddhav Thackeray said his stand will not change now.</p>

<p>&quot;It is not necessary that Sena will always oppose the BJP,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>When asked if Sena will back opposition parties if they announced the name of either Bhagwat or Swaminathan, Thackeray said, &quot;I had announced names of Mohan Bhagwat and Swaminathan a week back. Had they wanted my support, they would have declared one of the names till now. But time has passed now and I will not change my decision.&quot;</p>

<p>Uddhav Thackeray had said the Sena had proposed Bhagwat&#39;s name, keeping in mind the concept of &#39;Hindurashtra&#39; (Hindu nation).</p>

<p>Bhagwat, however, didn&#39;t show any interest whereas Swaminathan chose not to react.</p>

<p>In the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, the BJP has the support of 122 MLAs and claims to have the support of some more legislators.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Shiv Sena has 63 MLAs. There are 67 members from Maharashtra in Parliament - 48 in the Lok Sabha and 19 in the Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p>The BJP-led NDA&nbsp;has a total of 52 MPs. The Shiv Sena has 21 MPs - 18 in the Lok Sabha and three&nbsp;in the Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p>The BJP has 23 members in the Lok Sabha and five&nbsp;members in Rajya Sabha from the state, that corresponds to a total value of 19,824 votes.</p>

<p>The Congress-led UPA has 15 MPs from the state in both the houses of Parliament. The total value of MP votes of the UPA is 10,620.</p>

<p>Shiv Sena had yesterday said that the party was ready to face the mid-term polls in Maharashtra.</p>

<p>&quot;Hold mid-term polls if you want, we are ready... Shivsainik is not just a burning ember, but will rise like a forest fire,&quot; he had said.</p>

<p><br />
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The Shiv Sena said the former Bihar Governor was a 'simple and decent human being'

The Shiv Sena, a key constituent of the BJP-led coalition, on Tuesday said it would back the BJP's presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind, saying he is a "simple and decent human being." "After holding discussions with our party leaders, we have decided to back the NDA presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind. After our support, I do not think it will be difficult for the BJP to get him elected," Thackeray told reporters at his residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra this evening. When asked what made him agree to back Kovind, the Sena chief said, "We have studied his personality and found him to be a very simple and a decent human being. Thus, we decided to go ahead with his name." Questioning the BJP's motive behind Kovind's nomination, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had yesterday said his party would not back the former Bihar Governor in case his candidature was aimed at garnering Dalit votes. Uddhav Thackeray had said that "there are attempts being made to play politics over a Dalit presidential candidate. If that is so, we are not interested in backing him." The Sena's verbal support for Kovind is a departure from its previous practice of supported UPA nominees in presidential elections after ditching the BJP. The party had supported the UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee in the 2012 presidential polls against the NDA's PA Sangma. In 2007, it backed Pratibha Patil instead of NDA candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. BJP president Amit Shah had visited Uddhav Thackeray at his residence on Sunday. The Shiv Sena president revealed that Amit Shah had sought the party's support for their candidate, though his name was not declared then. "In turn, I suggested him two names which he said the BJP will consider. After the BJP announced the presidential candidate, Shah once again called me and told me that the names which I had suggested were considered, but that they (BJP) had their reasons for not making them the BJP candidate," he said. Sena had earlier proposed the names of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and veteran agriculturist M S Swaminathan. Asked if the Shiv Sena would support the opposition parties if they fielded a Dalit candidate, Uddhav Thackeray said his stand will not change now. "It is not necessary that Sena will always oppose the BJP," he said. When asked if Sena will back opposition parties if they announced the name of either Bhagwat or Swaminathan, Thackeray said, "I had announced names of Mohan Bhagwat and Swaminathan a week back. Had they wanted my support, they would have declared one of the names till now. But time has passed now and I will not change my decision." Uddhav Thackeray had said the Sena had proposed Bhagwat's name, keeping in mind the concept of 'Hindurashtra' (Hindu nation). Bhagwat, however, didn't show any interest whereas Swaminathan chose not to react. In the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, the BJP has the support of 122 MLAs and claims to have the support of some more legislators. The Shiv Sena has 63 MLAs. There are 67 members from Maharashtra in Parliament - 48 in the Lok Sabha and 19 in the Rajya Sabha. The BJP-led NDA has a total of 52 MPs. The Shiv Sena has 21 MPs - 18 in the Lok Sabha and three in the Rajya Sabha. The BJP has 23 members in the Lok Sabha and five members in Rajya Sabha from the state, that corresponds to a total value of 19,824 votes. The Congress-led UPA has 15 MPs from the state in both the houses of Parliament. The total value of MP votes of the UPA is 10,620. Shiv Sena had yesterday said that the party was ready to face the mid-term polls in Maharashtra. "Hold mid-term polls if you want, we are ready... Shivsainik is not just a burning ember, but will rise like a forest fire," he had said.

Shiv Sena backs Kovind as NDA's presidential pick

<p><strong>By Ankit Saproo</strong></p>

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, president of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, surprised everyone when the BJP parliamentary board, in a meeting today, announced the name of Bihar&#39;s Governor Ram Nath Kovind as their pick for the Presidential elections slated to be held next month.</p>

<p>There were speculations&nbsp;that the BJP could choose from&nbsp;probables&nbsp;like external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu as its presidential nominee. But putting all those rumours to rest, the parliamentary board meeting, headed by Prime Minister Modi, stamped its approval on someone who not many may&nbsp;know about but has risen through the party&#39;s rank and also headed BJP&#39;s Dalit Morcha from 1998 to 2002.</p>

<p>Ram Nath Kovind, a&nbsp;Dalit leader (Dalit is a term used for referring to the most marginalised community and figures lowest within the Hindu caste hierarchy), is a farmer&#39;s son and comes from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. He came to Delhi and practised as a lawyer. Before joining the BJP, he worked as the private secretary of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kovind was twice elected to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of the Parliament) in 1994 and again in 2000 from Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>If elected, Ram Nath Kovind will be the second president of India from a Dalit community&nbsp;after K R Narayanan and&nbsp;would also be the first full-time President from India&#39;s most populous state of Uttar Pradesh. Although&nbsp;Zakir Husain, the third President of India, was a prominent political face from the state of Uttar Pradesh, he was born in Hydearbad.</p>

<p>When Narendra Modi-led BJP government sent him to Bihar in 2015 as the Governor ahead of the assembly elections, the idea was to tap into the Dalit votes which were crucial to win the elections. The elections, however, went in favour of the JD(U) and RJD who cobbled an alliance to form the government in Bihar.</p>

<p>Kovind, whose association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is well known, is being seen as someone who could further boost the BJP-RSS combine&#39;s idea of uniting the wider Hindu Samaj (community). This could help improve BJP&#39;s prospects in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections which are just two years away.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Moreover, it would be difficult for the opposition led by the Congress party to oppose a Dalit face for the country&#39;s top job.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With the support of many regional parties including Telangana Rashtra Samiti and YSR Congress, the BJP is confident of forming a consensus around Ram Nath Kovind as the republic&#39;s next President.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Ram Nath Kovind, who is currently the Governor of Bihar, was chosen as BJP's presidential nominee today

By Ankit Saproo Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, president of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, surprised everyone when the BJP parliamentary board, in a meeting today, announced the name of Bihar's Governor Ram Nath Kovind as their pick for the Presidential elections slated to be held next month. There were speculations that the BJP could choose from probables like external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu as its presidential nominee. But putting all those rumours to rest, the parliamentary board meeting, headed by Prime Minister Modi, stamped its approval on someone who not many may know about but has risen through the party's rank and also headed BJP's Dalit Morcha from 1998 to 2002. Ram Nath Kovind, a Dalit leader (Dalit is a term used for referring to the most marginalised community and figures lowest within the Hindu caste hierarchy), is a farmer's son and comes from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. He came to Delhi and practised as a lawyer. Before joining the BJP, he worked as the private secretary of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai. Kovind was twice elected to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of the Parliament) in 1994 and again in 2000 from Uttar Pradesh. If elected, Ram Nath Kovind will be the second president of India from a Dalit community after K R Narayanan and would also be the first full-time President from India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh. Although Zakir Husain, the third President of India, was a prominent political face from the state of Uttar Pradesh, he was born in Hydearbad. When Narendra Modi-led BJP government sent him to Bihar in 2015 as the Governor ahead of the assembly elections, the idea was to tap into the Dalit votes which were crucial to win the elections. The elections, however, went in favour of the JD(U) and RJD who cobbled an alliance to form the government in Bihar. Kovind, whose association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is well known, is being seen as someone who could further boost the BJP-RSS combine's idea of uniting the wider Hindu Samaj (community). This could help improve BJP's prospects in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections which are just two years away. Moreover, it would be difficult for the opposition led by the Congress party to oppose a Dalit face for the country's top job. With the support of many regional parties including Telangana Rashtra Samiti and YSR Congress, the BJP is confident of forming a consensus around Ram Nath Kovind as the republic's next President.

Ram Nath Kovind: BJP's Dalit face for Presidential polls could be the first UP-born President

<p>Stumped by Modi-Shah&#39;s presidential choice as&nbsp;BJP announced the name of UP-born Ram Nath Kovind, the opposition led by BSP chief&nbsp;Mayawati was quick to react, insisting she does not agree with the politics from which&nbsp;Kovind comes referring to his &#39;RSS credentials&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>BSP chief Mayawati said that it would have been better if the BJP had announced a Dalit face from a non-political background while taking on the ruling party at the Centre.</p>

<p>On extending support to Kovind, she said that it would depend upon the opposition&#39;s choice of candidate.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are also of the opinion that it would have been better if NDA had named some non political Dalit person as President nominee:Mayawati</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/876762221941989380">June 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Despite expressing her support for National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Presidential nominee Bihar Governor Ramnath Kovind, Bahujan Samaj Party Chief Mayawati on Monday said the Centre should have taken all Opposition parties in &#39;good faith&#39; (WION)</p>
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<p>Sitaram Yechury, CPM&nbsp;general secretary&nbsp;said that Ram Nath Kovind headed the Dalit wing of the RSS and by announcing his name, the BJP has made the presidential election a political fight.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamNathKovind?src=hash">#RamNathKovind</a> ji RSS ke Dalit sakha ke pramukh thay, wo ek rajneeti hua na. Ye seedhi seedhi rajneetik takrao hai: Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) <a href="https://t.co/UNccsWOUrV">pic.twitter.com/UNccsWOUrV</a></p>
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<p>Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the BJP members had told them&nbsp;that they&nbsp;would inform the name&nbsp;of the candidate before announcing the name&nbsp;but they failed to do it.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP leaders when they met us said will inform you before any announcement for a consensus,but they informed after decision:GN Azad,Cong</p>
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<p>West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee focused on the political background of Ram Nath Kovind tweeting: &quot;There are other big Dalit leaders in India. He( #RamNathKovind) was the leader of the Dalit morcha of the BJP, so they have made him a&nbsp;candidate.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">There are other big Dalit leaders in India. He( <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamNathKovind?src=hash">#RamNathKovind</a>) was leader of Dalit Morcha of BJP, so they have made him candidate: WB CM</p>
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<p>Bihar&nbsp;chief minister Nitish Kumar, who met the Bihar governor after his name was announced by the BJP parliamentary board meeting, said that it was a &quot;matter of happiness&quot; for him. On supporting Kovind, the Bihar chief minister was clearly evasive saying &quot;it is too early to comment&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Matter of happiness for me personally. As far as support is concerned, can&#39;t say anything right now. it is too early to say: Nitish Kumar. <a href="https://t.co/EmccQ2krPl">pic.twitter.com/EmccQ2krPl</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/876754665102229504">June 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>BJP&#39;s ally and NDA constituent Shiv Sena, which has been at loggerheads with the BJP in Maharashtra, said that the party will decide on the issue in a few days. Uddhav Thackeray said that if someone is trying to make a Dalit a President with the purpose of gaining a vote bank then the party will not support such a decision.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If someone is trying to make a Dalit a President with the purpose of gaining a vote bank then we are not with them: Uddhav Thackeray <a href="https://t.co/rFk8M7o0gy">pic.twitter.com/rFk8M7o0gy</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/876805590185525249">June 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The opposition was stumped by the choice of BJP's Presidential candidate

Stumped by Modi-Shah's presidential choice as BJP announced the name of UP-born Ram Nath Kovind, the opposition led by BSP chief Mayawati was quick to react, insisting she does not agree with the politics from which Kovind comes referring to his 'RSS credentials'. BSP chief Mayawati said that it would have been better if the BJP had announced a Dalit face from a non-political background while taking on the ruling party at the Centre. On extending support to Kovind, she said that it would depend upon the opposition's choice of candidate. We are also of the opinion that it would have been better if NDA had named some non political Dalit person as President nominee:Mayawati — ANI (@ANI_news) June 19, 2017 × Despite expressing her support for National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Presidential nominee Bihar Governor Ramnath Kovind, Bahujan Samaj Party Chief Mayawati on Monday said the Centre should have taken all Opposition parties in 'good faith' (WION) × Sitaram Yechury, CPM general secretary said that Ram Nath Kovind headed the Dalit wing of the RSS and by announcing his name, the BJP has made the presidential election a political fight. #RamNathKovind ji RSS ke Dalit sakha ke pramukh thay, wo ek rajneeti hua na. Ye seedhi seedhi rajneetik takrao hai: Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) pic.twitter.com/UNccsWOUrV — ANI (@ANI_news) June 19, 2017 × Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the BJP members had told them that they would inform the name of the candidate before announcing the name but they failed to do it. BJP leaders when they met us said will inform you before any announcement for a consensus,but they informed after decision:GN Azad,Cong — ANI (@ANI_news) June 19, 2017 × West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee focused on the political background of Ram Nath Kovind tweeting: "There are other big Dalit leaders in India. He( #RamNathKovind) was the leader of the Dalit morcha of the BJP, so they have made him a candidate." There are other big Dalit leaders in India. He( #RamNathKovind) was leader of Dalit Morcha of BJP, so they have made him candidate: WB CM — ANI (@ANI_news) June 19, 2017 × Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who met the Bihar governor after his name was announced by the BJP parliamentary board meeting, said that it was a "matter of happiness" for him. On supporting Kovind, the Bihar chief minister was clearly evasive saying "it is too early to comment". Matter of happiness for me personally. As far as support is concerned, can't say anything right now. it is too early to say: Nitish Kumar. pic.twitter.com/EmccQ2krPl — ANI (@ANI_news) June 19, 2017 × BJP's ally and NDA constituent Shiv Sena, which has been at loggerheads with the BJP in Maharashtra, said that the party will decide on the issue in a few days. Uddhav Thackeray said that if someone is trying to make a Dalit a President with the purpose of gaining a vote bank then the party will not support such a decision. If someone is trying to make a Dalit a President with the purpose of gaining a vote bank then we are not with them: Uddhav Thackeray pic.twitter.com/rFk8M7o0gy — ANI (@ANI_news) June 19, 2017 ×

BJP's Presidential pick: Mayawati, opposition target Kovind's 'RSS background'

<p>India&#39;s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday dismissed reports that she is a contender in the presidential election as &quot;rumours&quot;.</p>

<p>Asked whether she was in the fray, the external affairs minister said that the selection of candidates was an &quot;internal matter.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;These are rumours. I am an external affairs minister and you are asking me something which is an internal matter,&quot; Sushma Swaraj told PTI.</p>

<p>Neither the government nor the opposition have declared their candidate presidential election to be held on July 17.</p>

<p>Several names, including that of Sushma Swaraj, have been doing the rounds.</p>

<p>While June 28 is the last day for nominations, a candidate can withdraw from the race till July 1.</p>

<p>Counting of votes will be held on July 20.<br />
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Asked whether she was in the fray, the external affairs minister said these are 'rumours'

India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday dismissed reports that she is a contender in the presidential election as "rumours". Asked whether she was in the fray, the external affairs minister said that the selection of candidates was an "internal matter." "These are rumours. I am an external affairs minister and you are asking me something which is an internal matter," Sushma Swaraj told PTI. Neither the government nor the opposition have declared their candidate presidential election to be held on July 17. Several names, including that of Sushma Swaraj, have been doing the rounds. While June 28 is the last day for nominations, a candidate can withdraw from the race till July 1. Counting of votes will be held on July 20.

Rumours, internal matter, says Sushma Swaraj on running for presidency

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