<p>If there was one thing that had remained constant — so far — in the 46-month-old Modi government, it was the steadfastness with which the government stuck to many of its controversial decisions, refusing to buckle under criticism or adverse public opinion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>April 3, 2018 changed that.</p>

<p>The government's decision to roll back a proposed crackdown on “fake news” in less than 24 hours could arguably be the first and most significant retreat of the Modi government as it nears completing four years in office and plans to get into election mode with just over a year remaining for the next Lok Sabha polls.</p>

<p>The crackdown — which mandated penalties ranging from the suspension to the cancellation of the accreditation of journalists found guilty of reporting “fake news” — was proposed by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry piloted by Smriti Irani. It was disposed of by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself.</p>

<p>Could it be the case that the government had not factored in the furore that erupted following the I&B ministry's diktat? Unlikely. Was it an attempt at testing the waters then? One thing is clear: the speed at which the course-correction took place was unprecedented.</p>

<p>On the face of it, many would think that the I&B ministry erred and was set right by the Prime Minister's Office. But those who cover the government know only too well the overarching control the PMO exercises on all the ministries. Simply put, to think that Irani's ministry could have come up with the diktat without keeping the PMO in the loop is being naive at best. And the Prime Minister directing that the press release regarding fake news be withdrawn and that the matter should only be addressed by the Press Council of India is nothing more than damage control.</p>

<p>Now coming to the diktat itself. Was it really about fake news? That's the big question. Those who would have been impacted by the amended guidelines were journalists accredited with the Government of India — mostly working for the national media and covering the Central government. Does the government have enough reason to believe that these “accredited journalists” are peddling “fake news”? Or was it just an attempt to create a mechanism to muzzle some inconvenient voices — accredited ones, of course.</p>

<p>What made the I&B directive more curious was that it proposed nothing to deal with social media — the most fertile breeding ground for fake news in today's India. Instead, it proposed something bordering on the draconian — immediate suspension of a journalist's accreditation the moment a complaint is registered and sent for inquiry to the Press Council of India or the News Broadcasters Association.</p>

<p>As a barrage of criticism broke loose, the I&B ministry made a feeble attempt at arguing that the “fake news” cases will be determined by PCI and NBA which are not “regulated” or “operated” by the Central government. That is akin to saying the I&B ministry maintains an arm's length distance from Prasar Bharati.</p>

<p>Off the record, in private conversations, central bureaucrats and political insiders have often underlined how the incumbent government was not a “rollback sarkar”. Let's a take a few examples from the I&B ministry itself. Pune's FTII was on the boil for months following Gajendra Chauhan's appointment to its helm, but the government did not budge. As CBFC chief, Pahlaj Nihalani not only kept raising the hackles of the Hindi film industry but was also an embarrassment to the government. But he was persisted with. Because this was not a rollback government, the government machinery argued.&nbsp;</p>

<p>April 3, 2018 changed that.</p>


And to think that Smriti Irani's I&B ministry could have come up with the diktat, proposing the cancellation of the accreditation of journalists found guilty of publishing 'fake news', without keeping the PMO in the loop is being naive at best

If there was one thing that had remained constant — so far — in the 46-month-old Modi government, it was the steadfastness with which the government stuck to many of its controversial decisions, refusing to buckle under criticism or adverse public opinion. April 3, 2018 changed that. The government's decision to roll back a proposed crackdown on “fake news” in less than 24 hours could arguably be the first and most significant retreat of the Modi government as it nears completing four years in office and plans to get into election mode with just over a year remaining for the next Lok Sabha polls. The crackdown — which mandated penalties ranging from the suspension to the cancellation of the accreditation of journalists found guilty of reporting “fake news” — was proposed by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry piloted by Smriti Irani. It was disposed of by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. Could it be the case that the government had not factored in the furore that erupted following the I&B ministry's diktat? Unlikely. Was it an attempt at testing the waters then? One thing is clear: the speed at which the course-correction took place was unprecedented. On the face of it, many would think that the I&B ministry erred and was set right by the Prime Minister's Office. But those who cover the government know only too well the overarching control the PMO exercises on all the ministries. Simply put, to think that Irani's ministry could have come up with the diktat without keeping the PMO in the loop is being naive at best. And the Prime Minister directing that the press release regarding fake news be withdrawn and that the matter should only be addressed by the Press Council of India is nothing more than damage control. Now coming to the diktat itself. Was it really about fake news? That's the big question. Those who would have been impacted by the amended guidelines were journalists accredited with the Government of India — mostly working for the national media and covering the Central government. Does the government have enough reason to believe that these “accredited journalists” are peddling “fake news”? Or was it just an attempt to create a mechanism to muzzle some inconvenient voices — accredited ones, of course. What made the I&B directive more curious was that it proposed nothing to deal with social media — the most fertile breeding ground for fake news in today's India. Instead, it proposed something bordering on the draconian — immediate suspension of a journalist's accreditation the moment a complaint is registered and sent for inquiry to the Press Council of India or the News Broadcasters Association. As a barrage of criticism broke loose, the I&B ministry made a feeble attempt at arguing that the “fake news” cases will be determined by PCI and NBA which are not “regulated” or “operated” by the Central government. That is akin to saying the I&B ministry maintains an arm's length distance from Prasar Bharati. Off the record, in private conversations, central bureaucrats and political insiders have often underlined how the incumbent government was not a “rollback sarkar”. Let's a take a few examples from the I&B ministry itself. Pune's FTII was on the boil for months following Gajendra Chauhan's appointment to its helm, but the government did not budge. As CBFC chief, Pahlaj Nihalani not only kept raising the hackles of the Hindi film industry but was also an embarrassment to the government. But he was persisted with. Because this was not a rollback government, the government machinery argued. April 3, 2018 changed that.

Opinion: Rollback of fake news crackdown is Modi government's first, most significant retreat

<p>A statue of Dr BR Ambdekar was vandalised in Meerut on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The news agency ANI reported that the vandalism, by unidentified people, took place late last night in Meerut&#39;s Mawana.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ANI added that the Dalit community held a protest and blocked traffic Wednesday morning. They ended their protest only after assurance from the district administration that a new statue of Ambedkar would be installed.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dr BR Ambedkar&#39;s statue vandalised by unidentified people in Meerut&#39;s Mawana late last night; Dalit community held protest &amp; blocked traffic in the morning, ended the protest after assurance from the administration of installation of new statue <a href="https://t.co/DAAcq6g5Wf">pic.twitter.com/DAAcq6g5Wf</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/971305543720669184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>India has recently found itself in the middle of a &quot;statue&quot; war.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Opinion: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-why-indians-are-waging-war-over-statues-of-lenin-periyar-shyamaprasad-34991" target="_blank">Why Indians are waging war over the statues of Lenin, Periyar, and Syama Prasad</a></p>

<p>The desecration of statues started with the bringing down of a statue of Lenin in Tripura after the BJP won the recent state elelction. That was followed by the vandalism of a statue of Periyar in Tamil Nadu&#39;s Vellore last night. Police said a BJP and a CPI worker were arrested. The BJP has since expelled its party worker.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And this morning a statue of Jan Sangh (the predecessor of the BJP) leader Syama Prasad Mukherjee was vandalised in Kolkata&#39;s Jadavpur University.&nbsp;</p>


The vandalism, by unidentified people, took place late last night in Meerut's Mawana

A statue of Dr BR Ambdekar was vandalised in Meerut on Tuesday. The news agency ANI reported that the vandalism, by unidentified people, took place late last night in Meerut's Mawana. ANI added that the Dalit community held a protest and blocked traffic Wednesday morning. They ended their protest only after assurance from the district administration that a new statue of Ambedkar would be installed. Dr BR Ambedkar's statue vandalised by unidentified people in Meerut's Mawana late last night; Dalit community held protest & blocked traffic in the morning, ended the protest after assurance from the administration of installation of new statue pic.twitter.com/DAAcq6g5Wf — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 7, 2018 × India has recently found itself in the middle of a "statue" war. Opinion: Why Indians are waging war over the statues of Lenin, Periyar, and Syama Prasad The desecration of statues started with the bringing down of a statue of Lenin in Tripura after the BJP won the recent state elelction. That was followed by the vandalism of a statue of Periyar in Tamil Nadu's Vellore last night. Police said a BJP and a CPI worker were arrested. The BJP has since expelled its party worker. And this morning a statue of Jan Sangh (the predecessor of the BJP) leader Syama Prasad Mukherjee was vandalised in Kolkata's Jadavpur University.

Now, Ambedkar statue vandalised in Meerut

<p>Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani wished everyone a Happy Valentine&#39;s Day on Wednesday. He added that a number of people have said &quot;I love you&quot; to him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But, he asked, has anyone has ever told Prime Minister Modi that they love him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I doubt,&quot; he answered. Adding, &quot;What say?&quot;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und">हम को बहुतों ने i love you कहा है. लेकिन मोदी जी को कभी किसी ने I love you कहा होंगा? I doubt, what say ? Happy Valentine&#39;s day</p>
&mdash; Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) <a href="https://twitter.com/jigneshmevani80/status/963657632727871488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Mevani, who has often stridently taken on Modi, also tweeted the hit &lsquo;Manikya Malaraya Poovi&rsquo; song featuring Priya Prakash Varrier which has been all over the Internet recently.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The hit song, said Mevani, is &quot;the answer to RSS&#39;s Valentines Day protest&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Again Indians have proved that they like to love more than hating someone,&quot; Mevani said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chennai-journalists-boycott-jignesh-mevani-press-conference-after-he-asks-tv-channel-reporter-to-leave-29746" target="_blank">Jignesh Mevani asks 1 reporter to leave press conference, all of them do</a></p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/is-rahul-gandhi-copying-from-modis-playbook-32770" target="_blank">Rahul Gandhi seems to be copying from Modi&#39;s playbook. Here&#39;s how</a></p>

<p>&quot;Enjoy this beautiful video,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Happy Valentines Day ❤️❤️<br />
Viral hit of &lsquo;Manikya Malaraya Poovi&rsquo; is the answer to RSS&#39;s Valentines Day protest and Again Indians have proved that they like to love more than hating someone. Enjoy this beautiful video. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ValentinesDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ValentinesDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/QtWqqqm8zt">pic.twitter.com/QtWqqqm8zt</a></p>
&mdash; Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) <a href="https://twitter.com/jigneshmevani80/status/963604207474565121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Mevani&#39;s tweets come on a day when pictures of members of the Bajrang Dal harassing couples at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad were put out by the news agency ANI.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The pictures show the Bajrang Dal members armed with sticks and a couple walking away from them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ANI added that the Bajrang Dal members were later detained by police.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Members of Bajrang Dal harass couples at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. Later detained by police. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ValentinesDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ValentinesDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/SKM3bLJeVb">pic.twitter.com/SKM3bLJeVb</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/963657461403213825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani wished everyone a Happy Valentine's Day on Wednesday. He added that a number of people have said "I love you" to him. But, he asked, has anyone has ever told Prime Minister Modi that they love him. "I doubt," he answered. Adding, "What say?" हम को बहुतों ने i love you कहा है. लेकिन मोदी जी को कभी किसी ने I love you कहा होंगा? I doubt, what say ? Happy Valentine's day — Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) February 14, 2018 × Mevani, who has often stridently taken on Modi, also tweeted the hit ‘Manikya Malaraya Poovi’ song featuring Priya Prakash Varrier which has been all over the Internet recently. The hit song, said Mevani, is "the answer to RSS's Valentines Day protest". "Again Indians have proved that they like to love more than hating someone," Mevani said. Also read: Jignesh Mevani asks 1 reporter to leave press conference, all of them do Also read: Rahul Gandhi seems to be copying from Modi's playbook. Here's how "Enjoy this beautiful video," he added. Happy Valentines Day ❤️❤️ Viral hit of ‘Manikya Malaraya Poovi’ is the answer to RSS's Valentines Day protest and Again Indians have proved that they like to love more than hating someone. Enjoy this beautiful video. #ValentinesDay pic.twitter.com/QtWqqqm8zt — Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) February 14, 2018 × Mevani's tweets come on a day when pictures of members of the Bajrang Dal harassing couples at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad were put out by the news agency ANI. The pictures show the Bajrang Dal members armed with sticks and a couple walking away from them. ANI added that the Bajrang Dal members were later detained by police. Members of Bajrang Dal harass couples at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. Later detained by police. #ValentinesDay pic.twitter.com/SKM3bLJeVb — ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2018 ×

Has anyone ever said 'I love you' to Modi, asks Jignesh Mevani

<p>The Gujarat poll outcome has instilled the belief in Congress workers that the BJP can be defeated, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel said today and exuded confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the 2019 general elections under Rahul Gandhi&#39;s leadership.</p>

<p>Patel, who had won the Rajya Sabha election from Gujarat last year in a close contest, also said the poll verdict in Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s home state was a &quot;moral victory&quot; for the Congress as the BJP, which had talked about getting 150 seats, was wrapped up under 100.</p>

<p>&quot;Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed so many meetings and used all sorts of tricks from bringing Pakistan...To even saying that someone in Pakistan wants me to be the chief minister, but failed to polarise the voters,&quot; Patel told PTI in an interview.</p>

<p>&quot;Gujarat poll results have boosted the morale of Congress workers, not only in Gujarat but all over India, and given them the belief that the BJP can be defeated,&quot; the 68-year-old leader said.</p>

<p>The Assembly election outcome would definitely help the Congress party in the 2019 elections, he said.</p>

<p>&quot;The way Rahul Gandhi has campaigned in Gujarat, his hard work and the way he drew huge crowds were very encouraging and helped us win the seats we finally did,&quot; said Patel.</p>

<p>The BJP won 99 seats in the 182-member Assembly, its tally dipping from 115 in the last elections.</p>

<p>Had the BJP not &quot;used their gimmicks&quot;, they would have been defeated in Gujarat, Patel claimed.</p>

<p>He said the Congress was constantly improving and would do well in the upcoming state elections this year.</p>

<p>The &quot;young and dynamic&quot; party president, Rahul Gandhi, would lead the Congress to victory in the 2019 polls, he held.</p>

<p>Asked if Gandhi, who took over as the party chief last month, would build a new team, Patel said, &quot;The Congress president is consulting seniors; he is using youngsters also.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;He has a slot for everyone. He knows where to utilise whose expertise,&quot; the veteran Congress leader said.</p>

<p>On whether the Congress would stitch up an alliance for the 2019 elections, Patel said the ultimate goal was to defeat divisive and communal forces.</p>

<p>&quot;We are prepared to take the support of like-minded parties, but it is too early to talk of alliances. Congress president and senior leaders will decide later,&quot; said Patel, who served as Sonia Gandhi&#39;s political secretary for about 15 years during her time as Congress chief.</p>

<p>Asked if the Congress was going through its worst phase electorally, Patel said, &quot;When Soniaji had taken over, the Congress was (in power) in a few states; similarly under Rahul ji, we will get more states. It&#39;s a question of time.&quot;</p>

<p>On the BJP projecting itself as championing the cause of Muslim women and the Mehram issue, Patel said women could proceed for haj without mehram (male guardian) because of a change in rules in Saudi Arabia.</p>

<p>Talking about the triple talaq bill, which has been passed by the Lok Sabha and is awaiting the Rajya Sabha nod, he said the Congress had demanded that the bill be forwarded to a select committee, so that all its provisions could be scrutinised.</p>

<p>Asked if the Congress was guilty of causing too many disruptions in Parliament in recent times, Patel said the party was only raising &quot;genuine&quot; issues.</p>


Patel said that Gujarat poll verdict in PM Modi's home state was a moral victory for the Congress

The Gujarat poll outcome has instilled the belief in Congress workers that the BJP can be defeated, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel said today and exuded confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the 2019 general elections under Rahul Gandhi's leadership. Patel, who had won the Rajya Sabha election from Gujarat last year in a close contest, also said the poll verdict in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state was a "moral victory" for the Congress as the BJP, which had talked about getting 150 seats, was wrapped up under 100. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed so many meetings and used all sorts of tricks from bringing Pakistan...To even saying that someone in Pakistan wants me to be the chief minister, but failed to polarise the voters," Patel told PTI in an interview. "Gujarat poll results have boosted the morale of Congress workers, not only in Gujarat but all over India, and given them the belief that the BJP can be defeated," the 68-year-old leader said. The Assembly election outcome would definitely help the Congress party in the 2019 elections, he said. "The way Rahul Gandhi has campaigned in Gujarat, his hard work and the way he drew huge crowds were very encouraging and helped us win the seats we finally did," said Patel. The BJP won 99 seats in the 182-member Assembly, its tally dipping from 115 in the last elections. Had the BJP not "used their gimmicks", they would have been defeated in Gujarat, Patel claimed. He said the Congress was constantly improving and would do well in the upcoming state elections this year. The "young and dynamic" party president, Rahul Gandhi, would lead the Congress to victory in the 2019 polls, he held. Asked if Gandhi, who took over as the party chief last month, would build a new team, Patel said, "The Congress president is consulting seniors; he is using youngsters also." "He has a slot for everyone. He knows where to utilise whose expertise," the veteran Congress leader said. On whether the Congress would stitch up an alliance for the 2019 elections, Patel said the ultimate goal was to defeat divisive and communal forces. "We are prepared to take the support of like-minded parties, but it is too early to talk of alliances. Congress president and senior leaders will decide later," said Patel, who served as Sonia Gandhi's political secretary for about 15 years during her time as Congress chief. Asked if the Congress was going through its worst phase electorally, Patel said, "When Soniaji had taken over, the Congress was (in power) in a few states; similarly under Rahul ji, we will get more states. It's a question of time." On the BJP projecting itself as championing the cause of Muslim women and the Mehram issue, Patel said women could proceed for haj without mehram (male guardian) because of a change in rules in Saudi Arabia. Talking about the triple talaq bill, which has been passed by the Lok Sabha and is awaiting the Rajya Sabha nod, he said the Congress had demanded that the bill be forwarded to a select committee, so that all its provisions could be scrutinised. Asked if the Congress was guilty of causing too many disruptions in Parliament in recent times, Patel said the party was only raising "genuine" issues.

Rahul will lead Congress to victory in 2019: Ahmed Patel

<p>On the last leg of his four-day visit to Palestine, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman, PM Narendra Modi addressed the Indian diaspora at Muscat&rsquo;s Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Sunday evening.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, PM Modi delivered&nbsp;the keynote address at the World Government Summit in Dubai at which he was the guest of honour this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He gave the inaugural address on the theme: &lsquo;Technology for development&rsquo;.</p>

<p>This visit makes PM Modi the first Prime Minister of India to undertake an official tour to Palestine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi is visiting the UAE for the second time after his 2015 trip to the country.</p>

<p><strong>Here are the top quotes from his address:</strong></p>

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<h5>Earlier, there used to be news of corruption that would lower India&#39;s reputation abroad. But today nobody can say PM Modi took away our money. Earlier they used to ask &quot;how much money went out?&quot; now they ask me, &quot;how much money was brought back?&quot;</h5>
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<h5>Previous governments kept making claims that we made this law and that law. But after our government came to power, we have scrapped 1,400 to 1,450 such laws which were archaic and outdated.</h5>
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<h5>The poor are being given life and security insurance only for 90 paisa per day and for a rupee one month premium. 90 paise, main chai waala hun isiliye mujhe maloom hai ki chai bhi nahi aati 90 paise mein (I am a &#39;chaiwala&#39; that is why I know that you don&#39;t even get tea in 90 paise) Under these insurance plans, a claim amount of Rs 2,000 crore has also been given to the poor.</h5>
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<h5>We have been simplifying procedures, eliminating unnecessary laws, reducing the number of forty-five government offices to around 4-5, we have been making arrangements for online filing. We are listening to the grievances of people and taking action on them. We have included these works in the culture of the government.</h5>
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<h5>We are doing many things for Ease of Living in India. With the mantra of &#39;minimum government, maximum governance&#39;, we are working to make life of citizens easier, we are working towards ease of living.</h5>
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<h5>Today every Indian is working to fulfill the resolution of &quot;New India.&quot; We are moving towards the creation of an India where the poorest of the poor also get equal opportunities to move forward, where the poorest of the poor can dream and fulfill their dreams.</h5>
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<h5>Indians are such that they can gel into any kind of society. Like sugar dissolves in milk and makes it sweeter. And this is because of India&#39;s culture, our motto of &#39;Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam&#39;.</h5>
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<h5>His Majesty Sultan also has an integral relationship with India. Today, my presence in this stadium, which is named after His Majesty Sultan, has a special significance.</h5>
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<h5>There is now a new momentum between India&#39;s historical relationship with Oman.</h5>
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<h5>India and Indians have played a significant role in Oman&rsquo;s progress &amp; development. The 8 lakh Indians staying here in Oman are India&rsquo;s goodwill Ambassadors.</h5>
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<h5>This is my first trip to Oman. 10 years ago, I was to visit Africa as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. I passed by Salalah, stayed there for some time, met some people and today I again got the opportunity to meet them. I wanted to visit Oman since a long time.</h5>
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<h5>Today I am seeing a mini India outside of India. People working in different fields here are creating a grand image of India.</h5>
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Prime Minister Narendra is now addressing the Indian diaspora at Muscat's Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex

On the last leg of his four-day visit to Palestine, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman, PM Narendra Modi addressed the Indian diaspora at Muscat’s Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Sunday evening. Earlier in the day, PM Modi delivered the keynote address at the World Government Summit in Dubai at which he was the guest of honour this year. He gave the inaugural address on the theme: ‘Technology for development’. This visit makes PM Modi the first Prime Minister of India to undertake an official tour to Palestine. PM Modi is visiting the UAE for the second time after his 2015 trip to the country. Here are the top quotes from his address: Earlier, there used to be news of corruption that would lower India's reputation abroad. But today nobody can say PM Modi took away our money. Earlier they used to ask "how much money went out?" now they ask me, "how much money was brought back?" × Previous governments kept making claims that we made this law and that law. But after our government came to power, we have scrapped 1,400 to 1,450 such laws which were archaic and outdated. × The poor are being given life and security insurance only for 90 paisa per day and for a rupee one month premium. 90 paise, main chai waala hun isiliye mujhe maloom hai ki chai bhi nahi aati 90 paise mein (I am a 'chaiwala' that is why I know that you don't even get tea in 90 paise) Under these insurance plans, a claim amount of Rs 2,000 crore has also been given to the poor. × We have been simplifying procedures, eliminating unnecessary laws, reducing the number of forty-five government offices to around 4-5, we have been making arrangements for online filing. We are listening to the grievances of people and taking action on them. We have included these works in the culture of the government. × We are doing many things for Ease of Living in India. With the mantra of 'minimum government, maximum governance', we are working to make life of citizens easier, we are working towards ease of living. × Today every Indian is working to fulfill the resolution of "New India." We are moving towards the creation of an India where the poorest of the poor also get equal opportunities to move forward, where the poorest of the poor can dream and fulfill their dreams. × Indians are such that they can gel into any kind of society. Like sugar dissolves in milk and makes it sweeter. And this is because of India's culture, our motto of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. × His Majesty Sultan also has an integral relationship with India. Today, my presence in this stadium, which is named after His Majesty Sultan, has a special significance. × There is now a new momentum between India's historical relationship with Oman. × India and Indians have played a significant role in Oman’s progress & development. The 8 lakh Indians staying here in Oman are India’s goodwill Ambassadors. × This is my first trip to Oman. 10 years ago, I was to visit Africa as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. I passed by Salalah, stayed there for some time, met some people and today I again got the opportunity to meet them. I wanted to visit Oman since a long time. × Today I am seeing a mini India outside of India. People working in different fields here are creating a grand image of India. ×

Minimum government, maximum governance — that is our motto, PM Modi tells Indian diaspora in Muscat

<p>Amid noisy protests in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tore into the Congress for what he termed as &quot;dividing&quot; Andhra Pradesh and earlier the country in 1947 for political gains.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opposition-heckles-pm-modi-as-he-speaks-in-lok-sabha-32078" target="_blank">&#39;If Vallabhbhai Patel was the first PM, J&amp;K solution would have been easier,&#39; Modi in Parliament</a></strong></p>

<p>The speech of the Prime Minister comes a day after two of NDA allies attacked the Central government in the Lower House.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Here are the highlights of his speech:</strong></p>

<ol>
	<li>I know the Government&#39;s efforts to eliminate corruption &amp; black money are hurting a select group of people.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Today, people who served as Chief Ministers are in jail. If one has been corrupt, that person will be punished. We are in an era of honesty.</li>
	<li>A government that talked about 21st century could not bring an aviation policy. Then what kind of a 21st century did they talk about, the one with bullock carts?</li>
	<li>When the corrupt and middlemen are out of work, obviously the Congress will be unhappy.</li>
	<li>If Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the first PM of the country, entire Kashmir would have been ours.</li>
	<li>NT Rama Rao was insulted (by Rajiv Gandhi) and that simmering anger led to the formation of TDP.</li>
	<li>After forming govt in 2014 we prioritised North East and worked for its development.</li>
	<li>Employment is increasing but you have closed your eyes as you are busy singing your songs.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>The impact of Start-up India, Mudra Yojana, Entrepreneurship scheme, Skill India, and Make in India reveal that the truth is far from what the Congress believes and says.</li>
	<li>You (Congress) said Modi will scrap UIDAI but we made Aadhaar more effective in terms of enabling better and effective service delivery, suddenly you are opposing Aadhaar.</li>
	<li>The governments of West Bengal, Karnataka, Odisha and Kerala where BJP or NDA is not in power have claimed with data that they have given 1 crore jobs in the last 3-4 years. Will you dispute their job claims too?</li>
	<li>Irrespective of who heads the government, the aspirations of the brimming middle-class youth should always be the top priority.</li>
	<li>How did the Congress act in Kerala, how did they treat the Akali Dal in Punjab, how did they behave in Tamil Nadu? Why did Congress dismiss so many state governments at their will? This is no commitment to democracy.</li>
	<li>You spent time ensuring that only one family is remembered and nobody else. If your (Congress&#39;) intentions were good, the country would have been far ahead of where it is now.</li>
	<li>When you divided India, when you divided the country- there is not even a single day, when, 125 crore Indians do not suffer the repercussions of your wrongdoings.</li>
	<li>Every Indian is paying the price of the poison infested by Congress.</li>
	<li>Congress was never connected to ground, never worked at ground level and it shows clearly as we look at your situation today.</li>
	<li>Stop misleading the country by false statements on jobs and employment. The truth is quite the opposite.</li>
	<li>He also questioned the conscience behind opposing just for the sake of opposing.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>President&#39;s address does not belong to a particular party. It is the representative of the aspiration of the nation.</li>
</ol>


The speech of the Prime Minister comes a day after two of NDA allies attacked the Central government in the Lower House

Amid noisy protests in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tore into the Congress for what he termed as "dividing" Andhra Pradesh and earlier the country in 1947 for political gains. Also read: 'If Vallabhbhai Patel was the first PM, J&K solution would have been easier,' Modi in Parliament The speech of the Prime Minister comes a day after two of NDA allies attacked the Central government in the Lower House. Here are the highlights of his speech: I know the Government's efforts to eliminate corruption & black money are hurting a select group of people. Today, people who served as Chief Ministers are in jail. If one has been corrupt, that person will be punished. We are in an era of honesty. A government that talked about 21st century could not bring an aviation policy. Then what kind of a 21st century did they talk about, the one with bullock carts? When the corrupt and middlemen are out of work, obviously the Congress will be unhappy. If Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the first PM of the country, entire Kashmir would have been ours. NT Rama Rao was insulted (by Rajiv Gandhi) and that simmering anger led to the formation of TDP. After forming govt in 2014 we prioritised North East and worked for its development. Employment is increasing but you have closed your eyes as you are busy singing your songs. The impact of Start-up India, Mudra Yojana, Entrepreneurship scheme, Skill India, and Make in India reveal that the truth is far from what the Congress believes and says. You (Congress) said Modi will scrap UIDAI but we made Aadhaar more effective in terms of enabling better and effective service delivery, suddenly you are opposing Aadhaar. The governments of West Bengal, Karnataka, Odisha and Kerala where BJP or NDA is not in power have claimed with data that they have given 1 crore jobs in the last 3-4 years. Will you dispute their job claims too? Irrespective of who heads the government, the aspirations of the brimming middle-class youth should always be the top priority. How did the Congress act in Kerala, how did they treat the Akali Dal in Punjab, how did they behave in Tamil Nadu? Why did Congress dismiss so many state governments at their will? This is no commitment to democracy. You spent time ensuring that only one family is remembered and nobody else. If your (Congress') intentions were good, the country would have been far ahead of where it is now. When you divided India, when you divided the country- there is not even a single day, when, 125 crore Indians do not suffer the repercussions of your wrongdoings. Every Indian is paying the price of the poison infested by Congress. Congress was never connected to ground, never worked at ground level and it shows clearly as we look at your situation today. Stop misleading the country by false statements on jobs and employment. The truth is quite the opposite. He also questioned the conscience behind opposing just for the sake of opposing. President's address does not belong to a particular party. It is the representative of the aspiration of the nation.

PM Modi takes on opposition during Parliament speech: Top 20 highlights

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will visit Saudi Arabia from February 6-8 during which she will inaugurate a prestigious festival of the Gulf nation, the external affairs ministry said today.</p>

<p>Ms Swaraj will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival on February 7, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.</p>

<p>Addressing a joint press conference with Saudi Minister of National Guard Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz bin Muhammad bin Eyaf al-Muqrin Al-Saud, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said India&#39;s participation in the festival will be multi-faceted.</p>

<p>&quot;We will have an Indian pavilion where we will project a number of Indian themes and projects. The pavilion will comprise glimpses of traditional and modern India,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>India has been invited to the festival as a guest country.</p>

<p>&quot;We greatly value our close and deep-rooted civilizational and strategic relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia...I have no doubt that India&#39;s participation in this festival will take our relationship to new heights,&quot; Mr Singh said.</p>

<p>Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3 million Indian people and ties between the two countries are on an upswing in the last few years.</p>

<p>Saudi Arabia is India&#39;s fourth largest trade partner after China, the US and the UAE.</p>

<p>The country is a major source of India&#39;s energy requirement as it accounts for almost one-fifth of India&#39;s crude oil requirement.</p>

<p><br />
The volume of bilateral trade during 2016-17 was recorded at USD 25.079 billion, a slight decrease from the USD 26.71 billion in 2015-16.</p>


Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3 million Indian people and ties between the two countries are on an upswing in the last few years

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will visit Saudi Arabia from February 6-8 during which she will inaugurate a prestigious festival of the Gulf nation, the external affairs ministry said today. Ms Swaraj will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival on February 7, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. Addressing a joint press conference with Saudi Minister of National Guard Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz bin Muhammad bin Eyaf al-Muqrin Al-Saud, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said India's participation in the festival will be multi-faceted. "We will have an Indian pavilion where we will project a number of Indian themes and projects. The pavilion will comprise glimpses of traditional and modern India," he said. India has been invited to the festival as a guest country. "We greatly value our close and deep-rooted civilizational and strategic relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia...I have no doubt that India's participation in this festival will take our relationship to new heights," Mr Singh said. Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3 million Indian people and ties between the two countries are on an upswing in the last few years. Saudi Arabia is India's fourth largest trade partner after China, the US and the UAE. The country is a major source of India's energy requirement as it accounts for almost one-fifth of India's crude oil requirement. The volume of bilateral trade during 2016-17 was recorded at USD 25.079 billion, a slight decrease from the USD 26.71 billion in 2015-16.

Sushma Swaraj's three-day visit to Saudi Arabia begins from Tuesday

<p>Congress President Rahul Gandhi embarked on a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Amethi in Uttar Pradesh starting Monday.</p>

<p>During the day, Rahul tried to woo the farmers by promising a food park where their products will be sold at the right prices.</p>

<p>Rahul, however, added that all of this would be possible only when Congress forms a government in Uttar Pradesh. &nbsp;</p>

<p>While addressing the gathering, Rahul attacked Prime Minister &nbsp;Narendra Modi and his policies, claiming it is not in Amethi people&#39;s benefit.</p>

<p>Rahul even whet on to compare PM Modi&#39;s government with that of &nbsp;China, saying the work Chinese government does in two days, the ruling takes a complete year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Jo kaam China ki sarkaar do din mein karti hai use karne mein Narendra Modi Ji ki sarkaar ko ek saal lag jaata hai,&quot; said Rahul.</p>

<p>He asked people to name Centre&#39;s one scheme which has benefitted the people.</p>

<p>&quot;Please tell me one Narendra Modi government scheme where someone has benefitted?&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per media reports, the Gandhi scion accused Modi led government of spreading communal violence, saying they only know how to make one caste fight with the other.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is Gandhi&#39;s first visit to Amethi since he took over the rein of &nbsp;Congress from his mother and former party president Sonia Gandhi.</p>

<p>His visit comes on the heels of the assembly election result in Gujarat, in which his party showed a much better performance from the last election in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gandhi has now shifted his focus on Uttar Pradesh and plans to give a morale boost to party cadres for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Rahul tried to woo the farmers by promising a food park where their products will be sold at the right prices

Congress President Rahul Gandhi embarked on a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Amethi in Uttar Pradesh starting Monday. During the day, Rahul tried to woo the farmers by promising a food park where their products will be sold at the right prices. Rahul, however, added that all of this would be possible only when Congress forms a government in Uttar Pradesh. While addressing the gathering, Rahul attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his policies, claiming it is not in Amethi people's benefit. Rahul even whet on to compare PM Modi's government with that of China, saying the work Chinese government does in two days, the ruling takes a complete year. "Jo kaam China ki sarkaar do din mein karti hai use karne mein Narendra Modi Ji ki sarkaar ko ek saal lag jaata hai," said Rahul. He asked people to name Centre's one scheme which has benefitted the people. "Please tell me one Narendra Modi government scheme where someone has benefitted?" As per media reports, the Gandhi scion accused Modi led government of spreading communal violence, saying they only know how to make one caste fight with the other. It is Gandhi's first visit to Amethi since he took over the rein of Congress from his mother and former party president Sonia Gandhi. His visit comes on the heels of the assembly election result in Gujarat, in which his party showed a much better performance from the last election in the state. Gandhi has now shifted his focus on Uttar Pradesh and plans to give a morale boost to party cadres for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

What China government does in two days, Modi does in one year: Rahul Gandhi

<p>The government on Wednesday allowed 100% FDI in single-brand retail, and allowed foreign airlines to invest up to 49% in Air India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Cabinet allowed overseas investors to invest 100 per cent FDI (foreign direct investment) in single brand retail, trading and construction development, an official statement said.</p>

<p>&quot;Foreign airlines allowed to invest up to 49 per cent under approval route in Air India,&quot; the statement added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 100% FDI in single-brand retail has been allowed under the automatic route, which means government approval will not have to be sought.</p>

<p>The investment in Air India however will require government approval and the government has added further conditions for investment in the government carrier.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Foreign investment in Air India including that of foreign Airline (s) shall not exceed 49 per cent either directly or indirectly and &quot;substantial ownership and effective control of Air India shall continue to be vested in Indian National&quot;, the official statement said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Foreign airlines had already been allowed to invest up to 49% in Indian airline companies, with the exception of Air India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;It has now been decided to do away with this restriction and allow foreign airlines to invest up to 49 per cent under approval route in Air India,&quot; the statement said.</p>

<p>The government said its decisions would help with ease of doing business, and lead to larger FDI inflows contributing to growth, income, and employment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of the harshest criticisms of the government by the opposition in recent times has been the lack of jobs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Traders bodies however have already <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/traders-body-opposes-100-per-cent-fdi-in-single-brand-retail-via-automatic-route-29107" target="_blank">opposed the 100% FDI in retail</a> -- the earlier limit was 49%, with government approval being required for further investment -- saying it violates a BJP poll promise.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The government has also allowed 100% FDI in real-estate broking services, saying they do not amount to the&nbsp;real estate business.</p>

<p>The cabinet has also allowed FIIs/FPIs to invest in power exchanges through the&nbsp;primary market.</p>

<p>So far 49 per cent FDI was permitted under automatic route in power exchanges registered under the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Power Market) Regulations, 2010. However, FII/FPI purchases were restricted to secondary market only.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The government said its decisions -- cleared by the cabinet in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi -- would provide employment and income

The government on Wednesday allowed 100% FDI in single-brand retail, and allowed foreign airlines to invest up to 49% in Air India. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Cabinet allowed overseas investors to invest 100 per cent FDI (foreign direct investment) in single brand retail, trading and construction development, an official statement said. "Foreign airlines allowed to invest up to 49 per cent under approval route in Air India," the statement added. The 100% FDI in single-brand retail has been allowed under the automatic route, which means government approval will not have to be sought. The investment in Air India however will require government approval and the government has added further conditions for investment in the government carrier. Foreign investment in Air India including that of foreign Airline (s) shall not exceed 49 per cent either directly or indirectly and "substantial ownership and effective control of Air India shall continue to be vested in Indian National", the official statement said. Foreign airlines had already been allowed to invest up to 49% in Indian airline companies, with the exception of Air India. "It has now been decided to do away with this restriction and allow foreign airlines to invest up to 49 per cent under approval route in Air India," the statement said. The government said its decisions would help with ease of doing business, and lead to larger FDI inflows contributing to growth, income, and employment. One of the harshest criticisms of the government by the opposition in recent times has been the lack of jobs. Traders bodies however have already opposed the 100% FDI in retail -- the earlier limit was 49%, with government approval being required for further investment -- saying it violates a BJP poll promise. The government has also allowed 100% FDI in real-estate broking services, saying they do not amount to the real estate business. The cabinet has also allowed FIIs/FPIs to invest in power exchanges through the primary market. So far 49 per cent FDI was permitted under automatic route in power exchanges registered under the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Power Market) Regulations, 2010. However, FII/FPI purchases were restricted to secondary market only. (With inputs from PTI)

Government allows 100% FDI in single-brand retail, 49% in Air India

<p>Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge brought up the Maharashtra caste violence that had broken out on Monday in Bhima-Koregaon near Pune. One person had died in the clashes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kharge added that Prime Minister Modi would have to speak on the issue. He is a &quot;mauni baba on such issues,&quot; Kharge said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Who instigated and interfered in this event?&quot; Kharge asked in the Lok Sabha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kharge answered his question himself. &quot;Samaaj mein division karne ke liye, kattar Hindutvavaadi, jo wahan RSS ke log hain...iske peecha unka haath hai. Unhone ye kaam karwaya hai,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kharge also asked for a Supreme Court judge to be appointed to look into the matter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Live updates: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-maharastra-tense-after-pune-violence-28382">Maharashtra bandh today; Dalit protesters block roads, occupy railway tracks, stop metros</a></p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-tense-after-pune-violence-28374" target="_blank">Maharashtra on edge after Bhima-Koregaon violence, protests</a></p>

<p>Kharge was replied to by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar.</p>

<p>&quot;Congress divide and rule ki policy use kar rahe hain. Aur sabka saath, sabka vikaas karke Narendra Modi ji desh ko saath le rahe hain,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Aag ko bujhaane ke bajaaye, bhadkaane ka kaam Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi aur Congress party kar rahi hai. Ise desh bardasht nahin karega,&quot; Kumar added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bhima-Koregaon is where the last of the three Anglo-Maratha wars was fought on January 1, 1818.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The English, who had beaten the Peshwas in the war, had had a large number of Dalit soldiers in their army.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was BR Ambedkar who had first referred to the war, and the beating of the Peshwa Brahmins, as an example of caste assertion by the Dalits.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Dalits have ever since commemorated the anniversary of what they see as their &quot;victory&quot; in the last of the Anglo-Maratha wars.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The commemoration of the anniversary this year was reportedly opposed by Hindu groups.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The violence had broken out thereafter.&nbsp;</p>


Mallikarjun Kharge also asked for a Supreme Court judge to be appointed to look into the matter

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge brought up the Maharashtra caste violence that had broken out on Monday in Bhima-Koregaon near Pune. One person had died in the clashes. Kharge added that Prime Minister Modi would have to speak on the issue. He is a "mauni baba on such issues," Kharge said. "Who instigated and interfered in this event?" Kharge asked in the Lok Sabha. Kharge answered his question himself. "Samaaj mein division karne ke liye, kattar Hindutvavaadi, jo wahan RSS ke log hain...iske peecha unka haath hai. Unhone ye kaam karwaya hai," he said. Kharge also asked for a Supreme Court judge to be appointed to look into the matter. Live updates: Maharashtra bandh today; Dalit protesters block roads, occupy railway tracks, stop metros Also read: Maharashtra on edge after Bhima-Koregaon violence, protests Kharge was replied to by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar. "Congress divide and rule ki policy use kar rahe hain. Aur sabka saath, sabka vikaas karke Narendra Modi ji desh ko saath le rahe hain," he said. "Aag ko bujhaane ke bajaaye, bhadkaane ka kaam Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi aur Congress party kar rahi hai. Ise desh bardasht nahin karega," Kumar added. Bhima-Koregaon is where the last of the three Anglo-Maratha wars was fought on January 1, 1818. The English, who had beaten the Peshwas in the war, had had a large number of Dalit soldiers in their army. It was BR Ambedkar who had first referred to the war, and the beating of the Peshwa Brahmins, as an example of caste assertion by the Dalits. The Dalits have ever since commemorated the anniversary of what they see as their "victory" in the last of the Anglo-Maratha wars. The commemoration of the anniversary this year was reportedly opposed by Hindu groups. The violence had broken out thereafter.

As Maharashtra comes to standstill, Congress demands statement from PM on Bhima-Koregaon violence

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a sudden&nbsp;stop at Indian Coffee House in Himachal Pradesh for coffee on Wednesday, reminiscing his old days when he was in the state for party work.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In Shimla, relished coffee at the Indian Coffee House and reminisced old days. The coffee tastes as good as it did two decades ago, when I would frequent Himachal for party work. <a href="https://t.co/XOYzlpLc43">pic.twitter.com/XOYzlpLc43</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/945935906518605824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Modi was on his way to his helipad after attending the swearing-in ceremony of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur and other ministers when he made the sudden stop and had a cup of coffee. &#39;&#39;The coffee tastes as good as it did two decades ago when I would frequent Himachal for party work,&#39;&#39; Modi reportedly said after the drinking the coffee.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Modi has spent a lot of time in the iconic Indian Coffee&nbsp;House, mall road of Shimla in Himachal.</p>

<p>As Modi was sipping a hot cup of coffee, people went berserk. While some shook hands with the prime minister, others happily clicked&nbsp;selfies.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Modi was on his way to his helipad after attending the swearing-in ceremony of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur and other ministers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a sudden stop at Indian Coffee House in Himachal Pradesh for coffee on Wednesday, reminiscing his old days when he was in the state for party work. In Shimla, relished coffee at the Indian Coffee House and reminisced old days. The coffee tastes as good as it did two decades ago, when I would frequent Himachal for party work. pic.twitter.com/XOYzlpLc43 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 27, 2017 × Modi was on his way to his helipad after attending the swearing-in ceremony of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur and other ministers when he made the sudden stop and had a cup of coffee. ''The coffee tastes as good as it did two decades ago when I would frequent Himachal for party work,'' Modi reportedly said after the drinking the coffee. Prime Minister Modi has spent a lot of time in the iconic Indian Coffee House, mall road of Shimla in Himachal. As Modi was sipping a hot cup of coffee, people went berserk. While some shook hands with the prime minister, others happily clicked selfies.

Modi stops for cup of coffee at Indian Coffee House in Himachal; crowd goes berserk

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday advocated the use of public transport to save on fuel and costs associated with the import of petroleum, saying travelling on a metro train should be a &quot;prestige issue&quot;.</p>

<p>Addressing a rally after inaugurating a 12-km stretch of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/prime-minister-narendra-modi-launches-delhi-metros-magenta-line-27654">Delhi Metro&#39;s Magenta Line</a>, PM Modi said governments incur a lot of cost in creating infrastructure but when it is ready it benefits generations to come.</p>

<p>Modi said by 2022, when India celebrates its 75 years of Independence, he wants to cut down on imported petroleum products.</p>

<p>He said a multi-modal transportation system will ensure that use of fuel is cut down, which will help the common man save money and also be useful for the environment.</p>

<p>On December 24, 2002, then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took a ride on the metro, Modi recalled. &quot;It was a historic moment. Since then, the Metro network in NCR has expanded considerably,&quot; he said.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-modi-inaugurates-delhi-metros-magenta-line-27646"><strong>Read: Highlights of PM Modi&#39;s speech after inaugurating Magenta Line</strong></a></p>

<p>We live in an era in which connectivity is all important, the prime minister said.</p>

<p>&quot;Without connectivity, life comes to a standstill. This Metro... is not only for the present but also for future generations,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>There was need to change the mindset so that people prefer using public transport than their private vehicles, the PM said, adding that travelling on a metro should be a &quot;prestige issue&quot;.</p>

<p>The 12.64-km stretch, which was inaugurated by PM Modi today, runs between Kalkaji and Noida&#39;s Botanical Garden and accounts for a travel time of 19 minutes, thus facilitating easy access for commuters from South Delhi to Noida, and vice versa. UP Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/yogi-adityanath-attends-metro-inauguration-function-pm-modi-praises-him-for-breaking-noida-jinx-27660">Yogi Adityanath</a> were present at the inauguration function.</p>

<p>The coaches on th new Magenta Line will have an LED display, power charging capacity and colourful seats, while the stations will portray themes of nature, yoga, and cultural landmarks. The Magenta Line also marks the usage of the first platform screen doors (PSDs), which are glass-made screens installed near the edge of platforms that open only when a train arrives and shut after it departs.</p>


Modi said by 2022, when India celebrates its 75 years of Independence, he wants to cut down on imported petroleum products.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday advocated the use of public transport to save on fuel and costs associated with the import of petroleum, saying travelling on a metro train should be a "prestige issue". Addressing a rally after inaugurating a 12-km stretch of Delhi Metro's Magenta Line, PM Modi said governments incur a lot of cost in creating infrastructure but when it is ready it benefits generations to come. Modi said by 2022, when India celebrates its 75 years of Independence, he wants to cut down on imported petroleum products. He said a multi-modal transportation system will ensure that use of fuel is cut down, which will help the common man save money and also be useful for the environment. On December 24, 2002, then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took a ride on the metro, Modi recalled. "It was a historic moment. Since then, the Metro network in NCR has expanded considerably," he said. Read: Highlights of PM Modi's speech after inaugurating Magenta Line We live in an era in which connectivity is all important, the prime minister said. "Without connectivity, life comes to a standstill. This Metro... is not only for the present but also for future generations," he said. There was need to change the mindset so that people prefer using public transport than their private vehicles, the PM said, adding that travelling on a metro should be a "prestige issue". The 12.64-km stretch, which was inaugurated by PM Modi today, runs between Kalkaji and Noida's Botanical Garden and accounts for a travel time of 19 minutes, thus facilitating easy access for commuters from South Delhi to Noida, and vice versa. UP Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present at the inauguration function. The coaches on th new Magenta Line will have an LED display, power charging capacity and colourful seats, while the stations will portray themes of nature, yoga, and cultural landmarks. The Magenta Line also marks the usage of the first platform screen doors (PSDs), which are glass-made screens installed near the edge of platforms that open only when a train arrives and shut after it departs.

Inaugurating Delhi Metro's Magenta Line, PM Modi asks people to use public transport & save fuel costs

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated a part of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/prime-minister-narendra-modi-launches-delhi-metros-magenta-line-27654">Delhi Metro&#39;s Magenta Line</a> which will connect Botanical Garden in Noida to Kalkaji in south Delhi. And accompanying him was Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.</p>

<p>Adityanath&#39;s presence at the metro inauguration function was being highlighted by the media due to &#39;Noida jinx&#39;, a superstition that any chief minister who visits Noida, ends up losing his position.</p>

<p>Today, as he addressed a rally in Noida after inaugurating the Magenta Line, PM Modi congratulated Yogi Adityanath for breaking the &#39;Noida jinx&#39;.</p>

<p>&quot;I want to congratulate Yogi Adityanath, he is focussing on the all-round development of Uttar Pradesh. His (saffron) clothes might create confusion that he is old school, but just by being here, Yogiji has proved that there is no place for such myths in a developed society,&quot; PM Modi said. &quot;This shows his progressive thinking.&quot;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-modi-inaugurates-delhi-metros-magenta-line-27646"><strong>Read: Highlights of PM Modi&#39;s address</strong></a></p>

<p>Politicians who believe that by going somewhere they will lose their CM&#39;s chair, such people don&#39;t deserve to lead a state, the PM added.</p>

<p>The &#39;Noida jinx&#39; took root in June 1988, when then chief minister Vir Bahadur Singh was asked to relinquish office by the Centre. Interestingly, the decision was made within days of his return from Noida.</p>

<p>Likewise, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati also lost her CM&#39;s chair after visiting Noida, in 1997.</p>

<p>Then in 1989, ND Tiwari had to vacate the office and 10 years later in 1999, Kalyan Singh suffered due to the jinx.</p>


Adityanath's presence at the metro inauguration function was being highlighted by the media due to 'Noida jinx', a superstition that any chief minister who visits Noida, ends up losing his position.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated a part of Delhi Metro's Magenta Line which will connect Botanical Garden in Noida to Kalkaji in south Delhi. And accompanying him was Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Adityanath's presence at the metro inauguration function was being highlighted by the media due to 'Noida jinx', a superstition that any chief minister who visits Noida, ends up losing his position. Today, as he addressed a rally in Noida after inaugurating the Magenta Line, PM Modi congratulated Yogi Adityanath for breaking the 'Noida jinx'. "I want to congratulate Yogi Adityanath, he is focussing on the all-round development of Uttar Pradesh. His (saffron) clothes might create confusion that he is old school, but just by being here, Yogiji has proved that there is no place for such myths in a developed society," PM Modi said. "This shows his progressive thinking." Read: Highlights of PM Modi's address Politicians who believe that by going somewhere they will lose their CM's chair, such people don't deserve to lead a state, the PM added. The 'Noida jinx' took root in June 1988, when then chief minister Vir Bahadur Singh was asked to relinquish office by the Centre. Interestingly, the decision was made within days of his return from Noida. Likewise, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati also lost her CM's chair after visiting Noida, in 1997. Then in 1989, ND Tiwari had to vacate the office and 10 years later in 1999, Kalyan Singh suffered due to the jinx.

Yogi Adityanath attends metro inauguration function, PM Modi praises him for breaking 'Noida jinx'

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Delhi Metro&#39;s Magenta Line today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The new 12.64-km route -- from Delhi&#39;s Kalkaji Mandir to Noida&#39;s Botanical Garden -- is expected to cut travel time from south Delhi to Noida by as much as 40 minutes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be present at the inauguration.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal however has not been invited.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Delhi&#39;s AAP government is currently locked in a bitter battle with the Centre over recent Delhi Metro fare hikes.</p>

<p>The Magenta Line will feature the country&#39;s first driverless metro trains.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of the trains on the new line had <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-metros-magenta-line-to-be-inaugurated-by-modi-crashes-through-wall-on-test-run-27200" target="_blank">had an accident</a> recently.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Delhi Metro had later said the fault had not been with the train and that the accident had been caused by human error.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It said the driver parking the metro train had forgotten to engage the brake, which caused it to roll back and crash through a wall of the Kalindi Kunj depot.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Delhi Metro has also said that while the metro trains will be &quot;driverless&quot;, a human operator will be present in the driver&#39;s cab for the first two to three years of operations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Adityanath had arrived in Noida Saturday to oversee preparations for the inauguration -- Noida residents said the town looked spruced up -- breaking the &quot;Noida jinx&quot; in the process.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The jinx is believed to cause Uttar Pradesh chief ministers who visit the city to lose the following elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the inauguration, Modi will also address a public gathering at Noida&#39;s Amity University.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Delhi&#39;s first metro line had also been inaugurated on Christmas day 15 years ago in 2002 by then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.&nbsp;</p>


The new 12.64-km route -- from Delhi's Kalkaji Mandir to Noida's Botanical Garden -- is expected to cut travel time from south Delhi to Noida by as much as 40 minutes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Delhi Metro's Magenta Line today. The new 12.64-km route -- from Delhi's Kalkaji Mandir to Noida's Botanical Garden -- is expected to cut travel time from south Delhi to Noida by as much as 40 minutes. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be present at the inauguration. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal however has not been invited. Delhi's AAP government is currently locked in a bitter battle with the Centre over recent Delhi Metro fare hikes. The Magenta Line will feature the country's first driverless metro trains. One of the trains on the new line had had an accident recently. Delhi Metro had later said the fault had not been with the train and that the accident had been caused by human error. It said the driver parking the metro train had forgotten to engage the brake, which caused it to roll back and crash through a wall of the Kalindi Kunj depot. Delhi Metro has also said that while the metro trains will be "driverless", a human operator will be present in the driver's cab for the first two to three years of operations. Adityanath had arrived in Noida Saturday to oversee preparations for the inauguration -- Noida residents said the town looked spruced up -- breaking the "Noida jinx" in the process. The jinx is believed to cause Uttar Pradesh chief ministers who visit the city to lose the following elections. After the inauguration, Modi will also address a public gathering at Noida's Amity University. Delhi's first metro line had also been inaugurated on Christmas day 15 years ago in 2002 by then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Modi to inaugurate Metro's Magenta line today with Yogi Adityanath, Delhi CM Kejriwal not invited

<p>Preparations are in full swing for the inauguration of a segment of the Delhi Metro&#39;s upcoming Magenta line jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on December 25, Christmas.</p>

<p>The 12.64 km section, connecting Botanical Garden in Noida with Kalkaji Mandir in south Delhi, is expected to reduce the travel time by approximately 40 minutes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The six-coach train will be the first driverless metros, equipped with several advanced features, to be inaugurated in the country. However, for the initial period, these trains will have drivers like other metros.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Later, PM Modi will also address a public meeting at the Amity University ground in Noida.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ahead of the big day, the Noida Traffic Police authorities have also issued an advisory in which entry of heavy vehicles has been banned in parts of Noida.</p>

<p>Vehicle traffic also won&#39;t be allowed from Sector 38 Botanical Garden bus stand to Atta Chowk road.</p>

<p>The roads that remain blocked from traffic are the roads leading to Sector 94, 124, 125 and 126.</p>

<p>The police also said that light vehicles can take the route of below the Mahamaya Flyover via Hajipur to reach sector 126.</p>

<p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath defied the 29-year-old Noida jinx and visited the city on Saturday evening, to take stock of the security and other preparations. &nbsp;</p>

<p>While Uttar Pradesh CM has been invited to the ceremony, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been ignored both by Centre and DMRC.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kejriwal, who authentically should be present at the inauguration, will be giving it a miss after his office denied receiving an invitation in this regard.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The AAP government is locked in a bitter battle with the Centre over the recent fare hike in the prices of Delhi Metro.</p>

<p>Recently, a metro train of the magenta line crashed into a wall at Kalindi Kunj depot after it rolled back on a ramp while being taken for washing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Although there had been no casualties, the incident raised a serious question on commuters&#39;&nbsp;safety.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Later, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) blamed the incident on human error and negligence during maintenance.</p>

<p>The Botanical Garden-Kalkaji section will comprise of nine stations. Apart from Kalkaji Mandir, all other stations are elevated.</p>


PM Modi will also address a public meeting at the Amity University ground in Noida

Preparations are in full swing for the inauguration of a segment of the Delhi Metro's upcoming Magenta line jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on December 25, Christmas. The 12.64 km section, connecting Botanical Garden in Noida with Kalkaji Mandir in south Delhi, is expected to reduce the travel time by approximately 40 minutes. The six-coach train will be the first driverless metros, equipped with several advanced features, to be inaugurated in the country. However, for the initial period, these trains will have drivers like other metros. Later, PM Modi will also address a public meeting at the Amity University ground in Noida. Ahead of the big day, the Noida Traffic Police authorities have also issued an advisory in which entry of heavy vehicles has been banned in parts of Noida. Vehicle traffic also won't be allowed from Sector 38 Botanical Garden bus stand to Atta Chowk road. The roads that remain blocked from traffic are the roads leading to Sector 94, 124, 125 and 126. The police also said that light vehicles can take the route of below the Mahamaya Flyover via Hajipur to reach sector 126. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath defied the 29-year-old Noida jinx and visited the city on Saturday evening, to take stock of the security and other preparations. While Uttar Pradesh CM has been invited to the ceremony, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been ignored both by Centre and DMRC. Kejriwal, who authentically should be present at the inauguration, will be giving it a miss after his office denied receiving an invitation in this regard. The AAP government is locked in a bitter battle with the Centre over the recent fare hike in the prices of Delhi Metro. Recently, a metro train of the magenta line crashed into a wall at Kalindi Kunj depot after it rolled back on a ramp while being taken for washing. Although there had been no casualties, the incident raised a serious question on commuters' safety. Later, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) blamed the incident on human error and negligence during maintenance. The Botanical Garden-Kalkaji section will comprise of nine stations. Apart from Kalkaji Mandir, all other stations are elevated.

'Santa' Modi to gift Metro's Magenta line to passengers on Christmas

<p>Newlyweds Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The twitter handle of the prime minister&#39;s office posted a picture of the meet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Captain of the Indian cricket team @imVkohli and noted actor @AnushkaSharma met PM @narendramodi this evening. The Prime Minister congratulated them on their wedding,&quot; it said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Captain of the Indian cricket team <a href="https://twitter.com/imVkohli?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@imVkohli</a> and noted actor <a href="https://twitter.com/AnushkaSharma?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnushkaSharma</a> met PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> this evening. The Prime Minister congratulated them on their wedding. <a href="https://t.co/sFP52DCJH3">pic.twitter.com/sFP52DCJH3</a></p>
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/943496066749440000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma met PM Narendra Modi today to extend wedding reception invitation. <a href="https://t.co/JZBrVLlkEJ">pic.twitter.com/JZBrVLlkEJ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/943506959168258048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>News reports said the couple, who got married on December 11 in Tuscany, Italy, invited Modi to their wedding reception.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The wedding itself was a private affair, with only friends and family in attendance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There has been some controvery over the wedding too, with a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-did-virat-anushka-not-hold-their-wedding-in-india-questions-madhya-pradesh-mla-27211">BJP MLA </a>from Madhya Pradesh asking on Tuesday why Virushka had got married outside the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>That the MP said was not very patriotic of them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Interestingly, the cricketer Gautam Gambhir came out in support of Kohli -- the two reportedly did not get along on the pitch -- on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Politicians, Gambhir said, should not poke their noses in other people&#39;s private affairs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In other just-as-important news, news reports said Wednesday that the rock Virat gave Anushka on their engagement cost Rs 1 crore.&nbsp;</p>


The prime minister congratulated them on their wedding

Newlyweds Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. The twitter handle of the prime minister's office posted a picture of the meet. "Captain of the Indian cricket team @imVkohli and noted actor @AnushkaSharma met PM @narendramodi this evening. The Prime Minister congratulated them on their wedding," it said. Captain of the Indian cricket team @imVkohli and noted actor @AnushkaSharma met PM @narendramodi this evening. The Prime Minister congratulated them on their wedding. pic.twitter.com/sFP52DCJH3 — PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 20, 2017 × #WATCH Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma met PM Narendra Modi today to extend wedding reception invitation. pic.twitter.com/JZBrVLlkEJ — ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2017 × News reports said the couple, who got married on December 11 in Tuscany, Italy, invited Modi to their wedding reception. The wedding itself was a private affair, with only friends and family in attendance. There has been some controvery over the wedding too, with a BJP MLA from Madhya Pradesh asking on Tuesday why Virushka had got married outside the country. That the MP said was not very patriotic of them. Interestingly, the cricketer Gautam Gambhir came out in support of Kohli -- the two reportedly did not get along on the pitch -- on Wednesday. Politicians, Gambhir said, should not poke their noses in other people's private affairs. In other just-as-important news, news reports said Wednesday that the rock Virat gave Anushka on their engagement cost Rs 1 crore.

Watch: Virushka meet PM Modi, invite him to wedding reception

<p>The Congress today accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of violating the Constitution and the dignity of his office by not acting against those behind &quot;conspiracy with Pakistan&quot;, a charge he made against his predecessor Manmohan Singh during the Gujarat poll campaign.</p>

<p>It said Modi should at least clarify his remark which he allegedly used to &quot;win&quot; the Gujarat election, saying had it been Atal Behari Vajpayee as prime minister, he could have apologised 10 times.</p>

<p>The party also alleged that Modi was trying to break the country and blemish the image of his predecessor. It earlier demanded an apology from the prime minister.</p>

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<h5>If you had proof, you should have lodged an FIR against former prime minister Manmohan Singh and arrested him. You are tarnishing his image and questioning his nationalism&#39;</h5>
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<p>The Congress earlier created an uproar in both the Houses of Parliament and disrupted proceedings. While the day&#39;s work in the Rajya Sabha was washed out, its members in the Lok Sabha staged a walkout and boycotted the lower house post- lunch.</p>

<p>&quot;The prime minister is trying to break the country and blemish the image of good peple,&quot; senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters outside Parliament.</p>

<p>He said if the prime minister had information about a &quot;secret meeting&quot; between senior Congress leaders and the Pakistan envoy and its ex- foreign minister which was &quot;anti- national&quot;, then why did he not use the Intelligence Bureau and other agencies at his disposal.</p>

<p>&quot;If the prime minister had proof, why did he not take the services of intelligence agencies if there was something anti-national. He has thereby violated the oath of secrecy he has taken...If it was not in the nation&#39;s interest and was anti-national, then you have violated the Constitution and the &#39;maryada&#39; (dignity) of office,&quot; he alleged.</p>

<p>The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said opposition parties have demanded that the prime minister clarifies the serious allegation he made during the Gujarat election about a &quot;secret&quot; meeting between the Pakistan envoy and an ex-foreign minister and Manmohan Singh, former vice president Hamid Ansari and an ex-Indian Army chief.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-claims-pakistan-trying-to-influence-gujarat-elections-26391" target="_blank">Modi claims Pakistan trying to influence Gujarat elections</a></p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/its-a-cock-and-bull-story-former-pakistan-minister-on-pm-modis-colluding-claims-26660" target="_blank">Kasuri rejects PM Modi&#39;s claim of Pakistan meddling in Gujarat elections</a></p>

<p>&quot;When the country?s prime minister publicly accuses Manmohan Singh of conspiring with Pakistan then it is a very serious allegation and he should clarify.</p>

<p>&quot;If he has a problem in seeking an apology, then the prime minister should say that to win the Gujarat election he threw a stunt, a &quot;gola&quot; (ball). It is acceptable to us,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Azad said had Vajpayee been there (as prime minister), &quot;he would have apologised 10 times. It depends on who is the prime minister&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;If the prime minister is taking his words back, we will accept that too. Then he need not apologise. He should only say that he said it to win the Gujarat election,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Azad said Modi should state in Parliament that the BJP was losing in Gujarat and it had no other option but to &quot;concoct&quot; the story of &quot;conspiracy with Pakistan&quot;, seek public sympathy and portray Congress leaders as anti-national.</p>

<p>&quot;Let the prime minister say and admit that his job is done and now the BJP has won the election, hence I take back my words. We will accept that. The one who has levelled allegations, should explain. If there is truth in his allegations, the people concerned be punished. We are ready for it,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;It is the culture of the BJP to abuse, call people anti-national, beat them, fire bullets at them. This has become an order of the day,&quot; he alleged.</p>

<p>&quot;There is only one way in a democracy and that is Parliament. The prime minister and the former prime minister, who is facing the allegation, both are members of Parliament,&quot; he said, adding that Modi should clarify in Parliament.&nbsp;</p>


The conspiracy charge had been made against former prime minister Manmohan Singh

The Congress today accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of violating the Constitution and the dignity of his office by not acting against those behind "conspiracy with Pakistan", a charge he made against his predecessor Manmohan Singh during the Gujarat poll campaign. It said Modi should at least clarify his remark which he allegedly used to "win" the Gujarat election, saying had it been Atal Behari Vajpayee as prime minister, he could have apologised 10 times. The party also alleged that Modi was trying to break the country and blemish the image of his predecessor. It earlier demanded an apology from the prime minister. If you had proof, you should have lodged an FIR against former prime minister Manmohan Singh and arrested him. You are tarnishing his image and questioning his nationalism' × The Congress earlier created an uproar in both the Houses of Parliament and disrupted proceedings. While the day's work in the Rajya Sabha was washed out, its members in the Lok Sabha staged a walkout and boycotted the lower house post- lunch. "The prime minister is trying to break the country and blemish the image of good peple," senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters outside Parliament. He said if the prime minister had information about a "secret meeting" between senior Congress leaders and the Pakistan envoy and its ex- foreign minister which was "anti- national", then why did he not use the Intelligence Bureau and other agencies at his disposal. "If the prime minister had proof, why did he not take the services of intelligence agencies if there was something anti-national. He has thereby violated the oath of secrecy he has taken...If it was not in the nation's interest and was anti-national, then you have violated the Constitution and the 'maryada' (dignity) of office," he alleged. The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said opposition parties have demanded that the prime minister clarifies the serious allegation he made during the Gujarat election about a "secret" meeting between the Pakistan envoy and an ex-foreign minister and Manmohan Singh, former vice president Hamid Ansari and an ex-Indian Army chief. Also read: Modi claims Pakistan trying to influence Gujarat elections Also read: Kasuri rejects PM Modi's claim of Pakistan meddling in Gujarat elections "When the country?s prime minister publicly accuses Manmohan Singh of conspiring with Pakistan then it is a very serious allegation and he should clarify. "If he has a problem in seeking an apology, then the prime minister should say that to win the Gujarat election he threw a stunt, a "gola" (ball). It is acceptable to us," he said. Azad said had Vajpayee been there (as prime minister), "he would have apologised 10 times. It depends on who is the prime minister". "If the prime minister is taking his words back, we will accept that too. Then he need not apologise. He should only say that he said it to win the Gujarat election," he said. Azad said Modi should state in Parliament that the BJP was losing in Gujarat and it had no other option but to "concoct" the story of "conspiracy with Pakistan", seek public sympathy and portray Congress leaders as anti-national. "Let the prime minister say and admit that his job is done and now the BJP has won the election, hence I take back my words. We will accept that. The one who has levelled allegations, should explain. If there is truth in his allegations, the people concerned be punished. We are ready for it," he said. "It is the culture of the BJP to abuse, call people anti-national, beat them, fire bullets at them. This has become an order of the day," he alleged. "There is only one way in a democracy and that is Parliament. The prime minister and the former prime minister, who is facing the allegation, both are members of Parliament," he said, adding that Modi should clarify in Parliament.

PM violated Constitution by not acting against those behind 'conspiracy with Pak': Congress

<p>A train testing Delhi Metro&#39;s magenta line, which was to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25, crashed through a wall on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The train broke through a boundary wall at the Kalindi Kunj depot.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The matter is being probed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PTI reported a Delhi Metro official as saying the front portion of the metro train and a stretch of the depot&#39;s boundary wall were damaged.</p>

<p>The official added that there were no casualties.</p>

<p>Interestingly, the metro&#39;s first &quot;driverless&quot;&nbsp;trains were to run on the magenta line.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Delhi Metro had said the trains would be fully automated, capable of running without a human in the driver&#39;s cab, but that a human would be placed in the cab for the first two to three years of operations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There has been no news as yet from Delhi Metro on whether those plans will now change.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The magenta&nbsp;line was meant to be a &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/from-time-saver-to-services-all-deets-about-delhi-metros-to-be-inaugurated-majenta-line-27166" target="_blank">Christmas gift</a>&quot;, with it cutting down travel time between south Delhi and Noida by as much as 40 minutes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There is at the moment no metro line running directly from south Delhi to Noida.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 12.64-km Kalkaji Mandir-Botanical Garden (in Noida) section was to be opened to the public on Christmas&nbsp;day itself.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The train broke through a boundary wall at the Kalindi Kunj depot

A train testing Delhi Metro's magenta line, which was to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25, crashed through a wall on Tuesday. The train broke through a boundary wall at the Kalindi Kunj depot. The matter is being probed. PTI reported a Delhi Metro official as saying the front portion of the metro train and a stretch of the depot's boundary wall were damaged. The official added that there were no casualties. Interestingly, the metro's first "driverless" trains were to run on the magenta line. The Delhi Metro had said the trains would be fully automated, capable of running without a human in the driver's cab, but that a human would be placed in the cab for the first two to three years of operations. There has been no news as yet from Delhi Metro on whether those plans will now change. The magenta line was meant to be a "Christmas gift", with it cutting down travel time between south Delhi and Noida by as much as 40 minutes. There is at the moment no metro line running directly from south Delhi to Noida. The 12.64-km Kalkaji Mandir-Botanical Garden (in Noida) section was to be opened to the public on Christmas day itself.

Watch: Train testing Delhi Metro's magenta line, to be inaugurated by Modi, crashes through wall

<p>&quot;I bow to the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for their affection and trust in BJP,&quot; Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP is on course <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-poll-results-bjp-on-victory-march-in-gujarat-himachal-pradesh-27047">to win in both Gujarat and Himachal</a>.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I bow to the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for their affection and trust in BJP. I assure them that we will leave no stone unturned in furthering the development journey of these states and serve the people tirelessly.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/942696436323434496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Election results in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh indicate a strong support for politics of good governance and development. I salute the hardworking BJP Karyakartas in these states for their hardwork which has led to these impressive victories.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/942696348419108864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;I assure them that we will leave no stone unturned in furthering the development journey of these states and serve the people tirelessly,&quot; Modi added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi said the election results indicate &quot;strong support&quot; for the &quot;politics of good governance and development&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-hails-gujarat-himachal-results-has-eyes-set-on-2019-27079">Amit Shah hails Gujarat, Himachal results; has eyes set on 2019</a></p>

<p>And he added that he saluted the &quot;hard-working BJP karyakartas (party workers) in these two states for their hard work which has led to these impressive victories&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It has been a long and bitter campaign in Gujarat, with Modi towards the fag end of his campaign even claiming that Pakistan was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-claims-pakistan-trying-to-influence-gujarat-elections-26391" target="_blank">meddling</a> in the Gujarat elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also told the electorate that Pakistan was trying to hoist a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-military-intelligence-from-pakistan-suggesting-ahmed-patel-for-gujarat-cm-pm-modi-26364" target="_blank">Muslim chief minister</a> on them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And despite what Modi might now say about the election results indicating support for &quot;good governance and development&quot;, the earlier allegations were meant not to draw attention to them but to other fears in the Gujarat electorate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Commentators have said Modi&#39;s last-minute intervention might have swung the election the BJP&#39;s way -- the party has been in power in Gujarat&nbsp;for 22 years, this will be its seventh stint in power -- but he has done so at a cost to his image.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The BJP is on course to win in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh

"I bow to the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for their affection and trust in BJP," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted Monday. The BJP is on course to win in both Gujarat and Himachal. I bow to the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for their affection and trust in BJP. I assure them that we will leave no stone unturned in furthering the development journey of these states and serve the people tirelessly. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2017 × Election results in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh indicate a strong support for politics of good governance and development. I salute the hardworking BJP Karyakartas in these states for their hardwork which has led to these impressive victories. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2017 × "I assure them that we will leave no stone unturned in furthering the development journey of these states and serve the people tirelessly," Modi added. Modi said the election results indicate "strong support" for the "politics of good governance and development". Also Read: Amit Shah hails Gujarat, Himachal results; has eyes set on 2019 And he added that he saluted the "hard-working BJP karyakartas (party workers) in these two states for their hard work which has led to these impressive victories". It has been a long and bitter campaign in Gujarat, with Modi towards the fag end of his campaign even claiming that Pakistan was meddling in the Gujarat elections. He also told the electorate that Pakistan was trying to hoist a Muslim chief minister on them. And despite what Modi might now say about the election results indicating support for "good governance and development", the earlier allegations were meant not to draw attention to them but to other fears in the Gujarat electorate. Commentators have said Modi's last-minute intervention might have swung the election the BJP's way -- the party has been in power in Gujarat for 22 years, this will be its seventh stint in power -- but he has done so at a cost to his image.

I bow to people of Gujarat and Himachal: Modi

<p>The Gujarat and Himachal election results show the country is ready for reform, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after winning Gujarat.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi was speaking at BJP headquarters in Delhi after the win.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: PM Narendra Modi at BJP HQ in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/Yf3azqwLW9">https://t.co/Yf3azqwLW9</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/942738207036207104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The BJP has reached the victory mark of&nbsp;92 in Gujarat -- but is looking like it will struggle to reach the 100 mark</p>

<p>The BJP has also won Himachal, getting to the victory mark of 35.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-accepts-verdict-of-the-people-rahul-gandhi-27081" target="_blank">Congress accepts verdict of the people, says&nbsp;Rahul Gandhi</a></p>

<p>The election results and &quot;in this day and age, for a party to keep winning for so long,&quot; Modi said, &quot;are historic&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Recent elections results have proven that the country is ready for reform, is looking towards things that perform in a positive way and believes in transformation,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;After 2014, there is hunger for development. Even if you do not like BJP, do not try to derail the progress being made towards development,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/people-questioning-pm-modis-policies-will-now-have-to-accept-his-leadership-cm-yogi-on-elections-results-27083" target="_blank">People questioning PM Modi&#39;s policies will now have to accept his leadership, says Yogi</a></p>

<p>He also added that &quot;So many conspiracies were hatched in Gujarat by Congress, misinformation was being spread.&quot; But &quot;People cannot bear if anyone makes fun of vikas&nbsp;(development)&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Development was the key theme of Modi&#39;s speech, with a few exceptions:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">30 years back, poison of caste was spread so badly in Gujarat that it took workers like me 30 years to get rid of it. In last few months there were attempts again to sow seeds of casteism, but people rejected it,I congratulate them, but ppl must be alert: PM Narendra Modi <a href="https://t.co/srlI5bsa3Y">pic.twitter.com/srlI5bsa3Y</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/942746690645237760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Taking of the Himachal elections, he said the results there &quot;show that if you don&#39;t do development and are embroiled in all wrong acts then after five years people will not accept you.&quot;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-hails-gujarat-himachal-results-has-eyes-set-on-2019-27079" target="_blank">Amit Shah hails Gujarat, Himachal results; has eyes set on 2019</a></p>

<p>And he thanked the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for choosing the path of development.&nbsp;</p>

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The Gujarat and Himachal election results show the country is ready for reform, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after winning Gujarat. Modi was speaking at BJP headquarters in Delhi after the win. #WATCH: PM Narendra Modi at BJP HQ in Delhi https://t.co/Yf3azqwLW9 — ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017 × The BJP has reached the victory mark of 92 in Gujarat -- but is looking like it will struggle to reach the 100 mark The BJP has also won Himachal, getting to the victory mark of 35. Also read: Congress accepts verdict of the people, says Rahul Gandhi The election results and "in this day and age, for a party to keep winning for so long," Modi said, "are historic". "Recent elections results have proven that the country is ready for reform, is looking towards things that perform in a positive way and believes in transformation," he added. "After 2014, there is hunger for development. Even if you do not like BJP, do not try to derail the progress being made towards development," he said. Also read: People questioning PM Modi's policies will now have to accept his leadership, says Yogi He also added that "So many conspiracies were hatched in Gujarat by Congress, misinformation was being spread." But "People cannot bear if anyone makes fun of vikas (development)". Development was the key theme of Modi's speech, with a few exceptions: 30 years back, poison of caste was spread so badly in Gujarat that it took workers like me 30 years to get rid of it. In last few months there were attempts again to sow seeds of casteism, but people rejected it,I congratulate them, but ppl must be alert: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/srlI5bsa3Y — ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017 × Taking of the Himachal elections, he said the results there "show that if you don't do development and are embroiled in all wrong acts then after five years people will not accept you." Also read: Amit Shah hails Gujarat, Himachal results; has eyes set on 2019 And he thanked the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for choosing the path of development.

Election results prove country ready for reform: Modi after Gujarat, Himachal win

<p>The BJP has won the Gujarat election but failed to cross the 100 mark.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It won 99 of the state&#39;s 182 seats, while the Congres won 77.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Himachal, the BJP won 44 of the state&#39;s 68 seats, while the Congress won 20.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Counting is still underway in Himachal in two seats -- with the Congress leading in one of them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/election-results-bjp-wins-gujaratand-himachal-27098" target="_blank">Election results prove country ready for reform, says Modi</a></p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-slowly-losing-power-ruling-only-four-states-following-election-27109" target="_blank">After Gujarat, Himachal losses, Congress left in power in only four states</a></p>

<p>An independent candidate is leading in the other.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the last elections, the BJP had won 115 seats in Gujarat. Which means it has won 16 fewer seats than last time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Anti-incumbency of course might have been to blame; the BJP has been in power for 22 years in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the BJP has probably taken a bigger hit because of the various protest movements against it led by Hardik Patel (the Patidars), Jignesh Mevani (the Dalits), and Alpesh Thakor (the OBCs).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav was quick to pick on the drop in the BJP&#39;s tally, saying it pointed to the hollowness of the Gujarat model of development.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Commentators have also pointed out that the Gujarat model of development (one which sees high growth) has not been accompanied by a growth in jobs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>That they say is what explains the Patidar agitation for reservations in government jobs and educational institutions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Himachal, the BJP won 18 more seats than last time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But in Himachal, anti-incumbency would have worked for the BJP and not against it.&nbsp;</p>


In Gujarat, the BJP won 16 fewer seats than last time

The BJP has won the Gujarat election but failed to cross the 100 mark. It won 99 of the state's 182 seats, while the Congres won 77. In Himachal, the BJP won 44 of the state's 68 seats, while the Congress won 20. Counting is still underway in Himachal in two seats -- with the Congress leading in one of them. Also read: Election results prove country ready for reform, says Modi Also read: After Gujarat, Himachal losses, Congress left in power in only four states An independent candidate is leading in the other. In the last elections, the BJP had won 115 seats in Gujarat. Which means it has won 16 fewer seats than last time. Anti-incumbency of course might have been to blame; the BJP has been in power for 22 years in the state. But the BJP has probably taken a bigger hit because of the various protest movements against it led by Hardik Patel (the Patidars), Jignesh Mevani (the Dalits), and Alpesh Thakor (the OBCs). Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav was quick to pick on the drop in the BJP's tally, saying it pointed to the hollowness of the Gujarat model of development. Commentators have also pointed out that the Gujarat model of development (one which sees high growth) has not been accompanied by a growth in jobs. That they say is what explains the Patidar agitation for reservations in government jobs and educational institutions. In Himachal, the BJP won 18 more seats than last time. But in Himachal, anti-incumbency would have worked for the BJP and not against it.

BJP wins Gujarat but does not cross 100 mark, takes Himachal easily

<p>There is &quot;tremendous undercurrent&quot; against the BJP in Gujarat, Congress president- elect Rahul Gandhi claimed today, and predicted a &quot;zabardast&quot; victory for his party in the Assembly elections.</p>

<p>Addressing a press conference on the last day of campaigning for the second phase of the poll on December 14, he claimed &quot;public mood&quot; had undergone a radical change with all sections of society angry with the ruling party.</p>

<p>He also disapproved of Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s insinuation that his predecessor Manmohan Singh and other leaders of his party connived with Pakistan to influence the Gujarat Assembly elections, saying it was unacceptable.</p>

<p>&quot;It is for the first time in an election that Modiji has not spoken about corruption...About farmers. There is (zabardast) tremendous undercurrent (against the BJP). Be it Patidars, OBCs, Dalits, farmers....All are angry. Public mood has undergone &#39;zabardast&#39; change.</p>

<p>&quot;The Congress will win the election....The results will be &#39;zabardast&#39;,&quot; a confident-looking Gandhi said.</p>

<p>Gandhi, addressing his first presser after his elevation, said, in his new job, he would strive to change the nature of political discourse in the country which has become &quot;ugly and nasty&quot;.</p>

<p>He questioned Modi&#39;s silence on allegations against BJP president Amit Shah&#39;s son Jay Shah, a charge the Gandhi scion raked up repeatedly at the hustings, and alleged irregularities in the Rafale fighter jet deal.</p>

<p>News portal &#39;The Wire&#39; had claimed some time ago that the turnover of a company owned by Jay Shah jumped manifold after the BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014.</p>

<p>Replying to a question on Modi&#39;s remarks over Pakistan meddling in the Gujarat polls, Gandhi said, &quot;I have made my stand clear from day one, in words and in action. Modiji is the prime minister of our country. Mani Shankar Aiyar said something and I made it clear that I would not tolerate it. You have seen the action.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;But what Modiji has said about former prime minister Manmohan Singh is not acceptable. Manmohan Singhji was also the prime minister of this country, served and made sacrifices for this country,&quot; the 47-year-old leader said.</p>

<p>Addressing an election rally in Palanpur in Gujarat on Sunday, Modi had sought to suggest that Pakistan was trying to influence the assembly polls in the state.</p>

<p>Modi claimed some current and former Pakistani officials and Manmohan Singh met at Aiyar&#39;s house over dinner on December 6, and a day later Aiyar made the &quot;neech&quot; jibe against him. Aiyar was suspended from the party.</p>

<p>&quot;Narendra Modiji is my political opponent. He speaks many wrong things about me. But as he is the prime minister of the country, not a single bad word will come out of my mouth for him.</p>

<p>&quot;I want to change the political discourse. It has become ugly, it has become nasty. The atmosphere is filled with anger,&quot; he noted.</p>

<p>Gandhi said he would like to spread the Congress&#39;s ideology in the country that politics should be done through &quot;love&quot;. He was replying to question about what will be his priority after taking over the reins of the party.</p>

<p>He said the prime minister refrained from speaking about corruption during the entire campaign.</p>

<p>The Congress leader also took on those who raised eyebrows over his visits to temples in Gujarat, wondering if it was wrong to pray for the well-being of people of the state.</p>

<p>&quot;Mandir jana mana hai kya (Am I not allowed to visit temple)? I have asked for the well-being of the people of Gujarat during my temple visits,&quot; Gandhi said, responding to a question.</p>

<p>When his attention was drawn to claims by BJP leaders that he only visited temples in Gujarat, the Congress leader said, &quot;Earlier, I had gone to Kedarnath. Is Kedarnath in Gujarat? This is the BJP&#39;s propaganda against me.&quot;</p>

<p>Gandhi started his day by offering prayers at the famous Lord Jagannath temple here.</p>

<p>Taking a jibe at Modi over his sea-plane ride from the Sabarmati River here to Dharoi Dam in Mehsana district, Gandhi said it was a distraction from the main issues of Gujarat.</p>

<p>Asked how will his party give reservation to the Patel community, a section of which is on warpath with the BJP government, breaching the cap of 50 per cent set by the Supreme court, Gandhi said, &quot;The Congress party&#39;s manifesto is clear about it.&quot;</p>

<p>Gandhi refuted allegations of BJP leaders that Congress was playing caste politics in the elections by enlisting support of caste and community group leaders like Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mevani and Alpesh Thakor.</p>

<p>&quot;The Congress wants to take along all sections of Gujarat together as against the BJP which has worked for 10 to 15 industrialists. All sections of society are angry with the BJP and that anger is coming out before this election,&quot; he said. PTI<br />
&nbsp;</p>


There is a 'tremendous undercurrent' against the BJP, said Rahul Gandhi

There is "tremendous undercurrent" against the BJP in Gujarat, Congress president- elect Rahul Gandhi claimed today, and predicted a "zabardast" victory for his party in the Assembly elections. Addressing a press conference on the last day of campaigning for the second phase of the poll on December 14, he claimed "public mood" had undergone a radical change with all sections of society angry with the ruling party. He also disapproved of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's insinuation that his predecessor Manmohan Singh and other leaders of his party connived with Pakistan to influence the Gujarat Assembly elections, saying it was unacceptable. "It is for the first time in an election that Modiji has not spoken about corruption...About farmers. There is (zabardast) tremendous undercurrent (against the BJP). Be it Patidars, OBCs, Dalits, farmers....All are angry. Public mood has undergone 'zabardast' change. "The Congress will win the election....The results will be 'zabardast'," a confident-looking Gandhi said. Gandhi, addressing his first presser after his elevation, said, in his new job, he would strive to change the nature of political discourse in the country which has become "ugly and nasty". He questioned Modi's silence on allegations against BJP president Amit Shah's son Jay Shah, a charge the Gandhi scion raked up repeatedly at the hustings, and alleged irregularities in the Rafale fighter jet deal. News portal 'The Wire' had claimed some time ago that the turnover of a company owned by Jay Shah jumped manifold after the BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014. Replying to a question on Modi's remarks over Pakistan meddling in the Gujarat polls, Gandhi said, "I have made my stand clear from day one, in words and in action. Modiji is the prime minister of our country. Mani Shankar Aiyar said something and I made it clear that I would not tolerate it. You have seen the action." "But what Modiji has said about former prime minister Manmohan Singh is not acceptable. Manmohan Singhji was also the prime minister of this country, served and made sacrifices for this country," the 47-year-old leader said. Addressing an election rally in Palanpur in Gujarat on Sunday, Modi had sought to suggest that Pakistan was trying to influence the assembly polls in the state. Modi claimed some current and former Pakistani officials and Manmohan Singh met at Aiyar's house over dinner on December 6, and a day later Aiyar made the "neech" jibe against him. Aiyar was suspended from the party. "Narendra Modiji is my political opponent. He speaks many wrong things about me. But as he is the prime minister of the country, not a single bad word will come out of my mouth for him. "I want to change the political discourse. It has become ugly, it has become nasty. The atmosphere is filled with anger," he noted. Gandhi said he would like to spread the Congress's ideology in the country that politics should be done through "love". He was replying to question about what will be his priority after taking over the reins of the party. He said the prime minister refrained from speaking about corruption during the entire campaign. The Congress leader also took on those who raised eyebrows over his visits to temples in Gujarat, wondering if it was wrong to pray for the well-being of people of the state. "Mandir jana mana hai kya (Am I not allowed to visit temple)? I have asked for the well-being of the people of Gujarat during my temple visits," Gandhi said, responding to a question. When his attention was drawn to claims by BJP leaders that he only visited temples in Gujarat, the Congress leader said, "Earlier, I had gone to Kedarnath. Is Kedarnath in Gujarat? This is the BJP's propaganda against me." Gandhi started his day by offering prayers at the famous Lord Jagannath temple here. Taking a jibe at Modi over his sea-plane ride from the Sabarmati River here to Dharoi Dam in Mehsana district, Gandhi said it was a distraction from the main issues of Gujarat. Asked how will his party give reservation to the Patel community, a section of which is on warpath with the BJP government, breaching the cap of 50 per cent set by the Supreme court, Gandhi said, "The Congress party's manifesto is clear about it." Gandhi refuted allegations of BJP leaders that Congress was playing caste politics in the elections by enlisting support of caste and community group leaders like Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mevani and Alpesh Thakor. "The Congress wants to take along all sections of Gujarat together as against the BJP which has worked for 10 to 15 industrialists. All sections of society are angry with the BJP and that anger is coming out before this election," he said. PTI

Undercurrent against BJP, Gujarat election results will be 'zabardast': Rahul

<p>As Prime Minister Narendra Modi soared into the clear Ahmedabad sky on a seaplane from the Sabarmati river marking a dramatic end to a gruelling election campaign, the flight created huge waves in Gujarat&#39;s politically turbulent waters.</p>

<p>The BJP was quick to hail it as a reflection of &quot;vikas&quot; ushered in by the party&#39;s governments in the state, while the Congress debunked its development claim.</p>

<p>&quot;This is a demonstration of &#39;vikas&#39;. The whole world is watching how development has taken a leap from the Sabarmati river,&quot; BJP spokesman Sambit Patra said.</p>

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<h5>If he wants to fly on a seaplane, there is nothing wrong about it. But the issue is not the seaplane...It is the distraction (from the real issues). The question is what has been done for Gujarat in the last 22 years?&#39; said Rahul Gandhi</h5>
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<p>Congress&#39;s president designate Rahul Gandhi was, however, not impressed.</p>

<p>&quot;If he wants to fly on a seaplane, there is nothing wrong about it. But the issue is not the seaplane...It is the distraction (from the real issues). The question is what has been done for Gujarat in the last 22 years,&quot; he told a press conference in Ahmedabad.</p>

<p>Modi ended the campaign for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly polls in style as he took a seaplane ride from the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam in north Gujarat, and returned after offering prayers at the famous Ambaji Temple and holding a road show.</p>

<p>He boarded the single-engine seaplane from near the Sardar Bridge connecting the old city with Ahmedabad west and flew to Dharoi Dam in Mehsana district.</p>

<p>Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani claimed it was the first time a seaplane landed on a water body in the country.</p>

<p>Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala mocked Modi&#39;s ride and the BJP&#39;s claim of it being a reflection of development.</p>

<p>&quot;Vikas ki baatein unko na bhai, kehte hain unko hawa hawai. (They don&#39;t like the talk of development. These are people who engage in empty talk),&quot; he tweeted in Hindi, in a parody of the &#39;Hawa Hawai&#39; song from hit Bollywood flick &#39;Mr India&#39;.</p>

<p>Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad slammed the Congress for criticising Modi&#39;s seaplane ride, and said the previous Congress rule was marked by &quot;choppers scam&quot;.</p>

<p>BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said,&quot;The very talk of development hassles them. The people of Gujarat are happy about the bullet train project, but they (the Congress) are &#39;pareshan&#39; about it.&quot;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-claims-pakistan-trying-to-influence-gujarat-elections-26391" target="_blank">Also read: Modi claims Pakistan trying to influence Gujarat elections</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-one-can-lamely-question-my-public-service-manmohan-to-modi-on-pak-meddling-allegations-26463" target="_blank">No one can lamely question my public service: Manmohan to Modi on Pak meddling allegations</a></p>

<p>The ride, however, was a hit among the locals who chanted &quot;Modi! Modi!&quot; as the craft took off from the Sardar Bridge-end on the Sabarmati riverfront, which the BJP dispensation has been flaunting as a manifestation of development under Modi when he was the state&#39;s chief minister.</p>

<p>From Dharoi dam site, the prime minister reached the temple by road after covering a distance of around 50 km. He was greeted by the people of Ambaji town during a roadshow that stretched from the outskirts of the temple town to near the shrine.</p>

<p>The prime minister apparently chose to fly by the seaplane to end his campaign in style after the Ahmedabad district administration yesterday cancelled the roadshows by both Modi and Rahul Gandhi for logistical reasons.</p>

<p>Modi told an election rally yesterday that for the first time in the history of the country a seaplane would land on the Sabarmati river.</p>

<p>Rupani had said it was for the first time in the country&#39;s history that a seaplane would land on a water body and that would be the Sabarmati river.</p>

<p>However, Priyanka Chaturvedi, another Congress spokesperson, claimed seaplanes had been flown in the country in the past too. &quot;2010 in Andaman 2015 in Kerala. However let facts never come in the way of BJP and Modi&#39;s narrative,&quot; she tweeted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi soared, in a seaplane, into a clear Ahmedabad sky from the Sabarmati river marking a dramatic end to a gruelling (and bitter) election campaign

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi soared into the clear Ahmedabad sky on a seaplane from the Sabarmati river marking a dramatic end to a gruelling election campaign, the flight created huge waves in Gujarat's politically turbulent waters. The BJP was quick to hail it as a reflection of "vikas" ushered in by the party's governments in the state, while the Congress debunked its development claim. "This is a demonstration of 'vikas'. The whole world is watching how development has taken a leap from the Sabarmati river," BJP spokesman Sambit Patra said. If he wants to fly on a seaplane, there is nothing wrong about it. But the issue is not the seaplane...It is the distraction (from the real issues). The question is what has been done for Gujarat in the last 22 years?' said Rahul Gandhi × Congress's president designate Rahul Gandhi was, however, not impressed. "If he wants to fly on a seaplane, there is nothing wrong about it. But the issue is not the seaplane...It is the distraction (from the real issues). The question is what has been done for Gujarat in the last 22 years," he told a press conference in Ahmedabad. Modi ended the campaign for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly polls in style as he took a seaplane ride from the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam in north Gujarat, and returned after offering prayers at the famous Ambaji Temple and holding a road show. He boarded the single-engine seaplane from near the Sardar Bridge connecting the old city with Ahmedabad west and flew to Dharoi Dam in Mehsana district. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani claimed it was the first time a seaplane landed on a water body in the country. Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala mocked Modi's ride and the BJP's claim of it being a reflection of development. "Vikas ki baatein unko na bhai, kehte hain unko hawa hawai. (They don't like the talk of development. These are people who engage in empty talk)," he tweeted in Hindi, in a parody of the 'Hawa Hawai' song from hit Bollywood flick 'Mr India'. Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad slammed the Congress for criticising Modi's seaplane ride, and said the previous Congress rule was marked by "choppers scam". BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said,"The very talk of development hassles them. The people of Gujarat are happy about the bullet train project, but they (the Congress) are 'pareshan' about it." Also read: Modi claims Pakistan trying to influence Gujarat elections No one can lamely question my public service: Manmohan to Modi on Pak meddling allegations The ride, however, was a hit among the locals who chanted "Modi! Modi!" as the craft took off from the Sardar Bridge-end on the Sabarmati riverfront, which the BJP dispensation has been flaunting as a manifestation of development under Modi when he was the state's chief minister. From Dharoi dam site, the prime minister reached the temple by road after covering a distance of around 50 km. He was greeted by the people of Ambaji town during a roadshow that stretched from the outskirts of the temple town to near the shrine. The prime minister apparently chose to fly by the seaplane to end his campaign in style after the Ahmedabad district administration yesterday cancelled the roadshows by both Modi and Rahul Gandhi for logistical reasons. Modi told an election rally yesterday that for the first time in the history of the country a seaplane would land on the Sabarmati river. Rupani had said it was for the first time in the country's history that a seaplane would land on a water body and that would be the Sabarmati river. However, Priyanka Chaturvedi, another Congress spokesperson, claimed seaplanes had been flown in the country in the past too. "2010 in Andaman 2015 in Kerala. However let facts never come in the way of BJP and Modi's narrative," she tweeted.

Gujarat elections: PM makes splash with seaplane ride to mark end of campaign

<p>Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s allegation that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-claims-pakistan-trying-to-influence-gujarat-elections-26391" target="_blank">Pakistan is meddling</a> in the Gujarat elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I am deeply pained and anguished by the falsehood and canards being spread to score political points in a lost cause by none less than Prime Minister Sh. Narender Modi,&quot; Singh said in a statement released by him on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi had made the allegation after former Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had called him a &quot;neech&quot; person.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi, at a campaign rally in Gujarat, said Aiyar, Manmohan Singh and former vice-president Hamid Ansari had met with the Pakistan high commissioner at a dinner in Delhi. And that the next day Aiyar had called him &quot;neech&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi also talked of an appeal -- the veracity of which is still uncertain -- by former director general (DG) of the Pakistan Army, Sardar Arshad Rafiq, to make senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel the chief minister of Gujarat.</p>

<p>&quot;Fearing imminent defeat in Gujarat, desperation of Prime Minister to hurl every abuse and latch on to every straw is palpable. Sadly &amp; regrettably, Sh. Modi is setting a dangerous precedent by his insatiable desire to tarnish every constitutional office, including that of a Former Prime Minister and Army Chief,&quot; Singh said in his statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It later came to light that the dinner -- hosted by Aiyar -- had also been attended by a former Indian Army chief.&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>I sincerely hope that he will apologize to the Nation for his ill-thought transgression to restore the dignity of the office he occupies</h5>
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<p>&nbsp;<br />
In his statement, Manmohan Singh also went on to take a potshot at Modi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;The Congress Party needs no sermons on &#39;Nationalism&#39;&nbsp;from a party and Prime Minister whose compromised track record on fighting terrorism is well known. Let me remind Sh. Narender Modi that he had gone to Pakistan uninvited after the terrorist attacks in Udhampur and Gurdaspur. Let him also tell the country the reason for inviting the infamous ISI of Pakistan to our strategic Air Base in Pathankot to investigate a terror attack that emanated from Pakistan.&quot;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Singh added that &quot;no one, including Shri Modi, can lamely question&quot; his record of public service over the last five decades.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The rest of Singh&#39;s statement read:&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;My track record of public service to the country over last five decades is known to everyone. No one, including Sh. Modi, can lamely question it to gain lost political ground.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
I reject the innuendos and falsehoods as I did not discuss Gujarat elections with anyone else at the dinner hosted by Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar as alleged by Shri Modi. &nbsp;Nor was the Gujarat issue raised by anyone else present at the dinner. &nbsp;The discussion was confined to India-Pakistan relations. &nbsp;Names of the distinguished Indian public servants and journalists present at the dinner are enclosed to this statement. &nbsp;None of them could be accused of indulging in any anti-national activities.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
I sincerely hope that Prime Minister will show the maturity and gravitas expected of the high office he holds instead of concentrating his energy solely on erroneously conceived brownie points. I sincerely hope that he will apologize to the Nation for his ill thought transgression to restore the dignity of the office he occupies.&quot;&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi had alleged that Pakistan was meddling in the Gujarat elections

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allegation that Pakistan is meddling in the Gujarat elections. "I am deeply pained and anguished by the falsehood and canards being spread to score political points in a lost cause by none less than Prime Minister Sh. Narender Modi," Singh said in a statement released by him on Monday. Modi had made the allegation after former Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had called him a "neech" person. Modi, at a campaign rally in Gujarat, said Aiyar, Manmohan Singh and former vice-president Hamid Ansari had met with the Pakistan high commissioner at a dinner in Delhi. And that the next day Aiyar had called him "neech". Modi also talked of an appeal -- the veracity of which is still uncertain -- by former director general (DG) of the Pakistan Army, Sardar Arshad Rafiq, to make senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel the chief minister of Gujarat. "Fearing imminent defeat in Gujarat, desperation of Prime Minister to hurl every abuse and latch on to every straw is palpable. Sadly & regrettably, Sh. Modi is setting a dangerous precedent by his insatiable desire to tarnish every constitutional office, including that of a Former Prime Minister and Army Chief," Singh said in his statement. It later came to light that the dinner -- hosted by Aiyar -- had also been attended by a former Indian Army chief. I sincerely hope that he will apologize to the Nation for his ill-thought transgression to restore the dignity of the office he occupies × In his statement, Manmohan Singh also went on to take a potshot at Modi. "The Congress Party needs no sermons on 'Nationalism' from a party and Prime Minister whose compromised track record on fighting terrorism is well known. Let me remind Sh. Narender Modi that he had gone to Pakistan uninvited after the terrorist attacks in Udhampur and Gurdaspur. Let him also tell the country the reason for inviting the infamous ISI of Pakistan to our strategic Air Base in Pathankot to investigate a terror attack that emanated from Pakistan." Singh added that "no one, including Shri Modi, can lamely question" his record of public service over the last five decades. The rest of Singh's statement read: "My track record of public service to the country over last five decades is known to everyone. No one, including Sh. Modi, can lamely question it to gain lost political ground. I reject the innuendos and falsehoods as I did not discuss Gujarat elections with anyone else at the dinner hosted by Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar as alleged by Shri Modi. Nor was the Gujarat issue raised by anyone else present at the dinner. The discussion was confined to India-Pakistan relations. Names of the distinguished Indian public servants and journalists present at the dinner are enclosed to this statement. None of them could be accused of indulging in any anti-national activities. I sincerely hope that Prime Minister will show the maturity and gravitas expected of the high office he holds instead of concentrating his energy solely on erroneously conceived brownie points. I sincerely hope that he will apologize to the Nation for his ill thought transgression to restore the dignity of the office he occupies."

No one can lamely question my public service: Manmohan to Modi on Pak meddling allegations

<p>The BJP stuck to its stand Monday on the meeting between Congress leaders and Pakistani officials.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Congress must come out with detailed facts what transpired in that meeting and what was the necessity of having it in present circumstances,&quot; Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Yesterday they were in denial about it and today instead of accepting it as a misadventure, they try to blame those raising the issue,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also added that &quot;Those like Mani Shankar Aiyar always had an inconsistent position.&quot; That &quot;They maintained a parallel line of dialogue, underplayed Pakistan&#39;s role in instigating terrorism in India and continued to engage with them (Pak).&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Those like Mani Shankar Aiyar always had an inconsistent position. They maintained a parallel line of dialogue, underplayed Pakistan&#39;s role in instigating terrorism in India &amp; continued to engage with them (Pak) : FM Arun Jaitley <a href="https://t.co/pACCscylnq">pic.twitter.com/pACCscylnq</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940229926548004864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He also added that &quot;Former PM Manmohan Singh has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-one-can-lamely-question-my-public-service-manmohan-to-modi-on-pak-meddling-allegations-26463" target="_blank">issued a statement</a> asking PM Modi to apologise for what he said in an election rally with regard to a meeting involving Pakistani delegations. It is surprising that (the) Congress party expect the Prime Minister of India to apologise for it.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Modi had referred to the meeting while campaigning in Gujarat. He said the meeting had been attended by Mani Shankar Aiyar, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and former Vice-President Hamid Ansari.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that the day after the meeting former Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had called him a &quot;neech&quot; person, and alleged that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-claims-pakistan-trying-to-influence-gujarat-elections-26391" target="_blank">Pakistan was interfering</a> in the Gujarat elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>News reports however have since said that the dinner meeting, hosted by Aiyar, was also attended by, among other, a former Indian Army chief.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The former Army chief, Deepak Kapoor, has said on record that the only thing discussed at the dinner was India-Pak relations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And that Gujarat was not brought up.&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi had alleged, while referring to the meeting, that Pakistan was meddling in the Gujarat elections

The BJP stuck to its stand Monday on the meeting between Congress leaders and Pakistani officials. "Congress must come out with detailed facts what transpired in that meeting and what was the necessity of having it in present circumstances," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said. "Yesterday they were in denial about it and today instead of accepting it as a misadventure, they try to blame those raising the issue," he added. He also added that "Those like Mani Shankar Aiyar always had an inconsistent position." That "They maintained a parallel line of dialogue, underplayed Pakistan's role in instigating terrorism in India and continued to engage with them (Pak)." Those like Mani Shankar Aiyar always had an inconsistent position. They maintained a parallel line of dialogue, underplayed Pakistan's role in instigating terrorism in India & continued to engage with them (Pak) : FM Arun Jaitley pic.twitter.com/pACCscylnq — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017 × He also added that "Former PM Manmohan Singh has issued a statement asking PM Modi to apologise for what he said in an election rally with regard to a meeting involving Pakistani delegations. It is surprising that (the) Congress party expect the Prime Minister of India to apologise for it." Prime Minister Modi had referred to the meeting while campaigning in Gujarat. He said the meeting had been attended by Mani Shankar Aiyar, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and former Vice-President Hamid Ansari. He said that the day after the meeting former Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had called him a "neech" person, and alleged that Pakistan was interfering in the Gujarat elections. News reports however have since said that the dinner meeting, hosted by Aiyar, was also attended by, among other, a former Indian Army chief. The former Army chief, Deepak Kapoor, has said on record that the only thing discussed at the dinner was India-Pak relations. And that Gujarat was not brought up.

BJP sticks to guns, Jaitley says Congress must come out with detailed facts on Pakistani meeting

<p>Rahul Gandhi said on Sunday that he would beat Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Gujarat elections with love, and without anger.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Modi ji, Gujarat mein hum aapko pyaar se, bina gusse ke haraane jaa rahe hain: Rahul Gandhi in Kalol <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/DqtKTyz5n0">pic.twitter.com/DqtKTyz5n0</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939840767165587456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He went on to say the prime minister uses &quot;bad words&quot; against him but that he himself would not respond in kind.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Rahul Gandhi respects the post of PM. No matter what PM says about me, but I won&#39;t utter even a single bad word about the PM,&quot; Rahul said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-neech-jibe-on-pm-modi-congress-suspends-mani-shankar-aiyar-26159" target="_blank">After &#39;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-neech-jibe-on-pm-modi-congress-suspends-mani-shankar-aiyar-26159" target="_blank">neech</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-neech-jibe-on-pm-modi-congress-suspends-mani-shankar-aiyar-26159" target="_blank">&#39; jibe on PM Modi, Congress suspends Mani Shankar Aiyar</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Modi ji keeps using bad words against me in his speeches, even today he did so. Rahul Gandhi respects the post of PM. No matter what PM says about me, but I won&#39;t utter even a single bad word about the PM: Rahul Gandhi in Kalol <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/q4yo4Uzrgf">pic.twitter.com/q4yo4Uzrgf</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939840420816678914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rahul was campaigning in Kalol in Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-the-underdog-26329" target="_blank">Rahul, the underdog?</a></p>

<p>Gujarat will go to the polls again on December 14. The first phase of voting took place on December 9, and the counting of votes will take place on December 18.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rahul also added that he will never forget the love shown him in Gujarat over the last three months of the election campaign.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Jab tak mai zinda hoon, mai aapka pyaar nahi bhoolne wala jo aapne pichle 3 mahine mein dikhaya.Aapko meri zarurat kabhi bhi ho, sirf mujhe bulaao, order do aur mai karke dikhaunga.Aapne mere saath rishta bana liya hai,ye zindagi ka rishta hai, tootega nahi: Rahul Gandhi in Kalol <a href="https://t.co/oeSb98TOWr">pic.twitter.com/oeSb98TOWr</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939847085309902850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


He went on to say the prime minister uses 'bad words' against him but that he himself would not respond in kind

Rahul Gandhi said on Sunday that he would beat Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Gujarat elections with love, and without anger. Modi ji, Gujarat mein hum aapko pyaar se, bina gusse ke haraane jaa rahe hain: Rahul Gandhi in Kalol #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/DqtKTyz5n0 — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2017 × He went on to say the prime minister uses "bad words" against him but that he himself would not respond in kind. "Rahul Gandhi respects the post of PM. No matter what PM says about me, but I won't utter even a single bad word about the PM," Rahul said. Also read: After 'neech' jibe on PM Modi, Congress suspends Mani Shankar Aiyar Modi ji keeps using bad words against me in his speeches, even today he did so. Rahul Gandhi respects the post of PM. No matter what PM says about me, but I won't utter even a single bad word about the PM: Rahul Gandhi in Kalol #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/q4yo4Uzrgf — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2017 × Rahul was campaigning in Kalol in Gujarat. Also read: Rahul, the underdog? Gujarat will go to the polls again on December 14. The first phase of voting took place on December 9, and the counting of votes will take place on December 18. Rahul also added that he will never forget the love shown him in Gujarat over the last three months of the election campaign. Jab tak mai zinda hoon, mai aapka pyaar nahi bhoolne wala jo aapne pichle 3 mahine mein dikhaya.Aapko meri zarurat kabhi bhi ho, sirf mujhe bulaao, order do aur mai karke dikhaunga.Aapne mere saath rishta bana liya hai,ye zindagi ka rishta hai, tootega nahi: Rahul Gandhi in Kalol pic.twitter.com/oeSb98TOWr — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2017 ×

Rahul tells Modi: Will beat you in Gujarat with love, without anger

<p>Sixty-eight per cent polling was recorded today in the first phase of polls in 89 Assembly seats in Gujarat where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress&#39; soon-to-be president Rahul Gandhi are locked in a bitter, high-stakes political battle after a 22-year BJP reign.</p>

<p>The final figure was likely to go up since people were still standing in queues outside polling centres after the close of voting at 5 pm, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha said in Delhi.</p>

<p>Even as the polling passed off peacefully, opposition leaders raised apprehensions about electronic voting machine (EVM) tampering, a charge rejected by the EC.</p>

<p>The BJP took pot-shots at the Congress saying that the party was looking for excuses.</p>

<p>Sixty-eight per cent of the 2.1 crore voters exercised their franchise, Sinha said.</p>

<p>Responding to a series of questions on reports of EVM tampering, Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Jain said one complaint filed by a Congress candidate in Porbandar regarding his cell phone getting connected to an EVM through &#39;bluetooth&#39; was found to be incorrect.</p>

<p>The complaint was lodged by senior Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia.</p>

<p>Jain said experts found that the cell phone was actually connected to the bluetooth of a polling agent&#39;s mobile.</p>

<p>The EVM has &quot;no receptors&quot; and cannot be connected to any other device except the control unit and the paper trail machine, he said, adding it has no bluetooth or USB (pen drive in common parlance) port.</p>

<p>State Election Commission officials said there were reports of technical glitches in EVMs in Surat and some other centres, but the polling process resumed after the machines were replaced.</p>

<p>They said 977 candidates were in the fray in the 89 seats of Saurashtra and South Gujarat, of which 63 were won by the BJP and 22 by the Congress in the 2012 Assembly polls. A total turn out of 71.32 per cent was recorded in the last election to the 182-member Assembly.</p>

<p>Several important leaders, including Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, his opponent from Rajkot (West) seat Indranil Rajyaguru, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, Gujarat BJP chief Jitu Vaghani were among the early voters.</p>

<p>Cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara also cast his vote in Rajkot.</p>

<p>Prominent candidates in today&#39;s battle included Rupani and Congress&#39; Shaktisinh Gohil (Mandvi) and Paresh Dhanani (Amreli).</p>

<p>As the polling process began at 8 am, people stepped out of their houses braving the winter chill and queued up to cast votes at the polling stations.</p>

<p>With the marriage season on, brides and grooms, clad in wedding finery, came to polling booths along with their relatives to exercise their franchise. Many such voters were seen in Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Gondal and Surat. A 115-year-old woman from Upleta town of Rajkot, Aajiben Chandravadia, also voted, reports said.</p>

<p>The election in Modi&#39;s home state is crucial for the Congress and the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and is seen as a prestige battle for the prime minister, who was the chief minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, and a litmus test for the opposition party&#39;s heir-apparent Rahul Gandhi.</p>

<p>Emotive issues of religion and caste competed with that of development and the attacks by the two parties often turned personal as leaders indulged in name-calling.</p>

<p>The Congress, in the political wilderness in Gujarat for nearly 22 years, is desperate to break the jinx. It has raised questions on BJP&#39;s Gujarat &quot;development model&quot;, demonetisation and GST.</p>

<p>The BJP is banking on its performance and Modi&#39;s popularity to counter any anti-incumbency or impact of the Patidar quota stir. Modi has attacked the Congress over the issue of dynastic politics and corruption and invoked &quot;Gujarati pride&#39; in his campaign speeches.</p>

<p>While Modi addressed about 15 rallies, Gandhi spent more than seven days in Saurashtra and south Gujarat, addressing a number of meetings and emerging as the Congress pivot to take on the prime minister on his home turf.</p>

<p>EC officials said a total of 26,865 ballot units (on which votes are cast), 24,689 control units which are kept with the presiding officer and an equal number of paper trail machines were deployed.</p>

<p>Out of these, 181 ballot units (0.6 per cent of the total), 223 control units (0.55 per cent of the total) and 714 paper trail machines (1.75 per cent of the total) were replaced during polling, they said.</p>

<p>Over 6,000 ballot papers were electronically transferred to service voters, a major achievement considering that the practice of e-ballots was new, Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena said in Delhi.</p>

<p>The second phase of polling in 93 seats will be held on December 14 while the counting of votes is scheduled on December 18.&nbsp;</p>


The charge was rejected by the Election Commission

Sixty-eight per cent polling was recorded today in the first phase of polls in 89 Assembly seats in Gujarat where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress' soon-to-be president Rahul Gandhi are locked in a bitter, high-stakes political battle after a 22-year BJP reign. The final figure was likely to go up since people were still standing in queues outside polling centres after the close of voting at 5 pm, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha said in Delhi. Even as the polling passed off peacefully, opposition leaders raised apprehensions about electronic voting machine (EVM) tampering, a charge rejected by the EC. The BJP took pot-shots at the Congress saying that the party was looking for excuses. Sixty-eight per cent of the 2.1 crore voters exercised their franchise, Sinha said. Responding to a series of questions on reports of EVM tampering, Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Jain said one complaint filed by a Congress candidate in Porbandar regarding his cell phone getting connected to an EVM through 'bluetooth' was found to be incorrect. The complaint was lodged by senior Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia. Jain said experts found that the cell phone was actually connected to the bluetooth of a polling agent's mobile. The EVM has "no receptors" and cannot be connected to any other device except the control unit and the paper trail machine, he said, adding it has no bluetooth or USB (pen drive in common parlance) port. State Election Commission officials said there were reports of technical glitches in EVMs in Surat and some other centres, but the polling process resumed after the machines were replaced. They said 977 candidates were in the fray in the 89 seats of Saurashtra and South Gujarat, of which 63 were won by the BJP and 22 by the Congress in the 2012 Assembly polls. A total turn out of 71.32 per cent was recorded in the last election to the 182-member Assembly. Several important leaders, including Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, his opponent from Rajkot (West) seat Indranil Rajyaguru, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, Gujarat BJP chief Jitu Vaghani were among the early voters. Cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara also cast his vote in Rajkot. Prominent candidates in today's battle included Rupani and Congress' Shaktisinh Gohil (Mandvi) and Paresh Dhanani (Amreli). As the polling process began at 8 am, people stepped out of their houses braving the winter chill and queued up to cast votes at the polling stations. With the marriage season on, brides and grooms, clad in wedding finery, came to polling booths along with their relatives to exercise their franchise. Many such voters were seen in Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Gondal and Surat. A 115-year-old woman from Upleta town of Rajkot, Aajiben Chandravadia, also voted, reports said. The election in Modi's home state is crucial for the Congress and the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and is seen as a prestige battle for the prime minister, who was the chief minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, and a litmus test for the opposition party's heir-apparent Rahul Gandhi. Emotive issues of religion and caste competed with that of development and the attacks by the two parties often turned personal as leaders indulged in name-calling. The Congress, in the political wilderness in Gujarat for nearly 22 years, is desperate to break the jinx. It has raised questions on BJP's Gujarat "development model", demonetisation and GST. The BJP is banking on its performance and Modi's popularity to counter any anti-incumbency or impact of the Patidar quota stir. Modi has attacked the Congress over the issue of dynastic politics and corruption and invoked "Gujarati pride' in his campaign speeches. While Modi addressed about 15 rallies, Gandhi spent more than seven days in Saurashtra and south Gujarat, addressing a number of meetings and emerging as the Congress pivot to take on the prime minister on his home turf. EC officials said a total of 26,865 ballot units (on which votes are cast), 24,689 control units which are kept with the presiding officer and an equal number of paper trail machines were deployed. Out of these, 181 ballot units (0.6 per cent of the total), 223 control units (0.55 per cent of the total) and 714 paper trail machines (1.75 per cent of the total) were replaced during polling, they said. Over 6,000 ballot papers were electronically transferred to service voters, a major achievement considering that the practice of e-ballots was new, Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena said in Delhi. The second phase of polling in 93 seats will be held on December 14 while the counting of votes is scheduled on December 18.

Gujarat elections: 68% voter turnout in first phase, Congress says EVMs tampered with

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the BR Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi and said it would be an important place for research on social and economic issues.</p>

<p>The prime minister also unveiled two statues of the Dalit icon at the centre in Janpath.</p>

<p>Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot, Minister of State Ramdas Athawale and Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Vijay Goel were also present at the event.</p>

<p>&quot;The centre will prove to be an inspiration for the promotion of the thoughts and teachings of Dr Ambedkar. The centre will be an important place for research on social and economic issues,&quot; the prime minister said.</p>

<p>Modi added that the government had developed five places related to Babasaheb Ambedkar into pilgrimage spots.</p>

<p>He added that the five pilgrimage spots -- in Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Mhow and London -- were like a homage from the present generation.</p>

<p>&quot;I think that this centre is for the youth... Where they can see and understand the vision of Babasaheb Ambedkar,&quot; the prime minister said.</p>

<p>The centre, he said, was a fusion of Buddhist and modern architecture.</p>

<p>He had laid the foundation stone of the centre in 2015.</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the BR Ambedkar International Centre would be an important place for research on social and economic issues

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the BR Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi and said it would be an important place for research on social and economic issues. The prime minister also unveiled two statues of the Dalit icon at the centre in Janpath. Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot, Minister of State Ramdas Athawale and Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Vijay Goel were also present at the event. "The centre will prove to be an inspiration for the promotion of the thoughts and teachings of Dr Ambedkar. The centre will be an important place for research on social and economic issues," the prime minister said. Modi added that the government had developed five places related to Babasaheb Ambedkar into pilgrimage spots. He added that the five pilgrimage spots -- in Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Mhow and London -- were like a homage from the present generation. "I think that this centre is for the youth... Where they can see and understand the vision of Babasaheb Ambedkar," the prime minister said. The centre, he said, was a fusion of Buddhist and modern architecture. He had laid the foundation stone of the centre in 2015.

Government has developed places related to Ambedkar into pilgrimage spots: PM Modi

<p>President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid tributes to the architect of the Constitution, B R Ambedkar, on his death anniversary.</p>

<p>The leaders paid floral tributes to Ambedkar, hailed for his contribution towards uplift of Dalits, at Parliament House Lawns here.</p>

<p>Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Thawar Chand Gehlot and senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also paid respects to Ambedkar there.</p>

<p>Ambedkar passed away on this day in 1956 at the age of 65.</p>

<p>&quot;I bow to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas,&quot; the prime minister said on Twitter.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Rahul pays tribute to Ambedkar</strong></p>

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today paid tribute to the architect of the Constitution, B R Ambedkar, on his death anniversary and said men might be mortal but their ideas need to be propagated.</p>

<p>Gandhi, poised to take over as Congress president, took to Twitter to remember Ambedkar, hailed for his contribution towards the upliftment of Dalits.</p>

<p>&quot;Men are mortal. So are ideas. An idea needs propagation as much as a plant needs watering. Otherwise, both will wither and die. My tributes to #BabasahebAmbedkar on #MahaParinirvana Diwas,&quot; Gandhi said.</p>

<p>Ambedkar passed away on this day in 1956. He was 65 then.&nbsp;</p>


The leaders paid floral tributes to Ambedkar, hailed for his contribution towards uplift of Dalits, at Parliament House Lawns here

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid tributes to the architect of the Constitution, B R Ambedkar, on his death anniversary. The leaders paid floral tributes to Ambedkar, hailed for his contribution towards uplift of Dalits, at Parliament House Lawns here. Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Thawar Chand Gehlot and senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also paid respects to Ambedkar there. Ambedkar passed away on this day in 1956 at the age of 65. "I bow to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas," the prime minister said on Twitter. Rahul pays tribute to Ambedkar Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today paid tribute to the architect of the Constitution, B R Ambedkar, on his death anniversary and said men might be mortal but their ideas need to be propagated. Gandhi, poised to take over as Congress president, took to Twitter to remember Ambedkar, hailed for his contribution towards the upliftment of Dalits. "Men are mortal. So are ideas. An idea needs propagation as much as a plant needs watering. Otherwise, both will wither and die. My tributes to #BabasahebAmbedkar on #MahaParinirvana Diwas," Gandhi said. Ambedkar passed away on this day in 1956. He was 65 then.

Ambedkar death anniversary: PM Modi, President Kovind, Rahul Gandhi pay tributes

<p>&quot;I am clear that on triple talaq I will not be silent. Everything is not about elections,&quot; Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi was campaigning in Dhandhuka in Gujarat for the upcoming state elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;This issue is for the rights of women.. elections come later, humanity comes first,&quot; Modi added. &nbsp;</p>

<p>On the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, he mentioned Ayodhya, asking why a solution to the issue should not be found before the 2019 general elections.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">No objection that Kapil Sibal is fighting on behalf of Muslim community but how can he say do not find a solution to this (Ayodhya issue) until next election? How is it connected to Lok Sabha elections?: PM Modi in Gujarat&#39;s Dhandhuka <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/oFzXCyEWRW">pic.twitter.com/oFzXCyEWRW</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938305769019248641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>And on his death anniversary, he also mentioned Dr BR Ambedkar, saying &quot;one family has done great injustice&quot; to him and Sardar Patel.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">One family has done greatest injustice to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Sardar Patel. When Pandit Nehru&#39;s influence on the Congress was complete, the Congress ensured that Dr. Ambedkar found it tough to join the Constituent Assembly: PM Modi in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>&#39;s Dhandhuka <a href="https://t.co/1hJPbo4yAW">pic.twitter.com/1hJPbo4yAW</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938296101370724352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Finally, he said the BJP had ended the &#39;tanker raj&#39; in Gujarat which he said used to be &quot;firmly in the hands of Congress leaders and their families&quot;.&nbsp;</p>


'Everything is not about elections,' said Modi who was campaigning in Dhandhuka

"I am clear that on triple talaq I will not be silent. Everything is not about elections," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday. Modi was campaigning in Dhandhuka in Gujarat for the upcoming state elections. "This issue is for the rights of women.. elections come later, humanity comes first," Modi added. On the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, he mentioned Ayodhya, asking why a solution to the issue should not be found before the 2019 general elections. No objection that Kapil Sibal is fighting on behalf of Muslim community but how can he say do not find a solution to this (Ayodhya issue) until next election? How is it connected to Lok Sabha elections?: PM Modi in Gujarat's Dhandhuka #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/oFzXCyEWRW — ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2017 × And on his death anniversary, he also mentioned Dr BR Ambedkar, saying "one family has done great injustice" to him and Sardar Patel. One family has done greatest injustice to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Sardar Patel. When Pandit Nehru's influence on the Congress was complete, the Congress ensured that Dr. Ambedkar found it tough to join the Constituent Assembly: PM Modi in #Gujarat's Dhandhuka pic.twitter.com/1hJPbo4yAW — ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2017 × Finally, he said the BJP had ended the 'tanker raj' in Gujarat which he said used to be "firmly in the hands of Congress leaders and their families".

On triple talaq, I will not be silent: PM Modi in Gujarat

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the government prevailing during the 2008 Mumbai attacks had declined the plan of surgical strikes that was offered to the then prime minister.</p>

<p>Citing an Air Force official working at a high position in 2008, he said that the government were offered to conduct surgical strikes in response&nbsp;to the deadly terror attacks on Mumbai. However, the&nbsp;then government&nbsp;refused to carry out the counter attacks on Pakistan.</p>

<p>While addressing a rally in Jamnagar, Gujarat, PM Modi said: &quot;Someone who served at a high position in our Air Force has said that after 26/11 they went to the then PM with a plan for surgical strikes. Sadly, the then Government did not show courage to do that.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;When we were attacked in Uri, see how we answered terrorists,&quot; he added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Someone who served at a high position in our Air Force has said that after 26/11 they went to the then PM with a plan for surgical strikes. Sadly, the then Government did not show courage to do that. When we were attacked in Uri, see how we answered terrorists: PM in Jamnagar <a href="https://t.co/j4ko9M3duJ">pic.twitter.com/j4ko9M3duJ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937688496629628929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM Modi further said that since the BJP government came to power in Gujarat, the state is ahead in employment opportunities.</p>

<p>He said parts of Gujarat have drawn people from all parts of the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, &quot;We are focusing on Padhai for students, Kamai for the youth and Davai for the elderly.&quot; He added that his government had transformed the education sector of the state.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We have waged a strong battle against corruption and black money: PM Narendra Modi in Jamnagar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/vfH1ycDBOU">pic.twitter.com/vfH1ycDBOU</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937688276793671681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Hitting out at the Congress, he highlighted&nbsp;Congress&#39;s recent poll defeats, saying:&nbsp;&quot;It is &nbsp;because they were not delivering on people&#39;s aspirations.&quot;</p>

<p>Talking about the Saurashtra Narmada Avataran Irrigation, SAUNI, he said the Congress never envisioned anything like that.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">For Congress, &#39;work&#39; was giving a hand pump. They never envisioned something like a SAUNI (Saurashtra-Narmada Avataran Irrigation) Yojana: PM Modi in Junagadh <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/sUPYcPLw2N">pic.twitter.com/sUPYcPLw2N</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937650377582788608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">While we worked hard to make Junagadh the tourism capital, the Congress did not devote attention to this region. They stalled the ropeway project for years: PM Modi in Junagadh <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/FBsRQ7xncV">pic.twitter.com/FBsRQ7xncV</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937650026347511808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He praised Sardar Patel for his efforts on integrated the nation,&nbsp;adding, &quot;If it was not for Sardar Patel where would we be?&quot;</p>


Citing an Air Force official working at a high position in 2008, he said that the government were offered to conduct surgical strikes in response?to the deadly terror attacks on Mumbai.However, they refused to carry out the counter attacks on Pakistan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the government prevailing during the 2008 Mumbai attacks had declined the plan of surgical strikes that was offered to the then prime minister. Citing an Air Force official working at a high position in 2008, he said that the government were offered to conduct surgical strikes in response to the deadly terror attacks on Mumbai. However, the then government refused to carry out the counter attacks on Pakistan. While addressing a rally in Jamnagar, Gujarat, PM Modi said: "Someone who served at a high position in our Air Force has said that after 26/11 they went to the then PM with a plan for surgical strikes. Sadly, the then Government did not show courage to do that." "When we were attacked in Uri, see how we answered terrorists," he added. Someone who served at a high position in our Air Force has said that after 26/11 they went to the then PM with a plan for surgical strikes. Sadly, the then Government did not show courage to do that. When we were attacked in Uri, see how we answered terrorists: PM in Jamnagar pic.twitter.com/j4ko9M3duJ — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × PM Modi further said that since the BJP government came to power in Gujarat, the state is ahead in employment opportunities. He said parts of Gujarat have drawn people from all parts of the country. He said, "We are focusing on Padhai for students, Kamai for the youth and Davai for the elderly." He added that his government had transformed the education sector of the state. We have waged a strong battle against corruption and black money: PM Narendra Modi in Jamnagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/vfH1ycDBOU — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × Hitting out at the Congress, he highlighted Congress's recent poll defeats, saying: "It is because they were not delivering on people's aspirations." Talking about the Saurashtra Narmada Avataran Irrigation, SAUNI, he said the Congress never envisioned anything like that. For Congress, 'work' was giving a hand pump. They never envisioned something like a SAUNI (Saurashtra-Narmada Avataran Irrigation) Yojana: PM Modi in Junagadh #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/sUPYcPLw2N — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × While we worked hard to make Junagadh the tourism capital, the Congress did not devote attention to this region. They stalled the ropeway project for years: PM Modi in Junagadh #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/FBsRQ7xncV — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × He praised Sardar Patel for his efforts on integrated the nation, adding, "If it was not for Sardar Patel where would we be?"

Government had declined plan to conduct surgical strikes after 2008 Mumbai attacks: PM Modi