<p>Rahul Gandhi was elected Congress president earlier this week amid much fanfare from his party workers. Rahul will take over from his mother Sonia Gandhi, the longest serving Congress president in the history.</p>

<p>Rahul has his task cut out, and faces a huge challenge in the form of assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Rahul has been campaigning aggressively in Gujarat against the BJP which has been ruling the state for 22 years.</p>

<p>Speaking on his new role, Rahul told Zee Kalak, Zee Media Group&#39;s Gujarati channel, &quot;I want to change the discourse which has turned very negative. The way Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about former PM Manmohan Singh, who has worked for the country for decades, is not acceptable. We have to change this discourse through love and harmony. And I will do that.&quot;</p>

<p>Targeting the former prime minister during an election rally, PM Modi alleged that Manmohan Singh had conspired with Pakistanis to defeat the BJP in Gujarat.</p>

<p>Outraged, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-one-can-lamely-question-my-public-service-manmohan-to-modi-on-pak-meddling-allegations-26463">Dr Singh issued a statement</a> saying he is &quot;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 Narender Modi&quot;.</p>

<p>Modi also said that 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;.</p>

<p>&quot;We <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-neech-jibe-on-pm-modi-congress-suspends-mani-shankar-aiyar-26159">expelled Mr Aiyar</a> from the party after that,&quot; Rahul said today saying that such language was unacceptable to him and the Congress. Rahul had earlier demanded apology from PM Modi for attacking Dr Singh and said that he won&#39;t indulge in personal attacks which the PM and BJP do daily.</p>

<p>Rahul also expressed confidence that his party will win elections in Gujarat saying the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-election-results-will-be-zabardast-says-rahul-26578">results will be &#39;zabardast&#39;</a>.</p>

<p>He also talked about the elections. &quot;This election will be fought on truth - the truth of note ban, &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39; (in reference to GST) etc. You go to Surat, Ahmedabad or any other place in Gujarat, all the small businessmen are saying the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has destroyed them,&quot; Rahul told Zee Kalak.</p>

<p>This election is <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-assembly-election-not-about-narendra-modi-or-me-its-about-people-rahul-gandhi-26635">not about Modi, not about me</a> but about the people of Gujarat, he added.</p>

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<p>Campaigning has ended, and every political party is putting all its might before the second and final phase of assembly election in Gujarat. (WION Web Team)</p>
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Rahul has his task cut out, and faces a huge challenge in the form of assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Rahul has been campaigning aggressively in Gujarat against the BJP which has been ruling the state for 22 years.

Rahul Gandhi was elected Congress president earlier this week amid much fanfare from his party workers. Rahul will take over from his mother Sonia Gandhi, the longest serving Congress president in the history. Rahul has his task cut out, and faces a huge challenge in the form of assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Rahul has been campaigning aggressively in Gujarat against the BJP which has been ruling the state for 22 years. Speaking on his new role, Rahul told Zee Kalak, Zee Media Group's Gujarati channel, "I want to change the discourse which has turned very negative. The way Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about former PM Manmohan Singh, who has worked for the country for decades, is not acceptable. We have to change this discourse through love and harmony. And I will do that." Targeting the former prime minister during an election rally, PM Modi alleged that Manmohan Singh had conspired with Pakistanis to defeat the BJP in Gujarat. Outraged, Dr Singh issued a statement saying he is "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 Narender Modi". Modi also said that 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". "We expelled Mr Aiyar from the party after that," Rahul said today saying that such language was unacceptable to him and the Congress. Rahul had earlier demanded apology from PM Modi for attacking Dr Singh and said that he won't indulge in personal attacks which the PM and BJP do daily. Rahul also expressed confidence that his party will win elections in Gujarat saying the results will be 'zabardast'. He also talked about the elections. "This election will be fought on truth - the truth of note ban, 'Gabbar Singh Tax' (in reference to GST) etc. You go to Surat, Ahmedabad or any other place in Gujarat, all the small businessmen are saying the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has destroyed them," Rahul told Zee Kalak. This election is not about Modi, not about me but about the people of Gujarat, he added. Campaigning has ended, and every political party is putting all its might before the second and final phase of assembly election in Gujarat. (WION Web Team) ×

National discourse very negative, want to change that: Rahul Gandhi

<p>In exactly a week from now, we shall know whether the Lotus has bloomed or the Hand has swept aside its rivals in Gujarat. We shall also know whether Rahul Gandhi begins his new innings as Congress president with a morale-boosting win or a defeat for which his minions will need to scamper to find scapegoats. And, we shall know too if Prime Minister Narendra Modi approaches the forthcoming electoral challenges after having being endorsed as Gujarat&rsquo;s Pride or rejected in his own backyard. Both sides are confident of a decisive victory, but that is only to be expected. One has to lose and will lose. After all, while many scenarios have been discussed, none has ventured to suggest a hung Assembly where the winner-loser is unclear.</p>

<p>Election campaigns are composed of several issues, and it is rare for just one or two of these to determine the outcome. The 2014 Lok Sabha poll was one such exception where corruption and policy paralysis alone doomed the Congress. Various other matters, factual or perceptional, became subordinate to this twin overriding narrative. In the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election held earlier this year, the two issues that tamed the Samajwadi Party were minority appeasement and poor law and order.</p>

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<p>The Bihar Assembly poll was fought and won by the Lalu Prasad-Nitish Kumar combine (which has since evaporated) on pure caste arithmetic. Aside these, elections are contested and decided on multiple grounds, and this makes the democratic exercise all the more challenging &mdash; and even more challenging to predict. Rare is that political commentator who is able to say, with some amount of accuracy, that a particular issue would be the dominant factor. In hindsight, once the results are known, there are many to &lsquo;analyse&rsquo; the impact of one strand or the other.</p>

<p>The Gujarat campaign began in a simple enough manner, giving hope to the plethora of commentators of a fairly accurate assessment. Led by Prime Minister Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party went on an overdrive, listing its achievements in the State over the two decades of its rule &mdash; especially the period 2002-14 when Modi was the Chief Minister. The Gujarat Model of development was showcased, the ease of doing the business ranking of the World Bank was flaunted, the upgrade in the country&rsquo;s ratings by Moody&rsquo;s was quoted, the robustness of the Indian economy was pointed out, and the &lsquo;exemplary&rsquo; law and order situation in the State was underlined. The Congress sought to pick holes in the Gujarat Model by citing matters of unemployment, poor social welfare indices, farmers&rsquo; distress etc.</p>

<p>Thereafter, as the campaign picked momentum, the issue of reservation for the Patidar community gained ground. While it was there from the beginning, the matter received heft after the Congress and Patidar leader Hardik Patel joined hands officially. Once the Congress formally endorsed Patidar reservation, the BJP swung into action, first by projecting that the Patidars were a divided lot and that the sensible among them &mdash; who according to BJP leaders were in a majority &mdash; would remain loyal to the BJP. Second, the ruling party forcefully projected the &lsquo;impossibility&rsquo; of the reservation in constitutional terms and said the Congress was taking the Patidars for a ride.</p>

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<h5>The BJP had been keeping an eye on Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s sudden devotion to temples; by some accounts, he has visited more than a dozen of them during his campaigns in the State.</h5>
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<p>So far, the going was simple enough and the commentators were still a happy lot. The BJP pitched for inclusive development (reminding voters of its past record and promising more of the same for the future) while the Congress aggressively pushed for reservation as an affirmative action to benefit the Patidars who form nearly 12 per cent of the population in Gujarat. The caste rainbow of Patidar-OBC-Scheduled Caste, which the Congress had quickly put out, was supposed to extinguish the BJP&rsquo;s flame of hope. Then, the development versus reservation narrative began to change.</p>

<p>For some time, the BJP had been keeping an eye on Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s sudden devotion to temples; by some accounts, he has visited more than a dozen of them during his campaigns in the State. But after his trip to the Somnath temple, the party got an opportunity to say something. Somebody supposedly from the Congress leader&rsquo;s side entered his name as a non-Hindu visitor to the temple. BJP leaders were quick to demand an explanation. The Congress fell in the trap and one of its senior functionaries claimed that Rahul Gandhi was a &ldquo;<em>Janeu-</em><em>dhari</em> (sacred thread wearing) Hindu&rdquo;. To top this, Rahul Gandhi said he was a Shiva devotee! His acolytes then went on to speculate on the religious affiliations of both the Prime Minister and BJP president Amit Shah.</p>

<p>The sudden turn towards religion, on which the Congress generally finds itself on the defensive given that the BJP leaders make no bones about where their inclinations lie, shaped the narrative even more decidedly when senior Congress leader and noted lawyer Kapil Sibal demanded that the Supreme Court postpone the hearing on the Ayodhya temple-mosque dispute case, and take it up after the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The direct linkage of the dispute with politics left the Congress red-faced. Worse, even the litigants who had hired Sibal condemned the senior advocate&rsquo;s stand and said they wanted an early hearing and quick settlement of the issue.</p>

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<h5>The manner in which the BJP latched on to the issue at his public rallies and converted it into a major talking point, should have alerted the Congress against more self-goals.</h5>
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<p>The manner in which the BJP, especially Prime Minister Modi, latched on to the issue at his public rallies and converted it into a major talking point, should have alerted the Congress against more self-goals. After all, it suited the opposite party to target the BJP on the issues of reservation and lack of real and inclusive development. But, perhaps already confident that they were winning Gujarat, senior Congress leaders breached the red line. Mani Shankar Aiyar called the Prime Minister &ldquo;<em>neech</em>&rdquo;, &nbsp;a term which Modi and his team ran swiftly to the electorate and termed it as a slight to his social status of being an OBC. Now, the BJP used the occasion to not just strike at the Congress for its &lsquo;elitist&rsquo; and &lsquo;feudal&rsquo; mindset but also quoted the abuse as an insult to Gujarati asmita (pride).</p>

<p>Had these blunders come in the early stages of electioneering, the Congress could have had a better chance of glossing over them or having them dominated by other, fresher issues. But they have come towards the end stages of campaigning, and their recall value is, therefore, more likely. Does this mean that religion and personal abuse will eventually determine the outcome? The Congress must be hoping to the contrary, and the BJP praying that the issues click.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).</em></p>


The Congress aggressively pushed for reservation as an affirmative action to benefit the Patidars who form nearly 12 per cent of the population in Gujarat

In exactly a week from now, we shall know whether the Lotus has bloomed or the Hand has swept aside its rivals in Gujarat. We shall also know whether Rahul Gandhi begins his new innings as Congress president with a morale-boosting win or a defeat for which his minions will need to scamper to find scapegoats. And, we shall know too if Prime Minister Narendra Modi approaches the forthcoming electoral challenges after having being endorsed as Gujarat’s Pride or rejected in his own backyard. Both sides are confident of a decisive victory, but that is only to be expected. One has to lose and will lose. After all, while many scenarios have been discussed, none has ventured to suggest a hung Assembly where the winner-loser is unclear. Election campaigns are composed of several issues, and it is rare for just one or two of these to determine the outcome. The 2014 Lok Sabha poll was one such exception where corruption and policy paralysis alone doomed the Congress. Various other matters, factual or perceptional, became subordinate to this twin overriding narrative. In the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election held earlier this year, the two issues that tamed the Samajwadi Party were minority appeasement and poor law and order. The Gujarat campaign began in a simple enough manner, giving hope to the plethora of commentators of a fairly accurate assessment. × The Bihar Assembly poll was fought and won by the Lalu Prasad-Nitish Kumar combine (which has since evaporated) on pure caste arithmetic. Aside these, elections are contested and decided on multiple grounds, and this makes the democratic exercise all the more challenging — and even more challenging to predict. Rare is that political commentator who is able to say, with some amount of accuracy, that a particular issue would be the dominant factor. In hindsight, once the results are known, there are many to ‘analyse’ the impact of one strand or the other. The Gujarat campaign began in a simple enough manner, giving hope to the plethora of commentators of a fairly accurate assessment. Led by Prime Minister Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party went on an overdrive, listing its achievements in the State over the two decades of its rule — especially the period 2002-14 when Modi was the Chief Minister. The Gujarat Model of development was showcased, the ease of doing the business ranking of the World Bank was flaunted, the upgrade in the country’s ratings by Moody’s was quoted, the robustness of the Indian economy was pointed out, and the ‘exemplary’ law and order situation in the State was underlined. The Congress sought to pick holes in the Gujarat Model by citing matters of unemployment, poor social welfare indices, farmers’ distress etc. Thereafter, as the campaign picked momentum, the issue of reservation for the Patidar community gained ground. While it was there from the beginning, the matter received heft after the Congress and Patidar leader Hardik Patel joined hands officially. Once the Congress formally endorsed Patidar reservation, the BJP swung into action, first by projecting that the Patidars were a divided lot and that the sensible among them — who according to BJP leaders were in a majority — would remain loyal to the BJP. Second, the ruling party forcefully projected the ‘impossibility’ of the reservation in constitutional terms and said the Congress was taking the Patidars for a ride. The BJP had been keeping an eye on Rahul Gandhi’s sudden devotion to temples; by some accounts, he has visited more than a dozen of them during his campaigns in the State. × So far, the going was simple enough and the commentators were still a happy lot. The BJP pitched for inclusive development (reminding voters of its past record and promising more of the same for the future) while the Congress aggressively pushed for reservation as an affirmative action to benefit the Patidars who form nearly 12 per cent of the population in Gujarat. The caste rainbow of Patidar-OBC-Scheduled Caste, which the Congress had quickly put out, was supposed to extinguish the BJP’s flame of hope. Then, the development versus reservation narrative began to change. For some time, the BJP had been keeping an eye on Rahul Gandhi’s sudden devotion to temples; by some accounts, he has visited more than a dozen of them during his campaigns in the State. But after his trip to the Somnath temple, the party got an opportunity to say something. Somebody supposedly from the Congress leader’s side entered his name as a non-Hindu visitor to the temple. BJP leaders were quick to demand an explanation. The Congress fell in the trap and one of its senior functionaries claimed that Rahul Gandhi was a “Janeu-dhari (sacred thread wearing) Hindu”. To top this, Rahul Gandhi said he was a Shiva devotee! His acolytes then went on to speculate on the religious affiliations of both the Prime Minister and BJP president Amit Shah. The sudden turn towards religion, on which the Congress generally finds itself on the defensive given that the BJP leaders make no bones about where their inclinations lie, shaped the narrative even more decidedly when senior Congress leader and noted lawyer Kapil Sibal demanded that the Supreme Court postpone the hearing on the Ayodhya temple-mosque dispute case, and take it up after the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The direct linkage of the dispute with politics left the Congress red-faced. Worse, even the litigants who had hired Sibal condemned the senior advocate’s stand and said they wanted an early hearing and quick settlement of the issue. The manner in which the BJP latched on to the issue at his public rallies and converted it into a major talking point, should have alerted the Congress against more self-goals. × The manner in which the BJP, especially Prime Minister Modi, latched on to the issue at his public rallies and converted it into a major talking point, should have alerted the Congress against more self-goals. After all, it suited the opposite party to target the BJP on the issues of reservation and lack of real and inclusive development. But, perhaps already confident that they were winning Gujarat, senior Congress leaders breached the red line. Mani Shankar Aiyar called the Prime Minister “neech”, a term which Modi and his team ran swiftly to the electorate and termed it as a slight to his social status of being an OBC. Now, the BJP used the occasion to not just strike at the Congress for its ‘elitist’ and ‘feudal’ mindset but also quoted the abuse as an insult to Gujarati asmita (pride). Had these blunders come in the early stages of electioneering, the Congress could have had a better chance of glossing over them or having them dominated by other, fresher issues. But they have come towards the end stages of campaigning, and their recall value is, therefore, more likely. Does this mean that religion and personal abuse will eventually determine the outcome? The Congress must be hoping to the contrary, and the BJP praying that the issues click. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Gujarat elections, a litmus test for Rahul

<p>While Prime Minister Modi finalised the last day&nbsp;before the second phase of election in Gujarat by visiting the Ambaji temple, Congress President Rahul Gandhi paid a visit to Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="et"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>: Congress President Rahul Gandhi visits Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad <a href="https://t.co/SoqixFK74a">pic.twitter.com/SoqixFK74a</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940446313283330048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="et"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>: Congress President Rahul Gandhi visits Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad <a href="https://t.co/Rxv33VdI0i">pic.twitter.com/Rxv33VdI0i</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940447432357191681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM Modi&nbsp;boarded a seaplane to reach the Sabarmati Front, and from there&nbsp;road to reach the temple.&nbsp;His seaplane visit drew much attention and was called a &quot;historic&quot; move by his party leaders.</p>

<p>In over one month of the Election campaign in the state, Rahul Gandhi had paid visit to several temples including Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda&#39;s Dakor, Somnath temple,&nbsp;Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar,&nbsp; Ambaji temple.</p>

<p>His frequent visit to the temples had attracted huge criticism from the opposition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A controversy over his&nbsp;religion erupted after Gandhi visited the Somnath temple in Gujarat.</p>

<p>In a recent attack, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has said that the Gujarat polls have taught Rahul Gandhi &quot;visiting temples&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also added that the polls have also taught Manmohan Singh to speak up.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Gujarat ki janta ne do kaam iss chunaav mein achhe se kara diye. Dr Manmohan Singh ji ka mooh khulwa diya, aur doosra Rahul Gandhi ko mandir jaana sikha diya: UP CM Yogi Adityanath <a href="https://t.co/Db3plqEFSQ">pic.twitter.com/Db3plqEFSQ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940458188469497856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


In over one month of the Election campaign in the state, Rahul Gandhi has paid the visit to several temples including Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda's Dakor, Somnath temple,?Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar,? Ambaji temple

While Prime Minister Modi finalised the last day before the second phase of election in Gujarat by visiting the Ambaji temple, Congress President Rahul Gandhi paid a visit to Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad. #Gujarat: Congress President Rahul Gandhi visits Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/SoqixFK74a — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × #Gujarat: Congress President Rahul Gandhi visits Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/Rxv33VdI0i — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × PM Modi boarded a seaplane to reach the Sabarmati Front, and from there road to reach the temple. His seaplane visit drew much attention and was called a "historic" move by his party leaders. In over one month of the Election campaign in the state, Rahul Gandhi had paid visit to several temples including Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda's Dakor, Somnath temple, Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar, Ambaji temple. His frequent visit to the temples had attracted huge criticism from the opposition. A controversy over his religion erupted after Gandhi visited the Somnath temple in Gujarat. In a recent attack, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has said that the Gujarat polls have taught Rahul Gandhi "visiting temples". He also added that the polls have also taught Manmohan Singh to speak up. Gujarat ki janta ne do kaam iss chunaav mein achhe se kara diye. Dr Manmohan Singh ji ka mooh khulwa diya, aur doosra Rahul Gandhi ko mandir jaana sikha diya: UP CM Yogi Adityanath pic.twitter.com/Db3plqEFSQ — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 ×

Before final phase of Gujarat election, Rahul Gandhi visits Jagannath temple

<p>After the poll planks of Shiv Bhakt and Janeu Dhari Hindu, it is quite evident that Congress has been slightly leaning towards a mild Hindutva platform. It will be historic for a party whose poll equation starts from Dalit-OBCs and ends up wooing the Muslims. Congress never tried to take Hindus as whole in their account. BJP was never shy to carry Hindutva tag but Congress distanced itself whenever they were caught doing minority appeasement. And during this high potential elections, the newly-elected president of the Grand Old Party is playing a mild Hindu card beyond Dalits and OBCs and started taking intrest in upper castes like Patidars in Gujarat and Brahmin-Thakurs in Himachal Pradesh.</p>

<p><strong>HEADS:</strong></p>

<p>As an old saying goes &quot;Diamond cuts diamond&quot;, perhaps this political technique of Rahul Gandhi may stand against the Hindutva mindset of RSS-BJP. Lots of political analysts and Congress leaning journalists who are acknowledging a sudden maturity in Rahul Gandhi think that this poll plank may add a feather in Rahul&#39;s hat. General people on the ground in Gujarat and especially the Patidars exclusively believe in Hindutva. So this electoral tool of Hinduism might woo Hindutva. In fact they would receive vote chunk from every caste instead of a particular one. The self-styled godmans and other religious yogis who have infuence in Indian political mandate won&#39;t neglect Congress because they are Muslim-only appeasers. The Hindus from states other than Gujarat might get good impression from this gesture of Rahul Gandhi. So called secular ideologues had once appreciated Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan for contributing in works of Hinduism (not Hindutva) so they might praise Mr Gandhi in the same fashion. Muslim appeasement was once the medium of Congress to show that they are secular. It is very astonishing that finally Congress realised that Muslim appeasement and this secularism won&#39;t be a lifeboat for them. Muslims Tribals-Dalits hate Hindutva put forth by BJP-RSS, but they may be comfortable with this mild Hindu card played by the Grand Old Party. The best or worst part in Indian politics is, that Indian voter doesn&#39;t care about a political trend of a party in other state i.e. a voter in Karnataka won&#39;t carry what Rahul Gandhi says in Gujarat. Moreover, the public memory is very short and weak. So that is why the people in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh, where elections are coming, voters wouldn&#39;t mind this mild Hindu card. Well the best thing which I see is that Congress party till recent years used to think that going to temples and talking on behalf of upper classes is a part of communal agenda. Now the eyes of Congress seem to have opened and leaned towards realism rather than cloud of just rationalism. Overall, this move of Congress would not only help the Grand Old Party to remove its Muslim-only tag but also would help to improve realistic upbringing in Indian politics.</p>

<p><strong>TAILS:</strong></p>

<p>In today&#39;s political phase, India needs a strong opposition having a centrist ideology which identifies state and religion as different entities. So the opposition needs to be far secular i.e. &#39;Empowerment of all and Appeasement of none&#39;. But the current move of 132-year-old party has an opposite ideology i.e. &#39;Empowerment of none but appeasement of all&#39;. This poll plank would definitely hurt our current politics. It&#39;s a matter of great debate whether the political parties should amend their ideologies in time now. I won&#39;t say what Indian political ideologies should generally do, but on this right leaned political pitch, the original centre-left Congress is the only party competent to do proper bowling. The original Congress of Gandhian ideology would propose &#39;Religion neutral, Caste neutral, only Indianity&#39; concept which is needed right now, but unfortunately Congress seems to have forgot Congress! I urge Sashi Tharoor Sir to remind their newly elected (nominated) president, about what original Congress stand for.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi needs to be reminded that Hindutva is the last thing that a BJP voter wants. The thing which elevated Chief Minister Narendra Modi to Prime Minister of world&#39;s largest democracy isn&#39;t actually his Hindutva background. Moreover, if there would be any shameful and genuine incident of threat on minorities then it would be impossible for the Grand old Party to present its stance before the nation. Even if a voter wants to vote for rhetoric of Hindutva then Congress is less likely to be first option for him. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also ridiculed this move of Congress and said that people would vote for original rather than a clone. Congress is questioning the incumbent government very properly, but at the same time, they need to put forth a socio-economic model before the people which have capability to stand before the economic pitches of PM Narendra Modi. Congress still has a chance, but they need to work too hard to achieve even 30 per cent of what those guys hope and quote.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity)</em></p>


This move of Congress would not only help the grand old party to remove its Muslim-only tag but also help to improve realistic upbringing in Indian politics.

After the poll planks of Shiv Bhakt and Janeu Dhari Hindu, it is quite evident that Congress has been slightly leaning towards a mild Hindutva platform. It will be historic for a party whose poll equation starts from Dalit-OBCs and ends up wooing the Muslims. Congress never tried to take Hindus as whole in their account. BJP was never shy to carry Hindutva tag but Congress distanced itself whenever they were caught doing minority appeasement. And during this high potential elections, the newly-elected president of the Grand Old Party is playing a mild Hindu card beyond Dalits and OBCs and started taking intrest in upper castes like Patidars in Gujarat and Brahmin-Thakurs in Himachal Pradesh. HEADS: As an old saying goes "Diamond cuts diamond", perhaps this political technique of Rahul Gandhi may stand against the Hindutva mindset of RSS-BJP. Lots of political analysts and Congress leaning journalists who are acknowledging a sudden maturity in Rahul Gandhi think that this poll plank may add a feather in Rahul's hat. General people on the ground in Gujarat and especially the Patidars exclusively believe in Hindutva. So this electoral tool of Hinduism might woo Hindutva. In fact they would receive vote chunk from every caste instead of a particular one. The self-styled godmans and other religious yogis who have infuence in Indian political mandate won't neglect Congress because they are Muslim-only appeasers. The Hindus from states other than Gujarat might get good impression from this gesture of Rahul Gandhi. So called secular ideologues had once appreciated Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan for contributing in works of Hinduism (not Hindutva) so they might praise Mr Gandhi in the same fashion. Muslim appeasement was once the medium of Congress to show that they are secular. It is very astonishing that finally Congress realised that Muslim appeasement and this secularism won't be a lifeboat for them. Muslims Tribals-Dalits hate Hindutva put forth by BJP-RSS, but they may be comfortable with this mild Hindu card played by the Grand Old Party. The best or worst part in Indian politics is, that Indian voter doesn't care about a political trend of a party in other state i.e. a voter in Karnataka won't carry what Rahul Gandhi says in Gujarat. Moreover, the public memory is very short and weak. So that is why the people in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh, where elections are coming, voters wouldn't mind this mild Hindu card. Well the best thing which I see is that Congress party till recent years used to think that going to temples and talking on behalf of upper classes is a part of communal agenda. Now the eyes of Congress seem to have opened and leaned towards realism rather than cloud of just rationalism. Overall, this move of Congress would not only help the Grand Old Party to remove its Muslim-only tag but also would help to improve realistic upbringing in Indian politics. TAILS: In today's political phase, India needs a strong opposition having a centrist ideology which identifies state and religion as different entities. So the opposition needs to be far secular i.e. 'Empowerment of all and Appeasement of none'. But the current move of 132-year-old party has an opposite ideology i.e. 'Empowerment of none but appeasement of all'. This poll plank would definitely hurt our current politics. It's a matter of great debate whether the political parties should amend their ideologies in time now. I won't say what Indian political ideologies should generally do, but on this right leaned political pitch, the original centre-left Congress is the only party competent to do proper bowling. The original Congress of Gandhian ideology would propose 'Religion neutral, Caste neutral, only Indianity' concept which is needed right now, but unfortunately Congress seems to have forgot Congress! I urge Sashi Tharoor Sir to remind their newly elected (nominated) president, about what original Congress stand for. Rahul Gandhi needs to be reminded that Hindutva is the last thing that a BJP voter wants. The thing which elevated Chief Minister Narendra Modi to Prime Minister of world's largest democracy isn't actually his Hindutva background. Moreover, if there would be any shameful and genuine incident of threat on minorities then it would be impossible for the Grand old Party to present its stance before the nation. Even if a voter wants to vote for rhetoric of Hindutva then Congress is less likely to be first option for him. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also ridiculed this move of Congress and said that people would vote for original rather than a clone. Congress is questioning the incumbent government very properly, but at the same time, they need to put forth a socio-economic model before the people which have capability to stand before the economic pitches of PM Narendra Modi. Congress still has a chance, but they need to work too hard to achieve even 30 per cent of what those guys hope and quote. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity)

Opinion: Rahul Gandhi leaning towards mild Hindutva platform. And it might help Congress

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s allegation against his predecessor Manmohan Singh over the Gujarat polls drew more condemnation today with NCP chief Sharad Pawar telling him &quot;shame on you&quot; and Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi calling it unacceptable.</p>

<p>Key BJP ally Shiv Sena also launched a sharp attack on Modi, saying that dragging Pakistan into Gujarat election campaign was an &quot;impious&quot; way of trying to win the polls.</p>

<p>The prime minister at a poll rally in Gujarat&nbsp;on Sunday&nbsp;sought to link a dinner meeting hosted by suspended Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar for Pakistan dignitaries and attended by Manmohan Singh among others with the ongoing Assembly polls and a conspiracy against the BJP.</p>

<p>Modi had insinuated that his predecessor had colluded with Pakistan for BJP&#39;s defeat at the polls. The former premier responded by saying Modi was setting a &quot;dangerous precedent&quot; and asked him to apologise to the nation, a demand rejected by the union government.</p>

<p>Pawar criticised Modi for &quot;deliberately&quot; misconstruing the dinner meeting at Mani Shankar Aiyar&#39;s residence on December 6 and presenting it as a conspiracy by Pakistan to interfere in the Gujarat polls.</p>

<p>The meeting took place a day before Aiyar&#39;s &quot;neech aadmi&quot;(lowly person) jibe against Modi that led to his suspension from the party.</p>

<p>&quot;Shame on you, Prime Minister for making such allegations. You have made the allegations against this country&#39;s former prime minister and former Defence officials,&quot; Pawar, a former Defence minister, said.</p>

<p>&quot;Modi&#39;s government has not solved issues of farmers and other issues the country faces, but he is bringing the Pakistan angle as a diversionary tactic for Gujarat elections,&quot; Pawar said at a public rally -- &#39;Halla Bol&#39; -- organised by the Congress and the NCP in Nagpur on issues relating to agrarian crisis.</p>

<p>Modi has demeaned the office of the prime minister, Pawar alleged.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi hit out at the prime minister for his remarks against Manmohan Singh while addressing a press conference in Ahmedabad on the final day of campaigning for the Assembly polls.</p>

<p>&quot;What Modiji has said about former PM Manmohan Singh is not acceptable,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>In an editorial in its mouthpiece &#39;Saamana&#39;, the Shiv Sena said a prime minister is supposed to take action and not level allegations.</p>

<p>&quot;Prime Minister Modi has levelled a serious charge that Pakistan is interfering in Gujarat polls. We can understand the worries of Modi but a PM is supposed to take action and not level allegations.</p>

<p>&quot;Gujarat has become even more important than Kashmir. Until yesterday, Pakistan was interfering in Kashmir and China was interfering in Leh, Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh,&quot; it said.</p>

<p>Nowadays, in all elections, either Pakistan or fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim is brought at the forefront, the Sena quipped.</p>

<p>&quot;When sand below the feet starts moving, Pakistan and Dawood chanting begins. It is happening today as well. This is an impious way,&quot; it said.</p>

<p>The Sena further said that even in Bihar polls, BJP&#39;s national president had brought in Pakistan. Despite he saying that crackers will be burst in Pakistan if Nitish Kumar wins, the latter decimated the BJP, it said.</p>

<p>If the prime minister had all the details of the meet at Aiyar&#39;s house and knew the meeting was to undertake anti- national activities, why did he only level allegations and why were all those present at the meeting not arrested and an inquiry conducted, it asked.</p>

<p>&quot;Why are allegations levelled only in election rallies? If an interference from Pakistan is happening, let the Indian Army enter that country and take action, the Sena suggested.</p>

<p>&quot;The country expects Modi to work. How many times will you chant Pakistan&#39;s name?&quot;&nbsp;</p>


Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi called the remarks unacceptable

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allegation against his predecessor Manmohan Singh over the Gujarat polls drew more condemnation today with NCP chief Sharad Pawar telling him "shame on you" and Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi calling it unacceptable. Key BJP ally Shiv Sena also launched a sharp attack on Modi, saying that dragging Pakistan into Gujarat election campaign was an "impious" way of trying to win the polls. The prime minister at a poll rally in Gujarat on Sunday sought to link a dinner meeting hosted by suspended Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar for Pakistan dignitaries and attended by Manmohan Singh among others with the ongoing Assembly polls and a conspiracy against the BJP. Modi had insinuated that his predecessor had colluded with Pakistan for BJP's defeat at the polls. The former premier responded by saying Modi was setting a "dangerous precedent" and asked him to apologise to the nation, a demand rejected by the union government. Pawar criticised Modi for "deliberately" misconstruing the dinner meeting at Mani Shankar Aiyar's residence on December 6 and presenting it as a conspiracy by Pakistan to interfere in the Gujarat polls. The meeting took place a day before Aiyar's "neech aadmi"(lowly person) jibe against Modi that led to his suspension from the party. "Shame on you, Prime Minister for making such allegations. You have made the allegations against this country's former prime minister and former Defence officials," Pawar, a former Defence minister, said. "Modi's government has not solved issues of farmers and other issues the country faces, but he is bringing the Pakistan angle as a diversionary tactic for Gujarat elections," Pawar said at a public rally -- 'Halla Bol' -- organised by the Congress and the NCP in Nagpur on issues relating to agrarian crisis. Modi has demeaned the office of the prime minister, Pawar alleged. Rahul Gandhi hit out at the prime minister for his remarks against Manmohan Singh while addressing a press conference in Ahmedabad on the final day of campaigning for the Assembly polls. "What Modiji has said about former PM Manmohan Singh is not acceptable," he said. In an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Shiv Sena said a prime minister is supposed to take action and not level allegations. "Prime Minister Modi has levelled a serious charge that Pakistan is interfering in Gujarat polls. We can understand the worries of Modi but a PM is supposed to take action and not level allegations. "Gujarat has become even more important than Kashmir. Until yesterday, Pakistan was interfering in Kashmir and China was interfering in Leh, Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh," it said. Nowadays, in all elections, either Pakistan or fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim is brought at the forefront, the Sena quipped. "When sand below the feet starts moving, Pakistan and Dawood chanting begins. It is happening today as well. This is an impious way," it said. The Sena further said that even in Bihar polls, BJP's national president had brought in Pakistan. Despite he saying that crackers will be burst in Pakistan if Nitish Kumar wins, the latter decimated the BJP, it said. If the prime minister had all the details of the meet at Aiyar's house and knew the meeting was to undertake anti- national activities, why did he only level allegations and why were all those present at the meeting not arrested and an inquiry conducted, it asked. "Why are allegations levelled only in election rallies? If an interference from Pakistan is happening, let the Indian Army enter that country and take action, the Sena suggested. "The country expects Modi to work. How many times will you chant Pakistan's name?"

'Shame on you' Pawar tells PM for remarks against Manmohan

<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>Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conclude the last of the election&nbsp;campaign in Gujarat with a visit to Ambaji Mata temple.</p>

<p>While addressing a press conference BJP President Amit Shah said that&nbsp;PM Modi will visit Ambaji temple on 12 December.</p>

<p>He added that his&nbsp;visit will be done uniquely to promote tourism.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, &quot;Modi will take off in a seaplane&nbsp;from Sabarmati riverfront, land in Dharoi dam&#39;s pond and will proceed to the temple by road.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="it"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to travel from Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam via sea plane, shortly <a href="https://t.co/GWjrVO5Sgz">pic.twitter.com/GWjrVO5Sgz</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940429243011317761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 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>: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> of sea plane Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling in, from Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam shortly <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a> <a href="https://t.co/C8mqgzm1LA">pic.twitter.com/C8mqgzm1LA</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940432703161110529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Amit Shah&#39;s clarification came after<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-elections-gujarat-police-denies-permission-to-pm-modi-rahul-for-roadshow-26431" target="_blank"> the state police denied the request for a&nbsp;road show</a> on the last day of the election campaign in Gujarat.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Since admn asked to not conduct road show of PM Modi on 12th he&#39;ll go to Ambaji Mata temple tomorrow. It&#39;ll be done uniquely. To promote Gujarat tourism, he&#39;ll take off in a sea plane from Sabarmati river front, land in Dharoi dam&#39;s pond &amp; will go to temple by road: Amit Shah <a href="https://t.co/5L7Tam3AMD">pic.twitter.com/5L7Tam3AMD</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940264089737076742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Gujarat police had turned down the request made by political parties for conducting a road show in the state.</p>

<p>BJP and Congress had requested for a roadshow to be conducted on Tuesday, however, the state police rejected their request citing law and order situation.</p>

<p>The state will undergo the second phase of elections on December 14&nbsp;for 93 seats in North and Central Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The counting of votes is scheduled for December 18.&nbsp;</p>
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The Gujarat police turned down the request made by political parties for conducting a road show in the state on the last day of election campaign

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conclude the last of the election campaign in Gujarat with a visit to Ambaji Mata temple. While addressing a press conference BJP President Amit Shah said that PM Modi will visit Ambaji temple on 12 December. He added that his visit will be done uniquely to promote tourism. He said, "Modi will take off in a seaplane from Sabarmati riverfront, land in Dharoi dam's pond and will proceed to the temple by road." #Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to travel from Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam via sea plane, shortly pic.twitter.com/GWjrVO5Sgz — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × #WATCH: #Visuals of sea plane Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling in, from Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam shortly #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/C8mqgzm1LA — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × Amit Shah's clarification came after the state police denied the request for a road show on the last day of the election campaign in Gujarat. Since admn asked to not conduct road show of PM Modi on 12th he'll go to Ambaji Mata temple tomorrow. It'll be done uniquely. To promote Gujarat tourism, he'll take off in a sea plane from Sabarmati river front, land in Dharoi dam's pond & will go to temple by road: Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/5L7Tam3AMD — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017 × The Gujarat police had turned down the request made by political parties for conducting a road show in the state. BJP and Congress had requested for a roadshow to be conducted on Tuesday, however, the state police rejected their request citing law and order situation. The state will undergo the second phase of elections on December 14 for 93 seats in North and Central Gujarat. The counting of votes is scheduled for December 18.

Gujarat elections: On last day of election campaign PM Modi to visit Ambaji Temple via seaplane

<p>Congress&#39;s president-elect Rahul Gandhi today hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over alleged atrocities on Dalits in Gujarat, insisting the community feels insecure in the state despite several laws for their protection.</p>

<p>Gandhi wanted to know who would take responsibility for the Una incident in which young Dalit men were flogged for skinning a dead cow.</p>

<p>&quot;Neither land nor employment, no health, and no education, Gujarat&#39;s Dalits received only insecurity.</p>

<p>&quot;Modiji is silent on Una&#39;s tragic incident, but who will take the responsibility for it. A number of laws were made in the name of Dalits, but who will execute them earnestly,&quot; he said on Twitter.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">22 ????? ?? ?????<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%87_%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#??????_?????_????</a><br />
<br />
14??? ????:<br />
<br />
? ????, ? ??????, ? ?????????, ? ??????<br />
?????? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ????????<br />
<br />
??? ?? ??????? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ???<br />
?? ???? ?? ???????? ???? ??? ????<br />
<br />
????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ???<br />
??? ???? ??? ????? ??? ??????</p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/940411904660348928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Congress leader&#39;s posts were part of his &quot;a question a day&quot; series on social media launched in the run-up to the Gujarat Assembly elections.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi has been using the tagline &quot;22 salon ka hisaab, Gujarat mange jawaab (Gujarat demands answers for 22 years of BJP rule)&quot;.</p>

<p>Gandhi had earlier targeted the prime minister on various issues as part of the series, including those related to education, health, and financial management, and highlighted the plight of farmers, youth and women.&nbsp;</p>


'Neither land nor employment, no health, and no education, Gujarat's dalits received only insecurity,' Rahul said on Twitter

Congress's president-elect Rahul Gandhi today hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over alleged atrocities on Dalits in Gujarat, insisting the community feels insecure in the state despite several laws for their protection. Gandhi wanted to know who would take responsibility for the Una incident in which young Dalit men were flogged for skinning a dead cow. "Neither land nor employment, no health, and no education, Gujarat's Dalits received only insecurity. "Modiji is silent on Una's tragic incident, but who will take the responsibility for it. A number of laws were made in the name of Dalits, but who will execute them earnestly," he said on Twitter. 22 ????? ?? ?????#??????_?????_???? 14??? ????: ? ????, ? ??????, ? ?????????, ? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ???????? ??? ?? ??????? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ??? ????? ??? ?????? — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 12, 2017 × The Congress leader's posts were part of his "a question a day" series on social media launched in the run-up to the Gujarat Assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi has been using the tagline "22 salon ka hisaab, Gujarat mange jawaab (Gujarat demands answers for 22 years of BJP rule)". Gandhi had earlier targeted the prime minister on various issues as part of the series, including those related to education, health, and financial management, and highlighted the plight of farmers, youth and women.

Rahul says Dalits feel insecure in Gujarat

<p>Rahul Gandhi has been elected president of the Indian National Congres.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was elected unopposed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mullappally Ramachandran of the Congress said 89 nomination proposals were received, all of which were valid.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Since there was only one candidate, I hereby declare Rahul Gandhi elected as the president of Indian National Congress,&quot; &nbsp;Ramachandran added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ramachandran added that Rahul would officially take over on December 16.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rahul Gandhi will be handed over the certificate of his election as the party President on 16th December in AICC office: Mullappally Ramachandran, Congress <a href="https://t.co/7gb7JTW1zb">pic.twitter.com/7gb7JTW1zb</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940161982342115328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rahul&#39;s elevation -- which has been in the works for some time now -- brings his mother Sonia Gandhi&#39;s presidency to an end.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sonia has been president of the Congress for 19 years, the longest tenure ever.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Other people from the Nehru-Gandhi family who have been Congress presidents have included Jawaharlal Nehru, his father Motilal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Celebrations broke out outside the Congress party headquarters after the announcement:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Celebration outside Congress office in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a> after official announcement of Rahul Gandhi as the Party President. <a href="https://t.co/xRsfHp25xH">pic.twitter.com/xRsfHp25xH</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940163506040537088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>And a number of senior leaders voiced their support, but all eyes continue to remain on the Gujarat election:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">He has shown his mettle in Gujarat. The entire BJP including the PM himself, 80 ministers are sitting there for a month but are still unable to counter him: Ghulam Nabi Azad on Rahul Gandhi elected as Congress President <a href="https://t.co/Fiqhw2pS2w">pic.twitter.com/Fiqhw2pS2w</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940165917811417089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Entire country has lots of expectations from Rahul Gandhi. Much before he was elected he has shown his mettle. He knows his responsibility: Ghulam Nabi Azad on Rahul Gandhi elected as Congress President <a href="https://t.co/yvONXuRcFZ">pic.twitter.com/yvONXuRcFZ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940164934486212608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is the worst time in India under present govt. In such time Rahul Gandhi has been elected as party President. In Gujarat, he has proved he is the only candidate who can be relied upon. He is facing Modi confidently: Tarun Gogoi on Rahul Gandhi elected as the party President <a href="https://t.co/oFyfdctNYQ">pic.twitter.com/oFyfdctNYQ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940170846898872320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Rahul Gandhi has been elected president of the Indian National Congres. He was elected unopposed. Mullappally Ramachandran of the Congress said 89 nomination proposals were received, all of which were valid. "Since there was only one candidate, I hereby declare Rahul Gandhi elected as the president of Indian National Congress," Ramachandran added. Ramachandran added that Rahul would officially take over on December 16. Rahul Gandhi will be handed over the certificate of his election as the party President on 16th December in AICC office: Mullappally Ramachandran, Congress pic.twitter.com/7gb7JTW1zb — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017 × Rahul's elevation -- which has been in the works for some time now -- brings his mother Sonia Gandhi's presidency to an end. Sonia has been president of the Congress for 19 years, the longest tenure ever. Other people from the Nehru-Gandhi family who have been Congress presidents have included Jawaharlal Nehru, his father Motilal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi. Celebrations broke out outside the Congress party headquarters after the announcement: Celebration outside Congress office in #Delhi after official announcement of Rahul Gandhi as the Party President. pic.twitter.com/xRsfHp25xH — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017 × And a number of senior leaders voiced their support, but all eyes continue to remain on the Gujarat election: He has shown his mettle in Gujarat. The entire BJP including the PM himself, 80 ministers are sitting there for a month but are still unable to counter him: Ghulam Nabi Azad on Rahul Gandhi elected as Congress President pic.twitter.com/Fiqhw2pS2w — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017 × Entire country has lots of expectations from Rahul Gandhi. Much before he was elected he has shown his mettle. He knows his responsibility: Ghulam Nabi Azad on Rahul Gandhi elected as Congress President pic.twitter.com/yvONXuRcFZ — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017 × This is the worst time in India under present govt. In such time Rahul Gandhi has been elected as party President. In Gujarat, he has proved he is the only candidate who can be relied upon. He is facing Modi confidently: Tarun Gogoi on Rahul Gandhi elected as the party President pic.twitter.com/oFyfdctNYQ — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017 ×

Rahul Gandhi elected Congress president, unopposed

<p>Amid all the congratulatory messages which Rahul Gandhi has been receiving for his unopposed elevation as the President of Indian National Congress, it would be Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s wishes which would have brought a smile on his face.</p>

<p>The two political rivals left no stone unturned to defame each other&#39;s position and policies in the Gujarat assembly election campaigns.<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp;<br />
But after the news of Rahul Gandhi&#39;s elevation was confirmed, PM Modi wasted no time and took to his Twitter handle to wish the Gandhi scion a fruitful tenure:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I congratulate Rahul Ji on his election as Congress President. My best wishes for a fruitful tenure. <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficeOfRG</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/940207336097964032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rahul replied:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you for your good wishes Modi ji. <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/940278053636161536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier at a press conference today, Senior Congress leader Mullappally Ramachandran named Rahul Gandhi as the new president of the grand old party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ramachandran, who is also the All India Congress Committee&#39;s returning officer for the election, added that all 89 nominations proposals were found to be valid, and Rahul had been elevated to the top post since he was the only candidate in the fray.</p>

<p>Rahul will take over the reins of the party from his mother and current president, Sonia Gandhi, on December 16, who held held the position for almost 19 years.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Rahul will officially take over as Congress president -- from his mother -- on Dec 16

Amid all the congratulatory messages which Rahul Gandhi has been receiving for his unopposed elevation as the President of Indian National Congress, it would be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's wishes which would have brought a smile on his face. The two political rivals left no stone unturned to defame each other's position and policies in the Gujarat assembly election campaigns. But after the news of Rahul Gandhi's elevation was confirmed, PM Modi wasted no time and took to his Twitter handle to wish the Gandhi scion a fruitful tenure: I congratulate Rahul Ji on his election as Congress President. My best wishes for a fruitful tenure. @OfficeOfRG — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2017 × Rahul replied: Thank you for your good wishes Modi ji. @narendramodi — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 11, 2017 × Earlier at a press conference today, Senior Congress leader Mullappally Ramachandran named Rahul Gandhi as the new president of the grand old party. Ramachandran, who is also the All India Congress Committee's returning officer for the election, added that all 89 nominations proposals were found to be valid, and Rahul had been elevated to the top post since he was the only candidate in the fray. Rahul will take over the reins of the party from his mother and current president, Sonia Gandhi, on December 16, who held held the position for almost 19 years.

PM Modi wishes Rahul Gandhi 'fruitful tenure' as Congress president

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<p>Israeli&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-renews-call-for-wisdom-and-prudence-over-jerusalem-26389">PM Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit&nbsp;</a>to France said that &#39;&#39;Jerusalem is the capital of Israel&#39;&#39; and it has been the &quot;capital for 3,000 years&quot;.</p>

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<p>One terrorist was gunned down and another captured after an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in J&amp;K&#39;s Baramulla district. The encounter took place in Baramulla&#39;s&nbsp;Bomai area. Reports said firing had stopped and search operation was underway.</p>

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<p>A medium intensity earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale hit Jammu and Kashmir early today, the IMD said. According to the National Seismology Centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the earthquake occurred at 4:28 am(local time) at a depth of 33 km.</p>

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<p>The man accused of molesting an actress on a Delhi-Mumbai flight has been arrested by police in Mumbai. The actress had on Sunday alleged that she had been molested by a middle-aged man sitting behind her on the flight.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/california-wildfire-rages-toward-scenic-coastal-communities-26401" target="_blank">California wildfire rages toward scenic coastal communities</a></p>

<p>A raging wildfire pushed toward a string of California coastal cities on Sunday, December 10, prompting new evacuations as crews fought to save homes in the face of gusty winds that have fueled blazes across the state for nearly a week.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Sooner Palestinians come to grips with reality, we can move towards peace: Israeli PM Netanyahu Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to France said that ''Jerusalem is the capital of Israel'' and it has been the "capital for 3,000 years". J&K: 1 terrorist killed in encounter with security forces, search operations underway in Baramulla One terrorist was gunned down and another captured after an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in J&K's Baramulla district. The encounter took place in Baramulla's Bomai area. Reports said firing had stopped and search operation was underway. 4.5-magnitude earthquake hits J&K, no casualties A medium intensity earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale hit Jammu and Kashmir early today, the IMD said. According to the National Seismology Centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the earthquake occurred at 4:28 am(local time) at a depth of 33 km. Actress molestation case: Suspect arrested by Mumbai Police The man accused of molesting an actress on a Delhi-Mumbai flight has been arrested by police in Mumbai. The actress had on Sunday alleged that she had been molested by a middle-aged man sitting behind her on the flight. California wildfire rages toward scenic coastal communities A raging wildfire pushed toward a string of California coastal cities on Sunday, December 10, prompting new evacuations as crews fought to save homes in the face of gusty winds that have fueled blazes across the state for nearly a week.

WION Morning News Brief, 11 December 2017

<p>The job has come easy to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-the-underdog-26329">Rahul Gandhi</a> as president of the Congress party but the task in front him is cut out. He takes over from <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sonia-turns-71-cong-leaders-and-workers-throng-residence-26315">Sonia Gandhi</a> who is the longest serving president of the Congress. Sonia Gandhi had certain comforts when she took over the Congress which Rahul does not enjoy, so there are less similarities between both events apart from the family name. Rahul inherits tougher and more challenging circumstances.</p>

<p>Sonia took over reins of the Congress in similar but less enduring circumstances and brought it to power by 2004. For Rahul, things are tougher. Sample this: Unlike 2003-04, Congress has collapsed in many states, number of states under Congress is miniscule, till 2003, the party still had many strong state leaders and seasoned politicians from Rajiv and Indira days which in 2017 are either not there or on the verge of retirement.</p>

<p><strong><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-elected-congress-president-unopposed-26455">Also Read: Rahul Gandhi elected Congress president, unopposed</a></strong></p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi, on the other hand, has his set of team but most of them have not served at the top rung of the UPA and for that reason for some time will have to depend on the older set when it comes to Parliament.</p>

<p>Sonia once in charge, gradually brought faces who were handpicked either by Indira or Sanjay Gandhi. Very few from the core team of Rajiv Gandhi were able to make to her inner circle. Whether it was Arjun Singh, Natwar Singh, Ambika Soni, Margaret Alva, Gulam Nabi Azad, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Priyaranjan Das Munshi, Kamalnath, Hansraj Bhardwaj, AK Antony or Ahmad Patel, they had cut teeth into politics much before Sonia Gandhi entered politics.</p>

<p>On top of it, she had to face much gentler Atal Bihari Vajpayee who never brought his political battle to the Gandhi family&#39;s home or bastion. On the other hand, Narendra Modi has done all of that. He has made dynasty an issue for Congress, charged them as un-Indian, and openly questioned the Congress abroad. All of it cannot be pinned on Rahul because political flanks were left vulnerable by the Congress and he took advantage of it. Rahul Gandhi will have to deal with all of them apart from a very visible RSS which was not the case under Vajpayee government. Rahul Gandhi will have to work through states where Congress has an organizational vacuum. These states are in plenty unlike 1999. These states are Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar. Together, they constitute more than 200 Lok Sabha seats. And it does not stop here. For the first time, even North East is vulnerable where BJP has made massive in roads. For this reason, Rahul Gandhi&#39;s journey is going to be tougher.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
But in politics nothing succeeds like success. The differentiator between Modi and the rest is that he is a vote catcher and that too a mammoth one. Secondly, despite murmurs he unites all the BJP workers if not the leaders.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi has neither proved to be a vote catcher nor a glue to keep the Congress united. In past, most of the Congress leaders from the state and Centre left the Congress accusing Rahul Gandhi. If Rahul Gandhi can unite the Congress party, it will be his first big step. The second step would be to have a victory solely attributable to him.</p>

<p>Third and the most important challenge for Rahul Gandhi would be to create a balance between building a coalition to keep BJP at bay and building Congress party brick by brick which has been corroded from seam by the very regional parties which had supported it at the Centre. Right now, the core has shrunk and regional parties have become assertive to a point where Congress is being treated as one amongst many.</p>

<p>Lastly, he needs to be seen as a sole challenger to Modi in India. He cannot afford another to be like Kejriwal. He has shown a bit of it in Gujarat. If this sense of challenge continues to emanate from Rahul Gandhi, he will be considered as the sole challenger by public against Modi. The public would say that Rahul Gandhi has arrived. For now, jury is out and all eyes are set on Gujarat where Congress has given a good fight.</p>

<p><strong>Watch this WION Special</strong></p>

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Rahul Gandhi has his set of team but most of them have not served at the top rung of the UPA and for that reason for some time will have to depend on the older set when it comes to Parliament.

The job has come easy to Rahul Gandhi as president of the Congress party but the task in front him is cut out. He takes over from Sonia Gandhi who is the longest serving president of the Congress. Sonia Gandhi had certain comforts when she took over the Congress which Rahul does not enjoy, so there are less similarities between both events apart from the family name. Rahul inherits tougher and more challenging circumstances. Sonia took over reins of the Congress in similar but less enduring circumstances and brought it to power by 2004. For Rahul, things are tougher. Sample this: Unlike 2003-04, Congress has collapsed in many states, number of states under Congress is miniscule, till 2003, the party still had many strong state leaders and seasoned politicians from Rajiv and Indira days which in 2017 are either not there or on the verge of retirement. Also Read: Rahul Gandhi elected Congress president, unopposed Rahul Gandhi, on the other hand, has his set of team but most of them have not served at the top rung of the UPA and for that reason for some time will have to depend on the older set when it comes to Parliament. Sonia once in charge, gradually brought faces who were handpicked either by Indira or Sanjay Gandhi. Very few from the core team of Rajiv Gandhi were able to make to her inner circle. Whether it was Arjun Singh, Natwar Singh, Ambika Soni, Margaret Alva, Gulam Nabi Azad, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Priyaranjan Das Munshi, Kamalnath, Hansraj Bhardwaj, AK Antony or Ahmad Patel, they had cut teeth into politics much before Sonia Gandhi entered politics. On top of it, she had to face much gentler Atal Bihari Vajpayee who never brought his political battle to the Gandhi family's home or bastion. On the other hand, Narendra Modi has done all of that. He has made dynasty an issue for Congress, charged them as un-Indian, and openly questioned the Congress abroad. All of it cannot be pinned on Rahul because political flanks were left vulnerable by the Congress and he took advantage of it. Rahul Gandhi will have to deal with all of them apart from a very visible RSS which was not the case under Vajpayee government. Rahul Gandhi will have to work through states where Congress has an organizational vacuum. These states are in plenty unlike 1999. These states are Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar. Together, they constitute more than 200 Lok Sabha seats. And it does not stop here. For the first time, even North East is vulnerable where BJP has made massive in roads. For this reason, Rahul Gandhi's journey is going to be tougher. But in politics nothing succeeds like success. The differentiator between Modi and the rest is that he is a vote catcher and that too a mammoth one. Secondly, despite murmurs he unites all the BJP workers if not the leaders. Rahul Gandhi has neither proved to be a vote catcher nor a glue to keep the Congress united. In past, most of the Congress leaders from the state and Centre left the Congress accusing Rahul Gandhi. If Rahul Gandhi can unite the Congress party, it will be his first big step. The second step would be to have a victory solely attributable to him. Third and the most important challenge for Rahul Gandhi would be to create a balance between building a coalition to keep BJP at bay and building Congress party brick by brick which has been corroded from seam by the very regional parties which had supported it at the Centre. Right now, the core has shrunk and regional parties have become assertive to a point where Congress is being treated as one amongst many. Lastly, he needs to be seen as a sole challenger to Modi in India. He cannot afford another to be like Kejriwal. He has shown a bit of it in Gujarat. If this sense of challenge continues to emanate from Rahul Gandhi, he will be considered as the sole challenger by public against Modi. The public would say that Rahul Gandhi has arrived. For now, jury is out and all eyes are set on Gujarat where Congress has given a good fight. Watch this WION Special ×

Rahul takes over as Congress president, but faces greater challenges than mother Sonia Gandhi

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-police-responding-to-reports-of-explosion-police-tweet-26472">Explosion in Manhattan, trains being evacuated</a></p>

<p>The New York Police Department was responding to reports of an explosion of unknown origin on Monday morning in midtown Manhattan at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, according to the police department&#39;s official Twitter feed.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-elected-congress-president-unopposed-26455">Rahul Gandhi elected Congress president, unopposed</a></p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi has been elected president of the Indian National Congres. He was elected unopposed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mullappally Ramachandran of the Congress said 89 nomination proposals were received, all of which were valid.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/indias-shubhankar-sharma-wins-joburg-open-with-total-score-of-23-under-par-26468">India&#39;s Shubhankar Sharma wins Joburg Open with total score of 23 under 264</a></p>

<p>Shubhankar Sharma became the first Indian golfer to clinch the Joburg Open today, his maiden European Tour title that also earned him a ticket to the prestigious British Open next year.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-orders-withdrawal-of-russian-troops-from-syria-ria-26456">Putin orders partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria: Agencies</a></p>

<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday gave the order for a partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria during a visit to the country&#39;s airbase there, news agencies reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/confirmed-virat-kohli-and-anushka-sharma-are-now-married-26476">Confirmed! Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are now married</a></p>

<p>After days of speculation, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma are now officially married. The couple had flown to Italy a few days back with their immediate family members where the ceremony took&nbsp;place.</p>


Explosion in Manhattan, trains being evacuated The New York Police Department was responding to reports of an explosion of unknown origin on Monday morning in midtown Manhattan at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, according to the police department's official Twitter feed. Rahul Gandhi elected Congress president, unopposed Rahul Gandhi has been elected president of the Indian National Congres. He was elected unopposed. Mullappally Ramachandran of the Congress said 89 nomination proposals were received, all of which were valid. India's Shubhankar Sharma wins Joburg Open with total score of 23 under 264 Shubhankar Sharma became the first Indian golfer to clinch the Joburg Open today, his maiden European Tour title that also earned him a ticket to the prestigious British Open next year. Putin orders partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria: Agencies Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday gave the order for a partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria during a visit to the country's airbase there, news agencies reported. Confirmed! Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are now married After days of speculation, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma are now officially married. The couple had flown to Italy a few days back with their immediate family members where the ceremony took place.

WION Evening News Brief, December 11, 2017

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-police-responding-to-reports-of-explosion-police-tweet-26472">Explosion in Manhattan trains being evacuated</a></p>

<p>The New York Police Department was responding to reports of an explosion of unknown origin on Monday morning in midtown Manhattan at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, according to the police department&#39;s official Twitter feed.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-elected-congress-president-unopposed-26455">Rahul Gandhi elected Congress president, unopposed</a></p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi has been elected president of the Indian National Congres. He was elected unopposed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mullappally Ramachandran of the Congress said 89 nomination proposals were received, all of which were valid.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/indias-shubhankar-sharma-wins-joburg-open-with-total-score-of-23-under-par-26468">India&#39;s Shubhankar Sharma wins Joburg Open with total score of 23 under 264</a></p>

<p>Shubhankar Sharma became the first Indian golfer to clinch the Joburg Open today, his maiden European Tour title that also earned him a ticket to the prestigious British Open next year.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-orders-withdrawal-of-russian-troops-from-syria-ria-26456">Putin orders partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria: Agencies</a></p>

<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday gave the order for a partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria during a visit to the country&#39;s airbase there, news agencies reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/confirmed-virat-kohli-and-anushka-sharma-are-now-married-26476">Confirmed! Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are now married</a></p>

<p>After days of speculation, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma are now officially married. The couple had flown to Italy a few days back with their immediate family members where the ceremony took&nbsp;place.</p>


Explosion in Manhattan trains being evacuated The New York Police Department was responding to reports of an explosion of unknown origin on Monday morning in midtown Manhattan at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, according to the police department's official Twitter feed. Rahul Gandhi elected Congress president, unopposed Rahul Gandhi has been elected president of the Indian National Congres. He was elected unopposed. Mullappally Ramachandran of the Congress said 89 nomination proposals were received, all of which were valid. India's Shubhankar Sharma wins Joburg Open with total score of 23 under 264 Shubhankar Sharma became the first Indian golfer to clinch the Joburg Open today, his maiden European Tour title that also earned him a ticket to the prestigious British Open next year. Putin orders partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria: Agencies Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday gave the order for a partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria during a visit to the country's airbase there, news agencies reported. Confirmed! Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are now married After days of speculation, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma are now officially married. The couple had flown to Italy a few days back with their immediate family members where the ceremony took place.

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he helped all&nbsp;thieves&nbsp;to turn black money white.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The money of all thieves in India was turned white by Modi Ji.: Rahul Gandhi in Kheda&#39;s Dakor <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection</a> <a href="https://t.co/0rAUw7BOBX">pic.twitter.com/0rAUw7BOBX</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939758168959205376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&#39;&#39;The money of all thieves in India was turned white by Modi Ji,&#39;&#39; he said addressing a public rally in Kheda&#39;s Dakor.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Dekhiye galat shabd ka prayog mat kariye woh PM hain, aap congress party ke ho, pyaar se baat kariye, meethe shabd prayog karo aur bhagao unko: Rahul Gandhi in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>&#39;s Dakor <a href="https://t.co/FAZXwFbYS1">pic.twitter.com/FAZXwFbYS1</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939758323816992768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&#39;&#39;Yesterday I listen to Modiji&#39;s speech and in 90 per cent of the time he was talking about himself,&#39;&#39; he said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Kal maine Modi Ji ka bhaashan suna. Usmein Modi Ji ne 90% Modi Ji ki baat ki.: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Dakor <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection</a> <a href="https://t.co/q3drAc2CPh">pic.twitter.com/q3drAc2CPh</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939757290487300096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Congress vice-president also urged the Congress leaders not use bad words against Modi. &#39;&#39;We are Congress party and use only polite words and send the BJP government packing from the state,&#39;&#39; he said. &nbsp;</p>


Rhul said he listened to Modiji's speech and in 90 per cent of the time he was talking about himself.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he helped all thieves to turn black money white. The money of all thieves in India was turned white by Modi Ji.: Rahul Gandhi in Kheda's Dakor #GujaratElection pic.twitter.com/0rAUw7BOBX — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2017 × ''The money of all thieves in India was turned white by Modi Ji,'' he said addressing a public rally in Kheda's Dakor. Dekhiye galat shabd ka prayog mat kariye woh PM hain, aap congress party ke ho, pyaar se baat kariye, meethe shabd prayog karo aur bhagao unko: Rahul Gandhi in #Gujarat's Dakor pic.twitter.com/FAZXwFbYS1 — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2017 × ''Yesterday I listen to Modiji's speech and in 90 per cent of the time he was talking about himself,'' he said. Kal maine Modi Ji ka bhaashan suna. Usmein Modi Ji ne 90% Modi Ji ki baat ki.: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Dakor #GujaratElection pic.twitter.com/q3drAc2CPh — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2017 × The Congress vice-president also urged the Congress leaders not use bad words against Modi. ''We are Congress party and use only polite words and send the BJP government packing from the state,'' he said.

Money of all thieves in India was turned white by Modiji: Rahul Gandhi

<p>&nbsp;While addressing a rally in Palanpur, Gujarat Prime Minister Modi has asked that why the military intelligence from Pakistan was putting forward the name of Ahmed Patel for chief minister.</p>

<p>He said &quot;why people who previously held high posts in military -intelligence establishment of Pakistan&nbsp;writing that we should help make Ahmed Patel the CM?&quot;</p>

<p>He said that the Mani Shankar Aiyar who insulted Gujarat held secret meetings with Pakistan High Commissioner.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier PM Modi had said in at a rally said&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/poster-congratulating-rahul-gandhi-for-suspending-mani-shankar-aiyar-goes-viral-26213">Mani Shankar Aiyar</a>&nbsp;had told people when he visited Pakistan to &quot;remove Modi&quot;&nbsp;from the way and then see what happens to India-Pakistan peace.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi had then responded to him saying &quot;What did he mean by removing me from the way? And what is my crime? That I have blessings of the people?&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mani Shankar&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/neech-row-both-congress-and-i-want-mani-shankar-aiyar-to-apologise-says-rahul-gandhi-26147">Aiyar was suspended&nbsp;</a>from primary membership of the Congress after his &quot;neech&quot; comment on PM Modi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had also demanded an apology from&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/neech-row-i-am-ready-to-accept-any-punishment-that-the-congress-wants-to-give-me-says-mani-shankar-aiyar-26240">Aiyar</a>&nbsp;to PM Modi.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister and several BJP leaders went on to target the Congress veteran in BJP rallies and official events.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The same Mani Shankar Aiyar, who insulted Gujarat, held secret meetings with Pakistan High Commissioner. What was the reason? Why are people who previously held high posts in military-intelligence establishment of Pak writing that we should help make Ahmed Patel the CM?: PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/lc9G57NlKI">pic.twitter.com/lc9G57NlKI</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939754507952472064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


PM Modi said 'why people who previously held high posts in military -intelligence establishment of Pakistan?writing that we should help make Ahmed Patel the CM?'

While addressing a rally in Palanpur, Gujarat Prime Minister Modi has asked that why the military intelligence from Pakistan was putting forward the name of Ahmed Patel for chief minister. He said "why people who previously held high posts in military -intelligence establishment of Pakistan writing that we should help make Ahmed Patel the CM?" He said that the Mani Shankar Aiyar who insulted Gujarat held secret meetings with Pakistan High Commissioner. Earlier PM Modi had said in at a rally said that Mani Shankar Aiyar had told people when he visited Pakistan to "remove Modi" from the way and then see what happens to India-Pakistan peace. Modi had then responded to him saying "What did he mean by removing me from the way? And what is my crime? That I have blessings of the people?" Mani Shankar Aiyar was suspended from primary membership of the Congress after his "neech" comment on PM Modi. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had also demanded an apology from Aiyar to PM Modi. The Prime Minister and several BJP leaders went on to target the Congress veteran in BJP rallies and official events. The same Mani Shankar Aiyar, who insulted Gujarat, held secret meetings with Pakistan High Commissioner. What was the reason? Why are people who previously held high posts in military-intelligence establishment of Pak writing that we should help make Ahmed Patel the CM?: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/lc9G57NlKI — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2017 ×

Why Pakistan military intelligence wants Ahmed Patel as Gujarat CM? asks Modi

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi found&nbsp;himself in an awkward situation on Sunday when he visited Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda&#39;s Dakor in Gujarat. The crowd gathered outside temple shouted &#39;Modi Modi&#39; as Rahul Gandhi exited the temple after offering prayers on Sunday. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="et"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Scene outside Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda&#39;s Dakor, crowd shouts &#39;Modi Modi&#39; as Rahul Gandhi exits. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a> <a href="https://t.co/rFWEnVWy8t">pic.twitter.com/rFWEnVWy8t</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939752748773294080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rahul Gandhi visited the temple to offer prayers. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier a controversy emerged after Rahul Gandhi&#39;s signature was found in a register that records the entry of &quot;non-Hindus&quot; when he visited the Somnath temple in Gujarat.</p>

<p>Later Congress leader Randeep S Surejwala issued a clarification saying that Rahul Gandhi signed only the visitor&#39;s book.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi offered prayers in Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda&#39;s Dakor. <a href="https://t.co/2iiNX7VilY">pic.twitter.com/2iiNX7VilY</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939732097056481280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He said: &quot; Rahulji made an entry into the visitor&#39;s book. The signature which is being talked of is different, neither it is Rahul Gandhi nor was the register ever given to him.&quot;</p>

<p>He further said that Rahul Gandhi is not only a Hindu, he is a &quot;janeu dhari&quot; Hindu.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="sl">More visuals from Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda&#39;s Dakor where Rahul Gandhi offered prayers <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>. <a href="https://t.co/QmriZNUAGe">pic.twitter.com/QmriZNUAGe</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939735110097674246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>During his last visit to the poll-bound state earlier in November, the Congress leader had visited the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar. He had also visited Ambaji temple.</p>


Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi visited Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda's Dakor and offered prayers.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi found himself in an awkward situation on Sunday when he visited Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda's Dakor in Gujarat. The crowd gathered outside temple shouted 'Modi Modi' as Rahul Gandhi exited the temple after offering prayers on Sunday. #WATCH: Scene outside Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda's Dakor, crowd shouts 'Modi Modi' as Rahul Gandhi exits. #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/rFWEnVWy8t — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2017 × Rahul Gandhi visited the temple to offer prayers. Earlier a controversy emerged after Rahul Gandhi's signature was found in a register that records the entry of "non-Hindus" when he visited the Somnath temple in Gujarat. Later Congress leader Randeep S Surejwala issued a clarification saying that Rahul Gandhi signed only the visitor's book. Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi offered prayers in Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda's Dakor. pic.twitter.com/2iiNX7VilY — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2017 × He said: " Rahulji made an entry into the visitor's book. The signature which is being talked of is different, neither it is Rahul Gandhi nor was the register ever given to him." He further said that Rahul Gandhi is not only a Hindu, he is a "janeu dhari" Hindu. More visuals from Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda's Dakor where Rahul Gandhi offered prayers #Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/QmriZNUAGe — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2017 × During his last visit to the poll-bound state earlier in November, the Congress leader had visited the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar. He had also visited Ambaji temple.

Watch: Crowd shouts 'Modi Modi' as Rahul Gandhi exits Gujarat temple

<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>Rahul Gandhi is likely to assume the reins of the Congress on December 16, marking a generational shift in the grand old party when his mother and its longest-serving president would formally hand over the baton to him.</p>

<p>While pageantry would herald the dawn of a new era in the party which has ruled the country for over half-a-century since independence, the 47-year-old scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family will face the daunting task of restoring lost glory to the party whose fortunes have been dwindling in the recent past.</p>

<p>Today, the party, which once controlled almost the entire country, has its governments in just five states and the Union Territory of Puducherry.</p>

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<h5>A sure-footed Rahul Gandhi powered a spirited campaign for the Congress in Gujarat, and a win in the election, which many analysts say could be a&nbsp;dead heat between the two parties, would come as a massive boost for him</h5>
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<p>The announcement of Rahul Gandhi&#39;s elevation, however, is likely to be made tomorrow, the last date of withdrawal of nomination for the election of the Congress president which is a one horse race.</p>

<p>Altogether 89 nominations received in his favour were found to be valid during scrutiny.</p>

<p>The Congress&#39;s Central Election Authority chairman Mullapally Ramachandran, and CEA members Madhusudan Mistry and Bhubaneswar Kalita will announce that Gandhi&#39;s was the only nomination for the top job tomorrow.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi would, however, be handed over the certificate appointing him the party president on December 16 in the presence of Sonia Gandhi and other senior leaders, Ramachandran said.</p>

<p>Sonia Gandhi will officially hand over the mantle of the 132-year-old party to her son around 11am after which Rahul Gandhi will meet leaders from across the country at the Congress&#39;s headquarters, party sources said.</p>

<p>The Congress has been losing state after state since the 2014 Lok Sabha election with the exception of Punjab.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi&#39;s elevation would come just two days ahead of the counting of votes for the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly poll.</p>

<p>A sure-footed Rahul Gandhi powered a spirited campaign for the Congress in Gujarat, and a win in the election, which many analysts say could be a&nbsp;dead heat between the two parties, would come as a massive boost for him.</p>

<p>&quot;Delivering in Gujarat will be important as it is the immediate test facing Rahul Gandhi, who has mounted a strong anti-BJP campaign in the state and led personally from the front. We are looking at victory in Gujarat,&quot; said a Congress leader and former chief minister.</p>

<p>Mahila Congress chief and party spokesperson Sushmita Dev said reorganising the party would be another major task for him.</p>

<p>&quot;Every post comes with a challenge. He has to rebuild the party at the grassroots and strengthen the ideological base. His undisputed election as party president is a sign of his strength. He will have to take everyone along from the AICC level right up to the states,&quot; she told PTI.</p>

<p>Striking a balance between the old guard and the young leaders would be a key to running the organisation which has many seasoned politicians whose wisdom he could use as he steers the party.</p>

<p>Gandhi had said in the past that he would draw upon a blend of experience of the old and the energy of the young.</p>

<p>&quot;Initial signs are encouraging since he put veterans like Ashok Gehlot and Sushil Kumar Shinde in charge of elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh respectively and was willing to bank on them,&quot; said a leader. He also got appointed young leaders as secretaries.</p>

<p>Clarity on the party&#39;s ideological stand on the issue of Hindutva would also be important as he is being seen as projecting the Congress&#39;s soft Hindutva with his visit to temples in Gujarat. He has also proclaimed himself a &quot;Shiv bhakt&quot;.</p>

<p>These visits are also being seen as an attempt to blunt the BJP&#39;s accusation against the party of Muslim appeasement.</p>

<p>&quot;This is to course-correct after it was felt that an overtly pro-minority image of the Congress undermined its electoral prospects on the eve of 2014 Lok Sabha elections,&quot; a party veteran noted, adding cobbling together electoral alliances will also be key to the future growth of the party.</p>

<p>Another former union minister said every state had its own set of challenges and Gandhi would be expected to take informed decisions in each by taking everyone along.</p>

<p>Gandhi has already been taking all major decisions in the party even though his formal elevation was delayed due to a long-drawn internal election process.</p>

<p>The deadline set by the Election Commission for conclusion of the organisational elections in the Congress expires on December 31.</p>

<p>Organisational elections in the Congress were due in 2015. The party constitution provides for elections to be held every five years. The last such polls were held in 2010.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi, who was initially hesitant about taking over the reins from Sonia Gandhi, who held the party&#39;s top post for 19 years, will be the sixth member and fifth generation leader of the Nehru-Gandhi clan to occupy the post. These include Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and now Rahul Gandhi.</p>

<p>Some eminent leaders who held the post in the pre- independence era included Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Abul Kalam Azad, Vallabhai Patel and Rajendra Prasad.</p>

<p>Eminent people like Madan Mohan Malviya, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Dadabhai Naoroji, Annie Besant and Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee, the first party president, also led the party in the pre-independence era.</p>


The announcement though is expected to be made tomorrow

Rahul Gandhi is likely to assume the reins of the Congress on December 16, marking a generational shift in the grand old party when his mother and its longest-serving president would formally hand over the baton to him. While pageantry would herald the dawn of a new era in the party which has ruled the country for over half-a-century since independence, the 47-year-old scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family will face the daunting task of restoring lost glory to the party whose fortunes have been dwindling in the recent past. Today, the party, which once controlled almost the entire country, has its governments in just five states and the Union Territory of Puducherry. A sure-footed Rahul Gandhi powered a spirited campaign for the Congress in Gujarat, and a win in the election, which many analysts say could be a dead heat between the two parties, would come as a massive boost for him × The announcement of Rahul Gandhi's elevation, however, is likely to be made tomorrow, the last date of withdrawal of nomination for the election of the Congress president which is a one horse race. Altogether 89 nominations received in his favour were found to be valid during scrutiny. The Congress's Central Election Authority chairman Mullapally Ramachandran, and CEA members Madhusudan Mistry and Bhubaneswar Kalita will announce that Gandhi's was the only nomination for the top job tomorrow. Rahul Gandhi would, however, be handed over the certificate appointing him the party president on December 16 in the presence of Sonia Gandhi and other senior leaders, Ramachandran said. Sonia Gandhi will officially hand over the mantle of the 132-year-old party to her son around 11am after which Rahul Gandhi will meet leaders from across the country at the Congress's headquarters, party sources said. The Congress has been losing state after state since the 2014 Lok Sabha election with the exception of Punjab. Rahul Gandhi's elevation would come just two days ahead of the counting of votes for the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly poll. A sure-footed Rahul Gandhi powered a spirited campaign for the Congress in Gujarat, and a win in the election, which many analysts say could be a dead heat between the two parties, would come as a massive boost for him. "Delivering in Gujarat will be important as it is the immediate test facing Rahul Gandhi, who has mounted a strong anti-BJP campaign in the state and led personally from the front. We are looking at victory in Gujarat," said a Congress leader and former chief minister. Mahila Congress chief and party spokesperson Sushmita Dev said reorganising the party would be another major task for him. "Every post comes with a challenge. He has to rebuild the party at the grassroots and strengthen the ideological base. His undisputed election as party president is a sign of his strength. He will have to take everyone along from the AICC level right up to the states," she told PTI. Striking a balance between the old guard and the young leaders would be a key to running the organisation which has many seasoned politicians whose wisdom he could use as he steers the party. Gandhi had said in the past that he would draw upon a blend of experience of the old and the energy of the young. "Initial signs are encouraging since he put veterans like Ashok Gehlot and Sushil Kumar Shinde in charge of elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh respectively and was willing to bank on them," said a leader. He also got appointed young leaders as secretaries. Clarity on the party's ideological stand on the issue of Hindutva would also be important as he is being seen as projecting the Congress's soft Hindutva with his visit to temples in Gujarat. He has also proclaimed himself a "Shiv bhakt". These visits are also being seen as an attempt to blunt the BJP's accusation against the party of Muslim appeasement. "This is to course-correct after it was felt that an overtly pro-minority image of the Congress undermined its electoral prospects on the eve of 2014 Lok Sabha elections," a party veteran noted, adding cobbling together electoral alliances will also be key to the future growth of the party. Another former union minister said every state had its own set of challenges and Gandhi would be expected to take informed decisions in each by taking everyone along. Gandhi has already been taking all major decisions in the party even though his formal elevation was delayed due to a long-drawn internal election process. The deadline set by the Election Commission for conclusion of the organisational elections in the Congress expires on December 31. Organisational elections in the Congress were due in 2015. The party constitution provides for elections to be held every five years. The last such polls were held in 2010. Rahul Gandhi, who was initially hesitant about taking over the reins from Sonia Gandhi, who held the party's top post for 19 years, will be the sixth member and fifth generation leader of the Nehru-Gandhi clan to occupy the post. These include Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and now Rahul Gandhi. Some eminent leaders who held the post in the pre- independence era included Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Abul Kalam Azad, Vallabhai Patel and Rajendra Prasad. Eminent people like Madan Mohan Malviya, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Dadabhai Naoroji, Annie Besant and Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee, the first party president, also led the party in the pre-independence era.

Rahul Gandhi likely to take over as Congress president on December 16

<p>Around 11 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the initial two hours during polling on 89 seats of Saurashtra and South Gujarat regions in the first phase of the crucial Gujarat assembly polls.</p>

<p>After the polling process began at 8 am, people could be seen stepping out of their homes despite cold weather and queuing up to exercise their franchise at the polling stations.</p>

<p>According to officials, around 11 per cent voting has been recorded in the first two hours.</p>

<p>Although there were reports of technical glitches in EVMs in Surat and some other centres, the polling process resumed after the machines were replaced, officials of the Election Commission said.</p>

<p>In the first two hours, several important leaders and candidates cast their votes, including Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, his opponent on Rajkot-West seat Indranil Rajyaguru, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, Gujarat BJP chief Jitu Vaghani and Congress MLA of Amreli seat Paresh Dhanan, among others.</p>

<p>Cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara also cast his vote in Rajkot.</p>

<p>A total of 89 seats out of 182 -- spanning the Saurashtra and south Gujarat regions -- are up for grabs in the first phase with 977 candidates in the fray.</p>

<p>Prominent candidates for today&#39;s battle include Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who is contesting from Rajkot (West), Congress&#39; Shaktisinh Gohil (Mandvi) and Paresh Dhanani (Amreli).</p>

<p>The election is being viewed as a prestige battle for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of soon-to-be Congress chief Rahul Gandhi. The election is a crucial battleground for the Congress and the BJP before 2019 Lok Sabha elections.</p>

<p>The poll campaign shaped up as a duel between Modi and Gandhi, and often turned personal.</p>

<p>The Congress, in the political wilderness in Gujarat for nearly 22 years, is desperate to break the jinx. It has raised issues such as the BJP&#39;s &quot;hollow development model&quot;, besides demonetisation and GST.</p>

<p>Gandhi emerged as the Congress&#39; pivot to take on the might of the prime minister on his home turf.</p>

<p>While Modi addressed about 15 rallies, Gandhi spent more than seven days in Saurashtra and south Gujarat, addressing a number of meetings.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Around 11 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the initial two hours during polling on 89 seats of Saurashtra and South Gujarat regions in the first phase of the crucial Gujarat assembly polls

Around 11 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the initial two hours during polling on 89 seats of Saurashtra and South Gujarat regions in the first phase of the crucial Gujarat assembly polls. After the polling process began at 8 am, people could be seen stepping out of their homes despite cold weather and queuing up to exercise their franchise at the polling stations. According to officials, around 11 per cent voting has been recorded in the first two hours. Although there were reports of technical glitches in EVMs in Surat and some other centres, the polling process resumed after the machines were replaced, officials of the Election Commission said. In the first two hours, several important leaders and candidates cast their votes, including Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, his opponent on Rajkot-West seat Indranil Rajyaguru, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, Gujarat BJP chief Jitu Vaghani and Congress MLA of Amreli seat Paresh Dhanan, among others. Cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara also cast his vote in Rajkot. A total of 89 seats out of 182 -- spanning the Saurashtra and south Gujarat regions -- are up for grabs in the first phase with 977 candidates in the fray. Prominent candidates for today's battle include Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who is contesting from Rajkot (West), Congress' Shaktisinh Gohil (Mandvi) and Paresh Dhanani (Amreli). The election is being viewed as a prestige battle for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of soon-to-be Congress chief Rahul Gandhi. The election is a crucial battleground for the Congress and the BJP before 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The poll campaign shaped up as a duel between Modi and Gandhi, and often turned personal. The Congress, in the political wilderness in Gujarat for nearly 22 years, is desperate to break the jinx. It has raised issues such as the BJP's "hollow development model", besides demonetisation and GST. Gandhi emerged as the Congress' pivot to take on the might of the prime minister on his home turf. While Modi addressed about 15 rallies, Gandhi spent more than seven days in Saurashtra and south Gujarat, addressing a number of meetings.

Gujarat elections: 11 per cent voter turnout in first two hours

<p>Obstacles in elections always come out of the blue. They are sudden and have the capacity to change the narrative. Indian elections are far more prone to react to lose talk and emotional pitch. Both Kapil Sibal and Mani Shankar Aiyyar&rsquo;s comments proved once again that elections can go off the course if organisations fail to control leaders of their extra-curricular activities.</p>

<p>Many in BJP rejoiced that Congress handed over a &#39;<em>Maut Ka Saudagar</em>&#39; moment to them on a platter till Nana Patole, BJP MP resigned from Lok Sabha calling BJP anti-farmers. It is too early to know about the nature and depth of the damage and whether it is <em>Maut ka Saudagar</em> part 2, it definitely tells us a few things about current politics.</p>

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<h5>Despite analysts making broad observations about highly charged urban Gujarat, rural and economic issues have found resonance in the state.</h5>
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<p>Despite analysts making broad observations about highly charged urban Gujarat, rural and economic issues have found resonance in the state. It, for this reason, BJP clung to mandir and &#39;<em>neech</em>&#39; remarks quickly because it could harness latent Gujarati pride. Lastly, the industry which has worked well pillorying Rahul Gandhi have a cause to worry.</p>

<p>Even social media&rsquo;s response to this issue in Gujarat and rest of India remained very different. Rahul is a dynast and not like Modi who has become Prime Minister out of his own might and will. The only difference is that for the first time instead of being seen as a child of privilege, Rahul is getting sympathy for a simple reason that the people feel that he has received more than his share of brickbats.</p>

<p>BJP should be wary of it. Indira became authoritarian from being strong in a very short period of time. Rajiv Gandhi from being the most honest and fresh politician became a symbol of corruption. The liberal and new age Nehru became weak within a decade and division of power between Sonia and Manmohan led to the theme of PM without authority in 2014 Lok Sabha elections.</p>

<p>Rahul who has portrayed as <em>Pappu</em> and a dynast has the capacity to become an underdog. It should worry the government, whether Gujarat is retained or not. It should worry Modi too though he is quick to change and responded pretty quickly to <em>suit boot ki Sarkar</em> jibe which had pinned him as pro industrialist. It is for this reason land bill is still in cold storage.</p>

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<h5>Politicians like Mani Shankar and Kapil Sibal enjoyed a good amount of autonomy under Sonia which I don&rsquo;t think will continue under Rahul Gandhi.</h5>
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<p>Internally, what we see today is a different Congress. Politicians like Mani Shankar and Kapil Sibal enjoyed a good amount of autonomy under Sonia which I don&rsquo;t think will continue under Rahul Gandhi. Within hours, Mani Shankar Aiyyar was suspended, apology issued and BJP was asked to extend a similar courtesy to Congress when their senior leaders abuse Gandhi&rsquo;s in person.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
BJP on the other hands remain fixated on the power of emotional issues. Its campaign which had been lacklustre only picked up after <em>neech</em>&nbsp;and <em>mandir</em> made it to the public domain. Prime Minister was quick to seize the opportunity and milked the statement to best of his abilities. It remains to be seen whether it can recreate the magic of <em>maut ka saudagar</em>&nbsp;once again.</p>

<p>The controversy shows that BJP wants to ensure that its national campaign remains centred around cultural nationalism and Ayodhya issue. The success of Gujarat will show the way to BJP for 2019 campaign. During 2014, the campaign was around delivering a prosperous India. 2019 may be about strong and united India if the emotional pitch of PM works in Gujarat. Whatever may be the result, the election would be interesting and polarised.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).</em></p>


In 2014 the campaign was around delivering a prosperous India. 2019 may be about strong and united India if the emotional pitch of PM works in Gujarat

Obstacles in elections always come out of the blue. They are sudden and have the capacity to change the narrative. Indian elections are far more prone to react to lose talk and emotional pitch. Both Kapil Sibal and Mani Shankar Aiyyar’s comments proved once again that elections can go off the course if organisations fail to control leaders of their extra-curricular activities. Many in BJP rejoiced that Congress handed over a 'Maut Ka Saudagar' moment to them on a platter till Nana Patole, BJP MP resigned from Lok Sabha calling BJP anti-farmers. It is too early to know about the nature and depth of the damage and whether it is Maut ka Saudagar part 2, it definitely tells us a few things about current politics. Despite analysts making broad observations about highly charged urban Gujarat, rural and economic issues have found resonance in the state. × Despite analysts making broad observations about highly charged urban Gujarat, rural and economic issues have found resonance in the state. It, for this reason, BJP clung to mandir and 'neech' remarks quickly because it could harness latent Gujarati pride. Lastly, the industry which has worked well pillorying Rahul Gandhi have a cause to worry. Even social media’s response to this issue in Gujarat and rest of India remained very different. Rahul is a dynast and not like Modi who has become Prime Minister out of his own might and will. The only difference is that for the first time instead of being seen as a child of privilege, Rahul is getting sympathy for a simple reason that the people feel that he has received more than his share of brickbats. BJP should be wary of it. Indira became authoritarian from being strong in a very short period of time. Rajiv Gandhi from being the most honest and fresh politician became a symbol of corruption. The liberal and new age Nehru became weak within a decade and division of power between Sonia and Manmohan led to the theme of PM without authority in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Rahul who has portrayed as Pappu and a dynast has the capacity to become an underdog. It should worry the government, whether Gujarat is retained or not. It should worry Modi too though he is quick to change and responded pretty quickly to suit boot ki Sarkar jibe which had pinned him as pro industrialist. It is for this reason land bill is still in cold storage. Politicians like Mani Shankar and Kapil Sibal enjoyed a good amount of autonomy under Sonia which I don’t think will continue under Rahul Gandhi. × Internally, what we see today is a different Congress. Politicians like Mani Shankar and Kapil Sibal enjoyed a good amount of autonomy under Sonia which I don’t think will continue under Rahul Gandhi. Within hours, Mani Shankar Aiyyar was suspended, apology issued and BJP was asked to extend a similar courtesy to Congress when their senior leaders abuse Gandhi’s in person. BJP on the other hands remain fixated on the power of emotional issues. Its campaign which had been lacklustre only picked up after neech and mandir made it to the public domain. Prime Minister was quick to seize the opportunity and milked the statement to best of his abilities. It remains to be seen whether it can recreate the magic of maut ka saudagar once again. The controversy shows that BJP wants to ensure that its national campaign remains centred around cultural nationalism and Ayodhya issue. The success of Gujarat will show the way to BJP for 2019 campaign. During 2014, the campaign was around delivering a prosperous India. 2019 may be about strong and united India if the emotional pitch of PM works in Gujarat. Whatever may be the result, the election would be interesting and polarised. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Rahul, the underdog?

<p>Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who is set to handle over the party&#39;s mantle to her son Rahul Gandhi after steering it for 19 years, today turned 71 and party leaders and workers thronged her residence to greet her on her birthday.</p>

<p>Gandhi also met a number of leaders including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and accepted their greetings.</p>

<p>Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and several former chief ministers and officer bearers also greeted Gandhi.</p>

<p>Congressmen gathered outside Sonia Gandhi&#39;s 10 Janpath residence since morning and celebrated her birthday by dancing to the beats of drums. Many carried posters and placards wishing Sonia Gandhi.</p>

<p>Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat tried his hands at the drums as folk dancers performed outside Gandhi&#39;s house.</p>

<p>Former chief ministers Sheila Dikshit, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Union ministers including Anand Sharma, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and RPN Singh, and party general secretaries including Janardan Dwivedi, Ambika Soni and Mohan Prakash were also present.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wished Gandhi with a tweet, saying &quot;Birthday greetings to Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi. I pray for her long life and good health.</p>

<p>Many Congress leaders also wished her with bouquets.</p>

<p>&quot;I extend my warm birthday greetings to Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi ji. Wish her a healthy, happy and long life,? said Ashok Gehlot, party?s general secretary in-charge of Gujarat.</p>

<p>Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also greeted Gandhi, saying, Warm birthday greetings to Congress President Sonia Gandhi ji. On the occasion of your birthday, I wish for your good health and long life.&quot;</p>

<p>Sonia Gandhi was born on December 9, 1946 in Louisiana, Vicenza in Italy.</p>

<p>She has held the post of Congress President since 1998 and has been a Lok Sabha MP since 1999. She is all set to hand over the party&#39;s reins to Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;</p>


Former PM Manmohan Singh came to wish her

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who is set to handle over the party's mantle to her son Rahul Gandhi after steering it for 19 years, today turned 71 and party leaders and workers thronged her residence to greet her on her birthday. Gandhi also met a number of leaders including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and accepted their greetings. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and several former chief ministers and officer bearers also greeted Gandhi. Congressmen gathered outside Sonia Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence since morning and celebrated her birthday by dancing to the beats of drums. Many carried posters and placards wishing Sonia Gandhi. Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat tried his hands at the drums as folk dancers performed outside Gandhi's house. Former chief ministers Sheila Dikshit, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Union ministers including Anand Sharma, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and RPN Singh, and party general secretaries including Janardan Dwivedi, Ambika Soni and Mohan Prakash were also present. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wished Gandhi with a tweet, saying "Birthday greetings to Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi. I pray for her long life and good health. Many Congress leaders also wished her with bouquets. "I extend my warm birthday greetings to Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi ji. Wish her a healthy, happy and long life,? said Ashok Gehlot, party?s general secretary in-charge of Gujarat. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also greeted Gandhi, saying, Warm birthday greetings to Congress President Sonia Gandhi ji. On the occasion of your birthday, I wish for your good health and long life." Sonia Gandhi was born on December 9, 1946 in Louisiana, Vicenza in Italy. She has held the post of Congress President since 1998 and has been a Lok Sabha MP since 1999. She is all set to hand over the party's reins to Rahul Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi turns 71, Congress leaders & workers throng residence

<p>As the campaigning for the second phase of the Gujarat elections reaches fever pitch, Primi Minister addressed a rally in Bhabhar, Gujarat earlier today. While speaking at a rally in Surat yesterday, the Prime Minister lashed out at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar for calling him (PM Modi) a &quot;<em>neech</em><em> </em><em>admi</em>&quot;.</p>

<p>Mr Aiyar&#39;s remark had created a furore among political leaders followed by Congress VP Rahul Gandhi asking Mr Aiyar to apologise for his use of language.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I do not appreciate the tone and language used by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyer to address the PM. Both the Congress and I expect him to apologise for what he said,&quot; the official tweet noted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP and PM routinely use filthy language to attack the Congress party. The Congress has a different culture and heritage. I do not appreciate the tone and language used by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyer to address the PM. Both the Congress and I expect him to apologise for what he said.</p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/938732839880687616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Later in the day, Mani Shankar Aiyar went on to make remarks like, &quot;I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/neech-row-both-congress-and-i-want-mani-shankar-aiyar-to-apologise-says-rahul-gandhi-26147" target="_blank"> I can reply to PM in his language</a>&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Why was PM taking a jibe at Congress and Rahul Gandhi at inauguration of a Centre on Baba Saheb Ambedkar? Everyday PM is using foul language against our leaders. I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language: Mani Shankar Aiyar <a href="https://t.co/SBqzIjyZsz">pic.twitter.com/SBqzIjyZsz</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938737033056370688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Aiyar later clarified saying that he used the word &quot;<em>neech</em>&quot; in a completely different context.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I meant low level when I said &#39;<em>neech</em>&#39;, I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue,&quot; clarified Aiyar.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I meant low level when I said &#39;neech&#39;, I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue. So if it has some other meaning then I apologize: Mani Shankar Aiyar <a href="https://t.co/yf5tshB1Vt">pic.twitter.com/yf5tshB1Vt</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938737804854444032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier today, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally in Chotta Udaipur and expressed regret over &#39;<em>neech</em> row&#39;.</p>

<p>&quot;<em>Congress party </em><em>mein</em><em> </em><em>galat</em><em> </em><em>shabd</em><em> </em><em>prayog</em><em> </em><em>karke</em><em> koi </em><em>bhi</em><em> PM </em><em>ke</em><em> </em><em>baare</em><em> </em><em>mein</em><em> </em><em>nahi</em><em> bol </em><em>sakta</em><em>. Modi </em><em>ji</em><em> </em><em>humare</em><em> </em><em>baare</em><em> </em><em>mein</em><em> </em><em>kuch</em><em> </em><em>bhi</em><em> </em><em>keh</em><em> </em><em>sakte</em><em> </em><em>hain</em><em>. Isliye </em><em>humne</em><em> Mani Shankar Aiyar par </em><em>sakht</em><em> </em><em>karyawahi</em><em> ki</em>,&quot; he noted today.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Congress party hindustan ke PM ki kursi ka aadar karti hai. Aur congress party mein galat shabd prayog karke koi bhi PM ke baare mein nahi bol sakta. Modi ji humare baare mein kuch bhi keh sakte hain. Isliye humne <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ManiShankarAiyar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManiShankarAiyar</a> par sakht karyawahi ki: Rahul Gandhi <a href="https://t.co/pYHMJB0QRs">pic.twitter.com/pYHMJB0QRs</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939043112025964545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>In the meanwhile, PM Modi, who was addressing locals in a rally in Bhabhar, also targeted Mani Shankar Aiyar.</p>

<p>&quot;Mani Shankar Aiyar told people when he visited Pakistan - remove Modi from the way and then see what happens to India-Pakistan peace. What did he mean by removing me from the way? And what is my crime? That I have blessings of the people?&quot; PM noted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ManiShankarAiyar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManiShankarAiyar</a> told people when he visited Pakistan- remove Modi from the way and then see what happens to India-Pakistan peace. What did he mean by removing me from the way? And what is my crime? That I have blessings of the people?: PM Modi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/swZmETOtiM">pic.twitter.com/swZmETOtiM</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939043969484300288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>In a statement shared with media earlier today, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-neech-jibe-on-pm-modi-congress-suspends-mani-shankar-aiyar-26159">Mani Shankar Aiyar</a> apologised and stated that he was saddened by the turn of events.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If any damage has been done to Congress because of what I said or did then I am saddened by it. I had no such intention. I am ready to accept any punishment that the Congress party wants to give me: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ManiShankarAiyar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManiShankarAiyar</a> on his &#39;Neech&#39; comment <a href="https://t.co/b9CTEOpxlc">pic.twitter.com/b9CTEOpxlc</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939045429081079809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He said he had no such intentions and is ready to &quot;accept any punishment&quot; that the Congress wants to give him if the party suffers in the Gujarat election because of him.</p>

<p>Aiyar now stands suspended from the Congress.</p>


'I meant low level when I said 'neech', I think in English when I speak in Hindi,' Aiyar clarified in a statement yesterday

As the campaigning for the second phase of the Gujarat elections reaches fever pitch, Primi Minister addressed a rally in Bhabhar, Gujarat earlier today. While speaking at a rally in Surat yesterday, the Prime Minister lashed out at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar for calling him (PM Modi) a "neech admi". Mr Aiyar's remark had created a furore among political leaders followed by Congress VP Rahul Gandhi asking Mr Aiyar to apologise for his use of language. "I do not appreciate the tone and language used by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyer to address the PM. Both the Congress and I expect him to apologise for what he said," the official tweet noted. BJP and PM routinely use filthy language to attack the Congress party. The Congress has a different culture and heritage. I do not appreciate the tone and language used by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyer to address the PM. Both the Congress and I expect him to apologise for what he said. — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 7, 2017 × Later in the day, Mani Shankar Aiyar went on to make remarks like, "I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language". Why was PM taking a jibe at Congress and Rahul Gandhi at inauguration of a Centre on Baba Saheb Ambedkar? Everyday PM is using foul language against our leaders. I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language: Mani Shankar Aiyar pic.twitter.com/SBqzIjyZsz — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × Aiyar later clarified saying that he used the word "neech" in a completely different context. "I meant low level when I said 'neech', I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue," clarified Aiyar. I meant low level when I said 'neech', I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue. So if it has some other meaning then I apologize: Mani Shankar Aiyar pic.twitter.com/yf5tshB1Vt — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × Earlier today, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally in Chotta Udaipur and expressed regret over 'neech row'. "Congress party mein galat shabd prayog karke koi bhi PM ke baare mein nahi bol sakta. Modi ji humare baare mein kuch bhi keh sakte hain. Isliye humne Mani Shankar Aiyar par sakht karyawahi ki," he noted today. Congress party hindustan ke PM ki kursi ka aadar karti hai. Aur congress party mein galat shabd prayog karke koi bhi PM ke baare mein nahi bol sakta. Modi ji humare baare mein kuch bhi keh sakte hain. Isliye humne #ManiShankarAiyar par sakht karyawahi ki: Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/pYHMJB0QRs — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2017 × In the meanwhile, PM Modi, who was addressing locals in a rally in Bhabhar, also targeted Mani Shankar Aiyar. "Mani Shankar Aiyar told people when he visited Pakistan - remove Modi from the way and then see what happens to India-Pakistan peace. What did he mean by removing me from the way? And what is my crime? That I have blessings of the people?" PM noted. #ManiShankarAiyar told people when he visited Pakistan- remove Modi from the way and then see what happens to India-Pakistan peace. What did he mean by removing me from the way? And what is my crime? That I have blessings of the people?: PM Modi #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/swZmETOtiM — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2017 × In a statement shared with media earlier today, Mani Shankar Aiyar apologised and stated that he was saddened by the turn of events. If any damage has been done to Congress because of what I said or did then I am saddened by it. I had no such intention. I am ready to accept any punishment that the Congress party wants to give me: #ManiShankarAiyar on his 'Neech' comment pic.twitter.com/b9CTEOpxlc — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2017 × He said he had no such intentions and is ready to "accept any punishment" that the Congress wants to give him if the party suffers in the Gujarat election because of him. Aiyar now stands suspended from the Congress.

Ready to accept any punishment: Mani Shankar Aiyar

<p>Congress party is going to win elections in Gujarat and no one can stop it, said Rahul Gandhi on Friday.</p>

<p>Campaigning in Chotta Udaipur ahead of upcoming Assembly polls in Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi said &#39;&#39;Congress party is going to win elections in Gujarat and no one can stop it. Aandhi aa rahi hai.&#39;&#39;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress party is going to win elections in Gujarat &amp; no one can stop it. Aandhi aa rahi hai: Rahul Gandhi in Chotta Udaipur <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/3O9Thmji52">pic.twitter.com/3O9Thmji52</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939041978280321024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Congress vice-president also promised that he will waive off farm loans within 10 days of assuming&nbsp;power. &#39;&#39;Congress party within 10 days of winning the elections will make a policy for farmer loan waiver,&#39;&#39; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>BJP has not yet told the people what they are going to do. In fact, their election manifesto is not yet been released, Rahul Gandhi said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress party within 10 days of winning the elections will make a policy for farmer loan waiver: Rahul Gandhi in Chotta Udaipur <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/ctjjSoF7lQ">pic.twitter.com/ctjjSoF7lQ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939039603230519296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&#39;&#39;Congress party respects the designation of Prime Minister and no one in congress party can use derogatory terms against Prime minister; Modi ji can say anything about us but we are not like that and that&#39;s why we took strict action against Mani Shankar Aiyar,&#39;&#39; Rahul added.&nbsp;</p>


BJP has not yet told the people what they are going to do. In fact, their election manifesto is not yet been released, Rahul Gandhi said

Congress party is going to win elections in Gujarat and no one can stop it, said Rahul Gandhi on Friday. Campaigning in Chotta Udaipur ahead of upcoming Assembly polls in Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi said ''Congress party is going to win elections in Gujarat and no one can stop it. Aandhi aa rahi hai.'' Congress party is going to win elections in Gujarat & no one can stop it. Aandhi aa rahi hai: Rahul Gandhi in Chotta Udaipur #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/3O9Thmji52 — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2017 × The Congress vice-president also promised that he will waive off farm loans within 10 days of assuming power. ''Congress party within 10 days of winning the elections will make a policy for farmer loan waiver,'' he added. BJP has not yet told the people what they are going to do. In fact, their election manifesto is not yet been released, Rahul Gandhi said. Congress party within 10 days of winning the elections will make a policy for farmer loan waiver: Rahul Gandhi in Chotta Udaipur #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/ctjjSoF7lQ — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2017 × ''Congress party respects the designation of Prime Minister and no one in congress party can use derogatory terms against Prime minister; Modi ji can say anything about us but we are not like that and that's why we took strict action against Mani Shankar Aiyar,'' Rahul added.

'Aandhi aa rahi hai': Rahul Gandhi in Chotta Udaipur

<p>A poster congratulating Rahul Gandhi for suspending Mani Shankar Aiyar for his remarks on Narendra Modi has gone viral on social media.</p>

<p>A poster with the written name of Hasib Ahmed, Congress leader from Allahabad has portrayed a batsman body with Rahul Gandhi&#39;s face on it and is seeing whacking a ball with Aiyar&#39;s face on it.</p>

<p>The poster reads &quot;well done Rahul bhaiya,&quot; with Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi&#39;s face incorporating in the poster.</p>

<p>The poster is being heavily shared on social media and receiving mixed reactions as some are actually congratulating Gandhi for his&nbsp;quick decision of straight suspension, some are also seeing it as a sign of how quickly the party abandons its member.</p>

<p>A Former Union Minister and a party member, Mani Shankar Aiyar, described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as &quot;neech,&quot; later he accepted his mistake and clarified saying that as Hindi is not his mother tongue he may have misspoken.</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/amar-singh-calls-aiyar-habitual-offender-26197">Amar Singh calls Aiyar &#39;habitual offender&#39;</a></p>


The poster reads 'well done Rahul bhaiya,' with Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi's face incorporating in the poster

A poster congratulating Rahul Gandhi for suspending Mani Shankar Aiyar for his remarks on Narendra Modi has gone viral on social media. A poster with the written name of Hasib Ahmed, Congress leader from Allahabad has portrayed a batsman body with Rahul Gandhi's face on it and is seeing whacking a ball with Aiyar's face on it. The poster reads "well done Rahul bhaiya," with Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi's face incorporating in the poster. The poster is being heavily shared on social media and receiving mixed reactions as some are actually congratulating Gandhi for his quick decision of straight suspension, some are also seeing it as a sign of how quickly the party abandons its member. A Former Union Minister and a party member, Mani Shankar Aiyar, described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "neech," later he accepted his mistake and clarified saying that as Hindi is not his mother tongue he may have misspoken. Also read: Amar Singh calls Aiyar 'habitual offender'

Poster congratulating Rahul Gandhi for suspending Mani Shankar Aiyar goes viral

<p>The BJP come under renewed attack on Friday when the opposition took aim at the saffron party for not releasing party&#39;s manifesto ahead of the Assembly polls in Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday tweeted accused&nbsp;the &#39;BJP of disrespecting the&nbsp;people of Gujarat by not releasing the manifesto.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;The BJP has shown unbelievable disrespect towards the people of Gujarat. The campaign is over and STILL no mention of a manifesto for the people, no vision and no ideas presented for Gujarat&rsquo;s future,&#39;&#39; tweeted Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">CD ????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ??,?? ?????? ????????????</p>
&mdash; Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) <a href="https://twitter.com/HardikPatel_/status/938994900795666432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;Meanwhile Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel today tweeted BJP is busy making CDs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;The BJP is busy making CDs and in the process forgot to release the party manifesto,&#39;&#39; Patel tweeted in Hindi.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The BJP has shown unbelievable disrespect towards the people of Gujarat. Campaign is over and STILL no mention of a manifesto for the people, no vision and no ideas presented for Gujarat&rsquo;s future. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BJPDisrespectsGujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BJPDisrespectsGujarat</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/938806342411739137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress party released its manifesto on December 4 and&nbsp;promised&nbsp;quota for Patidars besides farm debt waiver.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The election will be held in two phases on December 9 and 14.</p>


Congress vice-president tweeted yesterday that the BJP has shown unbelievable disrespect towards the people of Gujarat. Campaign is over and still no mention of a manifesto

The BJP come under renewed attack on Friday when the opposition took aim at the saffron party for not releasing party's manifesto ahead of the Assembly polls in Gujarat. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday tweeted accused the 'BJP of disrespecting the people of Gujarat by not releasing the manifesto. ''The BJP has shown unbelievable disrespect towards the people of Gujarat. The campaign is over and STILL no mention of a manifesto for the people, no vision and no ideas presented for Gujarat’s future,'' tweeted Rahul Gandhi. CD ????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ??,?? ?????? ???????????? — Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) December 8, 2017 × Meanwhile Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel today tweeted BJP is busy making CDs. ''The BJP is busy making CDs and in the process forgot to release the party manifesto,'' Patel tweeted in Hindi. The BJP has shown unbelievable disrespect towards the people of Gujarat. Campaign is over and STILL no mention of a manifesto for the people, no vision and no ideas presented for Gujarat’s future. #BJPDisrespectsGujarat — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 7, 2017 × Congress party released its manifesto on December 4 and promised quota for Patidars besides farm debt waiver. The election will be held in two phases on December 9 and 14.

BJP is busy making CDs, forgot to release party's manifesto: Hardik Patel

<p>In a move to avoid any further political distress, the Congress has instructed all its spokesperson to steer clear of making any comments on PM Modi or his public addresses.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress instructs all its spokespersons not to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi or his public addresses.</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939149133788545025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Political leaders took to condemning Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar who recently made headlines for calling PM Modi a &#39;<em>neech</em><em> </em><em>aadmi</em>&#39;.</p>

<p>The veteran Congressman was asked by Congress supremo Rahul Gandhi to apologise to the PM and later suspended from the party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mani Shankar Aiyar later confessed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/neech-row-i-am-ready-to-accept-any-punishment-that-the-congress-wants-to-give-me-says-mani-shankar-aiyar-26240" target="_blank">his willingness to accept any punishment</a> from the Congress if the party faces loss in Gujarat elections owing to the &#39;<em>neech</em>&#39; row.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi alluded to the topic earlier today while addressing a rally in Chotta Udaipur stating that Congress respects the PM and that nobody in the party can use ill language to talk about the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-pak-mani-shankar-aiyar-said-remove-modi-from-the-way-says-pm-modi-in-gujarat-rally-26269" target="_blank">Prime Minister</a> of the country.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Congress party hindustan ke PM ki kursi ka aadar karti hai. Aur congress party mein galat shabd prayog karke koi bhi PM ke baare mein nahi bol sakta. Modi ji humare baare mein kuch bhi keh sakte hain. Isliye humne <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ManiShankarAiyar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManiShankarAiyar</a> par sakht karyawahi ki: Rahul Gandhi <a href="https://t.co/pYHMJB0QRs">pic.twitter.com/pYHMJB0QRs</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939043112025964545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;<em>Modi ji humare baare mein kuch bhi keh sakte hain. Isliye humne Mani Shankar Aiyar par sakht karyawahi ki</em>,&quot; he noted.&nbsp;</p>


Political leaders took to condemning Congress Leader Mani Shankar Aiyar who recently made headlines for calling PM Modi a 'neech aadmi'

In a move to avoid any further political distress, the Congress has instructed all its spokesperson to steer clear of making any comments on PM Modi or his public addresses. Congress instructs all its spokespersons not to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi or his public addresses. — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2017 × Political leaders took to condemning Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar who recently made headlines for calling PM Modi a 'neech aadmi'. The veteran Congressman was asked by Congress supremo Rahul Gandhi to apologise to the PM and later suspended from the party. Mani Shankar Aiyar later confessed his willingness to accept any punishment from the Congress if the party faces loss in Gujarat elections owing to the 'neech' row. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi alluded to the topic earlier today while addressing a rally in Chotta Udaipur stating that Congress respects the PM and that nobody in the party can use ill language to talk about the Prime Minister of the country. Congress party hindustan ke PM ki kursi ka aadar karti hai. Aur congress party mein galat shabd prayog karke koi bhi PM ke baare mein nahi bol sakta. Modi ji humare baare mein kuch bhi keh sakte hain. Isliye humne #ManiShankarAiyar par sakht karyawahi ki: Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/pYHMJB0QRs — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2017 × "Modi ji humare baare mein kuch bhi keh sakte hain. Isliye humne Mani Shankar Aiyar par sakht karyawahi ki," he noted.

Congress instructs spokespersons not to comment on PM Modi: Report

<p>For a democracy to function, elections are crucial. The Indian state of Gujarat is going to the polls&nbsp;tomorrow. This will be a bitterly contested run to state power as it is the home ground of India&#39;s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After their UP debacle, the Congress is pumped up too with carefully chosen electoral partners. They have tied up with disgruntled Patidar community leader Hardik Patel as well as have strong support from the Dalit and the Muslim community.</p>

<p>While the whole country debates the shifting dynamics of Gujarati politics, keeping itself engrossed with nitty-gritty details over seats, leaders, areas of influence, we are neglecting to sift through the political discourse that is developing around this state election.</p>

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<h5>What the leaders say in the election campaigns and what the voters want to listen may be very different from the election manifesto that the political parties release amidst much fanfare.</h5>
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<p>Beyond seats and leaders, voters and voting pattern an election can give us foray into the mind of the nation. What the leaders say in the election campaigns and what the voters want to listen may be very different from the election manifesto that the political parties release amidst much fanfare. While the manifestoes may register all the politically correct and so-called progressive ideas and plans directed at nation-building, what the leaders go out to say in political rallies is completely different.</p>

<p>This year&#39;s Gujarat state election best illustrates the point. Months before the Gujarat election dates were announced, the political leaders, as well as, the media houses were referring to Gujarat development model as if it will be the most important criterion in deciding the fate of this election. The newsrooms were abuzz with words such as infrastructure, foreign direct investment, employment generation and other economic jargons. We were splitting hair as to between Kerala and Gujarat&#39;s development path what we should choose and what we let go.</p>

<p>GST figured too. Just like demonetisation, the GST kept Indians busy. We discussed Moody ratings, ease of doing business, doing away with double taxation. All discussions did not revolve around positives though, we were somewhat clueless too about rates of GST and what differences it made to past and current prices.</p>

<p>But such non-religious debates centering around policy measures couldn&#39;t keep either our leaders or voters enticed for long. Their wish was fulfilled when Rahul Gandhi referred to GST as &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39;. I am sure Rahul was referring to what he thought the arbitrary and coercive nature of GST, but the public debate immediately shifted towards name calling. With each passing round, the political leaders of opposing parties tried to prove their&nbsp;better sense of humour over the other. All this tamasha happened at the expense of serious political debate of course.</p>

<p>One would expect, particularly learning from better days of Indian democracy and that of the US, that political leaders would enter into a verbal duel with each other over health, education, municipal administration, infrastructure building and the hazards of pollution. Matters that affect our lives, our children&#39;s lives. But no, we prefer, rather rejoice, to go hoarse over Ram Mandir, Babur, Aurangzeb, Gujarati asmita, calling each other &#39;<em>neech</em>&#39;, demand for reservation and use it to rouse populist sentiment.</p>

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<h5>Instead of such rabble-rousing, why can&#39;t we enter into a constructive political discourse where we really try to figure out how we can build a neat and clean city like Surat or Rajkot.</h5>
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<p>Instead of such rabble-rousing, why can&#39;t we enter into a constructive political discourse where we really try to figure out how we can build a neat and clean city like Surat or Rajkot. Such cities were in a deplorable mess not that many years ago. But with proper drainage and sewage system, the cities have completely undergone a makeover. Why can&#39;t we make all Indian cities like that? I am sure that there would be the question of resource constraint. Then, let&#39;s talk about resources and how we can mobilise it and put it to proper use.</p>

<p>I am equally surprised how pollution never figures in our electoral campaign but Ram Mandir does? The famous London smog almost killed Prime Minister Churchill&#39;s career but our leaders are pretty well surviving as we bicker over Babri Masjid and Ram Mandir. Pray, tell me what is more crucial to our survival: clean air or a place to pray?</p>

<p>A country gets a political system it deserves. Until and unless we evolve ourselves into a conscious democracy, we don&#39;t start asking tough questions and demand better living conditions for our children, we are a doomed nation.</p>

<p>India aspires to be a modern superpower but our political culture and rhetoric smack of primitive feudal ideas.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).</em></p>


India aspires to be a modern superpower but our political culture and rhetoric smack of primitive feudal ideas

For a democracy to function, elections are crucial. The Indian state of Gujarat is going to the polls tomorrow. This will be a bitterly contested run to state power as it is the home ground of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After their UP debacle, the Congress is pumped up too with carefully chosen electoral partners. They have tied up with disgruntled Patidar community leader Hardik Patel as well as have strong support from the Dalit and the Muslim community. While the whole country debates the shifting dynamics of Gujarati politics, keeping itself engrossed with nitty-gritty details over seats, leaders, areas of influence, we are neglecting to sift through the political discourse that is developing around this state election. What the leaders say in the election campaigns and what the voters want to listen may be very different from the election manifesto that the political parties release amidst much fanfare. × Beyond seats and leaders, voters and voting pattern an election can give us foray into the mind of the nation. What the leaders say in the election campaigns and what the voters want to listen may be very different from the election manifesto that the political parties release amidst much fanfare. While the manifestoes may register all the politically correct and so-called progressive ideas and plans directed at nation-building, what the leaders go out to say in political rallies is completely different. This year's Gujarat state election best illustrates the point. Months before the Gujarat election dates were announced, the political leaders, as well as, the media houses were referring to Gujarat development model as if it will be the most important criterion in deciding the fate of this election. The newsrooms were abuzz with words such as infrastructure, foreign direct investment, employment generation and other economic jargons. We were splitting hair as to between Kerala and Gujarat's development path what we should choose and what we let go. GST figured too. Just like demonetisation, the GST kept Indians busy. We discussed Moody ratings, ease of doing business, doing away with double taxation. All discussions did not revolve around positives though, we were somewhat clueless too about rates of GST and what differences it made to past and current prices. But such non-religious debates centering around policy measures couldn't keep either our leaders or voters enticed for long. Their wish was fulfilled when Rahul Gandhi referred to GST as 'Gabbar Singh Tax'. I am sure Rahul was referring to what he thought the arbitrary and coercive nature of GST, but the public debate immediately shifted towards name calling. With each passing round, the political leaders of opposing parties tried to prove their better sense of humour over the other. All this tamasha happened at the expense of serious political debate of course. One would expect, particularly learning from better days of Indian democracy and that of the US, that political leaders would enter into a verbal duel with each other over health, education, municipal administration, infrastructure building and the hazards of pollution. Matters that affect our lives, our children's lives. But no, we prefer, rather rejoice, to go hoarse over Ram Mandir, Babur, Aurangzeb, Gujarati asmita, calling each other 'neech', demand for reservation and use it to rouse populist sentiment. Instead of such rabble-rousing, why can't we enter into a constructive political discourse where we really try to figure out how we can build a neat and clean city like Surat or Rajkot. × Instead of such rabble-rousing, why can't we enter into a constructive political discourse where we really try to figure out how we can build a neat and clean city like Surat or Rajkot. Such cities were in a deplorable mess not that many years ago. But with proper drainage and sewage system, the cities have completely undergone a makeover. Why can't we make all Indian cities like that? I am sure that there would be the question of resource constraint. Then, let's talk about resources and how we can mobilise it and put it to proper use. I am equally surprised how pollution never figures in our electoral campaign but Ram Mandir does? The famous London smog almost killed Prime Minister Churchill's career but our leaders are pretty well surviving as we bicker over Babri Masjid and Ram Mandir. Pray, tell me what is more crucial to our survival: clean air or a place to pray? A country gets a political system it deserves. Until and unless we evolve ourselves into a conscious democracy, we don't start asking tough questions and demand better living conditions for our children, we are a doomed nation. India aspires to be a modern superpower but our political culture and rhetoric smack of primitive feudal ideas. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Why don't we speak of progressive ideas in election campaigns

<p>As the campaigning for the first phase of the Gujarat elections draws to an end, PM Narendra Modi conducted a rally in Surat earlier today.</p>

<p>While addressing the local crowd here, PM Modi talked about Congress&#39; failure as a governing party, &quot;People did not get continuous electricity. When the BJP got to serve Gujarat we ensured continuous power. The demand for Surat was long pending and it is the BJP that has worked on this,&quot; he noted.</p>

<p>PM Modi went on to talk about Congress&#39; Mani Shankar Aiyar who had allegedly called him &quot;neech&quot;. &quot;Congress leaders are speaking in a language that is not acceptable in a democracy. One Congress leader, who has studied in best institutions, served as a diplomat, was a Minister in Cabinet, said Modi is &#39;Neech.&#39; This is insulting. This is nothing but a Mughalai mindset,&quot; PM Modi exclaimed.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress leaders are speaking in a language that is not acceptable in democracy. One Congress leader, who has studied in best institutions, served as a diplomat, was a Minister in Cabinet, he said Modi is &#39;Neech.&#39; This is insulting. This is nothing but a Mughalai Mindset: PM <a href="https://t.co/9IvKewDPMw">pic.twitter.com/9IvKewDPMw</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938722393953988608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Union Minister of Law and Justice, Ravi Shankar Prasad reacted by saying that Congress leader, Mani Shankar Aiyar&#39;s mindset is a &quot;darbaari&quot; one. &quot;He (Mr Aiyar) has called our PM &#39;neech&#39; but we are proud of our Prime Minister,&quot; Ravi Shankar Prasad noted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mani Shankar Aiyar has called our PM &#39;neech&#39; but we are proud of our Prime Minister, he has answered (Mani Shankar Aiyar) very politely &amp; sensibly. Aiyar&#39;s mindset is a &#39;darbaari&#39; one: Ravi Shankar Prasad <a href="https://t.co/XLc3T1Ryp3">pic.twitter.com/XLc3T1Ryp3</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938727256834240513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi further noted that &quot;the people of Gujarat will give a fitting answer to such deplorable language...&nbsp;They can call me &#39;Neech&#39;- Yes, I am from the poor section of society and will spend every moment of my life to work for the poor, Dalits, Tribals and OBC communities. They can keep their language, we will do our work,&quot; he noted while addressing the rally in Surat.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yes, they called me &#39;Neech&#39; but our value systems are strong. We have nothing to say to such elements. Our answer will come through ballot box. We have seen enough insults from them. They insulted me when I was CM. They called me &#39;Maut Ka Saudagar&#39; &amp; wanted to jail me: PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/XNxyeTKBb7">pic.twitter.com/XNxyeTKBb7</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938724845763813376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>In the meanwhile Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi asked Mr Aiyar to apologise for his use of language against PM Modi.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP and PM routinely use filthy language to attack the Congress party. The Congress has a different culture and heritage. I do not appreciate the tone and language used by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyer to address the PM. Both the Congress and I expect him to apologise for what he said.</p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/938732839880687616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had previously derided PM Modi calling him a tea seller who could never become the Prime Minister of the country.</p>

<p>Mani Shankar Aiyar finally retorted saying that &quot;Everyday PM is using foul language against our leaders. I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language,&quot; he told media today.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Why was PM taking a jibe at Congress and Rahul Gandhi at inauguration of a Centre on Baba Saheb Ambedkar? Everyday PM is using foul language against our leaders. I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language: Mani Shankar Aiyar <a href="https://t.co/SBqzIjyZsz">pic.twitter.com/SBqzIjyZsz</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938737033056370688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;I meant low level when I said &#39;neech&#39;, I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue,&quot; clarified Aiyar.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I meant low level when I said &#39;neech&#39;, I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue. So if it has some other meaning then I apologize: Mani Shankar Aiyar <a href="https://t.co/yf5tshB1Vt">pic.twitter.com/yf5tshB1Vt</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938737804854444032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Political leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav&nbsp;and Union Minister of Finance&nbsp;Arun Jaitley also reacted on the row.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It is not just a matter of filthy language but of Congress&#39; mindset which says that only one family can rule this country and if someone from the weaker section becomes PM then they call him &#39;chaiwala&#39; &amp; &#39;neech&#39;: Arun Jaitley <a href="https://t.co/cWtDZMx7Cb">pic.twitter.com/cWtDZMx7Cb</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938741097609568256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>In case you missed out on what was exactly said by Mr Aiyar, here&#39;s a look!</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: &quot;Ye aadmi bahut neech kisam ka aadmi hai, is mein koi sabhyata nahi hai, aur aise mauke par is kisam ki gandi rajniti karne ki kya avashyakta hai?: Congress&#39; Mani Shankar Aiyar on PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/sNXeo6a1Gi">pic.twitter.com/sNXeo6a1Gi</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938705515760123904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had previously derided PM Modi calling him a tea seller who could never be Prime Minister

As the campaigning for the first phase of the Gujarat elections draws to an end, PM Narendra Modi conducted a rally in Surat earlier today. While addressing the local crowd here, PM Modi talked about Congress' failure as a governing party, "People did not get continuous electricity. When the BJP got to serve Gujarat we ensured continuous power. The demand for Surat was long pending and it is the BJP that has worked on this," he noted. PM Modi went on to talk about Congress' Mani Shankar Aiyar who had allegedly called him "neech". "Congress leaders are speaking in a language that is not acceptable in a democracy. One Congress leader, who has studied in best institutions, served as a diplomat, was a Minister in Cabinet, said Modi is 'Neech.' This is insulting. This is nothing but a Mughalai mindset," PM Modi exclaimed. Congress leaders are speaking in a language that is not acceptable in democracy. One Congress leader, who has studied in best institutions, served as a diplomat, was a Minister in Cabinet, he said Modi is 'Neech.' This is insulting. This is nothing but a Mughalai Mindset: PM pic.twitter.com/9IvKewDPMw — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × Union Minister of Law and Justice, Ravi Shankar Prasad reacted by saying that Congress leader, Mani Shankar Aiyar's mindset is a "darbaari" one. "He (Mr Aiyar) has called our PM 'neech' but we are proud of our Prime Minister," Ravi Shankar Prasad noted. Mani Shankar Aiyar has called our PM 'neech' but we are proud of our Prime Minister, he has answered (Mani Shankar Aiyar) very politely & sensibly. Aiyar's mindset is a 'darbaari' one: Ravi Shankar Prasad pic.twitter.com/XLc3T1Ryp3 — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi further noted that "the people of Gujarat will give a fitting answer to such deplorable language... They can call me 'Neech'- Yes, I am from the poor section of society and will spend every moment of my life to work for the poor, Dalits, Tribals and OBC communities. They can keep their language, we will do our work," he noted while addressing the rally in Surat. Yes, they called me 'Neech' but our value systems are strong. We have nothing to say to such elements. Our answer will come through ballot box. We have seen enough insults from them. They insulted me when I was CM. They called me 'Maut Ka Saudagar' & wanted to jail me: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/XNxyeTKBb7 — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × In the meanwhile Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi asked Mr Aiyar to apologise for his use of language against PM Modi. BJP and PM routinely use filthy language to attack the Congress party. The Congress has a different culture and heritage. I do not appreciate the tone and language used by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyer to address the PM. Both the Congress and I expect him to apologise for what he said. — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 7, 2017 × Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had previously derided PM Modi calling him a tea seller who could never become the Prime Minister of the country. Mani Shankar Aiyar finally retorted saying that "Everyday PM is using foul language against our leaders. I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language," he told media today. Why was PM taking a jibe at Congress and Rahul Gandhi at inauguration of a Centre on Baba Saheb Ambedkar? Everyday PM is using foul language against our leaders. I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language: Mani Shankar Aiyar pic.twitter.com/SBqzIjyZsz — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × "I meant low level when I said 'neech', I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue," clarified Aiyar. I meant low level when I said 'neech', I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue. So if it has some other meaning then I apologize: Mani Shankar Aiyar pic.twitter.com/yf5tshB1Vt — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × Political leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav and Union Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley also reacted on the row. It is not just a matter of filthy language but of Congress' mindset which says that only one family can rule this country and if someone from the weaker section becomes PM then they call him 'chaiwala' & 'neech': Arun Jaitley pic.twitter.com/cWtDZMx7Cb — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × In case you missed out on what was exactly said by Mr Aiyar, here's a look! #WATCH: "Ye aadmi bahut neech kisam ka aadmi hai, is mein koi sabhyata nahi hai, aur aise mauke par is kisam ki gandi rajniti karne ki kya avashyakta hai?: Congress' Mani Shankar Aiyar on PM Modi pic.twitter.com/sNXeo6a1Gi — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 ×

'Neech' row: I can reply to PM in his language, says Mani Shankar Aiyar

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has issued an apology to the public after tweeting an erroneous post on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rahul&nbsp;had&nbsp;tweeted about figures highlighting price rise of essential commodities, which were later found to be incorrect.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The post soon became viral as people started talking about the issue on social media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Rahul later realized the error and deleted the tweet.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The wrong tweet posted by Rahul Gandhi which was later deleted (Twitter)</p>
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<p>He later&nbsp;issued an apology and posted it his Twitter handle, saying: &quot;Unlike Narendrabhai, I am human,&rdquo; adding, &ldquo;For all my BJP friends: We do make the odd mistake and that&rsquo;s what makes life interesting. Thanks for pointing it out and please do keep it coming, it really helps me improve. Love you all.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">For all my BJP friends: unlike Narendrabhai, I am human. We do make the odd mistake and that&rsquo;s what makes life interesting. Thanks for pointing it out and please do keep it coming, it really helps me improve. Love you all.</p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/938291794441396224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier on Tuesday, he had posted the tweet titled&nbsp;<em>22 Salon ka Hisaab, Gujarat Mange Jawab</em>&nbsp;(Gujarat demands answers for 22 Years of BJP Rule), taking a dig at Modi to answer whether the BJP government has been&nbsp;working just for the rich, where he posted the&nbsp;erroneous figures.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">22 ????? ?? ?????<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%87_%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#??????_?????_????</a><br />
<br />
??????????????-7??? ????:<br />
<br />
?????? ?? ?????? ??? ??<br />
??????? ?? ????? ??? ??<br />
GST ???? ???? ??? ??<br />
???? ??? ??? ?? -<br />
?????? ??? ??<br />
<br />
????? ????? ?? ???? ???????<br />
?? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? <a href="https://t.co/1S8Yt0nI7B">pic.twitter.com/1S8Yt0nI7B</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/937918237613834240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The tweet was later deleted and replaced with a corrected table

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has issued an apology to the public after tweeting an erroneous post on Tuesday. Rahul had tweeted about figures highlighting price rise of essential commodities, which were later found to be incorrect. The post soon became viral as people started talking about the issue on social media. However, Rahul later realized the error and deleted the tweet. The wrong tweet posted by Rahul Gandhi which was later deleted (Twitter) × He later issued an apology and posted it his Twitter handle, saying: "Unlike Narendrabhai, I am human,” adding, “For all my BJP friends: We do make the odd mistake and that’s what makes life interesting. Thanks for pointing it out and please do keep it coming, it really helps me improve. Love you all.” For all my BJP friends: unlike Narendrabhai, I am human. We do make the odd mistake and that’s what makes life interesting. Thanks for pointing it out and please do keep it coming, it really helps me improve. Love you all. — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 6, 2017 × Earlier on Tuesday, he had posted the tweet titled 22 Salon ka Hisaab, Gujarat Mange Jawab (Gujarat demands answers for 22 Years of BJP Rule), taking a dig at Modi to answer whether the BJP government has been working just for the rich, where he posted the erroneous figures. 22 ????? ?? ?????#??????_?????_???? ??????????????-7??? ????: ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ?? GST ???? ???? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??? ?? - ?????? ??? ?? ????? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? pic.twitter.com/1S8Yt0nI7B — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 5, 2017 ×

Unlike Narendrabhai, I am human, we do make the odd mistake, tweets Rahul Gandhi

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